Who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we

ourselves are comforted of God.

II Corinthians i, 4.

Introduction.

IT is a commonplace to say that trouble is universal. No man or woman goes through life without it in a more or less degree. Therefore, one may fairly say that comfort in trouble is an universal need. Much can be done by the sympathy of friends, but to a certain extent, each soul must bear its own burden.

Amidst the storms of life the Christian takes a firm stand upon the rock of his religion, and in the hour of tribulation turns to his sacred book-the Bible-for consolation. But unless one is extremely well acquainted with the Scriptures one does not always know where to find such passages and teaching as bear upon the particular

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trouble. Nor is it easy, especially when the mind is disturbed by suffering, grief, and anxiety, to follow the arguments which bring consolation and healing to the wounded spirit. This book, then, is an attempt to collect those passages of the Bible which speak of comfort, and to assign them to the most common forms of human trouble. Further, some thoughts are suggested, which may, it is hoped, be of some comfort to those suffering under special sorts of trouble, based on the teachings of our Christian religion. May God the Holy Ghost, the Revealer of light and truth and comfort, grant that this effort may lighten the burden of some (if it be but one) poor burdened soul.

The Reason of Suffering.

WHEN We have affliction, either of mind or body, we are apt to wonder why it is sent to us. We have to suffer what we do not like, we lose time, money, and opportunities. We say to ourselves—" If it were not for this, I might be earning money-having pleasuredoing useful work for God and man. Why am I so disabled?" But, if we believe in God, and that He over-rules all things wisely and well, there must be good reasons. Let us see if we cannot discover them..

Consider, then, the nature of pain, and by pain I mean to include bodily pain and sickness, and also anxiety and trouble. Why should we have these things, and what is the use of them?

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First, then, our experience of life tells us that, for everyone, some kind of punishment is necessary. We know no case of training for any purpose without some kind of punishment. And pain is punishment. Practically, the sinner who is punished is happier afterwards than the sinner who gets off scotfree. We find that punishment is a means used to help us to get rid, both of sins and also of ignorance, impatience, carelessness, and bad judgment. Perhaps we think sometimes that we are punished more than we deserve-but the reason is that we look upon our sins too lightly; and we do not realize how much harm is done, and may be done; and, further, how much good is left undone by our ignorance, impatience, carelessness, and bad judgment.

But pain is not sent us merely to punish us for our faults, it is sent to help us to better things, and to rid us of bad habits. We speak of 'having learnt by experience,' and we mean generally the experience of pain.