Then Isa Dás, with fervour and clearness, gave to the poor man, who listened with interest, an outline of the "old, old story." He told of the Lord's Incarnation, His holy life, and His terrible death endured for sinners. And thus the Christian closed his earnest address:— "You asked me of what use the righteousness of Christ could be to us, and this is my reply. He offers it as a royal gift to all who truly believe in Him who is at once divine and human, the Son of God and the Son of Man. Christ is 'the Lord our Righteousness' (Jer. xxxiii. 16). This is the secret of the peace which I have found in the Christian religion," continued the convert. "I do not trust in my own righteousness, I count it but as filthy rags; but I have accepted the perfect righteousness of Christ, which is strong enough to bear me upwards, even to the gates of heaven, even into the presence of God." [Illustration] CHAPTER III. THE THREE CASKETS. AMONGST those who often listened to Isa Dás, and listened with pleasure, was Natthu the oilman. He was at last so convinced of the truth of what he heard, that he became a secret believer. But Natthu was of a timid and worldly nature; from fear of persecution, he refrained from openly confessing his faith; he never even spoke of it except to his friend Isa Dás, and then only when no one else was present to hear. Like others of a like cowardly spirit, Natthu tried to justify himself in his own eyes, and call his timidity prudence. Isa Dás he tried to regard as an amiable enthusiast, who exposed himself to quite unnecessary trouble and distress on account of religion. Natthu said one day to Isa Dás, "O doctor! Men abuse and hate you because you have broken caste. Why were you not content to believe and be silent? If the heart be right, what matters the confession of the mouth? One can be a Christian in secret without being baptised." Isa Dás had more than once tried to argue this point with Natthu, but had always failed in persuading him that he who will give up nothing and dare nothing for the Saviour cannot be reckoned amongst His disciples. Now, after a few moments of reflection, he said, "O brother! Have you ever heard the story of the three caskets?" * * The story is, of course, most familiar to English readers of Shakespeare, but would be new to most Orientals. Its adaptability to convey a religious lesson struck me; and the more we reflect on it the more deeply impressed are we with the deep knowledge of human nature which the poet possessed. "Then," said the oilman, "be pleased to tell me this story." And squatting on the ground, he prepared to give his full attention to some Eastern tale.