visions of perfect happiness in our "Jesus!" There is no home so carefully guarded that death may not enter it. A father's place may be left vacant-a mother's voice may be silenta brother's manly form may be laid low, and even the gentle sister, in whose life your own seems bound up, may leave you to tread the wilderness path alone. Sickness, too, may come. Days of pain and nights of weariness may be your portion. You may be painfully taught how difficult it is to struggle through the routine of daily duty, when, with languid pulse and aching head, and every nerve unstrung, each trifling annoyance seems to stir up all the impatience that is in you. Perhaps you may be altogether laid aside; and, so, entirely prevented from openly showing your love and devotedness to the Master whom you serve. But, if we are only hid within the clefts of the smitten rock, no evil shall befal us.

Nothing (we speak, of course, of secondary means only) will so greatly tend to dissipate the cloud which hangs over you, as full and constant occupation. Whether it be engagement in intellectual pursuits, or self-denying exertion for others, you will find it the most unfailing safeguard against melancholy and wretchedness.

Painful as the effort may be, it will bring with it a rich reward. We must not bend helplessly before the storm, or fold our hands in the listlessness of despair, but fight the daily battle, with a brave and earnest purpose, looking ever upward and onward: upward, to the ever-present Saviour, whose strength is "made perfect in weakness"onward, to the blessed rest, where "sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Do not, then, give yourself up to idle and morbid regrets. Wait patiently; the victory will come at last, though the struggle may be long and weary. Those who have never known what it is to suffer, have never known what it is to live. The idols must be broken, the flesh must be crucified, the quivering heart must be laid as an offering upon the altar of sacrifice. It is a bitter cup, but it is mingled by a Father's hand; it is dipped in the blood of the Elder Brother. Fear not, then, but be of good courage, for, by the grace given from above, woman's feeble nature is made strong. You tread no solitary path; it is marked by the "footsteps of the flock." Nay, more precious than any human sympathy, is the thought, that He who has

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borne all woes,

Bound in the girdle of mortality,"

can feel for you, and feel with you. The Saviour's eye is upon you. His arm can uphold the fainting spirit. His voice can speak peace to the troubled heart. He draws nigh in the day when earthly comforters avail not, and whispers, in tones of tenderest pity and compassion, "Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid." His hand binds up the bleeding wound, pouring into it the healing balm of " His own unutterable peace." Rest, then, in the Lord; for, however outward circumstances may distress you, there is peace for you in His presence. "When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?"

ANONYMOUS.

PATIENCE, THE CHRISTIAN'S SACRIFICE IN BEREAVEMENT.

THE faith and patience of Christ have sanctified our faith and patience, and made them acceptable unto GOD. Only those who have known deep sorrow know the preciousness of this belief.

Weeping mother, there is no sin in your tears. You are writing bitter things against yourself, because of present anguish. You fear lest you should be sinning against GOD, in the difficulty you find in parting willingly with your child. But grief blinds the eyes with sore weeping, and you cannot see clearly. The enemy too of our souls is surely most busy in the hour of our affliction. Knowing, as he does, that GOD'S best comforts are close at hand, he strives to harass the mourner with needless doubts and fears.

"Where the seed lies thickest, there the
birds are closest."*

Remember this. Our father does not expect

*St. Mark iv. 4.

us to give up our beloved ones without pain. All He asks for is Patience, as our first sacrifice. Is not this the essence of those beautiful words in the 12th chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews: "Nevertheless afterward." Ah! it is only in the hour of our sorest need that we press out the full comfort of the message which the GOD of all patience and consolation sends us in those words.

In the first anguish of the soul when it refuses to be comforted, the mourner is tempted to despair of the good of affliction, and to say, Can it ever be otherwise than "very grievous"? But presently, like Sabbath chimes, fall the words on the ear, "Nevertheless afterward." So, in the faith of this "afterward," the stricken heart strives to endure in Patience that chastening, which for the present is only "grievous"; content to sow in tears, believing that after many days the "peaceable fruits of righteousness" will be yielded-love and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

"Love's very grief is gain;

Thereby earth holier grows, and heaven is nigher; Souls that their idols may not here detain,

Will follow and aspire.