NOVEMBER 1.

"Thou comfortest me."-Isa. xii. 1.

But why do I thus detail our little losses ? I meant not to do it. Rather let me speak of the great gain, the ever-increasing comfort of the promises, and of our Lord's love, who in every trial condescends to speak such peace as raises the heart to Himself in continual thanksgiving. When I think of what I deserve, I can only wonder at His gentle dealings. He often says, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter;" and He graciously lets so much of His hand of love be seen in every trial, that it is easy work to trust Him with the remainder.-From Mrs. Scott's Letter in the "Life of Lady Colquhoun."

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NOVEMBER 2.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."-St. John, i. 14.

This world I deem

But a beautiful dream,

Of shadows that are not what they seem;
Where visions rise,

Giving dim surmise,

Of the things that shall meet our waking eyes.

Arm of the Lord!

Creating Word!

Whose glory the silent skies record,
Where stands Thy name

In scrolls of flame,

On the firmament's high o'er-shadowing frame.

I gaze o'erhead,

Where Thy hand hath spread

For the waters of heaven that crystal bed;
And stored the dew,

In its deeps of blue,

Which the fires of the sun come tempered through.

Soft they shine

Through that pure shrine,

As beneath the veil of Thy flesh divine,
Beams forth the light,

That were else too bright,

For the feebleness of a sinner's sight.

And such I deem

This world will seem,

When we waken from life's mysterious dream,

And burst the shell

Where our spirits dwell,

In their wondrous anti-natal cell.

T. WHYTEHEAD.

NOVEMBER 3.

"Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy; because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee."-Ps. v. 11.

Awake, sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns!
Take up thine eyes which feed on earth;
Unfold thy forehead, gathered into frowns;
Thy Saviour comes, and with him mirth.

Awake, awake!

And with a thankful heart His comfort take.

GEORGE HERBERT.

NOVEMBER 4.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."-Eph. vi. 10.

Be thankful, be cheerful, be strong-not in grace and power received-but in the inexhaustible grace and power of the Lord Jesus. Praise Him for what He has done, and wait on Him for more.

NEWTON.

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NOVEMBER 5.

He crowneth thee with loving-kindnesses and tender mercies."-Ps. ciii. 4.

So runneth o'er my cup,

That if I think thereon my heart will break;
My eyes are full of tears, I cannot speak,
But unto Thee look up.

My cup hath long run o'er

With blessings crown'd-many and multiplied; And daily from the fount of Love supplied, Upon my head they pour.

Parental hearings kind,

And tenderest leadings of Thy gentle care,
From wildering ways, to pastures calm and fair,
Serener thoughts of mind.

Evils which turned to good,

And wishings crossed, which I have seen full soon
Had led to the house of sorrow; and Thy boon
Of better things withstood.

Occasions lost, which seemed

To go in anger, but came back and smiled,
And seemed to me in pity reconciled,—
For better strength I deemed,

With solitude to cope,

And sweet disseverings from worldly wealth;
That I might go down to my grave in stealth,
Not without peaceful hope.

Spared kindred, friendship's best,

And such as e'en to think of, were alone
A hive for wintry hours, though they were gone—
And they too not unblest.

And these thus numberless!

Only that I might on Thy bosom rest,
And in Thee be resigned to be blest-
Sole fount of blessedness!

For these all nothing are

Without Thee;-—like the stars by night which shine,—— They only by reflexion are divine,

But in Thee doubly dear.

ISAAC WILLIAMS.