Does the past sometimes rise up to trouble me with the thought of the many years spent without GOD? Ah! no doubt the shame and grief are sharp and keen, but why need they disturb my peace of mind? Has not GOD promised His pardon for His blessed SON'S sake, to all who truly repent and unfeignedly believe His Holy Gospel? Have I made a full avowal and entire submission? and am I not willing to fulfil whatever I am advised in GOD'S Name to do for the future? Does the future in its turn seem to frighten me? I smile at the foolish fancies of my imagination; is not my future in GOD'S Hands? What, when all that will befall me to-morrow, next year, ten years, twenty years hence, is ordained by Him, shall I distress myself with the thought that it may not be good for me! LORD! be Thou my Guide, and choose my lot as may seem best to Thee! 2. MEEK UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES Events are messengers of either Divine goodness or justice. Each has a mission to fulfil; and as it comes from GOD, why not let it be accomplished in peace? Painful, heart-rending, though they may be, they are still the Will of GOD. Watch them as they come, with a little trembling, perhaps even terror, but never let them destroy in the least degree my faith and resignation. To be meek under these circumstances, does not mean awaiting them with a stoic firmness which proceeds from pride, or hardening one's self against them to the point of repressing all trembling. No! GOD allows us sometimes to anticipate, postpone, or even when possible flee them; at any rate, we may try to soothe and soften them a little. The GOOD FATHER, when He sends them, sends at the same time the means by which they may be endured, and perhaps averted. _Remedies_, in sickness. _Love_, in trouble. _Devotion_, in privations. _Comfort_, in weakness. _Tears_, in sorrow. GOD has created all these; and knowing perhaps that I may fail to find them, He has given commandment to some privileged servants to love, console, soothe, and help me, saying to them,-- "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it as unto Me." Oh! welcome then the friendly voice that in the midst of trouble speaks to me of hope; I will receive with gratitude the care that affection presses upon me. With thankfulness I accept the _time_ devoted to me, _privation_ borne for my sake; and I will pray GOD to bless these kind friends, and ask Him to say to them words such as these: "All that thou hast done for Mine, I will repay thee a hundred-fold." 3. MEEK TOWARDS OTHERS This may seem even more difficult, for it so often appears to us as if others were actuated by malice. But how often it is only the result of temperament, pride, thoughtlessness; seeking their own pleasure without a thought of the harm they are doing me; then why be unhappy about it? I need only to be on my guard.