Chapter C: Wardle (4)

The next morning, one of the members of our meeting, as he was going to the house of God, observed him in a pensive posture, and asked him if he would go with him and hear a sermon upon the old serpent. The sound of the word _serpent_ arrested his attention, and excited his curiosity to hear what I had to say upon such a subject. But for this expression, probably the poor man had remained unmoved. Why the person used it he could not tell, nor why he invited him to accompany him that morning--a thing which he had never done before. But He could tell who, in the days of His flesh, "must needs go through Samaria," and whose providences are always in coincidence with the purposes of His grace.

As soon as prayer was ended, I preached from Genesis iii. 13-15, "And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle," &c.

As I was explaining who that serpent was, and the methods he took to beguile sinners, the Lord opened the poor man's eyes, and the Word had free course and was glorified. From that moment he gave every demonstration of a real change of heart. About four or five months he continued in the pangs of the new birth. The anguish of his soul was great indeed. He perceived the number of his sins, and felt the weight of his guilt. For some time he was tempted to despair--I may say, to put an end to his existence--but while he was musing on his wretched condition, these words were applied as a sovereign remedy to his afflicted soul--"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." This administered all the joy and comfort he stood in need of. Now he was enabled to believe that Christ was as willing to forgive as He was mighty to redeem. The burden of his guilt dropped from his mind, as Pilgrim's did at the sight of the cross, and immediately he "rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

I was with him a little while after, and with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God, he showed me the place of his Bethel visit, where the Lord had opened to him His bleeding heart, and manifested His forgiving love. He seems to be, as the Apostle expresses it, "a living epistle of Christ, seen and read of all men."

TWO BRAVE CHILDREN.

The sky at night in the vicinity of Apple Creek, in Dakota, a few weeks ago, was red all around the horizon, and the people knew that the prairie fires were burning. Every evening, as darkness fell, the farmers saw the glare becoming more and more distinct, and during the day the smoke increased until it was nearly suffocating.

Not far from Apple Creek is the little village of Sterling, and near Sterling lived the Stevens family. Mr. Stevens was away from home on the day that the fire approached the house, and it so happened that his wife was sick in bed. Their children were a girl of eight years and a boy of eleven. The boy had heard that it was a good thing to plough a furrow across the path of the advancing flames, and about noon of the day in question he tried to protect the property in that manner. With the two-horse team and plough he cut a trench around the house and sheds, and then another trench around the stacks of unthreshed wheat. He was not strong enough to plough the trench to a great depth, but the wide line of damp earth thrown up would be hard for the flames to leap across, especially since his little sister followed him around, carrying away all trash that would add to the fury of the flames.

That night the fire was so near that the poor woman thought of getting out of bed, with the purpose of attempting to escape, but she was too ill to try such a thing. Moreover, she knew that if her husband could reach the house he would come, and she watched and prayed as the light came to her room from the crimson skies without.

When the flames, running before the wind, came down upon the Stevens' place, they licked up the fences in an instant, swept away the shocks of grain in the fields, and then rolled suddenly up to the furrows ploughed by the boy. The wheat stacks fell a prey, and numberless sparks were scattered around the house; but the brave boy and his sister ran all about, trampling out the fire wherever it caught.

The little workers were desperate, for they knew that, should the house burn, their poor mother would surely perish in her bed. They fought with brooms, shovels, and water. Wherever they could they dug up fresh earth, and for a quarter of an hour they did not pause for a single moment. Once the house caught, and the wood began to add its crackling to the rush and roar of the vast prairie fire; but the children dashed bucket after bucket of water upon the burning spot, and so put it out. They carried the day. The great fire swept past, and in its wake came the father, half frantic with joy to find that his little hero and heroine had saved their mother's life.--_Examiner._

A HINT TO BOYS.

If I were a boy again, and knew what I know now, I would not be quite so positive in my own opinions as I used to be. Boys generally think that they are very certain about many things. A boy of fifteen is a great deal more sure of what he thinks he knows than is a man of fifty. You ask the boy a question, and he will answer you right off, up and down. He knows all about it. Ask a man of large experience and ripe wisdom the same question, and he will say, "Well, there is much to be said about it. I am inclined, on the whole, to think so-and-so, but other intelligent men think otherwise."

When I was about eight years old, I travelled from Central Massachusetts to Western New York, crossing the river at Albany, and going by canal to Syracuse. On the canal-boat a kindly gentleman was talking to me one day, and I mentioned the fact that I had crossed the Connecticut River at Albany. How I got it into my head that it was the Connecticut River I do not know, for I knew my geography very well then; but in some unmistakable way I fixed it in my mind that the river at Albany was the Connecticut, and I called it so. "Why," said the gentleman, "that is the Hudson River." "Oh, no, sir," I replied, politely but firmly. "You're mistaken. That is the Connecticut River." The gentleman smiled and said no more. In this matter I was perfectly sure that I was right, and so I thought it my duty to correct the gentleman's geography. I felt rather sorry for him that he should be so ignorant.

One day, a short time after I reached home, I happened to be looking over my route on the map, and lo! there was Albany standing on the Hudson River, a hundred miles from the Connecticut. Then I did not feel half so sorry for the gentleman's ignorance as I did for my own. I never told anybody that story until I wrote it down on these pages the other day, but I have thought of it a thousand times, and always with a blush for my boldness. Nor was it the only time that I was perfectly sure of things that were not really so. It is hard for a boy to learn that he may be mistaken; but, unless he is a dunce, he learns it after a while. The sooner he finds it out the better for him.

W. G.

DIVINE GUIDANCE.

In the life of Mary Pryor, well known among the Quakers a hundred years ago, the following incident occurred on the occasion of her visit to the Quakers in America.

She visited several of the best ships of the period, but did not feel easy to take her passage in any of them. At length, on sitting down in an inferior vessel, called the _Fame_, she said she felt "so comfortable" that she must go in that ship. Her friends endeavoured to dissuade her, one of them saying he would not trust his dog in it. But having sought the Lord's direction, she saw no light on any change of plan, and she set sail in the _Fame_. She was now sixty years of age.

The voyage occupied three months, and was miserable in the extreme. The old vessel sprang a leak, and for weeks crew and passengers had to work at the pumps to keep her afloat. At length, when all prospect of rescue seemed hopeless, and the men were on the point of giving up in despair, Mrs. Pryor, who had maintained her calmness and encouraged the sailors all along, came out of her cabin one morning, saying she had good news, for she had seen in a dream a vessel coming to their help that very day. She had forgotten the name of the ship, but if the female passengers would mention their maiden names, it would be recalled to her memory. One of them said her name had been "Archibald." "That," said Mrs. Pryor, "is the name of the ship that will save us." The men were cheered, and turned with new energy to the pumps; and that evening, just before the vessel foundered, they were rescued by a small Halifax schooner, named the _Archibald_.

The crew and passengers attributed their deliverance, under God, to the influence of Mrs. Pryor; and here was the explanation of the guidance she believed herself to have received to sail in the _Fame_, contrary to the wishes of her friends.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."--_Lantern._

IF Christ be not a refiner's fire _in_ you, He will be a consuming fire _to_ you.

GOD can give a pardon to the greatest sin, but He cannot give a patronage to the least sin.

"JESUS LOVES ME!"

A few years ago, a poor girl in London, to whose soul the Spirit had spoken peace through the blood of Jesus, was very anxious to impart the knowledge, and tell some other soul of the dear Saviour she had found. She was too poor and ragged to take a class in a Sunday School. She especially longed to tell children of Jesus. She thought, if she could only be instrumental in the winning of one little child, how blessed it would be, so she used to speak to any little child she saw standing about in the street.

One little boy, about seven years old, often went to her to hear her joyful Gospel tidings. One day she missed him, and searched until she found him. Poor little fellow! He was lying in great agony upon a miserable bed of straw in a wretched dwelling, and was quite alone.

The kind girl, full of pity for him, and anxious to relieve him, called the attention of neighbours to him, but they declined to take any step in the matter. At last she called a policeman. He made the case known to the authorities, and the little sufferer was taken to the workhouse hospital. Here he remained in great suffering, the doctors being unable to do anything to relieve him.

In training him for an acrobat, his parents had treated him so severely, in order to make his tender little limbs supple, that there was not a bone in his body seemingly in its proper place, and his agony was most intense. Six doctors, including Queen's physicians, had his case under consideration, but their skill could not avail. He was unable to lie on his back or side. A frame was made to support his head as he leaned forward. His poor little hands were wrapped in cotton-wool steeped in morphia, to allay the pain.

When he had been in the hospital about four months, a lady went to see him, from whom I heard this most touching and true account. She said she should never forget his face when he raised his head to speak to her. Such a beautiful face, with sweet blue eyes and placid expression, met her gaze. He so frequently said, "Thank you." It was, "Thank you, I am not suffering quite so much to-day"; or, "Thank you. You are so kind."

One day, she asked him if he loved Jesus. He looked at her so reproachfully that her heart smote her for having asked such a question; then he said, "Jesus loves me." She saw then the meaning of his reproachful look. How could she ask him whether _he_ loved Jesus when Jesus loved _him_? The dear little sufferer had grasped the secret of power. It was not _his_ love for Jesus, but the love of Jesus _to him_, that was the solid rock on which he stood.

Another time he said, "Oh, I don't mind bearing a little pain for Jesus. He died for me."

The language of some in the hospital was very dreadful. Such blasphemy--such cursing and swearing--even when dying. But the clear voice of the young sufferer often rose high above all others. It distressed him beyond all measure, and he called out, "Oh, don't, don't! Jesus hears you." Rough men, touched by the sight of his pain, would stand by him, listening to his words, silenced by his entreaties. Truly he was "out of weakness made strong."

Not long after the visit of the lady to whom I have referred, God released the loving little soul from its tenement of suffering, and revealed to him, in the "eternal weight of glory," how fully He loved him. His brief tale of life on earth, with its pain so bravely borne, and its knowledge of love so faithfully testified, is now changed for the song and the crown, and the exceeding bliss of being for ever with Him who loves him, "whom to know is life eternal," and "in whose presence is fulness of joy."

NETTIE.

A RED SEA ROCK.

A fourth, and happily a successful, search by Her Majesty's ships has just been made for a reported rock towards the southern end of the Red Sea, on which two steamships, the _Avocet_ and _Teddington_, are supposed to have struck during the year 1887, both ships afterwards foundering.

Owing to a considerable error in the position given by the former vessel, the first search was mainly over ground too far to the westward, and operations were suspended until more accurate information could be obtained. The loss of the second ship, in a position given five miles north-east of the first, caused a second and careful search to be made on a more extended area, still with no indication. A surveying vessel was then sent two thousand miles in order to institute a rigorous examination; but six weeks' close search--though under great difficulties of strong wind and heavy sea--bore no fruit, and various theories were started to account for the loss of the two steamships.

The fourth ship, Her Majesty's surveying ship _Stork_, has been more successful. Guided by some slight indication afforded by an insignificant rise in the sea bottom, the rock has been at last found. It is a small coral patch, only fifteen feet under the surface of the sea, and stands in twenty-eight fathoms of water, in latitude 14 deg. 22 min. 8 sec. N., longitude 42 deg. 41 min. 32 sec. E. It lies midway between the two best positions that critical cross-examination had finally settled as most probable for the respective vessels that were lost. Though it is between five and six miles from the direct straight line of track, the existence at times of strong currents transverse to the axis of the Red Sea, causes the danger presented by it to be by no means insignificant, though it is a matter for marvel that it has never been struck before.

The difficulty of finding such a small rock may be appreciated from the fact that one of the searching ships was at anchor within four hundred yards of it, with her boats sounding round her, without its being perceived, though she was driven from her anchorage by a gale before the spot was passed over by the boats.

Seeing the enormous British trade, valuable both in lives and property, that passes down the Red Sea, it is a matter of general congratulation that the Admiralty refused to discontinue the search until the last hope of finding a rock was dispelled, and that the efforts to discover it have at length been crowned by success.

KENILWORTH CASTLE.

Willis, the American traveller, in his "Famous Persons and Famous Places," observes that, when visiting Kenilworth, he noticed with surprise that in one place the swelling root of a creeper had lifted one arch from its base, and the protruding branch of a chance spring tree (sown, perhaps, by a field-sparrow) had unseated the keystone of the next. And so perish castles and reputations--the masonry of the human hand, and the fabrics of human thought--not by the strength which they feared, but by the weakness of trifling things which they despised.

Little did John O'Gaunt think, when these rudely-hewn blocks were heaved into their seats by his herculean workmen, that, after resisting fire and foe, they would be sapped and overthrown at last by a vine-tendril and a sparrow!

THE PRIEST AND THE LADY; OR, TRANSUBSTANTIATION EXPOSED.

A lady once, a Protestant, in ignorance was led To think she might with comfort live, though to a Papist wed: But Rome decrees no peace they'll have who marry heretics, Until their households have been made submissive to her tricks.

It sorely grieved this husband that his wife would not comply To join the "mother Church" of Rome, and heresy deny: Day after day he flattered her, but still she held it good That man should never bow his knee to idols made of wood.

The Mass, the priest, and miracles, were made but to deceive; And transubstantiation, too, she never could believe. He went unto his clergy, and told him his sad tale-- "My wife's an unbeliever, sir; try if you can prevail.

"You say you can work miracles--she says it is absurd-- Convince her and convert her, and great is your reward." The priest went with the gentleman--he thought to gain a prize-- He says, "I will convert your wife, and open quite her eyes."

So when they came unto the house, "My dear," the husband cried, "The priest is come to dine with us." "He's welcome," she replied. The dinner being ended, the priest to teach began, Explaining to the lady the sinful state of man.

The kindness of the Saviour (which no one can deny), Who gave Himself a Sacrifice, and once for sin did die. "He by His priest still offers up Himself a Sacrifice." The lady only answered this by expressing great surprise.

"I will return to-morrow--prepare some bread and wine-- And then dispense the Sacrament to satisfy your mind." "I'll bake the cake," the lady said. "You may," replied he, "And when you see this miracle, convinced I'm sure you'll be."

The priest returned accordingly--the bread and wine did bless-- The lady said, "Sir, is it changed?" His reverence answered, "Yes, It's changed now from bread and wine to real flesh and blood; You may depend upon my word, that it is very God."

Thus, having blessed the bread and wine, to eat he did prepare. The lady said unto the priest, "I would have you take care; For one half ounce of arsenic I have mixed in that cake, But as you have its nature changed, it can no difference make."

The priest stood all confused, and looked as pale as death; The bread and wine fell from his hands, and he did gasp for breath. "Bring me my horse!" his reverence cried; "this is a cursed place!" "Begone! begone!" the dame replied; "you are a cursed race!"

Her husband sat confounded, and not one word could say. At last he spoke--"My dear," said he, "the priest has run away; Such mummery and nonsense can never bear the light; Apostate Rome I must denounce, and quit it I will quite."

HERESIES are views discordant to the truths of God.

STAND BACK.

A gentleman spending his holidays in Scotland was fishing for trout. He had fishing-tackle and appliances of the best description. He threw out his bait all the morning, but caught nothing. Towards afternoon he espied a little ragged urchin, with tackle of the most primitive order, nipping the fish out of the water with marvellous rapidity. Amazed, he watched the lad for a while, and then went and asked him if he could explain the reason why he was so successful, in spite of his meagre outfit, while the expensive apparatus could catch nothing. The boy promptly replied, "The fish will no bite, sir, as lang as ye dinna _keep yersel' oot of sight_."

Well has it been said that "fishers of men need not wonder at their want of success, if they do not keep themselves out of sight,' and uplift the brazen serpent on the Gospel pole, while studiously keeping themselves hidden behind the pole."

HIS TITLE DEEDS.

The deacon of a Church lay dying. He had been a successful merchant, and he was about leaving this world to give an account of his stewardship. When he was near his end, he asked his wife to bring him his title-deeds. The lady went to his private drawer, and drew out some musty papers relating to his property, which she took to him. As soon as he saw them, he said--

"No, no; that is not what I mean. Bring me the New Testament."

It was brought, and he had it opened at Romans viii. 33--"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?"

He shortly after closed his eyes in death, his finger continuing to rest on the verse.

OUR BIBLE CLASS.

ELISHA AND THE SHUNAMMITE.

(2 KINGS iv. 8-37; viii. 1-6.)

As the Prophet Elisha carried God's messages, and did His appointed work among the Israelites, he passed through Shunem.

"A great woman," or, as we should say, a rich, influential lady, lived there with her husband and servants, and in her heart "some good thing toward the God of Israel was found," so when the Prophet passed her door, she invited him and his attendant to rest and refreshment; and since he often came that way, she induced her husband to have a room built upon the wall of the house, which she got furnished in a simple way, and this was set apart for Elisha's special use. His heart was deeply touched by the kind sympathy so freely shown him, and he offered to do anything she might ask to show his gratitude. But the good woman was not ambitious. "I dwell," said she, "among mine own people. I am well content with the blessings I enjoy, and ask no more."

This Shunammite was doing good not for the sake of reward. She honoured the Prophet because she perceived that he was "a holy man of God"--a beautiful proof that she also loved and served the Lord, for "we know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." In honouring His Prophet she honoured God, and He has said (and He is true), "Them that honour Me I will honour."

The Shunammite's honour belongs to all who love God's people for His sake, for Jesus also declared that "whosoever shall give one of His little ones a cup of cold water to quench his thirst, in the name of a disciple, shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matt. x. 41, 42).

The loving services rendered to the Saviour's friends--even to those who are most closely connected with us, or who often come in our way--are accepted by Jesus as done unto Himself. We may not be able to accomplish great and notable things, but, like this woman of old, may we do good as we have opportunity, and receive His word of acceptance, like Mary, "She hath done what she could."

But the Shunammite was to be rewarded in a very unexpected way. She had no children, and Gehazi mentioned this fact to his master, who, in the spirit of prophecy, assured her that, in due time, a son should be given her. Her joy is described in her reply to Elisha. The news seemed too good to be true. But "God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." The promised blessing came, and doubtless the mother felt that her cup overflowed with happiness.

But earthly hopes are always insecure. The child had grown; and at harvest-time he went to the field with his father and the reapers, when suddenly what we should call a sunstroke fell upon him. "My head! my head!" was all he could say, and the father had him carried to his mother. She tended him with loving care, but at noon he died. She took the lifeless form upstairs, and laid it on the Prophet's bed, and then announced her intention to go and find the man of God, saying, "It shall be well," or "peace."

Did she think her child would be restored to life at the Prophet's word? Perhaps so. She had received him at first in a miraculous way, and by a miracle he might be restored to her. At all events, her words and conduct illustrate the divine encouragement, "Trust Him at all times, ye people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a Refuge for us."

They saw her in the distance, and Gehazi ran to meet her, with the question, "Is it well with thee, thy husband, and the child?" And she answered, "Well." She would not tell the servant her sorrow. She hastened on to his master, and in her grief she caught hold of his feet, as if to hold him fast. Elisha, though a prophet, did not know what had befallen her. Perfect knowledge belongs to God alone, and He had not revealed this matter to him yet. He heard her story, and sent Gehazi with all haste to lay his staff upon the face of the child. But the mother refused to leave Elisha, and they together followed Gehazi, who, first reaching the chamber of death, laid the Prophet's rod upon the dead, but in vain. "There was neither voice nor hearing." A solemn picture of spiritual death--no voice to cry to God; no ears to listen to His Word. Are we alive or dead?

Elisha next entered the chamber alone, and, shutting the door, he prayed to the Lord; and in the end, the child was perfectly restored to life and health.

And this wondrous miracle was no doubt intended to foreshadow the general resurrection of the last great day, and to show that "with God all things are possible."

Here, too, we see a figure of "Him that was to come." The Shunammite prayed to God through Elisha, from whose lips she had at first received the promise; and in the name of Jesus we are to seek all blessings from heaven.

"He ever lives to intercede
Before His Father's face;
Give Him, my soul, thy cause to plead,
Nor doubt the Father's grace."

Time rolled on, and other sorrows came upon the highly-favoured mother. A terrible famine raged in Samaria, and at Elisha's bidding she and her household left the land of Israel for seven years (see 2 Kings viii.); and then, peace and plenty having been restored, she returned and went to the king to ask for her house and land in Shunem. Behold here the wonder-working providence of the Lord. At the very time of her visit, Gehazi was telling the king of Elisha's miracles, especially that of raising one to life; and as the woman presented her appeal, Gehazi, recognizing her, exclaimed, "My lord, this is the mother, and this her son, whom Elisha restored to life." Deeply interested at once in her case, the king granted all her request with the utmost readiness.

So "all things work together for good to them that love God," and Jesus always sympathizes with His people's sorrows, and helps and comforts them, so that "they who wait for Him shall not be ashamed." May we, in every time of trial and difficulty--

"Wait for His seasonable aid,
And though it tarry, wait;
The promise may be long delayed,
But cannot come too late."

Our next subject will be, _The Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard_ (Matt. xx. 1-16).

Your affectionate friend,
H. S. LAWRENCE.

BIBLE ENIGMA.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

One is in Adam, but not in Moses.
One is in Jesus, but not in Daniel.
One is in Peter, but not in Aaron.
One is in Eden, but not in Spirit.
One is in Pharaoh, but not in Matthew.
One is in Israel, but not in Abdon.

My whole, when arranged, will be found in the Book of Psalms.

ETHEL MARSH
(Aged 11 years).

_Laxfield._

BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH SUNDAY IN JULY.

July 1. Commit to memory Daniel ii. 19. July 8. Commit to memory Daniel ii. 20. July 15. Commit to memory Daniel ii. 21. July 22. Commit to memory Daniel ii. 22. July 29. Commit to memory Daniel ii. 23.

PRIZE ESSAY.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "UNCERTAIN RICHES" AND "THE TRUE RICHES."

In Proverbs xxiii. 5, the wise man says, "Riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven"; and in chapter viii. 18, he says, "Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness."

In these two verses may be seen one difference between the "uncertain riches" and the "true" ones. The first passage of Scripture refers to the uncertain or earthly riches, which "make themselves wings" and "fly away." The second riches spoken of are the true ones, which Christ gives to His people, and which are durable, inasmuch as they last for ever and ever. This verse is spoken by Christ under the name of Wisdom.

In Christ's parable about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke xvi. 19-31), both kinds of riches are spoken of. The rich man had the uncertain riches in abundance, and was selfish, and kept them to himself, but the beggar, though destitute of this world's goods, was one of God's children, and had the true riches.

A man may be very rich, and be looking forward to a long life in which to enjoy his riches, like the rich man in the parable (see Luke xii. 16), when he may suddenly die, and then what good can his wealth do him? What Paul says in his first Epistle to Timothy is quite true. He says, "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Tim. vi. 7); and the Psalmist says, in Psalm xlix. 16-18, "Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul."

But it is not so with those who have the true riches. They can never be disappointed in having to part with them, for, as before mentioned, they are everlasting. Christ said, in His sermon on the mount, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matt. vi. 19, 20). Our riches are, as we know from experience, never really safe from harm and damage, as articles of apparel, however costly they may be, are, if very careful measures are not used, subject to being eaten by moths. Other things are spoiled by rust gathering on them, whilst money is never secure, because thieves may steal it; and even in banks the managers or clerks may be tempted to steal the money entrusted to them, or the bank may fail. Daniel Herbert says, in one of his hymns--

"Should all the banks in Britain break,
The Bank of England smash,
Bring in your notes to Zion's bank;
You're sure to get your cash."

One of Christ's gifts to His people is spoken of in 1 Peter i. 4. It is "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away," reserved in heaven for those who are "kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation."

Christ also gives His people "a crown of glory, that fadeth not away" (see 1 Peter v. 4). This crown is called, in Timothy, "a crown of righteousness"; and, in 1 Corinthians ix. 25, Paul calls it an "incorruptible" one; and James says, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him" (James i. 12).

In conclusion, we might compare the two kinds of riches to the Lord's parable about the wise man who built his house upon a rock, and it stood firm, "for it was founded upon a rock," and the foolish one, who built his upon the sand, and his house "fell, and great was the fall of it." The first instance resembles those who do not set their hopes on the uncertain, but on the true riches; and the second like those who think only of earth, its uncertain pleasures and riches (Matt. vii. 24-27).

E. B. KNOCKER
(Aged 14 years).

_South Hill House, Tunbridge Wells._

[Very good Essays have been received from Nellie Nunn, Laura Creasey, Eleanor Saunders, Jane Bell, W. E. Cray, J. Rowbottom, Alice Creasey, Rose Holloway, Annetta Hargreaves, E. R. Harris, &c. Their efforts are very encouraging.]

[The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "The Story of the Spanish Armada."

The subject for September will be, "The Blessings Conferred on England by the Accession to the Throne of William of Orange, and by the Protestant Succession thereby Secured to Us"; and the prize to be given for the best Essay on that subject, a copy of "The Reformation and its Heroes." All competitors must give a guarantee that they are under fifteen years of age, and that the Essay is their own composition, or the papers will be passed over, as the Editor cannot undertake to write for this necessary information. Papers must be sent direct to the Editor, Mr. T. Hull, 117, High Street, Hastings, by the first of August.]

ERRATUM.--Through an oversight, the name of the sender of the Enigma was given last month instead of the sender of the answer. It should have been--Nellie Nunn, aged twelve years.

Interesting Items.

THE number of Bibles printed during last year in England alone amounted to nearly four millions.

A BIRDS' NEST IN A RAILWAY TRUCK.--A water wagtail's nest, containing four eggs, was found at Norbiton Station amongst some coal in a truck which arrived from Derbyshire, a few weeks ago. The old birds had evidently come too, for they were seen flying about the station.

THE death is announced of Mr. Norman Macdonald, of Big Bras Dor, Cape Breton, at the reputed age of 110 years. It is stated that he was a survivor from Waterloo. He was a man of great activity and endurance, and up to about two years ago was able to work on his farm at Cape Breton.

A QUIET REBUKE.--An old minister one Sunday, at the close of the sermon, gave notice to the congregation that in the course of the week he expected to go on a mission to the heathen. One of the deacons, in great agitation, exclaimed, "Why, my dear sir, you have never told us one word of this before! What shall we do?" "Oh, brother," said the parson, "I don't expect to go out of town."

THERE are more beggars in London this year than I ever remember before--female beggars, crossing sweeper beggars, and singing beggars. And no wonder, if many of them earn as much as one of the fraternity who was before a suburban magistrate recently. This man confessed to earning 5s., 10s., and 15s., and on one occasion as much as L1 1s. 6d. He has earned his living by begging for thirty years, and made a very good living too. He was sent to prison for fourteen days, and when out will doubtless resume his lucrative profession.

A CLERICAL MISER.--The Rev. John Trueman, of Daventry, possessed an income of about four hundred pounds per annum clear; and, by his self-denying management of it, he contrived to amass fifty thousand pounds. There were few things too mean for him to do in order to save money. He would steal turnips out of the fields as he passed along, on the pretence of visiting the farmhouses, and then beg bits of bacon to boil with them from the good wives in the parish. Sometimes he would quarter himself, without any invitation, in a farmhouse, and in the room in which he slept, he has been known to pull the worsted out of the corners of the blankets, and take it away with him, in order to darn his stockings.

IN India we have a few peculiarities because of the great heat. Our houses are, generally speaking, on the open ground, no upstair rooms, and the doors are left wide open. There was an English mother who had the habit, when probably half asleep, of handing out her baby before daybreak to the ayah, to administer to its wants and cares. One morning, this poor mother, all but asleep, felt, as she thought, the cold touch of the ayah (the native nurse), and handed out the baby; but it was a wolf that was there. We are asleep, my friends. That mother lost her reason when the dear little infant was thus destroyed; but in our sleep and in our slumber we lose one child after another by handing them over to Rome--to the wolf that destroys them. Oh, let us awake!--_W. Ayerst, M.A._

STEEL LACE.--A new branch of industry is going to revolutionize the lace trade. A New York dealer in laces is exhibiting a specimen of lace of an extremely delicate pattern, and so light that it can almost be blown away by a breath of air. This lace is made of steel rolled as fine as the point of a cambric needle. It is not woven, but stamped out of a sheet of low grade steel, so that it should not be too brittle. It was turned out of a small Pittsburgh mill, and sent to the dealer to show what could be done in that line. In the course of time other patterns will be made--heavier, perhaps, but certainly more tenacious than this piece. There is said to be no question as to its durability, and its cheapness would make it the most saleable of all laces in the market. It may create a revolution in the lace market, if rust can be guarded against.--_Iron._

SULPHUR FOR SORE THROATS.--The value of sulphur in throat difficulties is but little known among families, though most physicians prescribe it in some form. An ordinary sore throat will be relieved by a gargle of sulphur and water--one tablespoonful to a glass of water, and use frequently. In every family the flour of sulphur should be always kept ready for use, and at the appearance of irritation or cankered spots, a gargle should be given, or the powder blown through a paper tube directly into the throat. At different times we have seen the throat trouble relieved in a few hours by the simple use of this valuable remedy. A sore throat is no trivial thing, and no time should be lost in the matter. If, after discovering it in a child, it does not improve in a few hours' time after the use of sulphur, a reliable physician should be called in without further delay.

THE Queen Regent of Spain opened the International Exhibition at Barcelona on Sunday, May 20th, in the presence of a distinguished assemblage, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Prince George of Wales. Perhaps this was done as a set-off against our Protestant commemorations.

Oh, England! England! blush with shame!
Thy princes stoop to foul thy name.

THE present spring has been remarkable for the number of rare birds that have appeared in this country and on the Continent. These include the golden oriole, pied flycatcher, sand-grouse, dotterel, hoopoe, short-toed lark, moustached grass-warbler, and rose-coloured pastor. In spite of the Wild Birds' Protection Act, many of these visitants are shot immediately upon their arrival. It is only in rare cases that the police interfere, even when the killing of the birds is a matter of notoriety.

HAY FEVER.--Sir Morell Mackenzie has opportunely published a lecture he delivered some time ago at the London Hospital Medical College on hay fever, which he defines to be a peculiar affection of the mucous membrane of the nose, eyes, and air passages, giving rise to catarrh and asthma, almost invariably caused by the action of the pollen of grasses and flowers, and therefore prevalent only where they are in blossom. With regard to the treatment of this disease, Sir Morell Mackenzie believes the first thing to do is, to remove the patient from a district in which there is much flowering grass, a sea voyage being probably the most perfect satisfactory step that can be taken. Patients unable to go to sea should reside near the coast, while dwellers in towns should avoid the country, and those who reside in the country should make a temporary stay in the centre of a large town.

EXTRAORDINARY RAFFLE FOR BIBLES.--A curious custom was observed in the Parish Church of St. Ives, Hunts, on May 23rd. Dr. Robert Wilde, who died in August, 1678, bequeathed L50, the yearly interest of which was to be expended in the purchase of six Bibles, not exceeding the price of 7s. 6d. each, which should be "cast for dice" on the Communion table every year by six boys and six girls of the town. A piece of ground was bought with the L50, and is now known as "Bible Orchard." The legacy also provided for the payment of ten shillings yearly to the vicar for preaching a sermon on the occasion "commending the excellency, the perfection, and divine authority of the Holy Scriptures." This singular custom has been regularly observed in the church since the death of the testator, but representations having been made to the Bishop of the diocese, the practice of throwing the dice on the Communion table was discontinued some years ago, and the raffling now takes place on a table erected at the chancel steps. The highest throw this year (three times, with three dice) was thirty-seven, by a little girl. The vicar (the Rev. E. Tottenham) preached a sermon from the words, "From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures."

ANTIQUARIAN DISCOVERY.--During some excavations on the premises of Messrs. Walker and Sons, Otley, Yorkshire, a mass of human and other bones, bears' claws, flint, charcoal, and burnt slates or tiles, was turned up with the subsoil, and among the _debris_, at a depth of nearly eight feet from the modern soil level, six copper and bronze coins and a lead seal were found, several of the coins being in a good state of preservation. Some of the letters on the coins are worn, but it appears certain that some of the coins are of great antiquity. The seal is of more recent date. Seals like the one found were attached to the Papal bulls, and as this specimen has the usual aperture through its diameter to allow of the connection of the bull with the seal being made, there is no doubt that this was so attached to a document of this character. In years past the archbishops had a palace at Otley, and it is conjectured that this is one of the many seals used in the manner indicated. The seal in question bears authority from Pope Innocent IV., who occupied the Papal chair from 1243 to 1254. On the obverse are the Roman capitals "SPA., SPE.," standing respectively for St. Paul and St. Peter. Immediately below are the heads of those saints in relief, a cross in the middle dividing them. On the reverse are the letters "INNOCENTIVS PP IIII."

COLCHESTER.--ST. JOHN'S GREEN CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOL.--The anniversary services in connection with this school were held on Sunday and Monday, May 27th and 28th. The sermons on the Sunday were preached by the Minister, Mr. W. Brown. On the Monday, the usual gathering of teachers, friends, and scholars was well attended, when suited addresses were given, and prizes awarded to many of the scholars for regular and punctual attendance. Sixteen gained prizes for good essays on "The Life of Joseph." The balance sheet for the last year showed the receipts to be L18 14s. 1d., and the expenditure to be L23 10s. 3d., leaving L4 16s. 2d. due to the treasurer. The amount received on Sunday and Monday was L11 6s. 91/2d. There are now 187 scholars and 15 teachers in the school, 23 scholars and three teachers being added during the past year.

CHARLIE COULSON, THE DRUMMER-BOY.

During the American War, Dr. Rossvally was surgeon in the army, and after the battle of Gettisburg, among hundreds of wounded soldiers, a drummer-boy was found entirely helpless on the field. The case seemed almost too bad for treatment, but as the lad opened his large blue eyes, the doctor felt he could not let him die there, so he ordered him to be taken to the hospital, and found that an arm and a leg required amputation. The assistant-surgeon wished to administer chloroform to the young sufferer, but he refused, and when Dr. Rossvally himself remonstrated with him, he replied--

"Doctor, one Sunday afternoon, in the Sabbath School, when I was nine and a half years old, I was brought to believe in Christ. I learned to trust Him then. I have been trusting Him ever since, and I feel I can trust Him now. He will support me while you amputate my arm and leg."

The Jewish doctor's heart was touched in spite of himself, and he thereupon asked Charlie a question he had never asked a soldier before--would he like to see the chaplain? "Oh, yes, sir!" was the quick response; and after seeing the minister, by whom he sent a loving message to his mother and the superintendent of his Sunday School, he told the doctor he was ready for the operation, promising that he would not even groan if no chloroform were offered him. He kept his promise, only putting the corner of his pillow in his mouth during the most painful part of the process, saying, "Oh, Jesus, blessed Jesus, stand by me now!"

That night the doctor could not sleep. Those soft blue eyes and that gentle voice seemed to meet him continually, and he could not help returning to the hospital in the middle of the night to inquire about the lad. He found him sweetly sleeping, and one of the nurses told him how two friends had visited him, and had sung "Jesus, Lover of my soul" by his bed-side, and Charlie had joined in the sacred song.

Five days afterwards, he felt he was dying, and sending for the doctor, he thanked him for all his kindness, and begged him to remain and see him die, trusting Jesus to the last moment of his life. He tried to stay, but it was too much for his Jewish feelings to see that dying youth rejoicing in the love of the Jesus whose very name he had been taught to hate, and he hurriedly left the room.

Twenty minutes after, he was again summoned to that bed, and, asking him to take his hand, Charlie said, "Doctor, I love you because you are a Jew. The best Friend I have found in this world was a Jew, Jesus Christ, to whom I want to introduce you before I die; and will you promise me, doctor, that what I am about to say to you you will never forget?" The doctor promised, and the lad went on--"Five days ago, while you amputated my arm and leg, I prayed the Lord Jesus Christ to convert your soul."

These words sank into the doctor's heart. How could that sufferer, in the midst of such intense pain, be thinking only of his Saviour and an unconverted soul? and he could only answer, "Well, my dear boy, you will soon be all right." With these words he left him, and a few minutes later the youth fell asleep in Jesus, at seventeen years of age.

Dr. Rossvally followed him to the grave, and for some months the impression his patience and faith had made upon him still remained. Gradually it wore off, however; and for ten years longer he remained a despiser of the Saviour, when God, in mercy, sent another message to His wandering child.

At the close of the American War, Dr. Rossvally had been made inspecting surgeon, with charge of the military hospital in Texas. Returning one day from an inspecting tour, he stopped at an hotel in New York, and going to be shaved, he found the barber's shop hung around with beautifully framed Scripture texts; and what was more, the barber began to speak to him of Jesus in such an attractive way, that Charlie Coulson's happy death came vividly before his mind. The doctor's mind was deeply moved, and when he reached Washington, where he resided, for the first time in his life he went to hear an address in a Christian place of worship, and he could not restrain the tears that would flow while he listened; and when the service was ended, an elderly lady spoke to him before he could escape. He told her he would pray to his God--the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--but not to Jesus. "Bless your soul," was the earnest answer, "your God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is my Christ, and your Messiah!"

He went home full of conflicting feelings, and then for hours he wept and prayed, while many prophecies concerning the Messiah came to his mind, and at length the conviction came that Jesus was the Christ, that He was his Saviour, and that God had forgiven him for the sake of His beloved Son.

He hastened to tell his wife of his newly-found joy, but it only enraged her, and leaving home, she went to her parents' house, who forbade her to have any further intercourse with her husband, and took the two children under their care. So true is it still that a Jew must be prepared to forsake all when he follows Jesus.

He went away with a sad heart on his next commission, but regularly wrote to his wife, praying that she might read at least one of his letters. For fifty-three days each one was destroyed unopened, but one night their daughter dreamed that she saw her father die, and next morning she determined to take his letter in and read it. She did so, and after a while showed it to her mother, who, having secretly read it again and again, was overcome with strange new feelings, and she also was led to trust in that long-despised but now precious name--Jesus, the Son of God.

Husband and wife were now united in the Lord, and their daughter also became a new creature. Their son, however, long refused even to acknowledge either of his parents, and his mother died without seeing or hearing from him, but it is hoped that her prayers for him may be answered. Mrs. Rossvally's end was peaceful and happy. Some friends sang, "Jesus, Lover of my soul," and when they reached the line, "Thou, O Christ, art all I want," she said, "Yes, this is all I want! Come, blessed Jesus, and take me home!" and so she "fell asleep."

Dr. Rossvally still lives, and like a well-known ancient trophy of divine grace, preaches the faith he once laboured to destroy, and "Christ and Him crucified" is his hope and joy.

Dear reader, whoever you may be, may you reflect upon the fact that there is salvation in none other than the Lamb of God, who died to put sin away, and ever lives to save all who come unto God by Him. And may His Holy Spirit impress the truth upon your heart, "He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life, but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John iii. 36).--_From a Tract, published at Leeds by Dr. M. L. Rossvally, a converted Jew._