The Little Gleaner Part 72

LITTLE JOHNNIE.

Shall I vex your patience, Johnnie, If I write again?

Would you rather I should leave you Brooding o'er your pain?

Does your little heart grow tired Of the outside noise?

Will you never tell your sorrows?

Must you hide your joys?

Then I'll go to Jesus, Johnnie-- Go to Him, and say-- "There's a weary child, Lord Jesus, Needs Thy love to-day.

"Listen to his father's praying; See his mother's tears; Speak, oh, speak to little Johnnie!

Speak, and hush our fears.

"He was born a wretched sinner; Does he know it, Lord?

Thou hast promises for sinners, In Thy precious Word.

"Speak, oh, speak to little Johnnie, That our aching hearts May be comforted about him When his soul departs.

"We have told him of Thy mercy, Told him of Thy wrath; Told him of the untold terrors Of the second death.

"But the voice that wakes an echo In the silent one, And the hand that opens heaven, Jesus, are Thine own.

"Lord, we cannot help repeating, Speak to him to-day; Hope, nor prayer, nor mercy cometh To the mouldering clay.

"Now the heart and flesh are failing, Now the need is true, h.e.l.l beneath, and heaven above him, Stoop, Lord, lift him through."

I have said all this to Jesus, Johnnie dear, for you; Tell your mother if He answers; She is praying too.

Oh, if you but hear Him whisper, "Guilty sinner, come!"

Break away to Jesus, Johnnie; He will take you home.

M. A. CHAPLIN.

_Galleywood, Chelmsford._

BIBLE ENIGMA.

A king of Israel.

A king of Moab.

Absalom's general.

The son of Ham.

A river.

A son of Jacob.

A king of Israel.

A priest.

Abram's brother.

A precious stone.

A king of Bashan.

Something sent to various kings by G.o.d.

A servant of Ahab.

An animal mentioned in the Bible.

WINNIE LANGMAN (Aged 10 years).

_Battersea._

BIBLE SUBJECTS FOR EACH SUNDAY IN NOVEMBER.

Nov. 4. Commit to memory Ps. cxxvii. i.

Nov. 11. Commit to memory Ps. cxxvii. 2.

Nov. 18. Commit to memory Ps. cxxv. 2.

Nov. 25. Commit to memory Ps. cxxv. 3.

BRIMSTONE OR SULPHUR.

"_The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire._"--GENESIS xix. 24.

Sulphur is one of the most inflammable substances known, and will melt in fire but not in water. The meaning of the word "sulphur" is, the burning or fiery stone. This substance is obtained in most parts of the world, but is very abundant in volcanic regions. It doubtless helps to feed those terrific fires of the earth which occasionally burst forth in all their fury, pouring liquid lava upon the valleys beneath, and overwhelming cities in destruction. The smoke which issues from the craters of volcanoes is impregnated with sulphur; indeed, this substance is often found encrusted round the mouths of these burning mountains.

Italy and Sicily produce the best sulphur in a native state, and in very large quant.i.ty. This is imported into England, is refined, and in its respective processes produces the roll brimstone, rock brimstone, and flowers of sulphur, all so well known in commerce. Sulphur also exists in some of our mineral springs, as that of Harrogate, in Yorkshire. It is found in the combination of several metallic ores, such as pyrites or sulphuret of iron, and sulphurets of zinc, copper, and lead. In some of its forms it exists in some plants. This may be proved by leaving a silver spoon in mustard; the colour of the spoon will soon be changed to a blackish tinge. It is the presence of this principle in a.s.safoetida which causes it to smell so disagreeably. Silver put into the same pocket with sulphur soon loses its brightness.

Sulphur is applied to a variety of purposes. It is largely used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, and forms about a tenth component part in the manufacture of English gunpowder. As a medicine it is very useful.