from Heaven, the world of peace, of hope, and of joy. They are tidings from God, the parent, the Saviour,-whom they had offended, and to whom it was their infinite interest to be re-united. They are tidings of renewed holiness, to beings given over to endless sin; of peace and reconciliation, to beings consigned to eternal alienation; and of eternal life, to beings sentenced to die for ever. President Dwight, 1790.

OCTOBER 4.

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

Rom. xv. 4.

OFTTIMES the Lord suffers His children to be tempted and brought into straits, in order that the hidden life within may be displayed, not so much to Himself as to their brethren and ourselves. So He shows to us an Abraham's faith, a Job's patience, a Moses's love, an Elijah's zeal, in order that we may praise His power, which is so mighty in the weak children of men. But are we desponding, and disposed to think that such saints might all reach heaven, while with us it will be otherwise? Then He sets before our eyes, here a David,

and there a Simon Peter; grapes which, in the press of trial, yielded not wine merely, but also bitter drops of sin from their hearts. Such a sight makes us pluck up courage, especially when we learn that Simon was called "a rock," and David "a man after God's own heart." Dr. Krummacher, 1832.

OCTOBER 5.

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'The Lord is my portion, saith my soul." Lam. iii. 24.

'TIS a part and portion which can never be spent. You may live upon God: there is enough in Him for millions and millions and millions. God is better than heaven, better than grace, better than glory, better than things present, or things to come. The promises are like a rich ring of gold, but this is the rare diamond in that ring; it is the crown, the top, excellency of all promises. His wisdom is the soul's for direction, His power for protection, His grace for its acceptation, His Spirit for its consolation, His creatures on earth to serve us, His angels to guard us, His ordinances to feed and strengthen us, His grace to adorn us, His riches to advance and crown us to eternity.

Benjamin Keach, 1650.

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OCTOBER 6.

"E will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psa. xxxiv. I.

PRAISE is the believer's helper in his trials, and his companion after trial. Jehoshaphat's army sang praises before the battle. David sang praises in the cave; Daniel, when the trap was set for his life, prayed and gave thanks three times a day as usual; and Jesus, when He would raise Lazarus, first lifted up His heart in thanks to the Father; and before He went to supper, first sang a hymn. So is praise also our solace after trial. Music is sweetest when heard over rivers, where the echo thereof is best rebounded by the waters; and praise for pensiveness, thanks for tears, blessing God over the floods of affliction, makes the sweetest music in the ears of heaven. Andrew Fuller, 1800.

OCTOBER 7.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke ii. 11.

How joyous the message, "a Saviour born to you." Every penitent soul may apply the

gracious declaration. Do you perceive your own guilty, helpless condition? Are you anxious for deliverance ? Do you feel your incapacity to effect your own salvation? Here "are tidings of great joy;" "a Saviour is born," and born to you. His gospel is come to you, and the invitations and promises of it are directed to you. He came to save sinners, the chief of sinners; "to comfort them who mourn," to bind up the broken-hearted, to ransom the prisoners, to bring salvation to the poor. The weary, the thirsty, the naked, destitute, and forlorn, He calls to Himself, that they may receive rest, refreshment, and every needed supply, and receive them freely. Be of good comfort, "Arise, He calleth thee."

Joseph Lathrop, 1820.

OCTOBER 8.

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, eben so must the Son of man be lifted up." Fohn iii. 14.

SINCE we contract guilt every day, let us daily apply the medicine. As often as an Israelite had been bitten by the fiery serpent, he must have looked up to the brazen one, if he

would not have been destitute of a cure; and we, upon every sting of cohscience, must look up to Him who hath been "lifted up" upon the Cross for our remedy. Since the fountain is open every day, and we contract guilt every day, let not a day pass without fresh application of the blood of Jesus Christ upon any defects in our walking with Him; since, if we walk in the light, and are industrious to observe the will of God, "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin."

Stephen Charnock, 1682.

OCTOBER 9.

'Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." Fohn xv. 8.

THE earth is fruitful, the sea, the air, the heavens are fruitful; and shall not man bring forth fruits, for whom all these are fruitful? While all the armies of heaven and earth are busied in fructifying, shall man, of more singular graces and faculties, be idle, a burden to the world and himself? If happiness consisted in doing nothing, God, that meant Adam to be so happy, would never have set him about business; but as Paradise was his store-house, so