"If nothing happens, another winter will find ae in Indiana. I've been thinkin' of it a long time." "And all because you want to be free," said Mr. Elkins, rather humorously. He had often conversed with Mr. Lincoln in respect to slavery, and respected his views, although he did not feel quite so strongly upon the subject as Mr. Lincoln did.

Settle that question,

"Yes; I shall never have a better time than this. If I'm ever goin', I'd better go now." "Had you better go at all? and ask the Lord to direct you. that walketh to direct his steps.' dom from above.”

It is not in man We all want wis

"That is very true," said Mrs. Lincoln; "and I trust that we shall take no step that He will not approve."

"That is the right spirit to have," said Mr. Elkins, rising to go, and excusing himself from remaining longer. "I've quite a journey to take yet."

"I wish you were to preach here to-morrow," continued Mrs. Lincoln. "It is such a privilege to hear, the Gospel ! "

"Your family scarcely need it," answered Mr. Elkins, suggestively; "your sermons do very well for your family on the Sabbath." He alluded here to the manner of her keeping the Sabbath.

"I don't deserve your compliment, Mr. Elkins." "I'll leave that to your husband and children to decide. I have no doubt they will agree with me. So good by to you." And he left.

Mr. Elkins alluded, as we have said, to her custom of instructing her family from the Bible on the Sabbath, when there was no preaching in the region. Being the only person in the family who could read, she improved the Lord's day to read much from the Scriptures. Her method in this respect was so excellent, and exerted such an influence in forming Abraham's character, that we shall devote the following chapter to it.

IV.

THE SABBATH LESSON.

was Sabbath morning (the day after Mr. Elkins called), and the simple breakfast had been partaken, the dishes cleared away and washed, and the room put in order for holy time. The morning devotions had been enjoyed, the mother reading the Scriptures, and the father leading in prayer. And the angels had gone up to God on shining wings, with tidings of a Sabbath well begun. Come, my children," said Mrs. Lincoln, "let us honor the day by reading the Word of God." And she took down the Bible from a shelf in the cabin. "Would that we could hear Mr. Elkins preach to-day! but that is impossible, and we must keep the day as best we can."

66

"When will Mr. Elkins preach again?" inquired Abraham.

"One week from to-day he expects to be "here. To-day God must preach to us out of his Word." "No better preaching than that," said her husband.

"And well for us if we profit by it," responded his wife.

We have said that Mr. Elkins was a preacher of the Baptist denomination, to which this pious couple belonged. He visited that region as often as he could; but there were many Sabbaths when they had no preaching. At these times Mrs. Lincoln gathered her children around her, and read and expounded the Bible. As she could read, and her husband could not, she was obliged to bear a great part of the responsibility of this form of religious instruction.

"Where shall I read?" she asked.

"Read about Moses," replied Abraham. The story of Moses, in common with others, had been read and told to him over and over, so that he was familiar with it, and was never weary of listening to it.

"A good story that is," said his father; "and you seem to like it, Abe."

"Yes, sir; but I like some others about as well.' "We'll read about Moses first," said his mother; "and I hope you'll try to be like him. He was just as good a boy as he was a man."

So she read through the whole record of Moses's life; and the children and their father listened with breathless interest, though they had done the same many times before.

"How

"Wonderful!" exclaimed Mrs. Lincoln. God kept him by his power, and saved him from all harm!

"That he might do his will, and lead his people," added her husband.

"Yes, that was it; and, though hosts of enemies and great difficulties were in his way, his purposes were executed.”

"All things are possible with God," said Mr. Lincoln.

"And a blessed thing it is for this wicked world," replied his wife. "If man could have his own way, there would be an end to all peace and happiness very soon."

"Yes, the Psalmist could well say, 'The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice.'

"Now read about Joseph," said Abraham. This was another of the Bible stories to which he loved to listen. Before he could talk, these thrilling sacred histories were related to him in the simple language of maternal affection, and his young heart was deeply impressed by them.

"See how obedient he was," said his mother, as she proceeded with the narrative. "No wonder that God blessed him!"

Again she would say, "How kind he was to his brothers, even when they were cruel to him!"

And again, "God will take care of one who is so faithful."

Yet, again, as the narrative drew to its close, "How good in him to treat his wicked brothers so well! He might have punished them dreadfully