THOUGHTS

TO HELP AND TO CHEER.

JULY.

First Day.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing."

Believe, and you shall love; believe much, and you shall love much; labor for strong and deep persuasions of the glorious things which are spoken of Christ, and this will command love. Certainly, did men indeed believe his worth, they would accordingly love him, for the reasonable creature cannot but affect that most which it firmly believes to be worthiest of affection.

Come, then, my soul! now learn to wield
The weight of thine immortal shield;
Put on the armor from above,
Of heavenly truth and heavenly love.

Second Day.

"WHOSOEVER is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

Though holy and religious persons do much eye the law of God, and have a great regard unto it, yet it is not so much the sanction of the law as its reasonableness, and purity, and goodness, which do prevail with them; they account it excellent and desirable in itself, and that in keeping of it there is great reward; and that divine love wherewith they are actuated makes them become a law unto themselves.

Who shall prescribe a law to those that love?
Love 's a more powerful law which doth them move.

Third Day.

"HE causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine, that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart."

It is a joy to live even in this present world. Life upon earth suggests abundant reasons for gratitude, and brings abundant impulses to arouse and bless the soul. This present existence alone is beautiful. What a theatre of action is opened in this present world! How beautiful it is in many aspects! How beautiful it is even to the senses! So fair are the thousand scenes

which delight the eye, that it almost seems at times as if Infinite Love had toiled to robe this world in charms. Indeed, this wondrous beauty is one of the best proofs of an infinite goodness. If the sun goes forth from his chambers like a bridegroom, according to the Psalmist's image, the earth looks up to welcome him in the loveliness of a bride. And as man looks upon the world there is abundant reason why he should repeat the benediction of his Maker, and say in perpetual gratitude, — “It is good."

The earth, all light and loveliness,
In summer's golden hours,
Shines, in her bridal vesture clad,
And crowned with festal flowers,

So radiantly beautiful,

So like to heaven above,

We scarce can deem more fair that world

Of perfect bliss and love.

Fourth Day.

"WAIT on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land."

It is our duty to celebrate this day, not merely by idle pomp and vain display, but in a manner worthy of the great men and the great principles with which it is associated, by high purposes and magnanimous resolves, by deeper gratitude and a loftier faith. The character of man is always more severely tried by the passive than the active virtues. The same dignity of mind and elevation of character which gave our fathers the power to do, gave them also the power to bear and to suffer. Their noble example demands from us to keep our minds unsubdued by ease, with stern self-respect; and to watch for the overshadowing presence of that spirit of the Lord, without which there is no true liberty.