Page:Siam and Laos, as seen by our American missionaries (1884).pdf/330

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night he came to one of our mission-homes where there was a prayer-meeting. He remained until it was over, and, accepting a hymn-book, followed the words of the hymn sung.

He was attracted by the word "redemption," and when the prayers were over he said to one near him, "Redemption? What is it?" It was a new English word to him, and he wished to know its meaning, but the way he put the question seemed striking: "Redemption? What is it?" May each one who reads this know experimentally what redemption is!

Now, these years in the wat, when the prince could spend his time in study and improve his mind by mingling with the good and true, both in books and out of them, prepared him for a great advance when he came to the throne. The courtiers and nobles of the kingdom determined his succession, and when his brother passed away his yellow robes were laid aside for the robes of the prince and he was borne to the king's quarters.

When his coronation was over and he was firmly seated in power he ordered an invitation which surprised us all. Missionary ladies were invited to go to his palace and teach his royal household in the English language. We considered this a providence which could not be passed lightly, although we could not expect these ladies, so accustomed to easy leisure, to