n UTTLE ANN 7 able to do more than silently to gaze on the emaciated, but still sweet-looking child’s countenance. I could not request the family to withdraw, and while they were present, I, for awhile, could say nothing. Aspasio at length broke in on our unprofitable silence, by saying, “ Well, Ann, I have brought a kind gentleman to talk to you about heaven, and about your soul, and about Jesus Christ. He loves children who love their Saviour. I hope you are glad he is come?” She turned her bright black eyes upon me, and smiled, and moved her lips; but the sounds fell short, they were too faint to reach my ear. “ She can only speak in a whisper,” said Aspasio; “ you must go nearer.” I did so, and while the mother was reaching a chair, the repeated smile of little Ann’s countenance, and the pleasing look she first cast on Aspasio, and then on myself, spoke plain enough to this effect, “ Sir, you are welcome here; I am glad of one more opportunity to hear of my dear Saviour, and to tell to others that I love him.” Indeed, there was not one symptom of confusion or fear about her. Her whole manner was calculated to do away all my hesitations, and to lead me on at once to a familiar conversation. Nor did I leave her without having cause to say to myself, “ It is good for me that I have both seen and conversed with thee, thou happy and interesting stranger.” It not unfrequently happens, when we visit individuals of whom we have heard some glowing description given by a fond and partial friend, that we come away disappointed. The parties have not realized the character given of them, nor any way interested us as we had expected. But in little Ann’s case it was quite the reverse. I set off with but low expectations, and I returned with deep, and, I trust, abiding convictions of the freeness, the richness, and power of that grace of God, which once induced the Creator of men and Angels to exclaim, “ Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” In the course of my different conversations with this
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