She begged this woman not to be discouraged, but to put her trust in the Lord. How comforting is the word in this connection, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust." 1. Consider the happiness of those who put their trust in the Lord. Everyone who neglects to do this may reasonably expect that God will hide his face from them. 2. See the benefits that flow from the reciprocal influence of religion. She felt encouraged because her husband was interested in religion. 3. Trials ought to be spiritually discerned. We form a very wrong estimate of religion if we think that God's gifts of grace are invariably conferred upon the prosperous. Many have the smiles of His providence who are not basking in the sunshine of His reconciling countenance. * * * * * * IF WE FORSAKE GOD, HE WILL ALSO FORSAKE US. _She had not discharged her duty to God, etc._--How quickly she recognized the vital importance of discharging duty to God as infinitely superior to all others. Penitence for sin omitted and committed against a holy Being who has purer eyes than to behold iniquity. This thought is put in the foreground; sin brings affliction. Repentance was the first subject selected by John, and Christ himself, to proclaim to the people of Palestine, "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." Why does it imply simply a change of mind? _Laments her past life._--Living in the careless neglect of her duty to God, she censures herself, evidently experiencing that Godly sorrow for sin which needeth not to be repented of. How many, alas! sadly neglect to confess and forsake their sin until the setting of life's sun. _He consented, etc._--The old story-telling with gentle, winning words, at the door of the tenement-house, accompanied with the loving invitation to come to Jesus, are deeply impregnated with never-ceasing influence. Three children and a father persuaded to attend the means of grace on the Sabbath, in God's sanctuary. What a striking reflection of the character of Him who sat weary and way-worn on Jacob's well. Surely a truly devoted missionary of the holy cross of Jesus is an angel on this sin-blighted earth, where, through penury and sorrow, hearts are almost crushed with despair. She is Christ's ambassador. _Seemed glad to see me, etc._--Why, dear Christian reader? Because she brought rays of heavenly sunshine of God's peace and gratitude and gladness into many a benighted heart; thus inspiring, encouraging, and arousing within the soul blessed remembrances of a covenant-keeping God, even toward His poor, wayward, backsliding children.