es
many a flower to bloom unseen in the lonely desert, so to do all that
we can do, as under His eye, though no other eye ever take note of it?

It is our privilege to take our rest and recreation for the purpose
of pleasing Him; to lay aside our garments at night neatly (for He is
in the room, and watches over us while we sleep), to wash, to dress,
to smooth the hair, with His eye in view; and, in short, in all that
we are and in all that we do to use the full measure of ability which
GOD has given us to the glory of His holy Name? Were we always so to
live, how beautiful Christian life would become! how much more worthy
a witness we should bear to the world of Him whose witnesses we are!
May the life we are living be characterised by the growth in grace
which will glorify GOD; and may tell-tale faces, and glad hearts, and
loving service be to each one of us as "a ribband of blue,"
reflecting the very hue of heaven, and reminding ourselves and one
another of our privileges to "remember all the commandments of the
LORD, and do them."

Blessed Prosperity
Meditations On The First Psalm.

INTRODUCTORY.

There is a prosperity which is not blessed: it comes not from above
but from beneath, and it leads away from, not towards heaven. This
prosperity of the wicked is often a sore perplexity to the servants
of GOD; they need to be reminded of the exhortation, "Fret not
thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man
who bringeth wicked devices to pass." Many besides the Psalmist have
been envious at the foolish when seeing the prosperity of the wicked,
and have been tempted to ask, "Is there knowledge in the MOST HIGH?"
While Satan remains the GOD of this world, and has it is his power to
prosper his votaries, this source of perplexity will always continue
to those who do not enter into the sanctuary and consider the latter
end of the worldling.

Nor is it the godless only who are tempted by the offer of a
prosperity which comes from beneath. Our SAVIOUR Himself was tempted
by the arch-enemy in this way. CHRIST was told that all that He
desired to accomplish for the kingdoms of this world might be
effected by an easier path than the cross--a little compromise with
him who held the power and was able to bestow the kingdoms, and all
should be His own. The lying wiles of the seducer were instantly
rejected by our LORD; not so ineffective are such wiles to many of
His people; a little policy rat