CHAPTER III.

MARY'S FIRST PLACE IN SERVICE.

"Thou shalt call me, My Father, and shalt not turn away from me."-JER. iii. 19.

THE time was now come for Mary to go to service. Perhaps no one in the world stands more in need of having the Lord Jesus, the ever-present God, for their friend, than the child who leaves her school and her home, to go and live with strangers. Yet many mothers think nothing about this. They send their children away from them, without even kneeling down to ask the God of Heaven to watch over them and preserve them from evil. Many

parents are quite as ready to send their children to live among the enemies of the Lord Jesus, as among His friends. They enquire what wages they will receive, but they never ask whether they will be taught the fear of God, whether they will be kept from the temptations of this wicked world, and have a good example before their eyes. Many a poor child leaves her school willing to be led in the right way; but her parents send her to live with those who have no fear of God, and she soon forgets all good instructions, and learns the evil ways of those around her. Such parents put their children into the fire of temptation, and they will have to answer to God for the souls of those children.

Nelly Jones heard of two situations about the same time; they were both in the next town. One of these was at a Public House, and the mistress offered five pounds for

wages, as she was anxious for Mary, having taken a fancy to the girl. The other was a place of all work at a small shop. There were three young children, so it was not likely to be a very easy place, and the wages were only four pounds a year, for the mistress said she could always get a girl for that money, so she should not give more. Mrs. Markham, for that was the shopkeeper's name, was a very respectable person; her manners were rough, but she was not really unkind; she always allowed her servant to go to church on Sunday afternoon, and this was all the liberty they had. Mary's mother did not even go to inquire about the situation at the public-house. She said, 'If she were to put her girl into temptation, and then to see her go wrong, she should never forgive herself.' So she went at once to Mrs. Markham and engaged her place, and then did her best to prepare her child for it. Nelly had not much learning, she

could not read one letter of the holy Word of God; but she followed it better than many do who can both read and repeat it. Before Mary left for service, Nelly went to the minister, and told him about the place she had taken for her; she did not say anything about the one she had refused, for she knew, without wanting to be told, that she had done right in that. Now it happened that the minister knew an excellent clergyman, who lived in the town, so he told Nelly that he would write to this good minister, and he should wish Mary to attend at the church where he preached, for he was sure that he would take an interest in her. The last Sunday on which Mary went to the school was a sad day to her, and so was the Monday when she left her home. Cuthbert drove her in his master's light cart; and the poor girl was full of sorrow when he left her behind with strangers. Her mistress spoke in a quick short tone;

the children stared at her, and Mary thought she should never be happy any more. But she had been taught her duty both to God and man, and though it seemed to her now as if it would be very hard to please man, she felt she could still try to please her Father in heaven; she knew the things that pleased Him, and though away from all her friends He was with her still, and his love comforted her heart. Those who try to please God will soon learn to do their earthly duties well, and God can give us favour in the eyes of those we serve. Mary was so quiet and thoughtful that her mistress soon began to value her. Her master was pleased with her, because he did not find Mrs. Markham put out as she used to be by the untidy ways of the other servant-girls, and the few little things he wanted were always done well and pleasantly. The two elder children never troubled their mother now; Mary was so kind and patient in her ways that