"SETTLED."

HAT is settled? I think I hear my reader say, "Oh, that I could find something that was settled! I would rest my soul there, and find at last what I have longed for and hitherto

failed to obtain; for, to say the truth,

I am restless, and still seeking for something I hardly know what, only that word settled seems to be the key to what I want. What is it? Can you tell me of anything that is settled, and where?"

By the grace of God, I can. "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven" (Ps. cxix. 89).

Is that enough for you? I want no more. Happy are they who trust in Him; for I cannot disconnect the word from Him who speaks, for it is His voice. Do you hear it, and rest on that word?

There are two sets of people in the world. The one obey God's word, the other oppose it. The first set are blessed, and happy in proportion as they are found doing it; as the Lord said, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John xiii. 17). These, however poor and humble, only need to be encouraged to more earnest diligence in seeking to God's word, and to continuance in prayer, that their souls may prosper more and more, as each one for himself is found hearkening to God.

Those who oppose the word of Jehovah, are dashing themselves against an immovable rock, and if persistent in doing so, must perish.

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." What can move that? But that can move you, and I pray God it may now, for it concerns you. It is written, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him : the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John xii. 48). May you, my reader, be among the number of those who by grace build upon that rock which no storm can ever shake. Will not every doubting heart drop the anchor of ́its soul in this eternal haven of rest,-the truth of the Living God,-and be settled too? "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." R. B.

"WHEN is the next train?" I heard a man breathlessly ask, as he ran along the platform, vainly endeavouring to enter a train in motion, of which every door was shut and locked. Annoyed at missing the "express," he was fain to accept a "slow" an hour after. I thought what a picture that is of many a sinner just half a minute too late in coming to Christ. When the Lord comes the door of mercy-of heaven too-will be shut. For all late comers how awful will be the shock. Fancy a man in earnest to be saved, but just half a minute too late. There will be no "slow" to glory following the "express." Reader, are you "in Christ," or still outside in procrastinating unbelief? Beware of delay!

W. T. P. W.

"I'M WAITING FOR A SIGNET."

NE summer morning I started with a party of young friends to visit a little village about five miles distant, of much historical interest.

It is said that some of the battles in the Wars of the Roses were fought there, but no traces of war can now be seen; the soft turf and grazing cattle forbid the thought of bloodshed, or the clash of arms.

While my party were climbing the mounts, and exploring the moat, which I already knew so well, I turned my steps towards some cottages, asking my God and Father to give His child a message of peace to some heart there.

The village lay bathed in sunlight, and the inhabitants surely knew but little of the strain, and hurry, and bustle of life; for not a soul was to be seen, or a sound to be heard in the quiet street.

I knocked at a door which stood ajar, and it was immediately opened by a bright-looking old

woman.

I think I see her now, as she stood before me leaning upon her stick, her sweet old face furrowed with wrinkles and surrounded by a snowy cap tied under her chin; her short cotton gown just down to her ankles, covered by a clean white apron, and

H

the little

time-honoured three-cornered shawl

pinned over her shoulders.

A look of surprise came into her face as she saw a stranger at the door, but she responded to my "Good morning" with a low curtsey, and said, with a smile, "Will you please to walk in, miss?” Wiping a chair, upon which there was not a speck of dust, she placed it for me, and then seated herself opposite in the chimney corner.

After a little friendly chat, during which she told me she was over eighty, I said, "May I ask you if you know the Lord Jesus Christ?" Without a moment's hesitation she clasped her hands together, and looking up, said, with deep earnestness, "I love His blessed name!"

The answer came so unexpectedly, it was so different from what one so often receives in reply to such a question, that it thrilled me with delight. "Oh, I am so glad," I said; "then He is your Saviour, and your sins are forgiven!"

The brightness faded from her face, and slowly she replied, "Why no, miss; I should not like to say that."

Not saved," I said, "and yet you 'love His blessed name!' Why, my friend, how is that?"

I'm waiting for a signet, miss. My mother had a signet afore she died. She see the Saviour hanging on the cross right agin the foot of the bed. He held out His arms to her, and said, 'Come unto Me;' and then she felt very happy, and she knew she was all right. And I'm looking to have such a sight when my time comes."

I confess I was disappointed.

To think that this poor old dear had been taught by the Spirit of God to believe in and to love the Lord, and yet she did not know that "he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John iii. 36).

"You are making a great mistake, my dear old friend," I said. "Never, from beginning to end of the Bible, will you find that God promises you a sign."

'Why, don't He, now? Well, I'm no scholard, miss."

Let me tell you what He does say. Shall I ?" "If you please, miss."

Well, first of all, will you tell me what sort of people Jesus died for?"

"Why,” she replied quickly, “in course He died for good people."

Did He?" I said. "My Bible does not say so. Think again."

"Well there, I can't find it in my mind to tell you, miss."

So I took my little Testament, and read very slowly and distinctly from the fifth chapter of Romans, eighth verse:-" God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

I read it twice, and on looking up the second time, was surprised to see the tears coursing each other down the dear old lady's cheeks. Oh! the power of God's Word!