the light of his countenance upon him. And, even as regards his worldly condition, he became richer and happier than ever. It was good for him to have been afflicted. And so it is good for us. If you, dear reader, are suffering, remember that the hand that smites you is a hand of love. It was so with Job. "Ye have heard (St. James says) of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." God loves, and therefore chastens us; "even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." The path, by which He is leading us, may be a rough path, but it is the right path, the best path, the surest path.

If you were wandering through some strange district, and a man was to undertake to guide you safely to your home, you might wonder perhaps at the time why he should lead you over steep hills, and rugged and stony places. But when you came to your journey's end, you might look back and see that this was the right way after all-the best path that could have been chosen for you.

Trust God then in all His leadings. Trust Him, even when things seem to be against you. He knows what is needful for you. He will "lead you forth by the right way to a city of habitation."

Yes, if you are one of God's chastened ones, happy are you! Happy, not because you are afflicted; but happy, if your affliction has brought, or is bringing, you nearer to Him! Oh, we have indeed much to learn; and in no school do we learn so quickly, or. so much, as in God's school of affliction. Job prayed, "What I know not, teach thou me. And God did teach him, though it was by a sharp and painful discipline.

But what was the one great lesson which Job learnt from his sufferings? It was a humbling lesson, but a most needful one. He learnt more than he ever knew before of God's exceeding holiness, and of his own utter unworthiness. Hear his confession : Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth," (chap. xl. 4 ;) and again, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear;

66

but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (chap. xlii. 5, 6).

He had now learnt many a secret as regards his own heart. His affliction had brought him very near to God. He had approached Him oftentimes before. He had known Him as a God of love. But now he knew Him as he had never known Him in the days of his prosperity.

How is it with you? You have heard of God by the hearing of the ear. You have read of Him. But still He may be as yet a mere Stranger to you. Oh, ask Him to manifest Himself to you. Seek to know Him as your God, and your Friend. The more you know Him, the more you will love Him. The more you know Him, the more you will be persuaded of His exceeding greatness, and your own vileness. The more you know Him, the more humbled will you feel, and the more will you admire the exceeding riches of His grace.

MOSES;

OR, THE FAITHFUL LEADER.

MOSES is one of the most remarkable men mentioned in Scripture. His birth, his early education, the great work to which God called him, and his end, were all remarkable..

At the time when he was born, Pharaoh, King of Egypt, had issued a wicked and cruel order that all the male children among the Israelites, up to a certain age, should be put to death. The parents of Moses, whose names were Amram and Jochebed, made a great effort to save him. They dared not try and conceal his birth, for it was impossible to escape the quicksighted officers of Pharaoh. And yet there was something about their darling child, which made them unusually anxious to preserve his life. Having therefore placed him in an ark, or basket of rushes, they floated it on the river Nile, which ran through the city in which

they lived; and then with aching hearts they stood by the water's edge, and watched to see what might be the issue.

The King's daughter, happening to pass at the time, saw the poor helpless babe, had pity on it, and took it under her own protection. Thus the life of Moses was wonderfully preserved; he became the inmate of a palace, and was treated with all the indulgence of a Royal child.

How can we account for so marvellous an escape? Surely there was no chance in the matter. God was in it all. It was His doing. He had a great work in store for Moses; and every step of his course was ordered by the Lord.

How many things in this world seem to happen by accident! But there is an allseeing eye, and an all-directing hand, watching, and planning, and ordering everything concerning us. Believe this; and you will then cheerfully commit yourself and those dear to you to a Father's care and love. Believe this; and it will lead you to look beyond the present moment, and feel that all events are with God.