June 29

Saturday after Ascension Day

The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. I S. John 3:1.

OR, more than this, we may be perhaps ridiculed for our religion, despised, or punished. "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of His household?" Such is the condition of those who have risen with Christ. He rose in the night, when no one saw Him, and we, too, rise we know not when and how. Nor does any one know anything of our religious history, of our turnings to God, of our growings in grace, of our success, but God Himself, Who secretly is the cause of them. The world witnesses not the secret communion of the Saints of God, their prayers, praises, and intercessions. But they have the present privileges of Saints notwithstanding—a knowledge, a joy, and a strength which they cannot compass or describe, and would not if they could. Oh how plentiful is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; and that Thou hast prepared for them that put their trust in Thee, even before the sons of men. Are they in anxiety? "Thou shalt hide them privily by Thine own presence from the provoking of all men. Thou shalt keep them secretly in Thy tabernacle from the strife of tongues." Do thou

Then look for all thy comforts there.

With thyself, and with thy God,

Delight to make thy chief abode;

There repose secure and free,

And no mischance can trouble thee.

Thy Lord that feeds thee now

With His own Flesh shall more bestow.

He came down to be like thee,

Thou shalt go up and like Him be.