FACTS STRANGER THAN FICTION

THE WONDERS OF PRAYER:

A RECORD OF WELL AUTHENTICATED AND WONDERFUL ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 

AS NARRATED BY:

 GEORGE MULLER, W. W. PATTEN, D. D. , D. L. MOODY, CHAS. CULLIS, C. H. SPURGEON, S. I. PRIME, D. D. , BISHOP SIMPSON, E. KRUMMACHER, NEWMAN HALL, D. D. , MARTIN LUTHER, BISHOP T. BOWMAN, JOHN KNOX, CHAS. G. FINNEY, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AND HOSTS OF OTHERS. 

NEW EDITION. REVISED BY D. W. WHITTLE. 

1885

 * * * * *

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST EDITION. 

The incidents which are published in this volume, are vouched for uponthe strongest proofs of authenticity possible to obtain, and are eitherof circumstances known amid my own experience, or connected with thelives of my correspondents and their friends. They are the thankfulrecord and tribute to the power of _persevering faith_. 

Nothing has been published concerning which there is the least shadow ofdoubt. All have been carefully investigated. 

Every case has been one of real prayer, and the results that have come, came only in answer to the prayer of faith, and were not possible toobtain without it. 

They demonstrate to a wonderful degree, the immediate practical ways ofthe Lord with his children in this world, that He is far nearer and moreintimate with their plans and pursuits than it is possible for them torealize. 

Neither have we depended upon the relation of facts of a few, toconvince the world of the real power of faith, but have added concurrenttestimony of incidents actually known in the experience of such eminentclergymen as Charles Spurgeon, Newman Hall, Martin Luther, W. Huntington, Dr. Waterbury, George Muller, Dr. Cullis, Dr. Patton, Dr. Adams, Dr. Prime, Bishop Simpson, and many others. 

Also we have added some incidents known and investigated and foundabsolutely true, by the editors of the following journals, who add theirunquestioning belief in the power of prayer: _The Christian, TheEvangelist, The Observer, The Congregationalist, The Advance, TheIllustrated Christian Weekly, The American Messenger, The Witness_. Likewise we have been greatly assisted by some of our Home Missionaries, who, from their daily experiences with the poor and suffering, have beeneye-witnesses to remarkable experiences and the wonderful help of theLord in answering their prayers. 

These testimonies here recorded must be accepted as true. Theydemonstrate that answers to prayer are not occasional, and thereforeremarkable that they do occur, but are of constant occurrence. 

There may be many minds who, having carried no trial to the Lord, havenever been brought into intimate acquaintances of the ways in which theLord tries the faith of his children, nor led to see and observe hiswonderful control over human wills and circumstances. The power of theLord is learned only by those who in deep trouble have faithfully soughtHim and seen his ways of deliverance. 

None can ever understand the full power of prayer until they havelearned the lesson of trust. It is only when for the _first time_ in theChristian's own life of faith, it realizes the hand of God in hispersonal dealings with him, how near He is, or how clearly he feels thepresence of that tremendous overruling Spirit which

 "_Turneth the heart whithersoever He will_. "

The actual existence of our God is therefore proved, not alone from_History_, nor from the Bible alone, nor from current natural orreligious feeling and beliefs, nor from the testimony of old witnessesseveral thousand years old, _but from the actual incidents of presentprayer_, and the _literal answer_. Daily faith and trust and prayer havemade the Christian deeply acquainted with Him and his ways, and humblydependent upon his care and love and help, in the events of life. _Noone ever faithfully trusted the Lord in vain_. 

Circumstances so clouded that it has been impossible for men to control, have, through believing prayer, been so made to change, that throughthem has been revealed _living evidences_ of the presence of

 _The Ever Living God_. 

 * * * * *

DISCERNING PRAYER. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

BY D. W. WHITTLE. 

To recognize God's existence is to necessitate prayer to Him, by allintelligent creatures, or, a consciously living in sin and undercondemnation of conscience, because they do not pray to Him. It would behorrible to admit the existence of a Supreme Being, with power andwisdom to create, and believe that the creatures he thought ofconsequence and importance enough to bring into existence, are not ofenough consequence for him to pay any attention to in the troubles andtrials consequent upon that existence. 

Surely such a statement is an impeachment of both the wisdom andgoodness of God. 

It were far more sensible for those who deny the fitness and necessityof prayer to take the ground of the atheist and say plainly "We do notpray, for there is no God to pray to, " for to deny prayer, is practicalatheism. 

So in the very constitution of man's being there is the highestreasonableness in prayer. And, if the position of man in his relation tothe earth he inhabits is recognized and understood, there is nounreasonableness in a God-fearing man looking to God for help anddeliverance under any and all circumstances, in all the vicissitudes oflife. The earth was _made_ for man. One has said "there is nothing greatin the world but man; and there is nothing great in man but his soul. "With this in view, how absurd to talk about "fixed laws" and"unchangeable order, " in a way to keep man in his trouble from God. Itis all the twaddle of the conceit of man setting himself up to judge andlimit his maker. "To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal?saith the Holy One. " The Creator is greater than his creation; the lawgiver is supreme over all law. He created the earth that it might beinhabited by man, and He governs the earth in subordination to theinterests, the eternal and spiritual welfare of the race of immortalbeings that are here being prepared for glory and immortality. 

Laws, indeed, are fixed in their operation and results as subserving thehighest good in the training and the disciplining of the race, givingthem hope in their labor and sure expectation of fruit from their toil. But as set in operation for _man's good_, so, in an exigency that maymake necessary their suspension, to secure his deliverance from periland bring man back to the recognition of the personal God, as above, law, is it unreasonable to believe that God has power thus to suspend oroverrule his own arrangements? A wise father will govern his children byrules as securing their best good. But he will retain in his power thesuspending of those rules when special occasions arise, when the objectfor which they exist can be better secured by their suspension. Shallnot the living God have the same right?

So much as to the reflections suggested by the dogmas of naturalreligion. They sustain in reason our faith in prayer. The basis, however, of our faith rests upon the unchanging and unchangeablerevelation of God, and not upon man's philosophy. Jesus taught hisdisciples to pray, saying, "Our Father which art in Heaven. " AsChristians, this is our authority for prayer. In the words, "OURFATHER, " our Blessed Lord has given us the substance of all that can besaid, as to _the privilege of prayer, what to pray for_, and _how topray_. There can be no loftier exercise of soul ever given to createdintelligence than to come into conscious contact with the living God, and be able to say "_My_ Father. "

And surely, as my Father, with a loving father's heart, it must be hisdesire that I should tell him _all_ my needs, _all_ my sorrows, _all_ mydesires. And, so his word commands, "Be careful for nothing, but _ineverything_, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let yourrequests be made known unto God. " (Phil, iv. , 6. ) Under this verse thereis positively no exception of any request that may not be made knownunto God. So there is true faith and right Christian philosophy in theremark, "if a _pin_ was needful to my happiness and I could not find oneI would pray to God for it. "

The mistake of Christians is in _not_ praying over _little_ things. "Thehairs of your head are all numbered. " Consult God about everything. Expect His counsel, His guidance, His care, His provision, Hisdeliverance, His blessing, in everything. Does not the expression, "Our_daily_ bread, " mean just this? Can there be any true life of faith thatdoes not include this? Whatever will serve to help God's children to abetter understanding of the blessed privileges of prayer, and prove tothem the reality of God's answering prayer in the cares, trials andtroubles of _daily life_, will approve itself to all thoughtful minds asa blessing to them and an honor to God. It is the purpose of this volumeto do this. We are more helped by testimony to _facts_ than by theoriesand doctrines. When we have illustrations before our eyes of God's carefor his children, and His response to their faith, even in the minutestthings, we understand the meaning of His promises and the reality of Hisprovidences. 

The writer had many thoughts in this line suggested to him by anincident, with which he was connected, in the life of George Muller. Itwas my happiness to cross the Atlantic in the company of this dearbrother on the steamship Sardinian, from Quebec to Liverpool, in June, 1880. 

I met Mr. Muller in the express office the morning of sailing, abouthalf an hour before the tender was to take the passengers to the ship. He asked of the agent if a deck chair had arrived for him from New York. He was answered, No, and told that it could not possibly come in timefor the steamer. I had with me a chair I had just purchased and told Mr. Muller of the place near by, where I had obtained it, and suggested thatas but a few moments remained he had better buy one at once. His replywas, "No, my brother, Our Heavenly Father will send the chair from NewYork. It is one used by Mrs. Muller, as we came over, and left in NewYork when we landed. I wrote ten days ago to a brother who promised tosee it forwarded here last week. He has not been prompt as I would havedesired, but I am sure Our Heavenly Father will send the chair. Mrs. Muller is very sick upon the sea, and has particularly desired to havethis same chair, and not finding it here yesterday when we arrived, aswe expected, we have made special prayer that Our Heavenly Father wouldbe pleased to provide it for us, and we will trust Him to do so. " Asthis dear man of God went peacefully on board the tender, running therisk of Mrs. Muller making the voyage without a chair, when for a coupleof dollars she could have been provided for, I confess I feared Mr. Muller was carrying his faith principles too far and not acting wisely. 

I was kept at the express office ten minutes after Mr. Muller left. Justas I started to hurry to the wharf a team drove up the street, and ontop of a load just arrived from New York, _was Mr. Muller's chair_! Itwas sent at once to the tender and placed in _my hands_ to take to Mr. Muller (the Lord having a lesson for me) just as the boat was leavingthe dock. I found Mr. And Mrs. Muller in a retired spot on one side ofthe tender and handed him the chair. He took it with the happy, pleasedexpression of a child who has just received a kindness deeplyappreciated, and reverently removing his hat and folding his hands overit, he thanked his Heavenly Father for sending the chair. "In_everything_ by prayer and supplication let your requests be made knownunto God. " "Casting _all_ your care upon Him, for He careth for you. "

So the word of God teaches us as His children (_inviting_ us to pray, _commanding_ us to pray, and _teaching us_ how to pray), that there is adivine reality in prayer. Experience abundantly corroborates theteaching. 

Every truly converted man knows from this experience that God answersprayer. He has verified the promise. "Call unto me, and I will answerthee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. "(Jer. Xxxiii. , 8. ) His life is a life of prayer, and grows more and moreto be a life of almost unconscious dependence upon God, as he becomesfixed in the habit of prayer. This, and it is the purpose of God, is theresult secured by prayer. With this in view, it will not be so much whatwe expect to get by praying, as a consciousness of coming into closerrelations to God, the giver of all, in our prayers, that will give ustrue joy. 

Often God's children are driven to the throne of grace by some desperateneed of help and definite supply of an absolute want, and, as they cryto God and plead their case with tears before him, he so manifests hispresence to them and so fills them with a consciousness of his love andpower, that the burden is gone and _without the want being supplied_that drove them to God, they rejoice in _God himself_ and care not forthe deprivation. This was Paul's experience when he went thus to Godabout the thorn, and came away without the specific relief he had prayedfor, but with such a blessing as a result of his drawing near to God, that he little cared whether the thorn remained or not--or, rather, rejoiced that it was not removed; that it might be used to keep him nearto God, whose love so filled his soul. 

A widow once told the writer of the turning point in her Christian life, when God's love was so shed abroad in her heart that she had beenenabled to go on through all her trials rejoicingly conscious of God'spresence, and casting all her burdens upon Him. She was driven to seekGod by great need. Her husband's death left her destitute, with littlechildren to provide for, and few friends from whom to look forcontinuous aid. Winter drew on, and, one day, her little boy came inshivering with cold and asked if he could not have a fur cap, as hisstraw hat was very cold and none of the boys at school wore straw hats. She was without a cent in the world. She gave a hopeful answer to theboy and sent him out to play, and then went to her bedroom and knelt andwept in utter desolation of heart before God, praying most earnestlythat God would give her a token that He _was_ her God and was caring forher by sending her a cap for her boy. While she prayed the peace of Godfilled her soul. She was made to feel the presence of her Saviour insuch a way that all doubts as to his love for her and his fulfillment ofall his promises to care for her vanished away, and she went out of herroom, rejoicing in the Lord and singing his praise. She had no burdenabout the cap, and was quite content for God to send it or not as itpleased Him; and, in the afternoon, when a neighbor called, occupiedwith the Lord and his wonderful love, the thought of the cap had gonefrom her mind. When the neighbor rose to depart, she said, "You know mylittle boy died last fall. Just before he died I bought him a fur cap:he only wore it two or three times. After his death I put away all histhings and thought I could never part with any of them. But, thismorning, as I went to the drawer to look them over, I felt that I shouldgive you this cap for your little boy. Will you take it of me?" As shetook the cap and told her neighbor of the morning trial, prayer andblessing, two souls were filled with the sense of the reality of prayerand the love of God for his children. "My little boy, " said the widow, "wore that cap for three winters. And often, when sorely tried by mycircumstances, has God lifted the burden from my heart, by my justlooking at it, and remembering the blessing that came with it. "

Experiences like this God gives to all his children, not for the purposeof leading them to look to Him for supplying their physical necessities, as an end, but to make Himself known to them, and to secure theirconfidence and love, for "this is life eternal, that they might knowThee, the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. " (Jno. Xvii, 8. )

The use of prayer is to bring us into communion with God, for the growthof the spiritual life, that is ours by faith in Christ Jesus. To leaveit upon any lower plane than this, is to rob it of its highest functionsand to paralyze it of lasting power for good in any direction. Thepromises of God are conditioned upon our being in this state of hearttoward God. "If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall askwhat ye will, and it shall be done unto you. " (Jno. Xv. , 7. ) Abiding inChrist, our will will be His will, as to desiring that which will mostadvance the divine life and promote confidence in God, and all ourdesires for material blessings will be subordinated to this motive. Right here must come in a line of truth that will lead us from thespirit of dictation in our prayers to God in all matters pertaining toour worldly concerns. We cannot tell what is for our highest spiritualgood. The saving of our property or the taking it away. The recoveryfrom sickness or the continuance of it; the restoration of the health ofour loved one, or his departing to be with Christ; the removing thethorn or the permitting it to remain. "_In everything_" it is indeed ourblessed privilege to let _our requests_ be make known unto God, but, praise his name, he has not passed over to us the awful responsibilityof the assurance that _in everything_ the requests we make known will begranted. He has reserved the decision, where we should rejoice to leaveit, to his infinite wisdom and his infinite love. 

There is a danger to be carefully guarded against in the reading of thisbook and in the consideration of the precious truth. The incidents itrelates bring before the mind, of the unlimited resources and theunquenchable love of God, that are made available to believing prayer. That danger has been suggested by what has been said, that the highestuse of prayer is to bring the soul nearer to God, and _not the making ofit a mere matter of convenience to escape physical ills or supplyphysical necessities_. 

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh" and continues flesh until theend. "Have no confidence in the flesh" is always a much neededexhortation. Now, unquestionably, the desires of the natural heart mayand do deceive us, and often lead as to believe that our fervent earnestprayer for temporal blessing is led of the Spirit, when the mind of theSpirit is, that we will be made more humble, more Christ-like and moreuseful by being denied than by being granted. Again, we are in danger ofdisobeying the plain commands of _God's word_ in allowing prayer ever totake the place of anything _in our power_ to do, and _that we arecommanded to do as a means to secure needed good_. He who has said "prayalways, " has also said, "Be ambitious to be quiet and to do your ownbusiness, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you; that yemay walk honestly toward them that are without, and may have need ofnothing. " (1 Thess. , iv. , 11, 12; R. V. )

How often the _flesh_ has led men to read (Phil, iv. , 19): "My God shallsupply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus, "in a spirit entirely opposed to this exhortation. They have ceased tolabor with their hands, and, without warrant in the providences of Godand the judgment of brethren, have turned from doing their own business, expecting the Lord to pay their debts and provide for their necessities. The quotations of Scripture made by our Lord to Satan, "Thou shalt nottempt the Lord, thy God, " is surely applicable in all such cases. Thespirit of a "sound mind" (see 2 Tim. I. , 7) will surely recognize this. 

So in _all_ things, that which God has given me intelligence and powerto do, in avoiding evil or securing good, I am under direct command fromhim to do, always depending upon His blessing to secure the neededresult. A _true faith_ in God will be made manifest by careful obedienceto known commands. An _intelligent_ faith can never allow dependenceupon means used to take the place of dependence upon the living God, whoalone makes them efficacious. 

It must result in _presumptions_ faith, if obedience is neglected, andthe results only promised to obedience are expected. That God _can_ giveblessing, without the use of the ordinary means, on man's part, there isno question. That he _has_ done so is a matter of record. Yet we shouldremember that there were but _two_ miraculous draughts of fishes, and_only twice_ did our Lord make bread without the use of seed-time, harvest, grinding and baking. The _rule_ of Christ in his earthlyministry was, most certainly, to receive the supply of his physicalwants from His Heavenly Father, in the use of means to secure theresults offered in the ordinary operation of the laws of God. He wentinto the corn-field at autumn and visited the olive tree for sustenanceas did other men. And the question for his disciples is not what God_can_ do, and not what he _has_ done (that he may be known as God overall creation, blessed for evermore) in the suspension of natural laws, but what has he revealed to us as his will during the time of thepresent dispensation of the church on this earth, as to his childrenusing means for the avoidance of evil and securing of good, or dependingentirely upon miraculous interference in answer to the prayer of faithfor all need without reference to use of means. 

Does the prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread, " mean that we are todo nothing to secure our bread, lest we show no faith in God, and simplywait in idleness for God to repeat the miracle of sending it by araven? or, does it mean that with thankful hearts to God for the abilityhe has given us to work, that we go forth diligently fulfilling our taskin the use of all appropriate means to secure that which his lovingbounty has made possible for us in the fruitful seasons of the earth, and return with devout recognition that He is the Creator, Upholder andGiver of all, bringing our sheaves with us. When seed-time and harvestfail and death is on the land, when corn fails in Egypt and there is nobread, when _we have obeyed him_ and sought to toil with our hands andno man has given unto us, then we will expect his interposition and willhave faith that he who has fed us by use of means, will supply uswithout means, and that He alone is the living God. 

It is noticeable that the prophet Elisha, whose prayers God heard in themultiplication of the twenty loaves during the dearth at Gilgal, wasmade Elijah's successor when following his twelve yoke of oxen at theplough in the field, diligently using means to obtain bread, andundoubtedly communing with God all the while and recognizing theevidences of his love and power in every upturned daisy as he ploughedthe sod, and in every seed that he dropped into the fertile earth, andthought it grand to be a fellow worker with God in the husbandry of theearth and not one to be fed in idleness, neglecting the toil appointedto man, and losing the blessing that is promised in the word of God, inthe discipline and the knowledge of God in the operations of His laws, that comes in a greater or less degree to all of earth's honest toilers. 

It is the opinion of many of God's children that as the presentdispensation draws to its close, there will be among the spirituallyminded and consecrated ones of the church, a reproduction of the giftsof Pentecost for a last testimony to the world before Christ comes inglory. There is much Scripture that might be quoted to sustain thisopinion. God grant in His grace and mercy that it may be so. But neitherthe church or the world have any _claim_ upon God for it. The church hasabused grace and the world has despised mercy. All the promises as tomiracles wrought for a testimony as to the truth of Christ'sresurrection, have been fulfilled. If Christ were to come to-day, theworld would be without excuse in having rejected him, and could notplead that signs and wonders had been abundantly wrought in His name inthe establishing of His church upon the earth. 

The question of our Lord in Luke xviii. , 8, "When the son of man comethshall he find faith on the earth?" suggests to many minds that there maynot be vouchsafed during the time immediately preceding hismanifestations, any marked interference by God in the way of miracles orsigns among his children, but that their faith in Him as the unseen God, and their trust in the truth and verify of His word, will be broughtforth to the praise and glory of God and their joy, by their being leftto the _word alone_ and the operations of the Holy Ghost by and throughthe word for their comfort and stability in the faith. 

Coupled with this thought let it ever be borne in mind by the believerthat the testimony of God's word as to miracles, signs and wonderswrought by _Satanic agency_ in the church, during the last day, is clearand unmistakable, and warnings abound as to our danger from them. 

"The Spirit saith expressly that in later times some shall fall awayfrom the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines ofdevils. " 1 Tim. Iv. , 1. 

"But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. " "Evilmen and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and beingdeceived. " 2 Tim. Iii. , 1 and 13. 

"Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is nogreat thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers ofrighteousness. 2 Cor. Xi. , 14. 

"And then shall that wicked be revealed. Even him whose coming is afterthe working of Satan, _with all power, and signs_, and _lying wonders_;and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth that they might besaved. " 2 Thess. Ii. , 8 to 10. 

By these passages it is plain that a sign or a wonder does not establisha doctrine or endorse a man as certainly being _from God_. The doctrineand the man must be judged by the written word of God. 

If there is ought in the doctrine that denies that Jesus is the Son ofGod, that derogates in the slightest degree from the merit of Hisatonement on the cross for our sins, or that takes the eye off from Himas the risen and coming Lord, the alone object of our faith and hope, orthat dishonors in any way God's holy word, taking from or adding to it, _then_ the more signs and wonders and manifestations of mysterious powerthat there may be connected with it, then the more certainly we may knowthat it is of Satan and not of God. 

And if, in the man who exhibits signs and wonders, there is a spiritcontrary to the spirit of Christ, in his seeking honor from man, andusing his power to establish a claim to such honor, "speaking of himselfas some great one, " and not walking in humility as a sinner saved fromhell and kept day by day by the power of God through faith in Christ, And if the purpose of his signs be to establish revelations he isreceiving in any form apart from the written word, then, though hissigns be as marvelous as those of the magicians in Egypt, or SimonMagnus in Samaria, he is, like them, a minister of Satan and not aminister of Jesus Christ. 

The age abounds in doctrines and men of this kind. The life of faithlays the soul open to assaults of the Devil by their agency. 

"Beloved try the spirits whether they be of God. "

Let us not waver in our faith in God's overruling providence, and in thereality of His interposition in answer to prayer for the deliverance andhelp of his people under any and all circumstances. "In _everything_, byprayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let our requests be madeknown unto God, " but let our first request be that we be kept in a soundmind obedient to the word, and let _all of_ our requests close with theutterance, from a sincere heart, of the words, "Thy will be done. " Ifthis be the attitude of our hearts our prayers shall be abundantly andgraciously answered, and God shall guide us from the wiles of the EvilOne for the sake of His dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, through whoseprecious blood we have all grace and all blessing. Amen. 

LAKE VIEW, July 24th, 1885. 

 * * * * *

A MAN CAN RECEIVE NOTHING EXCEPT IT BE GIVEN HIM FROM HEAVEN. JOHN 3:27. 

 * * * * *

HIS COVENANT. 

_"Know, that the Lord, thy God he is God, the faithful God, whichkeepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him, and keep hiscommandments, to a thousand generations. "_

_"My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out ofmy lips. "_

_"I will not suffer my faithfulness to fail. "_

_"I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, Iwill also do it. "_

_"He is faithful that promised. "_

_"I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies ofDavid. "_

_"Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. "_

_"God is not a man, that he should lie; hath he said and shall he not doit? hath he spoken and shall he not make it good?"_

_"Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in Heaven; thy faithfulness isunto all generations, thy word is true from the beginning. "_

_"Thy faithfulness is unto all generations. "_

_"The word of our God shall stand forever. "_

_"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall notreturn unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and itshall prosper in the things whereto I sent it. "_

 * * * * *

ANSWERS TO PRAYER

A WONDERFUL ANSWER TO PRAYER AND PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE HOLYSPIRIT. 

A trustful Christian, whose heart had been deeply touched with thoughtsof religion, was one day thinking and pondering and wishing that hemight be more truly convinced of the actual existence of the HolySpirit. "If, " thought he, "there is a Holy Spirit, a Superior Mind andWill, I reverently and sincerely wish that I may be convinced of itbeyond all doubt; that I may indeed know God is a living reality anddaily guide and mighty among the plans and ways of men. " Though havingall the needed mental, historic and heart belief and trust in God--stillthere was desired that special satisfaction which can only come by_personal evidence. _

With reverent feeling one morning, he asked the Lord humbly, in Prayer, "_What can thy servant, do for thee this day? Teach him, that he maygladly minister to any one in thy name_. " In the course of the day therecame to him the thought of the revival services then proceeding inBrooklyn, and feeling a cordial sympathy, he sat down and wrote a letterto _Mr. Moody_, with these words: "_I know not how you are supported, oranything of your needs; but I feel like helping you in your good work. Enclosed find check for $25; take it and use it if you need it foryourself; if not, then do some good with it_. " The circumstance wasalmost forgotten, when the day after there came this wonderful replyfrom Mr. Moody:

 "_Your letter came to hand in the_ SAME MAIL, _at the_ SAME INSTANT _of_ TIME, _with a letter from a brother in distress_ WANTING THE SAME AMOUNT. _And now you have made him happy, and my heart glad, and the Lord will bless you for it. "_

 D. L. MOODY. 

Had there been a direct revelation from heaven, it could not have beenmore astounding than this, to the heart of that Christian. His ownprayer was answered, as to his search for the evidences of the HolySpirit, but oh, how wonderfully!

None but a Superior, Higher, Overruling Spirit, could have known thethoughts and desires of each heart. Nothing but an Omnipotent hand ofPower and Wisdom could have brought these two letters together at thatidentical instant of time. None but an All-knowing Father could havefixed the amount of money which the one was to give and the other was topray for. 

This was a wonderful conjuncture of time, desire and amount, and couldnever have happened by any chance operation of Nature or the naturalheart and will. Strangest of all, neither of the parties had ever met, known or corresponded with each other before. Neither did Mr. Moody knowof the desire of the one, nor the necessity of the other, until in theact of opening the two letters side by side. In the one envelope was theprayer; in the other the answer. 

That check, those letters, with all signatures and endorsements andthose persons are this day living and can testify to the authenticity ofthe circumstance. 

THE PRAYER OF FAITH. 

The family of Mr. James R. Jordan has resided in Lake View, Chicago, since the spring of 1871. They are members of Lincoln ParkCongregational Church. The father, Mr. James R. Jordan, died in October, 1882, aged eighty-four years. Through a long series of financial trials, sorrows, afflictions by death and pressing cares, this family learned todepend on God for their daily prosperity; and the cures wrought in them, according to God's Word, are only a small portion of the remarkableanswers to prayer with which their history is filled. 

It is an instructive fact for Christian meditation, that when theexercise of intelligent faith was necessary to their cures, the faithwas there _ready for exercise. _ They had not to begin, as, alas! so manydo, at the very foundation, and find out first, what faith is, and next, how to exercise it. They had learned long before what faith is and whatfaith is not; that _faith is trustful obedience to the Word of God;_that it _is not_ a determination to have one's own way, nor to expectthe immediate gratification of a desire, simply because the desire hasbeen made known to God. They knew that faith obediently accepts God'scommands and promises, expects to comply with the conditions of thosecommands and promises, and, so complying, expects to receive the resultsof such obedience at such times and in such ways as God appoints; all ofwhich truths they found, and all of which may be found in the HolyScriptures. 

Thus living in the hopes of the Gospel, realizing as much that their"home is in heaven" as that their "rest is not here, " they have, throughthe years, performed the daily duties of their pilgrimage. 

The writer has known them for thirteen years, and gratefully testifiesthat their faith has strengthened her's, and that their cheerful hope inthe Lord has been a strong consolation to many who were in trouble. 

After the sudden death of the youngest son of the family, in 1880, thecare of the family devolved entirely upon the two daughters, Mrs. H. J. Furlong and Miss Addie S. Jordan. 

In April, 1876, Mrs. Jordan fell and badly fractured her hip. She wasthen seventy-seven years old. On account of her age she could not wellbe etherized, nor endure the repeated necessary resetting of the bones, and consequently they grew together irregularly. Her hip-joint wasstiff, so that she was never able to walk without the support of a caneor crutch. For eight years she could not leave her own little yard, norclimb into a carriage, nor walk without support. 

Through this misfortune her afflictions grew worse. In January, 1884, she fell and broke one bone and dislocated another in the left wrist. Notwithstanding all that medical help could do, the shock brought on asevere sickness, and when, after eight weeks, she left her bed to movearound feebly, she had almost lost her sight and hearing, her hand wasuseless, and her mind greatly impaired. 

On her birthday, June 10, 1884, when she was eighty-five years old, shegreatly mourned that she had outlived her usefulness; that she could nolonger feed herself, nor read her Bible, nor remember the desirablesubjects for her prayers, and she hoped that she should not linger herelong in such a helpless and useless condition. 

During the latter part of this time the two daughters were sick, Mrs. Furlong with paralysis and Miss Jordan with consumption. 

In the latter part of 1882 Miss Jordan, then in feeble health, wasneeded at home to attend the father's last sickness, and Mrs. Furlongwas left to conduct their business alone. 'The extraordinary exertionbrought on paralysis. It began in her right arm, which became soinsensible that the strongest ammonia produced no sensation or apparenteffect. Gradually her whole right side lost power, her foot dragged, andthough she did manage to move about, she was comparatively helpless. Physicians spoke not hopefully; and protracted rest was recommended as a_possible_ relief. She planned to take electric treatment, though notvery hopeful about the result. She failed once to meet her physician, and while planning the second time to take the treatment, andconsidering Christ's miracles of healing, and the Bible's promises tothe sick, and having a feeling that possibly she might be doing wrong innot relying entirely on the Lord, who had hitherto so much helped them, she delayed a little, and failed again to meet the appointment. It was aSaturday evening in January, 1883. 

She went home and sat down that evening alone, in the dining-room, depressed. The enfeebled family--the aged crippled mother, the sicksister and her own young son--had retired. As she thought the subjectthrough, she became convinced that it was not good to spend time andmoney in the way proposed. Instantly the words THE SAVIOUR filled hersoul with indescribable hope, and as she thought of His miracles, andhow _the same Jesus_, on earth, healed paralyzed ones, the hope grewthat He would heal her. 

With the well hand she stretched out her paralyzed hand on the table andsaid: "Dear Lord, will you heal me?" Like an electric shock the lifebegan to move in her arm, and the continued sensation was as thoughsomething that, previously, had not moved was set in motion. The feelingpassed up to the head, and down the body to the foot. _She was healed!and she was grateful!_ She did not speak of her experience to thefamily, but retired. She rose early the next morning, and awoke herson, --a prayerful, dutiful young man, --and said to him, "I'm going tochurch, to-day. " He replied, "Then I'll get up and go with you, "expecting that she must ride. 

Her soul was solemnly full that day of the felt presence of the HolySpirit, and she did not like to talk. Her son watched her movements, astonished. 

She went to the church, took a class again in Sunday School, and; ingoing back and forth to church that day and evening, walked about sixtyblocks without weariness. 

We are not permitted, here, to draw aside the curtain, to dwell upon thesurprises and the grateful joy of that ever-to-be-remembered, sacredday. 

A few days after this healing, she, with a consciousness that she wasrunning a risk, lifted a heavy weight, and a numbness returned. Sheconfessed the sin to the Lord, and asked Him that, when she had beensufficiently chastened, He would take the trouble away. Gradually, within two days, it disappeared, and has never returned. 

At the time when Mrs. Furlong was healed, in answer to prayer, Miss. Jordan's case was considered hopeless. Her lungs had been diseased since1876. In November, 1879, her physician had decided that tubercles hadformed in the left lung, and that the right lung was much congested andhardened. 

In 1882 she had many hemorrhages, and gradually grew worse, so that shecould not use her left arm or shoulder without producing hemorrhage. 

Mrs. Furlong, soon after her own healing, received a comfortingassurance from the Lord that her sister would be healed; but MissJordan, herself, had not that assurance. At this time she took little orno medicines, the physicians and the family having no confidence intheir curative effect; but, on the 1st of January, 1884, she had so manychills and hemorrhages, that they sent for the family physician to aidin checking, if possible, the severe attack. 

During this apparently rapid descent deathward, Mrs. Furlong continuedto repeat to the family and to the physicians that the Lord would healher sister. 

Miss Jordan was one day so low that she could just be aroused to takeher medicine. As Mrs. Furlong went to give it, Miss Jordan said to her, "Do you want to throw that medicine away?" Mrs. Furlong said "Yes, " andthrew it away. Six hours of united waiting upon the Lord followed. Theywere hours of pain. From nine in the morning till three in the afternoonshe suffered indescribable pain. A few minutes after three, the painleft her, and with a bright look she said, "I believe I'm better. " Shewanted to rise and dress, but Mrs. Furlong advised her to rest throughthe night. She said she had not, in five years, been so free fromweariness and pain. 

The aged mother was sick in bed with that broken wrist, and Mrs. Furlongfeared that her sister's improved condition would shock and perplex her. 

Miss Jordan lay on the lounge the most of the time for two days. One ofher expressions was, "It's perfect bliss to lie here free from pain. "Her breathing became perfectly natural, and very soon the great hollowplace in the upper part of the chest, over the left lung, filled out. Shortly before her healing she only weighed eighty pounds; but a fewmonths after her weight had increased to one hundred and twenty pounds. 

She progressed in health rapidly, and on the second Sunday after thehealing came she attended church. The feeble mother was most sensitivelyanxious lest her daughter should pursue some unwarrantable course whichshould lead to relapse. 

Miss Jordan's health steadily improved, but it was several months beforea cough entirely left her. You may be sure that doubters made the mostof that cough! _But it left her!_ At one time she brought on a slightrelapse by giving lessons in crayon drawing. She came to the conclusionthat the Lord had other work for her to do: and at this writing, September, 1885, having prayerfully and watchfully followed the leadingsof the Lord, is a missionary among the freedmen of the South, and isstrong in health and in faith, "giving glory to God. "

One of the aged mother's perplexities was that the Lord should want herto live on in such a helpless and useless condition, while herdaughters, who might be so useful, must die; but oh, how successful shehad by precept and example taught those daughters that "He hath done allthings well!" How patiently she suffered whatever she thought was theLord's will! How sweet was her constant thanksgiving! Said a piousChristian neighbor, whose poor health restricted her attendance atchurch, "When I'm hungry for a blessing I go down to see old ladyJordan. "

After eight painful weeks, she so far recovered from the sicknessconsequent on the broken and dislocated wrist as to move around feebly, but sight and hearing were almost gone. Her leg was stiff, her handstiff, her wrist deformed, and her mind greatly impaired. 

Miss Jordan became very hopeful, and received strong assurance, inanswer to prayer, that her mother might be healed. Mrs. Furlong receivedno assurance whatever in her mother's case. There was a great deal oftalking and praying about it, in the family, and finally Mrs. Jordanhumbly claimed the Lord's help, beseeching Him that since He hadrecorded that He would make the blind to see, the lame to walk, and thedeaf to hear, if it was His will He would heal her. This was the nightof June 16th, 1884. 

In the morning Miss Jordan was so hopeful that she rose early, andattentively listened to the movements in her mother's room. She calledthe little family's attention to them, saying, "Just listen to her;" andas, holding on by the banister, the aged mother came with her accustomedslow movements down to the dining room, Miss Jordan said, to them, "Now, watch her. "

According to the long habit of eight years, she began to reach out forher cane, unconscious that she had been walking around her room with newfreedom. Miss Jordan went toward her and said, "Mother, do you want yourcane?" and, wondering, the old lady walked freely into the dining room. They gathered around her, and said, "Are you not healed, mother?" andshe began to think _she was_, and sat down in her chair by the table. Could she move her hand? The doubled-up thumb, and straight, stifffinger, were _perfectly free_ and as _limber as ever_, and the stiffwrist joint _moved with perfect freedom!_ She _heard as well asanybody!_ Could she see? She went up-stairs to her Bible, whose blurred, dim pages she had thought closed to her forever, and _she could read aswell as ever_, and without glasses! She could thread the finest needle. Could she kneel and thank the Lord? She had not knelt for eight years. Yes, she could kneel as well as when she served the Lord in her youth!

Christian reader, stop here and think what a joyful family that was thatJune morning. That aged saint, of a little more than 85 years, was ingood health again! And her two daughters had been snatched from the jawsof death! What a triumph of blessed memories to leave in legacy to thatyoung, hopeful, Christian son, who, in childhood, had himself repeatedlyproved that the Lord hears and answers prayer!

Mrs. Jordan has never used cane or crutch since that morning. She hasfrequently walked five blocks, to go to her church; and, a few weeksafter her healing, she one day walked the distance of about fifteenblocks. She has walked for hours in Lincoln Park, among the plants andflowers, and she goes up and down stairs, and wherever she likes, aswell as anyone. 

She has the use of her faculties, and an altogether comfortable use ofher sight, though that is not so acute as at first. Her earliest joy wasthat she was permitted to see that the Lord had some purpose in sparingher so long. 

Dear Christian reader, shall the wonderful manifestation of that"purpose" strengthen your faith? It helps me. 

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" "No good thing will He withholdfrom them that walk uprightly. " "If ye then, being evil, know how togive good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Fatherwhich is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him. " "If we liveby the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. "

In the hopes of the Gospel, Miss E. Dryer. 

150 Madison St. , Chicago. 

ALMOST A BANKRUPT. 

A prominent Christian had just entered a merchant's counting-room, whenthe head man of the place said to him, "Let us kneel and ask God to helpme through, for without his help, I shall be a bankrupt before thesetting of the sun. " So they knelt and prayed. That man went through thepressure, and did not become a bankrupt. 

"HE COULD NOT FLEE FROM THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. "

A clergyman of distinction gives this instance of the worthlessness ofall attempts to flee from the Power of the Spirit. 

"I looked out of my window one morning, while it was yet dark, and saw alady standing at my gate, leaning against a post, and evidently weepingbitterly. I knew her. She was a member of the church, and was anearnest, consistent Christian. She was married to one of the most bitterUniversalists I ever knew. I stepped down the steps to her, and asked, 'What is the matter?' She replied, 'Oh, my poor husband! I had so hopedand prayed that he might be converted in this revival! and now he hasrode away, and says that _he will not come back till this religiousflurry is over_. What shall I do to bear up under this?'

"I said, 'It is near the time for prayer. We will go and lay his casebefore the Lord, and make _special request_ that God will bring him backagain under the power of the Spirit. The Lord can bring him home, and Ibelieve He will do it. We must pray for him. '

"She dried her tears in a moment, and seemed to seize hold of this'strong hope, ' as we walked to the place of prayer. We found the roomcrowded. It fell to my lot to lead the meeting. 

"At the opening, I stated the case of this Universalist husband, who hadundertaken to run away from the influence of the Spirit, by fleeing intothe country. I said that we must all pray _that the Holy Spirit mayfollow him, overtake him, and bring him back again_, show him his sins, and lead him to Jesus. 

"The meeting took up the case with great earnestness, and I could notbut feel that prayer would in some way be answered. 

"_But can you imagine our surprise when, at our evening prayer meeting, this same Universalist came in_?

"After standing a few minutes, till the opportunity offered, he said:

"'I went away on horseback this morning, and told my wife I was goinginto the country to stay till this flurry was over. I rode right overthe hills, back from the river, into the country, till I had goteighteen miles away. _There, on the top of a hill, I was stopped as Paulwas, and just as suddenly_, and made to feel what a horrible sinner Iam. I am one of the worst sinners that ever lived. _I have lost myUniversalism_, and I know I must be born again, or I can never see thekingdom of Heaven. Oh, pray for me that I may be converted; nothing elsewill do for me. '

"He took his seat amid the tears and sobs of the whole assembly. Thehour was full of prayer for that man's conversion. 

"This strong and intelligent man, once one of the bitterestUniversalists I ever knew, is now an elder in a Presbyterian church, andone of the most joyous, happy, energetic men of God you will meet inmany a day. He believes he was 'converted on the spot in that prayermeeting. '"

LIFE BROUGHT BACK AGAIN IN THE MIDST OF DEATH. 

The following instance, when _death itself was made to give back thelife it claimed_, is personally known to us to be true: A mother, inthis city, sent a request for prayer to the Fulton streetprayer-meeting, asking the Lord for the recovery of her daughter, whowas sinking rapidly, and who she felt was almost dying. 

Her husband, an eminent physician, and others, also, the most skilledphysicians of the city, gave up the case as hopeless. The mother feltthat now none but God could or would help; that in the Fulton streetprayer-meeting were sympathizing friends, and to it sent her request. She came to the meeting herself, to join in their prayers and testifyher faith. The moments of the meeting passed on. One request afteranother was read, but hers was not touched. She was sadly disappointed. Her child was so weak and almost dying, it could not live the daythrough, perhaps. The time was within a few minutes, less than three, ofthe close of the meeting. She, at last, with faltering steps andpalpitating heart, pressed her way to the desk and asked if her requestwas there. Upon search, it was found that it had been overlooked. _Toolate_, said the leader, to _read it to-day_. See, the clock is at itslast moment; but it shall be read first thing at 12 o'clock, to-morrow, and special prayer shall be offered immediately. 

With what heavy heart the mother went away, back to the chamber of thedying one, none can ever know. All night the waiting ones watched, withtheir ceaseless attentions and silent prayers. 

_A few minutes before_ 12 _o'clock the body sank, the eyes closed, pallor came over the features, the spirit seemed gone_, and _all wasstill; not a breath, not a motion--death had come_. 

The mother had taken her watch, hung it on the pillow of the bed, andwith streaming eyes, yet ceaseless prayer, they watched the slow fingermove to 12 o'clock. At precisely twelve, all joined in prayer, liftingtheir hearts to God. _At fifteen minutes past twelve, the daughteropened her eyes_, saying, "Mother, _I feel better_, " then sank intosleep, _breathing steadily_; after three hours awoke to consciousnessand sat up in bed, and before night was able to walk the floor of herchamber. Prayer brought that life back, even when death had taken it. _At the very moment when that precious prayer was offered in themeeting, the Lord came and touched the dying one, and gave it new life. _The mother's faith and prayer was honored, and the Lord remembered hispromise, "_If ye believe, ye shall see the glory of God. "_ The same Lordwho raised Lazarus and bade him come forth, also came and bade thisprecious life come back again to earth. 

SAVED FROM THE HANDS OF A DESPERADO. 

The following circumstance is communicated to us by a United StatesSurgeon:

"After the close of the Mexican war, and in the year 1849, a train wassent out from San Antonio to establish military posts on the upper RioGrande, particularly at El Paso. I was surgeon of the quartermaster'sdepartment, numbering about four hundred men. While the train was makingup, the cholera prevailed in camp, for about six weeks, at first withterrible severity. On the 1st of June it had so far subsided that wetook up the line of march. After about four days out from San Antonio, the health of the men became very good, and continued so through thewhole route, with the exception of occasional cases of prostration fromheat, and slight fevers, the Summer being unusually hot. One evening inJuly, after coming into camp, I received a call to see a man who hadbeen taken sick on the march. I found him lying under his wagon. Thewagon was loaded with bacon, in bulk about two tons. The heat with thepressure had caused it to drip freely. I asked him to come from underthe wagon, that I might examine his case and prescribe, for him. This herefused to do; but demanded that I should crawl under the wagon to him, which I, of course, would not consent to do. No persuasion could inducehim to change his position in the least. Becoming satisfied that he wasnot much, if at all sick, I left him. His profanity, threats andimprecations were fearful. Perhaps it would be well to give a shortsketch of his life for the three years previous, as I learned it frommen who knew him, and had been with him for considerable portion of thatperiod. He went to Mexico, at the beginning of the war, a soldier in theregular army. When his term of service expired, he was discharged, andsought employment in the quartermaster's department, as a teamster. Hehad the reputation of being a thief, a robber and an assassin. In a fewmonths he was ignominiously discharged from the service, and, at theclose of the war, he came to Texas, and sought and obtained employmentas teamster in the train then organizing for El Paso. But, to return tomy narrative. On the morning after the occurrence at the wagon, ateamster came to me and said, in a hasty and abrupt manner, 'Doctor, Mcwill kill you to-day or to-night. He is full of rage, and mutteringterrible threats. He was out very early this morning and emptied hissix-shooter, and came in and reloaded it and put it in first-rateorder. ' I said, 'Mc, what's up now?' He replied, 'I will kill thatd----d old doctor to-day or to-night;' and he will do it. I have knownhim make threats before, and have never known him fail to execute them. But I must go; he must not know that I have seen you. ' Knowing the man, I realized the danger, and felt that I was powerless, either to resistor avoid it. I retired within my tent and closed it up. I prostratedmyself before Him who is able to save. I prayed for deliverance from thehands of the cruel and blood-thirsty man, and that I might not be leftin the power of him who was my enemy without cause. I submitted my causeinto the hands of Him who doeth all things well, and prayed for entiresubmission to his will. My anxiety subsided; my fear was removed, and Icommenced the duties of the day with usual cheerfulness. 

"Soon after this, the camp broke and we were on the march. I fell backwith the officers of the rear guard, and the excitement of the morningwas soon forgotten. About 10 o'clock, a courier came back in haste, forme to see a man who had been thrown from his mule and crushed under thewheels of his wagon. He did not know who the man was--he was about halfor three-quarters of a mile ahead. The thought then occurred to me, Ishall probably have to pass Mc's team. I will ride square up with thecourier, and keep him between myself and the train. When we came to thespot I inquired who the man was, for he was so mutilated I could notrecognize him. _It was Mc. God was there_. Awe and terror took hold uponme. I was dumb with amazement. 

"Mc had dismounted and walked some fifty rods by the side of his team. Attempting to remount, his mule whirled and pitched, and he was thrownupon his back, and his team with fourteen others instantly stampeded. Both the fore and hind wheels on the near side of his wagon, passeddirectly over his face, and crushed every bone in his head. It was afearful sight; not a feature of the human face could be discerned. 

"The stampeded teams were flying wildly over the prairie, in spite ofevery effort of the teamsters to control them. 

"I directed the head of the corpse to be inserted in some new, thicksacks, in such a way as to prevent the oozing of blood, and that it bewrapped in his blanket and taken to the next camp for burial. When thestampeded teams came in, it was found that no other person was injured, nor any damage done. 

"The philosopher may tell us of the reign of law; of the coincidence ofcircumstances; of the action of natural causes; but, to the Christian, the fact still remains--prayer was answered. God heareth his people whenthey cry unto Him. "

THE PRAYER OF A MISSIONARY IN MEXICO ANSWERED. --SAVED FROM BANDITTI. 

"In the Spring of 1872, I was, with my wife and child, in the city ofCadereita, Mexico, where we had been laboring as missionaries, but feltit was our duty to return to the States for a little season, and hadbeen asking God to open up the way for us. At length, about the middleof March, the opportunity appeared to be given, the means beingprovided; but the country was in a state of revolution (a no uncommonthing there), and, consequently, there were no stages running out of thecountry, so we had to take conveyance in Mexican carts. Therefore, weengaged two men, with their carts; one in which we might ride and carrya mattress, which should serve as a bed at night, and the other, tocarry the baggage and provisions for ourselves and the horses, as ourway was mostly through an uncultivated country. 

"We knew that General Cortinas, with his troops, was somewhere betweenus and Texas, as the State we were in was one of those in rebellion. Theblood-thirsty character of General Cortinas is well known on thefrontier, there being no less than seventeen indictments against him formurder in the State of Texas. He is regarded as having a special hatredagainst Americans, and the Mexicans, themselves, stand in terror of him. 

"Our friends and brethren in Cadereita tried hard to deter us fromgoing, as most likely we would fall into the hands of General Cortinas;in which event, they said, the very utmost we could expect would be toescape with our lives, being left destitute of everything, in awilderness road; but, as God had seemed to open up the way, providingthe means, we determined to go forward, trusting that He also wouldprotect us in the way. Therefore, having completed our arrangements, westarted for Matamoras, some three hundred miles distant, on the 19th ofMarch, the wives of the two men accompanying their husbands, making ourparty six adults and one child; the brethren in Cadereita promising topray daily for our safety. The third morning, after commendingourselves, as usual, into the care of our covenant-keeping God, westarted on our journey. Some two hours later, we espied the troops ofGeneral Cortinas, about two miles distant, marching toward us. We againall looked to God for protection, and prayed that, as he shut the mouthsof the lions, that they should not hurt his servant Daniel, so He wouldnow restrain the evil passions of men, that they might not hurt norinjure us--then we went on till we met the advance guard, who commandedus to halt and wait till the General came up. After nearly half an hour, General Cortinas, with his escort, rode up to where we were waiting forhim. After the ordinary salutation, he asked: (_żde adonde vienen yadonde van?_) 'From whence have you come, and where are you going?'--towhich we replied properly; then he asked: 'What is the news from NuevaLeon?' (the State we left)--to which we replied as faithfully as wecould. Then I asked him, 'Is the road safe between us and Matamoras?' Hereplied: 'Perfectly; you can go on without any fear, and as safely asyou would in your own country. ' Then, bidding us 'good morning, ' he rodeon, not even inquiring about or examining any of our baggage. 

"When we arrived in Brownsville, Texas, and told of how gentlemanlyGeneral Cortinas had treated us, all pronounced it wonderful, and said, 'We could not have believed General Cortinas capable of such kindness toAmericans so in his power. It was truly a miracle. ' We believed that itwas God who restrained the naturally vicious passions of the man, indirect answer to prayer. "

AN INFIDEL'S LIFE SPARED A FEW DAYS. 

"During the Summer of 1862, I became acquainted with a Mr. A----, whoprofessed infidelity, and who was, I think, as near an atheist as any Iever met. I held several conversations with him on the subject ofreligion, but could not seem to make any impression on his mind, and, when a point was pressed strongly, he would become angry. 

"In the Fall, he was taken ill, and seemed to go into a rapid decline. I, with others, sought kindly and prayerfully to turn his mind to hisneed of a Saviour, but only met with rebuffs. As I saw that his end wasdrawing near, one day I pressed the importance of preparing to meet God, when he became angry and said I need not trouble myself any more abouthis soul, as there was no God, the Bible was a fable, and when we diethat is the last of us, and was unwilling that I should pray with him. Ileft him, feeling very sad. 

"Some four weeks after, on New Year's morning, I awoke with theimpression that I should go and see Mr. A----, and I could not get ridof that impression; so, about nine o'clock, I went to see him, and, as Iapproached the house, I saw the two doctors, who had been holding aconsultation, leaving. When I rang the bell, his sister-in-law openedthe door for me, and exclaimed, 'Oh! I am so glad you have come; John isdying. The doctors say he cannot possibly live above two hours, andprobably not one. ' When I went up to his room, he sat bolstered up in achair, and appeared to have fallen into a doze. I sat down, about fivefeet from him, and when, in about two minutes, he opened his eyes andsaw me, he started up, with agony pictured on his face and in the tonesof his voice, exclaimed, 'O! Mr. P----, I am not prepared to die; thereis a God; the Bible is true! O, pray for me! pray God to spare me a fewdays, till I shall know I am saved. '

"These words were uttered with the intensest emotion, while his wholephysical frame quivered through the intense agony of his soul. I repliedin effect, that Jesus was a great Saviour, able and willing to save allwho would come unto Him, even at the eleventh hour, as He did the thiefon the cross. 

"When I was about to pray with him, he again entreated me to prayespecially that God would spare him a few days, till he might have theevidences of his salvation. In prayer, I seemed to have great assuranceof his salvation, and asked God to give us the evidence of hissalvation, by granting him a few days more in this world. Several othersjoined in praying God to spare him a few days, till he should giveevidence of being saved. 

"I called again in the evening; he seemed even stronger than in themorning, and his mind was seeking the truth. The next day, as Ientered, his face expressed the fact that peace and joy hadtaken the place of fear and anxiety. He was spared some fivedays, giving very clear evidence that he had passed from death to life. His case was a great mystery to the doctors. They could not understandhow he lived so long; but his friends, who had been praying for him, allbelieved it was in direct answer to prayer. "

REMARKABLE PRESERVATION FROM BRAIN DIFFICULTIES. 

"A few weeks ago, a man who had once been a member of my church, but hadfallen from his steadfastness through strong drink, fell from a ladder, striking his head on the corner of a stone, which made a dent in theskull of over two and one-half inches in length, and three-fourths of aninch in width, and half an inch in depth. This happened on Fridayafternoon. At our prayer-meeting, in the evening, most earnest prayerswere offered in his behalf; the brethren prayed that God would restorehim his senses and spare him a few days, that he might repent of hisback-sliding and be saved. 

"The surgeons raised the skull, and his senses were restored; his mindseemed clear. This continued over a week, when it was evident that therewas still some pressure on the brain. The surgeons removed the skull, and found three pieces driven down into the brain. They expressed, fromthe first, no hope of his recovery; but wondered much at the clearnessof his mind, which continued for over two weeks. We believed that it wasin answer to the prayers of the church that he might have time andopportunity to repent and prepare to meet God, which we trust he did. "

LITTLE GEORGE'S PRAYER. 

A clergyman writes us these incidents:

"I knew a poor family whose son George, four or five years old, wasaccustomed to pray. They lived five or six miles from neighbors, and, attimes, were quite destitute. One day, as little George observed hismother weeping over their destitution, he said, "Why, mother, don't cryany; we shall not starve; God will send us something to eat, I know Hewill. I've just been praying, and asked Him to. " The little fellow justas much believed God would send them food, as if he had asked a reliableneighbor and obtained his promise to supply their wants. In a day or twoafter this, some friends living at a distance and knowing they werepoor, took them the welcome surprise of a wagon-load of substantialmaterial for food and other comforts. The little boy grew up to be aChristian minister, and, about a year ago, on inquiry, his uncle told mehe had been at the head of an institution of learning in theSouth-west. "

A PRAYER FOR A HORSE. 

"My horse died, and, after traveling through the snow-drifts to myappointments, till I was lame, half sick, and unfit for service--as Ihad not means to purchase a horse, I thought of quitting the work andgoing to teaching, and laid the matter before God, in prayer; soon afterwhich, some person at a distance, who heard that I had lost my horse, without my saying a word about it, raised the means by which I procuredanother. "

A PRAYER FOR A WIFE. 

"When I believed it would be well for me to seek a companion for life, Iasked of God direction in making a wise choice, and that, in a matter ofso much importance to me and others, I might meet with success or_hindrance_, as my heavenly Father knew best. He led me to a choice andmarriage, which I have not since regretted. "

CHURCH TROUBLES QUELLED. 

"I might mention a dozen instances in which church troubles weregathering, and trials between members appeared certain, when all mytactics failed, and the wisdom of brethren was of no avail; my lastresort was to ask God to send help and deliver from the threatenedevil--and in ways that no one could foresee, complete deliverance came. "

A MINISTER'S SUPPLIES FALL SHORT. 

"When very much in need of funds to procure supplies for a comingWinter, all expedients failed; then I asked God for assistance, when, unexpectedly, a friend in California sent me a little package of golddust, which I sold, at once, for $130. This came when it was needed, andit did us good. "

A PRAYER FOR A SERVANT. 

"Some time after, we failed to find anything like suitable help in thehouse, which we greatly needed. Before starting out one morning, insecret I prayed to God to direct me as I went on my uncertain business, and prayed as I called at different places, and soon found a coloredgirl sixteen years old wanting a place, who came and proved to be thebest help we ever had, before or since. For seven years and a half shelived in the family, taught two of our children to read; was glad, fromchoice, to move with us to different places, till she left to bemarried, fell sick and passed away. A dozen other times when driven instraits, _in answer to prayer_ God has enabled us to procure necessaryhelp, which was difficult to obtain. 

"In 1874, while on my way to see my mother in Pennsylvania--who had justbeen paralyzed, and died the next week--I was suddenly paralyzed in myleft arm, by which, I have since been helpless and useless. After cominghere to live, being in want of a man to lift me in and out of bed, dressme, etc. , for which we inquired of people, and prayed to God to send usthe needed help. We had not means to hire and pay any person to do suchwork, even if he could be found. Soon the right one came, in the personof a young German, who was tramping through the country in search ofemployment and food; was ready and glad to do any work for a living. Forpay that satisfied him and us, he staid in the family over a year, working out doors and in; could be trusted to do business with money, and return every cent correctly. After being with us over a year, whenwe needed him no longer, he obtained a situation in a good family, wherehe is now living. In many instances, I have prayed to be healed ofspecial sickness, always using what remedies I thought best, yet askingthe divine blessing on their use. "

HEALING. 

"For over three years, I was troubled with frequent raising of bloodfrom my right lung, which physicians failed to cure. Of this I prayed tobe relieved; after which, the soreness healed, and for several years ithas ceased to trouble me. "

THAT $18. 75. 

A man who had led a very wicked life, was converted and hopefully saved. Previous to this time, a debt of $18. 75 had not given him the slightestthought. After receiving a new heart, he distinctly heard God's command, "Pay what thou owest;" so called on his creditor, and urged him to sendto his house and get a bureau, table and looking-glass, which he desiredhim to sell and pay himself the sum due him; but, not wishing to deprivehis debtor of such necessary articles, refused, saying he would waittill he could pay. The 18th of November was set, and, as the dayapproached, the prospect was no brighter; and when the night of the 17thcame around, he spent it in prayer that God would deliver him, and rosefrom his knees at daybreak, with the full assurance that "He knoweth howto deliver. "

On passing down a street the next morning, on his way to business, a manwho kept a large store was standing in the door-way, and called to himto stop a minute. Wondering what could be the nature of the call, heretraced his steps, to hear this astonishing news: "_For three days Ihave been impressed with the idea that I must give you_ $18. 75, _and forthree days have been trying to ascertain why I must give you thisamount, for I do not owe any man a penny_. I cannot get rid of thethought, and if you value my peace of mind, I beg you take the money!"Seeing, instantly, the hand of God in it, he told the story to theastonished storekeeper, then left to pay his debt with the money sostrangely given. His creditor, surprised to see him so promptly on time, questioned him as to the manner of obtaining it, thinking, perhaps, hehad made a great sacrifice to do so. On being told just how it was givenhim, said, "_I won't take it; keep it. If God is as near to people asthat, I don't want it; it seems as if it had come directly from hisAlmighty hand_. " The result was the conversion of both the storekeeperand creditor, to whom the incident came as the undoubted evidence ofGod's presence among them. 

GOD SENT THE BAG OF FLOUR. 

In about the year 1830, in Central New York, there was a time of greatscarcity of provisions. Grain was very high, and difficult to beobtained at any price; and, of course, families of limited means werevery much straitened. In one family, the wife and mother of sixchildren, a Godly woman, worked at her trade (tailoress) to the extentof her ability, and prayed earnestly that God would deliver them frompressing want. Husband and children all knew of their need, and of thefervent prayers of the wife and mother for their supply; but no one knewby what means the supply was to come. Every day, as their scanty meanswere being consumed, the prospect grew darker. On the farm was a largequantity of pine timber. Four miles from there, in the next town, liveda man who needed some shingles; and, casting about him to see where heshould obtain a supply, thought he would go and purchase a pine tree, and himself and man go into the woods and work it up into shingles. Ashe was about starting, the thought occurred to him, "Perhaps they may bein want of wheat flour--a bag cannot come amiss in this time ofscarcity. " So, putting two bushels in a bag, he proceeded to the nexttown, entered the house, and made known his errand, saying, "I havebrought along two bushels of flour towards paying for the tree, thinkingyou might be in want of it in this time of scarcity, and I knew you livesix or seven miles from the mill, and have no horse. " "That is in answerto prayer, " said the noble woman; and the husband believed it, thoughnot a praying man. When, at night, the oldest son came in, the mothersaid to him, "God has answered our prayers, and sent a bag of flour. " Itis believed that, while this was not miraculous, it was as directly theinterposition of God, as feeding Elijah by the ravens; and it was indirect answer to prayer for that special blessing. "

INCIDENTS FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF A CITY MISSIONARY. --A PRAYER FOR SUPPERANSWERED. 

An educated, accomplished lady, reduced to the very lowest round ofpoverty's ladder, whom we shall call Mrs. X----, bears unfailingtestimony to God's hearing and answering the prayer of faith. Thedaughter came up-stairs one day to announce the utter emptiness of thelarder. There was not even a piece of dry bread, nor a drawing of tea;not a potato, nor a bean; and "Charles, poor fellow, will come home fromhis work at six, tired and so hungry; what _shall_ we do, mother?"

"The Lord will send us something, before he comes, " said Mrs. X----. So, for three hours more the daughter waited. "Mother, it is five o'clock, and the Lord has not sent us anything. " "He will, my dear, beforehalf-past six;" and the widow went in an adjoining room, to ask that herdaughter might not feel it vain to call upon God. In fifteen minutes, the door-bell rang violently, and a gentleman, valise in hand, said, "Mrs. X----, I left the room which I hired of you one year ago, in agreat hurry, you will remember; and I owed you five dollars. I have notbeen in the city since, and am rushing out of it again--jumped off thecar just to give you this money. Good-bye. "

RELIEF FROM A CREDITOR'S DEMANDS. 

"At another time, being sorely pressed by a heartless creditor, andalmost beside herself, she concluded to walk out and get free from theinsupportable burden, by change of air and scene for two or three hours. Passing the house of a friend, just returned from Europe, she called fora few moments, and was presented with a small and peculiar plant, brought from Wales. All the way home she was asking the Lord to releaseher from this relentless creditor, and all the way home a man, withouther knowledge, was following her. Arrived at her own stoop, he suddenlyconfronted her, bowed, apologized for the liberty, but said he had nothad a sight of that dear old plant since he left home; and if she wouldsell it to him, he would gladly give her ten dollars for it. As that washalf the sum for which she was persecuted, and would probably relieveher from annoyance until she could raise the balance, she accepted theoffer. "

TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS NEEDED AND GIVEN AT THE LAST MOMENT. 

"At the time of her husband's death, there were _two hundred dollars_due an institute, for board and tuition of their two little boys. Hisdeath was the flood-gate opened, which let in a successive torrent ofperplexities, losses, dilemmas, delays, law-suits, etc. She had not beenable to pay that bill; the principal was importunate, persevering, bitter, and, at last, abusive. She cried to the Lord for a week, day andnight, almost without ceasing. Then, a gentleman whom she had taken toher own house and carefully nursed through a dangerous illness, threeyears before, called to say good-bye. He was on his way to a Bremensteamer, and all other adieus were said, all his baggage on board, except the valise in his hand. Might her boy ride down to the wharf andsee him off? Of course she was glad to consent. When her son returned hebrought back a letter, which opened, she found to contain _two hundreddollars_ and the words, 'Not that money can ever express my gratitude, but the enclosed may be useful for gas-bills or some other littlehousehold matter. '"

HOW THE LORD REPAID A GENEROUS GIFT. 

"Some gentlemen, urged to contribute to a most worthy cause, said, 'Gofirst to Mr. Z. --whatever he gives, we will. ' Mr. Z. , upon application, concluded to make his neighbors do something worth while, and, as he wasexpecting a thousand dollars in a very few days, subscribed the whole ofthat. Upon the arrival of the vessel which was to pay his subscription, he found the difference in exchange between certain countries, hadswelled his thousand dollars to _twenty-two hundred_. "

THE ASTONISHED GIVER. 

"A gentleman, not marching in the ranks of 'cheerful givers, ' was urgedto bestow five dollars toward the 'Fresh Air Fund. ' 'He could not;business wretched; poor enough himself, ' and all the well known line ofexcuses. The friend assured him, if the Lord did not more than make itup to him, before the end of the week, he himself would return themoney. To those terms he agreed, quite sure he should call on Saturdayand get back the $5. But, the very next morning, he ran to the office ofhis friend to say that an old debt, given up long ago, and for which hewould have taken one hundred dollars any moment, was paid him about anhour after the friend left his store. So astonished was he, that he evendoubted the check, which was for _five thousand dollars, _ and sent it tothe bank to test its genuineness before he would give a receipt for it!"

ALL SAVED. 

In a dismal basement, A. Found a very interesting American family. Thefather, in the last stage of consumption; a little girl of ten years, aninvalid from infancy. The mother and two daughters, both under fifteen, were out all day at work, trying to keep even such a wretched shelter, and a little coarse food, as daily supplies. The three together couldnot make over four dollars a week. The only person to wait on the twosick ones during the day, was a little boy four years of age, who, whenthe missionary entered, was reclining upon the bed. But he started up, put more coal on the fire, and brought a drink of water, first to hissister, then his father; without any bidding, and with the considerationof a grown person. 

On A. 's next visit, a few days after, he found the mother at home, grief-stricken. Her eldest daughter had been taken ill the day previous. He gave her all the money he had, prayed with them, and sent at once akind, assiduous physician. In a few weeks the daughter died, but notwithout a good hope in Christ; and was buried at the expense of the fewkind friends whom A. Had sent to see the family. The dying daughterexhorted her dying father to seek his soul's eternal welfare, and notboast, as heretofore, of his life-long morality. Her conversations ledhim to see his danger out of Christ, and, in a little while after hisdaughter's departure, he followed. The mother had not before had a sureChristian hope; but, amidst such influences, her heart was soon openedto admit the truth. Not long after her bereavement she began having a"cottage prayer-meeting" in her room, and united with an evangelicalchurch. She immediately became anxious for the conversion of her twoboys, who were away, and urged the missionary to write them. He did so, frequently, and his heaven-directed appeals led one of the boys verysoon to Christ. Soon after, he died; the brother returned home withconsumption. He took great pleasure in the little prayer-meetings, andin three months cheerfully and exultantly exchanged this world ofsuffering for the one where father, brother and sister awaited him. Wornout with anxiety, care, hard work and poor health, the mother followed;leaving the invalid girl and youngest boy; who are watched over, notonly by their Friend in heaven, but friends on earth. The eldestsurviving daughter is an esteemed and consistent member of a church ofChrist. 

"THE LORD WOKE ME UP IN TIME TO SAVE MY CLOTHES. "

In the very top of a four-story building, used only for variousmanufacturing purposes, lived an old man and daughter. They livedliterally _by faith in Christ_, from _day_ to _day_; one hour at a time. At his voice, followed Him, whether into darkness or light. Neither tooka step but as they held his hand. A lady calling one day, said, "Oh!Jennie, I thought of your large wash hanging on the roof, last night, when the drenching rain came; and I was so sorry to think you would haveyour hard work all over again!" "_Oh! no ma'am. The Lord woke me up outof a sound sleep, just as the first few drops fell_! I hastened up andbrought them all down nice and dry, and had only got to the foot of thestairs with the last armful, when it poured down. Now that was the Lord, ma'am, for there was not a single noise of any kind to waken me, and Iwas sound asleep!"

THE LORD TAKES AWAY THE CUSTOM OF A LIQUOR SALOON. 

At one time, the landlord rented the ground floor to a liquor seller. The loafers going in and out, especially on Sunday, were a great griefto Jennie and her saintly old father. They concluded to take it to theLord together, and, said the old man, "He will be sure to attend to it;I have been young, and now am old, and I have never known Him failme--He _never_ does. " _In three weeks after, the dram-seller closed hisplace for want of patronage_. 

HELP IN TIME OF NEED. 

A poor, humble Christian woman had a claim on some property in aneighboring State. It was in law, and she was summoned to attend courtat a certain time. Having scarcely money enough for her daily bread, shewas obliged to borrow the means to take her there, and pay some cheapboard while awaiting the conclusion of the trial. She was positivelyassured by the lawyers, that she would receive several hundred dollars. She was detained five weeks, instead of one, as she expected, and thenthe suit was postponed till Fall. She was in agony of mind; in a strangeplace--owing for board and washing, and no money to take her to herhome. Having spent a whole night pacing the floor and calling on theLord to redeem his promises, she felt the fresh air would do her good, and sadly took her way down a side street. She had gone but three blockswhen she found a diamond ring. Being accustomed to the ownership ofdiamonds in her younger days, she knew very nearly its value; took ithome, watched the principal papers, and the same evening saw a reward ofseventy-five dollars offered for it. We can imagine that joy lent wingsto her feet, and thanksgiving filled her whole heart. The sum wassufficient to pay her bills, bring her back and return a portion of theborrowed money. 

CAST OUT INTO THE STREET, YET NOT FORSAKEN. 

A piteous wail was heard on the street one day, and a poor Scotchmancrossed over to see the trouble. A widow and three children sat on theirfew articles of household furniture. Put in the street, when they couldno longer find five dollars for the rent of the kennel in which, for sixmonths, they had not lived, but existed. He had just received fivedollars for a piece of work, and was hurrying home with it to his sickwife, crippled mother and two children. He thought of the piece ofmeat--a long untasted luxury--he meant to buy; of the tea his mother somuch craved, and hesitated. Could he give these up? But the streamingeyes of the children, and the mute despair on the face of the mother, took down the scale. He ran several blocks and found an empty basement;hired it for four dollars; enlisted the sympathy and help of a coloredboy to carry the furniture; put up the stove, bought a bundle of wood, pail of coal, and some provisions with the other dollar; held a littleprayer-meeting on the spot, and left with the benedictions of thedistressed ones filling his ears. The recital of his adventureobliterated for the time all sense of their own desires, and theythanked God together that their loss had been the widow's gain. The nextmorning, while taking their frugal meal, a tea dealer, for whom this manhad frequently put up shelves, came to say he was short-handed, and ifthe Scotchman was not very busy, he would give him a regular position inhis establishment, at a better salary than he could hope to earn. Meanwhile, hearing his wife was sick, he had brought her a couple poundsprime tea, and it occurred to him that venison steaks were a little outof the ordinary run of meat, and, as he had a quantity at home, hebrought a couple. Thus the Lord answered the prayer of the poor, andrepaid the generous giver who sacrificed his money for the Lord. 

A PERSECUTOR PUNISHED BY THE LORD. 

A most devout, hard-working and poorly paid man, was the object ofconstant persecution by a cross-grained, ugly, infidel neighbor. Forthree years the thing went on, till the Christian thought he must removefrom the place. He could not do it without breaking up his humble home, for which he had worked night and day. He and his wife were in deepdistress; told their plans to the Lord; asked Him to direct them toanother home, and then went to a newspaper office to advertise theirlittle place for sale. The editor was out, and they preferred to seehim--would return home and call again to-morrow. The next morning theinfidel was found dead in his bed, from a stroke of apoplexy. 

HOW GOD ANSWERED MY PRAYER FOR $90. 

"Suffice it, then, I was in debt. I was owing the large sum (large for apoor home missionary) of $90. 00. Expecting soon to be called upon forthe payment of it, and not seeing any way to meet it, _I went to theLord with it_. Early in life I had made this resolution: that no manwhom I was _owing_ should ever ask me for money, and I not pay him; butnow, I could see no way out; and if, as I expected, it should bedemanded, I was not in a condition to meet it. Such was my conditionwhen, on a certain day, the demand came. I took the letter from theoffice at noon. What now was to be done? Again I took the case to theLord, and asked Him to help me pay it, so that my word need not fail, or_his cause suffer reproach. _ I first determined to pay a part; but, asno letter could be sent out that day, I awaited the results of the dayfollowing. From the northern mail, which first arrived, I took a lettercontaining an unexpected draft of $50 to my wife, from parties whom wedid not know, and had never seen, nor they us. Within twenty minutesmore I was presented with a _surprise_ of $40, from a people where I hadpreached for the six months past. Here was my $90, and, before the mailwent out, I had my letter written and in the mail. Both were asunexpected as if they had come from heaven direct. "

FROM WEALTH, TO POVERTY. 

A lady of superior culture and refinement, fell from opulence to extremepoverty, within four years. No less ready when at the bottom offortune's ladder, than at the top, to do good as she had opportunity, she paid another poor woman's way to a neighboring State, whereemployment awaited her, and did it literally with her _last_ dollar-anda-half! Supposing herself the possessor of a ten cent note, over andabove the twelve shillings, she went with her somewhat feeble protegeover Jersey city ferry, and saw her safely in the cars. Starting back, she was dismayed to find no ten cents in her pocket-book, and, all toolate, remembered having paid it for a quart of milk that morning; thesole breakfast of herself and daughter. Night was approaching--what todo she did not know. She had a plain, worn, old gold ring on her finger;she took it off, offered it to the ferry-master, who would not take it, though she told him she found her money gone and would redeem it nextday. She went back in the ladies' room and told it to the Lord, beseeching his assistance. Just then, a girl passing, jostled againsther and knocked down her parasol. She picked it up, happened to turn itupside down, and out rolled a _five-cent nickel!_ The Lord, then, hearsprayer for even _five cents_ to provide for the comfort and need ofthose whom He loves. 

A PRAYER FOR FIFTY DOLLARS. 

A clergyman writes _The Christian_ as follows:

"The Winter of 1872 I spent in missionary work, carrying the gladtidings of the kingdom of God into new fields in the 'regions beyond. 'With my devoted wife, I labored ardently for the salvation of men 'fromthe wrath to come. ' We were full of comfort to be thus engaged, thoughwithout pledge from man for support, or promised salary for preaching. 

"In spite of our rigid economy, I had contracted some debts for thenecessaries of life. I have since learned to go without what the Lorddoes not provide means to pay for at once. I needed the money to pay thedebts, and felt impressed to pray for fifty dollars. I said to my wife:'_I am going to pray for fifty dollars_. ' 'Well, ' said she, 'I will joinyou;' and we bowed before God and told Him our needs, and unitedly askedHim for fifty dollars; so that we might not bring ourselves or the truthwe preached, into reproach, by being unable to pay debts. We were agreedin asking, and thus claiming the promise: 'If two of you shall agree astouching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of myFather which is in heaven. ' (Matt, xviii. 19). We had the assurance thatmoney would come; but from whence we did not know, nor care, for we knewthe 'silver and gold' are the Lord's, as well as the 'cattle upon athousand hills, ' and he could easily cause some one to give or send usthe money. 

"We felt full of peace; for we knew it was for God's glory to answerthat prayer. No one outside of the family knew we were praying formoney. We did not go around among our friends and tell them we werepraying for fifty dollars, in hopes that they would take it uponthemselves to answer the prayer. We told none but the God whom we serve. 

"Some little time passed, and no money came, but we did not lose ourfaith or assurance. One morning, at family prayer, I was led out to praythat we might see the Lord's working in our behalf that day, and I rosefrom my knees with perfect confidence that our hearts would be made torejoice in God that day. When I came in to my dinner I asked my wife ifany one had brought our mail from the post-office. She said, 'Yes, thereare some papers on your table. ' 'What!' said I, with surprise, 'noletters?' I saw a peculiar expression on her countenance, and I asked nomore questions, but sat down to the dinner table and turned over myplate, and there saw a letter she had put beneath it; and as soon as Isaw the hand-writing I felt, there is money in this, though, of allsources, this was from the one least expected. I opened the letter, andthere was a draft for _fifty dollars, 'a gift to aid in preaching theGospel. '_ If I ever recognized the hand of God in anything, I did inthis; and if there was ever a time of devout thanksgiving to God, and ahumbling of self before Him in my house, it was that day. Since then, ithas been easier to trust in Him than before. He has said, 'I will neverleave thee nor forsake thee. ' He has also said, through his apostles, 'Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplicationwith thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. '"

CONCURRENT TESTIMONY OF THE VALUE OF PRAYER. 

A request was published by the _Illustrated Christian Weekly, _ askingthat all who could report positive facts as direct results of prayer, and thus, tend to show that _"God does answer prayer, "_ shouldcommunicate them. Very many were communicated, regarding all trials andtroubles of the heart, and daily temporal or spiritual life. No one canquestion they are authentic to the highest degree; they should silencethe skeptic, and convince the worldly of the presence of the mysteriouspower and wonderful Spirit of God, which tempers the hearts and lives ofmen and controls them as He wills. 

A WORLDLY MAN SURRENDERS. 

A clergyman says, "I was very anxious for the building of a missionchapel to accommodate a flourishing mission-school that had beenorganized under my pastorate. Knowing that a certain physician of thecity was possessed of abundant means and had a praying Christian mother, though he had long since given up going to church, I resolved to callupon him. Before starting from my study I knelt down and asked God toprosper me in my appeal. Upon going out of my parsonage the physicianwas in the act of passing in his carriage. I hailed him, explained tohim my desire, and the result was not only a contribution of money aslarge as the largest, but a gift of a lot for the chapel worth severalhundred dollars. "

A SERVANT'S PRAYER FOR A GOOD HOME. 

"I was brought up religiously as a servant in a family in Connecticut, and from twelve years of age until twenty-three, knew no other home. Theold couple died, and I lived with their children, but they were sodifferent that I became very unhappy and hardly knew what to do or whichway to turn. I had no relatives and knew nothing of any world save thelittle one in which I had all my life moved, and I was terribly afraidto try any other. I could only offer my constant prayer for help, and itwas answered so much beyond my highest hope, and so kind were God'sdealings with me that I was taken, almost without an effort of my own, into a warm, loving heart, and such a happy home, and all so easily andsmoothly that to me it seems like a miracle; and never can I forgetwhile I live, nor cease to believe that truly 'He is the hearer andanswerer of prayer. '"

"BEFORE THEY CALL I WILL ANSWER. "--A PASTOR PRAYS FOR DECISION AS TOGOOD CHOICES. 

"The writer was once in great trouble to know what was duty. Urged byministers and laymen in high standing to undertake a work not exactly inthe line of the ministry, he hesitated. God's displeasure was feared, lest in doing what was desired 'sin might lie at his door. ' To refusethe wish of good and wise men might be resisting God's call. In thistrial of conscience he sought in fasting and special prayer the guidanceof his Heavenly Father. While so doing the above promise came verydistinctly to his mind. He brought it to God as his own promise, andpleaded, if it could be graciously done, that He would literally fulfillit to the suppliant. In the very act of thus pleading, he heard a rap onthe door. Opening it, there stood his mother-in-law. She said, 'Twogentlemen are in the parlor waiting for you. ' I went down, and theinterview revealed the exact fulfillment both of the promise and theprophecy. The Lord answered my prayer two days before I called on Him. One of the two came from New York to my home in a Western city toinquire about _the very thing which was troubling me. He was to me anentire stranger_, never having heard of him until I saw him. Havingconsulted his friend, the Rev. M. W. Jacobus, D. D. , they together came tocall on me about the matter at the very moment I was pleading with Godthat He would mercifully, 'while yet speaking, hear me. ' Now couldTyndall and his followers desire a more literal, a more exactfulfillment of this prophecy and promise as proof of its inspiration, and of prayer as God's ordinance than that prayer for such fulfillmentof these words actually before the prayer was made, and while thepetitioner was 'yet speaking?'"

It will be noticed that the best judgment of good men advise one course, but trust in God for superior wisdom brought the case to answer in atotally different manner, by means of an unknown person, a totalstranger, who neither knew him nor his desire. The circumstance shouldconvince the world. 

A FAMILY PRAY FOR A GOOD SERVANT. 

"About three years since my family comfort was very much disturbed byfailure to obtain a good housemaid. And, having been accustomed to waitupon God for right direction in my _temporal_ as well as spiritualaffairs, in simple faith I asked Him to direct me on reaching New YorkCity to where I would find a girl of good character that wouldappreciate a Christian home. My steps were led to a boarding-house onGreenwich street, and on inquiring for a German or Swede girl I was toldthey had a nice Swede just landed. I talked to her through aninterpreter and was satisfied from what she said, as well as from hercountenance, that she was the one I was searching for. She came to myhome and proved, in two years' service, almost faultless. Inconversation one day, a short time after she came to our home, she saidshe had had several places offered her that morning before I came, butshe did not like them; but as soon as she saw me, felt that she could gowith me--she was a Christian, member of the Lutheran church and wanted aChristian home. Her desire was granted and my prayer was answered. "

A RECOVERY FROM A DEATH-BED. 

"Some forty years ago, in a rural parish in New England, a young man layapparently on his death-bed with a putrid fever. His aunt, in whosefamily he was staying, was a woman who had long lived in habitualintercourse with the unseen world through prayer. One afternoon, when itseemed to those around him that the sick one must die, she went awayalone to speak with God. With intense earnestness she pleaded for theyoung man's life. And, being deeply interested in the portion of ourcountry then beginning to be settled, she asked also that he mightbecome a home missionary at the West. There were various circumstanceswhich made this latter request, as well as the other, seem very unlikelyto be fulfilled. And yet it was. The young man recovered, pursued acollegiate and theological course, and still lives and labors as a mostdevoted and useful Christian pioneer. More than once he has been amember of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and his nameis familiar to many. "

A POOR STUDENT PRAYS FOR MONEY. 

"I was a poor student in a Manual Labor Institute at the West. The monthof February was our regular Winter vacation. We were privileged to keepour rooms and have board at one dollar a week. But I had absolutely nomoney. I was six hundred miles from my friends, and they were unable tofurnish me with funds. I had no books for the new term, though thesewere a necessity if I went on with my class, and there was no work aboutthe Institution, nor that I know of in the neighborhood at that season. My case seemed an exceedingly bad one; and I had no idea from where anyhelp could come. So I went to my room in the third story, locked my doorand carried my case to the Lord. It was a long, earnest, tearful cry forhelp from Him who alone seemed able to give it. My prayer was answered. When I had been there I do not know how long, I heard footsteps in theempty hall, and in a moment a knock at my door. I wiped my eyes, and putmyself into presentable shape as soon as I could, and opened the door. Alad stood there who said: 'A man wants to see you at the front door. 'Down the stairs I went, wondering who could want me and what he couldwant me for. In the front yard was a man on a restless horse, who atonce said: 'We want you to teach our school for a month. The boys havedriven out the female teacher. We want you to take them in hand, andwe'll give you fifteen dollars and your board. ' I said, 'All right, I'llbe down there to-morrow morning. ' And then I went back to my room tothank God for hearing my prayer. "

"I CAN'T STOP TO PRAY. "

"A deacon living in a Berkshire town was requested to give his prayersin behalf of a poor man with a large family who had broken his leg. 'Ican't stop now to pray, ' said the deacon (who was picking and barrelinghis early apples for the city market), 'but you can go down into thecellar and get some corned beef, salt pork, potatoes, and butter--that'sthe best I can do. '"

REMARKABLE HEALING OF A CHILD. 

A clergyman writes that during the ministration of his labors at BattleGreek, Mich. , there were several remarkable manifestations of divinepower--especially in the case of a little girl, the daughter of a Mr. Smith, a child of about six years. 

"In September last, she was taken very sick with spinal fever. Shebecame much reduced, extremely nervous and helpless, excepting to moveher hands. Physicians gave up the case as a hopeless one, deciding thatshould she live, her condition would be that of helplessness, a burdento herself and to her parents. 

"But our gracious God had better things in store for that afflictedfamily. It was on a Sabbath afternoon, at the very hour when the crowdedcongregation in our house of worship were in prayer for the influencesof the divine Spirit, that a holy, solemn influence came into thedwelling of Brother Smith, as if an angel had come to touch the childwith healing power. The mother could not leave the bedside of hersuffering child to attend the meeting, and she says that a sudden changecame over her feelings, and it appeared to her that an angel had comeinto the house, and had shed a holy influence in every part of it. Itwas at that moment that the hitherto helpless child drew herself up in asitting posture, and next rose upon her feet. She rapidly recovered toher usual habits of taking food and sleeping, and now takes the exerciseof the most robust children of her age. "

GOD PAID THE RENT. --ANSWER TO PRAYER. 

A poor Christian family were in distress. The husband, during a long andpainful sickness, had borne his trials for months with cheerfulChristian resignation; "but, on this day, " said a City Missionary, "Ifound them, for the first time, in tears. The cause I soon learned wasthe want of means to pay the rent of their little home, which would comedue on the following Monday, and must be paid then, or they would haveto leave and go they knew not where. The amount needed, _fifteendollars_, and the amount in hand but _fifty cents;_ the future all dark, and no hope of recovery from sickness, and no hope of being able to meettheir expenses--it might be of a long sickness and want--what could I dofor them? If theirs had been the only case of like wants that day, I nodoubt could have gone to a few friends and have collected the amount. But that would not do them the good I felt they needed. But I felt sureof a better way to get it, and lead them to trust in the Lord, andglorify God and not man. 

"On the wall, at the foot of the sick man's bed, I had hung, but a shorttime previous, one of those precious silent comforters, a scroll ofScripture texts, printed in large type, and a different prayer for everyday in the month. On the page before us for _that day_, after callingtheir attention to it, I read the following words: '_And all thingswhatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive_. ' Matt. 21:22. 'Again I say unto you, _that if two of you shall agree on earthas touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them_. Matt. 18:9; remarking, 'Are not those precious promises? Your fears, dear brother and sister, are that you will not be able to pay the renton Monday, and may be turned out into the street, unless you get themeans to pay the rent; are they not?' 'That is so, ' said they. 'Thereare two ways: one, to try to get some one to lend you the amount untilyou can pay, if the landlord will not wait; another, to go and beg forit. ' I have learned a better way, and wish I could lead you to do thesame. Do as David did. Have you ever gone to the Lord as directed above, and found in Him, as David did, a very present help in time of trouble?Would not your faith and confidence in God's word and in his kind, overruling providence be more strengthened, if, in going to Him now andmaking known your present troubles and wants, He should in a way, without your making known your wants to any other person, on Mondayenable you to pay all?' The answer was, 'We should. '

"After prayer and encouragement to do so, I left them, with the promiseto call the following Tuesday. Doing so, I was met at the door by thewife with a countenance full of joy. '_Oh, brother, we could not waituntil you came, to tell you the wonderful answer to our prayer_. OnMonday, _the very day_ that we had to pay the rent, one gentleman cameand handed my husband _five dollars_, and early in the morning Mrs. F---- called and handed me _ten dollars_, making in all _just fifteendollars_, the amount we needed; was it not wonderful? Oh, how good theLord is!' The same week another called and gave them an order for fiftydollars more, so that they were able to pay up all their debts, and thesudden joy soon led to a speedy restoration to health, and the husbandis now one of the most active Christian workers and teachers in amission school, and the wife and daughter are also trying to do all theycan to lead others to trust in Jesus. "

HE FORGETTETH NOT THE CRY OF THE HUMBLE. 

A City home missionary has told us of the case of a poor colored family, the husband nearly one hundred years old, totally incapacitated forwork, and confined to his room by sickness nearly twelve years. 

Although very often in straitened circumstances, the Lord has never leftthem to want for any good they needed, having, in a truly wonderfulmanner supplied their wants, in answer to prayer. The wife, having for along time been kept from the enjoyment of church privileges by closeconfinement, she had been sorely tempted to doubt her acceptance inChrist, and was in great darkness for days; but one day, in reading thefollowing words, found in the fifteenth chapter of John, _"If ye abidein me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shallbe done unto you, "_ she was led to go to God in prayer, and to ask, ifnot wrong in his sight, to grant her a request, that she might know thather prayer was answered, and that she was abiding in Him. The requestwas that, as they were in trouble for the rent coming due the next day, and still in need of _three dollars, _ that the Lord would send them afriend in a stranger, some one that they had never seen before, and thathe would put it into the heart of that stranger to give them threedollars, and then they would not be tempted to believe, as they hadsometimes before, that it would have been sent by a friend even if theyhad not prayed. 

"But, " said she, "I knows if a stranger comes, none but the Lord couldsend, then I would know the Lord heard my prayer, and I was truly theLord's. So I watch for the answer for you knows, brother, when we prays, the Lord says we must believe we shall receive what we ask of Him, andthen He will give it. So I watch and listen for the knock at the door, and do you believe me, brother, about three o'clock in the afternoon, Ihears a knock and opens the door, and a strange lady was there, one Inever saw before, and asked me if Mrs. H---- lived here; and said shehad been looking for us before, but could not find us; 'when, to-day Ifelt I must try again, and I am so glad I have found you. I heard of youthrough a friend who has known you a long time. ' She spoke many kindwords, and when she took my hand to say good-by, she left a little rollof notes, and when she is gone I count it, and _it was just threedollars. _ I is been so happy ever since. I loves to tell how good theLord has been to us; every time I does so I feels so happy. "

INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF AN INVALID. --HOW GOD CARES AND COMFORTS INSMALL THINGS. 

The following incidents are from the life of an invalid, personallyknown to the editor of this book, and can be depended upon as authenticin every particular. They illustrate most beautifully the blessed way inwhich the Savior's everlasting arms are around, strengthening, and Hispresence comforting His weak and helpless ones, in all their little aswell as great trials of life. The ways in which he sent relief, and themany hundred promises which he has given; will encourage other Christianhearts to trust the same _Omnipotent, ever Helping Friend. _

GIVING HER LAST MONEY TO THE LORD. 

"'The first money the Lord gives me I will send to you, ' were the lastwords I said to my old father, as I stood waiting for the train to bearme to distant friends. So the weeks passed on, but I remembered mypromise and waited patiently for the Lord to enable me to fulfill thatpromise. I had two dollars, but thought I must not give it away untilmore came. But this feeling did not last long; something seemed to tellme the Lord would not send me any until that was gone. One day Ireceived a letter from a friend containing this sentence: 'I have nothad three cents in five weeks. ' My whole nature responded in a moment. Iput part of my money into a letter for him, the rest into a letter formy father. Now I felt clear. Then I told the Lord all about it. A weekpassed, and $5 came to me from my mother to pay my return fare. A fewdays longer, and another $5 came from a lady friend, so I was providedfor. I needed a certain article of clothing, and one night made allarrangements to get it next day. Morning came, and I went to the Biblefor my orders for the day; my eyes rested on these words: 'Be contentwith what ye have. ' This seemed so strange, because the Lord knew Ineeded the dress; I was obliged to stay out of society on this account. 'But the Lord knows best, ' I thought, and gave up all idea of gettingit. Nor did it trouble me further. I gave it all into his hands, feelingHe knew best. And afterwards it was made clear to my own heart I had nottrusted in vain. _'Commit all thy ways unto the Lord, for He careth forthee. '"_

MONEY WANTED TO PAY RAILROAD FARE. 

"Once, on a visit, I left the company below, and went up stairs for anhour's quiet and prayer. I was to return the coming week and I had onlyjust enough to pay my fare. For several days I had been anxious how Iwas to get some money. This afternoon I had to pray very earnestly, because the need was great. An hour passed; I felt weary andunrefreshed, when a voice clear and near said unto me: 'Trust in theLord and do good, and verily thou shalt be fed. ' It was not a humanvoice, for no one was near me, but I started and looked around, _almost_expecting to see an angel visitant. I saw nothing, but the sun shonebrighter outside, and the room seemed brighter than before. And whyshould it not? The Lord had been there with words of cheer and comfortfor his little child. I arose and went below, where I found othercompany had called, and I was introduced to the lady and her husband, whom I had met five years before. A pleasant chat and they left, aftergiving me an invitation to visit them. At the door, as I learned from myfriend who attended them, Mrs. N---- said: 'I should like to give MissB---- something, ' and handed my friend _a five dollar bill for me_. Iwas more than surprised. I cannot tell you the emotions of my heart. While I was yet asking, even, the messenger had brought my answer. Icould yet hear the soft sound of the voice up-stairs, and the soothinginfluence of the unseen presence still lingered round me. How quicklyour needs flow on the wings of prayer into the very presence of ourFriend and Master. "

PRAYER SAVES THE LIFE OF A LITTLE CHILD. 

"A year ago this Summer, my sister's little baby, only five months old, was taken very ill with that distressing complaint which often proves sofatal, and takes so many sweet little ones out of loving hearts andhomes. I loved baby Ernest, but never so well as when he lay so sick hecould not know it. We all loved him, and everything was done that couldbe thought of to ease the little sufferer all those long, close, hotdays. Day after day, for four long weeks, we tenderly cared for him. Sometimes his mother would watch his every breath, fearing each would bethe last. One Sunday he lay just where we put him, so quiet and still, with the sweet baby face so white and calm, we thought we should losehim soon, the little hands and feet were so cold. All through hisillness, I kept asking the Lord to let his parents keep the tender budhe had sent them. We could not let him die, and to-day I prayed veryearnestly all the time--even when we could not warm the little body atall--we could not let him go. Well, Ernnie passed over the fearful dayand became a happy, well boy. He was saved. No physician saved him. Ourtender care did not save him. Prayer saved our Ernnie. Precious baby! Heis such a jolly, happy boy now, filling every heart and the whole housewith his sunshine. How I love the little fellow. When I am here at hishome, he always comes to Auntie for love and tenderness. When I amresting on the lounge, he comes every few moments to kiss me, giving andreceiving real heart-love. We know God only lends these little treasuresto their human friends. But oh, they bring so much love with them, it ishard to give them up. "

THE LOST THIMBLE. 

"One day I lost my silver thimble, a gift from my mother when I was ayoung girl. I prized it _very highly_. I looked everywhere, long andfaithfully. The tears would come, at the best, it had been so long aconstant companion. I gave up the search after a while, thinking someone had taken it, or a child had lost it--any way, it was gone. Feelingsad over it, I sat down to console myself, and the thought came--prayabout it; so I did, and while I knelt there something whispered, 'Lookon the bed, ' so plainly that I arose and went into my sister'ssleeping-room where I had turned the spread aside, and there nestled, ina fold of the quilt, _my thimble_. I involuntarily said, 'Thank God!'out of the depths of my glad heart. I had lain down a moment on this bedwith baby Ernest, early in the morning, and the thimble had fallen outof my pocket. "

A PRAYER FOR $25. 

 "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. "

"I had a present of twenty-five dollars once, which was a direct answerto earnest, pleading prayer. I was entirely out of money for months--Icould not earn a dollar. I had those who might have assisted me, butthey did not. I could have borrowed, but I might never be able to returnit; I knew not what to do. One evening, thinking it all over, scanningthe dark cloud with anxious eyes, I said, 'If the Lord cannot help me, no one else can; I will ask Him. ' And so I did, bringing all theprevious promises before Him, pleading my unworthiness, but my greatneed; asking first for _ten dollars_; then, as I grew more earnest, Iasked for _twenty-five, _ feeling almost frightened as the words camefrom my lips. Sometimes the thought would intrude, 'How can you ask forany given sum--how do you expect it will come?' so I said, one day, tothe Lord, 'Any sum you choose; you know best; I will be content. 'Several weeks passed, and a sweet feeling of rest and assurance came, that, whatever came of it, would be all for the best. But, by-and-by, when the anxious pleading feeling was all gone, one morning came aletter from one I had never seen, with $25--just what I had asked for. Icannot tell you just how I felt; I only know I held the check long in myhand, scarcely realizing it could be for me. "

PRAYING FOR OTHERS. 

"My sister's husband wished to raise a certain sum of interest money bya given time, but could see no way; was very much troubled about it;said he knew no one to whom he could apply. I told him to pray for it. He answered, 'God won't hear the prayer of the wicked; suppose you askhim yourself. ' I did ask Him, earnestly and faithfully, and it was evengiven me the idea who my brother could ask to loan it him. I spoke ofthe man to him--said I thought he might get it; so he called on him oneevening, and the way was made plain for my brother to introduce thesubject; and when he came home that night, he brought with him the threehundred dollars. "

A VISIT TO FRIENDS. 

 "I will hold thee by thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not, I will help thee. "

"Once I held in my hand an open letter, containing an invitation tovisit friends I had never seen. My heart bounded with pleasure atthought of the journey, and the pleasant visit to follow; but, on secondthought, it almost stood still--where could I get money and properclothing? Several weeks passed in thought. I could see no way, and so Iwrote my friends I could not come at present; but, in my heart, I couldnot give it up. My parents were visiting in the far West, and I had noone to advise me; so, up in my little room, night after night, I made ita point to tell the Lord about it; and soon it seemed as easy and rightas though I were talking to a friend. One day, my brother-in-law said hewould pay my expenses to and fro. I thanked him, and took fresh courage, and still kept on praying. Then the same good brother gave me money fora dress; then a friend furnished other articles, and soon, I was enroute for the quaint old city by the sea. Every step was accomplished bythe simple way of prayer; and, when I slept, late that night, in a cosyroom at the Methodist parsonage in N. B. , I could look back over the lastfew weeks, and thank God for the _power of prayer_. But the best of itall was the lesson I had learned--one which I shall never forget, whilememory holds her magic power--to carry _everything_ to God in prayer; totrust him in every matter, however small; and this is the whole secretof the power that lies in prayer. "

"I found another lady visitor at my friend's and we were to share thesame bed. This was a little trial; I had to ask the Lord to give mepatience--and He did. One night, I was very restless and nervous; Icould not sleep. I knew I was disturbing my friend--soon she said, 'Annie, I am going to ask the Lord to come and put you to sleep. Now, lay still, and in five minutes you will be all right'. I did so, alsobreathing the words, 'Give me sleep, dear Saviour. ' The room seemed tobe full of a soft, soothing influence, and I fell asleep. Once only inthe night I awoke, but soon went asleep. When I awoke in the morning, rested and refreshed, Tillie, who was dressing near me, looked up withher pleasant smile and said, 'Annie, how wonderful it was. You wereasleep in less than five minutes. It seemed as though Jesus stood closeby your side; I could _almost see_ Him, I felt so clearly His presence. He is here now, Annie; can't you feel Him near? He was very good to youlast night. ' Yes, indeed, I felt the influence of His presence, and, allday, whenever I entered the room, I felt it, and it seemed as though Imust tread softly, it was so like holy ground. This feeling lastedthrough my stay, and, last Winter, while again visiting the home of myfriends, it all came back to me again. This beautiful influence has everkept with me, and I never close my eyes in sleep until I say, 'Oh, Lord, breathe upon me the sweet spirit of sleep. ' However weary, sick ornervous I may be, I feel that the soothing power will come; and, with myhand in His, I rest peacefully, at last. "

PRAYING FOR A NEW HAT. 

 "Whatsoever thing ye ask in _My_ name"--

"For a long while I had been without money, and my need was very great. I wanted a new hat so much; and the question arose in my mind, 'What amI going to do about it?' As I had no human arm to depend on foranything, of course there was only one way for me to do--ask the Lordfor money to get me a hat. With me, to think is to act, and so I toldthe Lord all about it, asking, if it was His will, to send me, in Hisown way, money for the article I needed. Day after day passed, and Ifelt almost discouraged. One day, a letter came from a lady friend I hadnever seen, enclosing one dollar. I bought my hat--neither could I haveused that dollar for another purpose. Soon after this, my physicianordered something for me. I had no money to get it, but said I would getit soon as I could. Three weeks passed, and no money came. Then I askedthe Lord for enough to get my medicine. Another letter came from an oldnurse, with a gift of one dollar. I had my medicine. Time after time, Ihave not had wherewith to send my letters, and, as I have a largecorrespondence, it often is a real trouble. The only way I have to do isto _pray for it, _ and always, in some way, it comes; not in _myway_--not just as soon as I ask for it--but in His own way, He alwaysprovides. I have learned to trust and not be afraid, even though theclouds hang heavy, and I see no ray of light, the promise is there, andfor me, 'I will _never_ leave thee, or forsake thee. ' I am so entirelydependent on Him for everything that sometimes, in little matters, myfaith will, for a brief season, droop. Sometimes I have to plead andplead over again some particular promises; but these times of waiting onHim only strengthen me for future conflicts. 'Wait on the Lord, and heshall renew thy strength, ' comes in beautifully on such occasions. Nohuman being to help me; no one but God. Sometimes, when I sit alone, such a flood of feelings come over me, I well nigh sink. Loneliness, homesickness, and the great want in every human heart of sympathy andlove, leave me, for a moment, without hope or faith; but, when the heartis weakest, and the need greatest, the loving Saviour is nearest. 'Likeas a mother comforteth her child, so does He comfort me;' and then, soothed by his power and love, how the aching heart rests 'by the stillwaters, and in the green pastures. ' There is nothing but prayer for thehelpless sinner; nothing else will bring us into loving companionshipwith the Lord. We may go to Him always, with every trial, need orsorrow. He is ever waiting--ever ready to hear and answer. "

PRAYING FOR A SEWING MACHINE. 

"One day a lady friend said to me: 'Would you like some nice sewing, easy to do?' I answered, 'Yes. ' 'Have you a sewing machine?' 'I havenot, but am praying for one. ' 'That is right; so you believe you willhave it by praying for it?' I replied: 'If the Lord thinks I need it, Hewill send it. ' I had learned to use my sister's, but I wanted one of myown, to use just when I felt like it. So the thought kept in my heart, 'Why can't I pray for one?' And yet it seemed foolish to go in prayer toGod for such a simple thing, but I had not then learned that _allthings, _ with Him, meant every wish and want of the human heart. Butthere was no other way. He must send my machine, or I could have none. Iprayed very earnestly. After a few weeks of waiting, one golden wintermorning it came--my beautiful machine--just what I wanted. This seemedso wonderful to me, that it seemed to bring me into nearer companionshipwith the Lord, and ever after, whatever I needed, I went directly to Himfor. A ministerial friend once asked me what it was I had covered up onthe stand. I told him it was my piano, taking the cover aside andshowing him at once how my beautiful sewing machine worked. _'What tunedo you play oftenest?'_ he asked. _'Rock of Ages_ is its favorite one, and I never sew without singing it. '"

MONEY FOR POSTAGE. 

"One day I opened my port-monnaie to get change for some little needful, when I found I had but ten cents. I used five of it. As visions of sixor seven letters and many little things I needed came up before me, Isaid aloud: 'The Lord will have to send me some money pretty soon. ' Ithink once through the day I prayed for some money, but felt nouneasiness about it. That evening a lady friend called to say good-byfor the winter, and as she left gave me _fifty cents for postage. _ WhileI was calling He answered me. About a week before this, I thought Iwould ask the Lord for $5 for my physician. He had come so faithfully, day after day, without ever expecting one dollar, because I had told himfreely my circumstances. But I felt I must give him something for a giftat least. So I asked for five dollars. Day after day passed away, and Ithought perhaps the Lord did not want me to have it. But still I prayed, asking it for His will, not mine. One morning a letter came from a verydear friend, containing a check for the amount for which I had prayed, and a little beside. It seemed such a signal answer to my prayer, that Icould scarcely speak, and in my heart a glad prayer of thanksgiving wentup to Him, who had told me _to ask and I should receive. _ A friend, towhom I told this, said: 'Now you need this money yourself; I would notgive it to the doctor now--wait awhile. ' 'But, ' I replied, 'I dare notdo it. I need it, I know, but I asked God for it for my doctor, and Imust give it. ' And here let me say, when we ask God for money, it issacred, and must be spent only to please Him. "

PRAYING FOR A BIBLE. 

"For a long while it has been my habit to be entirely guided for the dayby the first verse in the Bible on which my eyes rested. While dressingfor the day, I glance at the open page, or sometimes turning over theleaves. But my old Bible was poor print and small, and it troubled mefor a long while. So I thought I would ask the Lord to send me a newone. I told Him all about it. One day, this Summer, the postman broughtme a package of magazines and a letter. I began to undo the package, eager to scan their welcome pages. My sister laughingly said she wouldread my letter, and suiting the action to the word, opened the envelope. I really did not mind what she was doing, until she said: 'Why there issome money here, but no letter. ' So she handed me the half sheet ofpaper, with the money folded inside. I looked it over, and there wereonly these words in pencil: 'For a Bible, and three dollars. ' We lookedat each other; I could not say a word, until she said, 'What does it allmean? 'I answered, 'The Lord sent it, I know; where could it come from?'It was wonderful--wonderful because I could not remember as I ever toldany one that I was praying for a Bible. "

A SPRING MATTRESS. 

"Last Summer, when I bought my bedstead, I did not have money to geteither springs or a mattress, so I fixed up a clean, straw bed, andcovered it nicely with a thick comfortable. It was pretty hard--I didnot rest well. So, one sleepless night, I said aloud, 'I will just askthe Lord to send me a set of springs. ' I kept on day by day. When I feltthe severe pain which denoted illness, I thought of my hard bed andprayed more earnest. One day my physician spoke of my hard bed. I toldhim I was going to have a better one; I was praying for some springs. And so I kept on. One day, a lady friend said something about my bed. Idid not say much. Somehow I felt I must not; I wanted to have it all theLord's doings, if I ever had any. One day my sister said a man was atthe door, who wanted to fit a set of springs to my bed. Why, I can'ttell how I felt; even after God had answered my simple prayers, andhonored my faith so many times, I was astonished at this. But she helpedme up, and the bed was fitted with nice, new springs. And they weremine. The man could not tell anything about them. My sister says, 'Annie, did you order them?' I said, 'No. ' 'Don't you know who sentthem?' I said, 'No. ' 'Did you ask Mrs. W---- to order them?' I said, 'Idid not; I would lay here six years before I would do it. No, somebodyhad a hand in it, but the Lord sent them, because I prayed for them allthe time. ' A friend was present when my physician called. I told himabout the new springs. His kind face lit up grandly at this new evidencethat God did answer humble, faithful prayer, and he turned to my friendwith the words: 'I am glad they were just what she has been prayingfor. ' I do not think he had anything to do about them. But these springsare only another proof of his love and power, in touching the hearts ofhis children to help others. And they have their reward. Soon afterthis, a lady sent me a white spread for my bed. Surely, God is good tohis little ones. "

THE HEALING OF MARY THEOBALD. 

The following incident is related by her pastor, at Woburn, Mass. , who, for three and a half years, was well acquainted with her physicalcondition, and who testified, in _The Congregationalist_, that nomedicine, or physician's aid or advice, was of any avail:

"From the first of my acquaintance to the last, she had an unswervingconfidence in her recovery. Many times has she said to me: 'I believethat I shall be well. Jesus will raise me up. I shall hear you preachsome day. '

"But, in common with the friends who were watching her case, and withthe physicians who had exhausted their skill upon her in vain, I hadlittle or no hope for her. It seemed to me that her life was to be oneof suffering; that God was keeping her with us that we might have aheroic example of what His grace could enable one to bear and to become. 

"A few days ago, I received from her lips the following statement of theorigin and progress of her sickness: 'My first sickness occurred when Iwas about sixteen years old. This illness lasted for a year. Indeed, Iwas never well again. That sickness left me with a bad humor, which, fortwo years, kept me covered with boils. When the boils disappeared, thetrouble was internal. Physicians feared a cancer. For ten years, I wassick, more or less--sometimes able to work, sometimes utterly prostrate. 

"'My second severe illness began in the Autumn of 1871. I had beenfailing for two years. Then I was obliged to give up. I was on the bedfive months. From this illness I never recovered so as to labor or walkabroad. When not confined to my bed, I have been on the lounge, as youhave known me. No one can ever know the suffering which these years havebrought me. '

"My acquaintance with her began in the Spring of 1873. Several timessince I have known her, she has been carried so low that we have thoughther release near at hand; and, indeed, the general tendency has beendownwards. I recently asked an intelligent physician, who had attendedher for a year or more, to give me the facts in her case. He replied:'She is diseased throughout. Her system is thoroughly soured. Itresponds to nothing. Almost every function is abnormal. There is no helpfor her in medicine. ' Other physicians had tried their skill with thesame result. It was generally admitted by doctors, friends and family, that nothing more could be done for her. While all saw only sufferingand an early death in store for her, yet she confidently expected to bewell, and her faith never waned. 

"It was her custom to spend a few weeks each year in the family of oneof the sisters in the church. At her last visit, it was evident to thislady that Mary was not so well as in former years. One day, whenconversation turned upon this topic, she felt constrained to express herfears. But Mary was hopeful. A proposition was made, and arrangementswere perfected to visit Doctor Cullis, to secure the benefit of hisprayers. But her feebleness was so great that the plan was abandoned. 'If, ' said Mrs. F. , 'faith is to cure you, why go to Doctor Cullis, orto any one? Let us go to God ourselves; and, Mary, if you have faiththat God can and will cure you sometime, why not believe that He will_cure you now?_'

"She felt herself cast on God alone. All hope of human help was at anend. She had thought it, hitherto, enough patiently to wait His time. She saw that, after all, she must not dishonor God by limiting Hispower. Again her Bible opened to the familiar passages, '_the prayer offaith shall save the sick_;' 'according to your faith be it unto you. 'She felt that the time for testing her faith had come. She woulddishonor the Lord no longer. Requesting the prayers of the family thatGod would now grant healing and restoration, she tottered to her couch, and, asking that in the morning she might be well, calmly closed hereyes in the assurance that it would be so. _And according to her faith, so it was. She came forth in the morning without a remnant of the painwhich had filled a decade of years with agony_. That Sabbath was to her, indeed, 'a high day. ' A week later the frequent prophecy that she shouldhear me preach was fulfilled. 

"_Not a vestige of suffering remained_. So far as that is concerned, there was not a hint left that she had been an invalid for almost ascore of years. 

"_She immediately took her place in the family as a well person. _ Twodays after, I saw her. She came to meet me with a step light and strong, and with a face written all over with thankfulness and joy. Since thattime all the abandoned duties of active life have been resumed. Whenlast I saw her, she was in bounding health and spirits, declaring thatshe could not remember when she had felt so happy and well. Thatnight--one of the coldest of the winter, the roads at their iciest--shewalked more than half a mile to and from the prayer-meeting. 

It is difficult for those who are not conversant with the case tobelieve it, yet there is no illusion in it. _That she went to sleep asuffering, feeble, shattered woman, and, awoke free from pain, and thatshe has been gaining in strength ever since, are facts that cannot bedoubted_. "

HOW PRAYER HELPED HIM TO KEEP THE PLEDGE. 

In a rural district, in the North of England, lived a shoe-maker who hadsigned the temperance pledge often, but never had strength to keep it. After a while, he was able to keep it, and reformed entirely. A friendwas curious to learn how he had been able, at last, to win the victory, and went to see him. 

"Well, William, how are you?"

"Oh, pretty well. I had only eighteen pence and an old hen when Isigned, and a few old scores; but now I have about ten pounds in thebank, and my wife and I have lived through the summer without gettinginto debt. But as I am only thirty weeks old yet (so he styled himself), I cannot be so strong yet, my friend. "

"How is it you never signed before?"

"I did sign; but I keep it different now to what I did before, friend. "

"How is this?"

"Why, I _gae doon_ on my knees and pray. "

Here was the _real strength of prayer_. His own resolves were of novalue; but when he called on God to help, then came new strength, and hewas kept by restraining grace. The bitter experience of those who pledgeand pledge over and over again, and never gain the victory, at last mustcome to either of two ends--their utter destruction, or else to call onGod in prayer, to help them keep the pledge manfully, and make themsteadfast in their resolutions. 

ONE WHO REFUSED THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

The following incident is related by D. L. Moody, the Evangelist, whichcontains a warning, how the Holy Spirit avenges itself to those whorefuse its admonitions. It is a remarkable instance of the control of anoverruling God, who alone knew that man's mind, and which alone couldbring that text so often to his memory:

"There was a young man in my native village--he was not a young man whenI was talking to him--we were working on the farm together one day andhe was weeping; I asked him what he was weeping about, and he told me avery strange story. When he left home his mother gave him the text:'_Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all thesethings will be added unto you_. ' He was ambitious to get rich, andthought when he had got comfortable, that was the time to give hisattention to religion. He went from village to village, and got nothingto do. Sunday came, and he went into the village church. _What was hisgreat surprise to hear the minister preach from that text_. It went downinto his heart--he thought that it was his mother's prayers that werefollowing him--he thought the whole sermon was for himself, and thoughthe would like to get out. For days be could not get that text and sermonout of his mind. He went on still, from village to village, and at lasthe went into another church after weeks had rolled away. He went forsome Sundays to the church, and it wasn't a great while before theminister _gave out this very text_. He thought surely it was God callinghim then, and he said, coolly and deliberately, _he would not seek theKingdom of God_. He went on in this way, and in the course of a fewmonths, to his great surprise, he heard the _third sermon from the thirdminister on the same text_. He tried to stifle it, but it followed him. At last he made up his mind he would not go to church any more. When hecame back to Northfield, after years, his mother had died, but the textkept coming to him over and over, and he said, 'I will not become aChristian;' and said he to me, 'Moody, my heart is as hard as thatstone. ' It was all Greek to me, because I was not a Christian myself atthe time. After my conversion, in Boston, he was about the first man Ithought of. When I got back and asked my mother about him, she told mehe was gone out of his mind, and to every one who went to the asylum tosee him he pointed his finger and said: '_Seek ye first the Kingdom, ofGod and His Righteousness_. ' When I went back to my native village, after that, I was told he was still out of his mind, but at home. I wentto see him, and asked him did he know me. He was rocking backwards andforwards in his rocking chair, and he gave me that vacant stare andpointed to me as he said, '_Young man, seek first the Kingdom of God andHis Righteousness_. ' When, last month, I laid down my younger brother inhis grave, I could not help but think of that man lying but a few yardsaway. May every man and woman here be wise for eternity and seek now theKingdom of God and His Righteousness, is my prayer. "

THE PRAYING SHOE-MAKER. 

A correspondent of _The American Messenger_ relates this instance of apoor man in the village where he lived, who, with a family of youngchildren and a wife in very feeble health, found it extremely difficultto obtain a livelihood. He was at length compelled to work by the weekfor a shoe-dealer in the city, four miles from the village, returning tohis family every Saturday evening, and leaving home early on Mondaymorning. 

He usually brought home the avails of his week's labor in provisions forthe use of his family during the following week; but on one cold andstormy night, in the depth of winter, he went towards his humbledwelling with empty hands, but a full heart. His employer had declaredhimself unable to pay him a penny that night, and the shoe-maker, toohonest to incur a debt without knowing that he should be able to cancelit, bent his weary steps homeward, trusting that He who hears the ravenswhen they cry, would fill the mouths of his little family. He knew thathe should find a warm house and loving hearts to receive him, but heknew, too, that a disappointment awaited them which would make at least_one_ heart ache. 

When he entered his cottage, cold and wet with the rain, he saw a brightfire, brighter faces, and a table neatly spread for the anticipatedrepast. The tea-kettle was sending forth its cloud of steam, all readyfor "the cup which cheers, but not inebriates, " and a pitcher of milk, which had been sent in by a kind neighbor, was waiting for the bread soanxiously expected by the children. The sad father confessed hispoverty, and his wife in tears begged him to make _some_ effort toprocure food for them before the Sabbath. He replied, "Let us ask God togive us our daily bread. Prayer avails with God when we ask for temporalgood, as well as when we implore spiritual blessings. " The sorrowinggroup knelt around the family altar, and while the father was entreatingfervently for the mercies they so much needed, a gentle knocking at thedoor was heard. When the prayer was ended the door was opened, and therestood a woman in the "peltings of the storm, " who had never been at thatdoor before, though she lived only a short distance from it. She had anapkin in her hand, which contained a large loaf of bread; and halfapologizing for offering it, said she had unintentionally made "a largerbatch of bread" than usual that day, and though she hardly knew why, shethought it might be acceptable there. 

After expressing their sincere gratitude to the woman, the devoutshoe-maker and his wife gave thanks to God with overflowing hearts. While the little flock were appeasing their hunger with the nice newbread and milk, the father repaired to the house where I was an inmate, and told his artless tale with streaming eyes, and it is unnecessary tosay, that he returned to his home that night with a basket heavilyladen, and a heart full of gratitude to a prayer-answering God. 

HOW THE LORD CONTROLS EVEN THE LOCOMOTIVE AND THE RAILROAD TRAIN. 

A remarkable instance of how the Lord controlled circumstances for thedetention of one train, and speeded the arrival of the other, in answerto the prayer of a poor widow, who was in anxiety and distress, is thusknown to the editor of _The Watchman and Reflector_:

"Not long ago an engineer brought his train to a stand at a littleMassachusetts village, where the passengers have five minutes for lunch. A lady came along the platform and said: 'The conductor tells me thetrain at the junction in P---- leaves fifteen minutes before ourarrival. It is Saturday night, that is the last train. I have a verysick child in the car, and no money for a hotel, and none for a privateconveyance for the long, long journey into the country. What shall Ido?' 'Well, ' said the engineer, 'I wish I could tell you. ' 'Would it bepossible for you to hurry a little?' said the anxious, tearful mother. 'No, madam, I have the time-table, and the rules say I must run by it. '

She turned sorrowfully away, leaving the bronzed face of the engineerwet with tears. Presently she returned and said, 'Are you a Christian?''I trust I am, ' was the reply. 'Will you pray with me that the Lord may, in some way, delay the train at the junction?' 'Why, yes, I will praywith you, but I have not much faith. ' Just then, the conductor cried, 'All aboard. ' The poor woman hurried back to her deformed and sickchild, and away went the train, climbing the grade. 'Somehow, ' says theengineer, 'everything worked to a charm. _As I prayed, I couldn't helpletting my engine out just a little_. We hardly stopped at the firststation, people got on and off with wonderful alacrity, the conductor'slantern was in the air in half a minute, and then away again. Once overthe summit, it was dreadful easy to give her a little more, and then alittle more, as I prayed, till she seemed to shoot through the air likean arrow. Somehow I couldn't hold her, knowing I had the road, and so wedashed up to the junction six minutes ahead of time. ' There stood thetrain, and the conductor with his lantern on his arm. 'Well, ' said he, '_will you tell me what I am waiting here for? Somehow I felt I mustwait your coming to-night, but I don't know why_. ' 'I guess, ' said thebrother conductor, 'it is for this woman, with her sick and deformedchild, dreadfully anxious to get home this Saturday night. ' But the manon the engine and the grateful mother think they can tell why the trainwaited. God held it to answer their prayers. "

Think of this wonderful improbability according to naturalcircumstances. These trains never connected with each other, nor wereintended to. There was no message sent ahead to stop. There was not theslightest business reason for waiting, yet the second conductor, onarrival of the first, asks this question, "_What am I waiting for_, " andthe answer of the first is more singular, "I don't know. "

ANOTHER INSTANCE OF SUPERHUMAN CONTROL OF THE LOCOMOTIVE, IN ANSWER TOPRAYER. 

An exact parallel instance to the foregoing is given in the experienceof a correspondent of _The Christian_, which occurred in the latter partof November, 1864, while traveling with her aged father and two smallgirls:

"We started from New Hampshire on Thursday morning, expecting to haveample time to get through to Indiana before Saturday night; but, afterwe crossed the St. Lawrence River, the next day, I think, there was asmash-up on a freight train, which hindered our train about two hours. Ibegan to feel anxious, as I knew our limited means would not permit usto stop long on the way. After the cars had started again, I inquired ofthe conductor what time we should get to Toledo, fearing we should notreach there in time for the down train. _He said it would be impossibleto gain the time. _ Soon they changed conductors, and I made a similarinquiry, getting about the same answer. Still I hoped, till we reachedthe Detroit River. Here I found that, though they had put on all thesteam they dared to, they were _almost an hour behind time_, so I shouldhave to stay over till Sunday night. 

"After getting seated in the cars on the other side, I ventured to askthe conductor if we should get to Toledo in time for the down train. Hereadily said, '_No, madam, impossible! If we put on all the steam, wedare to, we shall be more than half an hour behind time. _ If we were onsome trains we might hope they would wait; but on this, _never! He isthe most exact conductor you ever saw. He was never known to wait asecond, say nothing about a minute, beyond the time. _' I then inquiredif we could not stay at the depot. He said, No; we should all freeze todeath, for the fire is out till Sunday evening. 

"A gentleman sitting in front of us said he would show us a good hotelnear by, as he was acquainted there. I thanked him, but sunk back on myseat. Covering my eyes with my hand, and raising my heart to God, Isaid, 'O, God, if thou art my Father, and I am thy child, put it intothe heart of that conductor to wait till we get there. '

"Soon I became calm, and fell asleep, not realizing that God wouldanswer my poor prayer; but, when we reached Toledo, to the astonishmentof us all, there stood the conductor, _wanting to know the reason why hehad to wait_, when our conductor told him there was a lady with hercrippled father and two little daughters, who were going down on thattrain. 

"Soon as all were out of the car, both conductors came with theirlanterns and gave their aid in helping my father to the other train, where they had reserved seats by keeping the door locked. All was hurryand confusion to me, as I had my eye on father, fearing he might fall, it being very slippery, when the baggage-master said, 'Your checks, madam!' I handed them to him, and rushed into the car; but, before I gotseated, the car started, and I had no checks for my baggage. Again myheart cried out, 'O, Thou that hearest prayer, take care of my baggage!'believing He could do that as well as make the conductor wait. In a fewmoments the conductor came to me with a face radiant with smiles, saying, '_Madam, I waited a whole half hour for you_, --_a thing I neverdid before since I was a conductor, so much as to wait one minute aftermy time_. ' He said, 'I know it was your father that I was waiting for, because there was nothing else on the train for which I could havewaited. ' I exclaimed, in a half suppressed tone, 'Praise the Lord!' Icould not help it; it gushed out. Then he said, '_At the very moment allwere on board, and I was ready to start, such a feeling came over me asI never had in my life before. I could not start_. Something kept sayingto me, _you must wait_, for there is something pending on that train youmust wait for. I waited, and here you are, all safe. ' Again my heartsaid, Praise the Lord! and he started to leave me, when I said, 'Butthere is one thing. ' 'What is it?' was his quick reply. 'I gave thebaggage-master my checks, and have none in return. ' 'What were thenumbers?' I told him. 'I have them, ' he said, handing them to me, 'butyour baggage will not be there till Monday morning. We had no time toput it on, we had waited so long. '"

ANOTHER WONDERFUL RECORD OF $25. 

_A Christian minister_, living in Northern Indiana, was in want, andknelt in prayer again and again before his Father in heaven. Hisquarterly allowance had been withheld, and want stared him in the face. Constrained by urgent need, and shut up to God for help, he pleadedrepeatedly for a supply of his temporal wants. Now see how extraordinarywas the plan of the Lord to send relief. 

"In one of the lovely homes of Massachusetts, while the snow was fallingand the winds were howling without, a lady sat on one side of thecheerful fire, knitting a little stocking for her oldest grandson, andher husband, opposite to her, was reading aloud a missionary paper, whenthe following passage arrested the attention of the lady and fasteneditself in her memory. 

"'In consequence of failure to obtain my salary when due, I have been sooppressed with care and want, as to make it painfully difficult toperform my duties as a minister. There is very little prospect, seemingly, of improvement in this respect for some time to come. What Isay of my own painfully inadequate support, is substantially true ofnearly all your missionaries in this State. You, of course, cannot beblamed for this. You are but the almoners of the churches, and can beexpected to appropriate only what they furnish. _This, however, theMaster will charge to somebody as a grievous fault;_ for it is not Hiswill that his ministers should labor unrequited. '

"This extract was without name or date. It was simply headed 'from amissionary in Northern Indiana. ' Scores of readers probably gave it onlya passing glance. Not so the lady who sat knitting by the fire and heardher husband read it. The words sank into her mind, and dwelt in herthoughts. The clause, '_This, however, the Master will charge tosomebody as a grievous fault_, ' especially seemed to follow her wherevershe went. The case, she said, haunted her. She seemed to be herself thatvery '_somebody_' who was to answer at the bar of God for the curtailedsupplies and straitened means of this humble minister. 

"Impelled by an unseen, but, as she believes, a divine presence andpower, after asking counsel and guidance of the Lord, she took twenty-five dollars which were at her own disposal, and requested her husbandto give it to the Rev. Dr. H------ for the writer of the abovecommunication, if he could devise any way to obtain the writer'saddress. 

"Doctor H------ is a prompt man, who does not let gold destined to suchan end rest in his pocket. Familiar with the various organizations ofthe benevolent societies, and only too happy to have an agency insupplying the wants of a laborer in Christ's vineyard, he soon startedthe money on its appointed errand. Early in April, the lady in her ruralhome had the happiness of receiving the following note, of which we omitnothing, save the names of persons and places:

 "'DEAR MADAM. --I have just received a draft for twenty-five dollars, as a special donation from you. This I do with profound gratitude to you for this unselfish and Christ-like deed, and to Him who put it into your heart to do it. How you, _a lady a thousand miles away, could know that I was, and had been for some time, urged by unusual need to pray for succor and worldly support with unwonted fervency, is a matter of more than curious inquiry. It is an answer to my prayer, for the Lord employs the instrumentality of his children to answer prayer, and, when it is necessary, he moves them to it. This is not the first nor second time that I have been laid under special obligation by Christian sympathy and timely aid_. May He who said, He that giveth a cup of cold water to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose his reward, repay you a thousand-fold for this favor. '

"Does not this little incident illustrate the power of prayer? The manof God, weary and heavy-laden, in his closet in Indiana, spread his casebefore the Lord. A disciple in Eastern Massachusetts, _a thousand milesaway_ from the spot where the prayer was offered, who did not knowanything about him or his need, is touched with his wants, and moved tosend him immediate aid. "

MR. SPURGEON'S COW. 

"My grandfather was a very poor minister, and kept a cow, which was avery great help in the support of his children--he had ten of them;--andthe cow took the "staggers" and died. 'What will you do now?' said mygrandmother. 'I cannot tell what we shall do now, ' said he, 'but I knowwhat God will do: God will provide for us. We must have milk for thechildren. '

"The next morning, there came £20 to him. He had never made applicationto the fund for the relief of ministers; but, on that day, there were £5left when they had divided the money, and one said, 'There is poor Mr. Spurgeon down in Essex, suppose we send it to him. ' The chairman--a Mr. Morley of his day--said, 'We had better make it £10, and I'll give £5. 'Another £5 was offered by another member, if a like amount could beraised, to make it up to £20; which was done. They knew nothing about mygrandfather's cow; but God did, you see; and there was the new cow forhim. And those gentlemen in London were not aware of the importance ofthe service which they had rendered. 

 CHARLES SPURGEON. "

"TRUST IN THE LORD. "

"A poor negro woman, after the death of her husband, had no means ofsupport for herself and two little children, except the labor of her ownhands; yet she found means out of her deep poverty to give something forthe promotion of the cause of her Redeemer, and would never fail to pay, on the very day it became due, her regular subscription to the church ofwhich she was a member. In a hard Winter she had found great difficultyin supplying the pressing needs of her little family; yet the few pencefor religious purposes had been regularly put by. 

"As one season for the contribution came round, she had only a littlecorn, a single salt herring, and a five-cent piece remaining of herlittle store. Yet she did not waver; she ground the corn, prepared herchildren's supper, and then, with a light heart and cheerfulcountenance, set out to meeting, where she gave joyfully the five cents, _the last she had in the world_. 

"Returning from the church, she passed the house of a lady to whom, along time before, she had sold a piece of pork, so long indeed that shehad entirely forgotten the circumstance. But, seeing her this morning, the lady called her in, apologized for having been so tardy in thesettlement, and then inquired how much it was. Old Sukey did not know, and the lady, determined to be on the safe side, gave her two dollars, besides directing her housekeeper to put up a basket of flour, sugar, coffee, and other luxuries for her use. Poor Sukey returned home with ajoyful heart, saying, as she displayed her treasures, "See, my children, the Lord is a good paymaster, giving us 'a hundred-fold even in thispresent life, and in the world to come life everlasting. '"

EXACTLY EIGHTY DOLLARS. --"THEY ARE SAFE THAT TRUST IN THEE. "

A clergyman somewhat advanced in years recently related to acorrespondent of _The Messenger_ an incident in his own life, which wellillustrates the provident care of our heavenly Father over his children. 

"His first church was at V----, and, though he labored diligently, working with his own hands for his support, he became eighty dollars indebt. It was a grievous burden, and all his efforts to remove it provedunavailing. One day, when he felt especially cast down, he retired topray over the matter, and on his knees he besought the Lord to aid, ashe despaired of help from any other source. He felt strengthened andhopeful when he left his closet, and entered his church on Sabbathmorning with a lighter heart than usual. As he passed the door a younglady met him, and placed in his hand _fifty dollars_, saying that_twenty_ was to go for the Sabbath-school library, and the remaining_thirty_ was for himself. He was so surprised that he scarcely trustedhis senses, and asked her not less than three times, that he might notbe mistaken. As he preached that day, God seemed 'a very present help. 'At the close of the service, a young man, noted for his free-hearted, impulsive character, stepped up and requested that he would perform amarriage ceremony for him the next week. He did so, and received for hisservices a bill, which he placed in his pocket, and, on looking at itafterwards, found it _fifty dollars_, thus making up _exactly theeighty_ he had prayed the Lord to send him. "

We too often forget that God is as willing to listen to our temporalwants as to our spiritual, and that "no good thing will He withhold fromthem that walk uprightly. "

A PRAYER FOR FOUR DOLLARS. 

A Home Missionary from Brooklyn called one day upon an editor to gathersome tracts for distribution which he had published. The editor becameinterested in the story of his visits among the poor, and though atfirst not specially moved to give money at that time, yet toward thelast, putting his hand into his pocket he pulled out all the bills therewere there, $4, and gave them to the missionary with these words: "Thereis something which may come useful. " The gift was all forgotten until afew days afterward the missionary returned and said to the editor, "After I left you I received a letter from a poor lady who had beenowing money for rent for several months, which she could not possiblypay. That very morning the landlord came and said that if she could onlyraise $4 he would excuse the rest; but she did not have the $4. I didnot know where to get it. I happened to drop in to see you; did not tellyou anything of the need, and asked for nothing; yet you gave me theexact $4 to answer that poor woman's prayer. "

An infinite Creator and God had brought these circumstances together inthis exact way. Neither the editor nor missionary had ever met before. The missionary did not know that the lady was in distress. Who was itthat sent the landlord to the lady and fixed that amount of $4 in hismind? Who was it that sent the home missionary to the office of a personhe had never seen or known? Who was it that knew of the $4 waiting inthat pocket and prompted that hand to take it out and give it away? Whowas it that led that missionary to obtain and send relief just as shewas praying for that special amount?

_Was it chance or science? No, No. It was the will of a loving God_. 

"AUNT SALLY'S" FAITH. 

"'Aunt Sally, ' says the _American Messenger_, was a devout, working, trustful Christian. Her husband was a cripple, almost helpless, anunbeliever, and to some extent an opposer of religion. They lived alone. The severity of a northern winter was upon them, and in spite of herbest exertions their stock of fuel was scarcely a day's supply. 

"'What can be done?' was the anxious inquiry of the unbelieving husbandas they were rising from their bed. 'The Lord will provide, ' was 'AuntSally's' cheerful reply. 'I know you always say so, and so it has alwaysproved, ' was the answer of her unbelieving companion; 'but I see no wayin which we can be provided for now. ' 'Nor do I, ' said 'Aunt Sally. ''But help will come. God will not desert us. '

"That winter's morning had not passed when their son, who had been asoldier in the Mexican war, entered the door. It had been long sincethey had heard from him, and they feared he was not alive. The sun wentdown upon an abundant supply of fuel, cut in the forest by the strongarms of the soldier-boy, and drawn to the door by means of hisprocuring. The unbelieving husband and father declared he would never bedistrustful again. 

GOD CARETH FOR YOU. 

"Nearly forty years ago I was given up by the doctors for a dying manfrom consumption. I had a wife and five children dependent on me, andfor many months was unable to provide for them by my own labors. All ourearthly resources were gone, and one Sabbath morning, when breakfast wasover, we were entirely destitute; there was no meal in the barrel noroil in the cruse. In family worship I read the fortieth chapter ofIsaiah. I think up to that time I had never found the word of God sosweet and precious. I had very near access in prayer, and was enabled tolay my burden at the Saviour's feet. I closed with the Lord's Prayer; itseemed made on purpose for me. I think the petition, 'Give us this dayour daily bread, ' was offered in faith. 

"_Within an hour there was a rap at the door_. When I opened it a youngman stood there who had come three miles to bring us bread, sugar, andmoney. He apologized for coming on the Sabbath morning, but said an auntof his was at their house the evening before, and felt so anxious aboutus she could not go away till he promised her he would come and bring usthose things. "

A PRAYER NOT ANSWERED. 

"Many years ago, a man then recently married, settled in my native town. It was then quite new, destitute of religious privileges, and given toall manner of wickedness. There was no Sabbath, and no sanctuary. Theman was pious. The thought of bringing up a family in such a placedistressed him. He wished to remove; and he used to retire daily to alittle grove, and _pray that God would send some one to buy his farm_. This prayer was not answered. Better things were in store. A neighborwas taken sick. He visited and conversed with him. In the midst of theconversation, one sitting by interrupted him and said, 'Sir, if what yousay is true, I am lost. ' This gave new interest to the occasion. Prayerwas offered, the Spirit was found out, and many were converted. Aprayer-meeting was started; other revivals followed; in due time achurch was organized, a house of worship built, and a pastor settled, mainly through the instrumentality of that one man; and he trained uphis family there, and lived to see most of them members of the church ofChrist. Do not despair, God will _either answer your exact prayer, _ or_do something better for you_; He knows what is for your best good. "

TRUST IN THE LORD. 

"A pious woman, who was reduced to extreme poverty and deserted by herintemperate husband, was taken sick, and lay several days withoutphysical power to provide food for her two little children. She haddirected them where to find the little that was remaining in the house, and they had eaten it all. Still she lay sick, with no means ofobtaining more, as night closed upon the hungry household. The childrensoon forgot their hunger in sleep; but not so the mother. She saw nohelp for them but in God, and she spent the night-watches in spreadingbefore him their necessities. As the morning approached her confidencein God increased, and that passage from his word rested with peculiarsweetness upon her mind, 'Trust in the Lord and do good; so shalt thoudwell in the land, and _verily thou shalt be fed_. '

"Morning came. The starving children managed by her direction to buildthem a little fire, and almost before they had commenced telling theirmother of their hunger, a stranger came in. She introduced herself asMrs. J. , saying she had known for some time that there was a new familyin the neighborhood, and intended to call and make their acquaintance, but had been prevented. _During the last night she had been so troubledand disturbed about it_, that she thought she would run in early, lestshe should again be prevented, and see if there was any way in which shecould be of service to them. The mother in bed, with her head bound tomitigate its pain, revealed the story of her sufferings, and the goodlady soon learned their entire destitution. They were immediately madecomfortable; and all will be glad to know that it was the beginning ofbetter days to that deserted wife and mother. "

THE NECESSITY OF ASKING GOD'S BLESSING EVERY DAY, UPON YOUR DAILY WORK. EVERY WORK, HOWEVER GOOD, NEEDS SPECIAL, SPECIFIC, DAILY PRAYER FOR ITSPROSPERITY. 

"A colporteur in the Wabash valley became quite discouraged and wasalmost ready to give up his work, on account of the smallness of hissales. On every side, his ears were filled with complaints of 'hardtimes;' the wheat crop had partially failed two years in succession--theCalifornia emigration, and railroad and plank-road speculations hadalmost drained the country of money. Frequently he would be told, thatif he could come after harvest they would buy his books, but that it wasimpossible to do so then. His sales were daily decreasing, and he becamemore and more disheartened, until one night, after a laborious day'seffort, he found that he had _only sold twenty-five cents' worth_! Hefelt that he could not go on in this way any longer. He was wasting hisstrength and time, and the money of the Society. On examination of thestate of his heart, he found that it had, gradually and almostunconsciously, grown cold and departed far from Christ. He felt that hehad not prayed as he ought to have done, especially _he had neglectedeach morning, and on his approach to each dwelling, to pray that thenand there God would guide him, and own and bless his efforts to sellbooks. _ He saw that probably here was at least a part of the cause whyhis sales had become so small. Early the next morning, before any of thefamily were up, he arose and retired to the adjoining woods, where hehad a long and precious season of communion with God. There he anewdedicated himself and his all to the service of Christ. There, as underthe eye of the Master, he reviewed the time he had labored as acolporteur, and prayed for forgiveness for the past and grace for thefuture. There he told the Saviour all about his work, and asked him togo with him that day, preparing the way and enabling him to succeed inthe work on which he had entered. The result was what might have beenexpected. He went forth a new man; his heart was interested more deeplyin the truths which he was circulating--they were more precious thanever to his own soul, and he could recommend his books, as he failed todo when his heart was cold and prayerless. _That first day he sold morebooks than during the whole week before. _ In one instance, he soldseveral dollars' worth in a family where, as he was afterwards told bypious men in the neighborhood, the father was most bitterly opposed toeverything connected with true religion. God had prepared that man'sheart, so that he was ready to purchase quite a library for his family. And in many families that met him that day with the usual salutation, 'no money, ' he succeeded in disposing of more than one volume by sale. As he went from family to family, lifting up his heart in prayer to Godfor success in the particular object of his visit, God heard his prayersand owned his efforts. And so, he assured me, it had been since;whenever he had been _prayerful_--_prayerful for this particularobject_, and then had diligently and faithfully done his best, he hadinvariably succeeded in doing even more than he expected. "

PRAYER FOUND THE REMEDY FOR THE DISEASE. 

"A correspondent of _The Illustrated Christian Weekly_, states that amother of her acquaintance had a child taken alarmingly ill. She sentfor the physician. The child was in convulsions. The doctor began atonce vigorously to apply the customary remedies--cold water to the head, warm applications to the feet, chafing of the hands and limbs. All wasin vain. The body lost nothing of its dreadful rigidity. Death seemedclose at hand, and absolutely inevitable. At length he left the child, and sat down by the window, looking out. He seemed, to the agonizedmother, to have abandoned her darling. For herself, she could do nothingbut pray; and even her prayer was but an inarticulate and unvoiced cryfor help. _Suddenly the physician started from his seat. 'Send and seeif there be any jimson weed in the yard_, ' he cried. His order wasobeyed; the poisonous weed was found. The remedies were instantlychanged. Enough of the seeds of this deadly weed were brought away bythe medicine to have killed a man. The physician subsequently said thathe thought that in that five minutes every kindred case he had everknown in a quarter century's practice passed before his mind. Among themwas the one case which suggested the real, but before hidden, cause ofthe protracted and dreadful convulsions. And the child was saved. 

"Now, is there anything inconsistent or unphilosophical in the beliefthat, at that critical moment, a loving God, answering the mother'sHelpless cry, flashed on the mind of the physician the thought thatsaved the child? Is it any objection to that faith to say, the age ofmiracles is past? If the mother, may call in a second physician, tosuggest the cause and the cure, may she not call on God? What the doctorcan do for a fellow-practitioner, cannot the Great Physician do? Thoughthe doctor had often tried and thought, yet it was not till the lastprayer and call on God, brought the remedy to his mind. "

PRAYER INSTANTANEOUSLY ANSWERED FOR CONVERSION. 

On the evening of the fifty-first daily prayer-meeting in Augusta, Ga. , a large gathering assembled in the St. John's M. E. Church, at which Dr. Irvine presided, and some very touching communications were read. Onewas from a widowed mother, asking thanksgiving for the salvation of heryoungest daughter, recently from a boarding-school in New York city, where she had finished her education. Some weeks ago she had sought theprayers of the daily prayer-meeting for the conversion of her preciouschild, who was spending a few weeks with some friends seventy miles fromAugusta. Prayers were offered accordingly, but without intimation of anychange. The loving mother sent in a second application or prayer to Dr. Irvine, to be read on a recent Monday morning; all this without herdaughter's knowledge. On Tuesday the mother received a letter from herdaughter, dated two o'clock on Sabbath, informing her that on that day, and at that hour, she had resolved to give her heart to Christ, intending to ask admission to the church at the next communion. Strangeto say, at the very moment when the faithful mother was writing herapplication for prayers for that child, she was announcing her ownconversion. 

What a verification of the blessed promise: "Before they call I willanswer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear. "

HELP FOR THE SHIPWRECKED. 

Admiral Sir Thomas Williams, a straight-forward and excellent man, wasin command of a ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean. His course brought himin sight of the Island of Ascension, at that time uninhabited, and_never visited by any ship_, except for the purpose of collectingturtles, which abound on the coast. The island was barely descried onthe horizon, and was not to be noticed at all; but as Sir Thomas lookedat it, he was _seized by an unaccountable desire to steer toward it_. 

He felt how strange such a wish would appear to his crew, and _tried todisregard it; but in vain_. His desire became more and more urgent anddistressing, and foreseeing that it would soon be more difficult togratify it, he told his lieutenant to prepare to "_put about ship_" andsteer for Ascension. _The officer to whom he spoke ventured torespectfully represent that changing their course would greatly delaythem_--that just at that moment the men were going to their dinner--thatat least some delay might be allowed. 

But these arguments seemed, to increase Captain Williams' anxiety, andthe ship was steered toward the uninteresting little island. All eyesand spy-glasses were now fixed upon it, and soon something was perceivedon the shore. "It is white--it is a flag--it must be a signal!" And whenthey neared the shore, it was ascertained that sixteen men, wrecked onthe coast many days before, and suffering the extremity of hunger, hadset up a signal, though almost without hope of relief. What made thecaptain steer his ship in the very opposite direction to what he and hiscrew wanted to go, but the _superhuman Spirit of God_. 

SAMUEL HARRIS'S LAWSUIT, AND HOW THE LORD SETTLED IT FOR HIM. 

"When Samuel Harris, of Virginia, began to preach, his soul was soabsorbed in the work, that he neglected to attend to the duties of thislife. Finding, upon a time, that it was absolutely necessary that heshould provide more grain for his family than he had raised upon his ownfarm, he called upon a man who owed him a debt, and told him he would beglad to receive the money. 

"The man replied: 'I have no money by me, and cannot oblige you. '

"Harris said; 'I want the money to purchase wheat for my family; and asyou have raised a good crop of wheat, I will take that of you instead ofmoney, at a current price. '

"The man answered: 'I have other uses for my wheat, and cannot let youhave it. '

"'How then, ' said Harris, 'do you intend to pay me?'

"'I never intend to pay you until you sue me, ' replied the debtor, 'andtherefore you may begin your suit as soon as you please. '

"Mr. Harris left him, meditating. Said he to himself, 'What shall I do?Must I leave preaching, and attend to a vexatious lawsuit? Perhaps athousand souls may perish in the meantime, for want of hearing of Jesus!No; I will not. Well, what will you do for yourself? Why, this will Ido; I will sue him at the Court of Heaven. ' Having resolved what hewould do, he turned aside into a wood, and on his knees laid the matterbefore the Lord. Mr. Harris felt such an evidence of Divine favor, --hefelt, to use his own expressive language, that Jesus would becomebondsman for the man, and see that he was paid if he went on preaching. Mr. Harris arose from prayer, resolved to hold the man no longer adebtor, since Jesus had assumed the payment. He therefore wrote areceipt in full of all accounts against the man, and dating it in thewoods, where he had prayed, signed it with his own name. Going the nextday by the man's house, on his way to meeting, he gave the receipt to aservant, directing him to give it to his master. On his return frommeeting, the man hailed him, and demanded what he meant by the receipthe had sent him in the morning. 

"Mr. Harris replied: 'I mean just as I wrote. '

"'But you know, sir, ' answered the debtor, 'I have never paid you. '

"'True, ' said Mr. Harris, 'and I know you said that you never wouldunless I sued you. But, sir, I sued you at the Court of Heaven, andJesus entered bail for you, and has agreed to pay me; I have thereforegiven you a discharge!'

"'But I insist upon it, ' said the man; 'matters shall not be left so. '

"'I am well satisfied, ' answered Harris. 'Jesus will not fail me. Ileave you to settle the account with him at another day. Farewell. '

"This operated so effectually on the man's conscience, that in a fewdays he _came and paid the debt_. "

A WAGON-LOAD OF FOOD. 

"A young minister and his wife were sent on to their first charge inVermont about the year 1846. On the circuit were few members, and mostof these were in poor circumstances. After a few months the minister andhis wife found themselves getting short of provisions. Finally theirlast food had been cooked, and where to look for a new supply was aquestion which demanded immediate attention. 

"The morning meal was eaten, not without anxious feelings; but thisyoung servant of the Most High had laid his all upon the altar, and hiswife also possessed much of the spirit of self-sacrifice; and they couldnot think the Saviour who had said to those he had called and sent outto preach in his name: 'Lo! I am with you always, ' would desert themamong strangers. After uniting in family prayer he sought a sanctuary inan old barn, and there committed their case to God;--his wife met herSavior in her closet and poured out her heart before him there. 

"That morning a young married farmer, a mile or two away, was going witha number of hands to his mowing-field. But as he afterward told theminister, he was obliged to stop short. He told his hired help to go on, but he _must go back_--_he must go and carry provisions to theminister's house_. He returned to the house, and telling his wife how hefelt, asked her help in putting up the things he must carry. Heharnessed his horse into his wagon; put up a bushel of potatoes, meat, flour, sugar, butter, etc. He was not a professor of religion. Theminister's wife told me there was a good wagon-load. He drove it to thehouse, and found that his gifts were most thankfully received. Thisaccount was received from the minister himself, --David P. --, who died inChelsea, Mass. , in Dec. 1875, and subsequently from his wife, --andcommunicated to a correspondent of '_The Christian_. '"

"GOD'S RAVEN. "

"A lady who lived on the north side of London, set out one day to see apoor sick friend, living in Drury Lane, and took with her a basketprovided with tea, butter, and food. The day was fine and clear when shestarted; but as she drew near Islington a thick fog came on, andsomewhat frightened her, as she was deaf, and feared it might bedangerous in the streets if she could not see. Thicker and darker thefog became; they lighted the lamps, and the omnibus went at a walkingpace. She might have got into another omnibus and returned; but a strongfeeling which she could not explain made her go on. When they reachedthe Strand they could see nothing. At last the omnibus stopped, and theconductor guided her to the foot-path. As she was groping her way along, the fog cleared up, just at the entrance to Drury Lane, and even theblue sky was seen. She now easily found the narrow court, rang thenumber 5 bell, and climbed to the fifth story. She knocked at the door, and a little girl opened it. 

"'How is grandmother?'

"'Come in, Mrs. A----, ' answered the grandmother. 'How did you get here?We have been in thick darkness all day. '

"The room was exceedingly neat, and the kettle stood boiling on a smallclear fire. Everything was in perfect order; on the table stood a littletea-tray ready for use. The sick woman was in bed, and her daughter satworking in a corner of the room. 

"'I see you are ready for tea, ' said the lady; 'I have brought somethingmore to place upon the table. '

"With clasped hands the woman breathed a few words of thanksgivingfirst, and then said, 'O, Mrs. A----, you are indeed God's raven, sentby him to bring us food to-day, for we have not tasted any yet. I feltsure he would care for us. '

"'But you have the kettle ready for tea?'

"'Yes, ma'am, ' said the daughter; 'mother would have me set it on thefire; and when I said, 'What is the use of doing so? you know we havenothing in the house, ' she still would have it, and said, 'My child, Godwill provide. Thirty years he has already provided for me, through allmy pain and helplessness, and he will not leave me to starve at last: hewill send us help, though we do not yet see how. ' In this expectationmother has been waiting all day, quite sure that some one would come andsupply our need. But we did not think of the possibility of your comingfrom such a distance on such a day. Indeed, it must be God who sent youto us. '

"'The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out ofall their troubles. '"

HOW THE STOLEN SLEIGH WAS RETURNED BY A THIEF. 

The widow of a minister of the Gospel sends to "_The Christian_" thefollowing instance illustrating God's faithfulness in hearing andanswering prayer:

"About the year 1829, my husband, who died January 2d, 1854, lent hissleigh and harness to a man calling himself John Cotton, to go sometwenty miles and be gone three days. Cotton was quite a stranger amongus, having been in our place but six weeks. During that time he hadboarded with my husband's brother, working for him a part of the time, and the rest of the time selling wooden clocks, of which he had bought anumber. Three days passed, but he did not return. The fourth went by, and we began to think he had absconded. On inquiry, Mr. P. Found thatthe clocks had been purchased on credit, and all sold for watches ormoney; that Cotton owed sixty dollars toward his horse, and had borrowedof the brother with whom he boarded, horse-blanket, whip, and mittens. Now it seemed sure that he was a rogue, but what could be done? Pursuitwas useless after such a lapse of time. 

"My husband felt his loss severely, for we had little property then, andwhat we had was the product of hard labor. But he was a Christian, and, I believe, always made his business a subject of prayer. 

"About three weeks passed away. One evening, having been out longer thanusual, he came in, and, with his characteristic calmness, said: 'I shallnot worry any more about my sleigh and harness, I think I shall get themagain. ' 'Why do you think so?' His answer was: 'I have been praying toGod to arrest Cotton's conscience, so that he will be obliged to _leavethem where I can get them_, and I believe he will do it. '

"From this time, which was Wednesday evening, he seemed at rest on thesubject. The next Tuesday morning, as he stepped into the post-office, aletter was handed him from Littleton, N. H. It was written by the keeperof a public house, and read thus:

 "'_Mr. P. --Sir, Mr. John Cotton has left your sleigh and harness here, and you can have them by calling for them_. 

 Yours, etc. , J--N N----N. '

"He returned home with the letter, and started for L----; went there thesame day, some forty miles; found sleigh and harness safe, with noencumbrance. The landlord informed him that, a few nights before, attwelve o'clock, a man calling himself John Cotton came to his house, calling for horse-baiting and supper; would not stay till morning, butwished to leave the sleigh and harness for Mr. S. --- P. --- ofMarshfield, Vt. He said he could not write himself; and requested thelandlord to write for him, saying he took them on a poor debt for Mr. P. , in one of the towns below! He started off at two o'clock at night, on horseback, with an old pair of saddle-bags and a horse blanket, on asaddle with one stirrup and no crupper, on one of the coldest nights ofthat or any other year. He took the road leading through the Notch inthe mountains, left nothing for either of those he owed, and we havenever since heard from him. "

"NONE OF THE LORD'S CHILDREN LEFT DESOLATE. "

"_The Christian Era_ tells of a Dutch preacher who held a meeting oneevening in a strange city. While he was preaching, and enforcing uponthe hearts of his hearers the doctrine of the Cross, a police officercame into the room and forbade him to go on. He even commanded him toleave the city. As he was a stranger in the place, and the night wasdark, he wandered around the city gates. He was not, however, withoutconsolation; for he remembered Him who had said, 'Lo, I am with youalways. I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thystaff, they comfort me. '

"He had long been in the school of Christ, and had learned to watch forthe slightest intimations of His will. While he was thus wanderingaround, suddenly he saw a light in the distance. 'See, ' he said tohimself, 'perhaps the Lord has provided me a shelter there, ' and, in thesimplicity of faith, he directed his steps thither. On arriving, heheard a voice in the house; and, as he drew nearer, he discovered that aman was praying. Joyful, he hoped, that he had found here the home of abrother. He stood still for a moment, and heard these words, pouredforth from an earnest heart: 'Lord Jesus, one of thy persecuted servantsmay, perhaps, be wandering, at this moment, in a strange place of whichhe knows nothing. O, may he find my home, that he may receive here foodand lodging. '

"The preacher, having heard these words, glided into the house, as soonas the speaker said, 'Amen. ' Both fell on their knees, and togetherthanked the Lord, who is a hearer of prayer, and who never leaves norforsakes His servants. "

THE NEW COAT THAT FITTED EXACTLY. 

"A few years since, a young preacher in the State of Massachusetts, whowas laboring in a field which yielded no great pecuniary returns, hadlaid aside the sum of fifteen dollars from his scanty income, with whichto purchase himself a coat, of which he stood in need. Before he hadtime to obtain it, there was presented to him a certain charitableobject which seemed to demand a portion of his little store. After someconsideration as to whether it was his duty to give as much as the tendollars, which first presented itself to his mind as the proper sum tobestow, he concluded to follow his convictions, and thus assist one whowas more needy than himself, and trust in the Lord to provide the coat. 

"Within two or three days afterwards, he was visiting at the house ofhis mother, in another town, and she, as mothers will, noticed that hiscoat had arrived at that condition which usually affords the preacher ofthe Gospel evidence that he is shortly to have a new one, and she madesome remarks about its worn appearance, saying, 'It seems to me you needa new coat. ' 'I know it, ' he replied, 'and I shall get me one as soon asI get the means. ' She said, 'There is a coat up stairs which yourbrother had made for him not over two weeks ago, which he never has wornbut once, because it was _made too small_, and he said that you mighthave it, if you wanted it. '

"The coat was accordingly brought down and tried on, and it fittedexactly. The young man gladly accepted the coat, wondering a little atthe wisdom of the Lord in clothing him at the expense of his brother, who was not particularly interested in the Lord's work, and who was somuch larger than he was, that nothing short of the wisdom of Providencecould have made a coat that was measured for one of them ever to fit theother. "

This was the return that God made to him for his sacrifice to the Lord. _Never withhold from the Lord_. 

PRAYING TO STOP THE WIND AND THE SAILING OF A VESSEL. 

The late aged and venerable Rev. Dr. Cleaveland, of Boston, relates thefollowing incident:

"In a revival of religion in the church of which he was pastor, he wasvisited one morning by a member of his church, a widow, whose only sonwas a sailor. With a voice trembling with emotion, she said, 'DoctorCleaveland, I have called to entreat you to join me in praying _that thewind may change_. ' He looked at her in silent amazement. 'Yes, ' sheexclaimed, earnestly, 'my son has gone on board his vessel; they sailto-night, unless the wind changes. ' 'Well, madam, ' replied the doctor, 'I will pray that your son may be converted on this voyage; but to praythat God would alter the laws of His universe on his account, I fear ispresumptuous. ' 'Doctor, ' she replied, 'my heart tells me differently. God's Spirit is _here_. Souls are being converted here. You have ameeting this evening, and, if the wind would change, John would stay andgo to it; and, I believe, if he went he would be converted. Now, if youcannot join me, I must pray alone, for he must stay. ' 'I will pray forhis conversion, ' said the doctor. 

"On his way to the meeting, he glanced at the weather-vane, and, to hissurprise, _the wind had changed_, and it was blowing landward. Onentering his crowded vestry, he soon observed John, sitting upon thefront seat. The young man seemed to drink in every word, rose to beprayed for, and attended the inquiry meeting. When he sailed from port, the mother's prayers had been answered; he went a Christian. The pastorhad learned a lesson he never forgot. The Lord had said, 'O, woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee, even as thou wilt. ' God answeredthat prayer because the mother was seeking to advance His own kingdom. God always hears a prayer that will in any way bring a soul to theLord. "

INSANITY CURED AND SUICIDE PREVENTED. 

"_Augusta Moore_, writes _The Christian_, of a young lady called home bythe illness of her widowed mother, who died before she could reach her. This alone was a terrible shock to the delicate daughter, who, havingbeen reared in luxury, was ill-fitted for firm endurance of calamity. But, when it became known that a relative, in whom she had placedconfidence, had managed, in ways that need not be explained, to defraudher out of her inheritance, her mind gave way and _she became insane_. 

"For years, her distressed husband strove in every way to restore herreason, but she seemed rather to become worse, and showed signs ofintentions to commit suicide; and her family and friends lived in awretched state of apprehension. In spite of the most faithfulwatchfulness, she twice succeeded in securing the means forself-destruction, but something prevented her from accomplishing herdesign. At last, it occurred to a friend to present this woman's case inthe prayer-meeting, to the Lord, and earnest prayer was offered for herrestoration. 

"No immediate result appeared; but the friends _persevered_. During theWinter, a revival of religion occurred in the town where she dwelt, and, with much difficulty, the insane woman, who declared that she wasutterly and finally forsaken by God, was prevailed upon to attend themeetings. They began immediately to have a good effect upon her. Shecould sleep better; she grew more cheerful, and, in a short time, herreason returned to her. A happier, or more grateful woman than she nowis, no mortal eyes ever beheld, and she affords one more instance of theLord's willingness to hear and answer fervent prayer. "

ANSWERS TO PRAYER. 

Dr. Newman Hall, minister of Surrey Chapel, London, gives the followinginstances of answers to prayer from his own experience:

"The writer's brother, when superintendent of a Sunday School, felt astrong impulse, one Saturday evening, to call on a member of hisBible-class, whom he had never visited before, and to inquire if he wasin any need. He found him very ill. Though the mother and sister seemedin comfortable circumstances, he felt constrained to inquire if he couldaid them in any way. They burst into tears, and said that the young manhad been asking for food which they had no power to supply, and that, onMonday, some of their goods were to be taken in default of the paymentof rates. When he knocked at the door _they were on their knees inprayer for help to be sent them_. By the aid of a few friends, thedifficulty was at once met--but the timely succor was felt to be thedivine response to prayer. 

"With that brother, the writer was once climbing the Cima di Jazzi, oneof the mountains in the chain of Monte Rosa. When nearly at the top, they entered a dense fog. Presently, the guides faced right about, andgrounded their axes on the frozen snow-slope. The brother--seeing theslope still beyond, and not knowing it was merely the cornice, overhanging a precipice of several thousand feet--rushed onward. Thewriter will never forget their cry of agonized warning. His brotherstood a moment on the very summit, and then, the snow yielding, began tofall through. One of the guides, at great risk, rushed after him andseized him by the coat. This tore away, leaving only three inches ofcloth, by which he was dragged back. It seemed impossible to be nearerdeath, and yet escape. On his return home, an invalid member of hiscongregation told him that she had been much in prayer for his safety, and mentioned a special time when she particularly was earnest, as ifimploring deliverance from some great peril. _The times corresponded!_Was not that prayer instrumental in preserving that life?"

BISHOP SIMPSON'S RECOVERY. 

Bishop Bowman gives the following instance from his own experience:

"In the Fall of 1858, whilst visiting Indiana, I was at an annualconference where Bishop Janes presided. We received a telegram thatBishop Simpson was dying. Said Bishop Janes, 'Let us spend a fewmoment's in earnest prayer for the recovery of Bishop Simpson. ' Wekneeled to pray. William Taylor, the great California street preacher, was called to pray, and such a prayer I never heard since. Theimpression seized upon me irresistibly, _Bishop Simpson will not die_. Irose from my knees perfectly quiet. Said I, 'Bishop Simpson will notdie. ' 'Why do you think so?' Because I have had an _irresistibleimpression_ made upon my mind during this prayer. ' Another said, '_Ihave the same impression_. ' We passed it along from bench to bench, until we found that a very large proportion of the conference had thesame impression. I made a minute of the time of day, and when I next sawSimpson, he was attending to his daily labor. I inquired of the Bishop, 'How did you recover from your sickness?' He replied, '_I cannot tell_. ''What did your physician say?' '_He said it was a miracle_. ' I then saidto the Bishop, 'Give me the time and circumstances under which thechange occurred. ' He fixed upon the day, and _the very hour_, makingallowance for the distance--a thousand miles away--that the preacherswere engaged in prayer at this conference. The physician left his roomand said to his wife, '_It is useless to do anything further; the Bishopmust die_. ' In about an hour, he returned and started back, inquiring, '_What have you done?' 'Nothing, '_ was the reply. 'He is recoveringrapidly, ' said the physician; '_a change has occurred in the diseasewithin the last hour beyond anything I have ever seen; the crisis ispast, and the Bishop will recover_. ' And he did. "

The doctor was puzzled; it was beyond all the course and probabilitiesof nature and the laws of science. What was it that made those ministersso sure--what was it that made the patient recover, at the exact hourthat they prayed? There is only one answer, "_The ever living Power of aSuperior Spirit which rules the world_. "

THE SEVEN LETTERS. 

The following incident is given by "_The Presbyterian_, " on theauthority of a private letter from Paris:

"At a Bible reunion, held at the house of an English Congregationalistminister, where several colporteurs, teachers and others meet fordevotional reading and conversation, a brief anecdote was related by aclergyman living in La Force, who established there an institution forepileptics, where he has now three hundred, supported entirely on theprinciple of faith, like Muller's orphanage. 

"At one time, he found himself in debt to the amount of five hundredpounds. After a sleepless, anxious night, he found, on his table, sevenletters. Opening five, he found them to be all applications, some ofthem most painful in their details, for the admission of new inmates. His excited mind could not bear it. Without opening the other twoletters he threw them to his wife. 'Put them into the fire, ' he said, and turned to seek relief in the open air. 'John, ' said a sweet voice, 'this won't do. Come back. ' So he did, taking up the sixth letter, whichproved to be from a stranger, enclosing a check for three hundredpounds. The other envelope gave him just what was needed, just that andno more. He thanked God, and took courage. Will he ever again hear thesweet, sad voice, 'Wherefore didst thou doubt?'"

THE LORD DID NOT FORGET THE POTATOES. 

"A correspondent of _Arthur's Magazine_ tells of a poor woman who hadbeen washing for us, who said: 'Seems as if the Lord took very directways to reach people's feelings sometimes. Now, I was astonished once inmy life. I lived away out West, on the prairie, I and my four children, and I couldn't get much work to do, and our little stock of provisionskept getting lower and lower. One night, we sat hovering over our fire, and I was gloomy enough. There was about a pint of corn-meal in thehouse, and that was all. I said, 'Well, children, may be the Lord willprovide something. ' '_I do hope it will be a good mess of potatoes_, 'said cheery little Nell; 'seems to me _I never was so hungry for tatersbefore_. ' After they were all asleep, I lay there tossing over my hardbed, and wondering what I would do next. All at once, the sweetest peaceand rest came over me, and I sank into such a good sleep. Next morning, I was planning that I would make the tinfull of meal into mush, and fryit in a greasy frying-pan, in which our last meat had been fried. As Iopened the door to go down to the brook to wash, I saw something new. _There, on the bench, beside the door, stood two wooden pails and asack. One pail was full of meat, the other full of potatoes, and thesack filled with flour_. I brought my hands together in my joy, and justhurrahed for the children to come. Little dears! They didn't think oftrousers and frocks then, but came out all of a flutter, like a flock ofquails. Their joy was supreme. They knew the Lord had sent some, of hisangels with the sack and pails. Oh, it was such a precious gift! _Iwashed the empty pails, and put the empty sack in one of them, and, atnight, I stood them on the bench where I had found them, and, the nextmorning, they were gone_. I tried and tried to find out who hadbefriended us, but I never could. The Lord never seemed so far off afterthat time, ' said the poor woman, looking down with tearful eyes. "

THE PRAYER IN THE WOODS. 

A friend relates the following incident, as received from the lips of apoor afflicted, crippled orphan boy, whose own experience is a practicalillustration of the words: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. " Ps. Xxvii 10. 

"Out of many instances of answered prayer I will tell the following one:In August, 1874, I wished to go to Lowell, a distance of some thirtymiles, or more. I had no money, and did not know how to get there. Iasked the station-agent and the conductor, but each refused, saying itwould not be consistent with their duty. Knowing of no human help, Ileft the depot and went into the woods, some ways from the station, where I could be alone, and tell that Friend who is able to provide, andwho is rich unto all that call upon Him. I knelt down beside the stumpof a tree and prayed, and told the Lord all about it, and asked Himeither to give me money, or provide some way that I could go where Idesired. I felt that the Lord heard and answered me, and filled my soulwith praise and joy. The language of my heart was, 'Bless the Lord. '

"As I turned and was going out of the woods, I heard a voice saying, 'Halloo. ' As I had seen no one, and knew not that any human being wasnear, I was surprised at this greeting. 'Halloo!' said the stranger, ' Inever heard such a prayer in my life. Why did you go and pray?' I toldhim that I felt heavy, burdened, and I took the burden to the Lord. Hesaid, 'I heard you pray--you want money, do you? The Lord has opened theway; here is five dollars. It is the best way to go to the Lord, andtrust Him to open the way. Go and use the money. ' I thanked him, and Ithanked the Lord, and went oh my way rejoicing in Him whose promise is, 'My God shall supply all your needs, ' and who himself had heard andanswered my request. "

THE LORD CAN DO IT. 

"In one of the mountainous towns--says _The Christian_--in the north-western part of Connecticut, there lived, some time since, an agedcouple who had seen some eighty years of earthly pilgrimage, and who, intheir declining days, enjoyed the care of a son and daughter, whoresided with them at their home. 

"In process of time, the son became sick, and drew nigh the gates ofdeath. The doctor pronounced him incurable, saying that one lung wasconsumed, and that he could live but a short time. 

"The fear of her brother's death, and the thoughts of being left aloneto bear the responsibility of the aged parents' care, burdened thesister's heart exceedingly, and led her to cry mightily to the Lord, tointerpose for his recovery, and spare him still to them; and herimportunate supplications ascended to God, until the answer came to herheart as a sacred whisper, --'I have heard thy cry, and have come down todeliver thee. '

"Comforted by this sweet assurance, she rejoiced exceedingly, knowingthat what our Heavenly Father promises he is abundantly able to perform, and that He will fulfill his word, though heaven and earth shall passaway. But her faith was destined to be tried, and, on the very day aftershe had obtained the assurance of her brother's recovery, in came someone, saying, 'The doctor says S---- can live but a little time. ' For aninstant, these words were like a dagger to the sister's heart, but shestill held fast her confidence, and replied: 'If _men_ can't cure him, the _Lord_ can. '

"From that very moment, the brother began to amend. On the next day, when the physician came, he looked at him, commenced examining hissymptoms, and exclaimed in astonishment: 'What have you been doing? Youare evidently better, and I don't know but you will get up, after all. '

"His recovery was so rapid, that in two weeks' time he was out about hiscustomary duties on the farm; and that in weather so damp and foggy thatit would have kept some stronger men in-doors. But he was well; theprayer of faith was answered, and it had saved the sick. "

ANSWER TO PRAYER IN ALL THE LITTLE TEMPORAL ANXIETIES OF LIFE

The question having been asked, "Does God answer Prayer, in even all thelittle anxieties and cares of daily life. " _The Illustrated ChristianWeekly_, called in 1876, for testimonies of the surety of God infulfilling his promise, and giving answer in little things as well asgreat things. Many, even good Christians have believed that they shouldnot pray for anything for themselves, but only for those things whichwere to be used for God's work. The following instances show that thosewho are devoted to God's good work and helping in his service can askfor anything needed for their personal comfort, and expect the Lord togrant them. In truth the Lord _has commanded_ all his disciples, "_Askand receive, that your joy may be full. " "Anything that ye shall ask inmy name, I will do it_. "

BREAD TO THE HUNGRY. 

"God was pleased to deprive me totally of my hearing in early boyhood. By the late war I lost all of my earthly possessions. I have a wife andfamily totally dependent on me for a support. A man employed to attendto my little manufacturing business as manager, by imprudent management, deprived me of every earthly dependence for a support. I had no refugebut God. This feeling was intense beyond expression--God was my onlyhope. I laid my case before him. Then this came to me, 'Seek first thekingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall beadded unto you. ' 'Now, ' I said, 'I am deeply conscious that I and mywife seek and desire the kingdom of God above all things; God then willgive us temporal help. ' Then a feeling came over me, a feeling ofwaiting upon God. It was sweet waiting. I was at rest. I had thoughtfrequently if I could get _two hundred dollars_ I could start my littlebusiness again. While thus trusting, and waiting, and praying, a packagewas handed to me by the express-agent containing $200 from a stranger ina distant county, against whom I held an old note dated 1856; and formany years I had forgotten the note, and would have taken twenty-fivecents for it any time. The man was bankrupt, and did not fear the Lord, nor know anything of my situation in life. He was under no legalobligation to pay the note. "

NO "IFS. "

"A number of years ago I went West to better my condition.... After alittle time I went into business of my own, had but little capital, andmy good name to be punctual in paying for what I bought on credit was ofgreat importance to me. I had promised to pay on a certain day a note ofabout $60. I thought I was sure to get the money, but was disappointed;I went to the Lord for help, not knowing how he could send me the money, but convinced that he was able to do it. At about noon the same day aman inquired for me. I knew him by sight; he had the name of being ahard man, took all the interest he could get, and never put any moneyout without security. He had not the note, but he asked me if I wantedto hire any money; if so he had _sixty dollars_ he would like to let mehave. The man took my note and never did ask for any security. 

"At another time, being away from home some 2, 000 miles, was at thehouse of an uncle; same evening I received a letter from my wife thatthe children were very sick and but little hope of recovery. The letterhad been written for over a week. I communicated the contents of theletter to my aunt; went up in my room and prayed the Lord to be theirphysician. I felt so sure that my prayer would be answered that I couldnot help singing; when they heard me they thought what a cold-heartedman I must be to sing if the children were dying at home. _But from, that day the children did get better, and in a short time were out ofdanger_. 

"In my younger years I had a good many ifs, but those are all gone; Iknow that the Lord has the means at his command to answer all my prayersif I come believing, asking in the name of Christ. "

THE HORSE IS HIS. 

"The writer was preaching Sundays at a little country church, about 70miles by rail from the institution where he attended. He went Saturday, returning on Monday. One Saturday the train ran off the track. All daylong they worked at the wreck. At last, finding it too late to makeconnection with the other railroad, he took the down train back to theinstitution. What should be done? A promise to preach forty miles acrossthe country had been made. There was also an appointment six milesbeyond for an afternoon service. It was now night. To drive across thecountry was the only way open, or stay at home. Two disappointedcongregations the result in the latter case. But the roads were heavyfrom recent rains. 'Twill be so late that none can direct. Friends said, 'Stay; you can't go forty miles across, to you, an unknown country. ' Butthe writer felt it duty to go. Hiring a horse noted for endurance, atnine o'clock at night--dark, threatening--he set out. As he headed thehorse in the direction of the village--for he could find none who couldtell him the exact road--he prayed: 'O God, starting out to preach thyword to-morrow, direct the way--guide this horse. ' The night wore on; ascross-roads came, dropping the lines over the dashboard, the same prayerwas offered. When the horse chose a road, the driver urged him on. Asday began to break, emerging from some wood in an unfrequented road, they entered the village they sought. The sermon that morning was fromthe text, 'Son, go work to-day in my vineyard. ' The largest congregationof the Summer had gathered. It will not do to say that the horse knewthe road. Returning in broad daylight the next day, though directed anddirected again, we lost the way and went seven miles out of our course. A scientist might laugh at this way of driving, or at asking God toguide in such trivial matters. But we shall still believe that God ledthe horse and blessed us in our attempt to serve him. "

ALL OUR NEEDS. 

"About eight years ago, while a Student in college, I became embarrassedfor want of funds. Debts began to accumulate. Anticipating money fromusual sources, promises had been made to pay at a certain date. 

"The time to make these payments approached. The anticipated money didnot come. A student in debt is most dependent and hopeless. In greatdistress, locking the study-door, I sat down to think. First camevisions of an auction sale of a few books and scanty furniture; then ofnotes and protests; finally the promises of God came into mind. I knewhe had promised to supply my wants. 'All things whatsoever ye have needof, ' came home in great power. I am needy, I have given up business, all, to preach the gospel. I remember as 'twere yesterday the feelings, the struggles, of that hour. With all earnestness I asked for help in myhour of distress. At last I felt confident that the aid needed wouldcome in time, Saturday; this was Monday. I thanked God for the answer--and being questioned by a needy creditor of that afternoon, assured himthat his money would be ready. 

"Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday passed--no sign, but faith said God willnot fail. Friday morning--heart beat fast as I went to thepost-office--it seemed as if through its agency the help would come. Nothing. But it must be here to-day. Returning from the office Fridayevening, wondering how God would send deliverance, I saw on my table along official envelope. A classmate preceding me at the office hadbrought it. A letter from a gentleman in Wall street whom I have neverseen. On Monday, he casually asked of a tea-broker, an acquaintance, ifhe knew of any one in H----. The broker mentioned, after a littlethought, my name. 

"The letter contained a request for service of a peculiar sort, connected with some legal matters, contained money and promise of more. _Over three times the sum I asked God for was finally given. More thanenough for a term's expenses_. 

"I never mentioned the matter of my need at that time to a human being, nor spoke of the prayer. I have always thanked God for that, and am surehe provides for me in accordance with his promise. "

HE HEALETH THE SICK. 

"The wife of Deacon W. Was sinking rapidly with pneumonia. Friends gaveup all hope of her recovery, and even the hopeful physician felt that hewas hoping against hope. In his despair the husband bore the casedirectly to God; he sought the prayers of his minister and of thechurch; and he asked all Christians to pray that the mother of hislittle children might be spared. She lingered between life and death forseveral days, when unexpectedly to many, she began to gain strength, andin due season was about again. This was several years ago, and she hasbeen an active worker in the church and Sunday-school ever since. "

A POWERFUL DREAM. 

"My father, a minister of the gospel, was prostrated by sickness. Alarge family of little ones was dependent upon him for support. Fundsran low. One evening my mother remarked that she had broken the lastdollar. My father lay awake most of the night, praying to his God forhelp in this emergency. That same night a man in a parish not many milesdistant was much impressed by a dream. He dreamed that a minister whopreached in his church not long before, was sick and in want. He knewneither his name nor his place of residence. He arose at the first dawnof day, and going to his own pastor inquired the name and address of thestranger who had recently preached for them. These obtained, he mountedhis horse, and knocked at our door just as my mother drew up thewindow-shades. She answered the knock, when, without a word, a strangerplaced an envelope in her hand and immediately rode away. The envelopecontained a ten-dollar bill, which we all believed was the Lord's answerto our father's prayer. Afterwards these facts were disclosed by thepastor to him whom the Lord chose to disperse his bounty. "

ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE. 

"In 1874, through Providence, I became sore pressed to provide formyself and family; two of my children had just begun to learn to read. Iwas desirous to procure for them the 'N. ---, ' (a children's journal, )but I could not see how I was to pay for it and meet other obligations. So I carried it to our Father in heaven, asking if it was best andaccording to his will my children should get the 'N. ---. ' In about tendays afterward I received a note from a lady friend, with whom I or noneof our family had had any communication for weeks, and in that note sheadvised us that her little daughter, the same age as our second, hadsent as a Christmas gift a subscription for the 'N. ---, ' to be sent toour Mary's address. 'If ye abide in me, and my words in you, ye shallask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. '"

CASTING ALL YOUR CARE ON HIM. 

"Once, soon after the death of my husband and the loss of all his largeproperty, I had a bill of _fifty dollars_ to pay, and was notified twoweeks beforehand that not a day's grace would be given. Besides what Iwas earning by my pen, I had due me, in a neighboring city, just theamount I should need--the income on my only remaining piece of realestate; and, as my tenant was always prompt, I wrote to him where tosend me the money, and gave the subject no farther thought. But, whenthe time for his response was already past, and I heard nothing from mydebts, and but a few days to the time of my own need yet remained, Ifelt anxious and sought divine direction as to the course I ought topursue. Rising from my knees, I took up my Bible, and the very firstwords my eyes rested upon, were these: 'Casting all your care upon Him, for he careth for you. ' All anxiety from that hour left me; but I feltimpelled to apply to a certain editor for the payment of _twentydollars_ he owed me, and I felt sure the other thirty would come fromsomewhere. 

"So the days passed until the morning of the day upon which I should becalled on for the fifty dollars, and _still I had not a single dollar_on hand to meet the claim. At ten o'clock my creditor came, but half anhour before him the postman had put into my hand a letter containing acheck for _fifty dollars_, the exact amount I needed. It had come fromthe editor to whom I had applied for twenty dollars, and lo! he had sentme fifty. The thirty advanced he said I could give him credit for on mynext MS. He did not know my need, but God did, and thus He had answeredmy prayer. "

IN EVERYTHING MAKE KNOWN YOUR WANTS. 

"Six years ago, on the low country of South Carolina, a friend asked meto go with him to a camp-meeting. I was delighted with the idea, for, inmy estimation, a good camp-meeting comes nearer heaven than any otherplace on earth. 

"Just three days before we were to go, an unexpected circumstanceconnected with his business, made it impossible for him to leave. It waswith real heartfelt sorrow I heard of it. The day before we were to havestarted, as I saw another member of the family, who was going with afriend, packing her trunk, it seemed to me I could not bear it. Icarried my trouble to my dear heavenly Father, begging him to send me away to go. 

"I rose from my knees with the sweet assurance in my heart my prayer washeard--packed my trunk and waited patiently. When night came and the mencame home, in the place of the expected buggy came a small spring-wagon, and a seat for me. What may seem more remarkable, the change betweenbuggy and spring-wagon was made ten miles away, while I was praying. 

"I believe I enjoyed the meeting more for the feeling of thankfulnessthat pervaded my whole being while there. "

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN. 

"Nearly five years ago, after a decline of almost two years, I wasbrought very near to the grave. Medical aid availed nothing. I wasfearfully emaciated, and my death was daily expected. A devoted motherand a sister, who had watched over me tenderly during my long illness, were completely exhausted. 

"I determined to apply to the Great Physician, as directed in James5:14. As I united with others in prayer, unconsciously I uttered thesewords, 'I shall yet praise Thee in the great congregation. ' All presentfelt assured that it was the will of God to restore me to health. Appearances were against me; for some time I could sleep but verylittle, and there was no perceptible gain. But trusting in the surepromise, the next Sabbath I rode a short distance to church, and, as Ithus ventured out little by little, my strength gradually returned. Afew months later, my mother, who through disease had been in a state ofdespair for some years, was enabled again to hope in God's mercy. "

SHALL SAVE THE SICK. 

"I was desperately ill. My physicians had done all in their power, without success--and yet I lived! For my father's sake, the hearts ofhundreds waited the issue, and prayed for me! For his sake, the bells inthe neighborhood were tied--the criers did not come within sound of thehouse--nor was the sound of wheels heard upon the street. There was adeath-like stillness without and within. 

"The physicians sat with folded hands and wept, because the blow seemedtoo heavy for my father to bear--the thought that I was going to diewithout any assurance that I trusted in my Saviour!

"'It cannot be, ' he said, 'I will wrestle with my God until He hearsme!' Sunday came. In almost every church a special prayer was offeredfor my recovery. After morning service, a band of devoted women met, andoffered fervent prayers that God would spare my life. Evening came--theweary doctors went home, leaving the last sacred moments to my parents. Early next morning they came again, and exclaimed, as they entered theroom, 'She is better! Prayer has saved her!' I still live, 'a sparedmonument of God's mercy. '"

ALL-SUFFICIENT FOR ALL NEED. 

"I am a mother of seven children. By the help of our Father in heaven, we have all of us gone regularly to church and Sunday-school. We arepoor; and at length the time came we were not clothed so we couldcomfortably go to church. I earnestly asked our Father to show me, within a week, which was right for us to do: to go in debt for clothes, or stay at home. Within that week, I received a large package ofready-made clothing. The clothing came from a source I never thought ofreceiving anything from. "

A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. 

"At one time, during a season of adversity, there was urgent occasionfor a certain sum beyond the income of the family, and there was no wayof borrowing it. I took the matter to the Lord in prayer, asking Him, ifthe money were really needed, as it appeared to be, to send it, and, ifit were not, to remove the distressing circumstances. The answer came ina sum five times the amount asked for, and in a manner totallyunexpected. "

 * * * * *

"At another time, the mother of the family was very ill, and, whenapparently near death, the physicians had ordered a remedy which was tobe constantly employed, as her life, so far as they could judge, depended on its use. One night, her symptoms became so alarming as tocompel the writer (who had charge of the nursing) to use this remedymore freely than ever, and, about midnight the supply was exhausted. There was no possibility of obtaining any more before morning, and therest of that night, while attending to the other directions of thedoctors, I spent in one earnest, agonizing prayer that God would sooverrule natural causes that death would not occur in consequence ofwhat I felt to be my own culpable carelessness in not having provided alarger quantity of an article so necessary. In His great mercy, Hegranted the prayer, the dangerous symptoms did not increase during theseven or eight hours that intervened before the remedy could beprocured. One proof that it was a special mercy, is found in the factthat there was no other such standing still of the disease, eitherbefore this or afterward. And the doctors were astonished when they sawthat the disease had made no progress, under conditions that renderedthat progress inevitable in the usual law of cause and effect. And when, on her final recovery, Doctor Parker told her that she owed her life tothe good care I had taken of her, my thoughts went back to the longhours of that night of anguish, and I said, 'It was the Lord that tookcare of her. ' 'I meant your care, under Providence, ' was the reply. "

HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS

"I am a teacher by profession, and, a few years ago, I found myselfplaced in a school whose every surrounding was utterly repugnant to mytastes, and to all my ideas of right and wrong and what good teachingshould be. At first, I kept hoping that things would grow better, andthat I should, at least, be able to have some influence on the modes ofteaching; but I soon found that everything connected with theestablishment was directed by the iron will of an unscrupulous andtyrannical woman, whose laws were as irrevocable as those of the Medesand Persians. I at once decided I could not stay there long, but I hadno other position in view, and it was not easy to secure one in themiddle of the term. As usual, I made it a subject of prayer, and theresult was that, in a short time, I was most unexpectedly, and withoutthe least solicitation on my part, offered a much better position, inevery respect, which, of course, I was only too thankful to accept. Thatis only one instance, out of thousands I could name, where God has heardand answered my prayers, and I believe He will do so to the end. "

HOW THE LORD IS CONSTANTLY CARING FOR HIS TRUSTING POOR. 

A city missionary recently found, in this city on the streets, a refinedEnglishwoman with her children, who had been turned out of her home fornon-payment of rent. With the aid of a few friends he installed her in anew domicile, and procured work for her. From time to time he visitedher, and rejoiced with her that God had sent him to her in the hour ofextremity. At length, pressure of business kept him away for some time, until, one evening, he started out to look up a few dollars owing him, in order to procure some delicacies for a sick wife. One dollar was allhe could procure, and with that in his pocket he was returning homeward, when he became so impressed with the idea that he should visit theEnglishwoman that he turned aside and did so. He found her in tears, andasking the cause, heard the sorrowful tale of no work, no food in thehouse for to-morrow, which was Sunday. He was in doubt whether to giveher the dollar and suffer his sick wife to go without somethingpalatable, but in a moment, "Blessed is he that considereth the poor;the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble, " presented itself to hismind, and--the dollar dried the widow's tears. 

Upon reaching his home he found a lady had called on his wife andbrought with her three or four kinds of jellies, fruit, home-madebiscuit, various relishing things; three times more than the dollarwould have purchased. 

The same gentleman, while calling on a poor family one day, discovered alittle house in the rear, which he visited, finding a neat, cleanlyroom, occupied by an old lady, crippled with rheumatism. He found shehad no one in the world but a sister, a monthly nurse, to care for her. When first setting out on his tour that morning, the missionary hadfifty cents given him by a gentleman, who expressed the hope that "itmight do some good during the day. " Although a number of visits had beenmade, he had not felt called upon to bestow it until then, nor could hetell why he should want to put it in the old lady's hand at parting, buthe did so. 

She was too much overcome by her emotions to speak, but she took hishand and led him to a little table, on which lay a Bible, opened at thepassage, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give ityou. " She said, "Please tell me if any one sent you here?" "No. " "Didyou ever hear that I lived here?" "I did not. " "Then the Lord sent youin answer to my prayer this morning. For the first time in my life, I amwithout food. My sister was to have come home yesterday, but has not. Iwas just asking the Lord to provide for me when you knocked at thedoor. "

Such scenes as these amply repay our missionaries for all the toils andweariness, all the anxieties and perplexities of the work. 

A PRAYER FOR BREAD. 

"Washington Allston, who stood at the head of American artists a halfcentury ago, was, at one time, so reduced by poverty, that he locked hisstudio, in London, one day, threw himself on his knees and prayed for aloaf of bread for himself and wife. While thus engaged, a knock washeard at the door, which the artist hastened to open. A strangerinquired for Mr. Allston, and was anxious to know who was the fortunatepurchaser of the painting of the 'Angel Uriel, ' which had won the prizeat the exhibition of the Royal Academy. He was told that it was notsold. 'Where is it to be found?' 'In this very room, ' said Allston, producing a painting from a corner and wiping off the dust. 'It is forsale, but its value has not been adequately appreciated, and I would notpart with it. ' 'What is its price?' 'I have done affixing any nominalsum. I have always so far exceeded any offers, I leave it to you to namethe price. ' 'Will four hundred pounds be an adequate recompense?' 'It ismore than I ever asked for it. ' 'Then the painting is mine, ' said thestranger, who introduced himself as the Marquis of Stafford, and, fromthat time, became one of Mr. Allston's warmest friends and patrons. "

THE DAUGHTER'S PRAYER. 

The late Doctor Krummacher, chaplain to the king of Prussia, inreferring to faith and prayer, writes as follows:

"A little incident occurs to me which I can hardly withhold, on accountof its simplicity and beauty. The mother of a little girl, only fouryears of age, had been, for some time, most dangerously ill. Thephysician had given her up. When the little girl heard this, she wentinto an adjoining room, knelt down, and said: 'Dear Lord Jesus, O makemy mother well again. '

"After she had thus prayed, she said, as though in God's name, with asdeep a voice as she could: 'Yes, my dear child, I will do it gladly!'This was the little girl's amen. She rose up, joyfully ran to hermother's bed, and said: 'Mother, you will get well!'

"And she recovered, and is in health to this day. Is it, then, alwayspermitted for me to pray thus unconditionally respecting temporalconcerns? No; thou must not venture to do so, if, whilst you ask, youdoubt. But shouldst thou ever be inclined by God's Spirit to pray thus, without doubt or scruple, in a filial temper, and with simplicity ofheart, resting on the true foundation, and in genuine faith, then praythus by all means! None dare censure thee; God will accept thee. "

THE LORD WILL PROVIDE. 

"A city missionary, one Saturday night, was going home with a basket ofprovisions on his arm. Meeting a policeman, he asked him if there hadany families moved in the bounds of his beat during the week. Heanswered, 'Yes, ' and, pointing to a building up an alley, said, 'a womanand some children are living there now. '

"The missionary went to the house, rapped at the door, and was admitted. The woman was sitting by a small light, sewing. In the corner of theroom, were two little girls, apparently from nine to twelve years ofage, playing. 

"The missionary said, 'Madam, I am here to see if you will allow yourgirls to attend Sunday-school to-morrow morning. ' 'I would, sir; butwhat you see on them is all the clothing they have, and you would notwish them to go as they are now. ' 'The Lord will provide, madam. Haveyou no money?' 'Not yet, but I have committed my case into the hands ofthe Lord. ' 'Have you anything to eat?' 'Nothing, sir!' 'What will you dofor breakfast?' 'O, sir, I once had a husband; he provided when hecould. These children had a father; he supplied their wants; but he isdead now. Yet my Maker, even God, is my husband, and He has promised tobe a father to the fatherless. We have committed all to Him, have calledupon Him in this our day of trouble. I am trusting in God to take careof a poor widow and her children in a strange place, and I know He willprovide. ' 'Thank God for such faith, ' said the missionary; and, handingher the basket, said 'here is your breakfast, and you shall have theclothing for your children. ' With tears streaming down her face, shereplied: 'Oh, thank God for his faithfulness! He heareth and answerethprayer. May He bless you!' And, said our dear brother to us, 'I felt thepromise was sure, for she was blessed in receiving, I was more so ingiving. '"

A PRAYER FOR A LOAD OF WOOD. 

Here is an illustration of the way in which God sends relief in trouble. The story is told by the Christian woman to whom it happened, in her ownlanguage:

"About the month of January, 1863, I was living in Connecticut, alonewith two little boys, one of them four years old, and the other about ayear and a half old. My husband was away in the service of his country. When the coldest weather came, I was nearly out of wood. I went downinto the village, one day, to try and get some, but tried in vain; somany men were away in the army that help was scarce. Very little woodwas brought into market, and those living on the main street, got allthat came, while those who lived outside the village could get none. Itried to buy a quarter of a cord from two or three merchants, but couldnot get any. One of them told me he could not get what he wanted for hisown family. Another said he wasn't willing to yoke up his team for sosmall a quantity; but, as I only had a dollar and seventy-five cents, Icould not buy any more, and so I was obliged to go home without any. Iwent back to my little ones, feeling very sad. But while I sat there, almost ready to cry, the words of Abraham came into my mind, 'Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide. ' Then I went up to my chamber. There Iknelt down and told God of my trouble, and asked him to help me and sendthe relief that we needed. Then I went to the window and waited, lookingdown the street, expecting to see the wood coming. After waiting awhile, without seeing any come, my faith began to fail. I said tomyself, 'The Lord did provide for Abraham, but He won't provide for me. 'Our last stick of wood was put in the stove. It was too cold to keep thechildren in the house without fire. I got the children's clothes out, and thought I would take them to the house of a kind neighbor, where Iknew they could stay till we got some wood. But, just as I was going outwith the children, in passing by the window, I saw the top of a greatload of wood coming up the road towards our little house. Can that befor us? I asked myself. Presently I saw the wagon turn off the road andcome up towards our door. Then I was puzzled to know how to pay for it. A dollar and seventy-five cents I knew would only go a little waytowards paying for all that wood. The oxen came slowly on, dragging theload to our door. I asked the man if there wasn't same mistake about it. 'No, ma'am, ' said he, 'there's no mistake. ' 'I did not order it, and Icannot pay for it, ' was my reply. 'Never mind, ma'am, ' said he, 'afriend ordered it, and it is all paid for. ' Then he unhitched the oxenfrom the wagon, and gave them some hay to eat. When this was done, heasked for a saw and ax, and never stopped till the whole load was cutand split and piled away in the woodshed. 

"This was more than I could stand. My feelings overcame me, and I satdown and cried like a child. But these were not bitter tears of sorrow. They were tears of joy and gladness, of gratitude and thankfulness. Ifelt ashamed of myself for doubting God's word, and I prayed that Imight never do so again. What pleasure I had in using that wood! Everystick of it, as I took it up, seemed to have a voice with which to say'Jehovah-Jireh. ' As Abraham stood on the top of Mount Moriah he couldsay, 'The Lord _will_ provide. ' But every day, as I went into ourwoodshed, I could point to that blessed pile of wood sent from heaven, and say, 'The Lord _does_ provide. '"

A REFRACTORY MAN COMPELLED TO PAY A DEBT. 

A refractory man who owed a small debt of about $43, refused to pay itall, but offered to do so if ten dollars was taken off. His creditor, feeling that it was just, declined to abate the amount. 

For more than a year the creditor waited, after having no attention paidto his correspondence or, claim by the debtor, who exhibitedunmistakable obstinacy and want of courtesy. At last it was put into thehands of a lawyer. The lawyer, too, was fairly provoked at thefaithlessness of the debtor in his promises or his attention to thesubject; thus matters dragged wearily for months, yet exercised leniencyin pressing the claim. 

The creditor, whose forbearance had now reached the extremity ofendurance, at last was led to take it to the Lord in prayer; saying hewould "willingly forgive the whole debt if in anything he was wrong, butif the Lord thought it was right, hoped that his debtor _might becompelled to pay the amount he so obstinately withheld_. "

To the astonishment of all, a letter received from the lawyer four daysafter, informed him _that his debtor had called and paid the claim infull_ with interest to date. "In doing so, he said he paid it _underprotest_, " thus showing he was _compelled by something he could notresist to pay it all_. 

A HURRICANE PASSES AROUND A SHIP. 

A Sea Captain relates to the editor of the _Christian_, a remarkableincident, whereby in one of his voyages his ship was unaccountably heldstill, and thereby saved from sailing directly into the midst of aterrible hurricane:--"We sailed from the Kennebec on the first ofOctober, 1876. There had been several severe gales, and some of myfriends thought it hardly safe to go, but after considerable prayer Iconcluded it was right to undertake the voyage. On the 19th of Octoberwe were about one hundred and fifty miles west of the Bahamas, and weencountered very disagreeable weather. _For five or six days we seemedheld by shifting currents, or some unknown power, in about the sameplace. We would think we had sailed thirty or forty miles_, when ontaking our observations we would find we _were within three or fourmiles of our position the day before_. This circumstance occurringrepeatedly proved a trial to my faith, and I said within my heart, '_Lord, why are we so hindered, and kept in this position_?' Day afterday we were held as if by an unseen force, until at length a change tookplace, and we went on our way. Reaching our port they inquired, 'Wherehave you been through the gale?' '_What gale_?' we asked. '_We have seenno gale_. ' We then learned that a terrible hurricane had swept throughthat region, and that all was desolation. We afterwards learned that_this hurricane had swept around us, and had almost formed a circlearound the place occupied by us during the storm. A hundred miles in onedirection all was wreck and ruin, fifty miles in the opposite directionall was desolation; and while that storm was raging in all its fury, wewere held in perfect safety, in quiet waters_, and in continual anxietyto change our position and pursue our voyage _One day of ordinarysailing would have brought us into the track of the storm, and sent usto the bottom of the sea. _ We were anxious to sail on, but some unseenpower held us where we were, and we escaped. "

The Captain was a prayerful man, trusting in his Lord, though his faithwas tried, and he thought the Lord was not helping him. Yet the Lord waskeeping his promise to him, "_The beloved of the Lord shall dwell insafety by him, and the Lord shall cover him all the day long_. "

RECOVERY FROM SPINAL DISEASE. 

"Miss M---- is the daughter of a respectable farmer, an elder in aPresbyterian church in Western Pennsylvania. When a young girl her spinewas injured while nursing her aged and helpless grandmother, and she hasbeen a great sufferer for many years. For eleven years she has not beenable to attend church nor to go from home, and for a long time wasunable to leave her chamber or her bed. Two years ago she was so illthat hopes of her recovery were abandoned, her mind was thought to beseriously, even hopelessly impaired. Her physician acknowledged that herdisease baffled his skill. 

"A few months ago, being near her residence and hearing that her healthwas better, I called on her, and to my surprise, found her able to sew, walk about, and even go down stairs. She informed me that she sufferedso intensely from the remedies used for her cure, and constantly grewworse, that she determined to do nothing more; it seemed like fightingagainst God; she would put herself into His hands to do with her as Hepleased. Then it seemed to her that the Saviour came to her and said, 'M----, what aileth thee?' She told Him all her case, and He soothed andcomforted her. From that time she began to improve; the paroxysms ofpain grew less, and disappeared; her nervousness was relieved, she couldsleep, her mind was full of peace. She said, 'I am not cured, and do notexpect to be well, but I can bear what I have to suffer, and am willingto depart whenever it is the Lord's will to take me away to himself. '"

PRAYER FOR A PAIR OF BOOTS. 

In the Fall of 1858, H----, a student in the Theological Seminary atPrinceton, N. J. , was in great need of a new pair of boots. His toes weresticking out of his old ones, and he had no money to purchase new ones. All the money he could command was barely enough to pay his fare to hishome, where be had promised a dear friend to be present on theapproaching communion Sabbath. 

H---- was a man of great faith, and was accustomed to carry all hiswants to God in prayer. To God he carried the present emergency, andearnestly importuned Him, that He would send him a pair of boots, andthat He would do it before the approaching Sabbath. He was persuadedthat God heard, and would answer his petition, yet his faith was sorelytried. Saturday morning came and still there was no answer; he resolved, however, to go to his home, fully persuaded that God would in good timegrant his request. He took the morning train at the Princeton depot, andreached home about eleven o'clock. It was a hard trial for him to go to"Preparatory Lecture" with his boots in the condition they were in; yetat two o'clock he went, still praying that God would send him a new pairof boots. During the service, a merchant in the town took a seat in thesame pew with him, and at the close of the service, without a word beingspoken on the subject, the merchant, after shaking hands with H---- andinquiring of his welfare, asked him if he would do him the favor ofgoing down town to a certain boot and shoe store and select from thestock as good a pair of boots as he could find, and, said the merchant, "have them charged to me. " It was, as, H---- said to me on his return tothe seminary, a direct answer to prayer. Indeed, it might be said ofH---- that he went through college and seminary _on prayer_. He laid allhis plans before God, pleaded his promises, and never was disappointed. 

UNDER GARMENTS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER. 

Among the students in the Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J. , in1860, was my intimate friend L----. He was at the time poorly clad, butwas a devoted Christian, and is at present a successful foreignmissionary. 

One day when on the Seminary campus, I heard two of the students verythoughtlessly criticising the exceeding shabbiness of L----'s wearingapparel, his short pants, old shoes, and socks with no heels in them. Atalmost every step L---- took when playing ball, his bare heels could beseen. That day, after evening prayers, I took L---- by the arm, for awalk to "Orthodox point, " a tree about a mile distant from the Seminary. During our walk, I gently told him of the criticisms I had heard, andlearned more fully than I had ever done of his destitution of wearingapparel, especially of under garments. I offered him a share of mine, orthe loan of money, so as to meet his present wants, but this he declinedto receive, saying, that he "would take it to the Lord in prayer, " andthat God would in good time supply all his wants. I, too, bore his caseto the throne of grace. The next day after this, on going into his room, he laid before me an empty envelope, and a five dollar bill, and askedme the question, "Did you throw that envelope with that bill in it, through that ventilator?" I assured him that I did not. "Well, " said he, "when I came in from recitation a short time ago, I found this envelopeon the floor and that five dollar bill in it. It has evidently beenthrown in through the ventilator. " We both recognized God's hand in theprovision made and mentally gave thanks to our Heavenly Father. Soonafter this, "a missionary box" was sent to the Seminary, and my friendwas therefrom well supplied with under garments. Frequently afterwarddid he say to me, in substance, "Prayer is the key to God's treasury. Trust in Him and the Lord will provide. "

UNEXPECTED RELIEF. 

Henry Badgerow was a man about seventy years of age at the time of theincident, and a resident of Steuben county, State of New York. This wasin the year about A. D. 1830-31. He had been for many years an invalid--so much so that he couldn't walk--the result of a horse running awaywith him. In a forest, isolated from neighbors, the old man residedalone with an aged wife. They were quite poor, and wholly dependent uponthe labor of a son who worked away from home for others. This son was atlength taken sick with a fever, and unable to minister to his parents'wants. This was in mid-winter, when storms were frequent and the snowsdeep and lasting. One evening when the storm was at its highest, thisold couple found themselves without a particle of food in the house. Matters were desperate with them. They could see but starvation staringthem in the face. They resolved upon prayer, having a firm trust intheir Heavenly Father, whom for many years they had been humbly serving. They did not retire, but continued in fervent prayer that God would sendthem food. About two and a half miles distant lived a young married manin comfortable circumstances, by the name of Joseph Clason (the authorof the story). He was not at this time a Christian, although it was notlong after this he was converted, and has since lived an eminentlyactive and godly life. About 12 o'clock on the night of the snow stormabove mentioned, young Clason awoke. His first thoughts were of old Mr. Badgerow and his condition in that storm. His mind became so impressedwith the thought of him, and so wrought upon that he could not again goto sleep, although trying so to do. At length he awakened his wife, toldher that he was in trouble about Mr. B. , for fear he and his wife werestarving. She replied that if he would get right up and make a light, she would prepare something, and that he had better take it right down. Young C. Did so, taking with him a pail of provisions. After a jauntthrough the storm and snow in the dead hour of night, he reached the oldman's cabin. There he found a light burning. He knocked; the door wasopened by the wife. The old man was fervently praying; but when he sawyoung C. With the pail of provisions, he held up both hands and said, "Now I know that God heareth prayer. Not one mouthful have we in thehouse to eat. I know that God sent you here. " Young C. Staid with theold couple until daylight. The conversation revealed that about midnightthe old man perceiving that a storm had arisen, and that unless reliefcame, which was not likely, they would starve, resolved to appeal to hisHeavenly Father, saying that God who sent the ravens to feed Elijahwould feed him if he went to him in faith, and now God had heard hisprayer, and he blessed God that he could do so in all trouble and trial. 

The old man having asked C. How he came to visit them, he replied hedidn't know, but supposed God had sent him, as he had awoke and couldn'tagain sleep on account of thought of him. 

The incident made a serious and lasting impression on young C's mind. 

In the morning, as C. Was returning home, he came by his father's house;his mother, espying his pail, wished to know where he had been. Hereplied, "To feed the hungry. " His father spreading the incident, theneighbors all turned out and brought in enough provision to last themduring several weeks, the old man being greatly loved and respected byhis community, on account of his sterling Christian life and character. 

Mr. Joseph Clason is still living, now seventy-five years of age, inBazine, Ness county, Kansas. 

THAT BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT. HOW THE LORD USED IT. 

A lady and gentleman were walking up Madison avenue, New York City, fromchurch, when incidentally the lady said, "We are trying to get upChristmas decorations and entertainment for our Mission School. "

"_Well, put my name down for anything you like_, " and then came into hismind a certain sum to give. 

A day passed on, it seemed forgotten; but a note from the lady remindedhim of his promise, and he responded, giving the exact sum originallythought of, $25. Notice, now, the most singular disposition of it, which, by the hand of Providence, was made to go on its circuitous wayto meet those who needed it most. 

The next Sabbath, the lady and gentleman again meeting each other, shesaid, "Your gift was too large. I cannot take so much from you. I shallgive you back part. "

"But I won't take it. "

"Well, you must. I can't keep it. "

It resulted in the lady taking $15 from her muff and forcing it backinto the gentleman's hand. 

The gentleman felt badly. "_I intended this for the Lord, and now it isrefused. It is the first time I ever heard that money ever given to aSunday school was not wanted. I meant the whole for the. Lord_. If shedon't want it and wont keep it, I will give the rest away. _It does notbelong to me_. " Before night he had enclosed it in a letter and sent itout of the city to an invalid as a _Christmas present_. He had occasionnot long after to visit the invalid, and was fairly astonished at theextraordinary circumstances connected with its use; and this is hisstory, told in his letter to the lady who returned the $15. 

"The sequel to the $15 is far more beautiful and wonderful than anythingI have ever known. This invalid had been praying for some money for aneeded article of dress to protect her from cold. _The_ $15 _came thevery next morning in answer to her prayer. But it was more than enough_. As a consistent Christian, having asked the Lord only for enough to meetbut one need, she felt as if the rest belonged to the Lord and must beused for Him. So in wondering how to use it, she thought of a poor womanwho needed a new calico dress, and at once bought it and gave it to her. She had but $5 left. A dear friend was in distress; his horse andcarriage had been seized for failure to pay the livery bill of theirkeeping; he could not collect any money of the debts due him, to pay hisbill, and had nothing. His wife and children were in New Britain, andhere he was, no means to get there. The little Christian invalid senthim her $5, the last money she had, not knowing where her next was tocome from, with these words: "_The Lord has sent you this_, " and thoughhe offered to return, or use only part, she said, "_No, the Lord meantthis for you_. You must keep it, I will not take it back. " Now see howbeautifully all these incidents have been made to work for the good ofmany, by the managing hand of Providence. 

"My original gift of $25 to you was _more than enough_. You did not needit all for your Sunday-school, and the Lord made you force back the $15upon me. I could not keep it, because I felt, it belonged to the Lord. So I sent it to the little invalid. 

"She, too, had only needed a part, and used only what she asked the Lordfor, and then she, in her turn, gave the rest away. The most wonderfulpart of it is, that the money you gave back to me, and I gave to theLord, was _three-fifths of the amount you received_, and the money thelittle invalid gave away _to the Lord_ was also _three-fifths the amountshe received. The money which you kept for your use was just two-fifths, and the money that the invalid kept for her own use was just two-fifthsalso. The very next day after she had given her money away_, a ladycalled and gave her some money, which _was precisely the same amount_which _the poor woman's calico dress_ had cost, (though she knew nothingof the circumstances), and in return for the $5 which she gave herfriend in distress, and refused to take back, the Lord remembered herand gave her a good home. 

THE WIDOW'S WOOD AND FLOUR. --THE UNBELIEVING ONES MADE SPEECHLESS. 

The following instance is known to _The Christian_ as true, and to aremarkable degree indicates how thoroughly God knows our minutest needs, and how effectively He makes those who ever reproach his name ashamed oftheir unbelief. 

"A friend and relative of the one who was 'a widow indeed, ' one whotrusted in God, and continued in supplications and prayers day andnight, was once brought into circumstances of peculiar straitness andtrial. She had two daughters who exerted themselves with their needlesto earn a livelihood; and at that time they were so busily engaged intrying to finish some work that had long been on their hands, they hadneglected to make provision for their ordinary wants until they foundthemselves one Winter's day in the midst of a New England snow storm, with food and fuel almost exhausted, at a distance from neighbors, andwithout any means of procuring needful sustenance. 

"The daughters began to be alarmed, and were full of anxiety at thedismal prospect, but the good old mother said, 'Don't worry, girls, theLord will provide; we have enough for to-day, and to-morrow may bepleasant, ' and in this hope the girls settled down again to their labor. 

"Another morning came, and with it no sunshine, but wind and snow inabundance. The storm still raged, but no one came near the house, andall was dark and dismal without. 

"Noon came, and the last morsel of food was eaten, the wind was almostgone, and there were no tokens of any relief for their necessities. 

"The girls became much distressed, and talked anxiously of theircondition, but the good mother said, 'Don't worry, the Lord willprovide. '

"But they had heard that story the day before, and they, knew not thestrong foundation upon which that mother's trust was builded, and couldnot share the confidence she felt. 

"'If we get anything to-day the Lord will have to bring it himself, fornobody else can get here if they try, ' said one of the daughters, impatiently, but the mother said, 'Don't worry. ' And so they sat downagain to their sewing, the daughters to muse upon their necessitouscondition, and the mother to roll her burden on the Everlasting Arms. "

Now mark the way in which the Lord came to their rescue, and just atthis moment of extremity, put it into the heart of one of his childrento go and carry relief. _Human Nature_ at such a time would never haveventured out in such a storm, but waited for a pleasant day. But DivineWisdom and power made him carry _just what was needed, in the face ofadverse circumstances, and just at the time it was needed_. 

"Mr. M. Sat at his fireside, about a mile away, surrounded by everybounty and comfort needed to cheer his heart, with his only daughtersitting by his side. 

"For a long time not a word had been spoken, and he had seemed lost insilent meditation, till at length he said, 'Mary, I want you to go andorder the cattle yoked, and then get me a bag. I must go and carry somewood and flour to sister C. '

"'Why, Father, it is impossible for you to go. There is no track, and itis all of a mile up there. You would almost perish. '

"The old man sat in silence a few moments and said, 'Mary, I must go. 'She knew her father too well to suppose that words would detain him, andso complied with his wishes. While she held the bag for him, she feltperhaps a little uneasiness to see the flour so liberally disposed of, and said, 'I wish you would remember that _I_ want to give a poor womansome flour, if it ever clears off. ' The old man understood theintimation and said, 'Mary, give all you feel it duty to, and when theLord says stop, I will do so. '

"Soon all things were ready, and the patient oxen took their way to thewidow's home, wallowing through the drifted snow, and dragging the sledwith its load of wood and flour. About four o'clock in the afternoon, the mother had arisen from her work to fix the fire, and, looking out ofthe window, she saw the oxen at the door, and she knew that the Lord hadheard her cry. 

"She said not a word--why should she? She was not surprised!--but, presently, a heavy step at the threshold caused the daughters to look upwith astonishment, as Mr. M. Strode unceremoniously into the room, saying, '_The Lord told me, Sister C, that you wanted some wood andflour_. '

"'_He told you the truth_, ' said the widow, 'and I will praise Himforever. '

"'_What think you now girls_?' she continued, as she turned in solemnjoy to her unbelieving daughters. 

"_They were speechless_; not a word escaped their lips; but theypondered that new revelation of the providential mercy of the Lord, until it made upon their minds an impression never to be effaced. 

"From that hour they learned to trust in Him who cares for _His needy_in the hour of distress, and who, from His boundless stores, suppliesthe wants of those who trust in Him. "

A PAIR OF SHOES. --THE LORD'S REBUKE TO THOSE WHO "DIDN'T BELIEVE. "

The following incident occurred in Connecticut: In an humble cottage twosisters were watching over and caring for a much-loved brother, who, formany long months had been upon a bed of sickness. At length, the youngerof them began to be discouraged. She was dependent, for her clothing, upon her labor; her shoes were worn out, and how should she get anotherpair, unless she could leave the sick bed and go away from home and workand earn some money. 

"Well, " said the mother, "I know you need a pair of shoes, but don'tworry, the Lord will provide. "

"_Do you think that_ THE LORD _will come down from heaven and buy me apair of shoes_?" said the younger sister, with an expression ofdiscouragement and vexation on her countenance. 

"No, " said the mother, "but perhaps he will put it into somebody's heartto buy you a pair. "

"Perhaps He will, _but I don't believe it_, " said the discouraged girl. 

"Well, " said the other sister, who was a little more hopeful, "you won'tget them any quicker by fretting, so you might as well be quiet. " Thenthe subject dropped and the day passed as usual. 

As the shades of evening were gathering, a brother who lived at somedistance, and who knew nothing of their previous conversation, called toinquire after their prosperity. After the customary salutations he said, "You have been sick here a long time, and I thought I would come roundand see if I could not do something for you; thought perhaps by thistime the girls needed something. " Then turning to the younger sister, hesaid, "_How is it, aren't your shoes worn out?"_

She dropped her eyes, blushed deeply, and, perhaps, a littleconscience-smitten, answered not a word. Nothing was said of theprevious conversation, though it was not forgotten by those who heardit. The brother soon saw for himself enough to satisfy him, and said nomore, but went away. The next day _two pairs of shoes_ were sent aroundto her, and with them came to her heart a lesson which she never forgot. 

She lived many years after that, but was never heard to murmur in thatway again, and often said that the two pairs of shoes taught her to_wait, hope and trust_, and thereby learn implicit confidence in Him whosendeth all blessings. The last time she alluded to the occurrence, shesaid, "_I was speechless then, but, by the grace of God, I will not bein the world to come_. "

THE LAME HEALED. 

Rev. Charles G. Finney, during his life-time, was familiar with thecircumstances connected with the remarkable healing of a sick lady inOberlin, O. , the wife of Rev. R. D. Miller, and these facts were vouchedfor as unquestionably authentic. Mr. Finney says:

"Mrs. Miller is the wife of a Congregational minister, and a lady ofunquestionably veracity. However the fact of her healing is to beaccounted for, her story is no doubt worthy of entire confidence, as wehave known her for years as a lame, suffering invalid, and now see herin our midst in sound health. This instantaneous restoration will beaccounted for by different persons in different ways. Mrs. Miller andthose who were present regard the healing as supernatural and a directanswer to prayer. The facts must speak for themselves. Why should notthe sick be healed in answer to the prayer of faith? Unbelief candiscredit them, but faith sees nothing incredible in such facts as arestated by Mrs. Miller. Mrs. Miller's own statement is as follows, and itis fully endorsed by the most reliable citizens and members of the Firstchurch at Oberlin:

"From my parents I inherited a constitution subject to a chronic form ofrheumatism. In early life I was attacked with rheumatic weaknesses andpains, which affected my whole system. For nearly forty years I wassubject to more or less suffering from this cause, sometimes unable toattend meeting for months at a time. For seven years, until the lastthree months, I have been unable to get about without the aid of crutchor staff, generally both. I have used many liniments and remedies, butwith no permanently good result. I have been a Christian from earlylife, but last Spring, in our revival, I received a spiritual refreshingfrom the Lord, which gave a new impulse to my faith. Since then myreligion has been a new life to me. 

"Last Summer, several of us Christian sisters were in the habit ofspending short seasons of prayer together, that the Lord would send us apastor. Some of our number had read the narrative of Dorothea Trudel, and had spoken to me on the subject of healing in answer to prayer. Myfaith had not then risen to this elevation. I had in fact accepted whatI supposed to be the will of God, and made up my mind to be a lame andsuffering invalid the rest of my life. I had long since ceased to useremedies for the restoration of my health, and had not even thought ofpraying in regard to it, for I regarded it as the will of God that Ishould suffer in silent submission. 

"Notwithstanding what had been said to me, I remained in this opinionand in this attitude until the 26th of September, 1872, when severalladies met at our house, by appointment, for a prayer-meeting. I hadbeen growing worse for some time, and was at that time unable to get outto attend a meeting. I was suffering much pain that afternoon; indeed, Iwas hardly able to be out of my bed. Up to this time none of the sisterswho had conversed with me about the subject of healing by faith, hadbeen able to tell me anything from their own experience. That afternoon, one lady was present who could speak to me from her own experience ofbeing healed in answer to the prayer of faith. She related severalstriking instances in which her prayers had been answered in the removalof divers forms of disease to which she was subject. She also repeated anumber of passages of Scripture, which clearly justified the expectationof being healed in answer to the prayer of faith. She also said thatJesus had shown her that he was just as ready to heal diseases now as hewas when on earth; that such healing was expressly promised inScripture, in answer to the prayer of faith, and that it was nowheretaken back. These facts, reasonings, and passages of Scripture, made adeep impression on my mind, and, for the first time, I found myself ableto believe that Jesus would heal me in answer to prayer. She asked me ifI could join my faith with hers and ask for present healing. I told herI felt that I could. We then knelt, and called upon the Lord. Sheoffered a mighty prayer to God, and I followed. While she was leading inprayer I felt a quickening in my whole being, whereupon my painsubsided, and when we rose from prayer I felt that a great change hadcome over me, that I was cured. I found that I could walk without mystaff or crutch, or any assistance from any one. Since then my painshave never returned; I have more than my youthful vigor; I walk withmore ease and rapidity than I ever did in my life, and I never felt sofresh and young as I now do, at the age of fifty-two. 

"Now, the hundred and third psalm is my psalm, and my youth is more thanrenewed, like the eagle's. I cannot express the constant joy of my heartfor the wonderful healing of my soul and body. I feel as if I was everywhit made whole. "

The testimony of eye-witnesses to this healing is as follows:

"We were all present at the time of the healing, and know the facts tobe true. We are all Christians, and have no interest in deceivinganybody, and would by no means dishonor God by stating more than theexact truth. Since the healing, Mrs. Miller is still with us, and inexcellent health. Neither the severe cold of last Winter, nor theextreme heat of this Summer, has at all injured her health. From ourfirst acquaintance with her, she has been so lame as to be unable towalk, except by the aid of crutches. Since which time she has been ableto walk without help, and appears perfectly well. "

Her husband, also adding his testimony, says:

"She has been unable to walk without crutches for a series of years. Along time ago, we tried many remedies and physicians, with no lastinggood results, and were expecting she would remain an invalid. Of late, she had applied no remedy, nor taken any medicine. At the time of hercure, she was much worse than for a long while before, being in greatpain continually, until the moment she fully believed, and, _in aninstant_, she was restored to perfect soundness. From that moment tothis she has not felt a particle of her former complaint. 

"She can now walk for miles as fast as I wish to, without feeling verymuch fatigue, does all her own housework, and attends seven meetingsduring the week. In short, she is stronger, and seems as young and spry, as when we were married, thirty-two years ago. The work of the dearSavior in her cure seems to be perfect, and she is an astonishment toall who knew her before and see her now. To _His_ name be all thepraise. 

"Another lady, the same week my wife was healed, a member of the FirstCongregational Church, confined to her bed with a complicated disease, was prayed for, and restored at once to soundness. "

THE WONDERFUL CURE OF MRS. SHERMAN. 

Although there are so many cases of healing in answer to prayer, yet theincident of the healing of Mrs. Sherman is so minute, and resulted insuch a radical change of the physical constitution, that it is necessaryto relate it in full detail. It is too well proven to admit thepossibility of a doubt. 

"Mrs. Ellen Sherman is the wife of Rev. Moses Sherman, and, at the timeof this occurrence, in 1873, they were residents of Piermont, N. H. Shehad been an invalid for many years. In the Winter after she was fifteen, she fell on the ice and hurt her left knee, so that it became weak andeasy to slip out of joint. Six years after, she fell again on the sameknee, so twisting it and injuring the ligaments that it became partiallystiff, and, the physician said, incurable. 

"The next Summer, by very fast walking, one day, she brought on specialweakness, which no physician was able to cure. From that moment she wassubject to severe neuralgia, sick-headaches, at least monthly, andsometimes even weekly. 

"In December, 1859, while stepping out of doors, she slipped, by reasonof her stiff joint, and fell, striking near the base of the spine, directly across the sharp edge of the stone step. This caused such asickness that she was obliged to leave the school she was attending. 

"Three years after (in January, 1862), she fell at the top of astairway, striking just as before, and sliding all the way down to thefoot. This nearly paralyzed the spinal cord, and caused deep andpermanent spinal disease. After this she was up and down for many years, attended by various physicians, yet nothing bettered, but, rather, growing worse. It may be said, for short, that every organ of the lowerbody became chronically diseased, and that the headaches increased inviolence. 

"In September, 1872, through a severe cold, she took her bed, where shelay, except when lifted from it, till the night of August 27, 1873. Shewas unable to walk a step, or even stand. She could sit up only a shorttime without great distress. The best medical skill that could beprocured gave only temporary relief. The spine grew worse in spite ofevery appliance, and the nervous sensitiveness and prostration wereincreasing. During the two or three weeks immediately preceding her cureshe was especially helpless, two persons being required to lift her offand on the bed. On the Monday before, one of her severest neuralgiasick-headaches came on. During Wednesday she began to be relieved, butwas still so sick that when, in the evening, she tried to have herclothes changed, she could only endure the change of her night-dress. "

It will be seen from this her utter physical helplessness, and not theslightest hope of any amelioration. During the night of August 27th, sheenjoyed a blessed time of communion with her Lord, giving herself, inall her helplessness, wholly to Him to do as he wills. 

With feelings beyond all expression, she _felt_ the nearness of hermighty Savior, and the sense of receiving a new and most deliciouspulsation of new life. At last, though she had been bed-ridden fortwelve months, and incapable of any bodily assistance, she felt anuncontrollable impulse to throw off the clothes of the bed with her leftarm, and sprang out of bed upon her feet, and started to walk across theroom. 

"Her husband's first thought was that she was crazed, and would fall tothe floor, and he sprang towards her to help her. But she put up herhands against him, saying with great energy, 'Don't you touch me! Don'tyou touch me!' and went walking back and forth across the room speakingrapidly, and declaring the work which Jesus had been working upon her. 

"Her husband, quickly saw that she was in her right mind, and had beenhealed by the Lord, and his soul was filled with unutterable emotion. 

"One of the women of the household was called, also their son, twelveyears old, and together they thanked God for the great and blessedwonder he had wrought. 

"In the morning, after a sleep of several hours, she further examinedherself to see if entirely healed, and found both knees perfectly well;and though for sixteen years she had not been able to use either, nowshe lifted the left _foot_ and _put it upon the right knee_, thusproving the completeness of her restoration. 

"At the end of two years from her healing, inquiry having been made asto how thorough had been the work, Mrs. Sherman gave full and abundantevidence. 'I cannot remember a Summer when I have been so healthy andstrong, and able to work hard. I am a constant wonder to myself, and toothers, and have been for the two years past. The cure exceeded myhighest expectations at the time I was cured. I did not look forward tosuch a state of vigor and strength. No words can express my joy andgratitude for all this. '

"The parents of Mrs. Sherman also testify of the wonderful changephysically which occurred with the cure. 

"Before, her appetite was always disordered, but on the very morning ofthe healing it was wholly changed, and her food, which distressed herformerly, she ate with a relish and without any pain following; and sheso continues. For years before a natural action of the bowels was rare. From that day since, an unnatural one is equally rare. 

"For fifteen years, with few exceptions, she had had severe neuralgicsick headaches monthly or oftener. From that time she has been naturaland without pain, with no return of the headaches, except acomparatively slight one once, from overdoing and a cold taken throughcarelessness. 

"There was also at that time an immediate and radical change in theaction of the kidneys, which had become a source of great troublebefore. Moreover the knee which had been partially stiff for so manyyears was made entirely well. In fine, her body, which had been so fullof pain, became at once free from pain, and full of health. 

"The week after she was healed she went fifty miles to attend acamp-meeting, riding five miles in a carriage, the rest by cars. A nearneighbor said, 'She will come back worse than ever. ' Though the weatherwas especially bad, she came back better than when she went. "

These are but few out of many expressions respecting her extraordinaryrecovery, which fully satisfy the believing Christian that _the Great_Physician is with us now, "_healing the lame_, " and curing the sick. Itis faith only, unyielding, which the Lord requires ere he gives hisrichest blessing. 

The unbelieving one simply sees in it "_something strange_, " which hecan not understand, but the faith-keeping Christian knows it is the signof his _Precious Lord_, in whom he trusts and abides forever. 

DR. NEWMAN HALL'S TESTIMONIES TO THE VALUE OF PRAYER. 

Dr. Newman Hall, of London, in his wide experience has met with manyincidents of answered prayer, and thus relates several:

A PRAYER FOR THIRTY POUNDS. 

"On a recent evangelizing visit to Newport, one of its citizens said tome, 'In yonder house dwell a man and wife, who recently needed a sum of£30 to meet some payment the next morning. Having failed in theirefforts to collect it, they earnestly prayed God to provide it. Thestore was being closed for the night when a sea-captain knocked at thedoor and asked for some seamen's clothes. The gas was relighted, andvarious articles were selected; the purchaser then asked for theaccount, and the money was paid--_a little more than_ £30. The man andhis wife thanked their Heavenly Father for sending it in this way inanswer to prayer. '"

RECOVERY FROM DANGEROUS ILLNESS. 

Dr. Newman Hall was once visiting, on his dying bed, John Cranfield, sonof the great originator of ragged schools, under the ministry of RowlandHill. 

"We were conversing on prayer. He said, 'A remarkable instance occurredin connection with my father. The former organist of Surry Chapel, Mr. Howard, was dangerously ill. He was greatly beloved, and his friends metfor special prayer that God would spare his life. My father on thatoccasion was remarkably earnest in asking that the life of his friendmight be lengthened, as in the case of Hezekiah. The next day he beganto recover; and during fifteen years was a blessing to his friends andthe church. '"

A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER IN DISTRESS. 

"My brother, " says Dr. Hall, "told me that when superintendent of aSunday school he felt a strong impulse, one Saturday evening, to call atthe home of one of his teachers whom he had never visited before. Hefound his mother and sisters in such evident distress that he inquiredthe cause. With much reluctance they explained that, being unable to paytheir taxes, their goods were to be taken on the coming Monday, and theyhad been asking special help from God to save them from a disaster whichthey felt would be a dishonor to religion. By the aid of a few friendsthe difficulty was at once met, but the timely succor was regarded asthe divine answer to their prayer. "

RESCUED IN PERIL. 

"With my brother I was once climbing the _Cirrha di Jazze_, one of themountains in the chain of _Mount Rosa_. When nearly at the top, weentered a dense fog. Presently our guides faced right about and groundedtheir axes on the frozen snowed slope. My brother, seeing the slopestill beyond, and not knowing it was merely the cornice overhanging aprecipice of several thousand feet, rushed onward. I shall never forgettheir cry of agonized warning. He stood a moment on the very summit, andthen, the snow yielding, he began to fall through. One of the guides, atgreat risk, had rushed after him, and seizing him by the coat, drew himdown to a place of safety. 

"No one could be nearer death and yet escape. On his return home, aninvalid member of his congregation told him that she had been much inprayer for his safety, and mentioned a special time when she wasparticularly earnest, as if imploring deliverance from some great peril. _The times corresponded. _ His life was saved in answer to her prayer. "

A PHYSICAL IMPEDIMENT REMOVED. 

"A clergyman, of great scholarship and genius, has told me of aremarkable answer to prayer, authenticated by three missionaries knownto himself, who are personally acquainted with the facts. 

"A Prussian, the master of a hotel in India, was anxious to relinquishhis large income, and labor as a missionary among the Santil tribes. Objection was made to him on account of an impediment in his speechwhich would render him, in speaking a foreign language, incapable ofbeing understood. Believing in the efficacy of prayer, he calledtogether his friends, specially to ask that his impediment might beremoved. The next morning, he presented himself again at the MissionHouse--_the impediment had gone_! He was accepted, relinquished hisbusiness, and is now preaching the gospel to the Santils in their owntongue. "

RESTORATION FROM DEATH. 

"My father, the author of the _Sinner's Friend_, narrates in hisautobiography a circumstance which he often used to speak of with greatemotion. 

"My mother was very ill, and apparently dying. The Doctor said that now, if at all, the children might be brought for her to look at them oncemore. One by one we were brought to the bedside, and her hand was placedon our heads. 

"Then my father bade her farewell, and she lay motionless as if soon tobreathe her last. 

"He then said to himself, 'There is yet one promise I have not pleaded, "If ye ask anything in my name I will do it. " He stepped aside, and inan agony of soul exclaimed, '_O, Lord, for the honor of thy dear Son, give me the life of my wife!'_

"He could say no more, and sank down exhausted. Just then the nursecalled him to the bedside saying, 'She has opened her mouth again as iffor food. ' Nourishment was given, and from that time she began torecover. The doctor said it was miraculous. My father said it was God, who had heard his prayer. "

THE HELP OF THE LORD IN LITTLE THINGS. 

The Rev. Dr. Patton, of Chicago, in receiving many letters fromclergymen, received one from Mr. F. , a pastor in Massachusetts. 

In it he speaks of his unsuccessful search for a valuable knife, prizedas a present from a friend, which he had lost on a hillside covered withlaurels. He paused in prayer, asked to be guided, commenced his search, and was almost immediately successful thereafter. 

The same letter also mentions the case of a friend in a responsibleposition under the government, whose accounts failed to balance byreason of an error, which, after long search, he could not detect. 

In great distress he betook himself to prayer, and then opening hisbooks, _on the very first page_, which he happened to glance at, and atthe top of the column, he saw instantly the looked for error, standingout so plainly that he wondered he had not seen it before. 

The writer also speaks of a rubber shoe being lost and promptly foundafter mention in prayer. 

These may seem little matters, but they are the privileges of therighteous to ask "anything" of "Him who careth for them. "

A BOY'S FAITH IN PRAYER

In a letter to Dr. W. W. Patton, by Mr. T. I. Goodwin, M. D. , of StatenIsland, he describes a little incident which happened to him when onlythirteen years old. 

"He lost a choice penknife while collecting and driving several cowsfrom a pasture covered with grass two inches high. Having readHuntington's Book of Faith, he thought of prayer, and in childlike trusthe knelt under a tree, outside the bars, and prayed for his losttreasure; for he was a farmer's boy, and his spending money amounted toonly about fifty cents a year. 'I rose up, cast my eyes down on theground, and without planning my course or making any estimate ofprobabilities, walked across the meadow centrally to near its fartheredge, saw the penknife down in the grass directly before me, and pickedit up all as readily as I could have done had any one stood therepointing to the exact place. _Had I gone ten feet to the right or left_I could not have seen the knife, for the grass was too high. '"

A PRAYER FOR FIVE DOLLARS. 

One of the City Home missionaries in New York city received on a certainday five dollars with special directions that it be given to a certainpoor minister in Amos street. In the evening the missionary called andgave him the money. 

For a moment the good man stood amazed and speechless. Then taking downa little journal he turned to the record made in his diary of thatmorning, and showed it to the missionary. "_Spent two and a half hoursin earnest prayer for five dollars_. "

"And now here it is, " said the man, with a heart overflowing withgratitude. "The Lord has sent it. " Both giver and receiver had theirfaith strengthened by the incident. 

GO TO THE POST-OFFICE. 

A correspondent of "_The Guiding Hand_" relates this incident:

"In the year 18--, having a brother living in the city of R. , I went tosee him. Going to the store where he had been at work, I found that thefirm had suspended, and that he was thrown out of employment, and hadbroken up housekeeping, but could not ascertain where he was, only thathe was boarding somewhere out in the suburbs of the city. I searched forhim all day, but in vain. 

"It was _absolutely necessary_ that I should find _him_. What MORE to doI knew not, except to _pray_. Finally, I was impressed to write a lineand drop it into the post-office, and I obeyed the impression, tellinghim, if he got it, to meet me at a stated place, the next morning, atten o'clock. _I prayed earnestly_ that the Lord would cause him _to goto the post-office, _ so that he might get my letter. I felt full ofpeace, and at rest about the matter. The next morning, at ten o'clock, Iwent to the place appointed for him to meet me, _and he soon came in_. "

This incident might seem one of ordinary or chance occurrence, but forthe following unusual circumstances:

"As they were returning to their home, his brother said: 'There issomething _very strange_ about my going to the post-office thismorning--_I had my arrangements all made to go with a party, thismorning early, to the bay, fishing; but, when I awoke, I had such animpression to go down to the post-office, that I had to forgo thepleasure of going to the bay, and went to the post-office and found yourletter_. '

"I replied, '_It was the Lord_ that impressed you in answer to myprayer, for I have prayed earnestly for the Lord to send you to theoffice this morning, ' and, although but young in years and religion, Igave God the praise for his guidance and His grace. "

THE WIDOW'S TREE

Not many years ago a violent storm, with wind and thunder, spreaddevastation all through the valley of Yellow Creek, Georgia. For a milein width, trees were uprooted, barns and fences were prostrated, and allthe lands were desolated. 

Right in the center of the tornado stood a small cabin. Its soleoccupants were an aged widow and her only son. The terrible wind strucka large tree in front of her humble dwelling, twisting and dashing itabout. If it fell it would lay her home in ruins. Desolation, deathitself, might follow. The storm howled and raged. The great trees fellin all directions. When it seemed her tree must also fall and there wasno remedy, she knelt in fervent supplication to Him who gathereth thewind in his fists, that he would spare that tree. Her prayer was heard. The tree was spared, and was the _only one_ left within a considerabledistance of the widow's cabin. 

THE LORD PAID HIS INTEREST. 

A most curious answer to prayer occurred in the experience of a homemissionary in Brooklyn. It illustrates how God, in his trials of faithto see if His people do really cling to the promises, compels them tomarch right into the scene of danger, and into the mouth of the cannon, that apparently is open specially to shoot them down. 

The interest on the mortgage of his property was due in a few days. Itsamount was $300. He did not have the money--did not know where to obtainit. With anxious heart during the day, he kept up his faith and courageby thinking of the Lord's promises, and, the last night before theeventful day, was spent in prayer, until the assurance came that all waswell. Often he pleaded, often he reminded the Lord that, as his life was_His_, to save him from reproach, and not let his trust in the Lordsuffer dishonor before others. 

The last moment came--no money--no relief. With sinking heart he went tothe holder of the mortgage to announce his utter inability to meet hisdemand. While there, just at the last moment, when he was about toleave, the gentleman said, "_By the way, here is an envelope I was toldto give you. "_

The missionary opened it, _and out came six fifty dollar bills, _ justthe _three hundred dollars prayed for_. The Lord met and delivered himin the very jaws of the enemy. 

WILL THE LORD DELIVER FROM BAD HABITS OF TOBACCO, RUM, LIQUOR, LICENTIOUSNESS, ETC. , IN ANSWER TO PRAYER. 

This question having been asked by a clergyman of Brooklyn, Rev. S. H. Platt, he received a large number of communications, which evidentlyprove that the Lord is _willing_ and _does_, either _instantaneously_ orgradually in answer to prayer, deliver and take away wholly the bad_habits_ and _appetites_ of those who are willing to forsake theirsinful ways and cleave only to Him. _The Lord's salvation cleanses anddelivers the body as well as the soul_. 

We quote a few extracts from his correspondence, which is but a smallportion out of many published in his volume, "_The Power of Grace_. "

CURED OF TOBACCO APPETITE. 

"A little more than a year has elapsed since I left off the use oftobacco. This further time has more fully developed the thoroughness ofthe case spoken of and the completeness of the victory over an evilhabit. I am filled with wonder, for I expected a terrible fight with anappetite, strengthened by an indulgence of about thirty-five years, butthe enemy has not shown his head. _Not only has the desire for smokingbeen effectually squelched_, but a perfect hatred of smoking has beendeveloped on account of the offensiveness of the odor of tobacco. Ifrequently cross the street, or change my seat in a car to escape thepuff of smoke, or the fetid breath of a smoker. 'Thanks be unto God whogiveth us the victory. '"

BAD HABITS WHOLLY OVERCOME. 

"A physician of extended practice was converted and reclaimed while Ihad charge of the place in which he lived. He had acquired the habit ofusing large quantities of whiskey and brandy, and withal more or lessgiven to licentiousness. Since that time he has been steadily advancingin morals and moral power, till he now preaches the gospel as a localpreacher, side by side with the best of the district. "

WAS IT INSTANTANEOUS?

"Yes, as respects tobacco; he became convicted of its sinfulness by avoice saying, 'That is not the way to glorify God: stop, and stop now. 'And from that moment he says he has never used it, neither does he inany way like the smell, or even the sight of tobacco. "

THE LORD DELIVERS FROM BODILY SINS. 

"I had used tobacco from my childhood, and the love and use thereof grewupon me. I became convicted of its sinfulness, went to God and said, '_Destroy the appetite, and give me power over it_. Save me that I mayglorify thee as a God of power for our present sins, and I will glorifythee ever more. ' I wrote out the contract and signed it, and from thatblessed afternoon have no recollection of ever desiring it even. "

ANOTHER DELIVERANCE. 

"Tobacco was a great trouble to me; and I had tried a number of times toleave it off, but could not do so. One night as I was retiring to rest, I thought I would kneel by my bed and ask _Him_, who never refuses toanswer prayer, to take from me the desire for tobacco, and from thatmoment it has been impossible for me to use it. 

NOT YOUR OWN STRENGTH CAN BREAK THE HABIT. 

"I smoked tobacco excessively for fifteen years, commencing when I wasabout twenty years old. I often strove to break off from the use of it;indeed I determined time and again to desist from it, sometimesabstaining for a few months or weeks, once for twelve months, _but thedesire never left me_, and whenever I tasted it I was sure to take to itagain. I sometimes vowed whilst upon my knees in prayer, to abstain fromit and never touch it again, but I always attempted to do this in my ownstrength; hence I failed, being overcome by the almost irresistibleinfluences it had upon my appetite, so long accustomed to the use. 

"One Sunday morning, I retired to a secluded place, got down upon myknees, and asked the Lord to help me quit it, determining then and therethat I would, God being my helper, never touch the accursed thing againby any kind of use in the way of consumption, and from that day to this, I have never had any desire to smoke or chew tobacco, or to use it inany way; I lifted my heart to God, imploring his assistance inabstaining from it. I have now been clear of the desire of it for nearlytwenty-three years. "

A DOUBLE CURE. 

"At the age of twelve years I commenced to use tobacco, and continued touse it, both smoking and chewing, till five years ago, when in answer toprayer the appetite was instantly removed. 

"The circumstances were as follows: I had tried many ways to leave offthe use of tobacco, but the appetite was so strong that I could notwithstand it. At one time I left it off for a month, but not a daypassed but I craved it, and when I did begin again it tasted as good asever. I found that tobacco was injuring my health. My nervous system wasmuch deranged. 

"For more than a year before I left it off there was scarcely a nightbut I lay for two or three hours, before I could go to sleep. I resolveda great many times I would leave off, but always failed. I had alsoacquired the habit of drinking, and became a confirmed drunkard. 

"I knew the habits were killing me, but I was powerless to stop. Oneevening a prayer-meeting was appointed at my house. The minister in hisremarks spoke about habits, and said that religion would cure all badhabits, such as tobacco, &c. , and that by prayer God would remove allevil appetites. 

"I thought but little about it that night; was very careless andtrifling about it. The next morning I took out my tobacco to take achew, and thought of what the minister had said the night before. It wasa new idea to me. I put the tobacco in my pocket again, and said, '_I'lltry it_. '

"_I was alone in my barn; I kneeled down and asked God to remove theappetite from me. It was done. I was cured_. I felt it. I knew it then. I have never had a desire for it since. There has been no hankering forit or for strong drink since. My sins were all forgiven, and I was madea new man all over, inside and outside. 

"When I go into company where they are smoking, I have no desire for itat all, neither have I for drinking, any more than if I had never hadthose habits. _My nervous difficulty was also instantly cured_. No moretrouble about sleeping, and I know that Jesus can heal and remove anddestroy all evil habits. "

A SPECIAL WORD TO ALL SEEKING TO ESCAPE EVIL WAYS. 

Should these words meet the eye of any one so troubled over any evil wayor bad habit from whose bondage he would gladly escape, let me say toyou these words of good cheer: "_The Lord can save you, the Lord candeliver you, the Lord can wholly heal you. He can take away yourappetite and cleanse you thoroughly_. He has done it for many others. Hecan do it for you. Realize that your own strength can not do it. Forgetnot that it is only in answer to your own prayer. Those who want thisgood gift must _pray for it_. Deliverance may be instantaneous orgradual, but do not cease your prayer. Seek in the Bible for thosepromises which show that he can _deliver from all evil_, and plead themand then trust in Him and his strength to fulfill them. 

"Forget not also to ask others to pray for you, and remember that theanswer is sure to come if you add to your prayer these true thoughts ofyour heart, '_Deliver me and I give myself to thee forever_. '

"If you expect so great a gift from the Lord, he asks of you, '_What areyou willing to do for me_?'"

HELP AT THE VERY LAST MOMENT. FAITH REWARDED. 

A clergyman in the State of New York, through the influence of adisaffected member, was unfairly and precipitately deprived of hispulpit, which involved a large family in necessity. At supper the goodman had the pain of beholding the last morsel of bread placed upon thetable without the least means or prospect of a supply for his children'sbreakfast. His wife, full of grief with her children, retired to herbed. The minister chose to sit up and employ his dark hours in prayer, and reading the promises of God. Some secret hope of supply pervaded hisbreast, but when, whence, or by whom, he knew not. He retired to rest, and in the morning appeared with his family, and offered family prayer. It being the depth of Winter, and a little fire on the hearth, hedesired his wife to hang on the kettle, and spread the cloth upon thetable. The kettle boiled, the children cried for bread; the afflictedfather, standing before the fire, felt those deep emotions of heart overhis helplessness and impending starvation which those reared inaffluence never know. 

While in this painful state some one knocked at the door, entered, anddelivered a letter into the minister's hand. When the gentleman was gonethe letter was opened, and to the minister's astonishment it contained afew bank bills, with a desire for acceptance. So manifest an answer toprayer from Divine Goodness could not but be received with gratitude andjoy, and fulfills to the very letter these promises: "Verily thou shaltbe fed. " Psalm 37:3. "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. " Heb. 13:5. 

To ascertain how this occurrence came to take place, this remarkablecoincidence of relief at the identical moment of time when there was thelast appeal to God, the incident was communicated to the editor of areligious journal. Having an intimacy with the gentleman said to be theone whose hand had offered the seasonable relief, he determined the nexttime he made him a visit to introduce the subject, and, if possible, toknow the reason that induced the generous action. The story was toldwith a modest blush which evinced the tenderness of his heart. Oninterrogation, he said "he had frequently heard that minister. On acertain morning he was disposed for a walk; thought in the severity ofthe winter season a trifle might be of service, as fuel was high; felt akind of necessity to enclose the money in a letter; went to the house, found the family, delivered the paper and retired, but knew not theextreme necessity of the minister and his family, either at that timenor till this very moment when his friend introduced the subject. Thusit is seen none but God knew the want or moved the hand that gave thesupply, and brought them to meet at the right time. 

SPINAL DISEASE CURED. 

"There was a little girl in this place that had thecerebro-spinal-meningitis; several had died with this disease, and thephysician had given her up to die. The weekly prayer-meeting met in townthat night, and her parents wrote a note and sent it by their littleson, requesting prayer that their little daughter might live and notdie, signed with the names of both parents. From that time she began torecover, and to-day she is a bright little girl, with full use of everyfaculty, and not deformed as most persons are from this terribledisease. I cannot view it in any other light than a direct answer toprayer. "

AN OLD MAN'S PRAYER. 

"I feel also like mentioning another instance. I knew an old father inIsrael, a minister of the gospel, who once in speaking with a brotherminister, after a revival of religion in which five of his grandchildrenhad professed their faith in Christ, among others with whom he hadlabored; said if he could only live to see his one remaininggranddaughter brought into the fold, and the two Presbyterian churches, then, called the Old and New school, united, he could say, like Simeonof old, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mineeyes have seen thy salvation. ' About three years after, the twoPresbyteries met near this place in Germantown, Mo. , and he seemed as ifhe could not contain himself till the time came for the meeting, soanxious was he for this great desire of his heart to be fulfilled. Onthe day of meeting he took sick and could not be present at any of thesessions, but many of his brethren were with him, among whom was thisone he had been conversing with. The sessions lasted three days, andupon the last evening his wishes were gratified, the two Presbyteriesmerged into one, singing 'Blest be the tie that binds;' and his youngestgranddaughter united with the church, and after the meeting adjournedthis brother came to watch with the aged servant of God. He waspermitted to convey the glad news to him, and see a heavenly smile lightup his countenance as he passed away with his earnest prayer gratified. "

THE MYSTERIOUS LEADINGS OF PROVIDENCE. 

The following incidents are contributed to the book by a prominentclergyman:

"A period, ever memorable in the life of the writer, occurred in theAutumn of 1832, while attending a protracted meeting of more thanordinary interest and power, held under the auspices of the Baptistchurch in the city of Schenectady, under the then pastoral charge ofRev. Abraham D. Gillette, this being his first settlement. It was in oneof the meetings that the Holy Spirit impressed my mind of its sinfulnessand the need of a Savior, not only to cleanse my soul of sin and sinfulstains, but to save me. These impressions caused me to humble myself atthe feet of sovereign mercy; and in the midst of my pleadings, Godanswered my prayer, and opened to me new views, views of the heavenlykingdom, which so electrified my soul, that with a full heart I couldsay, 'Blessed be the Lord who has shown me marvelous works in thislonely place beneath the star-lit sky. '

"This great change was, and is, to me the most wonderful interpositionof God in my behalf in answer to prayer. This answer to prayer thepromised result of faith in Him. "

"Again, in the year 1836, the writer in the year mentioned was employedby a transportation company, in the city of Troy, in the character of anemployee having direction of a portion of the business of the companywhich brought me into close relation with the many boatmen connectedwith the company. Association with the boatmen was painful to myreligious nature, compelled, as I was, to hear all manner of offensivetalk. The latter led me to indulge a wish that I might free myself fromsuch company, in order to form associations with persons of my ownreligious turn of mind. But God willed otherwise, as will be learnedfrom the recital of God's dealings with me on an occasion of a journeyalone in a carriage from Troy to Schenectady. It was on the occasionalluded to that most of the time was occupied in prayer, and the burdenof my prayer was 'that God would open up a way for me wherein I couldfind more congenial company, where in fact my religious feelings wouldnot meet with the trials incident to my present associations. ' But Hewho knew my needs better, came to my relief in words seemingly distinctenough to be heard. This was the answer: 'I have placed you just where Iwant you. ' Instantly my prayer for a change of location or separationfrom my business and its connections ceased, and since, instead oflooking for easy positions, wherein the principles of the faith which isin me may be undisturbed, I deem it suited to my growth in grace andincrease in devotion to my Master's cause, to covet the association ofmen whose only tendency is to evil continually. I have found byexperience in the latter direction, that although many tongues are loosein the habit of profanity, I am roused more and more by grace to impartwords of counsel. I know that efforts at consistency in Christianconduct and converse will stop the mouth of profaners of the name of ourRedeemer, God. "

Another instance of the presence of God with his children is clearlymanifest in the following sketch of a meeting of two brethren, of whomthe writer was one, held in the conference room of the First Baptistchurch in Troy, N. Y. , of which church he was a member. The meetingalluded to occurred in the early spring of 1840 or '41. We wereaccustomed to meet almost every day for the purpose of arranging theSunday school library, but would occupy a portion of the time, usuallyat noon, in prayer for such persons or objects as were presented to themind. On the particular occasion we propose to mention, it was mutuallyagreed that we pray for one of the brethren, whose gifts were of a highorder, and his usefulness hindered by a lack of spirituality. Wemutually bowed in prayer for this brother, and while thus engaged thedoor of the room was opened, and a person entered and knelt between us, but who he was, or the purpose of his visit we knew not until we hadended our prayer, at which time the person spoke and requested us tocontinue praying for him. 

At the conclusion of the service, the question was mooted how he camethere. His reply was in substance as follows: "When standing on a stoopon the corner of Fourth and Congress streets, cogitating which way Ishould go, I was impressed by a voice within which directed my course tothe Conference Room. I debated with the impression, taking the positionthat it being noon no meeting was then in progress. Still the impressionremained, and could not be removed. Noticing this, I gave way to thevoice and here I am. " Neither of the three thus brought together coulddoubt for a moment that our prayer for this brother was answered. Hisjoy was great in view of being thus called from his delinquency to sharein the fullness of his Savior's love. 

"Another instance in the experience of the writer very clearly shows thepower and worth of prayer. About the year 1840, in the Autumn thereof, he experienced a lack of vital, spiritual energy. This had been ofmonths' continuance, but to his joy, culminated after retiring to rest. After this manner, before sleep overcame him, he was impressed topresent his case before the mercy-seat. To do so he arose from his bed, retired to a quiet part of his home and bowed in prayer, seeking tooccupy the entire night if need be in prayer for the bestowal of theHoly Spirit, and the consequent revival influences of other days. Thisseason of prayer was of short continuance; but not by reason ofdisrelish for the exercise, but because my prayer was answered and acomplete breaking away of the previous hindrances to my spiritualenjoyment. Since the event alluded to, now more than thirty-six years, Ihave not been afflicted by doubts, and counsel brethren and sisters notto allow themselves to be made unhappy by this evil to our spiritualprogress. "

LIFE SPARED FOR TWO WEEKS. 

"On the 8th of January, last, I was called upon to visit a dying man inJersey City, whom the doctors had said could not live but a few hours. Ifound him in severe bodily sufferings and a terrible agony of mind. Hehad lived a moral and upright life in the eyes of the world, butcareless and neglectful of all religious duties, and now with eternitybefore him he felt his life a failure and his imperative need of help. 

"In his agony he would cry out, 'Lord, help me, ' and perhaps the nextmoment blaspheme the name of God. I sought to show him his great sin inhaving so long neglected God and his salvation, and at the same timeassured him that Jesus was a great Savior, 'able to save to theuttermost all who would come unto Him. ' I went from his bedside to theunion prayer-meeting, held in our city during the week of prayer, whereI presented his case and asked the brethren to pray that God would savethis poor man even at the eleventh hour, and spare him to give goodevidence of his conversion. His case seemed to reach the hearts of allpresent, and most earnest prayers were offered in his behalf; so strongwas the faith that many came to me at the close of the meeting and saidthat young man will certainly be saved before he is taken from thisworld. 

"In answer to prayer he was spared nearly two weeks, and for some six orseven days before his death, gave much clearer evidence of being trulyconverted than could have been expected of one in his condition. "

A MISSIONARY'S EXPERIENCE IN MEXICO. 

"While laboring with my wife as a missionary in Northern Mexico, wesupported ourselves for nearly four years by teaching and such otherways as the Lord opened up to us. 

"But our schools being decidedly Protestant, and I preaching regularly, the opposition from Romanists was very strong; this, together with theextreme poverty of the people, made our income very small. Frequentlythe opposition would rise to that pitch that only the children of thepoorest would be permitted to come, but we never turned these away, though they could pay no tuition, trusting that God would provide for usin some other way. 

"Early in the year 1869, we were much exercised to know the will of theLord concerning us, whether he would have us continue or not. We broughtour case before the Lord and prayed him to make known his will andprovide for our necessary wants. In about three weeks we received acheck for eighty dollars, sent us, as we felt, truly by the Lord inanswer to our prayer through a friend in New York, who knew nothing ofour circumstances or prayer. 

"In August the same year, our condition became such that it seemed as ifin a few days we would be wholly without the necessaries of life. Welaid our case before the Lord, and as he did not appear to open up anyway for us to leave the field, we went forward with our work asfaithfully as we knew how, believing that the Lord would provide in hisown time and way, when one evening, just after family worship, a rapcame to the door. I opened it, there came in quite a company of persons, all bearing something, and just exactly the things we needed most, andto the amount of over fifty dollars' worth, and about a sixth of it was, as we learned, given by Romanists who had opposed us very strongly allthe time we had been there. Truly the Lord answers prayer and turns thehearts of men to do his will. "

THE GREATEST OF PHYSICIANS. 

Miss X. Of Brooklyn, had suffered long and severely from a distressingtumor. One physician after another had plied his skill, but to nopurpose; even the celebrated Doctor Simms of New York, corroboratedtheir verdict, that there was no help for her but in the knife. Shefinally consented to that terrific method, but was in no condition ofstrength to bear the operation. It was decided to postpone it till the22d of June. Twelve doctors were invited to be present. Meanwhile a dietnurse sent from New York, remained with her, to prepare her system forthe ordeal. 

Three days preceding the one appointed for the operation, she wasattacked by severe nausea, which lasted two days, and so weakened herthat again the doctors were all notified by the attending one, that afurther postponement was imperative, and a certain date fixed inNovember. 

All this time her own prayers were unceasing, those of her friends addedto her own; and many a remembrance in the Fulton Street meeting, cheeredand encouraged her. 

_By November, the tumor had totally disappeared!_ That was two yearsago. She is still well, strong; able to walk three miles any time. 

She is as certain that the whole cure was performed by the Lord inanswer to all those fervent prayers, as she is certain she lives andmoves. 

HOW THE LORD PAID BACK THE $5. 

Mr. H. , missionary, was appealed to by a poor man who seemed almostdistracted. He had a wife and five children; one of them ill; had beensick himself for three months, and owed rent for the whole of that time. The landlord had served him with a writ of ejectment, and he could getno other tenement, unless he could pay five dollars on the rent. He hadapplied to a well-known society in Brooklyn; but they were entirely outof funds and gave him a note to the missionary, hoping he might have orfind the desired help. But missionaries' pockets are more oftendepleted, than those of benevolent organizations, and the one inquestion was fain to take the applicant to a friend, whom we shall callQ. 

The poor man told his story, asked the five dollars only as a loan, and, having an order for the painting of two signs, said he should be paidfor them when done, and could return the loan the next Saturday, oneweek from that time. 

Mr. Q. Saw, at once, that the utter destitution of the family, and theneed of _everything_, would prevent the man returning the money, howevermuch he might wish to, and so refused to lend it. The case was urged, but without avail; and the missionary sent the man away, promising tosee him again that night or on Monday. After his departure, thefollowing conversation passed between the gentlemen:

Q. --"Now, H. , I don't take any stock in that man. Can you not see thathis paying that money back, is a simple impossibility?"

H. --"Well, perhaps so; but the question with me in such cases, is this:What is duty? Admit that he cannot pay it, or even that he will not try;is it not better to relieve his desperate need, than to have him perhapsturn criminal and prey upon society? He _must_ leave the house he is in;he _cannot_ get another without the money, and he is desperate; feelsthat five dollars he must have, by fair means or foul. Moreover, thinkof his wife and children, leaving him out of the question. Now let usopen this little Bible, and see what meets our eye first. "

Q. --"Oh, pshaw! You know I do not believe in that kind of thing! Do yougo to the Bible for everything?"

H. --"Why not? Can we have any better guide?"

Q. --"Oh! well, I don't work that way. Now about that man and his money. I will toss up a penny with you, whether I lend or not. "

H. --"No you won't! You know I don't believe in chance, but in the Lord. And would you sooner rest your decision on a gambler's test, than onGod's promise? Now just let us open the book. "

Q. --"Well; what do you see?"

H. --"'The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; but the righteoussheweth mercy, and lendeth. '" 37th Psalm, 21st verse. 

As there was no hunting up of passages, nor leaves turned down to openeasily, the coincidence was impressive, as well as amusing, and H. , following it up, said, "Lend him the money, and if he does not pay younext Saturday night, I will. "

It was so agreed upon, and, when the man called on the missionary onMonday morning, he was sent to Q. For the relief. 

The week passed on, as they all pass, weighted and freighted with humanills; some capable of alleviation, some not; but of the former, a fullshare had come under the notice and care of the missionary, and Saturdayfound him stepping into the Fulton street prayer-meeting, N. Y. , forfresh encouragement and benediction on his labors. 

At its close, a gentleman said to him, "Mr. H. , I have known you bysight for years; know your work; but have never given you anything; andI promised myself the next time I saw you, I would do so. Have you anyspecial need of five dollars now? If so, and you will step to the bankwith me, you shall have it. " Instantly it flashed through the mind of H. That this was the day when, either the borrower or he, must pay hisfriend. It may be supposed that he went to the bank with alacrity. Goingback to B. And meeting the friend, he learned that neither man nor moneyhad appeared, and at once tendered the five dollars, telling the storyof the Lord's care in the matter. 

Q. Was so interested in this manner of obtaining supplies, that herefused to take the money, and instructed H. To use it in the Lord'swork. 

PRAYING FOR MONEY FOR A JOURNEY. 

A lady, Miss E. , residing in New Bedford, received a letter telling ofthe serious illness of her mother, in New York. Sick herself, fromunremitted care of an invalid during eight years, poor as Elijah whenhis only grocers were the ravens, too old for new ambitions, too wellacquainted with the gray mists of life to hope for many rifts throughwhich the sunshine might enter, she had no sum of money at allapproaching the cost of the trip between the two places. 

"He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thoutrust, " is a text bound over her daily life, as a phylactery was boundbetween the eyes of an ancient Hebrew. She lives literally, _only oneday at a time_, and walks literally by faith and not by sight. So thenas ever, the Lord was her committee of ways and means; but for threedays the answer was delayed. Then, an old lady called to express herindebtedness for Miss E. 's services three years before, and ask heracceptance of ten dollars therefor, "no sort of equivalent for days anddays of writing and searching law papers, but only a little token thatthe service was not forgotten. "

There was the answer to her prayer; there the redemption of the pledge:"As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round abouthis people from henceforth, even forever. "

EMPLOYMENT FOUND. 

A man and wife were out of employment, and in very great trouble. Mr. H. (missionary) had added his efforts to theirs, and sedulously soughtamong the families he knew, for positions for them. After two weeks'fruitless endeavor, he said to the man, "Well, John, let us go into theFulton street meeting and leave it with the Lord. " They did so; therequest was read and remembered. 

The very next day, Mr. H. Received a note from one of the families towhom he had already applied, and without success, requesting him to sendthe man and wife of whom he had spoken. Very joyfully he did so, andthey were both engaged! Mr. H. Considered it a very marked answer toprayer, inasmuch as it was quite difficult to find a family who wanted aman as well as woman servant; and that particular family was, of allothers, the least likely to make such an arrangement!

A BARREL OF FLOUR. 

For the "Faith Home for Incurables" Mr. H. Received, one day, fivedollars. A barrel of flour was terribly needed. He went to a large housein New York, hoping the Lord would incline the proprietor to sell him abarrel for that sum. He felt too poor, was not willing; and with a heavyheart, Mr. H. Returned, asking the Lord what next he should do. Hecalled at the store of a friend, where the following conversation tookplace. "Well, did you get the flour?" "I did not; they feel too poor, and I am terribly disappointed. It is almost dark now; I have lost mytime going over there, and at this hour, the flour merchants here areclosed. " "Well, Mr. ---- called here, and I told him you were in, and onwhat errand you had gone to New York. He said he would send a barrel tomy store if I would send it up to the Home; and I did so, about an hourago. "

WONDERFUL WAYS OF THE LORD IN GUIDING HIS PEOPLE. 

Our missionaries move amidst the reality of scenes which religiousfiction vainly strives to equal. Remarkable proofs of genuine and vividpiety, triumphs of patience and grace, lifting their possessors abovethe most painful and distressing circumstances, are met with in alltheir explorations, and more than repay them for toil or privation. 

WONDERFUL CONVERSION OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC. 

A frame dwelling in an alley, two rooms on the first floor, in thesmaller one a bed-ridden old colored man, who had fought the battle oflife for ninety years, fifteen of them on his bed, with eyes so dimmedby age that he could not even read; and a wife who was eye, ear andsolace to him, are the salient points of our first picture. 

They were both earnest, exultant Christians, around whom the angels ofGod encamped day and night. The wife was brought up in the West Indies, as a Catholic, but her ideas of religion consisted mostly in countingbeads on a rosary. After coming to Brooklyn, she became a servant in thefamily of a well-known naval officer, and was always a favorite onaccount of her vivacity. One day, a young painter who was working there, and proved to be one of the Christians whose light shines for all in thehouse, spoke to her, and invited her to a prayer-meeting in a Protestantchapel. She refused, laughing; but the painter's assurance next day, that she had been prayed for in that meeting, made her restless, uneasyand sick. In a few days, she was confined to her bed and pronounced bysome doctors, a victim to consumption. One, more sagacious than therest, said her trouble was of the mind, not the body, and a ministerwould be better than a doctor. 

It proved to be the case; she was soon led into a glimmering hope, though feeling that she literally carried a burden on her back. Startingout, one night, to look for a place of worship, she turned her feet to aMethodist meeting from whence the sound of singing had reached her. Inthe prayer and exhortation, however, there were words which revealed toher the secret of faith and salvation. She felt the burden loosen andfall from her shoulders, so sensibly, that involuntarily, she turned andlooked for it on the floor. In a few moments she began to realize thefreedom she had gained, and started to her feet in joy and wonder. 

Her work then began in her own home, and through her prayers of faith, five members of the Commodore's own family and an Irish Catholic servantgirl, were brought to "Christ, the living way. " For years her faith wasproved by her works; her daily example in the household, her watchingsand waitings by the bedside of her helpless husband--poverty, sickness, perplexities of every sort, but made her hope the brighter, her hold thefirmer. With no dependence for their daily bread but the benefactions ofone and another person, sometimes entire strangers, they never knew whatit was to suffer actual want, nor did Frances ever believe that herfriend would forget her. 

REMARKABLE PRESERVATION OF LIFE FROM LIGHTNING IN ANSWER TO PRAYER. 

I was riding on top of the Boulder Pass of the Rocky Mountains, in thesummer of 1876, when a sudden storm of rain, wind, and furious tempestcame up. There was no shelter from rocks, no trees or buildings to beseen--a lonely, wind-swept summit. I knew that the lightning on thosehigh elevations was fearful in intensity. I was appalled at the prospectbefore me, but feeling that God had promised to care for his children--"No evil shall befall thee or come nigh thy dwelling"--I composedmyself, and though on horseback, with the rain beating in torrents, Ioffered simple prayer to God that he would save me from the rain andstop it. But _No_, it came harder than ever; then I prayed that I mightbe protected from all danger, "_for I trusted in Him_!"

I rode on and on for miles, chilly, cold, wet through, the cloudshanging low and the lightning flashing above me, around me, strikingnear me, constant flashes, peals of thunder; but I was not terrified. "God must keep me. " _Twice I was distinctly struck_ with the electricflash, detached portions or sparks from the electric cloud, directly inthe center of the forehead, but it had no more force than just to closemy eyes, shake my head a little, obscure my sight a moment, and then itwas all over, and I was clearer, cooler, calmer, happier, and moreself-possessed than ever before. I attribute my protection from perilentirely to prayer, and the fierceness of the tempest and the proximityof danger were permitted by the Lord to try my trust. Those portionswhich struck me, if in ordinary times had been given me from an electricbattery in a school-room, a shock with sparks only one-hundredth thesize, would have killed me. 

I can thus say with thanks, faith was then made perfect in danger, andthe Lord _was faithful_ in hearing his child's cry, and delivered him. 

GOD NEVER FAILED HER. 

An aged colored woman, lived that life of faith which shines brighterand brighter unto the perfect day. Born a slave, on Long Island, she wasnever taught to read, never enjoyed any social privileges; but the Godof the widow of Sarepta, who had neither "store-house nor barn, " was herGod, and brought her out of the house of spiritual bondage. 

She outlived all her early associations; all her children andgrandchildren, husband and brother passed on before, leaving her alonein poverty and sickness. Yet she sat in her little hut, a cheerful, happy Christian; a living witness for God as a covenant-keeper. Doubting, despondent souls were always glad to visit her, to listen toher simple words of wisdom and gather strength from her invincibletrust. Roman Catholic neighbors persecuted and even threatened her; butin reply to a missionary who remarked that it must be very trying andsomewhat dangerous, she said, "Don't you know the Lord has a hook in thejaws of the wicked, so they shan't hurt us if we belong to him? Jesus isalways with me; so I'm never alone and never afraid. "

HIS MOTHER'S PRAYER. 

A poor sailor, leading a most profligate and abandoned life, whosepraying mother followed him like a shadow into and out of his drinkingsaloons and gambling houses, at last absented himself from home, whenever he was in port. Her burden, finally, seemed too great to bear, and she resolved to make a stronger effort than ever before, to cast itupon the Lord. As she knelt, with her heart well-nigh bursting with thisdesire, she felt a powerful conviction that, at last, she was answered. For several years the son went on in his wicked career, and the mothersorrowed that it was so, but her soul was no longer laden with fear; shefelt the assurance of his conversion, sooner or later. Again, forseveral years, she never heard of him, and thought him dead; then sheceased praying for him, and was steadfast in the faith of meeting him inheaven. But sight was to be given her, as a reward for faith. Hereturned, at last, only thirty years of age, but broken down in health, and worn out by dissipation and hardship. Still unconverted, but, tosatisfy his mother, he consented to remain in the room during a visit ofthe missionary of that district; a man with sufficient tact not to makehis efforts obnoxious. He did not tell the young man he was a sinner andmust flee from the wrath to come; he merely presented the _love_ ofJesus; the love that saved to the very _uttermost_; that waited morepatiently than any earthly friend, and forgave more royally. At first, he listened indifferently, but, at last, burst into tears, saying, "Ithought I was so bad He didn't want anything to do with me. " A longconversation, and others at intervals followed, and, before his death, which occurred several months after, his mother's heart was gladdened bythe account of his change, and the knowledge that, in farthest lands, his thoughts were back with her. The deeper he went in sin, the moreunsatisfactory and abhorrent it became, and he would have turned, longbefore, to the Lord, had he believed there was the least hope for him. When he closed his eyes to earth, a few friends enabled his mother togive him respectable burial, in the same grave where, years before, hisfather was laid. 

THE HEART OF STONE RELENTS. 

Another consumptive in the neighborhood, was thoroughly an infidel. Mr. A. Visited the house three times a week, and, at last, succeeded inovercoming his objections to a weekly prayer-meeting in his house. Inhis hearing, earnest supplication was always made for him, and, at theend of four months, the heart of stone relented. He had not, at first, the courage to appropriate the promises to himself; but one morning veryearly he sent for the missionary to reveal the news that he felt all hissins forgiven, and had "Christ _in_ him, the hope of glory. " four monthsmore he lived to hear witness continually to God's amazing mercy, andthen joyfully expired, declaring himself saved by grace alone. 

A DISCOURAGED ONE REVIVED. 

Mr. C----, walking home one Saturday afternoon, fell into a discouragedtrain of thought because he appeared to have done so little for theMaster that whole week. At that moment a young man took him by the handsaying--"You do not know me, but I know you. A few weeks ago I was onthe high road to destruction, but now through your instrumentality I amin the narrow path which leads to everlasting life. I attended yourprayer-meeting one evening in company with a friend of mine. You spokewith great earnestness, and after we sang the last hymn you remarked, 'How can I bless whom God has cursed? For he declares, If any man lovenot the Lord, he shall be accursed. ' I cannot describe my sensations. For several days I could find no peace, but when at last my faith restedon Jesus, I found that peace which flows like a river; and now, likeMoses, I have chosen rather to suffer affliction with the children ofGod than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, for I know if I have to face anytrouble on account of my religion, I can look forward to a gloriousreward. "

THE PRISONER LOOSED. 

On the third floor of a tenement house, a missionary, Mr. B. , found acomely, intelligent young English woman in great distress. Her heartseemed wrung by grief. A few kind words of sympathy drew from her thestory of her woe. She came to this country with her husband and threeyoung children. He was employed as book-keeper in a large mercantilehouse; but soon became addicted to drink, and the story is ever thesame; loss of position, poverty, disgrace, suffering and recklessness. On the day of the missionary's visit, he was in a prison cell, committedas a vagrant and common drunkard. The wife was bitterly weeping in hercheerless home, and the children around her fretting with hunger. Mr. B. Was so touched he could scarcely find words with which to console her, but turned to Isaiah and read, "For thy maker is thy husband; the Lordof Hosts is his name. " "For a small moment have I forsaken thee, butwith great mercies will I gather thee. " After his prayer, she feltcalmer, and entreated him to come the next week, on the day her husbandwould be released. He complied; found a prepossessing and cultivatedman; and upon telling him how earnestly his wife and himself had prayedfor him, was rejoiced to learn that in that lonesome cell the Spirit ofGod had visited him, filled him with a sincere wish to reform the futureand redeem the past. The missionary called again and again, andwitnessed the strong determination of the young man to fight against hispernicious habit. He was soon employed again in a large house, became aregular attendant at the Lord's house, and began to pray both publiclyand privately for help from on high. Only a few months, and both husbandand wife united with a church and became teachers in the Sabbath school. Their own home, once laid waste, again blossomed like the rose. 

PRAYING FOR TEA. 

On a top floor in a street of tenements lives a colored woman onehundred and ten years old! Her son, a man over seventy, lost his wife, aneat, active Christian woman, very suddenly, and his aged mother wasplunged in despairing grief. "Why, why was I left, old and rheumatic anduseless, and Mary, a smart, busy, capable woman taken away without aminute's warning?" was her continual cry. But the son was left desolate, and the two rooms were to be kept clean, the meals provided before heleft for his work in the morning, and after his work at night; there wasno one else to do it, and love for him called out new effort. With canein one hand she treads the rooms back and forth, performing thehousehold duties. Eyes undimmed, faculties unimpaired, she _does whatshe can_. Upon receiving a call a few months after the death of herdaughter-in-law, she said--"You've brought me a whole pound of that nicetea! Well, honey, _I asked the Lord for some good tea last night, and Iknowed well enough it would be along some time to-day, cos He neverkeeps me waiting long_. I found out why he took Mary instead of me; oldas I was, I wasn't half so fit to go, and he was so full of mercy he letme stay long enough to see it! You know, honey, I've got no one to talkover old times with. There ain't none of 'em left that I was young with, and not many I was old with; but I'm never lonesome, for I'm too busythinking of all the Lord's watching and waiting for me. I'm dreadfullittle use, but my son couldn't get along very well without me, and thenI tell you I'm so busy thinking, I ain't got any time to be lazy orlonesome. Good many little things we want, too, and I have to be runnin'to the Lord for 'em. "

"Do they come every time, auntie?", "Every single time, honey! He neverfails, no matter who else does. He knows I don't ask for no nonsense;only for the things we really need, and he has promised them all thetime. " "But, are there not times, auntie, for instance, when your son issick, when you cannot see where rent and food is coming from?" "Don'twant to see, honey! What's the use seein'? Believin's the thing!Believin's better than money. " And so, all the revolving months, thisrelic of the last century walks by faith in the unseen. 

GIVING HER LAST DOLLAR TO THE LORD. 

A poor woman, sitting in a little church, heard the minister make anurgent appeal for money enough to pay a debt of two hundred dollars, contracted by the church the previous Winter. She had one dollar in herpocket; half drew it out; thought of the improbability of having anymore for several days; put it back. Thought again, "Trust in the Lordfor more;" drew it wholly out, and deposited it in the basket. The nextmorning, a lady called to settle a bill of two dollars, so long unpaidthat it was, long before, set down among the losses. 

THE DANISH GIRL'S BLESSING. 

A very poor Danish girl, broken down in health, utterly unable longer tolabor for her own support, was provided with the means, and urged to goto Denmark, as her friend felt sure there was some good in store for herthere, meaning, more definitely, the restoration of her health. Shecould not be induced until, thoroughly satisfied by several tokens thatit was the Lord's will, and then she consented. 

A devout, humble Christian missionary became acquainted with her soonafter her arrival, and, being struck with the beauty of holiness inevery action and conversation of her life, asked her to marry him, thathe might have the constant satisfaction of rendering her lifecomfortable, and finding his own encouragement in her unfailing faith. His letters are full of his saintly wife, and her signally blessedefforts in winning people to put their trust where it need fear nobetrayal. 

THE SWEDISH GIRL BLESSED. 

A Christian Swedish girl, who had, for three years, done the washing ofa certain family, had so interested them by her care of an aged father, and gained their esteem by her humble piety, that, wishing to go toEurope for six months, they offered her two rooms in their house forthat time, that she might not only save the labor necessary to pay herrent, but, also, take charge of their effects. The offer was gladlyaccepted, and recognized as a token especially from the Lord. 

In times when the father was yet able to work a little, they hadeconomized to a degree that resulted in saving twenty dollars. It waslaid by for three months' rent, when he should be no longer able to earnit. That time had come; as yet the money had not been touched; but Satansent a wicked woman to hire the next room, and, while the father wasasleep, and his poor daughter at church, she stole it. Their grief wasgreat, but they reminded the Lord how hardly it was earned, and howfaithful lie had always been to His promises. It can be easilyunderstood with what emphasis this unexpected offer came to them. 

SAVED FROM DROWNING. 

A poor German woman rushed frantically through the street and into thehouse of a countrywoman, very little better off than herself, declaringshe would drown herself that very night if _no_ one would give her work. A family on the same floor gave her the use of a very small, bare roomfor one week, free of charge; after that, it would be eighty cents perweek rent. Her countrywoman shared with her, such as she had for theevening and the morning, and after the breakfast, sent for a good, ever-ready missionary to talk and pray her into a better frame of mind. He did so, but confirmed and rested her faith on substantial works. Heprocured employment for her before the sun set; enough to pay the rentand get a little common food. Then obtained coal sufficient to last acouple of months; and so, leading her little by little into light andhope, drew her into regular attendance at the Mission chapel in herneighborhood. 

THE WIDOW IN "WANT". 

A home missionary in Brooklyn, who has an enviable reputation for hisentire consecration to the work of helping the poor, one day whenengaged in his benevolent works, entered a restaurant, kept by aChristian friend, a man of like spirit with himself, who, in the courseof conversation, related to him the following circumstances, illustrative of the power of prayer. 

He had, on a certain day, cleared a large sum, part of which consistedof _Mexican dollars_. Returning home in high spirits, he felt as if hecould go to sleep sweetly on this silver pillow. But a thought suddenlyintruded, which gave a new turn to his feelings. It related to a poorwoman in his neighborhood, the widow of a very dear friend of his, whomhe knew to be in want. "Shall I take all this money to myself?" thoughthe. "Does not the Providence who gave it to me say, _No! Give some of itto the widow of your friend_. "

With this impression he retired, as was his habit, quite early, but hecould not sleep. The thought of the needy widow haunted him. "I will goto-morrow, " said he to himself, "and see what I can do for her. " Butthis good intention proved no opiate to his disturbed mind. "Possiblyshe or I may not live to see to-morrow. " Something seemed to say _gonow_. He tossed from side to side, but could not sleep. _Go now_ keptringing in his ear. So at length the restless man had to dress himselfand go. 

At this late hour, not far from eleven, he sallied forth to find thewidow. Seeing a dim light in the upper story where she resided, andfollowing its lead, he crept softly along on the stairway, until hereached the room from which a low sound issued. The door was slightlyajar; through which he could hear the voice of prayer, scarcely audible, but deeply earnest. He dared hardly stir, lest he should disturb thepraying widow. But he came on an errand, and he must accomplish it. Buthow? Recollecting at the moment, that he had in his pocket a few of the_Mexican dollars_, he gently pushed at the door, and it opened just wideenough for his purpose. So taking each piece of money between hisfingers, he rolled it in along the carpet, and withdrew as noiselesslyas he had ascended. Returning to his home, he fell asleep and sleptsoundly, as well he might, after this act. 

The widow at length arose from her knees, and was struck on seeing theshining money lying about her floor. Where had these pieces of silvercome from? Here was a mystery she could not solve. But she knew it wasfrom the Lord, and that he had answered her prayer. So with tears ofgratitude, she gave thanks to Him, "whose is the silver and the gold. "

Shortly after this event, she attended prayer-meeting, where she feltconstrained to make known this wonderful interposition in answer toprayer. The Christians present were as much astonished as herself. Thesilence which ensued was broken by a brother of that church, who roseand said, "What this good woman has told you, is strictly true. Thesedollars came from the Lord. They came in answer to her prayer. " He thendetailed the circumstances before related. "God deputed me to carry thismoney, and providentially I am here to night to testify to the fact thatGod hears and answers prayer. "

It seems, from a subsequent statement, that this widow, owed a certainsum, that she was obliged to pay immediately, and having nothing inhand, she was pleading, that night, that her Heavenly Father would sendher the needed amount. 

THE SEWING GIRL RELIEVED JUST IN TIME. 

A sick Scotch girl was found lying on a narrow bed in a close, uncomfortable room, her sobs audible to the missionary, when half-way upthe stairs. Her story was short. When about, she earned three dollarsand a half a week, at a business that was killing her. Of that, she paidthree dollars for her board; leaving but the half-dollar for clothing orincidentals. But now--she had been lying there two weeks; six dollarswere due for board, and still she was unable to rise, and, when she did, how could she ever pay the back indebtedness?

The woman with whom she lived, was too poor herself to give her the losttime, and, moreover, was one of the class whom struggle and battlehardens. The missionary came just in time to quell the poor girl'sfears, and paid her debts; mind and body were set at rest, and, one ortwo Christian ladies being made acquainted with the case, attended tothe comforts which hastened her recovery; and, when once more pursuingher avocation, her "mither's God" seemed very near, not as one afar off. 

PRAYING FOR A HOME. 

A young Southern girl, who had lost a position through five months'sickness, and found herself, at last, in the street and penniless, turned her steps to a daily prayer-meeting. She said her earliestimpressions from her mother were, that the Lord never failed those whoreally put their trust in Him. She had sought work for food and shelter, though destitute of sufficient covering to keep her from trembling withcold, and, so far, sought in vain; but she was sure it was waiting forher somewhere, and she thought perhaps God's people could tell herwhere. She was right. A sweet-faced lady, who had listened, said shewanted some young girl who might help her a little when she left for hersummer residence, and she had been waiting to find a child of piousparents. Bessie went home with her from that very meeting, and, in twoweeks, came back, with bright eyes and warm, good clothing, to saygood-by to the ladies who had spoken to her so kindly, and, in whosemidst, she had found a second mother. They were to leave town the nextday, and she asked permission to come to the meeting once more and tellwhat the Lord had done for her. 

HOW MUCH GOOD TWO DOLLARS DID. 

A lady sent two dollars to a brave-hearted sister--who, by faith alone, and not by money, had gathered some sick and poor about her, and livedonly by prayer--and a note of apology and half-contempt that it was sucha miserable pittance. She received, in reply, the following littlefinancial statement:

"My Dear Friend:--Remember the five loaves and two fishes, and listen tothe message of your two dollars. This is the way I expended it:

 Corned beef, . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0 80 Chop and egg for sick aunty, . . . . . . 13 Sweet potatoes, . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 White potatoes, . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Cabbage and bread, . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Tea, milk and sugar, . . . . . . . . . . 30 ----- $1 88

The balance bought the coal with which it was cooked, and _fifteen_people were fed!"

SAVED FROM STARVATION. 

On the second floor of a rear house lived a lady well known once asamong the foremost members of a wealthy church. The first blow ofadversity opened a wide passage for a succession of disasters. Shepassed through the whole sliding scale, until the missionary found herin the poor, dilapidated tenement where, for two days and nights, shehad lain in bed to keep warm; or as nearly so as her scanty coveringwould admit. 

It was Saturday, and the only food she had to keep her alive untilMonday, was two soda biscuits! She had sold everything comfortable inthe way of furniture; all her clothing but one respectable suit for thestreet, and the only thing remaining, that pointed to the history ofbetter days, was a pair of gold eye-glasses, given her by her dyingmother. Within a few months her dire necessity had often pointed to theglasses; but she could not see without them, nor could she sell the goldframes unless she had means to have the glass set in commoner ones. Moreover, the harpies who feed and thrive on the miseries of the poor, would in no case have given her more than twenty-five cents for them;and the short respite derived from that amount would not havecompensated for the sacrifice. She had looked at them that morning; feltthat starve she must and would, but that souvenir of her mother shouldnever leave her. She went back to bed and prayed fervently that the Lordwould show her some way of escape, or take her that day to himself. Sheslept an hour or two, and then awakened, strong in the conviction thathe would show her some way before night, and though it was six o'clockP. M. , before the missionary called, no doubt had arisen to trouble hermind; and as soon as he entered and introduced himself, she said--"Youare a messenger from the Lord, sir; I have been expecting you. "

GOD WITH US. 

An old woman was taking home' some sewing the night before, and passingthrough a narrow and dark street, was knocked down by a runaway horse. Taken up senseless and unknown, she was carried into the house of a kindfamily who sent for a physician. It was not till next morning that sherecovered consciousness, and was able to give her address. A messengerwas at once dispatched to her husband, who was supposed to be wild withterror. He was truly thankful to hear from human lips of herwhereabouts; but said he knew she was not dead, and he would see her inthe morning; for the Lord had been with him all night and assured him ofit. He had also kept the fire from going out; and now that she would bebrought home in a few hours, he was ready to trust his Father, as he hadbeen through the night. His hourly friend was Immanuel, God _with_ us;not God somewhere or other in infinite space. 

A VESSEL SAVED. 

A vessel was six months making the passage from Liverpool to BermudaIsland. Fogs enveloped it; winds sent it hither and thither; captain andmate lost their reckoning, lost their senses; and when, added to therest, the vessel sprung a leak, gave up in despair. Crew and passengerswere finally reduced to a few drops of water and one potato a day, andthey merely waited death from starvation or drowning. All but one! Oneman; a minister, whose faith and belief in their final escape burned butbrighter and brighter, as the others sank in the gloom of silentdespair. A few days before they made the land, the leakage suddenlyceased; no one could account for it; but a week after their arrival, when the vessel had been condemned by the authorities as unsea-worthy, it was proposed to turn it bottom upward and see what stopped the leak. God seemed to have performed a miracle for them, when it was discoveredthat that end of the vessel was entirely covered with barnacles!

A REMARKABLE PRAYER CONCERNING A REMARKABLE TEXT. 

A clergyman, accustomed to preach regularly in his journey throughFleming Circuit, Kentucky, was preparing on one Saturday for the laborsof the next day. He was then staying at the residence of a family namedBowers, from which he was to journey the next day five miles to preachat 11 A. M. , at a church called Mt. Olivet. On this Saturday, as herelates the incident, as soon and as privately as practicable, I poredover the Bible in quest of a suitable subject for the next day at MountOlivet, and strange to tell! not one passage in the whole Book, thatafternoon and night, could I fix upon, as, in my estimation, suitablefor the next day. There was one passage, (two or three clauses of whichI had by some means got fixed in my memory), that early that afternoonappeared in my mind as though each word was written in CAPITAL LETTERS. I turned to the whole passage as soon as I could find it; Heb. 6: 4-6;and read, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, "etc. , etc. I had previously studied that whole subject, as recorded inthe original, and as disposed of by learned Commentators of differentcreeds. I had settled in my own mind the import of the passage. But itseemed unsuitable for me, not then three years old in the ministry, toattempt the settlement of a theological question, about which the bestand most learned of modern days had differed. I therefore tried todismiss it from my mind, and to find some passage more suitable for thecoming morrow. But my constant effort proved unsuccessful; and the saidpassage in Hebrews often recurred to my mind. Thus passed my time till Ihad to go to bed, resolving to attempt an early settlement of thegrowing difficulty next morning. But the morning studies produced nochange in the unsettled state of the question, what shall I preach fromto-day? Thus matters remained until I reached Mount Olivet, and had tobegin service without a text. But I concluded if a suitable text did notoccur while singing, praying and reading some Scripture lesson, ratherthan have no text, I would take Heb. 6: 4-6. And, cornered in thisdilemma, so I did, and used it as well as I could. 

I then passed around the circuit as usual, and the fourth Saturdaythereafter, I arrived again at Brother Bowers', preached, met the class, etc. Then, when all the class had left the room except their own family, Brother and Sister Bowers said to me, each manifesting intense feelingand interest, "Have you heard of the _strange_ thing that happened whenyou were here four weeks ago?" Said I, "No! what was it?" They said, "Did you see a man sitting in the house while you was preaching to-day?"describing his dress, looks, etc. I answered, "Yes. " Said they, "Did yousee a woman sitting over there, " describing her? I said, "Yea. " Saidthey, "They are husband and wife--their name is--(I have long sinceforgotten the name)--they are good members of the Presbyterian church, their children are members of our class, as you have called their namesevery time you have examined us. The man and his wife were here andheard you four weeks ago--they know our rules, and when those not of ourchurch were dismissed, they left their children with us, as usual, andtheir parents started home. And, as they themselves tell us and others, as they went along, said the woman to her husband, 'Does not Mr. Akerspreach to-morrow at Mount Olivet?' And he answered, 'I believe he does. 'Said she, '_Well, if I thought he would take a certain text I would likevery much to go and hear him. _' Said her husband, '_What text_?' And sherepeated the whole passage in _Hebrews_ 6:4-6. Said her husband, 'Well, I reckon he will take some subject that will be interesting, and if yousay so we will not go to our own church to-morrow, we will go to MountOlivet. ' She answered, '_Agreed, _ and I do pray the Lord that he maytake that text. ' And she says, she continued to pray all that eveningand next morning, until sitting in the church at Mount Olivet, she heard_you read out the said text, when she knew the Lord had answered herprayer_, and she could scarcely help from loud crying of thanks to God. "

I then told Brother and Sister Bowers my troubles about that text, asabove stated. The Lord answers prayer. 

HOW SHE LEARNED TO LOVE THE BIBLE. 

The Rev. Frederick G. Clark thus writes of an answer to prayer, from onewho wanted to love the Bible more:

"Twenty-seven years ago, in the congregation of my first charge, was alady whose love for the Bible was something remarkable. In theconfidence of a pastoral visit, she told me of her joy in the divineword, and also recited the incidents of her experience in this regard. She had formerly read her Bible as so many do--a chapter now, and ahalfchapter then, without much interest or profit. She was, even then, most interested in religious things. But her chief sources of spiritualstrength were in such writings as those of Baxter, Payson and RobertPhillips. It was her custom to read the Bible from duty, and then turnto these uninspired volumes for the kindling of a higher devotion. For agood while this satisfied her; but, at length, she came to feel grievedabout it. She thought it a dishonor to God's word that any book shouldbe as interesting to her as the Bible. She tried to change this, but, atfirst, with little success. The Bible was still duty--Baxter waspleasure and spiritual elevation. 

"_At length, she could bear it no longer; so she took the case to God, with strong crying. She told her Heavenly Father how grieved she wasthat any book should rival the Bible in her affections. She asked thisone thing--and she renewed her prayer every day--that her first delightmight be in reading the word of God_. I think it was some time beforeshe felt that her request was granted. But, at length, the answer to herprayer was complete and marvelous. A strange light came over the sacredpage. A fascination held her to her Bible. She discovered a depth, ameaning, a curiosity, a charm, which were all new and most wonderful. Sometimes, when she had finished reading her Bible for the night, andhad closed the book and had moved towards her bed, she would go backagain and enjoy the luxury of a few more verses. 

THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT. 

At the age of twenty years, a lady in Winchester, Iowa, began to loseher health, and in a short time was confined to her bed. And shewrites:--"In addition to this I lost the use of my eyes, and was blindand helpless, a greater portion of my time for five years. 

"I enjoyed the blessing of prayer and trust some six months beforefeeling a liberty to pray for the healing of my body; fearing I shoulddesire it without due submission to God's will. It was with _fear andtrembling_ that I first made known this request. Though my pleadings inthis direction were earnest, and often agonizing, yet I could say with afervor as never before, 'Not my will, but thine be done. '

"About the end of November, or early in December, 1873, I realized thatmy faith was perfect, that I was ready _now_ to be healed, that my faithwas momentarily waiting on God, resting without a doubt on the promises. From this time forward my faith remained fixed with but one exception. During the time between December, 1873, and July, 1874, I was healed tosuch an extent that I could walk some, and see more or less every day, though sometimes with only one of my eyes. A portion of this time I feltas though in a furnace of fire; but amid the flames I realized thepresence of the Son of God, who said, '_have chosen thee in the furnaceof affliction_. ' This for a time seemed an answer to my petition, and sothought it my life-work to suffer; for a while my faith became inactive, and I almost ceased praying for my health. Though I felt submissive, yetsomehow I was soon crying, and that most instinctively, 'Thou Son ofDavid, have mercy on me. ' After this, my faith did not waver. Oh, thelesson of patience I learned in thus _waiting_ on _God's_ good time. Andwith what comfort could I present my body an offering to Him, realizingthat as soon as at all possible with His will, I should be healed; I hadan assurance of this, but did not know whether it would be during life, or accomplished only at death. 

"In this manner I waited before God until the morning of the 29th ofJuly, when, without ecstasy of joy, or extra illumination, came a senseof the presence of Jesus, and a presentation of this gift, accompaniedwith these words: 'Here is the gift for which you have been praying; areyou willing to receive it?'

"I at first felt the incoming of the Divine power at the parts diseased, steadily driving out the same, until death was swallowed up in victory. I at once arose from my bed, and proceeded to work about the house, tothe great astonishment of my friends, some of whom thought me wild; butI continued my work, assuring them that Jesus had healed me. Realizingthe scrutiny and doubt with which I was observed, I said to my father, 'What do you think?' He replied, 'It is supernatural power; no one candeny it. '

"My healing took place on Wednesday; on Saturday was persuaded to liedown, which I did, but found the bed was no place for me; thought ofPeter's wife's mother, who 'arose and ministered to them; knew that toher, strength, as well as health, was instantly given, as in the case ofthe palsied man, who rose, took up his bed, and departed. I returned tomy work, backing my experience with those in God's word, and since thenhave not lain down during the day time. 

"My friends could not realize the completeness of the cure, until I reada full hour, and that by lamp-light, and until asked to desist, thefirst opportunity after being healed. 

"A week from this time, I discharged the hired girl, taking charge ofthe household work, which I have continued with perfect ease. About fourweeks after my healing, had occasion to walk four miles, which I didwith little or no weariness. Let me add to the praise of God, that Ihave no disease whatever. Am able to do more hard work with lessweariness, than at any other period in my life, and faith in the Lord isthe balm that made me whole. "

THE WIDOW'S SHOES. 

A poor woman--a widow with an invalid son--a member of the church, couldnot attend church, or the neighborhood prayer-meetings, for the want ofshoes. She asked the Lord for the shoes. That very day the villageschool-master called in to see her son. Meanwhile he noticed that theboy's mother had very poor shoes. He said nothing, but felt impressed, and inwardly resolved to purchase the poor woman a pair of shoesforthwith. He accordingly hired a horse, rode two miles on horseback toa shoe-store, bought the shoes, and requested them sent to the widow'scottage without delay. They proved a perfect fit; and that very nightthe overjoyed woman hurried to the prayer-meeting to announce that inanswer to prayer the Lord had sent her the shoes. 

The young school-master, who, I suspect, was my informant himself, now avenerable, white-haired man, heard the poor woman's testimony; and hispillow that night was wet with tears of gratitude and joy because Godhad used him thus to bless the poor widow, and to answer her prayers. 

A REMARKABLE DREAM. 

The late Dr. Whitehead was accustomed to repeat with pleasure' thefollowing fact: In the year 1764, he was stationed as an itinerantpreacher in Cornwall. He had to preach one evening in a little villagewhere there was a small Methodist Society. "The friend, " said he, "atwhose house we preached, had at that time a daughter, who lived with oneof our people about ten miles off. His wife was gone to attend herdaughter, who was dangerously ill of a fever; and her husband had thatday received a message from her, informing him that his child's life wasdespaired of. He earnestly and with tears desired Mr. Whitehead torecommend his daughter to God in prayer, both before and afterpreaching. He did so in the most warm and affectionate manner. Late thatevening, or very early next morning, while the young woman's mother wassitting by her daughter's bedside (who had been in a strong delirium forseveral days), she opened her eyes and hastily addressed her motherthus: 'O mother! I have been dreaming that I saw a man lifting up hiseyes and hands to heaven, and fervently praying to God for my recovery!The Lord has heard his prayers, and my fever is gone; and what is farbetter, the Lord has spoken peace to my soul, and sealed His pardoninglove on my heart. I know it, I feel it, my dear mother; and His Spiritbears witness with my spirit, that I am a child of God, and an heir ofglory. ' Her mother, thinking that she was still in delirium, desired herto compose herself, and remain quiet. The daughter replied, 'My dearmother, I am in no delirium now; I am perfectly in my senses; do help meto rise, that upon my bended knees I may praise God. ' Her mother did so, and they both praised God with joyful hearts, and from that hour theyoung woman recovered so fast, that she was soon able to attend to theaffairs of the family where she lived. She had never seen Mr. Whitehead, previous to this remarkable time; but some weeks after, she saw him, andthe moment she beheld his face, she fainted away. As soon as she came toherself, she said, 'Sir, you are the person I saw in my dream, when Iwas ill in a violent fever; and I beheld you lift up your hands and eyesto heaven, and most fervently pray for my recovery and conversion toGod. The Lord, in mercy, heard your prayers, and answered them to thehealing of my wounded spirit, and to the restoration of my body. I havewalked in the light of His countenance from that time to the present, and I trust I shall do so as long as I live. ' How remarkably does thiscircumstance illustrate the words of St. James, 'The prayer of faithshall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he havecommitted sins, they shall be forgiven him!'"

"YOU MUST NOT GO. "

A remarkable instance of deep impression occasionally made by the HolySpirit on the mind of the Rev. William Bramwell during prayer, occurredin Liverpool. A pious young woman, a member of Society, wished to go toher friends, then living in Jamaica. She took her passage, had herluggage taken on board, and expected to sail on the following day. Having the greatest respect for Mr. Bramwell, she waited upon him, totake leave and request an interest in his prayers. Before parting, theyknelt down, and he recommended her to the care of God. After he had beenengaged in prayer some time, he suddenly paused, and thus addressed her, "My dear sister, you must not go to-morrow. God has just told me youmust not go. " She was surprised, but he was positive, and prevailed uponher to postpone her voyage, and assisted her to remove her luggage outof the vessel. The ship sailed, and in about six weeks intelligencearrived that the vessel was lost, and all on board had perished. 

EVIL AVERTED. 

A correspondent of the _Guide to Holiness_ says: "We remember a poorwoman who had had a life of sore vicissitude which she bore withremarkable Christian cheerfulness; and after a time of the suspension oftrial, a bad prospect came in sight. She resorted to a friend to whomshe confidingly related the threatening evil, and at parting said, 'Ohpray for us. ' The case as it was known was taken immediately that earlymorning to the throne of grace and laid out in all its circumstanceswith a deeply sympathizing heart, and a consciousness of the pastsufferings of that woman--and as the friend rose from prayer, the answerwas given that the evil was averted, and a new change would come to thatafflicted one. 

"That very day a strange deliverance and opening appeared which set thatfamily at rest from their peculiar trials for the rest of life. "

HOW A POOR LITTLE CRIPPLE CONVERTED A VILLAGE. 

Mr. D. L. Moody relates the instance of a poor little cripple, whoseprayers were answered to the conversion of _fifty-six people. _

"I once knew a little cripple who lay upon her death bed. She had givenherself to God, and was distressed only because she could not labor forHim actively among the lost. Her clergyman visited her, and hearing hercomplaint, told her from her sick bed she could pray; to pray for thoseshe wished to see turning to God. He told her to write the names down, and then to pray earnestly; he went away and thought of the subject nomore. 

"Soon a feeling of religious interest sprang up in the village, and thechurches were crowded nightly. The little cripple heard of the progressof the revival, and inquired anxiously for the names of the saved. A fewweeks later she died, and among a roll of papers that was found underher little pillow, was one bearing the names of fifty-six persons, everyone of whom had in the revival been converted. By each name was a littlecross by which the poor crippled saint had checked off the names of theconverts as they had been reported to her. "

PLEASE GOD, GIVE US A HOME. 

Mr. Moody tells of a beautiful answer to the faith of a little child. 

"I remember a child that lived with her parents in a small village. Oneday the news came that her father had joined the army (it was thebeginning of our war), and a few days after, the landlord came to demandthe rent. The mother told him she hadn't got it, and that her husbandhad gone into the army. He was a hard-hearted wretch, and he stormed, and said that they must leave the house; he wasn't going to have peoplewho couldn't pay the rent. 

"After he was gone, the mother threw herself into the armchair, andbegan to weep bitterly. Her little girl, whom she taught to pray infaith, (but it is more difficult to practice than to preach, ) came up toher, and said, '_What makes you cry, mamma, I will pray to God to giveus a little home, and won't He_?' What could the mother say? So thelittle child went into the next room and began to pray. The door wasopen, and the mother could hear every word. 

_"'O, God, you have come and taken away father, and mamma has got nomoney, and the landlord will turn us out because we can't pay, and wewill have to sit on the door-step, and mamma will catch cold. Give us alittle home_. ' Then she waited as if for an answer, and then added, '_Won't you, please, God_?'

"She came out of that room quite happy, expecting a home to be giventhem. The mother felt reproved. God heard the prayer of that little one, for he touched the heart of the cruel landlord, and she has never paidany rent since. "

God give us the faith of that little child, that we may likewise expectan answer, "_nothing wavering_. "

"OF COURSE HE WILL. "

Mr. Moody also gives the story of a little child whose father and motherhad died, and she was taken into another family. The first night sheasked if she could pray, as she used to do. 

They said, Oh, yes! So she knelt down, and prayed as her mother taughther, and when that was ended she added a little prayer of her own: "_Oh, God, make these people as kind to me as father and mother were_. " Thenshe paused, and looked up, as if expecting an answer, and added, "_Ofcourse he will_. "

How sweetly simple was that little one's faith; she expected God to"do, " and she got her request. 

STRIKING ANSWER. 

The following incidents are specially contributed to these pages by Rev. J. S. Bass, a Home Missionary of Brooklyn, N. Y. :

"While living in Canada, my eldest daughter, then a girl of ten years ofage, rather delicate and of feeble health, had a severe attack ofchorea, "St. Vitus's dance. " To those who have had any experience inthis distressing complaint, nothing need be said of the deep afflictionof the household at the sight of our loved one, as all her musclesappeared to be affected, the face distorted with protrusion of thetongue, and the continuous involuntary motions by jerks of her limbs. The ablest medical advice and assistance were employed, and all that thesympathy of friends and the skill of physicians could do were of noavail. She grew worse rather than better, and death was looked to as ahappy release to the sufferings of the child, and the anguish of theparents; as the medical men had given as their opinion that the mind ofthe child would become diseased, and if her life were lengthened, itwould be an enfeebled body united to an idiotic mind. 

"But God was better to us than our most sanguine hopes far better to usthan our fears. 

"In our trouble we thought on God, and asked his help. We knew we hadthe prayers of some of God's chosen ones. On a certain Sunday morning Ileft my home to fill an appointment in the Wesleyan chapel in thevillage of Cooksville, two miles distant. I left with a heavy heart. Mychild was distressing to look upon, my wife and her sister were worn outwith watching and fatigue. It was only from a sense of duty that I leftmy home that morning. During the sermon God refreshed and encouraged myheart still to trust in him. After the service, many of the congregationtarried to inquire of my daughter's condition, among them an aged saint, Sister Wilson, widow of a Wesleyan preacher, and Sister Galbraith, wifeof the class-leader. Mother Wilson encouraged me to 'hope in God, 'saying 'the sisters of the church have decided to spend to-morrowmorning together in supplication and prayer for you and your family, andthat God would cure Ruth. '

"Monday morning came. Ruth had passed a restless night. Weak andemaciated, her head was held that a tea-spoonful of water should begiven her. My duties called me away (immediately after breakfast) to aneighbor's; about noon, a messenger came, in great haste, to call mehome. On entering the sick-chamber, I noticed the trundle-bed empty, andmy little girl, with smiling face, sitting in a chair at the window, (say eight feet from the bed. ) I learned from the child that, while onthe bed, the thought came to her that, if she could only get her feet onthe floor, the Lord would help her to sit up. By an effort, shesucceeded, moving herself to the edge of the bed, put her legs over theside until her feet touched the floor, and sat up. She then thought, ifshe tried, the Lord would help her to stand up, and then to walk; all ofwhich she accomplished, without any human aid, she being left in theroom alone. The same afternoon she was in the yard playing with herbrothers, quickly gained flesh, recovered strength, with intellect clearand bright; she lived to the age of twenty-two, never again afflictedwith this disease, or anything like it. At the age of twenty-two, ripefor heaven, it pleased God to take her to himself. 

"The sisters, led by Mother Wilson, waited on God in prayer, and Godfulfilled that day the promise--Isaiah 65:24: 'And it shall come topass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yetspeaking, I will hear. '"

A REMARKABLE CASE. 

On the afternoon of Monday, August 20, 1869, I was sent for to visitMrs. M. , who was reported to be very sick. Arriving at the house, I wastold that "Mrs. M. , after a hard day's work, had retired to restSaturday night in her usual state of health, that immediately aftergetting in bed she had fallen asleep and had not awoke up to this time, (6 o'clock Monday evening, ) that three physicians had been in attendancefor 30 hours, that all their efforts to arouse her were without avail. "

In the chamber, Mrs. M. Lay in the bed apparently in a troubled sleep, she was a woman of medium size, about 50 years of age, the mother of alarge family; around her bed stood her husband, four sons and adaughter, and relatives, about twelve persons in all. The husband andsons were irreligious, but awed in the presence of this affliction. 

I felt, as perhaps I never felt before, my ignorance, my helplessness, and the necessity of entire dependence on God for guidance andinspiration, that prayer should be made in accordance with his will. 

I knelt at the bedside and held the woman's hand in mine, lifted up myheart to God and prayed, "If it be thy will and for thy glory, and forthe good of this family, grant that this woman may once more open hereyes to look upon her children, once more open her lips in counsel andholy admonition. " While thus praying, as I believe, inspired by theSpirit of God, and with faith in Jesus Christ, I was conscious of amovement around me, and opening my eyes, I saw Mrs. M. Sitting up inbed. Some of the persons in the room were weeping, others laughing; thesons came nearer the bed, and asked, "Mother, do you know me? do youknow me?" She called each by name, and beckoned to her daughter, heldher by the hand. I, poor faithless one, was wondering what does thismean? One of the sons took me by the hand saying, "Oh! Mr. Bass, Godheard and answered that prayer. " I sung the hymn, "There is a fountainfilled with blood, " Mrs. M. Singing to the close, and then, apparentlyexhausted, sank back on the pillow, speechless and unconscious. Thephysicians were sent for, came, wondered, speculated, administeredmedicine, blistered the calves of the legs, and cupped the back of theneck, but to no purpose. She remained in speechless unconsciousness tillthe next afternoon, when, while prayer was being made, she again openedher eyes, sat up and conversed with her children and friends. In a fewdays she resumed her household duties, enjoying a good degree of healthand strength, and faithfully serving God and her generation until itpleased God to call her home to the rest prepared for the people of God, three years after the incident, the subject of this paper. 

A LITTLE GIRL'S BEAUTIFUL FAITH. 

A little German girl, who had never hitherto known the name of the LordJesus, was led to attend a Mission school. It was the custom at theschool, before the little ones received their dinner, to lift theirhands and thank God for their food. 

When in course of time she spent her days at home, and her father'sfamily were gathered around their own table, this little girl said:

"_Pa, we must hold up our hand's and thank God before we eat. _ That'sthe way we do at the Mission. "

So winning was the little one in her ways, the parents yielded at once. 

At another time her father was sick and unable to work, and the littlegirl said, "_Pa, I'm going to pray that you may get well and go to workto-morrow morning_. "

At four o'clock in the morning she awoke and called out, "_Pa, don't youfeel better_. " The father said, "Yes, I am better, " and he went to hiswork in the morning, although weak and obliged to rest by the way. 

There came a time once when he could not get work, and there was no foodin the house for dinner. 

This little girl knelt down and asked God to send them their dinner, andwhen she rose from her knees, she said, "Now we must wait till thewhistle blows, till 12 o'clock. "

At twelve o'clock the whistle blew, and the little girl said, "Get thetable ready, it is coming, " and just then in came a neighbor with soupfor their dinner. 

THE LORD HELPS TO PAY DEBTS. 

The author of this incident is known to the editor of "RemarkableProvidences, " and speaking of it says: "_God never gave me exactly whatI wanted. He always gave me more. "_

"When I married I was a working man; I had not much money to spare. Inabout three months after my marriage, I fell ill, and my illnesscontinued for more than nine months. At that period I was in greatdistress. I owed a sum of money and had no means to pay it. It must bepaid on a certain day, or I must go to jail. I had no food for myself orwife; and in this distress I went up to my room, and took my Bible. Igot down on my knees and opened it, laid my fingers on several of thepromises, and claimed them as mine. I said, 'Lord, this is thine ownword of promise; I claim thy promises. ' I endeavored to lay hold of themby faith. I wrestled with God for sometime in this way. I got up off myknees, and walked about some time. I then went to bed, and took myBible, and opened it on these words: '_Call upon me in the day oftrouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me_. '

"I said, 'it is enough, Lord. ' I knew deliverance would come, and Ipraised God with my whole heart. Whilst in this frame of mind I heard aknock at the door. I went and opened it and a man handed me a letter. Iturned to look at the letter, and when I looked up again, the man wasgone. 

"The letter contained the sum I wanted, and five shillings over. It isnow eighteen years ago. I never knew who sent it. God only knows. ThusGod delivered me out of all my distress. To Him be all the praise. "

PRAYING FOR A LOST POCKET-BOOK. 

A contributor to _The Christian_ writes as follows:

"A few months since I lost my pocket-book, containing money and papersof a large amount--more than I felt able to lose--and which I shouldfeel the loss of, as I was owing at that time about the same amount. 

"On the day of my loss, I had been from home about a mile and a half, and it was about 9 o'clock _in the evening_, when I returned. And it wasnot till then that I ascertained my loss. 

"My health was very poor, and the prospect of regaining the lostpocket-book was quite uncertain; it was so dark that I thought it wouldbe impossible for me to find it. Consequently I determined to remainawake during the night, and at 3 o'clock in the morning search for it, and if possible, find it before any one should pass over the road. 

"The seeming impossibility of finding it, and the reflections consequentupon the loss of the money were so unpleasant to me that I was led tomake it a subject of prayer, fully trusting that in some way God wouldso direct that I should come in possession of it. If so, I determined togive him $25 of it. 

"As soon as I had formed this purpose, all that unpleasant feeling leftme, and I did not admit a single doubt but I should get it. 

"Accordingly, _at 3 o'clock in the morning_ I made a thorough search, but could not find it. Yet my faith in God's guiding hand did not failme, and I believed that my trust would be realized. 

"While I was thus thinking of the certainty of the fulfillment of thepromises of the Gospel to the believer, I was called on by a gentleman, a leading business man of the place, who came to know if _I had lostanything_. 

"I told him I had lost my pocket-book. He wanted to know how much itcontained. I told him. He said his son had occasion to pass early onthat morning, and had found it in the road, and that in all probabilityI should otherwise have lost it, as two men passed by immediately afterit was found. 

"Thus God found it and returned it to me. "

 * * * * *

LIVES OF FAITH AND TRUST

AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF FAITH AND TRUST. 

For many centimes there has not been a more remarkable testimony ofunfaltering trust in the faithfulness of God in supplying human wants, than is found in the life and labor of George Muller and his OrphanHome, in Bristol, England. His record is one of humility, yet one ofdaily dependence upon the providence and the knowledge of God to supplyhis daily wants. It has been one of extraordinary trial; yet never, fora single hour, has God forsaken him. Beginning, in 1834, with absolutelynothing; giving himself, his earthly all and his family to the Lord, andasking the Lord's pleasure and blessing upon his work of philanthropy, he has never, for once, appealed to any individual for aid, forassistance, for loans; but has relied wholly in prayer to theLord--coming with each day's cares and necessities--and the Lord hasever supplied. He has never borrowed, never been in debt; living onlyupon what the Lord has sent--yet in the forty-third year of his life offaith and trust--he has been able, through the voluntary contributionswhich the Lord has prompted the hearts of the people to give, toaccomplish these wonderful results: _Over half a million dollars_ havebeen spent in the construction of buildings--_over fifteen thousandorphans have been cared for and supported--and over one million dollars_have been received for their support. _Every dollar of which has beenasked for in believing prayer from the Lord_. The record is the mostastounding in the faith of the Christian religion, and the power andprovidence of God to answer prayer, that modern times can show. 

The orphans' homes have been visited again and again by Christianclergymen of all denominations, to feel the positive satisfaction andcertainty that all this were indeed the work of prayer, and they havebeen abundantly convinced. 

The spectacle is indeed a _standing miracle. "A man sheltering, feeding, clothing, educating, and mailing comfortable and happy, hundreds of poororphan children, with no funds of his own, and no possible means ofsustenance, save that which God sent him in answer to prayer_. "

An eminent clergyman who for five years had been constantly hearing ofthis work of faith, and could hardly believe in its possibility, at lastvisited Mr. Muller's home for the purpose of thorough investigation, exposing it, if it were under false pretenses or mistaken ways ofsecuring public sympathy, or else with utmost critical search, desiredto become convinced it was indeed supported only by true prayer. He hadreserved for himself, as he says, a wide margin for deductions anddisappointment, but after his search, as "_I left Bristol, I exclaimedwith the queen of Sheba, 'The half had not been told me. ' Here I saw, indeed, seven hundred orphan children fed and provided for, by the handof God, in answer to prayer, as literally and truly as Elijah was fed byravens with meat which the Lord provided_. "

Mr. Muller himself has said in regard to their manner of living:"_Greater and more manifest nearness of the Lord's presence I have neverhad, than when after breakfast, there were no means for dinner, and thenthe Lord provided the dinner for more than one hundred persons; and whenafter dinner, there were no means for the tea; and yet the Lord providedthe tea; and all this without one single human being having beeninformed about our need_. "

Thus it will be seen his life is one of daily trial and trust, and hesays, "Our desire therefore, is, not that we may be without trials offaith, but that the Lord graciously would be pleased to support us inthe trial, that we may not dishonor him by distrust. "

The question having been asked of him, "Such a way of living must leadthe mind continually to think whence food, clothes, etc. , are to come, with no benefit for spiritual exercise, " he replies: "Our minds are verylittle tried about the necessaries of life; just because the carerespecting them is laid upon our Father, who, because we are hischildren, not _only allows_ us to do so, _but will have us to do so_. 

"It must also be remembered that even if our minds _were_ much triedabout our supplies, yet because we look to the _Lord alone_ for allthese things, we should be brought by our sense of need, into thepresence of our Father for the supply of it, _and that is a blessing_, and satisfying to the soul. "

This humble statement from the experience of one who has tried andproven the Lord in little things, as well as large, conveys to theChristian that world of practical instruction which is contained in theprecepts of the Bible, viz: to _encourage all to cast their cares onGod_; and teaches them the lessons of their dependence upon Him fortheir daily supplies. 

The meaning of the Lord's blessing upon the work of Mr. Muller, is tomake it a standing example and illustration to be adopted in everyChristian home. "_How God supplies our needs, how he rewards faith, howhe cares for those who trust in Him. How he can as well take care of hischildren to-day as he did in the days of the Prophets, and how surely hefulfills his promise, even when the trial brings us to the extremitiesof circumstances seemingly impossible_. "

Mr. Muller's experience is remarkable, not because the Lord has made hisan exceptional case for the bestowal of blessings, but because of the_remarkable, unwavering and persevering application of his faith_, bythe man himself. 

His faith began with small degrees, and small hopes. It was painfullytried. But it clung hopefully, and never failed to gain a triumph. Eachtrial only increased its tenacity, and brought him greater humility, forit opened his own heart to a sense of his own powerlessness, and thisfaith has grown with work and trial, till its strength is beyond allprecedent. 

The lessons which the Lord wishes each one to take from it, is this:"_Be your faith little or weak, never give it up; apply my promises toall your needs, and expect their fulfillment. Little things are assacred as great things_. "

In the journal kept by Mr. Muller during his many years of experience, he has preserved many incidents of answer to prayer in small matters, ofwhich we quote the following from his book. "_The Power of Faith andPrayer_. "

1. "One of the orphan boys needed to be apprenticed. I knew of nosuitable believing master who would take an indoor apprentice. I gavemyself to prayer, and brought the matter daily before the Lord. At last, though I had to pray about the matter from May 21 to September, the Lordgranted my request, and I found a suitable place for him. 

2. I asked the Lord that he would be pleased to deliver a certain sisterin the Lord from the great spiritual depression under which she wassuffering, and after three days the Lord granted my request. 

3. I asked the Lord daily in his mercy to keep a sister in the Lord frominsanity, who was then apparently on the border of it. I have now torecord his praise, after nearly four years have passed away, that theLord has kept her from it. 

4. During this year has occurred the conversion of one of the greatestsinners that I had ever heard of in all my service for the Lord. Repeatedly I fell on my knees with his wife, and asked the Lord for hisconversion, when she came to me in the deepest distress of soul, onaccount of the most barbarous and cruel treatment that she had receivedfrom him in his bitter enmity against her for the Lord's sake. And nowthe awful persecutor is converted. 

5. It pleased the Lord to try my faith in a way in which before, it hadnot been tried. My beloved daughter was taken ill on June 20. Thisillness, at first a low fever, turned to typhus, _and July 3 thereseemed no hope of her recovery_. 

Now was the trial of faith, but faith triumphed. My wife and I wereenabled to give her up into the hands of the Lord. He sustained us bothexceedingly. 

She continued very ill till about July 20, when restoration began. OnAugust 18, she was so far restored that she could be removed to Clevedonfor change of air. It was then 59 days since she was taken ill. 

6. The heating apparatus of our Orphan Home unexpectedly gave out. Itwas the commencement of Winter. To repair the leak was a questionablematter. To put in a new boiler would in all probability take many weeks. Workmen were sent for to make repairs. But on the day fixed for repairsa _bleak north wind set in_. "

Now came cold weather, the fire must be put out, the repairs could notbe put off. Gladly would I have paid one hundred pounds if thereby thedifficulty could have been overcome, and the children not be exposed tosuffer for many days from living in cold rooms. 

At last I determined on falling entirely into the hands of God, who isvery merciful and of tender compassion. I now asked the Lord for twothings, viz. : "That He would be pleased to change the _north wind into asouth wind_, and that he would give the workmen a mind to work. 

Well, the memorable day came. The evening before, the bleak north windblew still; but on the Wednesday the south wind blew _exactly as I hadprayed_. The weather was so mild that no fire was needed. 

About half-past eight in the evening, the principal of the firm whencethe boiler-makers came, arrived to see how the work was going on, andwhether he could in any way speed the matter. 

The principal went with me to see his men; to the foreman of whom hesaid: "The men will work late this evening, and come very early againto-morrow. "

"_We would rather_, " said the leader, "_work all night_. "

Then remembered I the second part of my prayer, that God would give themen a mind to work. By morning the repair was accomplished, the leak wasstopped, and in thirty hours the fire was again in the boiler; _and allthe time the south wind blew so mildly that there was not the least needof a fire_. 

7. In the year 1865, the scarlet fever broke out in several of theOrphan Homes. In one of which were four hundred girls, and in the otherfour hundred and fifty. It appeared among the infants. The casesincreased more and more. But we betook ourselves to God in prayer. Dayby day we called upon Him regarding this trial, and generally two orthree times a day. At last, when the infirmary rooms were filled, andsome other rooms that could be spared for the occasion, to keep the sickchildren from the rest, and when we had no other rooms to spare, atleast not without inconvenience, it pleased the Lord to answer ourprayers, and in mercy stay the disease. The disease was very general inthe town of Bristol, and many children died in consequence. _But not onein the Orphan Home died. All recovered_. 

At another date, the whooping-cough also broke out among the fourhundred and fifty girls of our Home, and though many were dying in thetowns of the same disease, yet all in the Orphan Home recovered exceptone little girl who had very weak lungs, a constitutional tendency toconsumption. 

8. In the early part of one Summer, it was found that we had severalboys ready to be apprenticed, but there were no applications made bymasters for apprentices. This was no small difficulty, as the mastermust be also willing to receive the apprentice into his own family. Weagain gave ourselves to _prayer_, instead of _advertising_. Some weekspassed, but the difficulty remained. We continued in prayer, and thenone application was made for an apprentice, and from the time we firstbegan, we have been able to find places for eighteen boys. "

THE CONSUMPTIVE'S HOME. 

In the United States there is a Parallel Record to George Mailer's Lifeof Faith and Trust, found in the history of the Consumptive's Home ofBoston, Mass. It was established twelve years since by Doctor Cullis, who in the ardor of his faith and trust gave himself to the work of theLord, by ministering in _Jesus' Name_, to the poor consumptives who wereunable to provide for themselves. Doctor Cullis is a man of humility, and devoted to his life work, and has been most abundantly blessed bythe Lord in his field. To the honor and glory of our Heavenly Father, hehas never been forsaken by Him. 

The Institution began twelve years ago, in small quarters. Now itembraces a very large gathering of useful enterprises: _A Consumptive'sHome, Children's Home, Grove Hall Church, Tract Repository, a TrainingCollege_, and a _Cancer Home_. The means provided have all been sent bythe Lord, who has prompted the hearts of good people to send to it theirvoluntary contributions. 

There is no financial fund, endowment, or pecuniary provision whateverexisting for the support of the Home. No individuals have made anyagreement for its support; there is no trade or occupation used orconnected with it, whereby to obtain any remuneration. There has neverbeen any appeal to man for assistance, no subscriptions ever taken, nocontributions solicited, either publicly or privately; there are noagencies or connections to receive funds from any religious society forprocuring charitable relief. 

The supplies for the carrying on of this work, during these twelveyears, have been wholly _in answer to believing prayer, to the Lord_. 

They have fulfilled faithfully the Lord's commands, "_Cast all yourcares on Him, for he careth for you_. " They have also pleaded in faith, without a doubt, "_Anything ye shall ask the Father in my name, I willdo it_. " And they have asked and received, and the Provider has neveryet failed them. 

During the twelve years' time there has been sent to the Consumptive'sHome, without any solicitation whatever, but in answer to believingprayer and faith and trust in God's providence, a sum no less than_three hundred and sixty thousand dollars, and over fifteen hundredpatients have been gratuitously cared for_. No one has been urged, asked, or even hinted to contribute to it. Each morning, noon and nightprayer has been offered to send means to provide for their daily wants, and the Great Shepherd has sent the supplies. 

During these twelve years, the experiences of Doctor Cullis, thefounder, have been most remarkable in the frequent answers to prayer inminute details of life, and especially in healing. There are so manysuch cases, that there is no possible room to doubt. There have oftenbeen moments, yes, days of distress and intense trial, when, with not asingle penny on hand, it seemed as if failure had come; but faith couldnot let the promise go, neither was it possible for them to believe thatHe who could do so much, would forsake so good a work, which wasundertaken only in obedience to the guidance and direction of the Lord;and God has always brought deliverance, and honored them and broughtglory to his own name. 

In the daily history of these struggles and trials and triumphs offaith, are found many surprising incidents, a few of which we relate. 

A BAD DEBT PAID. 

"To-day a bill was paid of $31, which I had given up as good fornothing. A long time ago I gave it to the Lord in prayer, and promisedHim if it was ever canceled that it should be His. "

HELP IN NEED. 

"The sums received for several days had been small. One day as theDoctor was in prayer for his needs, he received a note from a ladyasking him to call at her house, naming the day and the hour. At thetime appointed he called, and found the lady sick in consumption, nearto death. She said she had some money which she wished to dispose ofbefore her death. She placed in his hand a _five hundred dollar note_. It was her last gift. She had received it from the hand of the Lord, andshe returned it to Him again. "

PRAYING FOR STOVES. 

"This afternoon, knowing the necessity of stoves for some of the upperrooms, as the weather is quite cool, I went to the Lord, in prayer, andtold him of our need, praying Him in one way to supply us. 

"I then went down town to a friend, to look at stoves and inquire theprice, when he said, 'that's all right, I shall not charge anything, 'and said he would see that they were put up. This man knew nothing ofour great need; he had never visited the Home, knew but little about it, and not a word did he know of the state of my purse. "The Lord inclinedthe man's heart to give the stoves. "

PRAYING FOR A FURNACE. 

"I am earnestly praying for the means to purchase a furnace, for wecannot receive patients into the new Home until it can be warmed. I amlooking to the Lord, and He will help. "

_Seven days later_. "A gentleman has this day ordered a furnace to beput in, with fourteen tons of coal at his expense. I will here say thathis attention was not called to our need, but he asked how the house wasto be warmed; he then learned of our want, and ordered as above. Truly, 'Whosoever believeth in Him shall not be confounded. '"

THE LORD'S RETURN FOR GIVING UNTO THE POOR. 

"This afternoon a poor woman, whose history I have known for some time, and who has a sick husband over eighty years of age, called on me, stating that she had only a ten-cent loaf of bread for herself and herhusband to eat since Wednesday, and to-day is Saturday. 

"Notwithstanding my own need, I felt that I could not withhold from onein greater straits than myself, so in Christ's name, I gave her enoughto procure necessary food for a few days. The Lord did not forget it, but this evening has returned the amount with bountiful interest. Forthe turn I gave Him, He has sent me $40. _'There is that scattereth yetincreaseth_. '"

A WATCH GIVEN TO THE LORD--HOW THE LORD RETURNS A BETTER ONE. 

"Last year, during a season of great need, I sold my watch; yesterday, the Lord returned it by a gift of a much better one from a friend, whohad purchased it abroad, knowing nothing of my need, thus proving, 'Hethat soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. '"

THE LORD GAVE DOUBLE WHAT WAS ASKED FOR. 

"This morning and noon I called upon the Lord in prayer for the means topay a bill of $100. By three P. M. , a check was sent me of $200. "

BLESSINGS AMID CALAMITIES. 

"The roof of one of our houses having caught fire from a spark from aneighbor's chimney, it was mostly destroyed; some of the furniture, andthe whole home badly damaged by water. All hearts thanked the Lord thecircumstances were no worse. In the midst of our calamity, blessingssurrounded us. An unknown donor sends in 20 tons of coal. For weeks Ihave been praying for the means to purchase our Winter fuel, and now theLord has inclined the heart of an unknown friend to supply our need. "

A REMARKABLE PROMISE. 

At one period in the history of the Consumptive's Home, a sum of threethousand dollars placed in the safe, and reserved to be used for paymenton the purchase of a new building was stolen, and there was not left asingle dollar; every penny was gone. 

Nothing daunted, again going to the Lord, and pleading the Lord's ownpromise, "_If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall askwhat ye will and it shall be done unto you_. " The request was made inprayer for the three thousand dollars, and the promise of the amount wasdefinitely made to be paid out a certain day. 

The day came. Before it had arrived, the Lord had sent the threethousand dollars with unusual contributions, and both the promises ofthe Lord and that of his children were kept. 

The ordinary business man would have said it was foolishness for a poorman, with not a penny in the world, all his means stolen from him, topositively promise on a certain day the next month, to pay so large asum, exactly the same as was stolen. 

The skeptic would have said, "All foolish to plead before an unseen God, and ask for such a sum. You will never get it. Why didn't your Godprevent your money from being stolen. If your Bible is true, he ought tohave protected you from loss. "

The answer to all these is thus: The Doctor did trust in the promise ofan unseen God, whom he had tested in the past many hundred times, andwho had always been faithful in keeping his promises, and his faith knewthat his God would not suffer his own work to fail nor suffer reproach. 

Still further to silence the skeptic, let it be said that after therobbery became known, the sympathy for the institution became so muchgreater, that the contributions voluntarily sent in consequence thereofreplaced the three thousand dollars within thirty days, and produced farmore in excess, to go towards other needs. Thus an adversity became ablessing. The Lord uses sorrow to produce good. 

A WOMAN DELIVERED FROM THE HABIT OF DRINKING. 

"I visited a family for whom I have felt a deep interest for weeks past. The father had been out of employment some time, and they have lackedfood and clothing. Much of their trouble has been caused by theintemperance of the mother. Her husband has borne long and patientlywith her, and although she would for a long time leave off drinking, itwas only to fall again still lower. While furnishing them with clothing, and assisting them in other ways, I besought the mother to give herheart to Jesus, knowing that he could keep her from falling. She became, a constant attendant at our meetings. Says "_Jesus has taken her lovefor drink all away_. " One of her little ones, who is just beginning totalk, said the other day, "Mamma, you don't drink now. " They are a happyfamily, and their home is greatly changed. 

PRAYER FOR PURCHASERS. 

When removal to the new Home was determined upon, there still remainedfive of the old buildings on hand to be disposed of. This too was takento the Lord in prayer that he might send purchasers. 

One building was sold in October, and the remaining four in November. When it is considered that a portion was property usually very difficultof sale, and that no advertisement of it had been made, no other meansthan prayer resorted to, it must be convincing to all that there must be"one who knoweth all things, " who hears and helps in financial as wellas in spiritual necessities. 

ASKING FOR LARGE GIFTS. 

Upon the 26th of September the record of the Home was as follows: "Thereis due on the first of next month, $2, 450 interest on our property, andwe are now within four days of the time, with not a dollar towards it. For several days I have been asking that amount of the Lord. "

Now here was a man depending wholly upon _chance gifts_ for thelivelihood of several hundred people, with a debt of over two thousanddollars to pay in four days. His occupation and work were such that noone could even possibly think of making any loans, as there was nosecurity. Neither was it the principle or the practice of the Home everto solicit a dollar. What was to be done? _It was taken to the Lord inprayer_, and all waited the result. 

Was it at all probable that so large a sum of money could be sent in soshort a time by any one or any number of persons?

That evening a letter from the probate office at Exeter, N. H. , wasreceived by Dr. Cullis, informing them of the death of a citizen ofPortsmouth, with a bequest to the Home of _five thousand dollars_. TheLord answered their prayer the same day and sent _double what was askedfor_. 

A SEVERE TUMOR HEALED. 

During the year 1872, there was under the professional care of Dr. Cullis, at the Consumptive's Home, a Christian lady with a tumor whichconfined her almost continuously to her bed in severe suffering. Allremedies were unavailing, and the only human hope was the knife; butfeeling in my own heart the power of the promise, I one morning sat downby her bedside, and taking up the Bible, I read aloud, God's promise tohis believing children. "_And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, theyshall be forgiven him_. "

I then asked her if she would trust the Lord to remove this tumor andrestore her to health and to her missionary work. She replied, "I amwilling to trust the Lord for it. "

I then knelt and anointed her with oil in the name of the Lord, askingHim to fulfill his own word. Soon after I left she got up and walkedthree miles. From that time the tumor rapidly lessened until all traceof it at length disappeared. 

FAITH CURED HER. 

This incident was related by the lady herself in a public meeting inBoston, where it was heard by the sorrowing wife of an afflictedhusband, whose statement is as follows:

"I was first confined to my house with a violent cold. I lost my voicecompletely, suffered with pain in my lungs and expectorated almostconstantly. I grew worse every day, and in a week called in a physician. On examination he found my lungs diseased. I also had fever. With allhis care my cough grew worse, and night sweats set in; a few weeks latermy wife was told by the Doctor that my lungs were badly ulcerated, andthat my case being hopeless, it was not worth while for him to attendlonger; also that she must NOT be surprised if I should pass awaysuddenly. I then tried some highly recommended medicine, which seemedonly to increase my disease. 

"When I became so weak as to be nearly helpless, Dr. Cullis was calledin. He sounded my lungs and gave the same verdict, saying my only hopefor recovery was in the Lord. Diarrhea also set in, and my feet began toswell. "

This statement will show his perfect helplessness. 

After the return of his wife from the above meeting, he read over andover the precious promises of God, and became more and more convinced ofthe power of faith. Believing that "_He is faithful that promised_" hesent for Dr. Cullis to come and pray with him. 

"Dr. C. Prayed, anointed me with oil, and in the name of the Lord Jesus, commanded me to be healed. Instantly my whole being was thrilled with anunknown power, from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. From themoment I believed, the _work was done_. My lungs, so long diseased, breathed with new vigor, and I returned thanks to God for the results offaith. Since that memorable night I have taken no medicine, and myhealth has been constantly improving, so _that I am feeling better nowthan I did before my sickness_. "

Two years after he was seen by Dr. Cullis, and continued in perfecthealth, and engaged in active business. 

CURED OF CANCER. 

A lady came to the Consumptive's Home with a cancer in the cheek, whichhad attained the size of a filbert. It had a very red and angryappearance. After prayer for her healing she went into the country, whensome one remarked, 'E. Thinks that faith will cure her, but _that_ issomething that will have to be burned out or cut out. ' Her friends triedto induce the use of various applications, all of which she firmlyrefused. She returned home in eight weeks, entirely cured. Her friendsacknowledged, '_Faith did do good after all_. '

CURED OF NEURALGIA. 

A lady of East Cambridge writes, "For nineteen years I have beenafflicted with neuralgia; added to this, of late years a combination ofdiseases has rendered life an intolerable burden, and baffled the skillof every physician to whom I have applied. By the prayer of faith I havebeen healed, both body and soul, and made to rejoice continually. I cannow say I am entirely well, and engaged in arduous work--often among thesick, losing whole nights of rest. "

CURED OF SPINE DISEASE. 

Dr. Cullis thus speaks of a signal answer to his prayer. "While at thehome of L. R. In England, I was asked to pray with his daughter, who hadspinal curvature. Subsequently L. R. Writes, 'We. Are full ofthankfulness and praise about E. She is quite well and strong, and doeseverything like her sisters. She has such perfect faith that the Lordhad healed her, that she at once put away the board and said she shouldnever lie upon it again, and on the following Sunday she walked fourmiles in a hot sun, and sat for two hours on a bench without a back. Asfar as we can judge, she is quite well in every respect. For fifteenmonths before she had been a constant cause of anxiety to us--neverwalked or attended to study. '"

AN INJURED LEG RESTORED TO PROPER LENGTH. 

"Some months ago a young lady called, requesting to be prayed for. Shesimply told me that some years ago she was run over and her hip badlyinjured. I asked her if she could trust the Lord for healing. Shereplied, 'Yes. ' I prayed, with her, and she went home. 

"I learned after a day or two, that she was perfectly cured, andobtained from her these facts: Some six years before, she was run overby a hack, and her hip so injured that she was confined to her bed forsix months. She then got up with a permanent lameness, one limb beingshorter than the other. In two or three instances since, she has beenconfined to her bed for three months at a time. She now walks perfectly, both limbs being of the same length. She says of herself, 'I can leapand run as well as any other person, and my heart overruns with praiseand thanksgiving to God. '"

A LOST VOICE REGAINED. 

"Some nine months since a lady showed signs of indisposition, and soonwas attacked by a cough. Change of air was prescribed, but after a lapseof some weeks she returned to her home, in no way improved. Physicianswere consulted, her lungs found to be much irritated and pulse low. Soonall appetite left her, a hoarseness succeeded, resulting in entire lossof voice. 

"There was little desire to eat, as everything taken into the stomachcaused great distress. Months succeeded; nothing could be gained frommedical treatment. I felt that I must trust all to God. I seemed to feelthat God would heal me. I read in his Bible, 'The prayer of _faith shallsave the sick_. ' I accepted it at once, I felt sure that it was for me. I was led to visit Boston and see Doctor Cullis. I stated all thecircumstances of my illness, and was asked if I could trust God to healme? I replied, 'Yes, I am sure the Lord is able and willing. '

"'We knelt in prayer; _in a moment, as it were, my. Voice came to me, Iwas able to talk with ease_, and from that time nothing that I haveeaten has given me any distress. The Lord's promises are sure, and Hehas filled my soul with joy and praise. '"

In speaking of the many cases of cures in answer to prayer, DoctorCullis says: "I have noticed that in some cases the cure has beeninstantaneous; others I have prayed with two or three times, or evenmore. My explanation is, as far as I have been able to observe, thatthere has been oftentimes a question or lack of faith on the part of thepatient; for some seem to come, not in faith, but as a matter of_experiment. God's word says it is the prayer of faith that shall savethe sick. _"

From this it will be noticed that the _faith is that of the patient, _and the more strongly it is fixed on God and the promise, the surer theanswer. 

It is but justice to say, that in no case has there ever been thethought or the assumption, by Doctor Cullis himself, of having _anydivinely conferred power_ to heal all that come to him, or for whom hemay pray. No such power would ever be given to any human creature by ourLord. It is the Lord himself who works the wonder--but solely because ofthe faith of sufferers who have sought the addition of the prayer of onewho is stronger in faith and prayer than its own. Each must wait uponGod, and must have faith without a doubt, and perfect willingness totrust all to Him, and continue to expect the blessing. 

It should be noticed, also, that all who have come pleading the prayerof faith, and asking the Lord for relief, have either then, or before, _pledged themselves to the service of the Lord_, and have desired thegood gifts they seek, that they may more efficiently work for His ownhonor and glory, and the good of others. 

When such a desire for healing is united with the desire and the promiseto work in future for the Lord, His own kingdom and glory, the Lord ispleased with it, and His promise is made sure to those who come infaith. 

It is needless to say that those who come for prayer, with the desireonly for _experiment_, and also those who are _withholding their livesor pledges of devotion to Him, need never expect an answer_. 

CURED OF ST. VITAS' DANCE. 

"Very early in childhood, I was seized with a nervous trouble, somethinglike St. Vitus' Dance. As I grew older it did not pass off, but settledinto a disease of the muscles. It became a terrible affliction. It wasusually under my control, but I could not endure protracted work of anykind, or unusual fatigue; I had consulted, in various cities, the bestphysicians, but they pronounced it incurable. All that could be done wasto be careful of overwork and excitement. It must have been twenty-fiveyears since I was first taken. 

"Doctor Cullis asked me if I could give my body to the Lord to behealed; I felt that I could truly say 'Yes. ' He then, in a simplemanner, prayed that the Lord would restore strength of nerve and muscle. I went home, touched and improved by the comforting words. At the end ofthe week I was startled at the recollection that I had felt hardlyanything of my trouble. My nerves began to feel as if they were heldwith a grasp of iron. The muscles refused to move as before at everyinclination. For two weeks this painful tension lasted. Then I felt agradual relaxation, and found that I was strong like other people. Itested myself in the severest way--walked, wrote and lifted--after eachexertion I could enjoy perfect rest. The mystery of the miracles wasexplained to me. This power of God manifested in the past, is manifestto us still. Faith can grasp and use it. Close beside us stands a_living Christ_. "

HIP DISEASE CURED. 

A lady from Brooklyn, N. Y. , came to the Consumptive's Home for prayercure. 

"She had a diseased hip, and _had used crutches for twenty years_. Oftenthe hip joint would slip from its socket, so that it was impossible forher to walk without crutches. She now writes, 'My lameness wasincurable, and God interposed in my behalf, in answer to your prayer. Ihave been able to walk for five months without the crutches I have usedfor over twenty years. '"

A BAD DEBT PAID. 

A correspondent of Doctor Cullis, who was unable to collect a debt froma refractory and worthless debtor, promised to give it to the Lord, ifit was ever paid. The following is his letter:

"Perhaps you remember that the writer, some months ago, asked you topray that some money which had been due him a long time, and which toall human appearance was never to be paid, might by God's interpositionbe paid in full. Enclosed, find the full amount, $25, which was paid afew days since. All glory to Him, who _never, never fails_. "

CONSUMPTION INSTANTLY HEALED. 

"At a meeting in the Chapel of the Consumptive's Home, held March 7, 1876, public prayer was offered for a young man in Florida, who wasapparently gone in consumption; an interested friend had previouslywritten him that prayer would be offered for him at that time. 

"Not long after she received letters from him, stating that at _thatsame hour_ he too had joined in supplication, and _was instantlyhealed_. He says that while before the Lord, pleading his promise, hisvoice and strength were taken away for a time. Then he began to praisethe Lord, and to feel, 'tis done, ' and it was done, and tells of thewonderful change, his ability to talk and sing, with no difficultywhatever. "

CURED OF CATARRH. 

"I have been afflicted with catarrh for over twenty years. I hadconsulted many physicians and used many remedies--all failed to help me. In the Spring of 1874, I grew so much worse that life became a burden; Isuffered from dizziness and great prostration; I was urged to go to youfor faith cure. This was no new thing to me; I believed in it, yet foundit difficult to exercise faith for myself. 

"My daughter went to see you, as I was then unable to go. I looked toGod, and believed from that very moment. My whole soul and body seemedthrilled, and I began to gain strength immediately. 

"In a few days I was able to go to your _Home_. You prayed simply thatGod would take all disease from me. I have been entirely well from thattime; not only cured of catarrh, but tumors on my limbs were entirelyremoved. I desire to give God the praise; I bless him that He doesforgive our transgressions and heal our diseases. "

These instances are only a very few out of many, that have occurred, toonumerous for repetition here. It must be admitted, that God has mostsignally blessed the faith of the inmates of the Consumptive's Home, answered their prayer for others. In nearly all the cases of healingwhich have occurred, the sufferers have failed in all other means, andin their extremity have depended wholly in faith in God. 

In speaking of them, Doctor Cullis says: "We do not give these instancesof the healing of the body, dear friends of Jesus, as in any degreeparamount to the healing of the soul; but that as the dear children ofGod, we may claim all our privileges, and enjoy the knowledge of ourfullness of possession in Him who declares" _all things are, yours_. "Shall we in any manner, of smallest or largest import, limit the loveand power of God, who deigneth out of the highest heaven to declare, "_The Lord thinketh upon me_. " As an earthly parent separates no part ofthe well-being of his child from his watchful care, so doth our HeavenlyFather not only "_forgive all our iniquities_, " but "_healeth all ourdiseases. " Let us not confine faith operation to the saving of the soul, while God's word is full of previous promise for the saving, keeping, and healing of the body_. 

"_For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thywounds, saith the Lord_. "

A MOTHER'S FAITH--THE LIFE OF BEATE PAULUS. 

In a sketch of the life of Beate Paulus, the wife of a German ministerwho lived on the borders of the Black Forest, are several incidentswhich illustrate the power of living faith, and the providence of aprayer-hearing God. 

Though destitute of wealth, she much desired to educate her children, and five of her six boys were placed in school, while she struggled, andprayed, and toiled, --not only in the house, but out of doors, --toprovide for their necessities. 

"On one occasion, " writes one of her children, "shortly before harvest, the fields stood thick with corn, and our mother had already calculatedthat their produce would suffice to meet all claims for the year. Shewas standing at the window casting the matter over in her mind, withgreat satisfaction, when her attention was suddenly caught by someheavy, black clouds with white borders, drifting at a great rate acrossthe Summer sky. 'It is a hail-storm!' she exclaimed in dismay, andquickly throwing up the window, she leaned out. Her eyes rested upon afrightful mass of wild storm-clouds, covering the western horizon, andapproaching with rapid fury. 

"'O God!' she cried, 'there comes an awful tempest, and what _is_ tobecome of my corn?' The black masses rolled nearer and nearer, while theominous rushing movement that precedes a storm, began to rock the sultryair, and the dreaded hail-stones fell with violence. Half beside herselfwith anxiety about those fields lying at the eastern end of the valley, she now lifted her hands heavenward, and wringing them in terror, cried:'Dear Father in heaven, what art thou doing? Thou knowest I cannotmanage to pay for my boys at school, without the produce of thosefields! Oh! turn Thy hand, and do not let the hail blast my hopes!'Scarcely, however, had these words crossed her lips when she started, for it seemed to her as if a voice had whispered in her ear, ' Is my armshortened that it cannot help thee in other ways?' Abashed, she shrankinto a quiet corner, and there entreated God to forgive her want offaith. In the meantime the storm passed. And now various neighborshurried in, proclaiming that the whole valley lay thickly covered withhail-stones, _down to the very edge of the parsonage fields, but thelatter_ had been quite spared. The storm had reached their border, andthen suddenly taking another direction into the next valley. Moreover, that the whole village was in amazement, declaring that God had wroughta miracle for the sake of our mother, whom he loved. She listened, silently adoring the goodness of the Lord, and vowing that henceforthher confidence should be only in Him. "

At another time she found herself unable to pay the expenses of thechildren's schooling, and the repeated demands for money were renderedmore grievous by the reproaches of her husband, who charged her withattempting impossibilities, and told her that her self-will wouldinvolve them in disgrace. She, however, professed her unwaveringconfidence that the Lord would soon interpose for their relief, whilehis answer was: "We shall see; time will show. "

In the midst of these trying circumstances, as her husband was one daysitting in his study, absorbed in meditation, the postman brought threeletters from different towns where the boys were at school, eachdeclaring that unless the dues were promptly settled, the lads would bedismissed. The father read the letters with growing excitement, andspreading them out upon the table before his wife as she entered theroom, exclaimed: "There, look at them, and pay our debt with your faith!I have no money, nor can I tell where to go for any. "

"Seizing the papers, she rapidly glanced through them, with a very graveface, but then answered firmly, 'It is all right; the business shall besettled. For He who says, "The gold and silver is mine, " will find it aneasy thing to provide these sums. ' Saying which she hastily left theroom. 

"Our father readily supposed she intended making her way to a certainrich friend who had helped us before. He was mistaken, for this time hersteps turned in a different direction. We had in the parsonage an upperloft, shut off by a trap-door from the lower one, and over this door itwas that she now knelt down, and began to deal with Him in whosestrength she had undertaken the work of her children's education. Shespread before Him those letters from the study table, and told Him ofher husband's half scoffing taunt. She also reminded Him how her lifehad been redeemed from the very gates of death, for the children's sake, and then declared that she could not believe that He meant to forsakeher at this juncture; she was willing to be the _second_ whom He mightforsake, but she was determined not to be the _first_. 

"In the meanwhile, her husband waited down stairs, and night came on;but she did not appear. Supper was ready, and yet she stayed in theloft. Then the eldest girl, her namesake Beate, ran up to call her; butthe answer was, 'Take your supper without me, it is not time for me toeat. ' Late in the evening, the little messenger was again dispatched, but returned with the reply: 'Go to bed; the time has not come for me torest. ' A third time, at breakfast next morning, the girl called hermother. 'Leave me alone, ' she said; 'I do not need breakfast; when I amready I shall come. ' Thus the hours sped on, and down stairs her husbandand the children began to feel frightened, not daring, however, todisturb her any more. At last the door opened, and she entered, her facebeaming with a wonderful light. The little daughter thought thatsomething extraordinary must have happened; and running to her motherwith open arms, asked eagerly: 'What is it? Did an angel from heavenbring the money?' 'No, my child, ' was the smiling answer, 'but now I amsure that it will come. ' She had hardly spoken, when a maid in peasantcostume entered, saying: 'The master of the Linden Inn sends to askwhether the Frau Pastorin can spare time to see him?' 'Ah, I know whathe wants, ' answered our mother. 'My best regards, and I will come atonce. ' Whereupon she started, and mine host, looking out of his window, saw her from afar, and came forward to welcome her with the words: 'OMadame, how glad I am you have come!' Then leading her into his backparlor he said; 'I cannot tell how it is, but the whole of this lastnight I could not sleep for thinking of you. For some time I have hadseveral hundred _gulden_ lying in that chest, and all night long I washaunted by the thought that you needed this money, and that I ought togive it to you. If that be the case, there it is--take it; and do nottrouble about repaying me. Should you be able to make it up again, welland good--if not, never mind. ' On this my mother said: 'Yes, I do mostcertainly need it, my kind friend; for all last night I too was awake, crying to God for help. Yesterday there came three letters, telling usthat all our boys would he dismissed unless the money for their board iscleared at once. '

"'Is it really so?' exclaimed the innkeeper, who was a noble-hearted andspiritual Christian man. 'How strange and wonderful! Now I am doublyglad I asked you to come!' Then opening the chest, he produced threeweighty packets, and handed them to her with a prayer that God'sblessing might rest upon the gift. She accepted it with the simplewords: 'May God make good to you this service of Christian sympathy; foryou have acted as the steward of One who has promised not even to leavethe giving of a cup of cold water unrewarded. '

"Husband and children were eagerly awaiting her at home, and those threedismal letters still lay open on the table, when the mother, who hadquitted that study in such deep emotion the day before, stepped up toher husband, radiant with joy. On each letter, she laid a roll of moneyand then cried: 'Look, there it is! And now believe that faith in God isno empty madness!'"

THE PERSECUTOR'S FATE. 

Dr. Eugenio Kincaid, the Burman missionary, states, that among the firstconverts in Ava were two men who had held respectable offices about thepalace. Some time after they had been baptized, a neighbor determined toreport them to government, and drew up a paper setting forth that thesetwo men had forsaken the customs and religion of their fathers, wereworshiping the foreigner's God, and went every Sunday to the teacher'shouse; with other similar charges. He presented the paper to theneighbors of the two disciples, taking their names as witnesses, andsaving that he should go and present the accusation on the next day. 

The two Christians heard of it, and went to Mr. Kincaid in great alarm, to consult as to what they should do. They said if they were accused togovernment, the mildest sentence they could expect would be imprisonmentfor life at hard labor, and perhaps they would be killed. Kincaid toldthem that they could not flee from Ava, if they would; that he sawnothing he could do for them, and all that they could do was to trust inGod to protect them, and deliver them from the power of their enemies. They also prayed, and soon left Kincaid, saying that they felt morecalm, and could leave the matter with God. 

That night the persecutor was attacked by a dreadful disease in thebowels, which so distressed him that he roared like a madman; and hisfriends, which is too often the case with the heathen, left him tosuffer and die alone. The two Christians whom he would have ruined thenwent and took care of him till he died, two or three days after hisattack. The whole affair was well known in the neighborhood, and fromthat time not a dog dared move his tongue against the Christians of Ava. 

Is there no evidence in this of a special providence, and that Godlistens to the prayers of persecuted and distressed children?

THE CAPTAIN AND THE QUADRANT. 

A godly man, the master of an American ship, during one voyage found hisship bemisted for days, and he became rather anxious respecting hersafety. He went down to his cabin and prayed. The thought struck him, ifhe had with confidence committed his soul to God, he might certainlycommit his ship to Him; and so, accordingly, he gave all into the handsof God, and felt at perfect peace; but still he prayed, that if He wouldbe pleased to give a cloudless sky at twelve o'clock, he should like totake an observation to ascertain their real position, and whether theywere on the right course. 

He came on deck at eleven o'clock, with the quadrant under his coat. Asit was thick drizzling, the men looked at him with amazement. He went tohis cabin, prayed, and came up. There seemed still to be no hope. Againhe went down and prayed, and again he appeared on deck with his quadrantin his hand. It was now ten minutes to twelve o'clock, and still therewas no appearance of a change; but he stood on the deck, waiting uponthe Lord, when, in a few minutes, the mist seemed to be folded up androlled away as by an omnipotent and invisible hand; the sun shownclearly from the blue vault of heaven, and there stood the man of prayerwith the quadrant in his hand, but so awe-struck did he feel, and so"dreadful" was that place, that he could scarcely take advantage of theanswer to his prayer. He, however, succeeded, although with tremblinghands, and found, to his comfort, that all was well. But no sooner hadhe finished taking the observation than the mist rolled back over theheavens, and it began to drizzle as before. 

This story of prayer was received from the lips of the good CaptainCrossby, who was so useful in the Ardrossan awakening; and he himselfwas the man who prayed and waited upon his God with the quadrant in hishand. 

THE FAITH OF DOROTHEA TRUDEL. 

The life of Dorothea Trudel has afforded some remarkable instances ofanswer to prayer; during the years 1850 to 1860, at the Swiss village ofMännedorf, near the Lake of Zurich, and that of Molltingen, were seenand witnessed, cases of cure in response to unyielding faith in thepromises of the Lord. 

Dorothea Trudel was a worker in flowers, and in time came to have manyworkers under her, and when she was about thirty-seven years of age, four or five of her workers fell sick. The sickness resisted alltreatment, grew worse, appeared to be hopeless. She was a deep, earnestChristian, and while diligent and unselfish as a nun, yet her anxietyfor her work people drew her to earnest prayer and study of theScriptures for relief. Like a sudden light, she says, the well knownprayer of the Epistle of James, 5: 14, 15, flashed upon her. 

"If medical skill was unavailing, was there not prayer? And could notthe same Lord who chose to heal through medicines, also heal withoutthem? Was he necessarily restricted to the one means? There was a timewhen his healing power went forth directly; might it not be put forthdirectly still?"

Agitated by these questions, she sought help in prayer, and thenkneeling by the bedside of these sick people, she prayed for them. Theyrecovered; and the thought that at first had startled her, became nowthe settled conviction of her life. 

Her reputation spread; others who were sick, came to her for relief, butshe sought only the recovery of the patients by prayer alone. Manyrecovered. Her doors were besieged, and at last she consented to receiveinvalids at her home, from compassion. By degrees her own house grewinto three, and at last it became in fact a hospital. 

She lived a life of humility, and perfect simplicity, yet strength offaith, and at her death her work was, and still is, carried on by Mr. Zeller, who also has had marvelous successes in answer to prayer. 

REMARKABLE CURES. 

There have been gathered together in her biography, well authenticatedcases of answer to prayer, when the patient was considered whollyincapable of help from medical skill. 

"There was one of a stiff knee, that had been, treated in vain by thebest physicians in France, Germany and Switzerland; one of an elderlyman who could not walk, and had been given up by his physicians, but whosoon dispensed with his crutches; a man came with a burned foot, and thesurgeons said it was a case of '_either amputation or death_' and healso was cured; one of the leading physicians of Wurtemburg, testifiesto the cure of a hopeless patient of his own; another remained sixweeks, and says he saw all kinds of sicknesses healed; cancers andfevers have been treated with success; epilepsy and insanity morefrequently than any other form of disease. 

"Neither is the life and experience of Dorothea Trudel an exceptionalone. Pastor Blumenhart of Wurtemberg, has had his home crowded for yearswith patients, and cures occur constantly. 

"The mother of Dorothea Trudel was an eminently pious woman, and it washer custom, when any of her children were ill, to bring them in prayerbefore the feet of the Heavenly Physician, as Dorothea herself says:'Our mother had no cure except prayer, and though at that time we didnot understand, yet since then we have found it out, that it was thehealing hand of the Saviour alone, that helped and restored us. '"

CURED OF THE SMALL-POX. 

"Even when I had the small-pox, and became blind, no doctor was sentfor, and no one was told of it. Our father was not at home (he, father, most unfortunately, was not a religious person); and when our motherasked him to come, telling him how ill I was, he would not believe it, and preferred to remain with his friends. Our mother, however, was notin the least vexed or excited; she prayed for him, for all of us, especially for her sick child, and before my father came home, my eyeswere re-opened. "

CURED OF SEVERE FITS. 

"Once again, one of my brothers had a fit brought on through fright. Itwas a most violent and painful attack, and we were greatly alarmed. Thistime, also, our father was out; and our mother said to us, I know thisfearful illness, my children; it is one of the heaviest trials whichcould have, occurred, but Jesus, who cured that lunatic boy, can healour child. Do not speak of the attack to any one; we will go only toJesus about it; and then she prayed with us. 

"Not long after, a second fit came on, and again our father was takinghis pleasure at the public house. This time mother told him what hadhappened in his absence; but he laughed at it, and said, 'I don'tbelieve it; you were frightened at the child having bad dreams. '

"His wife replied, 'For the sake of your unbelief, I hope that the childwill have another attack whilst you are at home, so that you may witnessit yourself, then you will believe; I pray God, however, that this maybe the last time. '

"It came to pass about a week after, that another most dreadful fit cameon; the boy foamed violently, and threw himself about in fearfulconvulsions; on this occasion the father was present, and he wasconvinced of the nature of the attack, and alarmed at what he saw. _Butthe mother's prayer was heard, for the disease never showed itself againfor thirty-four years, while both parents lived_. "

BUYING A COW. 

"Our father going away abroad, he sold one of our two cows, and took theproceeds with him. (He, the father, was a reckless spendthrift, idle, and fond of the public inn. ) A rich neighbor directly offered to loan usmoney enough to buy another; this kind proposal we gratefully accepted. Although we did not understand much about bargains of this kind, yet thecow we purchased served us so remarkably, that we were obliged toacknowledge whence the blessing came. In Summer we could sell fourteenmeasures of milk; in Winter, twelve to the dairyman, so that theborrowed money was speedily paid. 

"At the same time the cow performed the farm work required of it, withsuch strength and quickness, we were astonished. When our father, on hisreturn, heard us speaking with pleasure of this animal, he became soenraged with the poor thing, that he was determined to sell it, andactually _offered it at half its value_. 

"The faithless children were in a continual fright. When any one camenear the house, we thought that we were assuredly going to lose our cow. But mother exhorted us not to be so fearful; for, said she, 'If yourfather could do always as he likes, none of you would be alive now; butGod will never let him go any farther than he sees to be for our good. Believe me, God, who has given us this cow, will keep it for us as longas we need it. '

"And so it turned out, for the cow never left us whilst our mother wasalive; and when we were all provided for, a purchaser came, who paid ahigh price for the creature, having heard of its wonderful powers fromthe man to whom we sold the milk for so many years; but no sooner wasthe animal taken to its new home, than the wonder ceased, and _this cowbecame no better than any other_. "

A LADY CURED, WHO HAD BEEN REJECTED FROM AN ASYLUM. 

"Madam M----, the mother of twelve children, had been quite shattered inmind by the death of her husband, and had been actually sent awayuncured from an asylum. She came to Dorothea's home, was blessed inremembrance in her prayers, _and after seven weeks went away perfectlycured_. She acknowledged the Lord was indeed her helper, and she hasremained well to this day. "

THE SOUL CURED AS WELL AS THE BODY. 

On many occasions she experienced wonderful help from God, who, whileperforming marvels for the body, which is the least important part, accomplishes what is far greater, even the salvation of souls. 

"Among others, one named B. T----, went to her, who had been sufferingfor six months from a disease of his bones, and had been for alengthened period in a Swiss hospital, under medical treatment. Atlength he, by the advice of Christian friends, sought for relief fromhis malady at Dorothea's house. His care began in the first week of hisvisit, and in a few weeks he was completely recovered. "

On one occasion a young artisan came, in whom cancer had made suchprogress as to render any approach to him almost unbearable. 

"At the Bible lessons, this once frivolous man, now an earnest inquirer, learned where the improvement must begin; and from the day that heconfessed his sins against God and man, the disease abated. Some timeafterwards he acknowledged one sin he had hitherto concealed, and thenhe speedily recovered his bodily health, and returned to his home curedin spirit also. "

"A lady in S---- had so injured her knee by a fall, that for weeks shelay in the greatest agony. The doctors declared that dropsy wouldsupervene; but the Heavenly Physician fulfilled those promises whichwill abide until the end of the world; and by prayer, and the laying onof Dorothea's hand, the knee was cured in twenty-four hours, and theswelling vanished. "

PRAYER, NOT MESMERISM. 

"Several people have maintained that her work was one of mesmerism; andwhen once she was asked to visit an out patient, she earnestly imploredthe Lord _not_ to heal this invalid through her means if she employedmesmerism; but if not, to permit recovery. The woman was cured in ashort time, though Dorothea had never entered her house, and had, therefore, no opportunity of placing herself in a mesmeric relation tothis patient. "

HELP IN PECUNIARY AFFAIRS. 

"In pecuniary affairs, also, the Lord was their helper. Many timessomething had to be paid, and they had no means wherewith to meet theclaims. Once, God actually sent aid by means of an enemy, who offeredmoney; another time, _three thousand francs_ came from Holland, just asthey were needed, and also unexpected on a third occasion they wereabout to borrow money to pay for bread, when two hundred and fiftyfrancs arrived. "

THE FAITH LIFE OF MR. ZELLER. 

After the death of Dorothea Trudel, the work at Männedorf, instituted byher, has been furthered and carried on by Mr. Samuel Zeller, who hadbeen her associate. He has published two reports, which contain manyinstances of answers to prayer, showing that the Lord still gave blessedresults, and rewarded their faithful trust. 

"No disease is found to be more obstinate than epilepsy, yet severalinstances are recorded of patients being restored to perfect health. Persons afflicted with mental disorder and convulsions are frequentlybrought to Männedorf, and many return cured or benefited. 

"On one occasion, a lady who had been afflicted with constant headachefor five years, found her disorder removed speedily under the influenceof prayer. In other cases the passion for strong drink was taken away;fever more or less disappeared; and the subjects of various kinds ofchronic diseases, even some apparently far gone in consumption, havefound their strength return to them under the same influence. 

"Unhappy victims of spiritualist delusions have found deliverance at themercy-seat; and there, too, many in the bondage of sin have rejoiced ina present Saviour. 

"One patient afflicted with convulsions, who came several yearssuccessively without being cured, at last confessed that she possessed abook of 'charms' in which she put some degree of, faith, and she hadrecommended them to others. She was led to see the folly and sin of suchthings, and soon after the book was burned she was restored to health. "

Many cases have occurred where the suffering patient was utterly unableto come to Männedorf, but prayer has been offered there in their behalf, and the answers have been as frequent as with the cases which have comeunder the same roof. 

"A brother living at R---- was seized with a violent fever, and appearedto be at death's door. Intelligence having been sent to Männedorf, united prayer was made in his behalf; and very soon afterwards atelegraphic message announced that he was recovering. On this occasionthe promise was remembered with joy, ' Before they call I will answer. '"

"Perhaps one of the most striking cases of blessing recorded is that ofa lady, who was subject to fits of insanity so violent that theythreatened her life, and who was so far conscious of her miserablecondition, that happening to go into a meeting where she heard God'sword, she requested to be prayed for. A friend wrote to Männedorf, describing the case, and asking prayer on her behalf; and only afortnight later, the same friend communicated the happy news of herrecovery. After a fit of unusual severity, she fell into a deep sleep, from which she awoke in her right mind; more than that, she learned tobelieve in the _Lord Jesus_, and rejoiced in His love. "

"A patient in this institution, who arrived unconverted, and was thoughtto be in a dying state, heard the good news of Salvation, and wasenabled to rejoice in the Lord, through simple trust in Him; and fromthat moment she began to rapidly recover from her disorder, and soonbecame strong enough to nurse another patient. "

Another remarkable case was that of a young girl who, in consequence ofthe breaking off of a marriage engagement, manifested decided symptomsof insanity. She not only recovered from her malady, but found theSaviour. 

THE BLIND RESTORED TO SIGHT. 

Prayer was asked for a young lady who was wholly blind. A letterreceived soon after brought this joyful news:

"In answer to your prayer for our niece, I must thankfully tell you, hereyes are so much better that the Doctor this morning told her to thankGod for having saved her from the most dangerous kind of cataract. 

"While examining her eyes, the Doctor, who is a Jew, took up a booklying near, and opening it told her to try and read, which she was ableto do with ease. It was a hymn book, and the first words on which hereyes fell were these:

 'Christ Jesus, glorious King of Light, Great Conqueror, David's heir, Come now and give my blind eyes sight, O Saviour, hear my prayer!'

"'That will do, ' said the Doctor, 'you are much better. '

"I for my part hastened to my chamber, and shutting the door fell on myknees with a cry of joyful praise. "

Threats were made by many of the villagers that they would burn up thehouse for this institution, saying all manner of unreasonable things. "You can not prevent this by prayer, " said one writer, "we have taken anoath to do it. " Mr. Zeller remained quiet, taking no notice of thesethreats, but quietly trusted in the Lord. Though other anonymous letterscame frequently, yet the threats were never carried out. 

It will he seen from this that, blessed as was the work of faith, stillthe spirit of persecution was permitted by the Lord only to make his ownchildren rely more confidently on Him, and that he might fulfill morepositively his promise, "_No evil shall befall thee, no harm come nighthy dwelling_. "

THE BANK OF FAITH. GOD THE GUARDIAN OF THE POOR. 

Perhaps the providence of God in supplying the wants of the poor neverwas more closely watched and better described than has been done by thelate William Huntington, formerly a minister in London, England, who, ina book with the quaint title of the "Bank of Faith, " tells how, in hiscourse of life, day by day the Lord guarded him, helped him, andprovided for every need, even the most trifling. It is a precious recordof faith and full of true encouragement. He answers as follows thisquestion: "_Should we fray for temporal blessings?_"

"Some have affirmed that we have no warrant to pray for temporalblessings, but, blessed be God, he has given us '_the promise of thelife that now is, and of that which is to come_. ' Yea, the promise ofall things pertaining to life and Godliness, and whatever God haspromised we may warrantably pray for. 

"Those that came to our Saviour in the days of his flesh, prayed chieflyfor temporal mercies. The blind prayed for sight, the lepers for a cure, the lame far the use of their limbs, and the deaf for the use of theirears, and surely had they prayed unwarrantably, their prayers would nothave been so miraculously answered. 

"Elijah prayed for a temporal mercy when he prayed for rain, and it isclear that God answered him. Elisha works a miracle to produce atemporal mercy when he healed the barren plains of Jericho. "

Is my reader a poor Christian? Take it patiently. God maketh the poor aswell as the rich. Envy not the rich. Riches are often seen to be acanker-worm at the root of a good man's comfort, a snare in his life, aniron pillar at the back of his pride. A gar prayed to be fed with foodconvenient for him, and you may pray for the same, and what God givesyou in answer to your prayer you will be thankful for. 

That state is surely best which keeps you dependent on God and thankfulto Him, and so you shall find it to the end. _Go on, poor Christian, trusting in the providence of God_. 

THE LIFE OF HIS CHILD SAVED. 

"My eldest daughter now living fell sick at about five or six monthsold, and was wasted to a skeleton. She had a doctor to attend her, butshe got worse and worse. It seemed as if God intended to bereave us ofher, for he brought her even to death's door. 

"My wife and I have sat up with her night after night, watching thecradle, expecting every breath to be her last, for two or three weekstogether. At last I asked the Doctor if he thought there was any hope ofher life. He answered, no, he would not flatter me. _She would surelydie_. 

"This distressed me beyond measure, and as he told me to do no more forher, I left my room, went to my garden in the evening, and, in my littletool house, wrestled hard with God in prayer for the life of the child. 

"I went home satisfied that God had heard me; _and in three days thechild was as well as she is now_, and ate as heartily. This effectuallyconvinced me that all things were possible with God. "

GOD SENT SUPPLIES. 

"When I had been three weeks out of employment, I found a new place, andafter pawning all my best clothes to pay expenses, when the cart set usdown at the new home on Monday morning, I had the total sum of _tenpence half-penny left, _ to provide for myself, my wife and child, tillthe ensuing Saturday night. 

"Though I was thus poor, yet I knew God had made me rich in faith. Wewent on our knees beseeching the Almighty to send relief, as he in hiswisdom thought proper. 

"The next evening my landlord's daughter, and son-in-law, came up to seetheir mother, and brought some baked meat, which they had just taken outof their oven, and brought for me and my wife to sup along with them. 

"These poor people knew nothing of us, nor of our God. The next day inthe evening they did the same, and kept sending victuals and gardenstuff to us all the week long. "

THE GOD WHO SUPPLIED ELIJAH BY A RAVEN SUPPLIED ME WITH FISH. 

One of the most beautiful instances ever known, which almost identicallyrepeats the Bible over again, especially in the instance of Elijah as hewas fed in an unseen way by the hand of God, is given in the life of Mr. Huntington. He was wholly unable to provide for his family, and coulddepend only on God. 

"As I went over a bridge, I cast my eye on the right-hand side, andthere lay a _very large eel_ on the mud by the river side, apparentlydead. I caught hold of it and soon found it was only asleep. Withdifficulty I got it safe out of the mud upon the grass, and then carriedit home. My little one was very fond of it, and it richly supplied allher wants that day. But at night I was informed the eel was all gone, sothe next day afforded me the same distress and trouble as the precedingday had done. 

"The next morning, as I entered the garden gate, I saw a _partridge_ liedead on the walk. I took it up and found it warm; so I carried it home, and it richly supplied the table of our little one that day. 

"Again the next day still found me unprovided, and brought forth freshwork for faith and prayer. However, the morrow took thought for thethings of itself, for when I came to take the scythe in my hand to mowthe short grass, I looked into the pond, and there I saw three verylarge carp lying on the water apparently sick. When the master came Itold him of it. He went and looked and said they were dead, and told meI might have them if I would, for they were not in season. However, theycame in due season to me. _And I found, morning after morning, there laytwo or three of these fish at a time, dead, just as I wanted them, tillI believe there was not one live fish remaining, six inches long, in thepond, which was near three hundred feet in length. _

"I could not help weeping, admiring the goodness of God. As I studiedthe Bible, I clearly perceived that the most eminent saints of the Biblewere brought into _low_ circumstances, as Jacob, David, Moses, Joseph, Job and Jeremiah, and all the apostles, in order that the hand ofprovidence might be watched. "

GOD TAKES AWAY THE SNOW. 

"In the Winter the Lord sent a very deep snow, which lay a considerabletime on the ground. We were brought into great straits, as our wheat wasnow of no use to us, and we could obtain no wood, the landlady sayingthat as the snow was likely to last some time, she must keep what littleshe had left, and could sell us no more. 

"There was before us the fear of great suffering with the cold. I beggedof God that he might _that night take away the snow_, and send ussomething to burn, that our little one might not perish with the cold, _and the next morning the snow was all gone_. "

SIGHT RESTORED. 

"A violent humor came into my eyes, and for some months I was in dangerof losing my sight. Both myself and my second daughter had it more orless for several years. 

"In answer to prayer, God healed her eyes and mine too, so that oursight was perfectly recovered. "

PRAYING FOR TEA. 

"As the life of faith consists in bearing the cross of Christ, we mustnot expect to be long without trials. Providence soon frowned on meagain, and I got behindhand, as usual. 

"This happened at a time when my wife was about delivery of child, andwe were destitute of those necessaries of life which are needful at suchtimes. The nurse came: we told her there was no tea in the house. Mywife replied, '_Set the kettle on, even if there is not_. '

"The nurse said, '_You have no tea, nor can you get any_. ' My wifereplied, '_Set on the kettle_. ' She did so, and before it boiled, awoman (with whom at that time we had no acquaintance) came to the door, and told the nurse that she had brought some tea as a present for mywife. "

THE LORD PAID HIS DEBT. 

"It was the time of my returning from the north country. I observed thatthere were some small debts to be discharged. But the hand of God wasfast closed; this continued for some time: and for all that time, Iwatched and observed narrowly. 

"At this time there was a special debt due of twenty pounds. This sumhung long. I looked different ways, and chalked out different roads forthe Almighty to walk in; but his paths were in the deep waters, and hisfootsteps were not known; no raven came, neither in the morning, nor inthe evening. 

"There was a gentlewoman at my house on a visit, and I asked her if shehad got the sum of twenty pounds in her pocket, telling her at the sametime how much I wanted it. She told me she had not; if she had, I shouldhave it. A few hours after, the same woman was coming into my study, butshe found it locked, and knocked at the door; I let her in, and shesaid, 'I am sorry I disturbed you. ' I replied, 'You do not disturb me; Ihave been begging a favor of God, and I had just done when you knocked;and that favor I have now got in faith, and shall shortly have in hand, and you will see it. '"

"The afternoon of the same day, two gentlemen out of the city came tosee me; and after a few hours of conversation, they left me, and to mygreat surprise, each of them at parting put a letter into my hand, which, when they were gone, _I opened, and found a ten pound note ineach_. I immediately sent for the woman up-stairs, and let her read theletters, and then sent the money to pay the debt. "

It is impossible to give in this page any large portion of the life ofMr. Huntington, who was rich in faith, and upon whom God showeredabundant answers to prayer. But, like all of us, he, too, sufferedextremely in all the necessities of life, yet ever looked to God abovefor help. Of his experience, he says in his own words, after having foryears thoroughly tested the promises and faithfulness of God:

"_A succession of crosses was always followed with perpetual blessings, for as sure as adversity led the van, so sure prosperity brought up therear_. 

"_Never, no never, did the Holy Spirit withhold his prevalentintercession from, me in times of trouble, nor did my God ever turn adeaf ear to my prayer, or fail to deliver me_. "

"_Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth himout of them all_. "

 * * * * *

THE FAITH OF LITTLE CHILDREN. 

HOW GOD HONORS THEIR TRUST, AND ANSWERS THEIR PRAYERS. 

GOD KEEPS HOLD OF THE OTHER HAND. 

A little boy with his mother was returning from a visit; the night wasvery dark, and little could be seen ahead. She led her little boy, bythe hand, who trustingly walked by her side. He had only just begun tolearn and remember the stories of the Bible, and he believed and trustedeverything he heard. After walking for sometime in the darkness, verysilently, he burst out with, "Mamma, I'm not afraid. "

"Why, what makes you feel so. "

"_Because, mamma, God keeps hold of the other hand_. "

This is the beautiful lesson older ones, too, must learn, the simple, childlike confidence in God, which gives no fear, no alarm. 

The skeptic can never accuse little children of the same theories, philosophies, imaginations and beliefs which are characteristic of olderheads. The child knows nothing of such books of reason, science orreligion. Many a child who could not read has asked of God and hisprayer has been answered; and when the whole world witnesses a littlechild, who in its innocence has been told that God lives, that God loveshim, that God can do everything and will surely hear his prayer, andthen in its care and grief, kneels before the God it trusts, offers itslittle prayer, _and the prayer is answered_, let none of maturer mindsever presume to doubt. The faith of little children is typical of thevery simplest faith wherewith any human being must approach its Creator. The child never questions, never doubts; but in its simplicity asks, andGod honors the trust. The following incident illustrates the point, _that not one thing is ere too small for God to consider, or a soul tobring to him in prayer_. 

A CHILD WHOSE LIFE WAS SAVED IN ANSWER TO PRAYER--BY HIS OWN PRAYER THELIFE OF HIS SISTER IS SAVED. 

One of the most beautiful incidents ever known relating to the faith ofchildren, and the reward of their trust, is contained in the followingcircumstance, personally known to the editor of this book, who was aparticipant in the facts. 

The only child of a young married couple, living in this city, theirpride, their hope and joy, and the darling of the whole family, wasseized with severe sickness, grew rapidly worse. The grandfather, whowas a skilled physician, was constantly present, ministering in everyway, by every means, but nothing was of any avail. No medicine couldcure, and the child seemed ready to die. No one could think of relief orknew where to find it. The grandfather, at last, proposed to lay thecase before God, and ask the prayers of His people in the child'sbehalf. The mother was only too glad to ask other prayers with her own, to bring relief. The father, who had hitherto never seriously thought ofreligion, was in intense anxiety and despair. Here was his first, hisonly child about to be taken away from him, and then came the thought, is it possible his family life was not to be blessed; his child was indistress, no human effort was available. At last, he too joined in theprayer of his wife and father, and bowing before the Great Unknown, unseen God, he poured out his heart in prayer, saying, "_Lord, if thouwilt spare my child, wilt give him life, and thus show to me thy powerand will to save, I will never doubt again, and will give thee myheart"_

A request for prayer was written and sent to the pastor, Dr. WilliamAdams, of the Madison Square Church. It arrived after church service hadbegun; the sexton was unwilling to carry it to the pulpit, as it wasagainst the rule, but when told he _must, as a life was in greatdanger_, he consented, and delivered it to the pastor. 

The messenger waited breathlessly, and when in silence the doctorspecifically mentioned the case before him, and asked the Lord to healand spare the little one, and comfort the hearts of all, and make it awitness of his love and power, the messenger accidentally looked at theclock, and it marked just _quarter to eleven_, A. M. 

When prayer was finished he returned home. Arriving at home, he wasastonished to find the child better, its whole condition had changed, the medicine had taken hold, and the doctor now said everything was sohopeful the child would surely recover, and it did. But mark theunparalleled singularity of the scene. The father asked the messengerthe _time_ when the prayer was offered. He replied, "At a _quarter toeleven. "_ The father in astonishment said, "_At that very moment_ thedisease changed, and the doctor said he was better. "

The father, who had thus been proving the Lord with this test of prayerand its identity of time in his answer, was so overwhelmingly convincedof the real power of prayer, and thereby of the real existence of God, and that a Christian life was one of facts as well as beliefs, nowfinding that the Lord had indeed kept His own promise, he, too, kept hispromise and gave his heart to the Lord, and became henceforth, aprofessing Christian. 

But there were more wonderful things yet to happen--a period of fiveyears passed. Other children were added to the family, and one day, theyoungest, a sweet, beautiful girl, was taken suddenly ill withconvulsions. The sickness for days tasked the strength of the mother, and the skill of the doctor, but no care, ingenuity, or knowledge couldovercome the disease or subdue the pain. The little girl's fits weresevere and distressing, and there were but short intervals between, justtime to come out of one and with a gasp, pass into another still moreterrible. In its occasional moments of reason, it would look piteouslyas if mutely appealing, and then the next convulsion would take it andseem to leave it just at death's door. 

All attendants were worn with care, the doctor fairly lived in the houseand forsook all his other business. The clergyman came and comforted theanxious hearts with words of sympathy and prayer; but her _littlebrother Merrill_, (whose own life we have just related, ) tender-hearted, a mere child, scarce seven years of age, who had known of the Lord, andwho believed that He was everywhere and could do everything, wasintensely grieved at "Mamie's" distress, and came at last to his motherand asked if he could go and "_make a prayer to God for Sissy_. " Themother said, "Go. " The little boy went back into his room, and kneelinghumbly by the side of his bed, as he did at his night and morningprayers, uttered this request:

_"O God, please to bless little sister, she is very sick. Please stopher fits so she won't have any more. For Jesus' sake, amen. "_

He came back, told his mamma what he said, and added: "_Mamma, I don'tthink she will have any more_. "

Now mark how the Lord honored this simple faith of the little child. _From that very moment the fits left her. They never returned; and thechild soon entirely recovered_. 

Notice the full beauty and instruction of these two incidents: _LittleMerrill's life was saved in answer to prayer; was the means of hisfather's salvation, and when he in turn had grown to an age when hecould learn of God, his own prayer was the means of saving his ownsister's life_. 

Notice, too, that all earthly available means were used to save eachchild, but to no effect. Physicians and parents considered the casehopeless, and then committed it to the decision of God. 

Notice, too, that when little Merrill was so sick, that the mother anddoctor both prayed, yet it was not until his father had also prayed thatthe answer came. God meant to honor the faith of the first two, but was_waiting for the prayer of the third_ ere he granted the request. Thatchild's sickness was one of the purposes of God. Notice in the secondcase, that while father, mother, doctor, the clergyman, and others ofthe house were all trusting in prayer, yet the Lord _was waiting for theprayer of the little brother_, ere he sent the blessing of relief. Suchan incident draws its own conclusion. _Never cease in prayer foranything which is to God's honor and glory. Use all the possible meansto help God. Where human means are of no avail, commit it to God andwait in humble resignation. Ask others to pray, too, for the sameobject_, that when the answer comes, God may be glorified before thesight of others as well as your own. When so many are waiting to see if_God_ will honor his promises, depend upon it, _God will be foundfaithful to all his word_. 

TRUSTING IN GOD'S PROMISES. 

"It was a fierce, wild night in March, and the blustering wind wasblowing, accompanied by the sharp, sleety snow. It was very desolatewithout, but still more desolate within the home I am going to describeto you. The room was large and almost bare, and the wind whistledthrough the cracks in the most dismal manner. In one corner of the roomstood an old-fashioned bedstead upon which a woman lay, her emaciatedform showing her to be in the last stage of consumption. A low fireburned in the large fire-place, and before it a little girl waskneeling. She had a small testament, and was trying by the dimfire-light to read a chapter, as was her custom, before going to bed. Afaint voice called to her from the bed, 'Nellie, my daughter, read the14th chapter of St. John for your Mother. ' 'Yes, Mother, ' was the reply, and after turning the leaves a few moments, the child began. All thatlong Winter day that poor mother had been tortured with pain andremorse. She was poor, very poor, and she knew she must die and leaveher child to the mercies of the world. Her husband had died severalyears before. Since then she had struggled on, as best she could, tillnow she had almost grown to doubt God's promises to the helpless. 'In myFather's house are many mansions. ' 'I go to prepare a place for you. 'Here the little reader paused, and crept to her mother's side. She laymotionless, with closed eyes, while great hot tears were stealing downher wasted cheeks. 'Mother, He has a place almost ready for you, hasn'tHe. ' 'Yes, my child, and I am going very soon, but _He_ will watch overyou, Nellie, when Mother has gone to her last home. '

"The weeks went slowly by to the suffering invalid; but when the violetswere blooming, they made a grave upon the hillside, and laid the wearybody down to rest, but the spirit had gone to the home which Christhimself had gone to prepare. 

"Years passed away. It was sunny May. The little church of Grenville wascrowded. I noticed in one of the seats a lady plainly but neatlyattired. There was nothing remarkable in the face with its mournfulbrown eyes, and decided looking mouth and chin. I ransacked my memory tofind who the lady was. Suddenly a vision of the poor widow came. This, then, was the little girl, little Nellie Mason. 'We will read a part ofthe 14th chapter of St. John, ' the minister said. 'In my Father's houseare many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you. ' The slow, deliberate tones recalled me from my reverie, and I looked at Nellie. Her head was bowed, but I could see the tears flowing like rain. "

THE FAITH OF A LITTLE CHILD. 

An incident most beautiful was told in the Fulton Street prayer meetingby a converted Jew. 

"Journeying in the cars, I was attracted by two little girls, Jewesses. I asked them if they loved Jesus. To my surprise, they said they did. Ifound that their mother was in a seat near by. She had attended some ofthe gospel meetings for Jews, and was interested in them. She said herhusband had not been to church or synagogue for eleven years, and shedid not know his views on religion. Her two little girls had attended aMethodist Sunday school, and there learned of Jesus. A day or so after, the mother was taken very sick, and remedies failing, the eldest child, a little over eight years old, said: 'O Mamma, if you will let me prayto Jesus for you, He can take away your pains and give you sleep. ' Sheknelt with her sister and prayed in simple words to Jesus to heal hermother, telling Him that He had so promised to hear prayer. Shortlyafter, the mother, after long hours of restlessness and suffering, fellinto a deep sleep and awoke relieved of pain and much refreshed. Sheheard from her daughter's lips the story of her faith in Jesus and lovefor Him, and then sent for me, begging me to pray for her. I am glad totell you that she is now a converted woman, a believer in the Lord JesusChrist. "

THE WANDERER FOUND. 

A mother sent a request for prayer to the Fulton Street prayer-meeting, that she might hear from him who had long ago left home, and wanderedfar away. She had been praying very earnestly for him, and soon shewrote that she had just heard from him, and heard too that he had becomea Christian and learned to trust in Him. 

ARE YOU THERE. 

A mother, one morning, gave her two little ones books and toys to amusethem while she went up-stairs to attend to something. A half hour passedquietly away, and then one of the little ones went to the foot of thestairs, and in a timid voice called out, "Mamma, are you there?"

"Yes, darling. "

"All right, " said the little one, and-went on with her play. By-and-bythe question was repeated, "Mamma, are you there?"

"Yes, darling. "

"All right, " said the child again, and once more went on with her play. And this is just the way we should feel towards Jesus. He has goneup-stairs, to the right hand of God, to attend to some things for us. Hehas left us down in this lower room of this world to be occupied herefor a while. But to keep us from being worried by fear or care, Hespeaks to us from His word, as that mother spoke to her little ones. Hesays to us, "Fear not; I am with thee. I will never leave thee, norforsake thee. " "The Lord will provide. "

And so we see how certain it is that God does provide relief in troublefor those who love and serve Him. 

GOD KNOWS THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL. 

"Mother, I think God always hears when we scrape the bottom of thebarrel, " said a little boy to his mother one day. His mother was poor. They often used up their last stick of wood and their last bit of breadbefore they could tell where the next supply was to come from. But theyhad so often been provided for in unexpected ways, just when they weremost in need, that the little boy thought _God always heard when theyscraped the bottom of the barrel_. This was only that little fellow'sway of saying what Abraham said when he called the name of the placewhere God had delivered him, "Jehovah-Jireh. "

GOD'S CARE FOR LITTLE CHILDREN IN LITTLE WANTS. 

"I was early taught that God cares for His children, even to regardtheir _little_ daily wants. An illustration of my implicit confidence, which I do not remember ever to have been betrayed, occurred when I wasabout ten years of age. I was accustomed to give five cents each Sabbathat the Sunday School collection for foreign missions. This money was notgiven me directly by my parents; but I was allowed to go on an errand, or to do some little piece of work for a neighbor and thus earn it, outside of the performance of the duties that naturally fell to my lotat home. At one time, when I was attending school about a mile fromhome, my time out of school was taken up by my walk to and from it andthe chores which necessarily fall to a farmer's boy, so that for somemonths I had no opportunity of earning anything. One Sabbath morning, Idropped my last silver piece into the collection, with a prayer--which Ialways offered at such a time--that God would bless it to the heathen, that some one might be led to Him by it. 

"I went home that day with a child's anxiety, feeling that I could notbear the thought of giving nothing for the heathen on next Sabbath, andyet not seeing how I could possibly obtain it. That night I asked myHeavenly Father to provide the money for me. The anxiety was all gone;for I felt that God would answer. Next morning, when almost at theschool-house, I found a handkerchief in the road, in the corner of whichwas securely tied a silver quarter and a silver dime. Instantly mythoughts flew to the next Sabbath, and to the prayer I had offered. O, yes! I thought, God has more than answered my prayer; instead of givingme just enough for next Sabbath, He has given me enough, for sevenSabbaths. 

Then the thought came, somebody lost it; yes, it was my duty to find theowner, which I did not expect would be difficult, although it was intown. So I cheerfully gave it up, thinking that 'the Lord will provide'in some other way. I took it directly to my teacher, and asked her tofind the owner. She made faithful inquiry, but no one was found to claimit. Who can question this being an answer to prayer, when we think ofthe numerous _chances_ against its occurring just as it did. "

A CHILD'S PRAYER FOR PAPA. 

A drunkard, who had run through his property, returned one night to hisunfurnished house. He entered his empty hall. Anguish was gnawing at hisheart-strings, and language was inadequate to express his agony as heentered his wife's apartment, and there beheld the victims of hisappetite, his loving wife and a darling child. Morose and sullen, heseated himself without saying a word; he could not speak; he could notlook up then. The mother said to the little angel at her side, "Come, mychild, it is time to go to bed;" and that little baby, as she was wont, knelt by her mother's lap and gazing wistfully into the face of hersuffering parent, like a piece of chiseled statuary, slowly repeated hernightly orison. When she had finished, the child (but four years of age)said to her mother, "Dear Mother, may I not offer up one more prayer?""Yes, yes, my sweet pet, pray;" and she lifted up her tiny hands, closedher eyes, and prayed: "O God! spare, oh! spare my dear papa!" Thatprayer was lifted with electric rapidity to the throne of God. It washeard on high--it was heard on earth. The responsive "Amen!" burst fromthe father's lips, and his heart of stone became a heart of flesh. Wifeand child were both clasped to his bosom, and in penitence he said: "Mychild, you have saved your father from the grave of a drunkard. I'llsign the pledge!"

A LITTLE QUAKER BOY'S PRAYER RIGHT OUT IN MEETING. 

A little Quaker boy, about six years old, after sitting, like the restof the congregation, in silence, all being afraid to speak first, as hethought, got up on the seat, and, folding his arms over his breast, murmured in a clear, sweet voice, just loud enough to be distinctlyheard on the front seat, "I do wish the Lord would make us all gooder, and gooder, and gooder, till there is no bad left. "

WHAT THE LITTLE CHILDREN MAY DO. 

At family prayer, little Mary, one evening when all was silent, lookedanxiously in the face of her back-sliding father, who had ceased to prayin his family, and said to him with quivering lips, "Pa, is God dead?"

"No, my child--why do you ask that?"

"Why, Pa, you never talk to him now as you used to do, " she replied. 

These words haunted the father until he was mercifully reclaimed. 

THE UNBELIEVING FATHER LED TO GO TO CHURCH. 

An unbelieving father came home one evening and asked where his littlegirl was. "She has gone to bed, " said his wife. "I'll just go and giveher one kiss, " said the father, for he loved his little daughter dearly. As he stood at the door of her bedroom, he heard some one praying. Itwas his little Jane, and he heard her say, "Do, God Almighty, pleaselead daddy to hear Mr. Stowell preach. "

She had often asked him to go, and he had always said, "No, no, mychild. " After listening to her prayer, he determined, the next time sheasked him, to accompany her, which he did, and heard a sermon which tookhis attention and pricked his conscience. On leaving the church, heclasped the hand of his little girl in his, and said, "Jane, thy Godshall be my God, and thy minister shall be my minister. " And the manbecame a true follower of the Lord. 

A CHILD'S PRAYER FOR RELIEF

An interesting little daughter of a professor in Danville, Kentucky, inthe Summer of 1876, in eating a watermelon, got one of the seeds lodgedin her windpipe. The effort was made to remove it, but provedineffectual, and it was thought that the child would have to be taken toone of the large cities to have an operation performed by a skillfulsurgeon. To this she was decidedly opposed, and pleaded with her mammato tell her if there was no other way of relief. Finally, in order toquiet her childish fears, her Christian mother told her to ask God tohelp her. 

The little one went into an adjoining room and offered her prayer to Godto help her. Shortly thereafter she came running to her mamma with theseed in her hand, and her beautiful and intelligent face lighted up withjoy. In response to the eager inquiry of the mother, the little one saidthat she had asked God to help her, and while she was praying she wastaken with a severe cough, in which she threw up the seed. 

GOD'S CARE OVER HIS PEOPLE--THE PRAYING WIDOW

A young widow with two children was living in the city of Berlin. Shewas a Christian woman, and trusted in Jehovah-Jireh to take care of her. One evening she had to be away for a while. During her absence a manentered her house for the purpose of robbing her. But "the Lord whoprovides" protected her from this danger in a very singular way. Onreturning to her home she found a note lying on her table, which read asfollows:

"Madam, I came here with the intention of robbing you, but the sight ofthis little room, with the religious pictures hanging around in it, andthose two sweet-looking children quietly sleeping in their little bed, have touched my heart. I cannot take anything of yours. The small amountof money lying on your desk I leave untouched, and I take the liberty ofadding fifty dollars besides. " The Bible tells us that "the hearts ofmen are in the hands of God. And he turneth them as the rivers of watersare turned. " He turned the heart of this robber from his wicked purpose, and in this way he protected the widow who trusted in him. 

GOD SAVED A FAMILY MERCIFULLY. 

One morning a Christian farmer, in Rhode Island, put two bushels of ryein his wagon and started to the mill to get it ground. On his way to themill he had to drive over a bridge that had no railings to the sides ofit. When he reached the middle of this bridge his horse, a quiet, gentlecreature, began all at once to back. In spite of all the farmer coulddo, he kept on backing till the hinder wheels went over the side of thebridge, and the bag of grain was tipped out and fell into the stream. Then the horse stood still. Some men came to help the farmer. The wagonwas lifted back and the bag of grain was fished up from the water. Ofcourse it could not be taken to the mill in that state. So the farmerhad to take it home and dry it. He had prayed that morning that Godwould protect and help him through the day, and he wondered what thisaccident had happened for. He found out, however, before long. Onspreading out the grain to dry he noticed a great many small pieces ofglass mixed up with it. If this had been ground up with the grain intothe flour it would have caused the death of himself and his family. ButJehovah-Jireh was on that bridge. He made the horse back and throw thegrain into the water to save the family from the danger that threatenedthem. 

A CHILD'S FAITH IN THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

About the 30th of July, 1864, the beautiful village of Chambersburgh wasinvaded and pillaged by the Confederate army. A superintendent of aSabbath school, formerly resident in the South, but who had been obligedto flee to the North because of his known faithfulness to the nationalgovernment, was residing there, knowing that if discovered by theConfederate soldiers, he would be in great peril of life, property andevery indignity, --in the gray dawn of that memorable day, with his wifeand two little girls, again on foot, he fled to the chain of mountainslying north-west of the doomed village. 

After remaining out for some days and nights, with no shelter but suchas was afforded by the friendly boughs of large forest trees, andwithout food, they became nearly famished. At last, the head of thefamily, unable to endure the agony of beholding his wife and childrenstarving to death before his face, and he not able to render the neededrelief, withdrew to a place by himself, that he might not witness thesad death of his loved ones. With his back against a large oak, he hadbeen seated only a short time, when his eldest little daughter, notquite ten years old, came to him and exclaimed:

"_Father, father, I have found such a precious text in my littleTestament, which I brought to the mountain with me, for very joy I couldnot stop to read it to mother, but hastened to you with it. Pleaselisten while I read_. " To which he said:

"Yes, my child, read it. There is comfort to be found in the Scriptures. We will not long be together on earth, and there could be no better wayof spending our last mortal hours. " To which she replied:

"O, father, I believe that we will not die at this time; that we willnot be permitted to starve; that God will surely send us relief; but dolet me read. " Then opening her dear little volume, at the ninth verse ofthe sixth chapter of Matthew, she read as follows:

"'_Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdomcome; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day ourdaily bread. ' O, father, to think that our dear Saviour Himself taughtHis disciples to pray for their daily bread. These are His own words. Itis not possible, therefore, that He will allow any person to starve, who, in His own appointed language, asks Him for food. Will He not, dearfather, hear our prayers for bread_?"

At once and forever the scales fell from the eyes of that parent. Withtears streaming down his cheeks, he clasped his child to his bosom, andearnestly repeated the Lord's Prayer. _He had scarcely finished it whena small dog ran to where he and his daughter were upon their knees, andbarked so fiercely as to attract to the spot its owner, a wealthyPennsylvania farmer, _ who was upon the mountain in search of cattle thathe had lost for several days. The kind-hearted tiller of the soilimmediately piloted the suffering family to his own comfortable home, and properly provided for their wants. 

A CHILD PRESERVED FROM WOLVES. 

A little girl only nine years old, named Sutherland, living atPlatteville, Col. , was recently saved from death by ferocious forestwolves as follows: The child went with her father on a cold afternoon tothe woods to find the cattle, and was told to follow the calves home, while the father continued his search for the cows. She did so, but thecalves misled her, and very soon she became conscious that she was lost. Night came on, and with it the cold of November and the dreaded wolves. With a strange calmness she continued on her uncertain way. The nextday, Sunday, at 10 A. M. , she reached, in her wanderings, the house ofJohn Beebe, near a place called Evans, having traveled constantlyeighteen hours, and a distance of not less than twenty-five miles. _Allnight the wolves growled around her, but harmed her not_; neither wasshe in the least frightened by them. All know that in ordinary casesfierce packs of blood-thirsty wolves would devour a man, and even ahorse. But this little one was invincible in her trusting, simple faith. The narrative states: "She said that the wolves kept close to her heelsand snapped at her feet; but her mother told her that if she was _good_the Lord would _always_ take care of her; so she asked the Lord to takecare of her, and she knew the wolves would not hurt her, _because Godwouldn't let them_!" The child was hunted for by a great number ofpeople, and being found was restored shortly to her parents in perfecthealth and soundness. 

JESUS CURED ME. 

In the family of a missionary pastor in Kansas, was a daughter of twelveyears of age, seriously afflicted with chronic rheumatism. For threeyears she suffered, until the leg was shrunken, stiff at the knee, shorter by some two inches than, the other, and the hip joint was beinggradually drawn from its socket. The child read of Mrs. Miller's cure byprayer, originally published in _The Advance_, and wondered why shecould not also be cured by the same means. She repeated to her mothersome of the promised answers to prayer, and asked: "Don't Jesus meanwhat he says, and isn't it just as true now as then?" The motherendeavored to divert her attention by representing the affliction as ablessing. The physician also called and left another prescription, andencouraged the child to hope for benefit from it. The child could not, however, be diverted from the thought that Jesus could and would healher. After the doctor's departure she said: "_Mamma, I cannot have thatplaster put on. "_

"Why, dear. "

"_Because, mother, Jesus is going to cure me, and he must have all theglory. Dr. ---- doesn't believe in God; if we put the plaster on, hewill say it was that which helped me; and it must be all Jesus_. " Soearnest was she, that her mother at length placed the package, just asshe had received it, on a shelf, and said no more about it. 

The little girl and her mother were alone that day, the father beingabsent from home. When the household duties were done she called hermother to her. 

"Mother, will you pray now to Jesus to cure me_? I have got the faith; Iknow he will if you will ask him_. " The mother, overcome, yielded to herdaughter's request, and commenced praying. She was blest with unusualconsciousness of the presence of God, and became insensible of alloutward surroundings, pleading for the child. She remained in this stateof intercession for more than an hour, when she was aroused by herdaughter, who with her hand on the mother's shoulder was joyfullyexclaiming, "_Mother, dear mother, wake up! Don't you see Jesus hascured me? O, I am well! I am all well!" and she danced about the room, literally healed. _

One week from that day, the girl was seen by the writer in the"_Advance, "_ who says she was _out sliding on the ice with hercompanions_. From that day to this she has had no further trouble; _thelimb is full, round and perfect_; there is _no difference between it andthe other_. 

To every question asked she replies, with the overflowing gratitude of aloving heart, "Jesus cured me!"

THE LITTLE BOY WHO WANTED HIS SISTER TO READ THE BIBLE. 

Rev. Mr. Spurgeon, of London, tells of the excellent faith of a littleboy in one of the schools of Edinburgh, who had attended aprayer-meeting, and at the last said to his teacher who conducted it:

"Teacher, I wish my sister could be got to read the Bible; she neverreads it. "

"Why, Johnny, should your sister read the Bible?"

"Because if she once read it I am sure it would do her good, and shewould he converted and saved. "

"Do you think so, Johnny?"

"Yes, I do, sir; and I wish the next time there was a prayer-meeting youwould ask the people to pray for my sister, that she may begin to readthe Bible. "

"Well, well, it shall be done, John. "

So the teacher gave out that a little boy was anxious that prayer shouldbe offered that his sister might read the Bible. John was observed toget up and go out. The teacher thought it very rude of the boy todisturb the people in a crowded room, and so the next day, when the ladcame, he said:

"John, I thought it very rude of you to get up in the prayer-meeting andgo out. You ought not to have done so. "

"O, sir, " said the boy, "I did not mean to be rude; _but I thought Ishould like to go home and see my sister reading her Bible for the firsttime_. "

_True to his faith, when he reached his home, he found the little girlreading her Bible_. 

NETTIE'S DAILY BREAD. 

A little girl in a wretched attic, whose sick mother had no bread, kneltdown by the bedside, and said slowly: "Give us this day our dailybread. " Then she went into the street and began to wonder where God kepthis bread. She turned around the corner and saw a large, well-filledbaker's shop. 

"This, " thought Nettie, "is the place. " So she entered confidently, andsaid to the big baker, "I've come for it. "

"Come for what?"

"My daily bread, " she said, pointing to the tempting loaves. "I'll taketwo, if you please--one for mother and one for me. "

"All right, " said the baker, putting them into a bag, and giving them tohis little customer, who started at once into the street. 

"Stop, you little rogue!" he said, roughly; "where is your money?"

"I haven't any, " she said simply. 

"Haven't any!" he repeated, angrily; "you little thief, what brought youhere, then?"

The hard words frightened the little girl, who, bursting into tears, said: "Mother is sick, and I am so hungry. In my prayers I said, 'Giveus this day our daily bread, ' and then I thought _God meant me to fetchit, and so I came_. "

The rough, but kind-hearted baker was softened by the child's simpletale, and instead of chiding her or visiting threats of punishment, asis usually the case, he said: "_You poor, dear girl; here, take this toyour mother_, " and he filled a large basketful and gave it to her. 

THE BROTHER'S PRAYER. 

A physician, who for many years practiced his profession in the State ofCalifornia, was called once to see the child of Mr. Doak, of CalverasCounty, living on the road between San Andreas and Stockton, and not farfrom the mining town of Campo Seco, or Dry Camp. He says: The patientwas a little girl about ten years of age, bright and intelligent and oneof twins, the other being a boy, equally bright and well-disposed. Theprimary symptoms had indicated inflammation of the stomach, which theattending physician had hopelessly combated, and finally, when bymetastasis it attacked the brain, with other unfavorable symptoms, hewas inclined to abandon the case in despair. 

It was at this juncture I was called in. The symptoms were exceedinglyunfavorable, and my own opinion coincided with my professionalbrother's. However, we determined to go to work. A day and night ofincessant watching, and the state of the patient caused us both to feelthe case hopeless, and we only continued our attendance at the earnestsolicitation of the child's mother. The anxious, care-worn and restlesssorrow of the little brother, his deep grief as he saw his sister givenover to the power of the King of Terrors, had attracted our attention. He would creep up to the bedside of his sister silently, with pale andtearful face, controlling his emotion with great effort, and then stealaway again and weep bitterly. With a vague, indefinite idea ofcomforting the little fellow, I took him to my knee, and was about toutter some platitude, when the little fellow, looking me in the face, his own the very picture of grief, burst out with--

"Oh, Doctor, must sister die?"

"Yes, " I replied, "but, "--

Before I could go farther he again interrupted me: "Oh, Doctor, is therenothing, nothing that will save her? Can nobody, nobody save my sister?"

For an instant the teachings of a tender and pious mother flashed overmy mind. They had been long neglected, were almost forgotten. California, in those days, was not well calculated to fasten more deeplyon the mind home teachings. There were very few whose religious trainingsurvived the ordeal, and for a long time I had hardly thought of prayer. But the question brought out with the vividness of a flash of lightning, and as suddenly, all that had been obscured by my course of life, and, hardly knowing what I did, I spoke to him of the power that might residein prayer. I said, God had promised to answer prayer. I dared not allowthe skeptical doubt, that came to my own mind, meet the ear of thatinnocent boy, and told him, more as my mother had often told me thanwith any thought of impressing a serious subject on his mind, "_That theprayers of little boys, even, God would hear_. " I left that night withsome simple directions, that were given more to satisfy the mother thanfrom having the slightest hope of eventual recovery, promising to returnnext day. 

In the morning, as I rode to the door, the little boy was playing roundwith a bright and cheerful countenance, and looked so happy thatinvoluntarily I asked:

"Is your sister better?"

"Oh, no, Doctor, " he replied, "but she is going to get well. "

"How do you know, " I asked. 

"_Because I prayed to God_" said he, "and _he told me she would. "_

"How did he tell you?"

The little fellow looked at me for an instant, and reverently placinghis hand on the region of his heart, said:

"_He told me in my heart_. "

Going to the room where my patient was lying, I found no changewhatever, but in spite of my own convictions there had sprung up a hopewithin me. The medical gentleman with whom I was in consultation came tothe room, and as he did, _a thought of a very simple remedy_ I had seenused by an old negro woman, in a very dissimilar case, _occurred to mymind. _ It became so _persistently present_ that I mentioned it to mybrother practitioner. He looked surprised, but merely remarked. "It cando no harm. " I applied it. In two hours we both felt the case was out ofdanger. 

The second day after that, as we rode from the house, my friend asked mehow I came to think, of so simple a remedy. 

"_I think it was that boy's prayer_, " I replied. 

"Why, Doctor! you are not so superstitious as to connect that boy'sprayers with his sister's recovery, " said he. 

"Yes, I do, " I replied; "for the life of me I cannot help thinking hisprayers were more powerful than our remedies. "

LIGHT GIVEN TO A BLIND CHILD. 

"A missionary visiting one of the mission schools of Brooklyn, wasintroduced to a remarkable child. He was brought into the school fromthe highways and hedges, and young as he was, he had been taught of God. One day he was playing with powder, and putting his mouth to the matchto blow it, it exploded, and the whole charge went into his face andeyes. He became totally blind, and the physician gave but little hope ofrecovery. But the little sufferer was patient and calm, and evenhopeful; sitting through the dark days meditating on what he had learnedat the mission Sabbath-school, and repeating passages of Scripture andmany a beautiful hymn. 

"One evening after the physician had spoken discouragingly, and hisparents, as he perceived, were in deep distress, he was absorbed on hisknees in a corner of the room in earnest prayer. His voice, thoughsubdued almost to a whisper, was indicative of intense feeling. Hisparents inquired what he had been praying so earnestly for. Why, saidhe, that _Jesus Christ would open my eyes. The doctor says he can't, andso I thought I would ask the Savior to do it for me. God honored hisfaith. In a few days his sight came to him; and the prayer was answered. He can now see clearly_. "

ASKING THE LORD TO HELP HIM IN HIS LESSONS. 

"A little boy was at school, he was diligent, and determined to succeed, but found that parsing was rather hard. 

"One day he went to his mamma for a little help in analyzing somesentences. She told him the proper manner of doing it, and he followedher directions; but he was much troubled that he could not understandthe whys and wherefores himself. 

"His mamma told him it was rather hard for him then, but that after hehad studied a little longer, it would be quite easy. 

"Johnnie went into another room to study alone, but after a little cameback, his face perfectly radiant with joy. He said: 'O mamma, I want tobegin again. I asked Jesus to help me, and now I think I see just how itis. He always helps us when we ask him;' and with unspeakable delight hewith his mamma went over his lesson again. "

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD. 

"The _American Messenger_ tells the story of Johnny Hall, a poor boy. His mother worked hard for their daily bread. 'Please give me somethingto eat; I am very hungry, ' he said one evening. His mother let the workupon which she was sewing fall from her knee, and drew Johnny towardher. Her tears fell fast as she said: 'Mamma is very poor, and cannotgive you any supper to-night. ' 'Never mind, mamma; I shall soon beasleep, and then I sha'n't feel hungry. But you will sit and sew, and beso hungry and cold. Poor mamma, ' he said, and kissed her many times tocomfort her. 

"'Now, Johnny, you may say your prayers;' for dearly as his mother lovedhim, she could ill afford to lose a moment from her work. He repeated'Our Father' with her until they came to the petition, 'Give us this dayour daily bread. ' The earnestness, almost agony, with which the motheruttered these words, impressed Johnny strongly. He said them over again:'_Give us this day our daily bread_. ' Then opening his blue eyes, hefixed them on his mother, and said: 'We shall never be hungry any more. God is _our Father_, and he _will_ hear us. ' The prayer was finished andJohnny laid to rest. The mother sewed with renewed energy. Her heart wassustained by the simple faith of her child. Many were the graciouspromises which came to her remembrance. Although tired and hungry, stillit was with a light heart she sank to rest. 

"Early in the morning a gentleman called on his way to business. Hewished Johnny's mother to come to his home to take charge of his twomotherless boys. She immediately accepted the offer. They were thusprovided with all the comforts of a good home. Johnny is a man now, buthe has never forgotten the time when he prayed so earnestly for hisdaily bread. 

"_God will hear prayer_ is his firm belief. In many ways has he had thefaith of his childhood confirmed. He looks to God as his Father with thesame trust now as then. 

GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF ME. 

"When the yellow fever raged in New Orleans, the pestilence visited aChristian household, and the father died. Then the mother was suddenlyseized, and knowing that she must die, she gathered the four childrenaround her bed, the oldest being only about ten years of age, and saidto them that God was about to take her home to heaven. She urged them tohave no fears, and assured them that the kind, heavenly Father who hadso long provided for them would surely come and take care of them. Thechildren, with almost breaking hearts, believed what the dying motherhad told them. 

"She was buried. The three youngest soon followed her, although theyreceived every necessary attention from friends during their sickness. The oldest, a boy, was also seized by the pestilence, and in anunguarded moment, under the influence of delirium, wandered from hissick-bed out into the suburbs of the city, and lying down in the tallgrass by the roadside, looked steadfastly up, murmuring, incoherently attimes, 'Mother said God would come and take care of me--would come andtake care of me!' A gentleman happening to pass at the time, and hearingthe unusual sounds, went where the lad was lying, and rousing him, askedhim what he was doing there. Said the little fellow in reply: '_Fatherdied; mother died; little brother and sisters died. But just beforemother went away into heaven, she told us to have no fear, for God wouldcome and take care of us, and I am now waiting for him to come down andtake me. I know he will come, for mother said so, and she always told usthe truth_. '

"'Well, ' said the gentleman, whose kindliest sympathies were stirred bythe little fellow's sad condition and his implicit confidence in hissainted mother's pious instructions, '_God has sent me, my son, to takecare of you_. ' So he had him carried to his home, and kindly nursed andcared for by his own family. He recovered, and to-day is one of the mostuseful Christian young men in the far West, where he has fixed hishome. "

LAURA HEALED. 

"A Christian teacher, connected with a Southern Orphan Asylum, writes_The Christian_, that often when the children were sick, and most ofthem came to me more or less diseased, I cried to the Lord for help, andHe who 'bore our infirmities, and carried our sicknesses, ' healed them. Oh it is so good to trust in the Lord! How much better to rely on Him'in whom we live, and move, and have our being, ' than to put confidencein man, even in the most skillful physician. To confirm and strengthenthe faith of the doubting, I send you the following account of thehealing of one of our orphans. 

"Laura was one of a large orphan family, living on Port Royal Island, S. C. When her mother died, she went to live with a colored woman whomade her work very hard, 'tote' wood and water, hoe cotton and corn, doall manner of drudgery, rise at daybreak, and live on scanty food. Laurasuffered from want, exposure and abuse. The freed-women of theplantation looked with pity into her eyes, and desired her to run away. But she replied, 'Aunt Dora will run after me, and when she done cotchme, she'll stripe me well with the lash; she done tell so already. '

"One morning, however, when Laura went to the creek for crabs, a goodaunty followed her, and throwing a shawl over the poor child's rags, said, 'Now, Laura, put foot for Beaufort fast as ever you can, and whenyou get there, inquire where Mrs. Mather lives: go straight to her; shehas a good home for jes sich poor creeters as you be. ' Laura obeyed, hastened to Beaufort, seven miles distant, found my home, was madewelcome, and her miserable rags exchanged for good clean clothes. In themorning, I said, 'Laura, did you sleep well last night?' She replied, 'O, missis, my heart too full of joy to sleep. Me lay awake all night, thinking how happy me is in dis nice, clean bed, all to myself. Me neversleep in a bed before, missis. '

"Laura, then about thirteen years old, came to me with a hard cough, andpain in her side. I put on flannels, gave her a generous diet, andhoped, that with rest and cheerful surroundings, she would soon rally asother children had, who came to me in a similar broken-down condition. Still the cough and pain continued. I dosed her with variousrestoratives, such as flax-seed, and slippery elm, etc. , but all were ofno avail. She steadily grew worse. Every week I could see she declined. Her appetite failed; night sweats came on; and she was so weak that mostof the day she lay in bed. The children, all of whom loved Laura, shewas so patient and gentle, whispered one to another, 'Laura is gwine todie; dere is def in her eye. "

"One evening in mid-winter, the poor child's short breath, flutteringpulse, and cold, clammy sweat alarmed me, and I felt sure that unlessthe dear Lord interposed in her behalf, her time with us was very short. I lingered by her bed till near midnight in prayer for her recovery. Icould not give her up. Again in my own room I poured out my soul inprayer for the child, and then slept. About two o'clock, I suddenlyawoke, and heard what seemed a voice saying to me, '_Go to Laura; I canheal her now; the conditions are right; you are both calm andtrustful_. '

"I arose quickly, hastened to her room and said to her, 'Laura, do youwant to get well?' 'O, yes, missis, me wants to get well. ' 'Do youbelieve Jesus can cure you?' She replied, 'I know he can if he will. ''Well, Laura, ' I said, 'Jesus has just waked me out of a sound sleep, and told me to go and tell you that he _will cure you now_. Do youbelieve he will, Laura?' 'Yes, missis, me _do believe_, ' she repliedearnestly. She then repeated this prayer. 'O, Jesus, do please to makeme well; let me live a long time, and be a good and useful woman. '

"The burden had rolled off my heart; I returned to my room and sleptsweetly. In the morning, Tamar, Laura's attendant, met me at the door, exclaiming joyfully, 'O, I'se so glad! Laura is a heap better, Missis. She wake me up long time before day and begged me to get her somethingto eat, she so hungry. '

"From that night Laura rapidly recovered. Her cough abated, her appetitewas restored, her night sweats ceased, and in less than a month she wasstrong and well. "

A LITTLE SLAVE'S FAITH. 

A missionary in India, passing one day through the school room, observeda little boy engaged in prayer, and overheard him say, "O, Lord Jesus, Ithank thee for sending big ship into my country and wicked men to stealme and bring me here, that I might hear about Thee and love Thee. Andnow, Lord Jesus, I have one great favor to ask Thee. Please to sendwicked men with another big ship, and let them catch my father and mymother, and bring them to this country, that they may hear themissionaries preach and love Thee. "

The missionary in a few days after saw him standing on the sea-shore, looking very intently as the ships came in. "What are you looking at, Tom?" "I am looking to see if Jesus Christ answers prayer. "

For two years he was to be seen day after day watching the arrival ofevery ship. One day, as the missionary was viewing him, he observed himcapering about and exhibiting the liveliest joy. 

"Well, Tom, what gives you so much joy?" "_O, Jesus Christ answerprayer. Father and mother come in that ship_, " which was actually thecase. 

A GOOD REASON FOR PRAYING. 

A little girl about four years of age being asked, "Why do you pray toGod?" replied: "Because I know He hears me, and I love to pray to Him. "

"But how do you know He hears you?"

Putting her little hand to her heart, she said, "I know He does, becausethere is something _here_ that tells me so. "

MY HEART TALKED. 

A child six years old, in a Sunday school, said: "When we kneel down inthe school-room to pray, it seems as if my heart talked. "

WHY, SIR, I BEGGED. 

A little boy, one of the Sunday school children in Jamaica, called uponthe missionary and stated that he had lately been very ill, and in hissickness often wished his minister had been present to pray with him. 

"But, Thomas, " said the missionary, "I hope you prayed. " "Oh, yes, sir. ""Did you repeat the collect I taught you?" "I prayed. " "Well, but howdid you pray?" "Why, sir, I begged. "

A LITTLE CHILD'S PRAYER FOR HEALING. 

A very little child, who had but recently learned to talk, and thedaughter of a Home missionary, had been for weeks troubled with a severecough, which was very severe in its weakness upon her. At last herfather said to her, "Daughter, ask Jesus, the good Lord, to heal you. "

Putting up her little hands as she lay in bed, she said, "_Dear Jesus, will oo please to cure me, and do please tell papa what to give me_. "

The father, who was listening, thought several times of "_syrup ofipecac_" but did not connect it immediately with the prayer. At last thethought came so often before him, that he felt, "Well, it will do noharm, perhaps this is what the Lord wants me to give her. " He procuredit, administered it, and in three hours the little child's cough hadwholly ceased, and she was playing on the floor with the other children. A most singular feature is the fact that the same medicine wasadministered at other times and had no effect in relief. 

 * * * * *

THE BLESSEDNESS OF GIVING

"_Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him intime of trouble_. "

"_Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of allthine increase, so shalt thy barns be filled with plenty_. "

"_There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is thatwithholdeth more than is meet, but it lendeth to poverty_. "

"_The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall bewatered also himself_. "

"_He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that whichhe hath given will He pay him again. "_

"_Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cryhimself, but shall not be heard_. "

"_He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of hisbread to the poor_. "

"_He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat_. "

"_He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth hiseye shall have many a curse_. "

"_Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shall find it after manydays_. "

"_If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflictedsoul, the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul indrought, and make fat thy bones. And thou shall be like a wateredgarden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not_. "

"_He which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully_. "

"_Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; notgrudgingly, nor of necessity, for_

GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER. 

 * * * * *

HOW THE LORD BLESSES THOSE "WHO GIVE LIBERALLY TO HIS CAUSE. 

A disciple of the Lord Jesus, poor in this world's goods, but rich infaith, became greatly perplexed in regard to the meaning of theforty-second verse of the fifth chapter of Matthew. The words are: "Giveto him that asketh thee; and from him that would borrow of thee turn notthou away. " After a season of prolonged mental inquiry, as to whetherthe language was to be regarded as literal or not, she suddenly pausedand exclaimed: "It is easy enough to find out; test it and see. "

It was Saturday. Her money, all but two dollars, had been expended inproviding for the Sabbath. The amount left, which was absolutely neededfor the following Monday, she put in her pocket, and went out. 

On the street, a friend, whose husband had been for some time out ofbusiness, met her and stated their distresses, and asked if she couldlend them _two dollars to last over the Sabbath_. 

She was surprised. The test had come sooner than she expected, but, without hesitation, the money was "_lent to the Lord, "_ and the nowpenniless believer went home to wait and see. 

Now mark the result. Monday came, and with it the needs to be supplied. While pondering what course to pursue, a knock was heard, and, onopening the door, a lady, with a bundle in her hand, inquired if shecould do a little work for her. Replying in the affirmative, and namingthe price, the lady took from her pocket-book two dollars, and handed itto her, saying: "It is more than you ask, but you might as well haveit. " "I was never more astonished, " said this true disciple, "andliterally shouted for joy. I had tested and proved that the promises ofGod are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Glory to God. I have never doubtedsince; and though often in straits, I have always been delivered. "

Would it not be well for Christians to "test" where they cannotunderstand? "Ye are my friends, " said the blessed Lord, "if ye dowhatsoever I command you. " Obedience will solve difficulties thatreasoning cannot unravel. Try and see. 

DIVIDING WITH GOD. 

A merchant, in answer to inquiries, refers back to a period when, hesays, "In consecrating my life anew to God, aware of the ensnaringinfluences of riches, and the necessity of deciding on a plan of charitybefore wealth should bias my judgment, I adopted the following system:

"I decided to balance my accounts as nearly as I could, every month; andreserving such a portion of profits as might appear adequate to coverprobable losses, to lay aside, by entry on a benevolent account, one-tenth of the remaining profits, great or small, as a fund forbenevolent expenditure, supporting myself and family on the remainingnine-tenths. I further determined, that when at any time my net profits, that is, profits from which clerk-hire and store expenses had beendeducted, should exceed $500 in a month, I would give twelve and a halfper cent. ; if over $700, fifteen per cent. ; if over $900, seventeen anda half per cent. ; if over $1, 100, twenty per cent. ; if over $1, 300, twenty-two and a half per cent. ; thus increasing the proportion of thewhole as God should prosper, until at $1, 500, I should give twenty-fiveper cent. , or $375 a month. As capital was of the utmost importance tomy success in business, I decided not to increase the foregoing scaleuntil I had acquired a certain capital, after which I would giveone-quarter of all net profits, great or small; and on the acquisitionof another certain amount of capital, I decided to give half; and onacquiring what I determined would be a full sufficiency of capital, thento give the whole of my net profits. 

"It is now several years since I adopted this plan, and under it I haveacquired a handsome capital, and have been prospered beyond my mostsanguine expectations. Although constantly giving, I have never yettouched the bottom of my fund, and have been repeatedly astonished tofind what large drafts it would bear. True, during some months I haveencountered a salutary trial of faith, when this rule has led me to layby the tenth, while the remainder proved inadequate to my support; butthe tide has soon turned, and with gratitude I have recognized aheavenly hand more than making good all past deficiencies. "

PROSPERITY AND LIBERALITY. 

A London correspondent of the _Western Christian Advocate_, writing someyears ago of raising a fund for the extinction of debts on chapels, gives the following incident:

"A gentleman named Wilkes, who was promised a subscription of onethousand guineas to this fund, has a history so remarkable as to beworth relating across the Atlantic. Seven years ago he was a journeymanmechanic. Having invented and patented some kind of a crank or spindleused in the cotton manufacture, and needing capital to start himself inthe business of making them, he made it a matter of earnest prayer thathe might be directed to some one able and willing to assist him. In asingular and unexpected manner he fell in with an elderly Quaker, aperfect stranger, who accosted him with the strange inquiry: 'Friend, Ishould like to know if a little money would be of any service to thee. 'Having satisfied himself as to Wilkes' genius and honesty, the Quaker atonce advanced him the required amount. The praying mechanic started inbusiness on his own account, and everything he has touched of lateappeared to prosper. 

"Hearing of a field in Ireland offered for sale, in which was a desertedmine, he went over to see it; bought the field for a small sum, recommenced working the mine, and it now turns out to yield abundance ofexcellent copper. For the year 1852, he promised to give the MissionarySociety a _guinea a day_; but such abundance has poured in upon himduring the year, that he felt that to be below his duty, and has, therefore, enlarged his subscription for the present year seven-fold. Heis actually giving to that noble cause seven guineas daily, or upwardsof $10, 500 a year, during this year, 1853; in addition to which he hasjust given one thousand guineas to the fund above referred to. " "It ispleasing to add, " says the writer, "that this remarkable man retains theutmost simplicity. "

Would that liberality and prosperity might ever go hand in hand. Often, as wealth increases liberality is starved out, and the rich give farless than the poor in proportion to their means and ability. 

THE DEACON'S SINGING SCHOOL. 

"I am going out to see if I can start a singing school, " said a goodman, as he stood buttoning up his overcoat, and muffling up his ears, one bitterly cold Winter night. 

"A singing school, " said his wife, "how will you do that?"

"I have heard of a widow around the corner a block or two who is insuffering circumstances. She has five little children, and two of themdown sick, and has neither fire nor food. So Bennie Hope, the office boytells me. I thought I would just step around and look into the case. "

"Go, by all means, " said his wife, "and lose no time. If they are insuch need we can give some relief. But I cannot see what all this has todo with starting a singing school. But never mind, you need not stop totell me now; go quickly and do all you can for the poor woman. "

So out into the piercing cold of the wintry night went the husband, while the wife turned to the fireside and her sleeping babes, who, intheir warm cribs, with the glow of health upon their cheeks, showed thatthey knew nothing of cold or pinching want. With a thankful spirit shethought of her blessings, as she sat down to her little pile of mending. Very busily and quietly she worked, puzzling all the time over what herhusband could have meant by starting a singing school. A singing schooland the widow--how queer! What possible connection could they have?

At last she grew tired of the puzzling thought, and said to herself, "Iwon't bother myself thinking about it any more. He will tell me allabout it when he comes home. I only hope we may be able to help the poorwidow and make her 'poor heart sing for joy. ' There, " she exclaimed, "can that be what he meant? The widow's heart singing for joy! Wouldn'tthat be a singing school? It must be; it is just like John. How funnythat I should find it out!" and she laughed merrily at her lucky guess. Taking up her work again, she stitched away with a happy smile on herface, as she thought over again her husband's words, and followed him inimagination in his kind ministrations. By-and-by two shining tearsdropped down, tears of pure joy, drawn from the deep wells of her lovefor her husband, of whom she thought she never felt so fond before. Atthe first sound of footsteps she sprang to open the door. 

"Oh, John! did you start the singing school?"

"I reckon I did, " said the husband, as soon as he could loose hiswrappings; "but I want you to hunt up some flannels and things to helpto keep it up. "

"Oh, yes! I will; I know now what you mean. I have thought it all out. Making the widow's 'heart sing for joy' is your singing school. (Job. Xxix:13. ) What a precious work, John! 'Pure religion and undefiled is tovisit the fatherless and widows in their affliction. ' My own heart hasbeen singing for joy all the evening because of your work, and I do notmean to let you do it alone. I want to draw out some of this wonderfulmusic. "

IT PAYS TO GIVE TO THE LORD. 

"A clergyman states, that soon after he dedicated himself to the serviceof Christ, he resolved, as Jacob did, 'Of all that thou shalt give me, Iwill surely give a tenth unto thee. ' Of the first $500 he earned, hegave $130, and in such a way that it incited a wealthy friend to giveseveral hundreds more, including a donation of $100 to this clergymanhimself. For four years, the clergyman says, 'My expenses were small, myhabits economical, and the only _luxury_ in which I indulged was theluxury of giving. In the two first of these years I was permitted togive $500. ' 'On a review of my ministry of about sixteen years, ' headds, 'I find God has graciously permitted me to give to the cause of myRedeemer nearly $1, 200, by which amount about forty life membershipshave been created in various evangelical societies. During all theseyears God has prospered me; has given me almost uninterrupted health;has surrounded me with sweet domestic ties; and my congregation, bymeans in part perhaps of a steady example, have given _more in thesesixteen years_ than in all their long previous history. "

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BENEFICENCE. 

"A liberal donor, in enclosing $100 to a sister institution, butstrictly withholding his name, says, 'When I began business, it was withthe intention and hope to become rich. A year afterward I became, as Itrust, a Christian, and about the same time met with 'Cobb'sResolutions, ' which I adopted. Some four or five years later, I read'Normand Smith's Memoir, ' and also Wesley's 'Sermon on the use ofMoney, ' which led me to devote all my gains to benevolent uses, reserving to myself $5, 000 while I remained unmarried, part of which Ihave bequeathed to relatives, and the remainder to benevolent societies. Up to this time--about sixteen years--by the grace of God--nothingelse--I have given about $24, 500 to benevolent purposes, and lent about$500 to those in need, which has not been returned; making in all about$25, 000. "

COMMENDABLE EXAMPLES. 

The Methodist Missionary Society mention one of their donors who, fortwenty years, has used the power given him of getting wealth, for hisLord, in which time he has been enabled to appropriate to benevolentpurposes _more than thirty thousand dollars_, while operating with acapital of but five thousand dollars. Another business man of thatdenomination in Boston, during fifteen years, has appropriated_thirty-nine thousand dollars_. 

SYSTEM IN GIVING. 

A correspondent of the American Tract Society says, "It was theirpublications which induced me to appropriate statedly one-tenth of myincome to the cause of the Lord. After acting upon that scale nearly twoyears, and finding that although _my donations greatly exceeded those offormer years_, my affairs were not thereby involved in anyembarrassment; but that, on the contrary, with increasing contributionsto the leading objects of Christian benevolence and to general charity, came an _increased store and enlarging resources_, I concluded, with aheart throbbing with grateful emotions to my Creator, in view of hisgreat love and kindness toward me, that I would increase theproportion. "

LENDING TO THE LORD. 

"A poor man, some of whose family were sick, lived near Deacon Murray, (referred to in the tract, 'Worth of a Dollar, ') and occasionally calledat his house for a supply of milk. One morning he came while the familywere at breakfast. Mrs. Murray rose to wait upon him, but the deaconsaid to her, 'Wait till after breakfast. ' She did so, and meanwhile thedeacon made some inquiries of the man about his family andcircumstances. 

"After family worship the deacon invited him to go out to the barn withhim. When they got into the yard, the deacon, pointing to one of thecows, exclaimed, 'There, take that cow, and drive her home. ' The manthanked him heartily for the cow, and started for home; but the deaconwas observed to stand in the attitude of deep thought until the man hadgone some rods. He then looked up, and called out, 'Hey, bring that cowback. ' The man looked around, and the deacon added, 'Let that cow comeback, and you come back too. ' He did so; and when he came into the yardagain, the deacon said, 'There, now, take your pick out of the cows; _Ia'n't going to lend to the Lord the poorest cow I've got_. '"

A STEWARD OF HIS LORD'S BOUNTY. 

An aged benevolent friend in a western city, states some interestingfacts respecting his own experience in giving systematically as the Lordprospered him. He says, "Our country and professors of religion in ithave become 'rich and increased in goods, ' but I fear that a dueproportion is not returned to the Giver of every good. 

"I commenced business in 1809 with $600, and united with the 'NorthernMissionary Society No. 2, ' which met monthly for prayer, and requiredthe payment of two dollars a year from each member. That year I married, and the next united with the Christian church. No definite system ofgiving 'as the Lord had prospered' me, was fully made until the close ofthe year 1841. The previous fourteen years had been assiduously devotedto the interests of Sabbath-schools and the temperance enterprise, whenI found both my physical and pecuniary energies diminished, the latterbeing less than $30, 000. 

"After days and nights of close examination into my affairs, withmeditation and prayer, I promised the Lord of all, I would try at theclose of every year to see what was the value of my property, and theone-quarter of the increase I would return to him in such way as myjudgment, aided by his word and providence, might direct. 

"For more than fifteen years I have lived up to this resolve, and thoughmost of the time I have been unable to attend to active business, theinvestments I have made have more than quadrupled the value of myproperty, and in that time enabled me to return to Him 'from whom allblessings flow, ' $11, 739. 61. "

THE FIVE-DOLLAR GOLD PIECE. 

"'A friend, ' says a venerable clergyman, Rev. Mr. H----, 'at a time whengold was scarce, made me a present of a five-dollar gold piece. Iresolved not to spend it, and for a long time carried it in my pocket asa token of friendship. In riding about the country, I one day fell inwith an acquaintance, who presented a subscription-book for the erectionof a church in a destitute place. 

"'I can do nothing for you, Mr. B----, ' said I; 'my heart is in thisgood undertaking, but my pocket is entirely empty; having no money, youmust excuse me. '

"'Oh, certainly, ' said he; 'all right, sir. We know you always give whenit is in your power. '

"We parted; and after I had proceeded some distance, I bethought me ofthe piece of gold in my vest pocket. 'What, ' said I to myself, 'I toldthat man I had no money, when I had by me all the time this goldpocket-piece. This was an untruth, and I have done wrong. ' I keptreproaching myself in this way until I stopped, and took from my pocketthe five-dollar piece. 

"'Of what use, ' said I, 'is this piece of money, stowed away so nicelyin my pocket?' I made up my mind to turn back, and rode as fast as Icould until I overtook Mr. B----, to whom I gave the coin, and resumedmy journey. 

"A few days after, I stopped at the house of a lady, who treated me veryhospitably, for which I could make no return, except in thanks andChristian counsel. When I took leave, she slipped into my vest pocket alittle folded paper, which she told me to give to my wife. I supposed itwas some trifle for the children, and thought no more of it until Ireached home. I handed it to my wife, who opened it, and to myastonishment _it was a five-dollar gold piece, the identicalpocket-piece I had parted with but a few days before_. I knew it was thesame, for I had made a mark upon it; how this had been brought about wasa mystery, but that the hand of the Lord was in it I could not doubt. 'See, ' said I to my wife; 'I thought I _gave_ that money, but I only_lent_ it; how soon has the Lord returned it! Never again will I doubthis word. '

"I afterward learned that Mr. B---- had paid over the coin to thehusband of the lady at whose house I staid, along with some other money, in payment for lumber, and he had given it to his wife. 

"Take my advice, and when appealed to for aid, fear not to give of yourpoverty; depend upon it the Lord will not let you lose by it, if youwish to do good. If you wish to prosper, 'Give, and it shall be givenunto you; for with the same measure that ye mete, it shall be measuredto you again. ' 'Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell inthe land, and verily thou shalt be fed. '"

A NEW YEAR'S INCIDENT. 

"One New Year's day I was going out to visit some of my poorerneighbors, and thought I would take a sovereign to a certain widow whohad seen days of competence and comfort. I went to look in my drawer, and was so sorry to find I had but one sovereign left in my bank for thepoor, and my allowance would not be due for two or three weeks. I hadnearly closed the drawer upon the solitary sovereign, when this passageof Scripture flashed so vividly into my mind, 'The Lord is able to givethee much more than this, ' (2 Chron. Xxv: 9. ) that I again opened thedrawer, took the money, and entered the carriage which was waiting forme. When I arrived at Mrs. A. 's, and with many good wishes for the NewYear, offered her the sovereign, I shall never forget her face ofsurprised joy. The tears ran down her cheeks while she took my hands andsaid, 'May the God of the widow and fatherless bless you; we had not onepenny in the house, nor a morsel of bread; it is he who has heard myprayers, and sent you again and again to supply my need. ' You who prayfor and visit the poor, and enjoy the blessedness of relieving theirtemporal wants and of speaking to them of Jesus, you will understand thegladness of heart with which I returned home. 

"In the country we had only one post daily; so when evening came on, andit was nearly ten o'clock, I was not a little surprised at receiving aletter. When I opened it, how my heart beat for joy when I read thesewords from a comparative stranger: 'You will have many poor just now toclaim your pity and your help, may I beg you to dispense the enclosedfive pounds as you see fit? and I have ordered a box of soap to be sentto you for the same purpose. ' These boxes of soap are worth four pounds. Thus did our gracious God send nine times as much as I gave for hissake, before that day had closed. "

FENEBERG'S LOAN TO THE LORD. 

"A poor man with an empty purse came one day to Michael Feneberg, thegodly pastor of Seeg, in Bavaria, and begged three crowns, that he mightfinish his journey. It was all the money Feneberg had, but as hebesought him so earnestly in the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus hegave it. Immediately after, he found himself in great outward need, andseeing no way of relief he prayed, saying, 'Lord, I lent Thee threecrowns; Thou hast not yet returned them, and Thou knowest how I needthem. Lord, I pray Thee, give them back. ' The same day a messengerbrought a money-letter, which Gossner, his assistant, reached over toFeneberg, saying, 'Here, father, is what you expended. ' The lettercontained two hundred thalers, or about one hundred and fifty dollars, which the poor traveler had begged from a rich man for the vicar; andthe childlike old man, in joyful amazement, cried out, 'Ah, dear Lord, one dare ask nothing of Thee, for straightway Thou makest one feel somuch ashamed!'"

COMPOUND INTEREST. 

_The Christian_ tells of a minister in Ohio, who in 1860 was engaged tostatedly supply a congregation who were in arrears for a whole year'ssalary to their former pastor, and were only able to promise their'supply' five dollars a Sunday till the old debt should be paid. At theclose of the year, only about two-thirds of this amount had been paid. So it was not strange that their 'supply' soon found himself in arrearsfor many things. That year the cost of his periodicals alone hadamounted to sixteen dollars. This he could not pay, and as none of themcould be stopped without payment of arrearages; the debt must continueto increase. 

On New Year's day the minister was called to marry a couple, and gavethe fee, five dollars, to his wife saying, "I want you to get yourself adress with this. " There was a kind of material much worn then, which shehad very much admired, a dress of which would cost four dollars. So shewent to the Mission periodical to find the address of the MissionSecretary, thinking to send the extra dollar there. But as she glancedover its pages and noticed the trials and straits of the missionaries, and the embarrassment of the Board that year, her heart was touched andshe felt that they needed the money more than she did the dress, andinstead of the one she concluded to send the five dollars. 

She went to her husband and read her letter to him. "O, " said he, "I'mafraid we are too poor to give so much. " With a little feeling ofdisappointment she said, "Well, give me the change and I will send whatI had intended at first. " "No, " said he, "you have given it, and I darenot take it back. "

And so with a prayer that God would accept and bless the gift she signedher letter, "A Friend of Missions, " thinking, as no one would know theauthor, that was the last she would hear about it in this world. 

The ladies of that congregation were accustomed to meet weekly at theparsonage to sew for those in need. The next week a lady who wasvisiting in the place came with her friends, and as she entered theparlor she tossed a bundle into the lap of the minister's wife, saying, "Mrs. ----, here is a present for you. "

The present was a dress pattern of the same kind of material she hadintended to purchase. And as she thought to herself, "God has given methis in place of what I have given, " she was reminded of the words, "Give, and it shall be given to you. " But that was not the end. 

A short time afterwards she received a letter from the Secretary of theBoard of Missions, enclosing a printed copy of her own letter, andasking if she were the author of it; and added, "If so, a large-heartedman in New York has authorized me to send you twenty-five dollars, witha special request that you purchase a dress worth five dollars, and givethe rest to your husband and children. " There was her five dollars back, with four times as much more added to it. 

THE BROWN TOWEL. 

The editor of _The Christian Woman_ tells the story of a poor woman who, in her anxiety to give to the Lord, could find nothing but a poor browntowel. 

"They must be very poor who have _nothing_ to give, " said Mrs. Jarvis, as she deposited a pair of beautiful English blankets in a box that wasbeing filled by the ladies of the church to be sent to the poor. 

"And now, ladies, as you are nearly through, I would like to tell you anincident in my history; I was once very poor. "

"You once very poor?" said a lady. 

"Yes; I was once _very poor_. There came to our village a missionary todeliver a lecture. I felt very desirous to go; but having no decentapparel to wear, I was often deprived of going to church, although I wasa member. 

"I waited until it was late, and then slipped in and took a seat behindthe door. 

"I listened with streaming eyes to the missionary's account of thedestitution and darkness in heathen lands. Poor as I was, I felt it tobe a great privilege to live in a Christian land and to be able to readmy Bible. 

"It was proposed by our pastor that the congregation should fill a boxand send it out with the missionary on his return. 

"O, " thought I, "how I would like to send something. " "When I returnedhome my poor children were still sleeping soundly, and my disconsolatehusband waiting my return, for he had been out of employment some time. After he had gone to bed I went to looking over my clothes, but I couldfind nothing that was suitable that I could possibly spare; then I beganlooking over the children's things, but could find nothing that the poordears could be deprived of; so I went to bed with a heavy heart, and laya long time thinking of the destitution of the poor heathen, and howmuch better off I was. 

"I got to thinking over my little stock again. There was nothing I couldput into the box except two brown towels. 

"Next day I got my towels, pieced out the best one, and when it wasalmost dark, put on my bonnet, went to the church, slipped my towel intothe box, and came away thinking that the Lord knew I had done what Icould. 

"And now, ladies, let me tell you it was not long after that till myhusband got into a good situation; and prosperity has followed us eversince. So I date back my prosperity to this incident of the browntowel. "

Her story was done, and, as her carriage was waiting at the door, shetook her departure, leaving us all mute with surprise that one so richand generous had been trained to give amid poverty. 

GIVING BLESSED. 

A merchant of St. Petersburg, at his own cost, supported several nativemissionaries in India, and gave liberally to the cause of Christ athome. On being asked how he could afford to do it, he replied:

"Before my conversion, when I served the world and self, I did it on agrand scale, and at the most lavish expense. And when God by his gracecalled me out of darkness, I resolved that Christ and his cause shouldhave more than I had ever spent for the world. And as to giving _somuch_, it is God who enables me to do it; for, at my conversion, Isolemnly promised that I would give to his cause a fixed proportion ofall that my business brought in to me; and every year since I made thatpromise, it has brought me in about double what it did the year before, so that I easily can, as I do, double my gifts for his service. "

And so good old John Bunyan tells us, "A man there was, some called him mad, The more he gave, the more he had. "

And there are truth and instruction in the inscription on the Italiantombstone, "What I gave away, I saved; what I spent, I used; what Ikept, I lost. " "Giving to the Lord, " says another, "is but transportingour goods to a higher floor. " And, says Dr. Barrow, "In defiance of allthe torture and malice and might of the world, the _liberal_ man willever be rich; for God's providence is his estate; God's wisdom andpower, his defense; God's love and favor, his reward; and God's word, his security. "

Richard Baxter says, "I never prospered more in my small estate thanwhen I gave most. My rule has been, _first_, to contrive to need, myself, as little as may be, to lay out none on _need-nots, _ but to livefrugally on a little; _second_, to serve God in any place, upon thatcompetency which he allowed me: to myself, that what I had myself mightbe as good a work for common good, as that which I gave to others; and_third_, to do all the good I could with all the rest, preferring the:most public and durable object, and the nearest. And the more I havepracticed this, the more I have had to do it with; and when I gavealmost all, more came in, I scarce knew how, at least unexpected. Butwhen by improvidence I have cast myself into necessities of using moreupon myself or upon things in themselves of less importance, I haveprospered much less than when I did otherwise. And when I had contentedmyself to devote a stock I had gotten to charitable uses _after mydeath_, instead of laying it out at present, in all probability, _that_is like to be lost; whereas, when I took the present opportunity, andtrusted God for the time to come, I wanted nothing and lost nothing. "

These are a few of many evidences, that where we give from rightmotives, we are never the poorer, but the richer for doing it. "Theliberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth, shall be wateredalso, himself. "

LENDING TO THE LORD. 

As a series of religious meetings was held in a Baptist church in ----, and the hearts of God's people were greatly encouraged, the church wasconsumed by fire. It was proposed to continue the meetings in theCongregational church, but the workmen were coming the next morning todemolish and rebuild it. It was then proposed to hire the workmen todelay, that the people might assemble for three days more, but nothingwas done; when the Congregational pastor walking his study, and thinkingthat some souls might be gathered in, went to the workmen, and handedthem $10 from his own pocket, which he could ill afford; the meetingswere continued, and a number of souls hopefully converted to God. Theday following, as he passed the house, the man to whom he paid the $10called to him, and constrained him to receive back the whole amount, saying it was of no value compared with the saving of a soul. 

THE LIBERAL FARMER. 

A farmer in one of the retired mountain towns of Massachusetts, beganbusiness in 1818, with six hundred dollars in debt. He began with thedetermination to pay the debt in six years, in equal installments, andto give all his net income if any remained above those installments. Theincome of the first year, however, was expended in purchasing stock andother necessaries for his farm. 

In the six next years he paid off the debt, and having abandoned theintention of ever being any richer, he has ever since given his entireincome, after supporting his family and thoroughly educating his sixchildren. 

During all this period he has lived with the strictest economy, andeverything pertaining to his house, table, dress and equipage has beenin the most simple style; and though he has twice been a member of theState Senate, he conscientiously retains this simplicity in his mode oflife. The farm is rocky and remote from the village, and his wholeproperty, real and personal, would not exceed in value three thousanddollars. Yet sometimes he has been enabled to give from $200 to $300 ayear. 

EXPERIENCE OF A SADDLER. 

Normand Smith, a saddler of Hartford, Conn. , after practicing for yearsan elevated system of benevolence, bequeathed in charity the sum of$30, 000. 

An anonymous writer says of himself, that he commenced business andprosecuted it in the usual way till he lost $900, which was all he wasworth, and found himself in debt $1, 100. 

Being led by his trials to take God's word as his guide in business aswell as in heart and religion, he determined to give his earningsliberally unto the Lord. 

The first year he gave $12. For eighteen years the amount increased byabout 25 per cent. , and the last year he gave $850, and he says he didit easier than during the first year he paid the $12. Besides, thoughwith nothing but his hands to depend on when he began this course, hepaid the whole debt of $1, 100 with interest, though it took him nineyears to do it. 

JACOB NOT BLESSED UNTIL HE BECAME A LIBERAL GIVER. 

Jacob went out from his father's house "with his staff, " a poor man. Butat Bethel he vowed to give to God the _tenth_ of all that God shouldbestow on him. Commencing thus, God blessed him, and in twenty years hereturned with great riches. 

THE LORD'S INSURANCE MONEY. 

A tradesman in New York had pledged to give to the Lord a certainportion of his business receipts as fast as they were collected. Hecalled this _The Lord's insurance money_, for, said he, "so long as Igive so long will the Lord help me and bless me, and in some way he willgive me the means to give, so it is no money lost. Rather it is ablessing to my heart to keep it open in gratitude, a blessing to disposeof it to gladden other hearts, and the surest way to keep the Lord'sfavor with me. "

The results of his experience were blessed indeed, as he said, "I neverrealized before how closely the Lord is connected with all my interests, and how he helps me in all my business plans. Things happen constantlywhich show me constantly that some one who knows more than I isbenefiting me--protecting me. Bad debts have been paid which I did notexpect. Errand boys, just getting into sly and bad habits, have beendiscovered ere their thefts had proceeded far. As I needed competenthelp in my business, it has come just as it was wanted. When customerswere failing, somehow their debts to me were paid, although they failedto pay others. A severe fire came to my office and apparently seemed tohave swept all my valuables away. But it was stopped at just the rightmoment, and not one thing valuable was lost. The insurance companiespaid me enough to replace every damage, and the office was renewedbetter than before. The Lord sends me business enough to pay for mydebts, yet others are dull. _I cannot tell why it is, except that Ialways pray for my business, and ask the Lord to bless it for the goodof others_, and that the means which come from it may be used for hiscause. When I stop giving, business stops coming. When I stop prayingspecially for it, perplexities arise. As long as I pray for it, it allmoves easily, and I have no care or trouble. The Lord is my Banker, myHelper, my Insurer, my Deliverer, my Patron, and my Blessed Savior oftemporal things as well as spiritual. "

GIVE AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN. 

"'Cheerful giving, ' writes an aged minister, 'is what enriches the giverand brings down a blessing from above. A poor clergyman attended one ofZion's festivals in a distant city. The railroad company supplied himwith a return ticket, and though many of his brethren would securetreasures from the book-stores, but a solitary twenty-five cent scripwas in his possession, and he would need that to pay for refreshment onhis way home. It was the last day of the feast. Mention, again andagain, was made of the widow's mite, or poor men's gifts, and, as theboxes were passed, he felt sad that, in his deep poverty, he could notcast in a single penny. As the assembly was dismissed, it was announcedthat collectors would stand at the door to gather up the _fragments_which ought to be in the Lord's treasury. With slow steps this good manpassed down and put that last money he possessed into the waiting box. 

"In a few moments, a gentleman of the city invited him to his, table todine, with quite a number of the dignitaries of the church. During therepast, the host was called from the table for a little time. At theconclusion of a pleasant entertainment, the poor minister was taken oneside and an envelope put into his hands, with this remark: 'I was calledfrom the table by a man who has long owed me a small debt, which Ithought was lost a long time since, and I cannot think what it was paidto-day for, except that I might give it to you. ' The envelope containedtwenty-five dollars. When the books are opened, that rich steward willsee how his money was used, and thank God, who put it into his heart todispose of it thus. "

"LENDING TO THE LORD. "

"A physician who is not a professor of religion, in a neighboring city, has for many years exhibited an unshaken faith in that declaration. Hetold me that he has made many experiments on it, and the Lord hasfulfilled his words, 'That which he hath given will He pay him again, 'in every case. One of his 'experiments' came under my observation. 

"It was a bleak and chilling day in the Winter of 1847-8. The doctor wasgoing his rounds and met a poor colored boy in the street. He was nearlyfrozen to death. He accosted the doctor, and asked him most piteouslyfor a little money, stating, at the same time, that his master, an oldQuaker, had excluded him from the house, and compelled him to remain inthe barn; he could stand it no longer, and desired to go home--twentymiles up the river. The doctor now had the materials for another test ofthe promise. 'You shall not suffer if I can help you, ' was his cheeringreply to the boy. He requested him to call at his office, and went to aneighboring hotel and told the landlord to keep the boy until fartherorders. Late in the evening the boy again appeared at the office, andstated that the landlord had said, 'We don't keep darkies over night. 'The doctor immediately started out in search of new quarters, and, aftersome difficulty, found a colored woman who was willing to keep the boyfor a few days. In a short time the river, which had been closed withice, was open. The doctor paid the bills, gave the boy a dollar, andbade him God speed. That is what he calls lending to the Lord. Now forthe payment. When he called at the house of the colored person to paythe bill, he 'accidentally' met an old lady, who scrutinized himclosely, and at length said, 'A'n't you Doctor B----?' 'Yes, ' was thereply; 'but who are you?' 'No matter about my name; I owe you fourdollars, which you have long since forgotten, and which I did not intendto pay you till I saw what you have done to that poor boy. The Lordbless you for your kindness. Next week you shall have your money. ' Shecame according to her promise and offered the money, but the doctor wasunwilling to take it, as he had no charge on his books. She forced it onhim. He afterwards simply remarked, 'My meeting that woman was not amere _accident_; the Lord always fulfills his promise. I generally getmy capital back, with compound interest. '"

THE PRAYING SHOE-MAKER. 

A shoe-maker being asked how he contrived to give so much, replied thatit was easily done by obeying St. Paul's precept in I Cor. 16: 2: "Uponthe first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, asGod hath prospered him. " "I earn, " said he, "one day with another, abouta dollar a day, and I can without inconvenience to myself or family layby five cents of this sum for charitable purposes; the amount is thirtycents a week. My wife takes in sewing and washing, and earns somethinglike two dollars a week, and she lays by ten cents of that. My childreneach of them earn a shilling or two, and are glad to contribute theirpenny; so that altogether we _lay by us in store_ forty cents a week. And if we have been unusually prospered, we contribute something more. The weekly amount is deposited every Sunday morning in a box kept forthat purpose, and reserved for future use. Thus, by these smallearnings, we have learned that it is more blessed to give than toreceive. The yearly amount saved in this way is about _twenty-fivedollars_; and I distribute this among the various benevolent societies, according to the best of my judgment. "

THE HISTORY AND BUSINESS SUCCESSES OF LIBERAL GIVERS. 

Mr. Nathaniel R. Cobb, a merchant connected with the Baptist church inBoston, in 1821, at the age of twenty-three, drew up and subscribed thefollowing covenant, to which he faithfully adhered till on his death-bedhe praised God that by acting according to it he had given in charitymore than $40, 000. 

"By the grace of God, I will never be worth more than $50, 000. 

"By the grace of God, I will give one fourth of the net profits of mybusiness to charitable and religious uses. 

"If I am ever worth $20, 000, I will give one-half of my net profits; andif I am ever worth $30, 000, I will give three-fourths; and the whole, after $50, 000. So help me God, or give to a more faithful steward, andset me aside. 

 "N. R. COBB. "

FAITH IN GOD'S LIBERALITY. 

A clergyman, himself an exponent of God's bountiful dealings with men, was called upon in test of his own principles of giving to the Lord. 

Preaching, in the morning, a sermon on Foreign Missions, an unusuallylarge contribution was taken up. In the afternoon, he listened toanother sermon, by a brother, on Home Missions, and the subject becameso important that he was led closely to agitate the question how much heshould himself give to the cause. "I was, indeed, in a great straitbetween charity and necessity. I felt desirous to contribute; but, thereI was, on a journey, and I had given so much in the morning that Ireally feared I had no more money than would bear my expenses. 

"The collection was taken; I gave my last dollar, and trusted in theLord to provide. I proceeded on my journey, stopping to see a friend forwhom I had collected forty dollars. I was now one hundred and fortymiles from home, and how my expenses were to be met, I could notimagine. But, judge my surprise, when, on presenting the money to myfriend, he took a hundred dollars, and, adding it to the forty, placedthe whole of it in my hand, saying he would make me a present of it. 

"Gratitude and joy swelled my bosom; my mind at once remembered mysacrifice of the day before, and now I had realized the literalfulfillment of the promise, 'Give, and it shall be given unto you; goodmeasure, pressed down and running over, shall men give into yourbosom. '"

HE GAVE HIS LAST $5 TO THE LORD. 

A missionary agent thus relates this incident in the life of a poorphysician:

"I preached a missionary sermon in the town of -----, and a physiciansubscribed and paid five dollars. A gentleman standing by told me thatthe five dollars was all he had, or was worth; that he had lost hisproperty and paid up his debts, and moved into town to commencepracticing, with no other resources than that five-dollar bill. He andhis wife were obliged to board out, as he was not able to keep house. 

"I resolved, at once, that I would keep watch of that man, and see whatthe Lord would do with him. About a year after this interview, I visitedthe place again, and found the physician keeping house in good style. 

"During the Summer, while the cholera raged in the country, by a seriesof events, guided, as he believes, by the providence of God, most of thepractice was thrown into his hands, and he had taken more than $2, 500. "

 * * * * *

BELIEVE NOTHING OF YOUR GOD BUT WHAT IS MOST NOBLE AND GENEROUS. --PRES. EDWARDS. 

 * * * * *

MORE THINGS ARE WROUGHT BY PRAYER THAN THE WORLD DREAMS OF. --TENNYSON. 

 * * * * *

PRAYERS ANSWERED

IN BUSINESS AND SOCIAL ANXIETIES. 

HELP IN PAYING A MORTGAGE. 

A business man in New York had several large amounts due for payment. Anunprecedented series of calls from tradesmen wishing their bills paidsooner than customary, drained his means, and he was satisfied from thesituation that his means would not be sufficient to pay them all. Hisbusiness receipts, at this juncture, fell to one-half what they hadusually been. A loan was due at the bank; a mortgage on his property, aswell as large notes. He could do no more than ask the Lord constantly inprayer, to either send supplies of business, or open ways of relief. Committing his cares all to the Lord, he endeavored to throw off hisburden and with diligence in trade do what was possible for protection. 

He was greatly surprised when the bank loan fell due to learn that atrifling payment would be acceptable, and the rest extended at hisconvenience. This was remarkable, as the security had depreciatedsomewhat, and the loan had been then extended longer than usual. 

The holder of the mortgage did not call as usual for his interest. Ingreat surprise the tradesman dropped a note, saying he would meet hisdemand, but if not all the mortgage was needed, its extension wouldbenefit the use of the capital in his business. To his surprise, hereceived a reply that the mortgage would be extended one-half until thenext interest day, and the rest might be paid now if it could be spared. _This was just the money which the tradesman could spare_, and wasintending to propose, but refrained from mentioning it. 

A sudden opportunity in business arose which enabled him to see how touse the rest of the money he had on hand, as capital, whereby he couldclear within three months the remainder of the mortgage before it becamedue. 

Thus the Lord in answer to prayer, relieved his necessities, eased hiscreditors, gave him knowledge and intelligence of profitable ways oftrade, and helped him freely according to his faith. 

Thus business needs prayer, as well as the interests of the home, thechurch and the soul. When the means derived in business is used to blessthe Lord's poor, "_The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble_. "

A REMARKABLE PRAYER AND ITS ANSWER. 

A lady, who had led for many years a life of faith, caring for orphansand invalids, was led one day in thought to wish that she might devoteall her money to the work of the Lord, and use it specially for onebranch of his service which few had ever entered. She possessed only athousand dollars; and not knowing whether the thought was her own andtherefore rash, or whether it came from the Lord, she asked the Lord inprayer, that if the thought was from _Him_ "it might be continuallybefore me; if it were not, that I might cease to think of the matter. "

"It was kept before me as a privilege, to help me realize a greaterpersonal nearness to God as my Father. It was a very important matter, and fearing a mistake, I requested a sign. I asked God, if he wished meto give the money, (which we held at His disposal, ) that _He_ would sendme _one dollar, _ (no more, no less, ) from some individual with whom Ihad no acquaintance. About three weeks after my request, I attended aprayer-meeting, where about a dozen ladies were gathered. After themeeting, an elderly lady I had never seen before, put something in myhand saying, '_You will not be offended, dear, will you?_' When I lookedat the money, I found that it _was just one dollar_, my token. Iexclaimed, mentally, dear Lord, do not let me ever doubt thee again. Iafterwards asked the lady why she gave me the dollar. She said, 'BeforeI went to the prayer-meeting, I felt that I ought to take a dollar withme, and when I saw you, I felt that you were the one I should give itto. '"

"Nearly five years have passed since then, when I gave all, and my pursehas never been empty. I have been constantly occupied in work of love, and my Father has sweetly cared for me in every respect. "

This lady in her faith work has had under her constant care as many astwenty-two helpless invalids, of utter poverty, yet prayer has alwaysbrought them needed supplies, and the Lord has kept them. 

RECOVERY FROM INSANITY. 

A most remarkable case of recovery from insanity is given by PresidentWilliam M. Brooks, of Tabor College, Iowa. 

"A young lady of my acquaintance, of a finished education, lost herreason in the Winter of 1871-2, and in August, 1872, was placed in theinstitution for the insane, at Mt. Pleasant, Ia. No encouragement wasgiven of her recovery, and a year later, when her father visited her, inJune, 1873, she appeared so badly, that he said it would be a relief toknow that she was dead. Soon after, Mrs. H. , the wife of a Baptistminister, who had long known and loved her, being shut up for days in adark room, because of inflamed eyes, felt drawn out in special prayer inher behalf, and finally sent for the father and told him of herexercises, and of the assurance gained that his daughter would be fullyrestored. 

"In a few days, came news of a sudden change for the better, and in alittle over two months she returned home well, and is now teaching withall her powers in full vigor. 

"The acting superintendent of the hospital, who is not a professedChristian, and who knew nothing of the prayers referred to, said thatwhen the change occurred there was not a case among the five hundredinmates of which he had less hope, and that it was the most remarkablecase of recovery which he had known during the eight years of hisconnection with the hospital. "

SEEKING DIRECTION IN BUSINESS. 

A lady clerk employed in an apparently successful business was offeredan opportunity in a new business, which, though much smaller and lesssuccessful than the first, yet had rich promise in it for the future. The salary promised was the same in either case. In doubt, she oftenwaited upon the Lord, and asked to be guided, --a whisper in her heartkept saying, "Go, " "Go. " Constant praying kept it growing stronger andstronger, --at last she decided to go, feeling it was the decision of theLord. She accepted the new position, was pleased, and often declared shenever desired to return. The old business in less than three yearsdecreased so that half of the employees were discharged; the rest hadtheir salaries reduced. The new business doubled in its extent, and hersalary was increased one-fifth. 

SEEKING GUIDANCE OF THE LORD. 

A school teacher, without family or a special home, in New York City, asked the Lord for direction in finding a home, and prayed often thatthe way might be made so plain, she might acknowledge His hand, andunderstand His direction. 

Soon it transpired, in taking lunch at a restaurant kept by a man andhis wife, that they advised her to choose a certain family hotel. Shedid so, and found in time more friends and acquaintances, and apleasanter home than she ever possessed before. 

She also gained new scholars to her school. Sufficient to pay for herliving. 

Was she not fully answered? "_They that seek the Lord shall not want anygood thing_. "

SAVED FROM CHOLERA. 

The Rev. J. B. Waterbury relates several incidents which prove the powerof Prayer. 

"In the year 1832 he was compelled by pulmonary symptoms, to leave hisfield of ministerial labor in one of the eastern cities, and travelsouth, hoping that a milder climate might be favorable. 

"He had not proceeded far, before the cholera, that fearful scourge, made its appearance in the States, and obliged him to rejoin his familyin the city of Brooklyn. 

"Whilst many were dying around him, _his health_ continued to improve;so that with the disappearance of the epidemic he found himselfsufficiently restored to venture, if Providence should open the door, toresume his ministerial work. 

"But where should he go? The future, to human view, was shrouded inuncertainty. In so important a matter, affecting his usefulness andhappiness, there was nothing left, but to give himself to prayer. Hisfaith in that promise, 'In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He willdirect thy Paths, ' led him to pray without ceasing, 'Lord, what wiltthou have me to do. '"

On a certain day, when the burden lay heavily upon his heart, he retiredas usual, to implore light and guidance. He read on that occasion, thechapter of Acts where, by divine direction, Cornelius the Centurion sentmessengers to Peter at Joppa, to come to him with the Gospel. Theapostle, meanwhile; is instructed by a vision to go to Cornelius. 

The case was so applicable to the circumstances that the writer was ledto cry mightily to God for light to be shed also upon _his_ path. 

While thus praying the door-bell rang, and the servant announced two menwho wished to see me. 

This was somewhat startling. After introducing themselves, they remarkedthat they had come on a very important errand, viz: to ask my servicesfor a vacant church in which they were officers. 

"But how is this, " I inquired, "How did you know of _me_?"

They did not until that very day. But inquiring at the Bible House inNassau street if any of the officers of that Society knew of a ministerwho could be recommended to fill their pulpit, now vacant for somemonths. 

Dr. B. , the Secretary, answered, "Yes, I know a young minister inBrooklyn, whom I can recommend, provided his health, which has beendelicate, is adequate. "

So the messenger came inadvertently over to B----, and I was called frommy knees to receive their invitation. I promptly responded, "Yes, I willgo?" for what was I that I could withstand God. A successful and happyministry of fourteen years, attests the good results of that decision. 

THE AID OF THE LORD IN BUSINESS AND SOCIAL PROSPERITY. THE WONDERFULDELIVERANCE OF DANIEL LOEST. 

John Daniel Loest, a celebrated German tradesman of Berlin, Germany, was, by the aid of the Lord, so prospered in his worldly circumstances, that by steady industry, he raised himself to rank with the mostrespectable tradesmen of Berlin, where he kept a well-frequented fringeand trimming shop. 

He was always benevolent, willing to help others, and both fervent inspirit and constant in prayer, asking the help of the Lord in theminutest details of his business. 

Yet there once occurred in his experience a season of severest trial, which demanded his utmost trust and unflinching confidence in God. Heseemed almost forsaken, and circumstances almost impossible to overcome. But his deliverance so astonished him that he was lost in wonder at themysterious way in which the Lord helped his business and sent him allthat he needed. 

By means of acquaintances of high social character, whom he fullytrusted as good Christians, never supposing there could be any degree ofhypocrisy, he became security for a Christian lady of good property tothe amount of _six hundred thalers_. The attorney assured him that therewas not a shadow of a risk in going security for her, as her propertywould be more than ample to cover any claim. 

Months elapsed, and the circumstance forgotten, when Mr. Loest was mostunpleasantly reminded by receiving an order from the Court to pay in onthe following Tuesday the _six hundred thalers_ for which he had becomesecurity, under the penalty of execution. 

He now discovered that he had been designedly mystified, and there wasno escape. The six hundred thalers must be paid before the next Tuesday. He had just accepted a bill for _three hundred thalers_, to be paid foron the ensuing Saturday. And in his first thoughts of his perplexity, hehoped to get out of his dilemma by hurrying to a rich friend to obtain aloan. On his way to his friend's home, he stumbled on anotheracquaintance who had lent him _four hundred_ thalers on a mere note ofhand, and he saluted him with the news that he must try for repayment ofthat sum on the following Friday, as he required it to pay for a parcelof goods which would arrive that day. 

"You shall have it, " said Loest, as he hurried on to his friend. Thefriend was at home, but before Loest could speak his errand, he isaddressed thus: "It is lucky you came, my friend, for I was just goingto send for you, to request you to make provision to pay me back the_five hundred thalers you owe me_, for I must needs have it on Wednesdayto pay off a mortgage on my house, which has just been called up. " "_Youshall have it_, " replied Loest, calmly, yet his heart became heavierevery moment. 

Suddenly it occurred to him that the widow of a friend just dead waspossessed of large means, and she might be inclined to help him. Butalas, disappointment thickened fast upon him. Loest owed the deceasedfriend five hundred thalers for note, and three hundred thalers forgoods just delivered. As he entered the room of the widow, she handedhim an order from the court of trustees, under which he was bound to payup _the five hundred thalers on Thursday_, and, continued the lady, before the poor man had time to utter a word, "I would earnestly entreatyou to pay the other three hundred thalers early on Saturday to me, forthere are accounts constantly pouring in on me, and the funeralexpenses, " here her voice faltered. "It shall be cared for, " said Loest, and he withdrew, not having had opportunity to utter one word as to thebusiness that took him thither. He had failed at every turn; not onething was for him, all seemed against him. But though the waves surged, and rose, and oppressed, yet they did not overwhelm his hope; the morethe discouragements, the greater became his faith that all things wereappointed for his good, and thought he could not guess, yet even thetrial would result by God's own working hand, to the honor and glory ofhis great name. 

Yet here was his situation. _Six hundred thalers to be paid on Tuesday, five hundred on Wednesday, five hundred on Thursday, four hundred onFriday, three hundred Saturday morning, and three hundred on Saturdayafternoon; in all, two thousand six hundred thalers_. It was already theSaturday just previous, and his purse contained _only four thalers_. There was only one prospect left, and he went to a rich money lender, and in response to his request for relief in money difficulties, was metwith this reply of irony and sarcasm from one who loved to indulge hisenmity to the Christian faith. "_You in money difficulties, or anydifficulties, Mr. Loest! I cannot believe it; it is altogetherimpossible! you are at all times and in all places boasting that youhave such a rich and loving Master! Why don't you apply to him now_. "And the unseen face could not conceal his pleasure at this opportunityof testing a Christian. 

Loest turned away; hard as the random taunt and remark of his opponentwas, yet it recalled him to a sense of his duty, and his forgetfulnessof the fact that he had not hitherto asked of God for special help inthis circumstance. With cheerful steps he hurried home, and in long andimploring prayer, asked for help and forgiveness in this, his neglect oftrust in one so rich and generous. He was refreshed and comforted, andthe Sunday was one of peace and sweetness. He knew and felt assured, "_That the Lord would provide_. "

The eventful week opened, and on Monday he arose with a cheerful thoughtin his heart; ere he had had full time to dress, he noticed with greatsurprise, that both his sister and the assistant in the store, seemed, notwithstanding the earliness of the hour, to have full as much as theycould do in serving customers and making up parcels, and he at oncehastened into the shop to give them assistance, and thus it continuedall day. _Never, in all his experience_, could Loest remember such aceaseless stream of customers as poured, on that memorable Monday, intohis rather out-of-the-way shop. Cooking dinner was out of the question;neither masters nor maid had time for that; coffee and bread, taken byeach in turn, served instead of the accustomed meal, and still thecustomers came and went; still three pairs of hands were in requisitionto satisfy their wants. 

Nor was it for new purchasers alone, that money came in. More than onelong outstanding account, accompanied by excuses for delayed payment, and assurances that it had not been possible to settle it sooner, enlarged the contents of the till; and the honest-hearted debtor, onwhom this unwonted stream of money flowed in, was tempted every minuteto call out, "_It is the Lord_. "

At length night came, when Loest and his literally worn out assistants, after having poured out their hearts in thankful adoration in familyprayer, sat down to the first meal they had that day enjoyed in common. When it was over, the brother and sister set themselves to count overthe money which had that day been taken. Each hundred thalers was set byitself, and the result showed _six hundred and three thalers, fourteensilver groschen_. 

This was sufficient to pay the first debt due the next day, and leavebut ten shillings and eight pence over, a trifle less than theycommenced the day with. Loest was lost in wonder and grateful emotion atthis gracious testimony of how faithfully his Lord could minister to himin his earthly necessities. 

"How countless must be the host of his ministering servants, seen orunseen, since He can employ some hundreds of them, and send them to buyof Daniel Loest to-day, or pay him that bill which thou owest. What awondrous God is ours, who in the government of this great universe, doesnot overlook my mean affairs, nor forget His gracious promise, 'Callupon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee. '"

Tuesday was a repetition of Monday's splendid business, and brought inthe five hundred thalers which he needed the next morning to pay off themortgage of his friend's house, due that day. 

Wednesday's sales gave him five hundred more thalers, which he wasobliged to have ready to pay on Thursday morning into the court oftrustees. 

Thursday's sales brought him four hundred thalers, just the amount hehad given promise to pay the next day for goods delivered. 

And Friday's sales gave him just three hundred thalers with which tohonor the widow's demand on Saturday, to pay funeral and contingentexpenses. 

During these days of wonderful business and deliverances, after eachindebtedness was discharged, there still was not left cash in hand a sumexceeding three to five dollars. 

On Saturday morning, after he had sent the three hundred thalers to thewidow, he had left precisely two thalers and twenty silver groschen (sixshillings eight pence sterling), the smallest balance he had yet had;and what seemed most alarming, the rush to the shop seemed to beentirely over; for while during the five days past, he had had scarcelytime to draw his breath from hurry and bustle, he was now left inundisturbed possession of his place. Not a single customer appeared. Thewants of the vicinity seemed to have come to an end, for not a childeven entered to fetch a pennyworth of thread, or a few ells of tape. This utter cessation of trade was as unusual and out of the accustomedshop business, as the extra rush had been. 

At five o'clock on Saturday, was due the debt of three hundred thalersto his scoffing and tantalizing money lender. Three o'clock came, andstill there was but six shillings eight pence in the till. Where was hismoney to come from? But Loest sat still, and "_possessed his soul inpatience_" for he knew the Lord would choose the best time, and hedesired to be found waiting and watching for the Lord's coming. Thetrial was severe. It seemed hopeless, and if it should happen that, thecreditor came and went away unsatisfied, his commercial character wouldbe injured, his credit shaken, and his reputation severely suffer. Thatlast hour ran slowly on. At a _quarter to four_, almost the last fewmoments of painful suspense, a little old woman came in, and asking forMr. Loest, said to him half in a whisper, "I live here close by, quitealone, in a cellar, and I have had a few thalers paid me, and now I wantto beg of you to be so good as to keep them for me. I have not sleptover night since I had them; it is a great charge for a lone woman likeme. "

Loest was only too glad to accept the money, and offered interest, whichshe declined. She hurried back, brought in her money, counted it out onhis table, and there _were just three hundred thalers_, six rouleaux offifty thalers each. 

_She had scarcely left the house, with her receipt in her pocket, erethe clerk of the creditor with his demand in his hand, rushed intoLoest's presence. He received his three hundred thalers, and both partedspeechless with amazement_. 

Loest was lost in wonder at the marvelous way and exactness of time inwhich the Lord delivered him, while the creditor was astonished thus tofind Loest's Mighty Friend had not failed him in his hour of need. 

Thus in one short week, from a beginning of less than five thalers, Godhad so exactly supplied his business needs that he had paid all hisobligations of two thousand six hundred thalers, saved him from failure, saved his honor and good name, and now all was peace. 

The history of Loest and other providences which helped him in hisbusiness, are still further given more at length in a little book, "_TheBelieving Tradesman_, " from the records of the Religious Tract Societyof Berlin. 

This sketch illustrates the necessity of looking to God daily for help, and strength, and success, and deliverance in our business occupationsas well as the concerns of our soul, and must effectively prove thatthose who use their business and the means from it to honor the goodworks of the Lord on earth, will be blessed on earth with the favor ofthe Lord. It teaches the sublime lesson that _money and prosperity aregifts from the Lord_, and must be considered as such, acknowledged withthankfulness, and used to please the Giver. 

Whenever the Christian learns to love the gift more than the Giver, theLord takes it often away to remind him of his need of dependence upon_Him_. But whenever the Christian loves the _Giver_ because of Hisgifts, and spends his means again to please his Heavenly Father, hebecomes the Father's steward, and his lap is filled with bountifulblessings, such as one finds by true experience, "_The Lord is myShepherd, I shall not want_. "

SPURGEON'S PRAYER FOR MONEY. 

Charles Spurgeon relates this incident connected with his ministry:"When the college, of which I am President, had been commenced, for ayear or so all my means stayed; my purse was dried up, and I had noother means of carrying it on. In this very house, one Sunday evening, Ihad paid away all I had for the support of my young men for theministry. There is a dear friend now sitting behind me who knows thetruth of what I am saying. I said to him, '_There is nothing left, whatever_. ' He said, 'You _have a good banker, sir_. ' 'Yes, ' I said, 'and I should like to draw upon him now, for I have nothing. ' 'Well, 'said he, 'how do you know, have you prayed about it?' 'Yes, I have. ''Well, then leave it with Him; have you opened your letters?' 'No, I donot open my letters on Sundays. ' 'Well, ' said he, 'open them for once. 'I did so, and in the first one I opened there was a banker's letter tothis effect: 'Dear Sir, we beg to inform you that a lady, totallyunknown to us, has left with us two hundred pounds for you to use in theeducation of young men. ' Such a sum has never come since, and it nevercame before; and I have no more idea than the dead in their graves howit came then, nor from whom it came, but to me it seemed that it camedirectly from God. "

THE PRAYER OF LATIMER. 

The prayers of the martyr, Latimer, were very remarkable for theirfaith. There were three principal matters for which he prayed:

1. That God would give him grace to stand to his doctrine until death. 

2. That God would of His mercy restore His gospel to England once again, repeating and insisting on these words "once again, " as though he hadseen God before him, and spoken to Him face to face. 

3. That God would preserve Elizabeth; with many tears, desiring God tomake her a comfort to this comfortless realm of England. All theserequests were most fully and graciously answered. 

A MOTHER'S PRAYERS ANSWERED. 

A Christian evangelist, whose work has been most singularly blessed, related this incident, how once in the days of his folly and sin, whileas yet his course of life ran counter to the fondest wishes and prayersof his mother's heart, he one day asked her the strange question, whether she really believed that he ever would be converted to God. Andher answer, inexpressibly touching and instructive, as being the answerof _assured faith_, which could see as yet no signs of the coming ofwhat it so anxiously sought, was, "Yes, I believe that you will one day be as eminent as a Christian, andan instrument for good, as you have been eminent in sin, and aninstrument for evil. "

In later years the evangelist looked back with admiration to the faithof his mother, and thanked the Lord for His gracious answer to herprayers. 

HOW THE LORD RESCUED HIM. 

A wonderful incident is told by Dr. S. I. Prime among his many factsrelating to prayer, as published in _The Observer_ and "_The Power ofPrayer_. "

"A young man held a good position in a large publishing house in thiscity. He was about thirty years old, a married man, and happy in all therelations of life. The missionary of the church knew him through yearsof comfort and prosperity. Years passed away, and there came a darkplace in his life. Intemperance, of the most depraved kind, made hiscareer most dreadful. He disappeared, and was not heard from for sometime. He separated himself from his family, and from all good. 

"He was met in Boston one day by an old friend, after long years, whonoticed a marked difference in his appearance. He approached him, grasped him by the hand and said:

"'I am a changed man. I one day got up in the morning, after a night ofwakefulness, and thinking over what a wretch I had become, and howwretched I had made my poor wife and children, I resolved to go to thebarn, and there all alone, to pray that God would take away utterlyforever my accursed thirst for rum, and to pray till I felt answeredthat my prayer was heard. I went down on my knees, and on them I stayeduntil I had asked God many times to take away all my appetite for rumand tobacco, and everything else which was displeasing to Him, and makeme a new creature in Christ Jesus--a holy, devoted Christian man, forthe sake of Him who died for sinners. I told God that I could not bedenied; I could not get up from my knees till I was forgiven and thecurse was forever removed. I was in earnest in my prayer. 

"'I was on my knees two hours, short hours, as they seemed to me; twoblessed hours, for I arose from my knees assured that all of thedreadful past was forgiven, and my sins blotted out forever. Oh! I tellyou, God hears prayer. God has made me a happy man. I left all myappetite in the old barn. In that old barn, I was born again. Not onetwinge of the old appetite has ever been felt since then. '"

JESUS KEEPS ME FROM DRINKING. 

A young man arose in the Fulton Street prayer-meeting one day, anddetailed his struggles and triumphs with his appetites. He was a perfectdrunkard, helpless, poor; his friends' best efforts to reclaim' him wereof no avail. The most solemn vows that he had ever taken, still wereunable to hold him up. At last he gave himself up for lost. There seemedno hope for him, and in his despair he wandered away to the ocean shore. He met a young man who showed him a good many favors, and to whom heoffered a drink from his flask of liquor. 

"'No, ' said he, 'I never drink intoxicating drink, and I ask the LordJesus to help me never to touch it. '

"I looked at him with surprise, and inquired, 'Are you a Christian?'

"'Yes, I trust I am, ' he answered. 

"'_And does Jesus keep you from drinking intoxicating liquor?'_

"'_He does, and I never wish to touch it_. '

"That short answer set me to thinking. In it was revealed a new power. Iwent home that night and said to myself, as I went, '_How do I know butChrist would keep one from drinking if I would ask him_?'

"When I got to my room, I thought over my whole case, and then I kneltdown and told Jesus what a poor, miserable wretch I was; how I hadstruggled against my appetite, and had always been overcome by it. Itold Him if he would take the appetite away I would give myself up toHim to be his forever, and I would forever love and serve Him. I toldHim that I felt assured that He could help me, and that He would. 

"Now I stand here, and I tell you all most solemnly, _that Jesus took meat my word_. He did take away my appetite then and there, so that, fromthat sacred moment of casting myself on his help, I have not tasted adrop of liquor, nor _desired_ to taste it. _The old appetite is gone_. 

"The last two weeks have been rich experience of Divine goodness andgrace. "

MR. MOODY'S FAITH, IN PRAYER. A REMARKABLE ANSWER. 

Mr. Moody, on his return from England, while conducting a prayer-meetingin Northfield, Mass. , gave this illustration of the power of prayer tosubdue the most unlikely cases of sin and unbelief:

"There is not a heart so hard that God cannot touch it. While inEdinburgh, a man was pointed out to me by a friend who said, 'Moody, that man is chairman of the Edinburgh infidel club. ' So I went and satdown beside him, and said, 'Well, my friend, I am glad to see you atthis meeting. Are you not concerned about your welfare?' He said that hedid not believe in a hereafter. I said, 'Well, you just get down on yourknees and let me pray for you. '

"'_I don't believe in prayer_. '

"I tried unsuccessfully to get the man down on his knees, and finallyknelt down beside him and prayed for him. Well, he made a good deal ofsport over it, and I met him again many times in Edinburgh after that. Ayear ago last month, while in the north of Scotland, I met the managain. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I asked, '_Hasn't God answeredthe prayer_?'

"He replied, 'There is no God. I am just the same as I always have been. If you believe in a God, and in answer to prayer, do as I told you. Tryyour hand on me. '

"'Well, ' I said, 'God's time will come; there are a great many prayingfor you; and I have faith to believe you are going to be blessed. '

"Six months ago I was in Liverpool; and there I got a letter from theleading barrister of Edinburgh, telling me that my friend, the infidel, had come to Christ, and that of his club of thirty men _seventeen_ hadfollowed his example. 

"How it happened he could not say, but whereas he was once blind, now hecould see. God has answered the prayer. '_I didn't know how it was to beanswered_, ' said Mr. Moody, '_but I believed it would be and it wasdone. What we want to do is to come boldly to God_. '"

THE WONDERS OF A SINGLE PRAYER. 

The Rev. Dr. Edwin F. Hatfield, of New York City, well known and eminentamong the clergymen of the Presbyterian church, is personally acquaintedwith the following instance of a remarkable case in answer to prayer. From the mother of the daughter he obtained this statement, which hasbeen published by Dr. Patton, of Chicago, in his volume, "On Prayer. "

"My daughter was for fourteen months afflicted with hip disease. It wasbrought on by a fall, and a consequent dislocation, when she was eightyears of age. 

"Her right side was paralyzed, and she had an abscess. I placed her in ahospital, under the care of good nurses, and the very best medicaladvice. 

"Everything possible was done for her, but all to no avail; she grewworse instead of better, and the doctors directed me, as there was nohope for her, to take her home to die. 

"But I did not cease to hope. I did as the doctors directed, butcontinued to pray the prayer of faith for her recovery for two weeks. One morning, at the end of this period, we were conversing togetherabout the wonderful cures wrought by the Savior, when on earth, andparticularly that of the man at the pool of Bethesda. 

"In the midst of our conversation, my daughter rose to obtain a drink ofwater, when she exclaimed, '_Mother, I can walk. '_ 'Thanks be to God!'said I, 'Come, and let me see you!'

"Her crutches, the only means by which she could move about, before, were now useless. Upon examination, I found that the abscess hadentirely disappeared, and that the paralyzed limb was restored whole, like the other. 

"She was again dangerously ill, five months afterward. I prayed for herrecovery one night, before retiring, and the next morning she arose, perfectly cured. "

She is now twenty-one years of age, and during all this intervening timehas been free from any trouble of this kind. To-day she is as well asany one, working and running about without the slightest trouble. "

THE TAVERN KEEPER OVERCOME. 

Rev. Charles G. Finney relates, in his "Spirit of Prayer, " of anacquaintance of his whose faith and importunity in prayer and the answerwere very remarkable:

"In a town in the northern part of the State of New York, where therewas a revival, there was a certain individual, who was a most violentand outrageous opposer. He kept a tavern, and used to delight inswearing at a desperate rate, whenever there were Christians withinhearing, on purpose to hurt their feelings. He was so bad, that one mansaid he believed he should have to sell his place or give it away, andmove out of town, for he could not live near a man that swore so. 

"This good man of faith and prayer that I have spoken of, was passingthrough the town and heard the case, and was very much grieved anddistressed for the individual. He took him on his praying list. The caseweighed on his mind when he was asleep, and when he was awake. He keptthinking about him, and praying for him, for days; and the first we knewof it, this ungodly man came into a meeting, and got up and confessedhis sins, and poured out his soul. His barroom immediately became theplace where they held prayer-meetings. "

VICTORIES OVER BAD HABITS, TOBACCO, OPIUM, ETC. 

The Rev. W. H. Boole, a city missionary in New York City, has beenwitness in his ministries, of many cases of complete deliverance frombad habits, and appetites, solely by believing prayer. Many arecontained in a little tract written by him, "The Wonder of Grace. " Hegives a few of these incidents:

"One is an officer in a church in New York, who had used tobacco forforty years, making during that time many efforts to abandon thepractice, but always failing because of the resultant inward growing. But he was brought to an act of specific faith in Jesus, to save himfrom the appetite, and now, after several years, he testifies, 'Fromthat hour all desire left me, and I have ever since hated, what I onceso fondly loved. '"

"Another is of a prominent church member in Brooklyn, N. Y. , who had usedtobacco for thirty years, and could not endure to be without a cigar inhis mouth, and sometimes even rose and smoked in the night; after manyfailures to overcome the habit, one night when alone, he cast himself onhis Savior for just this victory; and from that hour was delivered fromthe desire as well as from the outward act, and now wonders that he everloved the filthy practice. "

"A certain old lady, who lived near Westbrook, Conn. , aged seventy, wasa confirmed opium eater, and used daily, an amount sufficient to killtwenty persons. She was led to see that the habit was a _sin_; and assuch, she abandoned it, with specific application to Christ to save herfrom it. She was heard, and lived for two years afterward, free from anydesire for that drug. "

"A similar case was that of a carpenter, in Brooklyn, N. Y. , who, fromtaking morphine to allay the pain of a fractured leg, fell into itshabitual use, till he almost lived upon it for several years after hisrecovery. He once swallowed, in the presence of several physicians, adose which it was calculated would destroy the lives of two hundredordinary men. Not long since, he was made to look at this as a sin, andtried to break off the habit, abstaining, with an alarming reaction, till five physicians declared that death would ensue, if he did notresume it. This he did for a year; but then on a certain Sunday evening, broke off again, casting himself by faith on Christ, from which momentthe desire left him, and has never returned, and he has experienced noreaction or other ill effect, but has greatly improved in health. "

MRS. WHITNEY'S CURE IN ANSWER TO PRAYER. 

Mrs. C. S. Whitney of Hartford, Conn. , a lady well known for herChristian work among the poor, thus gives in a letter to Dr. Patton, herpersonal testimony of the efficacy of prayer:

"Three years ago, I was healed of a bodily disease. I had been troubledfrom my birth with canker, and at times suffered greatly. I hadconsulted some of the best physicians in the land, and had been treatedby the most skillful. My case was said to be incurable. When I learnedto trust Christ for everything, I applied to Him for healing. My husbandjoined with me in this prayer for three weeks; but all the time I wasgrowing worse. I then prayed for entire submission. About the first ofOctober, 1872, my stomach, throat and mouth were so cankered, I couldscarcely eat anything. One day, I took up the little book entitled, 'Dorothea Trudel;' and while reading, I seemed to hear a voice sayingunto me, _'All things are possible unto him that believeth. ' 'Accordingto thy faith be it unto thee. '_ I claimed the faith, and immediatelyasked God to heal me, and in His own way. While yet on my knees, itseemed very clear to me that I should go to Boston, and ask DoctorCullis to pray with me. I obeyed that leading, and made preparations togo the day following. Just as I was ready to start for the depot, Irealized that I was cured. An entire change was wrought in my system, and my soul was filled with joy and gratitude. "

PRESIDENT FINNEY'S PRAYER FOR RAIN. 

The following incident of the prayer of President Finney for rain, andits immediate answer, is furnished by Professor Cowles, the intimatefriend of President Finney:

"Somewhat more than twenty years ago, the village of Oberlin and itsadjacent country along the lake shore, suffered severely through the hotseason from a total failure of rain, for nearly three months. Cloudsthat seemed to promise rain were repelled from the heated dry atmosphereover the land, and attracted by the more moist atmosphere over the lake, to pour out their waters there. On one such occasion, the clouds hadgathered dark, low, and heavy over the lakes, and lay there with noparticular indication of rising. President Finney walked out with hiseye on these clouds. I give the sequel in his own words, as they fellfrom his lips, less than three months since:

"'In this walk I met Ralph, who turned sharply upon me. 'Mr. Finney, Ishould like to know what you mean in preaching that God is always wiseand always good, when you see him pouring out that great rain upon thelake, where it can do no good, and leaving us to suffer so terribly forthe want of that wasted water?'

"'His words cut me to the heart; I turned, and ran home to my closet, fell on my knees, and told the Lord what Ralph had been saying aboutHim; and besought Him, for the honor of His great name, to confound thiscaviler, and show forth the glory of His power and the greatness of Hislove. I pleaded with Him that He had encouraged His people to pray forrain, and that now the time seemed to have come for Him to show Hispower in this thing, and His faithfulness as a hearer of prayer. 

"'Before I rose from my knees, there was a sound of a rushing, mightywind. I looked out, and lo! the heavens were black; that cloud wasrolling up, and soon the rain fell in torrents, two full hours. '

"The writer, (Professor Cowles, ) himself remembers how that cloud layover the lake; how it drove him, also, to his closet; and that soon andsignally the prayers of that hour came back to us in mighty rain. "

LUTHER'S MIGHTY PRAYER AND PROPHECY. 

At one time in the life of Luther, there was a critical moment in theaffairs of the Reformation. Bitter persecution prevailed withextraordinary power, and threatened every one. They were the dark dayswhen faith could only cling. There were but few friends to thereformers, and these were of little strength. Their enemies were everywhere strong, proud, arrogant. But Luther relied on his God, and at thismoment, with his favorite hymn in his heart, "_A strong fortress is ourGod, _" he went to the Lord in prayer, and prayed that omnipotence wouldcome to the help of their weakness. Long he wrestled alone with God inhis closet, till like Jacob he prevailed. Then he went into the room, where his family had assembled, with joyous heart and shining face, andraising both hands, and lifting his eyes heavenward, exclaimed, "_Wehave overcome, we have overcome_. "

This was astonishing, as there was not the slightest of news which hadyet been heard to give them hope of relief. But immediately after that, the welcome tidings came that _the Emperor, Charles V. , had issued hisProclamation of "Religious Toleration in Germany_. " In Luther's prayerwas fulfilled the remarkable promise of Proverbs, 21: I. "_The king'sheart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; he turneth itwhithersoever he will_. "

JOHN KNOX AND HIS PROPHETICAL PRAYER. 

"John Knox was famous for his earnest prayers. Queen Mary said that shefeared his prayers more than she did all the armies of Europe. Onenight, in the days of his bitterest persecution, while he and hisfriends were praying together, Knox spoke out, and declared _thatdeliverance has come_. He could not tell how. _Immediately the_ newscame that _Queen Mary was dead_. "

MELANCTHON'S LIFE SAVED FROM DEATH IN ANSWER TO LUTHER'S PRAYER. 

The most powerful tribute to the efficacy of prayer, was the answer toLuther's prayer which the Lord sent. A messenger was sent to Luther thatMelancthon was dying. He found him presenting the usual premonitorysymptoms of death. Melancthon roused, looked in the face of Luther, andsaid, "O Luther, is this you? Why don't you let me depart in peace. ""_We can't spare you yet, Philip_, " was the reply, and turning around, he threw himself upon his knees, and wrestled with God for his recoveryfor upwards of an hour. He went from his knees to the bed, and took hisfriend by the hand; again he said, "Dear Luther, why don't you let medepart in peace?" "No, no, Philip; we can not spare you yet, " was thereply. He then ordered some soup, and when pressed to take it, Melancthon declined, again saying, "Dear Luther, why will you not let mego home and be at rest. " "We can not spare you yet, Philip, " was thereply. He then added, "Philip, take this soup, or I will excommunicateyou. " He took the soup, regained his wonted health, and labored foryears afterwards in the cause of the Reformation; and when Lutherreturned home he said to his wife with joy, "God gave me my brotherMelancthon back in direct answer to prayer. "

In this incident is given this extraordinary statement that while deathhas really seized a man, who too wished to die, and did not want to livelonger on the earth, yet his life was given back to him again in answerto the prayer of faith of another. 

THE WONDERFUL POWER OF FAITH AND TRUST IN THE LORD TO DELIVER WHOLLYFROM BAD HABITS. 

A victim of licentiousness and sensuousness, who often, amid his sinfulpleasures, had the memory of Christian parents before him, felt his wasindeed a life of shame. But the downward steps had destroyed his will, his self-control, his manliness, his virtue. He had no power to resist, all was wickedness, irresolution, constant yielding. In vain he hungback, and tried to save himself from the cursed appetite; at last herealized that in a few weeks' time he must go to the grave; strengthcould not stand such a waste of life. "What a miserable life. Whatwicked ways, what wicked thoughts; how I wish I was pure; O, that Imight get free; I do not love this sin any more, I don't want it, but Ican't stop it. O, I wish I could be a Christian, and wholly free. "

Such were his constant thoughts. In mercy, the Lord who had been readinghis thoughts, sent him a great reverse in business, and in agony ofheart, he knew not where to turn but to the Lord, and pray for relief. His prayer, too, asked to be emancipated from his wickedness, and hisstrength and health restored. "_Lord, save me and I will_ be thineforever. I am lost unless thou wilt come and save. "

By gradual degrees, in the absorption of his thoughts over otherdistresses, his mind was diverted from his usual ways and thoughts ofsinful living; gradually the habits of lust grew less and less strong, and finally ceased altogether. But the body still remained underexcessive weakness. But faith that the Lord who had saved others, couldsave him too, led him to pray, not only for the destruction of thehabit, but entire recovery from its evil effects. His perseverance waspersistent, and met with a _triumphant reward_. After a long; time, hefelt himself wholly healed. New strength, new life, came back to him. "It seems as if my life had been put back again ten years, and I wasyoung again. " "I never have any more wicked thoughts or imaginations, while I was once full of them. Since I learned to seek the Lord and lovehis Bible, I have never had such peace, or purity. I love the name andtender mercies of my God. " If in a few months, prayer saved that man'slife, and so wholly changed it from a foul blot to a thing of purity, what can it not do again. _No sin can ever be conquered until inhumility either saint or sinner_ gets down upon his knees, and imploresthe love and power of the Lord in _never ceasing prayer_, to whollyemancipate him from the control of the evil habit. _The Lord will surelyhear it_. He can as truly deliver the body from the most persistent andenchaining habit, as he can wholly convert the mind and heart. Theresult is not always instantaneous; more often gradual, but _alwayssure_ if the sufferer _always prays_. 

It is simple enough for the sinning one to believe that the _Lord can_, and seeking the Bible _for the Lord's own promise that he, will; tocling to it and never surrender_. 

The sin may be repeated when you can not resist it, and do not desirefor it, but take all pains to avoid; still pray though you often fail;still try, still trust the Lord to loose your chains and remove yourdesire, and deliverance is sure to come at last. 

RECOVERY FROM PARALYSIS. 

"Between two and three years ago, the writer was struck down byparalysis, disabling entirely the limbs of the left side. In thisapparently helpless state, I employed a man to take care of me, and feltthat unless God should interpose, I must be a continuous burden on myfriends. My kind physician gave me no hope of _entire recovery_. 

"In this state I made my prayer to God continually, that he would so farrestore my strength as to enable me to take care of myself. 

"This prayer he was pleased to answer, for in eight weeks I dismissed myattendant, finding myself able to take care of myself. I now walk morethan half a mile each day, and attend to all the associations of homelife. I record with thankfulness this restoration of my disabled framein answer to prayer. "

THE STOLEN BONDS RETURNED. 

The _New York Observer_ relates a remarkable instance of the return ofstolen property, which in its extraordinary way can be accounted foronly by the control of a Supreme Will, and all in answer to prayer. 

"On February 16, 1877, United States and railroad bonds and mortgages tothe amount of $160, 000, belonging to Edgar H. Richards, were stolen fromthe banking house of James G. King's Sons, of this city. No cluewhatever to the robbers could be obtained. Several parties were arrestedon suspicion, but nothing could be proved, and the mystery remainedunsolved. 

"Mr. Richards, being a member of one of our most prominent churches, made it a subject of constant prayer, that the Lord would wholly preventthe thieves from any use of the property and cause it to be returned tohim. When asked if he was ever incredulous, he said, 'No, I have neverlost my faith in recovering this property. I believe in prayer, and Ihave made it from the first a subject of prayer, and it will beanswered. '

"Meanwhile some curious influences must have been at work among thethieves, for they acted in an extraordinary manner as follows:

"One day last week a stranger, well dressed, modest looking, gentlemanly, walked into the office of Elliott F. Shepard, Esq. , one ofMessrs. King's counsel, and tendered his services for the recovery ofthe property, asserting he knew nothing about the robbery, nor thethieves, but that he could get the treasure. He was told that a rewardwould be paid for the capture of the thieves, but he earnestly protestedthat it was entirely out of his power to obtain any clue to the personor whereabouts of the thief; and no inquiries ever disclosed that thiswas not a perfectly true statement. Indeed, it proved that he had beenselected as an agent to do this work, and that there were at least fiveor six connecting intermediaries between him and the robbers, eachexercising that virtue which is called honor among thieves, and which onthis occasion proved a wall of adamant to every attempt to pierce it orbreak it down. 

"True to his word the stranger caused the delivery at Mr. Shepard'soffice, at the appointed hour to a second, of an ordinary pasteboardbandbox, wrapped in newspaper, by the hands of a little boy. He had comein a pelting rain-storm, and part of the newspaper had become torn, anddisclosed the blue, unsuspected hat box. The boy knew nothing about it, except that a gentleman had given him a dime in the street to bring thebox. 

"Mr. Richards being present, opened the bandbox, examined and checkedoff the contents with one of Messrs. King's head clerks, and found everysingle item of his missing securities, stocks, bonds, mortgages, accounts, bank books, wills, everything. A most remarkable thing! Theparties could hardly believe their eyes. "

MR. MOODY'S ANSWERS TO PRAYERS. 

Mr. D. L. Moody, the Evangelist, when a boy, was possessed of an unusualamount of muscular strength and animal spirits, and a strong will thatknew little of impossibility or submission. When only six years old, being wistful to do something to help his mother, he was set to drivethe cows of a neighboring farmer to and from their mountain pasture. Onone occasion, a heavy fence fell upon him from which he could notextricate himself. After trying his utmost and crying as loud as hecould for help, but in vain, the thought struck him that God would helphim if he asked him. In his own simple language he prayed to hismother's God for help, and made another effort, and succeeded in gettingfree. This, his first answer to prayer, made a vivid impression on hisheart, which gave a decided turn to his opening life. 

NO FLOUR IN THE HOUSE--IN THE DAYS OF FAMINE, HIS SOUL SHALL BESATISFIED. 

Mr. Moody's domestic life has always been a happy one, but in the earlydays of his marriage, he was very poor, and his faith was often put tothe severest tests. 

One day, on leaving home in his missionary work and labors of love, heremarked to his wife, "I have no money, and the house is withoutsupplies. It looks dark; is it possible that the Lord has had enough ofme in this mission work, and is going to send me back again to sellboots and shoes. " But he prayed. In a day or two, a Stranger sent himtwo checks of $50 each--one for himself, and one for his school. 

On another occasion his wife informed him that they had no flour for theday's use, and asked him to order some on his way. Having no money inhis possession, he was perplexed how to proceed to raise the requiredamount; but meeting a person in whose spiritual welfare he wasconcerned, he forgot all about such sublunary considerations as moneyand flour, and went heart and soul into the Lord's work before him. 

On his return home at night, he felt somewhat nervous about hisreception on account of his not having sent the flour, but to his joyfulsurprise, he found that on his arrival the table was spread with abountiful repast. 

It seems that a friend of his was powerfully impressed that morning, andwithout seeing the family or knowing anything about their need, hadpacked up a barrel of flour and sent it. 

Others of his friends, who were interested in his work, and feltconfidence in his work, _unknown to him_, selected a new house, andfurnished it throughout with every facility for convenience and comfort, and when all was completed invited him and his family to it, and madehim a present of the loan of his house, and all its contents. 

Thus the _Great Helper_ remembered him and answered his daily prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread. "

PERSEVERING PRAYER. 

At one of the prayer-meetings at the Brooklyn tabernacle, Mr. Moodyclosed by narrating an instance of persevering prayer by a Christianwife for an infidel husband. She resolved to pray for him at noon foreighteen months, and at the expiration of that time, her knocking nothaving been responded to, she exclaimed, "_Lord, I will pray for him, every day, and at all hours, as long as life lasts_. "

That day the Lord heard her knock, and gave her the desire of her heart, in the conversion of her husband. When the Lord saw her faith would notgive up, he sent the answer immediately. 

NOAH'S PRAYER. --HE DID NOT GET DISCOURAGED. 

The life of faith and the necessity of uncompromising hold on thepromise's, expecting their fulfillment, is admirably explained in theillustration of Noah's prayer. One day Mr. Moody was much discouraged, and it was as dark a Sabbath as ever he had, and a friend suggested tohim to study the life of Noah. 

"I got out my Bible, and the thought came over me, 'Here is a man wholabored and talked a hundred years, and didn't succeed; didn't get aconvert notwithstanding all his efforts, all his prayers, but he didn'tget discouraged. '

"But he took God at his word; he worked right on; he prayed right on;and he waited God's time. And, my friends, from that time, I have neverbeen discouraged. Whenever I think of him, it lifts me up out of thedarkness into the light. Don't get discouraged. "

The lesson of Noah's life is briefly this: He never converted a souloutside of his own family. That was the work God gave him to do, and heprayed and waited and worked, and never gave up, and he was saved andall his family with him. 

So every Christian must recognize that his field is not far off, butright around him, in his house, among his friends, working, praying, waiting, but never getting discouraged. The Lord will never fail thosewho "_abide in Him_. "

SAMUEL HICK'S PRAYER FOR RAIN. 

Samuel Hick was one of the men of "_mighty faith_" in the Lord, and as apreacher among the Methodists of England. He was of great eminence forhis happy spirit, remarkable trust, powerful and practical preaching, and unbounded liberality. Among the many incidents connected with hislife of faith, we quote a few to illustrate with what simplicity heexpected always an answer to his prayer, and was not satisfied until hegot it:

In the course of a Summer of excessive drought a few years back, whenthe grain suffered greatly, and many of the cattle, especially inLincolnshire, died. Samuel Hick was much affected. He visitedKnaresborough, at which place he preached on the Lord's day. 

Remaining in the town and neighborhood over the Sabbath, he appearedextremely restless in the house in which he resided, during the whole ofMonday. He spoke but little--was full of thought, now praying, nowwalking about the room, next sitting in a crouching posture--thensuddenly starting up and going to the door, turning his eyes towardheaven, as if looking for some celestial phenomenon, when he wouldreturn again, groan in spirit, and resume his seat. The family, beingimpressed with his movements, asked him whether there was anything thematter with him or whether he expected any person, as the occasion ofhis going to the door so frequently. 

"Bless you Bairns, " was his reply, "do you not recollect that I waspraying for rain last night in the pulpit, and what will the infidel atKnaresborough think if it do not come; if my Lord should fail me, andnot stand by me. " But it must have time; it can not be here yet; it hasto come from the sea. Neither can it be seen at first. The prophet onlysaw a bit of cloud like a man's hand. By and by it spread along the sky. I am looking for an answer to my prayer, but it must have time. 

He continued in the same unsettled state, occasionally going out, andlooking with intensity on the pure azure over his head; for _a moreunclouded sky was rarely ever seen_. Contrary to all external signs ofrain, and contrary to the expectations of all, except himself, the skybecame overcast toward evening, and the clouds dropped the fullness of ashower upon the earth. His very soul seemed to drink in the fallingdrops. The family grouped around him, like children around their father, while he gave out his favorite hymn, "_I'll praise my Maker while I'vebreath_;" "and after singing it with a countenance all a-glow, throughthe sunshine of heaven upon his soul, he knelt down and prayed. All wereoverpowered; it was a season of refreshing from the presence of theLord. 

His biographer says of him: "Samuel had no weather glass upon which tolook except the Bible, in which he was taught to believe, and expect_that_ for which he prayed; nothing on which he could depend but God, and _his faith_ was set in God for _rain_. "

PRAYING FOR THE WIND TO COME. 

A remarkable incident, showing how God makes the winds to obey him inobedience to the prayer of his righteous ones, and the expectations oftheir faith, occurred also in Samuel Hick's life, which is really anastonishing proof of God's supernatural power. 

A church gathering was to take place at Micklefleld, and Samuel hadpromised two loads of corn for their use. The day fixed drew near, butthere was no flour in the house, and the wind-mills, in consequence of along calm, stretched out their arms in vain to catch the rising breezes. In the midst of this death-like quiet, Samuel carried his corn to themill nearest his own residence, and requested the miller to unfurl hissails. The miller objected, stating that there was "no wind. " Samuel, onthe other hand, continued to urge his request, saying, "_I will go andpray while you spread the cloth. _" More with a view of gratifying theapplicant than of any faith he had, the man stretched his canvas. _Nosooner had he done this than, to his utter astonishment, a fine breezesprung up, the fans whirled around, the corn was converted into meal, and Samuel returned with his burden rejoicing, _ and had everything inreadiness for the festival. 

In the mean time, a neighbor who had seen the fan in vigorous motion, took also some corn to be ground; but the wind had dropped, and themiller remarked to him, "You must send for Sammy Hick to pray for thewind to blow again. "

SNAILS IN THE ARK. 

To many who with despondency protest that they have not faith enough, get along so slow, are too weak, &c, the following sharp retort of Hickwill prove a bright lining to their dark cloud of failing, and lead themto plod on in prayer. 

"To a gentleman laboring under great nervous depression, whom he hadvisited, and who was moving along the streets as though he wasapprehensive that every step would shake his system in pieces, he wasrendered singularly useful. They met, and Samuel, having a deeperinterest in the soul than the body, asked: 'Well, how are you getting onyour way to Heaven. '"

The poor invalid, in a dejected, half desponding tone, replied, "Butslowly I fear, " intimating that he was creeping along only at a poorpace. 

"Why bless you Bairn, " returned Samuel, "_there were snails in theark_. "

The reply was so earnest, so unexpected, and met the dispirited man soimmediately on his own ground, that the temptation broke away, and hewas out of his depression. 

It was a resurrection to his feelings, inferring that if the snailreached the ark and was saved, he too, "faint yet pursuing, " might gainadmission into heaven. 

HE GAVE ALL THE MONEY HE HAD. 

At one time he attended a missionary meeting near Harrowgate. "We had ablessed meeting, " said Samuel, "I was very happy and gave all the moneyI had in my pocket. " After the meeting was concluded, he mounted hishorse to return home. No one had offered to pay his expenses--he had nota farthing in his pocket. Advanced in life--a slow rider, and not a verysprightly horse--in the night--alone--twenty miles from home. Think ofthe lonesomeness; the time for the tempter to come and lead him todistrust in his Lord. But he struggled; the trial was short and thevictory complete, for, said he, "Devil, I never stuck fast yet. "

Just as he entered Harewood, a gentleman took his horse by the bridle, asked him where he had been, talked with him long, and to whom Samuel'stalk was a wonderful consolation. Said Sammy:

"I have not wanted for any good thing, and could always pray with Job, 'The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of theLord. '"

The gentleman asked, "Can you read?"

"Yes, " returned Samuel. 

"Then, " replied the gentleman, holding a piece of paper in his hand, which was rendered visible by the glimmering light of the stars, "There is a five pound note for you. You love God and his cause, and Ibelieve you will never want. "

And Sammy said, "I cried for joy. This was a fair salvation from theLord. When I got home, I told my wife. She burst into tears, and wepraised the Lord together, " and he added: "You see, we never give to theLord but He gives in return. "

"THE LORD WILL PROVIDE. "

A poor but pious widow in Boston, in her eighty-seventh year, said to afriend, "When I was left a widow with three little children, I wasbrought into such extremity that they were crying for bread, and I hadnothing for them to eat. As I arose on a Sabbath morning, I knew notwhat to do but to ask my heavenly Father to feed my little ones, andcommit myself and them to his care. 

"I then went out to the well to get a pail of water, and saw on theground a six cent piece, which I took up; and learning that it did notbelong to any of those who lived in the same house with me, I thought Imight take it to feed my famishing children. Though it was a Sabbathmorning, I felt that it would be right to go to a baker who lived in theneighborhood, tell him our circumstances, and buy bread with the moneyProvidence had thus cast in my way. The baker not only did this, but theLord opened his heart to add a bountiful supply; and from that hour tothe present, which is nearly fifty years, I have never doubted that _Godwould take care of his children_. "

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S FAITH IN PRAYER. 

When President Lincoln left his home in Springfield, Ill. , February 11, 1861, on his way to Washington, he made the following farewell addressto his friends and neighbors: "My friends, no one not in my position canappreciate the sadness I feel at this parting. To this people I owe allI am. Here I have lived more than a quarter of a century; here mychildren were born, and here one of them lies buried. I know not howsoon I shall see you again. A duty devolves upon me which is perhapsgreater than that which has devolved upon any other man since the daysof Washington. He would never have succeeded except for the aid ofDivine Providence, upon which he at all times relied. I feel that Icannot succeed without the same Divine aid which sustained him, and onthe same Almighty Being I place my reliance for support; and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I may receive that Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed, but with which success is certain. Again, I bid you all an affectionate farewell. " That simple but earnestrequest sent an electric thrill through every Christian heart, andwithout doubt, in response to it, more prayer was offered for himthroughout his administration, than for any one who ever before occupiedthe Presidential chair. 

At a Sabbath-school convention in Massachusetts, a speaker stated that afriend of his, during an interview with Mr. Lincoln, asked him if heloved Jesus. The President buried his face in his handkerchief and wept. He then said, "When I left home to take this chair of state, I requestedmy countrymen to pray for me. I was not then a Christian. When my sondied--the severest trial of my life--I was not a Christian. But when Iwent to Gettysburg, and looked upon the graves of our dead heroes whohad fallen in defense, of their country, I then and there consecratedmyself to Christ. _I do love Jesus. "_ Rev. Mr. Adams, of Philadelphia, stated in his Thanksgiving sermon that, having an appointment to meetthe President at 5 o'clock in the morning, he went a quarter of an hourbefore the time. While waiting for the hour, he heard a voice in thenext room as if in grave conversation, and asked the servant, "Who istalking in the next room?" "It is the President, sir. " "Is anybody withhim?" "No, sir; he is reading the Bible. " "Is that his habit so early inthe morning?" "Yes, sir. He spends every morning, from 4 o'clock to 5, in reading the Scriptures and praying. "

_It was the Lord who Guided the mind of Mr. Lincoln in his extraordinaryact of the Emancipation of the Slaves of America. _ The Lord had preparedit, and chose him as the means whereby to accomplish it. 

_Were not his Prayers and efforts specially blessed by the Lord inwisdom, for the guidance of our Nation_?

EXTRAORDINARY CARE OF THE LORD IN ANSWER TO PRAYER. 

"The scenes of the riots in New York, at the time of our civil war, areof national celebrity; but few, however, know that one of the mostatrocious acts of cruelty attempted to be perpetrated by themalefactors, and which utterly failed of its purpose, _came solely inanswer to prayer_. On the first day of the mob, however, severalthousand men, _women and children_, armed with clubs and brickbats, suddenly appeared at the door of the Colored Orphan Asylum, and effectedan entrance by breaking down the front door with an axe. The buildingwas soon fired in ten or fifteen places, and the work of destruction wasaccomplished in twenty minutes. 

"There were at the time two hundred and twenty-three children in thebuilding with their attendants and teachers. The matron having assembledall the children after the first alarm, one of the teachers thusaddressed them: 'Children, do you believe that Almighty God can deliveryou from a mob?' The reply was promptly made in the affirmative. 'Then, 'said she, 'I wish you now to pray silently to God to protect you fromthis mob. I believe that he is able and will do it. Pray earnestly tohim, and when I give the signal, go in order, without noise, to thedining-room. ' At this every head was instantly bowed in prayer, suchprayer as is not frequently offered, the silent, earnest supplication ofterrified and persecuted little children. When, at the sound of thebell, their heads were raised, the teacher said the tears werestreaming, but not a sound, not even a sob, was to be heard. They thenquietly went down stairs and through the halls, and she remarked that'to her dying day she should never forget the scene;' the few moments ofeloquent silence, the streaming noiseless tears, the funereal marchthrough the halls, the yells and the horrible sounds which were nearerand nearer approaching. _Not one of these helpless innocents was injuredin the least_; but in spite of the threats and the blood-thirstiness ofthe rioters, through whom they were obliged to pass, all were removedunmolested to a place of safety. "

A REMARKABLE DECISION BY A JURY. 

"In one of our northern cities, a trial at law took place between aChristian and an infidel. The latter had sued the former for a heavysum, falsely alleging his promise to pay it for some stocks which heclaimed to have sold him. The Christian admitted AN OFFER of the stock, but protested that so far from promising the sum demanded, he hadsteadily refused to make any trade whatever with the plaintiff. Each ofthe parties to the suit had a friend who fully corroborated theirassertions. Thus the case went before the jury for decision. 

"The charge of the judge was stern and significant. 'It was a grave andmost painful task which devolved upon him to instruct the jurors thatone of the parties before them must be guilty of deliberate and willfulperjury. Their statements were wholly irreconcilable with each other;nay more, were diametrically opposite; and that either were innocentlymistaken in their assertions was impossible. 

"'Your verdict, gentlemen, ' he said in conclusion, 'must decide uponwhich side this awful and heaven-daring iniquity belongs. The God oftruth help you to find the truth, that the innocent suffer not. '

"It was late in the day when the judge's charge was given, and thefinding of the jury was to be rendered in the morning. The plaintiffwent carelessly from the court arm in arm with the wicked associate whomhe had bribed to swear falsely on his behalf. The defendant and hisfriend walked away together in painful silence. When the Christianreached his home, he told his family of the judge's solemn charge and ofthe grave responsibility which rested upon the jurors. 'They are todecide which of us has perjured ourselves on this trial, ' he said; 'andhow terrible a thing for me if they should be mistaken in theirjudgment. There is so little of any thing tangible for their decision torest upon, that it seems to me as if a breath might blow it either way. They cannot see our hearts, and I feel as if, only God could enable themto discern the truth. Let us spend the evening in prayer that he maygive them a clear vision. '"

The twelve jurymen ate their supper in perplexed silence, and were shutin their room for deliberation and consultation. "I never sat in such acase before, " said the foreman. "The plaintiff and defendant have swornpoint-blank against each other; and how we are to tell which speaks thetruth, I can not see. I should not like to make a mistake in the matter;it would be a sad affair to convict an innocent man of perjury. " Againthere was silence among them, as if each were weighing the case in hisown mind. "_For myself_ I feel as if the truth must be with thedefendant; I am constrained to think that he is an honest man. What sayyou, gentlemen?" _Every hand was raised in affirmation of this opinion_. They were fully persuaded of its truth, and _gave a unanimous verdictaccordingly. _

Thus the Christian man was rightfully acquitted, and gave thanks to God, with a new and stronger confidence in the power of prayer. "Call upon mein the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me, "saith the Lord. 

THAT WONDERFUL $25. ANOTHER EVIDENCE OF THE EVER-PRESENT SPIRIT OF GOD. 

The following incident is marvelous, as at the time of its occurrenceneither party had ever been known to each other:

In _New Haven, Conn. _, lives a little invalid widow, almost helpless, with no one upon whom to rely for support, and only indebted to friendlyacquaintances for a temporary home. With no money, no acquaintances, shehad nowhere else to turn to but to the Father of all good. She hadprayed often, and often had answers, but this time, though needingmoney, still she received none. The answer was long delayed; she wasalmost discouraged. "_Was God at last to fail and forget her? No, itcould not be. Let God be true even if I perish, I shall still cling toHim. I can not give Him up. "_

Just at that time a business man in New York, who had been absent on along journey for the Summer and had just returned, happened to pick up anote among many hundred lying on his desk, and noticed that the writerasked for some trifling favor, saying she was poor, had no means. 

Her circumstances were unknown: he knew nothing but her name. He waseager to _minister to the little ones of the Lord, _ and felt deeplyimpressed in prayer that morning, in asking a blessing on his day'slabors, that he might be able to help the need of some of "his children"who might then be in want. In his business hours the thought came overhim with the depth of emotion, "WHAT CAN I DO? LORD, THY SERVANT ISREADY. " Just at that moment he picked up this note of the littleinvalid, who asked the trivial favor, saying it would be such a comfort. _(No money whatever was asked for in this note_. )

Suddenly the thought came to him, "_Perhaps this is my very opportunity. This may be the Lord's little one in need_. " But there was nothing inthe letter to indicate she was a Christian. She solicited no money orpecuniary help. 

Immediately there came to his mind, amid floods of tears, "_Inasmuch asye have done it unto the least of these, my children, ye have done itunto me_. " Instantly he understood it as a message from the Lord, andthe intimation of the Holy Spirit. He immediately sat down and wrote acheck for $25, and enclosed it to her, saying, "_I know not your need;you have not asked me for help, but I send you something which may beuseful. I trust you are a Christian. I shall be happy to learn if it hasdone good, and made you happy. Give me no thanks. The Lord's blessing isenough for me_. "

The letter was sent and forgotten, but a strange presentiment came overthe mind of the writer. "_I am afraid I did not direct that letterright_. " He sent a second postal card, asking if a letter had beenreceived at her home; if not, to go to her post office and inquire. 

Now notice the wonderful singularity of incident. Here is a man sendingmoney, _never asked for, to an unknown person, about whom he knewnothing; then misdirecting his letter_, and then remembering and_sending another message to go and find where the first had gone to. Butnotice the marvelous result_. The little invalid received the postalcard, but not the letter. She sent to the post office, and sure enoughthere was the first letter with its misdirection. She was _just in time_to save it from being sent to _another woman of the same name living inanother part of the same city_. 

She opened her letter, and with tears of thankfulness perused thiswonderful reply, a marvelous witness to the power of an overrulingSpirit, who had directed everything. 

"My heart is full, that God should so answer my simple prayer. I firstasked him for $10, then $15, _and then for_ $25. I asked him for $25several times, and was astonished at my boldness, but the amount was sofixed in my mind, _I could not ask for anything else_, and then I humblytrusted it to Him, and from that time I thought, I will not name anysum; let it be as He knows my need. And how He has honored my simplefaith and trust in these dark days. _Your letter contained exactly the$25 I prayed for_. I have not had $1. 50 to spend this Summer. I havesuffered for everything. But through it all I have felt such perfectfaith in the Lord, that his hand was leading me, even when I could notsee a step before me; and that He should move your heart to help meseems so wonderful, so good. I am so glad I can thank you now, but ah, so much "_over there_" where words will express so much more in thebeautiful atmosphere of heaven. Your letter and kind gift was mailed_the very same day_ that I was praying in great distress and trial. Iknew not but that I should be without even a home. My verse was Psalms50: 15. O, how I had to pray that day. So day by day I was comforted, and now to-day the answer has come. "

Here, then, is a portion of the story of a sweet life who trusted God, not as a God of the past, nor far off, but ever living, ever present, ever faithful, and believed Him _able, willing_, and that He _wouldhelp_ her in her daily life. She tried her Lord, to prove if hispromises were indeed true, and she clung to them to the very last. Noone knew her need. No one knew what she was praying for. The strangerdid not know anything of her. She had asked money of no one but theLord. Hesitant ever, she dared not name any amount of the Lord, but thatever present Spirit of God guided her heart, made her _fix the amount_, and then touched the heart of the stranger and fixed the amount also inhis mind, and then, by his own guidance saved the letter from beinglost, and behold! when opened the _prayer of the one and the gift of theother was the same_. 

What a comfort, what a privilege, then, it is for the true-heartedChristian thus to feel, "_There is one who careth for us_. "

WHY HE FAILED. 

A prominent business man failed in the Spring of 1877. He had been foryears a prominent and consistent member of a Christian church. He hadeven supported a church once almost entirely. Nothing was known againsthis character, _but he failed; he failed in business_. No one knew thereason why, but there it was, _failure_. 

At last, in moments of bitter repentance before God, he unbosomedhimself to his pastor, and said, "_Long ago I promised to give the Lordone-tenth of all the profits I gained from my business, and while I didso, I was immensely prosperous and successful; never did any one haveany such splendid success, --but I forgot my promise, stopped giving, thought that I did not need to spend so much, and I began to invest mymeans in real estate. When I stopped giving I stopped getting. Now allis gone. I lost my all because I did not keep my promise to the Lord_. "

This incident is a practical one, telling how utter is the impossibilityof true success, without the aid of the Lord, and how absolutelynecessary it is to our own peace and comfort of mind to religiouslyobserve one's promises made to God. The Bible only too truly tells ofthe end of those who forget Him. 

"_But Jeshurun waxed fat, then he forsook God which made him; and whenthe Lord saw it, he abhorred them, and said, 'I will hide my face fromthem_. '"

"_Ye can not prosper; because ye have forsaken the Lord_, He _hath alsoforsaken you. " "There shall be desolation; because thou hast forgottenthe God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thystrength_. "

 * * * * * HOW THE LORD

CONTROLS THE WINDS AND THE WAVES

JOHN EASTER'S PRAYER. 

In his "Memorials of Methodism in Virginia, " Dr. W. W. Bennet relates thefollowing incidents in the life of John Easter, one of the pioneerministers who labored there nearly one hundred years ago: He isrepresented as being the most powerful exhortatory preacher of his day. His faith was transcendent, his appeals irresistible, his prayers liketalking with God face to face. Perhaps no man has ever been moresignally honored of God as an instrument in the conversion of souls. Onone of his circuits eighteen hundred members were added to the church ina single year. 

Many thrilling scenes under his preaching yet linger among the people inthose counties where he principally labored. A most extraordinarydisplay of his faith was witnessed in Brunswick. At Merritt's meeting-house a quarterly meeting was in progress, and so vast was the concourseof people from many miles around, that the services were conducted in abeautiful grove near the church. In the midst of the exercises, a heavycloud arose, and swept rapidly towards the place of worship. From theskirts of the grove the rain could be seen coming on across the fields. The people were in consternation; no house could hold one-third of themultitude, and they were about to scatter in all directions. Easter rosein the midst of the confusion--"Brethren, " cried he at the top of hisvoice, "be still while I call upon God to stay the clouds, till His wordcan be preached to perishing sinners. " Arrested by his voice and manner, they stood between hope and fear. He kneeled down and offered a ferventprayer that God would then stay the rain, that the preaching of His wordmight go on, and afterwards send refreshing showers. _While he waspraying, the angry cloud, as it swiftly rolled up to them, was seen topart asunder in the midst, pass on either side of them, and close againbeyond, leaving a space several hundred yards in circumference perfectlydry. The next morning a copious rain fell again, and the fields that hadbeen left dry were well watered_. "

THE HUSHED TEMPEST. 

The following circumstance is communicated to _The Christian_ by aminister of the editor's acquaintance, as a memorial of God's care forthe poor and needy who trust in him:

It was about the year 1853, and near the middle of a Canadian Winter, wehad a succession of snowfalls, followed by high winds and severe cold. Iwas getting ready to haul my Winter's stock of wood, for which I had togo two miles over a road running north and south, entirely unprotectedfrom the keen cold west winds that prevail the most of the time in thatpart of Canada during the Winter months. 

The procuring of my Winter's supply of wood was no small task for me, for I had very little to do with, and was unable to endure much fatigue, or bear the severe cold. I had, however, succeeded in securing theservices of an excellent hand to chop, and help me load, and had alsoengaged a horse of one neighbor, and a horse and sled of another, andwas ready on Monday morning to commence my job. Monday morning the roadswere fair, the day promised well, and my man was off at daybreak to thewoods to, have a load ready for me. There had been quite a fall of snowduring the night; not enough to do any harm if it only lay still, butshould the wind rise, as it had after every snow-fall before, it wouldmake it dreadful for me. Soon as possible I harnessed my team, andstarted. I had not gone a quarter of a mile before it became painfullyevident that a repetition of our previous "blows" was impending. The skywas dark and stormy, the wind rose rapidly, and in every directionclouds of the newly fallen snow were beginning to ride on the "wings ofthe wind, " pouring over the fences, and filling the road full! My heartsank within me. What could I do? At this rate, by next morning the roadswould be impassable, and it was so cold! Besides, if I failed to go onnow, it would be very difficult to get my borrowed team together again, and impossible to get my man again; and we could as well live withoutbread as without wood in a Canadian Winter. 

Every moment the wind increased. In deep distress, I looked upon thethreatening elements, exclaiming over and over, "What shall I do?" Ifelt then that there was but one thing that I could do, and that wasjust what poor sinking Peter did; and with feelings I imagine somethinglike his, I looked up to God, and cried out, "O, my God, this is morethan I am able to bear. Lord, help me! The elements are subject to thee;thou boldest the winds in thy fist. If thou wilt speak the word, therewill be a great calm. O, for Jesus' sake, and for the sake of my littlehelpless family, let this snow lie still and give me an opportunity ofaccomplishing this necessary labor comfortably!" I do not think it wasabove fifteen minutes after I began to call upon the Lord before therewas a visible change. The wind began to subside, the sky grew calm, andin less than half an hour all was still, and a more pleasant time forwood-hauling than I had that day, I never saw nor desire to see. Manyothers beside me enjoyed the benefit of that "sudden change" of weather, but to them it was only a "nice spell of weather, " a "lucky thing;"while to me it was full of sweet and encouraging tokens of the"loving-kindness of the Lord. " And now, after so many years, I feelimpelled to give this imperfect narrative, to encourage others in theday of trouble to call upon the Lord; and also, as a tribute ofgratitude to Him who has "never said to the house of Jacob, seek ye myface in vain. "

PRAYING IN FAIR WEATHER. 

The ways in which God saves those whom he wishes to deliver from death, are sometimes too wonderful for our understanding. A certain ship wasovertaken in a severe and prolonged storm at sea. She had a nobleChristian man for a captain, and as good a sailor as ever trod thequarter-deck, and he had under him a good and obedient crew. But theycould not save the ship; she was too badly strained, her leaks were toogreat for the pumps, she must go to the bottom. The captain committedthem all to the care of the God in whom he put his trust, and made readyto take to their boats. Just then a sail was descried, and, by signalsof distress, drawn to their relief. All on board were taken off safelyand put on the ship, soon after which they saw their own ship go down. 

Now comes the peculiar part. The ship was soon overtaken in a dreadfulstorm, was cast on her beam ends, and everything seemed to be lost. Thepassengers were praying, and many of the old seamen were calling on Godto save them from the great deep. The captain of the ship had done hisbest, but could not right the vessel, and all was given up to go down. The captain, whose ship was lost, then asked if he might take his crewand try to right the vessel. 

"Take them, and do what you can, " was the reply. He called to his menand told them they must save that ship; he inspired them withconfidence, for they knew he was a true man of God. They executed hisorders with alacrity and care. They cut away the masts, and cleared awaythe rigging, and brought all the force they could to right the vessel. God prospered the efforts--the ship righted; they got the pumps at work, rigged a sail, and were finally all saved. It seemed as if it wasnecessary to put the captain of the first ship and his crew on thesecond ship, that they might save it and those on board when theterrible storm came. 

Now it was particularly noticed in connection with this deliverance, that the captain of the lost vessel did not make any ado in prayer, orin calling on God, while the storm was raging; and knowing that he was aChristian man, they asked him the reason of this. He answered them, _that he did his praying in fair weather; "and then_" said he, _"whenthe storm comes, I work_. " He did not distrust God then, any more thanin fair weather; but he knew that God requires man to do all he can tosave himself, and praying might lose him his ship, when his own effortsmust save it. 

THE RESCUE FROM THE VILLE DU HAVRE, AND THE LOCH EARN. 

A remarkable illustration of God's mysterious way is found in connectionwith the rescue of some of the passengers of the ill-fated Frenchsteamship, Ville du Havre, which was sunk by a collision with the LochEarn, November 22, 1873, on her voyage from New York to France. Afterthe sinking of the Ville du Havre, with some two hundred of herpassengers, the rest were taken up by the Loch Earn, from which most ofthem were afterwards transferred to the Trimountain. Others remained onboard the Loch Earn, where in consequence of its disabled condition theyseemed again in imminent danger of being lost. 

On the 11th of December, while Mr. D. L. Moody was conducting a noondayprayer-meeting in the city of Edinburgh, Rev. Dr. Andrew Thompson read aletter from a Christian lady, the mother of one of these imperiledpassengers, which contained the following account:

"After the Trimountain left them, and they had examined their ship, manya heart failed, and they feared they would never see land again. Theycould not navigate the vessel, and were left to the mercy of the windsand waves, or rather to the care of Him who ruleth wind and waves. Vainwas the help of man. The wind drove them out of the course of ships, northward. You are aware that two ministers were left on board the LochEarn. One, Mr. Cook, a truly godly man, did all he could to encouragetheir hearts. Every day, at noon, he gathered them together, andearnestly, by prayer, strove to lead them to the Savior; and this hecontinued to do till they reached England. The day before they wererescued they knew that very shortly the ship must go down. The wind hadchanged, bringing them nearer the track of ships, but they had littlehope of being saved. Mr. Cook told them of his own hope, that death tohim would be eternal life, and he urgently entreated them to put theirtrust in 'Him who was mighty to save. ' At the same time he told them hehad no doubt they would be rescued, that even then a vessel was speedingto save them, that God had answered their prayers, that next day asmorning dawned they would see her. That night was one of great anxiety. 

"As morning dawned every eye was strained to see the promised ship. There truly she was, and the British Queen bore down upon them. You maythink that with thankful hearts they left the Loch Earn. One thing isremarkable--_the officer in charge on board the British Queen had a mostunaccountable feeling that there was something for him to do, _ and_three times during the night he changed the course of the vessel, bearing northward_. He told the watch to keep a sharp lookout for aship, and immediately on sighting the Loch Earn bore down upon her. Atfirst he thought she had been abandoned, as she lay helpless in thetrough of the sea, but soon they saw her signal of distress. It seems tome a remarkable instance of faith on the one side and a guidingProvidence on the other. After they were taken on board the pilot-boatthat brought them into Plymouth, at noon, when they for the last timejoined together in prayer, Mr. Cook read to them the account of Paul'sshipwreck, showing the similarity of their experience. _'What made thatcaptain change his course against his will?' but the ever present Spiritof God"_. 

THE STORM MADE CALM. 

At a Sunday morning meeting at Repository Hall, January 25, 1874, aChristian brother, in illustration of the power and faithfulness of God, and his willingness to hear and answer prayer, related these facts inhis own experience. An account of them was subsequently published in the_Christian_:

"In 1839 I was a sailor on board the brig Pandora, Captain G----, boundfrom Savannah to Boston, with a cargo of cotton. When off the coast ofVirginia, some twenty-five miles distant from Chesapeake Bay, weencountered a heavy gale. Saturday evening, December 21st, the wind blewgently from the south. On sounding, we found ourselves in thirty fathomsof water. At midnight the wind veered to the eastward, graduallyincreasing until four o'clock Sunday morning, by which time the brig wasunder close-reefed topsails and foresail. The wind still increasing, every stitch of canvas was taken in, and now the vessel lay helpless andunmanageable in the trough of the sea, not minding her helm at all, while the wind blew a perfect hurricane. The vessel being very light, loaded with cotton, made much leeway, and though we had worn ship fourtimes during the preceding night, hoping, if possible, to weather someshoals which the captain judged were near, and to make Chesapeake Bay, where we might have a clear beach before us in case the vessel shouldstrand, yet at eight o'clock Sunday morning we were in but seventeenfathoms of water. 

"The gale now increased with fearful violence, waves rising likemountains, and rain and sleet pouring from the dismal clouds. At ten, A. M. , being then in fifteen fathoms of water, and drifting rapidlytowards the shore, the captain summoned all hands into the cabin toconsult about throwing our deck-load overboard, in order to leave us abetter chance to secure ourselves to the rigging, and thus save ourlives when the vessel should strike, which he judged would be in abouthalf an hour. Not a gleam of hope appeared, and here our distress wasincreased by observing that the captain seemed under the influence ofliquor, to which he had probably resorted in order to stifle his fearsof approaching death. 

"The order was given, and we went to work to throw the cotton over, while the captain, frightened and despairing, went into the cabin todrown his fears in drink. Seeing the state of things, and believing thatshipwreck was imminent, I found two of my shipmates who were Christians, and who had prayed daily with me in the forecastle, and I asked them ifthey had any faith in God now, that he would hear our prayers anddeliver us? They both said they had; and I told them to pray, then, thatthe Lord might rebuke the winds and calm the waves. 

"With an unspeakable mingling of fear and hope we applied ourselves tothe task of casting the cotton into the sea, at the same time lifting upearnest and united prayers to God for deliverance from the threateneddestruction, occasionally gliding in close contact with each other, andspeaking words of hope in each other's ears, and feeling, as we toiled, a blessed confidence that our prayers were not in vain. 

"It did not seem more than five minutes from the time we commenced tothrow the cotton overboard, for we had scarcely tumbled twenty balesinto the sea, when we heard a shout from the quarter deck:

"'Avast heaving cotton overboard! _The wind is coming out from our lee!_Avast there!'

"It was the captain's voice, bidding us stay our hands; we obeyed, andlooking up we saw him clinging to the rigging, apparently so drunk thathe could hardly stand, _while away over our lee-bow we could see bluesky and fair weather_, and _it seemed that in less than ten minutes fromthe time the hurricane was at its height, the wind had chopped around inshore, and was gently wafting us away from danger, and out into deepwater again_. 

"There were glad souls on board the Pandora that day, as she swungaround in obedience to the helm, and we laid her course again for ourdestined port. And some who before had mocked at prayers and blasphemedthe God we loved, admitted then that God had answered prayer, and thathe had delivered us from death. 

"And I love to repeat the story to the praise of the Lord, who yet livesto hear, and bless, and save his trusting children. "

NO FEAR OF THUNDER. 

Some years ago a camp-meeting was held in Southern Indiana. It rainednearly all the time of the meeting. Father Haven, a man mighty inprayer, rose to preach. Just as he announced his text it thundered, andthe congregation seemed to be restless and alarmed. The old heroinstantly said, "Let us engage a moment in prayer. " He prayed that Godwould allow the storm to pass by and not disturb them. 

After having plead for a few moments he said, "Friends, keep your seats;it will not rain one drop here to-day. " He commenced to preach, and itthundered again. He repeated his assurance, and thus it continued untilthe storm-cloud was almost over the encampment. It divided north andsouth, and passed about a quarter of a mile on either side of them, reunited again and passed on, and not one solitary drop of rain fell onthat encampment. 

THE PRAYER OF THE PILGRIMS FOR RAIN ANSWERED. 

It is well known that many of the good men who were driven from Englandto America by persecution in the seventeenth century, had to enduregreat privations. In the Spring of 1623 they planted more corn than everbefore; but by the time they had done planting, their food was spent. They daily prayed, "Give us this day our daily bread;" and in some wayor other the prayer was always answered. With a single boat and a netthey caught some fish, and when these failed, they dug in the sand forshell-fish. In the month of June their hopes of a harvest were nearlyblasted by a drought which withered up their corn and made the grasslook like hay. All expected to perish with hunger. 

In their distress the pilgrims set apart a day of humiliation andprayer, and continued their worship for eight or nine hours. God heardtheir prayers, and answered them in a way which excited universaladmiration. Although the morning of that day was clear, and the weathervery hot and dry during the whole forenoon, yet before night it began torain, and gentle showers continued to fall for many days, so that theground became thoroughly soaked, and the drooping corn revived. 

THE ENEMIES OF A GOD FEARING NATION. 

"An answer to prayer, " says Le Clerc, "may be seen by what happened onthe coast of Holland in the year 1672. The Dutch expected an attack fromtheir enemies by sea, and public prayers were ordered for theirdeliverance. It came to pass that when their enemies waited only for thetide, in order to land, _the tide was retarded, contrary to its usualcourse, for twelve hours_, so their enemies were obliged to defer theattempt to another opportunity; which they never found, _because astorm, arose afterwards_, and drove them from the coast. "

CHANGING THE COURSE ONE POINT. 

Walking across Palace Square in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with an Americanship-master, (says a correspondent of the _Watchman_) he invited me toaccompany him to his hotel. While there he showed me a very large goldmedal he had received from the British government for saving a ship'scompany at sea. The circumstances were these: One night at sea, when itwas the captain's "mid-watch, "--the watch from twelve, midnight, tillfour o'clock in the morning--just before turning in, he gave the officerof the watch the ship's course; the direction in which she was to besteered. While undressing, it was impressed on his mind that he ought tochange the course a point; but he could see no reason for the change, asthe ship was on the right course for the port of her destination. Heturned in and tried to fall asleep, as it was only four hours to hiswatch; but the impression that he ought to change the ship's course kepthim awake. In vain he tried to throw off that impression; and yieldingto it, he went on deck and gave the order for the change. On returningto his berth, he was asleep as soon as his head was on the pillow. Thenext day he sighted a ship in distress, and made sail for her. The shipwas in a sinking condition, and he rescued the whole ship's company. Shortly after, a gale of wind arose and carried the sinking ship tocomplete destruction. Had not the American captain changed the course ofhis ship that evening, he would not have come in sight of the ship indistress, and all of the company would have perished. 

_Query_--_What made that Captain arise in the middle of the night and, contrary to all science, reason and his own will, change the course ofhis vessel_, but a _Supreme Being, whose power he could not resist_, andwhat made him _exactly_ reach that sinking _ship just in time_. 

 * * * * *

THE FULTON ST. PRAYER MEETING. 

ANSWERS TO PRAYER FROM ITS HISTORY, RECORDS AND CORRESPONDENCE. 

The following Incidents of Prayer and the remarkable Answers, have beenobtained from the records of the Fulton Street Prayer Meeting in NewYork City. They include both facts which have been related by speakersin their daily meetings, or furnished from the letters of those who havesolicited Prayer and received the Answer to their Faith. 

They are of the utmost diversity of subjects, literally including the"all things" of the Bible, and temporal as well as spiritual interests. 

Numerous as the incidents are, which we here give, still they cover only_one-sixtieth_ part of the whole Record of the Blessed Meeting. 

History can never tell of the wonders done in Answer to the Prayers ofthese trusting ones; but Faith can rejoice, for here is fulfilled dailythose cheerful Promises of the Lord: "_If ye abide in me and my wordsabide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ""Ask and receive, that your joy may be full_. "

SAVED FROM A LIFE OF DEGRADATION. 

"Your prayers for my husband have been answered; _on the very day_ Iwished your prayers for him, and _before the hour of prayer hadexpired_" he came into the house, and said, '_I am going to do better_. 'He had not been home before for _several weeks_. He was a profane, hard-drinking man. He has since joined the church. 'All hail the powerof Jesus' name. '"

RECOVERY OF AN INVALID. 

"One year ago, the prayers of this meeting were asked for an invalid whohad years of intense suffering before her, unless soon relieved. Prayerswere offered for her. Now we would like to acknowledge theloving-kindness and tender mercy of our God, for, since that time, shehas slowly but steadily improved, even under most trying and unfavorablecircumstances, and-has now recovered comparative strength. "

RELIEF IN BUSINESS. 

"_None of those who trust in Him shall be made desolate_. "

"Some three weeks ago, I wrote you, stating that _my business had been afailure_, and asked your prayers that God, in His mercy, would point outa way for me to _provide for my family. _ The clouds grew thicker andblacker, but the more earnest were my prayers. _Last Saturday the Lordcame to my rescue_, and provided me with the necessities of life, andto-day I wish you to join with me in thanksgiving to Almighty God forthese favors;--'For He is good; His mercy endureth forever. '"

A DAUGHTER SAVED FROM MARRIAGE WITH A CORRUPT MAN. 

"I pray you give God praise and thanks for His merciful deliverance ofmy dear daughter from the _evil influence_ of the man to whom she hadgiven her love and promise of marriage. THE LORD gave her strength andcourage to break her engagement, in answer to our earnest prayers. Oh, implore _Him_ to keep that man out of her path, for he is constantlylying in wait to meet her when she goes out. He wanted her to read badbooks, but told her that they were not wrong. He constantly laidtemptation in alluring forms before her. To HIM alone be the thanks forthis step she has taken. "

A SKEPTIC OVERPOWERED. 

"More and more God is pouring out His Spirit, gloriously answering yourprayers and ours. I have been constantly asking your prayers, andthough, for a while, the vision tarried, _yet it has come. The youngman_, from a neighborhood where there was _not one Christian_, and _hehimself scarcely less than a skeptic, is now sitting, in his right mind, at Jesus' feet. "_

SAVED FROM DEATH. 

"My brother, that lay apparently at the point of death, has beenrestored to comparative health. "

AN INTEMPERATE YOUNG MAN RECLAIMED. 

"Rejoice with me, and thank God for his gracious answer to prayer. Theintemperate young man for whom I requested prayer some months ago, hasturned away from his cups, and is earnestly striving to overcome hisappetite for strong drink. He is competent to be the means of doing somuch good. "

THE CONVERSION OF INTIMATE FRIENDS. 

"Some time since, I sent request for prayer for the conversion offriends. Since then _three_ have united with the church. "

RAISED UP FROM DEATH'S DOOR. 

"Our former pastor was raised up from death's door, in answer to yourprayer. _The doctor gave him up_. He says the Lord alone saved him, inanswer to prayer. Praise His name. "

THE DESIRE OF THE HEART FULFILLED. 

"A few weeks since I sent a request for prayer in my behalf, asking youto pray God very earnestly that He would grant me the desire of myheart, for which I was praying almost unceasingly. _On the evening ofthe same day_ on which I supposed you would receive my request, _theanswer came, _ lifting a great burden from my heart. I send this inacknowledgment of God's loving-kindness to me, and to encourage' everyburdened, praying one, to _trust Him more_. "

A POOR OLD SICK LADY RESTORED. 

"The poor, sick old lady for whom I requested your prayers some timesince, wishes to return thanks to Almighty God, for _restoring herhealth_, and _sending friends_. It is wonderful how your and ourrequests are answered. "

A NEW BIRTH. 

"Give thanks with me. Since I wrote you last, our son has given himselfto Jesus. "

A CHURCH SAVED FROM STRIFE. 

"It is with heartfelt gratitude to God that I write you of answer toyour prayer. Last Spring, I asked your prayers in behalf of our church. It was almost destroyed by a man trying to get into our Conferencewithout proper papers, and could not. He then broke up a Presbyterianchurch, and formed another. He gathered a number of our members withhim, and tried hard to take our parsonage, but did not succeed. ThankGod! though we are few, and have had a hard struggle, we still hold ourproperty, our circuit has doubled, God is reviving His work, and is nowanswering your prayers"

REASON RESTORED. 

"Last March, I requested you to pray for a dear friend in Massachusetts, who was deprived of her reason through sickness and great trouble. _Givethanks unto God, she is fully restored. "_

"Arise And Walk. "

"It will be just one year since Jesus came and took me by the hand, and_I arose from what was supposed to be my death-bed_, and _walked to theastonishment of all_. I have not claimed the fullness of the promise, but feel that I may. I prayed God not to heal my body wholly, until Iwas more patient under my cross. "

THE APPETITE FOR STRONG DRINK TAKEN AWAY. 

"Sometime ago I wrote to you for my husband. He was _a victim to strongdrink_ at that time, but _blessed be God, he has not drank one drop forfive months_. "

SPIRITUAL STRENGTH. 

"I feel your prayers; I think I know the day and the hour, for I feltstrengthened with strength in my soul. "

HEALING OF SOUL AND BODY. 

"I have reason to rejoice that I have been greatly blessed in answer toyour prayers. Two young lady friends of mine have been enabled to claimthe blessed promise of full salvation, not only to the healing of thesoul, _but the body also_. 

My own experience helped them: On the 16th of January, last, in answerto constant prayer offered by myself and friends, I arose from what allthought to be my death-bed, and walked all over the house; also manymiles on the streets during the next few months. I did not claim thefull extent of the promise as I craved only relief from such terriblepain, as was then my portion to bear. I think God in his goodness wouldhave granted full restoration to health, as I was so anxious to work forHim, but I pleaded with Him _not to heal my body_ until my mind had hadthe discipline I felt it needed. "

AN INTEMPERATE HUSBAND SAVED BY PRAYER. 

"Some three weeks since, I asked you for my intemperate husband, thatyou would pray that he might be _willing to be saved. He has been madewilling to give up the intoxicating cup, _ and says he has _not anydesire_ for it. To God be all the praise. "

RELIGION LOST, RELIGION REGAINED. 

"I wrote you two months since, asking an interest in your prayers for ayoung man that experienced religion a year ago, but failed to confessChrist by uniting with the church. Your prayers have been answered. Lastnight my heart was made to rejoice by seeing him confess Christ, beforethe world. He is now happy in the love of Jesus, and will he useful andactive in the church. "

DRUNKARDS REFORMED. 

"Return thanks to God for two men signing the pledge, about one monthago, who have been enabled to keep it through great temptation. _Theywere drunkards for over twenty years_. Their reformation was in answerto a praying mother's prayers, and to the prayers for them at yourmeeting. "

A HOPELESS CASE. 

"A little less than a year ago, prayers were desired at the Fultonstreet prayer-meeting for a man whose case seemed wholly hopeless. Shortly after he gave up drink, and became a Christian; is now a happyman, and has a happy family. 

"Please carry this thank offering to God, that he has given us such aSavior, and such a way to escape from temptation. "

A HARVEST OF CONVERSIONS. 

"Last Fall, I wrote you to pray for us. You did pray. The result was awonderful increase of spiritual life--_fifty conversions. "_

A FAMILY MADE HAPPY. 

"Two years ago, I wrote asking your prayers for a dear sister, brothersand nieces. Since then, one brother, about sixty, and my two nieces havebeen converted, and are now rejoicing in a Savior's love. "

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

"About two years ago we requested your prayers for the Holy Spirit upona revival work then in progress in our church. " _The Lord answered us_by giving us _over four score souls. "_

HEARTS MADE GLAD. 

"We return most hearty thanks for the answer to prayer given. I wrotemore than a year ago last August of our low state. Last Winter twentyyoung persons were converted, and continue to work faithfully. "

GIVEN UP BY MAN, BUT RESCUED BY THE GREAT PHYSICIAN. 

"The writer was himself raised up by prayer, from the gates of death, offered by the heart and lips of one who is now a sufferer. _Two of themost skillful physicians in the land had given me up_. "

THE STORY OF A WAYWARD LIFE, SAVED BY PRAYER. 

"In the last fourteen years I have stood beside the deathbeds of eightwho were near and dear to me, and the last words that each spoke to meas they were leaving the world were, "_Will you not meet me in Heaven_?"I have been a wayward child. Eight years ago I became addicted to strongdrink. I became a drunkard, which brought my dear old father down to anuntimely grave. I made a promise on his death-bed that I would not drinkany more, and for six long years I kept that promise, but at last Ibroke it. I again became a drunkard, which began to tell on my wife. Ipromised her that I would not drink, but that promise was broken timeafter time. Within this year, in the week of prayer, I attended theprayer-meetings, asked prayers for me, and on the night following, Ierected the family altar, which had for four years been neglected, and, thank God, it is there yet. I am now trusting in the promise that _Hewill not let his children be tempted beyond what they are able toendure_. "

A WONDERFUL CURE. 

An earnest Christian woman who believed the Lord greater than anyearthly physician, cries, "_O, praise the Lord. He hath delivered me insix troubles, and in the seventh he hath not forsaken me_. " "And theseventh was the worst. By the help of _eight physicians_, and in answerto prayer, partly of this meeting, a fearful tumor has been taken fromme weighing twelve pounds, with three gallons of water in the sack. O, praise the Lord, for He is good, and his mercy endureth forever. "

This case was one of extraordinary risk and apparently impossibleachievement; but the Lord gave faith to try, and skill to win thevictory. No earthly power could have dared the venture. 

GIVEN UP. 

"Our pastor, after four months' sickness, preached to us last eveningthe most solemn sermon I ever heard, and says he was raised up in answerto prayer. The physicians gave him up several times, and say they havenever known such an instance of recovery. "

CHAINS BROKEN AT LAST. 

"Long months, week by week, I have asked you to pray that my husbandmight be saved from the eternal doom of a drunkard. God has mercifullygiven him strength to break the fetters that bound him fast. "

BETTER THAN WE EXPECTED. 

"We asked your prayers; they have been answered. They were answered moreand better than we had hoped or dreamed they could be. "

PRAYER ANSWERED FOR EMPLOYMENT. 

"A foreigner without means and friendless tried in vain for ten monthsto succeed in finding some employment. He requested your prayers to God, and _God answered_. In less than eighteen hours a splendid position wasoffered to him. He and his wife give thanks, and pray that they maydevote their lives usefully to the cause of God who has been so good tothem. "

FOUND EMPLOYMENT. 

"God has answered our united prayers, and given employment to hischild. "

AN OLD LADY SAVED FROM LITTLE ANNOYANCES. 

"Your prayers have been heard and answered in mercy. The old lady hasnot been quite so much annoyed. Thank God for some peace for the agedone, not able to bear what younger people can, that go out into theworld and can find relief. I thank my heavenly Father for his loving-kindness and tender mercy for those that cry to him in trouble. "

INSANITY DISPELLED. 

"I sent a petition months ago, for prayers for an insane husband. Yourprayers have been answered. He has rapidly recovered. "

RECLAIMED. 

"I must ask you to return thanks with me that your prayers have beenanswered. An intemperate brother has been reclaimed. "

RESTORED TO HEALTH. 

"One month since, I requested prayer specially for my own family. Myoldest son, who was then sick, has been restored to his usual health. '_The prayer of faith hath indeed saved the sick_. '"

TEMPTATIONS REMOVED. 

"Some months ago I asked your prayers for a son in college, amid greattemptations. I desire to give thanks that those temptations have beenremoved. "

THE HEART OF A CLERGYMAN TURNED FROM THOUGHTS OF AMBITION. 

"I sent a request to you for a young man, who was called, and eminentlyfitted for the ministry, but was tempted, by ambition, not to listen tothe divine call, and obstacles had hedged his way somewhat. After Irequested your prayers in his behalf, this temptation was removed, andnearly one hundred persons were converted in the church which was underhis care. "

A GRATEFUL TRIBUTE. 

"For a long time I have been the subject of personal affliction, causedby _two internal tumors_ of the _worst type_. Speedy death seemedinevitable; yet there was a little hope that a surgical operation mightpossibly remove the difficulty and prolong my day. To this hope I clung, submitted to the operation, and it was a success. To the earnest prayersof Christian people is due this grateful acknowledgment. "

WAS A PERFECT SLAVE TO LIQUOR. 

"Please return _thanks_ to our kind Heavenly Father for this answer toprayer. All last Winter requests were sent in for a gentleman, a perfectslave to liquor. Those prayers were answered, and he is attending churchregularly, striving to do what is right to please his Heavenly Master. "

ALWAYS ANSWERED. 

"Several times in years past I have asked for the prayers of thismeeting, and always found them answered. "

CURED OF EPILEPSY. 

"I wrote you to aid me by your prayers, that my afflicted son, who wastroubled with epilepsy, might be cured. Thanks be to the HeavenlyFather, he is better. "

ALMOST LOST. 

"Your prayers and mine for my son have been answered. He was almostlost, on the downward road of intemperance. He has now reformed. "

A SITUATION OBTAINED BY PRAYER. 

"Yesterday I sent a request that God would give me sustaining grace andabiding faith, and in his own good time give me a situation where Imight be able to support my family. In that very afternoon, I made acontract of $1, 200 a year. Praise the Lord. "

A BOUNTIFUL BLESSING. 

"Some time ago I solicited your prayers for a blessing on my services, and _never, in all my life_ before have I been blessed as since thattime. 'Tis truly wonderful; it has seemed as if I must have become someone else, and that it could not longer be me speaking with suchboldness, and apparent success. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all thatis within me, bless his holy name. "

SAVED FROM THE COMPANY OF A BAD LOVER. 

"A week ago I begged you to pray for my daughter, who had given herheart to an unworthy man, praying that God might guide her to see him ashe is, and turn her love from him. She is a child of God. In answer, Godhas caused a rupture between them. "

AWAY FROM HOME, BUT NOT AWAY FROM GOD. 

"Some weeks since I sent in a request for prayer for my sons who hadfallen victims to intemperance and vice. My heart rejoices to-day in thehope that it has. 

"Two who left home, and had gone to distant cities to seek employment, have written me to pray that they may be able to forsake sin in all itsforms, and come to Christ and be Christians. One of them was skepticalwhen he left home. The one remaining at home has resolved to quitdrinking. "

GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS BELIEVING PRAYER. 

"Your prayers asked on several occasions have all been graciouslyanswered. Return thanks unto the Lord that sendeth mercy. "

THE HARDEST HEART YIELDS AT LAST. 

"Several years since your prayers were solicited in behalf of one whoseemed given over to hardness of heart and reprobacy of mind. Since thattime there has been some reform in his life. God only knows how farthose prayers have been answered in restraining grace. Last week he saidto the friend who had solicited your prayers for him, 'I wish you wouldask Fulton Street prayer-meeting to pray again for me. _I believe it didme good. _'"

UP FROM THE LOWEST DEPTHS. 

"One year ago I wrote you respecting prayer for my husband. He has sincebeen reclaimed from the lowest depths of a drunkard's life, and is now amember of the Christian church. Thanks be to God, the giver of allgood. "

SAVED AND HONORED. 

"Almost three years ago I asked you to pray for a young man that waswandering from God. Thank God, your and my prayers were answered. He isnow an active Christian, a superintendent of the Sabbath school, and amost zealous member of the Young Men's Christian Association of thisplace. "

ALMOST PERSUADED. 

"Some weeks since I requested prayer for a member of this Institutionwho was 'almost persuaded' to be a Christian. Thanks to our Father, andto those who have offered prayer in her behalf, she has been _altogetherpersuaded_, and has united with the Lord's people. "

ANSWERED THE SAME DAY. 

"You received a letter yesterday. My husband rose for prayers the samenight. "

OH, HOW PRECIOUS. 

"I wrote five months since for prayers for myself, and I now write tosay that I have found my Savior very precious to my soul. "

PRAYING FOR A PASTOR. 

"Several months ago I wrote asking you to pray for a feeble church inneed of a pastor. Since then I am happy to say that this church has beenblessed and we now have a pastor. "

A TELEGRAM OF PRAYER. 

An incident was related at one of the meetings by a clergyman who hadwritten a telegram asking for prayers. God heard it before it was sent. 

"When we were in Switzerland, my daughter was taken very ill, so thatthe doctor despaired of her life. I felt the need of sympathy and helpand prayer, and I made up my mind that I would send a telegraphicdispatch to this meeting, where I had so often united with you inprayer. I wrote the dispatch and was prepared to send it, when all atonce there was poured out such a joyful faith and confidence in God onme as I never felt before in all my life, and I fell on my knees indevout thanksgiving for the assurance that God gave me that he had heardand answered our prayers, for we had prayed for that dear daughter'slife. There lay the telegram ready to be sent. There I was waiting andpraying. In less than half an hour my wife came into the room and said, 'There is a change for the better in our daughter, ' and the telegram wasnever sent, though I believe the writing of it was the prayer that Godanswered. "

HE DID NOT KEEP HIS PROMISE, BUT GOD DID. 

A remarkable instance of how God keeps his promises and is faithful, andhow man often forgets to keep his, and at last receives deservedpunishment for his thanklessness to God, was recently related in theFulton Street prayer-meeting. 

A very urgent case was presented by a friend. He said: "A friend of mineis seeking Jesus. A little while ago his only child lay near death. Heprayed God to restore her to health, promising to serve the Lord for therest of his life if the child's life was spared. His daughter recovered, but _the man forgot the promise he had made and sought not after God. _In a very little while the child was suddenly taken sick again, andalmost as suddenly died. The father remembered his vows, and feels thatthis is God's solemn warning to him to seek the Savior. "

A DOUBLE PRAYER ANSWERED. 

At the Fulton Street prayer-meeting a number of remarkable cases wererelated of real answers to prayer for recovery to health, and obtainingof positions. 

"I must tell you how God has been answering prayer, for his glory andfor your encouragement. Your prayers were asked for a sick wife. She wasthought by the doctors to be beyond recovery, but in response to prayerGod spared her life, and she and her husband returned their heartfeltthanks to Him. But there was another trouble. The husband had longneeded employment, and was in great pecuniary distress. He had beenpraying for help, beseeching the Lord to open up a way for him. But helpdid not come, and the cloud seemed darker, and the poor man gotdiscouraged. Friends begged him to hope on, and not to give up his trustin that God who, in answer to prayer, had raised his sick wife tohealth. He continued to pray, and on the long, dark night, morning atlast dawned. He is now in a good position, and sends a request tofriends to thank God with him for this two-fold goodness of the Lord. 

HOW THE LORD BLESSED AN OLD ADVERTISEMENT. 

"I had another acquaintance who was also greatly distressed. With a wifeand family to care for, and all his means gone, and no prospect ofemployment, he was in trouble indeed. We induced him to present his casefor prayer here, as it would encourage him to have others pray for him. Then we inserted an advertisement in one of the daily papers, offeringhis services, hoping the Lord would bless the means used and answerprayer. Day by day passed, but no response came. Some two weeks afterthe advertisement was inserted, a merchant picked up _an old paper_, andnoticing the advertisement, showed it to his partner, remarking, 'Why, this is just the man we need. ' Observing the _old date_ on the paper, his partner said he thought it would be too late to respond; but thetrial was made. The man was requested to call, and proved to be justwhat these merchants had been wishing for, and was very quickly engaged. He feels that the Heavenly Father who cares for the sparrows, undoubtedly met his need, and that all the circumstances connected withthe case were providential. "

HATING THE ACCURSED DRINK. 

A brother rose in the meeting and said, "I believe it is God's will thatI should tell you how He saved me, about two years since. I came intothe meeting when it was held in the old church, and was at the timeunder the influence of liquor. The missionary took me into the galleryand talked with me, and prayed with me, and God heard prayer and savedme. I became a new man in Christ, and have lost all appetite for drink;I hate the accursed stuff. "

A DRUNKARD FOR THIRTY YEARS. 

Another told a remarkable story of his life: "I was a drunkard forthirty years, and I tried all kinds of means to get free, but allfailed. I pledged myself over and over again, and swore off many a time. At last, Jesus met me at the mission meeting, and he saved me. He tookaway the appetite for drink from me. I am a different man; I am temptedin various ways at times, but when tempted I think of Jesus and look toHim, and He saves me. "

THE HOPELESS ONE BROUGHT HOME. 

"A pastor related the incident of the conversion of a man who haddisgraced his family, and all through drink. All the people in thevillage where he lived regarded him as a hopeless case. But he wasprayed for, and one night in answer to an appeal to those desiringChrist to rise, he rose. He soon became a new man, and a steadfastsoldier of the Cross, completely delivered from his hopeless situation, and all his appetites taken away. "

"NO MAN CAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY FATHER'S HAND. "

A brother says, "Jesus says this, and I rest just there. " "A year ago Iwas in Philadelphia. I had resolved not to drink any liquor that day, but my resolution was soon broken. In the evening as I wandered thestreets, that voice of God, '_Turn ye, turn ye_, ' gave me greatuneasiness. Although I tried hard not to go, yet the Spirit was at workwithin me, and against my will led me to the meetings of the Young Men'sChristian Association. When the call came for those desiring prayers, Ifelt that it was my last call, and I pushed forward and rose. Friendsprayed with me, and that night, as I pleaded for mercy, the burden of mysin was lifted and I was free. Christ took the appetite for drink away, and He has kept me ever since, and will keep me to the end, for He says, '_Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name;thou art mine_. ' Oh! I know He won't let me go. "

ANSWER TO PRAYER IN TEMPORAL MATTERS. 

A speaker said at one meeting, "God answers prayer in temporal matters. In a Western college, at a time when the last morsels of food had beeneaten, and some had to go away from the table empty, four of the numberretired to pray, and before they had ceased praying relief came. Provisions in large quantities were received, thus verifying the oldpromise, 'Before they call I will answer. '"

THE LORD PROVED TRUE. 

"The Lord reigns, " another exclaimed, "I have proved that during my longlife! It has looked dark very often, and I have been in difficultplaces, but again and again the Lord has brought me throughtriumphantly. I have found the promise true. " "Trust in the Lord, and dogood, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. "

A LITTLE BOY'S QUESTION. 

A brother related a touching incident which occurred in Brooklyn. "Alittle boy asked his father at the dinner table, '_Papa, why don't youread the Bible_?' The father was a passionate man, and was about drivingthe boy out of his presence, but his anger made the little fellow weep. That brought tears to the mother's eyes, and then the father followedsuit. The boy's tears moved him, and the question struck his heart; andfather and mother, up to that hour unconverted, were soon on their wayto the prayer-meeting, where they found Jesus. "

A LITTLE GIRL'S QUESTION. 

A touching little story, with eternal results in it, was told at one ofthe meetings, illustrating that word of God's book, "A little childshall lead them. " "A dress-maker called on a very wealthy lady in a citynot far from New York, and took with her her little girl, five yearsold. The lady took a fancy to the child, and showed her over the house. She expressed great admiration at all she saw, and, particularlyattracted by the carpet, said to the lady: 'Why, I should think Jesusmust come here very often, it is such a nice house, and such a beautifulcarpet--He must come here very often. He comes to our house, and we haveno carpet; I am sure He must come here very often, doesn't He?' The ladynot answering, the child repeated the question, when the reply came, with deep emotion, "I am afraid not. " The child left, but God's messagewas delivered. The lady related the incident to her husband in theevening, and both were led to seek the Savior. 

GOD CARED FOR ME. 

At a meeting a young man in broken English, said: "If any man ought tobelieve in prayer, I ought to. My friends turned me out of my home, because I was seeking for Christ. I was too much Christian my landladysaid. I told her I wished I was all Christian. It was seven o'clock inthe evening when she refused to let me come into the house. I went thento the prayer-meeting in Water Street; we had such a good meeting, thatI quite forgot that I had no place to sleep. The services over, I foundit was raining fast, and I had no place to which to go. I went back intothe room, and kneeling at one of the benches, I begged God to give me aplace to rest. I did not go home my usual way that night, but on the wayI took I met an old friend, and walking with him to his house he beggedme to stay the night, as he did not like to be alone. I staid there thatnight, though I had never told him of my condition. What was it but ananswer to prayer. Many a time since has God thus provided for my wants. O friends, let your heart go out, for Him, then He will never let youwant. "

THE BLIND CAN SEE. 

Said another, "I came here yesterday to ask you to pray for my sister. She has been sick some time, and then she lost her _sight_. I did notget an opportunity to present my request because so many took part; butI thought I would just take my sister's case to Jesus, remembering that'the prayer of faith shall save the sick. ' In the afternoon I found herin sad need of sleep. I told her just to look to Jesus, because it waswritten of Him, 'So He giveth His beloved sleep. ' We prayed together, and I left her in a _profound slumber_, 'This morning when I called onher she could _see me. ' Friends, the Lord does answer prayer. "