November 12

“The trial of your faith.” — 1 Peter i. 7.

Jl^^AITII untried may be true faith, but it is sure to W be little faith, and it is likely to remain dwarQsh so long as it is without trials. Faith never pro.sperj so well as when all things are against her; tempests archer trainers, and lightnings are her illuminators. When a calm reigns; n the sea, spread the sails as you will, the uhip moves not to its harbor; for, on a slumbering ocean, the keel sleeps too. Let the winds rush howling forth, and let the waters lift up themselves, then, though the vessel may rock, and her deck may be washed with waves, and her masw may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway towards her desired haven. No flowers wear so lovely a blue as those which grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam so brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky; no water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity. Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness had you not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known Grod’s strength had you not been supported amid the water-floods. Faith increases in solidity, assurance, and intensity, the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too.

Let not this, however, discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials enough without seeking them; the full portion will be measured. out to you in due season. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have; praise Him for that degree of holy confidence whercunto you have attained; walk according to that rule, and you shall yet have more and more of the blessing of God, till your faith shall remove mooutains and conquer impossibilities.