the very existence of his benefactor, but when affliction or death comes, he feels his dependence as he has never felt it before. The philosophy which seemed so reasonable before is proved to be but a broken reed, and the yearning desire for some stronger support is felt by the crushed and humbled soul. Then sometimes "the uses of adversity" are sweet indeed, for the heavy-laden soul comes up from the wilderness of trouble leaning upon the strong arm of its Beloved, even of the Lord Christ Jesus. Reader! are you resting upon that arm? Is your soul full of loving trust in the once crucified, but now glorified Son of God? If not-if you have no arm to rest upon, no unchanging Friend to trust in-oh, I implore you stay and consider, for you are indeed in an evil case. At any moment the fierce storm of adversity may beat upon your unsheltered spirit. At any moment you may be standing upon the borders of this brief life; and what of the infinite ocean of eternity beyond? This question may not be a pleasant one. Some would call it a morbid one; but morbid or unpleasant, it is a question which comes to every man, and which every man must answer. An Eastern prince, brought up in seclusion from all repulsive sights, is said when driving out for a pleasant excursion to have seen a dead body. Startled by the unusual sight he mournfully exclaimed, "Woe to life, when a man remains so short a time!" Then abandoning for the day all thought of pleasure, he turned back to his palace, saying, "I must think how to accomplish deliverance." Reader! that deliverance from the tyrant death has been accomplished once for all. Nearly nineteen centuries ago Paul could triumphantly exclaim, "Oh, death, where is thy sting? Oh, grave, where is thy victory ?" And a greater than Paul has said, "I am the resurrection, and the life : he 1 I Cor. xv. 55. that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, shall never die."1 Reader! this is the belief that will stand the test of that strange change which we call death. Flee, then, ye who have not done so, to the shelter of the riven Rock of Ages. Accept the invitation of Him who has said, "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."2 Mary, the Mining Girl. [HE mercy of Jesus is free for all-for the king upon his throne, and the beggar upon the dunghill. The precious promise which fell from the lips of the Saviour so long ago is still as efficacious as ever: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." I first remember seeing Mary at a mine near the Cornish sea, where I frequently went to distribute tracts. She was then a little more than twenty, full of health and spirits. Time passed, the lead mine was abandoned, she went wrong, and joined herself to a house of ill-fame in one of the courts of the town. Here I occasionally saw her, and discovered that she had not forgotten me. Poor Mary! Soon her health was ruined, and she had to go with her little child into the Union. Here I often had an opportunity of speaking to her of the Saviour, and giving her tracts. These she valued much, sewing them together until she had quite a large bundle, often showing them to me, and calling them my books. Her bodily weakness increased, and with earnest sighs and tears she sought and found the Saviour. Her conversion was genuine and bright. From the time the Redeemer first spoke peace to her soul she had no doubts or fears. Entering the union ward about this time, and approaching her bedside, she stretched out her thin hand towards me, 1 John xi. 25, 26. 2 Rev. i. 18. and exclaimed, with her face beaming with pleasure, 'You cannot tell how glad I am to see you! I have been waiting for you all the day, and praying that the Lord would send you. I want to tell you what He has done for my soul. He has washed away all my sins in His precious blood, and filled me with His love. Earth and the things of earth are nothing to me now; I am leaving them all behind, and have Jesus in my view. Oh how kind you have been to me in speaking to me, giving me tracts, and praying with me! I often pray that the Lord may bless you and your family. I shall soon be in heaven, and will wait at the gate for you, and when you are coming up will fly to meet you. Bless, bless the Lord!" These, as well as I can recollect, were her own words. this the messenger came, and the poor pardoned Magdalene surely entered into rest. Soon after Let this true narrative encourage the penitent to lay hold on Christ. Reader, whether old or young, in sickness or in health, the balm of Gilead is sufficient for thee. Humble thyself before thy Maker, believe His word, trust in His power, and thou shalt be saved. "This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Old age with erring hoary, And manhood's walk of sin, May turn and enter in; The door of hope is open, And Mercy pleads the while; This man receiveth sinners, The vilest of the vile. Thrice welcome, precious teaching! To Christ's own arms I flee: Who am the chief of sinners, The vilest of the vile. 44 God knows what is best for thee." W HEN thy heart is bowed with sorrow, When fears undefined oppress, And a dreading of the morrow Fills with anxious care thy breast; Why, or whence these fears can be, "God knows what is best for thee." Thou hast read, "tost on the billow Midst the storm the Saviour slept. To be in Him all-confiding; God knows what is best for thee. Though the tempest rages round thee, Be not cast down, be not fearful Give each doubt a firm denial. Overruled by love and wisdom, By faith only understood, Of His dealings this the outcome, All is working for thy good. Why then cast down, why so fearful? Trusting fully constantly, This grand truth should make thee cheerful, God knows what is best for thee. E. S. H. |