After he had concluded these remarks, M. ---- requested that some of
the remaining Bibles and Testaments might be brought and laid before
him on the table. These he distributed gratuitously to all present who
had not before been supplied, and who were unable to purchase them.
While he was doing this, many who had previously received the sacred
volume, came forward and manifested their gratitude by laying upon the
table their various donations of from two to ten francs[3] each, till,
in a few moments, the table was well nigh covered. M. ---- told them
he was unwilling to receive money in that manner, and wished them to
put their gifts into the hands of the widow, accompanied by the names
of the donors, that they might be regularly accounted to the Bible
Society. This they consented to with some reluctance, when the widow
brought from her drawer a purse containing a hundred and seventy
francs, saying to M. ----, that he could not refuse that money, as
it was the proceeds of Bibles and Testaments which she had sold in
compliance with his directions. M. ---- replied to her, that he had
indeed requested her to sell these volumes to such as were able to
purchase, that he might ascertain whether there were persons in that
neighbourhood who sufficiently appreciated the word of God to be
willing to pay for it; but, that object having been accomplished, it
was now his privilege, on his own personal responsibility, to place
the hundred and seventy francs in the hands of the widow, to be
distributed, in equal portions, to the three unfortunate families whom
they had mentioned us having recently lost their husbands and fathers
by the caving in of a coal-pit.

[Footnote 3: Five francs are nearly equal to one dollar.]

On hearing this, they together, spontaneously as it were, surrounded