The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-15
Tried and Proved.

AL dBeu WHOM was meulCaJlng upon
the faithfulness and love of God, with
her Bible open before her. 1t was an
old Blble-G very old one-which bore
the marks of constant handling; but it
was very precious one to its owner,
not only because it had been her mo-
theirs Bible, but because in it she had
for many years been accustomed to seek
for the comfort which she could find
nowhere else. So this one holy book
was dear to her heart and treasure in
her home. And so familiar was she
with its contents that she knew where to
find almost any passage she desired.
Throughout her Bible there were many
words and marks, which she had written
with her pencil, the most numerous OF
which were r." and " p"
While the widow was thus occupied
her meditation was interrupted by the
presence of visitor, who, seeing the
open Bible before her, made some obser-
vations respecting the preciousness of It's
contents; and on turning over some OF
its leaves in order to find a passage which
had been referred to- saw IT" and q p. >
written In several places upon the mar
gin, and therefore took the liberty of
asking what it meant.
The widows reply was simple and
beautiful She said -" That means
Tried and Proved For many years
past | have come to this Bible for in
struction and comfort, and have always
found what I sought. 1t has never
failed me. 1t was in its blessed pages
that, through the Holy Spirits help,
discovered myself to be lost and ruined
creature; sinner by nature and practice /;
exposed to the displeasure of the best of
Beings without being able to save myself :;
and here also learned that Jesus was
mighty to Sove. read his own gracious
words of invitation, Come unto me, all
we that labor and are heavy laden, and
[ Will give you rest l believe that he
meant what he said. In prayer and de-
sire l sought for mercy. l cast my
helpless soul upon him, and found saliva
ton, became renewed in heart and life,
found the rest he had promised, and
proved his faithfulhess; and against that
invitation and promise I inscribed my
first T. and p
" He promised his disciples that if they
asked they should receive. l have asked
him for numerous blessings, and he has
never allowed me to ask in vain. be-
came widow, and my children were
My heart was full of bitter
ness and sorrow. l read these blessed
words: LeaYe thy fatherless children,
will preserve them alive; and let thy
widows trust in me-. A father of the
fartherless, and Judge of the widows, is
God in his holy habitation Commit
ting myself and my children to his care
| found God was faithful; and here in
both cases you see [ have written T. and p.
Troubles and sorrows of various kinds
have assailed me, yet in the midst Of all
| have never been left destitute, uncom-
forted, or unprotected. I have trusted
in the divine promise, and have ever
found it fulfilled. have humbly endeav-
ored to walk by its precepts, and have
always found my steps wisely directed
and safely guarded. l have based my
faith upon its statements, and have never
found them fail me; therefore my recorded
rs and Ps are my testimonies to the
faithfulness of my Father in heaven.
And the book whose promises have been
so richly fulfilled IL my experience in
this life will be as worthy Of my conf
dence in respect to all the future life, on
which it has caused my soul to. hope, and
therefore this holy Bible is precious to
my soul. Gleanj1gS for the Young.