peh." This refers probably to the special transaction in which he was then engaged. It suggests,

however, a truth for us.

truly "uttered before the

and good words.

Whatever words are

Lord" will be right

Suppose there stands by some one whose good opinion you value, and whom you desire to please. Would not this make you careful as to what you say? Ofttimes a man has checked himself, he has left unsaid the profane jest, or the passionate exclamation, because he saw close at hand his master or his friend.

Transfer this to God. There stands nigh to us, -nearer than we can conceive,—the Almighty Father. His eye rests upon us; His ear is open to all we speak; "He is not far from every one of us." When we arise, He is there; when we hold converse with our friends, He is there; when we go forth into the world's highway, He is there. He is ever about our path; marking all that is amiss, registering in His awful book, the word that ought never to have gone forth.

He is near also, most ready to accept, for Christ's sake, the words spoken before Him. He hearkens to the word of prayer:-"Father, bless me." "Father! glorify thy Name." He regards

A young person, once a professor, was passing out of church after service. "One thing is needful," said the minister to her as he passed, and he added no more. It was the right word. By it the Spirit recalled her to the fold.

A woman had brought shame upon herself and those belonging to her. Friends and relations would no longer speak, and she was left to the wretchedness and despair that now brooded over her soul. She meditated self-destruction, and for this very purpose left her home to cast herself into a canal. As she walked along she heard a kindly greeting. "Good morning, Mary," were the words addressed to her by a clergyman, who once had known her. "Some one, then, will speak to me," she said to herself; "I will not despair." Three words saved her life, and were a first step on the road that lead to her repentance and salvation.

In Burmah, that devoted missionary, Dr. Judson, was passing up a river. The boat rested for a few minutes at a station on the river, where several natives were standing. Dr. Judson gave his hand to a noble looking woman that attracted his attention, and asked her if she were well. "Well, my lord," she replied. "Peace be unto

you," he added. That short interview was a turning point in her history. That night she

was asked to join in a heathen ceremony,-the dead bone burial. She said, "No: these many years have I served Gandama, and he has never kept my husband from beating me. I have seen one of the sons of God. The white man spake kindly to me, and gave me his hand. Henceforth his God shall be my God." For five years she prayed for light. "Great Angel, mighty Judge, Father God, in the heaven, in the earth, in the mountains, in the seas, in the North, in the South, whosoever Thou art, pity me, I pray Thee. Show me Thyself, that I may know Thee." Such was the substance of her petition, nor was it disregarded. He who never leaves in darkness those who desire the light, sent to her village the light of His Gospel. She became a mother in Israel, and many through her were taught in the way of life. Rich indeed was the blessing that might be traced back to a stranger, in a strange place, seizing the opportunity of speaking a few words of kindly sympathy.

Words spoken through life, will form AN IMPORTANT ITEM OF THE STRICT AC

with approval fellow Christians strengthening each other's hands by mutual exhortation.

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him, for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His Name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” (Mal. iii. 16, 17.)

O help me, Lord! each hour of need,
Thy heavenly succour give;

Help me in thought, and word, and deed,
Each hour on earth I live.

O help me, Jesus, from on high !

I know no help but Thee;
O help me so to live and die,
As Thine in heaven to be.

XI.

Daily Warfare.

An old picture represents the Christian in three attitudes. He is represented as a little child, and upon his lips are the words "I learn." He is represented as a labourer, with spade in hand, and upon his lips are the words "I work." He is represented as a soldier, clad in armour, and his motto is, "I fight."

Such a life is to be that of each follower of Christ. Sitting at the feet of Jesus, he must seek Divine instruction in Holy Scripture. With all diligence he must work the works of Him that sent him. In His Church none may be idlers :-"Son, go work to-day in my vineyard," is the call addressed to each.

He must likewise be a soldier, and war a good warfare. It is written,-" Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life." "Thou there