Page:Maria, or, The wanderer reclaim'd.pdf/20

Rh did he bespeak me, as I sat a spectacle of pity on some ſteps in the ſtreet! and with what benevolent pleasure did he advise me to haſten to the Magdalen-Houſe, after I had told my sad tale! indeed there was little need of adviſing me; for as that was the firſt time I had ever heard of so bleſſed a place, so the hearing of it was like opening the gates of Paradise to me. This good man gave me all proper directions; told me where to find him; promiſed to take care of my poor deſerted babe: and in ſhort, under his favour, I petitioned, and was admitted into the Magdalen-Houſe, to which I owe the preſervation of my life on earth, and the ſalvation of my ſoul to eternity.

For as I entered that houſe with a broken heart and an humbled mind, truly conſcious of all my paſt offences, the good inſtructions I received entered the more forcibly, and made a deeper impreſſion. And I there found to my comfort, that through penitence, my ſins may be done away, as my Redeemer is no leſs willing than able to ſave the ſincere and contrite; and to pardon our paſt offences, however great, on true repentance.— But, I muſt add, that I had not been long in the houſe, not long reſtored, (I may ſay to myſelf) before, as duty obliged, I wrote in the humbleſt terms to inform my parents, and to implore their forgiveneſs. A letter was immediately returned from my