A PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

WE… AND OUR SABBATH OBSERVANCE

Dear friends,

In my last article about the above mentioned topic, I promised to write something about the way in which the Westminster Catechism guided the English-speaking Christians concerning the observance of the Sabbath. (Banner of Truth — April 1972). Due to my illness it took quite a while before I could do this, but the Lord has been good to me and now I will fulfil my promise.

In Question 117 of the Westminster Catechism it is asked: How is the Sabbath or Lord’s Day to be sanctified? The answer to that question is as follows: The Sabbath, or Lord’s Day, is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful; and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy) in the public and private exercise of God’s worship. And, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose, and seasonably to dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day. In Question 119 it is asked: What are the sins forbidden in the fourth commandment? This question is answered as follows: The sins forbidden in the fourth commandment are: all ommissions of the duties required, all careless, negligent, and unprofitable performing of them, and being weary of them; all profaning the day by idleness, and doing that which is in itself sinful; and by all needless works, words, and thoughts about our worldly employments and recreations.

It is significant that the Heidelberg Catechism’s answer to the question as to what God requires in the fourth commandment says nothing about what sins are forbidden. It only speaks of what one has to do to observe the Sabbath. For your convenience I have written the answer of the Heidelberg Catechism so that you can make a comparison of the answers in the two catechisms and form your opinion in this matter. Question 103 of the Heidelberg Catechism is: What does God require in the fourth commandment? And the answer reads: First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained; and that I, especially on the sabbath, that is, on the day of rest, diligently frequent the church of God, to hear His word, to use the sacraments, publicly to call upon the Lord, and contribute to the relief of the poor, as becomes a Christian. Secondly, that all the days of my life I cease from my evil works, and yield myself to the Lord, to work by His Holy Spirit in me: and thus begin in this life the eternal sabbath.

In comparing the answers of the two catechisms, one must keep in mind that the Westminster Catechism was composed in 1648 and the Heidel-berg Catechism in 1564. In the Westminster Catechism we hear the voice of the strict Puritan, and in the Heidelberg Catechism one finds the opinion of the European theologians. At the Synod of 1618–1619 a compromise was arrived at between the Puritan viewpoint and the opinion of the Calvinists (see the article of March 1972).

In the centuries that followed the Synod at Dordrecht in 1618–1619 we see time and again a wrestling of the christian church to overcome both a Sabbath observance according to the legalistic viewpoint and, on the other hand, a Sabbath observance wherein the claims of God’s Word are neglected. If we have at least an open conscience, then we can find this same battle in our hearts. One force wants to push aside a strict Sabbath observance, another force (The Holy Ghost) wants to honor God in a way consistent with God’s will. Blessed is he who knows by experience about the wrestling between the flesh and the Spirit, in whom at seasons the flesh is crucified and the delight in the service of God is experienced. Next time, D.V., more about us and our Sabbath observance.

Your friend,

Rev. A. Elshout

BIBLE QUIZ

Dear Boys and Girls,

Now that schools have opened again, we can imagine that all of you are busy with reading, writing, and arithmetic. So this month we will also have a quiz about numbers — that is, each question will be answered by a number. Only the numbers from 1 to 20 are used. There are nineteen questions, but there are two numbers not used, and one number used twice. Let’s see what you can do in finding the answers. Here are the questions — (By the way, the questions are mixed up, so the numbers are not in order).

1. Solomon was building his own house for________years.

2. Og, king of Bashan, had a bed which was_________cubits long.

3. The Lord Jesus said to Martha, “But_________thing is needful; and Mary has chosen that good part.”

4. In Joseph’s dream he saw the sun, moon, and_________stars bow to him.

5. Nebuchadnezzar said, “I see _________men walking in the midst of the fire.”

6. For how many pieces of silver did Joseph’s brothers sell him?

7. Rahab took the__________men and hid them.

8. After Job was restored to health, he had________thousand sheep.

9. The height of Goliath was ________cubits and a span.

10. Azariah was_________years old when he was made king of Judah.

11. How old was Mephibosheth when news came to them about Saul and Jonathan?

12. Hezekiah was told that the Lord would add_________years unto his days.

13. The mother of Moses hid him for ________months.

14. For how many years did Jacob live in the land of Egypt?

15. Elkanah said to Hannah, “Am I not better to you than________ sons?”

16. Adam lived__________hundred years after Seth was bom.

17. How many days had Lazarus been in the grave when Jesus came there?

18. When the children of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry land, they were commanded to take ________stones out of the midst and carry them to the place where they stayed the first night.

19. And Jacob said to Laban, “I will serve thee__________years for Rachel.”

The answers to the quiz of last month are as follows —

“Thou Shalt Not Covet” — Exodus 20:17

Taskmasters Exodus 1:7–11

Hating Exodus 18:17–26

Ordinances Exodus 18:17–26

Untoward Acts 2:38–40

Silver Acts 20:17–38

Hurt Daniel 6:23

Achan Joshua 7:20–21

Lord Psalm 10:3

Three Daniel 6:10

Naaman II Kings 5:20

Oliveyards II Kings 5:26

Ten I Samuel 18:6–7

Covetousness Luke 12:13–15

Ox Exodus 20:17

Violence Micah 2:l–2

Erred I Timothy 6:10

Tiller Genesis 4:2

Answers were received from the following boys and girls:

Neil Daniel Mast

Jane Renee Mast

Joylynn Mast

Laura Rosendall

Henry Rosendall

Jimmy Rosendall

Mary Vander Male

Lilly Ann Vander Male

Susan Van Ess

Richard Van Ess

Joan Lugthart

Val Lugthart

Marilyn De Maagd

Nancy Vande Stouwe

Todd Vande Stouwe

Donna Zaremba

Denise Zaremba

Carol Van Bemden

Dan Meeuwse

Mark Meeuwse

Sandy Van Giessen

Trudy Van Bledhuizen

Gary Van Giessen

Randy Van Giessen

Jim Westrate

Tim Westrate

Cheryl Kalee

Debbie Kalee

Karel Kalee

Bruce Blok

John Blok

John Van Zweden

Janet Van Zweden

Ralph Van Zweden

Mark Van Zweden

Joan Van Zweden

Mary Van Zweden

Neeltje Heykoop

Adrian Heykoop

Cornelia Heykoop

Helen Hevkoop

Billy Blaak

Janet Sweetman

Jenny Lee Sweetman

Judy Sweetman

Tunis Sweetman, Jr.

George Van Strien

Albert Bouma

Martin Oudshoorn

Diane Oudshoorn

Wilma Oudshoorn

( ? ) Oudshoorn

( ? ) Slingerland

1 (No Name-Grand Rapids)

Esther Van Ravenswaay

Randy Teunissen

Lisa Carlson

Dan Carlson

Linda Kamp

Mary Kamp

Henry Kamp

Betty Jean Kamp

John Vander Boon

Sue Vander Boon

Dave Verhey

John Verhey

Mary Erens

Sharon Erens

Julie Erens

Daryl Van Den Top

Eldon Van Den Top

Darlene Van Den Top

Gloria Van Den Top

Judy Van Den Top

Joyce Van Den Top

Jane Van Den Top

Amy Mieras

Laura De Vries

Robert Kamp

Barbara Kamp

Richard Kamp

Henrietta Stapel

Tim Van Stelle

Rudolph Stapel

Janice Stapel

John Stapel

Ella Kieboom

Arline Kieboom

Albert Van Grouw

Judy Slingerland

Harlan Rozeboom

Richard Rozeboom

Jane Ellen Vander Wiele

John Martin Vander Wiele

Linda Bleeker

Mark Blocker

Amy Lou Kaat

Darlene Velier

Gloria Rus

Harlan Rus

Melvin J. Rus

Marcia Kros

Gary Blok

Jim Van Giessen

Karl Van Oostenbrugge

Mary Van Oostenbrugge

John Marinus Goeman

Karen Goeman

David Goeman

Janet Groen

Adrian J. Bush

Nicholas Bush

Rhea Stubbe

Kathy Van Giessen

Ruth Boerkoel

Neal Boerkoel

Marilyn Van Ravenswaay

JoAnn Van Ravenswaay

Mary Kievit

Carla Schelling

Tammy Troff

Gary Roozenboom

Cindy Hoogendoorn

Gene Hoogcndoorn

Perry Hoogendoorn

Gary Kwekel

Nancy Kwekel

Kenny Van Wingerden

Billy Van Wingerden

Brian Van Grouw

Sharon Van Grouw

Frances Vander Meulen

Teresa Vander Meulen

Joyce Vander Meulen

Harmen Vander Meulen

Sidney Vander Meulen

Carol Wallenburg

Arlene Wallenburg

Wanita Wallenburg

Gordon Boluyt

Steve Boluyt

Maria Boonzaayer

Ruth Boonzaayer

Karel Boonzaayer

Ronald Van Wingerden

Billy Kroesbergen

Patricia Noorlander

Ken Noorlander

Gretta Noorlander

Nick Greendyk

Alida Greendyk

Bobby Greendyk

Tom Greendyk

David Greendyk

Billy Greendyk

Gywen Hoogerdoorn

LaRae Hoogerdoorn

Peter Feyter

Jeanette Slingerland

Nanette M. Mast

Willem Den Boer

Margaret Den Boer

Marilyn Kamp

Bill Kamp

Tom Kamp

Debbie Kamp

Ruth Kamp

Wendy Grisnich

Rhonda Grisnich

Cheryl Grisnich

Nelly Koppert

Alice Koppert

Christine Koppert

Peter Koppert

Elizabeth Koppert

Cornelius Van Wyk

Martin Van Wyk

Leslie Van Wyk

Billy Van Wyk

Sheryl Spaans

Mareia Spaans

Ken Spaans

Shirley Rus

Arnold Rus

John Korevaar

Andy Korevaar

Gladys Van Bochove

Donna Lynn Densel

Conny Boesterd

Francina Boesterd Kathleen den Hoed

Joleen den Hoed

Maryjean den Hoed

Mariene Van Veldhuizen

Henry Vandenberg

Cordy Vandenberg

John Vandenberg

Jeanette Vandenberg

Paul Vandenberg

Hermina Eaye Hubers

Donna Marie Hubers

Helen Hubers

Mareia D. Hubers

Kevin Verbeke

Robert Verbeke

Jacob Van Dalen (2)

Raymond Rieder

Kristine Rieder

Paul Van Wingerden

Stephan Vanden Brink

Gerda Vanden Brink

Delia Vanden Brink

Roy Vanden Brink

Alfred Hup

Alma Van Beek

Joann Van Beek

And again it is time to answer our mail —

TAMMY TROFF — Your letter is the first one this time, Tammy. We were happy to have you join with the other boys and girls in answering the Bible quiz. Do they have a lot of animals in the zoo at Sioux Falls? We don’t realize how many different animals there are until we visit a zoo.

WILMA OUDSHOORN — Did you get roller skates for your birthday present, Wilma? 1 don’t remember if you have a nice sidewalk in front of your house.

You will have had several weeks of school by the time you get this issue. How do you like your teachers?

MARGARET DEN BOER — Did you have a nice time in Chilliwack, Margaret? I thought it was a very nice place to visit, and would like to go there again. Summer time brings hot weather, but it won’t be long and we will again be talking about snow and cold weather.

MARY VAN ZWEDEN — It was nice that your uncle and aunt could pay you a visit, Mary. Have you ever been in New Jersey to visit them? That is quite a long trip to make. Do you think it is just as far as it was to New Mexico?

JUDY SLINGERLAND — Did you find the reason for your problem with the letter “I” in the word “witness,” Judy? You will find that also Isaac dwelt in Gerar and said that his wife was his sister, just as Abraham had done years before. Quite a few boys and girls had trouble with that question.

AMY LOU KAAT — Although I am late, I hope your birthday was a happy one, Amy, and also that you may have many more of them. I am sure Mr. Markus will be missed by the entire congregation. He was a friend of old and young.

RHEA STUBBE — The Niagara Falls is nice to see at night, isn’t it, Rhea? Since you live much closer than we do, you probably see it more often. Has your cousin gone back to the Netherlands already? Six weeks go by quite quickly.

CHERYL GRISNICH — Congratulations with the new baby sister, Cheryl. Are you taking good care of her? It is too bad you don’t live a little closer to Michigan, as then it would be much easier to pay you a visit. But we do hope to come again, if we live and all is well.

JOAN VAN ZWEDEN — Yes, Joan, hay fever season is here again in Michigan. Those that are bothered with it find it quite a problem. What many troubles and sicknesses there are today, and all because of sin. How is your grandmother getting along? Say Hello to her for us.

GARY ROOZENBOOM — Everything is green in Michigan, Gary, as we have been having quite a bit of rain. We have not had as much hot weather as we usually do. As I am not much of a farmer, I do not know too much about the condition of the crops here. I am sure you could tell me more about them if you were to see them.

CONNY BOESTERD — I suppose Rev. Verhoef is now with you in Chilliwack, Conny. Was his new home all finished? It is very nice that your congregation has another minister so soon. Be sure to say Hello to your parents and brothers tor us.

HENRIETTA STAPEL — A breeze on a hot day is always appreciated, Henrietta. God’s Word teaches us that it is He Who causes the wind to blow, and we find many examples of this in the Bible. Perhaps you could make a list of some of these examples.

GERDA VANDEN BRINK — We are happy to hear from you, Gerda, and to have you join in answering the Bible quiz. We hope you will always put your name on your answer sheet. It seems there are always one or two who forget this, and sometimes we just can’t guess whose it is.

JOHN VAN ZWEDEN — I suppose you are hard at work in school again, John, even though you weren’t very happy about starting again. We were sorry to hear that you weren’t coming to Michigan this summer. Do you have any rabbits left?

JACOB VAN DALEN — There are not many passenger trains left to ride anymore, Jacob. Did you make your trip into the New England states? How far north did you go? In the Bible we also read about those who travelled with their families. Can you name some of them?

FRANCINA BOESTERD — It was nice to hear from you again, Francina. Our congratulations to your father and mother with their anniversary. Was that the first time you had been to Port Alberni? How long does it take to get there from your house?

JANET VAN ZWEDEN — It seems you have had a busy summer even though you didn’t get to Michigan, Janet. I am sure you will have lots of things to tell your friends about when you meet them at school. And you may have to write a report about your summer vacation. Or did you already?

ALICE KOPPERT — It is a busy time of the year, but also a nice time, when we can harvest our crops, Alice. We can then enjoy the results of all the plowing, planting, watering and weeding. May we remember to acknowledge God for it, as it is He alone that made it to grow.

CORNELIUS VAN WYK — Your letter was at the bottom this time, Cornelius. When you receive this issue, I guess the summer will be over. Are you happy to be back in school? It usually isn’t so bad at first, but it doesn’t take too long and we are looking forward to vacation again.

Many thanks, boys and girls, for your answers to the quiz. Now that school books are back in use again, don’t put aside the best book, the Bible. I hope you will all continue to send your answers in as faithfully as you have been doing.

With love and best wishes,

Your friend,

“Uncle Garret”

COUNSELS OF THE AGED TO THE YOUNG

(continued)

14. Keep a good conscience. If wickedness had no other punishment than the stings of conscience which follow evil actions, it would be reason enough to induce every considerate man to avoid that which is productive of so much pain. No misery of which the human mind is susceptible is so intolerable and so without remedy as remorse of conscience. And it is liable to be renewed as often as the guilty action is distinctly recollected. It is true, the conscience, by means of error and repeated resistance to its dictates, may become callous — ‘seared as with a hot iron’; but this apparent death of moral sensibility is no more than a sleep. At an unexpected time, and in circumstances the most inconvenient, conscience may be aroused, and may exert a more tremendous power than was ever before experienced. The long arrearages of sins committed, while no notice seemed to be taken of them, now demand and enforce consideration. Joseph’s brethren seemed to have almost forgotten their unnatural and cruel conduct in selling him as a slave into a foreign country; but when many years had elapsed, and they found themselves surrounded with difficulties and dangers in that very land, the remembrance of the crime painfully rushed upon their minds, and extorted from them mutual confessions of their guilt. ‘God,’ said they, ‘hath found out the iniquity of thy servants.’ ‘And they said one to another, we are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.’

Men often endeavour to escape from the stings of a guilty conscience by a change of place, but the remedy is ineffectual. The transgressor may traverse the widest ocean, transcend the loftiest mountains, and bury himself in the dark recesses of the desert, but he cannot fly so far, nor conceal himself so effectually, as to escape from his tormentor. In some cases the agonies of remorse have been so intolerable, that the guilty perpetrator of great wickedness has perferred strangling and death to a miserable life, and has rushed uncalled into the presence of his Judge. And in other cases, men guilty of bloody crimes have found the pangs of remorse so intolerable that they have voluntarily given themselves up to justice; and by a voluntary confession, have convicted themselves, when no human witnesses were able to prove their guilt. But what man is there who has not committed sins, the recollection of which gives him sensible pain? And such acts often stand out in strong relief in the retrospect of the past. No effort can erase such things from the memory. We may turn away our eyes from the disagreeable object, but the painful idea will return again; and thus men whose consciences are not seared are haunted by guilt as by a troublesome ghost; and often their sins find them out, and stare them in the face, when danger threatens, or when calamity has overtaken them. Why moral sensibility should be so much more exquisite at some times than others cannot be easily explained, but the fact is certain, and is probably familiar to the consciousness of all.

But what is the most effectual preservative for this problem? It is irreligion, vice, and infidelity? By no means. Persons who take refuge in such things find them to be ‘refuges of lies.’ The only effectual remedy against the misery of a disturbed mind and a guilty conscience is true religion. For this wound the balm of Gilead is the only medicine which is proved by experience to be efficacious. He who is able to cherish a lively hope of happiness beyond the grave, who can look up to God as a reconciled Father, and who feels good will to all men, has surely within him the ingredients of a settled peace of mind.

(A. Alexander)

(to be continued)

THE ALTAR OF THE PRAIRIE

One day, a gentleman was riding on a western prairie, and lost his way. Clouds were in the sky, and, not seeing the sun, he quite lost his reckening. Night came on, and as he knew not which way to guide his horse, he let it take its own way. It was a western horse, and was therefore likely to understand prairie life better than his rider, who was not a western man.

By-and-by a light glimmered in the distance, and it was not long before the faithful animal stopped before the log cabin.

“Who is there?” somebody shouted from within.

“A benighted traveller,” answered the gentleman. “Can you give me a night’s lodging?” “You are welcome,” said the man, appearing at the door.

The gentleman was thankful enough to give up his saddle and bridle to the master of the log cabin. He found the family at supper — man, wife, and children — and a place was soon made for the stranger.

Some time in the evening, the man asked, “Are you a minister of the Gospel, sir?”

“No,” answered the gentleman, and, seeing the man disappointed, he asked him why he wished to know.

“Oh, sir,” answered the man, “I hoped a minister had come to help me to build a family altar! I had one once, but I lost it coming over the Alleghanies. It was a great loss.”

“Perhaps I can help you to build one, though I am not a minister,” said the gentleman, who always had one himself; and, after a little more talk, the man handed him an old family Bible. He read, and they sung a Psalm, and all knelt. The gentleman prayed first, then the man prayed, and the wife and children knelt, for it seemed as if each wanted to have a little part in building up the family altar.

“Sir,” said the man, when they arose, “there’s many an emigrant that loses his family altar before he gets here, and after, too. Sir, it’s a great loss.”

Yes, many family altars are lost. Some are lost in politics, some in traveling, some in moving, some in the hurry of harvest, some in stores and shops. It is an unspeakable loss. Abraham kept his, yet never a family traveled more and moved oftener than his. But, wherever he pitched his tent, he set up his family altar, and called upon the Lord, and the Lord blessed him.

Children, as well as parents, have an interest in keeping the family altar. Don’t let it be lost. If father forgets, let the children gently and respectfully remind him - “Father, we have not yet thanked God for His goodness, nor prayed to Him for forgiveness.” No praying father, I am sure, but will thank a child for thus helping him in his duties.

It is good to sing, and praise, and pray around the family altar. “Blest be the tie that binds” a family altar. They are dearer to each other for being near to God.

Submitted

A TELLING INCIDENT

A young telegraph operator in an English provincial town was anxious about his soul, but he could not have guessed that a message would reach him as it did.

He had been sleepless all night, so concerned and needing and missing a Savior. In the morning he went to his work with his heart uttering the publican’s prayer. The sunny weather and beauty of summer scenery did not engage him now, for he was longing after peace with God. Absorbed with his desire, he continued to pray, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” and was constantly repeating the words, when the click of the signal told him that his office was called. He took his place at the instrument, and quickly, and with unusual emotion, spelled the message from “Herbert,” at Windermere, to “J. B - -,” at Warkworth — “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

Such a telegram as that the young man had never known to pass over the wires before. It was sent to a servant girl who, in her distress of mind, had written a letter to her brother “Herbert,” at the Lake-side; but it proved a double benediction, for it came to the operator as a direct reply from heaven to his prayer. He received it as such, and his faith saw and rested in the Lamb of God.

Meanwhile the golden telegram went to its destination, and brought peace to the anxious soul of the poor servant girl. Thus two were blessed instead of one; and those words are living words still, and as potent in the hands of the Spirit to bless not only two, but ten thousand times ten thousand seeking souls.

Submitted

“IS ABSALOM SAFE” 2 Sam.18:29

This mournful cry comes ringing down the ages —
and strikes a chord in every tender heart:
So full of love, so fraught with dread foreboding
for Absalom, who bore a traitor’s part.
No wicked deeds could dull that fond affection.
One word of penitence would blot out the past:
But now too late. The father bows to sorrow,
“Would I had died for thee,” he cries at last.
The same sad wail today from fathers, mothers,
goes up to God when children go astray.
How deep the prayer around deserted fireplaces.
“My sons, my daughters — are they safe today?”
And when overtaken by the sins that lure them
they sink beneath temptations raging sea,
This is the cry that wells from fond hearts broken:
“Alas! Alas! Would that I had died for thee.”
No child is safe that leaves the sweet home shelter
each path is lined with snares to lead astray,
and children reared according to our duty
must face a thousand tempting sins today.
But there is One whose heart for sin was broken
To Him each tempted wayward child may flee
and find a Counsellor, a Guide, a Refuge,
A Saviour, a Friend, a Prince is He.

Young People’s Magazine

ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE THE DOG

The dog is mentioned repeatedly in Scripture, but in both the Old and New Testaments we find that it was an animal detested and despised. It appears that they were more like wolves than dogs, often running wild about the towns, living as they best could on scraps of food that they might happen to find. However, we do find that they were at least partially tamed for the protection of the herds in the field, (Job 30:1) “But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.”

In the book of Samuel we find that Goliath looked down upon David as he came to meet him, and said, “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?” (I Samuel 17:43). And David says to Saul when he pursued him, “After whom is the King of Israel come out? After a dead dog, after a flea.” (I Samuel 24:14). In the New Testament the sufferings of Lazarus were increased in that the dogs came and licked his sores as he lay at the rich man’s gate. The word dog is also used to describe scoffers or unclean persons, as in Matthew 7:6 the Lord Jesus said, “Give not that which is holy unto dogs.” In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers.”

As is evident from those examples mentioned, the dog of Bible times was not a family pet, as it is in our day.

THE LAST SHILLING LOST A TRUE NARRATIVE

It was a cold, dismal-looking morning, in the month of November; the winter had set in early, and the usually thronged streets of Liverpool were not yet overflowing with the moving mass of men of business and men of labor, which, at a late hour of the day, might have relieved the eye of a looker-on by the variety it presented. The quiet of this great commercial town has always a something melancholic in it, arising from the association of ideas.

Mrs. S. went to a window, looked out, sighed, and again sat down. The Bible was open before her; she had been reading in it; but there was a restlessness about her feelings which prevented her deriving all the consolation she otherwise might have done from the sacred pages. Two children stood beside her, one six years old, the other four. “Mamma,” said the eldest, “James and I are very hungry, do let us have breakfast soon.” “I cannot, my dear boy,” she replied, “till you have brought me some little things from the next street; and I have been watching the weather all this time, that you might not go out till the rain had ceased. It is now clearer; put on your cap, and hold fast the money which I now give you, till you reach the shop. It is my last shilling.”

Little Francis liked very much to run Mamma’s errands. He was an affectionate, lively child, and contrived to find amusement wherever he went, without losing much time, or forgetting any of his commissions. But he had one little trick, which, had he known how rude and disagreeable it is, he would never have practiced. Whenever he was running alone, he would draw a small stick across the iron paling of the areas he passed, just to have the pleasure of hearing the hopping of the stick, and the twanging vibrations of the metal; on this occasion he forgot his stick and ran off promptly, promising to be careful and expeditious. He passed one large house, then another, wished he had his wooden companion, tried his naked hand on the iron rails, shrunk from the cold, and then applied the edge of the shilling. Alas, alas! It pitched with force and rapidity into the area below, and disappeared. The house was without a tenant; no search could be made; and poor little Francis turned deadly pale, as it struck on his heart, his Mamma’s last shilling was lost!

There is no sight under heaven so interesting as a Christian in calamity. Nothing proves so convincingly the value of religion, as the aids it supplies, “when waves and storms go over the head.” Mrs. S. had long known the Gospel of Christ to be “the power of God unto salvation.” In early youth she had become a “partaker” of that “precious faith,” by which, “without the deeds of the law,” we are “justified freely through the redemption that is in Jesus. The Lord had put the good choice in her heart, and she could say as Ruth, “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” The Lord had taught her guilty and lost soul, to cry for mercy and grace. The Lord had given her tokens that He loved her with an eternal love, and that she belonged to the flock of Jesus’ lambs and sheep.

Her family had been highly respectable — her prospects in life bright and prosperous — her mind intellectual and cultivated; but when she was brought to choose, with Mary, “that better part,” everything else became tributary, and of minor importance. The first of her kindred to receive “the love in the truth thereof,” she “behaved herself wisely in the holy way;” and by her conciliating, yet devotional spirit — by her prudent, yet exemplary conduct — by her speech being “always with grace,” she was made instrumental in winning some of them to walk in “wisdom’s ways,” which “are pleasantness,” and “her paths,” which “are peace.”

But after years brought affliction to purify the gold; through many a furnace of this kind had she passed; still she maintained her integrity — lost nothing, save dross, and sweetly shone with light reflected, in successive nights of sorrow. Her beloved husband had embarked a large capital in an unsuccessful business, became a bankrupt, gave up everything to his creditors, and was, at the period my little narrative commences, in a distant land, struggling with adversity, and remitting from time to time all he could earn to his beloved wife and children. He had left her in lodgings in Liverpool, six months before, with four children; now two of them “were not,” for God had taken them. In rapid succession they were consigned to the grave. And when the bereaved mother had paid the doctor’s bill, and funeral expenses, she found herself possessed of so very little means of support, that nothing but the most rigid economy could make it sufficient to satisfy their urgent wants, till the morning to which I have adverted.

She had eaten little for some preceding days. The dear boys had just enough of bread and milk to keep them uncomplaining during the day before, and a small portion which they insisted Mamma must eat, had been by her secretly abstracted, and carefully kept, almost by presentiment, till morning.

Francis entered. “Oh! Mamma, what shall we do? I have lost the shilling.” He burst into tears and was violently agitated. “My child,” said the heroic mother, clasping him to her heart, “weep not, it cannot be recalled. The Lord will provide.” She placed him and his little brother at their little table, produced the crust of bread and cup of milk, and drying the eyes of poor Francis, and kissing the cheek of little James, she retired to her bedroom, and carefully locked the door inside.

Reader: art thou taught of God to pray? Knowest thou the felicity of calling Him Father, feeling the relationship, and exulting in the deep consciousness of His paternal regards, when thou drawest near to a “throne of grace?” Have there not been seasons when thy rapt spirit, regardless of the cross that pressed, the difficulties that surrounded, the dark cloud that impending gave a sable hue to every earthly object, held communion with Deity; and time unheeded flew, whilst thou was rolling thy every burden on the Lord, and feeling that He sustained thee? Then may thy eye penetrate the hallowed seclusion of that chamber, thy gaze rest on that Christian mother, thy heart imagine her soul-engrossing engagement. She had a Friend, and there she went to meet Him; that Friend was ever “swift to hear,” strong to deliver, good to redeem, “mighty to save.” “In six troubles” He had been with her, nor did He forsake her in the “seventh.” Mark her clasped hands, her bended knees, her look of humble, confiding, grateful adoration. She pleads the promises, and recounts how often they had been already fulfilled. “Let not my Lord be angry: I will speak again; deliver my children from perishing; send us help, and that speedily, for we are cast upon Thee.” Such was the prayer of one of the Savior’s followers; as like Jacob she wrestled, like him she prevailed. Her petition was granted; and, as in the case of Solomon, more than she asked was given. Her soul was filled with “joy unspeakable.” No pain was felt, no grief endured; all was “for” her, and would, “in due season,” make “a way of escape,” and till then enable her to bear up, and “go forward.”

A loud knocking at the door at length aroused her. “Madam,” cried the mistress of the house, “do come down stairs immediately; here is the strangest sailor-man I ever set my eyes on. He has got a book for you, and he won’t give it to no one till as how he sees yourself; just as if I could not carry the book without soiling it. He says he promised to give it to you and he’ll do it, that he will; and I may keep my sixpence; he’s no porter.”

Mrs. S. went to the sailor, received the book, and on opening it, found inside a letter from her husband, giving hopes of a permanent provision, and enclosing five pounds for the present exigency.

Reader! whoever thou art, remember that never was the heart of Mrs. S. made happier, never was her confidence in an unfailing Providence rendered stronger, never was the Divine goodness more signally displayed towards her, in both spiritual and temporal blessings, than when she was reduced to the greatest extremity — her last shilling lost!

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Psalm 37:3.

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