full orbed glory of the soul to which the Shepherd leads by
toilsome mountain ways or dreary desert trails; but at last we come to
the house of the Lord, where we may dwell forever.

THE FATHER'S CARE

Formal creeds have little to say of the belief in the overruling care
of the All Father. Perhaps the belief is so nearly universal as to be
without the range of debate so dear to creed makers. Yet at all times,
in all lands, man, whether the savage, the oriental mystic, or the
cool-headed Christian, in various ways and with different phrases, has
recognized the hand that, from behind the scenes, touched his affairs
and often seemed to order his life. Whether it be the hand of force or
of friend, the fact has been felt.

True, the laziest man is apt to have the readiest sense of the
intention of Providence to care for him, to send him bread well
buttered; the foolish and thoughtless depend on heaven to do their
thinking, and many court bankruptcy while praying for solvency. But
the improvidence of man does not disprove the providence of God. So
far from encouraging sloth and recklessness this truth provokes to
progress by the assurance of the cooeperation of infinite powers with
our best endeavours.

It is a thought we cannot escape; the all wise must be the all loving.
The spirit at the centre of all must embrace all within the circle of
his love; and that love will not lie quiescent, helpless when its
objects are in distress, in perplexity, or need, when it might succour,
save, or suggest the way of success. If there is a heart of love there
is a hand of help.

Yet it seems too great a thought. What are we but dust on the wheels
of the universe? Often do our fainting hearts question whether there
be any, outside our own little circle, who care whether we suffer,
whether we succeed. Can it be that the petty affairs of a life that
passes like the hoar frost before the morning sun can even interest,
still less call forth the aid, of the one in whom we all live and move
and have our being?

Despite all questionings men will ever go on praying to that one; they
will turn to an ear that hears, they will seek a heart that feels, and
look for hands reached out in hours of necessity. Experience indorses
their faith. Nearly all can look back and see where destiny has seemed
to breathe upon them; their old plans wilted, and new ones, and new
ways sprung up, bearing other and fairer flowers than they had ever