ys; which means no matter
how sad, how tempted, how sick, how suffering you are, rejoice in the Lord
just where you are, and begin this moment.

The joy of the Lord is the strength of our body,
The gladness of Jesus, the balm for our pain,
His life and His fulness, our fountain of healing,
His joy, our elixir for body and brain.

APRIL 9.

"I do always those things that please Him" (John viii. 29).

It is a good thing to keep short accounts with God. We were very much
struck some years ago with an interpretation of this verse: "So every one
of us shall give an account of himself to God." The thought conveyed to
our mind was, that of accounting to God every day of our lives, so that
our accounts were settled daily, and for us judgment was passed, as we lay
down on our pillows every night.

This is surely the true way to live. It is the secret of great peace, and
it will be a delightful comfort when life is closing, or the Master
coming, to know that our account is settled, and our judgment over, and
for us there is only waiting the glad "Well done, good and faithful
servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Step by step I'll walk with Jesus,
Just a moment at a time,
Heights I have not wings to soar to,
Step by step my feet can climb.

Jesus, keep me closer--closer,
Step by step and day by day
Stepping in Thy very foot-prints,
Walking with Thee all the way.

APRIL 10.

"Hold fast the confidence" (Heb. iii. 6).

Seldom have we seen a sadder wreck of even the highest, noblest Christian
character than when the enemy has succeeded in undermining the simple
trust of a child of God, and got him into self-accusing and condemnation.
It is a fearful place when the soul allows Satan to take the throne and
act as God, sitting in judgment on its every thought and act; and keeping
it in the darkness of ceaseless condemnation. Well indeed has the apostle
told us to hold firmly the shield of faith!

This is Satan's objective point in all his attacks upon you, to destroy
your trust. If he can get you to lose your simple confidence in God, he
knows that he will soon have you at his feet.

It is enough to wreck both the reason and the life for the soul that has
known the sweetness of His love to lose its perfect trust in God.
"Beloved, hold fast your confidence and the rejoicing of your hope firm
unto the end."

Fear not to take your place
With Jesus on the throne,
And bid the p