outward sight failed, her inward spiritual light increased, and she began to see plainly that her whole life had been a mistake—that, hardening herself in her trouble and sorrow, she had missed the blessing God intended to bestow upon her. The trouble had laid her low; but, instead of looking up to God-instead of stretching forth her hand to grasp the one held out to help her—she had turned away to struggle by herself unaided.

Annie was learning the opposite side of this truth just now. The little girl had begun by trusting in God, and then sitting down to cry; but she did not do so now; she asked for help and courage to do her work, as well as for success to crown it; and the help and courage came every day, although it was very hard for her to go out into the streets and face a crowd of people, trying to sell her flowers. It had to be done, however, or she and her mother must have starved; and Annie did it bravely, because she was helped to do it. But it was not pleasant work, and Mrs. Anderson dreaded the effect of this street life upon Annie. She could do very little now; work seemed to have been taken away from her, and given to the child; and bitter was the anguish she endured through this.

Several weeks passed, and the little girl was gradually becoming more reconciled to her new occupation, when one day, while out with a basketful of flowers, a sudden shower of rain came on, and, before she could reach any shelter, they were wet through and totally spoiled. Annie had got wet as well as her flowers; but she quite forgot that discomfort in her dismay at the destruction of her stock-in-trade. what shall I do ?" she sobbed forth, setting down her basket under the shadow of an arch, which she had at last reached; "what will become of poor mother ?"

"Oh!

Her tears fell on the limp, crushed paper petals of her flowers, as she tried to raise them; and she was so occupied with these that she did not notice a gentleman who had taken shelter there as well as herself, and went on with her lament.

The gentleman became interested in her, and asked her where she lived. Annie told him all her sad story.

"What is that you are saying, my girl-your mother is going blind?" he said.

The girl answered quickly, "Yes, sir, her eyes have got worse and worse, till she can't see at all now."

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The gentleman took out a card and handed it to the child. "I am a doctor," he said; bring your mother to me, to-morrow morning, at that address, and I will see what can be done for her. You make and sell these flowers for a living, I suppose," he added; and dropping a shilling into her hand he hurried away.

Annie hastened home with the news to her mother at once. Mrs. Anderson willingly consented to go and see the kind-hearted doctor the next morning; but when, on her arrival he told her she must go into the hospital for a few weeks, when he thought her eyes could be cured, she was in great difficulty about Annie. For herself she was willing to endure the pain she would have to suffer; but what would become of Annie while she was away? It was a great diffi culty, and one not easily got over. At length, however, some ladies agreed to pay for Annie to live with one of the neighbours while her mother was away, and then, with a lightened heart, Mrs. Anderson went into the hospital. An operation was successfully performed, and she came out quite restored. There was no need for Annie to go into the streets again; for her mother soon obtained employment as an artificial flower-maker; and never again did she forget that God has linked prayer with work, while Annie remembered that work should be the companion of prayer.

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career.

The Penitent Thief.

HE penitent thief was the first trophy of the cross of Calvary. As far as we know, he was the first convert to the dying Redeemer.

He had a speedy conversion and a very brief His Christian life was measured, not by years, but by minutes. What he had to do, he must do quickly; and he did it. He was a brave witness for Jesus for a few eventful moments; and then he passed on to that "paradise" which is full of pardoned criminals and forgiven sinners. Perhaps he was the only outspoken witness. "There were many to call Jesus 'Lord' when he rose triumphant from the tomb there is but one to call him 'Lord,' as he hangs dying on the cross."

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The converted thief had an hour of repentance and faith, but he did a vast deal in that hour. He gave a faithful and outspoken testimony for his Master. And he lived long enough on that torturing cross to teach men to the end of time four or five important truths.

He proves to us that there is mercy for the vilest sinner. No one, not even the chief of sinners, need despair after reading his history acw 19:

2. He teaches us that it is not the mere view of Christ that saves the soul. A multitude looked that day on the dying Jesus. We read of but one who was converted. Where were the rest? My friend, that pardoned thief who saw Jesus but once may rise up and condemn you at the judgment seat you who have heard of the Redeemer ten thousand times, and never repentedad Muor de

3. The converted thief teaches you to seize your opportunity. Perhaps that hour on Calvary was his first opportunity to believe on Christ.. ly it was his last.

It

was now or never with him. The men who are in heaven are those who seized their opportunities; the men who are in hell are those who lost them.

4. The converted thief teaches you how to pray. His

prayer was a model. It was short; it was pointed; it was believing. The man who had not an hour to live could not make long prayers. If you are in earnest for salvation, you will be as pointed, as direct, as importunate as he was. Faith saved that sinner. Faith will save you.

5. The converted thief proves to us that God's Spirit can regenerate in an instant. I do not doubt that Jesus has saved many a dying man just as instantaneously. It was a moment's work to believe. It is a moment's work to be pardoned. My impenitent friend, if you can become an heir of heaven in a moment by giving yourself to Christ, how can you consent to spend an eternity in the torments of perdition? Do not plead the penitent thief as a warrant for postponing religion to the dying moment; for the last hour of his life was probably the first hour in his life in which he had the knowledge of a Saviour. He who wilfully postpones religion to a dying hour, robs God of his due, cheats his own soul out of the enjoyments which true grace brings, and runs the risk of perishing at last without God and without hope.

6. If the penitent thief warns us against despair, the impenitent thief even more eloquently warns us against presumption. One was saved at the hour of death to show that there are no limits to the mercy of God in Christ. And one perishes even on Calvary itself, and in view of the dying Saviour, to warn us against trusting to anything except instant repentance and faith in Christ.

Only.

NLY one drop of water at a time, that had found its way from the mighty ocean through the dike, and was slowly wearing a little channel. Only one drop! Yet if that little child in her morning ramble had not noticed it, who can tell what terrible results

might have followed? The dam might have been undermined, the district laid under water, and many precious lives have been lost.

Only a gentle breeze! But how many aching brows hath it fanned, how many hearts cheered by its gentle touch!

Only a frown! But it left a sad, dreary ache in that child's heart, and the quivering lips and tearful eyes told how keenly he felt it.

Only a smile! But it cheered a broken heart, and engendered a ray of hope.

Only a word! But it carried the poisonous breath of slander, assailing the character. Oh how it pierced the lonely heart!

Only one glass! And how many have filled a drunkard's grave through its influence! How many homes made desolate, how many bright anticipations of a glad and happy future blasted by its influence!

Only a mound in the quiet churchyard, and yet it speaks volumes to the stricken ones. Some home has lost a light; some home circle has a vacant chair! Only a child, perhaps ; yet "of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Only a cup of cold water given in the name of a disciple, but it is not forgotten. Then toil on, Christian; yours is a glorious work; hope on ever, for yours is a bright reward.

Only one soul snatched from the ways of sin and degradation through your feeble efforts, coupled with the grace of God, will add lustre to your crown of glory.

Only a lifetime! A short day in which to prepare for death. Let us then gird on the armour anew, and press forward in the hope of a brighter hereafter, using the weapons of prayer, lest we enter into temptation and lose the rich reward.

"Who hath despised the day of small things?"

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."