shall become strong; blessed in waiting, and still more blessed in the result: for I "know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord; thoughts of peace and not of evil; to give you an end, and the expectation of your hope." "They shall not be ashamed that wait for me." Jer. xxix. 11., and Isa. Ixix. 23.

On Him who hears and answers prayer,
Roll thou thy burden, cast thy care;
Unshaken on His truth depend;
His people's everlasting Friend!

This help is tried; this hope is sure;
This ground of confidence, secure ;
And they who know the Saviour's name,
Shall find Him evermore the same.

"BE SOBER AND HOPE TO THE END."-1 Pet. i. 13.

Amidst the fluctuations and uncertainties of this changing world, the human mind, which cannot but be more or less affected by them, is continually in danger of undue elation on the one hand, or of depression on the other and this precept is intended to form, as it were, a kind of balance-weight to keep the mind steady; to preserve it from those extremes to which it is at all times liable, and to be at the same time, and at all times, a word both of caution and of encouragement-" Be sober, and hope, to the end."

Art thou borne up, and carried along with the full tide of worldly prosperity? Take heed lest the things that are temporal gain the ascendancy over those which are spiritual and eternal. "Let them that rejoice, rejoice as though they rejoiced not." "Here we have no abiding city;" "for the fashion of this world passeth away." "Let thy moderation be

known unto all men." "Be sober, and watch

unto prayer."

But it may be, thy sky is darkened over the clouds are resting on thy horizon; thy way is perplexed and intricate; thy heart is ready to faint, and thy faith seems ready to fail. O Christian! where is thy hope? Is it not laid up for thee in heaven? Is it not cast within the veil? Does it not extend to the final issue and consummation of all things? Is not JESUS CHRIST Himself formed in thy heart the hope of glory? O! then, gird up the loins of thy mind; look upward; press forward; hope perfectly; hope to the end. Hope is made up of desire and expectation; look into thine own heart, and examine what is thy hope, and what is thine expectation? Did thy hope terminate here on earth, thou wouldst indeed have great, and just, and frequent cause for lamentation; but the grace to which thou art looking forward, is to be brought unto thee at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Let thy

desires be holy and heavenly, and thy expéctations be wrapped up in Him, and thou art assured, on the promise and oath of Him who cannot lie, thy hope shall never make thee ashamed.

Father! I commend my spirit,
To Thy love in Jesu's name;
Love that His atoning merit,
Gives me confidence to claim :

O! how sweet, how pure the pleasure!
Flowing from that love to me;

O! how great, how rich the treasure!
Saviour! I possess in Thee.

From this world and its confusions,
Here I turn and find my rest;

From its strife and its delusions,

Turn to Thee, and I am blest.
Though this scene be ever changing,
Since Thy mercy changes not,
O'er its depth my spirit ranging,
Glories in her happy lot.

SEVENTH DAY.

"ACQUAINT NOW THYSELF WITH HIM AND BE AT PEACE."-Job xxii. 21.

How many are there among those whom the world deem great; distinguished, it may be, among their fellows by their rank, their power, their acquirements, or by natural talents; whose acquaintance might nevertheless be productive of little comfort, little profit, and in whose society might be found any thing rather than peace! Yet, among the majority of mankind, how imposing, how influential, are these adventitious distinctions!—with what eagerness are they sought! -and how great an honour is it considered to be on familiar terms with the wealthy, the noble, or the learned! Reader! has the exhortation of the eastern sage ever arrested thine attention? It relates to One more wise than the wisest of men; more excellent, more noble than the noblest, more high than the highest. It has respect to no earthly