yourself with the deceptive promise that at some time this year you will attend to this all-important matter. You have the New Year, but you may not live to see it grow old. While you have this

ance.

should follow him, as the waters from the smitten rock followed the Israelites in the wilderness. They should flow after him in a constant, uninterrupted stream. Each and every day he would have his peculiar necessities, but each and every day those peculiar necessities should be provided for. Not only should goodness in a general way follow him, but goodness and mercy; goodness in specific forms, as his ever-varying circumstances should require. There should be supplying, strengthening, comforting, guiding, and pardoning mercy. And it should be as constant as the manna that fell nightly about the camp of the Israelites. There would would be no day of his life that should be an exception. However long he might live, all his life he should be cared for all the days of it goodness and mercy should attend him. So should it be to the

Of all this the Psalmist was confident. He was troubled with no doubts concerning it. 'Surely,' he says, 'surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.' I have no solicitude about the future. I take no anxious thought for the morrow. I have a kind, faithful, Almighty Shepherd to care for me, and I shall not want. All along my pilgrimage, step by step, and day by day, to the end, He will watch over me and provide for me.

And, not only so; not only shall I be cared for so long as I am here in this world; not only shall goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my mortal life; but the road that I am travelling is leading me on to my Father's house in the skies, and there I shall dwell forever. How happy, then, should I go on my way, rejoicing, singing:

'Then let my songs abound,
And every tear be dry.'

It was pretty hard to remember this sometimes during that morning. It was not very easy for Susie, who felt hungry all the time, now that she was in the country, to insist upon Frances and Bessie being helped first by the slow servant, even though she came to the breakfast-table before they did. It was very tiresome to read to and amuse fretful little Allie, whose mother was not well enough to come down stairs that day, when she would much rather have been reading the story about little Bruey and her work for Christ, which Cassie Reed had just lent her. But Susie was able to do it quite cheerfully; and when they all gathered together in the grove, a couple of hours before dinner, she allowed Annie Smith to rush ahead of her and take the particularly pleasant seat by the side of her father, which had already been called her

own.

""Even Christ pleased not Himself,"' Susie thought again, as she sat down on an uncomfortable rough board quite far off from the table.

Before beginning the talk about the next Sabbath-day's lesson (for Mr Howard thought it best to keep up the plan of explaining one week ahead, even though the children had no Sabbath-school to prepare for), he questioned them about what they had learned the week before. He found that even little Willie remembered some few things he had heard. Then came the talk about Abram and Lot.

'How many of those who loved God in the Bible were very rich!' said Charlie; and yet Christ says, "how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of heaven."

'Yes,' replied his father, 'but these people did not let their riches stand in the way of doing right. Abram was willing to let Lot choose the best part of the land to live in, rather than have any trouble or hard feelings between the two or their families. We can certainly say of him at this time, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."

'But it must have been so hard for him to give up when Lot was so selfish, even if he did not really care so much himself for the richest land,' said Frances.

'Yes, hard,' her uncle answered; 'but we must remember that "charity seeketh not her own," and "even Christ pleased not Himself," as our little text-book says this morning.'

Here Susie looked up and saw her father's

'I can say I am sure that Abram was happier than Lot when they parted. "It is more blessed to give than to receive," you know. And then think what a joyful surprise it must have been when God spoke to him after Lot left him, and showed him all the great country which He was going to give him and his children forever. He found, and we shall always find too, that it is better to have the Lord choose for us than to do so ourselves. He wants us to have the best of everything always, unless it will do us harm.'

'I don't see why Lot wanted to go among such wicked people, as the Bible says the Sodomites were,' said Edward Hill, one of Charlie's new friends. If he had gone among them as a missionary, of course that would have been a different thing.'

'I am afraid he did not pray, "lead us not into temptation," when he made his choice,' said Mr Howard. 'I want you to notice one thing. Lot did not go to live in Sodom all at once. He first "pitched his tent toward” the city-that is, I suppose he settled down at some little distance from it, but in sight of it. The wickedness there shocked him probably very much in the beginning, but afterwards he must have got somewhat used to it, though we are told in another place that it vexed him every day. I suspect, however, he wanted to enjoy all its pleasures, and he got tired of his tent life. I suppose he thought he could mix with those wicked people and not do as they did. I think though, from what we learn of him afterwards, that he did not become a better man by living in the midst of this wickedness. It was just as dangerous for him to do so, as it would be for little Willie to amuse himself with a loaded gun.'

'Mamma said I mustn't touch Uncle John's gun ever,' said the little boy quickly, showing that he had understood this part, at all events, of the conversation.

'Before we go, can't we sing, "Yield not to temptation," papa?' said Susie, after half-anhour more of talk.

'Yes,' replied her father, 'it will be a very good hymn for this lesson, only remember as you sing the chorus, "Ask the Saviour to help you" and "He will carry you through," that we must not expect to be unhurt by the evil around us, if we rush into the midst of it for no good reason. The Bible says of the way of evil men, "Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."

GOD sometimes brings His true children into positions of great difficulty and peril, and yet no difficulty or peril can be so great that He cannot make for us a way of escape.

M

RS EDWARDS spent three summers in a very pleasant village, and was treated with much courtesy by the residents. One day she called upon a lady, whose home was new, and who had just returned from Paris. The room into which she was shown breathed of elegance and refinement in all its appointments. The soft Turkish mats toned the inlaid floor; the rich and costly draperies were from Oriental lands, and the upholstery was in harmony with them. The walls were hung with gems of art from the Continent, some of which were fine copies of earth's masterpieces, and on the etagere lay trifles that were no trifles, but spoke of Pompeii, Cyprus, Egypt, Babylon, and the Holy Land. The opening gave a bird's-eye view of a richly stored library whose home and used look told of the culture of the home circle. And beyond this was a conservatory that perfumed all the air.

'Your home is quite perfect,' said Mrs Edwards.

"Thanks. To me it is, and Mr Adams told me yesterday that I have the finest parlour in the county. I like the praise of a man of his taste and culture.'

'You may, indeed.'

'Would you like to go over the house?'

Mrs Edwards knew Mrs Wirt liked to show her house, and she herself, too, liked to see elegance, and new things, and old-so old they are new again, and said truly: 'I would be very happy to.'

From room to room they went, each fitted for its intended use, each well-nigh perfect even to the critic eye. On one bed were finely embroidered pillowshams and sheet-top. 'Parisian work?" said Mrs Edwards. 'Will you believe they were done here, and by a playmate of my childhood?'

'Indeed! by whom?'

'Mrs Johnson. You've never heard of her?' 'No, I never have.'

'She has quite a history. Let us rest a little, and I will tell you of it.'

Sinking into a stuffed easy-chair, Mrs Edwards listened to the story, of which this is the substance :

Mrs Johnson was a pretty, sweet-tempered child, and grew up the belle of the town, and she used to wear the nicest embroideries of any of the girls-the work of her own hands. She married a merchant of the town, and all thought she had done well. But it was in the days when every storekeeper kept liquor, and he not only kept it but drank it, and led her a sorry life; but she never told any one, until it became too apparent to be concealed. He died miserably poor. Her early friends bought a little home for her, and she had supported herself by nice sewing.

Mrs Edwards wished some embroidery, and told Mrs Wirt, if Mrs Johnson were not sewing for her, she would like to secure her for a time.

'I always keep her in work, so that she never can need it. But it is only plain sewing now, and that can be laid aside any time, when she can have other work. I will be happy to have her embroider for you, for it is work she likes best, and it pays her best.' 'I wish there were more ladies like you, Mrs Wirt.'

'Thanks. I often wish I were better.'

Mrs Johnson's was a little band-box of a house, but in refinement a rival of Mrs Wirt's semi-palace. The hard walls were white, and they were white, and spotless too, but the glare was deadened by a long ivy festooned and twined with irregular grace, and many a nice engraving or friendly photograph peeped out amid the green leaves.

Mrs Johnson, though forty-seven, was extremely pretty. Her slightly grey hair curled and waved naturally about a pure white forehead, and her clear eye was almost childlike in its tint of deep, dark blue. As one looked into their serene depth, one could not realise they had been the home of tears. But the placid smile was not that of one whose life had been a sunny day, but of one whose life was hid with Christ in God, one whose walk is so above earth that its trials are felt only as heaven-sent for needed preparation before the mortal can put on immortality.

Her simple cambric dress fitted neatly, and her collar, cuffs, and apron were of polished whiteness. Her voice was smooth and sweet, but clear and pleasant, and her manner and conversation were lady-like and simple.

Mrs Edwards spoke of her beautiful ivy. 'It is fifteen years old, and a great pleasure to me. I love to wash its polished leaves, as

the mother washes the face of her child.' 'It gives a charm to your room.'

'It does, indeed, to me. I have many

flowers in winter.'

'I believe there will be flowers and birds in heaven,' said Mrs Edwards, for the very air seemed full of heaven, and she alluded to it easily, naturally, indeed, and the cleanness of the room led to another thought, but I don't fancy there'll be any flies there.'

'I like the little fly very much. He makes me work, it is true, but he keeps my air pure for me, and I am sure he is my true friend.'

Then came talk of work, and most delicately Mrs Edwards asked prices; but Mrs Johnson had risen above sensitiveness, and talked, in the most matter-of-fact, quiet way of work. Mrs Edwards left in love with her, and with the beautiful Christian faith, and love, and hope that could fill a life, else so lone and hard, so full of sweetness, and beauty, and

ALL IN EVERY SERMON.

To me writes a clergyman far away, but quite of my way of thinking. In reference to the criticism I had made on my first sermon, that I had tried to put all the gospel into the one discourse, my correspondent says:

'I thank you very much for the encouragement that has come to me in your mention and defence of sermons that attempt to contain and convey the whole gospel. The same criticism was made upon my first sermon; and I then thought that perhaps it was less blameworthy than to have "shunned to declare the whole counsel of God." Later, I came to the conclusion that a sermon that did not contain direct mention of the gospel offers and requirements, was just so much short of what it ought to be.... I may never see you in the flesh, but I do hope to enjoy the company of yourself and others, who labour as best they may for the good of mankind, in heaven. If heaven is anything at all, it is actual, real, personal.'

There can be no question as to the exceeding desirableness of setting before the mind of every congregation the way of life whenever a minister tries to preach the gospel. That is not the gospel which fails of this.

I preached one Sabbath evening to a congregation where I had never preached before. The next morning I was called to see a man who had been thrown from his waggon, and immediately paralysed from his neck downward. He was to all intents dead, except his head. He could speak perfectly well, and had his senses. He knew that in a few hours only he would necessarily die. Looking at me he said, When I heard you preach last evening, how little did I think of lying here in this condition this morning.'

He was a Christian, and was prepared to die. But I felt then that my duty would not have been done had I failed to set before all who heard the way of salvation.

The hopes of my correspondent of communion on high are precious to me as to him, and the expression of them is exceedingly grateful in the midst of a work that experiences more expressions of quite another kind. -Rev. Irenaeus Prime, D.D.

The Old Dear and the New.

'The night is far spent, the day is at hand.'— ROM. xiii. 12.

Another year has passed away,

With all its griefs and cares;
With all its sufferings and fears,
Its toils and turmoils, and its tears,
Its agonies and prayers.

Another space of time has fled
Into eternity,

And carried all its record there,
Where every deed and thought must bear
The strictest scrutiny.

Full many a bright and happy home

Thy course hath made most sad; Thine arrows sharp have shot their pang Where erstwhile all with pleasure rang, Where all with mirth were glad.

But not all sorrow marks thy days-

While joy thou'st turned to pain, Thou hast to many sent the light Which chased away the gloom of nightMade hope revive again.

Another year has passed away,

But one is sent instead;

Its primal days are with us yet,
We must not sigh in vain regret
Over the year that's fled.

But let us with a cheerful heart
Take up our work anew-
Improve each passing moment's time,
And strive to ring a merrier chime;
Our days may be but few.

Heal sorrow's smart, shed the bright light
Of heaven on all around-
Point men so sad and sick with sin
To Him who bids them 'enter in '-
And make earth holy ground.
Another year has passed away—
We dare not idly stand;
The present year may be our last,
The night is flying swiftly past,
The day is nigh at hand.

JANUARY 1. 'LAYING UP IN STORE FOR THEMSELVES A GOOD FOUNDATION AGAINST THE TIME TO COME, THAT THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE.'-1 Tim. vi. 19.

It is certain that the foundation of eternity is to be laid in this life. The state future follows the former; as the upper building follows the foundation. If we live ill, that is a bad foundation; if we live well, that is a good foundation. This day is salvation come

R. Lindsay, Belfast.

to this house.' This day, for it must come in the day of grace, or it will not come in the day of glory; now, or never. The penitent malefactor might say to Christ, To-day Thou art with me on the cross; and Christ says to him, To-day thou shalt be with Me in paradise. If Christ first be with us below, then shall we also be with Christ above. The kingdom of God must first come into thy heart, before thy heart can come into the kingdom of God. A wicked life doth (even on earth) make an entrance into that lower