"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." PROVERBS iv. 13.

I KNOW not what should more cheer and gladden a Christian than to see his spiritual life losing everything of an exotic character; to have it set in the open air, welcoming the wind from every quarter; acquiescing in all things because depending only upon one. A free and sustained spirit becomes habitual to him, who, in the breaking of his daily bread, has found that Real Presence which sanctifies and glorifies our life's poor elements. When the heart has found its. true gravitation, it leaves that Rest slowly and returns to it quickly; disturbing influences will be felt from time to time, but their power is gone," that which is the strongest must win."

A firm, assured patience grows upon the Christian, enabling him to hold upon his way, undeterred, unchilled, by whatever he may meet upon it; enabling him also, I know not to what inner music, to build up his spirit to a strength of

calm, reliant conviction, even with the stones he finds there, as a brook lifts up a more clear and rapid voice for flowing over pebbles. The strain upon the inner life has passed over from self to Christ. The heart has grown wise, instructed, tolerant, tender with weakness, patient of imperfection.

How quiet such a life is! how fruitful! fruitful because it is so quiet; it works not, but lives and grows. The uneasy effort has passed out of it; unresting because it rests always, it has done with task-work and anxiety; it serves, yet is not cumbered with much serving; it has ceased from that sad complaint,-"Thou hast left me to serve alone."

Such a life will seem less spiritual only because it has grown more natural: the soul moves in an atmosphere which of itself brings it into contact with all great and enduring things, and it has only to draw in its breath to be filled and satisfied. I know not how to describe the grandeur and simplicity of the state that is no longer self

bounded, self-referring; how great a thing to such a freed and rejoicing spirit the life in Christ Jesus seems; a temple truly "not of this building," too great to be mapped out and measured; too great to be perfect here: a thought for which our mortal life, — a language as yet too broken and confused to

"Catch up the whole of love and utter it,"

can find no corresponding word.

PATIENCE OF HOPE.

BEHOLD, the paths of life are ours,

we see

Our blest inheritance where'er we tread; Sorrow and danger our security,

And disappointment lifting up our head.

Kings unto God, we may not doubt our power;
We may not languish when he says, "Be strong," -
We must move on through every adverse hour
And take possession as we pass along.

O ye that faint and die, arise and live!

Sing, ye that all things have a charge to bless!

If he is faithful who hath sworn to give,
Then be ye also faithful, and possess !

Count all the pains that speed thee to thy rest Among the riches of thy purchased right; Yea, bind them in His name upon thy breast As jewels for the Bride, the Lamb's delight.

And love shall teach us while on Him we lean,
That, in the certainty of coming bliss,
We may be yearning for a world unseen,

Yet wear our beautiful array in this.

ANNA L. WARING.

THE ILLUMINED GATEWAY.

The grave itself is but a covered bridge,

Leading from light to light, through a brief darkness.

O Thou true Life of all that live,

H. W. LONGFELLOW.

Who dost, unmoved, all motion sway,
Who dost the morn and evening give,
And through its changes guide the day;
Thy light upon our evening pour,
So may our souls no sunset see,
But death to us an open door

To an eternal morning be!

LYRA CATHOLICA.