EVERYTHING is blighted. We naturally cling to some seeming bright spot, but it is soon darkened by some ill of this inconstant life. All is fluctuating. To-day we have near and dear friends—to-morrow they may be gone. Man, like earth's scenes of nature, is changing. Some seem ever unsettled. They appear to have no fixed principle of action, but vary as feelings and the surrounding circumstances may admit. They love and rejoice in the truth to-day; to-morrow they take a course at variance with it. We meet them as friends; they seem courteous and kind; our voices unite in sweet heart-felt praise and love in the precious truth. Again they are strangers. No love unites, but coldness and distance separates. It is distressing to meet such who profess to keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. Poor human nature! heir of blind prejudice and cruel animosities. Earth's sons and daughters have fallen. The grace of God alone can rectify and bring them back to purity and peace.
Soon earth's changing scenes will cease. All characters will have been forever formed, perfect or imperfect, and the reward given as their works shall be. May my works be those of the righteous, that his reward may be mine.
The psalmist says, "Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him." God is unchanging. We can trust in him. He is ever the same. How precious! He is a shield and buckler; a shelter from the storm (just about to burst upon this guilty world). He is a rock in a weary land. He is a great and mighty God, who will soon give his faithful, trusting children rest in life eternal, in the Holy City, where all will be pure and heavenly.
"When foes surround my path,
Mustered in rage and wrath,
To make me fly;111To catch me when I rove,
Or make me trembling move,
Be Thou still nigh.
Blest Saviour, do not leave me ever,
But guide me by thy gracious favor,
Counsel I need and aid.
Friends have their trust betrayed,
Snares for my feet are laid,
On Thee my hope is stayed,
Now and forever."
F. M. BRAGG.
Cambridge, Wis.