and my own heart condemn me; and-God is greater than my heart and knoweth all things.

What shall I do!

Lord, save me from vague and indefinite resolutions of becoming better! Save me from being as one that beateth the air!"

Thou, God, Who hast intrusted me with this precious gift of life, grant me Thy grace to use this present week, this present day and hour, with such earnestness that I may draw down from Thee the supply of the Holy Spirit which I require for my spiritual life. Or rather, Lord, open Thou this sin-bound heart that I may be able to receive the abundant gifts which Thou art waiting to pour down upon me.

O Thou Who knowest the secrets of the

heart, hear the petition which I will offer in Thy dear Son's Name.

"O that I might be so conformed to Thy likeness by that inward power that with Thine Apostle Paul I could say, 'The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.'"

I know that I have asked a hard thing, but nothing is impossible to grace. If I could but gain it, with what inexpressible love and joy would my soul be fed! Surely it is Thy gentle force that drives me on till I take this great leap of faith!

Yes, Lord, I dare not hold back anything from Thee, Who as at this time didst give Thy life for me! Here, in this solemn hour, and in the strength of the Lord Jesus, I will

declare my penitence for the past, and my earnest resolutions for the future.

First, I will confess that hitherto I have lived too much for comfort and my own earthly advantage. Other lords besides Thee have had dominion over me. But, Lord, I repent! Bitterly do I repent!

Secondly, I will make my own the resolution which guided the life of one of Thy servants who has long since slept in Thee. "Let this man mind his profit, a second his pleasures, a third his honours, a fourth himself, and all their sins; I am resolved to mind and serve my God, so as to make Him the Alpha and Omega, the first and last object of my life."

Meditation I.

D

THE GIFT OF MONEY.

GOD make me practical in my use

of these sacred moments.

I resolved yesterday to spend my life for Thee, remembering the word which this week speaks to me with so great power: "That Jesus died that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him Who died for them and rose again." It will be in vain that I make a general resolution of self-sacrifice. If I am really to give my life for God's glory I must come down to the practical duties and occupations, the cares

and pleasures of life, and see how each of these may actually be consecrated to His

service.

And what will be more generally called a practical question than the use of money.

Money is the chiefest snare of the world, the most fruitful cause of sin and crime, to many the greatest object in life. "They who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare; for the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

What then shall I do with my money?

I know that I must give account of my use of money to Thee, O my Master, at the last, and that I may not spend it all on myself, or waste any part of it. Yet it is