SAMSON'S LION.

(JUDGES xiv. 8.)

THE lion that on Samson roared,
And thirsted for his blood,
With honey afterwards was stored,
And furnished him with food.
Believers, as they pass along,
With many lions meet,

But gather sweetness from the strong,
And from the eater meat.

The lions rage and roar in vain,
For Jesus is their shield;
Their losses prove a certain gain.
Their troubles comfort yield.

The world and Satan join their strength
To fill their souls with fears;
But crops of joy they reap at length
From what they sow in tears.

Afflictions make them love the word,
Stir up their heart to prayer;
And many precious proofs afford
Of their Redeemer's care.

The lions roar, but cannot kill,

Then fear them not, my friends;

They bring us, though against their will,
The honey Jesus sends.

J. NEWTON.

THE doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ is a firm rock, an eternal mountain on which the eternal sunshine is ever resting.Stratten.

THE HOUSE-BREAKER DEFEATED.

THE fear of God can deliver from all other fear. "If God be for us, who can be against us ?" The believer may boldly say, "The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." God has promised to deliver those who trust in Him from all evil. And faith in this promise not only gives the Christian Omnipotence for his guardian, but it enables him to be calm and peaceful in the midst of the greatest dangers. "Thou wilt keep

F

him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee."

There are many proofs and illustrations of this in the experience of believers. The following well authenticated case is recorded of the wife of a Derbyshire farmer.

In one of the thinly-peopled dales of the Peak of Derbyshire stood a lone house, far from neighbours, inhabited by a farmer and his wife. Such is, or used to be, the primitive simplicity of this district, that it was usual for persons to go to bed without taking any precautions to bolt or bar the doors, in the event of any of the inmates not having come home. This was the practice with the family in question, especially on market-days, when the farmer, having occasion to go to the nearest town, often did not return until late. One evening, when the husband was absent, the wife, being upstairs, heard some one open the door and enter the house. Supposing it to be her husband, she expected him to come upstairs. As he did not come, she went down, when, to her terror and astonishment, she saw a sturdy fellow searching the house for plunder. At the first view of him, as she afterwards said, she felt ready to drop; but being naturally courageous, and of a deeply religious disposition, she lifted up her heart in prayer to God, and soon recovered sufficient selfpossession to suppress the cry which was rising to her lips, to walk to a chair which stood on one side of the fire-place, and seat herself in it. The burglar seated himself in another chair, which stood opposite, and fixed his eyes upon her with a savage expression. Her courage was almost spent; but she again put up a prayer to the Almighty for protection, and threw herself upon His providence; for "vain was the help of man."

She immediately felt her courage revive, and looked stedfastly at the ruffian, who now drew a large clasp-knife from his pocket, opened it, and, with a murderous expression in his eyes, appeared ready to spring upon her. She, however, showed no visible emotion, but continued to pray earnestly, and to look on the man with calm seriousness. He rose, glanced first at her, then at the knife; again he seemed to hesitate, and wiped the weapon upon his hand; then once more glanced at her she all the while continuing to sit calmly, calling earnestly upon God. Suddenly a panic appeared to seize him; he blanched beneath her still, fixed gaze, closed his knife, and went out. At a single spring she reached the door, shot the bolt with a convulsive rapidity, and fell senseless on the floor. When she recovered she recognized her husband's well-known step at the door, and heard him calling out in surprise at finding it fastened. Rising, she admitted him, and, in tones tremulous with agitation and gratitude, told him of her danger and deliverance.

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE LAST DAYS OF LYDIA MARY TILLEY.

AGED SIX YEARS AND SIX MONTHS.

LYDIA MARY TILLEY was first taken ill with scarlatina, and so far recovered to have her wish granted to once more enjoy the beautiful sun; but our fond hopes were soon blighted. Thursday, September 30th, she did not feel so well, and asked to be taken to bed again, which was done, not to get up any more. Saturday she seemed much better, Sunday not so well; on the Monday morning perceived a great change in her; as I was

washing her, her little head fell back. She looked at me, and seeing me weeping, she clasped her arms round my neck, evidently being persuaded she was about to take her farewell of us from the following conversation. In the afternoon she seemed fully aware that her end was near, and said, "Mother, I am going to die. I shall not be here long. I want to die, and go to Jesus. You send for my Testament, mother, and keep it." I used to read about Jesus on the cross.

66 Yes," she said, "wicked men killed Jesus, that little children might live. And bury me beside of Siddy," meaning a little brother she had never seen; but had great affection for him, and used to feel a great delight in doing up his grave, and planting flowers upon it. I said, "My darling, I will attend to all you wish; but would you rather die and go to Jesus, or get well again !" "Oh," she said, I want to go to heaven." Several times she would express her inability to pray during her illness. Monday night she was very ill, and in much pain; her complaint being inflammation of the bowels. She called for her father to come and pray for her; the request being granted, she broke out singing,

"I want to be an angel,

And with the angels stand;
A crown upon my forehead,
A harp within my hand;"

and several other sweet little hymns; then called for each of her brothers and sisters, and told them she was going to heaven to be with Jesus, and wished them good-bye, and expressed a wish for her two elder sisters that were away from home to be sent for to say good-bye before she died.