"We know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD."-Rom. viii. 28. IF F we loved all we love more in GOD, and from GOD, as given to us by GOD, we should find it less difficult to part with them when GOD calls them to Himself. And if GOD saw fit to call us first, we should help them better to bear our loss, our being parted from them. This is no mere matter of opinion. S. Paul says, "we know," that is, we are sure, we are certain of this, namely, "that all things work together for good to them that love GOD." He does not say on the other hand that some things only, but "all things" work together. They may be and often are "things" which seem perhaps to us, at first sight, unsuited to "work together" at all. But yet, on one condition and for one class of persons, they, "all things," (however seemingly unlikely to do so,) will and do "work together," and that "for good," but only on the condition that we "love GOD;" to them, the Apostle says, that is, to those who accept all from GOD in love, and love Him in all things and under all circumstances. our So are "all things" working together "for good" for us, even now, if we love GOD; and above all, at times when we are with, or when we are anxious about, or when we are thinking of those we love very dearly. The thought crosses mind that some day, sooner or later, we shall have to part from them, either by GOD calling them away by death, and that we shall be left behind to mourn them, or by our being called away by GoD, and leaving them behind to mourn us. We may be tempted to forecast the future in a spirit of something very like depression through anticipated sorrow. We are apt to ask ourselves, "How can I bear the loss of those I love? My husband, my |