saved; you will then sorrow for your sins, and "I now know that the Father hears me-that I have a Friend in heaven who has promised

"Old Sally;"

FIED IN THE CONVERSION OF A PHARISEE AT THE
AGE OF NINETY.

turn away from them.” At my next visit, John expressed his thank-never to leave me, nor forsake me,' and who OR, THE POWER OF FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS EXEMPLItells me to ask, and I shall receive.' On a subsequent visit, when asked if his "The soul is built for heaven, and the ship for the ocean; and peace continued, his answer was—“It does. I see more and more the all-sufficiency of Christ's work for me; but oh! sir, I never thought I was so great a sinner."

fulness for the light which our former conversation had been the means of throwing into his mind; but another difficulty had 'presented itself, and he said

"I can now see clearly that God calls on sinners to accept pardon at once, and that, when I am enabled to believe His word from my heart, I have both repentance and faith ; but still I cannot see how I can finally be saved without works."

66

blessed be the hour which gives both to its own element."

IN one of the most ancient cities in the West of England, which from its situation was named Caer Oder, the city of chasm or gap, dwelt for nearly a century Sally

Bless the Lord," I said, "if His Spirit is From what could be learned of her former discovering to you your own vileness, as well as the complete salvation effected for you by maintaining for some years a sick husband, history, she was an honest, industrious body, Jesus. It requires light in the soul to show and bringing up a large family, of whom she us the spots and stains of our in-dwelling boasted None had ever seen the inside of a prison." To these good qualities, Sally added regular attendance at church, occasionally receiving the sacrament; so that in her own estimation she fulfilled to the utmost God's requirements and her own responsibilites; for

"Do you mean good works done by you corruption. Read the 7th chapter of Romans, after you repent and believe? If so, the and it will show you the Spirit-taught ChrisWord of God says explicitly, 'By grace ye are tian discovering the depth of sin which exists SAVED, through faith; and that not of your-in his fleshly nature, but it will show you also selves, it is the gift of God; not of works, iest his conflict with it, and his victory over it, any man should boast.' (Eph. ii. 8, 9.) No through Jesus Christ our Lord.'" The closing weeks of John B.'s life were work of your own, or act of another, can marked by perfect peacefulness. One day he make you a child of God, or secure your called his weeping wife to his bedside, and acceptance by Him. When you are a believer said: "Mary, if you only knew the change in the Lord Jesus, you have the privilege of that God has wrought in me, you would not being God's child. Your faith is the evidence grieve for me. I have peace in my soul, and I know that I am going to Jesus." Thus of your new birth; as it is written, 'Whososupported to the end, he entered into his rest. ever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born Reader, may you, too, study the work of Christ, and may the Holy Spirit lead you by that study to find the same peace in your soul which John B― enjoyed.

of God.' (1 John v. 1.) Here you see that if you have faith in Christ, you are born of God; you are His child, and consequently, an inheritor of His kingdom.

Could any

Oh, no, sir; it must be Christ's work."

Then, study that work, and you will see that it is a finished work-that God has accepted it as such-that, on the ground of that work which has made a full atonement

D.

THE ANGEL AND THE CHILD.
(A little boy, nine years old, cried the whole night through,
when they told him that his mother was dead! The next
morning he was found in his bed dying.)*

AN angel came earthward, all radiantly shining,
From the bright Spirit-land, to our sorrow-
stained shore;

I saw the bright messenger enter my door.

Death lately had passed through our homestead
forlorn ;

for sin, 'He can be just, and the justifier of At the day-dawn, while sadly in slumber reclining,
him that believeth in Jesus.' (Rom. iii. 26.)
Thus you will be led to trust to Him alone
for present pardon, and final salvation. You
will not then think of making God your
debtor, expecting Him to grant you eternal
life as the reward of good works."

Death, shorn of his terrors,-death, terrible still;
And there all the night till the dawning of morn,
A poor bereft child had been weeping his fill.
For the mother that bore him (though he not her
only one),
[went
Whom his heart had long clung to, but yesterday
To her home up in Heaven; and he, the poor
lonely one,
[lament.
Outpoured through the night-watch his childish

Seem'd the angel to sigh as he gazed on the weeper,
Some mandate of mercy he bore from on high,
For he stooped o'er the child, who now hushed as
a sleeper,

Lay still with pale cheek and all wondering eye,

fled!

Oh, mother! not long from thy child wert thou
parted;

And here, dear reader, I would pause in this narrative, and beg of you to observe, how this man, abandoning all creature merit, and willing to trust to Christ alone for present Oh, boy! ever-blest,-immortality's thine; peace and future glory, points out to you the Oh, heart-crushed survivor, be not broken-hearted, proper place which good works should occupy.

which heaven was to be her reward.

Alas! poor Sally, she knew not then the deceitfulness of her own heart, as she afterwards learnt it from the Word of God. And life, instead of from life? are there not thousands like her, working for

This dear old woman had long been seeking in her own strength and by her own works been able. Restless and unhappy, she still to enter the kingdom of God, and had not

kept on "feeling after God, if haply she teaching, she was brought to know that Jesus By the Holy Spirit's might find Him."

Christ alone must save her, and she "desired to see Jesus." Her religious intelligence had been awakened by the visits of a Christian officer who had put off his own armour, and

put ou" the armour of God; and who daily sought to bring sinners under the banner of divine love. In his visits of mercy to this, one of the poorest and most extensive parishes in England, this gentleman met with Sally,

and has kindly furnished the following parti

culars relative to her conversion.

tory.

The first time I saw her, I had called in to speak with a neighbour of her granddaughter's, in a different part of the neighbourhood to that in which she afterwards lived. In so doing, I was attracted by the sight of old Sally in the inner room, whom I understood then to be nearly 90 years of age, and that she had lived all her life in that parish. I spoke to her about her spiritual condition, but did not elicit anything satisfacthe locality in which she afterwards resided, and my attention was called to her as the individual in whom I had before been interested. her soul, and enquired her past history. She From that time I used to speak to her about generally replied, I used always to keep to my church, and was a quiet woman, and never loved rioting, or swearing, or singing; but,' she added, there warn't none of all that in my time, as it is now: they warn't half so bad as they be now, that they warn't! I always attended church till I took to nurse-tending, then I didn't go, 'cause I was always out.' My reply to her was, But do you think you are resting on the Lord Jesus, and that your soul is safe? No,' she said, 'I'm sure he aint; I be praying to God every day, Lord give me a new heart, and renew a right spirit within me; I do pray to Him, but I know I bean't saved.' I endeavoured to put the Word of God before her in different ways,

Some time afterwards I found her in

and present to her the full and free salvation

which is in Jesus Christ, to all who come unto God by Him, and that such as believe in Him may know that they have everlasting life. It was perhaps two or three years after I had first seen her, that I called to see her previous to leaving home for a few weeks. On that occasion I felt much înterest in the Word I was pressing upon her attention, and the simplicity, but power, of God's way of

giving life, namely, through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and relying on His finished work alone for salvation.

On my return about three weeks afterwards, old Nancy, her daughter, who used to remain behind almost every Sunday evening to ask me to go to see her mother, hobbled up in her usual manner after the preaching, and requested me to see her mother during the week. I replied, Perhaps I might do so; and thought little of it, as I always found her in the same state, and using much the same expressions with reference to her soul. I think, however, on this occasion Nancy (who was herself nearly seventy years of age) added, Mother has got something to tell you, sir.' I accordingly called, and found old Sally in bed, not from any particular illness, but from the infirmities of old age; and on asking her as to her spiritual state, she no longer expressed any doubt or fear, but seemed anxious to tell me how she had found relief to her mind from uncertainty and doubt. She said, You told me then to believe, and I did so, and He done it for me. I believed on Him, and I be safe; and now I know I be saved. I be born again of the Spirit, and He done it for me. He left me ninety-one years, and now He done it all himself. He is my Saviour now-my precious Saviour! and he has saved my precious soul.'

"Such was old Sally's statement, and I found in her a decided change from that time. She would listen, and look with the greatest earnestness, and thank me, and say, That's the good gentleman that told me to believe, and I did; and Jesus did it for me that Wednesday.'

He said, I must

"On one occasion it was remarked, 'How tion through His blood, even the forgiveness of gracious the Lord is in saving your soul, sins.' (Col. i. 14.) But here is more good news. Sally.' She replied, Blessed be His holy for you: if you believe in Christ Jesus as your name, He did it himself the Wednesday the Saviour, you are not only free from condemnakind, tall gentleman came. believe, and the Lord would save me; and tion, but you are accepted by God as His He has, precious Jesus. I did pray, and the child; for God not only says of the believer Lord did it. Precious Jesus, thou took this that he shall not come into condemnation,' heart of mine and made it thine, entirely shall not perish,' but He says also, ‘Ye thine.' are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.' (Gal. iii. 26.) Is not this precious news for you? But how does it happen that you believe this, and are comforted, and I tell this good news, in the same words, may to the next hundred people I meet with, and not one may believe it as you do?"

(To be continued.)

The Heart Lightened.
"Is anything making you uneasy?" I asked
of Margaret T-, a delicate young woman,
whom I was called to visit, and whose coun-
tenance wore an anxious look beyond what
illness usually produces.

"Yes, indeed," she replied; "I have been
praying for pardon of my sins, and have not
got it."

"Indeed, sir, I cannot tell; but it seems so plain and clear to me now, that I could not help believing it. How could I doubt God's

Word?"

"You have God to thank for it. If you "A very sufficient reason for uneasiness. Give can believe it, He has taught you. But is there no good news for you?" Him the glory. His Spirit alone can remove "Oh, I wish I knew; but I don't," she the unbelief which shuts the heart of every

said.

"There is very good news, if you could
believe it. The word Gospel means good
news. Now tell me what is the Gospel?"
"That Jesus Christ died to save sinners."

"True; but what good news is that to
you?”

it.

unconverted person against His Word. Many think they believe in Jesus, because they have been taught that He died on the cross to save sinners. You knew this well enough before, but it never lightened your heart. Now it has done so, because you believe it for yourself. You could not have denied the truth

of the Gospel. People generally acknowledge that Jesus Christ died upon the cross to save sinners, and in a careless way they believe it —that is, they don't deny it; but they don't believe it for themselves; and so it neither comforts nor changes the heart.

But when

"None at all. I know he died for sinners; but that does not seem like good news to me." "This is simply because you do not believe "Old Sally lived about three years after her conversion. Her mind, though gradually The Scripture tells us that we all are impaired by weakness, was on divine things sinners, and, as such, deserve eternal punishclear to the last, and she recognized her friends ment, but that God so loved this guilty world with expressions of pleasure, asking them to as to give His only Son to suffer the punish-the truth is really believed, you see now what pray, or telling them she was thinking about her precious Saviour.' It was hearing of ment that sinners deserved; so that God, comfort and peace it brings." this remarkable conversion that induced the being satisfied with what Jesus has done writer to seek her dwelling- -a task by no and suffered on behalf of sinners, can now means easy to one not familiar with the neigh-say to you or me, or any other sinner, ‘WHObourhood, which consisted of a labyrinth of narrow streets and warehouses, and tall chim-SOEVER believeth in him shall not perish, but neys, so enclosed as to render poor Sally's have everlasting life. You know that it is humble retreat almost inaccessible; but once written, He put away sin by the sacrifice of found, it could afterwards be reached with himself;' 'He bare the sins of many.'” little difficulty; and the visit could not be otherwise than most pleasant to those to whom the service of the Lord is a delight.

"Not far from the old churchyard was a row of old houses and narrow passages, at the end of one of which Sally lived. Some dirty, miserable looking people were standing about, or peeped out of their hovels.

The

door to poor Sally's room was open, as if to welcome the visitor; but there was nothing to invite an entrance, had its lonely occupant not been there. It presented only a scene of poverty, such as is not often looked upon.

"Be thankful to the Lord if it be so. Many people think that believing that Christ is able and willing to save them is faith; but surely no one could deny his ability, for He is Almighty; and no one should doubt His willingness, for He laid down His life to save sinners. But how few there are who believe in Him as being not only willing and able to save them, but as having actually done it, by His atoning "Oh, sir! don't you tell me that Christ has sufferings and death, in their stead, so that done it all?"

“Oh, sir," she suddenly exclaimed, "that
takes a great load off my heart."
"What does?" I asked.

"Yes; God sent Him into the world to

they are saved solely by and through Him!" "Well, sir," she said, "for my part, I could not venture to doubt that Jesus has done all

save sinners; and Jesus says, 'I have finished this for me, and that I am now pardoned and the work that thou gavest me to do.'"

saved through faith in Him."

"Oh, sir!" she again exclaimed, "that The sequel proved that this was the Spirit's takes a great load off my heart." work. Margaret T- recovered from this illness, and enjoyed tolerable health for three "Do you believe it?" I asked. years. Her life was one of simple faith in "Oh yes!" she said. "Why should I not the Son of God: her desire was to know believe it, when God

"It was a cold and gusty morning, and volumes of smoke occasionally poured down the chimney of the room, which rendered it necessary to have this opening for its escapethe patched and broken windows not admitting of ventilation. On a miserable bed in the corner of this room sat poor Sally; her fine old Roman features beamed with heavenly joy; her hands were clasped, and her eyes were gazing upwards, as in rapturous thought. "Well, now," I said, "if you do from your I stood for a moment unperceived. The con-heart believe it, you have what you were trast of external privation around her, and the inward happiness which illuminated her praying for-the pardon of your sins; for God hath said, By him, all that believe are countenance, was striking. When she ceived me she exclaimed, Blessed be His justified from all things.'" (Acts xiii. 39.) holy name; He has saved me in my ninetyone year; He has ta'en away the heart of stone, and given me a heart to love Him. Blessed Jesus, thou hast saved me, and I

more and more of the great salvation. Regu-
larly, as her health permitted, she attended
gospel preaching on the Lord's day, and was
more anxious than able to be regular at her
weekly Bible-class. She spoke to others of
Jesus; and never for a moment did she doubt
the completeness of His work for her own
salvation. And when the time arrived that
she must die, she was calm and prepared;
and the last word of comfort which she gave
to her aged and sorrowing relative was-
Grandmother, do not fret about me.
I am
going to Jesus!"
Reader, has the good news lightened your
heart? It comforts those who believe. It
brings peace to their souls. It changes their
hearts. It is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth. Has it saved you?
Are you safe in Jesus?

D.

Believe the Truth.
JOHN viii. 46.

I

A DEAR young man, a friend of mine, has for a long time been in deep distress about his soul. He has often been directed to the "FINISHED" work of Christ, yet still remains in darkness of mind. He writes to me and says, “I must say what passes in my mind, or I cannot tell the consequences. think in my last to P- , I declared my firm conviction to be, that I was none of Christ's, and now I am sure of the fact. I am thoroughly wretched, and plainly perceive that nothing can satisfy my hungry soul but Jesus Christ, and yet I am compelled to conclude, that I can never possess Him. In my heart there is an aching void which none but He can fill, and until it is occupied, and that too, by the desired tenant, I can never, no never, experience that peace of mind which is my heart-felt desire, but which, alas! I do

not to trust him.
cerning God, "Does God speak the truth?"
"He cannot lie;" then
You must answer,

Now ask the same con

THE FOUNTAIN OPENED.
Zech. xiii. 1.

might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and that BELIEVING ye might
have life through his name." (John xx. 31.)
Faith is receiving as true what God declares hesitate not to trust in Jesus, who has shed
to be so. An unbeliever is one who rejects his blood for the remission of sins, and thus
God's testimony, and refuses to credit God's the "fountain" is "opened" to cleanse you
Word. The faith which saves the soul, and from "uncleanness."
which we call “saving faith," is just simply
receiving as true what God in the gospel tells
us about Jesus as the way of salvation, and
trusting in Him wholly. When I receive
God's Word as perfectly true, and trust to its
testimony, I know I am saved. God's testi-
mony is true, whether we believe it or not.
As we rest on that testimony, we experience
its truth by realizing its efficacy. The truth
of the gospel concerning Christ is the instru-
ment employed by the Holy Spirit, in the
conversion of sinners. Jesus is the provision
made in the gospel for the soul's salvation.
Believe, and Christ is yours.

Many persons, anxious persons I mean, complain because they do not feel enough. Now, let all such know, that they never can feel until they believe. Your want of feeling is a sin, but do not add to that sin, the want of believing. You are not to make a saviour of your feelings, Jesus Christ is the only Saviour, and in Him you are to trust.

Believe

that Christ died for "SINNERS," and that
there is a SUFFICIENCY in Christ's work for
You, yea, for all who "come unto God by
him." (Heb. vii. 25.) Bear in mind, you
either believe the gospel, or you do not be-
lieve it. If you believe it, you are saved.
If you do not believe it, you are lost.
work of the Lord Jesus is a

The

"FINISHED"

not possess. A few months ago, I fondly
fancied myself in the possession of the Cruci-
fied One, and talked to all who would listen to
me, about my happiness and safety. I buoyed
myself up with the beautiful promises which
are so fruitful of bliss to those who unfeign-
edly repent and truly believe .Christ's holy
gospel. I fancied myself strengthened thereby
for the battle, and when Satan paused for a
moment, like Apollyon, but to recruit his
strength, I believed myself a conqueror
!
Fool, that I was, there is nothing in heaven
for me. But while I have been listening to
the words of eternal life, and seemed to
draw comfort there from; while I have been
praising God with the lip, in the deep recesses work, trust it, and your redemption is com-
of my heart I have heard the bitter laugh of
plete. In Christ's work you have a full reve-
scorn rising in a tempest of wrath, untillation of God's justice and love. His justice
have almost laughed aloud, and called all
"dolts" who have so worshipped their Creator.
I have branded myself a superstitious fool
for giving credit to what I heard, and have
miserably failed. I date this awful, startling,
retrograde movement from the time I com-
menced To DOUBT GOD'S WORD. My peace
of mind then vanished, and I began to feel
wretched. Yet I cannot give up all hope; I
still do look to the faint glimmering ray which
seems struggling to make itself seen; but,
oh! what will be the end of this? My heart
is full, I wish to weep."

up

What a fearful state has this young man brought himself into, because he dared "to doubt God's word." Instead of giving himself with humility of soul, and with childlike confidence, to the guidance of God's Word, he began to entertain infidel thoughts, and, in the pride and haughtiness of his unbroken heart, dared to question the Divine veracity of His Maker. Might not Jesus address him as He addressed the Jews in His own day. “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?" (John viii. 45, 46.) Believing there are many in the same deplorable state of mind as this young man, we purpose briefly stating the simple gospel, in plain words, that such may be enabled at once to see, that salvation can only be obtained by believing. "These are written, that ye

in punishing the Substitute. His love in
pardoning the sinner. While you are igno-
rant of Christ, you cannot love God, because
your conscience tells you He must punish you
as a sinner; but when you know Christ, then
you can trust in God, because you see how He
can retain His justice, and yet give you salva-
tion. They that know thy name will put
their trust in thee." (Psalm ix. 10.)

66

Never forget, it is your duty to believe what
God declares to you in His Word, and your
unbelief is your sin. Yea, persisted in, your
unbelief will prove, above and beyond all
others, your damning guilt. "He that be-
lieveth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already,
he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God. And this is the con-
demnation, that light is come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light,

because

A FOUNT there is of "precious blood,"
To cleanse vile souls from sin;
Whoever there now wash their guilt,
Are made for ever clean.
Ye wretched, weary, burden'd souls,

Who know your shame and sin;
Come to the Fountain as you are,

And you shall be made clean.
Just as you are, poor sinner, come,

With your black heart of sin;
What though your soul be black as hell,
Jesus can make you clean.

Yea, come at once, make no delay,
Say not, "I've too much sin;"
For Jesus to the utmost saves,

And makes the vilest clean:
What! dost thou say, "I have no power-
I am so dead in sin:"
Then thou art just the very soul,

Whom Jesus would make clean.
'Tis true, thou canst not cleanse thyself,
For thou art nought but sin;
But Jesus can, yea, Jesus will,

If thou wilt be made clean.
Then come, yea, come, dear Jesus saith,
Large draughts of love drink in ;
And you shall taste, and feel, and know,
That Christ hath made you clean.
Now, dear reader, hesitate no longer, but
obey the invitation, and resolve,

To this dear Fountain I'll repair,
Though deeply dyed with sin:

If in this Fountain I am washed,
I know I shall be clean.

Dear Saviour, come and take my soul,
And plunge it in that stream:
For then I know, e'en God will say,
Poor sinner, thou art clean.”

66

T. W. M.

Praying and Watching.
IN the course of a summer of excessive

drought, when the grain suffered greatly, and
many of the cattle, especially in Lincolnshire,
named Samuel Hick, was much affected with
died, a village blacksmith of Micklefield,
the trials of his neighbours. He visited
Knaresborough, where he preached on the
Lord's day. Remaining in the town and
neighbourhood over the Sunday, he appeared
extremely restless in the house in which he
resided, during the whole of Monday. He
spoke but little-was full of thought-now
praying-now walking about the room-next
sitting in a crouching posture-then suddenly
starting up and going to the door, turning
his eyes towards heaven, as if looking for
some celestial phenomenon-when he would
again return, groan in the spirit, and resume
his seat. The family being impressed with
his movements, asked whether anything was
the matter with him, or whether he expected
the door so frequently. "Bless you, bairns,"
any person, as the occasion of his going to

say, "I am seeking Christ, and cannot find
him;" it is not so, Christ is seeking you.
"Ye will not come to me, that ye
might have life." If you desire to credit
man's word, all you ask is, "Does he speak was his reply, "do you not recollect that I
the truth?" and if he does so, you hesitate was praying for rain last night in the pulpit?

and what will the infidels of Knaresborough | lives;" another, "I wish we had not come; his prayers to God from a full heart, and to think if it do not come?-if my Lord should we have no life; we cannot get along;" a speak with words that burned into the very fail me, and not stand by me? But it must third, "I cannot think what is the matter." depths of the souls of the congregation. have time; it cannot be here yet; it has to The young man instantly burst into tears, and Both white and black hearers trembled, and come from the sea. Neither can it be seen at said, "I know what is the matter-my poor wept, under the power with which he prayed first; the prophet only saw a bit of cloud, like old mother is now praying for her ungodly and wept before them. But amidst the feara man's hand; by and by it spread along the son." He took his hat, and said, “I will sky. ful contingencies of slavery, even in its most I am looking for an answer to my never be found in such a place as this again;" alleviated circumstances, Cuff, through the prayer; but it must have time.” He con- and left the company. To be short, the Lord death of his master, fell into the possession tinued in the same unsettled state-occasion-converted his soul. of a spendthrift son, who soon sold him by ally going out, and looking with intensity on the public auction for the benefit of clamorous pure azure sky over his head; for a more uncreditors. He was purchased by an infidel,

Praying mothers! be in earnest in pleading with God for your children's souls. Our God

clouded heaven was rarely ever seen. Contrary has a Father's heart; He is full of compassion, newly settled in life, whose youthful wife

66

to all external signs of rain, and contrary to
the expectations of all, except himself, the
sky became overcast towards evening, and
the clouds dropped the fatness of a shower
upon the earth. His very soul seemed to
drink in the falling drops. The family grouped
around him, and they sang,
I'll praise my
Maker while I've breath," &c.; and then, with
a countenance glowing with the sunshine of
heaven in his soul, he knelt down and prayed.
All were overpowered. It was a season of
refreshing from the presence of the Lord. In
this case Samuel's only weather-glass was the
Bible, in which he was taught to expect that
for which he prayed.

my

Let the Christian, who knows the privilege of praying to his heavenly Father in time of need, afresh consider the sweet promises of the Saviour" Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." (John xiv. 13, 14.) "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shal receive, that your joy may be full." (John xvi. 23, 24.) What precious words of encouragement for the poor and needy children of God! Did not Jesus mean what He said? Is He not "the true God?" Then should we not in prayer earnestly, believingly, and perseveringly plead the name of Jesus, and fully expect that whatsoever we ask the Father in that name, according to His will, He will both hear and answer us? Let not a sense

and waits to be gracious. Only believe. If
you have failed to bring your children up in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord, con-
fess your sin; for He is faithful and just to
forgive. Wait on God, and wait for God,
and in due time you will reap the fruit of
the many prayers you have presented to Him
in the name of Jesus.

"NOT NOW."

"He that had been possessed with the devil, prayed him
that he might be with him."-Mark v. 18.
Not now my child, a little more rough tossing,
A little longer on the billows' foam,-
A few more journeyings in the desert-darkness,
And then the sunshine of thy Father's Home!
Not now, for I have wand'rers in the distance,
And thou must call them in with patient love,
Not now, for I have sheep upon the mountains,
And thou must follow them where'er they rove.
Not now,--for I have lov'd ones sad and weary,
Sick ones, who need thee in their lonely sorrow,
Wilt thou not cheer them with a kindly smile?
Wilt thou not tend them yet a little while?

Not now,―for wounded hearts are sorely bleeding,
And thou must teach those widow'd hearts to

sing;

Not now,—for orphans' tears are thickly falling,
They must be gathered 'neath some sheltering
wing.

had before her marriage, often heard with deep feeling the addresses and prayers of Cuff. On making the purchase, he expressed to the insolvent owner his pleasure with Cuff's looks and manners, and inquired particularly what was the precise character to be received with him. The answer given was, that there would be nothing found in him objectionable to the purchaser, unless it was that he would pray, and attend the meeting. "If that be all," said the infidel, "I will soon whip that out of him." He took home his purchased slave, who, with a heavy heart, left his oid homestead, and his brethren in bondage, with whom he had so happily associated for worship. At the close of the first day's appointed labour, he went in search of a place for private prayer, which he found in a thicket of young trees near to his master's garden, and where he knelt and poured While forth his evening cries to heaven. thus engaged, he was overheard by his youthful mistress, who was walking in the garden; and when she heard him pray, not only for himself, but also for his new "massa" and his "missis," the deep fountain of her heart was broken up, and she wept greatly. On the ensuing Sunday, Cuff went some miles to the Methodist meeting, returning in the evening that he might be ready in time the next morning for his labour in the field. On Monday morning, his master asked him where he had been on the Sunday, when, not knowing the infidel character of his owner, he replied, I have been to the meetin', massa; and, bless the Lord, it was a good time!" "Cuff,” said his master, with an angry voice, "you must quit praying; I will have none of it about this place."-" Massa," said Cuff, "I will do anything you tell me dat I can do; but I must pray. My Massa in heaven commanded me to do so." "But you shall quit it," said his master; "and you shall promise A GAY, dissipated young man went one day to me now to do so, or I will whip you." "I his pious mother, and said, Mother, I am cannot do one or de oder, massa," said the slave. going to a ball to-night." She expostulated Then follow me, you obstinate with him, and urged him not to go by every negro," said the master, inflamed with pasargument in her power. He answered, sion, "and we will see whose authority is to "Mother, I will go; and it is useless to say be obeyed." The slave was led forth, stripped anything about it." When he was going out of the few tattered garments that covered his she stopped him, and said, "My child, do not person, was tied to a tree, when the infidel go." He said he would. Praying Cuff, the Negro Slave. master, full of anger, inflicted twenty-five him, " My son, while you are dancing with A NEGRO, whose name was Cuff, became heavy strokes of the cowhide lash upon him your gay companions in the ball-room, I shall eminent for his devotedness to Christ, and with his own hands. "Now, Cuff," said the be praying to the Lord to convert your soul." for the exemplification of Christian graces master, "will you quit praying?" "No, He went. The ball commenced; but instead among his brethren. Being a man of supe- massa," said the bleeding slave; "I will pray of the usual gaiety, an unaccountable gloom rior intelligence, he was solicited to conduct to Jesus as long as I live." He gave him pervaded the whole assembly. One said, religious services in the absence of the minis- twenty-five lashes more, and that with terrible "We never had such a dull meeting in our ter; and in these he was wont to pour forth severity. "Now," said the monster of cruelty,

of our unworthiness hinder our confidence, seeing we are not instructed to pray in our own names; but rather let us believe that God, who alone knows the infinite worth and fragrance of the name of Jesus, will for Christ's sake answer our prayers.

A Mother's Prayers.

66

She then said to

Not now,-for many a hungry one is pining,
Thy willing hand must be outstretch'd and free;
Thy Father hears the mighty cry of anguish,

And gives His answering message unto thee.

Not now, for dungeon walls look stern and gloomy,
And pris'ners' sighs sound strangely on the breeze,
Man's pris'ners, but thy Saviour's noble free-men;
Hast thou no ministry of love for these?
Not now,-for hell's eternal gulf is yawning,
And souls are perishing in hopeless sin;
Jerusalem's bright gates are standing open,
Go to the banished ones, and fetch them in!
Go with the name of Jesus to the dying,

And speak that Name in all its living power;
Why should thy fainting heart grow chill and

weary,

Canst thou not watch with me one little hour?

One little hour!-and then the glorious crowning,

The golden harp-strings and the victor's palm,-
One little hour!-and then the Hallelujah!
Eternity's long, deep thanksgiving psalm!
C. P.

64

“No,

66

me

"you will quit praying, won't you?"
massa,' was the meek slave's reply;
will pray while me live." On hearing this,
the monster flew upon his victim with the
utmost fury, until, from sheer exhaustion, he
could strike no longer. "Now, you infernal
nigger, will you cease praying?" asked the
master, "No, massa," answered the bound
and bleeding slave; "you may kill me, but I
must pray!" "Then you shall be whipped
as much as this every time you pray or go to
the meeting." The slave was unbound from
the tree; he gathered up his clothes, crawled
to his gloomy hut, and when he had reached
it, he was heard to sing within it, in a plain-
tive voice-

"My suffering time will soon be o'er,
Then shall I sigh and weep no more;
My ransom'd soul shall soar away,
To sing God's praise in endless day."
While this cruel conduct had been pursued,
the young mistress had been looking through
the window in tears; and when her husband
returned into the house, she said, "My dear,
why did you whip that poor negro so much
for praying? there is no harm in that."
"Silence!" said the enraged husband; "not
a word upon it, or I will give you as much."
Through the remainder of the day the infidel
husband raved like a madman. He cursed all

on

Ver. 3. "For even Christ pleased not Peter, who was sent "unto the circumcision," Himself," &c. But this in a far higher way Gal. ii. 7, 9, it being very questionable if he than with us, for "the reproaches," or out- was ever at Rome at all. Ministering the rages against His Holy God and Father fell Gospel of God." The word signifies "exerHim. There was not a dishonour done cising the priesthood," "doing the office of a by disloyal Jews to the name of Jehovah, priest" in the gospel. The meaning may be, that did not fall on Him, who was His faith-that occupied in the gospel, he was daily as a ful representative on earth. priest presenting the Gentiles, in order that they might be acceptable through the Holy Ghost. It is difficult to suppose that it means anything connected with those already in the Lord. It is rather the general aspect of his service of intercession for the Gentiles, on whose behalf his apostleship was given him. them daily in (Acts xxii. 21, xxvi. 17, 18.) He offered

Ver. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime." &c. He testifies to the value of the Old Testament Scriptures, as pointing directly to Christ as our example. that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

Vers. 18, 19. "For I will not dare to speak," &c. He touches upon the vast range of his labours "to make the Gentiles obedient," owned as they were by accompanying signs and wonders, so that from Jerusalem up to the Illyrian coast he had " • fully preached the Gospel of Christ."

and consolation, it is because God manifests
Vers. 5, 6. If the Scriptures teach patience
prayer "sanctified by the Holy
Himself in that character to the saints, Ghost;" or, perhaps, according to v. 19, his
and is to be so addressed. He is the labours were sanctified, being owned in the
God of patience and consolation," grant- miracles of the Spirit of God.
ing us to be "like-minded one towards
another, according to Christ Jesus." The
meaning is, that we are to use the same
patience and consolation towards us, that we
may "with one mind and one mouth glorify
God," &c. Mutual grace constitutes that
bond of peace which, whilst it maintains us
in fellowship one with another, presents us as
Vers. 20, 21. "Yea, so have I strived to
a witness to the world.
preach the gospel, not where Christ was
Ver. 7. Wherefore receive ye one ano-named." He was most anxious to preach in
ther," &c. This is the conclusion towards places where others had not laboured, and he
which he has been drawing, and at which he makes a comprehensive use of Isaiah lii. 15
arrives, and upon the ground of Christ's (Septuagint) in principle, as a reason for
pleasing not Himself.
this purpose.

66

"Now I

Vers. 8. 9, begin a new subject. say that Jesus Christ was a minister (servant) of the circumcision," &c. He speaks of the the negro race, and he cursed God for creating mission of Jesus Christ in a different way them. Night came; he writhed with agony promises-"the truth of God." from salvation; namely, in the way of past It is more on his bed. Before the morning dawned, he public government than salvation. It is true, exclaimed, "I fear I shall be damned! Oof course, that His future government, (and God, have mercy upon me! Is there any one the subsequent quotations speak of salvato pray for me?" None," said the wife, tion ("mercy") and government ("reign") combined,) can only take effect through "unless it be the poor negro you have whipped resurrection, for all the promises are thus so severely." "He will not pray for me," established. (Acts xiii. 34.) But still His said the husband. "He will, I am sure,' permanent rule has not before been alluded said the wife. "Then send for him without to, although the restoration and establishment delay; for I cannot live as I am," said the of His Jewish people (chap. xi.) have. Now in Abraham's seed all the promises were to husband. Cuff was sent for. He came, sore be confirmed, which promises embraced the and bleeding, expecting more ill-usage, when, Gentiles, "that the Gentiles might glorify to his great astonishment, he found his cruel God for His mercy." master bowed upon the floor of his room, and crying to heaven for mercy. "Cuff, will -can you pray for me?" was the earnest enquiry proposed to the bowed slave. "Yes, massa," was the prompt reply; "I have been praying for you and missis all night." They prayed and wept together until the heavy burden was removed from the awakened conscience, when the rejoicing master, springing to his feet, and throwing his arms around his dark slave, exclaimed, "Cuff, my forgiving with all joy and peace in believing." God Now the God of hope fill you brother, from this moment you are a free has before been revealed as the God of man!" The master formally emancipated his injured slave, and with his youthful wife, united himself to the Methodist Society. Afterwards, with Cuff, whom he engaged as chaplain to his estate, he preached that Jesus whose name he had blasphemed, and whose disciple he had scourged.-From Remarkable Answers to Prayer.

you

Vers. 10, 11, 12. A comparison of these
quotations shews that they come to pass at a
time subsequent to the present one of special
election and calling. The apostle has passed
out of proper Church truth to Millennial
times, when the Jew being central, and Christ
in dominion as king. He administers; or at all
of the world. It is quite different from such
events is truthfully owned by the governments
a statement as "us whom He hath called, not
of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles,"
which describes what now goes on.
Ver. 13. 66

Vers. 22, 23, 24. "For which cause also I have been much hindered," &c. He gives this anxiety to preach Christ in places where He was not known, as the hindrance to his coming to Rome where He was known. No record is given of this journey into Spain, which he here projected, purposing to take Rome on his way.

Vers. 25, 26. “ But now I go unto Jerusalem," (that is from Corinth, whence the epistle was written) "to minister unto the saints." (Gal. ii. 10.) This appears to have been his famous visit, of which we have the particulars in Acts xxi. xxii.

Ver. 27. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things," &c. This does not allude to things future, as if nothing more were revealed to us, or for us, than the earthly glory of the Jewish people; it means that the Gentiles had come into spiritual blessing, which originally belonged, and had been first preached, to the Jews (Rom. xi.), and indeed all the elementary truths of the Christian faith came from Judea. It was a matter of astonishment even to Peter (Acts x. xi.), that the Gentiles should partake of them.

Vers. 28, 29. "When therefore I have performed this," &c. He reiterates his purpose of coming by them to Spain, having carried these supplies to Jerusalem, and he is "sure" blessing of the Gospel of Christ." that he shall "come in the fulness of the

Ver. 30. "Now I beseech you, brethren, patience and consolation, in connexion with for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, &c....... the believer's walk; now He is the God of that ye strive together with me in your prayers hope," in connexion with the future glory of to God for me." Many instances do we find Christ (v. 2), for which we wait, "through the in the apostle's writings (2 Cor. i. 11, &c..) Power of the Holy Ghost." He being the of the anxiety which He felt for the prayers earnest and first-fruits of the future inheri- of the saints. Independent in character as tance. (viii. 3; Eph. i. 14.) Here is another he was, a man seemingly who could have division in the chapter. walked alone, a man of strong faith, and Vers. 14, 15, 16. "And I myself also am labouring "night and day" in prayer; yet persuaded of you my brethren, that ye are how he valued the fellowship of these feeble full of goodness." He speaks to the whole saints, who "for the love of the Spirit" Church. Being in Christ, they are filled with prayed for him. He seemed, whilst living all goodness and knowledge for mutual edi-alone to God, to have his heart's best affecfication: notwithstanding he reminds them of tions in the only family which he owned. the grace peculiar to him, that he "should namely, the saints. Oh! that we had in be the minister (public officer) of Jesus Christ these days more of this mutual help and to the Gentiles." After the apostle holding comfort. such language of his mission to the Gentiles, Ver. 31. "That I may be delivered from how singular that Rome, the metropolis of them which do not believe in Judea." He the west, should boast of a succession from seems always particularly to dread (1 Thess.