Page images
PDF
EPUB

66

SEPTEMBER 30.

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." -Ps. xxx. 4.

The Christian will look back, throughout eternity, with interest and delight, on the steps and means of his conversion. "My father told me this! my mother told me that! Such an event was sanctified to me! In such a place God visited my soul!" These recollections will never grow dull and weariCecil's Remains.

some.

OCTOBER 1.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”—St. Matt. xi. 28.

O touch me, Spirit of all Grace, into a compliance with the blessed invitation, that so I may find rest unto my soul! O for Christ's meekness and lowliness of heart! and for willingness to take His yoke upon me- easy, and light, because of that love which both serves and suffers cheerfully; because of that grace which enables us to overcome, and through which the commandments are not grievous. May I so come, Lord Jesus!

Chalmers' Sabbath Scripture Readings.

OCTOBER 2.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." -Isa. xli. 10.

That field of promise! how it flings abroad
Its odour o'er the Christian's thorny road!
The soul reposing on assured relief,
Finds herself happy amidst all her grief;
Forgets her labour as she toils along ;
Weeps tears of joy, and bursts into a song.

COWPER.

[ocr errors]

OCTOBER 3.

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."-2 Cor. v. 17.

66

Describing the change that came over his own feelings from the time that he knew God in Christ, President Edwards says: The appearance of everything was altered; there seemed to be, as it were, a calm, sweet cast or appearance of Divine glory in almost everything. God's excellency, His wisdom, His purity and love, seemed to appear in everythingin the sun, and moon, and stars; in the clouds and blue sky; in the grass, flowers, trees; in the water, and all nature,-which used greatly to fix my mind. My mind was greatly fixed on Divine things; almost perpetually in the contemplation of

them. I often walked alone in the woods, and solitary places, for meditation, and prayer, and converse with God. Prayer seemed to be natural to me, as the breath by which the inward burnings of my heart had vent." Mount of Olives.

66

OCTOBER 4.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate."1 Tim. vi. 17, 18.

Sure, they of many blessings,

Should scatter blessings round;
As laden boughs in autumn fling
Their ripe fruit to the ground.

And the best love man can offer
To the God of love, be sure,
Is kindness to His little ones,
And bounty to His poor.

OCTOBER 5.

"Cleanse thou me from secret faults."-Ps. xix. 12.

I can tell to my God all that I know of my failing nature; and beseech of Him to read that part which I cannot decipher, but can yet feel. Blessed per

mission! To be allowed to throw ourselves into the arms of God; and hiding, as it were, our face in his compassionating bosom, beg of Him to read our malady, and stay its power.

OCTOBER 6.

"The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men."-Ps. cxv. 16.

And had Earth, then, no joys, no native sweets,
No happiness, that one who spoke the truth
Might call her own? She had: true, native sweets,
Indigenous delights; which up the Tree

Of Holiness, embracing as they grew,

Ascended, and bore fruit of heavenly taste;

« PreviousContinue »