and looked around, almost expecting to see an angel visitant.  I saw nothing, but the sun shone brighter outside, and the room seemed brighter than before.  And why should it not?  The Lord had been there with words of cheer and comfort for his little child.  I arose and went below, where I found other company had called, and I was introduced to the lady and her husband, whom I had met five years before.  A pleasant chat and they left, after giving me an invitation to visit them.  At the door, as I learned from my friend who attended them, Mrs. N——­ said:  ’I should like to give Miss B——­ something,’ and handed my friend a five dollar bill for me.  I was more than surprised.  I cannot tell you the emotions of my heart.  While I was yet asking, even, the messenger had brought my answer.  I could yet hear the soft sound of the voice up-stairs, and the soothing influence of the unseen presence still lingered round me.  How quickly our needs flow on the wings of prayer into the very presence of our Friend and Master.”

PRAYER SAVES THE LIFE OF A LITTLE CHILD.

“A year ago this Summer, my sister’s little baby, only five months old, was taken very ill with that distressing complaint which often proves so fatal, and takes so many sweet little ones out of loving hearts and homes.  I loved baby Ernest, but never so well as when he lay so sick he could not know it.  We all loved him, and everything was done that could be thought of to ease the little sufferer all those long, close, hot days.  Day after day, for four long weeks, we tenderly cared for him.  Sometimes his mother would watch his every breath, fearing each would be the last.  One Sunday he lay just where we put him, so quiet and still, with the sweet baby face so white and calm, we thought we should lose him soon, the little hands and feet were so cold.  All through his illness, I kept asking the Lord to let his parents keep the tender bud he had sent them.  We could not let him die, and to-day I prayed very earnestly all the time—­even when we could not warm the little body at all—­we could not let him go.  Well, Ernnie passed over the fearful day and became a happy, well boy.  He was saved.  No physician saved him.  Our tender care did not save him.  Prayer saved our Ernnie.  Precious baby!  He is such a jolly, happy boy now, filling every heart and the whole house with his sunshine.  How I love the little fellow.  When I am here at his home, he always comes to Auntie for love and tenderness.  When I am resting on the lounge, he comes every few moments to kiss me, giving and receiving real heart-love.  We know God only lends these little treasures to their human friends.  But oh, they bring so much love with them, it is hard to give them up.”

THE LOST THIMBLE.