use.

help to meditation, which you will find of great Nor need you fear to exhaust its fulness, for in the shortest verse there is mirrored all the glory of God; as the whole round of the heavens contracts itself into a single drop of dew.

PRAYER.

My gracious God and Father, as Thou hast given me the rich treasures of Thy word, teach me to use them aright. May I not slight them by a vague respect, but meditate on them day and night like Thine ancient servant. Yea, Lord, from this tree of life may my soul take daily the fruits needed for the day and eat and live for ever. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

XIV.

Wait Thou upon God.

STILL, still with Thee-when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than the daylight
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee!

Alone with Thee-amid the mystic shadows,
The solemn hush of nature newly born;
Alone with Thee, in breathless adoration,
In the calm dew and freshness of the morn.

As in the dawning, o'er the waveless ocean,
The image of the morning star doth rest,
So, in this stillness, Thou beholdest only

Thine image in the waters of my breast.

Still, still with Thee! as to each new-born morning
A fresh and solemn splendour still is given,
So does this blessed consciousness awaking,

Breathe, each day, nearness unto Thee and heaven.
When sinks the soul, subdued by toil, to slumber,
Its closing eye looks up to Thee in prayer,
Sweet the repose beneath Thy wings o'ershading,
But sweeter still, to wake and find Thee there.

So shall it be at last, in that bright morning,

When the soul waketh, and the shadows flee; Oh! in that hour, fairer than daylight dawning, Shall rise the glorious thought-I am with Thee! H. B. STOWE.

XIV.

WAIT THOU UPON GOD.

T is the characteristic of children that, unless

IT

they receive a benefit at once, they fret and murmur, with no strength of character to bear an interval of expectation. What is given must be given at once, if we would please them. And yet this intemperate haste to get what they want, is only so great because they are what they are. But it is too much the same with not a few, even of ripe years, among God's people. They may be grateful when mercies come unexpectedly, but they repine and are fretful if they have to wait. It cannot be, however, that they should be indulged like spoiled children, with their whims and wishes, at the moment, if the promises are to have their due use in their spiritual training. For all God's gifts have a higher purpose than the passing service of a day, or the relief of care, or the lightening mere earthly burdens. They