M. My dear child, do you not remember when we were conversing a long time ago about my soul and your soul, that is, my spirit and your spirit, we both agreed that we could not see each other's spirit, with these our bodily eyes; we only see the body in which the spirit dwells?

Ch. Yes, mother, I remember it quite well I see your body, but I cannot see your spirit, nor you mine.

M. Then, my child, reflect, think for one moment; if you and I cannot see each other's spirits, which are confined to this one little spot; how shall we see the SPIRIT of ALMIGHTY GOD, which being every where, fills the universe? GOD is every where, GOD is always with us-He surrounds us with his presence-in him we live and move and have our being: but no human eye can look upon Him; how shall we see God's HOLY SPIRIT, when we cannot see our Own?

Ch. Mother, I cannot understand how this is.

M. There are many things which you cannot understand, which you do nevertheless see with your eyes each day you live. Can you tell how it is that the corn grows when we cast the grain into the earth? can you understand how the clouds roll along in the heavens, such a great body of water in the form of vapour, until at last it falls upon the earth in showers of rain, and moistens and refreshes its surface? can you understand how it is the dry and leafless tree puts forth its buds and blossoms in the spring, and is soon seen covered and adorned with that green and lovely foliage? We see much to admire and wonder at, in all the works of GOD; his works are great and glorious,

and we perceive that he who made them, and who still upholds them in being, he must be very great and very glorious too; wise and good and mighty above all that we can think; but it is very plain that if you can understand little or nothing of the works of GOD, which you can see, still less can it be possible for you to understand about GOD whom you cannot see.

Ch. But is it true, mother, that God is every where, although I cannot see him?

M. Yes, my dear child, GoD is every where, it is quite true. Come with me to the window and look out; see those willow trees--the boughs are leaning to the ground, and now they rise, and now they are again bending down-why do they move? why do they bend so low?

Ch. It is the wind that moves them, it is the wind that bends down the boughs.

M. But all the trees of the garden seem in motion, their branches are waving about, some this way and some that way, backward and forward, the trees appear as if they were strongly shaken about, great and small. I see none at rest, all appear shaken, at the same time, all are moving.

Ch. Why yes, dear mother, to be sure the wind is very strong; it is the wind, the high wind that is blowing the trees about.

M. Look at the grass, I see the long grass moving also, it rises and falls like the waves of the sea.

Ch. Why, mother, the wind blows so very hard, it must be so; the wind blows the trees about, and the grass too

M. I look up at the heavens and I see the clouds pass over them like smoke, how swiftly they pass across the sky, they seem to fly, what can make the clouds move along so swiftly?

Ch. Surely, mother, it is the wind. I think you know it to be the wind; it brings on the clouds, and then it drives them away. M. How can this be? is the wind every where?

Ch. O yes, mother, every where.

M. What, in the heavens and upon the earth too?

Ch. O yes surely; it is above us, and around us, and every where.

M. Well, this is very wonderful, that the wind should be every where, above us and around us! I cannot see the wind.

Ch. Dear mother, no, nobody can see the wind!

M. Why so?

Ch. How can we see the wind, mother? nobody ever did see the wind!

M. But how can I tell whether it is the wind that moves the trees, and the grass, and the clouds? if I see nothing of the wind how do I know there is any wind around me and above me, if I cannot see it?

Ch. Nay, now dear mother, you are joking with me. I feel the wind so strong sometimes, it almost blows me away; besides, the trees could not move of themselves, they are quite still and the grass too, if the wind does not blow.

M. Just so, my dear child, no heart would ever have one movement towards GOD and heavenly things, if the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD did not move over it and within it. You learn that it is possible for a mighty power to work above and around you, although your eyes cannot see it, nor your hands lay hold of it. The wind is so strong, that it will tear up trees by their roots; agitate the sea so as to raise the waves mountains high; it will drive the

sand of the desert with such force, and so much of it, as to cover poor travellers and bury them for ever beneath it. Thus the wind is strong and mighty and is as you say every where. Yet, now take notice, yet you cannot see it-then, my dear child, so he who made the wind, GOD, the great GOD is every where; but you cannot see him, although like the wind he is above and around you. You cannot see the wind, you cannot see GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT.

Ch. Dear mother, I wonder I never thought of this before.

M. Let us open the Bible, we shall find that our Saviour Jesus Christ is called the sun of righteousness and the light of the world, because he teaches us all we know about GOD and heaven; and thus gives light, the light of wisdom and knowledge to the scul: so the HOLY SPIRIT is compared to the wind, which being as you say every where, and working with a mighty power, is yet unseen, although it gives as it were life and motion to all that you do see on the face of the earth. The psalmist asks Whither shall I go from thy SPIRIT, whither shall I flee from thy presence* ?" meaning that he could go no where, but, there God is also; and again the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth-so is every one born of the SIRIT."

Ch. What does that mean, mother, "born of the SPIRIT ?"

M. I will answer that question another time; go now and take your run in the garden, only first let me repeat to you what I wish impressed upon your mind; the

Ps. cxxxix. 7, + John iii. S

wind that is so strong, cannot rise without GOD's permission, cannot blow without his direction: GOD made the wind, and GoD rules the wind; and as you cannot see the wind though it is all around you, so you cannot see Gop, though his SPIRIT is above you and around you, and every where also. Now as that bright shining sun may teach you to think of your Saviour, let the wind bring to your thoughts that HOLY SPIRIT, who is not only mighty in power but ALMIGHTY, and therefore able to make you good, though you cannot make yourself good. He is able to incline your heart to love always what is good, and then you will follow after it and not after evil; then you will walk in the light and be happy. He will teach you to look up to God and call Him "Father," and God will look down upon you and love you as his dear child: for "AS MANY AS ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THEY ARE THE CHIDDREN OF GOD." IOTA.

PROTESTANTS IN LOCARNO.

Locarno is a city of Italy not far from the Alps. In the year 1526, the reformed opinions were brought into it by Baldassare Fontana. For some time the number of his converts was very small. "There are

but three of us here," says that zealous servant of Christ, "but Midian was not vanquished by the multitude who flocked to the standard of Gideon, but by a few chosen for the purpose of God. Who knows but he may kindle a great fire out of this small smoke. It is our duty to sow and plant; the Lord must give the increase." The seed often lies long hid in the ground. Twenty years passed before the fruit of the prayers and labours of this good man