the purer, and the more ardent, the nearer they come to the presence of God, the "Sun, not only of Righteousness," but of Love.

Landor's Conversations.

JULY 31.

"Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion. from the strife of tongues."-Ps. xxxi. 20.

66

Religion" never did betray
The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege,
Through all the years of this our life, to lead
From joy to joy; for she can so inform
The mind that is within us, so impress

With quietness and beauty, and so feed
With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues,
Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men,
Shall e'er prevail against us, or disturb

Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold
Is full of blessings.

WORDSWORTH.

66

AUGUST 1.

From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."-Ps. xc. 2.

In the hearts of those who often retire from the littleness of common things into the greatness of God's presence, there does of His mercy grow up day by day a nobleness of aim, a quiet steadiness of purpose, and a greatness of conduct, which makes them other men from what they were before. Other men they are, too, among the changes and chances of this life; for here is the only rest for harassed spirits. The very thought of the deep rest of God's eternity breathes a calm over our minds. There has no variableness, neither shadow of turning, ever passed upon Him: "From everlasting to everlasting, He is God." He is indeed the great rock, under whose shadow the saints have ever rested the burden of their being; for, through Jesus Christ our Lord, this God is our God—ours, as the everlasting Father; one with us in the eternal Son, dwelling within us by the ever-blessed Spirit.

BISHOP WILBERFORCE.

6.

AUGUST 2.

Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee.”

St. Mark, x. 49.

Fain would my thoughts fly up to Thee,
Thy peace, sweet Lord, to find;
But when I offer, still the world
Lays clogs upon my mind.

Sometimes I climb a little way,

And thence look down below;
How nothing then do all things seem,
That here make such a show!

Then round about I turn my eyes,
To feast my hungry sight;

I meet with heaven in every thing—
In every thing delight.

I see Thy wisdom ruling all,
And it with joy admire;
I see myself among such hopes,
As set my heart on fire.

When I have thus triumph'd awhile,

And think to build my nest,

Some cross conceit comes fluttering by,
And interrupts my rest.

Then to the earth again I fall,

And from my low dust cry;

""Twas not in my wing, Lord, but thine,
That I got up so high."

And now, my God, whether I rise,

Or still lie down in dust,

Both I submit to Thy blest will,

In both on Thee I trust.

Guide Thou my way, who art Thyself

My everlasting end,

That every step, or swift or slow,

Still to Thyself may tend.

Hicke's Devotions.

AUGUST 3.

"Death is swallowed up in victory."-1 Cor. xv. 54.

How full of dread, how full hope, loometh inexorable Death!

Of dread-for all have sinned; of hope-for One hath saved.

The dread is drowned in joy, the hope is filled with

immortality.

Proverbial Philosophy.

AUGUST 4.

"Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually; that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name."-Heb. xiii. 15.

Alas! unthankfulness is a frightful, and a fatal sign. When the great apostle, in the first chapter of his Epistle to the Romans, is describing the Gentile world as sunk in ungodliness and idolatry, and traces back their guilt to its source, proving them to be without excuse, because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God, he adds-"Neither were thankful." True, therefore, it is, that unthankfulness and ungodliness are usually found together.

AUGUST 5.

"Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not His word: but murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord."-Ps. cvi. 24, 25.

Oh God! Thy blessings are come down like dew
Upon our thankless hearts; and still ingrate,
How have we murmur'd and repined at fate,
Till darkness o'er our thoughtless spirits grew,

M