XI.-SPARKS FLY UPWARD.

"Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."-Job v. 6, 7.-See also Gen. xlvii. 9; Job xiv. 1, 2; Acts xiv. 22; 1 Cor. x. 13; Heb. xii. 7, 8; Prov. xiii. 24.

THIS world is under certain laws, which God established when He called it into being, and which act invariably and uniformly. By these laws the sparks as invariably fly upward, as bodies that have weight fall downward. By these laws the seed that is put into the ground springs and puts forth its blade; and the several seasons succeed each other in a regular order.

In like manner, the life of man is subject to the. operation of certain fixed laws: one of which is here said to be as unalterable as the law by which

"the sparks fly upward." "Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” This was not always the case. Our first parent was created unto happiness. The earth yielded to him its strength.' The elements all ministered to his enjoyment: all things from within and from without wrought, as it were, in harmony and concord, to satisfy his desires, which were only inno-. cent and moderate. But in consequence of his fall, man came under another law, and now is "born unto trouble." "In the sweat of his brow he must eat bread." "Vanity and vexation of spirit" is inscribed on the fairest things of the earth, and on his dearest hopes and possessions: and even of his condition under grace it is written, "Through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God." "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." So that, although the ministrations of heavenly comfort are promised, the cup of sorrow is not removed. The character of sorrow is indeed changed by that grace which maketh all things new ;3 it is now the chastisement of a gracious parent, not the infliction of an angry judge; but yet the law remains the same, that "man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."

The same passage of Scripture, however, which declares man's inheritance of sorrow to be as sure as the laws of nature, seems to distinguish between the one and the other. "Affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground." It does not come by chance, nor yet by the operation of a law, the effects of which are the same in all places and to all persons, like the growth of plants from the ground. The law

1 Gen. iii. 18; iv. 12.

3 Rev. xxi. 5.

2 Matt. v. 4.

by which we are born to trouble is administered by a gracious Father, who appoints the time and the kind of trouble, with a merciful consideration both for our peculiar character, and our great weakness. He giveth strength according to our day.' "He stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind." He suits the burden to the power of bearing it.

Let me, then, regard my "appointed time on earth" in its real character. Let me not, like the young and thoughtless, imagine it a continual round of pleasures and triumphs; but remember that it is a period of chequered happiness and much tribulation. When I see the cup of sorrow dealt round to others by an unseen hand, let me bear in mind that my turn must come, and prepare myself in the day of prosperity for the season of affliction. And when the cup is delivered to me, let me receive it with meekness and cheerfulness, as what I have indeed expected; what I know is meant for my good; what is the necessary fruit of sin; but, if it be rightly received, has been turned by God's mercy into one of the remedies for sin. How blessed it is to know that trial comes neither by chance nor yet by the operation of a blind and indiscriminate law, but that in the darkest season we may look up to the merciful Dispenser of joy and sorrow, and say, "My times are in thy hand!"3 Thou knowest what is good for me. O give me grace to remember what is written: "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."4

'Deut. xxxiii. 25.
8 Ps. xxxi. 15.

2 Isa. xxvii. 8. 4 Ps. cxxvi. 6.

"The stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord."Jer. viii. 7.-See also Luke xix. 44; 2 Cor. vi. 2.

WHAT was it that skimmed over the stream, where the ripples are so bright in the morning sunshine? It was the first swallow of the returning spring. It has come back to us in its season, nor will it again leave us till the leaves, which are now bursting from the buds, are withered and falling. It is true to the Divine law which concerns its return and its departure. It knows the time to come, and the time to go; and neither loses the summer pleasantness by delaying its return, nor runs the risk of suffering from the winter frost by prolonging its stay too late.

Surely it gives us a lesson of heavenly wisdom.

Consider (it says) the condition of your being; and observe the right time and the permitted season for doing your appointed work. How many do not begin the work till summer is well-nigh over,' and the winter of life is nigh at hand; when, if they work at all, they work with every disadvantage! Too many have not the heart to betake themselves to their duty in earnest.

Use rightly the short season while it lasts; for "now is the accepted time; and now is the day of salvation."

XIII. THE TREE PLANTED BY THE WATER-SIDE.

"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."-Ps. i. 3.-See also Numb. xxiv. 6; Isa. lxi. 3; Jer. xvii. 8.

LOOK, my child, at the fruit-tree that is growing so freshly by yonder rivulet. What is there in