. Deeds are more deliberate expressions of thought. One of the
most remarkable authors of the New Testament has said, "If any man offend
not in word, the same is a perfect man." It is very often a test of
victory in Christian life. Our triumph in this often depends on what we
say, or what we do not say. It is said by James of the tongue, "It is set
on fire of hell." The true Christian, therefore, is righteous in his ways
and upright in his words. His deeds appeal to men; but in speech he is
looking up, for God is listening. His words are sent upward and recorded
for the judgment. I believe that this is an actual fact, and I can almost
fancy that the skies above, which seem so transparent, the beautiful blue
ether over our heads, is like a waxen tablet with a finely sensitive
surface, and receives an impression of every word we speak, and that then
these tablets are hardened and preserved for the eternal judgment. So we
should speak, dear friends, with our eyes ever upward, never forgetting
that we shall some day meet the words that we have spoken.

JUNE 14.

"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him" (Ps. xxv. 14).

There are secrets of Providence which God's dear children may learn. His
dealing with them often seems, to the outward eye, dark and terrible.
Faith looks deeper and says, "This is God's secret. You look only on the
outside; I can look deeper and see the hidden meaning." Sometimes diamonds
are done up in rough packages, so that their value cannot be seen. When
the tabernacle was built in the wilderness there was nothing rich in its
outside appearance. The costly things were all within, and its outward
covering of rough badger skin gave no hint of the valuable things which it
contained. God may send you, dear friends, some costly packages. Do not
worry if they are done up in rough wrappings. You may be sure there are
treasures of love, and kindness and wisdom hidden within. Do not be so
foolish as to throw away a nugget of gold because there is some quartz in
it. If we take what He sends, and trust Him for the goodness in it, even
in the dark, we shall learn the meaning of the secrets of His providence.

JUNE 15.

"Grow up into Him in all things" (Eph. iv. 15).

Harvest is a time of ripeness. Then the fruit and grain are fully
developed, both in size and weight. Time has tempered the acid of the
green fruit. It has been mellowed and softened by the rains and the heat
of summe