ord thy

1-4-The Social Reformer that thou of the days of old, and considheart be has been done by the help of past generations. 5-7-Progre often seems at a standstill, and

(R.V.)

all confidence in the success of the that is being attempted. 8-12 olish need forethought, prudence, perer the ance and faith.

13-15 Foresigs of

taught even by the animals. 16-20- and must look to God for guidance and help, and to the example of Jeck Christ, if we would not be despondind 21-23 By prayer and earnestne's. progress will come.

FORMER'S BIBLE.

VIII, 1-2.

The sons of History.

1.

We have heard with our ears, O

God, our fa

work thou

days of old

God: con

hers have told us, what

idst in their days, in the

...

Thou art my king, O

nand deliverance for Jacob.

Through hee will we push down our

adversar

tread th

For I

s: through thy name will we 'n under that rise up against us. ill not trust in my bow, neither shall m sword save me. But thou hast saved from our adversaries, and hast put th m to shame that hate us. In

God h

ve we made our boast all the day long, and we will give thanks unto thy

name

or ever.

Psalm xliv, 1, 4-8. (R.v.)

2.

G'd is our refuge and strength, a very pres'nt help in trouble. Therefore will we fot fear, though the earth do change,

and

the

r

though the mountains be moved in

heart of the seas... Come, behold

the works of the Lord, what desolations

h

e hath made in the earth.

still, and know that I am God: I will

VIII, 3-4.

be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Psalm xlvi, 1-11. (a.v.)

3.

Beware lest thou forget the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments . . . which I command thee this day: lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; . . . and when thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God.

...

Deuteronomy viii, 11-14. (R.v.)

4.

Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? ... Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. Ask thy father and he will shew thee; thine elders, and they will tell thee. . . . Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that gave thee birth. Deuteronomy xxxii, 6, 7, 18. (R.V.)

VIII, 5-7. The Progress of Reform is Slow.

5.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God hath done it, that men should fear before him. That which is hath been already; and that which is to be hath already been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.

Ecclesiastes iii, 14, 15. (R.v.)

6.

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.

Jeremiah vi, 16. (R.v.)

7.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

Ecclesiastes i, 9, 10. (a.v.)

VIII, 8-12.

Forethought, Prudence, and Faith.

8.

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Proverbs xxiv, 27. (a.v.)

9.

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his

going.

Proverbs xiv, 15. (R.v.)

10.

(Jesus said), No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

11.

Luke ix, 62. (R.V.)

Who is the wise man that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken, that he may declare it? Wherefore is the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passeth through ? Jeremiah ix, 12. (R.v.)

12.

Elihu answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I held back, and durst not shew you mine