again acknowledged by the assembled multitude, and the prophets of Baal die by Elijah's hand, and again his prayer ascends, and the "heavens gave rain." It would seem that the whole nation, together with their idolatrous rulers, must now be certainly convinced, and that the true and righteous Jehovah would be recognized and honored. So, probably, thought Elijah. But if so, he was speedily undeceived. That mighty rain had yet scarcely ceased to fall-the first for three years and six months-ere the prophet receives a message from the hand of Jezebel, threatening his immediate death. The voice of God was as if sounding in her ears, as her malignant notes were thundering in the ears of his faithful prophet. Was there ever such a lesson touching the depth of human wickedness when the heart is fully set to do evil!

Elijah retires hastily from the reach of the hateful queen, and she sees him no more. Her course is still downward and bloody. The unfortunate Naboth perishes by her instigation, and Ahab, "whom Jezebel, his wife, stirred up," sold himself to work wickedness beyond all men. He died, at last, as all bad men must die. Jezebel survived her husband about thirteen years, and died by violence at the command of Jehu, and her body was eaten of dogs.

The history of this heathen queen is only melancholy. It is darkness without light. As we contemplate it, we seem in a world of demons

rather than of beings that are human. The soul grows sick, and shudders at what one of our fallen race may become. What! can manespecially can woman, sink, in this world, to degradation so extreme and awful? Well may we weep over sin, and flee from it as from the fell serpent's fangs. Well may we tremble at the dire ravages of heathenism-effacing, as it does, the image of God from the soul, scathing whatever is beautiful to behold, and transforming man or woman into a fiend of darkness. Well may Christian mothers and daughters lay themselves out for the redemption of their Pagan sisters, and aid, to the utmost, in bearing to them that only remedy for the moral desolations of the race. Jezebel was a heathen, and a representative of heathenism-a monument of what a thousand Christian women, without redemption, would be, who are now the loveliest ornaments of this world, and almost "as the angels of God in heaven."

"Shall we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,

Shall we, to souls benighted,

The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! O salvation!

The joyful sound proclaim,

Till earth's remotest nation

Has learn'd Messiah's name!"

The Shunammite.

"ELISHA passed to Shunem where was a great woman;"-distinguished for excellence of character and conduct; for such are they who are great in the sight of the Lord. She appears to have possessed an ardent temperament, which imparted to her beneficence an earnestness of cordiality beyond what is ordinary. Elisha would seem to have been residing, for a time, in the vicinity, while his calls of duty often led him to pass her dwelling. It would not be strange if, as she now and then glanced at the man of God passing her residence, she observed him to be weary and faint with his journeyings; and hence her goodness of heart prompted her earnest invitation that he would accept and enjoy her hospitalities. Having made her acquaintance, and realized her kindness, her residence became a favored and favorite resting-place of the prophet. And more prophets than one have found occasion for lofty gratitude, as they have been refreshed by the cheering smiles, and generous sympathies, of some intelligent and excellent daughter of Zion. Long after Elisha and his noble hostess of Shunem had passed away, the great apostle of the Gentiles often rejoiced in the house of Lydia, and was succored by the kind attentions of Phebe. In the house of Priscilla,

Apollos the eloquent not only found refreshment and repose, but also learned, at her lips, "the way of God more perfectly." The "elect lady" was greatly beloved by John, who was often welcomed to her house, and with her had conversed with fullness of joy. One of the mansions of Bethany was a favored resting-place of the Man of sorrows, who loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. This thorny world shall not be utterly a desert while such are scattered here and there to bloom upon its surface, and cheer, with their fragrance, the weary traveler.

There seems an elegant exuberance in the sympathy of the Shunammite, as well as admirable prudence and discernment. Her generous hospitality is not satisfied with contemplating merely ordinary arrangements. She would have a room constructed and fitted up specially for the man of God, whither, at his pleasure, he might retire to meditate, and pray, and repose. Nor did she proceed with arrangements so important without the co-operation of her husband. Behold now," she said to him, "I perceive that this is a holy man of God which passeth by us continually." And such discernment of hers, reveals to us, in part, her own fair and excellent character. She was not as the heath, knowing not when good cometh, but her senses were exercised to know good and evil. She could discern the character of the prophet; and, discerning it, could sympathize with its sublimity and beauty. Piety and

goodness had no repulsiveness in her eye, but irresistible attraction rather. She was not content that they should "pass continually" by her --she invited their presence, and wished them to linger with her, and welcomed them with the warmest cordiality. It is refreshing to observe, also, her interest to inspire the same sentiments in her husband. She would have been greatly distressed to be doomed, without his acquiescence and pleasure to carry out her plans for the prophet's entertainment and comfort. She seeks that there be but one mind-one thought, in those whom God had joined together. Nor is she obtrusive, while she is forward in her plans of goodness. There is no stepping aside from the sweet proprieties of woman. She was "great," yet not imperious and haughty-not selfish and secluded. "Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall." On the one hand, she would do all possible for the comfort of the prophet; on the other, she is equally solicitous for her husband's sympathy in her benevolent projects. Those projects are successfully fulfilled, and the messenger of Heaven failed not to honor the prophet's chamber with his presence.

"The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me." Thus prayed an apostle for one of the circles that were privileged to minister to his necessities. In like manner prayed Elisha as he was once reposing in