"I nced Thy presence every passing hour:

What, but Thy grace, can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

"I'll fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

"Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies. Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows

flee !

In life, in death, dear Lord, abide with me."

H. L. LYTE.

"And He said, My presence shall go with thee."

HE children of Israel had grievously sinned, the cloudy pillar had disappeared, the anger of the Lord was kindled, and the courage of Moses failed. Earnestly he pleaded in behalf of the erring people, and at length he prevailed. The Lord assured His servant, that His gracious presence should still accompany him, in leading Israel to Canaan, the promised rest.

God's presence! Reader! Reflect on this high honour. That He who reigns supreme amid the hosts of heaven,-who is King of kings and Lord of lords, should condescend to become the friend,—the companion of sinful, erring man. Was ever pilgrim more honoured? ever traveller in better company? Yet God has ever been, and ever will be, the companion of them that fear Him. Enoch

walked with God. Abram was addressed in these words" Walk before Me, and be thou perfect." Christian! hast thou not also realised the fulfilment of the gracious promise? "Yes," methinks I hear you say, “it has been the mainstay,—the very life of my faith and trust, in the hour of trial; it has enabled me to lift up my head on high, and to exclaim, even from the deep waters, “Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." To the true believer, there is no promise so precious and encouraging,—it nerves him for conflict,-fills him with peace, and animates him with hope. With God by his side, what enemy need he fear? what path refuse to enter? Is he stript of worldly prosperity? He has One who can a thousandfold make up for the loss. Is he called to resign the loved and the cherished, and to pass through the troubled waters of affliction? "I am still with thee," calms the anguish of his soul, and is as balm to the wounded spirit. Whatever else may be taken from him, he knows that if "he keep near to God, God will keep near to him;" that, amid flame and flood, amid storm and calm, in pain and health, in peril and safety, “the eternal God

will be his refuge, and underneath the everlasting arms."

Reader! do you sometimes feel that God is not near to you, that your confidence, your faith, your strength have failed you? Ah! may not this be the reason? You have wandered from God,-His presence is near, but you perceive it not. The world,—its joys, and pleasures, and cares, have come between, and darkness is spreading, all around and within you. Oh! haste thee to thy Father and thy God; away from these passing vanities, and, once more, He will take thee by the hand, and lift up upon thee the light of His countenance. Let your past experience of " the joy of His presence," constrain you to "count all things else but loss," that you may have the fulfilment, the realisation of this sweet promise. For, if ever you have truly known what it is to have “God by your side,” then you know how precious, how delightful is the companionship. It can make the cottage bright and warm; it can sweeten the hard crust, and make even a cup of water blessed; it can inspire the soul with peace and triumph, in the dark night-season of sorrow; and breathe sweet music over the scene of sadness and of

Q

gloom. Has it not, in times past, hushed the tempestuous billows, with the gentle command, "Peace, be still"? Has it not filled the dungeon with the yoice of praise, and made the inner prison re-echo with the songs of joy? Has it not enabled many a tried believer to say

"Let good or ill befall,

It must be good for me;
Secure of having Thee in all,
Of having all in Thee."

Christian! be it yours to "walk with God," strive to behold Him, by faith, amid your joys and sorrows,—in the family, and in the world, in the secresy of the closet, and in the daily walks of life. See Him, as He fills your cup and makes it run over. See Him, as He dashes it from your lips, not in anger, but to draw you to Himself. See Him, in the smiles and love, of the unbroken family circle, and in the sorrow and sadness which you must feel, as you gaze on the empty chair, or the picture on the wall. See Him, leading thee onward, step by step, never failing nor forsaking thee, but "faithful unto all His promises." Let this be the language of thy soul :