A CORRESPONDENT of the New York Observer furnishes the following remarkable cases of special providence:
It is an authentic fact that during the terrible massacre in Paris, in which many eminent Christians were cruelly killed, the celebrated preacher, Peter Moulin, was preserved for further usefulness to the cause of the Gospel in a most remarkable manner. He crept into a brick oven to conceal himself, but had little hope of remaining undiscovered in the searching search for slaughter that was carried on. In the kind providence of God, a spider immediately crawled to the opening of the good man's retreat, and wove a web across it. The dust blew upon the airy screen, and made it dingy; so that the place appeared to have been long unfrequented. The enemies of the Christians soon passed by, and one of them carelessly remarked, "No one could have been in that oven for several days!"
What a touching idea does this incident give of our Father's protecting love for his children!
An anecdote similar in character is related of Mr. Churchill, a native of England, who had taken up his abode in India, about two miles from Vizagapatan. Soon after sunset, on one occasion, while he was sitting in his dwelling, of which the outer door was thrown open, meditating with deep sorrow upon the recent loss of his wife, and the helplessness of his little children, who were lying asleep near him, he was suddenly thrilled with terror to observe a monstrous tiger cross the threshold of his house, and enter the room, with glaring eyes and a ferocious howl. But the animal caught sight of his full-sized image reflected in a large mirror opposite the door, and rushing at it with all his fury, breaking it into a thousand fragments, he suddenly turned and fled from the spot. Thus providentially did God preserve two little children and their father from the jaws of a wild beast!
Less thrilling, but not less remarkable, is the incident related in the following epitaph, which is copied from a tomb near Port Royal, in the isle of Jamaica:64"Here lieth the body of Louis Calda, a native of Montpelier, in France, which country he left on account of the revocation. He was swallowed up by the earthquake which occurred in this place in 1692, but, by the great providence of God, was by a second shock flung into the sea, where he continued swimming till rescued by a boat, and lived forty years afterward."
It is said of John Knox, the great Scottish reformer, who had many friends and many enemies, that it was his frequent custom, while in his own house, to sit at the head of a table, with his back to the window. On one evening, however, he would not take his usual seat, and gave a positive command that no one of his family should occupy it. He took another chair in a different part of the room; and shortly afterward a gun was fired, the bullet of which passed through the favorite window, grazed the top of his vacant seat, and shattered the candlestick that stood upon his table! This was not the only wonderful escape he had from his malicious and determined foes.
The celebrated Dr. Calamy, in his "Life and Times," relates that he knew a sea captain, named Stevens, of Harwich, England, who was once, by a wonderful providence, preserved from drowning, together with all his crew. While on a homeward passage from Holland, the vessel sprung a leak, and the water gained in the hold so rapidly that, in spite of the pumps, which were worked with the energy of despair, all on board gave themselves up for lost. Suddenly, however, and to the surprise of all, the water ceased to gain in depth, and the pumps being again plied, the ship safely reached her harbor. After her arrival, it was discovered, on examination, that the body of a fish had become so firmly wedged in the leak, that it could with difficulty be taken out whole! It is of but little consequence, though it is an established fact, that the fish was preserved in alcohol, and kept as a curiosity in the family of Captain Stevens.
In view of these striking instances of Divine providence, how can we think of our Father in Heaven and not be touched with the thought of that tender love which leads him to take such wonderful care of his children. Truly, we may cast all care upon him, "for he careth for us."