115 THE AGED WIDOWw. "I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." JOB XXIX. 13. "And even to your old age, I am he; and even to your hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and I will deliver you."-ISAIAH xlvi. 4. IT has been said, and it is well said, "that poor believers are as princes in disguise, travelling to their crown and kingdom." (Rev. i. 6.) Unknown, yet well known, having nothing, yet possessing all things, they come up from the wilderness, leaning upon an Almighty covenanted Saviour, who is leading them forth by the right way to a "city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (2 Cor. vi. 9, 10; Psalm cvii. 7; Heb. xi. 10.) It was early in the spring of 1827, when a gracious Providence first conducted our steps to the humble dwelling of the Aged Widow, (whose conversations will furnish the subject of the following pages.) It was situated in one of those little romantic vallies which so frequently arrest the eye of the traveller in the county of Wiltshire. The stillness which reigned around seemed only interrupted by the distant chiming of the sheep-bells on the adjoining high grounds, or by the murmuring of a little brook by the way-side, "betraying the secret of its course.' There were a few more individuals to be found in the scattered hamlet whom the day-spring from on high had visited," (Luke i. 7, 8;) and many more, whose spirit, and temper, and habits, spoke their living" strangers to Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world." (Ephes. ii. 12.) The hours we passed under the roof of this aged believer, were hours much to be observed unto the Lord, (Ex. xii. 42,) when listening to her testimony of the mercy, and love, and faithfulness, which had shone on her journey. The departing rays and splendours of the setting sun are often the most glorious; and the days of the years of her pilgrimage, (Gen. xlvii. 9,) being now eighty, she was standing on the threshold of the land of promise, and unto her “it was given,” in a very peculiar manner, ❝ to rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Rom. v. 2.) A desire to depart, and to be with Christ, and her bright and glorious prospects of being like unto him, and eternally with him, were her daily theme. (See 1 John iii. 2; 1 Thess. iv. 17.) In a little garden adjoining her cottage were many of her privileged moments spent. Thither she oftentimes resorted as to a "little sanctuary,” (Ezek. ii. 16,) when assailed either by 66 fightings without, or fears within," (2 Cor. viii. 5,) and experienced, in communion with her Saviour, "those joys a stranger intermeddleth not with, in casting all her care upon him," as we read of the afflicted king Hezekiah," he took his letter, and spread it before the Lord." (Prov. xiv. 10; 1 Peter v. 7; Isaiah xxxvii. 14.) It is our unspeakable privilege that prayer is not confined to place or posture, as the hymn so sweetly says, 66 Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear; The upward lifting of the eye, MONTGOMERY. were Though her means of subsistence scarcely sufficient to supply the necessaries of life, having but little in addition to the weekly allowance of two shillings from the parish, she was, in her person and cottage, the picture of cleanliness and neatness, fulfilling the apostle's injunction, "be not slothful in business; let all things be done in order," (Rom. xii. 2: 1 Cor. xiv. 4;) and we have frequently heard her say, whilst the uplifted eye spoke "the peace that passeth understanding, (Philip. iv. 7,) “ I want no money-Christ and a crust are all I want-how sweet to feed upon his word—it is food, if we have none else!" (Job xxiii. 12.) 66 One morning she gave us the following account of the way by which she had been brought to the waters of life. (Rev. xxi. 6.) "My grandfather left me his Bible, and I read it constantly, and every thing that came in my way I read. I used to carry any little pamphlet in my bosom or pocket that I might read at all opportunities. When gleaning, I always kept out of the way of others, not to have their discourse, which I never liked. Every day I repeated the prayer in the church service, O God, merciful Father, that despiseth not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor the desire of such as be sorrowful,' &c.; and that prayer was made a great means of making me feel my sins; all that I had done as a child came before me, (John iv. 29:) I suffered a great deal from terror, thinking I never could get to the Holy City; but I cried to the Lord to give me FAITH to believe in him as my Saviour, for I had read all about him in the gospel. I then felt the meaning of what I had been reading so long, and I was enabled to flee to Christ for strength and refuge. (Heb. vi. 18.) I went through many conflicts, and had no one to open my mind to for two years; and my husband greatly opposed me, (Matt. x. 36;) and it was the Lord's doings to enable me to bear it with patience; and being assured in his own good time he would alter it all. (Isa. xli. 10, 11.) The children were often a great interruption, and I used to go up to my chamber to pray. (James v. 13.) David's words be very true, it is good for me to have been in trouble,' (Psalm cxix. 71) in those days I had the Lord's presence most with me, and if He does not come Satan woul; he always tries to get a corner. Many a time I fell down at my bed-side, and prayed heartily for patience, and prayed to have my will lost in his blessed will: and he did give me strength, (Psalm xxix. 11,) though many |