December 12

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For, as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.—ISA. lv, 8, 9.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.

WILLIAM COWPER.

The decrees of Providence are inscrutable. In spite of man's short-sighted endeavors to dispose of events according to his own wishes and his own purposes, there is an Intelligence beyond his reason which holds the scales of justice and promotes his well-being, in spite of his puny efforts.

JAMES MORIER.

Oh! what a history might we compile of our own experiences, whilst, with a melting heart, we trace the footsteps of Providence all along the way it has led us to this day, and set our remarks upon its more eminent performances for us in the several stages of our lives! Here it prevented, and there it delivered—here it directed, and there it corrected. In this it grieved, and in that relieved. . . . This Providence raised a dismal cloud, and that dispelled it again. This straightened, and that enlarged. Here a want, and there a supply. This relation withered, and that springing up in its place. Words cannot express the high delight and gratification a gracious heart may find in such employment as this.

JOHN FLAVEL.