our own! Above all, it is well to carry up our thoughts to that best and most tried of sufferers, who so meekly and cheerfully endured the very essence of anguish for our sakes, and who seemed to say to us, as He hung upon the cross, "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me?" It is a great secret, a happy discovery, if we can go, and lay our troubles in the bosom of our Lord, and find in Him a peace which shall dry up every tear.

Alas, poor Naomi! Her heart was full of sorrow; but there was a "needs be" for all she suffered. Many years before, she had walked through the streets of Jerusalem with a happy countenance, in the enjoyment of this

world's comforts, and the smiles of many friends. She now returns to it, poor and sorrowful; having lost her partner and her children, and all that seemed to make this life worth having. And yet, if Naomi is now in heaven, do you think she feels that she had one pang too many, or one sorrow too heavy? Does she feel that God dealt harshly with her? Oh, no; it was the discipline she needed, the kind chastisement of a loving Father, who, whilst he thus weaned her from earthly things, desired to see her heart fixed on better things above.

Naomi's change of condition must have been a great trial to her; to feel although once so well off, she how almost an object of charity;

see some, who used to be her

friends, now looking coldly upon her. It was hard to bear this; but grace supported her; aye, and taught her an important lesson too-that the smiles and friendships of men are but brittle reeds to lean upon, but that God is an unchanging, real Friend, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, a Friend born for adversity.

Reader, have you found this Friend, this tried Friend, this Friend in need? Christ is the penitent's Friend, the Comforter of the sorrowful, the Friend of the friendless. Learn to go to Him in every trial, and to shelter yourself in Him, when dangers threaten you. Then will your sorrow be turned into joy. In your darkest hours you will feel that there is light. And though you may see every earthly comfort, one

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after another, drying up before your very eyes, you will feel that there is a Fountain out of sight from which you may draw daily never-ceasing streams of comfort. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stall; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

We have seen that Naomi was heavily afflicted; but she was not stripped of all. She had her beloved Ruth still with her; and she had become more than a daughter to her.

And if God has afflicted you; if he has torn away some dear ones from

you; and yet has in mercy left you one friend, one kind companion, one Ruth to comfort you; then try to be thankful. When the sharp cutting winds of winter come, it is folly to be wishfully looking round upon the flowers that are swept off. We should rather let our eyes rest with thankfulness on the few sweet ones that remain. And so, too, we should dwell more upon the blessings which are still spared to us, than upon those which our heavenly Father has seen fit to take from us. Let us cherish them as His precious gifts, and use them to His glory.

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