LOUISA J. HALL.

The elements of _happiness_ in this present life no man can command, even if he could command himself, for they depend on the action of many wills, on the purity of many hearts, and by the highest law of G.o.d the holiest must ever bear the sins and sorrows of the rest; but over the _blessedness_ of his own spirit circ.u.mstance need have no control; G.o.d has therein given an unlimited power to the means of preservation, of grace and growth, at every man's command.

J. H. THOM.

There is in man a higher than love of happiness: he can do without happiness, and instead thereof find blessedness!

T. CARLYLE.

December 9

_For this shall every one that is G.o.dly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him_.--PS. x.x.xii. 6.

Be not o'ermastered by thy pain, But cling to G.o.d, thou shall not fall; The floods sweep over thee in vain, Thou yet shall rise above them all; For when thy trial seems too hard to bear, Lo! G.o.d, thy King, hath granted all thy prayer: Be thou content.

P. GERHARDT.

It is the Lord's mercy, to give thee breathings after life, and cries unto Him against that which oppresseth thee; and happy wilt thou be, when He shall fill thy soul with that which He hath given thee to breathe after. Be not troubled; for if troubles abound, and there be tossing, and storms, and tempests, and no peace, nor anything visible left to support; yet, lie still, and sink beneath, till a secret hope stir, which will stay the heart in the midst of all these; until the Lord administer comfort, who knows how and what relief to give to the weary traveller, that knows not where it is, nor which way to look, nor where to expect a path.

I. PENINGTON.

December 10

_Behold, we count them happy which endure_.--JAMES v. 11.

_If ye endure chastening, G.o.d dealeth with you as with sons_.--HEB. xii. 7.

Trials must and will befall; But with humble faith to see Love inscribed upon them all, This is happiness to me.

W. COWPER.

Be not afraid of those trials which G.o.d may see fit to send upon thee. It is with the wind and storm of tribulation that G.o.d separates the true wheat from the chaff. Always remember, therefore, that G.o.d comes to thee in thy sorrows, as really as in thy joys. He lays low, and He builds up. Thou wilt find thyself far from perfection, if thou dost not find G.o.d in everything.

M. DE MOLINOS.

G.o.d hath provided a sweet and quiet life for His children, could they improve and use it; a calm and firm conviction in all the storms and troubles that are about them, however things go, to find content, and be careful for nothing.

R. LEIGHTON.

December 11

_Oh, that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me_!--I CHRON. iv. 10.

_Ye shall serve the Lord your G.o.d, and He shall bless thy bread and thy water_.--EX. xxiii. 25.

What I possess, or what I crave, Brings no content, great G.o.d, to me, If what I would, or what I have, Be not possest, and blest, in Thee; What I enjoy, O make it mine, In making me that have it, Thine.

J. QUARLES.

Offer up to G.o.d all pure affections, desires, regrets, and all the bonds which link us to home, kindred, and friends, together with all our works, purposes, and labors. These things, which are not only lawful, but sacred, become then the matter of thanksgiving and oblation. Memories, plans for the future, wishes, intentions; works just begun, half done, all but completed; emotions, sympathies, affections,--all these things throng tumultuously and dangerously in the heart and will. The only way to master them is to offer them up to Him, as once ours, under Him, always His by right.

H. E. MANNING.

December 12

_I delight to do Thy will, O my G.o.d: yea, Thy law is within my heart_.--PS.

xl. 8.

A patient, a victorious mind, That life and all things casts behind, Springs forth obedient to Thy call; A heart that no desire can move, But still to adore, believe, and love, Give me, my Lord, my Life, my All.

P. GERHARDT.

That piety which sanctifies us, and which is a true devotion to G.o.d, consists in doing all His will precisely at the time, in the situation, and under the circ.u.mstances, in which He has placed us. Perfect devotedness requires, not only that we do the will of G.o.d, but that we do it with love.

G.o.d would have us serve Him with delight; it is our hearts that He asks of us.

FRANcOIS DE LA MOTHE FeNELON.

Devotion is really neither more nor less than a general inclination and readiness to do that which we know to be acceptable to G.o.d. It is that "free spirit," of which David spoke when he said, "I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou hast set my heart at liberty." People of ordinary goodness walk in G.o.d's way, but the devout run in it, and at length they almost fly therein. To be truly devout, we must not only do G.o.d's will, but we must do it cheerfully.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES.

December 13

_So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom_.--PS. xc. 12.

_Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind_.--LUKE xii. 29.

Our days are numbered: let us spare Our anxious hearts a needless care: 'T is Thine to number out our days; 'T is ours to give them to Thy praise.

MADAME GUYON.

Every day let us renew the consecration to G.o.d's service; every day let us, in His strength, pledge ourselves afresh to do His will, even in the veriest trifle, and to turn aside from anything that may displease Him.

He does not bid us bear the burdens of tomorrow, next week, or next year.

Every day we are to come to Him in simple obedience and faith, asking help to keep us, and aid us through that day's work; and to-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, through years of long to-morrows, it will be but the same thing to do; leaving the future always in G.o.d's hands, sure that He can care for it better than we. Blessed trust! that can thus confidingly say, "This hour is mine with its present duty; the next is G.o.d's, and when it comes, His presence will come with it."