old scripture custom, appointed by God out of compassion to the poor and friendless.

Now, it would appear that Ruth, being one of these friendless ones, had come forth from the city of Bethlehem to gather a few ears of corn, to support herself and her mother. And hearing what a kind and benevolent character Boaz bore in the neighbourhood, she had strayed into his fields for that purpose.

And observe, how kindly he speaks to her; "Go not," he says, “to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens. Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them. Have I not charged the young men that they should not touch thee?"

This was kindness that she had no reason to expect from him. Why should he thus look upon a poor solitary stranger? "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" The answer of Boaz shows that he was well acquainted with her history, and with her exemplary conduct to Naomi, and the great sacrifice she had made in leaving her own country. And it shows too that he felt a pleasure in assisting her for the Lord's sake. "And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me all that thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law, since the death of thy husband; and how thou hast

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left thy father, and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knowest not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

Boaz knew how to value her character. Her affectionate attachment to Naomi had struck him; and her decided conduct in being willing to leave her home and her friends, that she might spend the remainder of her days with Naomi and her people.

As a kind man, he much valued her conduct towards her poor afflicted mother. And as a religious man, he rejoiced that she was willing to leave her own people, and come over to the people of God. He felt thankful that

she, who was "once afar off," had been "brought nigh" to the God of Israel.

When he learnt therefore that this stranger was no other than the much talked of Ruth, he immediately began to feel a deep interest in her, and to show her marked kindness, desiring all in the field to treat her, not as a stranger, but as a friend.

Such is the interesting account given in this part of Ruth's history. And let us try and gather something from it. There are two chief lessons, which we may learn from it.

1. We see how God raises up friends for His people, if they really need them. When Joseph was sold as a slave to the Midianitish merchants, and was carried by them into Egypt, how forlorn wo

his condition! There he was, young and helpless, in a foreign land! But God raised him up a helper and Potiphar, the captain of the king's guard, befriended him.

In the days of Elijah too, when the Lord's prophets were persecuted by wicked King Ahab, and his servants, they found a friend in the king's household, Obadiah, who sheltered them from his master's wrath, and preserved their lives when they were in great danger.

Again, when St. Paul was sent as a prisoner to be tried at Rome for his life, the sadness of his voyage was greatly lessened by the kindness of Julius his keeper, who (we are told) "courteously entreated him," and showed him all the kindness that laid in his power.