to serious reflection. Here recollections of the past, and prospects of the future, press upon the thought, and teach, in one silent hour, such a lesson of wisdom as might not have been imparted in years of health. Here, in affliction's hour, we may be led to sincere repentance for our past unfaithfulness, and to pray that the Lord, whose goodness and mercy have followed us in all our devious wanderings, would still vouchsafe his blessing. In afflictions earthly pleasures fade away, and the soul is gently drawn to the Lord in prayer and supplication. The furnace of trial is permitted to prove, to try, and to do us good in our latter end.
Weep not, then, thou tried and afflicted soul! for if thou art faithful, thou wilt, in affliction, change earthly for heavenly affections, and thou shalt feel a conjunction with the Lord, and hear these consoling words, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." (Isa. xlviii. 10.) O let us learn to bless the Lord for all things, as well for the winter's cold as for the summer's warmth! for, both in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, the providence of God will teach us that "Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge." (Psa. xix. 2.)
January Tenty-third.
PARADISE POSSESSED.
"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden af Eden, to dress it, and to keep it."—Gen. ii. 15.
NOTHING can be more pleasing to the mind than to contemplate man's state of innocence as described by his being placed by his Creator in the
