THE BARN-LODGERS. A SOLDIER'S wife, with her three children, was passing through Essex on her way to Chelmsford. It was a fine summer evening; and when she saw a young man standing at a farm-yard gate, she asked him if his master would allow her and her children to sleep in his barn. He said he thought he would, but that he must inquire; and the farmer gave his consent, and desired the young man to unbind two trusses of straw for their beds. The woman asked where she could get a little water, and the young man went to fetch some, and came back with a small can of milk, for which she was very thankful. She then took some bread from her bundle; but before she began to eat, she asked God to bless the bread and milk of which she and her children were about to partake. The youth felt interested in them, and sitting down on "the lift" of the barn door, he watched them eat their meal. After finishing their humble repast, the soldier's wife took a New Testament from the parcel, and said to the young man, "We are going to have reading and prayer before retiring to rest, and to thank God for the mercies of the past day; I shall be pleased if you will join us." He did so; and after reading the first ten verses of the 19th chapter of Luke, she prayed earnestly for the blessing of the Lord to rest upon the farmer, his family, his servants, and the young man, for the kindness she had received from them. The simplicity of the prayer impressed the young mạn, and her words sunk deep into his heart, so that he could not sleep; and he rose early in the morning, to ask the soldier's wife the way of salvation; but she was gone. He told one of the servant-girls what had passed, and she related it to her young mistress, who was pleased to relate the simple tale to the rest of the family. It led them all to reflect; they looked for the verses read by the soldier's wife the previous night,—sent for the young man, to have the tale confirmed, who wept as he told the simple story, and closed by saying, “Salvation has come to my heart, if it has not to this house; for I feel as I have never felt before." From that time the farmer, his family, and the young man, became constant hearers of the gospel, and a great change became evident in the conduct of these country people. THE REVIVAL. SOME months ago we printed a beautiful hymn, called "What's the News," which many girls and boys have learned to sing in Sabbath-schools, and at prayer-meetings. Perhaps, reader, you have been singing it too. Have you ever thought of that verse which says,— "His work's reviving all around, And many have salvation found; These words are still true. You may sing them as heartily as ever. In almost all parts of the world God is pouring out his Spirit upon men's hearts, and old and young, rich and poor, are seeking and finding salvation. Some time ago a letter was received from Australia, stating that a most glorious revival of religion had taken place at Kooringa; there never was such a one in the colony before. In a short time the new converts in one chapel numbered one hundred and forty, and it was not long before five hundred persons were hopefully brought to Christ. The power of the truth, the Spirit of God, was so mighty that men could not work in the mine by day, nor women rest in their homes. Sometimes the chapels could not be closed before two or three in the morning. Cries for mercy could be heard all over the township by day and night. In London, too, the good work goes on. Not long ago we went into a school-room one Sabbath evening, and a number of poor boys and girls were kneeling in prayer. God had touched the hearts of eight or nine roughlooking boys, and they were weeping for their sins. One very little fellow rose up and prayed for the rest. He did not appear to be more than eleven years of age, and it was very touching to see him put his little hands together, thank God for having saved himself, and then plead very earnestly for his weeping schoolfellows. This poor boy had a very wicked father and mother. They used to get drunk; and one evening, when tipsy, the father rushed upon his wife, and threatened to murder her. The boy was present, and with a boldness and courage which I think God must have given him, he darted in between his drunken parents, and said "No, father, you shall kill me first before you can kill mother." These words went to the father's heart; he gave up his wicked attempt, and shortly afterwards consented to allow the boy to hold family worship in their wretched home. They have now given up drinking, for their little son brought them both to sign the pledge one evening; they now go to a place of worship, and appear to be earnestly seeking the salvation of their souls. I talked with this dear little fellow at the close of the meeting. clothes had a sulphury, unpleasant smell, for he works at a match factory; but his heart was full of love to Jesus, who had loved him with an everlasting love. I was told, hat, for as young as he was, he had been so faithful in His reproving the men in the factory for swearing, that they had almost entirely given up the sinful practice. Reader, if so young a boy can do so much for God's glory and the good of others, how much more might not you do if your heart was as true to the Saviour? One other Sabbath evening lately, I went into a mission room, where a large number of people were kneeling in prayer. At the upper end of the room twenty or thirty young people were weeping on account of their sins, and pleading with God to forgive and save them. We could tell you of another meeting when, one evening, about a fortnight ago, you might have seen a cluster of five little boys together; and one who was lately converted was earnestly pleading with the others. This boy turned round to a gentleman standing near, and said, "Sir, will you come and speak to this little boy ?" On another form opposite there was a similar group of girls, anxiously seeking Jesus; on another, a gentleman was speaking to a grey-headed man, who was in tears; and here and there throughout the room twos and threes were engaging in prayer. In Scotland, too, "His work's reviving all around." In a place called Anstruther, the Lord has been working a great work. The people there are mostly fishermen. Lately a strange sight was seen one night at sea. For some time a young fisherman had been anxious about his soul, and the men had been holding a prayer-meeting in the boat. The poor lad's anxiety was very great, but suddenly he thought he saw Jesus standing on the sea, with outstretched arms. Now a strange joy filled his soul; he could not keep from singing; the crew joined with him and they made their song of praise echo over the wide waters, reminding one of the songs that sometimes rose |