the danger is past, and then dismiss thee with the benediction, "Go in peace." Bless his name, that thou shalt soon be for ever with himself, where troubles are unknown! Dear Jesus, smooth my rugged way, APRIL 9. "If ye love me, keep my commandments." JOHN xiv. 15. KAREN convert, Ko-Chet-thing, when in America, was urged to address a congregation on their duty to send out missionaries to the heathen. After looking down thoughtfully for a moment, he said, with deep feeling, "Has not Jesus Christ told them to do it?" "O yes," was the reply, "but we wish you to remind them of their duty." "Oh no!" said he, "if they will not obey Jesus Christ, they will not obey me." How much of truth was there in this reply! if we always felt our obligations to Christ, and thought continually of his dying love we should need no exhortations to do his will. The love of Christ shed abroad in our hearts would inspire us with ardent zeal, and constrain us to obey all his commandments. May I always render the service of love! Waiting and watching for opportunities of serv ing my lord, may I be ready, without any solicitations or exhortations from others, to embrace all seasons of usefulness! and when my hands grow weary and my zeal declines, may I meditate afresh on Christ's command and cross! O for a thousand tongues to sing My gracious Saviour and my God, And spread through all the earth abroad, APRIL 10. "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray." JAMES v. 13. ELIEVERS are afflicted as other men. They endure pains and weakness of body-domestic trials-family bereavements-worldly lossesand distress of mind. In addition to all these, which are the common sorrows of our race, they have trials peculiar to themselves. Many are the afflictions of the righteous. These afflictions do not spring from chance, nor do they proceed from the will of a capricious and despotic tyrant. They are the chastisements of a father's hand-the proofs of paternal love. What then should be our disposition and conduct under them? We should pray. Pray, in submission to the divine will, that your afflictions be removed. Take as your examples David, Jonah, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Paul, and even Christ himself. Pray for grace to endure affliction while it continues so as to glorify God. Certain graces thrive best in affliction. Gold shines brightest when burnished. Stars are most lustrous in the darkness of night. Spices emit their sweetest odours when bruised. So patience-meekness-acquiescence in the will of God are most conspicuous in the time of affliction. Pray that your afflictions may be sanctified. Sanctified afflictions are among the best blessings of the new covenant. What a mercy that we can pray, even in the darkest hour! Avail yourself, my friend, of this relief. The returns of prayer will be more precious than the richest cargoesmore refreshing than the most genial showerstypes and foretastes of heaven. How gracious and how wise Is our chastising God! And, oh! how rich the blessings are APRIL 11. "Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” JAMES V. 13. M ANY persons represent religion as a thing of gloom and melancholy. This error has arisen, partly from incorrect conceptions of the nature of true happiness, and partly from the way in which at times religion has been misrepresented by its friends. The true Christian however is cheerful; and has a right to be so. His joy does not arise from gay company, or sinful pursuits. It is as superior to worldly pleasure as gold is to tinsel, or the sunlight to the blazing of thorns. It springs from an appreciation of the mercies of providence; such as life, health, food, friends, deliverance from trouble and affliction, and special seasons of Divine regard. It rises to its height by the in-coming of the streams of God's grace. The gift of Christ-personal salvation-the privileges of religion-increase of holiness-views of heaven-and foretastes of its joys; these are the blessings which exhilarate the believer's heart, and fill him with a joy unspeakable and full of glory. This joy will manifest itself not in foolish mirth, or feasting, or boisterous songs; but in the sing ing of psalms. Thus we shall adore God as the Father of our mercies-lead others to think of his loving-kindness-increase our cheerfulness by the very expression of it-and fit ourselves for heaven. Let us sing then to the praise of God. All things praise him; sun, moon, and stars-running streams-whispering winds-warbling birds -waving forest trees-fragrant flowers-and shall man be dumb? For ten thousand blessings given, Sound his praise through earth and heaven, APRIL 12. "Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people." LEV. xix. 16. HE late Dr. Waugh, of London, greatly disliked everything which bordered on slander or defamation. The following anecdote while it serves to illustrate this feature of his character, will also serve to render impressive the precept of Divine Law which is given as this day's text of Scripture. One of his people had travelled all the way from Newton to his father's house, where he usually resided, to communicate to him an unfavourable report concerning another member of the congregation. Some friends being with him, this person was requested to stay and dine with them. After dinner he took occasion in a jocular manner, to ask each person in his turn, how far he had ever known a man travel to tell an evil report of his neighbour; when some gave one reply and some another. He at last came to this individual; but without waiting for his self-condemning reply, or unnecessarily exposing him, ho stated, that he had lately met with a Christian professor, apparently so zealous for the honour of the church, as to walk fourteen miles with no other object than that of making known to his minister the failings of a brother member. He then in a warm and impressive manner enlarged on the praise of that charity which covers a multitude of sins. Free me from envy, scorn, and pride, Mild make me as the dove; May I my brother's failings hide, APRIL 13. "O taste and see that the Lord is good.” PSAL. xxxiv. 8. GOD OD is good. All his works declare his goodness. Especially is it seen in his plan of grace. His saints experience his goodness. They not only receive life, and health, and food, and raiment, and friends from his hands; they enjoy the richer blessings of his grace. He freely bestows on them pardon, adoption, sanctifying grace, spiritual strength and comfort, and the hope of heaven. Presently he will grant them heaven itself. His goodness must be tasted before it can be known. No pen can describe it. No tongue can declare its worth. It is not a matter of logic; but of trial and experience. He who has tasted honey can estimate its sweetness; and he who has shared in the loving-kindness of God knows its preciousness and unspeakable joy. They who have experienced the Lord's goodness should invite others to make trial of it. If we have eaten of the bread of life, let us invite hungry souls to eat the same. If we have satisfied our thirst at this foun |