they arise we should cast our every burden and care upon him. “Be careful for nothing,' says the apostle; “but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

One other thought is peculiarly sweet and comforting; namely, that when once fairly out of the wilderness, believers never return to it again. In the new and better Eden of the redeemed, a second fall or a second expulsion is an eternal impossibility; for the saints are vitally one with the glorified Redeemer, and shall be so for ever.

"Though I leave this blessed island for a while," said the saintly Fletcher of Madeley, when about to go abroad, “I trust I shall never leave the kingdom of God, the Mount Zion, the New Jerusalem. There I entreat you to meet me. There are no parting seas there, no interposing mountains, no sickness, no death, no fear of loving too much, and no shame for loving too little."

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.-Ps. cvii. 4, 7.

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.-HOSEA ii. 14.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. --Ps. lxiii. 1.

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January 15.

THE HOLIER OUR LIFE, THE HAPPIER.

LIFE of sin is never other in the long run than a life

of sorrow. As soon might we gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles as get real joy from nature's barren soil.

A man without a conscience, indeed, can occasionally seem lighter-hearted than a man with one. Nevertheless these words remain eternally true-"The way of transgressors is hard." On the other hand, there are not surer promises anywhere than these: "Obey the voice of the Lord, and it shall be well with thee, and thy soul shall live;" "Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

This peaceful pleasantness usually begins the very moment we believe in Christ, and know experimentally the joyful sound. The burden of sin is lightened then, its power broken, and bright and blessed hopes are kindled that can never die. Our way, it is true, may still occasionally be dark and lonely, and not without conflict; yet every step is lighted from above, and is leading heavenward. Practical godliness, therefore, so far from being associated with gloom, is the one and only thing that can finally and effectually dispel it. It casts a smile on a world of sorrow, and through the fulness of its comfort turns grief into gladness.

In a letter written from Mount Carmel, Robert M'Cheyne said to me, more than six and thirty years ago: "Never cease to tell your people that to be holy is to be happy, and that to bring us to perfect holiness and likeness to God was the very end for which Christ died;" and then he added: "Wherever we journey, union to Jesus, and holiness from his Spirit flowing to us, is our chief and only happiness."

I must bear him witness," says another, "that it is sweet to do his will; and had I done it more perfectly, I would have been happier than I am. But as it is, to have given my heart to him, and to have sought his glory, has

conferred upon my life its brightest joy and its deepest satisfaction."

If it is so even here in the wilderness, what must it be with believers when, in the city of the Great King, they sin no more, and enter fully and for ever into the joy of their Lord.

He that keepeth the law, happy is he.-PROV. xxix. 18.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.—JOHN xv. 11.

Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.-LUKE xi. 28.

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January 16.

TRUSTFUL STILLNESS.

N great straits, believers are sometimes sorely tempted to yield to unbelieving haste, and to seek deliverance, not in God's way, but in rash and forbidden ways of their own. Could they be but still at such times, they would be safe.

Never were the Israelites in such extreme peril as when the Egyptians were behind them and the Red Sea before them, with rugged steeps on either side. Escape seemed impossible and destruction certain. Now, in this great emergency, the one and only thing enjoined was trustful stillness. "Fear ye not," said Moses, "stand still, and see the salvation of God. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." They did nothing; the Lord did all, and so marvellously that his doings will be held in everlasting remembrance.

It was the same with Hezekiah when the Assyrians were at the gates. "Be not afraid," he said to his people, "nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the

multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles." And the people "stayed themselves on God," and thereby found immediate strength and glorious deliverance.

Now, what was true then, is not less true to this day. No matter what our straits may be, or from whatever cause whether from failing means, or failing health, or failing friendship, or political movements, or from combinations of them all-sitting still, calmly trustful in God, ever remains our grand strength.

"The man who in the time of his trouble is a wild bull in the net, tossing and struggling, only makes his case the worse, and adds sorrow to sorrow; but he who waits patiently upon his God has a way of comfort and deliverance opened to him, and a happy issue out of all his troubles."

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.-Ps. xlvi. 10.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.-ISA. xli. 10.

Their strength is to sit still. In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.-Isa. xxx. 7, 15.

January 17.

WHEN TO BE PROMPT.

HEN evil thoughts and purposes spring up in the soul,

the Christian must be prompt to resist them. It is easier to check the rising of evil than to control it

when in full flood. But when the thoughts and purposes are gracious, he must be prompt in carrying them out. When offer of mercy is made to us in Christ Jesus, we cannot be too immediate in accepting it, because it may be the last offer to be given, or the last time the Spirit is to strive. It was because the Bereans welcomed at once the gospel message that it was said of them, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness." They made haste, and delayed not.

Further: when intercession is our duty, there should be like promptitude. This was beautifully exemplified in Abraham, God's friend. As soon as it was revealed to him that the cities of the plain were about to be destroyed, his very first act thereafter was to pour out his soul in their behalf. He pleaded for them with a fervour and fulness rarely equalled. So should it be with us. Whether pleading for friends or neighbours, the Church or the world, we should do so with eager readiness. "When any one asks your prayers," said an aged and revered friend, "and you promise to grant them, trust no to-morrow, but kneel down at once and pour out your heart in supplication." Were this oftener done, it would prevent many a broken promise, and bring down many a rich and needed blessing; especially if to promptitude in the prayer persistency were added.

What is true of supplication, is true also of liberality. For all such giving we have the authority of our blessed Master, who said, "Freely ye have received, freely give;" but prompt giving is often of essential moment, and in an emergency, to give quickly is often to give doubly. Dr. Wilson of Bath once requested a friend to