"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." " As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent." God chastises His children that they may be more and more conformed to His mind, or as the apostle expresses it, that they may "be partakers of His holiness."

There are three ways of treating chastisement mentioned in the word of God. One is to despise it. "Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord." To say in effect that we did not need what has come upon us, is really to despise it, and the One who has sent it.

A second way of treating chastisement is to faint under it. "Neither faint when thou art rebuked of him." The one who faints under chastening, does not see and own that it comes in love,-that the Hand of love has brought it for good,-and so faints under it.

The third way is to be exercised by the chastisement. "Now no chastisement for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceful fruits of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby." The person who is brought to true exercise of soul under chastisement will not be indulging in nice sentimental thoughts, but will be saying the Master's touch means something; and will be diligently enquiring what that meaning is. Is there not something in my ways, the soul will ask, which is displeasing to Him? Have I not something between myself and Him? He is a jealous God, and will not give His glory to another. The exercised one who knows God, will also say in effect, He has sent this chastisement in love, -He means it for blessing to me. He wants my whole heart and life. Oh, if this exercise goes down deep, the soul will see things as God sees them, that is according to its own little, finite measure, and thus will be finding " a path which the vulture's eye hath not seen," and which will shine with growing brightness until it enters the perfect and eternal day. In short this deep exercise is the way to real blessing. " Afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby." No blessing in despising chastisement,-no blessing in fainting under it; but simply in being truly exercised by it.

Oh, happy if through chastisment we are brought down from the deceptive clouds of our own vain thoughts, to the terra firma of God's solemn realities. Full blessing is had by fully and practically getting into the current of His thoughts. Full blessing is had by taking sides with God against much that He has seen in us and our ways, deeply offensive to Him. This is self-judgment. Fruit suited to God's taste will follow. R. H.