Part 59 (1/2)

Hold in thy murmurs, heaven arraigning!

The patient see G.o.d's loving face; Who bear their burdens uncomplaining, 'Tis they that win the Father's grace.

ANON.

Do not run to this and that for comfort when you are in trouble, but bear it. Be uncomfortably quiet--be uneasily silent--be patiently unhappy.

J.P. GREAVES.

Hard words _will_ vex, unkindness _will_ pierce; neglect _will_ wound; threatened evils _will_ make the soul quiver; sharp pain or weariness _will_ rack the body, or make it restless. But what says the Psalmist?

”When my heart is vexed, I will complain.” To whom? Not _of_ G.o.d, but _to_ G.o.d.

E.B. PUSEY.

Surely, I have thought, I do not want to have a grief which would not be a grief. I feel that I shall be able to take up my cross in a religious spirit soon, and then it will be all right.

JAMES HINTON.

November 14

_Thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me_.--ISA. xliv. 21.

Oh, give Thy servant patience to be still, And bear Thy will; Courage to venture wholly on the arm That will not harm; The wisdom that will never let me stray Out of my way; The love, that, now afflicting, knoweth best When I should rest.

J. M. NEALE.

Supposing that you were never to be set free from such trials, what would you do? You would say to G.o.d, ”I am Thine--if my trials are acceptable to Thee, give me more and more.” I have full confidence that this is what you would say, and then you would not think more of it--at any rate, you would not be anxious. Well, do the same now. Make friends with your trials, as though you were always to live together; and you will see that when you cease to take thought for your own deliverance, G.o.d will take thought for you; and when you cease to help yourself eagerly, He will help you.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES.

Ah, if you knew what peace there is in an accepted sorrow!

MADAME GUYON.

November 15

_Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy G.o.d: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness_.--ISA. xli. 10.

Lord, be Thou near and cheer my lonely way; With Thy sweet peace my aching bosom fill; Scatter my cares and fears; my griefs allay, And be it mine each day To love and please Thee still.

P. CORNEILLE.

What if the wicked nature, which is as a sea casting out mire and dirt, rage against thee? There is a river, a sweet, still, flowing river, the streams whereof will make glad thy heart. And, learn but in quietness and stillness to retire to the Lord, and wait upon Him; in whom thou shall feel peace and joy, in the midst of thy trouble from the cruel and vexatious spirit of this world. So, wait to know thy work and service to the Lord every day, in thy place and station; and the Lord make thee faithful therein, and thou wilt want neither help, support, nor comfort.