December 28

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.—II COR. vii, 10.

In such a world, so thorny, and where none

Finds happiness unblighted, or, if found,

Without some thistly sorrow at his side,

It seems the part of wisdom, and no sin

Against the law of love, to measure lots

With less distinguished than ourselves, that thus

We may with patience bear our moderate ills,

And sympathize with others suffering more.

WILLIAM COWPER.

Be not impatient of God. Your sorrow is a seed sown. Shall a seed come up in a day, or come up all in blossom when it does spring? Let God plant your sorrows, and water and till them according to His own husbandry. By and by, when you gather their fruits, it will be time to judge His mercy. "Now no affliction for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Trouble is like any other crop: it needs time for growing, for blossoming, and for fruiting.

HENRY WARD BEECHER.

Consider that sad accidents and a state of affliction is a school of virtue; it reduces our spirits to sober- ness and our counsels to moderation: it corrects levity and interrupts the confidence of sinning.

JEREMY TAYLOR.

Sorrow is God's cure for selfishness.

HORATIUS BONAR.