1. Resolve as little as possible to think "what shall we eat, or what shall we drink;" but to take what is brought thankfully, whether you quite fancy it or no. This of course implies

that you are in a household where things are thought of for you. The difficulty is increased greatly, when any one has to provide for themselves in the latter case, however, it is best to have as simple a plan as possible, and rarely to depart from it, so that the order and the food may come naturally.

2. Think as little as you can of these fancies which so distress you; when they come do not reason or parley with them; try to turn your thoughts to something else; at any rate, do not dwell on them, and speak of them rarely, if at all.

3. Look upon them as a trial, as meant to try you, and not as any proof of your sinfulness.

4. Some sick people have found it a wonderful help in checking such thoughts, and all fancies about food, to abstain from certain food at stated times. Fasting, strictly so called, would be wrong in you at a time when your physician has ordered you to take all the nourishment that you can bear; and when he has prescribed the quantity and quality of your food. But there may nevertheless be many little indulgences foregone, or less taken of the

a Matt. vi. 25.

thing you prefer; which, if your health needs it, may easily be made up, by taking some less agreeable food: you can easily arrange this, especially if you have the ordering of your own meals.

Whatever you do, do it silently as "unto the Lord, and not unto men;" secretly, so that only He that "seeth in secret" may notice it; let it be a sacrifice; do not be content unless it is; and then offer it up, cheerfully and willingly, to Him, who loveth "the cheerful giver," and who, as He accepted the widow's mite gladly, because she gave all her substance, so He will accept the very little offering that you are able to make. Whatever you do let it be done seriously, earnestly, deliberately, perseveringly, (not a sudden and impulsive thing,) and prayerfully.

Consider well what you will do, and then do it at regular and stated times; for this will do you much more good than greater things done irregularly and from impulse; the very regularity, the feeling of being under a law, is excellent discipline for the mind. Do not begin on too great a scale; and then, fancying that you find no benefit from it, give it up. You probably may not experience any benefit at first, perhaps not for a long time; but persevere, you will find a great blessing another day; and "though it tarry, wait for it." Do not make any great Eph. vi. 7.

b2 Cor. ix. 7.

c Hab. ii. 3.

efforts at first, begin with a very little thing, so small that you may fancy until you try that you shall not feel it; you will soon find that you do. After a time you may try some little thing in addition, and so on.

5. Occasionally resolve to take some particular food continuously for several days or longer, without any variation.

6. When you have tried all means, and yet the fancies tease you, say, I must not be fretted by this, it is indeed most humbling discipline, but It is the will of God.

You will do well, at all times, to remember, that the being taken from the family, and having your meals alone, does offer constant temptation. The blessings of social meals are many and great, greater than we have any idea of until we are deprived of them. Besides bringing the family together, giving them stated times of meeting, of keeping up their intercourse with each other, of hearing and seeing much of family life and interests, that they would otherwise wholly lose, the eating together instead of apart, takes off the selfishness of the meal; makes it not for one's self alone, but for all; something shared and mutual; and conversation helps to make one forget the food, and not to find the chief pleasure in it. Persons who have all meals alone, are tempted to selfishness, to think of the food set before them, of their

own capabilities of taking it, and many other temptations too small to mention, but which are nevertheless trying. One however must not be omitted-the sadness and loneliness and feeling of isolation, which solitary meals bring; the thing almost seems a contradiction, and the sick person seldom feels more alone than at meal-times. But He who gives you the blessing of the food is present with you; receive this mercy from His hands, and ask Him to bless it. Thus you will feel less that you are alone and isolated. Thus realizing His presence, you will be enabled, "whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, to do all to the glory of God."a

XI.

NIGHTS.

IN days of health gone by, you looked to the night to renew your strength, to overcome your weariness, and to enable you to forget sorrow for a season. You "laid down and slept," and then woke refreshed; or, if you did not, you felt that something was amiss; that you could not be well. But now the case is reversed; often the night is your time of greatest suffer

1 Cor. x. 31.

b Ps. iii. 5.

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ing, of peculiar languor, of restlessness and sleeplessness. All your anxieties start up then, clothed in blacker garments than they wore by day; all your fears for yourself and others; your most unloving, your saddest, most murmuring and discontented thoughts. Sometimes you say, "Would God it. were morning!" and are perhaps just as ready to say in the morning, "Would God it were evening!"a Any thing but what is, your wearied and worn-out body and spirit seem to prefer. Some opiate is given; at length you fall into a doze; but you are perhaps (partly at least) conscious of what is going on around you, and of the sounds within hearing. You soon wake unrested, and more wearied in body, and tempted in mind than before. After awhile you fall asleep, but your sleep is full of dreams, often most distressing and startling. You dread the night coming, and say, "Wearisome nights are appointed me." Did you ever think that the words of your complaining carry with them the truest comfort, are "appointed me?" Then they do not come by any chance or accident, God ordered them for you; He knows how many such you need, and He will not give you one more than is necessary. Surely in that last night of agony He tasted the extreme of your suffering. He does not appoint such wrestling for you; and when He

a Deut. xxviii. 67.

b Job vii. 3.