brings peace, even where the path of life is mysterious and its steps are full of trouble.

In bereavement or in disappointment, faith sees that the sorrow comes not by chance, neither by blind or cruel fate, but from the hand of the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. And so, although the trial is painful, very hard to bear; very mysterious, too; yet it is sent in loving wisdom, and is good.

To submit must often be in simple trust, not at all seeing the needs-be of the trial. God's ways must oftentimes seem strange, for now we see through a glass darkly. Man's knowledge here below must be in part. So says the Saviour to every tried disciple,- What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Yes, hereafter all the strangeness of my trials will be made clear. But in the cloudy and dark day will I trust, and hope, and wait. There is light enough for me. Grace sufficient will be given. However dark the cloud may be, I know that God's mercy is behind.

K

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Prayer.

PRAYER.

O LORD, my God, teach me to wait patiently upon Thee. May I seek to follow Thy guidance; even in mysterious trials may I feel Thee near. Help me to believe that all things work together for good to them that love Thee. May I know that all Thy dispensations are wise, and just, and loving; that so I may cheerfully submit myself and pray,-Thy will be done. In sickness, or poverty, or bereavement, let my word please Thee :-"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

O Lord, save Thy servant which putteth his trust in Thee: bless me with the patience and comfort of Thy holy Word. I know that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort. My soul fainteth, yet I hope in Thy Word.

Almighty Father, Thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory. O teach me to love Thy will. By the gracious teaching of the Comforter, which Thou dost promise to all them that ask Thee, bless me with a spirit of submission. Endue me with patient trust, that so amidst all the changes and chances of this mortal life, I may serve Thee in holiness and peace; and, finally, come into Thy everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

My GOD and Father, while I stray
Far from my home, on life's rough way,
O teach me from my heart to say,

Thy will be done.

Though dark my path, and sad my lot,
Let me be still, and murmur not,
But breathe the prayer divinely taught,—
Thy will be done.

What though in lonely grief I sigh
For friends beloved, no longer nigh,
Submissive would I still reply,

Thy will be done.

If Thou should'st call me to resign
What most I prize,-it ne'er was mine;
I only yield Thee what was Thine :
Thy will be done.

Let but my fainting heart be blest
With Thy sweet SPIRIT for its guest;
My GOD, to Thee I leave the rest :
Thy will be done.

Should grief or sickness waste away
My life, in premature decay,

My Father! still I'll strive to say,
Thy will be done.

Renew my will from day to day;
Blend it with Thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say,
Thy will be done.

Then, when on earth I breath no more
The prayer, oft mixed with tears before,
I'll sing, upon a happier shore,

Thy will be done.

The Good Shepherd.

I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of mine..... and I lay down my life for the sheep.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man (or, any one) pluck them out of my hand. -ST. JOHN X.

THE risen Saviour said to Peter,-Feed My lambs: feed My sheep. So likewise does He now bid the ministers of His Church to feed those whom He has "committed to their charge,”—to watch for their souls with loving care. Take heed to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God which He hath purchased with His own