THE LITTLE WAX-LIGHT. after they were in the fire. Then they had any life. but softly, gently. 29 Then they died; Indeed, gently was the going forth of their life. And astonished were all the people around, that beheld the burning of them they prayed, saying, O Lord, receive THE LITTLE WAX-LIGHT. forth, bright, useful, and beautiful. The dim words on the pages of the books became clearly seen, and the worshippers united in a hymn of praise. Reader, this little wax-light may suggest to you several lessons. I will suppose you are a child; it may be a little one, young and feeble, possessing neither learning nor wealth; yet you may be useful. Little things often do us good service. Drops form the shower, rays the sunbeam, and children may do much good, if they try. They may even impart the light of life to those who are sitting in darkness, and in the region of the shadow of death. ONE dark day in December the dim | wax-light, and the chandelier shone twilight was falling on the congregation, during the afternoon service, in the church of a large country town. There was no gas in the building, but a handsome chandelier was hung over the middle aisle. A man made his appearance, bearing a tall wand, to the end of which was fastened a small crooked bit of wax-light, whose little flame seemed a mere spark in the midst of the tall arches among which it moved. It was pleasant to watch this little mounted light, visiting taper after taper among the beautiful branches of the chandelier, waiting for a second or two at each, rather longer, perhaps, with one more obstinate than its neighbours, and leaving every one of them a light, bright as itself, very welcome to the people below. It was rather a slow business to be sure, but the little crooked taper moved on, and on, and on, till the whole thirty were lighted up; then the man went away with the little The little wax taper had to be lighted before it was of any use. So it must be with you. By nature we are all dark as to the things of God. "Ye were once darkness," says St Paul to the Christians at Ephesus, "but now are ye light in the Lord." They had received Him into their hearts who is the light of the world, and He had so enlightened them that they could enlighten others. Of the Christians at Philippi the same apostle writes, "Among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life." This is what all Christians ought to do, and what they will do when the true light reaches them. If you would be thus employed, ask God to enlighten you by the teaching of His Holy Spirit; ask Him to "shine into your heart, to give you the light of the knowledge of His glory, in the face of Jesus Christ." Lighten our darkness, Lord! Open our eyes to see! And shed Thy saving light abroad, Till all are taught of Thee. The little wax-light could not reach the great chandelier by itself: it required to be moved and guided by the hand of another. Let this remind you, that "of ourselves we are not able to help ourselves," and that the Lord Jesus has said, "Without Me ye can do nothing." The power and providence of the Lord are now displayed in enabling the little ones of this land to impart light to the dark regions far over the seas. And whenever success attends any of our Missionaries, it may be truly said, as of old, the hand of the Lord was with them," "the power of the Lord was present to heal.”—Carrier Pigeon— (American.) 66 A YOUTHFUL GIDEON. A BOY, belonging to one of the schools established by the missionaries in the South Seas, had heard so much of the sin and folly of idolatry, that his confidence in idols was shaken, and he longed to know for a certainty whether the images he had been accustomed to worship were really possessed of power or not. One day his father and mother went out, and left him at home alone. He had spent some time in reading his tasks, and thinking over what he had been taught at the school the day before. At last the idea came into his mind that it would be a good thing to burn the idols. He was, however, afraid, partly on account of his parents, and partly from the dread he had of offending the gods, and bringing down upon him swift destruction. In this difficulty he knelt down, and entreated the God of Christians to take care of him and help him. He then rose, and, taking up one of the smallest idols, he put it on the fire: the flames kindled about it, and in a short time not a vestige of it remained. terrified child looked on with astonishment; but no sooner was the first The consuemd than he threw on another,, to the missionary, and asked him if he knew anything about their son. He said he did not; but, suspecting what had been done, he offered to accompany them and find him out. After going in various directions, they bent their steps to the wood; and there, at some distance, under the shadow of a tree, they saw the lad kneeling before God. The parents were so thankful to see him again, and to find that not a hair of his head had been hurt, that they forgot their rebukes, were persuaded to renounce their heathenish customs, and henceforth gave themselves up to the study of the Holy Scriptures. The boy, encouraged by the divine goodness, was confirmed in his resolution to be the Lord's, and afterwards became a zealous teacher in the schools, and a preacher of the Gospel among his brethren.-Selected. and another, and another, till, like Gideon of old, he had thoroughly cleansed his father's house. When, however, the flames had subsided, and all was over, the boy became alarmed at his own temerity. He had no more fear of the gods of wood and of stone, but he trembled at the thought of what his father might say, and he was half inclined to repent his rashness. In this extremity he shut up the dwelling, and went into the woods; and there, in the best way he could, he devoted himself to God, promising that if God would befriend him and be his God, he would serve Him all the days of his life. While he was there, his father and mother returned; and, missing at once the idols and the boy, they feared some spirit had come and taken them away together. As soon as they could recover themselves a little, they went THE FIRE FLY. SOME years since, a missionary in of the road, and how was he to the island of Jamaica went to visit a sick brother, and remained with him so long, that nightfall came on ere he resumed his journey. Twilight is very short in that country; and he found he must return home in the dark. In one part of the way he had to travel, he knew there were frightful precipices by the side escape them in the dark? A friend offered to lend him a pony, but, after some hesitation, he resolved to go on foot, and trust his own legs, rather than those of the proffered steed. It was pitch dark when he set out, but by-and-by the atmosphere around him became illuminated by a beautiful fly, called, in that country, the 32 POETRY-THE INDIAN CHILD'S LAMENT. candle-fly. This insect gives out a mand, by the aid of an insect directed his servant in the right way, and led him on safely to his journey's end. In many an after hour of trouble and of fear has that missionary's heart been cheered by the recollection of the "Candle-Fly." brilliant light, having, as it were, Have we not in this fact a beautiful illustration of the fulfilment of God's promise, "Before they call, I will answer?" The missionary's God “abideth faithful," and will make a way of escape for His servants, where they cannot find one. Only let us love and serve Him, and He will "deliver us in six troubles, yea, in seven. There shall no evil touch us. beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him." "Whoso hearkeneth unto Him shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”— Poetry. THE INDIAN CHILD'S LAMENT. I WISH I were a golden star, I hear there are some stars divine, And some blithe birds, whose beauteous song Oh, that I knew that happy shore! I would rise, and away, and weep no more! Is there no path to that fair land? Is there no outstretch'd helping hand To lead poor wanderers away "The From earth's black night to heaven's bright day? To bid the weary welcome home? Has there no eye of pity smiled On the woes of the weeping Indian child? Alas! for me no mercy's here! My only solace is this tear; My only hope is death's dark gloom; Oh, that this weary life were o'er, -United Presbyterian Juvenile Magazine, Price 6d. per doz. or 3s. 6d. per 100; 20 copies sent free by post for 10d., paid in advance. Published by GALL & INGLIS, 6 George Street, Edinburgh. HOULSTON & WRIGHT, London. |