I would earnestly advise you to turn your attention to the subject of missions at home and abroad. If you are able to read, subscribe for the "Spirit of Missions" and read it all through. An excellent old Presbyterian lady once said that when she got her missionary paper she "just sat down and prayed right through it." Do you likewise, and at the same time consider how wonderful is this instrument of prayer, by which, in your chamber, you can reach the overworked man or woman toiling in China or Africa. You will soon find that your interest in the work grows as you learn more about it. You will find yourself looking out for news from particular stations and people, and thinking of Miss Wong and her orphans, and Miss Somebody Else and her Indians or Freedmen, as if they were personal friends. Do not be content, however, with reading and praying. Try to do something. Many invalids are able to do more or less light work with their fingers, and find great comfort in it. Now at this time let your work be consecrated in a special manner. Lay aside the fancy work for something practical and useful. Let the drawn work give way to the hospital towel, and the knitted lace to the hospital sock. Even if you can do but little, let that little be done faithfully and as regularly as possible, and the Lord of the harvest will bless your gleanings as much as the full sheaves of the stalwart reaper in the field. If you are earnest in watching for opportunities you may also practice self-denial in other ways. Are there no little luxuries that you can do without, and so add a few cents or dollars to your charity-purse? Cannot the orange, or bunch of grapes, or bottle of cologne be sent to some poor body who keeps Lent all the year round? Is there no service which you have been in the habit of requiring from an attendant, and which, by a little effort, you may perform for yourself? When a visitor comes in, can you not turn the conversation from your own aches and pains to something more pleasant and profitable? All these things are self-denials, and, if used in the right spirit, will bring their reward—a present reward in improved cheerfulness, and so, often, in improved bodily health; a lasting reward in growth in grace, and in that holiness which shall make you more fit for that world where there is no more any pain, because the former things are passed away. Psalm lxxvii. Rev. vii. 9-17. _SECOND FRIDAY IN LENT._ _THE USE OF FASTING._ WHAT is the use of fasting? The answer to this question is given in the collect which has formed the text of our meditations for the week. "That our flesh being subdued to the spirit, we may obey Thy godly motions in righteousness and true holiness."