8 The Blessings of Patience. sickness to himself, he could not see. But, out of the depths arose the word of trust; in the midst of his woe, and pain, and loneliness, and (worse than all) temptations, the bereaved and sorely-stricken soul felt that affliction was the Divine messenger. Job received his burdens from the hand of God. We, for whose comfort Job's experience was written, know how it was that the patriarch was afflicted, and have seen the end of the Lord. There was a purpose to be fulfilled,—an end to be brought about. We learn that howsoever mysterious our sufferings may be, they are not sent without a wise and loving purpose. Mysterious, but not purposeless: our own is the fault if they are profitless; for the issue of the believer's affliction, the end of the Lord,— is the humility and confidence of patience. Yes! rich in truest blessings is submission to God's will. We count them happy which endure. Oh, that I may feel the happiness of endurance,—the peace of waiting patiently The Blessings of Patience. 9 under the rod of correction! Oh, for faith to realize that sickness comes to me in mercy! I desire to feel that I am being chastened, and chastened in tender love. So may my own soul prove, realize in experience, that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. It may not be with me as it was with Job, so far as concerns this world's good things. Twice as much of things temporal as he had before, God gave him after the season of his appointed trial; but from me health and strength and other temporal goods are taken away, perhaps for ever. It may be, that my work now is to prepare for departure; or my lot may be one of long-continued sufferings: even so may I prove, that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. His purpose is wise and loving: He cannot err: He cannot be unkind. And as I read the Holy Scriptures, may I see how true is the word,- Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. So may I learn to take up my cross; to endure the trials 10 of my Prayer. lot. And if I am to be an example of suffering affliction, God's will be done. His way: His time! PRAYER. Bless LORD, teach me to pray. Help me to strive after patience. Give me true faith. me with the quietness of assurance. help me to wait patiently upon Thee. Oh! From restlessness, and impatience, and doubts, and selfishness, Good Lord deliver me. Do Thou, O Holy Spirit, comfort me in reading the words of life. Help me to read so as to learn and inwardly digest. Show me the mercy of God in afflictions. May the Prophets whom Thou didst inspire, be to me examples of suffering affliction and of patience. Cleanse Thou me from earthly and sensual desires strengthen me with trust and heavenly rest. Comfort me ; and, day by day, teach me to endure even me; that so by meekness, and hope, and humility, I may praise the Lord. Hear me, O God, and bless me, for Christ's sake. Amen. O Lord, my best desire fulfil, Life, health, and comfort to Thy will, Why should I shrink at Thy command, Or tremble at the gracious hand No, let me rather freely yield Thy favour all my journey through But ah! my inward spirit cries,— Drives all these thoughts away. skies The Brotherhood of Jesus. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. -HEBREWS II. 14. WHEN it pleased God to come into this world to save sinners, He took on Him our nature the everlasting Father became the Son of man. Because we are partakers of flesh and blood, the Redeemer took part of the same,-becoming, in very fact, "perfect man." Born of a woman, clothed with human flesh, the Son of David, made like |