March 9

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.—MARK viii, 34.

'Tis my happiness below Not to live without the cross, But the Saviour's power to know, Sanctifying every loss: Trials must and will befall: But with humble faith to see Love inscribed upon them all, This is happiness to me.

WILLIAM COWPER.

Christ comes to us morning by morning to present to us for the day then opening divers little crosses, thwartings of our own will, interferences with our plans, disappointments of our little pleasures. Do we take them up and follow in His rear, like Simon the Cyrenean, or do we toss them from us scornfully because they are so little, and wait for some great affliction to approve our patience and resignation to His will? Despise not little crosses; for when taken up and lovingly accepted at the Lord's hand, they have made men meet for a great crown, even the crown of righteousness and life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

EDWARD MEYRICK GOULDBURN.