and thy victories, and I know also, oh! so far more than thou dost, of the might and power of thy foes, for I have fought them all before thee; I know thy little strength and that thou hast used it well, and thy distrust of self, and the tremblings of thy heart are more acceptable to me than the pride of the self-righteous, or the assurance of the self-deceived; only go on unto the end, for the gates of Heaven stand open and I am waiting for thee in my Everlasting Home.'

But this is not all. Christ promises to His lowly follower not safety alone, but triumph. They who have harassed and hindered him in his course shall be brought to worship at his feet,' and to know-what?how faithful he has been to his Lord? how much he has done for Christ? Nay, nothing of all this, but—'to know that I have loved thee;'-this is the Christian's crowning triumph,-the love of Christ,-and oh, when the follower of the Lord is cast down with many sorrows, or laid, it may be, on the couch of weakness or the bed of pain, what sweeter music can echo in his heart than these accents from the heavenly shore, 'to know that I have loved thee'! and the soul makes humble answer, with the Apostle of old, 'Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love Thee.'

But even this is not enough for Him 'who keeps His best till last.' 'He that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God.' As we read these words, what an image of stability and of rest rises before us; a pillar, firm and immoveable, in the everlasting

Temple. Oh! what a contrast to the earthly state of these trembling children of God! Here the tossings to and fro, the yearnings and unrest, the shadows in the sunshine, and the bitterness of joy: there, the rest and the security; the unutterable peace of God; the heavenly seal which marks them for His own; the name of the Blessed written upon them; a new name, the beginning and earnest of a new life. And they shall go no more out,' they shall dwell for ever in His Temple, in the Home of His Love; and their joy shall be full, for they shall be with Him.

COMFORT, we beseech Thee, most gracious God,

all that are cast down and faint of heart amidst the sorrows and difficulties of the world, and grant that by the energy of Thy Holy Spirit, they may be enabled to go on their way rejoicing, and may at length appear before Thee in the city where the vision of Thy peace is manifested; through the same, Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

E. BICKERSTETH.

GOD, the Father of our spirits, who never chas

tenest us but for our profit, help me to believe that whom Thou lovest Thou chastenest, and scourgest every son whom Thou receivest. Enable me to lift up

the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and in full confidence in Thy wisdom and goodness may I return unto the Lord, for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.

May the gracious promises of Thy word be written in my heart, and do Thou make me so strong in faith, that they may have a sustaining, abiding, and comforting power in the midst of every trial and affliction here below. Hear me for my Redeemer's sake. Amen.

From 'THE INNER LIFE.'

HEART that, sad and weary,

Dost count thy load too great,
Thy night too dark and dreary,

Thy way too desolate ;
Take comfort in Thy sorrow,
God sets an end to woe;
'There comes a happy morrow,
A day thy Lord doth know.

Not clear nor dark that morning,
That time not day nor night;
Peace broods upon its dawning,
Secure and infinite.

It sees no cloud o'ercasting

Its sunshine evermore;

No tears, no pain, no fasting,

The vigil eve is o'er.

For shame thou shalt have double,

For one deep sob of woe,
One moment sore of trouble,
Eternal bliss shall know.
There endless is thy pleasure,
There countless is thy gain,
Past all degree and measure,
Reward shall comfort pain.

No more with grief and sighing
Thou drawest painful breath;
There shall be no more crying,
There shall be no more death.
Such festival is holden

Where all God's saints shall be,
Where seers and prophets olden,

Shall keep the feast with thee.

WATCH with me, Jesus, in my loneliness,

WA

Though others say me nay, yet say Thou yes;

Though others pass me by, stop Thou to bless.

TAKE my heart, for I cannot give it Thee:
Keep it, for I cannot keep it for Thee.

FOURTH DAY.

The Hour of Temptation.

AND immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

St. Mark i. 12-13.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Heb. ii. 17-18.

Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Cor. x. 12-13.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith