How the Fund Became a Fact

IT was in the summer of the year 1875 that my dear husband completed and published the first volume of his “Lectures to my Students.” Reading one of the “proof” copies, I became so enamoured of the book, that when the dear author asked, “Well, how do you like it?” I answered, with a full heart, “I wish I could place it in the hands of every minister in England.” “Then why not do so: how much will you giveV ’ said my very practical spouse. I must confess I was unprepared for such a challenge. I was ready enough to desire the distribution of the precious book; but to assist in it, or help to pay for it, had not occurred to me. But “John Ploughman” “drives a straight furrow” to one’s heart, and knows how to turn over the thick clods of selfishness which lie there choking up the useful growths; and very soon his words set me thinking how much I could spare from housekeeping or personal matters to start this new scheme. I knew it would necessitate a pressure somewhere, for money was not plentiful

just then; but to see dear John’s face beam so radiantly, at the idea of my scattering his books far and wide, was worth any effort; and love, even more than obedience, constrained me to carry out the suddenly-formed plan. Then comes the wonderful part: I found the money ready and waiting! Up-stairs in a little drawer were some carefully hoarded crown-pieces, which, owing to some foolish fancy, I had been gathering for years whenever chance threw one in my way; these I now counted out, and found they made a sum exactly sufficient to pay for one hundred copies of the work! If a twinge of regret at parting from my cherished but unwieldy favourites passed over me, it was gone in an instant, and then they were given, freely and thankfully, to the Lord, and in that moment, though I knew it not.

The Book Fund was inaugurated!