December 9

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd. — ISAIAH xl. 11.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. — JOHN x. 14.

DEFENCELESS by nature, timid and subject to alarm, the sheep, of all animals, is the most utterly dependent upon human protection. Great, therefore, is the importance of a shepherd of undoubted qualifications and fidelity. How truly is a man like a sheep! How impotent against sin, how unsuspicious of its approach, how easily deceived as to its nature! Nor is he without a shepherd's care; for he can sing with the Psalmist, "The Lord is my shepherd." That shepherd is Jesus, nor is there need for another. Does the Christian need food? The good Shepherd says for his comfort, "I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." Following him you can sing, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures." Is the Christian sore beset so that he cries out, "My soul is among lions," while terror chills his heart? Then can he find comfort in the words of his Shepherd, "I lay down my life for the sheep." His soul's alarm is stilled, and he can say, "He restoreth my soul." Does Satan lay claim to the child of God, and fill him with apprehension? He is reassured by the words of Jesus, "He calleth his own sheep by name; . . . I know my sheep, and am known of mine." Hearing that voice speak my name, I find myself relieved from fear, and following the Shepherd of my soul, am led in "the paths of righteousness."

Chas. P. Barnes.

Jesus my Shepherd is;

'T was he that loved my soul;

'T was he that washed me in his blood;

'T was he that made me whole.

'T was he that sought the lost,

That found the wandering sheep;

'T was he that brought me to the fold;

'T is he that still doth keep.

H. BONAR.