MORE than a century ago, Mr. M― was traveling on horseback from a town on the eastern border of Vermont, to another town on the western side of the same state. Passing over the mountainous part of the country, between the Connecticut and Onion rivers, he perceived the heavens to be gathering blackness; the sound of distant thunder was heard, and a heavy shower of rain was seen to be fast approaching. The traveler was then in a forest; no place of shelter appeared, and he hastened on until he arrived at a small cottage on the extreme border of the woods. The rain just then began to rush down with violence. He sprang from his horse, pulled off his saddle, and without ceremony went into the house. Surprised to see no family, but a female with an infant child, he began to apologize for his sudden appearance, and hoped she would not be alarmed, but permit him to tarry till the rain had abated. She replied, that she was glad he had happened to come in, for she was always much terrified by thunder. “But why, madam,” asked he, “should you be afraid of thunder? It is the voice of God, and will do no harm to those who love Him and commit themselves to His care.”
Further conversation ensued, during the course of which she told him, that she had neighbors about two miles off; to whose house a man was in the habit of coming once a fortnight to preach. Her husband went once, but she had never been to their meetings.
The rain had now passed over, and the face of nature smiled. The traveler, about to depart, expressed to the woman his thanks for her hospitality, and his earnest desire for the salvation of her soul. He besought her to read her Bible daily, and to give good heed to it as to “a light that shineth in a dark place.” She, with tears, confessed that she had no Bible. They had never been able to buy one.
He was preparing to pursue his journey, but he reflected: “This woman is in very great need of a Bible. Oh, that I had one to give her! but I have not. As for money to buy one, I have none to spare; I have no more than will be absolutely necessary for my expenses home. I must go, but if I leave this woman without the means to procure the Word of God, she may perish for lack of knowledge. What shall I do?” He recollected the scripture― “He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and that which he hath given will he pay him again” (Prov. 19:1717He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. (Proverbs 19:17)). Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days” (Eccl. 11:11Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. (Ecclesiastes 11:1)). His heart responded, “I will trust the Lord.” He took a dollar from his purse, went back, and desired the woman to take it, and as soon as possible procure for herself a Bible. She promised to do so, saying that she knew where one could be obtained.
He again took his leave and set off. As there were then but few taverns on the road, he asked for a lodging at a private house, near which he found himself when night overtook him. He had yet a few pieces of change in his pocket, but as the journey of two more days was before him, he proposed to make his supper on a cold morsel which he had with him. But when the family came round their table to take their evening repast, the master of the house very urgently invited the stranger to join with them-not only so, but to crave God’s blessing on theft meal. He now began to feel himself among friends, and at liberty to speak freely on divine things. The family appeared gratified in listening to his discourse till a late hour; it was a season of refreshing to their thirsty souls. In the morning the traveler was urged to tarry till breakfast, but declined, the distance he had to travel requiring him be set off early. His host would take no compensation, and he departed, giving him many thanks.
He journeyed on till late in the morning, when, finding no public-house, he stopped again at a private one for refreshment. While waiting, he lost no time to recommend Christ and Him crucified to the family. When ready to depart he offered to pay the mistress of the house, who had waited upon him very kindly, for his repast, and the oats for his horse, but she would receive nothing.
Thus he went on, asking for refreshment as often as he needed it, and conversing of the things of God wherever he called, and always offering, as another traveler would do, to pay his expenses, but no one would accept his money, although it was not known that his stock was so low, for he told them not, and his appearance was respectable―at home he was a man of wealth.
“What,” thought he, “does this mean? I was never treated in this manner on a journey before.”
The dollar given to the destitute woman recurred to his mind, and he inwardly replied, “I have been well paid. It is indeed safe lending to the Lord.”
On the second day after he left the cottage in the wilderness he arrived safely at home, and still had money for the poor, having been at no cost whatever.
About a year and a half after this a stranger called at the house of Mr. M—for some refreshment. In the course of conversation he observed that he lived on the other side of the mountain, near the Connecticut River. Mr. M―inquired about some gentlemen there with whom he was acquainted, and was pleased to find that the stranger knew them well. He then asked him whether the people in that vicinity paid much attention to the things of God. The traveler replied: “Not much; but in a town twenty or thirty miles beyond the river, with which I am acquainted, there has been a powerful revival. The commencement of it was very extraordinary. The first person that was awakened and brought to repentance was a poor woman, who lived in a very retired place. She told her friends and neighbors that a stranger was driven into her house by a thunderstorm, and talked to her so seriously, that she began, while listening to his discourse, to feel concerned about her soul. The gentleman was much affected when he found that she had no Bible, and after he had left the house to go on his journey, returned again, and gave her a dollar to buy one, and charged her to get it soon, and read it diligently. She did so, and it has been the means, as she believes, of bringing her from darkness to light, to delight in the truth and ways of God. The name of this pious man, or the place of his residence, she knows not, but she believes it was the Lord who sent him. At this relation, and the great change which was obvious in the woman, her neighbors wondered much. They were induced to meditate on the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, displayed in this singular event of His providence. They were led to think of the importance of attending more to the Bible themselves, and were finally awakened to a deep concern for the salvation of their souls. As many as thirty or forty are already hopefully converted, and rejoicing in God their Saviour.”
Mr. M—, who had listened to this relation with a heart swelling more and more with wonder, gratitude, and joy, could refrain no longer, but with hands and eyes upraised to heaven, exclaimed, “My God, Thou hast paid me again!”
ANON.