Within this Rock that same God had wonderfully provided for their safety and comfort. It contains a large cavern, capable of holding many at a time; and in the very centre of this cave is a fountain of water, which yields a never-failing supply. When driven thither by the storms of persecution, the exiles provided themselves with food, from the plentiful wild fruits of the adjoining mountain, so that the Bible promise was made good to them, "Their bread shall be given them, and their water shall be sure!" Swords and cannon and other means of defense they had none, but a single man, stationed at the mouth of the cave, was enough to defy hundreds of armed soldiers. He had only to hurl fragments of loose stones (which were supplied from the sides of the cavern) down upon the foe, and they were instantly beaten back, thus fulfilling God's words to Israel, "Five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight." Often, often, then, when the wintry tempests and Alpine storms, and drifting snows, were raging fiercely around, adding to the terrors of the enemy, did these peasant warriors find in the Rock of Castello a secure shelter and retreat. With their fountain and blazing fire, their Bibles and their God, they would make the rocky cavern ring with praise. They "feared the Lord," and had no other fear. He had "given his angels charge over them;" and they could boldly make the challenge, "God is for us, who can be against us?" * * * * * When I heard about this Rock, which the "God of _Nature_" had upreared as a citadel for his oppressed people, it reminded me of a better ROCK, which "the God of _Grace_" has provided for perishing sinners! Dear Children!--You are all, by nature, like these poor Christians of the Alps, the inhabitants of a Valley. It is called "_The Valley of Tears!_" Like theirs, too, it is a lovely valley, far too lovely for sinful man; but though lovely, its name tells you it is a _Valley of Weeping_. Sin has made it so. And more than this, it is a _Valley of Danger_, a _Valley of Death_! It is full of _Enemies_. I can not tell you them all, "their name is Legion, for they are many." There are: THE WORLD. Ungodly men, bad companions, tempting you to sin, and trying to keep you back from fleeing to Jesus! YOUR OWN The enemy within, the worst HEARTS. of all, because the most deceitful of all! SATAN. The great enemy, who goeth about seeking whom he may devour. DEATH. The last enemy, a sudden enemy, but oh! remember, a _sure_ enemy; other enemies _may_ come, He _must_ come, and the time of his coming is generally "at _midnight_," when you least look for him!