“One day a lady friend said to me:  ’Would you like some nice sewing, easy to do?’ I answered, ‘Yes.’  ‘Have you a sewing machine?’ ’I have not, but am praying for one.’  ’That is right; so you believe you will have it by praying for it?’ I replied:  ’If the Lord thinks I need it, He will send it.’  I had learned to use my sister’s, but I wanted one of my own, to use just when I felt like it.  So the thought kept in my heart, ‘Why can’t I pray for one?’ And yet it seemed foolish to go in prayer to God for such a simple thing, but I had not then learned that all things, with Him, meant every wish and want of the human heart.  But there was no other way.  He must send my machine, or I could have none.  I prayed very earnestly.  After a few weeks of waiting, one golden winter morning it came—­my beautiful machine—­just what I wanted.  This seemed so wonderful to me, that it seemed to bring me into nearer companionship with the Lord, and ever after, whatever I needed, I went directly to Him for.  A ministerial friend once asked me what it was I had covered up on the stand.  I told him it was my piano, taking the cover aside and showing him at once how my beautiful sewing machine worked. ’What tune do you play oftenest?’ he asked. ’Rock of Ages is its favorite one, and I never sew without singing it.’”

MONEY FOR POSTAGE.

“One day I opened my port-monnaie to get change for some little needful, when I found I had but ten cents.  I used five of it.  As visions of six or seven letters and many little things I needed came up before me, I said aloud:  ‘The Lord will have to send me some money pretty soon.’  I think once through the day I prayed for some money, but felt no uneasiness about it.  That evening a lady friend called to say good-by for the winter, and as she left gave me fifty cents for postage. While I was calling He answered me.  About a week before this, I thought I would ask the Lord for $5 for my physician.  He had come so faithfully, day after day, without ever expecting one dollar, because I had told him freely my circumstances.  But I felt I must give him something for a gift at least.  So I asked for five dollars.  Day after day passed away, and I thought perhaps the Lord did not want me to have it.  But still I prayed, asking it for His will, not mine.  One morning a letter came from a very dear friend, containing a check for the amount for which I had prayed, and a little beside.  It seemed such a signal answer to my prayer, that I could scarcely speak, and in my heart a glad prayer of thanksgiving went up to Him, who had told me to ask and I should receive. A friend, to whom I told this, said:  ’Now you need this money yourself; I would not give it to the doctor now—­wait awhile.’  ‘But,’ I replied, ’I dare not do it.  I need it, I know, but I asked God for it for my doctor, and I must give it.’  And here let me say, when we ask God for money, it is sacred, and must be spent only to please Him.”