on some in greater, and on some in less measure, but so that none are altogether without them; often, perhaps, we do not know why such trials come, but we may be assured that they never come without reason, and that the chief reason is, that we may be drawn away from the world and nearer to God, and so may secure the salvation of our souls. When, therefore, we see others in any trouble, we should not be too ready to think that it has come by their own fault, and that they are so much more guilty than their neighbours as to deserve especial punishment; but when trouble comes upon ourselves, we should seriously think what we have done to deserve it, and ask ourselves if we are not conscious of having offended against God's laws many times, and if we ought not to think ourselves happy that we are permitted to suffer here, if only we may be admitted to happiness eternal hereafter. If we were to receive what we deserve, not one of us could ever hope for Heaven, for we "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," but Christ has won the promise of Heaven for us, if only we will behave ourselves in all things as becomes the servants of God, bearing trouble, if it come upon us, patiently, and not being puffed up with pride, as though we were high in God's favour, when all things go well with us. Infirmity and sickness and other sorrows must always be wearing and trying to human nature, it is not to

be expected that anyone should like them; but, if they are the way to rest, and joy, and Heaven, however disagreeable they may be, we should at least be ready to say, "The will of the Lord be done," and with God's help to bear all that He may be pleased to lay upon us. And if we look on our earthly trials as a sign that God is mindful of us, surely they should cause no grief of mind, though they are a pain to the body; sin may well grieve our minds, but suffering should lead us to seek after God while He may still be found, and to look for comfort, where alone it is really to be had, namely, in putting ourselves willingly into God's hands, and trying to get what improvement we may from His fatherly chastisement. Only let us thoroughly believe in God's goodness and mercy towards us, and then we may feel certain that He will send us just so much of sorrow as we are well able to bear, and no more, and just so much trial as may serve to strengthen us in faith and in love to Him, and to fit us to be partakers of the glory which our Lord Jesus Christ has won for us, by passing through shame, and suffering, and death, far more painful than we can ever be called upon to suffer; who ever lives to plead for our pardon, at the right hand of God.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE A WARFARE.

OST of us desire peace and rest; every

year longer we live we see more of the troubles of life, and perhaps value its good things less, and, though we may be unwilling to die before our time, as we say, yet there are few of us who do not sometimes, at least, long for ease and quietness such as are not to be had here. Of course there are many lawful pleasures, some of which we do enjoy, and some of which we should like to enjoy, but we cannot but feel now, and no doubt if we had all the good things this world can give we should still feel, that worldly things cannot give true happiness; for however much we may have, or however fortunate our positions may be, there is sure to be something more which we desire, the want of which takes away part of the enjoyment of what we have; so that there is this difference only between the most and the least fortunate (as the world counts fortune) amongst us, that the one have only fewer things to desire than the other.

It may seem strange at times that this should be so, but it is God's appointment. He knows the nature of men, He knows that we should never desire a change if we were perfectly happy here, and as He intends us to prepare ourselves

for another and better country while we are in this, He sends us a little unhappiness-little indeed, except by our own faults-in order to make us turn our eyes and our thoughts to the next world. And it is not by looking and thinking only that life in Heaven is to be won; the devil will keep us out of it if he can, and we must fight against him; he is always active, always trying to tempt us away from God's ways, setting traps in our way, and doing his worst to persuade us, or to force us to do wrong; if we would beat him down, with God's help, our lives must be a continual warfare, no real rest must be looked for, we must be as watchful as he is, and fight with all our power, or we shall not gain the victory. And we are not without a leader: Christ Himself is our leader, we are all His soldiers, pledged at our baptism to fight on His side all our lives long, and if we follow where He leads we shall not fail. For His sake we should fight manfully, for He has fought manfully for us, and He is worthy of our honour and obedience, and then, while doing His work, we shall also be going the way to victory. And, remember, our warfare is not only for Heaven, it is also to escape Hell-not only to win a great and priceless reward, but also to save our lives. We should not therefore think too much of any discomforts we may suffer here, or mourn that we have not the rest and peace we desire; rest and peace will come in God's good time, if

we do our work here well; until that time we should be satisfied with such good things as it pleases God to give us, and thank Him with all our hearts that He offers us the prize of Heaven, and gives us time and strength whereby to win it.

THE DUTY AND USE OF PRAYER.

RAYER is a duty impressed upon us in Holy

PRAYER

Scripture, as a means of doing honour to God, and it is a way of making known all our wants to Him. It is true that He is none the better for our honour, nor does He fail to know what is good for us without our telling Him; but it is the way of drawing near to Him which He has appointed for man, and we shall grievously sin if we ever neglect to make use of it.

We are told to pray at all times and in all places, and faithful prayers never are unanswered, but we must not expect to gain all we ask for. St. James tells us of some who "ask and receive not, because they ask amiss," and it will often happen that we ask for things which it is not good for us to have; when we do so, we ought to be doubly thankful if God refuses us what would be for our hurt. St. Paul, we know, suffered from some grievous trouble, which he calls his "thorn in the flesh," and prayed three times that he might