Young Christians are frequently much occupied with circumstances, experiences, fellow-Christians and service, and with all of these we have to do as we tread the wilderness path. But it is a mistake to be occupied with anything or anyone short of Christ. Circumstances change with changing years. Like Job we may say, "I shall die in my nest." But He "stirreth up the nest," like the eagle; and we find ourselves cast upon the invisible ether—only to prove that He can sustain us on His wings of power. Experiences vary as we pass from youth to maturity and from maturity to old age. What we once thought to be the very acme of Christian attainment proves to be a very low step on the ladder indeed, or in some instances a mistake and a delusion. But Christ remains and becomes increasingly real as we learn the evanescent character of all our frames and feelings.

Fellow Christians, too, often disappoint us as, we may be certain, we ourselves disappoint them. We may fancy our company, our fellowship, or our intimate associates are ever to be relied on, but if our eyes are on saints we shall be bitterly disillusioned. Christ alone is the great eternal Reality. When all else fail, He remains unchanged and unchanging.

Nor can service, important as it is, satisfy the soul. To work for Christ is blessed indeed, but to be taken up with service instead of with the Master Himself will leave the soul dry and barren. After all our labor is done to the best of our abilities and our understanding, we need to confess, "We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do." We cannot find heart-rest in service—but in Christ alone.

To know Him to enjoy communion with Him, to live as unto Him—let these be the motive-springs of all our ways, and as the years slip by and the end draws near we shall be kept fresh and happy in soul and shall prove increasingly the blessed meaning of the word, "He abideth faithful."

—H.A.I.