that of the shining light, was onward and brighter.

C. L.

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Original.

MOTHERS NEED THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST.

At one period of my life, during a revival of religion, God led me by
his Spirit to see and feel that the many years I had been a professed
follower of Christ--which had been years of alternate revivings and
backslidings, had only resulted in dishonor to Him and condemnation to
my own soul. True, I had many times thought I had great enjoyment in the
service of God, and was ever strict in all the outward observances of
religion. But my heart was not fixed, and my affections were easily
turned aside and fastened upon minor objects. In connection with this
humiliating view of my past life, a deep sense of my responsibilities as
a mother, having children old enough to give themselves to God, and
still unreconciled to him, weighed me to the earth.

I plainly saw that God could not consistently convert them while I lived
so inconsistent a life. I felt that if they were lost I was responsible.
I gave myself to seek the Lord with all my heart, by fasting and prayer.
One day, in conversation with my dear pastor, I told him my trials, and
he said to me, "What you want is a baptism of the Holy Ghost. Give
yourself up to seek this richest of all blessings." I did so--and rested
not until this glorious grace was mine. Then, oh how precious was Jesus
to my soul! How perfectly easy was it now to deny myself and follow
Christ!

I now knew what it was to be led by the constraining love of Jesus, and
to do those things that please him. Then it was that he verified to me
his precious promise, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you." Very shortly, one of my dear
loved ones was brought to make an entire surrender of herself to Christ.

I trust I was also made the instrument of good to others, who professed
to submit their hearts to my precious Savior. Will not many more be
induced to take God at his word and believe him when he says, "Then
shall ye find me, when ye shall search for me with all your hearts"?

* * * * *

Original.

EXTRAVAGANCE.

The following paragraphs, which we have met in the course of our
reading, contain a great deal of truth worthy the consideration of our
readers.

_Extravagance in living._--"One cannot wonder that the times
occasionally get hard," said a vener