January 12

Second Week in Advent.—Thursday

Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. Romans 15:4.

THE Holy Scriptures supply us with food for meditation, as also does each article of the Creed, each petition of the Lord's Prayer, each of the blessings in the Sermon on the Mount and the seven speeches from the Cross. And indeed all the works of God around us, as well as the work of our own hand, supply us with holy thoughts. The parables and the miracles of our Lord have made the land and water, and the living things which move in them, one ever present Gospel to us. Sun and stars and wind, flowers and corn and flocks, are all united with some holy doctrine or duty. Our labour also reminds us of the warning in the parable of the talents, or of the consolation in that of the labourers in the vineyard, or of the Christian merchant seeking the pearl of salvation, or of the lost money which we were until God's unwearied love found us again. From different trades and callings Apostles or Evangelists were chosen, so that they too are joined to holy thoughts and bright examples. And if the mind is weary and cannot reach to think of these things, nor is strong enough after much labour and trouble to think of the spiritual meanings of things around, yet there is ever one subject to which we can turn when we are cold and lifeless and worn, even the Cross of Christ.

Hold Thou Thy Cross before my closing eyes:

Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.