There were not many passengers on board the vessel in which I was going to Belgium, which rendered our intercourse more intimate. While I was conversing with two elderly persons from Holland, I saw a respectable looking young man, passing backwards and forwards, who seemed to listen to what I said. In the afternoon, as I was seated among some bales of goods, the same young man placed himself beside me, and made some remark as to the fineness of the weather. "Yes," I answered, "it is a proof of the goodness of God to us; but to be sensible of His goodness is a far greater blessing. Has not a Christian double cause for happiness, since all he receives comes from the hand of his Father?" He answered, "The captain and I were just now speaking about you. The captain said he never saw any one look happier, and he thought you must have some especial cause for it. I wish, sir, I frankly confess, to be told what your secret is; for, in truth, I am not free from anxiety." He then proceeded to relate how he had gone from place to place, in order to practise his profession as a painter, and yet all his calculations had been disappointed. He was a native of Belgium, and a Roman Catholic. "But," he added, with a sort of contempt, "all my religion has given me no consolation. What do you think is the use of all these rites and ceremonies? They are wearisome, and that is all." "My secret," I answered, "which is not one in reality, is of a very different character. The Bible, sir, by the mercy of God, has rendered me happy, not only for this world, but, above all, for eternity. Perhaps you never read it?" "The Bible, sir? Do you not know it is denied, and even forbidden, to us Catholics? I have heard, indeed, that some priests allow their parishioners to read it, but they are very few; and the truth is that, if any of us were to read the Bible, he would be forced to do penance, and to give the Book up to our priest. I have never read it, I own." "Here is a part of it," I said, producing my New Testament. "This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." "The Gospel!" said the young man, with surprise. "Is it all contained in that small Book? I should never have supposed it." "This small Book," I said, "contains, in our language, all that God has said to us by Jesus Christ, and costs only one franc" (tenpence). "Only one franc! Is it possible? I will have one, and read it, you may be sure. I promise you, as soon as we arrive at Brussels, the first thing I do will be to get that Book." "But, sir, you say that your priest will not allow you to read it?"