1375. Boy's Trust.-A lad stood on the roof of a very high building, when his foot slipped, and he fell. In falling, he caught by a rope, and hung suspended in mid-air, where he could sustain himself but a short time. At this moment a powerful man rushed out of the

to save the sufferers still in the four months from the time of their ship. They drifted out of the separation they were happily reChannel with the tide, the mother united. clinging to a fragment of the wreck with her little one clapsed to her breast. Late in the afternoon of that day, a vessel bound from Newport, Wales, to America, was moving slowly along in her course. There was only a light breeze, and the captain was impatiently walking the deck, when his attention was called to an object some dis-house, and, standing beneath him tance off which looked like a perwith extended arms, called out, "Let son in the water. The officers and go the rope; I will receive you!" crew watched it for a time, and, as "Let go the no vessel was near from which any

"I can't do it."
rope, and I promise you shall
escape unharmed!" The boy hesi-
tated for a moment, and then quit-
ting his hold, dropped easily and
safely into the arms of his de-

liverer.

one could have fallen overboard, they thought it impossible that this could be a human being. But, as their vessel was scarcely moving, it was thought best to get out a boat, and row to the object. The 1376. Christ Near.-A poor boat was accordingly lowered and man in the hospital was just about manned. It was watched with to undergo a most painful and considerable interest by those who perilous operation; they had laid remained on board, and they no-him ready, the doctors were just ticed that as it drew near to the about to begin, when he cried, drifting speck, the rowers rested on "Wait a minute." Annoyed at their oars two or three minutes, the delay, they asked him what he then moved forward, took in the ob- wanted. "Oh," said he, "wait a ject or thing-they knew not which minute, while I pray to the Lord -and returned to the ship. When Jesus to stand by my side, for the boat's crew came on board, 'twill be dreadful hard to bear." they brought with them this mother and her child, alive and well; and 1377. "Cling close to the Rock, the sailors said that as they drew Johnnie!"-A long train of cars, near they heard a female voice fourteen or fifteen, were some sweetly singing. As with a com- time back passing over the mon impulse, the men ceased rowing and listened, and then the words of the beautiful hymn, sung by this trusting Christian, all unconscious that deliverance was so near, came over the waves to their

ears:

"Jesu, lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the waters near me roll,
While the tempest still is high;
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,

Till the storm of life be past;
Safe into the haven guide,

Oh! receive my soul at last."
In due time the vessel arrived in
America. The mother wrote to
her friends in England, and thus
the father learned of the safety of
his wife and child, and in about

Alleghany mountains, on their way eastward. They were crowded with passengers. As the iron horse snorted and rushed on, they began to feel that they had begun to descend, and needed no power but the invisible power of gravitation to send them down with terrific swiftness. Just as the passengers began to realise their situation, they came to a short curve cut out of the solid rock-a wall of rock lying on either side. Suddenly the steam whistle screamed as if in agony, "Put on the brakes! put on the brakes!" Up pressed the brakes, but with no apparent slackening of the cars. Every

Not

window flew open, and every head was a widow, concerned about that could be was thrust out to see little money which she much what the danger was, and every needed at the time, but did not one rose up in his place, fearing know whence to procure. sudden destruction. What was the being himself able at that instant trouble? Just as the engine to furnish her with it, he said, "I began to turn in the curve, the likewise believe you must have the engineer saw a little girl and money; I accordingly turn this her baby brother playing on the hour-glass, and assure you that if track. In a moment the cars the money is really needed, it will would be on them; the shriek of positively lie here on the table the whistle startled the little girl, before the hour-glass is run down. and every eye, looking over, could If it does not lie here, God will see them. Close to the rail, in the convince us, after this hour, that it upright rock, was a little niche, was not as indispensable as we out of which a piece of rock had imagine." The hour-glass was been blasted. In an instant the scarcely run out one half when a baby was thrust into this niche, messenger arrived, who had traand as the cars came thundering versed an eight hours' walk, bringby, the passengers, holding their ing a small amount which was breath, heard the clear voice of the owing to Fresenius. This money little sister on the other side of the rejoiced mother and son more than cars ring out, "Cling close to the if they had received a large capital, rock, Johnnie! cling close to the for they considered it a real merock!" And the little creature morial of Divine help received. snuggled in and put his head as close to the corner of the rock as possible, while the heavy cars whirled past him. And many were the moist eyes that gazed, and many a silent thanksgiving went up to Heaven. In a few hours the cars stopped at a station, where an old man and his son got out of the cars. He had come so far to part with his child, who was going to an Eastern city to live, while the aged father was to turn back to his home. All the dangers that would harass the son seemed to crowd into the heart of the father, as he stood holding the hand of his boy, just now to part with him. He sobbed, and the tears filled his eyes, and all he could Cling close to the Rock, my son!" He wrung the hands of his child, and the passengers saw him standing alone, doubtless praying that his inexperienced_son might cling close to the Rock

was,

Christ Jesus.

say

1378. Divine Help.-It is recorded of Fresenius, a pious minister at Frankfurt-on-the-Main, that he one day found his mother, who

1379. "Jesus can Save Me."General H- used to take his little son into his arms and talk with him about Jesus. The little

boy never grew tired of that "sweet story." It was always new to him. One day, while sitting in his Would my little son like to go to father's lap, his papa said to him, swered. "But," said the father, heaven?" "Yes, papa," he anlittle heart is full of sin. How can "how can you go to heaven? Your you expect to go where God is ?" "But all are sinners, papa," the little fellow answered. That is true," replied the father; "and yet God has said that only the pure in heart shall see Him. How, then, can The dear little fellow's face grew my little boy expect to go there?" very sad. His heart seemed full, his head in his father's bosom and, bursting into tears, he laid and sobbed out, "Papa, Jesus

can save me."

1380. Nunnia's Trust.- -The following is extracted from Dr. Krummacher's "Elisha :"- On Mount Caucasus, in Georgia, there is a people, anciently known by the

name of Iberians, who in the early vise them; but, she added, with a part of the fourth century, when all smiling countenance, "I could direct around them was spiritual and you to One who is not only able to moral darkness, like the shadow of restore the child to health, but who, death, became possessed of the were it already dead, can even blessings of the Gospel in the fol- recover it to life." The afflicted lowing remarkable manner. The parents eagerly inquiring who the Iberians, having been successfully person was and where he might be at war with a neighbouring people, found, she replied, “He is a great among whom Christianity had and mighty Lord, who fills the gained some ground, brought away throne of heaven, but He willingly a young captive Christian maiden, humbles Himself to those who seek and sold her into slavery. The Him, and He is all compassion and child was purchased by a reputable love." They implored her to fetch family, who as little suspected as Him. The maiden immediately did Naaman's wife the value of retired to bow her knees before her the purchase they had made. For Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to the maiden was a vessel of Divine whom she prayed, "Manifest Thymercy, and, profusely as her tears self, O Lord, for Thine own glory; might have been shed in secret, she show Thyself, and grant Thy help." found consolation in her Saviour, And on returning to the child, with and quietly and willingly per- the joyful assurance in her heart formed all and even more than that the Lord had heard her petiwas required of her. By her obli- tion, lo, the child opened its eyes, ging disposition and great fidelity, smiled, and was restored. In a which were rare qualities among transport of joy, the happy parents the Iberians, she soon acquired the returned home with their treasure, confidence and affection of those and related to every one they met around her. It one day happened what a great and glorious event that, according to the custom of the had taken place. But to Him who country, a sick child was carried had wrought this miraculous cure about the neighbourhood from door the honour was not ascribed; it to door, in hope that some one was given exclusively to the little might be able to suggest a remedy slave, whom they now regarded for its disease. But none could as a supernatural being. The rerender the least assistance, and port flew quickly through the most people wondered that any country, and soon reached the ears hope of the child's recovery should of the Queen, who, not long afterbe entertained; so that the poor wards herself becoming sick, parents with their dying infant thought immediately of the little proceeded on their melancholy slave. She sent messengers to reround with increasing despondency quest that she would visit her, but and fear. At length it occurred to Nunnia declined the invitation, them to show the child to the ami- for she was greatly distressed that able stranger; they thought it they should persist in ascribing to possible that in her country a cure her an honour that belonged to for its complaint might be known, her Lord alone. The Queen, howwith which she might be acquainted; ever, determined to visit her in and as no other resource appeared, person, and ordered herself to be it was resolved upon as a last re- conveyed to the house where sort. The bed was immediately Nunnia served. The maiden was carried to the house where Nunnia, greatly affected at seeing her. She the Christian maid, lived as a do- prayed again, and the Queen likemestic slave. On hearing their wise was restored to health. desire, she remarked, with some raus, the King, was overjoyed when embarrassment, that she was but he saw his beloved consort return a poor girl, and quite unable to ad- in health, and made instant pre

Mi

He re

King, having proceeded a few steps,
regained his track, and recognised
the place where he was.
turned home in safety, but deeply
affected. He related his adventure
to his Queen, and they no longer
doubted that the God of the little
slave was the living and true God,
for they had experienced and felt
Him to be so. The next morning
they repaired to Nunnia; for they
thought that she, before all others,
ought to hear what great things
had come to pass. With consider-
able emotion the King related also
to her the wonderful event, and
then both the King and the Queen
kindly took the maiden by the
hand, and entreated her to tell
them more of Jesus. From that
moment the royal pair were seen
sitting like teachable children at
the feet of the lowly slave, and
Nunnia proclaimed to them, with
unaffected simplicity, all that she
herself knew of her Saviour, and of
His wonderful works. They listened
to her words with avidity, and their
hearts melted and burned within
them. Nor was it long before a
still more interesting sight pre-
sented itself, for both the King
and the Queen thought that they
could not confer a greater benefit
on their people than by proclaim-
ing to them the blessed Gospel,
which informed them of God as
having been manifest in the flesh.
The King, therefore, preached to
the men, and the Queen to the
women and maidens; the Lord
blessed the message, and the
people received the good word
with gladness. Jesus entered the
hearts as well as the habitations of
these savage hordes, and a new crea-
tion sprang up in the gloom of their
moral desolation. On the ruins
of their idolatrous altars were
erected cheerful Christian edifices,
which loudly resounded with the
praises of Him who also had here
searched for His own sheep, and
sought them out.

parations to send the richest and most costly presents to her who was thought to have performed so great a miracle. But the Princess dissuaded him from it, assuring him that it would afflict the mysterious child, for that she despised all earthly wealth, and could only be rewarded for her services by their worshipping her own God with her. The King was not a little astonished; but the circumstance made for the present no further impression upon his mind. Upon the whole, it appears that the flash of celestial light which these two extraordinary cures had brought into the darkness of Iberia produced at this period no lasting effects. It happened, however, not very long afterwards, that the King, being on a hunting-party, and following his game with unusual ardour, lost himself in the depths of a wood. In this situation he was surprised by a dense fog, which quite separated him from his train, and every effort to extricate himself only served to entangle him more in the solitary wilderness. Evening approached, and his embarrassment became extreme. He sounded his horn, but the answer he received was from the echoes of the surrounding cliffs, which increased his feelings of loneliness. It was now he remembered what the foreign maiden had said of the power of her great invisible King, whose throne and habitation were on high, but who was everywhere present with those that sought Him. "If this be true," thought Miraus, "what is there to prevent His appearing for me?" As the thought arose, he bent his knee in the solitary wilderness, and prayed, "O Thou whom the stranger calls her God! Jesus, if Thou art, and art almighty, oh show it now, and recover me out of this perplexity. If Thou openest for me a way of escape, my heart, my life, and all that I have shall be Thine." The words were no sooner uttered than the dark mist began to disperse, the heavens appeared 1381. Passage "through the serenely blue, and the astonished Waters."—A Christian traveller

writes: "On our homeward voyage | of hurricanes; now I was to meet from the Far West we had some one on the waters. Again those terrific storms, and in the Gulf of words, I will be with thee,' rose Mexico we were on the very borders up in my heart, sending great of a hurricane. The dense black calm through my whole frame. clouds, gathering in companies all Just in the west those silvery lines round the horizon, brought with on the clouds, of which I have them twilight before its time, and before spoken, became brighter. there was something terrific in so It was evident that the vapour much darkness whilst the sun was was thinner. Suddenly the clouds actually in the heavens. We pas- parted, and a flood of golden light sengers looked at each other as the was poured forth. "The danger captain and the mate talked of our is past; all will be right now, being in for the worst of it,' May,' cried the captain's cheerful saying that the ladies must soon voice. 'We have had, thank God, go below. One sailor there was, a but the shadow of the storm." weather-beaten yet bright-looking old man, who seemed a favourite 1382. Poor Man's Trust.-A with all. In consideration of his clergyman was once called to visit age he was given light work to do, a poor man in a remote part of the and had during our voyage been country. He was lying dangerously continually employed in sail-mend- ill in a mean cottage. In answer ing, so that, from sometimes to the inquiries of the doctor, the conversing with him, a kindliness, poor man said, "Sir, I am very of feeling had sprung up between near the grave; my religion is the us. 'Is there a great deal of same as Job's was (chap. xiii. 15): danger in this approaching storm, Though He slay me, yet I will May?' I said, for that was his trust in Him.' I was born in sin, name, though time had carried him and by my evil ways plunged myfar into winter. Yes, miss,' he self in the miry clay; but God has replied, looking round at me with mercifully preserved me from the one of those bright, trustful smiles horrible pit, and set my feet upon so peculiar to the aged whose hope a Rock, and that Rock is Christ is sure. 'Yes, miss, indeed there Jesus." Have you never any is danger; but remember who says, doubts ?" asked the minister. "When_thou passest through the "Yes, sir," said he, "when I begin waters, I will be with thee.' 'He to reason, I think that He who is with you, May,' I said; 'pray can pardon must be greater than that He may be with me.' The He who suffered, but when I open sailor was called hastily away, and my Bible, faith tells me that my we ladies were hurried down below. Saviour is equal to the Father; to The storm seemed silently to have Him who was crucified, I can say approached us, for the ocean rolled and heaved as if in anticipation of the battle it must have with the winds. In the hurry of preparation -for the approach of these hurricanes is very sudden-they had neglected to put up the dead-light in the corner of the after-cabin, so I sat there on the locker, watching the low line of shore, which was partially concealed in a white mist, and the dense clouds streaked here and there with silver-grey and hanging in dark masses on the waters. I had heard-I had read

My Lord and my God." The doctor inquired into his temporal circumstances, and, finding they were very low, asked if he wanted anything. "Oh, sir," replied he, "I am a poor man, and if I were to begin wanting, I might go on to the end of my days. I have everything I can expect, and have learned therewith to be content." On being pressed to name anything that might add to his comfort, he said that he should be thankful for a little vinegar to moisten his lips.