turmoil, and we shall feel the truth of the promise, Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all needful things shall be added unto you.' While those who are too busy to pray, who care not for the privilege of family worship, must not expect that Mary's good part will be given them. Not having chosen the Saviour's teaching, they must not expect His consolations; and though they may be the best of workers, yet those, who never care for the Saviour's words, must not expect to be otherwise than careworn and dispirited.

We may hope that Martha profited by our Saviour's rebuke, and joined Mary, for we hear no more of her complaints, and the bustling Martha was afterwards equally beloved, for we read, Jesus loved Martha.'

'The useful, not the great,

The thing that never dies,
The silent toil that is not lost,
Set these before thine eyes.'
BONAR.

Monday Evening.

JOHN, xi. 1-7.

OW a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Beth

Now

any, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard, therefore, that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judæa again.

THE DEATH OF LAZARUS.

O Lord, help us to believe in Thy love, though Thy chastisements should prove grievous.

MARTHA and Mary knew well where to send in trouble. They felt Jesus loved them, and would heal their sick brother, Lazarus, if He only could be told of his

illness; so they sent to Him, and then they waited and watched. We read with astonishment, till we know the end, that Jesus loved them, and yet remained two days, before going to the anxious sisters, and the dying brother. We should have thought He would have hastened to them, but He had purposes of love, and mercy, and power in store, which were hidden, while the sisters mourned and the brother died. And is not this the case in our own experience? We pray in behalf of our dear friends, and, believing Jesus loves us, we expect Him to come to our relief; but hope dies, and our hearts break, and we catch the last fainting sigh, as the eye closes for ever.

This is the time to remember, that 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth;' for Jesus loved Martha and her sister, and Lazarus,' yet He did not go to their succour immediately. It is right to tell Jesus of our sorrows, and to believe that, though He does not come to our aid, it is not, that He does not care for us. Oh! no, we cannot weep, but He will weep with us,

and it is for wise purposes, that He sometimes denies our prayers. He may not restore our friends, because He may see it would be kinder to take them from evil. He may remove those we loved, that we may find in Him a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.' An Almighty arm to lean upon, stronger than any earthly support; for, to every one who looks to Jesus in trouble, He gives this precious assurance, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' 'Thy Maker is thy husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name.'

Let us remember this for our comfort, and in all times of tribulation, the Lord will deliver us.

'Yes, for me, for me He careth
With a brother's tender care;
Yes, with me, with me He shareth
Every burden, every fear.'

THESE

Tuesday Morning.

JOHN, Xi. 11-45.

HESE things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe: nevertheless, let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off; and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.