plaees us in such a position, and under such circum stances, as leave us but one thing to accept; for we behold all other ways lying before us blocked up by plain impediments. The ways which the Lord points out to us in this manner are for the most part such as the ways of Elijah; chosen and adapted fixion of the old man. Therefore, follow only in confidence; for, whenever the Lord says to one of his children," Get thee hence, and hide thyself in the desert that is before Jordan, and by the brook Cherith," he adds likewise, with a loud voice, or in a whisper to his heart," and the ravens shall feed thee there." Every way which the Lord directs us to take has its promise, and we need not be disconcerted as long as we know that it is the Lord who has pointed out our way. be even thought of, either faith, or filial courage, and confidence, or this thing or the other, are by turns wanting, and scarcely a step is taken to seek Him. How greatly may the Lord be provoked at this, and punish us accordingly. But no; he chooses rather to make his children ashamed by his love, and to heap burning coals upon their heads. Though un-entirely for the exercise of faith, and for the cruciasked, he visits them, and frequently breaks in with light and assistance where he was not only uninvited but even insulted with distrust. But let me assure you the like visitings from the Lord are well calculated to humble and abase, to melt the heart and quiet the tongue, that man dare not look up by reason of his shame and confusion; then the pure and free grace displays itself to the view in its fullest splendour; for positively there is nothing that could be looked upon as a co-operative cause of the help thus obtained. No prayer, no sigh, no looking up to the Lord, no, not even so much as a thought on him, not anything; and the only alternative left is to cast down the eyes, and to kiss the feet of the Lord. And this conviction, "that it is free grace and grace alone!" which we so seldom wish to acknowledge, is most wholesome to us proud mortals. For this reason the Lord at times purposely takes from his children all they possess, and withdraws from them the spirit of prayer, that they are even lost in dumbness; and then he hears and assists them as if they had sent up to him the most precious and the most anointed supplications, in order that they might be effectively humbled, and convinced that it does not depend in all things upon one's aiming or striving, but upon the free mercy of God. But to our history. The Lord came to the Prophet not to appease him only, but likewise to rescue him from his personal danger. This however was to be effected in a manner that should both glorify the name of the Lord, and serve Elijah as a wholesome exercise of faith. For this reason neither a cloud nor a fiery chariot came to remove him. For this reason he was not received into the sky, nor surrounded by a legion of descending angels. In such a rescue we may suppose that God knew there would have been but little edification. The Lord directed him another road, "Get thee hence," he said, "and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the book Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there." 66 III. How did Elijah receive the command of his God? As there is in every other individual, so there was in him, a something which stood in direct opposition to this commandment of the Lord, and which did not perfectly agree with it, but induced him to doubt and hesitate. His old man had much opposed it; for how could it please him that, instead of experiencing a quicker and more miraculous assistance, he should in such a human manner make use of his feet, and depart from thence. And just as little could he perceive why he was directed eastward into the land of Judea, which also shared the judgments of Samaria. The direction into the solitary wilderness, and to the brook Cherith, into the gloomy and uninhabited woods, was by no means to his liking. That he should be protected there from the persecutions of Ahab and his other enemies; and that, under the influence of the scorching sun, the springs should not be dried up there, also seemed to him somewhat doubtful; and, lastly, to be supplied by ravens, those unclean and ravenous birds, was to him as loathsome as it was incomprehensible to his understanding and experience; so that he could have wept, and at the same time, with Sarah, laugh in his heart. But, in spite of all the resistance of nature, in spite of the discontent and murmuring of the old man, he was overcome; silenced, and crucified. For there also was a something in Elijah which condemned himself while it justified God. By this, however, we do not mean to imply that Elijah was able to return fervent thanks for the command he received, and heartily to rejoice in it. What a strange direction, leading, as it were, from It oppressed and dejected his mind rather than one misery to another, and from one trial to a greater. otherwise; yet, notwithstanding, he remained unBut you know what the Lord said to Manoah, dismayed in the faith, through which he entertained Why askest thou thus after my name," he said, a full reliance on the rightness of that which, to "seeing it is Wonderful?"-Yes, wonderful is his him, was invisible. "The command is from God," name and his way, and his feet are in the deep waters! thought Elijah; "consequently, it must be good, You ask if the Lord still continues to point out just, and holy. What are the directions of God to the ways to his children, as he then did to the pro- his children, but secret promises? Because of his phet? Assuredly he does; though not with an audible saying to me, 'Get thee hence,' I am convinced voice, yet, nevertheless, with the same accuracy and that he will open a path for me, and assist and clearness; and this he usually effects, either by inward-guard me on the way; for he deceiveth no one. ly or outwardly barring and barricading every road, No serpent shall sting me, no lion shall devour and leaving one only open to us, as much as to say me, for I walk the ways of the Lord. Because of "Walk ye in it, and turn neither to the right nor to his commanding, 'Turn thee eastward,' I am asthe left." If he guides us inwardly, he imparts im-sured that, if even I appear to go towards the shades perceptibly to our hearts what we ought to do, and of night, morning shall, nevertheless, be above me. choice is then impossible. For, should we attempt to pursue another course than the one inwardly prescribed to us, peace vanishes instantaneously, and the soul is troubled and agitated, so that we are compelled to return. If he guides us outwardly, he Because of his bidding to hide myself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan, the brook Cherith must be a safe retreat for me, were it to flow even through the midst of the castle at Samaria, instead of in the wilderness. I shall drink of the brook. HE says it; and that is a sufficient pledge and as- day less solitary, nay, with every day more animated Such undoubtedly was the case. surance that the sun shall be commanded not to and cheerful. touch this brook with his burning rays." Thus He needed neither books nor society, neither work An ample thought the prophet, and concluded farther, "The nor amusement, for his occupation. promises of God are strict commands, the accom-book for him was the quiet world around; and in plishment of which he imposes upon himself ir- the treasured experiences of his heart he could an ample work, the scrutiny of revocably. If he says, I will do this or that unto always read: thee, he is also obliged to accomplish it for his his heart and soul, and the prayers and conversaname's sake; consequently, the ravens will most tions with him who looketh into the things that are assuredly come, and sooner starve themselves than hidden: an ample society, his Lord and God, whose suffer me to perish of hunger." Thus soliloquized knocking and approach, if ever so gentle, he could, Elijah, in his heart; and took the word of the Lord in this solitary calm, hear more quickly and more into the hand of his faith as a travelling staff, and distinctly than in the noisy bustle of the world. proceeded on his pilgrimage. Whenever his feet Surrounding nature soon assumed a legible character, were weary, he leaned upon this staff and drew fresh and became his bible, furnishing him with sufficient strength. Wherever danger appeared, the presence matter for contemplation and reflection. At times, of this staff banished his fears. The rivers and the rock by which he dwelt preached to him of the seas that impeded his progress, he struck with this Rock which liveth for ever and ever, and whereon staff, and passed over dry-footed; and sorrow and he also had built his house. At times the brook despair, when they intruded upon him, he repelled had something to tell him, and spake many sweet with this staff, and they were obliged to give way. and consoling things of God's faithfulness and truth, Have you also the like staff in your hands, my and mentioned of other waters which were to come, brethren? Are you also certain, with Elijah, that of waters and of streams which God would pour the way you pursue was pointed out to you by God; upon the dearth of the spirits of men, and upon that and that you have received some promise, either which thirsteth, and of springs which he would open special or general, given unto you as personal pos- in the midst of the deserts. Now the umbrageous session, such as, "Fear not, for I have redeemed trees addressed him, and gave pleasing hope to his thee. When thou passest through the waters, they heart of the Tree of Life, in the shades of which shall not overflow thee?" If this be the case, then, also his habitation stood already prepared, and of indeed, every thing is well, and certain, and secure. the palms of heaven, from whose tops eternal peace Now the Look at our Elijah, as he goes onward, a lonely would at length descend upon him. traveller: it seems as if we heard the resounding of blithesome birds in the air, and the wild roses his firm footsteps, when informed by history, so amongst the brambles, sang to him, "Be at peace, he went and did according unto the word of the Lord; Elijah, and banish all care; for he who so faithfully for he went and dwelt by the brook, Cherith, that is provides for us in this wilderness, giving food and drink to the one, dew and beauty to the other, how before Jordan." In short, thus, by degrees, could he forget thee?" every thing around him gained a breathed life. Every thing began to think and to whisper; the stars in the firmament, the flowers in the meadow, the dewdrops on the leaves, and the breezes among the shrubs; that Elijah experienced personally what "There are, it may be, so many the apostle says kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification ;"* and that he could sing with David, "The voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness.”+ 66 IV. Come, let us pay a visit to our man of God in his new habitation. He has arrived there. A desolate wilderness, situate near Jordan, presents itself to our view. Dead silence prevails over the heath, interrupted only by the cry of the solitary bittern. Between the plant of the wilderness and the juniper shrub, the ostrich broods, and none disturb its rest. Not a path is to be found, no trace of a human foot, the whole is void, waste, and desolate. Now, let us approach nearer to Jordan, and bend our way to yonder place, where the naked rocks tower into the sky, and the forests are veiled in gloom. Then let us pass through this thicket, and now through this narrow opening, and, at last, into the woody glen, where the brook purls along, finding its way through its rocky banks. Behold, here sitteth the man of God; here is his habitation. The blue vault of heaven is his roof, the naked rocks his walls, the stones his resting-place, the shady forest his bedchamber, the green grass his couch, and his company the purling brook, and the croaking ravens in the trees above him. Here he sits in his rough garment, silent and musing; and, whenever solitude is about to oppress him, and the near hissing of the adder, or the distant roaring of the lion, would frighten him, he recalls the words, "I dwell here through God, and the foot of the Lord is also among these cliffs;" and thus his courage is supported by hope and faith. For a whole year Elijah dwelt on this spot. This sounds both incredible and appalling. But how astonished would you be, were Elijah actually to assure you that he had known nothing of weariness during the whole time, and that solitude became to him each Having thus for a while enjoyed and amused himself with the external world, and its figurative language, he would return again to his inward and better part, and, in profound musing, listen to what passed within those recesses, and to what was moving and Here sometimes a new view was stirring there. opened to him into the depths of his misery and natural corruption; and tears, sobs, and wrestling with the Rock of Salvation, were then the consequence: or his eyes fell upon the divine work that was within him, and upon the evident traces of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and of his creative and efficacious power in his soul. The cave then resounded with Psalms like a temple of God, and with devout hymns of thanksgiving, which, borne on the mountain-echo, spread their melodious cadence far over the silent wilderness. But what shortened and sweetened the prophet's time above all was that he lived as on a watch-tower, waiting without intermission for the Bridegroom of his soul, whose footsteps he knew might every moment rustle on the mountains around him, and his voice sound upon * 1 Cor. xiv. 10. + Ps. xxix. 4-8. his ear. Thus at all times he listened with eager- shall feed thee there." Thus the Lord. And, howness, and, filled with hope and expectation, anxiously ever strange and surprising this may have sounded, examined every thing around him. He perceived, Elijah submitted and believed, and his faith deceived now by this token, now by another, that the Lord him not. All that the Lord had spoken became was present; he heard the speech of his mouth, now"Yea and Amen," and nothing remainded unfulhere, and now there, now from the distance, and filled. In a very short space of time the whole again close at hand. And, when hours of loneliness country was like a waste; and field, and forest, as and sorrow stole upon him at intervals, when melan- if devastated by fire. One spot only preserved its choly visited him in his cave, when the fear and verdure and refreshing coolness: it was the prophet's despair that the Lord had withdrawn himself came rocky glen. Every spring was dried up, every upon him, ere he was yet aware, the ravens in the stream of the forest was drained by the sultry heat branches above, saluting him with their rough voices, of the sun. One little brook alone continued its again announced their welcome presence, and forth-rippling course: it was the brook Cherith: this one with the strings of his heart changed their strain, remained clear, cool, and unperturbed, as if nothing and he raised his drooping head, and, with a serene had happened. And the ravens likewise did their and happy countenance, his hands folded in prayer, duty. Oh, wonder! these rapacious and insatiable he again exclaimed, "No, no; my Lord and God, birds, unclean according to the law; so ravenous and thou hast not forgotten me!" unfeeling that they would suffer their own young to O let no one be too much cast down should the starve, did God not intervene, as he says to Job: Lord at any time direct him into the wilderness by "Who provideth for the raven his food? When his Jordan, and to the brook Cherith. For even to this young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of day he guides his children in all manner of ways. meat."* Here we meet these birds in an act of the Behold, if he visit thee with sickness, and thou art most disinterested beneficence, as if dead to the obliged to be on thy couch alone in thy chamber; nature and way of their species, coming and going or if thy friends misconstrue and abandon thee; if upon God's command, and employed in the most people consider thee an outcast, and not a house charitable occupation, renouncing even their own nor a heart will open to receive thee; should thou desires. When the morning dawns above the rocky be forced to tarry in Mesech, and to dwell amongst glen by Cherith, their croaking is to be heard in the people who are of a different mind from thyself, who tops of the trees, and by Elijah's awakening he aldo not understand thee, and mock at thy ways; in ready beholds the day's provision before him. And, the like cases, thou but abidest with Elijah by the when evening approaches, these black messengers brook Cherith. Yet, be not dismayed at this, but are there again, amply provided with bread and preserve thy courage, for O how salutary and bliss-meat; and, however hungry they may be themselves, ful such loneliness and exclusion may become. Innumerable Christians have been obliged openly to confess that in prisons and places of banishment, upon their lonely bed of sickness, or in the days when they were wrongly judged and abandoned by mankind, and the world had cast them out, that there and then only they properly entered into their own hearts, and fathomed the true condition of their souls, threw the leaven of the Pharisees from them, and considered a fictitious Christ no longer accept-can be found and felt; and his delight is with the able; that there and then only they felt a thirsting children of man; and of his men-servants and maidin real and serious earnestness for his presence, and servants there is a great multitude around. When he for communion with him; and the wrestling of Jacob sayeth, "Come," they come, and, "Go," they go. until day-break, which before they possessed in words He regardeth neither wisdom nor skill, but at his only, entered in reality into their very existence and pleasure charges even dogs to be physicians, and the sphere of personal experience, as a self accom-ravens to be purveyors to his friends. He derideth plished deed. A hundred other things of inward the prudent, but taketh special care of his children, Christianity, which hitherto they held merely in for even to this day there has been no end to his imagination were truly realized to them: that there miracles. Who was it but the God of Elijah who, and then only they were first effectually brought a short time since, so lovingly delivered a poor man into the flock of those sheep which listen to his in our neighbourhood from distress, not exactly voice; and that they were never so convinced that by a raven, but by means of a small singing bird. he lives in reality, communes with his children, even I presume you know how the circumstance occurred. individually, like a man with his friends, and walks Early one morning the man was seated at his house and dwells with them, and had never felt and ex- door, disconsolate, his eyes red with weeping, and perienced his indefatigable and parental consolations his heart sighing up to heaven; for on that day he and cares, and his loving presence, so strongly, expected the officers who were to seize him for a directly, and unequivocally, as at the time when trifling debt, and amongs this neighbours none seemed their path was solitary and led through the wilder- inclined to come forward with a loan. Whilst thus ness, and when they were obliged to be alone with reclining, oppressed in heart, a bird timidly fluttering their Lord in the wide world. Therefore be of to and fro in the street, as if its peace were likewise good courage, ye by the brook Cherith and in the disturbed, all at once flew over his head with the wilderness; for the dwellings of the desert prosper swiftness of an arrow into the house, and alighted also, and the pastures of the wilderness are rich in on an empty cupboard. · blessings, and even thorns must yield figs, and thistles grapes, for the children of God. "Thou shalt drink of the brook, and the ravens not one ventures to gratify its desire from the portion of the prophet. And this occurs not merely once, but is repeated thus twice a day without intermission, for a whole year. Simplicity of God, how precious art thou! Let the world invent lofty gods, who do not enter into single matters, but govern in general: we adhere to the God of Elijah, and rejoice at his minute interference upon earth. And this God still liveth, a living Saviour, who The good man, most likely not anticipating who * Job. xxxviii. 41. perflous; and faith is the grave of care. "It is in THE SETTING OUT FOR ZAREPHATH. had directed the bird to him, quickly closed the door, caught the little songster, and secured it in a cage, where it immediately began most pleasingly to carol; and it seemed to the man as though it were some solemn tune, perhaps like, " Despair not when darkness." He listened with delight, and was greatly comforted in his mind. Suddenly he hears a knocking at the door. "Alas! the officers," thought the poor man, in great alarm; but on opening the door it proved to be the servant of a lady, who told him his neighbours had observed a singing bird fly into his house, and asked if he had caught it. "Yes, I have," UPON one occasion, when the children of Israel answered the man; "here, take it ;" and the servant committed evil before the Lord, he delivered them departed with the bird. But in a very few minutes into the hands of the Midianites, a wild and war-like he presented himself again. "You have done a great nation, that by them the straying sheep might again service to my lady," said he; "for she values ex-be driven unto the crook of their chief Shepherd. tremely the bird which had escaped from her. She Great was the affliction at that time in Israel. A sends her compliments to you, and begs you will considerable part of the people, abandoning their accept of this trifle, with her thanks." It was ex- homes and all that they had, fled into the forests actly the sum he owed; and when the officers arrived and mountains, or hid themselves in dark caves and he said to them, "Here is the amount of my debt; clefts of the rock, while some sought shelter in take it, and leave me in peace; my God has lent this strongholds, in sequestered places, or on lofty to me." Something similar occurred once to another of our brethren, who, perhaps, may be present, the Midianites came immediately upon them, like a heights; and as soon as Israel had sown anything and can prove it. He had the grief of beholding his little ones weep for hunger; not a morsel of bread swarm of locusts, despoiling the land of its crops, and leaving nothing of nourishment behind, neither was left in the closet, nor a penny in the purse; and sheep, nor oxen, nor ass. his heart dissolved in anguish. He withdrew into a corner of his apartment, and with many a tear prayed to the God who feedeth the young ravens, and clotheth the lilies in the valley. He prayed, "Give us this day our daily bread," with an earnestness as he, perhaps, had never done before. Arising from prayer with strengthened courage, he went to the house door, and saw a dog running along with a piece of meat in his mouth; and, in passing his close to it is a thrashing floor, where a young husIn the field by Ophrah stands a solitary oak, and threshold, the animal dropped the meat and hurried bandman is busy thrashing. In this occupation he "The Lord sends this to us," said the man, perpetually glances around him with anxiety and as he took up the meat from the ground. "A faithful God," he sighed forth, when he had brought it whom he wishes to conceal the wheat. His name fear lest he be surprised by the Midianites, from into the house; and, when it was dressed and served is Gideon, and his father, likewise a husbandman, up, the hungering group gathered around it, said is called Joash. Whilst the good young man is thus grace, and felt a solemnity as though they were eating the paschal lamb. The God of Elijah still zealously employed, a stranger, whose majestic and affable aspect shed over his countenance a something liveth. And your experiences come also under this resembling the translucent splendour of the sun, head, my beloved friends, who have related to me that oftimes in heavy afflictions and embarrassments under the oak, apparently fatigued by a long jourcomes unexpectedly upon him. He seats himself you have received help in a most marvellous manner, ney; and, so soon as he is perceived by Gideon, adfrom persons who were not only strangers, but even dresses him with, "The Lord is with thee, thou averse and inimical towards you; from unbelievers, who it is well known cannot endure the quiet in the mighty man of valour." At which Gideon felt surland. But suddenly it occurred to the one, he knew prised, and thought, "What manner of salutation not how, that he was to take this or the other thing to ceiving whom he had before him, he gave vent to is this?" Recollecting himself, however, and conyou; another passed a restless night, troubled with the feelings of his heart. "O my Lord," said he, the thought of having as yet done nothing towards "if the Lord be with us, why then has all this beyou; and, as they strove to banish these ideas, they fallen us? and where be all his miracles which our found it impossible to succeed in kicking against fathers told us of, saying, 'Did not the Lord bring us the pricks. Yes, he who directeth the hearts as away. This severe scourge had its full effect. Israel perceived their guilt, smote upon their thigh, and, raising their hands towards heaven, the cry of sup"Return, return, O Lord, to thy oppressed inheritance! plication resounded throughout the land, And the faithful God hearkened and brought them help. currents of water, he urged them to your assis-up from Egypt?' But now the Lord hath forsaken tance, and he cannot be resisted in his will. What- us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midiaever they did for you was not done from their own looked upon him." The Lord was the Son of God, nites." And here the history tells us, "the Lord wishes, but because they were obliged to do it; and thus you learned that the God of Elijah, who can provide for his friends even by the black ravens, still liveth. Whoever is his child therefore, have courage and be of good cheer. Believe, believe only, ye by the brook Cherith, and in the wilderness; for faith renders possession and riches, reputation and credit, physician and medicines, and many other things, su and, as he looked upon him with benevolence and affability, he said, "Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have not I sent thee."'§ It is not always pleasing and agreeable to be looked upon by the Lord. Once, when he looked upon the Egyptians, the whole ariny imply, he meant that "Thou, Gideon, shouldest vanquish the enemy in thy own strength. I refer thee to my might, not to thine own. This, Gideon, shall be thy strength, that I have looked kindly upon thee; and this shall animate and suffice for thee, that I am gracious towards thee. In this, thy might, go and conquer!" O precious words! Know this one thing only, that He is kindly disposed towards thee; then thou hast no need either to despair or tremble. If thou hast only received the testimony that he is thy friend, neither storm nor tempest need any longer was struck as if by a terrible thunder-bolt; the hearts of the heroes were seized with despair, and trembled ; and the senses of the wise were confounded and darkened. "He looketh upon the mountains, and they tremble." Such a look from eyes like flames of fire fell upon the attendants of Daniel; and great fear came upon them, so that they fled and hid themselves. And how lamentably do we hear Job groan, as if from out the deepest hell, "Thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone, till I swallow down my spittle? I have sin-afright thee. Boldly defy, then, the menacing spears, ned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou Preserver of men ? And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?" + And there is still a looking down of the Majesty of Heaven upon the worm, a peering of the only Holy One into our darkness, a gazing on the part of Eternal Righteousness upon the sinner, which is, of all terrors, the most terrific that a poor heart can experience on earth; and yet it must be felt and experienced, or we never shall be able to bask in the sunshine of divine grace. even should they be pointed by thousands; and be not troubled that thou mightest meet on thy road mountains too steep to climb. Do not weigh thy powers; measure not thy abilities. Be thou strong or weak, be thou girt or defenceless, it matters not; the powers of thine Immanuel are at thy service, and his love towards thee is thy standard, thy sword, thy helmet and coat of mail, thy shield and protection, and every thing thou lackest or standest in need of. Wherever thou art sent, be it into the fire of temptation, be it into the waters of affliction, be it into The look that Gideon was favoured with under the domestic embarassment and difficulties, be it into oak was a look of benignity and grace. The eye he hot conflicts and laborious enterprises, yea, be it encountered there had in it nothing terrifying or into peril and death, if he has looked upon thee blighting, but was like a clear and serene sky, bright benignantly, and if thou only knowest that one thing, and lovely, and shone with pure affability and mild-" My Jesus loves me!" then go, go in this thy ness. This was one of those looks of God which raise the dead and gladden the weeping; by which whole streams of peace and joy flow into hearts that are riven, and of which David sings, "Cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." Whilst viewing Gideon with this look of benignity and grace, the Lord directs him, " Go in this thy might." In what might ? "In the might of my countenance, Gideon, which has assured thee of my love and favour." might; thou hast nothing whatever to fear, nothing to apprehend. Thy Saviour will accompany and protect thee, because he loves thee; and his love is stronger than death, and more jealous than hell: he will smooth every way before thee. In the might of the look, replete with benignity and grace, which he had received from his Lord, also Elijah the Tishbite went to the brook Cherith. In the same might we see him, to-day, enter upon a new path, not less difficult and wearisome. And, behold, the Lord goeth with him. It is a path of benediction. 1 KINGS, XVII. 7-16. "And it came to pass after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 'Arise, get thee to Zarephath which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks; and he called to her, and said, Truly, the power of such gracious looks, by means of which man becomes convinced in his heart that the Lord loves him, is exceedingly great. Hearts which but now resembled a turbulent ocean are changed in a moment into pavilions of heavenly sabbath rest; and souls which but a while ago sat lamenting on the ground, in sackcloth and ashes, start, suddenly, like young eagles, on wings of joy and rapture, when the eye of divine mercy had kindly beamed upon them. And simple people then frequently unfold themselves, like flowers of Paradise, shedding the richest of perfume, and suddenly developing powers and energies, as though they were showered from heaven. Mute and bashful men begin then to develop themselves in so pleasing a manner that the more you listen the longer you wish to hear them; and reserved and timid beings then come forward with testimonies of their Saviour, and of his love, with such a joyful, open, and undaunted air, that you cannot perceive the sudden origin of their boldness. And, in such instances, what sacrifices are made, what renunciations men are capable of, what patience is proved, what contentedness and affectionate brotherly love is evinced! And whence all this? It is the power of a gracious look from the Lord; it is the efficacy of the consciousness, 'My Jesus loves me ! "Go in this thy might,' ," him the last time, for he has not abandoned the said the Lord to Gideon, having enlivened him with the look of love and grace. "It does not 66 Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.' And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, 'Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.' And she said, 'As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, a cruise: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may and die.' And Elijah said unto her, 'Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For not waste, neither shall the cruise of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.' And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah; and she, and he, wasted not, neither did the cruise of oil fail, according to the and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah." thus saith the Lord God of Israel. The barrel of meal shall We meet our prophet again to day, where we left station which his Lord and King had assigned him. The solitary wilderness in which he dwelleth has not as yet grown too wild, and the lonely uninhabited desert, not as yet too deserted. His God is with |