way, though all the benefit be ours, let thine be all the glory. Amen.' The Paralytic. 6 WE had scarcely finished our repast, when the mistress of the house came in to inform us of the situation of a poor man in the street, who had been bed-ridden for fifteen years. He is a very pious creature, added the mistress, and a great number of gentry go to visit him. I thought it might be pleasant to hear of him.' That it is,' replied my friend, and we thank you for it. We will go to see him. Where is his dwelling?'-'five doors only below our house,' she answered, and the waiter shall show you.' When we came in to the poor man's room, though every thing manifested the indigence of his circumstances, yet it was that kind of poverty which recommended itself by its cleanliness.-There stood a lady at the foot of his bed, in conversation with the sick 'How do you live?' I heard her say as I entered the chamber. Live, madam!" replied the poor man, I am in very good man. circumstances; I am not only rich by reason of present possessions; but I am an heir to a large estate. Astonishing said she, " you were pointed out to me as a very poor man, and I came to give you some relief." 6 That you may still do, madam, if you please,' answered he, for the riches I possess, and the inheritance to which I am born do not at present make me above charity. I am only rich in faith and an heir of the kingdom.'- Oh! replied the lady, is that all? But in the mean time how do you manage for this world ;'- My God,' cried the poor man, supplies all my need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. I am instructed both to be full, and to be hungry; both to abound, and to suffer need.' When my worldly stock is reduced low, and I have ❝ neither scrip, nor bread, nor money in the purse; I make use of bank notes.'-' Bank notes!' exclaimed the lady. Yes, madam,' he answered, here is a book full of them ;" taking up a Bible which lay upon the bed, and opening it; and oftentimes I find many folded up together in the same place to which I open. Look here, madam,' he 6 6 continued; see, here is a promise suited to every poor man's case. When the poor and needy seek for water, and there is none, and their tongues faileth for thirst: I the LORD will hear them. I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high-places, and fountains in the midst of vallies, and the high value of those promises, is that they are sure and certain. Faith draws upon the Almighty Banker, and his v is all prompt payment.' While the poor sick man said this, he opened the Bible to another part, and he exclaimed again,' See madam, here is another promise to a soul under doubts and fears.' I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way wherein thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye.' And thus madam, in every state and every circumstance of life, in this blessed book are assurances exactly suited to the wants both of my body and soul. Promises of provision for the way; deliverances under danger; préservation in seasons of affliction; support under trouble; direction in times of difficulty; and the Lord's assured presence in every time of need. I am with thee; be not *Isaiah xii. 17, 18. 'Fear thou not; for dismayed, for I am †Psalm xxxii. 8. thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea` I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.'* The lady, without adding any thing, put a piece of money into the poor man's hand, and withdrew. What her sentiments were, I know not. But, as soon as she was departed, my companion addressed the sick man. 'I am much delighted,' he said, 'to see you, my friend, so cheerful. It is a pleasing consideration, that your sickness is sanctified. But are you enabled always thus to rejoice in promises?' 6 6 Oh! dear Sir,' the poor man answered, no. Very frequently, through unbelief, I am, tempted to exclaim, with the church of old my hope is perished from the Lord.'t I have seasons of darkness, and times of temptation: notwithstanding I can and do say, through grace strengthening me, sometimes under both, Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; for though I fall, I shall arise; though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light unto me.'‡ Yes, in my haste, I cry out, all are liars. But blessed be the Lord under all, my God is faithful. He is better to me than all my fears.' 6 *Isaiah xli, 10. Lam. iii. 18. +Mich. vii. 8. At the poor man's request, my friend and I sat down, and we had a most refreshing season. I could truly say, it is good to be here! We parted not till we had spent a few minutes in prayer. And in the conclusion, the paralytic broke out in a faint and trembling voice, My willing soul would stay In such a frame as this; Our departure from the sick room was affecting. We parted as those who were to meet no more on this side the grave. At our return to the inn, our intention was to tarry only for a moment, just to settle with the host and be gone. But an event took place, which not only retarded that intention, but finally set it aside. How short sighted is man! What a perilous path he is walking! : We were returned to the inn and while my friend left me to discharge the expenses which we had incurred there, he visited, as his manner was, the stables; in order to drop a word on the best things among that class of people who inhabit those places, |