December 1

I will meditate in thy precepts.--Psalms 119:15.

DO I not merely read, but carefully and prayerfully study the word of God, comparing text with text, that I may know clearly the divine character and will, and the way of duty and salvation? Do I endeavor to make all its teachings practical, bringing them home to my own case, striving, every day, to become wiser and better through the divine instructions? Do I bring everything to the test of God's word, believing whatever it teaches, and doing whatever it commands?

The most learned, acute, and diligent student, cannot, in the longest life, obtain an entire knowledge of this one volume. The more deeply he works the mine, the richer and more abundant he finds the ore. New light continually beams from this source of heavenly knowledge, to direct the conduct, and illustrate the work of God, and the ways of men. And he will, at last, leave the world, confessing, that the more he studied the Scriptures, the more he saw his own ignorance, and their inestimable value.—WALTER SCOTT.

Oh! that thy statutes, every hour, Might dwell upon my mind;

Thence I derive a quickening power, And daily peace I find.

To meditate thy precepts, Lord, Shall be my sweet employ;

My soul shall ne'er forget thy word, Thy word is all my joy —WATTS.