THE FAMILY ALTAR

June 13.

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee." Num. 6:24.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and

cometh down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variable-

ness, neither shadow of turning," writes St. James. (Jas. 1, 17.)

God the Father, then, is the Fountain of all life and blessing.

From Him come all temporal and spiritual gifts that bless the

life of man. While Israel was traveling to the Promised Land

through the dreary wilderness, the priest pronounced this blessing

upon them after each morning and evening sacrifice. But so many

of the Israelites did not believe it and accept it and hence did

not prosper. The Lord's promises never fail. Heaven and earth

shall pass away, but not the true and everlasting Word of our

God. So when He says that He will bless us when His name is

pronounced upon us, He will do so. Alas! so many no longer

believe it, and hence never succeed in life. They have not, because

they do not seek and accept, God's enriching blessing. Again, the

blessing reads : "The Lord keep thee." He, the Keeper of Israel,

never slumbers nor sleeps. He still has His holy angels to minister

for them who shall be heirs of salvation. He still can and does

send them forth to protect His believing children all their days

and in all their ways, that they do not dash their feet against

a stone. Oh, what soul-reviving comfort it is to know that God

still sends His guardian angel hosts to protect us on our weary

journey through the wilderness of this world of sin and danger!

Let us daily take our refuge under this protecting blessing of our

heavenly Father, and no evil will come nigh us.

The Lord, my God, be praised,

My Light, my Life from heaven,

My Maker, who to me

Hath soul and body given.

My Father, who protects

My life from infancy,

And mighty gifts of love

Hath e'er bestowed on me.