"'Will you part with that book, my honest fellow?' said she, anxious to possess the precious relic. "'No, madam,' was the answer, 'not for any money—not for all the world. He gave it to me with his dying hand. I have more than once lost my all since I got it, without losing this treasure, the truths of which have, I hope, been blessed to my soul; and I will never part with it till I part with the breath out of my body.' "The Bible," continued Mrs. Dermott, "has this transforming power, because holy men wrote it as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. God put into their hearts what they wrote, and he renders it effectual to our salvation. What other names do we sometimes give to the Bible?" "The Scriptures, or Testaments," replied Walter, quickly. "A testament is a will or writing, such as persons leave to tell what they wish to have done with their property after their death. How many Testaments are there in the Bible, Helen?" "Two; the Old Testament and the New Testament." "Do you see why these two portions of the Bible are called Testaments?" "No, mamma." "It is because in them God has revealed to us his will. In them he tells who shall be heirs to his vast possessions." "I should think every body would want to read them, then," exclaimed Walter in an animated tone. "Yes, my son. If a book were now to be published, telling how any one who wished might inherit a crown, and be heir to an immense estate, how eagerly would the volume be perused! And how exactly would the directions be followed. But here is a book which God has given as a rule or guide to lead us to heaven, where a crown of glory, which cannot fade, is awaiting us, and where we may be co-heirs with Christ to an eternal and immortal inheritance. Alas, that so many should neglect it!" "A little boy was once sent by his mother to a small shop to buy a bar of soap. The shopwoman took it from the shelf, and having received the money from the child, took a thick book from the floor, and was just about to tear out some of the leaves, when the boy exclaimed, 'Is not that the Bible?' "'Yes; but what of that?' "'O, do not tear the Bible! It is so precious.' "'Pshaw! It is only fit for wrapping paper.' "'O, will you not give it to me?' "'Yes, if you will give me its weight in waste paper.' "Leaving his soap, the boy ran swiftly home, and rushing up to his mother, exclaimed, 'O mother, the shopwoman will give me a Bible, a whole Bible, if I can get as much waste paper as it will weigh.'