THE FAMILY ALTAR

September 10.

"The eternal God is thy Refuge, and underneath are the ever-

lasting arms." Dent. 33:27.

"James! James! there you are again: trying instead of

trusting! Suppose you placed your child in the cradle and said,

'Now, dear one, rest/ would you expect the little creature to set

itself shaking the cradle and to say, "I am trying? Would he

rest so?" "No, sir," answered James, who was always trying to

come to rest and peace of soul, but could not succeed and whom

his pious pastor was showing where he made his mistake. "No,

sir; the child must be still to rest." "And so must you, James,"

his pastor told him. "Tell God, (Thou art mine and I am Thine';

cast thyself on His fidelity; sink down upon Him, and, on an

Arm firmer than rock, tenderer than a mother's, thou shalt rest."

Yes, sinking down into the everlasting arms of your merciful God

as a t weary child sinks down into the arms of its mother, yielding

yourself entirely to God without any questioning "ifs" or "buts"

— that insures sweet rest of soul amid all the trials and sorrows

falling to our lot while sojourning in the wilderness of this sin-

stained and tear-stained world.

What, though the way be rough and steep?

What, though we stumble as the blind?

There's joy reserved for those who weep —

The Everlasting Arms are kind.

What matters it if sorrows come?

What, though the night be dark and long?

The darkest cloud but hides the sun —

The Everlasting Arms are strong.

What, though life's ocean surges high?

Though adverse winds now toss each wave?

"Be not afraid! 'tis only I" —

The Everlasting Arms, can save.

What, though besieged by sin and strife,

The heart and flesh but sink and quail?

"I am the Way, the Truth, the Life" —

The Everlasting Arms ne'er fail.

In life's fierce conflict faithful be;

'Tis only they who win the crown.

When death disrobes mortality,

The Everlasting Arms reach down.