One evening the visitor had occasion to call at a public institution, and stopped in the lobby to examine a microscope and set of lenses. The optician showed him a telescope by which he said stars at a great distance could be seen and particulars accurately defined. In answer to the inquiry, "If those distinguished by the appellation 'telescopic stars,' and ranging from the seventh magnitude upwards could be seen by it," he gave a very clever answer, which led to a long and pleasant conversation. At parting, the visitor observed "that there was an instrument now much in use by the 'wise,' of higher range, and called by the name of 'faith,'--a gift of God, a power by which Christians could look through the clouds, beyond the nebulae, even to the place where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God." The optician shook his head, and said that "he believed in all that was true in creation, in all that could be demonstrated; but that his credulity stopped at the uncertain." The subject was renewed upon another visit, and continued at intervals for some months; so that he became well instructed in the principles of that faith which is said to "abide" and to "dwell" in the true Christian, and which the unbelief of men cannot "make void." After a time the optician left the institution, and was lost sight of for nearly three years. He then addressed a letter to his friend of the telescope, from Middlesex Hospital, telling him that he had suffered sad reverses, and that he was a patient there with a painful eruption; and added, "Through the mercy of God I have obtained precious faith, and I hope to be ever mindful that I can only conquer the enemy by giving myself up, and entirely depending upon the blood of the Lamb. I feel, my dear friend, what tongue or pen cannot describe: I feel that I am preserved by our blessed Saviour from that doom I so deserved; and I now place all my dependence upon this new Friend, and I trust that I may continue in the faith, and rest in the Lord and wait." When the visitor called he found him afflicted with a kind of leprosy, being covered with sores from head to foot. He however looked happy, and in the course of conversation, observed, "That remark, sir, about the telescope when you first spoke to me, was the leading step in my conversion: I never lost its impression. When I packed or unpacked the instruments I used to think about it, and at last got to desire your statement to be true,--that 'the Lord Jesus, by a power of the soul, could be seen pleading for and saving sinners;' but now, blessed be God, I feel that I have the heavenly gift, and pray for its increase." He recovered from his disease, and has for years proved his faith by holy living.