which was considered by some to be a wild and dangerous proceeding. I soon found groups collected together, listening patiently and quietly to one of their number reading the New Testament. Instead of disturbing their minds, it soothed and delighted them. I have witnessed a poor lunatic, a Frenchman, during an interval of returning reason, reading the New Testament in his bed-room, with tears running down his cheeks; also a Russian priest, a lunatic, collect a number together, while he read to them the Word of God.
“On one occasion I witnessed a most interesting scene. On entering the Institution, I found a young woman dying; her eyes were closed, and she was apparently breathing her last breath. I ordered one of the servants of the Institution to read very loud to her that verse, ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Dr. K observed, ‘Sir, she is almost dead, and it is useless.’ On my urging its being done, lo! to the astonishment of all present, she opened her eyes and smiled. I said: ‘Is it sweet, my dear?’ She nodded assent. ‘Shall it be read to you again?’ A smile and nod of the head followed. She evidently possessed her reason at that moment, and who can trace, or limit, the operations of the Holy Spirit, on the reading of God’s own Word even in her circumstances?
“When I received a letter from your mother I always wrote it out in French, and presented it in that language to the Empress; and when she had read it, it was very encouraging to see with what alacrity she ordered one of her secretaries to translate it into
