lie covert in its path. One father there was who, as his child lay dying, importuned without reserve that he might be spared to him. The boon was granted apparently, with its necessarily entailed consequences. The child grew up to manhood, ran through a fearful course of villany and impiety, which gave a death-blow to the loving mother, and was at last condemned to death.

Learn we hence that it is not for us to choose life or death; it is wisest, it is safest, to feel ever, "Lord, not my will, but Thine, be done." The great lesson we have to learn is, to have our wills brought into entire unison with God's; to be glad always at the portion chosen for us.

Mourner! hark to what Jesus pronounces over thy sleepers,-"Thy brother is not dead, but sleepeth: he shall rise again. I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." "He shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, and shall be raised incorruptible."

"Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," is the thought that appals thy bereaved, loving heart; but Jesus has prepared an incorruptible body, a white robe, a palm, for each of thy sainted departed, and they will greet thee soon thus arrayed, and thy future communion with them shall be unutterably more blessed than what thou hast already held.

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Therefore, beloved, sorrow not even as others which have no hope;" tremble not as those well

may who have no lamp to light the darkness of the grave. Let the unsealed tomb of Jesus banish your bitter grief, your trembling fear; recognise in it the earnest of the resurrection of all the sleepers. He who lay there, slain, dead, yet all powerful in that hour of weakness and distress, now that He is raised to the Father's right hand, and given all power and glory, has assuredly the same-nay, if possible, greater power. He in death conquered deathand so shall it be with His chosen; its sting, its bitterness, has for ever gone: to depart and be with Christ is joy everlasting.

"You tell me," said a dying Christian, “that I have but a few moments to live. Oh, let me spend them in adoring our great Redeemer! Oh, welcome, welcome Death! thou mayest well be reckoned among the treasures of the Christian."

Yes! they that have seen the rapture of reposc that lights up the departing saint, "no more may fear to die;" dare scarcely weep to part.

It would seem as if the mounting spirit bore the watchers aloft a little way, so that they might see the glory and realise the calm, the exquisite delight, of the home yonder. Bind the resurrection hope on your heart, beloved, and weep no more; grudge not the wearied sleepers their rest after life's busy day, but rather rejoice that they are safely garnered into "God's acre," till the trumpet shall call you and them together unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

A CRY HEARD.

"In the hollow of His hand."

RE you coming down to-morrow?" "If the Lord sends me anything

for

you I will come !"

Question and reply ending a

hard day's work among the then famine-stricken inhabitants of a

Public

densely-populated district in East London. and private collections were made for them, and many churches contributed to the aid of their poorer brethren. Among others who did their best to help was the late dearly-loved Dr. James Hamilton, and on reaching my home I found a note requesting me to call on him early next morning.

The morning came, and found our great city most strangely silent. During the night, snow had fallen heavily and unceasingly; and the dim yellow light revealed it still falling in thick clouds -houses, paths, and streets a mass of dazzling white, almost knee-deep; and the progress of vehicles impossible.

Starving people in the east, relief waiting for them in the north-west, miles of knee-deep snow between, and my promise pressing like a chain