October 29

For I am the Lord, I change not.—MAL. iii, 6.

"He changeth not," although life's clouds may gather And hide awhile the brightness of His face, God's smile of love is e'er behind the shadows, And a silver rift will show it, if we wait a little space.

Do not trouble yourselves unduly, for if you do so you cannot remove trouble thereby, but you may even increase it. If I could do any good by worrying I would worry away to my heart's content; but as it is useless, I find it best to let it alone. They tell me that if a man were to fall into the sea he would float if he would remain quiet, but because he struggles he sinks. I am sure it is so when we are in affliction. Fretfulness results in weakening us, in hiding from us wise methods of relief, and in general in doubling our pains. It is folly to kick against the pricks; it is wis- dom to kiss the rod. Trust more and fear less. If you have trusted your soul with Christ, can you not trust Him with everything else? . . . "Oh!" says one, "I hardly like to do that. It is almost presumption to take minor care to the great Lord." But in doing so you will prove the truthfulness of your faith.

There is nothing so small but that we may honor God by asking His guidance of it, or insult Him by taking it into our own hands.

JOHN RUSKIN.