come.

For,

Remember, Satan desires to have your soul; and the more in earnest you seem to be, the more desperate will be his efforts to draw you from your stedfastness. And as for persecution, it is nothing more than the Christian's portion. does not the Word of God say that "They that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"? and again, that "we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God"? If you would gain the victory, you must fight the battle; if you would overcome, you must bear the Cross. But oh, how small these difficulties will seem, if God is on your side, and if Christ undertakes for you.

On leaving your Sick Room then— 1. Expect to meet with difficulties. We can none of us win Christ with

We can none

out many an effort. of us reach heaven without many a trial by the way. Do not flatter yourself that the path will be smooth and easy. "The kingdom of heaven," saith our Lord, "suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

2. Go forth in the strength of the Lord. Conscious of your own weakness, be ever looking to Him for help. Lean upon His arm, and He will uphold you. Trust Him, and all will be well. Hear His loving promise,"My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

3. Be decided for Christ. There are many half-hearted, undecided ones in the world; many who set out for heaven, but never reach it; many who have pious feelings and promise well, but fail for lack of boldness and decision. They are always wishing

to be better, and hoping one day to be more in earnest; but they never surrender their whole hearts to Christ, and therefore they are never really His.

Be content to lose

A decided course is far the easiest. Let the world see that your face is set heavenward, and half your difficulty is over. your character with worldly people. Declare plainly that you seek a better country. This will make your course plain and straightforward.

Again, a decided course is far the happiest. If you are always wavering between the world and Christ, you will find no peace in religion. But if you are a bold, hearty, earnest disciple of Christ, then religion will give you the truest happiness. You will find her ways to be ways of pleasantness, and all her paths to be peace.

Remember, God might have cut

But He

you off in your illness. has graciously spared you. Oh then, show forth your thankfulness, not with your lips only, but by consecrating your spared life to Him who has so mercifully lengthened it out. It has been well said by an old writer, "Thanksgiving is good; but thanks living is better."

son is this sickness sent to me? These are solemn questions: let me try and answer them.

First of all, this is God's doing: that I am sure of. It is Thou, O Lord, who hast afflicted me. It is no other than Thine hand, that is laid upon me.

And then, there is another thing, which I am equally sure of-there