The speaker did not at first remark that the cousin for whom she asked knelt in a corner of the room engaged in silent prayer. "Eliza is talking to God," whispered the little one. And she was right. For though not one of the three who were in that room could see God, who is a Spirit, He was present in their midst, listening to every request they made; yea, even to the words and accents of the child who had been taught to address Him as "Our Father." Very tender was the love and care Jesus Christ showed, when He was on earth, for the little ones. He took them up in His arms and blessed them, saying, "Suffer them to come unto Me;" and to this hour children may approach their Heavenly Father and make known their wants and sorrows: and if He does not give them all that they ask, it is because some of the things they desire would do them harm instead of good. A young boy, very ill of fever, was restlessly tossing to and fro upon his couch, which his mother (who sat beside it) vainly strove to render easy for the sufferer, who made two or three ineffectual efforts to rise. "Lie still, my boy," she said; "you are not strong enough to get up." "But, mother, I must kneel down and say, 'Our Father.' I'll forget how to say it (meaning the Lord's prayer) if you don't let me. change that He makes in the heart, is more wonderful than any bodily change that mortal eye has ever seen. The fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace. People who possess such fruits are apt to show in their countenances that they are good and happy. Thus, when we see a calm, serene light reflected from the face of one who is a stranger, we form an opinion of his character; like the little girl that besought her nurse to stop one day, and let her kiss a gentleman who was coming towards them; "because," she said, "I'm sure he's one of God's angels." The clergyman who thus attracted her attention was a good and holy man, and while others moved along intent on their own pleasure or business, he often, even in the crowded streets, "talked with God." You have all read how Stephen, with his ears full of revilings and his face bruised with cruel stones, was so transfigured by the glorious sight of Heaven opened and Jesus sitting at the right hand of God, that his murderers no longer gazed at the face of a man, but of an angel. Dear children! we all shed influence around us in a greater or less degree. Seek then to talk, and to be, with those who will lead you aright. Influence is perpetually streaming on us from people with whom we have intercourse. One who knew well the power of old companions to lead us to good or evil, taught hundreds of little children this simple prayer, "O God, for Jesus Christ's sake, give me Thy Holy Spirit." We know not what even to pray for as we ought: but God will guide and teach, and not turn away from the smallest child, who asks Him to let that Holy Spirit shed abroad in his own naturally sinful little heart, the Heavenly fruits of peace, joy, and love. Watchwords for February. His mother told him, that when he was so weak and First Week.-"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try ill, he might repeat his prayers as he lay in bed. And presently a voice-no longer clear and ringing in its tones, but touched with pain and weariness-fell on her watching ear May my sins be all forgiven, Bless the friends I love so well; The little boy's prayer was answered speedily. For, now, his angel always beholds the face of his Father in Heaven. Hundreds of years ago, there was a man who, for forty days and nights, remained on the top of a mountain "talking with God;" and when he came down again among his brethren, they could not look at him, because the skin of his face shone. Some of the rays of God's glory had fallen upon Moses, and changed his outward appearance; though he himself did not know how different he looked, with that pure shining light illuminating his face. But beautifui as it was, the light did not last always. It faded away, after Moses ceased to talk with God. If any of my young readers were to climb the highest mountain on earth, hoping to find the light which shone on the face of Moses, they would be disappointed. But each in their own homes can find a place to "talk with God," who has promised to give the light of His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him. And the me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" --Psalm cxxxix. 23, 24. Second Week.-"I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way: oh when wilt Thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart."-Psalm cii. 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Published and sold by the Trustees acting under a Trust Disposition and Codicils relating to the STIRLING TRACT ENTERPRISE, granted by the now deceased PETER DRUMMOND founder thereof, proprietors in Trust, at Drummond's Tract Depot, Stirling, N.B J. P. Pattison, Esq.. Selkirk, . R. Esq.. 20 O - 20 0 Mrs. Millar, Glasgow, 1 Mrs. R. C. Allen, St. Bees, THE FAKIR'S ANSWER. T is related that in one of the countries of the East there lived a Fakir or Dervish, --a man who lived in voluntary poverty, and asceticism. Some of the Fakirs of the East are simply fanatical and disgusting. But others are of a higher type; men of deep earnestness and thoughtfulness, who are really seeking God, and striving after the attainment of inward purity and perfection in a mistaken way. Such as this was the man we speak of. Giving himself to religious contemplation, he was exceedingly chary of words. As long as he could make himself understood by signs, nothing would induce him to open his lips. And he was highly esteemed for his piety, being generally called "the holy Dervish." In the same town lived a rich man, famous for his lively social qualities, and his amiable ingenuity in finding amusement for his friends. One day he had a numerous company at his house. They freely enjoyed the pleasures he offered them, and then, as usual, looked out for some novelty to crown the entertainment. "Come, and let us see our old friend, the holy Dervish,' said the host: "I have three questions to put to him. Let us see how he will answer them." The proposition was received with enthusiasm, and all the company set out gaily towards the hut of the poor Fakir. field. They found him quietly seated beside a freshly dug The leader of the party composed his laughing face, assumed an expression of profound humility, and addressed him thus: "Holy father, my soul is in anguish because of three deep and difficult questions which exercise it. Will you deign to come to my assistance, and help me with your wisdom to answer them?" The Dervish made a sign in the affirmative. "Well then," said his visitor, "the first of these questions relates to God. They say that there is a God; but I cannot see Him, and no one can show Him to me. How, then, am I to believe that He exists ?" The Dervish only answered by a sign expressive of profound attention. "My second question relates to Satan. We are taught that Satan is an angel of fire. If, then, he is fire himself, what has he to fear from the flames of hell ?" Another expressive and impressive sign. "And now for my third question. It is written that all our actions are fixed and decreed by God, even before we commit them. How then can God call us into judgment for acts which do not depend upon our own free will? How can we be accountable? Holy father, I implore of you to answer me." Another sign. Then, suddenly seizing a sod of earth, the Dervish threw it with all his force full in the face of his questioner. Transported with rage at this unheard-of insult, the rich man instantly had the Dervish seized, and the whole party soon appeared before the judge. The plaintiff made his statement, and added that the assault was a serious one, as the pain in his head from the blow he had received was almost unbearable. The judge, turning towards the accused, asked him what he had to say in his defence. The dervish made a sign. "Explain yourself intelligibly, if you please," said the judge, severely; "I will not put up with signs.” "Be it so," said the Dervish. "I have only to say that this gentleman came to ask me three questions, and that I fully answered them all.” "Answered them! What! By throwing a sod of earth at my head? Oh! this dreadful pain. No one knows the pain I suffer!” "Explain yourself further," said the judge to the Dervish, impatiently. "I will do so," said the Dervish, with perfect calmness. "The gentleman asserts that there is no God, because he has never seen Him, and because no one can show Him to him. Will your excellency have the goodness to ask him to show me the pain that he feels in his head. Not having seen it, I cannot believe that it exists." The company smiled, and even the stern features of the judge relaxed a little. "The gentleman also asked me how it is that Satan, who is an angel of fire, should have anything to fear from the flames of hell. Now, we all know that our first father was formed of the dust of the ground, and that we are composed of the same. Dust we are, and to dust shall we return. I am sure the gentleman will admit this. Then, if he is earth himself, what harm can a sod of earth do him?” "And now for my third answer," said the Dervish, drawing himself up with dignity; "here it is. Since it was decreed that I should strike this gentleman with a sod of earth, why has he brought me before the judge?" Here every one laughed, and it was generally agreed that the Dervish had defended himself well with his adversary's own weapons. "I admit," said the judge, "that your sod of earth contained these three answers. Your reply was ingenious, but rather too forcible. In future, holy father, you must answer the questions proposed to you in a different manner. Another time you might not escape as well as to-day." Such is the Eastern story. It teaches a lesson as suitable for our Christian lands as for the Mohammedan East. Plausible objections against Bible truths are easily raised, but are in many cases capable of being answered by a simple appeal to the analogy of facts of daily experience! Thus it is, for example, with the doctrines of the Trinity, of Divine Justice, of the Atonement by Christ, of Justification by Faith, of Regeneration by the Holy Spirit, of Eternal Life. There are mysteries above human comprehension connected with each of these; but he who will not believe what he cannot comprehend ought not to believe even his own existence, or a thousand facts connected with his own wondrous nature. How then can he expect to comprehend the nature and the ways of the self-subsisting, infinite God, his Creator? He |