January 1

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.—Is. xli, 10.

Is the work difficult?

Jesus directs thee.

Is the path dangerous?

Jesus protects thee.

Fear not, and falter not,

Let the word cheer thee!

All through the coming year

He will be with thee.

FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.

That is the way to be immovable in the midst of trouble, as a rock amidst the waves. When God is in the midst of a kingdom or city, He makes it firm as Mount Sion, that it cannot be removed. When He is in the midst of a soul, though calamities throng about it on all hands, and roar like the billows of the sea, yet there is a constant calm within, such a peace as the world can neither give nor take away. What is it but want of lodging God in the soul, and that in His stead the world is in men's hearts, that makes them shake like leaves at every blast of danger?

R. LEIGHTON.

It is distrust of God to be troubled about what is to come, impatience against God to be troubled with what is present, and anger at God to be troubled for what is past.

BISHOP PATRICK.