XIX. Rest for the Weary. "THERE the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.”—JOB iii. 17. "IN weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."-2 CORINTHIANS Xi. 27. O WHERE shall rest be found,— Rest for the weary soul? "Twere vain the ocean depths to sound, Or pierce to either pole : The world can never give "Tis not the whole of life, to live, NINETEENTH DAY. BEFORE EFORE that rest is thine, Christian, there must be many hours-perhaps years of toiling! But labour in the Lord's vineyard now is sweet, when viewed in connection with that everlasting rest. Jesus says, that many shall come and "shall sit down in the kingdom of God." What an amazing privilege! How seldom has the poor weary pilgrim been able to "sit down," or rest in the present world. He has had, like the weather-beaten mariner, to continue long amidst "weariness, painfulness, and watchings," tossed upon the rolling billows of a stormy ocean. Long has he had to encounter the floods of affliction -strife, persecution, and death. What a blessing then it will be to reach the secure haven, where all is calm and peace! How delightful is the idea of repose sorrow to the labouring man one who has borne the heat and burden of the day. Perhaps if his fatigue has been occasioned by mental toil, he may feel far too weary to sleep! It is then the Christian longs for that blessed land, where none of the inhabitants are weary, or sick, or any more at all." Should his poor bark be exposed to a rough sea of doubt or temptation, how he longs for the voice of that loving Saviour who once trod the waves upon the lake of Galilee, and to hear Him say, above the roar of the sounding tempest, "IT IS I! be not afraid!" Then would cease the raging storm within, and the sweet contemplation of rest from tribulation would soothe the numerous fears which now agitate his bosom ! Break forth, hour of gladness, when the worn spirit shall be free FROM the burden of the flesh! And from care and fear released! F XX. Rest from Suffering. "FOR the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous.”—Psalm cxxv. 3. "BE not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." -HEBREWS vi. 12. BEYOND the frost-chain and the fever Beyond the rock-waste and the river, I shall be soon. Love, rest, and home! Sweet hope! Lord, tarry not, but come! TWENTIETH DAY. SUFFERING in this world arises from various causes. It is the penalty which sin incurs. It is the medicine for a mind alienated from God. It is correction in the hands of a loving Father. Sometimes our sufferings arise from our sympathy with others. Religion not only permits, but teaches us to "weep with those that weep." We are to "bear each other's burden, and so fulfil the law of Christ." But in heaven every trace or symptom of suffering will cease for ever; tears shall be wiped away from off all faces, and "sorrow and sighing shall flee away! Sometimes the parental discipline of God includes suffering "for a season." He leads His children in His own ways, and orders the events of life so as to secure for them A REST of pure and unmixed happiness. His corrections and teachings often include the constant changes as well |