The Widow's Wood And Flour.--the Unbelieving Ones Made Speechless.

The following instance is known to _The Christian_ as true, and to a

remarkable degree indicates how thoroughly God knows our minutest needs,

and how effectively He makes those who ever reproach his name ashamed of

their unbelief.



"A friend and relative of the one who was 'a widow indeed,' one who

trusted in God, and continued in supplications and prayers day and

night, was once brought into circumstances of peculiar straitness and

trial. She had two daughters who exerted themselves with their needles

to earn a livelihood; and at that time they were so busily engaged in

trying to finish some work that had long been on their hands, they had

neglected to make provision for their ordinary wants until they found

themselves one Winter's day in the midst of a New England snow storm,

with food and fuel almost exhausted, at a distance from neighbors, and

without any means of procuring needful sustenance.



"The daughters began to be alarmed, and were full of anxiety at the

dismal prospect, but the good old mother said, 'Don't worry, girls, the

Lord will provide; we have enough for to-day, and to-morrow may be

pleasant,' and in this hope the girls settled down again to their labor.



"Another morning came, and with it no sunshine, but wind and snow in

abundance. The storm still raged, but no one came near the house, and

all was dark and dismal without.



"Noon came, and the last morsel of food was eaten, the wind was almost

gone, and there were no tokens of any relief for their necessities.



"The girls became much distressed, and talked anxiously of their

condition, but the good mother said, 'Don't worry, the Lord will

provide.'



"But they had heard that story the day before, and they, knew not the

strong foundation upon which that mother's trust was builded, and could

not share the confidence she felt.



"'If we get anything to-day the Lord will have to bring it himself, for

nobody else can get here if they try,' said one of the daughters,

impatiently, but the mother said, 'Don't worry.' And so they sat down

again to their sewing, the daughters to muse upon their necessitous

condition, and the mother to roll her burden on the Everlasting Arms."



Now mark the way in which the Lord came to their rescue, and just at

this moment of extremity, put it into the heart of one of his children

to go and carry relief. _Human Nature_ at such a time would never have

ventured out in such a storm, but waited for a pleasant day. But Divine

Wisdom and power made him carry _just what was needed, in the face of

adverse circumstances, and just at the time it was needed_.



"Mr. M. sat at his fireside, about a mile away, surrounded by every

bounty and comfort needed to cheer his heart, with his only daughter

sitting by his side.



"For a long time not a word had been spoken, and he had seemed lost in

silent meditation, till at length he said, 'Mary, I want you to go and

order the cattle yoked, and then get me a bag. I must go and carry some

wood and flour to sister C.'



"'Why, Father, it is impossible for you to go. There is no track, and it

is all of a mile up there. You would almost perish.'



"The old man sat in silence a few moments and said, 'Mary, I must go.'

She knew her father too well to suppose that words would detain him, and

so complied with his wishes. While she held the bag for him, she felt

perhaps a little uneasiness to see the flour so liberally disposed of,

and said, 'I wish you would remember that _I_ want to give a poor woman

some flour, if it ever clears off.' The old man understood the

intimation and said, 'Mary, give all you feel it duty to, and when the

Lord says stop, I will do so.'



"Soon all things were ready, and the patient oxen took their way to the

widow's home, wallowing through the drifted snow, and dragging the sled

with its load of wood and flour. About four o'clock in the afternoon,

the mother had arisen from her work to fix the fire, and, looking out of

the window, she saw the oxen at the door, and she knew that the Lord had

heard her cry.



"She said not a word--why should she? She was not surprised!--but,

presently, a heavy step at the threshold caused the daughters to look up

with astonishment, as Mr. M. strode unceremoniously into the room,

saying, '_The Lord told me, Sister C, that you wanted some wood and

flour_.'



"'_He told you the truth_,' said the widow, 'and I will praise Him

forever.'



"'_What think you now girls_?' she continued, as she turned in solemn

joy to her unbelieving daughters.



"_They were speechless_; not a word escaped their lips; but they

pondered that new revelation of the providential mercy of the Lord,

until it made upon their minds an impression never to be effaced.



"From that hour they learned to trust in Him who cares for _His needy_

in the hour of distress, and who, from His boundless stores, supplies

the wants of those who trust in Him."