called home?" Mr. Tennent bluntly answered that he had no wish about it. Being still further pressed for some opinion more definite and decided, he then added: "I have nothing to do with death. My business is to live as long as I can, and as well as I can, and serve my Master as faithfully as I can, until he shall think proper to call me home." It proved a word in season to the great evangelist, helping him more calmly and patiently to hold on his way.

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.-PHIL. i. 23–25.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.-JOHN xvii. 15.

March 8.

THE LORD SEES COUNTLESS WAYS OF RELIEF WHEN WE CAN SEE NONE.

SUALLY it is when men are unexpectedly beset

US

with sore difficulties that we best know their real character, and whether faith or unbelief is their ruling principle. We see this strikingly exemplified in the history of the Israelites. So long as outwardly things went well with them, even they could believe his words and sing his praise; but no sooner did any new emergency or pressing want arise, than, forgetful of all his marvellous and loving interpositions in the past, they said, in bitter unbelief, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?" Thus, simply because they lost sight of the

means, they lost hope in their God; altogether forgetting that when there is real need, "with means, or without means, or contrary to all means," he can supply. How frequently is it still so, even with God's own children, especially in temporal straits and difficulties! The moment supplies begin to fail, they begin to fear, and too often to fret as well; as if He who feeds the fowls of the air, and clothes the lilies with such beauty, could ever forget seasonably to supply his people.

When the disciples went forth at their Lord's command, taking nothing for their journey, neither staves nor scrip nor bread, were they allowed to want, and put to shame? No, verily; for when afterwards the question was put to them, "Lacked ye anything?" they answered, "Nothing, Lord." So has it been in every age. The Lord is a generous provider; and in answer to trustful prayer, supplies often come from his gracious hand in an unlookedWe may be at a loss how to supply, but he

for way. never is.

There may be no miracles now, strictly so called; but there are still assuredly, from time to time, many marvels of loving providence in times of need, as not a few believers can happily testify.

Such experiences greatly refresh the spirit, and are peculiarly strengthening to faith. There are few more interesting examples of this than the one narrated by Mr. Spurgeon. Speaking of his grandfather's experience, he tells that when the family cow died, and the poor pastor's children were left without their staff of life-"What will you do now?' said my grandmother. I cannot tell what we shall do, but I know what God will do. God will provide for us. We must have milk for the children.' The next morning there came £20 for him. He had never

made application to the fund for the relief of ministers; but on that day there was £5 left when they had divided the money, and one said, 'There is poor Mr. Spurgeon down in Essex; suppose we send it to him.' The chairman-a Mr. Morley of his day-said, 'We had better make it £10, and I will give £5.' Another £5 was offered by another member, if a like amount could be raised to make it up to £20-which was done. They knew nothing about my grandfather's cow; but God did, you see, and there was the new cow for him. And those gentlemen were not aware of the importance of the service they had rendered."

He who sits upon the throne of grace knows what things we have need of, and knows the best way to help us.

"It may not be my way,

It may not be thy way;

But yet in his own way, the Lord will provide."

Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.MATT. vi. 8.

My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.-PHIL. iv. 19.

Verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.-JOHN xvi. 23.

ONE

March 9.

DEFEAT, YET VICTORY.

NE of the marked peculiarities of the Bible is, that it gives not only the history of the past, but not a little also of the history of the future. These are the words of the Lord to John: "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall

be hereafter." Though this is done with much brevity and frequently in symbolical terms, it has nevertheless mightily strengthened the faith, hope, and courage of the Church of God in every age. In part of the prophetic unfolding of the future it is thus written of the saints: The beast made war against them, and overcame them." Here defeat is intimated, but such a defeat as to be itself a victory; for elsewhere it is written that, loving not their lives unto the death, "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony." And so complete was the triumph, that they are thereafter described by John as having "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his mark, and over the number of his name," and as singing "the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb." This illustrates the blessed fact that martyrs may be silenced, and yet through grace be victors after all, as history has amply proved.

Ignatius, who was martyred in the year 107, said: “Let fire and the cross, let wild beasts, let all the malice of the devil come upon me; only may I enjoy Jesus Christ. It is better for me to die for Christ, than to reign over the ends of the earth. Stand firm," he added, "as an anvil when it is beaten upon. It is part of a brave combatant to be wounded, and yet to overcome." In losing life, he found it.

So has it been with many all down the centuries. Perhaps when finally overborne by their persecutors, they have said, like Savonarola, "Nothing now remains but to lament silently, and to hold fast the hope of a better future;" and like him, too, it may be, they have been slain, and their bodies burned by the executioners, but in dying they triumphed, and their martyr-blood became the seed of the Church.

Such seeming defeat, yet real victory, is beautifully set forth by Bunyan when describing the martyrdom of Faithful: "Then they brought him out to do with him according to their law; and first they scourged him, then they lanced his flesh with knives, after that they stoned him with stones, and last of all they burned him to ashes at the stake. Thus came Faithful to his end. Now I saw that there stood behind the multitude, a chariot and a couple of horses waiting for Faithful, who, as soon as his adversaries had despatched him, was taken up into it, and straightway was carried up through the clouds, with sound of trumpet, the nearest way to the celestial gate.

"Sing, Faithful, sing, and let thy name survive;

For though they killed thee, thou art yet alive."

Truly, then, "It is better," as one says, "to weep with Jerusalem in the forenoon, than with Babylon in the afternoon. Our day of laughter and rejoicing is coming."

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.-REV. ii. 13.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.-ROM. viii. 37.

Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.GEN. xlix. 19.

March 10.

THOSE WHO BEST KNOW THE SOUL'S WORTH, MOST FEAR THE TEMPTER'S WILES.

FROM the day of his conversion to the end of life Saul

of Tarsus was so keenly bent on winning souls, that

he would fain have no service barren and no labour lost.