'THE LAMP WITHOUT OIL.'

A TRUE INCIDENT.

HILST spending a week lately in the society of a great number of faithful pastors from the Canton of Vaud, one of them, at a public meeting, related to us the recent conversion of a lady in his parish. She was one of those who lived only for this world; the thoughts of her sins had never caused her uneasiness; she was careful and troubled about many things, but neglected the one thing needful. One night whilst alone in her room, she saw the lamp which lighted it suddenly go out. Although she was alone, she said aloud (thinking only of the accident which had left her in the dark), 'There is no oil in my lamp!' The words thus spoken echoed in the room and sounded in her ears, but with a new sense. She recalled the parable of the five foolish virgins, who had no oil, and whose lamps had gone out at the coming of the Bridegroom; and from that moment, day and night, that word of God remained in her soul, as an arrow remains in the side of a stag who flies far away from the hunters. It recurred to her constantly: No, I have no oil in my lamp! My God, what will become of me? I have not Thy grace in my heart! She was filled with fear; then she began to pray, and continued in prayer until God answered her favourably, and gave her His peace through the Holy Spirit, and now she is happy and full of zeal. Like Enoch, she walks with God; and we trust that, like him, she will continue to do so till the end.From the French of L. Gaussen.

out fear and doubting, relying upon Jesus as our intercessor. Do we desire the conversion of a dear friend? Let us ask our Father for His converting grace; and let us never give over praying until our end is gained. Are our temporal wants distracting our hearts? Let us cast this care also upon Jesus, and pray Him, if according to His will, to relieve our wants and provide for the comforts of those depending upon us. We must not forget that 'the silver and the gold are the Lord's, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.' Whatever our wants are, He can supply them, and we cannot ask more than it is in His power to give, if consistent with our highest good. Oh, then, remember when you draw near to Him in prayer, 'Thou art coming to a King; Large petitions with thee bring, For His grace and power are such, None can ever ask too much.'

S. S. Times.

OMNIPRESENCE.

KNEEL, my child, for God is here!
Bend in love, but not in fear;
Kneel before Him now in prayer;
Thank Him for His constant care;
Praise Him for His bounties shed
Every moment on thy head;
Ask for light to know His will;
Ask for love thy heart to fill;
Ask for faith to bear thee on
Through the might of Christ, His Son;
Ask His Spirit still to guide thee
Through the ills that may betide thee;
Ask for peace to lull to rest

Every tumult of thy breast;

Ask in awe, but not in fear;

Kneel, my child, for God is here!

"THE LAMP WITHOUT OIL.'

A TRUE INCIDENT.

W

HILST spending a week lately in the society of a great number of faithful pastors from the Canton of Vaud, one of them, at a public meeting, related to us the recent conversion of a lady in his parish.

She

She was one of those who lived only for this world; the thoughts of her sins had never caused her uneasiness; she was careful and troubled about many things, but neglected the one thing needful. One night whilst alone in her room, she saw the lamp which lighted it suddenly go out. Although she was alone, she said aloud (thinking only of the accident which had left her in the dark), There is no oil in my lamp!' The words thus spoken echoed in the room and sounded in her ears, but with a new sense. recalled the parable of the five foolish virgins, who had no oil, and whose lamps had gone out at the coming of the Bridegroom; and from that moment, day and night, that word of God remained in her soul, as an arrow remains in the side of a stag who flies far away from the hunters. It recurred to her constantly: No, I have no oil in my lamp! My God, what will become of me? I have not Thy grace in my heart! She was filled with fear; then she began to pray, and continued in prayer until God answered her favourably, and gave her His peace through the Holy Spirit, and now she is happy and full of zeal. Like Enoch, she walks with God; and we trust that, like him, she will continue to do so till the end.— From the French of L. Gaussen.

UNCLE GODFREY'S STORIES OF
LIFE IN THE BUSH.

ARRY a parcel like that through the streets, mamma? Oh, I can't, every one will think I am a shopboy!'

The words were uttered by Ronald St. Clair (who, along with his brother and sister, had accompanied their mother on a shopping expedition to a town some miles distant from Arundel Manor), and were called forth by Mrs. St. Clair placing a pretty large parcel into his hands, and requesting him to convey it to the carriage, which awaited them in an adjoining street.

Just as Ronald was expressing his unwillingness to comply with the demand, a strong hand was laid on his shoulder, and a hearty voice exclaimed, Ashamed to carry a parcel through the streets, Ronald! What a foolish notion! Why, I've had to sell things in the streets, and never felt a bit ashamed of so doing. Better do that than beg, or depend on other people for your livelihood.'

Ronald started at the sound of the voice, which he at once recognised as that of Uncle Godfrey; but after listening to his words, turned towards him with a look of amazement: You sell things in the streets, Uncle Godfrey! You-a gentleman!'

'Yes,' said his uncle, laughing, 'a real gentleman, son of the Hon. Mr. St. Clair; and yet I've acted the part of a water-seller, and thought no shame. Wait till to-night, and I'll tell you about it.'

Ronald took the parcel without any more demurring, and that very evening Uncle Godfrey, with the children round him, began the story, which he entitled

'HOW I GOT MY LIVING; OR, WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY.'

'In the year 1861, Wilfred and I arrived at New Providence, after a journey of sixty miles from a place at a branch of the Snowy River where we had resided for some months. Whilst there, we had incurred heavy expenses, and received small returns; so, after paying off all our debts, we found ourselves almost cleared of every shilling. But we were strong, and able and willing to work; and money must be got, for we were anxious to press on to Lambing Flat. I had gone out to the Bush to fetch in a load of firewood for the friend with whom we were living, when a woman stopped me, and asked if I would sell the firewood. I told her I could not do that, but I would bring her two loads like it for LI.

'Oh, uncle,' said the boys, 'one pound for firewood!' 'Yes; and some gave even more than that, and were glad to get it at the price. The woman was delighted at my proposal, and accepted it willingly; and as I found I could easily get the wood, and that people were anxious to buy, we took out a contract to the amount of £12, IOS., which sum enabled us to leave the place in the course of a fortnight.'

'But,' said Ronald, 'that was selling wood, and I thought you said it was water you sold.'

Patience,' replied his uncle, and you shall hear of me in the capacity of a water-seller also.' 'A water-seller, uncle!' said Lydia. think of you being a water-seller!'

How funny to

'Well, it is funny enough to look back on, Lydia,' said Uncle Godfrey; 'but it was hard enough work at the time, I can assure you. But now to resume my story.

'On our arrival at Lambing Flat we found everything ruinously dear, and what to do we knew not; so we took a walk through the place to see what was what. During