where, if you keep your eyes open, you will see how often remarkable and amazing are God's dealings with Listen to the story of any life, or read the history of any land, and you will see how strangely sometimes, yet wisely and graciously, He overrules all things for the glory of His name, and the good of His people. Still, if you reflect, you will see that there is no place like the Cross at which to behold the marvels of providence. For did not Judas betray Jesus; sell Him out of malice and revenge for thirty pieces of silver? And did not the chief priests and scribes hate the Saviour because they thought he was an imposter, and one likely, if allowed to live, to change their customs, and deprive them of their power? And did not Pilate and the Roman soldiers crucify the Lord, because the leading priests of the day and their followers desired and clamoured for it? Yea, and did they not hang our Lord between two thieves, as if to heap upon Him all the disgrace they could? And yet, how God overruled all that for the eternal good of untold millions, for all unknown to them they were made the means of opening a "Fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins," at which you and I may get washed from all our sinstains, and get fitted for a glorious home in Heaven! Therefore, let us trust in God, and trust Him when we cannot trace Him. 66 "God is nowhere." said a sceptic to a little girl. "Sir, you have read it wrong," she replied, "for it is God is now here." He is everywhere present, beholding the evil and the good, and is overruling all for the good of them that love Him, and who are the called according to His purpose." And what comfort and peace a simple faith in all this brings! How it can keep us calm amid all the trials and changes of life. "Why should I be afraid," said the captain's daughter, when a storm was raging and every one was thinking they were going to the bottom: "Why should I be afraid, when my father's at the helm ?" And why should we be afraid when we know and believe that God is over all, holding the reins of universal empire. "For though His arm be strong to smite, And then, what courage and hope we get when we remember God's marvellous works. For, was it not thus that young David was enabled to go forward and face Goliath? Was it not because God aforetime had helped him to kill the lion and the bear, and would He not also help him to overcome the giant? And so, if God has done wonderful things for others in the past, will he not do wonderful things for you, if you look up and acknowledge Him? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Still trust in God. I will remember them from the hill Misar. And remembering God's marvellous works will help us not only to trust Him, and keep us calm, and inspire us with fresh courage and hope, but fill our hearts with gratitude and praise. "Remember His marvellous works." WITHOUT lying to God's face no one can pray, "As we forgive our debtors," unless in deed and truth he forgive his enemies, and blot out their offence. The Broken Thread. THIS morning a little child, at a house where I called, came weeping to her mother in great grief. She had been sitting very quietly for some time on a little stool, sewing a piece of clean rag for practice. When I enquired the cause of her trouble, it was a broken thread; the poor little girl seemed overwhelmed with the idea that all her work was ruined. "Did you think, love, I could not fasten it on again?” asked the mother, wiping away the streaming tears. "Yes," sobbed the child. "Oh, but I can though, in a minute," said the mother. "See, love, see!" Dear little child, thought I to myself, thy grief and thy simplicity are just like mine. How often, and how long, have I sat weeping and sobbing with, as it were, a broken thread in my hand, not considering how easy it is to my Heavenly Father to fasten all the broken threads of my life-yes, and to heal the broken hearts of all His children. God's Letter to You. "MOTHER gave me a Bible last New Year's Day," said a little girl complacently, "and Aunt Lou gave Cousin Harry one. Just look at them now, and see the difference!" Harry's was worn. Its gilt edges were tarnished, and the newness was gone from the cover; it looked as if it had been read very often. Here and there I saw pencil marks, and in one or two places it seemed as if tears had fallen. Little Harry's Bible had evidently been very precious to him. Minnie said, triumphantly, "Now, see mine!" And there it was, fresh and uninjured. "I've kept it safe in the drawer." "Minnie," said I, "if your father were away from home and should send you a letter, telling you what he wanted you to do and be, would it be good treatment to lay it away in a drawer unread? Would it not be better to take it out every day, and to read it over and over, trying each time to obey its injunctions?" "Yes," said Minnie, blushing as she began to see my meaning. "This is God's letter to you, my love. Like the man who folded away his talent in a napkin, you have folded up your precious Bible. Hereafter, my child, use it as God wants you to do. 'Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me.""-Early Dew. closed-he at length looked up and exclaimed: 'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' He was constantly reciting favourite hymns from memory, as they in turn expressed his emotions or convictions. Such a man in such a time could ill be spared; but the Lord reigneth."" Books on Our Table. First Week. I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved in general, and on the Lord's Supper in particular. For example, me, and gave Himself for me.-Gal. ii. 20. Second Week.-God who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.-2 Cor. i. 10. Third Week.-If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit which dwelleth in you."-Rom. viii. 11. Fourth Week.-When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.-Col. iii. 4. The late Professor Clark Maxwell. to the extent of atheism. The cause of mathematical and physical science has sustained a great loss by the early death of this eminent man, whose researches into the hidden constitution of matter have acquired him a world-wide fame. None have thought more profoundly or reasoned more boldly on that difficult subject than he; but none have done so with more reverential caution. Hence the greatness of our loss, in a day when irreverence is the prevailing sin among all classes, and, among men of science, irreverence even "Only three weeks before his death," says the Christian Monthly, "he remarked that he had examined every system of atheism he could find in the literature of man, and he had discovered, quite independently of any previous knowledge he had of the works of man, that each system implied a God at the bottom to make it workable. It is but little of truth,' he added with the modesty of true science, 'that man can acquire; but it is something to know in WHOM we have believed.'" "When he was enduring weakness so extreme that he could say but very little-often lying motionless for a while with his eyes Notices. Literary communications, Books for review, &c., to be addressed to the Rev. W. TAYLOR, M.A. Business Letters and Orders for the Publications, with Money Orders, to be addressed to JOHN MACFARLANE, Manager, Drummond's Tract Depot, Stirling, N.B., from whom specimens of the Publications, with Catalogues, may be had, post free. We have received several small legacies bequeathed to the Enterprise, and have had intimation besides of others on their way. We append a form of bequest, for the guidance of other friends who may think of following so good an example: 1, A. B., do hereby give and bequeath to the "Stirling Tract Enterprise," established by the late Peter Drummond, seedsman, Stirling, the sum of free of legacy duty and all expenses; and I hereby direct and appoint my executors to pay the same to the Trustees acting under a Trust Disposition and Codicils relating to said Enterprise, granted by the said Peter Drummond, or to their Manager for the time being, for behoof of said Enterprise. The Sacraments; by James S. Candlish, D.D., Professor o Theology (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark). This is the fourth of the series of handbooks for Bible classes now being issued by the enterprising publishers. It seems to us to be an able, judicious, and valuable work. It is full, yet brief. It indicates learning; it is intellectual; yet it is Scriptural, practical, and spiritual. It steers the middle path admirably between the bald views of some, and the superstitious views of others, on the Sacraments it teaches a real, but a spiritual, presence of Christ. It is just such a manual as ministers may with great advantage employ as a text-book in their Bible classes, and as intelligent youth (and intelligent old people too) may with great profit study for themselves. Of course, it cannot be expected that any book on the Sacraments can on every point unite the suffrages of all Christians, not even of all evangelical Christians; yet the tone of this book is so Catholic, that where any differ in part, they cannot be offended, but may have their views profitably enlarged. Steps Through the Stream; by Margaret Stewart Simpson (London: Nisbet). Devout, experimental reflections on gospel themes-helpful stepping-stones." in crossing life's streams." TALES-John Pearce, the Colporteur, (London: Elliot Stock). An unusually well-written and attractive story with a purpose. The purpose is both to answer the question, "What shall we read?" and to show the utility of colportage in helping people practically to answer it. This is done agreeably by depicting the character and work of (as we have heard) a real colporteur, whose devotion and success are presented under a fictitious name, surroundings, and incidents. Religious Tract Society). An interesting romantic story, with a Golden Sheaves; by Mrs. Lucas Shadwell. (London: The high purpose; the purpose being to magnify and recommend the Divine grace which can both reclaim the prodigal, and cheer the forsaken, and make them to be instruments of usefulness among their suffering, sinful, fellow-creatures. Hospital work is the special field of usefulness depicted. Dickey and his Friends; by Adeline Sergeant. (Edinburgh: NacNiven & Wallace). A story of two poor boys, told in that realistic touching way in which ladies excel. The Floating Light of Ringfinnan. &c.; by L. T. Neale. (Edinburgh: Macniven & Wallace). Two stories of children and others. The scene of one of them is cast in the Irish famine. Ladies have a knack of describing the ways and feelings of children, and of the poor. Floral Scripture Leaflets. A Packet of 50 Handbills, in elegant Floral Also, the above with the Texts printed in ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY PERIODICALS. Price One Halfpenny, 3 copies for id., or 2s. 6d. The Half-Crown Packet, consisting of one WEEKLY TRACTS. A New Series of Two-Page TRACTS, one to be published Every Week. The Writers secured for the Series comprise the most eminent Ministers and Laymen of all denominations. It is hoped the issue of these Tracts will give a new impetus to Home Mission and Evangelistic Work. Price 6d. per 100, post free. No. 13. True Riches, by H. K. Wood (a Glasgow Merchant). 14. The Day's Reckoning, by Rev. G. Everard, M.A., Wolverhampton. 15. The Substitute, by H. K. Wood (a Glasgow Merchant). 16. Where will it End? by Rev. T. E. Sampson, Barrow-on-Humber. Please mention" Weekly Series" when ordering. ENVELOPE SERIES OF LITTLE BOOKS. 15. The Way to be Saved. 6. per dozen. 16. No One but God Saved Me, a Word to Working Men. 6. per dozen. 17. Sanctification, by Rev. John M. Sloan, M.A., Glasgow. 6d. per dozen. 18. Saving Faith, by Rev. John M. Sloan, M.A., Glasgow. 6. per dozen. NEW LEAFLETS. We have pleasure in announcing the publication of two new packets of Leaflets, Nos. VII. and VIII., of the Stirling Leaflets, price Sixpence each. No. VII., by CHARLOTTE MURRAY, containsFreely and Fully.-Members of Christ.-Sabbath Morning Hymn.-Here! There!-SeedTime.-Can I Bring God Nothing?-Why are Ye Idle?-Speak for Jesus.-"Only."-A Word to the Aged.-"Hear, and Your Soul shall Live."— What do We Give?- Trust. "He Calleth Thee."-A Word to the Weary.-Secret Thoughts of a Poor Backslider on seeing his Bible. Packet VIII. contains "Let Me Hide Myself in Thee."-Over and Over Again.-"Early Will I Seek Thee."Nature and Faith."This I Did for Thee: What Doest Thou for Me?"-Lean Hard.Answer to "Lean Hard."-"Not Knowing the Things that shall Befall Me."-"What Think Ye of Christ?"-Led On,-He Leads Us On.-I am the Shepherd True.-Beautiful Snow. -A Benediction. Crown 16mo, cloth, price 6d. The Way of Peace Illustrated, by Fact, and not Fiction; through the experience of those who have found it. A word for the anxious. By the Rev. W. Poole Balfern, Brighton. "The kind of book to give to our ungodly friends, if we wish to put before them a pure Gospel message, so stated that they will be attracted to read it."-C. H. SPURGEON, Warning Words. A Series of 32 One-page Leaflets, medium 32mo, containing striking Texts, &c. Printed on tinted paper. Price 6d. per 100, 500 for 25., or 38. 6d. per 1000. OUR LONDON AGENCY.-A complete stock of the Stirling Tracts and other Publications is kept by Messrs. S. W. PARTRIDGE & Co., 9 Paternoster Row. Agents in Melbourne-Mr. M. L. HUTCHINSON, and Mr. HENRY COOKE. Agents in Tasmania.-Messrs. J. WALCH & SONS, Hobart Town; Messrs. WALCH BROTHERS & BIRCHALL, Launceston. G. T. Munro, Esq., R. Finlayson, Esq., 5 0 2 6 - 26 - 26 26 - 2 6 26 s. d. s. d. 26 H. L. Pollard, Esq.,. 2 6 2 6 S. L. Nussey, Esq., - 26 2 6 G. Bingley, Esq., 2 6 26 W. Smeaton, Esq., 26 2 6 2 6 2-6 26 2 6 -26 - 26 2 6 INVERGORDON. G. R. Hall, Esq., J. Ferguson, Esq., - 10 о Alex. Morrison, Esq., 2 6 John Kintrea, Esq., 26 KEITH, AND FIFE KEITH. Messrs. J. & W. Robb, 5 0 Miss Sim, George Allan, Esq., J. Kelman, Esq., HUNTLY. Mrs. J. Robertson, J. Lawson, Esq., 2 6 - 20 6900 Joseph Lambert, Esq., 5 Miss M. A. Wormald, 20 o In Memory of P. Messrs. Haughton, Knowles, & Co., Rev. J. G. Kaltofen, Mrs. Burnley, DEWSBURY. Mrs. Gulline, BATLEY. .20 .2 Messrs. R. Brearley & Sons, A. Brooke, Esq.. Messrs. M. Sheard & Sons, Messrs. Avison Bros., 50 E. Hemmingway, Esq., 2 6 Messrs. Fearnside & - 20 о 5 0 5 0 5 0 2 6 5 0 Miss Greenwood, - 20 о H. S. Spencer, Esq., 2 6 3 0 26 W. Downie, Esq.. 2 6 Messrs. A. Yuill & D. Campbell, Esq., . D. M'Donald, Esq., . Dr. Mackenzie, P. Baillie, Esq.,. W. Turubull, Esq., MACDUFF. Thos, Valder, Esq., 26 Bowden Parish Tract Association, D. Greig, Esq., Edinburgh, Mr. J. Ferguson, Stew arton, A, Cruickshanks, Esq., 2 6 2 6 Dr. Davidson, Culross, o 6 E. C. N., Lee (For Court Leaflets), P. Davidson, Esq., Miss Brown, Greenock, 20 o Douglas, . Sawyer, Mrs. Cave, Clifton, Alexandria, - 20 0 - 20 0 English Presbyterian Rev. W. Magill, Cork, ao o - 17 D £92 13 10 32,277 10 2 Amount reported last month, £30.370 4 0 C. Duthie, Esq., - 20 - 20 0 ELLON. . 2 6 20 2 6 2 6 2 6 J. Johnston, Esq.. PETERHEAD. Wm. Stewart, Esq.,. James Scott, Esq., 2 6 J. Phillips, Esq., Rev. A. Lee, M. A., 2 6 -Fraser, Esq.,. Misses Bayne, . 2 6 T. Aitken, Esq.. Rev. J. Burns, J. Cassie, Esq... CIRCULA £66 19 4 A.W.Henderson, Esq., 20 o D. Hamilton, Esq., 2 6 -26 · 2 6 FRASERBURGH. 2 6 Messrs. J. & T. Park, 10 o A. Bruce, Esq.,. James Simpson, Esq., 5 o 2 6 2 6 2 6 THE GRATUITOUS TION of the British Messenger, Gospel Trumpet, Good News, and Tracts of the Stirling Tract Enterprise, since its commencement, amounts to more than 39 The number in 1879 was millions. - 5 0 nearly two millions. The Trustees are anxious to continue and greatly extend this gratuitous circulation, and they invite and would gladly welcome the contribu tions of Christian friends to enable them to do so. Many applications could be more adequately responded to did funds allow. The following per REV. R. F. BROWN, Travelling Agent: s. d. WICK (2d List), s. d. Misses Brodie, J. M'Ewan, Esq., · 76 T. Murray, Esq., s. d. 2 6 • 2 6 -26 J. Sutherland, Esq., 5 o A. S., . G. Durran, Esq., J. Watt, Esq., W. Sutherland, Esq., 2 0 2 6 J. W. Galloway, Esq., 2 6 2 6 A. Manson, Esq., 26 2 6 J. Couper, Esq., J. D. R., Rev. G. Stevenson, J. M. Nimmo, Esq., Jas. Gilchrist, Esq., A. Sinclair, Esq., Rev. F. Harper, Mrs. Donaldson, Kev. Geo. Renny, THURSO. 26 -26 26 J. Henderson, Esq., - 10 Rev. Dr. Taylor, Miss Williamson, Donald M'Kay, Esq. 26 D. Sinclair, Esq., A Friend,. GOLSPIE. 2 6 -26 WOLVERHAMPTON. W. Fleming, Esq., ·76 John P. Shaw, Esq.,26 5 0 Messrs. Payne & Fox, 5 o J. Gibbert, Esq., 30 HELMSDALE. Rev. D. Macrae, 2 6 • 5 0 2 6 D. Mackay, Esq., 2 6 V. Giles, Esq., • 2 6 D. Couper, Esq., 2 0 о Mr. Couper, Small sum, W. H. Hart, Esq., 2 6 W. Illingwarth, Esq., 10 J. G. Heaps, Esq.. W. S. Leng, Esq., 5 "YOU CAN'T BE HUNGRY." A TRUE INCIDENT. The strange part of my story. It will not be matter of surprise to hear that the gratitude expressed by the hundreds thus fed has been very great, and felt by the willing Christian domestic as an ample recompense for her labour of love done URING last winter, owing to the sad for Christ's sake. This has not been a light one; the state of depression of trade and agri-washing up of the basins and spoons used would be culture, the large number of working- deemed by, too many, in her place a terrible hindrance men of every class of labour out of to her own regular work. Not so by this young disemployment was most distressing, ciple of the Master, who will not miss her reward Travelling from town to town, and from Him who marks the cup of cold water given in village to village, in search of work His name. which was often unattainable, and driven to extremity, these homeless wanderers kept body and soul together by asking charity at the doors. of rich and poor alike. In one southern county, the cottage residence of a widow lady, though out of the main thoroughfare and in a secluded lane, was visited by these starving poor daily from early morning to evening shades. Sometimes as many as eighteen before mid-day came to her door. Knowing the sad expenditure in strong drink if alms be given to beggars, she has for years made it a rule not to give relief to the wanderers in money, but in food; which, indeed, is all that, with the rarest exception, has been asked for at her door for a long period. Bread, or pieces of bread baked into a substantial pudding, has been the gift bestowed, and thankfully received. One very bitter morning, the snow lying on the ground, which was iron-bound with frost, a little girl came to the kitchen door, and pleaded that she was very hungry, and so cold. At once the ministering servant in her blue flannel hood (for that kitchen door facing the east was biting cold in the wintry wind), brought out a bowl of her steaming savoury soup, with bread in it, for the child. A word here in passing, Surely a gift gains value from a pleasant smile, and the kindly tones of a symphathising voice. It has been said that kind words cost nothing and go a long way; they send the heart of the hearer away warmed and cheered, for many a long mile of the weary road. But if they cost nothing, But when the early extreme cold set in last winter, at least they cannot flow from an empty heart. There a fresh plan was adopted. A poor old man specially must be loving sympathy; the love that weeps with moved the compassion of a servant, who, having just them that weep, rejoices with them that rejoice. You removed the breakfast things, knew there was a cup of can't give from an empty purse, nor bestow Christ-like good tea left in the teapot, which she took out to him compassion save from a heart He has first filled with some bread. He blessed her for it, saying it was with His own love. Alas! too often we have not, something warm that such as he sorely needed such a because we ask not; or our love is too low down, too hard season. This being repeated to the mistress, she scanty, to flow over to other's needs. The full bucket remarked to her cook (a bright, Christian girl) how cannot be carried from the well without the drops terrible the sufferings from the frost must be, and how running over, and marking our track. Let us seek to she wished it were possible to furnish some hot food to be filled afresh, daily and hourly, at the living Fountain the strangers in need who came to the house. The of all love; and then must its stream flow out, in our idea was responded to with cheerful willingness by the looks and our words, to those we meet with in our kind-hearted servant, who could never bear to see the pilgrimage. We may thus soothe some aching wound hungry birds without feeding them from the window. of the sad ones on earth. I doubt not that the Her mistress gladly gave her leave to use as much pea-kindly look and tone of the girl had much influence flour, oatmeal, and rice as she liked; and the outcome in inducing the acceptance of the Gospel papers; was a large pot of two or three gallons of soup, nicely for the instances of refusal of these might be counted flavoured with an onion, carrot and turnip, pepper and on the fingers, whilst the receivers were the hundreds. salt, made ready at the side of the fire morning by One aged man, taking one with thanks, said, he knew morning--a row of basins and spoons standing ready. not how he could have borne his trials without his And as the poor men, women, and children rang or pocket-companion; and he drew forth an old well-used knocked at the back-door, the pleasant-faced girl New Testament: it was sweet to feel it was one of the carried forth a basin of the steaming soup, with a piece Lord's own children that had been refreshed on his of bread; or sometimes, if the crusts were stale, broke way. But I have wandered from my point. them into the bowl before pouring on the boiling mess. The child, to whom the steaming bread and soup were carried out on that bitter snowy morning, to the astonishment of the ministering woman shook her head, and said she did'nt want soup, and actually rejected the nice hot meal, and went away without tasting it. It was the only instance that had occurred. The custom has been always, with the food for the body, to give a portion to feed the soul-an illustrated gospel paper or tract, Good News, or Gospel Trumpet, or British Messenger having been amongst the chief given things-especially this winter, owing to a gracious gift of a large parcel of such from the" You can't be hungry" was the natural conclusion, as Stirling Depot. Let me add, for the encouragement of other sowers of gospel seed, that the recipients are seen reading as they go down the drive, and have been often met with sitting under a hedge, thus occupied with the precious gospel truths thus invitingly placed before them in these papers, or in Friendly Visitors, Old Jonathan, Illustrated Fly Leaves; and the great harvest day alone will disclose the full ingathering from the seed thus scattered broad-cast. the savoury basin was carried indoors again-to be thankfully enjoyed by a really hungry and needy applicant a few minutes later. Something stranger still. Has this incident no teachings for us? It brought many thoughts to my own mind. Is it not written in the Word of Life, "He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich (those who do not feel their need) |