Thoughts for Perilous Times.
By M. H. L.
"Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me?" Has not God promised that all things shall work together for good to them that love him? Has not God said that the hairs of your head are all numbered? Did he not protect the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace? Has he not promised with every temptation to make a way of escape? also to suffer none to come but such as you shall be able to bear? As your day is, so your strength will be. The same God that delivered them when the decree went forth that all who did not fall down and worship the golden image set up by the king, should that same hour be cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace—has the same care now over his true servants that he then had. He has not lost one attribute of his nature. He is still Love, Justice, Mercy, and Truth, and delights in those who are striving to reflect his image. As fiery trials are the ordeal through which every Christian must pass, to prove of what sort his work is, therefore in these very things give thanks, and count it all joy that an opportunity may be given you to fall into divers temptations, knowing that the trial of your faith worketh patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in the heart. The same God that protected Lot when his righteous soul was vexed from day to day with the unlawful deeds and filthy conversation of the Sodomites, is able to keep God's remnant servants holy, blameless, and undefiled, amid the corrupting influences of camp life, should any be called to that test. When the Lord was about to destroy Sodom, the angels laid hold of Lot's hand, bidding him haste and escape to the mountains, as they could do nothing until he was gone. Think you that God has forgotten to be gracious now? that his angels have lost their strength to protect, defend, and lead from danger? No! no! God sitteth in the heavens, and from the height of his pavilion beholds the children of men. He is about to set a mark upon those who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the land, and when he has sufficiently tried his ransomed people, he will stay the hand of the wicked, which is the sword of the Lord, even as he did in behalf of his ancient people, when he commanded them to drive out their enemies from the land he gave them to inhabit. No weapon formed against a child of God can prosper, no matter how it is formed, or where, or by whom; it cannot prosper. In order to be thus entitled to the preserving power of God, let us see to it that we are in reality the light and salt of the earth. Let us add to our faith, virtue, and to this all the other Christian graces, then we shall not be blind, but be enabled to see afar off, and, through the telescope of God's word, clearly discern the deliverance of every one whose name is written in the book. Dan. xii. M. H. L.