“Washington Allston, who stood at the head of American artists a half century ago, was, at one time, so reduced by poverty, that he locked his studio, in London, one day, threw himself on his knees and prayed for a loaf of bread for himself and wife.  While thus engaged, a knock was heard at the door, which the artist hastened to open.  A stranger inquired for Mr. Allston, and was anxious to know who was the fortunate purchaser of the painting of the ‘Angel Uriel,’ which had won the prize at the exhibition of the Royal Academy.  He was told that it was not sold.  ‘Where is it to be found?’ ‘In this very room,’ said Allston, producing a painting from a corner and wiping off the dust.  ’It is for sale, but its value has not been adequately appreciated, and I would not part with it.’  ‘What is its price?’ ’I have done affixing any nominal sum.  I have always so far exceeded any offers, I leave it to you to name the price.’  ‘Will four hundred pounds be an adequate recompense?’ ’It is more than I ever asked for it.’  ‘Then the painting is mine,’ said the stranger, who introduced himself as the Marquis of Stafford, and, from that time, became one of Mr. Allston’s warmest friends and patrons.”

THE DAUGHTER’S PRAYER.

The late Doctor Krummacher, chaplain to the king of Prussia, in referring to faith and prayer, writes as follows: 

“A little incident occurs to me which I can hardly withhold, on account of its simplicity and beauty.  The mother of a little girl, only four years of age, had been, for some time, most dangerously ill.  The physician had given her up.  When the little girl heard this, she went into an adjoining room, knelt down, and said:  ’Dear Lord Jesus, O make my mother well again.’

“After she had thus prayed, she said, as though in God’s name, with as deep a voice as she could:  ‘Yes, my dear child, I will do it gladly!’ This was the little girl’s amen.  She rose up, joyfully ran to her mother’s bed, and said:  ‘Mother, you will get well!’

“And she recovered, and is in health to this day.  Is it, then, always permitted for me to pray thus unconditionally respecting temporal concerns?  No; thou must not venture to do so, if, whilst you ask, you doubt.  But shouldst thou ever be inclined by God’s Spirit to pray thus, without doubt or scruple, in a filial temper, and with simplicity of heart, resting on the true foundation, and in genuine faith, then pray thus by all means!  None dare censure thee; God will accept thee.”

THE LORD WILL PROVIDE.

“A city missionary, one Saturday night, was going home with a basket of provisions on his arm.  Meeting a policeman, he asked him if there had any families moved in the bounds of his beat during the week.  He answered, ‘Yes,’ and, pointing to a building up an alley, said, ’a woman and some children are living there now.’