ng with intensity on the pure azure over his head; for _a more
unclouded sky was rarely ever seen_. Contrary to all external signs of
rain, and contrary to the expectations of all, except himself, the sky
became overcast toward evening, and the clouds dropped the fullness of a
shower upon the earth. His very soul seemed to drink in the falling
drops. The family grouped around him, like children around their father,
while he gave out his favorite hymn, "_I'll praise my Maker while I've
breath_;" "and after singing it with a countenance all a-glow, through
the sunshine of heaven upon his soul, he knelt down and prayed. All were
overpowered; it was a season of refreshing from the presence of the
Lord.

His biographer says of him: "Samuel had no weather glass upon which to
look except the Bible, in which he was taught to believe, and expect
_that_ for which he prayed; nothing on which he could depend but God,
and _his faith_ was set in God for _rain_."

PRAYING FOR THE WIND TO COME.

A remarkable incident, showing how God makes the winds to obey him in
obedience to the prayer of his righteous ones, and the expectations of
their faith, occurred also in Samuel Hick's life, which is really an
astonishing proof of God's supernatural power.

A church gathering was to take place at Micklefleld, and Samuel had
promised two loads of corn for their use. The day fixed drew near, but
there was no flour in the house, and the wind-mills, in consequence of a
long calm, stretched out their arms in vain to catch the rising breezes.
In the midst of this death-like quiet, Samuel carried his corn to the
mill nearest his own residence, and requested the miller to unfurl his
sails. The miller objected, stating that there was "no wind." Samuel, on
the other hand, continued to urge his request, saying, "_I will go and
pray while you spread the cloth._" More with a view of gratifying the
applicant than of any faith he had, the man stretched his canvas. _No
sooner had he done this than, to his utter astonishment, a fine breeze
sprung up, the fans whirled around, the corn was converted into meal,
and Samuel returned with his burden rejoicing,_ and had everything in
readiness for the festival.

In the mean time, a neighbor who had seen the fan in vigorous motion,
took also some corn to be ground; but the wind had dropped, and the
miller remarked to him, "You must send for Sammy Hick to pray for the
wind to blow again."

SNAILS IN THE ARK