5,U,2 iFrom tlf* iEtbrarg of ^rufcBsnr Srntamtn Imkinrftge ttarfitft Seqtwattj? i\ bg ifittt tn tljr ffitbrarg af ^^W + 483^^C69 fr r87^ mittartl Counsel and comfort for daily life VOL ktc & COUNSEL AND COMFORT DAILY LIFE. COUNSEL AND COMFORT FOR DAILY LIFE " Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth." " Speak therefore unto me for the comfort of my soul, and to the amendment of my whole life, and to thy praise, and glory, and honor everlasting. NEW-YORK: THOMAS WHITTAKER, No. 2 Bible House. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by The Phot. Episcopal Society foe the Promotion of Evangelical Knowledge. In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington. ersevering claim ; The rod of God's Anointed in our hand, And oot assurance His unchanging name. We need no haste when He has said " Be still " — No peace when He has charged us to contend ; Only the fearless love to do His will, And to show forth His honor to the end. Oh ye that faint and die, arise and live ! Sing, ye that all things have a charge to bless ! If He is faithful who hath sworn to give, Then be ye also faithful and possess. 2 lo COUNSEL AND COMFORT THE MORNING QUESTION. On ! that every morning, waking in the presence of God, the salutation which the first ray of recovered light brought to us, could be, "Child of God, handmaid of the Lord, a forgiven and a consecrated being !" What alacrity it would give to our move- ments, what reality to our communion with God, what earnestness and sweetness to our intercourse with one another ! If every morning, if but one morning, the whole multitude of believers, tho whole family on earth, would gather round the Father, and each ask, "Lord, what, tlda day, wouldst Thou have me to do ?" — as one by one left the Royal Audience, each with a special communion, what a rich day that would be for tho Church and tho world! What broken hearts would be bound up! what feeble hands would be lifted up! what blind eyea would be opened ! how many FOB DAILY LIFE. *9 tears would be wiped away ! how m&ny burdens lightened! how many lost souls brought back ! how many weary, " because of the way," would be sent " on their way rejoicing !" "YfHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO?" Hast Th^u, my Master, aught for me to do To honor Thee to-day ? Hast Thou a word of love to some poor soul That mine may say ? For, see this world that Thou hast made so fair, "Within its heart is sad ; Thousands are lonely, thousands sigh and weep, But few are glad. But which among them all is mine to-day ? ; Oh ! guide my willing feet To some poor soul that, fainting on the way Needs counsel sweet ; Or into some sick-room, where I may speak "With tenderness of Thee ; And, showing who and what Thou art, Christ ! Bid sorrow flee ! 20 COUNSEL AXD CO M FORT Or, unto one whose straits call not for words— To one in want — in need ; Who wills not counsel, but would take from me A loving deed. Surely, Thou hast some work for me to do ; Oh ! open Thou mine eyes, To see how Thou wouldst have it done, And where it lies. THE MINISTRY OF SORROW. The day will come when the veil shall be taken away, and then shall we see clearly how all things have worked together for the good of those that love God. Not in the days of peace, of calm delight in the Lord's house, of sweet content in good works, in duties gladly done, have we grown strong in the faith as it is in Jesus; but in the times when all confidence in ourselves had van- ished, when -in and r . - 7 » i j » i .• i ( i < > 1 1 were wildest, and we had no other anchor or refuge but the "Rock of Ages;" when we turned away FOB DAILY LIFE. 21 from the examination of our hearts with loathing, to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. And so shall we see that as in onr spiritual things, our deficiencies and sins have filled us with repentance, and led us nearer to the feet of our Lord, so in our temporal things have we been dealt with by a wise and tender Father, who has measured out to us joy and sorrow, prosperity and adversity, as best we were able to bear it. THE FAITH THAT MOVES MOUNTAINS. The faith that deviseth great things is the faith which is intimate with God, and in sympathy with His mind. The faith that attempts and accomplishes great things is the faith that goes straight to God in every- thing, and deals directly with Him, main- taining unbroken the peace of conscience springing from the knowledge of the great blood-shedding, and holding fast the fellow- 2 2 COUNSEL AXD COMFORT ship wliicli the reconciling blood enables us constantly to realize. It is this faith that does great things, for it is faith that never loses sight of God in any part of the work. It counts upon success simply because it knows that the work is God's, and that whatever He is trusted for, assuredly Gomes to pass. It does not trust to accomplish small things because they are small ; nor does it despond as to the achieving great things because they are great. It looks not to the nature of the work, nor regards either its facilities or its difficulties; it looks alone to Him whose work it is : who never fails His workmen ; avIio is ever at hand for strength and succor. WHAT ALL MAY DO. You know how often it is difficult to be wisely charitable, to do good without multi- plying tho sources of evil. You know that FOB DAILY LIFE. 23 to give alms is nothing unless you give thought also, and that therefore it is written, not, "Blessed is lie that feedeth the poor, but " Blessed is he that considereth the poor." And you know that a little thought and a little kindness, are often worth more than a great deal of money. "BEING PERPLEXED." It is better to go at once to Jesus with our difficulties. We are worried and per- plexed. Why not tell Jesus first instead of running with our griefs to our friends? However willing they may be, they are often unable to help us. The Christian who has learned to lean on Jesus for counsel and comfort, has learned the secret of the Lord — "The peace that passetli understanding." If we lived in the spirit of the following simple lines, what a load of care would be taken from our hearts ! -4 COUXSEL AND C0MF0H1 "Being perplexed, I say. Lord, make it right ! Night is as day to Thee, Darkness is light. I am afraid to touch Things that involve so much : My trembling hand may shake, My skilless hand may break ; Thine can make no mistake. • ' Being in doubt, I say, Lord, make it plain ! Which is the true, safe way ? Which would be vain ? I am not wise to know, Nor sure of foot, to go. My blind eyes cannot see What is so clear to Thee. Lord, make it clear to me." SINS REMEMBERED NO MORE. "Would it have been possible for God to Lave chosen words to express more point- edly and more vividly the utter putting out FOR DAILY LIFE. 2 3 of remembrance the sins of His people than in such terms of love as these ? " I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins." Who could attempt to gather together again the particles of a cloud that had been all dispersed ? " Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." "Who would think of looking for a lost thing in " the depths of the sea "? How perfectly it conveys the idea of something profoundly hidden out of sight ! " Blessed is he whose sin is covered." When God has put a covering, shall man dare to lift it off? Yet He has "covered" the sins of His pardoned ones. " Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back," and therefore they are no more " in the light of Thy countenance ;" Thou look- est on them no more. 2 6 COUNSEL AXD COMFORT " As far as the oast is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." He has literally put them, may we not say, out of our reach ? Yea, we may search for them, but " they shall not be found." God remembers them no more. FULL REST IN JESUS. Jesus is not only the Forgiver of sin, but also the Deliverer from its pbiver. He that abideth in Him sinneth not: he is passed from death unto life. " The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." This truth is strikingly illustrated in the following extract : " The beautiful pebble lies by the road- side, where every passing wheel shall cast dust upon it. Often as it is cleansed by the showers of heaven, it must always be again Boiled. But if some hind hand shall place FOR DAILY LIFE. 2 J it beneath the flowing stream, it is not only cleansed, but kept pure evermore by the eternal waters. The clouds of dust and defilement shall never penetrate that stream, and in its eternal waters, the pebble shall evermore reflect the rays of the sun which shines upon it. It is thus with the soul which, abiding in Christ, is by faith able to say, moment by moment, ' The Rood cleans- eth: " DESULTORY WOEK. Dueixg the waiting season, while God withholds active work from the believer, He often gives little services to do for Him ; work that may happen one day, and not another — "here a little, and there a little " — and which is often left undone, just because it is desultoiy, and apparently so small in its results. Many, however, are now in heaven who would never have known the 28 COUNSEL AXD C0MFQR1 way there had it not been for the religious book lent by a neighbor ; or the persuasive letter penned in a distant land; or the awakening sermon listened to at the en- treaty of a Christian friend ; or the tract found in a railway-station ; or the short, sudden, but heaven-heard and heaven-an- swered prayer \ or the timely-spoken word by the way-side; or the hymn lovingly taught to the little child; or the striking anecdote treasured up and repeated; or tlio pointed verse of scripture that went into the heart, sharpened as a two-edged sword. The vei^ crumbs of work that fall from the Master's hand — the fragments that remain from what He gives His strong ones, the "corners of time," snatched from tlio secular work of every da} r — ought to he treasured by the Christian. They avIiosg time IS UlUCh at tin; disposal of others, or who are much in the habit of travelling from FOB DAILY LIFE. 29 place to place, and therefore peculiarly fitted for a wayside witnessing for Christ;, need to consider deeply the importance of seizing- all opportnnites for desultory work. How well it would be, if each, in going through the world, were to remember what the old writer said of life — that it consisted of two heaps, a large one of sorrow, and a small one of happiness, and whoever carried the very smallest atom from the one to the other, did God a service ; much more those who are instrumental, in any waj r , in leading or helping one precious soul from the pit, of eternal misery to the home of eternal "WATTING AND WATCHING FOR ME." An old tradition says that those we have served on earth shall be the first to welcome us in heaven. 3° COUNSEL AXD COMFORT When mysterious whispers are floating around, And voices that will not be still, Shall summon us hence from the slippery snore, To the waves that are silent and still- When I look with changed eyes at the home of the blest, Far out of tho reach of the sea, Will any one stand at the beautiful gate, Waiting and watching for me ? There are dear ones at home I may bless with my love, There are wretched ones passing the street ; There are friendless and suffering strangers around, There are tempted and poor I must meet ; There are many unthought of, whom happy and blest* In the land of the good I shall see ; Will any of them, at the beautiful gate, Be waiting and watching for me ? There are old and forsaken, who linger awhilo In the homes which their dearest have left, And an action of love or a few gentle words Might cheer tho sad spirit bereft. But the Reaper is near to the long-standing com. The weary shall sooa bo set free ; Will any of these, at tho beautiful gate, Jjc waiting and watching for mo ? FOB DAILY LIFE. 3* There are little ones glancing about on my path, In need of a friend and a guide ; There are dim little eyes looking up into mine, Whose tears could be easily dried ; But Jesus may beckon the children away, In the midst of their grief or their glee ; Will any of these, at the beautiful gate, Ee waiting and watching for me ? I may be brought there by the manifold grace Of the Saviour, who loves to forgive ; Though I bless not the hungry ones near to my side, Oiily pray for myself while I live. But I think I should mourn o'er my selfish neglect— If sorrow in heaven can be — If no one should stand at the beautiful gate, Waiting and watching for me. THE COVERING OF CHARITY. St. Peter exhorts his brethren to culti- vate love — love for one another. This love should be placed before all other virtues, and should be so fervent, so intense, and so comprehensive, as to give tone and char- 32 COUNSEL AND COMFORT acter to the whole life. Such a love, he assures us, shall cover a multitude of sins. Not the sins of the individual who exer- cises it, but the sins of others. The Apos- tle would teach us that the spirit of true love, a Christian love, will incline us to look charitably upon the conduct of those around us. It will hide from view, throw a mantle, as it were, over the faults and fail- ings of others, and thus cover them up. We are ready enough, perhaps, to look kindly upon those who stand very near to us. We are blind to their defects ; or, if not quite so, we are very lenient, and are careful not to speak of them to others. Now, the Spirit of Christ bids us exercise the same thoughtful kindness toward every- body ; not toward our family and friends alone, but toward all with whom we have to do. We ask our heavenly Father to look pityingly and tenderly upon ourselves and FOB DAILY LIFE. 33 those we love, for we know we could not answer for one of a thousand of our of- fences. But how can we expect He will hear us, unless we are willing to exercise the same spirit toward our fellow-men ? If God should deal with us as we deal with each other, who could stand ? Let us not deceive ourselves. It is not by discipline or self-control, not by silence or indifference, that we are to attain this end. This would be but a cold, a negative virtue. The Apostle tells us there must be love — fervent, heart-felt love ; a love which inspires the deepest and liveliest interest in others. Such a love, lie assures us, will cover up and hide from our view the frail- ties and infirmities, the errors and the sins of those around us. God give us this spirit ! 3 34 COUNSEL AND COMFORT ANXIOUS THOUGHT. "Take no thought for the morrow ;" its trials 01 dangers ; Why burden thy spirit with deepening gloom ? Ah ! to-day hath enough to distress and perplex thee, It needeth no shadow of dark things to come. "Take no thought for the morrow." No sorrow shall touch thee But that which thy God in His love hath decreed ; Go to Christ with thy grief, as it daily ariseth, And seek for His strength in the moment of need. " Take no thought for the morrow." Its dawning may find thee A spirit at rest 'neath the altar of God : With the last battle fought, and the last trial ended— The victory won through Emmanuel's blood. HOPE FOR ALL. Baxter says, " The good arc not so good as I once thought, nor tho bad so evil ; and in all there is more for grace to make ad- vantage of, and more to testify for God and holiness, than I once believed." FOR DAILY LIFE. 3 5 FOKGETTING THE PAST. It is wise to forget past errors. There is a kind of temperament which, when in- dulged, greatly hinders growth in real god- liness. It is that rueful, repentant, self-ac- cusing temper, which is always looking back, and microscopically observing how that which is done might have been better done. Something of this we ought to have. A Christian ought to feel always that he has partially failed ; but that ought not to be the only feeling. Faith ought ever to be a sanguine, cheerful thing ; and, per- haps, in practical life, we could not give a better account of faith than by saying that it is amidst much failure, having the heart to try again. Oar best deeds are marked by imperfection ; but if they really were our best, — " forget the things that are be- hind," — we shall do better next time. Under this head, we include all those o 6 COUZSEL^AND COMFORT mistakas which belong to our circum- stances. We can all look back to past life, and see mistakes that have been made — to a certain extent, perhaps, irreparable ones. The profession chosen for you, perhaps, was not the fittest ; or you are out of place, and many things might have been better ordered.. Now, on this apostolic principle, it is wise to forget all that. It is not by re- gretting what is irreparable, that true work is to be done, but by making the best of what we are. It is not by complaining that we have not the right tools, but by using well the tools we have. What we are, and whero we are, is God's providential ar- rangement — God's doing, though it may be man's misdoing ; and the manly and the wise way is to look your disadvan- tages in the face, and see what can be made out of them. Life, like war, is a scries of mistakes ; and he is not the best FOR DAILY LIFE. 37 Christian, or the best general, who makes the fewest false steps. Poor mediocrity may secure that ; but he is best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes. Forget mistakes ; organize vic- tory out of mistakes. HAItSH JUDGMENTS. O God ! whose thoughts arc brightest lights, Whose love always runs clear, To whose kind wisdom sinning souls Amidst their sins are dear ! Sweeten my bitter-thoughted heart With charity like Thine, Till self shall be the only spot On earth which does not shine. Time was, when I believed that wrong In others to detect Was part of genius, and a gift To cherish, not reject. Now, better taught by Thee, Lord ! This truth dawns on my mind — 3 8 COUNSEL AND COMFORT The best effect of heaven y light Is earth's false eyes to blind. How Thou canst think so well of us, Yet be the God Thou art, . Is darkness to my intellect, But sunshine to my heart. Yet habits linger in the soul ! More grace, Lord ! more grace ! More sweetness from Thy loving heart ! More sunshine from Thy face. SUNDAY A DAY OF GLADNESS. God docs not mean us always to be som- bre, least of all upon Sunday, the glad feast of the Resurrection, a day whose atmo- sphere throughout should be one of quiet, un- worldly jo3 r . Let not boisterous merriment disturb the calm ; let hearty worship, and kindly intercourse, and refreshing rest — rest of tired mind from its dragging brood of week-day anxieties, rest of tired body from the round of week-day toil — let this bo the FOR DAILY LIFE. 39 employment, this the tone of the hallowed day. Religion, not in every word, act, look, obtruded with painful effort, but present in the heart, should pervade the day, its rest, its reading, its conversation. Oh! never represent Sunday — at any rate, to the young — as a dull and gloomy day ; nor dream that a heart devoted to the kind God, need abjure all that is genial and joyous, or that a subdued, spirit-broken step is neces- sary to the child who has chosen to walk beside that tender Father, holding by His hand. LOOKING UNTO JESUS. Sin is never overcome by looking at it, but by looking away from it to Him who bore our sins, yours and mine, on the cross. The heart is never won back to God by thinking we ought to love Him, but by learning what He is — all worthy of our love. 40 COUNSEL AND COMFORT BffZ SINS, AND MY SAVIOUR! "My sins have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up ; yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me." My sins, my sins, my Saviour ! They take such hold on me, I am not able to look up, Save only, Christ, to Thee ; In Thee is all forgiveness, In Thee abundant grace ; My shadow and my sunshine, The brightness of Thy face. ' My sins, my sins, my Saviour ! How sad on Thee they fall ; Seen through Thy gentle patience, I tenfold feel them all ; I know they are forgiven, But still their pain to mo Is all the grief and anguish, They laid, my Lord, on Thee. My sins, my sins, my Saviour ! Their guilt I never knew FOR DAILY LIFE. 4 1 Till with Thee in the desert I near Thy passion drew ; Till with Thee in the garden I heard Thy pleading prayer, And saw the sweat-drops bloody That told Thy sorrow there. Therefore my songs, my Saviour, E'en in this time of woe, Shall tell of all Thy goodness To suffering man below ; Thy goodness and Thy favor, Whose presence from above, Eejoice those hearts, my Saviour, That live in Thee, and love. GKEATLY AFFLICTED. I have felt that terrible calamities are great blessings to the spirit of a man who knows how to suffer. To such a man a great affliction from God is like a great blast in a quarry — it throws out great trea- sures, or it opens a way for great projects. T revere a man who is in great affliction. 4 2 COUNSEL AXD COMFORT God seems to have selected him, like a piece of second-growth timber, for an im- portant work. It is not every one who can bo trusted to suffer greatly. WHITEFIELD'S PRAYER. " If not in public usefulness, yet in heart- holiness, let thy servant grow, O Lord!" So prayed this devoted servant of God in a time of sickness. How heavenly a place must that sick-room have been ! How useful those hours of weakness ! For the believer's usefulness increases in proportion to his growth in holiness. God's light is never wasted. If the light is in your heart, it is in your life. It must shine. Make the most then of this season of retirement. It is your preparation for future usefulness. " Take comfort, afflicted Christian," writes an eminent divine ; "you have often prayed to be made of some service in the world FOB DAILY LIFE. 43 before you die, and now the answer to that prayer has come. God tries you because in some way Ht> is about to use you ; for your history will furnish no exception to the rule, that when God is about to make preeminent use of a man, He puts him in the fire." To this end let it be your aim to grow in heart-holiness. And may the effects of these suffering days be, " that Christ shall dwell in your heart by faith ; that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be enabled to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passe th knowledge." PROMPTNESS IN DUTY. Never judge by appearances as to the relative importance of duties. What seems the least important ma}- be all-important. 44 COUNSEL AND COMFORT Had the widow not given her mite the day she did to the treasury, but delayed it a week, how much would she herself, and the whole Christian Church, have lost by the delay ! THE SUFFERER'S COUCH. " Those members of the body which seem to be more feeble, are necessary." — 1 Cob. xii. 22. " My work is done— I lay me down to die : Weary and travel-worn, I long for rest. Speak but the word, dear Master, and I fly, A dove let loose, to nestle on Thy breast." " Not yet, my child ; a little longer wait, I need thy prayerful watch at glory's gate." 11 But, Lord, I have no strength to watch or pray ; My spirit is benumbed, and dim my sight ; And I shall grieve Thy wakeful love, as they Who in the garden slept that Paschal night." *• My child, I need thy weakness, hour by hour, To prove, in Me, thj is power." FOB DAILY LIFE. 4-5 ' Not for myself alone I urge the suit ; But loved ones lose for me life's printless bloom ; And tender, patient, uncomplaining, mute, Wear out their joyance in my darkened room." ' Enough, my child ; I need their love to thee ; Around thy couch, they minister to Me." ' It is enough, dear Master — yea, amen ; I will not breathe one murmur of reply ; Only fulfil Thy work in me, and then Call me, and bid me answer, ' Here am I !' " " My child, the sign I waited for is given ; Thy work is done ; I need thee now in heaven." A FORM OP UNBELIEF. The humble mau, of course, invariably forms a very modest estimate of his own place and power ; and the more graciously humble he is, the more modest will his self-estimate ever be. But out of this ex- cellent spirit a dangerous temptation may arise, A man may fancy himself to be so insignificant, and his efforts to be so very 4-6 COUNSEL AND COMFORT worthless, that lie and his influence are the smallest of trifles, and it shall matter little whether he attempt to do his appointed work or not. Take heed, my reader, of this mock humility. Your tempter may look like the brightest of the angels of light, but his real name is Unbelief, not Humility What you feel in regard to yourself every Christian may equally feel in regard to his work ; and if every Christian wera to neglect his duties because he feels himself incompe- tent to discharge them, how shall Jacob ever be made to arise ? No, no ; cherish those modest thoughts of yourself, for they are all true ; but dismiss your unworthy thoughts of Christ, for these are false. His power is such that, even with you He can accomplish anything. There is no duty to which you are really called, that you are not quite .able to discharge, with Christ strengthening you. Whatever you may be, FOR DAILY LIFE. 4/ God is " able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." Your sense of impotence is rightly used when it sends you, in humble faith, to Christ for help ; but you abuse it if you are led by it to bury your talents in the earth, and thereby to earn the slothful servant's doom. Throughout the whole economy of grace — in the service of the Christian as well as in the frank forgive- ness of the sinner — grace is reigning ; and God delights to employ the self-emptied little ones for the doing of His greatest works. THE HEART OF UNBELIEF. " Help Thou mine unbelief." — Maek six. 24. 'Tis not the cross I have to bear, 'Tis not the cup of pain and care, ' Which constitute my bitter grief ; It is the heart of unbelief ! 4§ COUNSEL AND COMFORT The cross would be but light without The boding fear — the anxious doubt ; And honey drops my cup would fill, But for this rebel, restless will. 'Twas unbelief which sowed the thorn By which these weary feet were torn : 'Tis unbelief and fear which hide The pleasant brooks on either side. 'Tis faith which hails the fountain's flow And sees the desert lily blow, And listens patiently to hear The blessed Master drawing near. Dear Lord ! from whom our hearts receive The grace to hear Thee and bolieve, Take from my cross its only grief, And help, oh ! help mine unbelief ! WORK FOR ALL. God never put one man or woman into the world, without giving each something to do in it or for it — somo visible, tangible work, to be left behind them when they die. FOR DAILY LIFE. 49 AS WE HAVE OPPOKTUMTY. ''As we Lave therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men." Iu doing good, our obligations are limited only by our opportunities. We make our mistakes in not recognizing them. One man always lias the opportunity ; another never seems to find it. And this makes the broad dis- tinction between useful and useless persons. Two persons in the same neighborhood, and in similar circumstances, travel wide apart as they go on in life, because one improves his opportunities, the other does not. Had we the spirit of our Master, we should find life full of occasions for blessing others. There are always opportunities where there are willing hearts. The love that seeketh not her own, is quick to see the needs and sorrows of others. It is not want of work, but want of love that holds us back. It has been w r ell said that " there is plenty of 5o COUNSEL AND COMFORT work wherever there are sin and sorrow, and there are sin and sorrow everywhere." In little things, we may do much every day* A simple expression of interest in the things of another; a readiness to enter heartily into the daily trials and perplexities, joys and sorrows of those around us, how much will this spirit add to the comfort and hap- piness of a household ! Again, a cheerful, contented spirit carries sunshine everywhere. How it brightens every-day life, and blesses all within its reach ! It does good " unto all men." Surely we have opportu- nity at all times, in all places. Let us see to it then that wo have the willing mind — the mind that was in Christ Jesus. EVIL SPEAKING. " SPEAK evil of no man," says the great apostle; as plain a command as "Thou BOB, DAILY LIFE. I shalt do no murder." But who, even among Christians, regard this command ? What is evil-speaking? It is not the same as lying or slandering. All a man says may be as true as the Bible, and yet the saying of it be evil-speaking. For evil-spealdng is neither more nor less than speaking evil of an absent person ; relating something evil which was really done or said by one that is not present when it is related. A PILLOW PKAYEE. The day is ended. Ere I sink to sleep, My weary spirit seeks repose in Thine ; Father ! forgive my trespasses, and keep This little life of mine. With loving-kindness curtain Thou my bed, And cool in rest my burning pilgrim feet : Thy pardon be the pillow for my head — So shaH my sleep be sweet. 2 COUNSEL AND COMFORT At peace with all tlio world, dear Lord, and Thee ; No fears my soul's unwavering faith can shake ; All's well ! whichever side the grave for me The morning light may break ! COMING BACK TO CHRIST. I feel, when I have sinned, an immediate reluctance to go to Christ — I am ashamed to go. I feel as if it would do no good to go — as if it were making Christ a minister of sin, to go straight from the swine, through to the best robe — and a thousand other excuses ; but I am persuaded that they are all lies, direct from hell. John argues the opposite way. "If any man sin wo have an Advocate with the Father," and a thou- sand other Scriptures are against it. I am sure there is neither peace, nor safety from ir sin but in going directly to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is God's way of pcaco and holiness. It is folly to the world and FOR DAILY LIFE. 5$ the beclouded heart, but it is the way. I must never think sin too small to need immediate application to the blood of Christ. If I put away a good conscience concerning faith, I make shipwreck. I must think my sins too great, too aggra- vated, too presumptuous — as when done on my knees, or in preaching, or by a dying bed, or during dangerous illness — to hinder me from fleeing to. Christ. The weight of my sins should act like the weight of a clock — the heavier it is, it makes it go the faster. A PEECIOUS PEOMISE. "How much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him." The Saviour had been teaching His dis- ciples how to pray, and had illustrated the willingness of our Heavenly Father to give every needed blessing to those who asked 54 COUNSEL AND COMFORT Him, b} T a comparison with an earthly parent's readiness to respond to all his children's wants, and then with an outburst of tender love and compassion He speaks the words Ave have quoted. This has always been to ns a most pre- cious and comforting text, and sustained us in many a conflict, and lighted many a dark way along our pilgrimage. In the midst of powerful temptations, when the struggle seems to be going against you, or when you arc conscious that the world is gaining the mastery over you, or more than either, when some secret sin has been indulged, until it has separated between you and your God, and you know not how to break its spell, and yet know that it must be crushed; then plead this promise of God, and on this ground. You do not in this prayer ask for long life, or health, or prosperity, or even for happini I I'thl v, FOR DAILY LIFE. 55 selfish motive mingles with it, but the sincere, often tearful, and sometimes heart- broken cry for deliverance from sin, its power and its consequences. It is an earnest appeal of a child that has wandered but still loves, of a heart that longs for deliverance and purity and peace ; and when you take this promise, which will never seem so great and precious to you as when your soul is very Aveary of its sins, and plead it before your Father's throne as one pleads for his life, the Holy Spirit shall give you the victory over your sin, whatever may be its power, and the sweet peace of forgiveness shall fill your heart. " I will heal their backsliding ; I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned away." CHRIST-LIKE. Never address the vilest outcast as you would not speak to your dearest friend. 56 COUNSEL AND COMFORT COMPLETE LN HIM. Full of failings, now my soul Seeketh in the darkness light ; Jesus ! hear Thou, show Thy face. Put the shadows all to flight ; I entreat Thee let me see Thee, Hide no longer in the night ! 1 perceive it ; my rebellion Is the cause of all my grief ; I confess it, and beseech Thee For forgiveness and relief ; Thou canst give me, my Jesus, Help, and grace, and new belief. In the future let me serve Thee "Wisely in Thy chosen way ; Ever truer, puror, brighter, Growing like Thee every day ; Men shall see that all my power Comes from Thee, whom I obey. Teach me, lead me, and prepare me ; As Thou wilt, ray soul refine ; Let Thy love fill my desire, And through all my life-work shine FOR DAILY LIFE. 5/ O what blessing, what glory, Thus to cry, Thou mine, I thine ! Jesus, keep me, till Thy presenoe Shineth out before my eyes, "Where Thy children weep no longer, Where are heard no bitter sighs. Step by step I'll mount the ladder On which men to Thee may rise. LIFE IN CHRIST. I know not what should more cheer and gladden a Christian than to see his spiritual life losing everything of an exotic character ; to have it set in the open air, welcoming the wind from every quarter; acquiescing in all things because depending only upon one. A free and sustained spirit becomes natural to him who in the breaking of his daily bread, has found that Real Presence which sanctifies and glorifies our life's poor Elements. When the heart has found its true gravitation, it leaves that Rest slowly 58 COUXSKL A\l) COMFORT and returns to it quickly ; disturbing in- fluences will be felt from time to time, but their power is gone. " That ivldch is the strongest must win" A firm, assured patience grows upon the Christian, enabling him to hold upon his way undeterred, unchilled by whatever lie may meet upon it ; enabling him also, I know not to what inner music, to build up his spirit to a strength of calm, reliant con- viction, even with the stones he finds there, as a brook lifts up a more clear and rapid voice, for flowing over pebbles. The strain upon the inner life lias passed over from self to Christ. The heart has grown wiser, instructed, tolerant, tender with weakness, patient of imperfection. How quiet such a life is! how fruitful! .Fruitful because it is so quiet ; it works not, but lives and grows. The uneasy effort has passed out of it ; unresting b ■<' mse it reds al- FOa daily life. 59 way, it lias done with task-work and anxiety ; it serves, yet it is liot cumbered with much serving ; it has ceased from that sad com- plaint, '* Thou hast left me to serve alone." Such a life will seem less spiritual only because it has grown more natural ; the spal moves in an atmosphere which of itself brings it into contact with all great and en- during things, and it has only to draw in its breath to be filled and satisfied. I know not how to describe the grandeur and simplicity of the state that is no longer self-bounded, self-referring ; how great a thing to such a freed and rejoicing spirit, the life in Christ Jesus seems ; a temple truly " not of this building," too great to be perfect here ; a thought for w'hich our mortal life — a lan- guage as yet too broken and confused to " catch up the whole of love and utter it " — can find no corresponding word. 60 COUNSEL AND COMFORT SING AWAY YOUB GRIEF. We can sing away cares easier than we can reason them away. Oh, that we conlcl put songs under our burdens! Oh, that we could extract the sense of sorrow by song ! Then these things would not poison so much. Sing in the house. Teach your children to sing. When troubles come, go at them with songs. When griefs arise, sing them down. Lift the voice of praise against cares. Praise God by singing ; that will lift you above trials of every sort. Attempt it. They sing in heaven ; and among God's people upon earth, song is the appropriate language of Christian feeling. THE TRUE STANDARD. THOSE that arc bound for heaven must be willing to swim againsi the stream, and must not do as m 8t do, but as tho best do. FOE DAILY LIFE. ALL LN THEE. Weakness and trouble, solitude and sorrow, In combination ! can I cheerful be ? And wherefore not, since I can voices borrow, Society and light and peace from Thee, My God, from Thee ? I will not waste one breath of life in sighing ; For other ends has life been given to me ; Duties and self-devotion— daily dying Into a higher, better life with Thee, Dear Lord, with Thee ! Strong in Thy strength, though in myself but w< ness, Equal to all, I know that I shall be, l£ I can seize the mantle of Thy meekness And wrap it round ray soul, like Thee, Blest Lord, like Thee ! 61 JESUS THE HOME OF THE SOLITARY. " My mother, and sister, and brother " — not a word ever fell from His lips which was not laden with meaniDg. What, then, can these words mean, but that there is not a relation- 62 COUNSEL ASD COMFORT ship on earth the tenderness of which His love does not contain and exceed, and the want of which, He, in His own person, cannot freely supply? There is not a vacant place in the heart or the home He cannot fill, nor an energy of the renewed affections which may not find its full exercise through Him. Personally, Jesus can be, and designs to be this to those who believe in Him. In the abundance of natural ties, in the fullest home, and the life richest in natural influence and necessary activity, the heart of the Christian can find rest in none but Christ ; and in the most solitary life, in the emptiest home, though it be but the one hired room, where domestic plans and labors lose all their poetry and sweetness by becoming merely the necessary providing for self, those meals which in the family are such happy gatherings and fo- cuses of family history, sinking into nothing FOR DAILY LIFE. 63 more than the sustenance of the body, the love and the presence of Jesus can entirely satisfy the heart, and make it not only always content, but often in a glow of thankfulness, turning the solitary meal into a feast of gladness, and hallowing the solitary room with high and sweet associations. I believe not only that this is possible, but that it has been, and at this moment is, the case in many a home known but to God and the anaels who minister there. UNCONSCIOUS INFLUENCE. Not more constantly is the sun pouring forth its beams, or a flower exhaling its fra- grance, than the Christian is radiating or exhaling influence from his character upon those around him. "Wherever he is, what- ever lie does,- this influence never ceases. It underlies all his actions ; it runs side by side with his words ; it goes on when action 64 COUNSEL AND COMFORT ceases and words fail. "What a man volun- tarily chooses, says, or does, is only occa- sional. He does not always think or always act. From pure fatigue he must, perforce, be silent and inactive at times. But what he is — that is necessarily perpetual and co- extensive with his being. I cannot always speak a word for Christ, but I can always live for Him. I cannot al- ways do good actively. I may not have the opportunity, though I have the inclination ; but I can alwa}-s he good, passively. The voluntary language of what I say or do, is spasmodic, and liable to continual interrup- tion ; but the language of my character, of what I really am, is as continuous as my life itself, and suffers no moro interruption than the beating of my heart or the breath- i Qg i >f my lungs. I can choose to do good or evil, to say a kind or bitter word ; but I can- not choose to exert or repr< ss the influence FOR DAILY LIFE. 65 of my character, for it acts in spite of me — it produces its own proper impression, whether I think of it or not. I cannot live at all without radiating this influence. " Simply to be in this world is to exert an influence compared with which mere words and acts are feeble." Just as the leaven, by its mere presence, changes the particles of meal in the midst of which it is hid, so does each human being, by his mere pre- sence, affect for good, or evil those with whom he associates. A GIFT. God's salvation is not a purchase to be made, nor wages to be earned, nor a sum- mit to be climbed, nor a height to be attained, but simply and solely a gift to bo received. And nothing but faith can re- ceive anything from God. 66 COUNSEL AND COMFORT THE SECRET SPRING. "He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat conieth, but her leaf shall be green/' — Jek. xvii. 7, 8. The gentle moon was silvering The outline of the trees, The lullaby of Nature Was whispered in the breeze. 'Twas not a time for talking, Or speculations high : I wanted to be quiet, And hear that lullaby I wanted to be silent, And watch the waving grass, So gracefully inclining To let the breezes pass. It seemed to grow in beauty The more it bowed its head, Like penitential murmurs On saintly dying bed. I marvelled at its beauty, So manifold, so sweet, Like rainbow colors blending In harmony oorapL FOR DAILY LIFE. 6 7 And while I looked, and wondered What made it grow so high, The question rose within me, Is there a hid supply ? For it was taller, fairer Than all the grass around ; What made it thus to differ From cumberers of the ground ? At last, the whispering breezes This answer seemed to bring (Its echoes rang within me), "There is a Secret Speeng ! "You cannot see the waters By which the grass is fed ; You cannot see the brooklet, Within its little bed ; You cannot even hear it, So quiet is its flow ; And yet those hidden waters Have made the grass to grow !" Then, "planted by the waters," O Saviour, let me be, That I may thus be fruitful, And glory bring to Thee ! 6cS COUNSEL AND C031F0ET Not unto me be glory ! Thy praises would I sing : Yes, for the grass were nothing Without the Secret Spring ! THE GOVERNMENT OF CHRIST. Did tins verse, " The government shall be upon Ills shoulder," ever speak peace to you concerning these tilings ? Not merely the government of the universe, or of this world, or of the Church, but His govern- ment of you. No part of your life is a mis- take or an accident, but every part of it is sent you straight from the Lord Each clay comes to 3-011 from Him ; each circumstance, each event, each person you meet, each con- versation you hold, each book that comes in your way, is ordered of Hiin. Every atom of your life comes to you from Him. The government of yourself is His daily order- ing ; it is your part to submit to that FOB DAILY LIFE. 69 government; rather, to accept it, to go to Him morning by morning for orders for this one day. You know He will send you each circumstance, so ask Him to take it back into His hands again. Give Him yourself, but give Him also all the events of the day, confiding to His care those you know of, and begging Him to guard those you know not. Leave off governing yourself, and let Jesus do it. Perhaps you say, "I don't know how to do this. A difficulty, a temptation comes, and before I have time to think, I am over- come." Perhaps it is a temptation that you know beforehand, will meet yon. Then take it to Jesus, tell Him about it — all about it — and tell Him how it has overcome you, how quickly — how at the time you have been almost glad to yield, though it has been a grief afterward. Tell Him all about it, and that it is coming again, and then leave it /O COUNSEL AXD COMFORT with Him. Trust it mid yourself to Him ; do not worry, or fret, or fear. You have tried often to govern it yourself and have failed ; do not try any more ; let Jesus do it for you. Do you sny : " I cannot. How can I expect Jesus to help me if I don't help myself?" What has all your helping your- self done for you ? Nothing, but this one thing : it has shoini you that all your efforts are vain. Now begin and trust to Jesus to do it for you. When the centurion whose servant was ill, came to Jesus, he simply stated his case. " My servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented." And Jesus said : " I will come and heal him." If the soldier had brought Jesus to his house, and then begun to try his own remedies, Jesus would have stood asido to let him prove how futile all his efforts were. Is Be standing aside while you arc bus\ Ing yourself, hard at work, to euro your dis- FOR DAILY LJFR 7 l cases? Dear soul, you are not the doctor ; you are the patient. "What a mistake you have been making all this time. Pat it to rights quickly ; give yourself entirely into the hands of Jesus — into His heart, I should rather say — and He will take you along with Himself, and cure you as you go, do- ing all/or you. WHAT JESUS SAYS TO ME. Fear not : for I have redeemed thee ; I have called thee by thy name ; thou art Mine. I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions, for mine own sake, and wdll not remember thy sins. Thou hast de- stroyed thyself, but in Me is thine help. Give Me thine heart ; in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; fioni Me is thy fruit found. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean ; from all } T our filthiness and from all your idols, will I 7- COUNSEL AXD COMFORT cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you ; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh, and I will put My spirit within you. and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep my judgments and do them. I will give }-ou rest ; My peace I give unto you. I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go ; I will guide thee with Mine eye. I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. My grace is sufficient for thee. If thou art not able to do that thing which is least, why take you thought for the rest? My strength is made perfect in weakness. What wilt thou that I should do unto thee ? Thou art careful and troubled about many tilings. Be careful for nolliin'i, but FOR DAILY LIFE. 73 come unto Me ; I will help thee. Be not afraid ; only believe. In quietness and con- fidence shall be your strength. I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. I know thee by name, and thou hast found grace in My sight. Now, therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, you shall be a peculiar trea- sure unto Me. Behold thou art fair, My love, behold thou art fair ; perfect through Aly comeliness put upon thee. Thou art all fair, My love ; there is no spot in thee. I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy trans- gressions, and as a cloud thy sins. "Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your heart ? What will you that I shall do unto you? If you shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. Ask what } r ou will, and it shall be done. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Come 74 COUNSEL AND COMFORT near unto Me. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you. Be of good cheer. These things have I spoken unto } t ou that My joy might remain in } t ou, and that your joy might be fall. MOKE LIGHT NEEDED. When you are reading a book in a dark room, and come to a difficult part, you take it to a window to get more light. So take your Bibles to Christ. A GOOD RULE FOR TRAVELLERS. It is a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an opportunity of doing a kindness, or speaking a true word, or making a friend. Seeds thus sown by the wayside- often bring forth an abundant harvest. Von might so spend your summer among q people that they and their descend- FOR DAILY LTFjZ 7 5 ants should be better and happier, through time and eternity, for your works and your example. NO CHOICE. A Christian lady, long confined to her bed by intense physical suffering, was asked what would be her desire could she know she might be fully restored to health ? She replied, a sweet smile lighting up her countenance, "As the Lord will." "But if you are not to be restored?" suggested a friend. " Why, then it shall be as the Lord will," was her ready response. "But if you knew it to be His will, what w r ould be your choice ? " urged her friend. Closing her eyes, apparently committing all her inte- rests to the dear keeping of infinite Love, she replied, " Well then, truly, I should refer it to God* 76 COUNSEL AND COMFORT MY SHEPHERD. "He leadetli me !" And so I need not seek my own wild way Across the desert wild ; He knoweth where the soft green pastm-os lie, Where the still waters glide, And how to reach the coolness of their rest, Beneath the calm hill-side. "He leadeth me !" And though it be by rugged, weary ways, Where thorns spring sharp and sore, No pathway can seem strange or desolate Where Jesus "goes before ;" His gentle shepherding my solace is, And gladness, yet in store. "He leadeth me !" I shall not take one noedless step through all, In wind, or heat, or cold ; And all day long, He sees the peaceful end, Through trials manifold ; Up the fair hill-side, like some sweet surprise, Wftiteth the quiet fuld. FOR DAILY LIFE. 77 QUIETNESS IN SERVING. No one can do more than He can, and the narrowest life is wider than mosfc of our hearts. When people have a great many ways of doing good, they sometimes get so confused that they do nothing. WORLDLY CONFORMITY. Touching this subject, Adelaide Newton writes as follows to a schoolfellow : " I cannot help thinking that if you are much occupied with thoughts of heaven, of holiness, of the meek and lowly Jesus, and how He lived and walked on earth, }'ou will feel a secret shrinking from worldly society, which will make balls and such amusements very painful to 3^011. God has left no positive commands upon things of this sort ; for He knows that where the heart is given to Him, the life will assuredly be given too. And the motive-of gospel-obedience is, not so 7 3 COUNSEL AND COMFORT much duty, as love. The child that loves its parents devoted!} 7 , or its friends, does what will please them at any cost. I hope," she adds, " you will not think me severe upon you in anything I have said ; for you can- not think how I feel for you. My natural heart w T as so fond of the same worldliness, though in a different way. I struggled for months, or I may say, years, between God and the world ; but never did I enjoy peace or happiness the whole time. No one knew what I endured. May you be spared the bitter conflict, and choose the better part at once and unreservedly." "Dead to the world, we dream no more Of earthly pleasures now ; Our deep, divine, unfailing spring Of grace and glory — Thou !" 13E YE FOLLOWERS OF GOD. ThoU art to be in thy work a copyist, im- itator of God. Now, wbatev6r God does, FOR DAILY LIFE. 79 He does perfectly. If it be but the creation of a leaf or flower, it is clone in such a man- ner as that the most minute and microscopic examination only serves to bring out fresh beauties. Strive to do thy work iu such a manner. Let it be thy earnest effort that he who looks into it shall find no flaw. Let the thing not only be done, but be done gracefully and ornamentally, as far as may be. It is a great and precious thought that God may be pleased by service done with the whole soul, and with strict punctuality and conscientiousuess. CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER. "Tlio Lord turned the captivity of Job wlien Job prayed for bis friends : also tbe Lord gave Job twice aa muck as he bad before." When Job prayed for his friends the Lord turned his captivity. And I suppose it is generally by some simple means that So COUNSEL AXD COMFORT Doubting Castle is lefh behind ; the sudden use of that key called Promise, or the mere effort to guide another soul out of the dark labyrinths of Giant Despair. For even in sorrow it is quite possible to think too much about one's self. As soon as Job looked at the wants of others he saw his own exceeding riches as a child of God ; and presently Job had twice as much as he had before. Bury thy sorrow — The world has its share- Bury it deeply, Hide it with care. Think of it calmly When curtained by night Tell it to Jesus, And all will be right." A SOLEMN THOUGHT. It is an old saying, and one of fearful and fathomless import, that we are here forming characters for eternity. Forming characters I FOR DAILY LIFE. Si Whose ? Oar own, or others? Both ; and in that momentous fact lies the peril and re- sponsibility of our existence. Thousands of our fellow-beings will yearly, and till years shall end, enter eternity with characters dif- ferent from those they would have carried thither had we never lived." THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD. When I consider how I feel toward my children, how I would clothe them with every inward excellence, and give them every outward opportunity ; how my life is a kind of a school for them, to take them into a higher manhood — when I consider this, I think, "If I, being evil, know how to do this, what is the great soul of Jesus, which proves its love by dying for us ? What must be the thought and desire of Christ for His household ? " And if the little girl can come in from her frets and anxieties and sorrows, and hide her 6 82 COUNSEL AXD COMFORT head in lier mother's arms, and the mother will console her, and comfort her, and caress her, kissing away her tears, and send her out again, all brightened and happy, do you believe that the soul that nestles in the arms of Jesus Christ can go away without being comforted and consoled ? Do not you believe that if you abide in Jesus Christ, He will do more for } t ou than any earthly parent can do for a child? Every pain, and temptation, and burden, and care, and sorrow in life is to be alleviated by the grace of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. There is provision for this very deliverance in the heart of the Saviour. MY NEED AXD THY LOVE. A devoted minister of Christ said on his living bed that his religious experience was all expressed in these two verses : "0 Saviour, I have naught to plead In earth beneath 01 heaven above. FOB DAILY LIFE. 8 But just my own exceeding need, And Thy exceeding love. 1 The need will soon be past and gone- Exceeding great but quickly o'er ; The love unbought is all Thine own, And lasts foreverraore." ONE OF THE JOYS OF HEAVEN. When I see dying Christians, they always seem to ine, with their dim, closing eyes, like people who have gazed a long time at the sun, till, completely dazzled with its bril- liance, their eyelids close. Oh ! it must be delightful, out of the night of this earth and the dark death-chamber, to be received into the light of eternal life, and to complete and realize the text : " It doth not yet ap- pear what we shall be." I have been think- ing this Christmas-time, that w r hen I get hence I will seek out one of the shepherds of Bethany, and get him to relate to me how they felt when they saw the glory of the 84 COUNSEL AXD COMFORT Lord hovering over them. Lately, as I was preaching about the deluge, and describing- its terrors, I resolved to ask Noah to tell me the whole story. Indeed, I will begin at the beginning with Adam, and have the whole Bible history related to me gradually, and I am only afraid that eternitj^ will be too short, especially when we come to the Pas- sion, for then I shall get it related separately by every one who was present ; and if St. Paul could say, even on earth, "I determined not to know an} r thing amongst you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified ; " or, " God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world ;" or when he tuned his song of triumph already uj_ on earth : " Henceforth let no man trouble me ; for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus " — what must it bo to hour him in heaven glory in tin; Lord alone ! FOE DAILY LIFE. 85 INWARD TRIALS. All who desire conformity to Christ must be perfected with Him through manifold discipline. To some are appointed outward afflictions, to others spiritual difficulties. If rightly received, they are among God's richest blessings. But we are slow to re- cognize His hand in inward trials. We are depressed and cast down by the sight of our guilt and helplessness. We fear that our iniquity has come between us and God. We are in heaviness through manifold tempta- tion. How apt is the poet's description of this dark experience ! I asked the Lord that I might grow In faith, and love, and every grace ; Might more of His salvation know, And seek more earnestly His face. 'Twas He who taught me thus to pray, And He, I trust, has answered prayer ; But it has been in such a way As almost drove me to despair. 86 COUNSEL AND COMFORT I hoped that in some favored hour, At once He'd answer my request ; And by His love's constraining power, Subdue my sins and give me rest. Instead of this He made me feel The hidden evils of my heart ; And let the angry powers of hell Assault my soul in every part. Yea, more, with His own hand He seemed Intent to aggravate my woe ; Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, Blasted my gourds, and laid me low. "Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried, 1 ' Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death ?' 1 *"Tis in this way," the Lord replied, " I answer prnycr for grace and faith. "These inward trials I employ, From self and pride to set thee free ; And break thy schemes of earthly joy, That thou mayest seek thy all in Me." FOR DAILY LIFE. %7 HOW SHALL I READ THE BIBLE? Secure, if possible, seclusion and quiet. The fear of interruption distracts the mind, and so does a feeling -of haste. Never begin to read without first lifting up to God an earnest request for His guidance, instruction, and blessing, Study what Jesus says of the Holy Spirit (John xvi. 7, 13, 14, 15), until not a sha- dow of a doubt beclouds an habitual and affectionate remembrance of Him as your infallible teacher. Do not attempt to read too much. Some- times you will be able to read a chapter or several chapters with attention, facilit} r , and profit; at other times, you will do better to pause upon a single verse. Analyze the Terse; inquire how many thoughts does this verse contain ; try if you can recall other verses which, inculcate the same truth ; in- 88 COUNSEL AND COMFORT quire if the verse lias any special application to yourself. Read with your pen in hand, and note in your memorandum-book the thoughts which interest you. Study the Bible with un- wearied endeavors to know and love Jesus, as you would study the letters of some friend whom you had never seen, but whom you wished to know and love. Seek fresh thought. "Give us this day our daily bread" is the appropriate prayer of one who desires to feed upon the word of God. Yesterday's perceptions, impressions, and emotions will not suffice for to-day. They must be renewed and increased by to- day's stud}'. From each reading of the holy Scrip- tures, get at least one fresh, distinct, im- »ve thought, and dwell upon it. Many of the Psalms are prayers and praises. Select some one of those petitions or ascrip- FOB DAILY LIFE. 89 tions of praise, adopt it as your own, and repeat it many times to God. Sustain yourself by the remembrance that Bible-knowledge, like other knowledge, must increase from small beginnings. Un- wearied patience and perseverance are in- dispensable ; you must add thought to thought, prayer to prayer. Bible wisdom echoes the voice of God : " Ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Study the Bible with the utmost care to know yourself ; to know the whole of your case, and especially to know whereiu you fail to do the will of God. THE SECRET OF SUCCESS. It is recorded of one of the Reformers, that when he had acquitted himself in a public disputation with great credit to his Master's cause, a friend begged to see the 9° COUNSEL AND COMFORT notes, which he had been observed to write, supposing that he had taken down tho arguments of his opponents, and sketched the substance of his own reply. Greatly was he surprised to find that his notes con- sisted simply of the ejaculatory petitions — ' More light, Lord — more light — more light!' And how fully was the true spirit of prayer compressed and illustrated in these short aspirations ! Could they fail of success ? "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraidetli not, and it shall be given him." WHAT IS IT TO ABIDE IN JESUS? To abide in Jesus is just to keep always the very atlitude taken when Jesus was accepted. As ye have received the Lord Jesus Christ, so walk ye in Him — rooted and grounded in Him, sailh fchc apostle. FOR DAILY LIFE. 9* We received Him very humbly. We felt our place to be in the dust ; our righteousness to be rags ; our power to be weakness ; and looked to Christ for all things. Even so abide, so walk ye in Him. He who is lifted up with the idea of some exalted state of purity, or power, or safety gained, has in so far forgotten the apostolic injunction, and is not in the lowly way where Christ was received by him ; his joy is in Ids state, not in Christ ; his trust is in his own attainments, not in Christ. The command is not — Now you have got into a high and holy state, so walk in that, but, Even as ye received Christ Jesus, so walk in Him. MY DEBT TO CHRIST. All that I was — my sin, my guilt, My death was all my own ; All that I am, I owe to Thee, My gracious God, alone. COUNSEL AND COMFORT The evil of my former state Was mine arid only mine ; The good in which I now rejoice Is Thine and only Thine. The darkness of my former state, The bondage all was mine ; The light of life in which I walk, The liberty is Thine. Thy grace first made me feel my sin, It taught me to believe ; Then in believing, peace I found, And now I live, I live. All that I am, e'en here on earth, All that I hope to be, When Jesus comes and glory dawns, I owe it, Lord, to Thee. FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS. Blessed is he that understanð what ifc is to love Jesus, and to despise himself for Jesus' sake. When Jesus is present, all is well, and FOB DAILY LIFE. 93 nothing seems difficult ; but when Jesus is not present, everything is hard. Most poor is he who liveth without Jesus ; and he most rich who is dear to Jesus. Love Him, and keep Him for thy friend, who when all go away, will not forsake thee, nor suffer thee to perish in the end. Amongst all, therefore, that be dear unto thee, let Jesus alone be especially beloved. PILLOW PKAYEBS. He who Knows nothing of pillow prayers is ignorant of one of the sweetest modes of prayer practicable on earth. The day with its engrossments being gone, it is a most favorable time for the gathering in of our thoughts upon ourselves — our sins, our wants, fears, and hopes, and then the turn- ing of them up towards heaven. This is what the Psalmist is apparently referring to in his words, " When I remember thee upon 94 COUNSEL AND COMFORT my bed, and meditate upon thee in the night-watches. " That he uttered many a pillow-prayer is a thousand-fold more than probable. " I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night." ".I prevented the dawning of the morning and cried." Those cries were prayers before the dawn of day. If these prayers of the pillow, however, be begotten only of sheer evening sloth, wc may say of them that they are " bastards, and not sons." Bat if they are -tho legiti- mate children of weakness, excessive wea- riness, sickness, or other similar circum- stances, then they are of the true house and lineage of heaven, coming down in kindred- ship all the way from Bethel, where tho oveijaded Jacob had his angelic vision on Lis pillow of stones. Invalids, with your eyes so often held long waking in the night season, distrust not the pillow prayers; Hundreds aro con- FOB DAILY LIFE. 9 5 tinually climbing to heaven by them, as on a ladder. If } r ou, perchance, fall asleep in the act, do not fret about it. For what opiate from the shop of the apothecary is so harmless as such an out-breathing of your holiest desires upward? What is sweeter than to lose yourself in such a prayer? For prayer is simply a form of thought to- ward God, and nothing can be more fitting to the very last moments of daily con- sciousness than such thoughts. "REST, WEARY SOUL!" Be careful for nothing, in the calm and holy assurance that God is, for our sakes, caring for every tiling. "OUR SINGLE ACRE." Few are needed to do the out-of-the-way tasks which startle the world, and one may be most useful jnst doing commonplace 9& COUNSEL AND COMFORT duties and leaving the issue with God. And when it is all over, and our feet will run no more, and our hands are helpless, and we have scarcely strength to murmur a last prayer, then w r e shall see that instead of needing a larger field, we have left untilled many corners of our single acre, and that none of it is fit for our Master's eye, were it not for the softening shadow of the cross. TRUST HIM WHOLLY. The man who, after having cast his care on Christ,' goes to fretting and worrying himself about anything or anybody, is like one who, having purchased a through ticket from here to — anywhere, and receiving a check for his baggage, gets out of the car at the end of a mile or two, and shouldering his trunk, starts to go -the rest of the way alone. Christ never rolls back upon us burdens that we lay on Him ; wo take them FOR DAILY LIFE. 97 back ourselves. What is a religion worth that will stay with a man in the sunshine, but clear out in a storm? The Christian has a right, and it is his duty, to be free from all care and anxiety. Let him lie on the promises, and be at rest. " Oh ! but," says the doubting, worrying disciple, "the promises are made to the righteous ; and I am so full of imperfections, I dare not claim them." Well, brother, if you wait for that righteousness which is by the law, you'll never be able to rest on the promises ; but if you trust in Christ, that is counted to you for righteousness; and your right to the comfort of the promises is as good as though you were as holy as an angel. Christ's love sweeps away the unworthiness of all who sincerely love Him. God has undertaken for you ; trust Him, though you know not where to get your next supply of bread. 7 9$ COUNSEL AXD COMFORT A NOBLE LIFE. Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton is said to have resembled, in his walk through the world, " a man passing through the wards of a hospital, and stooping down on all sides to administer help where it was needed." DEPRESSION. When we are uncomfortable and out of sorts — just sufficiently unwell not to be able to enjoy anything, but not incapacitated for exertion — it is a good rule at such a time to set ourselves resolutely to do something of which we shall be glad afterwards. THE SECRET OF EDIFICATION. To be true to God and to tho thought of His presence all day long, and to let self occupy as little as possible of our thoughts ; to care much for His approval, and com- paratively little for the impression we are FOE DAILY LIFE. 99 making upon others; to feed the- inward light with oil, and then freely to allow it to shine — this is the great secret of edification. H03IE TRIALS. " You know," I began, " dear Mrs. Camp- bell, that there are some trials that cannot do us any good. They only call out all there is in us that is unlovely and severe." " I don't know of any such trials," she replied. "Suppose you had to live with people who were perfectly uucod genial ; who misunderstood you, and who were always getting into your way as stumbling-blocks?" " If I were living with them and they made me unhappy, I would ask God to relieve me of this trial if He thought it best. If He did not think it best, I would then try to find but the reason. He might have two IOO COUNSEL AND COMFORT reasons. One would be the good they might do me. The other the good I might do them." "But in the case I was supposing, neither party can be of the least use to the other." " You forget, perhaps, the indirect good one may gain by living with uncongenial, tempting persons. First, such people do good by the very self-denial and self-control their mere presence demands. Then, their making one's home less home-like and perfect than it would be in their absence, may help to render our real home in heaven more attractive." "But suppose one cannot exercise self- control, and is always flying out, and flaring up?" I objected. " I should say that a Christian who was always doing that," she replied, gravely, " was in pressing need of just the trial God sent when He shut him up to such a life of FOB DAILY LIFE. JO I hourly temptation. We only know ourselves and what we really are, when the force of circumstances brings us out." " It is very mortifying and painful to find how weak one is." " That is true. But our mortifications are some of God's best physicians, and do much toward healing our pride and self-conceit." "Do you really think, then, that God deliberately appoints to some of His children, a lot where their worst passions are excited, with a desire to bring good out of this seeming evil! Why, I have always sup- posed the best thing that could happen to me, for instance, would be to have a home exactly to my mind ; a home where all were forbearing and good-tempered; a sort of little heaven below\" " If you have not such a home, my dear, are you sure it is not partly your own fault ?" 102 COdXSEL A XI) COMFORT " Of course it is my own fault. Because I am very quick-tempered, I want to live with good-tempered people." " That is very benevolent in yon," she said, archly. I colored, but went on. " Oh, I know I am selfish. And therefore I want to live with those who are not so. I want to live with those persons to whom I can look for an example, and who will con- stantly stimulate me to something higher." "But if God chooses quite another lot for you, }'ou may be sure that He sees you need something totally different from what you want. You said jnst now that you would gladly go through any trial in order to attain a personal love to Christ, that should become the ruling principle of your life. Now as soon as God sees this desire in you, is He not kind, is He not wise in appointing such trials as He knows will lead to this end ?" FOR DAILY LIFE. 103 «MY PILGRIMAGE." Teustingly, trustingly, Jesus to Thee Come I ; Lord, lovingly Come Thou to me ! Then shall I lovingly Then shall I joyfully Walk here with Thee. Peacefully, peacefully Walk I with Thee ; Jesus my Lord, Thou art All, all to me. Peace Thou hast left us, Thy peace hast given us ; So let it be. Happily, hajjpily, Pass I along, Eager to work for Thee, Earnest and strong. Life is for service true, Life is for battle too, Life is for son?. 104 COUNSEL AND COMFORT THOUGHTS ON PUBLIC WORSHIP. Do not allow public worship to degene- rate into a mere saying of 3 r our private prayers in church. Think of the many others who are around you, of their sins, trials, wants, wishes, mercies — trying to throw 3*ourself into their case. Be you praying and giving thanks for them, while they are praying and giving thanks for you. The closet is the place for laying down the secret burdens at the Throne of Grace. The church is the place for the intercommunion of saints with one another, and of all with God. Be careful to make in an audible voice all the responses prescribed by the church. If persons around us in the congregation are merely silent auditors of the service, our own devotion is instantaneously chilled. If, on the other hand, they have all tho appearance of earnest worshippers, devotion FOR DAILY LIFE. J o5 soon stirs and wakens up in our own heart. Throw, then, your contribution of heart, and soul, and sympathy into the service of the church, by making the responses simply and sincerely, in your natural voice. THE LAW OF CHRIST. It requires far more of the constraining love of Christ to love our cousins and neigh- bors as members of the heavenly family, than to feel the heart warm to our suffering brethren in Tuscany or Madeira. To love the whole Church is one thing ; to love — that is, to delight in the graces and veil the defects of the person who misunderstood me and opposed my plans yesterday, whose peculiar infirmities grate on my most sensi- tive feelings, or whose natural faults are precisely those from which my natural character most revolts, is quite another. But this need not be so. The daily inter- 106 COUNSEL AND COMFORT course of life might deepen our spiritual communion, instead of superseding it. Mu- tual infirmities, necessarily known to one another, and together confessed to the Father in heaven, may uuite us more closely than common success and joy. If we could only learn, whilst dealing with our own infirmities as sins, to regard the faults of those dear to us, as we would regard their affections, being as tender and prayerful over their spiritual as we Would over their bodily sickness ; or, better still, if we could look on one another's faults as common enemies ; blending with our every-day occu- pations and pleasures, the light of heavenly hopes and the energy of heavenly aims ; praying together as thoso only can, the inmost secrets and homeliest details of whose lives are known to one another — our homi s might indeed become sanctuaries, our families, the two or three gathered together FOll DAILY LIFE. 107 iu Christ's name, where He is in the midst ; our social intercourse, as hallowed as our religious assemblies. THE WAITING TIME. No time of seeming inactivity is laid upon you by God without a just reason. It is God calling upon you to do His business by ripening in quiet all your powers for some higher sphere of activity which is about to be opened to you. The time is coming ■when you shall be called again to the front of the battle. Let that solemn thought of dread, yet kindling expectancy, fill the cup of your life with the inner work of self-de- velopment which will make you ready and prepared when your name is called. The eighteen years at Nazareth, what was their result ? A few years of action, but of ac- tion concentrated, intense, infinite ; not one word, not one deed, which did not tell, and IOS COUNSEL AND COMFORT which will not tell, upon the universe for- ever. Eighteen years of silence, and then — the regeneration of the world accomplished, His Father's business done. THE ETERNITY OF GOD. Weae, weak, forever weak ! "We cannot hold what we possess ; Youth cannot find, age will not seek — Oh, weakness is the heart's worst weariness : But weakest hearts can lift their thoughts to Thee— It makes us strong to think of Thine eternity ! Self-wearied, Lord, I come ! For I have lived my life too fast ; Now that years bring me nearer home, Grace must.be slowly used to make it last ; When my heart beats too quick, I think of Thee, And of the leisure of Thy long eternity. Then on Thy grandeur I wilt lay me down- Already life is heaven for me — No cradled child more softly lies than I— Come soon, eternity ! FOB DAILY LIFE. IC>9 WORLDLINESS. Heart engrossment of any kind is world- liness to the Christian. Friendship, if it wholly absorb the heart, becomes worklli- ness. Duties, even those of religious benevolence, when proceeding from adulte- rated motives, or when monopolizing the mind so as to interfere with its ascent to the upper springs, fall into the low rank of things of the world. A THOUGHT TOR FRIENDS. "Love in life should strive to see Sometimes what love in death would be." Sanctity in our friends and neighbors is like a star. We take no notice of the star while the sun is pouring his rays over the firmament, and the full stir of life is around us. But let the night draw her curtain over the sky ; and the star in all its beauty steals out to view. 80 while our HO COUNSEL AND COMFORT friends are mixed up with us in the hurry and commerce of life, we seem unable to disentangle from their infirmities the saintli- ness which is in them. But they die ; and something comes to light about their inward life which hitherto had escaped every eye but God's, and we begin to discover that the commonest things they did were governed by Christian principle, and referred to God in prayer, and perhaps that we have been for years walking side by side with angels unawares. Death has now thrown his pall over them ; they are no longer in the hubbub of life or the strife of tongues ; and the star of their sanctity begins to twinkle brightly to our eyes. Oh ! lest remorse, for having appreciated God's saints so little, should strike a chill to our hearts when they are taken from us, lot us now bo on the watch for any tokens of good in ono another, and hail such tokens with affectionate rever- FOR DAILY LIFE. I I I ence. Let not infirmities, however patent, blind our eyes to the grace which there may be in a brother. Let us hope for good iu him, promptly believe in it, joj^f Lilly welcome it. And let us not fail to bless God for every example of faith and love given by His people, whether still in a state of war- fare, or departed to their rest, beseeching Him to give ns grace so to follow their good examples, that, with them, we may be par- takers of His heavenly kingdom. How do tli Death speak of our loved, When it hath laid them low, When it hath set its hallowing touch On lip and cheek and brow ? It clothes their every gift and grace With radiance from the holiest place, With light as from an angel face. Recalling, with resistless force, And tracing to their hidden source, Deeds scarcely noticed in their course. 112 COUNSEL AND COMFORT This little, loving, fond device, That daily act of sacrifice, Of which too late wc learn the price. Opening our weeping eyes to trace Simple, unnoticed kindnesses, Forgotten notes of tenderness. Which evermore to us must bo Sacred as hymns in infancy, Learned listening at a mother's knee. Thus doth Death speak of our beloved, When it hath laid them low ; Then let Love antedate the work of death, And do this now ! MEDITATION. It is not hasty reading, but seriously meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee's touching on the flowers, that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon them, and drawing out the sweet. It is not he that reads most FOR DAILY LIFE. 113 but lie that meditates most on divine truth, that will prove the choicest, wisest, strongest Christian. ENTER INTO THY CLOSET. I feel all that I know and all that I teach, will do nothing for my soul if I spend my time, as some people do, in business or company. My soul starves to death in the best company, and God is often lost in prayers and ordinances. " Enter into thy closet," said He, and "shut thy door." Some words in Scripture are very emphati- cal. " Shut thy door" means much; it means, shut out, not only nonsense, but business ; not only the company abroad, and the company at borne ; it means, let thy poor soul hare a little rest and refreshment, and God have opportunity to speak to thee in a still, small voice, or He will speak to thee in thunder. T 14 COUNSEL AND COMFORT Come escape from the tempest of life, From the world to the desert retire ; Quit this region of tumult and strife, To rekindle the heavenly fire. Poor pilgrim ! thy strength must "be sought In the heart-breathing accents of prayer ; In public the battle be fought, But in secret the weapon prepare. Oh, rest from thy labors awhile ; Go alone, on the mount, with thy Lord, Go, bask in the beam of His smile, And feed on the wealth of His word. ONENESS WITH CHRIST. "Life is light." Live the truth, and the life of truth will shine from you. There is light evolved in all the developments of physical life on earth, were our senses fine enough to discern it. Life is the light of tho world of spirit ; therefore spake Paul of " epistles written on the heart." Seize the distinction between an epistle written by a FOR DAILY LIFE. I I 5 school-boy, painfully and formally, contain- ing customary announcements, and the epistle of a friend, in which his heart freely discourses, and we meet with himself. You may find many a Christian, who, with pain and effort, writes something like the name of Christ on his life and actions, in which, however, the effort is palpable, the result formal or obscure. Christ sends us into the world that our frank and free communication may be full of Him ; that when we most speak our hearts out, we may speak most of our Lord. His Father's mind was most manifest in Him when He most truly uttered His own mind ; each deeper and truer manifestation, but manifested the unity more clearly ; we see that at the very heart's core they were one. Is this your oneness ? Have you to halt and check yourselves to watch and strive when you wish to do a Christ-like action, or manifest a Christ-like I I 6 COUSSEL AND COMFORT spirit ; or does it flow from you like musio from a heart full strung, or light from the fountain of clay? I know it cometh not by course of nature — this heart-deep sympathy with Christ. I know it cometh but by strife and agony, through crucifying the desires of the flesh with more than human resolution, and by drinking the cup of the bitterness of sin to the very dregs ; still it may come, it does come. " If airy man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take tip his cross, and follow me." Explore the depth of that say- ing; have inwrought into the very texture of your spirit-life, the image of your Master, and then, whenever your nature is struck, it will sound like the Memnon's statue at the rosy flush of morning, and make the very air of this unholy world melodious with tho name of its restored and rightful King. FOR DAILY LIFE. Hj LITTLE THINGS. Christ conies to us morning by morning, to present to us, for the day then opening, divers little crosses, thwar tings of our own will, interference with our plans, disap- pointments of our little pleasures. Do we kiss them, and take them up, and follow in His rear, like Simon the Cj^renian ? Or do we toss them from us scornfully because they are so little, and wait for some great affliction to approve our patience and our resignation to His will? Ah, how might we accommodate to the small matters of religion generally, those words of the Lord respecting the children, " Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones." De- spise not little sins ; they liave ruined many a soul. Despise not little duties ; they Vave been to many a saved man an excellent dis- cipline of humility. Despise not little temp- tations ; rightly met they have often nerved I I 8 COUNSEL AND COMFORT the character for some fiery trial. And de- spise not little crosses ; for when taken up, and lovingly accepted at the Lord's hand, they have made men meet for a great crown, even the crown of righteousness and life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. THE KEEPING POWER OF CHRIST. I remember a few years ago, in reading 2 Thess. ii., I came to the 13th verse, where Paul says, " We are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the be- ginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth." " Through sanctification of the Spirit" Here I paused, and read it over and over again ; praying that God would sanctify me wholly by the Spirit. This verse com- forted mo many, many days. I felt that it FOR DAILY LTFZ. I 19 was blessed to my soul, but tlie fulness of its meaning was not yet revealed to me. The inward currents of my heart were not- stayed. I could not "standfast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free ;" for I was " entangled " again and " again with the yoke of bondage." I could not " reckon " myself " dead " to the perplexities and irritations of daily life, which a heart yearning for purity condemns as dishonoring to God. More earnestly than ever, and many times a day, I prayed for strength to overcome ; but found no rest in my soul, until I stopped praying for strength to overcome, and gave myself wholly to God to he kept. At this time the Lord's Prayer bscamo a new and wonderful reve- lation to me ; I found, in its closing words, the full warrant for thus casting myself wholly on the Lord for deliverance. " And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 113 120 C0UN83L AND COMFORT from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the poiccr, and the ghry, forever, Amen." O how my soul was filled, as I realized for the first time that it was His power that was to keep me ! "for Thine is the power." The work was all done then ; no more striving, no more praying for strength to overcome, but simply, day by day — " Jesus, keep me, for Thine is the power and the gloiy ;" and there I rest and am. "kept. CASTING ALL ON JESUS. I left it all with Jesus Long ago ; All my sin I brought Him, And my woe. When by faith I saw Him On the tree, Heard His still, small whisper, <"Tis for thee"— From my heart the burden Boiled away — Happy day! FOP. DAILY LIFE. 121 I leave it all with Jesus Day by day ; Faith can firmly trust Him, Come what may. Hope has dropp'd her anchor — Found her rest, In the calm, sure haven Of His breast ; Love esteems it heaven To abide At His side. Oil ! leave it all vrith Jesus, Drooping soul ! Tell not half thy story, But the whole. Tv r orlds on worlds are hanging On His hand. Life and death are waiting His command ; Yet, His tender bosom Makes thee room — Oh, come home ! 122 COUNSEL AND COMFORT PRAYER A SERVICE. We do not think enough what an effect- ive service prayer is, especially intercessory prayer, direct application by name for others, laying their needs and cares, all they would or might request for themselves, be- fore God. We do not believe as we should, how it might help those we so fain would serve, penetrating the hearts we cannot open, shielding those we cannot guard, teaching where we cannot speak, comforting where our words have no power to soothe ; following the steps of our beloved through the toils and perplexities of the day, lifting off their burdens with an unseen hand at night. No ministry is so like that of an angel's as this — silent, invisible, known but to God ; through us descends the blessing, and to Him alone ascends the thanksgiving. Surely not an employment brings us so near to God and the spirits of men, as interces- FOR DAILY LIFE. I 23 sory prayer. There is a depth of wisdom in the words, "If we only spoke more to God for man, than even to man for God !" MENTAL GROWTH. I would have every man of close occupa- tion, make it a sacred duty to keep up a living knowledge of, and interest in, some pursuit, science, art or craft, outside the circle of his daily task. Thereby he will keep his mental faculties in fair play upon their appointed objects, and lay up for him- self a pursuit and an education, which will occupy nobly and happily the autumn of life. What men want, is something to carry on their education till they die, some- thing which will continually draw them out to fresh, observation, fresh reflection, fresh acquisition, with ever stronger and riper power. Clip a bit from your daily earnings, rather than from your daily study. The 124 COUNSEL AND COMFORT play, and even the strain of the faculties. — the various faculties of bod)', and mind, and spirit, in wise proportions and alternations — is the true human 303^. Plenty to think of, plenty to observe, plenty to pursue, plenty to delight in, plenty to help, plenty to love, these make the gladness and the riches of the bein£. 8ILENT LIVES. How many there are, and how useful. Think of the monotonous, unknown, unpre- tending work of the mother of a family. What a sameness of life, what a continual routine of voiceless, seemingly insignificant duties ! Little tender services, little watch- ful services, little watchful teachings, little grave checkings, little gentle guidihgs — line upon line — hero a little and there a little. Little anxious yearnings, little quiet prayers — and so the life goes on, and if her heart be FOR DAILY LIFE. 125 longing to spend and be spent in her dear Lord's service, perhaps she has her dull hours of depression ; she is doing nothing, can do nothing, she fears, for Christ. No- thing ? O silent lives ! how much, how very much you may do in this world, where so much has to be done ! Mere gentleness and kindliness, taught by God's Spirit— of this we can hardly overvalue the influence and effect. But to have a nest of Christ's little ones to rear for Him, and this with the certainty of His aid in answer to prayer — what shall wg say of this? O work! to undertake which, the sweetest-toned harp in heaven might bo gladly laid down ! "It may bo thy share of service His purpose to complete, If steadfastly thou guidest Those little wayward feet. "One little footstep passing The path that Jesus trod ; 2 6 COUNSEL AND COMFORT One little spirit resting In loving faith on God ; " One little life more earnest, More hopeful, and more pure- And in an angel's record Thy life-work shall endure." OUR WORK HELD IN EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE. No good that the humblest of us has wrought ever dies. You are a teacher. If you have been faithful, some good has flowed from you into the mind and heart of your pupil, and, perhaps, he was aware of it at the time. But by and by, other influences lend their aid to form his mind and character, and what you have done cannot be distinguished from newer forces, which, act on the youth and on the man. Perhaps you have thrown some seed into his mind, which after long years bears fruit, and he ascribes the good to some one else. What then ? If you havo FOR DAILY LIFE. I 27 served God in serving him, God remembera it, although he does not. There is one, long, unerring memory in the universe, out of which nothing good ever fades. ABIDING IN CHRIST. It is not so much working for God, or speaking for God, as living in the secret of His presence which most glorifies Him. We must so seek to realize our Saviour's pres- ence with us, and in us, that our whole being should be hushed, and quietly ele- vated, and controlled in every little thing, and little word ; thus we shall glorify Him, and shall become a power in His hands among men. GOD'S WAYS OIT ANSWERING PRAYER. At a meeting of a few Christian people ~ which I attended in a foreign city, a clergy- man, speaking of prayer, said : " God some- 128 COUNSEL AND COMFORT times answers at once ; sometimes He gives us some better thing in the place of the particular thing we ask ; sometimes he answers by the very contrary of what we wished, and out of that, springs the partic- ular thing that we prayed for." SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS. Be assured that one cause of spiritual weakness is the constant dwelling upon self instead of upon Christ. Such persons study self more than they study Christ, and then they are weak in courage — they have none ; weak in power — they can do nothing ; weak in love — it centres all in itself. There is no expansiveness ; there is no going forth to others. Why, how constantly we see it, my brethren— persons that are in affliction, per- haps unable to get out much, to have much intercourse with others. A great many per- sons visit them, but it is always in tho way FOB DAILY LIFE. I 29 of sympathy, giving out to them, compas- sionating them, pitying them, making them think still more and more of self. Bat when those persons recover a little, let them make an effort, and go to see other people, and give out to others, instead of always craving to take in, and how wonderfully they are improved. What a change it makes when once w r e are occupied with the sorrows of others instead of always circling just round our own. Oh, it is not good for some minds always to be taking in human sympathy, but it is a good thing to be giving out. The happiest are those that have large sympathies for the sonvws of others ; who endeavor to cast their own cares. upon the Lord, and who re- ceive from Him that help and support by which they are comforted themselves, and enabled to comfort others. As I have said, then, these persons are weak because they T30 COUNSEL AND COMFORT look in, and not out — down, and not up ; so they forget what Christ is, and dwell only on what they themselves are — poor and wretched and miserable. They forget all the promises of God, and that His Word is like Himself — ' The same yesterday, to-day, and forever.' ONE LIFE. *Ti3 not for man to trifle ! Life is briel And sin is here. Oar age is but the falling of a leaf, A dropping tear. We have no time to sport away the hours, All must be earnest in a world like ours. Not many lives, but only one have we, OnOj only one ! How sacred should that one lifo ever be, That narrow span ! Day after day filled up with blessed toil, Hour after hour still bringing in now spoil. FOB, DAILY LIFE. I3 1 THE PRECIOUS BLOOD. It is precious to the believer, for it is his staff and his stay in all his pilgrimage. He goes daily to the fountain opened for sin and all uncleanness, for it has been the les- son of his Christian life to know his weak- ness and corruptions, and the necessity of a ransom greater than he can pay. As the Holy Spirit has uncovered to his \ision the deep depravity of his heart, as his besetting sins have often carried him to the verge of despair, as he sees himself and knows himself so differently from what the world sees and believes him to be, as days of sickness and loss come with their doubts and fears and sorrows, as the " dark valley" looms up, (though it may be a long way off,) even with more darkness and dread than when near at hand, " the precious blood " is unspeakably precious ; for it is his only reliance, his only hope. Nothing else will I3 2 COUNSEL AND COMFORT comfort, nothing else will strengthen, nothing else will save. The blood of Jesus, shed on the cross for his sins, past, present and to come, the full, sufficient, complete payment forever, not because he is good or that he first loved God, but because God first loved him and gave Himself a sacrifice and propitiation for his sins. There are believers who will never enter into the fulness of joy that this truth should give them, until they shall see Him as He is. They can understand why the sick go to the physician all the days of their sickness. They love the man who has delivered from debt and imprisonment, his neighbor who could not pay his creditor, and can fully realize that the obligation to that creditor has been fully discharged forever ; but their sins and repeated falls accuse them and make them doubt even to the last. FOR DAILY LIFE. 133 But the} r never turn away from their faith in " the precious blood," but cling to it as their only hope and trust, and through it they will be abundantly saved and their doubts and self-condemnation shall be buried in the ocean of His righteousness, and their joy shall be full. " The precious blood " has given us all that is good and blessed here. It lightens all our sorrows and sweetens all our joys As it purchased for us eternal life, so has it brought us our earthly comforts and given us strength for each day's trials and troubles. It gives contentment in the home of the poor, resignation and peace in the house of mourning, patience and submission in the chamber of sickness. The aching heart looks to it as its only refuge, the thankful and cheerful know that its blessed gifts are the source of all their earthly good. The departing soul more than ever knows that 134 couNsrx and comfort " the precious blood " has washed away every stain, and prepared for ifc an inheri- tance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. The precious blood of Christ, the begin- ning an»d the end, the source of all true joy on earth, the only ransom that will be accepted in heaven, what shall we offer in its stead in that day when God shall judge the world ? PAST TROUBLES. How many troubles, my friends, you have been through ! And the Lord has sustained you in every one. Where are the troubles of last year ? Look back at them. How many were there? You cannot count them. You have only a vague idea of them. You may have passed through bankruptcy, or there may have been a death in your family ; but aside from these, you have no distinct re- FOR DAILY LIFE. 130 collection of tlie troubles that yo i liavo had within the past year. That brood of things which lowered the whole tone, the temperature of your spirituality, and made those wrinkles on your brow — what became of them? Did they hinder you or hurl; you ? THE VOICE OF THE BLOOD. "The blood, of Jesus pleads."-— Reid. blood of Jesus, plead for me ! Attend my fainting cry ; Tate Thou the word I cannot say, Within the holy place to-day, While in the dust I He. blood of Jesus, plead for me ! Say, " I the debt have paid ;" Say, "I the law have quite fulfilled, Now must its fierce demands be stilled, No charge to her is laid." O blood of Jesus, plead for me ! Plead for the blind and weak, I 06 COUNSEL AND COMFOB'l Say, " I her surety still will be ; E'en though her help she fail to see, I her sad cause will spsak." O blood of Jesus, plead for me ! Behold my awful need ! Say, ' ' Here my power I must display, Sin's deepest dye to wash away — A power to cleanse indeed." blood of Jesus, plead, still plead ! A holy God I flee ; Say, "/her case will undertake — Her desperate case, and sweetly make Peace, 'twixt this soul and Thee." TRUE REST. The active mind, if out of its proper sphere, corrodes itself, and frets itself with plans and projects, finding no rest. Tlie rest of Christ is not that of torpor, but harmony ; it is not refusing the struggle, but conquer- ing in it ; not mst'iug/rom duty, but finding rest in duty. FOB DAILY Lam. 137 ON HELPING THE POOR. Giving is the smallest and easiest part of Christian charity. Time is far more pre- cious, and efforfe is far more precious than money to hard-worked men. And money may be given lavishly to save time and trouble, and may very easily be, Bay, it too constantly is, a curse instead of a blessing to the poor. The Lord had no money to give, nor would He make any. This last is among the most significant features of His ministry. And the poorest Christian minis- ters are probably those who at this moment are doing the most for the help of the poor. The poor are commonly their own worst enemies. Their own improvidence, care- lessness, and vice share fully with the condition of society, the responsibility of their state. They are very far from being their true friends who are afraid to tell them so — who will throw a sop of charity 13$ COUNSEL AND COMFORT to meet their momentary need and to win their passing gratitude, instead of tenderly but firmly pressing on them the recognition of the evil habits and passions, out of which, after all, nine-tenths of their evil spring. To cure an evil habit, to brighten a sullen temper, to conquer a vicious propensity in the poor subjects of your ministry, is to give something which is infinitely more precious than gold ; it is a gift which they may bear on with them into eternity. THE EXAMPLE OF OUR MASTER. How much even of our graces is offered to man rather than to God! Even in our most devoted service, what a seeking there is, perhaps unconsciously, to be something in the estimation of others ; some secret desire, some undetected wish, even by our very service to be greater here ! The very gifts of God and the power of His Spirit aro FOR DAILY LIFE. 139 sought, the better to give us a place in this world. Thus are our very graces used to obtain for us glory, not of God, but of those around us. Surety this is one of the reasons why God can trust us with so little, for with His gifts we build up our own name, instead of His name. But how unlike all this is to our Master ; yea, how unlike even to His Apostles! "Neither of men," says Paul, "sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others." This is our calling, not only to be nothing in the world, but to be willing to be nothing even among our brethren; to take the nearest place to Him, who has indeed taken the lowest. Christ's example is one most precious to us. His service to His neighbor was always " an offering unto the Lord." Thus He gladly was spent for others, though the more He loved them, the less He was loved. 14° COUNSEL AND COMFORT May we be thus like Him, that so through grace we may be steadfast. If, on the other hand, our labor of love is offered for man's acceptance, when man rejects us, our labor will cease. And surely this is the secret of much of our half-hearted service. But let us, when ministering to others, offer our- selves, like Jesus, " unto the Lord," and not unto man; then, though our love is here slighted, it will be accepted by Him to to whom we offer it. HE KNOWETH OUR FRAME. He knowetk our framo : Hd rememboroth that we aro dust.— Vs. ciii. 14. Lord, is it wrong— this state of things ? I hardly know : Each little bird its anthom sings ; I feel so low, So restless, so disheartened, and so weary ! Life seems to me so desolate and dreary ! FOR DAILY LIFE. H l This body seems to drag me down : I cannot see The beautiful, unfading crown, Prepared for me. Some of Thy children soem so full of light ! But as for me, my day is almost night ! I do believe it was for me That Jesus died : And Heaven's door, I think I see, Is opened wide : I do believe that He will let me in, And that His blood has cleansed me from my sin. Oh ! why then should I feel afraid ? Is it not true, My sins were all on Jesus laid, And sorrows too ? Hath He not grace enough for all to-morrows ? For surely He hath borne our griefs and sorrows ! My Father ! how sweet the name ! Art Thou not near ? Say, dost Thou pity me ? or blame ? I long to hear ! Father ? My Father ! This is all my trust, That Thou rememberest I am but dust ! 142 COUNSEL AND COMFOR'I Thou knowest well my frame, for Thou Hast fashioned mo : The darkness all around me now Is light, to Thee ! Then take me by the hand, and lead me on, Thy poor blind child, until the night be gone ! Until tho shadows flee away Before the sun, And glorious, everlasting Day Shall have begun ! Meanwhile, in love and pity, lead Thou me, For all my expectation is from Thee ! THE SPIRIT'S GUIDING. As a man increases in earnest love to Christ, a delicate tact grows up within him, a spiritual instinct, which teaches him what he ought to say and do, and what he had better avoid on each particular occasion. True love, even human and earthly love, is full of sensibilities ; every one is aware how a person, whom he loves and seeks to please, FOR DAILY LIFE. 1 43 will take a tiling ; without being wrong or coarsely offensive, it would be simply out of taste to say or do such and such things before such a person ; they would jar upon hirn. There is something of the same kind in divine love, the true lover of Christ being made sensitive by the Holy Spirit as to the line of conduct which pleases or displeases Him. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go ;" this is God's gracious promise by the Psalmist; and " I will guide thee luith mine eye" " Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle." Everybody knows what the guidance of a mother's eye is, while the children are around her. She need not speak. A glance and the expres- sion of her countenance convey her wishes sufficiently. She looks up in alarm, and her eye warns the little ones away from danger ; 144 COUNSEL AND COMFOR-T they are industrious, and her eye betokens approval ; or they are too frolicsome, and a look of displeasure checks them. God's children, too, know the meaning of His eye. They know, by the glance He gives them, what path He would have them pursue, and what avoid. He never leaves them without an interior indication of His will, if they have but one desire, that of pleasing Him. HIS ANSWER. A Christian friend, calling upon a poor old woman in Scotland, found her in great pain, and expressed sorrow at seeing her Buffer so much. " Oh," said Jeannie, " it's just an answer to prayer. You see, I've lang prayed to be conformed to the image of Christ. And since this is the means, I've naething to do wi' the choosin' o' them. It is ours to aim at mectness for His presence, FOR DAILY LIFE. M-5 and to leave it to His wisdom to take His ain way wi' us. I would rather suffer than gin, ony day." LOVE THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW. A man may have very strong conscien- tiousness ; he may be a just man, and a true man, and a moral man, and yet not have the critical test of Christianity ; for that test is love. A man may have great fervor in prayer; he may have great fervor in all forms of social devotion ; he may be raptur- ous and exceedingly happy; and yet he may not have a critical test of Christianity. It is not fervor. It is not devoutness, though it includes devoutness. It is be- nevolence. It is the power to love. He who knows how to throw out a flame from his affections ; he who knows how to make persons around him, wherever he goes, happy ; he who knows how to do it 10 I46 COUNSEL AND COMFORT morning, and noon, and niglit ; lie who knows how to make love his uniform dispo- sition ; he who knows how to radiate sympathy, and gentleness, and kindness, and forbearance, and patience toward others, and to make men feel richer for his being with them — he has the critical test of piety. It is to do by men what the sunshine does by you — make them cheerful, and full of life, and full of love, and full of fruit. These are the New Testament tests of Christian character. NOT LOST. The look of sympathy, the gentle word, Spoken so low that only angels heard ; The secret art of puro self-sacrifice, Unseen by men, but marked by angels' eyes These are not lost. The sacred music of a tender strain, Wrung from a poet's heart by grief and pain, FOB DAILY LIFE. 1 47 And chanted timidly, with doubt and fear, To busy crowds who scarcely pause to hear ; It is not lost. The silent tears that fall at dead of night, Over soiled robes which once were pure and white ; The prayers that rise like incense from the soul, Longing for Christ to make it clean and whole ; These are not lost. The happy dreams that gladdened all our youth, When dreams had less of self and more of truth ; The childlike faith, so tranquil and so sweet, Which, sat like Mary at the Master's feet ; These are not lost. The kindly plans devised for others' good, So seldom guessed, so little understood ; The quiet, steadfast love that strove to win Some wanderer from the woeful ways of sin ; These are not lost. Not lost, Lord, for in that city bright Our eyes shall see the past by clearer light ; And things long hidden from our gaze below, Thou wilt reveal, and we shall surely know They were not lost. 148 COUNSEL AND COMFORT THE ART OF BEING MISERABLE. KlNGSLEI says : " If yon should wish to be miserable you must think about yourself ; about what you want, what you like, what respect people ought to pay to yon, what people think of you ; and then to you noth- ing will be pure. You will spoil everything you touch ; you will make sin and misery for yourself out of everything which God sends you ; you will be as wretched as you choose." HOW TO WORK. Let it be firmly settled in the mind be- fore we put our hand to the work, and let us suffer the mind from time to time to re- vert to the thought that what we are about to do is the task assigned to us in the order of God's providence ; that it is a task which He will inspect, and that it must bo ex- FOR DAILY LIFK 1 49 ecuted as well as ever we are able, in order that it may meet His approval. There are children who are too }'Oung to be left alone in the preparation of their lessons. The teacher must sit with them while they pre- pare ; they must work under his eye, and have hi in by them to apply to, and ask help from him, when they come across a difficulty. Now some of the deepest les- sons of divine truth are to be learned from our management of children ; and the way of so doing work, as that it may be a source of spiritual consolation and strength, is among these lessons. Do the work under the eye of j r our heavenly Master ; and look up in His face from time to time, for His help and blessing ; an internal colloquy with Him, ever and anon, so far from being a- distraction, will be a furtherance. For no work can in an}' sense prosper which is not done with a bright, elastic spirit, and there l5o COUNSEL AND COMFORT is no means of keeping the spirit bright and elastic bat by keeping it near to God. Do but keep as close under His eye when work- ing as you can contrive to do, and open your heart to Him as often as you can. THE THING THAT I LONG FOR. Thou, O Lord God, art the tiling that I long for.— Ps. Ixxi 4. (Prayer-Book Version.) Thou art the thing that I long for, Though there are beautiful things, Things to delight and enrapture, Even in earth's "nether springs." Thou art the thing that I long for ! Give Thyself wholly to me ! Other things crumble and. vanish ; Nothing contents mo but Thee ! Thou art the thing that I long for ! Lord, I believe Thou art near ! Where could these longings find utterance, But in Thy listening ear ? Thou art the thing that I long for ! Yes, and this longing of mine, FOR DAILY LIFE. l5l 1 hough almost dumb from intenseness, Is but the echo of Thine i Thou art the thing that I long for ! O that each sorrow I feel, that each loss and bereavement More of Thyself may reveal ! Thou art the thing that I long for ! Heaven itself will be fair, Fair in its glorious completeness, Chiefly because Thou art there ! A CLOSER WALK. "Keep close intimacies with Jesus," ivrote one who had proved the blessedness of a Divine companionship. " Oh ! believe that God is near you at all times. Culti- vate a close acquaintance. Let Him not be out of sight. If we walk at a distance from a friend, and see him but seldom, our knowl- edge of him is but limited ; but if we live with him, dwell in the same habitation, we I 52 COUNSEL AND COMFORT learn his character. Oh ! let an aged Christian urge on your mind a closer walk with God. Be much in communion with Him." In these days of Christian activity, how needful are these holy admonitions ! Work for Christ too often absorbs the mind and leaves it with little time or inclination for communion with Him. Heavenly-minded- ness may be preserved amidst the seen and temporal, but it is born of the unseen and eternal. It must be cherished by daily communion with God. Alone with Him, the soul is fed, strengthened, and refreshed. It is prepared for life. A close abiding fellowship with Christ! Who that has tasted its preciousness would relinquish it for all the pleasures of earth ? An ever- increasing acquaintance with Christ .should be the : i i 1 11 of every believer. He is ready — ready for the closest friendship that can FOB DAILY LIFE. l5^ be realized here — ready to lead the willing soul to the perfect fellowship of the re- deemed in heaven. ON RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION. Let me give, in one word, the remedy of all the falseness, shallowness, and emptiness of religious conversation ; the key to those stores of reality, earnestness, and natural- ness, which will attract rather than disgust, where there is any good ground yet to be got at under the growing surface of rock which the world forms upon the heart. The secret is unmasked to us by the Great Teacher. u Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Thus we have the recipe. If we would talk continually, easily, naturally of course, and with a ready finding (not making) of 1 54 COUNSEL AND COMFORT opportunities, here we are taught the method. Let our heart be full of the love of God, fall of devotiou to our dear Saviour, and of kindly yearning for those about us : let such abundant stores be accumulated iu the heart, and surely there must from time to time be produced some samples on the tongue. Let the great end of life and its mighty realities be indeed and, as a rule, the first things in our heart ; and then they will hardly be always the last things on the lips. Let us be setting our life daily to the pattern of Christ's life, and assuredly then something of that ever-ready and un- forced speaking of Christ concerning His Father's business — not dragged into but flowing from the ordinary talk — indeed, suggested by it, and growing out of it — some dim reflections of this ideal of religious con- versation, of all conversation, would be traceable in our intercourse with friends FOE DAILY LIFE. I 55 certainly, and even with ordinary Acquain- tances. Thus on Sundays, it should not be, if our hearts were in the day, a restraint to talk, but relief to talk out of the abundance of the heart, of the things of Christ and of God. Truly it does seem hardly natural that we, waiting upon the shore for the boat to take us off, should preserve ever a discreet si- lence concerning all but the pebbles and the shells under our feet. The abundance of the heart — that will influence the talk ; and you can't make the sham at all like the real thing. The abun- dance of the tongue merely will disgust. I do not think the heart's wealth would ever do this. It might, indeed, rather sadden where the hearer perceived, but could not appreciate its reality. I 56 COUNSEL AND COMFORT THE DAY A MINIATURE LIFE. The day is a life in little, a miniature life. Let a convex mirror be suspended overhead in a room, so as to form a small angle with the wall ; you will see all the whole room in it, wide as it may be, with all the details of the furniture, and all the company. And how is this? Every objeot is, of course, greatly reduced in size, so that every square yard of space in the room appears as a square inch of space, or less, on the mirror. Still there is nothing which finds its place in the room which does not also find a proportion- ate place on the mirror. So it is with the day and the life-time. The day is the con- vex mirror of life. Do } r ou desire a sum- mary estimate of a man's whole character, as it will appear upon a calm review after he is laid in his coffin? Study him for a day only, from his rising to his lying down ; and it is enough ; the germs of the life are FOR DAILY LIFE. I 57 in the day; and that microscopic view, aided by a little effort of imagination, puts you in possession of the whole truth re- specting him. Is it not written, " He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much*; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much " ? ANOTHER DAY. Another page of life Is opened unto me ; blessed Spirit ! write thereon What seemeth best to Thee. Write lovely acts of love ; Write holy thoughts of praise ; Yea, write a copy, Spirit dear, Of one of Jesus' days. And every mark of mine— Oh ! wash it, wash it white ; Let nothing on the page appear, But words that Thou dost write. 1 58 COUNSEL AND COMFORT And then, lest some should miss Whence all the goodness came, When Thou hast written all the rest, Write underneath Thy name. "HOW TO ENTER INTO REST." Perhaps it is years since Jesus stood and knocked at the door, and you heard His voice, and opened the door, and He came in, and sat down to sup with you. And yet all this time it has hardly seemed as if He were inside ; for you say it has been sa different to what you hoped — you are so little changed, so little different. Perhaps this may bo the reason ; you let Him in, and He sat dow T n to sup with you, and you found it wonderfully sweet to have Him. But you have treated Him as a Visitor; you have still arranged your own house, swept it your- self, garnished it yourself, cleansed it your- self, repaired it yourself. Some day you FOB DAILY LIFE. l5g expect to go to His own Louse. That will be a very lovely place, you think, and you long to be going there. Your own house is so small ; 3-ou have such work to keep it in anything like order ; it tires you so and worries jou, and you have hardly time to think of your Visitor, you are so busy making the place fit for Him. Oh ! poor, loving, weary soul, He did not come to be a Visitor ; He came to be the Master of your house. Throw all the doors open to Him ; tell him you can do nothing with it; put yourself at His feet, and ask Him to take it all, just as it is, and He will rise and gird Himself, and come forth and serve you. Your house shall be- come His home, and He will make it bright and lovely by his presence. Then He will teach you to serve. Together you will work, and how you will learn to trust and love the Master-workman ! l6o COUNSEL AND COMFORT He may cast many things aside as useless. You will grieve to see them go ; but you will know you cannot Lave both them and Him. He will not send you to work alone ; He will always be with you. He will not tire yon, nor let you tire yourself. He will not work you too quickly, but graciously and gently, and His presence, His part, His share in it all will be your rest. Then put your whole trust in Him, and He will be with you — "To cleanse and keep you clean." WAIT ON THE LORD. There are two bitter enemies of man's true life — the world without him, and the world within him — the world in his heart. The conflict is sometimes terrible, and thou dost sometimes feel as one left without strength, and thy hands fail, and thy heart grows faint. What is this but to teach thee FOR DAILY LIFE. l6l where thy true strength lies, and to cast thee off from every other? "Wait on the Lord ; be of good courage ; and He shall strengthen thy heart. "Wait, I say, on the Lord." Sometimes the discouragement is deeper }-et. We live under the hidings of our Master's face. He seems to have covered Himself with a thick cloud, which our sight cannot pierce, and which our prayers cannot pass through — they fall consciously short of their aim, and come back to the dull earth, flat and unprofitable. But be of good cheer. This cannot last forever nor last long. Only "rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him ;" and be assured that " the Lord is good to them that wait for Him ;" and although it may be that now, for a little while, thou liest void of strength, and almost lifeless upon the ground, yet, amid this chilliness, still wait ; 1 62 COUNSEL AND COMFORT though wounded, wait — holding fast tho conviction which His promise gives. " They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run and not be weary ; they shall walk and not faint." FAR OFF, YET NEAR. blessed Lord ! Once more, as at the opening of the day, 1 read Thy Word ; And now, in all I read, I hear Thee say, " To those who love I will be ever near ;" And yet while this I hear, To me, O Lord, Thou seemest far away. Thou Sovereign One, Greater than mightiest kings, can it he fear, Or blinding sun Made by Thy glory, so if Thou art here, I cannot see Thee ; yet this word declares That whoso loves and bears Thy Holy Name shall havo Thee ever near ! FOR DAILY LIFE. I 63 I bear Thy name : That love, dear Lord, have I not long confessed ? Thy love's the same> As when, like John, I leaned upon Thy breast, And knew I loved : oh ! which of im bus changed ? Am I from Thee e Strang 3d ? Lord, Thou changest not ; I kno?;