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this, but that we have the promise that God Himself will give us aid and power to perform the work, if we only seek His help.

Sins of the Congue.

G. H. S.

HERE is no sin so easily committed, and that seems to bring so little punishment in its train, as the sin of using bad words; but, believe me, it is one of the most deadly and soul-defiling sins that men commit. So insidious is the growth of this habit that we hardly heed it. The child begins by using sharp or careless words, thoughtless words, or angry words when vexed; soon he hears some older person using coarse, strong language when out of temper. The child garners it in his memory, and he in turn gives vent to his angry feelings in wicked words. The habit grows, alas! too quickly, and the oft-used words get almost meaningless to the speaker; he uses wicked, yes, and blasphemous, expressions freely, without thought and without fear. And, though I grieve to write it, women's lips, too, are stained with words and expressions such as no Christian should utter, far less any modest woman.

You who are reading this, do you not know it? Many of you, with nearly every breath when talking to your companions, curse and take holy names in vain, and use low, vile words, which must not only be a grievous offence to Him who hears all, but is a blot upon your souls and a stain on your Christian manhood, needing, indeed, true repentance and sincere sorrow ere it can be cleansed.

And, let me ask you, what pleasure is there in this sin? What good can it do you now or after? Boys too often adopt the habit because they hear their elders speaking thus; and woe to that man who wittingly lets the young and innocent hear his coarse, wicked words or jests, and defiles those precious souls for whom Christ died! The young,

then, try to be, as they think, manly by the use of these words; but of those from whom they learn them, their fathers and their mothers, what can be said? Surely it is the very indwelling of the evil spirit that can cause satisfaction in pouring forth ill!

And those words that darken and poison the air round our workshops and in our streets, think you they are spoken and gone, as you would blow a soap-bubble into the air and see it melt away? Nay! words have a double and a fearful life. Each word is written down in the Great Book which is to be opened by the Judge at the last day. Think of that, careless speaker. Think that before angels and men, and before the pure Lord of Glory, those degrading words shall be brought up against you. Ay! then will you call on the rocks to fall on you, if so be they might cover your shame, for that you, a man with an immortal soul, with a tongue and a voice given to you for your own use, for the good of others and for the praise of God-that you should have turned that gift to the vilest uses. Then, right willingly, as you cower before your Judge, would you tear out and cast away that offending member; but then it will be too late. Awful words! lay them to heart now, while there is time; think of what it will be to hear those words from Him you have offended, and for God's sake, for your soul's sake, resolve now, this day, that you will purge your tongue from evil words; when the quick, thoughtless, wicked word rises in your heart, cast out the enemy with a prayer, “Lord, help me!" Believe me, not many efforts will be needed ere it will be easier, and in a short time you will shudder as you think of the fearful way in which you tempted God to cast you away at once and for ever, as you spoke of heaven and hell and the awful realities of that unseen world with careless breath. Hardly can I bear to dwell on the thought that the very Name at which all knees should bow, the Name of our salvation, is thus taken in vain. How can it be, that men for whom that dear Lord died can use that precious Name in jest and anger? Ah! Lord, "forgive

them, for they know not what they do." On bended knees let us offer this prayer for those who surely in blindness and ignorance thus sin.

I said that words have a double life; they live in that great record kept on high. And then think how the spoken word finds a resting-place in those that hear it. Think how that one wicked word you spoke in the hearing of a child fell into his then innocent heart, and was the first beginning of sin and shame and evil. Often, often, have words spoken thus, and heard by the little child who does not then understand the full meaning, dwelt and rankled in his heart till the meaning came, and the spirit of evil, ever ready, made that one word the foundation-stone of myriads of wicked thoughts, and then the fruit-evil deeds.

Oh! turn now from this deadly, soul-consuming sin—cast it from you; it can do you no good, it is positively certain, if continued in, to cast you, body and soul, into hell. Once more, make your resolution now, and God help you.

44

"I Flee unto Thee to hide Me."

Ο

Psalm cxliii. 9.

H, Saviour of the lost, where should I flee?

G. V.

Whither, ah! whither, Lord, if not to Thee?

I have no other refuge; so, I plead

Thy fulness, blessèd Jesus, and my need.

I have no hope, save that which Thou hast cast
Within the veil-an anchor sure and fast.

When doubts assail me, I can only hide-
Once and for ever-in Thy wounded side.

When Satan plies me with insidious dart,
I have no refuge save Thy bleeding heart!

When Conscience brings her charge, I have no plea
Save only this, that Thou hast died for me.

From every stormy wave and foaming sea,
I find a Haven and a Home in Thee!

My load is heavy, and my wound is sore,
But still Thy grace aboundeth more and more!

To Thee I fly when overwhelmed with woe.
To Thee, with every care a heart can know.

To Thee from calumny, if such betide,
To Thee from superstition, lust, and pride.

To Thee for help, and not to scheme nor plan;
To Thee, and not to frail and erring man.

To Thee, if human sophistry or gloss
Should tempt me from the shelter of Thy cross.

To Thee, from every righteousness of mine!
Oh, hide me, Saviour, in that robe of Thine!

Oh peaceful Heaven! calm, serene, and fair-
Thrice happy are the souls that harbour there!

O blessed covert from the storms of life,
O blessed end of care, and toil, and strife.

O resting-place of Faith! O Love's abode!
O sacred hiding-place! O heart of God!

Our human lips are powerless to express
The measure of our deep indebtedness!

We have no words to thank Thee; lo, we flee,
Speechless but satisfied, to hide in Thee!

To hide in Thee, till every storm is past,
And every foe is vanquished, e'en the last.

To hide in Thee-till, earthly peril o'er,
Our souls shall need a hiding-place no more,

But learn the fairer joy Thy love hath stored-
The bliss of being "ever with the Lord."

Y. E. T.

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LEASE to remember the grotto!" cried a little boy, addressing himself to the foot passengers who passed the structure of oyster-shells that he had been busily building as artistically as he was able. The cry had to be repeated a great many times before it brought any gain to the young showman. Most of the

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