Eighteenth Day.

"FINALLY, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things."

It is a matter of conscience to make our lives as comfortable as may be. As we are bound to love, so we are bound to use all helps that may make us lovely, and endear us into the good affections of others.

Let life, a holy stream,

Its fountain holy show;

Reflecting, with a softened gleam,
Heaven's purity below.

Nineteenth Day.

"I PRAY not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

The pious man finds in the whole of life, in its successes or reverses, in the difficulties and trials of his state, calls and motives to secret converse with God, and life becomes more and more interesting in proportion as it strengthens this sacred intimacy. Often, when to those around he seems to be living among things seen, and engaged by human agencies, he is holding a high and pure intercourse with the Father of his spirit. And this piety brings its reward in the serenity and refinement which it imparts to the whole spirit of him who thus walks with God.

To sojourn in the world, and yet apart,
To dwell with God, and yet with man to feel,
To bear about for ever in the heart

The gladness that his spirit doth reveal.

Twentieth Day.

"FAVOR is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

For she to many spirits gave
A reverence for the true, the

pure,

The perfect, that has power to save,
And make the doubting sure.

And as she trod her path aright,
Power from her very garments stole ;
For such is the mysterious might
God grants the upright soul.

Twenty-first Day.

"I WILL love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust. Be not thou far from me, O Lord.”

I know nothing of more mysterious and vast sublimity than the relation God fixes between himself and man, treating with him on terms as with an equal, inviting him to be a follower of himself as a dear child, saying, in words of tenderest meaning, My son, give me thy heart.

O my soul, unceasing pray,
And in thy God confide,

He our faltering steps shall stay,

Nor suffer us to slide.

He is still our sure defence,

We his ceaseless care shall prove,
Kept by watchful Providence,
And ever-waking love.

Twenty-second Day.

"BE not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

4

That which you are doing, be it good or evil, that which you are doing to-day and to-morrow, each thought, each feeling, each action, each event, every passing hour, every breathing moment, is contributing to form the character by which you are to be judged. If there be any un