The Pilgrim Communing with Himself.
“Our light afflictions.”—Cor. iv. 17. PEOPLE are apt to complain of their trials and exaggerate them. St. Paul was a singular man in this respect. He talks about our light afflictions. He is right. Our afflictions are light—light compared with our sins, for no one ever treated us worse than we have treated our Heavenly Father. Light, compared with the sufferings of others. Light, because they are but for a moment, and then “there shall be no more pain.” Light, compared with the pain of Jesus, who says, “Cannot ye watch with me one hour?” Light, because they are useful. Poverty gives rise to faith, illness to resignation, injury to forgiveness; thus, sorrows are commuted into pearls, and enemies leave jewels in the way, which we may lay up with our treasures in heaven. Light, because they are wisely sent. They are selected as to number, kind, and quality. The Captain of our salvation understands every case, and knows what drilling is necessary to make a good soldier. Light, if we love and approach the hand that afflicts.132I must try then to derive improvement from my tribulations, rather than to complain of them. I must have a smile for every pain; a cordial blessing for every one that annoys me; and never more resist the good angels of affliction, which, though never welcome, are ever coming out of the unseen, laden with their weight of glory.—Presbyterian.