January 21

Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.—JER. X, 19.

Man may trouble and distress me, 'Twill but drive me to Thy breast, Life with trials hard may press me, Heaven will give me sweeter rest. Oh, 'tis not in grief to harm me, While Thy love is left to me, Oh, 'twere not in joy to charm me, Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

H. F. LYTE.

We cannot say this or that trouble shall not befall, yet we may, by help of the Spirit, say, nothing that doth befall shall make me do that which is unworthy of a Christian. R. SIBBES.

God pledges Himself that there will not be one redundant thorn in the believer's chaplet of suffering. No burden too heavy will be laid on him, and no sacrifice too great exacted from him. Whenever the "need be" has accomplished its end, then the rod is removed, the chastisement suspended, the furnace quenched. DR. MACDUFF.

The Lord can prevent trouble, or remove trouble; but what is best of all, He can sanctify troubles, mak- ing them real blessings, and that is what He out of infinite love generally chooses to do.

Christian's Pocket-book.