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sad or heavy. If at such a time I have looked at the stars, and considered that they are mighty worlds, and that they all move quietly in their places, and do their duty under the eye of their Maker, I have thought that the same God who made them, made me too, and that He must be so wise and good as to know what is best for me as well as for them. And after I have thought this so strongly that the stars almost seemed to speak it into my heart, I have been comforted, and my sadness has left me. Perhaps when you are older, and are in any trouble or sorrow, the stars may speak comfortably to you, in the same manner."

When Walter's mother had finished that sentence, she shut the book, and laid it upon the table; and then she took Walter upon her knee, and began warming his feet and singing softly, just as she had done one night a good many weeks before in the winter. It reminded Walter of what she had said that night, about her having some One to take care of her and to love her; and he put his little arms round her neck, just as he did that night, and whispered in her ear, "I know now, mother, who it is that takes care of you."-His mother pressed him in her arms, and whispered, "Yes, I think you

"You know,

know now," and she added softly, too, my child, that He knows much better how to take care of us than we can possibly know ourselves :-we can see such a little way, and we do not know what is going to happen. But God, who plans it all, knows what will be as well as what is, and makes it all work together for good to them that love Him."

Matt. x. 29.-Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Psalm xxiii.-The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

PART OF MRS. BARBAULD'S 3RD HYMN.

Behold the shepherd of the flock; he taketh care for his sheep, he leadeth them among clear brooks, he guideth them to fresh pasture; if the young lambs are weary, he carrieth them in his arms; if they wander, he bringeth them back.

But who is the shepherd's Shepherd? who taketh care for him? who guideth him in the path he should go? and if he wander, who shall bring him back?

God is the shepherd's Shepherd. He is the Shepherd over all; He taketh care for all; the whole earth is His fold; we are all His flock; and every herb, and every green field is the pasture which He hath prepared for us.

The mother loveth her little child; she bringeth it up on her knees; she nourisheth its body with food; she feedeth its mind with knowledge; if it is sick, she nurseth it with tender love; she watcheth over it when asleep; she forgetteth it not for a moment; she teacheth it how to be good; she rejoiceth daily in its growth.

But who is the parent of the mother?—who nourisheth her with good things, and watcheth over her with tender love, and remembereth her

every moment?

Whose arms are about her to

guard her from harm? and if she is sick, who shall heal her?

God is the parent of the mother; He is the Parent of all-for He created all. All the men, and all the women who are alive in the wide world, are His children; He loveth all,-He is good to all.

[See Hymn 287, Martineau's Hymn Book.]

Though wandering in a stranger-land,
Though on the waste no altar stand,
Take comfort! thou art not alone,
While Faith hath mark'd thee for her own.

Wouldst thou a temple? look above—

The heavens stretch over all in love:
A book for thine evangel scan
The wondrous history of man.

And though no organ-peal be heard,
In harmony the winds are stirred;
And there the morning stars upraise
Their ancient songs of deathless praise.

[See Hymn 285, Martineau's Hymn Book.]

M

FAITH IN GOD'S LOVE. *

Gaskell.

O Father! humbly we repose

Our souls on Thee, who dwell'st above,
And bless Thee for the peace which flows
From faith in Thine encircling love.

Though every earthly trust may break,
Infinite might belongs to Thee;
Though every earthly friend forsake,
Unchangeable Thou still wilt be.

Though griefs may gather darkly round,
They cannot veil us from Thy sight;
Though vain all human aid be found,
Thou every grief canst turn to light.

All things Thy wise designs fulfil,
In earth beneath, and heaven above,
And good breaks out from every ill,
Through faith in Thine encircling love.

C. Wesley.

Happy soul, that safe from harm

Rests within his Shepherd's arm !
Who his quiet shall molest?
Who shall violate his rest?

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