November 10

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.—Ps. xl, 1.

But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion, according to the multitude of His mercies.—LAM. iii, 32.

And yet these days of dreariness are sent us from above;

They do not come in anger, but in faithfulness and love;

They come to teach us lessons which bright ones could not yield,

And to leave us blest and thankful when their purpose is fulfilled.

ANON.

It is possible, when the future is dim, when our depressed faculties can form no bright ideas of the perfection and happiness of a better world—it is possible still to cling to the conviction of God's merciful purpose toward His creatures, of His parental goodness even in suffering; still to feel that the path of duty, though trodden with a heavy heart, leads to peace; still to be true to conscience; still to do our work, to resist temptation, to be useful, though with diminished energy, to give up our wills when we cannot rejoice under God's mysterious providence. In this patient, though uncheered obedience, we become prepared for light. The soul gathers force.

WILLIAM E. CHANNING.

Why should I start at the plow of my Lord, that maketh deep furrows on my soul? I know He is no idle husbandman, He purposeth a crop.

S. RUTHERFORD.