in divine wisdom--and divine wisdom
includes human wisdom "as the sea her waves."

I have prefaced this subject of worship with the matter of family
services, on account of its vital importance. Without the reading of the
Bible and the praise of God at home, worship appears to the young like
the grinding of the corn, the shoeing of the horses, or the aid of the
physician--a matter to be paid for rather than to be done by one's self.

SOME OF THE HAPPIEST AND BEST FAMILIES,

who have turned out into the world the strongest, bravest men, have not
limited their worship to stated hours, even, but upon occasions of
unusual peril or unusual gladness have poured out to God their prayers
or their gratitude. Charnock, in his "Attributes," says: "As to private
worship, let us lay hold of the most melting opportunities and frames.
When we find our hearts in a more than ordinary spiritual frame, let us
look upon it as a call from God to attend Him; such impressions and
notions are God's voice, inviting us into communion with Him in some
particular act of worship, and promising us some success in it. When
the Psalmist had a secret notion

'TO SEEK GOD'S FACE'

and complied with it, the issue is the encouragement of his heart, which
breaks out into an exhortation to others to be of good courage, and wait
on the Lord: 'Wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and He shall
strengthen thy heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.' One blow will do more
on the iron when it is hot, than a hundred when it is cold; melted
metals may be stamped with any impression; but once hardened, will, with
difficulty, be brought into the figure we intend."

THE WISEST AND THE BEST.

We have in religion the experience of the wisest and the best minds
before us. Their guarantee in all else is of the very highest human
standing and degree. We must, therefore, in reason, profit by their
knowledge. In this, also, we are aided by our own development. Behold
the truth of this from the mouth of Colton: "Philosophy is a bully that
talks very loud when the danger is at a distance, but the moment she is
hard pressed by the enemy she is not to be found at her post, but
leaves the brunt of the battle to be borne by her humbler but steadier
comrade Religion, whom, on most other occasions, she effects to
despise." There died in Paris, not long ago, a man named Emile Littre,
as well known in France for his infidelity as is Colonel Ingersoll in
this country. Over t