"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair."--2 COR. iv. 8. 66 Because thou hast made the LORD Which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee; for He shall give His angels charge over thee."-Ps. xci. 9-11. OD often sends an angel of help to roll away our hindrances. The awakened sinner often encounters difficulties; the child of GOD is often brought under sore bereavement; and both may be tempted to give up in despair. But, as one difficulty is reached after another, lo! "the stone is rolled away." GOD always has an angel of Help for those who are willing to do their duty. The very lions which frighten "Mistrust" and "Timorous" are discovered to be . "chained" when a persevering Christian comes up to them. But Help is not the only angel GOD sends to His believing ones. There is another bright spirit whom we never meet more surely than at the sepulchre. This angel in white is Hope. She hath other ministering spirits with her-Patience attends her, Prayer with a casket of promises, Peace with her serene countenance, and Love, who is stronger than death. Even so do the angels of Divine help and hope turn the midnight of sorrow into dawn. REV. THEODORE L. CUYLER. Looking at some trouble lying "Who shall roll away the stone?" G. WASHINGTON MOON. S "Forgive all my sins.”—Ps. xxv. 18. "I will forgive their iniquity, saith the LORD, and I will remember their sin no more.”—JER. xxxi. 34. IN forgiven! This is the joyful sound which wakes to freedom the moral captive—snaps asunder the fetters of guilt-liberates all the powers of the soul for GOD's service—imparts a peace which is an anchor to the soul-and infuses a holy joy, which becomes the strength of all by whom it is possessed. BISHOP BICKERSTETH. Great GOD of wonders, all Thy ways Such deep transgressions to forgive, And in the honour none shall share. Pardon-from an offended GOD! SIR JOHN DAVIES. Sin, not till it is left, will duly sinful seem; A man must waken first, ere he can tell his dream. ARCHBISHOP TRENCH. "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like bis."-NUM. xxiii. 10. "The righteous bath hope in his death."-PROV. xiv. 32. "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."-Ps. xxxvii. 37. EATH is yours-despoiled of his terrors, handed over to you, your slave and not your master; for you belong to Him Who has the keys of death and hell. Death is yours "Because I live ye shall live also." -designed for you by an infinite love and wisdom. "Life or death, things present, or things to come, all are yours." In no strange, mystical sense, is that assurance true. The man who uttered those words lived, as each one of us may live, in the calm air of that upper sphere to which faith alone can transport us-he saw life and death and all human interests through a new medium, in their true proportions. He viewed all human concerns from the side of the risen CHRIST, and in consciousness of everlasting union with Him; and we wonder not therefore at the culmination of his glorious climax, which stretches from earth to Heaven, from time to eternity," All things are yours, for ye are CHRIST'S, and CHRIST is GOD's." REV. CANON DUCKWORTH. All graces I would crave to have calmly absorbed in one,- I would the light of reason, LORD, up to the last might shine, REV. G. S. FABER. "When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me."-JER. viii. 18. "Let not your hearts faint; fear not, and do not tremble, for the LORD your GOD is He that goeth with you, to save you."DEUT. XX. 3, 4. UR heart is the best or the worst ground that lies between Heaven and earth. The worst, if it be thorny, but if fair, it is the best. There be two that lay claim to it ; and howsoever the property be GOD's, for He made it, yet Satan will try his title, and sues to have it. Let us weed this ground, and that betimes. Sins are weeds, the weeding-hook is repentance. ADAMS (1653). If in thy heart no golden sunlight lingers To brighten life within; And to thy ears earth's sweet and joyous singers If, while the world is robed in peerless beauty, Serpents of doubt and fear; and sacred duty If, when thy knees are bowed in supplication, On Heaven, there comes no strength or consolation Seek not to find a reason for thy sadness In Him Who changeth not, As if His hand withheld the light and gladness His loving-kindness is a fount unfailing, If life is dark, and prayer is unavailing, The hindrance is in thee. Doubt not, when thou with heart contrite and lowly Thy night shall pass away, and GOD, the holy, Shall hear and give thee rest. EDWARD HARTLY DEWART. "Be Thou my strong Rock; for an house of defence to save me." Ps. xxxi. 2. "He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks."-ISA. xxxiii. 16. "It is GOD that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. For who is GOD save the LORD? and who is a Rock save our GOD?"-Ps. xviii. 32, 31. OD is the Rock of His people. The rock is a natural symbol of strength and unchangeableness. The rocks, in David's day, meant a refuge. Men fleeing from enemies sought the high-places and caves of the rocks. GOD is a Rock of refuge to tempted souls. The Christian prays, "Be Thou my strong Rock". and exults when he can say, "Thou hast set my feet upon a Rock." In adversity, He is as the "shadow of a great rock in a weary land." In the last hour they rest most firmly upon Him. Our SAVIOUR-GOD is the Rock of Ages-the only foundation on which we are to build. REV. J. WILMORE HOOPER. O Rock of Ages! since on Thee By grace my feet are planted, When darkness o'er me closes ; My soul exults to dwell secure, Thy strong munitions round her; Thou changeless Rock! they shake not Thee! |