in the wealth or possessions of this world. When secured and rightly regarded, we may enjoy but cannot trust to the best of earthly holdings, for they are failing, unsatisfying, and uncertain. The man of God who holds the good things of this life alone can rightly understand what is meant by the saying that is written, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of heaven." The seasons of his temptation are peculiar, and he needs special grace to overcome, and to pursue his course superior to the world. In poverty we may have trials, but we have resources, and we have the assurance that all our need shall be supplied. Many things may not be ours, but no "good thing " shall be withholden from us if we "walk uprightly." It may be coarse clothing, moderate supply, and a poor cottage home, but the word has been given oninviolable authority, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." The Lord is our Shepherd, "we shall not want.": The brook will yield its water, and the ravens will bring our food if need be; or if these shall no longer furnish our table in the wilderness, the barrel of meal will not waste-the cruse of oil shall not fail. We know Him "who had not where to lay His head," and we follow Him through all reports; while this is the assurance of our life, that nothing can separate us from the love of God-that He is leading us by a right, though it may be by a rugged way and we shall soon be where no want can come, where we "shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more;' where the sun shall not light on us, nor any heat; but where the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed us, and lead us to fountains of living waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. That is our heavenly hope, while this is our earthly song, "My God, my Father, while I stray, Far from my home in life's rough way, Thy will be done!" CHAPTER XI. Troubled by Affliction. "Now, no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, unto them who are exercised thereby."-ST. PAUL. "Nearer, my God, to Thee- E'en though it be a cross Still all my song shall be, VERY part of the word of God teaches us to expect that in this world we shall find tribulation. Scripture history confirms our expectation of F แ afflictions, as it shows us that all God's people, whose experience is recorded, have been afflicted, however exemplary their lives, and however closely they have desired to be conformed to the likeness and will of God. All experience teaches us the truth of the declaration that was made by the Psalmist, when he said, Many are the afflictions of the righteous." There is not one of the household of God who, if under the influence of such teaching, must not be ready to admit that we should, therefore, expect this character of trial and discipline whilst we are sojourners in this world of sin. But it is one thing to receive a truth applicable generally, and quite another thing to think of it after the same manner when it comes to be a matter of personal experience; hence we can often speak of provisions of consolation to those who need them, as |