Some Thoughts for 1890.
I. -- AS TO CHURCH GOING.
An old custom: "And He (Jesus) entered, as His custom was, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day." LUKE IV. 16. (Rev. Ver.)
A new custom: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom of some is." -- HEB. X. 25. (Rev. Ver.)
"THE OLD IS BETTER."
2. -- AS TO PRAISE.
"My tongue shall speak of thy . . . praise all the day long."
"Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints." -- Ps. XXXV. 28; CXLIX. 1.
"Lord, once my love was all ablaze,
But now it burns so dim!
My life was praise, but now my days
Make a poor broken hymn;
Yet ne'er by Thee am I forgot,
But; helped in deepest need,--
The smoking flax Thou quenchest not,
Nor break'st the bruised reed."
3. -- FOR THE BEREAVED.
"One less at home!
One voice of welcome hushed, and evermore
One farewell word unspoken; on the shore
Where parting comes not, one soul landed more,
One more in heaven!
One more in heaven!
Another thought to brighten cloudy days,
Another theme for thankfulness and praise,
Another link on high our souls to raise
To home and heaven !"
4. -- FOR THE CHILDREN.
"Your treasure :" look up Matt. vi. 21, and read the verse. You are some one's treasure: how your mother loves you! If you love Jesus, you are His treasure too, and He will never let anyone hurt you. And what treasures God has given you, or provided for you! Your soul, which may enjoy God for ever; Christ, to be your Saviour and your Friend; Heaven, as your happy and Eternal Home. It is a pity we think so much of things that are of little value, and forget these great and blessed treasures. When I give myself to Christ, He gives Himself to me: then I can say, Christ is mine -- oh ! what a treasure! And shall I not tell others of this precious treasure of mine?
"We must all speak for Jesus,
Where'er our lot may fall ;
To brothers, sisters, neighbours,
In cottage and in hall.
We all must speak for Jesus,
To show how much we owe
To Him who died to save us
From death and endless woe."
5. -- A WORD FOR ALL.
"Paul . . . thanked God and took courage." -- ACTS XXVIII. 15.