It

"Under the leadings of circumstance, another name for the Divine guidance, we find ourselves sometimes placed in situations of great trial and perplexity which we might have avoided, but which we did not avoid, and they are situations trying to our virtue and perhaps to our peace. What are we to do? Complaining and self-pity do not help, they rather aggravate. I can see nothing but to accept it as coming directly from the Heavenly Father,―as a divine leading into just the situation he wished to put us. may be self-denial that is required of us, or a cheerful patience under ungracious or unjust treatment, or a returning of good for evil,-in short, a love that hides a multitude' of the sins of others. It would not be strange, indeed, if we found some especial faults or habits of our own that need correction; some hidden sins thus brought to light which heretofore had been covered up or glossed We have more than one petition, then, to raise to the Good Father. Self-correction may be the greatest need of all. Surely we can go to him, then, and lay all the case before him, believing heartily that he does not willingly afflict us but for our greatest good. We shall come away from that prayer with a submission that accepts thankfully all his will, and strives to learn the present lesson of it; with a peace and trust that make us conquerors through him who hath loved us."

over.

Without purity of mind, to what end is the worship of God? Convert thy body into a temple and restrain thyself; give up evil thoughts and see God with thy internal eye. When we know him we shall know ourselves.

[Hindu.]

Uphold me in the doubtful race,
Nor suffer me again to stray;
Strengthen my feet with steady pace
Still to tread forward in thy way;
My soul and flesh, O Lord of might,
Replenish with thy heavenly light.

Give to mine eyes refreshing tears,

Give to my heart chaste, hallowed fires,
Give to my soul, with filial fears,

The love that all heaven's host inspires,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In thy sole glory may unite.

Thee will I love, my strength, my tower,
Thee will I love, my joy, my crown,
Thee will I love with all my power,

In all thy works, and thee alone;

Thee will I love till holy fire

Fills my whole soul with strong desire.

[C. Wesley.]

"I thank thee, O God, that I may strive to do thy work in the world even when my heart is dry, lacking the comforting moisture of thy grace; I thank thee that I may bind myself to thee, even while I am crushed by my sins and short-comings; that even when I doubt whether the love of God is in me, I may yet press 6 nearer to thee!' where only the heart can find rest."

"Unless above himself he can

Erect himself, how poor a thing is man."

Whenever we crucify any appetite, or resist any impulse, or rescue any time or faculty, or strain any reluctant nerve, or whip any torpid muscle, or forego any innocent enjoyment, or encounter any physical peril, or defy fashion and custom, or confront censure and shame for the sake of the moral enlightenment of the ignorant, the guidance and help of the erring, the softening of the impenitent, the encouragement of the struggling, the salvation of the lost, we are partaking of Christ's sufferings and bearing his cross, and this glorious opportunity is not denied to any of us.-[Bellows.]

O hearts of love! O souls that turn
Like sunflowers to the pure and best,
Το you
the truth is manifest!

For they the mind of Christ discern

Who lean, like John, upon his breast.

[Whittier.]

The sheltered and protected nooks of life where we dwell border upon unseen and mysterious destinies; shut out by the thinnest veil, life and death and blessed angels and ministers of doom are close upon us. * * * We yield ourselves up to evil thoughts and suggestions, take counsel of them, listen, and then wonder that we become their victims. Our safety is not chiefly in strength of will, but in cleaving to a holier companionship which shall arouse the better elements of the soul.-[E. Peabody.]

He censures God who quarrels with the imperfections of men. [Burke.]

We thank thee, Father! for the past;
Forgive each thought and deed of wrong!
On thee e'en now our souls we cast,-

And thus henceforth may we be strong.
Bless us and ours! in love be near!
O thou who art the Way, draw near!
Walk ever at our side.

Then shall the shadows from each heart
Flee far away like those of night;
Then peace and joy to life shall start,
Like flowers that ope with morning bright.
Sun of our souls, bring perfect day!

Chase all our doubts and fears away!

Be thou our life and light.

[Abby Dwight Woodbridge.]

The soul is made for God, and never finds rest till it returns to him again. When God and the soul meet, there will follow contentment. God, simply considered, is not all our happiness, but God as trusted in, and Christ as we are made one with him.-[Sibbes.]

THE JOY AND PEACE OF RELIGION.

PRAYER BY JOHN HOWE.

Lord, I have viewed this world over in which thou hast set me. I have tried how this and that thing will fit my spirit, and the design of my creation, and can find nothing on which to rest, for nothing here doth itself rest; but such things as please me for a while, in some degree, vanish and flee as shadows from before me. Lo! I come to thee, the Eternal Being, the spring of life, the centre of rest, the stay of the creation, the fullness of all things. I join myself to thee; with thee I will lead my life, and spend my days with whom I aim to dwell forever, expecting, when my little time is over, to be taken up ere long into thy eternity. Amen.

The peace of religion is a conscious harmony with God. and creation; an alliance of love with all beings; a sympathy with all that is pure and happy; a surrender of every separate will and interest; a participation of the spirit and life of the universe; an entire concord of purpose with its Infinite Original. This is peace, and the true happiness of man.-[Channing.]

He that dwelleth in the sacred places of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.