The Lord sent forth the seventy "two and two before His face into every city and place." In effective lay-work the principle holds good through all the difficulties of domiciliary effort. The Missionaries of London and other large towns have each a responsible helper,--their local superintendent. It thus occurred that the man with the Book never stood alone in his work, and if he had it would have been feebly done. His beloved superintendent bore his full share of responsibility. At first he visited with him that he might make himself fully acquainted with the nature of the work and then he gave prayerful influence, with Christian council and sustaining sympathy. Under God, much of the success which attended, and still attends the visitation of public and coffee-houses, is due to the direction of that "honourable counsellor," Mr. W. R. Ellis. And here it is well to add that the chief secretaries of the Mission, the Rev. John Garwood and the late Rev. John Robinson, have left an impress of good upon this and each branch of the work. Their clearness of judgment and full comprehension of the will of the committee, always gave value to their advice; while their devotion to the cause of Christ in London stimulated the zeal, and gave solidity to the labours of young missionaries. This testimony can now be given, as one of them has received the upward call from the Master; and the other, after forty years of faithful service, has retired from official responsibility, though still active as a director of the Society's affairs. Blessed, indeed, are they who are called in early life to labour in the Gospel, and are honoured with long life in the highest and best employ, with sure anticipation of the blessed rest! The Book in the Den: ITS MAJESTY. "And often did she bless the night,-- That night without a star, When Mercy kept the lonely watch, And left the door ajar." _Mrs. Sewell._ CHAPTER X. THE SLEEPLESS CITY--TEDDIE'S DEN--A STRANGE INVITATION--THE TEA--A MIDNIGHT VISIT--A VISIT TO RAG-FAIR--MANY RESCUED--SMASHERS--THE BETTER PART CHOSEN--DREADFUL DEATH-BED SCENE--A STRONGHOLD DESTROYED. THE BOOK IN THE DEN: ITS MAJESTY. "For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." HEB. iv. 12. London never sleeps. The noise and din of the mighty city is hushed as the night advances and the toiling millions of the day sink to repose; but their rest is the signal for the activity of others. The protection of its vast accumulation of wealth and property requires an army of police. The supply of its markets requires the wakefulness of thousands, while its traffic requires an extensive night service of cabmen and others. In addition to these, and workers upon the morning press, and other sons of toil who earn their daily bread by night, there is the vast multitude of those who "Live to sin, and sin to live,"