made her feel anxious that she should have a protector when she herself should be gathered to her fathers. Who is there so fitted for it, as their kinsman Boaz? In every respect he was a suitable husband for Ruth. He was a man of piety, and of a kind and charitable disposition; and he was able to offer her a respectable and comfortable home. A more prudent marriage could not have been contemplated.

There are many customs in the Eastern world, even in our time, which appear strange and unaccountable to us; and to the Eastern world many of our customs appear as strange. So the circumstances connected with the marriage of Boaz and Ruth appear strange; but they were in strict accordance with the Mosaic law.

Naomi would never have advised her daughter-in-law to do anything but what was perfectly right. Nor would Boaz have suffered anything that was not virtuously carried on. According to the Mosaic law, Ruth had a legal claim on Boaz, and Naomi

had so great a respect for the laws that she was determined not to neglect them. Boaz acknowledged his duty as a kinsman, and commended the modesty and virtue of Ruth, who had so gained upon his esteem and affection by it, that he takes her to be his wife.

Naomi's old age is comforted through her daughter-in-law, who had been such a blessing to her. No longer is she to be called Marah, but Naomi. Ruth's marriage was blessed by a son being born to her. He was named Obed, and was the father of Jesse, and grandfather of David. In Ruth we behold a lineal ancestor of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And here let us notice the providence of God over individuals. How wonderfully did God bring about the conversion of Ruth, and her admission into the family of the Messiah, through the famine in Israel; and how he once overruled evil for good in the misfortunes of Elimelech, his son's sin in marrying a Moabitish woman, and her own affliction in becoming a widow.

Let us all strive to cling to the Lord as Ruth did to Naomi. May we all learn as willingly to forsake the world for Him as Ruth forsook the land of false gods. From the example of Ruth we may also learn to be kind-hearted and affectionate to our relations, to help the poor and afflicted, and to put our trust in God, for who " ever came under his wing in vain ?"

From Naomi's afflictions we learn how sudden are the changes in this world. Ten years bereft her of all she possessed. We know not how short-lived our present possessions may be. Then let us not put our trust in them, for riches have wings and fly away. May we be enabled to exclaim with Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Such fortitude was Naomi's under her afflictions, and may it also be ours.

E

HANNAH.

HANNAH was the wife of Elkanah, of whom it is said, that he went up out of his city yearly to worship. He was a Levite, and the office of the Levites " was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, in the courts and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God," &c. the Levites may be

The peculiar office of found in Numbers iii. 5; 1 Chron. xxxii. 28, &c. ; 2 Chron. xiii. 10.

Hannah had no child, and she prayed carnestly to the Lord, that he would grant

her the blessing of a son, promising that she would devote him wholly to the Lord from his very birth. Hannah felt her mind both relieved and consoled after she had prayed. Nothing is so consolatory or so soothing to the mind as prayer, sincere heartfelt prayer, I mean.

The Lord was pleased to hear the prayer of Hannah; he hears all who pray as sincerely as Hannah did. Hannah was soon after blest with a son, whom she named Samuel, the meaning of which is," Asked of the Lord."

After the birth of his son, Elkanah went up to the yearly sacrifice, and to offer his vow. Hannah had her young infant to attend to at home, and could not accompany him. She intended going when Samuel was old enough to accompany her. Hannah could pray at home, although her duties prevented her from attending the public ordinances, and no doubt her prayers were very fervent. She had a very reasonable and necessary excuse for absenting herself