Page 88 - Third Book of Reading Lessons
P. 88
READING LESSONS. 87
waiting, he ran with haste to the door to receive us. He immediately took each of us by the right hand, which after he had kissed, he placed upon his head as a mark of respect. He then addressed the priest by whom I was accompanied, in terms such as these: "My ther, thou art welcome; at the very time that thou wert coming, I had thee in my heart; the blessĀ ing of Heaven has descended, and together with thy iend, enters my dwelling in thy company; I look upon this moment as the happiest of my life : come , my ther, come into my dwelling, where thou
mayest command and must be obeyed."'
3. After the rst interchange of civility, we were conducted to a large apartment, in which a great many persons were assembled. They kissed our hands in the same manner as the master of the house had done be re.
4. We took notice, among these Christians, of a very young child, not apparently more than ve years old, who, having come up to us, went on his knees to beg our blessing. His baptismal name was John, and he was surnamed by his parents "The Riches of God." It is the custom of this country r the head of the mily to give each child a surname soon after its birth. "The Riches of God" was one
of those ne characters, in which nature and grace seem to have combined, to impart, by his means, happiness and com rt to a Christian family. To a ne countenance and a. charming ingenuity, he added a natural suavity of disposition, and an ardent deĀ sire of in rmation. Ile asked us many questions on religious subjects; and, with a pleasing importunity,
( which is always delight l to a missionary of God, j he entreated us to instruct him. Being aware that I
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