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blossom, a sweet music-note, a buoyant life-throb, fresh added to creation. Yet we could not imagine or foresee the full worth of this blessing. With advancing years, as the silver line has broadened, as the crescent moon has waxed, what wealth of intelligence, affection, hope, joy has been gradually disclosed! He has thus been an abiding witness of Thy mercy unto us.
Yet such is the frailty of our faith that we often forget that this Thy gift Is safe and secure with the guarantee of Thy providential watch. A passing cloud of distemper would make us sigh and feel perplexed; yet every time Thou wouldst convey the soothing glance of Thy presence, the cheering touch of Thy mercy, unto our troubled hearts. And the repeated stimulus thus given to trust and hope has been of inestimable service in winning our souls to Thy adoration. For all this direct dispensation of Thy mercy and grace we render our thanks unto Thee,--Again, how this growing joy has been in-
