A FEW lines only of the Divine book are devoted to her; yet they tell of excellent things, and will bear the name of Anna, with honor, down to the latest generation of the Saviour's followers. On her first and only appearance upon the Divine page, she has traveled far down into the vale of years. The husband and companion of her youth was long since dead, and, resigning him to an early grave, it might seem that she had, at the same time, relinquished all earthly hopes-had consecrated herself to holy living-had dwelt long and earnestly amid the Scriptures, and had delighted to abide near the altar of God. The morning and evening service at the temple was dear to her; so also was the silent closet, and the prayer which went up from the heart to the Father who seeth in secret. Her soul was in sympathy with him of old, to whom the law of God was only delight, and in that law he meditated day and night. Long and intently had she pondered the ancient prophecies, and she saw that brighter days were laid up for her nation, and for the world. A prophetess herself, she held deep communings with holy men of old, and with them she inquired, and searched diligently concerning the great salvation which they prophesied. With them, was she intent upon what, or what manner of time, the spirit

of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. She saw that the fullness of time was come,-that Daniel's weeks were spent-and, as the watchmen waiting for the star of morning, she was looking. The Prince of Peace-the Messiah of God-the Desire of all nations-He whose kingdom was to absorb all other kingdoms, and was to last forever-the Redeemer of men ;-toward this long predicted Being were directed the eyes of Anna the aged. of Anna the aged. Nor was she without kindred minds that, within that wicked city, were praying and expecting. In addition to the prophetic impulse which touched her own spirit, had she not conversed with the venerable Simeon, and heard him express his assurance of looking, before his death, upon the Lord's Anointed?

Interesting to the student of holy things are these hallowed openings through which we are permitted to look within the cloisters and the hearts of ancient godly ones. How unutterably refreshing, even to us, far distant spectators, to behold the spirit of prophecy again returning, after the long interval of hundreds of melancholy years! How welcome the renewed visits of ancient Gabrielancient, yet youthful, and glorious, and mighty, as when, long before, he flew, at God's command, and touched the beloved Daniel! O! how sublimely beautiful to hear heaven's voices breathing again through human organs! The songs of Zacharias, Simeon and Anna, joined with those angel

responses high up above the enchanted shepherds, breathe forth a chorus whose swift echoings along this dying world have startled millions into lifeentranced them as they passed on through their pilgrimage-while, lying down to die at last, they still turned to listen to the great anthem of salvation as they "breathed their lives out sweetly there!"

And who might adequately measure the transports of the aged Anna? During many, many years, she had seen "through a glass darkly." True, she had hope of the promise made of God unto the fathers; unto which promise, instantly serving God, day and night, she hoped to come. She looked to see the promised Seed before her death. She longed that the clearer light should shine and that "the glory of Israel" might rise, for once, upon her eyes, ere her weary frame should sink into the dust.

She was heard. At the exact moment, the venerable Simeon "came, by the Spirit, into the temple ;" and Anna was seen "coming in that instant." There they stood, on that remembered day, and as if representative of all men and women. There they both looked upon the Messiah, both rejoiced with joy unspeakable,—both gave the prophetic testimony of his coming,—and both sent their praises, a sweet savor, up to the eternal throne.

Nor could this suffice for the enraptured Anna. See her, as she passes from house to house, and

from street to street, seeking out the praying, hoping ones, assuring them that the Redeemer had come. Pure and brilliant is that light to those witnessing its last shining. That aged voice grows young again; that withered countenance beams with unwonted radiance; that faded eye grows bright with celestial fire. New and strange energy pervades that tottering frame. She takes hold of strength-pushes diligently her final effort-and departed not till she spake of Him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Ye aged mothers in spiritual Israel! Weep not, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you! The world, it is true, grows dim, and those that look out of the windows are darkened, and the doors are shut in the streets, and the daughters of music are brought low, and fears are in the way, and the grasshopper is a burden. As the trembling autumn leaf, ye are ready to drop and be unseen. Yet cling to the Hope of "the holy women in the old time, who trusted in God." Continue in supplications and prayers, as the closing days and nights pass heavily, perhaps painfully, away. Memory declines; yet seize upon a few exceeding great and precious promises, or upon only one, if sometimes all others fade from view. Flesh and heart fail; yet lean, with unyielding confidence, upon Him who is the strength of your hearts, and your portion forever. The speech is feeble and slow; yet use it to praise God, and give him perpetual thanksgiving. Pronounce

often the name of your Redeemer, and speak of Him "to all that look for redemption." Be not in haste to say that the days of your usefulness are gone. No marvel if your evening sun shall go down in the midst of life's great harvest-time! At all events, prophesy while you may-praise while you live! Still sweep the broken, tuneless instrument, till the glad day of its exchange for the harp of eternity!

"I'll praise Him while He lends me breath,

And, when my voice is lost in death,

Praise shall employ my nobler powers;

My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures."

The Woman of Samaria,

THERE seems an air of mystery accompanying this woman. Was she, or was she not, a woman of virtue? Against the favorable hypothesis, there stands the declaration, that when Christ conversed with her she had had five husbands, and was then in possession of a man who was not her husband. Nothing else appears in the narrative prejudicial to her reputation; while, on the contrary, the whole presentation, with the above exception, exhibits her under favorable aspects. What then of the exception?

That she had had five husbands, is no conclu