February 26

Serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.—Deuteronomy 10:12.

DO I delight in meditating on God, and in holding communion with him? Do I fear him as great, and love him as good, and devote myself entirely to him as my Benefactor and Father? Do I ask what is his will, and endeavor to do what is most pleasing to him? Do I serve him with all my heart, seeking the advancement of his kingdom among men, and endeavoring so to live as to point others to him?

Religion is believing God's truth, and endeavoring to do God's will. It consists not so much in joyous feelings, as in a life conformed to his teachings, and spent in obedience to his directions. If we have faith in Christ, we shall love him. If we love him, we shall keep his commandments. If we keep his commandments, we shall daily grow in his spirit. *

The religion of some people is constrained; like the cold bath when it is used not for pleasure, but from necessity, for health, into which one goes with reluctance, and is glad when able to get out. But religion to the true believer, is like water to a fish. It is his element. He lives in it, and could not live out of it. —JOHN NEWTON.

When one that holds communion with the skies,

Has filled his urn where life's pure waters rise.

And once more mingles with earth's meaner things,

It is as if an angel shook his wings;

Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide,

And tells us whence his treasures are supplied.

—COWPER.