TOMBS IN THE CATACOMBS OF ROME: Even in death, the Christian testimony offers promise and light as contrasted with those of the Pagans - J. Ogles

 LORD KELVIN ON FAITH:

  

THE RECTOR AND THE POOR BOY.

 

 

 

“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:9-11

 

         An indigent boy applied for alms at the house of an avaricious rector, and received a dry mouldy crust.

The rector inquired of the boy if he could say the Lord's Prayer, and was answered in the negative. 

         "Then," said the rector, "I will teach you that."

         "Our Father!"— "Our Father!" said the boy, " is he my Father as well as yours?" Yes, certainly." 

         "Then," replied the boy, " how could you give your poor brother this mouldy crust of bread?

 THE FAMILY ALTAR 

October 7.

"And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert

place, and rest a while; for there were many coming and going,

and they had no leisure so much as to eat." Mark 6, 31.

The apostles had returned from their first missionary tour on

which Jesus had sent them, and now told all they had done and

what they had taught. Our compassionate Savior, however, does

not send them out again at once, but invites them to rest a while

from their labors in some secluded desert place. In the hustle and

bustle of the overcurious multitude about them they could not

even find leisure to "eat. "Rest a while !" So our dear Lord says

also to His disciples nowadays. If we and all His children would

only pay more attention to His gracious invitation and learn to

separate ourselves from our multitudinous business or household

cares and rest a while daily in His comforting and strengthening

presence — what better Christians we all should be ! But we here

in America are all more or less possessed by the prevailing speed

mania. Too many among us cannot work fast enough, earn money

fast enough, live fast enough, and finally die fast enough. They,

indeed, are to be accounted happy whom the Lord takes apart into

the desert of the sickroom or other solitude, and tells them : "Xow

rest a while, and ponder the things eternal." Let us take time

every day to go with Jesus into seclusion and by prayer and medita-

tion in His saving Word to rest a while with Him. Every hour

we spend needlessly in the company of worldly-minded men is lost,

lost to us forever. Every minute we spend with our Lord is so

much gain for a blessed eternity.

Alone with Thee! alone with Thee!

0 Friend divine!

Thou Friend of friends, to me most dear;

Though all unseen, I feel Thee near;

And, with the love that knows no fear,

1 call Thee mine.

Alone with Thee! alone with Thee!

I want no more

To make my earthly bliss complete,

Than oft my Lord unseen to meet;

For sight I wait till tread my feet

Yon glistering shore.

Alone with Thee! alone with Thee!

There not alone,

But with all saints, the mighty throng,

My soul unfettered, pure, and strong

Her high communions shall prolong

Before Thy throne.