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A few days after her return home, her good school-mistress accompanied Jessy to the shop where she had worked before she met with her accident. She had entreated the school-mistress to go with her, because she could not now depend on her mother being sober at any part of the day, and she feared she might disgrace herself before the shop people. The mistress, on going to the shop, explained the cause of Jessy's absence; and when the master saw her standing, rather ashamed, leaning on her crutches, he seemed very sorry for her, and assured her, that as she had always been a most diligent worker while she was with him, that now, whoever wanted work, she never should; and that if she preferred it she might have some to do at her own home. Jessy gratefully accepted of this offer, and for a few weeks worked at home; but as soon as she was able to walk with ease on her wooden leg, she again went regularly to the shop as formerly, and 'lame Jessy Allan' soon became the best and most trusted workwoman in the shop.

Jessy continued for nearly two years thus to attend to her business, pleasing her employer, and respected by all her fellow work-people. During this time her mother and step-father became gradually more and more enslaved to their ruling vice. Jessy's wages were however a great means of their support; they were, therefore, more from greed and selfishness, than from any regard to her, always willing to please her. She was, however, obliged at last to take the management of her wages into her own hand, and this brought upon her, sometimes coldness and abuse, sometimes attempts to wheedle her out of her earnings; but Jessy had thought and prayed over the matter, and was convinced that she ought not to assist her parents in their indulgence of sin. She was therefore firm, and while she did all in her power to procure real comforts for them, never when she could help it, assisted them in sinning. While Jessy was 'diligent in business,' she was also 'fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.' The Sabbath and the Lord's house became her delight. She continued to attend the Sabbath Evening School, where she had first been led to love and serve the Lord, till she was sixteen. She was then advised by the master to go rather to church, as he necessarily had to address most of what he said, to those who had still to learn the very first principles of religion, and she ought, he said, to press on, and add to her faith 'knowledge.' Jessy followed this kind advice, and earnestly sought to profit by it.

Mrs. Grey almost never went to church, and she had no seat any where. There was one minister, however, whose preaching Jessy, very soon after she began to think seriously of religion, found she preferred to any other she ever heard. In his church, as soon as she was able, she took a seat for herself. There was another young girl who came to the same pew, whose appearance very much interested Jessy. She seemed, like herself, always to come to church alone. She looked very sickly, and listened to the preacher, as if she was indeed hearing a message from God. Jessy and she very often remained in church together between sermons, and sometimes they entered a little into conversation on what they had heard. By degrees, they became more intimate, and at length met each other with pleasure and kindness. They, however, met only on the Sabbath; for though they walked home together, and her friend passed Jessy's house to reach her own, Jessy never liked to ask her in, for she was ashamed of what she must have seen. This continued till about the time Jessy left the Sabbath-School. Amongst many other things the master had said to her; he had particularly spoken on the nature and intention of the Lord's Supper. About this time, that ordinance was to be administered in the church where Jessy attended. The pew in which she usually sat, was one of those which was removed during the service; she and her friend were therefore obliged to find seats elsewhere. On this occasion the church was very crowded, and after Jessy had with difficulty got a place, she observed that her friend, Mary Scott could find no seat, and was standing near where she sat. She beckoned to her, and they continued to sit and stand by turns, during the early part of the service. When the people began to move forward to the tables, Jessy knew she must not remain where she was then standing, and reluctantly turned to leave the church for a time, and Mary immediately followed her.

'O Jessy!' said Mary, when they had got out of church, 'did not you feel it hard to be obliged to come away just when Mr. ----- came down to serve the table?'

'Yes,' replied Jessy, 'but I just thought as I came out, Well, I trust this is the last time I shall be obliged to stay away.'

'What, Jessy, do you think of joining so soon? It is well with you if you dare venture.'

'Dare, Mary?' repeated Jessy. 'Does not our Lord himself command us to 'do this in remembrance of him?' I think it is more daring to stay away, after he has given us so plain a command.'