THE MAIDEN OF THE PAST. "Yes, she was coy as fair, And modest as a violet bud in green; "Her mother's love would place Around her treasure such a hedge of care, "Her clothing was so made To screen from vulgar eyes each budding charm ; Pure and refined, she gladly sought the shade, And one bold look would fill her with alarm." And we said you would have the advantage of choosing your own minister and church. And you must take care how you use this privilege also. The danger is, that if you feel you can attend where you like, you will like to attend everywhere in turn. Do not do this. Find out where your soul gets most profit, and attend that place regularly. And you must not think I am. underrating the preaching of the Word, when I say, do not look upon the sermon as the most important part of the service. Surely the pouring out of your wants to the dear Lord, the humble confession of your shortcomings and earnest cry for grace and strength, should take no second place in the services of our places of worship. If we can do this, and if we attend regularly whenever it is possible, surely we shall find comfort and help and peace in the place that must be none other than the house of God and the gate of heaven unto us. A Sunday to yourself! Yes, it is a privilege, but it is also a talent to use for the dear Lord. What are you doing with it? it is your own, you say. Well, are you content to spend it on your own ease and rest or enjoyment? Surely no, you cannot do so. There are so many whose lives you could bless by a little self-denial on this day. Can you not teach the young or visit the sick? Surely you could spare one hour at least to do some good to somebody. Remember the blessed promise, "He that watereth shall be watered also himself." If you are God's dear child, and I trust you are, you will desire no higher honour than to do His work. You will be unable to do much on your business days, but one day in seven will be your own, your own in which to improve yourself, or to do good to others. Join yourself to some Sabbath-work then. You will attend God's house as a matter of course, but try in a Sunday-school, or in a sick-room, to make some other life the better for your rest day. You will not lose sight of your own advantage in considering theirs. It may be you will like to join yourself to some Bible-class or Association for the study of God's Word, but "to do good, forget not.” The more you get the love of God in your own heart, the more you will seek to avail yourself of every appointed ordinance for good, and the greater will be your anxiety to make others partakers of the same good which has blessed your own soul. II. About Your Disadvantages. "We a' 'ae a something, be't great or be't sma', S O says the old Scotch proverb. It is no contradiction to assert that every post has it own special advantages and disadvantages. No matter how or where we are placed, "we a' 'ae a something." There is no lot, however bright, No path, however fair, No home where loving hearts unite, Say, was a pleasure ever planned, But some one found a grief to hand, We think if that, our lives would bless, An unmixed cup! We cannot hope They are the happiest who can set If trial or discomfort comes, Our cares grow larger met with tears, And so you do not need me to tell you that while you value this or that which you have, there is certainly just a few other things you would rather not have. Now "what cannot be cured must be bravely endured." But if there is any evil in our work which is likely to injure our minds or bodies, and |