THE FAMILY ALTAR

June 3.

"If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your

children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the

Holy Spirit to them that ask Him!" Luke 11:
13.

By nature we are all evil, full of sin, and therefore given

more or less to greed and selfishness. Yet when a child among

us asks his father for bread, he will not give him a stone. Even

sinful fathers know how to give good gifts to their children.

Though, when the children in their ignorance ask them for harmful

things, they will not grant their wish. Love for their children

moves them to giver them only good things. We are all God's

children by faith in Jesus Christ. Our heavenly Father, however,

is not limited in His power, and wisdom, and love as are earthly,

sinful fathers. He never makes mistakes. In our ignorance we

often ask Him for things that would prove harmful to our tem-

poral or eternal welfare. So He, in His loving wisdom, often

does not grant our prayers. But one prayer He is always ready

to grant us — the prayer for the gift of His Holy Spirit. What

a blessed truth ! What greater, what more necessary, what more

precious gift can we ask of the heavenly Father than His Holy

Spirit ? Do we need comfort in the many sorrows and tribulations

of life? The Holy Spirit becomes our Comforter. Do we grow

weak in faith, cold in love, poor in hope, — who else but God the

Holy Spirit can revive our drooping hearts? Do we need courage

to confess our faith before the enemies of Christ, strength daily

to walk securely in the narrow path, and fearless confidence for

the solemn hour of death? All this God's Holy Spirit alone can

and will give us. Then let us take our blessed Savior at His word.

Let us daily and confidently ask the heavenly Father for the gift

of the Holy Spirit; and we shall not lack any good thing.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!

Let Thy bright beams arise:

Dispel the sorrow from our minds,

The darkness from our eyes.

Revive our drooping faith;

Our doubts and fears remove;

And kindle in our breasts the flame

Of never-dying love.

Convince us of our sin,

Then lead to Jesus' blood;

And to our wondering view reveal

The mercies of our God.