Miriam is the same as Mary, and signifies bitterness. How suitable the name to the circumstances in which she was born, and in which she spent her early years. But Miri

am, like Mary, had cause to say, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." So will it be with many who may now be called Miriam, Marah, or Mary, because the Lord deals very bitterly with them; for " they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth weeping bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Our bitterest trials often prepare the way for our most joyous triumphs our deepest sighs for our sweetest songs. The valley of Achor ends in a door of hope, which introduces to vineyards, wealth, and songs. The valley of Baca leads us to Jerusalem, the abode of peace, and to the temple, which resounds with the praises of our God, Our present Egypt will soon be exchanged for a better Canaan than Moses from Pisgah saw, or Joshua introduced Israel to. We shall soon stand, not on the shores of the Red Sea, but on the " sea of glass mingled with fire," with those who have gotten the victory, and, like Miriam and her happy companions, with purer gratitude, to a far sweeter tune, we shall sing "to the Lord who hath triumphed gloriously." Our song will be ever new, our gratitude will be always perfect, our joy will be eternally full, and our God will be all in all.

RUTH; OR THE POWER OF AF.

FECTION.

"And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me."-Ruth i. 16, 17.

pro

SIN always brings chastisement to the saint, and punishment to the unbeliever. The Jew was required to remain in the promised land. He had no right to leave it, except specially commanded by God. The direction and mise given to him prohibited it. God said, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Elimelech and Naomi were alarmed at the famine. Without waiting for divine direction, they took their two sons and went into the land of Moab. There the sons married contrary to the law, an act which always brings parties under the divine displeasure. The parents seem to have sanctioned the deed, and now they must smart for their folly. Elimelech and his two sons die. Naomi is

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left a sorrowful widow in a strange land, with two widowed daughters. What a sad household. What bitter reflections, what gloomy thoughts, pass through the mother's mind. But sovereign grace takes occasion to glorify itself, even by men's inconsistencies. The mother talks of her own beloved land, of what God has done for Israel, and what God was to Israel. She speaks of his character, his law, his worship, his promises, his well-ordered covenant. Her daughters are interested, She enters into

and desire to hear more. detail, and speaks of the prophets God had sent, the judges he had raised up, and the wonderful deliverances he had wrought. Her congregation was small, but her testimony was not in vain. Her statements were simple, but the Holy Spirit applied them to the heart of Ruth. She listened, she was interested, she prayed, she was resolved. Every time she heard her mother-in-law speak of Bethlehem, and her people, she loved her more, and wished herself there, and among them. At length, one day, as they sit conversing together, a traveller arrives, he had come from the borders of the promised land. Questions were asked, and the information is received that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. Famine had given place to plenty, and now Naomi's withered heart revives. She sighs for her old home. She longs to look once more upon the noble hills, and tread the green vales, of her father

land.

She determines to leave Moab.

Even

With But is

this is painful, for how much she must leave behind her. She calls her daughters, and informs them of her purpose, and they kindly go forth with her to assist and comfort her. Her kind heart and loving spirit had won their affections. Ten years they had been united, and therefore it was not to be expected that they could easily separate. No, they will go with her. At length she pauses, evidently the subject of deep emotions. The tears are dropping from her eyes, for the fountains of affection are unsealed. tremulous voice she addresses them. she wise? Are her words the words of prudence? Does she speak like one who was living near to the Lord? Alas, no. The advice given is that of a backslider. But it is permitted to test her daughters. They were now brought to the place where two ways meet. They must decide, and deliberately choose the God of Israel for their God, or go back to the idols of Moab. Let us hear Naomi. Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant unto you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband." How touching! How trying! What will be the issue? The one is taken, the other left. Orpah weeps, kisses, and returns; but Ruth clave unto her. Happy Ruth! Happy choice! Thy name shall be realised now in thy expe

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rience. It signifies filled, and thou shalt be full with the blessing of the Lord.

The love of Ruth was strong and steady. It was more than mere natural affection. She loved Naomi much as her mother: she loved her more as a saint of the Lord. She saw something more than nature in that venerable woman, something that she had never discovered in any of the idolatrous inhabititants of Moab. God's image was faintly

She

reflected by her. What she saw she admir ed, she loved, she desired to possess. would go to Bethlehem.

She would bid farewell to the land of her birth, the land she had loved. She would leave the fields where she had played in childhood, and the home where she had enjoyed as much happiness as generally falls to a heathen's lot. She would go to a people that she knew not heretofore. Her mind is fully made up. She could part with Orpah, but not with Naomi. She could kiss her sister, and bid her a final farewell; but she could not give up her mother. Therefore she speaks in the tenderest tones, while her heart throbs with powerful emotions, and her eyes flow with tears, "Entreat me not to leave thee, return from following after thee." leave Moab, but I cannot leave thee. leave my father's house, and all my old and endeared associations, but I cannot leave thee. My heart is won. If you speak of difficulties, I can surmount them, of dan

or to

I can

I can