servant who is mentioned in Scripture. Read Gen. xxxv. 8.

"But Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and was buried beneath Bethel, under an oak; and the name of it was called Allon-bachuth."

Can you tell me where this Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, is first mentioned ? No answer.

Read Gen. xxiv. 59.

A. "And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men."

When was this that Rebekah was

sent away with her nurse?

A. When she was to be married to Isaac.

Our lesson to-night is to be about female servants, so I will not say anything more about Abraham's servant Eliezer, than that he was the oldest of his servants, that is the one who had lived longest with him, and in whom he felt most confidence, and therefore the one whom he sent to choose a wife for his son Isaac. I have no doubt you all know the story about his coming to the well, and praying that God would direct his choice, and then Rebekah came to draw water, and after he had returned with her to the house and told his errand, we read that he went away, taking with him Rebekah, and her nurse. Now I cannot tell you whether this means that Deborah was then old, and had nursed Rebekah, when she was a little child, or whether it means that she was the maid who was to attend

upon her. Anyhow she went away with her young mistress, and for some time lived with Isaac and Rebekah alone. Can you tell me how long it was before they had any children?

No answer.

It was twenty years. How many children had Isaac and Rebekah ?

A. Two sons.

What were their names?

A. Jacob and Esau.

No doubt Deborah had many trials and difficulties, and a great deal of

trouble with these two boys. Does the Bible teach us anything about Esau's temper and disposition?

A. He was hasty and violent.

Year after year this faithful servant remained in the family, an honourable example of all that is excellent in a servant. In the verse you read we find Deborah was buried under an oak. Who buried her?

A. Jacob and his sons.

From this we find that after Rebekah's death she lived in Jacob's family, probably too old for work, yet so loved and honoured when she died, they lamented so much over her loss, that the oak tree under which she was buried, was called, "Allon-bachuth, or the oak of weeping," for that is what the word means. The Bible does not tell us how old Deborah was when she died, we know that persons lived to a great age in those times, and we find from the dates that about 125 years had passed since the day when she was first mentioned coming away with her young mistress Rebekah. But without saying anything more about Deborah, and leaving you to think of her when you return home, and I hope to try and follow her honorable example, I wish you to turn to the next servant of whom we read in Scripture: read 2 Sam. iv. 4, 'And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son 'that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and he became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth."

The tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel; what tidings? A. They had been killed in battle. In battle with whom? A. With the Philistines.

If we look to the account, we find that the men of Israel forsook the cities and fled. Why did they flee? A. For fear of the Philistines. Now if the Philistines came into the

A. The king's palace.

Then who would be in the greatest danger?

A. The king's family.

We find that Jonathan the king's son, had a little boy, how old was he?

A. Five years' old.

His nurse was among those who rose up to flee, every moment of delay was dangerous, but she would not leave the little boy to perish though it must have hindered her greatly to carry a child five years old. What happened while she was carrying him?

A. She let him fall.

And what was the consequence of his fall ?

A. He was lame.

He was lame for the rest of his life, but his lameness must have been to him a memorial of his nurse's faithful love, which under God was the means of preserving his life. "She made haste to flee."

These words teach us how great the danger was, and though her name is not even mentioned in Scripture, I think that the few words we read about her in this verse, teach us that she is an example of faithfulness amidst danger, since she was willing to risk her own life to save that of the child entrusted to her care.

Now turn to 2 Kings v. 2. "And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid." In whose service was this little maid placed?

A. She waited on Naaman's wife.
Who was Naaman?

A. The captain of the guard.

Of what country?

A. The Syrians.

So we see that the Syrians were at war with the Israelites, and this little maid had been taken prisoner from the land of Israel. We can hardly fancy any situation more sad and lonely, away from her friends and her home,

family, amongst the enemies of her people; was it possible for her to be a faithful servant, in such a situation ? A. Yes.

Have we any proof of this?

A. She was so anxious that her master should be cured.

Now was this little maid able to do any good in that family?

A. Her master was healed of his leprosy.

But did he receive any greater blessing ?

A. He left off worshipping idols.

He was brought to the knowledge of God, for we find him saying that "Henceforth he would offer neither burnt-offerings nor sacrifices unto other gods, but unto the Lord." And all this good had been done by means of the little maid-who feared not to speak of God in a heathen land, and who was so anxious for her master's cure, although he was the enemy of her country, and she was herself a prisoner. Now none of you who are here this evening, are ever likely to be placed in such sad circumstances, living in a heathen family far away from all your friends; but still if you should ever live where God is not known and loved, remember we have heard many a story of pious servants who have been made a great blessing in such families.

There is one maiden mentioned in the New Testament, though very briefly, Acts xii. 13, "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda."

There were many people gathered together, what were they doing? A. Praying.

And when the knock came at the door who went to answer it?

A. Rhoda.

From this we may conclude that she was the servant. Now in whose house was this ?

A. The home of Mary, the mother of John, whose surname was Mark.

Here we have the picture of the family in which she lived. John, whose surname was Mark, appears to have been the nephew of the apostle Barnabas and was afterwards a missionary who went about preaching the gospel of Christ; so we have here the young missionary and his mother, with their friends gathered together praying. Now Rhoda when she heard Peter's voice opened not the gate for gladness, why was she so glad?

A. Because she was a Christian. Because Peter was set free.

True, she was no doubt a Christian, and probably had frequently heard Peter preach, perhaps had seen him often visiting at her mistress's house; but why was it that in her gladness she did not even stop to open the gate, but ran to tell those who were assembled in the house?

A. She knew how glad they would all be to hear that he was free.

Exactly so, and thus we see how she sympathized in the sorrows of those with whom she lived; what would please them rejoiced her. I cannot remember any other female servant who is mentioned in Scripture, but having studied these examples, let us see whether we can find any lessons useful ourselves. Now we will try and find what lessons Scripture teaches us.

I. Concerning service.

II. The duties of servants.

Will you try and remember these two heads. We wish to learn what Scripture teaches us, first

A. Concerning service. and secondly

A. The duties of servants. Very well; now first as to service. What does the term servant mean?

A. One who serves another.

Well then, we find in this world, that some people are served, while others serve, what makes the difference?

A. Some are rich, and some are poor.
Well, go further back, and tell me,

why some people are rich, and some are poor?

A. God makes them so.

Then the first lesson we learn concerning service, is, that it is a stationA. Appointed by God.

Yes; and it is an honourable station too-there is a verse which tells us that God is no respecter of persons; and the servant who is doing her work faithfully as unto God, however humble her work may be, is as honourable in his sight as the Queen upon her throne.

Now the next lesson we may learn is, that service has its trials. Were there any of those of whom we have read who were placed in very trying circum

stances ?

A. Hagar. The little maid.
What do we mean by trials?

A. Anything which seems to come between us and our duty, and make our work difficult; or anything which is hard to bear.

Yes; those things are trials which make our work difficult to us, or our troubles hard to bear. I have said that service has its trials, but there is no station in life which is without trials; you will find a willing, cheerful spirit, can help you through a great deal, and happy are those servants, young servants especially, who have learned to look to their mistress as to a kind friend in whom they can confide, and to whom they can tell all their griefs, and all their little difficulties. One lesson more we may learn concerning service is, that it is a station which has many privileges. I believe the situation of a servant may be as happy, or happier, than any other. It has fewer cares than any other station. I dare say, some of you have known what it is in your own homes to see your father out of work, and your mother finding it very difficult to know how to provide for you all. In service you have no such anxieties, you need not be troubled with the question as to what

you shall eat, or wherewith you shall be clothed; your master and mistress provide you with good food, and a comfortable home; and you have also the opportunity of laying by in store for the future. I think it the duty of every servant, however young she may be, or whatever her wages may be, to lay by something in the saving's bank, against a time of sickness, or old age, when she may not be able to work. Servants now do not remain so long in their situations, that, like Deborah, when their master and mistress are dead, they can hope to be received into the family of their master's children, and taken care of in old age. But these are the temporal advantages of service, it has its spiritual privileges as well. Can you tell me whether any of those of whom we have read this evening were placed in very privileged circumstances? A. Deborah. Rhoda.

Yes; it was no small privilege to live with such masters as Isaac and Jacob, or, like Rhoda, in a family where prayer was wont to be made. And so in service now,-some of you live in families where every day is begun and ended with prayer, you cannot value the blesstoo highly; then, too, you have some time to yourself, time to pray, time to read God's word, and an opportunity of attending the house of God on the Lord's-day.

But we were to learn what Scripture teaches, secondly, as to

A. The duties of servants.

Read Eph. vi. 5. 6, 7, 8, "Servants be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as the ser. vants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men ; knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free." Col. iii. 22, 23, "Servants,

obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart fearing God and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto man." 1 Tim. vi. 1, 2, "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit." Titus ii. 9, 10, "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." 1 Peter ii. 13, "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward."

Read and think over all these words when you go home; but tell me, what are the two great duties which these verses set before us?

A. Our duty towards God, and our duty towards man.

In what spirit did that first verse you read teach us we are to do all things?

A. In singleness of heart, as unto Christ.

Now, one of you tell me what you think is meant by this singleness of heart?

A. To have but one motive, and one the love of God, and the desire

wish;

to please Him.

Well, I think we cannot explain the words singleness of heart, more clearly than M. B. has explained them; for the heart which is really full of love to God, will indeed do every thing with the one desire to please Him, doing all to his glory. But what do these verses teach you as to your duty to your earthly master ?

A. To be obedient. To submit. There is one verse which says "not answering again." Suppose your master or mistress should speak an angry word to you, they might do so in haste, or under a mistake, how does God's word teach you that you should act in such a case?

A. Not answer again.

What is meant by eye-service?

A. Doing anything while they are looking at us.

Well, it means that we are not only to do right to be seen of men, but we are to do in their absence just as we would if they were present and watching us.

Are you to be obedient only to those who are kind to you?

A. To all; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

What is meant by showing all good fidelity?

A. Faithfulness.

And who will be the most faithful servants to their earthly masters?

A. Those who love and serve God. There is one part of the Catechism, I mean in your duty toward your neighbour, where all this is set before us in a very few words, and called doing our duty in

A. In that state of life to which it shall please God to call us.

What do we mean by that state of life? A. That station. That situation. And what is the station we are speaking of to-night ?

A. Service.

And what do we mean by doing our duty in that station?

A. Trying to do the best we can. Do any of you know the story of Louise Schepler ?

No answer.

Far away, among the mountains between France and Germany, is a valley called the Ban de la Roche, or the Rocky Valley. Many years ago the good pastor, Oberlin, for so the clergyman there was called, went to

live in that valley. The good pastor and his wife found the people very ignorant, and their children neglected and ragged. Little Louise was as ignorant as the rest, but by-and-bye Madame Oberlin took her into her own house to teach her to be a servant, and very great pains she took with the little girl. After a time Louise, by taking pains also, began to learn very nicely; she used to say, that if she found anything too difficult for her, she would pray to God and then try again, and it always seemed easier after that; and let us remember that it is a good lesson for us all to learn. At the end of five years Madame Oberlin died, and then Louise took charge of the whole family of seven children; but this was not all,-she used to assemble first one and then another of the children in the valley, and teach them to spell, and sew, and knit ; she used to go, amidst snow and ice, to visit the sick and poor,-yet all this time she never neglected one of her household duties. For fifty-nine years she served the Oberlin family, refusing any wages for her services, and died beloved and lamented by all who knew her; so we see in this example how a little servant maid became a great blessing to a whole neighbourhood. And now, my dear friends, if I could have one wish for you all, it is, that those of you who are servants, or intend to become servants, should be such as those of whom we have been reading, Deborah, or Louise Schepler, whose long years of loving and faithful service were closed by an honoured and lamented death; but I know that there is only one way. Oh, if you would be thus faithful and useful to your earthly master, seek first to be faithful to God;