Pleading.

Он, Lord my God, do, then, I beseech Thee, possess me with this spirit of recognizing trial, affliction, sorrow, perplexity-whatever it may be, or through whatever channel it may

come as

precious indications that Thou, the Lord my God, art again about to appear on my behalf. Oh, give me, I pray Thee, to feel and to rejoice in the fact, that Thou "makest the clouds Thy chariots," and that Thou "ridest upon the wings of the wind." Instead of " fearing as I enter the cloud," as Thy disciples, dearest Immanuel, did, oh, enable me, divine and ever-blessed Spirit, to look np, and, as I see the cloud approaching, to exclaim: "My Lord and Master is on His way. He is coming to visit me with fresh blessing. He is bringing a love-token in His hand."

Remembrance.

TIME was, blessed Lord, when first Thou didst bring me to know Thee and

to love Thee and to adore Thee, as my Saviour, my Friend, my Brother, my All and in all, that I literally looked up to the clouds of heaven, in sweet and blessed expectancy of Thy appearing. Such was my delightsuch my holy rapture such my utter disregard of earth and of all and everything appertaining to this poor, paltry world, that my very soul was on the wing; I caught the spirit of Thy wonder-stricken disciples, as they stood gazing up into heaven. Only, blessed Lord, there was this difference between them and me. They were contemplating Thy departure, I was anticipating Thy re-appearing.

"Of the Earth earthy."

BUT how is it, Lord, that, although fifty years and more have passed away, since that glad time of which I have spoken, I retain not a tithe of its joy, its love, its bright and blessed expectation; and yet, Lord, the apostle Paul admonishes, "It is high time to

awake out of sleep, for now is your salvation nearer than when ye believed." Whence, then, the languor, the coldness, the apathy? Ah, whence indeed? Is it not because I am of the earth earthy? Is it not because of this corrupt flesh? Doth it not ratify and confirm the testimony of Him who spake as never man spake, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit?"

My little Summer-house.

I HAVE just been reading what I wrote eight-and-thirty years ago. There I briefly describe a scene which quite enraptured me, as I walked and gazed upon it. Strange to say, my little

summer-house embraces that identical prospect from another point of view. But oh, how changed the circumstances! Then the long-gone-by period of which I speak-I was located far, far away and immersed in business-life. How little did I then imagine what my gracious Lord and Master had in reserve.

Moreover, in the article to which I have alluded, I speak of a visit to a sick and dying woman. Who would then have thought that within a few hundred yards of her habitation, a beauteous sanctuary would be erected wherein I should be the first-and that for many after-years-to "proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ?"

Oh, how well may I gaze around upon the prospect stretching far and wide as it does, or down upon the lastnamed locality, and exclaim, "What hath God wrought? This is the Lord's doings, and it is marvellous in mine eyes.

Dependence

BUT it is lessons of dependence and simple child-like trust which I wish to learn. If the Lord has been pleased, in the past, to do such great and marvellous things, oh, why should I even for a moment, call in question the fact, that He will continue to do that which is worthy of Himself? Will He forsake His work? Will He mar it? Nay.

Then why may I not rest assured that He will finish His work in righteousness; yea, that He will bring forth the topstone with shoutings of grace, grace

unto it?

Parting Friends.

FOR Some days past I have been enjoying the society of my much-loved son, the last relic of my first family. On the Sabbath he was with us he ministered twice in our great and gracious Master's name. The testimony was most refreshing to my spirit, and I believe to many more. I could but magnify and adore the name and the grace of my most indulgent Lord.

But now, my dear one has left us. Again is he gone to his far-distant sphere of labour. The Lord go with and continue to bless him there.

How these severances by the way cause me to look and long for the happy time when we shall meet to part no more; when, by grace and love divine, we hope to meet, as one happy and un