Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/345

Rh even faults. Thus is God in relationship to mankind. He loves them all equally, but yet every separate individual with an especial care, so that every one may regard himself as standing in a separate relationship, as it were apart with Him. We see in this the relationship of Christ Jesus to his disciples. Every one of us can then severally say with David, that he is loved of God. Every one of us has from Him an especial ray of His light and grace. Therefore, Father, we pray for ourselves and for all, '‘Lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us!’ ”

The observations of the excellent Pastor Coulin seldom extend beyond five minutes; but there is more matter in them than is generally found in longer discourses. We conversed afterwards, for a short time, of persons who, even under the most severe trials, have yet possessed within their souls this sense of the Divine Fatherly care and guidance.

August 17th.—My birthday. I have not mentioned it to any one in my kind home. No beloved sisters have, as on so many a former occasion, greeted me on this anniversary with flowers, presents, and little amusing devices. But pleasant and strengthening thoughts have visited me, and made this day to me like a festival. Partly by conversation, partly by reading, partly, and above all, by the soul's centring itself into its own depth, meditating upon its highest phenomena, have I been, during my residence, carried forward in the inquiry which, beyond every thing else, drew me hither. This summer has been especially favorable