as sinners, but as children, and "if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; no longer as suppliants crying for mercy, but as those who claim their just inheritance. And just as He longed to give us that first rest, so does He yearn for us to enjoy the second. We have come to Him, but He would have us come nearer. Even as Joseph, that wonderful type of our Saviour, said to his brethren, "Come near unto me, I pray you; and "he kissed his brethren, and wept upon them, and after that his brethren talked with him; -SO does Jesus say to us, "Come near unto Me; SO would He have us to feel His kiss on our foreheads, and "talk with Him."

And if you have found salvation in the blood of the Lamb, and have the first rest of which Christ speaks-how about the second rest? Just as Jesus longed to bring you to Himself when you were far off, to give you rest when you were weary and heavy laden, so does He long for you to come nearer, to learn of Him, and to find rest unto your souls.

Happiness does not always follow conversion. Though by believing in Jesus we are safe for ever, yet we want something more before we can have perfect peace and "joy in believing." He would have us "learn of Him," trust and draw near, and live closer to Him every day of our lives. Though His-yet His "desire is toward us" still, that we may walk with Him, and go with Him to His gates,

and eat of the pleasant fruits which He has laid up for His beloved.

He has made us for Himself, and till we find rest in Him we can never rest. But oh! when we do find His rest, how inexpressibly sweet and wonderful it is! None but those who have felt it can tell what it is to turn from all the wearying doubts and fears of their own hearts, and the restlessness of their outward life, to Jesus, to Him who is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever," to be perfectly satisfied.

Calm these tumultuous waters, O my God!

And hush them into rest,

Or let each surging billow, as it heaves,
But toss me to Thy breast.

I trust Thee, oh! I trust Thee—but I'm weak,
And tears unbidden start,

As, face to face with Thee, I find Thy will
Demands a broken heart.

Wounded, and lacerated to its core,

With every fibre rent,

And all its energy of buoyant life

Withered and well-nigh spent.

And this is Love! I own it, O my God!

Yet sometimes marvel much

That Love should sweep away its own best gifts

With such unsparing touch.

Sweep them away-and then expect the heart,

Robbed of its choicest store,

To give Thee all its wealth of confidence,
And praise Thee more and more.

"Twere a strange venture, Lord, for Love to make, But that Thou knowest well

The vast resources of Thy mighty grace
And Thine own power to heal.

Yes, Thou ART "ABLE," and I lay me down
To trust and to endure;

To kiss the Hand that either gives or takes,
Enriches or makes poor.

A pierced Hand! I see the deep-set scar
It bled on Calvary's tree.

The Heart that deigns to ask for my poor love
Was broken once for me-

Broken beneath a crushing load of sin,
Laid on the Righteous One,

When hell's defeated legions heard the cry,
"Thy will, not mine, be done."

That will! It meant salvation for the lost,
E'en at the price of blood;

Anguish and ignominy, shame and death,
Borne by the Son of God.

All borne for me; and shall my coward heart
Refuse its best to Thee?

Lord Jesus, take me to Thy fellowship,
Whate'er the cost may be.

A fellowship of suffering-but no curse;
That cup was drained by Thee-

A fellowship of resurrection joy
And life and liberty!

A blessed heritage of perfect peace,

A calm of quiet rest,

That stills each throbbing pulse of grief or pain

Upon the Shepherd's breast.

E

Do all Thy will with me, my loving Lord,

And I am satisfied,

While nestling 'neath the shadow of Thy wing
Thy weary child may hide.

Weary with longings to behold Thy face,

But not with thorn-clad brow;

The Head that once was bowed on Calvary's cross
Is crowned with glory now.

And I shall see Thee! when the strife is o'er,
The latest victory won,

And praise Thee, that amid earth's changeful day
Thy will, not mine, was done.

ANONYMOUS.

"THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR

STRENGTH.”

NEHEMIAH viii. 10.

Do you know anything of joy unspeakable filling your soul as you sit down before the Lord Jesus and drink in His love-such a joy as you cannot describe, and with which others cannot intermeddle, which just flows in and takes possession of you as the love of God is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost? Some have said that we are not to concern ourselves about joy, but how differently does God's Word teach! "The joy of the Lord is your strength;" "Rejoice in the Lord alway;" "These things have I spoken unto you that your joy might be full;" "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name; ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." Such an experience is only enjoyed by those who have yielded themselves to God, and are trusting Him for the forthputting of His power to work in them all the good pleasure of His goodness. Now, have you this experience? Some one says, "Alas, no! But I greatly long for it and desire it." Well, Well, have you yielded yourself entirely to God? 'So far as I know I am keeping nothing back from Him, and I