perfumed, and thus parodying that beautiful scene by a performance which we can only regard as profane. Not thus. But by quiet, unobtrusive deeds of kindness. By giving "the cup of cold water" to the thirsty, the word of sympathy to the tried, and by many a little act of selfsacrifice which, coming in "the daily round and common task" may "Furnish all we ought to ask; Thus may we walk in the blessed steps of Christ's most holy life, animated by His Spirit, and showing the "beauty of holiness" by our self-denying "walk and conversation." Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive;" and how, when He had told the story of a man who "had not cared" what trouble he took to help the stranger whom priest and Levite passed by, He added this moral to the tale: "Go, and do thou likewise." The Father's Face. DWARD, I believe that you know something about it; did you put the paper anywhere?” Edward's face betrayed him. He was a little boy, the youngest of a motherless family, and a general favourite. His father, a London physician in large practice, had but little time to give to his children; but breakfast was the happy meal, at which all at home were collected, and Edward was allowed to occupy a seat of honour" next to his father's chair. 66 The daily paper seemed a natural accompaniment of the toast and bacon; but on this morning it was missing. Everybody had looked for it, and looked in vain, though the servants declared that it had been laid, as usual, beside their master's plate. Its disappearance was a mystery, and 1 the doctor was on the point of saying that it must be given up, when he caught sight of a suspicious quivering about the mouth of his youngest boy, which suggested his ques tion, "Did you put the paper anywhere?" Edward hesitated for a moment; then, looking up at his father with a loving expression, in which no fear of displeasure was mingled, he answered, "Well, I did, darling! The fact is, when we have you with us we like to see your face, and hear your voice; but when you get hold of the paper we don't do either; so I put it in the plate-warmer." Edward is growing up into manhood, but it may be hoped that he still looks to his father with his former confidence and love; and now, may not this little incident, so pretty in its simplicity, suggest a few thoughts to ourselves as Christians, as members of the one great "family in heaven and earth ?" 1 The Father's face! How beautiful is the thought that God would seem to prompt our yearning after its manifestation in the form of blessing appointed by Himself. "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.' Surely this implies that in the shining of that glorious countenance is comprised everything worthy of the name of blessing; all that will secure our happiness while passing through this wilderness of life. "2 What is it that we understand as represented to us by the face but the person himself? It is through his face alone that we can read his thoughts, or divine his mind and feelings. We may be close to one we love, yet if his face be turned away from us our fellowship with him appears suspended; we are in a sense removed from him. This was realized by the little one who hid the paper; he felt that it was indeed to be away from his father if unable to look into his face. When Jehovah would reassure His servant Moses by the 2 Num. vi. 24-26. 1 Ephes. iii. 15. 1 promise of protection, He says, "My presence," and it is literally My face, "shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest;" and again, the blessedness of " those who know the joyful sound" is emphatically that "they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance." 2 The face is held, too, to represent the glory or dignity of the person. It represents the glory of the Lord. "Thou canst not see My face," saith God: "for there shall no man see Me, and live." 3 The glory of God's holiness is but as a consuming fire to a guilty world, except as seen through Him in whom the Father is well pleased. Blessed be His name, we have as an abiding possession "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."4 Is it, then, not well to ask ourselves, each one for himself, what we know of this our Father's face? Is it a face we love? Do we endeavour, through much weakness and infirmity, to walk in its glorious light? Do we long to see it ever shining on us, through the mists and darkness of the world? There are some, even of God's own children, who know comparatively little of this sweet fellowship with a reconciled and loving Father. They are content to let earthly objects obscure His face from their view; and they are prone to look for lesser lights to shine upon their path, forgetting the solemn warning, "Walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of Mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow." To walk in the light of God's countenance is to have a constant realization of His presence, such as Enoch had, who "walked with God," and such as the Psalmist had when he exclaimed, “Thou didst hide Thy face, and I was troubled." Again, it implies a continual reference to God, with regard to all that concerns us-a constant looking for His help, His approval, His direction. "I will guide thee with Mine eye," is His own most gracious promise; and 1 Exod. xxxiii. 14. 4 2 Psa. lxxxix. 15. Psa. xxxii. 8. 3 Exod. xxxiii. 20. 6 Psa. xxx. 7. what could indicate a closer watchfulness or more minute care on God's part respecting His children? But, then, there must be on their part the corresponding action; the "constant looking up," as it has been beautifully expressed, "to meet the eye that guides them." As the little child at play beside its mother is constantly turning for her approving smile, her glance of sympathy and encouragement, so will the Christian be ever and anon looking to his heavenly Father for His smile-His blessing. There are some to whom such language is a mystery. They have never felt, have never, perhaps, wished to feel, the light of God's countenance shining on their path. The desire of their hearts, if they ventured to give expression to it, would rather be that He should depart from them, for they would none of His ways. Are you, who read these lines, among that number? Do not, if you value eternal happiness, remain so. There are some awful thoughts connected with a state of separation from God. Look at the 34th Psalm, and 16th verse: "The face of the Lord is against them that do evil." God's face against us! Ah! who then can be for us? who can befriend the man from whom his Maker's favour is withdrawn? There is another thought for you, who are content to live forgetful of your God. A day is coming-who shall say how quickly?—when the sinner, in his despair, will call upon the rocks to hide him "from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” 1 "Seek ye My face," is the urgent entreaty now of Him who waiteth to be gracious. May His Holy Spirit incline your hearts to answer now, "Thy face, Lord, will I seek." 2 Members of the family, children of God, endeavour more and more to prove the reality of so high a calling. Let it be evident that, as dear children, you are followers of God; and let those who have never prized the blessing of a Father's love see what it is to you. It may be that for many of you there are in store dark hours of sorrow. Human light then might only dazzle and bewilder you; but one ray from that Divine countenance will rekindle hope in your poor aching hearts; will give you peace when, without it, all were bitterness. There is a valley to be traversed at last; but even in its shadow there is light, if the Lord of life command it. "I will fear no evil," said one of old; "for Thou art with me." "" 1 At" evening time it shall be light to those who, in their day of life, have walked with God. "2 And that face will be our light throughout eternity. "They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there." 3 "As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness." 4 Why? T was a terrible night-the wind blowing well-nigh a hurricane-the sea angry with wave and billow— the sky all clouded above with tempest-threatening blackness-when a vessel homeward bound entered the Bristol Channel. The captain had retired for a little rest after the fatigue of long watching, and the chief mate was left on duty to direct the tossing craft. He was an able, experienced sailor, and one thoroughly to be trusted with the chief post when occasion required it. All seemed to be going on well, when suddenly there came an awful squall that deluged the deck with a mighty wave that swept the mate from the position he occupied and washed him overboard into the surging billows. "Washed overboard at sea," was the sorrowful announcement in the newspapers a few days after. Surely a terrible summons to the presence of eternity! Why this awfully |