March 10

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day, untruth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and the words to the end of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun. 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing

ing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret feuds. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins: let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

God has two sorts of books, as David intimates in this Psalm: Nature and Scripture. "He is wisest who reads both the World-book and the Word-book as two volumes of the same work, and feels concerning them, 'My Father wrote them both.'"

The last verse of this Psalm is a sweet prayer, and so spiritual that it is almost as commonly used in Christian worship as the apostolic benediction.

"David could not bear it that a word or a thought of his should miss acceptance with God. It did not satisfy him that his actions were well witnessed unto men on earth, unless his very thoughts were witnessed to by the Lord in heaven."—Joseph Caryl.

"The best of men have their failing, and an honest Christian may be a weak one; but weak as he may be, the goodness and the sincerity of his heart will entitle him to put the petition of this verse, which no hypocrite or cunning deceiver can ever make use of."—Thomas Sherlock.

Closet Promise.—Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart.—Psalm xxxvii. 4.

We often hear this promise quoted without its conditional precept. But we have no right thus to quote it. On our knees before God let us examine ourselves as to every part of this condition. Perhaps here has been our trouble.

Oh, blessed life!—the heart at rest When all without tumultuous seems— That trusts a higher will, and deems That higher will, not mine, the best

Oh, blessed life!—heart, mind, and soul, From self-born aims and wishes free, In all, at one with Unity, And loyal to the Lord's control. —W. T. Matson.

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER.

Breakfast Motto.—To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life.—Rev. ii. 7.

Weekly Proverb.—Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.—Poor Richard.

DAILY BIBLE READING.—SCENES IN THE LIFE OF ELIJAH.

Sunday.—Elijah Fed by the Ravens.—1 Kings xvii. 1-16.

Monday.—Elijah Works a Miracle.—1 Kings xvii. 17-24.

Tuesday.—Elijah before Ahab.—1 Kings xviii. 1-16.

Wednesday.—Halting between Two Opinions.—1 Kings xviii. 17-40.

Thursday.—The Sound of Rain.—1 Kings xviii. 41-46.

Friday.—The Still Small Voice.—1 Kings xix. 1-18.

Saturday.—Elijah's Ascent to Heaven.—2 Kings ii. 1-11.

TRUANTS.

When the sun was tired and slipped behind a cloud, At the little rain-drops gathered in a crowd, Whistling together, "He will never know. Let us take a holiday. Let us fall below."

When the sun was rested and wandered out he found All the little rain-drops fallen to the ground. "Well," he thought, "I'm sorry, but I'll try to smile. That will bring them back again in a little while." —Selected.

Be courteous.—1 Pet. iii. 8.

I want to talk once more on this same text. I think it very important! One of the best ways to be courteous is to be polite. Did you ever see a well-dressed boy or girl compel a woman carrying a big basket or bundle to step off the sidewalk? I have; and I have said to myself at such a sight, "You haven't a particle of politeness in you. If you had, you would pity that burdened woman and get out of her way." If I have such an impolite boy or girl among my readers, I wish they would learn a lesson from the following incident: Two boys, the one a gentleman's son and the other the son of a poor widow, applied to a merchant for a situation, but the latter was chosen. Why? I will tell you. Just as the two boys came in, a poor ragged girl fell on the icy sidewalk, and lost her pennies, and cried bitterly. The first boy laughed rudely; but the other helped her up, and, fishing in the gutter for the pennies, found one, and replaced the other from his own purse. The merchant observed all; and, although the first had strong letters of recommendation, and the other none, the poor boy's politeness secured him the place. It always pays to be polite. A little girl said she had found a new key to unlock people's hearts. It was the little word "Please." It is a key that fits the lock of everybody's heart.

THE NEGLIGENT BOY.

The Bible teaches us to obey our parents. That means, we are to mind what they tell us, and do it. The "Negligent Boy" has not done that. When his mother, who told him to take care of the baby, was out of sight, he laid the baby down on the ground and went to playing marbles. Now, when his mother comes with whip in hand to punish him, how frightened he is!

I once read of a mother who was going on the train from New York to Ohio. She had with her two children, a boy and a girl. The children didn't seem to mind much what their mother said. After a while she opened a basket, and drew out a rope, about a yard long, and as thick as one's little finger. It had a knot on each end of it; and she doubled it up, and held it in her hand, and shook it at the children whenever she told them to do anything. She would say: "John, sit down there," and shake the rope at him. Down John would sit. "Mary, move over into that other seat." Mary obeyed instantly. She knew what would come if she didn't. Now, these children obeyed their mother, but did they honor her? No. They didn't honor their mother; they honored the rope. That kind of obedience might be called rope's-end obedience. It isn't good for much. The motive that leads to it is the fear of punishment. This is a wrong motive. We ought to obey our parents, because it is the will of God that we do so; and because we love them. These are proper motives.

ELEVENTH WEEK.

PEARL TEXT.—Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.—Matt. xxv. 21

Far better in its place the lowliest bird Should sing aright to Him its lowliest song. | Than that a seraph strayed should take the word And sing his praises wrong.—Jean Ingelow.

Christ seeketh your help in your place; give Him your hand.—Rutherford.

True devotion consists in doing all God's will precisely at the time, in the situation, and under the circumstances He has placed us.—Fenelon.

He is a good wagoner that can turn in a little room. To live well in abundance, is the praise of the estate, not of the person. I will study how to give a good account of my little, rather than how to make it more.—Bishop Hall.

HELPS FOR THE DEVOTIONAL HOUR.