VII.

Hope.

"When the water-floods of grief

Round thy helpless head shall rise,

When there seemeth no relief,

Lift thy gaze to yonder skies;

There behold how radiantly

Beams the star of Hope divine!

Yesterday it shone for thee,

And to-day it still shall shine.

Ask no aid the world can give,

Looking unto Jesus, live!"

"When I ask the question, 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul?' I am ashamed of the answer that must be returned. What if property, credit, health, friends and relatives were all lost; thou hast a Father, a friend, an advocate, a comforter, a mansion, a treasure in heaven."—Bishop Hall.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."—Verse 5.