Even in the midst of all Thy living light.

Thy flowers have bloom'd, Thy sun has shone in vain

The love by which Thy hand doth still ordain
The changing seasons, has escaped our sight,
And nature been unheeded. Oh, far more!

Thy gracious works of inspiration shine
In vain ; the love, immortal and divine,
Kindles no gratitude; but years pass o'er,
And we are wasting, 'mid the dreams of time,
Those hours bestow'd to win a heavenly clime.
Sacred Offering.

66

AUGUST 6.

'The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him."-Deut. xxxiii. 12.

It is a joy in any way to walk with God, if only clinging to His hand as a sinful, weeping child. What will it be, when, sin and weeping past, we ever abide in the varied joys of his delightful presence!

AUGUST 7.

"She remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world."-St. John,

xvi. 21.

No need for her to weep

Like Thracian wives of yore,

Save when in rapture still and deep

Her thankful heart runs o'er.

They mourned to trust their treasure on the main, Sure of the storm, unknowing of their guide; Welcome to her the peril, and the pain,

For well she knows the home where they may safely hide.

She joys that one is born

Into a world forgiven,

Her Father's mansion to adorn,

And dwell with her in heaven!

Christian Year.

66

AUGUST 8.

Weep ye not for the dead; neither bemoan him."-Jer. xxii. 10.

O grieve not for the dead! none pass from earth Too soon: God then fulfils His purpose in our

birth!

SIR AUBREY DE VERE.

66

AUGUST 9.

I will lead them in paths that they have not not known."-Isa. xlii. 16.

Where many joys from suffering flow.

Oft breathes Simoom, and close behind
A breath of God doth softly blow.

Clouds threaten, but a ray of light,
And not of lightning, falls below.

To thee has time brought many joys,
If many it has bid to go.

Trust to that veiled hand, which leads
None by the path that he would go.

And from the Lord all good expect,
Who many mercies strews below:-

Who in life's narrow garden strip,
Has bid delights unnumbered grow.

From the Arabic.

AUGUST 10.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”—Phil. iv. 13.

The Gospel offers you a Friend, who can both save and satisfy your soul-Jesus, the Son of God-God manifest in the flesh-Immanuel ! The Gospel offers this friend to you-not more tender than He is holy-not more divine than He is human. Instead of clutching to props which cannot elevate you, or, if they do bear you up for a moment, must soon be withdrawn again, the Gospel bids you grow against the Tree of Life; and just as you grow up into Christ, you will grow up into holiness, and into happiness. Mount of Olives.

AUGUST 11.

"Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."-2 Thess. iii. 15.

That which vexeth thee now, provoking thee to hate thy brother,

Bear with it; the annoyance passeth, and may not return for ever.

A little explained, a little endured, a little passed over as a foible,

And lo! the jagged atoms fit like smooth mosaic.

Proverbial Philosophy.

66

AUGUST 12.

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil

the law of Christ."-Gal. vi. 2.

One deed of kindness every day
Be earnest to perform;
One mite give to the poor away,
One shelter from the storm.

One word of comfort speak to him,
Whose brow is dark with care;
One smile for her whose eyes are dim,
By sickness or despair.

One look of kind compassion give,

One motion, or a sigh ;

One breath to bid the dying live,

One prayer to God on high.