have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day."

"Out of the depths of woe,

To Thee, O Lord, I cry;

Darkness surrounds me, but I know
That Thou art ever nigh."

"GOD IS LOVE."

O CHILD of grief! why weepest thou?
Why droops thy sad and mournful brow?

Why is that look so like despair?
What deep, sad sorrow lingers there?

Thou mourn'st, perhaps, for some one gone,
A friend, a wife, a little one;

Yet mourn not, for Thou hast above
A friend in God, and "God is love."

Was it remorse that laid thee low?
Is it for sin thou mournest so?
Surely thou bear'st a heavy grief;
Yet, mourner, there is still relief.

There's One on high can pardon give,
Who gave His life that thou mayst live;
Seek, then, for comfort from above,
Thy friend is God, and "God is love."

Has cold unkindness wounded thee?
Does thy loved friend now from thee flee?
Oh turn thy thoughts from earth to heaven,
Where no such cruel wounds are given.

In all the varying scenes of woe,
The lot of fallen man below;
Still lift thy tearful eye above,

And hope in God, for "God is love."
Sweet is the thought-time flies apace-
This earth is not our resting-place;
And sweet the promise of the Lord
To all who love His naine and Word.

Then, weeping pilgrim, dry thy tears;
Comfort on every side appears;
An eye beholds thee from above;
The eye of God, and "God is love."

"In the world ye shall have tribulation. And ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice. Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me."

remain submissive, serene, and even joyful, under the pressure of extraordinary and protracted trials, is, perhaps, the most difficult attainment of the Christian life. It is so natural to judge of the faithfulness and love of God by the number and degree of favourable providences granted to us, that we imperceptibly slide into a habit of doubting Him when our troubles multiply; and when once unbelief becomes

operative, it soon begets a sad progeny of reasoning, of fretful repining, and of guilty fear. Hence, perfect submission to the will of God in seasons of peculiar adversity, is a rare grace among the children of God. Few live in the spirit of the saintly but ascetic Gregory Lopez, who, for several years in straits and difficulties and self-denials, continually cried, either mentally or vocally, "Thy will be done."

This absence of entire submission to God in trouble should be mourned over as soon as detected. It should also be contended against with the whole might of the soul, and with the utmost energy of faith. Its presence is offensive to God, and injurious to him who indulges it. To indulge it is to be miserable, and to add an hundredfold to the weight of our sorrow. It is also a wrong done to the Saviour; it impeaches His wisdom or faithfulness, by implying that He is not doing what is really best for us, notwithstanding His promises of protection and love. But for this implication, there would be no complaint; for who could complain or rebel, under circumstances, however painful, which he felt confident were the ones fitted, above all others, to secure and

promote his highest good?

With such a

trust, though the flesh might shrink, the mind would cheerfully resign itself to suffer, supporting itself, meanwhile, by the inspiration of hope, by the bright opening in its future prospects.

And that all things work together for good, the Christian has the most positive assurance. The Word of God has made that fact an absolute certainty. To acquire a submissive spirit, the disciple must work this fact into his mind by frequent meditations, by habitual self-training, and by carefully observing the manifold uses and purposes of trial.

Unusual trials do not necessarily express Divine displeasure against the sufferer. They have other, and sometimes occult uses, besides corrective. They test, and thus strengthen the graces; they wean the heart from earthly affections; they exhibit the power of faith to the gaze of mankind, and they prepare for the sufferer a more radiant crown, a higher joy, in the eternal world. True, the specific use of many trials is concealed, and cannot be discerned by the sufferer; but all such cases must be viewed in their relation to God's immutable promise. Then, and then