me, that I may see how good it is to have obeyed thy will, and so live in thy presence, that no sin or temptation may come near to hurt me. Give me a heart to think of Thee, and pray to Thee at any moment. Let thy favour be my prosperity, and let me not trust in any, in whose breath there is no help, nor depend upon any in comparison with Thee. Do Thou bless and sanctify my dear relations and friends, and let me acknowledge thy goodness in all that befalls them to their everlasting welfare.

Bless thy word, which I have now read, and let thy Scripture sink deep into my heart by thy holy inspiration, that it may be unto me instead of correction, and my instruction in all righteousness. Keep me from all pride and envy, lest I fret myself, and behold only trouble and darkness in

the way by which I pass. Let thy word bring forth in my heart the good fruits of righteousness, gentleness, peace, meekness, and longsuffering. Humble me, if it be thy will, by the experience of thy mercies, of which I am most unworthy, rather than by long affliction and distress.

Let me cast all my cares upon Thee, for Thou carest for me; and with a holy faith in the goodness of thy most secret providence hold fast my integrity, and keep innocency, which shall bring me peace at the last, through Jesus Christ my Mediator and Redeemer.

FOR TUESDAY NIGHT.

I.

Our holy thoughts are God's spi

soul.

ritual and unuttered words to the They are words from God, written upon our hearts, and often comfort us with the same spiritual joy and consolation which we have found in reading the words of the Evangelists. Thus does God often speak to us as he did to his holy Apostle, who besought the Lord thrice that the thorn in the flesh might depart from him. "He said unto me," writes St. Paul, that is, he put the thought into my heart which said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee." And the dew of God's peace and blessing in answer to our prayers, often descends upon our minds long before it is felt in any circumstances. An inspiration of strength, accompanied with a feeling of most devout humility, a joy most meekly prepared for the certain

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return of sorrow, a feeling as though we were delivered from this evil world, seem to assure us that the thoughts of our heart have now been sent to us from the throne of mercy, and God hath said to them, "Go Comfort ye, Comfort ye my people."

11.

God often gives us a holy contentment and cheerfulness when we know that our prayer cannot be granted, and the time is past. David rose up

and did eat bread when his child was dead; and he could no longer say, "Who can tell whether God will be gracious unto me, that the child may live." Let us not vex ourselves when we see that it cannot be as we desire; but even then be thankful through faith that God hath ordered best in denying us. It will be well pleasing

to our Heavenly Father to see his child take these repulses gently and patiently. And we shall turn away our minds from the sorrow of the loss, by more fervent prayer for the grace which we know He loveth to bestow upon us for our souls' endless welfare. The underbreath of our every prayer should be, "Father, not my will, but thine be done"

We were chosen of that dreadful and immortal Being who made the heavens, and that when nothing was. He it is that appointed our time, our work, our trial, and considered long ago what shall be to-day and tomorrow. How solemn the reflection, that from the beginning He foresaw my present need, provided for the fear and sorrow under which I am about to pray in this world, ordained my calling, and knows my every care