THE EVERY-DAY COMPANION. PART I. FROM ADVENT TO WHITSUNTIDE. BY THE REV. W. H. RIDLEY, M.A., RECTOR OF HAMBLEDEN, BUCKS.; AUTHOR OF "A FLAIN TRACT ON CONFIRMATION," "HOLY COMMUNION," ADVERTISEMENT. THE object of this little work is to assist persons who have little leisure in meditating profitably every day on some subject which the Church suggests for that day. With very few exceptions, such as the Beatitudes, which are put all together in the month of May, the text is either taken from the service of the day or suggested by the season of the year, as in Lent and Easter-week, or by something which occurs in the service. The poetry is culled from a great many sources. Permission has kindly been. conceded by the author of the "Christian Year” and Dr. Monsell to make use of portions of their beautiful works. Lent has been made to begin on the 22nd of February, in consequence of which Easter Day falls on the 8th of April, and the other Festivals are regulated by this. When Lent falls earlier than this, the pieces for spare days in February can be read on the unsupplied days in March or April; and when it falls later, pieces from the superfluous days of April can be taken for use before Lent begins, care being always taken that at Ascensiontide and Whitsuntide the appointed passages be used. An extra week has been added in case any persons may find it more convenient to use these indifferent passages than to mingle April or May with February and March. The Every-day Companion. November 30. ST. ANDREW'S DAY. JOHN i. 36, 37. Looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Ar the beginning, and until the end, Jesus is set before you as your Saviour and your Example. Pray that God will give you grace to follow Him, like St. Andrew. Take Him as your own Saviour, and seek to do as He did. So shall He go and be with you all through the year, whatever may befal you. Think of Him when you are at work, at play, at meals, in bed, and try to do what you think He would do. Jesus calls us o'er the tumult Of our life's wild restless sea; December 1. REV. xxii. 12. Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. You cannot tell how soon the end shall be. 66 Quickly" Christ will come, even though it may be a few years yet before He appears. You will feel then at once that all is over-no more preparation, no more repentance. What is done, cannot then be undone; and it will be too late to do what has not been done. Do everything as if it were the last thing you would do. Great God! to Thee our prayers we pour, In deep abasement bending; Oh, shield us in that last dread hour, May we, in this our trial-day, With wakeful hearts Thy word obey, B |