mercy with which it
filled all his consciousness inspired him with hope. He saw his own
utter helplessness, and felt the peril and disaster that were before
him when his frail little vessel of human resolution again met the
fierce storms and angry billows of temptation; and so, in despairing
abandonment of all human strength, he lifted his thoughts to God and
cried out for the help and strength he needed.

And then, for he was deeply and solemnly in earnest, there was a new
birth in his soul--the birth of a new life of spiritual forces in which
God could be so present with him as to give him power to conquer when
evil assailed him. It was not a life of his own, but a new life from
God--not a self-acting life by which he was to be taken over the sea of
temptation like one in a boat rowed by a strong oarsman, but a power he
must use for himself, and one that would grow by use, gaining more and
more strength, until it subdued and subordinated every natural desire
to the rule of heavenly principles, and yet it was a life that, if not
cherished and made active, would die.

There was a new expression in Mr. Ridley's face when he rose from his
knees. It was calmer and stronger.

"God being your helper," said the lady manager, impressively, "victory
is sure, and he will help you and overcome for you if you will let him.
Do not trust to any mere personal motives or considerations. You have
tried to stand by these over and over again, and every time you have
fallen their power to help you has become less. Pride, ambition, even
love, have failed. But the strength that God will give you, if you make
his divine laws the rule of your life, cannot fail. Go to him in
childlike trust. Tell him as you would tell a loving father of your sin
and sorrow and helplessness, and ask of him the strength you need. Read
every morning a portion of his holy word, and lay the divine precepts
up in your heart. He is himself the word of life, and is therefore
present in a more real and saving way to those who reverence and obey
this word than it is possible for him to be to those who do not.

"Herein will lie your strength. Hence will come your deliverance. Take
hold upon God our Saviour, my friend, and all the powers of hell shall
not prevail against you. You will be tempted, but in the moment you
hear the voice of the tempter look to God and ask him for strength, and
it will surely come. Don't parley, for a single moment. Let no feeling
of secur