There is a gain which many of God's dear children have not yet obtained, and a lesson some have not learned. Paul had both found the gain and learned the lesson. May we follow him.

Godliness with contentment is great gain " (i Tim. vi 6). "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content" (Phil. 4:ii).

Many of the people of God manifestly lack the peace, and rest, and satisfaction which there is for them in this. While learning many and wonderful lessons from our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, how slow we are apt to be to learn the great lesson of being content, no matter what our state, or condition, or position in the world.

Paul had learned how to be abased, or to abound; to be full or to be hungry-to abound and to suffer need. Everywhere and in all things he was instructed in this (Phil. 4:12). Oh, that we all might learn this lesson, on which so much depends for the formation of our Christian character. How often alas, if things do not go according to our ideas, if business or household cares trouble us, and plans do not mature as we expected, how often there is impatience and worry, then hasty or angry words. If to "get on in the world" possesses the mind, there follows a struggle for those things, which prove unprofitable even when obtained, and the destruction of spirituality. Alas, that many of God's dear people should be struggling for place, or favor, or money, or enjoyment, in the scene in which the blessed Saviour we confess was "a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief."

The children of Israel burned incense to the brazen serpent because God had put power in it for a little while. Hezekiah broke it in pieces, calling it " Nehushtan-a piece of brass." Such are the things of this world-they have value but for a day; yet people struggle and fight for them. Should the "heirs of God " do so ?

Solomon drained to the dregs the cup of this world's enjoyments, honors, and glories. He made him great works, built houses, planted vineyards, gardens and trees; had great public works and buildings; had servants, and cattle, gold, and silver, and the peculiar treasure of kings; he proved his heart with mirth and pleasure; he gave his heart to wine, while yet acquainting himself with wisdom as well as folly; so that he became great and increased more than all who had preceded him in Jerusalem:in fact whatsoever his eyes desired he kept not from them and withheld not his heart from any joy (Eccl. 2:); and with what result ?Was he happy, content, satisfied? Nay, it was all Nehushtan! Behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, until he hated life.

"This world has nothing true to give;
No pure, unchanging, fresh delight,"

and therefore the child of God can find nothing in it to satisfy the soul. " For all that is in the world . . is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away " (i John 2:16, 17).

The Lord Jesus Christ alone is sufficient to satisfy; to fill with contentment, and joy too, the souls of God's people.
A tired worker-a believer-this week, in a large store, mentioned to one of the managers her weary and worn state of mind. Wearied with the petty slights of uncongenial associates, anxious about the salary that did not seem to grow as it should-how her heart warmed and her sadness left her as he spoke to her of the Lord Jesus and the blessed hopes and prospects of His coming!

A trusting saint said lately, " I am going to try to live just from day to day trusting God. My income has been cut down this year and I have been worried and full of care about making ends meet, and tried to rush things along in my own impetuous way. I am in the habit of pushing things along by myself when I want them done, and accomplishing everything for myself. This year I could not succeed. I seemed to be up against a stone wall. Now, when I have given up and left it with God, here to-day comes just what 1 wanted and could not obtain for myself."

Ah, why do we not know with the apostle "that all things work together for good to them that love God," and so let God work while we look up to Him and trust? (Rom. 8:28.) Why are we not "content with such things as we have?" when He is with us and has said, " I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5), Have we "food and raiment? ( i Tim. 6:8) let us be therewith content." And that does not mean all the delicacies out of season, nor the latest freaks of fashion in clothing. We brought nothing into the world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. Why then should we be burdened with a lot of excess baggage which must be left behind ?

Do we feel our wages are not enough ? (Luke 3:14.)Let us do our work, not with eye service as
men pleasers, but conscientiously as in the sight of God, remembering we serve the Lord Christ. Our employer must recognize merit where it is possessed, and prayer to God will bring increase in salary, if needed, quicker than any earthly means. "My God shall supply all your need " (Phil. 4:19)

Why should we worry about the things we miss here, when "all things are yours, and ye are Christ's?" Ah, that is it-we forget Christ. In the multitude of cares and worries we heap up for ourselves, we forget Him. " He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness " (Psa. 107:9), and no one and nothing else can. He not only satisfies us, but "abundantly satisfies" (Psa. 36:8).

"Will the Lord indeed care for me?" some one may ask. " It seems as though I am such a feeble, stumbling child of His, that He might not care much about me." But yes He does. He cares for every member of His body, even the weakest.

There is sweet assurance in the thirtieth verse of Eph. 5:; "We are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones." Here is the closest, most intimate connection between the feeblest member of the Body and its great and powerful Head. As long as you are His, the care of you is His care; and right well will He do it if you will let Him have His way to it. It is when we take that care for ourselves and put Him aside that we run into difficulty. What then shall we do ? Simply rest in Christ.

God finds His rest and satisfaction in His beloved Son. "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17). Would that we all might say as to our experience, "Christ is all " (Col. 3:11), and be,
Careful for nothing;
Thankful for anything;
Prayerful in everything.

"The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus " (Phil. 4:5-7). The Lord lead our hearts into the patient waiting for His dear Son, for His name's sake. F.