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might come. From his language to Samuel it is clear that he knew he had done wrong.

Very soon after reading this instance of Saul going before the Lord, I was in a position of great doubt and perplexity, and the long waiting-time of some weeks was very trying. We did not dare or even wish to choose, but put all into our Father's hands, believing that He would guide. I was afraid that by waiting I should be in a further difficulty; but I was able to remember that "God knows no difficulties," and none can be beforehand with God. At last the matter was obliged to be settled in some way or other within a week. Guidance might come any moment, or it might not come till quite the end of the week, and then we knew not what we should be told to do. No words can express what a help this story of Saul and Samuel was to me at the time, and also the valley of Megiddo. ́ I believe God blessed it to me to keep me from going before Him. The guidance came at the very end of the seven days-guidance as clear as daylight, in a way that we did not expect, and which gave us cause for much gratitude to God. As we looked back we saw how many little things which had puzzled us at the time were some of the all things working together for good, and leading up to what was coming, though hid from our eyes. We thank God for His grace and His word, which

THE VALLEY OF MEGIDDO.

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kept us from going before Him, which I believe I should have done if not for these passages.

I remember on one occasion going to consult a staff-officer on a point of military law. After reading to me a passage from a military book he pointed to it, saying, "This is my Bible; I know it by heart, and go by it for everything." It gave me an opportunity of which I am afraid I made only little use; but I have often thought since, if I only knew my Bible better, and went to it and by it for everything, there would be less failure in my life, and more glory to God.

Let us remember to keep very close to our God, and search His word for guidance "at all times.” "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm cxix. 105.) However dark the way may seem, we must wait for light. The Lord is close beside us, but it may not be time for Him to speak or give light upon the way.

"Down in earth's duskiest vales, where'er

My pilgrimage may be,

Thou, Lord! wilt be a ready help

Always at hand for me."

Study these helpful verses on guidance; there are many others. "Guided them on every side." (2 Chron. xxxii. 22; Isa. xxx. 21.) "I will make straight all his ways." (Isa. xlv. 13.) "I will direct

their work in truth." (Isa. lxi. 8; Isa. xlii. 16.) "I will counsel thee with mine eye. Mine eye shall be upon thee." (Ps. xxxii. 8.) We must be looking up 2 Chron. xx. 12. We must listen for, and listen to, God's counsel. (Proverbs viii. 34.) Guidance is conditional. He will direct our paths when we acknowledge Him in all our ways.

"I know not the way I am going,

But well do I know my Guide.
With a childlike trust I give my hand
To the mighty Friend at my side;
And the only thing that I say to Him,
As He takes it, is, 'Hold it fast;
Suffer me not to lose my way,

And lead me home at last.'"

The Valley of Passengers ;

OR,

THE VALLEY OF CONFLICT AND CLEANSING.

THE VALLEY OF PASSENGERS;

OR,

THE VALLEY OF CONFLICT AND CLEANSING.

“WASH you, make you clean; put away the evil.”—Isa. i. 16. "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord."-Isa. lii. 1I. "I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah. . . . Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers."-Neh. xiii. 8, 9.

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"Arise, therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee."

"Thou wilt do all I leave undone, remake what I have marred, My foolish hindrances the while wilt gently disregard;

And when the work is all complete, then Thou wilt call it mine, And I shall hear Thee say, 'Well done! henceforth My joy is thine.'"

"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently."

Jer. xlviii. 10.

They shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God."-Ezek. xxviii. 26; xxxix. 29.

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