Year: 1869

He gave it to his wife with sigh, yet
with q look of resignation.


1t is our last dollar he said, 'out
the Lord will PROVIDE


The Rev. James Spring was minister
in the little mountain village Of Thorn
Vile. He was poor. and his congrega-
ton poorer. Often before he had been
very near his last dollar, but he had
never actually got to it until to-day.


so you've been always saying sob
bed his wife; 'but what is to become of
US when this is gomez They won't trust
us any more at the store, and your sala
ry won't be due for three weeks, even if
you get it then. Why do you stay here
when the people are SO poor?'


Il have no other place to go to nor
money to travel to it, if the Lord open
ed the way. My work for the present
is here. He feedeth the young ravens
He will surely feed us


Il wish had your faith, but hat en't
and it won't come to me. Oh, what shall
we do and she wrung her hands de-
spairingly. My poor children.


'Once was young, and now I am
DID, solemnly said her husband, speak
ing in the words of the psalmist, yet
never have seen the righteous forsak-
en-, nor his seed begging bread


As if in answer to this pious ejacula-
ton, there came a sudden knock at the
door. All the while the minister and
his wife had been talking storm had
| been raging outside. On opening the
door, traveller quite wet through en-
tered.


4 was coming through the forest from
MaryviIle,' he said, 'and ventured to
stop at the first house l saw. My horse
| is in the shade. Do I take too great a
| liberty7'


Not at ALL answered the master of
the house sWe have but n poor shell
| ter, as you see there is good fire at
any rate


For it was in the kitchen where this
conversation took place. Indeed, this
humble house boasted no parlor, and
the kitchen was dining-room, drawing
room, living>room and all.
The stranger proved to be man Of
education and intelligence, and in con-
versation with him, the minister forgot
his trouble, and was reminded of his
earlier and brighter days. when intcl-
lectual companionship had not been the
rare thing it was now, among these
hills.


| At last the storm abated and the
stranger arose to 60. His host accom>
panied him until he disappeared behind
turn Of the road.


See here, James, said his wife eager
ly, when he returned to the house, j
found this on the table near where the
gentleman sat-


It was fifty dollar greeuback, wraps
ped hastily in bit of paper that looked
as though it had been torn from q pock.
ct book. and on the inside Of the paper
was written the verse of the Psalmist,
which was now apparent the traveller
had overheard.


Il thought he was writing the direc-
ton he asked for said the minister
He means it for US. Thanks be to the
Lord! Did not say, my dear, he would
provide1'


His wife burst into tears.


God forgive me- she said, Il will
never doubt again. The Lord surely
sent this stranger to our aid.'


And He will still PROVIDE replied
her husband. Whatever my lot may
be, here or elsewhere, in Him trust


A month after letter, a rare event
came to the Rev James Spring. It was
as follows:


Rev. and Dear Sir:-The church a
Maryville has unanimously called you
to it's pastorate. The salary is fifteen