THE LITTLE GLEANER. JEHOVAH-JIREH. ONE Christmas-eve, during a period of tribula tion and affliction, a poor widow lay sick and weak upon her bed. The windows glittered in the adjoining houses with festive light, and her neighbours' children were rejoicing and exulting in their numerous presents. Meanwhile the poor forsaken woman continued lying disconsolate and weeping on her bed, her heart filled with sorrow and care. Her little ones stood silently and mournfully around her. Not a morsel of bread was left in the house; not a penny in the cupboard to procure any. "Alas! dear Lord," thought the poor woman, "how art Thou guiding me?" And a profound and painful sigh escaped from her heavily-oppressed heart. Suddenly it was inwardly whispered to her, "What hast thou in thy house?" "Ah," sighed she to herself," what have I? A few empty plates, and that is all! "Place them upon the table," occurred to her further, "and borrow empty vessels from thy neighbours, and not a few." Observe, my dear friends, these were the precise words which were suggested to her not a word more nor less. The widow sighed. What is the meaning of it?" thinks she, and says, "Dear Lord, see, here are my children; in them Thou hast empty vessels: they have neither anything to eat nor clothes to put on ! ""Believe!" was the reply. The same moment the door opens, and a person enters, who, after a friendly salutation, lays a sum of money on the table, and immediately hastens away again. Directly afterward come others, who bring bread in a variety of forms; and others, again, bring meat and provisions of various descriptions. The plates are already full; but still there is no end to the bringing. The children are obliged to borrow vessels of their neighbours, even not a few, and not one of them is left unfilled; and linen is brought in, and clothes for the little ones, and even playthings for them, as Christmas gifts; and still more than all this, nothing but friendly faces appear, and many refreshing expressions of affection and all kinds of comforting, sweet, and encouraging things are spoken. All this occurred in rapid succession, in the space of a few minutes, and it was as if the people had concerted together, and yet no one knew of the others' intention. And when all was quiet again, and the gifts were lying on the table, which they covered from one end to the other, it seemed at first to the astonished widow as if only some sweet dream were playing with her soul. But then all that was within her exclaimed, "Surely the Lord was in this place!" and her heart melted with thankfulness and emotion. At the moment it occurred to her that her late husband had said to her on his death-bed with his last breath, "Do not weep; only be calm: the Lord will be with thee, and will not forsake thee!" "Ah," thinks she, "I see now; the Lord spoke it through his mouth." And, whilst thinking thus, a more joyful confidence is infused into her heart than she had previously felt, that her husband belonged to the Lord, and that she would infallibly meet him again in heaven. It now seemed to her as if, on a sudden, she possessed her departed companion again, and from that evening a new and heavenly bond connected her with his happy spirit. The sick woman now lay under the influence of the most joyful emotions, whilst her children, with glistening eyes, skipped about the table and contemplated the gifts. Their mother then thought, "Ah, gracious Lord, if Thy lovingkindness is so great, Thou couldst likewise restore me to health!" And scarcely had the prayer ascended within her than she felt more cheerful, strong, and healthy than had been the case for many years. She springs up from her couch, praises the Lord with her little ones, is able to attend church the following day, and again the day after; and, if even she is weak at present, she knows since that time that it is an easy thing for the Lord, and costs only a word, to make in a moment, whenever it pleases Him, an end to all her distresses. Such is my tale. This is a circumstance of very recent occurrence, and it happened in our own valley, and in the centre of our own parish. It took place on the eve of the last Christmas festival, literally, as I have related it to you. Hitherto it has only been known to the woman and myself; now you all know it. But you must not inquire further after the widow's name. Of what importance is it to you who she is? Plant the fact itself in the garden of your recollection. You may also experience days and hours in which the invigorating scent of this remarkable incident may pleasingly refresh you.-Quoted from "Elisha," by E. W. KRUMMACHER. BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EVERY SUNDAY January 2. Texts on looking. January 30. Texts on considering. ADDRESS TO OUR DEAR READERS. HAIL or rain, snow or blow, Forth your loaded friend must go. This your happiness to shun |