A row of books had been set up again and again upon the table, but each time failed to keep their position, because to some extent leaning one upon another. One who was sitting near set them up firmly by placing each distinct from the other, saying, as he did so, "This is the only way to accomplish it-let them stand upon their own responsibility."

I thought, what a lesson for ourselves is here given us!-they only stand well together in divine things who first stand upon their own responsibility individually. And to this end, is it not oftentimes that our gracious God removes from us those whom He sees we are leaning upon, instead of wholly upon Himself, that we may realize our own individuality with Him. So we find it in Ps. xviii, " I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower," and thus throughout the entire psalm.

How much of life's discipline may this explain! and how many of the precepts of Scripture, little realized to any profit, would it give force and value to were it more so with us! As we go forward in the Christian life, this surely will result, and our hearts be more able through grace to say, " I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." " God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

May we know it thus, through His grace! B.C.G.