TWENTY-FIFTH DAY. FRAGRANT and beauteous were the But flowers in Paradise: we are sure of that. Tranquil were its silvery waters, and glorious the beams of light which played amongst its leafy groves. there were enjoyments for man, its highlyfavoured inhabitant, far greater than these. That which must have been one of Adam's choicest consolations was his nearness to God himself. This was an honour fully accorded to him, in the days of his innocency. This privilege was the fairest flower which grew in that happy garden; but when sin came, the sweet flower faded, withered, and died. And is not that blessed period to return again? Is not the felicity of Paradise to be restored, and form a part of the joy of the believer? Look at the promise. When peace shall go forth upon the mountains, when the hills shall break forth in to singing, and "all the trees of the field shall clap their hands;" when even the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. But what shall produce thy inward calm, Believer? Even this: God in Christ is near thee. "Ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." He who endured those sufferings, and that agonising death upon the cross, hath removed the middle wall of partition between us and God. God is nigh thee in adversity, afflictions, and death. Therefore, endure with patience thy many trials, in the midst of strange dispensations. "All things shall work together for good to them that love God." The plans of the Infinite are fixed. His modes of procedure are various. His purposes are very gracious, and everlastingly sure. Among many who suffered on board a burning vessel on Lake Erie, was a young man who was the mate of the schooner Ohio. He was young and active, de lighted in his profession, and bid fair to become an ornament to it. He was on the way, with his newly-wedded bride, to spend the "honeymoon" with his aged mother, when death, with all its most appalling horrors, came upon them both in a moment, and summoned them hence to that "bourne from whence no traveller returns." His mother was anxiously expecting their arrival, when the sad news of their untimely fate reached her. Folding her hands upon her breast, and lifting her eyes to heaven, she exclaimed, in the spirit of a true Christian," The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." God Himself was nigh, in the hour of her greatest need. CALM me, my God, and keep me calm, Soft resting on Thy breast; Soothe me with holy hymn and psalm XXVI. The Rest of Security. 66 ARISE, O LORD, into Thy rest; Thou, and the ark of Thy strength."-PSALM cxxxii. 8. "THOU shalt be secure, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.”—Job xi. 18. "OUR Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him."-1 THESSALONIANS V. 9, 10. THE pilot who stands by the straining helm Has weathered the blast before, And countless barques He has guided safe Along the rock-girt shore. Then courage, faint heart! though the sea be rough, The haven and home are nigh, The dawn of the day that shall bring thee rest Is lighting the eastern sky! TWENTY-SIXTH DAY. GOD has promised that He will be with His people, and be their God! What security greater than this can the Christian desire? To Israel of old He said, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." Cannot thine experience, too, Believer, speak for the past? So shall it be with all the Saviour's followers for the future. Jehovah will admit them to His most delightful fellowship. He will discover to them His nature His glorious perfections-and reveal to them His vast works, which have been hidden from the foundation of the world. They shall then no more have their spiritual joys marred by the sin which surrounds them; nor shall the cup of mingled sorrow be again presented to their lips. The diseases of the body shall torment no more, and perplexing cares shall never again oppress the mind. |