he Prodigal Son away from a good home into the gay
society of the world, and amused him with the pleasures of sin till he
got him down, then he fed him on husks. That is the way he works.

A good many church members do not like to have it known how much they
give for missions. They remind us of the man who said, when asked
about the amount he gave, "What I give is nothing to nobody."

The reason why some people do not want the preacher to preach on
personal sins, is because they are afraid he might say something
against them.

When we see a man going to get water at his neighbor's well, we
naturally suppose his own is dry. So when we see a Christian seeking
the pleasures of the world, we suppose he no longer finds pleasure in
religion.

To know which way a stream of water is flowing, you must not look at
the little eddy, but at the main current, and to know which way a life
is tending, you must not look at a single act, but at the whole trend
of the life.

Satan likes to discourage people, to hinder them in the performance of
their Christian duties, but remember that Christ has said, "My grace is
sufficient for you." Go steadily forward in the line of duty and
success will crown your efforts.

The light of a candle can not be seen very far in the light of a
noon-day sun, but at night it may be seen for a long distance and may
be a guiding star to some poor wanderer. And so, God sometimes darkens
our way that we may shine.

The man who prays for the conversion of the heathen, and then spends a
great deal more for tobacco than he gives to missions, is certainly not
very consistent in his praying and giving.

Thomas Hood once wrote to his wife: "I never was anything, dearest,
till I knew you; and I have been a better, happier, and more prosperous
man ever since. Lay by that truth in lavender, sweetest, and remind me
of it when I fail."

"I believe one reason why such numerous instances of erudition occur
among the lower ranks is, that with the same powers of mind the poor
student is limited to a narrower circle for indulging his passion for
books, and must necessarily make himself master of the few he possesses
before he can acquire more."--_Walter Scott_.

Christians should not forget that God uses human agency in the work of
salvation. The only reason that there are not more saved, is because
the people of God do not put themselves at his disposal for the work.
The Lord wants all to be saved, but they