19] LITTLE ANN. 19 teacher. Such a course of life as poor Jane had led, could only be continued for a short time. Her constitution was soon ruined, her health was soon gone, and ere long, all that train of wretchedness and misery followed which is the natural consequence of so wicked a life. Reduced to the lowest stage of wretchedness— quite ignorant of God—and totally unconcerned about her soul—she presented a melancholy figure. This wus poor Jane’s case, when half famished for want of food, and half naked for want of clothing, she came and implored shelter within the poor-house walls. Hitherto no one had cared for her soul—men had helped to betray, and had then forsaken her, and women had shunned and spurned her from their doors. But God, who is rich in mercy, had not, as yet, quite cast her off—nay, we have a good hope that his providence sent her to the poor-house, as to the place where he had provided food, both for her body and soul. To this forlorn and unhappy creature the compassions of little Ann’s heart went forth. She found her extremely ignorant of the Scriptures, and of divine things in general, and rightly considering her a very bad character, she, as often as possible, read the word of God, and other books to her, and by unwearied kindness and attention, endeavoured to lead her to attend to such instructions as she was able to give—nor were
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