what she had been doing during the whole of the fine weather.

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Oh," said she, I had a merry summer. I sung and danced all the time."

"Then

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sing and dance now," said the Ant; "and may you also have a merry winter.” 'You smile, my friends," continued M. Blanc. "Ah! you like amusement better than serious instruction. I see, however, that you can be attentive when you please. Listen, then, to the moral of our tale. Do you not perceive its striking resemblance to the parable of the Ten Virgins. The Ant represents those that were wise, and the Grasshopper, those that were foolish. The wise provided oil for their lamps, whilst the foolish were engaged in vain pursuits, and remained destitute. Like the Grasshopper, in its extremity of hunger, the foolish Virgins, in their time of need, asked oil for their lamps; but the wise, like the Ant, refused to give, lest their own oil should fail. Then cometh the Bridegroom, and closeth the door; and when the foolish Virgins seek to enter, he says unto them, Depart; Verily I say unto

E

you, I know you not. Awake, then, my friends; watch and pray; for ye also know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man shall come.

CHAPTER III.

THE REVIVAL AT MENS STILL INCREASES-A BRIEF NOTICE OF EMILY-MENS BECOMES THE CENTRE OF RELIGIOUS ATTRACTION-NEFF IS PARTICULARLY ATTACHED TO THE YOUNGER PART OF HIS CHARGE-IS ANXIOUS TO FORM A BIBLE SOCIETY-A TRACT SOCIETY IS FORMED-PRAYER MEETING SECRETLY FORMED AND SOON NUMEROUSLY ATTENDED.

THE revival at Mens now began to assume a most astonishing aspect. Persons of every age and condition were brought to seek an interest in the precious blood of Christ; and so sudden was this important change, that it had more the appearance of a resurrection of the spiritually dead, effected by some extraordinary operation of Almighty power, than of that progressive diffusion of divine life which usually accompanies the labours of the most honoured and devoted of the ministers of Christ. But the circumstance in which Neff more especially rejoiced, was the change which had evidently taken place amongst many of his catechumens. He had always

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REVIVAL AT MENS STILL INCREASES.

manifested the most lively and tender interest in their instruction, had been constant and earnest in his supplications at the throne of grace on their behalf, and had visited each one of them in the retirement of home. His solicitude, however, did not rest entirely upon his juvenile pupils. It extended equally to all the children of his parishioners; and amongst numbers who had thus the happiness to participate in his cares, we may mention a girl only eight years of age, who, under his fostering hand, became remarkable for her perseverance in piety, although subjected to violent opposition from her parents. Neff felt that if such stedfastness in faith could be manifested at so tender an age, and could perseveringly surmount such obstacles, it would not be presumptuous to suppose that the seed thus sown in childhood, or in youth, would spring up in after life, and yield fruit both excellent and abundant.

The happy blending of patience and humility, of good humour and perseverance, united with fervent piety, which always characterised the instructions Neff addressed

to the young, rendered them peculiarly adapted to implant in their minds those deep and indelible impressions, which were well calculated to preserve them from the sins and follies of youth; whilst the remembrance of the sacred hours thus spent in listening to their pastor, his affectionate solicitude, and his solemn exhortations, would become more vivid, and exercise a greater influence upon them, in proportion as life advanced, and its vain illusions should vanish.

Numerous as were the instances of the saving operations of the Holy Spirit, which rendered this period so remarkable, there are none which exceed in interest that which forms the subject of the following pathetic narrative.

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"Emily," says Neff, was exceedingly fond of frivolous and sinful amusements, and was a constant attendant at ball parties, village wakes, and other places of vain and foolish resort. At the same time, however, she was regular and punctual in her attendance at catechetical instructions, as well as at the more public exercises of religious worship. Being one of the most intelligent