October 29

1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges called, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathnes of Beth lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Oepah, and the name of the other Ruth; and they dwelt there about ten years.

5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

8 And Naomi said u. to her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house; the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept

10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my words, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye say for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth

me much for your sakes that the band of the LORD is gone out against me.

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16 And Ruth said, En-reat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried; the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

The little book of Ruth has been called "a garden of roses." It is neither strictly a history nor a biography. It is a beautiful story, fragrant with heart-life and home-life.

The spell of the Book of Ruth is Ruth herself, and the chief charm of Ruth is her unselfish and devoted love. "Life and love lead to God. For life is God's gift, and love is of God's nature. 'We love, because He first loved us.'" Thus the story of Ruth is a fragment in a missionary report. It tells of the conversion of a Gentile and illustrates the wisest way of winning souls. Naomi is a typical home missionary, and Ruth is the pattern and prophecy of the success that crowns wise and loving labor.

Ruth's choice finds a parallel in the sinner's choice of Christ, for this is certainly what the Spirit points to here. 1. It was the choice of Naomi's God. "Thy God shall be my God." Any discipleship that does not embrace God in all the completeness of His righteousness, holiness, and truth, does not meet the requirement of our Lord's call to salvation. 2. It was the choice of Naomi's people. "Thy people shall be my people." Whosoever takes Christ as his beloved master, must take His people. 3. It was the choice of Naomi's country. "Whither thou goest, I will go." The true Christian chooses the "new country" as his, and is content no longer to love the old world of sin, neither the things that are in it. 4. It was the choice of Naomi's condition. "Where thou lodgest I will lodge." The true Christian accepts "whatsoever state" his discipleship may bring him into. 5. It was the choice of Naomi's death. "Where thou diest, I will die; and there will I be buried." Thus, also, does the true believer choose Christ.

Closet Promise.—He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.—Psalm xxiii. 2, 3.

He leadeth me, Although I cannot see One step before my face, The way I cannot trace— My sight is dim, and so, He leadeth me

He holdeth me, Because I cannot be Left to my falling strength, For I should fail at length, I am so weak; and so, He holdeth me.

He teacheth me: He giveth liberally His wisdom for my aid;

Nor doth He me upbraid, Because I lack, but kindly teacheth me.

He comforts me: He speaks so tenderly To cheer me on my way; And always lads me lay My cares on Him, and thus He comforts me.

He loveth me: Ah! well I know that He, My best, most loving friend, Will lead me to the end; I love Him, too, because He loveth me. Mrs. T. E. Burrows.