September 30

"He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."—Matthew 24:13.

IT is the quality of the runner, who allows nothing to turn him aside. Ten months of abstinence and exercise the Greek athlete had, before there was even a chance for him to succeed; and then, at the end, there was the short and intense forth-putting of tremendous effort. I must show his self-denial and his whole-heartedness. I dare not fall behind him.

It is the quality of the soldier, who fights and does not flinch nor yield. My wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and against the powers. Ah, my soul, these are not adversaries to be conquered and put to flight in a day. It means a long campaign. It means an unflagging resolution. Hast thou counted the cost?

It is the quality of the worker, who refuses to forsake his post. There are joys in my labour such as are to be found nowhere else; but there are sore delays too, and keen disappointments. The ground seems unproductive, the skies unpropitious. I had hoped to have my harvests stored and safe ere now; but how lean and empty is my treasure-trove! Yes, but I am here to do the will of God, and I must not abandon His trust.

It is the quality of the suppliant, who clings about the feet of God and will not let Him go. I have to pray always, for myself, for others, for the cause of my Lord, for the poor and dying world. It is no child's play. It demands importunity, continuance, insistence. I must set myself on my watch-tower. I must take no rest and give Him no rest.

Grant me, O Lord, this endurance and this faith.

October.

IN THEE.

As the branch abides in the vine, Through seasons delayed or long, Till its clusters of purple shine And the vintage echoes with song; As tendril and leaf and flower Partake the life of the tree, And further its use and power, In bondage of growth made free— So, Lord, till life's ultimate hour, My soul would abide in Thee!

As the ripples move with the tide, Far over the world-wide deep, And, in union naught may divide, One rhythm and purpose keep; As the lightest eddies of foam Are held in that vast decree, And never a wave may roam— So, Maker of shore and sea, Desiring no lovelier home, My spirit would move in Thee!

As fragrance grows in the rose, Of petal and bloom a part, A mystery no man knows Embrought in its innermost heart— So, through unsearchable love, A wave at one with Thy sea, A branch Thine hand can approve, A sweetness enshrined yet free, My God, I would live and move And have my being in Thee!

MARY ROWLES JARVIS.