JANUARY 15.

"God is a very present help in trouble."

Ps. xlvi. 1.

Prayer is an approach to the living God. It is access to the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity. It is detailing in the ear of Divine sympathy every sorrow; it is consulting with Divine wisdom on every difficulty; it is asking from Divine resources the supply of every want ;-and this, not once in a life-time, or for a few moments on a stated day of each year; but at any moment, at every time of need. Whatever be the day of your distress, it is a day when prayer is allowable. Whatever be the time of your calamity, it is a time when prayer is available. However early in the morning you seek the gate of access, you find it already open; and however deep the midnight moment when you find yourself in the sudden arms of death, the winged prayer can bring an instant Saviour near: and this wheresoever you are. Could a memento be reared on every spot from which an acceptable prayer has passed away, and on which a prompt answer has come down, we should find Jehovah-shammah-" the Lord hath been here"-inscribed on many a cottage hearth, and many a dungeon floor.

Mount of Olives.

JANUARY 13.

"All things, whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."-St. Matt. xxi. 22.

Man, I knew, would tell me I must not take these words so literally; but I determined to credit God. I see no limitation, and I will make none; and never since have I doubted that I shall be heard. I seldom

read this versee-thy own sweet words, O Saviour! without tears; and the chapter containing them is dear to me. From Life of Lady Colquhoun.

JANUARY 14.

"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord God of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels."

Mal. iii. 17.

When thou thy jewels up dost bind—that day
Remember us, we pray!

That where the beryl lies,

And the crystal 'bove the skies,
There thou may'st appoint us place,
Within the brightness of thy face;
And our soul,

In the scroll

Of life and blissfulness enrol,

That we may praise thee to eternity.

Hallelujah!

JEREMY TAYLOR.

JANUARY 15.

"God is a very present help in trouble."Ps. xlvi. 1.

Prayer is an approach to the living God. It is access to the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity. It is detailing in the ear of Divine sympathy every sorrow; it is consulting with Divine wisdom on every difficulty; it is asking from Divine resources the supply of every want;—and this, not once in a life-time, or for a few moments on a stated day of each year; but at any moment, at every time of need. Whatever be the day of your distress, it is a day when prayer is allowable. Whatever be the time of your calamity, it is a time when prayer is available. However early in the morning you seek the gate of access, you find it already open; and however deep the midnight moment when you find yourself in the sudden arms of death, the winged prayer can bring an instant Saviour near: and this wheresoever you are. Could a memento be reared on every spot from which an acceptable prayer has passed away, and on which a prompt answer has come down, we should find Jehovah-shammah—" the Lord hath been here"-inscribed on many a cottage hearth, and many a dungeon floor.

Mount of Olives.

66

JANUARY 16.

My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord."-Ps. civ. 34.

I journey through a desert drear and wild;
Yet is my heart by such sweet thoughts beguiled,
Of Him on whom I lean-my strength, my stay,—
I can forget the sorrows of the way.

Thoughts of His love!-the root of every grace,
Which finds in this poor heart a dwelling-place;
The sunshine of my soul, than day more bright,
And my calm pillow of repose by night.
Thoughts of His sojourn in this vale of tears!-
The tale of love unfolded in those years
Of sinless suffering, and patient grace,
I love again, and yet again, to trace.
Thoughts of His glory!-on the cross I gaze,
And there behold its sad, yet healing rays;
Beacon of hope, which, lifted up on high,
Illumes with heav'nly light the tear-dimm'd eye.
Thoughts of His coming!-for that joyful day
In patient hope I watch, and wait, and pray;
The dawn draws nigh, the midnight shadows flee,—
And what a sunrise will that advent be!

Thus while I journey on, my Lord to meet,
My thoughts and meditations are so sweet
Of Him on whom I lean-my strength, my stay,
I can forget the sorrows of the way.

M. J. D.

JANUARY 21.

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters."Ps. xxiii. 2.

Who would heed to green pastures, and still waters, if the light of the Lord's countenance were lifted away ?-Mrs. M. Maitland, of Sunnyside.

JANUARY 22.

"Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south: blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out."-Canticles, iv. 16.

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."-Heb. vi. 19.

Would that to me life's changes

Did so with blessings come,

That mercies might, like gales of spring,
Cause some new grace to bloom;
And that the storm which scattereth
Each earth-born hope abroad,
Might anchor those of holier birth,

More firmly on my God.