STORY XXV,

THE WIDOW'S POT OF OIL.

THERE was a poor widow who lived in the days of Elisha, whose history is wonderful. She was the wife of one of the sons of the prophets; he was a very good man, for he not only feared to offend God, but he was always trying, by the help of Divine grace, to do everything to please him.' No doubt he was one of the many thousands who would not "bow the knee to Baal."

But at last he died; it is not known how, whether suddenly, or after a long illness; nor does it matter how, or where, or when a good man dies; for his end is sure to be peace, and he is sure to enter into glory.'

It is likely he had but very little, if any thing,

for preaching. God's faithful servants are not so much concerned to enrich themselves with the fleece, as to save the flock; so he died very poor, -and, what was much worse, he died greatly in debt. We are sure his debts were not incurred "in riotous living," or in any improper way, because "he feared the Lord;" perhaps what he owed was for bread, which they were obliged to have in the time of the famine. We ought to wear coarser garments, and be content with meaner fare, and to work very hard, or to do any thing we can, rather than get into debt."

And it is likely this good man did so. But, then, how came he to be so greatly in debt? Perhaps Baal's prophets took much of what he had for the support of their idol worship; perhaps he had met with great losses; perhaps he had helped the poor persecuted people of God in that time of sorrow beyond his ability; or, perhaps, he had been very long ill, and had been obliged to spend his substance.

When he died, the poor widow knew not what

to do. She sold one article of furniture after another, till she had scarcely any thing left. It is true, she had two sons who were very dear to her; and, no doubt, she hoped that in time they would labour, and help her, so that she might be able to pay her debts. But what made her case now very trying was, that her creditors would not wait any longer; but they said, that if she did not pay them in a little while, they would seize the two dear boys, and sell them into bondage for six years.

So the poor widow was in the depth of trouble; and she thought she would go and lay her whole case before Elisha. We should help the widow and fatherless, and the distressed, by our counsels and our prayers; and, as far as we can, with our substance." He that hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up the bowels of his compassiou from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

Now Elisha, no doubt, had been told by God what he should say to her. So he asked her,

What she had in the house?" And she said, Thy hand-maid hath not any thing in the house save a pot of oil." And he told her she must become an oil merchant; and though her stock was a very small one to begin with, he would tell her how it would be increased. It is a charity to give the poor bread enough for a day; but it is a much greater good to put them in a way to earn their living.'

Then the prophet said, "Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels, borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee, and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside those that are full."

She did not say, as some would, Of what use will it be to borrow empty vessels! How can one pot of oil become many! Who ever heard of such a strange project! The people who hear of it will laugh me to scorn! I thought he would have given me some money; or that he would have said, he would try and raise a subscription

for me among his friends; or have found out some plan by which I might earn my daily bread, my creditors be satisfied, and my dear boys saved from being sold into bondage. But to think of borrowing empty barrels, tubs, and pans, surely this seems only mocking me in my distress!"

No, she did not say any thing like this. The servants of the Lord are blessed with faith in his power, goodness, and love. And this was the case with the poor widow. So she went and borrowed empty vessels of all sorts, till she had her house full of them. And then, as the prophet had told her, she shut her door, that she might not be disturbed, and the better see, admire, adore, and praise the great Giver of all good.

And now her dear boys brought one vessel after another to her, and she poured oil out of her pot into them, till they were all full; so that they had not one left to receive any more. How would she, and her children, be ready to leap for joy!"

So she ran to tell Elisha what had taken place,