t prepared to trust in GOD alone, without
the sixpence.

To talk was impossible under these circumstances; yet, strange to say, I
thought I should have no difficulty in praying. Prayer was a delightful
occupation to me in those days; time thus spent never seemed wearisome,
and I knew nothing of lack of words. I seemed to think that all I should
have to do would be to kneel down and engage in prayer, and that relief
would come to them and to myself together. "You asked me to come and
pray with your wife," I said to the man, "let us pray." And I knelt
down. But scarcely had I opened my lips with "Our FATHER who art in
heaven" than conscience said within, "Dare you mock GOD? Dare you kneel
down and call Him FATHER with that half-crown in your pocket?" Such a
time of conflict came upon me then as I have never experienced before or
since. How I got through that form of prayer I know not, and whether the
words uttered were connected or disconnected I cannot tell; but I arose
from my knees in great distress of mind.

The poor father turned to me and said, "You see what a terrible state we
are in, sir; if you can help us, for GOD'S sake do!" Just then the word
flashed into my mind, "Give to him that asketh of thee," and in the word
of a KING there is power. I put my hand into my pocket, and slowly
drawing forth the half-crown, gave it to the man, telling him that it
might seem a small matter for me to relieve them, seeing that I was
comparatively well off, but that in parting with that coin I was giving
him my all; what I had been trying to tell him was indeed true--GOD
really was a FATHER, and might be trusted. The joy all came back in full
flood-tide to my heart; I could say anything and feel it then, and the
hindrance to blessing was gone--gone, I trust, for ever.

Not only was the poor woman's life saved, but I realised that my life
was saved too! It might have been a wreck--would have been a wreck
probably, as a Christian life--had not grace at that time conquered, and
the striving of GOD'S SPIRIT been obeyed. I well remember how that
night, as I went home to my lodgings, my heart was as light as my
pocket. The lonely, deserted streets resounded with a hymn of praise
which I could not restrain. When I took my basin of gruel before
retiring, I would not have exchanged it for a prince's feast. I
reminded the LORD as I knelt at my bedside of His own Word, that he who
giveth to the poor lendeth to the LORD: I asked Him not t