PREFACE

THE 'daily links with the Household of God' are offered as helps to the realisation of the intermingling Family Life of Heaven and Earth, of which Our Father is the centre, and Christ the Elder Brother-His simple Religion the binding of heart to heart in one tender Love, one happy trust, one humble service.

As these readings have, on one side, to do with a world which has been called 'unseen,' they should be regarded first of all as suggestions, from many aspects, which may appeal more or less to the reason and faith of those who may read them.

In the earliest days of Christ's followers, the visits of the angels were a wonder, a joy, and a strong support to their faith and courage. They were kept 'in all their ways.' Is the promise that 'He shall give His angels charge over thee' struck out of the Holy Writings? May we not almost give a tone of tender remonstrance to the

words, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation?' It is a loving ministry which He, Who was in all things made like unto us, accepted for His strengthening and comfort: it was continued to those who believed in Him, and it is given for our daily needs. Shall we not strive to realise that it is here and now we are guarded, guided, taught, and comforted by the radiant messengers' sent' by the Eternal Will-'unseen, yet blessing well.'

It is good to emphasise the word 'sent'; for in some minds there seems to be a dread lest the messengers should be honoured above the message. Christ, our Lord and theirs, is our very Life; we abide in Him, and He in us; and in His name our Father has sent unto us the Comforter. But that does not abolish and render useless the unselfish devotion, the tender sympathy, the wise counsel, the efficient teaching, the powerful protection, the precious gifts of earthly friends; still less does it lead us to value lightly the selfsame proofs of our Father's love, sent by Him through the love of our heavenly friends. Their obedience is implicit―Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.'

Should not this promise of heavenly com

panionship and of practical help in our busy days awaken in us an earnest desire to bring them into tune with the thanksgiving to the Great Father and the goodwill to men which are the keynotes of the angels' message, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to men'? A thankful heart is a cheerful heart, and 'goodwill' covers all-love, helpful sympathy, unselfish labour, the charity that 'believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.' So, though for a time we walk amidst the shadows of sin and sorrow, they would fain teach the pilgrims to the Heavenly City their song of joy and peace, and chase far from us the spectres of gloom, and distrust, and despondency.

Little children turn gladly to their white and shining guardians; the dying look for the welcome of the heavenly company; and in many an aspiring soul there is a consciousness that, beyond its highest efforts, another mind interprets within it the heavenly wisdom and beauty in all that may benefit the human family. May there not also be a ministry of beauty as well as of comfort? Fra Angelico painting on his knees, Michael Angelo reaching up to the sublime grandeurs of his faith, Handel caught up almost to the 'third heaven' to learn the celestial

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melodies, the handicraftsman who robs his rest that he may work out, in humble duty, the vision of loveliness vouchsafed to him, and many another in these later days have known that messengers from the Most High have brought to them 'good and perfect gifts,' with which they, in their turn, may bless their fellows. To men and women of all creeds, at all times, in all circumstances, the Heavenly Visitants have come; and though these gleanings from wide fields of thought are essentially Christian, offered in Christ's name, and for His sake, they are intended to be as comprehensive in their sympathies as it is possible to make them. That they are only gleanings which may have missed many a precious grain of truth, no one is more conscious than the one who has gathered them. The origin of the collection was in a strong desire to comfort the lonely, to make a vivid reality that to each desolate soul is given, by the all-pitiful Father, at least one angel, one tender spirit, who, 'brimful of love,' shall be made happy and still more blessed by that soul's repentance and its every step upwards and homewards, and grieved by its failures and despairings; who shall keep it in all its ways'-busy ways, dull ways, difficult ways, happier ways-with unfailing sympathy and interest. In short, it is the

result of an earnest wish that we may enter more fully into the joy ordained for us by the 'Love that passeth knowledge.'

One sidelight that it may comfort some to dwell on is that, however cut off from human companionship a soul may be by bodily infirmity, the avenues of the spirit are open to the coming of heavenly friends, who may be sent to bring rich treasures of love and knowledge.

A very agreeable duty remains to offer heartfelt thanks to the authors, to the friends of those who have joined 'the Company of Heaven,' and to the publishers who have with so much generous courtesy and kindness placed at my disposal the treasures over which they have control. Certainly they have a large share in whatever realisation of its aims this book of daily readings may achieve. And more especially I owe a deep debt of gratitude to my own publisher, whose kindly interest made a difficult task easy and pleasant, and whose efficient help cleared away every obstacle.

I therefore very gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to

Mr. George Allen, and the Executors of Mr. Ruskin. Mr. Edward Arnold, for some lines from Miss M. Cholmondeley's Red Pottage.

Sir Edwin Arnold, K. C. I. E.