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When she knocked at her master's door, which was kept locked and barred, for fear of constables and bailiffs, it was presently opened; and the joy to see her was as great as when a fleet of ships arrive, laden with provisions for the relief of a starving town, closely besieged by an enemy. The children danced round the maid, eager to look into the basket; the patient mother wiped her eyes, the father smiled, and said, "The Lord hath not forgotten to be gracious. His word is true from the beginning: The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." Martha gave an account of her little journey, as soon as tears of joy would permit her; and all partook of the homely fare with a sweeter relish than the Roman nobles ever knew when thousands of pounds were spent to furnish one meal.

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The spirit of persecution raged so warmly against him, that this worthy man was under the necessity of taking leave of his dear family, and going he knew not whither. But the question was, how should he be got ready for his journey? He had a horse; but the little money that remained must be left for the support of his family, for whom Mr. Heywood was much more concerned than for himself. One winter morning, when it was yet dark, the horse was saddled, and this good man, after bidding farewell to his wife, and blessing his children in their beds, set out, like Abraham, when he left his father's house, not knowing whither he went. He moved silently along in by-ways for some time, for fear of being seen, till he had got out of the neighbourhood. Having not one farthing in his pocket to bear his travelling expenses, he committed himself to the protection of Providence. He determined at length to leave his horse at full liberty to go what way it would, and thus travelled on for a great part of the day, till both man and beast stood in great need of refreshment. Towards evening, the horse bent its course to a farm-house, a little out of the road. Mr. Heywood called at the door, and a clean decent woman came out to inquire what he wanted. "I have reason," said he, " to make an apology for giving you this trouble, being an entire stranger in these parts. My horse stands in need, as well as myself, of shelter and refreshment for the night: if you could any way make it convenient to furnish my horse with a little hay, and a stand under cover, and myself with a seat by your fireside, I ask no more." The

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good woman, a little surprised at his request, told him she would consult her husband. After a few minutes, they both came to the door, and Mr. Heywood repeated his request; but told them that he had no money to satisfy them for any trouble they might have on his account; yet he hoped God would reward them. They immediately desired him to alight: the master led the horse into the stable; and the mistress took the stranger into the house, invited him to sit down, stirred up the fire, and began to prepare him something to eat. Mr. Heywood told her that he was concerned to see her give herself so much trouble; that being unable to make her any recompense, he did not request either a supper or a bed, but only that he might sit by the fireside till morning. The mistress assured him that for an act of hospitality she did not expect any reward; and that, though the fare her house would afford was but poor, he should be welcome to it; and therefore she hoped he would make himself easy. After supper they all sat down before the fire, and the master of the house desired to know of the stranger what countryman he was "I was born," said he, "in Lincolnshire; but I have a wife and family near Halifax." “That is a town," said the farmer, "where I have been; and some years ago I had a little acquaintance with several persons there. Pray do you know Mr. S- and Mr. D- ? and is old Mr. F- - yet alive?" The stranger gave suitable answers to these and many other inquiries. At length the kind hostess asked him "if he knew anything of one Mr. Oliver Heywood, who was formerly a minister at some chapel not far from Halifax, but was now, on some account or other, forbidden to preach." The stranger replied, "There is a great deal of noise and talk about that man; some speak well, others say everything that is bad of him; for my own part, I can say little in his favour." "I believe," said the farmer, "he is of that sect which is everywhere spoken against; but, pray, do you personally know him? and what is it that inclines you to form such a poor opinion of his character?" "I do know something of him," said the stranger; "but if you please we will talk on some other subject.' After keeping the farmer and his wife in suspense for some time, who were a little uneasy at what he had said, he told them that he was the poor outcast of whom they had made so many kind inquiries. All was then surprise, and joy, and thankfulness, that a merciful Providence had brought

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him under their roof. The master of the house said, “ Mr. Heywood, I am glad to see you here, having long had a sincere regard for you from the favourable reports I bave always heard of you. The night is not far spent. I have a few neighbours who love the Gospel; if you will give us a word of exhortation, I will run and acquaint them. This is an

obscure place, and as your coming is not known, I hope we shall have no interruption." Mr. Heywood consented; and on this joyful occasion, a small collection was cheerfully made to help the poor traveller on his way.

Anecdotes and Selections.

A REMARKABLE DREAM.-I thought I was sitting, a little before daylight, with my deceased brother, on the wall of the churchyard of the parish in which we had lived many years together. We remained silent for some time, and then he asked me if I would not go with him into the church. I readily consented, and immediately rising up, walked with him towards the porch, which I thought was very large and spacious; but when he had passed through it, and came to the inner door that led to the body of the church, some way or other (but how I could not well conceive) my brother slipped in before me, and when I attempted to follow, which I was all eagerness to do, the door, which slid from the top to the bottom, like those in some of the fortified towns on the continent, was instantly let down more than halfway, so that I now found it quite necessary to bend up myself almost double before I could enter. But as I stooped to try, the door continued falling lower and lower, consequently the passage became so narrow that I found it altogether impracticable in that posture. Grieved to be left behind, and determined to get in, if possible, I fell down on my hands and tried to squeeze my head and shoulders through; but finding myself still too high, I then kneeled down, crept, wrestled, and pushed more eagerly, but all to no purpose. Vexed to the last degree, yet unwilling to be left outside, I resolved to throw off all my clothes, and crawl in like a worm; but being very desirous to preserve a silk waistcoat which I had brought from France, I kept that on in hopes of being able to carry it with me. Then laying myself flat on my face, I toiled, and pushed, and strove, soiled my embroidered waistcoat, but could not get in after all. At last, driven almost to despair, I stripped myself entirely, and forced my body between the door and the ground, till the rough stones and

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gravel tore all the skin and flesh upon my breast, and, as I thought, covered me with blood. Indifferent, however, about this, and perceiving I advanced a little, I continued to strive and squeeze with more violence than ever, till at last I got safely through. As soon as I stood upon my feet in the inside, an invisible hand clothed me in a long white robe, and as I turned round to view the place, I saw a goodly company of saints (among whom was my brother) all dressed in the same manner, partaking of the Lord's supper. I sat down in the midst of them, and the bread and wine being administered to me, I felt such seraphic joy, such celestial ecstasy, as no mortal can express. I heard a voice call me three times by name, saying I was wanted at home. My joy was so great and overcoming, that it soon broke the silken bands of sleep, and made me start up in my bed, singing the high praises of God.

Memoir of Major General Burn. FAMILY PRAYER BY TWO DAUGHTERS. A gentleman residing in the western part of the state of New York, had sent two of his daughters to Lichfield to be educated. While they were there, God was pleased to bless the place with a revival of religion; and the news of it reached the ears of their father. He was much troubled for his daughters, "apprehensive," to use his own words, "lest their minds should be affected, and they be frightened into religion." Alive, as he thought, to their happiness, and determined to allay their fears and quiet their distresses, he sent a friend to Lichfield, with positive orders to bring them immediately home, that they might not be lost to all happiness and hope, and consigned to gloom and despondency. The messenger departed on his errand; but they had already chosen Christ for their portion, and had resolved that, whatever others might do, they would serve the Lord. They returned to their father's, not overwhelmed, as he expected, with gloom and despondency, but with hearts glowing with gratitude to God, and countenances beaming with serenity and hope: indeed, they rejoiced in the Saviour. Soon after their return home, they were anxious to establish family worship, and affectionately requested their father to commence that duty. He replied, that he saw no use in it; that he had lived very well more than fifty years without prayer, and he could not be burdened with it now. They then asked permission to pray with the family themselves; and not thinking they would have confidence to do it, he assented to the proposition. The duties of the day being ended, and the hour for retiring to rest having arrived, the sisters approached the stand, and placed on it a Bible; one read a chapter-they both kneeledthe other engaged in prayer. The father stood; but while the humble, fervent, prayer of his daughter was ascending to heaven, his knees began to tremble; he also kneeled, and then became prostrate on the floor. God heard their prayer, and directed their father's weeping eyes, which had never shed tears of penitence before,

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to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. Happy family! a believing father and believing children, whose God is the Lord!

THE ROBBER AND THE STOLEN SERMONS. -A minister had been preaching one evening, in a village at some distance from his home; when, on his return, he was stopped by a man, who presented a pistol, and demanded his money. The minister allowed him to take his watch and his money; and the thief, feeling some papers in his pocket, took them also away with him, saying, that for anything he knew, there might be bank notes among them. These papers were, however, manuscript sermons, written out at length in a fair and legible hand. Some months afterwards, a respectable looking man called upon the same minister, recalled to his recollec. tion the robbery, stated that he had been the robber, restored the watch and a sum of money equivalent to that which he had taken away, and stated the cause of his making restitution was, that upon looking over the papers, he found a sermon on the words, "Thou shalt not steal." The singularity of this circumstance induced him to read it; and the impression produced by its warnings upon him was so powerful, that he abandoned his profligate courses, became an altered man, devoted himself to industrious labour, and took the earliest opportunity of restoring the property he had stolen.

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PROOF OF BEING A CHRISTIAN.-The simplicity of youthful conversion was illustrated in the case of a child thirteen years old, who resided in New York. "Mother," said this girl, know whether or not I am a christian by my feelings ?" dear," replied her mother, "I must first know what your feelings are. The daughter smiled, and said, "Well, then, you know, when you have been angry with a person, and it is all made up, how happy you feel. Now I have been a long time angry with God, and it is all made up, and I feel so happy.' Thus she expressed a reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ.

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AT HOME IN GLORY.-"How delightful to think of glory," said a young christian when near her end. "Death is but a step into it. Jesus, the Lord of glory, is waiting to receive me! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!"" Almost at home!" said another, after a long illness, "Almost at home! My precious bible! what a treasure thou hast been to me! True: every word. I never thought I should be so happy when I came to die. I am as happy as I can be out of heaven!"

HOW TO TREAT AN ENEMY.-A gentleman once told a pious baronet that a person high in power had insulted him, and he would punish him for the insult. "Certainly it will be manly to do so," said the baronet, "but it will be Godlike to forgive him." Another nobleman used to say, "By revenging an insult you put yourself on a level with your adversary, but by forgiving him you rise above him.”