THE OPPORTUNITY OF YOUTH
"Let no man despise thy youth."-Saint Paul.

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HEN David presented himself to King Saul as a volunteer to fight the giant Goliath, the king looked at his ruddy face and said: "Thou art but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth". But David was not frightened by this fact. The consent of the king was finally given; David went up to battle in the name of the Lord and the giant was slain. Do we not learn from this incident that no man is able to estimate the power of the youth who has God on his side. It is so of every youth who goes to battle against the enemies of life. With God on his side, victory is certain.

Those familiar with the writings of Paul cannot fail to notice his deep interest in young men. The age in which we are now living has seen a marked awakening in the estimate which Paul has placed upon the power of consecrated youth. We believe these utterances estimate in general terms the opportunity placed before the youth in all periods of time.

Paul declares that it is within the power of every youth to live in honor and beyond reproach. He shows that a pure life is the strongest recommendation. A reputation for boldness, unrefined conduct, lewdness and many other undesirable habits in the life of the youth is usually the result of causes of like nature. Paul's word of counsel to youth is, that they may so order their lives that none shall have honest occasion to speak of them in dishonor or reproach.

The ideal then is a pure life; not for the sake merely of reputation-though this is commendable-but purity of life because God hath said: "Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers".

"Is the young man safe?" the heart-wrung cry
Has an age-long ring that brings it nigh.
'Tis the nameless dread at the father's heart,
As he sees his son from the home depart;
'Tis the burden of many a mother's prayer
For the boy who wanders she knows not where;
'Tis the harrowing fear that will not sleep
Till it plows in the forehead its furrows deep.
-RECORD OF CHRISTIAN WORK.

IMPROVEMENT OF OPPORTUNITY

You do well to improve your opportunity; to speak in the rural phrase, this is your sowing time, and the sheaves you look for can never be yours, unless you make that use of it. The color of our whole life is generally such as the three or four first years in which we are our own masters, make it. Then it is that we may be said to shape our destiny, and to treasure up for ourselves a series of future successes or disappointments.

-Copper.

THE WELL-SPRING OF EVERLASTING LIFE

"The water I shall give shall become within a well of water springing up unto eternal life."-Jesus.

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O! every one that thirsts draw nigh:
'Tis God invites the fallen race:

Mercy and free salvation buy;
Buy wine, and milk, and gospel grace.
Come to the living waters, come!
Sinners, obey your Maker's call,
Return ye weary wanderers, home,
And find my grace is free for all."
-Charles Wesley.

By the side of Jacob's well Jesus taught an erring soul the secret of the Christian's enlarging life. The point of contact was a drink of water-one of the most common of God's free gifts. Pure water from an earthly spring possesses a cleansing, refreshing, beautifying and fruit-giving power. All physical life is sustained by it, and without it, death in a most horrible form ensues.

Jesus taught the Samaritan woman that as water is essential to the sustenance of all physical life, so the water from spiritual fountains is essential to the life of the Christian. He said: "The water I shall give shall become within a well of water springing up unto eternal life". The figure used must not be contrasted to the reservoir, the cistern or even a canal. These are but receptacles for

water. The Saviour promises to put within the soul of all who seek from Him the water, a well-spring of life. It will spring forth as a cleansing, refreshing, regenerating and healing power.

Fellow Christian, have you drunk this living water from the cup which the Master offers you? Of Israel it was once said: "They have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." But to Abram Jehovah said: "I will bless thee and be thou a blessing." Shall the request of this penitent Samaritan woman be yours: "Lord, give me this water, that I thirst not."

AN OPEN FOUNTAIN

It is related of a benevolent man, that he lived in a village poorly supplied with water. Dry seasons exhausted the wells, and reduced the citizens to great straits. About a mile distant was a never-failing spring. The waters from this he conducted by pipes to the heart of the village, and so furnished a supply at all seasons to the inhabitants. This act of generosity touched the people; and, when he was dead, they erected a monument to his memory by the fountain that he had opened for their benefit. Such a fountain has Jesus opened to assauge the thirst and save the lives of perishing men. It rises as the river of the water of life out of the throne of God and of the Lamb; and the Spirit and the Bride call to the thirsting multitudes lining its banks to approach, and partake freely of its healing virtue.-Selected.

GATHERED LILIES

"My beloved is gone down to his garden to gather lilies."-Song of Solomon.

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OW fitting is the comparison between lilies and children. In nature's garden no sweeter or more beautiful flower grows than the lily. In God's great garden of humanity none are purer or sweeter than the child.

Our children-how pure, delicate and beautiful are they. Richter wisely says: "The smallest children are nearest to God, as the smallest planets are nearest the sun." Because of their inherent innocence heaven claims all the children. Jesus said: "To such belongeth the kingdom of heaven."

But the lilies are easily sullied and soon fade, so delicate and tender are they. So are the children. The physical organism may seem perfect but it is often so easily overpowered by the ravages of disease.

"The air is full of farewells for the dying

And mourning for the dead;

The heart of Rachel, for her children crying,
Will not be comforted."

-LONGFELLOW.

There is a garnering time and it is the Beloved Christ who walks with quiet step and plucks these choice lilies from his family garden. He gathers his own. If only the sorrowing heart can say "My beloved", this is the victory. We shall see again these garden flowers blooming in a fairer land.

"And the mother gave in tears and pain
The flowers she most did love,

She knew she should find them all again,
In the fields of light above."