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TRIALS.


The Rev. Wm. Jay has sweetly said of the trials of the people of God:
"Have they days of affliction? God knows them; knows their source, their
pressure, how long they have continued, the support they require, and
the proper time to remove them. Have they days of danger? He knows them,
and will be a refuge and defense in them. Have they days of duty? He
knows them, and will furnish the strength and the help they require.
Have they days of inaction when they are laid aside from their work, by
accident or disease? He knows them, and says to his servants under every
privation, 'It is well that it was in thy heart.' Have they days of
privation when they are denied the ordinances of religion, after seeing
his power and glory in the temple, and going with the voice of gladness
to keep holy day? He knows them, and will follow his people when they
cannot follow him, and be a little sanctuary to them in their losses.
Have they days of declension and of age in which their strength is fled,
and their senses fail, and so many of their connection have gone down to
the dust, evil days, wherein they have no pleasure? He knows them, and
says, 'I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth. Even down to old age
I am He, and to hoary hairs will I bear and carry you.'"

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