that "whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth;" and "if ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?" "Only, Lord, say to me, 'My son,' and then, whatever thou wilt after!" Welcome dark days and starless nights; welcome rough places which shall be made plain, and the crooked ones which shall be made straight! "God is love!" Welcome the tribulation in the world, which has been overcome; its sorrow and sickness; its pain and poverty; its scorn and oppression: in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loveth us. Forget not your song in the night, for He giveth it. The song of the midnight bird is the sweetest. The song of the soul in the dark stormy hour fills the courts of heaven with melody; for while the rough billows around us seem to say, "He will be favourable no more," yet that very whisper shall remind us how we have before rejoiced in His love; and while we observe His ways, we shall rest upon His faithfulness; for "God is good! God is love." LOVE'S OFFERING. "Not your own, for ye are bought with a price." 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20. No more, my own, Lord Jesus, I give the life Thou gavest, I give the love, the sweetest Smile and the very shadows In Thy blest light shall shine; Thou know'st my soul's ambition, Outside the camp to suffer, And hear Thy softest whisper, Thou bear'st me on Thy bosom, Rescued from sin's destruction, Oh! deathless Love that bought me ! Now fashion, form, and fill me Thus one with Thee, Lord Jesus, The Drunkard's Daughter; OR, WHAT CAN A CHILD DO? "Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I send thee." JER. i. 6, 7. |