Part 65 (1/2)

W. R. HUNTINCTON.

December 14

_And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of G.o.d_.--GAL. vi. 16.

Lord, I have given my life to Thee, And every day and hour is Thine,-- What Thou appointest let them be; Thy will is better, Lord, than mine.

A. WARNER.

Begin at once; before you venture away from this quiet moment, ask your King to take you wholly into His service, and place all the hours of this day quite simply at His disposal, and ask Him to make and keep you _ready_ to do just exactly what He appoints. Never mind about to-morrow; one day at a time is enough. Try it to-day, and see if it is not a day of strange, almost curious peace, so sweet that you will be only too thankful, when to-morrow comes, to ask Him to take it also,--till it will become a blessed habit to hold yourself simply and ”wholly at Thy commandment for _any_ manner of service.” The ”whatsoever” is not necessarily active work.

It may be waiting (whether half an hour or half a life-time), learning, suffering, sitting still. But shall we be less ready for these, if any of them are His appointments for to-day? Let us ask Him to prepare us for all that He is preparing for us.

F. R. HAVERGAL.

December 15

_Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee_.--PS. cxvi. 7.

_We which have believed do enter into rest_.--HEB. iv. 3.

Rest is not quitting The busy career; Rest is the fitting Of self to its sphere.

'T is loving and serving The highest and best!

'T is onwards, unswerving,-- And that is true rest.

J. S. DWIGHT.

As a result of this strong faith, the inner life of Catherine of Genoa was characterized, in a remarkable degree, by what may be termed rest, or quietude; which is only another form of expression for true interior peace.

It was not, however, the quietude of a lazy inaction, but the quietude of an inward acquiescence; not a quietude which feels nothing and does nothing, but that higher and divine quietude which exists by feeling and acting in the time and degree of G.o.d's appointment and G.o.d's will. It was a principle in her conduct, to give herself to G.o.d in the discharge of duty; and to leave all results without solicitude in His hands.

T. C. UPHAM.

December 16

_Thou understandest my thought afar off_.--PS. cx.x.xix. 2.

_Who can understand his errors? cleanse Thou me from secret faults_.--PS.

xix. 12.