Lord to allow me to possess; but my strength is worn out, and I fear
I maun yield in the strife;" and she wiped her eye with her apron.
I told her, however, to be of good cheer; and then she said, "That
she could no longer thole the din of the school, and that she was
weary, and ready to lay herself down to die whenever the Lord was
pleased to permit." "But," continued she, "what can I do without
the school; and, alas! I can neither work nor want; and I am wae to
go on the session, for I am come of a decent family." I comforted
her, and told her, that I thought she had done so much good in the
parish, that the session was deep in her debt, and that what they
might give her was but a just payment for her service. "I would
rather, however, sir," said she, "try first what some of my auld
scholars will do, and it was for that I wanted to speak with you.
If some of them would but just, from time to time, look in upon me,
that I may not die alane; and the little pick and drap that I
require would not be hard upon them--I am more sure that in this way
their gratitude would be no discredit, than I am of having any claim
on the session."

As I had always a great respect for an honest pride, I assured her
that I would do what she wanted; and accordingly, the very morning
after, being Sabbath, I preached a sermon on the helplessness of
them that have no help of man, meaning aged single women, living in
garret-rooms, whose forlorn state, in the gloaming of life, I made
manifest to the hearts and understandings of the congregation, in
such a manner that many shed tears, and went away sorrowful.

Having thus roused the feelings of my people, I went round the
houses on the Monday morning, and mentioned what I had to say more
particularly about poor old Nanse Banks, the schoolmistress, and