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sick man is possessed of!

But, blessed be God, there

Then his lot is sad indeed! are not wanting many who,

in the midst of privation, feebleness, and infirmity, rejoice that they feed inwardly on the "Bread of Life."

Mr. J was past eighty when our attention was first directed towards him, in a small and close court, in a populous thoroughfare in the town of L. He lived alone, having long lost all those whom he loved, and but for the kind attentions of the neighbours would have fared even worse than his isolated state and narrow means compelled him. His entire income consisted of a pension of fivepence per day. One shilling he paid weekly for rent, fourpence. for washing, threepence for coal and a morsel of candle, and upon the small remainder he lived. Found in this dreary situation by the kind Eible-woman, Mrs. P——————, she sympathized with his feebleness, loneliness, and poverty, and with delight heard him express his simple trust and solid peace in his Divine Redeemer, whom he seemed well to know. It was tea-time when she entered his mean abode. Was his board well spread? Had he good support for declining age and infirmity-this man who had served his country, and had one foot in the grave? His entire meal consisted of bread, broken in a large cup, moistened with hot water, and flavoured with salt,

"You haven't a deal to do with," said she. like sugar?"

"Don't you

"Yes, I like it," he answered; "but I can't get it, so I have a bit of salt. I can't eat it without something."

After this interview Mrs. P repeated her visit frequently, and always found him cheerful and contented, and by her kind ministrations she smoothed the last days of his pilgrimage. Entering one afternoon his lowly dwelling, he had before him his usual fare, his bread, hot water, and salt. "Do you find anything to be thankful for?" was her venturesome question.

"Yes," replied Mr. J

"for after I had been down

on my knees to ask God to send me something to eat, a

man came in, whom I did not know, and gave me a ticket for a loaf!"

He went on to express his deep gratitude for that, and for "many things," and his anxious resolution to go on trusting to the end. Mrs. Padded some encouraging words, and bade him farewell. Two days after, as he was taking his bread, salt, and hot water, he fell out of his chair, and never rallied. His earthly pilgrimage was over.

What a charm is real religion in the home of a poor man! It soothes his sorrows, cheers his heart, and lights up with a smile his weary countenance. It does more; for it teaches him to rely upon his unseen Friend, his Maker above. And his Friend forgets him not. He directs the unknown man to him with the bread of this life, and sends him "good support" from that Bread of the other life, which, having eaten, he shall hunger no more. "Lord! evermore give us this bread!" 1

B. W. M.

The Rock of Ages.

Psalm lxi.

y heart is overwhelmed, and sore oppressed, I cry,

MY

Lord, lead me to the Rock that higher is than IThe Rock of Ages which no storm can move.

Lord, in this weary land I need a resting-place,

Yet would I seek it only at Thy throne of grace,

And Thou wilt hear, and all the brightness of Thy face
Reveal, and stay me with Thy love.

All my desire Thou knowest, nor is hid from Thee
My groaning, and to Thee is known the agony

Of love, and doubt, and grief that wrings my soul;
The sins, the sorrows, the perplexities that rise
To cloud my daily life, and to withdraw my eyes
From the bright vision of the rest that lies

Awaiting all who reach the goal.

1 John vi. 34.

Must I thus weary be, and mourning all my days,
And never learn to echo back one note of praise
Of the glad harmony that rings around?
Must I thus sadly yearning ever cry for rest,

And find that there is none on earth for souls opprest?
When folded are the weary wings, where all the blest
Have done with sin, true rest is found.

Till then the fight goes on, nor may the warrior lay
His sword aside, exulting o'er a well-fought day,

Or drooping under sense of pain or loss.

One watches all the strife-One who can aid impar.;
Who triumphed o'er the foe. Then let my sinking heart
Press to His side, knowing by faith the fiery dart
Falls harmless as I grasp the cross.

Ah! weary faithless soul, look back, look on, look up-
Is there no sweetness mixed with bitter in Thy cup?
Is all so very dark? Hast thou no power?
Nay, never so give way, but all thy mercies count.
Canst thou of all thy precious things sum up th' amount,
Which to thy loved ones and thyself forth from the Fount
Of blessing flow in copious shower?

Think what the purchase of His love-thy home in heaven;
See how He comforts thee with news of sin forgiven,

And with His loving Spirit doth uphold:

He who has done so much will never thee forsake.
Then let all earthly things their proper measure take,
Nor in thy doubting heart such cowardly fears awake:
Thee Everlasting Arms enfold.

And though the sowing be in tears, oh what will be
The joy of harvest, when each patient soul shall see

The fruit of all the sorrows of the way!

The "needs be" now we know not-God will make it plain.
Then strive we here to lisp His praise though care remain ;
And as the little birds keep "singing through the rain,"
Kept by His love, we joyfully shall swell the strain,
In the glad light of cloudless day!

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"At all Times;" or, the General Invitation.

ELL, I am glad to see you at last. We were hoping from day to day you would come and dine with us, till I was obliged in despair to You know I said when first you

write to you.

came to town there would be a place for you and a welcome

here at all times."

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Yes, my dear," replied my visitor; "but, to tell the truth, I hardly ever avail myself of general invitations. I had a lesson on the subject many years ago, which I've never forgotten; but I was very glad to come to-day, according to your kind note."

My guest was an old and intimate friend, and presently I asked her to tell me what was the experience concerning general invitations for which I had paid the penalty of not being taken at my word: "If it's not an unpleasant subject," I added.

"No, it's not an unpleasant subject," she replied, "for it led me to the greatest blessing of my life; but it's rather a long story. You know, I think, that I was left very young an orphan, and dependent on relations, and when my education was considered complete I took a situation as teacher in a school near London. I was quite among strangers, and felt very lonely at first. In those days I knew nothing of having God for my friend; and it was a pleasant surprise, when I had been in this position for some time, to receive a visit from a lady who told me she had known my mother, and having chanced to hear where I was living, had come Her home was near, and before leaving she invited me to spend the following Saturday evening with her, to which I gratefully agreed. "My visit proved a very pleasant one. husband was hospitable and courteous, and their children in terested me greatly. Two or three other guests came later, and we had some good music, and my singing was evidently enjoyed. Mrs. Evans pressed me to pay her another visit soon. 'Come in any half-holiday,' she said; 'you will be welcome at all times. Now, mind you take me at my word.'

at once to see me.

My new friend's

"I was highly pleased with the prospect of a little cheerful society on my half-holidays, and the idea of finding a friend in my kind hostess made me feel much less desolate than heretofore. In about a fortnight I resolved to take advantage of her cordial invitation. I changed my school

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