“My good Lord’s been here,” said Tom softly to himself, and then he kneeled down and thanked God humbly and gratefully both for the opportunity he had given him, and also for this night’s victory. No pride of the task assigned him entered his mind; and when, after curious questioning in Aunt Margaret’s cabin as to the result of his visit to the mansion, he told them that Mr. Sutherland wanted some writing done by him, he had no pride in the announcement; and when he saw, as he could not help seeing, how he rose immediately in the estimation of his questioners, he was very glad, only because it might help in his work for Jesus. It was Tom’s plan to start a little Sunday-school after a while. He felt very timid about it, and although he had taken no decided step in the matter, he had gradually won his way to the hearts of the people on the place, and by frequent acts of kindness was becoming rather popular among them. As I said before, this was very dangerous. He might forget for whom he was working, and learn to think only of himself. This could not be yet, however, for he still looked to Jesus for help and strength, and while he did so he was secure. As soon as it was noised abroad that the master needed Tom’s services to write for him every night, the respect for Tom increased, and put him in the way of more work. The people who, like Tom, had come to the plantation for the summer, came to him to have letters written and messages sent to their absent friends, so Tom’s hands began to be quite full; and always intent as he was upon his work for Jesus, he would send a message or a bit of advice or counsel to the friends of those for whom he wrote, and so his influence became widespread. How much pleasure he took in answering the two letters which had brought him so much comfort was best known to himself, but his face was brighter and his step lighter for days afterward.