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Poverty - by James Platt

The grand lesson to be learnt here is the weapon that Jesus used in the conflict. It was "the Word of God," the sword of the Spirit. Let our minds be stored with it, hid in our hearts, read every day, pondered and thought over. What a glorious revelation that "God so loved the world as to give His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It reveals more still, - that He became " one of us," took upon Him our nature, was " touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin," therefore He is able to succour those that are tempted. He is full of sympathy and love, knows all about us. Look ever to Him.

"Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God's name bold in reverence, nor take it in vain,
Be thoughtful and earnest, kind-hearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through.
To him who overcometh God giveth a crown,
Through faith we shall conquer though often cast down;
He Who is our Saviour our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He'll carry you through."

Trial is necessary for us all. Sometimes a piece of ironwork has an important part to perform, and it is necessary it should be sound, no flaws, as a piston-rod of an engine or axle-tree of a carriage; and if there is suspicion of one, then plunge it into the fire and make it red hot, then the flaw will be seen. The fire will show it. So nothing but fire will prove us and show our defects. To remove the dross. "For He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." Trial is to strengthen and enable us to overcome. For the grandest sight in the universe is to see a youth struggling to do right amidst opposition and ridicule. Then struggle on, and you shall be "snore than conquerors through Him that loved you."

The Rev. John Newton had been a dreadful bad character, a sailor sunk in vice, but when converted he was turned right round, and became a holy good minister of Jesus Christ. He wrote this beautiful hymn about trials: -

"I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

"Twas He Who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answer'd prayer;
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

"I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He'd answer my request;