May 6

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.—Psalms 23:4. IN all the trials of life, do I find support and comfort in leaning on the Lord? And looking forward to the valley of the shadow of death, do I trust myself fully to his care, who has promised to be with me then? In every time of need do I lean on the staff which never pierces the hand it supports, and never fails those that rest upon it? Thus is my soul continually restored and upheld, and am I led in paths of righteousness for Christ's sake?

There is no Christian who does not, at some time, have a Gethsemane; but every praying Christian will find that there is no Gethsemane without its angel to strengthen him, as Christ was strengthened in the hour of his need.—T. BINNEY.

The discipline of our heavenly Father often cuts below the graft of self-love and earthly-mindedness, that he may remove all that hinders us bearing rich fruit for him; and though sharp is the discipline, we have reason to be thankful for it in the end.

And if his hand, in mercy, bent The reeds on which I fondly leant, And plucked my life flowers, 'twas to show, I must not place my love below; While with each cross a hope was given, Which stronger, brighter, beamed for heaven; And his own staff I found my stay, And comfort in my pilgrim way.