suffers any emptiness or dissatisfaction; but carries content and fulness all the way, and the degrees of augmentation are not steps and near approaches to satisfaction, but increasings of the capacity. The soul is satisfied all the way, and receives more; not because it wanted anything, but that it can hold more,—is more receptive of felicities. And, in every minute of sanctification, there is so excellent a condition of joy and high satisfaction, that the very calamities, the afflictions and persecutions of the world, are turned into felicities by the activity of the prevailing ingredient; for now that all passionate desires are dead, and there is nothing remaining that is vexatious, the peace, the serenity, the quiet sleeps, the evenness of spirit and contempt of things below, remove the soul from all neighbourhood of displeasure, and place it at the foot of the throne, whither, when it is ascended, it is possessed of felicities eternal. These were the waters which were given us to drink when, with the rod of God, the rock, Jesus Christ, was smittten. The spirit of God moves for ever upon these waters, and when the angel of the covenant hath stirred the pool, whoever descends hither shall find health and peace, joys spiritual, and the satisfactions of eternity.

b

FOUNTAIN of life and living breath,
Whose mercies never fail nor fade!
Fill me with life that hath no death,
Fill me with light that hath no shade;
Appoint the remnant of my days

To see Thy power, and sing Thy praise.

Lord God of gods, before whose throne

Stand storms and fire! O what shall we
Return to heaven, that is our own,

When all the world belongs to Thee?
We have no offerings to impart
But praises, and a wounded heart.

Great God! whose kingdom hath no end;
Into whose secrets none can dive;
Whose mercy none can apprehend;
Whose justice none can feel and live!
What my dull heart cannot aspire
To know, Lord, teach me to admire.

PRAYER.

GREAT and glorious Lord our God! I would now present myself before Thee, to acknowledge Thee as the author of every mercy, and to supplicate the continuance of Thy favour. At the close of another day, would I remember with gratitude that great goodness which has been displayed in its various comforts and enjoyments. Oh, teach me to grow in goodness, by a constant struggle with my faults and temper, and by constant prayer to Thee for help who alone givest the victory. Teach my heart contented and humble submission to Thy will, though it seem hard to bear. Suffer me not to dwell too much on self; and let me put far from me every mean and unworthy feeling. Preserve in me a deep sense of my accountability to Thee for the manner in which I employ, not only every

hour of my life, but every faculty of my mind. Make me to feel the exceeding worth of my immortal soul. Make me to feel that the salvation which we are exhorted to work out with fear and trembling ought to be no light concern. Oh! keep me from indifference to it. Suffer me not to waste my precious time in vain, frivolous, and unprofitable pursuits. Guard me in my hours of serious business, and especially in those of my professed communings with Thee, against the intrusion of any thoughts that would be unseasonable. Guard me at all times from thoughts that have in them the least shadow of a sin against purity, charity, or piety. Cast down every imagination within me that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Thce; and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Hear me, I beseech thee, and grant that there may be continually in my heart, as well as now on my lips, glory to Thee, our God and Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

WEDNESDAY MORNING.

Gen. xvi., 13.-Thou, God, seest me.

ON habitual regard to God as the disposer of events is essential to the comfort of life. A firm conviction that whatever be our station in society it is of God's appointment, and that whatever be our talents He is the giver of them, will be found no

less essential to the due exercise and improvement of the various powers conferred upon us. Under its influence we shall be preserved from all false and misleading views of the nature and end of human life, and of the value of the objects which solicit our regard; we shall gain clear conceptions of what we are required to do, in order to answer the design for which we were sent into the world; and in the use and improvement of our opportunities, and means of usefulness, we shall be inclined to diligence and perseverance. We cannot be idle when we know that we are in the presence of our great Master. We cannot presume to waste or to hide our talents if we be under the habitual persuasion that He who has assigned us our task marks every instance of negligence, takes notice of every unprofitable hour we spend, and every useless

pursuit in which we engage. Nor, on the other hand, if we be fully persuaded that our zeal and fidelity are not unobserved by His all-seeing eye, shall we be discouraged if they are not immediately rewarded, if our exertions be undervalued, apparently unsuccessful, or even requited with ingratitude. While we enjoy the unspeakable delight of an approving conscience, we shall be encouraged by the sure prospect of applause, more satisfying than our fellow mortals can give; of a reward more durable than this world has to bestow. Our care will be to "occupy all our talents," and, for the rest, to refer ourselves to Him who judgeth righteously.

Whatever, then, may be the sphere in which we move; in whatever measure of health, or power, or understanding, or any other talent which may be employed for the good of others be dealt out to us; whether our influence be extended or confined, our talents many or few, let us carefully remember, that diligent or slothful, persevering or inconstant, we are ever in our great Task-Master's eye."

66

SPEAK with us, Lord, Thyself reveal,
While here on earth we rove;
Speak to our hearts, and let us feel
The kindling of Thy love.

With Thee conversing, we forget
All time, and toil, and care;
Labour is rest, and pain is sweet,
If Thou, my God, art here.