October 9

And became obedient unto death. — PHIL ii. 8.

O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. — MATT. xxvi. 39. 42.

THESE words, noblest of all words in the gospel of love, reveal to us the secret of Christ's endurance and sublime heroism. When the suffering Son of man in the crisis of his agony amid the shadows of Gethsemane finds God, he is his Father still. For all the night was growing colder, darker, and more desolate, and his soul was sinking beneath the pressure of an unutterable grief, God was his Father still! "O my Father!" — the infinitely wise, the infinitely holy, the infinitely loving and tender, — the cup which he hath given me shall I not drink it? Surely he will send no needless sorrow, and he will make every agony the birth-pang of an ineffable joy. It must needs be that afflictions come, but it is the will of the Father that they shall work out for us the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: and we shall be satisfied when at last we see of the travail of our soul. Oh, then, "sweet will of God," be done!

Friend, hast thou been in the garden with Jesus, and hast thou discerned that the rolling clouds which overshadowed thee with darkness were but the dust of thy Father's feet? If thou hast, then the cup of sorrow has been to thee a cup of blessing: and with the growing conviction of God's fatherhood, strength has poured in upon thy soul, till when Christ has bidden thee rise, thou hast gone forth with solemn gladness in the Master's fellowship, to duty or sacrifice.

J. A. Nelson.

My Jesus, as thou wilt!

Oh, may thy will be mine!

Into thy hands of love

I would my all resign;

Through sorrow, or through joy,

Conduct me as thine own,

And help me still to say,

My Lord, thy will be done!

MISS J BORTHWICK (Translation).