SEVENTEENTH DAY. WHEN HEN the chariot of Christian consolation drags heavily, there is something wrong, depend upon it. When that low creaking noise of discontent is heard, a little more of the oil of lovingkindness would be quite as well. Half the complainings' in the Christian church arise from this defect. To be better loved, we must ourselves be more kind, obliging, and ready to assist others. Kindness is a key that is capable of moving the wards of every human heart, for there never was a heart, surely, the depths of which could not be reached by kindness. "A new commandment," said the Saviour, "I give unto you, that ye love one another." But will our brethren receive admonition as kindness? We ask, what is admonition but "speaking the truth in love?" One way in which this can be done, the following instance will show. An ederly couple, residing near London, who had been poor in their early days, but were now living in independence, were waited upon for a donation towards some good cause. The old lady offered this excuse for herself and her husband: -"Why, sir, we have lost a deal by religion since we began; my husband knows that very well;" and wishing her husband to concur, she said, "Have we not, Thomas?" Thomas, after a long and solemn pause, replied, "Yes, Mary, we have lost a deal by our religion! I have lost a deal by my religion. Before I got religion, Mary, I had got a water-pail, in which I carried water, and that you know I lost many years ago. And then I had an old slouched hat, a patched old coat, and mended shoes and stockings; but I have lost them also, long ago. And, Mary, you know that, poor as I was, I had a habit of getting drunk, and quarrelling with you; and that you know I have lost. And then I had a burdened conscience, and a wicked heart; and then I had ten thousand guilty feelings and fears; but all are lost, completely lost, and like a millstone, cast into the deepest sea! And, Mary, you have been a loser too, though not so great a loser as myself. Before we got religion, Mary, you had a washing-tray, in which you washed for hire; and God Almighty blessed your industry; but since we got religion, you have lost your washing-tray. And you had a gown and bonnet much the worse for wear, though they were all you had to wear; but you have lost them long ago. And you had many an aching heart concerning me, at times; but those you happily have lost. And I could even wish that you had lost as much as I have lost, and even more; for what we lose by our religion, Mary, will be our eternal gain." Such an admonition as this, carries with it the authority and weight of a higher teaching than that of men. XVIII. Encouraging the Weak. "STRENGTHEN ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not."-ISAIAH XXXV. 3, 4. "HIM that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."-ROMANS xiv. 1. MAN may trouble and distress me, O! 'twere not in joy to charm me, EIGHTEENTH DAY. IN some persons love is weak, in others faith is weak, and in others their strength or knowledge is small. No wonder if, at times, they feel unable to confide entirely in God; for while it is reasonable at all times to trust the Lord, yet such to them is the aspect of outward events, that they are ever ready to cry out, "All these things are against me." Here is one work for thee then, Believer; "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." It is not, however, always reserved for the most vigorous Christian to do this. We have read somewhere of the singular fortitude of a mere child, somewhat like the following. Her father was the keeper of one of the lighthouses, on a low reef of rocks, near the coast of Cornwall. Being one day on shore, he fell into the hands of those lawless men who live by "wrecking vessels." It was |