good! God is very good! I wish I had something to give Him !" repeated the child deliberately. The long wistful glance was withdrawn from the fair scene without, to the lone chamber, gloomy in the coming twilight, and more so from the contrast of the brightness above. Now her eye ran over the toy most cherished, the newest picture, and the best-loved book; but either they had lost their charm, or were in some way unfitted as an offering; she passed them by with an unsatisfied inspection, and stood lost in thought. Ah! now she has it; her eye brightens, and the little feet trip on the delightful errand. In the inmost drawer of a cabinet of childish treasures is a sixpence, new, bright, and valued, set apart for special purchases. With a cry of exultation she unfolds the new white coin from the paper which enwrapt it in the tiny purse, her fingers trembling with joy. She exclaims, "I will give it all to God!" And now kneeling on the footstool, which brought her cheek on a level with the casement, the little one placed her gift on the ledge of the window, and resumed her watch, confidently believing that as God was "good," and she had given Him

what she valued most, so assuredly He would accept that which she brought Him. She expected some white-winged angel would cleave the amethyst clouds, and come down to do the bidding of Him who reigned above. But all was still, the glory slowly passed away from the sky, and the gloom deepened; no angel appeared, no voice from heaven broke the silence; but still the child kept her watch of faith, repeating at intervals, as if to assure herself all was right, "God is good!"

A low knock at the chamber door filled her heart with awe, and her eyes with tears. She knew she should not wait in vain; God had accepted her offering, and had sent for the new sixpence. She took it in her hand, nothing doubting, and, opening the door, she beheld-not an angel radiant in beauty-but a man bowed down with years and infirmities. He stretched out his trembling hand, (his need was met before it was made known in words,) reverently was the coin dropped within its palm; he blessed the child, she closed the door, nor remained to listen to the departing steps of the stranger, but the light feet tripped back for one more glance at

the last beam of day that told where the sun had set.

Had she chosen, there would have been the angel visitor and the track of glory; still her heart was satisfied that a messenger was really sent at her desire,-God had stooped to a little child's simplicity; and again and again she repeated, as if to comfort herself with safety in the darkness and loneliness with a memory of the glory that had now departed, "God is good! God is very good!"

He who heareth the cry of the ravens, and the young lions in the forest, honoured the simple trust of an ignorant little child! Lord, give us the faith of little children!

You are inclined to smile, dear Reader, at this childish simplicity. Have you no silver sixpence dearer than the toys which have ceased to charm you? some household god that you keep in the inner drawer of the secret cabinet ?

It may be very small in others' sight, though very dear to you; none taking account thereof but your own loving heart; so small, you hardly know if God would accept such an offering.

The great salvation may not be a strange

story to you. You may have learnt that five sparrows, sold for a farthing, have been noted by the eye that never slumbers nor sleeps; and He will not reject the offering of a loving heart, and yet you have not brought it.

Years have gone by. The old house is deserted; the chamber is empty; and men have forgotten the name of the child that dwelt there. God has not forgotten; God never forgets; God is good! The world's joy which bringeth sorrow, the world's sorrow which worketh death, and the heart's sins, and the life's sins in a soul that had found no rest in the Redeemer, have left no trace of the hopeful-hearted little watcher of the sunset glory.

There is no beauty without now. The sky is leaden, dull, and heavy with the smoky atmosphere of a great city; the chirp of the sparrow on the eaves, and the tramp of men going forth to their daily toil, are the only heralds of the early morning.

Yet it is the same watcher, and still alone; yet not alone, for she knoweth Him whom "to know is life eternal." The cabinet in which she is seeking holds untold gifts for her, bought at

the costly price of the Blood of the Lamb slain. Her hands are empty; she had nothing to bring but her sins, which He hath taken and cast into the wilderness of forgetfulness, and for her heart of stone is given unto her a new heart, and she is accepted in the Beloved. She hath Jesus; and "with Him," the Father "freely giveth all things."

Listen! you shall learn what hath filled her heart with thanksgiving, and her lips with praise.

"Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee: for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour."

In faith she beholds a "beautiful earth!" where all things shall become new; "a beautiful heaven!" for the Lamb is the light thereof!

The memory of the silver sixpence, laid in heathen ignorance upon the altar of the unknown God, rises before the watcher; her lips