go forth to-day and seek out the weeping ones with whom you can weep, you will not have far to go! Yes, if generally among us Christians the weeping and the rejoicing with each other were only more common, then were all the measures of suffering and sorrow more equally allotted among us. And this might easily come to pass, could we truly picture one body in Jesus Christ, and become one the member of the other. While you suffer also in the sufferings of others, you will then also become strong, my beloved, so that your own shoulders will be able to bear the burden of sorrow; and if you have thus become strong, the Lord will not remain behind with his wholesome discipline.

O God, come near our hearts and soften them with a love for the suffering! Give us each day our daily bread, not for ourselves alone, but that we may feed with it the starving. In trial and temptation thou wouldst bring us near to thee: help us to find thee then! Let not the trial in our own hearts make us forget those who suffer from earthly wants, but may the cry of the desolate that is sent up to thee reach our hearts also! In the midst of outward prosperity, and the sunnier life that thou hast given us, we brood over our selfish troubles, and weep the failure of

our poor ambitions. O waken us with a sympathy for the poor and lonely whom thou hast given us to lead into more cheerful ways! May they teach us our duty here, that we may carry into the by-ways where want and sorrow are dwelling, some of the joy that we have found in the rich gifts that thou hast showered upon us!

Bless our homes with the ever-present thought of thee! Come into our solitude, and strengthen us when we come out from the quiet of prayer, that we may not forget our love of thee, nor of thy children!

PRAYER.

FROM THE GERMAN.*

O God, thy goodness far extends,
Far as the heavens above are spread,
But still in mercy ever bends,

And gently watches o'er my head. My Shepherd, Lord, my rock, my hill, My prayer accept, attend my word; For I will wait before thee still,

Till my poor prayer by thee is heard.

I ask not for abounding wealth,

The treasures of this world below, But what thou givest, joy or wealth, To feel that all to thee I owe, Wisdom, an understanding heart,

To know thee, and thy own dear Son, Who came thy love and truth to impart, To know myself, an erring one.

I pray not for repose or fame,

Much as for these men toil and sigh,

But for a pure and spotless name,

To lose not, if I live or die.

My glory let my duty be,

My glory in thy holy eye,

While love and smiles from pious friends To cheer my heart be ever nigh.

* Gellert.

For these, O God, I humbly pray,

Not for a lengthened life below, Humble, if prospered be my day,

Brave, if in danger's path I go.

Give me but these, for in thy hand

My times are held; thy love alone Sustains my soul; and let me stand

Hopeful in death before thy throne.

THE FOURTH STORMY SUNDAY.

FORGIVENESS.

"God, lift me from the power

Of flesh corruption; how shall I
Bear to be borne along with stainless flower
And fleecy cloud on high!

"God, lift up unto me

The sinning heart of human-kind;

How can I flutter down the skies, and see

Their errant souls and blind!

"Or wrap me in the light

That folds thy glory's outer zone;
Be thou the sole horizon to my sight,
Content in thee alone."

13

H. ALFORD.