will. And when His chastisements, instead of producing "the peaceable fruits of righteousness," lead us to murmur, as if we were dealt hardly with, we grieve the Holy One of Israel. Darkness is thus brought into our souls, and the consolations of God are small with us. But if we are submissive-if our will bows to the will of Jehovah--no trial, however painful, shall injure us; no loss, however great, shall be accompanied by the loss of spiritual consolation. What calm dignity, and beautiful and manly piety there is in Milton's sonnet on his blindness; the closing lines of which I must be allowed to quote :

"God doth not need

Either man's work, or His own gifts; who best
Bear HIS MILD YOKE, they serve Him best: His state
Is kingly thousands at His bidding speed,

And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait."

66

And with what a mild and holy light the submission of Jesus shone out on that night in which He was betrayed!" "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me; but if not, Thy will be done. The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" Submission was a lesson in which He became a proficient who in early youth sat at the feet of Gamaliel. He was not more remarkable for His fervent toil and ardent courage than for His meek submission. The following are the words of Paul, who was "in labours more abundant," and who,

"from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum, fully preached the Gospel of Christ." "I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Oh for such a spirit as His! Had we such self-abnegation as He had, such willingness either to work or suffer as He had such self-consecratedness of soul to God as He possessed; then, if "the sufferings of Christ" abounded in us, our consolations would also abound.

I will not enlarge on the spirit of envy, or the want of a spirit of forgiveness, as causes of spiritual depression. I might do so. But they seem so mean, so unworthy a man, much less a Christian, that I will not suppose that any who may read these pages will harbour such vipers in their bosoms. Should they do so, they need not wonder that the consolations of God are "small" with them. The Spirit of holiness and love will not take up His abode in their hearts. How often have such dispositions rudely driven away from the soul the "Heavenly Dove !"

SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION.

(Continued.)

"Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."-PAUL.

"Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Most High; and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."-DAVID.

"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God."-ISAIAH.

IN the former part of this article, I have endeavoured to point out, as causes of spiritual depression: First, varied and long-continued trial and sorrow, producing a deeply depressing influence on the nervous system, leading the mind to look with a diseased eye, and through a perverted medium, on everything around us, especially in its relation to ourselves; and constraining the soul to indulge in gloomy thoughts of the providential and spiritual dealings of Almighty God. Second, the indulgence of some "secret thing" of a sinful character, that like a worm at the root of a plant, prevents its healthy growth. Third, a want of purity and loftiness in our aims. Fourth, a want of submission to God.

I now proceed to endeavour to point out some other causes of the unhappy state of mind into which too many allow themselves to fall, in the hope that, while the indulgent reader accompanies me, he will deal honestly with his own case; and seek not only to find out, but to remove the cause of spiritual depression.

5. Another cause of spiritual depression is worldlymindedness: Having the heart set on "the things which are seen." "My people have committed two evils-they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and have hewn out to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." Perhaps more lose their spiritual comfort amid "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches," than in the "house of mourning," or on the "bed of languishing." Some persons, when they wax fat, kick like Jeshurun of old. Alas! how many persons have allowed their religious devotedness and spiritual happiness to decline as their riches have increased. "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." Wealth, which men seek with the greatest ardour, and hold with the firmest is not most favourable to the progress grasp, of their spirituality.

The inordinate love of worldly good is to many the occasion of spiritual declension and depression. And yet they cannot understand the cause of their spiritual barrenness. Their gold has blinded their eyes. They are in darkness; and no wonder,

seeing that their souls are tied up in a money bag. They are spiritually feeble and comfortless; nor can they be anything else. God does not love a contracted heart; He does not dwell in a worldly soul. His reign cannot be divided; His empire cannot be shared with Mammon. Are the consolations of God small with thee? They may well be so, when your first and principal thoughts are of the world, and its gains and pleasures. It is my wish to be as faithful as sympathetic. Strongly convinced that spirituality of mind is essential to genuine comfort, let me urge with all affection and earnestness the divine injunction, "Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." There is piety and wisdom in the prayer of Agar"Give me neither poverty nor riches; but feed me Iwith food convenient for me." And is there not beauty and comfort in the exhortation of St. Paul -"Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus." Would not a constant cultivation of the spirit of these texts of holy writ tend materially to the promotion of spiritual health and happiness? Let us make a humble, earnest, and persevering endeavour to cultivate this spirit. Try, dear reader, to raise your