THE WORTH OF A DOLLAR.

The following narrative is a simple history of facts. It was related to the writer by a mother in Israel, whose veracity is entitled to the most entire confidence. The principal actor in the scene was a brother-in-law of hers, distinguished for his piety while living, but now with God; and it was from his own lips that she had all the particulars. If I may judge from its effect on myself, it will touch, in the heart of many a reader, a chord which will vibrate long with tender and delightful emotions.

About the year 1797, Deacon M. was travelling from a town on the eastern border of Vermont, to another on the western side of the same state. Passing over the mountainous part of the country between the Connecticut and Onion rivers, he perceived the heavens to be gathering blackness; the sound of distant thunder was heard, and a heavy shower of rain was seen to be fast approaching. The traveller was then in a forest; no place of shelter appeared, and he hastened on until he arrived at a small cottage on the extreme border of the woods. The rain just then began to rush down with power. He sprang from his horse, pulled off his saddle, and without ceremony darted into the house. Surprised to see no family but a single female with an infant child, he began to apologize for his sudden appearance-hoped she would not be alarmed, but permit him to tarry till the rain abated, it was so violent. The woman replied, she was glad that any one had happened to come in, for she was always much terrified by thunder. "But why, Madam," said he, should you be afraid of thunder? It is the voice of God, and will do no harm to those who love him, and commit themselves to his care." After conversing with her a while on this topic he enquired whether she had any neighbours who were religious? She told him she had neighbours about two miles off, but whether they were religious, she knew not; only she had heard that some man was in the habit of coming there to preach once in a fortnight. Her husband went once, but she had never been to their meetings. In regard to every

thing of a religious kind, she appeared to be profoundly ignorant.

The rain had now passed over, and the face of nature smiled. The pious deacon, about to depart, expressed to the woman his thanks for her hospitality, and his earnest desire for the salvation of her soul. He earnestly besought her to read her Bible daily, and to give good heed to it as to "a light shining in a dark place." She, with tears in her eyes, confessed that she had no Bible. They had never been able to buy one. "Could you

read one if

you had it ?" "Yes, sir, and would be glad "Poor woman," said he, "I do heartily pity

to do so."
you-farewell.”

He took his saddle, went to his horse, and was preparing to pursue his journey. But he reflected: "This woman is in perishing need of a Bible. Oh! that I had one to give her! But I have not. As for money to buy one, I have none to spare-I have no more than will be absolutely necessary for my expenses home. I must go; but if I leave this woman without the means to procure the Word of God, she may perhaps perish for lack of knowledge. What shall I do ?" A voice whispered, "He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord." "Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days." His heart responded, "I will trust in the Lord." He took a dollar from his purse, went back, and desired the woman to take it, and as soon as possible procure for herself a Bible. She promised to do so, saying, that she knew where one could be obtained.

He again took his leave, and set off. As there were then but few taverns on the road, he asked for lodging at the private house against which he found himself when night overtook him. He had yet a few pieces of change in his pocket: but as a journey of two more days was before him, he purposed to make his supper on a cold morsel which he happened to have with him. But when the family came round their table to take their evening repast, the master of the house very urgently invited the stranger to join with them; not only so, but to crave God's blessing on their meal. He now began to feel

himself among friends, and at liberty to speak freely on divine things. The family appeared gratified in listening to the discourse till a late hour: it was a season of refreshing to their thirsty souls. In the morning, the deacon was urged to tarry till breakfast, but declined, the distance he had to travel requiring him to set off early. His benefactor would take no compensation, and he departed, giving him many thanks. He travelled on till late in the morning, when, finding no public house, he stopped again at a private one for refreshment. While waiting, he lost no time to recommend Christ and him crucified to the family. When ready to depart, he offered to pay the mistress of the house, who had waited upon him very kindly, for his repast, and the oats for his horse, but she would receive nothing. Thus he went on, calling for entertainment as often as he needed it; and recommending religion wherever he called; and always offering, as another traveller would do, to pay his expenses; but no one would accept his money, although it was not known but he had a good supply, for he told them not, and his appearance was not mean: at home he was a man of wealth. What, thought he, does this mean? I was never treated in this manner on a journey before. The dollar given to the destitute woman recurred to his mind; and conscience replied, I have been well paid. It is, indeed, safe lending to the Lord. On the second day after he left the cottage in the wilderness, he arrived safely at home; and still had money for the poor, having been at no cost whatever.

About one year and a half after this, a stranger called at the house of Deacon M. for some refreshment. In the course of the conversation, he observed that he lived, when at home, on the other side of the mountain, near Connecticut river. The deacon enquired for some gentlemen there with whom he was acquainted, and was pleased to find that the stranger knew them well. He then asked whether the people in that vicinity paid much attention to religion. The traveller replied, "Not much; but in a town twenty or thirty miles back from the river, where I am acquainted, there has been a powerful revival.

The commencement of it was very extraordinary. The first person that was awakened, and brought to repentance, was a poor woman, who lived in a very retired place. At the time of her baptism, she related that, some time before, a stranger was driven into her house by a thunderstorm, and talked to her so seriously, that she began, while listening to his discourse, to feel concerned about her soul. The man, she related, was much affected when he found that she had no Bible; and after he had left the house to go on his journey, returned again, and gave her a dollar to buy one, and charged her to get it soon, and read it diligently. She did so; and it had been the means, as she believed, of bringing her from darkness to lightfrom a state of stupidity and sin, to delight in the truth and ways of God. The name of this pious man, or the place of his residence, she knew not; but she believed it was the Lord that sent him. At this relation, and the great change which was so obvious in the woman, her neighbours wondered much. They were led to meditate on the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, displayed in this singular event of his providence. They were led to think of the importance of themselves attending more to their Bibles; and were finally awakened to a deep concern for the salvation of their souls. As many as thirty or forty are already hopefully converted, and rejoicing in God their Saviour." The deacon, who had listened to this artless relation with a heart swelling more and more with wonder, gratitude and joy, could refrain no longer; but with hands and eyes upraised to heaven, exclaimed," My God, thou hast paid me again!"

ALL FOR THE BEST.

No one can have lived in the world without having observed how frequently it happens that events which, at the time they occurred, were the source of bitter disappointment, have eventually proved very blessings to us; and that many of these things which have been most anxiously desired, but which it has pleased God to withhold from us, would have proved, if granted, the origin

of endless evils. The recollections of such circumstances in our own individual cases, while it renders us deeply grateful to divine providence for the past, should make us trust with perfect confidence to the same infinite wisdom for the future.

It would be difficult to find an anecdote, perhaps, bearing more strongly on what we have just observed, than one which is mentioned in the life of Bernard Gilpin, that great and good man, whose pious labours in the counties of Westmorland, Cumberland, Northumberland, and York, at the period of the Reformation, procured for him the title by which he is still remembered in those parts, "the Apostle of the North." It appears that it was a frequent saying of his, when exposed to losses or troubles, "Ah! well, God's will be done; it is all for the best."

Towards the close of Queen Mary's reign, Bernard Gilpin was accused of heresy before the merciless Bishop Bonner; he was speedily apprehended, and he left his quiet home, "nothing doubting, (as he said,) that it was all for the best," though he was well aware of what might await him; for we find him giving directions to his steward, "to provide him a long garment, that he might go the more comely to the stake, at which he would be burnt.

While on his way to London, by some accident, he had a fall, and broke his leg, which put a stop for some time to his journey. The persons in whose custody he was, took occasion thence maliciously to retort upon his habitual remark. "What!" (said they) is this all for the best? You say, master, that nothing happens which is not for our good; think you your broken leg is so intended ?"

"Sirs, I make no question but it is," was the meek reply; and so in truth it proved: for before he was able to travel, Queen Mary died, the persecution ceased, and he was restored to his liberty and friends.