Visiting a brother in the Lord some time since, who had utilized his saw-mill for the manufacture of broom-handles, I was at a loss to know how they were to be made smooth enough for use, seeing them come from the saw and lathe so rough in appearance. "Oh, I will show you," he replied, as I presented the difficulty to my friend; and, suiting the action to the word, he grasped an armful, and placed them in a revolving cylinder. In a very brief time, on releasing the belt, to my amazement, he took them out quite smooth in appearance and feeling. He had done this that they might rub each other smooth.

"Ah," said I, " here is a good lesson for us as to the ways of the Lord with us His people, and I understand better than ever what it is to 'endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit. When God's grace has saved a man, and made him personally fit to go to heaven, cleansed by the Savior's blood, and with a nature capable of enjoying it, He next sees fit to put him into such circumstances on earth as thus serve him a good purpose, like this smoothing process." Thus, beloved brethren, it is that we are put, by His divine and unerring hand of love and wisdom, into association with many in the body of Christ who daily try and exercise our hearts, that so in the workings of His grace we may "rub each other smooth." Even so, Father, may our hearts respond! B.C.G.