New Providence church, Milam Co., has been blessed of late with joyous meetings and a number of additions to the church. Several of these are young members. God grant they may never bring reproach to the cause of Christ. A very pleasant meeting at this church closed yesterday. On my way to this meeting, I was much downcast and discouraged. The inquiry arose, what am I going for? A view of my nothingness and great unworthiness to love Jesus or to engage in His service, almost caused me to turn back or forsake my Saviour. Oh, Lord forgive such ingratitude and increase my faith when showing mercy to thy people. "Oh, praise the Lord for He is good." These ungrateful thoughts of turning back were followed by sweet meditations. Yes I was enabled to look away from myself to Christ; to look from my weakness and ignorance to Christ's power and wisdom to look away from my unworthiness to Christ's holiness. Thus with rejoicing, I was enabled to see in Jesus my suitable Saviour; and to trust Him as the all-sufficient Saviour of the most undeserving sinners. Now depending on Christ as my wisdom and righteousness, I was encouraged to avoid sin and serve the Lord. Brethren and sisters, since Jesus has endured so much for us, let us not turn back from serving Him.

But oh, with shame it is confessed that very soon I was again almost ready to halt on Saturday morning my horse was missed from the lot as if stolen. Disturbing thoughts suggested this loss as proof that I should have remained at home. The temptation came to neglect the service of God, to seek the horse. But our Lord commands us to first seek the kingdom or house of God, or make the service of God our first duty. And praise the Lord, at the church that day we were blessed with a holy sweetness of Christ's loving presence, which was of far greater value than many horses. There was given me, I trust through grace, a sweet resignation to my loss and to God's providence.

Next day Bro. M. C. C. Maples preached Jesus with great ability and much love, to a large audience. This aged brother presented the beauties of Jesus Christ, and dwelt on His love and mercy as viewed in the doctrine of salvation by grace. And we felt that the doctrine of God our Saviour was dropping as the rain: as it is written, "My doctrine shall drop as the rain: my speech shall distil as the dew." Surely the gospel message now distilled as the dew on ten­der plants, refreshing our souls. Our precious brother dwelt at some length on God's sovereign choice of helpless sinners, sweetly blending the same with christian experience. He then closed his discourse with an earnest scriptural appeal to the young people that Jesus is the only Saviour of sinners.

Providentially, my horse returned in due time, so I may ride home feeling all is well. Beloved, let us be encouraged from this lesson to not be disheartened by worldly cares, but let us seek first the kingdom of God and trust in the Lord whose providence protects those who love Him; for "underneath are the everlasting arms."

May loyal love to Christ our divine Husband, constrain us all to forsake everything else and serve Him who "doeth all things well."

Yours in bonds and much love, Maysfield, Tex.       M.D. DENMAN.