"Maudi, Maudi," repeated Chilan, "then art thou the grandson of King Risi." All were struck dumb with amazement till Chilan unfolded the paper, and read as follows: 666 Good Maudi, you are the grandson of King Risi. I was called, ere fortune became untrue to me, the Sultana Lali, of whose sudden disappearance you have often heard. Risi loved me tenderly. This awaked the envy of the other sultanas and the hatred of some persons of high degree, who, fearing me, combined with them to work my ruin. I was slanderously accused of having attempted the king's life by poison. With the most wicked art an appearance of truth was given to the accusasation that might have deceived the most circumspect. Risi was noble, but mistrustful, and I was thrown into prison. On the following night my prison doors were opened by the fairy Lola, who led me forth with these words, Thy life is in danger, and will continue in danger shouldest thou become known. Go into poverty and obscurity, remain, and leave thy children in the same condition. Thy grandson may rise by his own efforts. Take this stone: I have withdrawn it from the treasury that no unworthy person may derive strength from it during unquiet times: take care of it, and give it to thy grandson when thou art about to die, that through it the election may fall upon him.' She then touched me with a wand, and in a moment my countenance, figure, and garments, were changed: I became a poor peasant. In a hut I gave birth, after half a year, to your mother; in a hut I reared her. I supported her and myself by spinning, taught her to work with her hands, and gladly gave her as a wife to your father, an honest day-labourer. You have ever seen me cheerful my sorrow at the thoughts of Risi I reserved for my solitude: in other respects I was happy in concealment, and my wishes for Risi's prosperity were fulfilled. Soon will the land again enjoy the like blessing. You now know your origin: hitherto you have shown yourself worthy of it: be worthy of it still.'" "Yes, so thought, so spoke, so wrote the excellent Lali, of whose innocence every sensible person has long ceased to doubt," said Chilan, as he rose from his seat. Joy and mute astonishment pervaded the assembly, and Maudi's heart throbbed painfully as all the elders with Chilan stood up, full of reverence, bowed themselves before him, and pointed to the empty throne in the midst of them as his proper seat. Maudi hesitated to obey their signal, but suddenly sounds were heard, while a fragrance as of spring with all its flowers and blossoms filled the hall, a red splendour shone upon the walls and roof, and, clad in her fiery-coloured garment, and leading the fair maiden by the hand, Lola stepped forth from the adjoining apartment, waved her hand, and spoke thus : "Maudi, thy power of deciding quickly, thy integrity and thy zeal, as well as the wishes of the people, have long since called thee to the throne; the choice of the elders has elected thee, while thy good fortune, the favour of the fairies, and thy noble origin alike speak in thy behalf. Thou hast hitherto lived worthy of them: prove thyself still worthy of them as a king: labour for the welfare of thy people, and the love of this gentle maiden shall be thy reward." The ardent glances of Maudi and of the maiden encountered each other, while a common transport maintained for a while the deepest silence. But soon, as it had been previously arranged by the fairy, there was heard in the street the loud proclamation of the herald, "Maudi is king." The sound of trumpets and stringed instruments, and cries of rejoicing followed the announcement. Innumerable voices cried out, "Maudi is king! long life to him! let us rejoice! Maudi is king!" And, with a smile, the fairy disappeared. THE HOUSE OF CHARITY, ROSE STREET, SOHO. WE have been anxious to set before our readers, from time to time, accounts of those good works, such as new Churches, new Schools, Colleges, Orphans' Homes and Sisterhoods, which, thanks be to GOD, have been springing up around us, cheering our hearts with the assurance that He is working in us and with us, and bidding us stand firm amid the waves of this troublesome world, though they rage and swell about the walls of our Church. Surely we are not wrong in saying that these good fruits are the sure signs of His abiding Presence, and that His so working is a call to each one of us to work diligently with Him in our appointed place. The good house above named will need no commendation from us. We will at once set the account of its work before our readers. The House of Charity for Distressed Persons in London has been founded for the following purposes: 1. To afford temporary relief to deserving persons specially recommended or selected. 2. To enable persons whose time is much occupied, by professions or other active duties, as well as those who have more leisure, to co-operate in works of charity under fixed regulations. With respect to the exact classes of persons to be received, it has been thought well not to define them too minutely. The experience of nearly four years' working has shown, that cases of the following description may be aided with the least risk of abuse, and with the most hope of real good. I. In-patients discharged from hospitals, and out-patients unable to do full work, wanting food, quiet, and rest, and unable to obtain either without assistance. II. Persons dependent on those who, by accident or sudden disease, have been taken into hospitals. III. Persons suddenly, and by no fault of their own, thrown out of work; as in the case of a fire, or the bankruptcy or death of an employer. IV. Persons who come to London in search of friends or employment, and are unsuccessful in their object. V. Persons, especially females, whose health requires a short respite from laborious work, though they cannot afford the loss of wages which it would involve. VI. Persons having no friends in London, and waiting either for the means or the opportunity to emigrate. VII. Persons for whom an asylum is desired, in which they can be received on probation, before they receive further assistance towards recovering a position which they have lost by mis conduct. The above examples will sufficiently indicate the general work of the charity, and to all such proper objects the house supplies food, lodging, clothing, advice under difficulty, and moral and religious instruction; lifts up the fallen, saves from pauperism, helps those who are willing to work; and few, if any, who apply, are sent away without the expression of Christian sympathy and advice. But, above all, the chiefest care is to exhibit to those who seek the shelter of this house, the example of the discipline of a Christian family, to bring them within the reach of Christian sympathy, and under the influence of the ordinances of the Church. In furtherance of this object, a chapel has been fitted up, in which the daily prayers of the Church are offered; and a Chaplain is appointed, under the Bishop's licence, who is responsible for the religious discipline of the house; and it is usual to assign each inmate, on admission, to the especial charge of one of the associates, (among whom, we rejoice to know, are numbered many whose good report and praise are throughout the Church,) to advise and aid them as he may be able, and communicate their wants to the council. The inmates rise at half-past six, attend morning prayer in the chapel at seven, breakfast at eight, dine at one, attend evening prayer at five have tea or supper at seven, and go to bed at half past nine. Leave is obtained at all reasonable times to go in search of employment, or other business, and while in the house the inmates are occupied as opportunity serves, according to their particular callings, or in the general work and service of the house. As to the general arrangements of the house, they will be ascertained more satisfactorily by personal inspection than by any formal detail; and we trust our readers will (as many as are able) visit this valuable institution, and interest themselves in its welfare. It may be well now to show that, with GoD's blessing, the house has not altogether failed in its objects. In the year 1847, 86 persons passed through it; in 1848, 136; and during the past year, 224. With regard to the temporal good effected by the house, we must refer our readers, on their visit, to tables hung round the walls, exhibiting the destination, on leaving, of all who have been inmates of the house. From these we learn that the sickly and weak have been there restored to health; the houseless and wandering have been sheltered, and placed in situations of independence; that the industrious widow has been aided, and a foundation made for the reclamation of the abandoned orphan; that the decayed tradesman has been re-established; while to many a family broken down by want, and sunk in despair, a way has been opened to obtain plenty and comfort abroad. We have lately heard that the emigration department of the house answers admirably, and good accounts have been received from the Bishop of Adelaide, and others, of the conduct and prospects of those sent out by the house. The following two cases, out of many, will serve to show the real practical use of such a house as this: "One was that of a labouring man, who, by dint of hard industry, had saved enough money (13) to obtain an assisted passage to the Cape of Good Hope for himself and family. But no sooner was this accomplished than his work slackened and ceased. What was now to be done about his outfit? He applied to the parish, who granted him £2 for this purpose. This was of course duly invested in linen, and flannel, and hose. Meanwhile, the landlord was urgent for rent, and the children for bread. By degrees, bedding and furniture were turned into money; then came the family Bible, and the very garments which were laid by for their outfit. At last, to crown all their misery, came the order for embarkation, and unless the required outfit could be raised the passage money must be forfeited. Then it was that this poor family was happy enough to find out the House of Charity, or the House of Charity them. Truly and sincerely did the grateful man say when he left that he never had such 6 a friend before, and GOD must have brought them to him.' A poor woman and her family, whose husband had gone to America to seek better fortunes, received an order for their passage, which he had paid for in America. When the order came they were without bed, furniture, clothes, and, it is true to add, without food. What hope had they of ever getting together enough outfit for the voyage, or the means to join the ship at Liverpool? They, too, found the house's helping arm, and the kind protection of one of its associate members, and will, ere many days are over, be sent off happy and well supplied to join their father." With respect to the religious influence of the house, there is reason to hope that it has been attended by good results. The Church's ordinances have been brought home to many by whom they had been either altogether unknown or neglected. Many have been brought to the use of the sacraments for the first time; several, if not most, of the children who have passed through the house, have received baptism, and many adults; eight were confirmed by the Bishop of London in 1848, and became communicants. Such, then, is the House of Charity in Soho; and we feel sure our readers are deeply interested in its welfare. We also trust it will have the hearty co-operation of all, and specially of the parochial Clergy, to whom they chiefly look for a constant and regular supply of worthy cases. Above all should we pray for them, that the LORD may prosper the work of their hands upon them; that the afflicted may be comforted; that the careless may be roused; that the fallen may be raised up; that the penitent may be restored; that all may be brought to be of one heart and one mind in the fold of CHRIST'S Holy Church; this house may be a centre of ever-increasing good; a treasurehouse of good deeds, and thoughts, and prayers, all offered alike to Him Who promised such rich store of fruitfulness to even a cup of cold water in His Name. that GUARDIAN ANGELS. WHEN daylight has departed, and earth is hushed to rest; Unseen by mortal eyes, in the stillness of the night, |