January 20

To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.—HER. iii. 7, 8.

HAVE I gladly and thankfully accepted the offer of salvation, or am I still delaying, and so trifling with it? Am I diligent and faithful in the service of Christ, or still living for self, and the world, and sin? And if, under all the light and appeals of divine truth, my heart becomes hardened, is it not my own act and choice, and will not the blame and loss and guilt be mine for ever?

If the very idea of having a hard heart makes you tremble, it is a sure sign that your heart is not hard.—ST. BERNARD.

Late repentance should be carefully distinguished from delayed repentance. True repentance is never too late; but delayed repentance is seldom true. The penitent thief's repentance was late, but we have no evidence that it was delayed when the truth was made clear to him.—HENRY.

I have seen many dying beds; I have seen many in all stages of their last sickness, but never have I yet seen a dying bed which seemed to me to be a proper place to make preparation for eternity.—ALBERT BARNES.

Behold a Stranger at the door!

He gently knocks; has knocked before;

Has waited long; is waiting still;

You treat no other friend so ill.

Admit him ere his anger burn;

His feet departed, ne'er return;

Admit him, or the hour's at hand,

You'll at his door rejected stand.—GREGG.