The Eighteenth of May.

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT --- Matthew 5:3.

"For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me." --- Psalm 109:22.

Divine Answer: ". . . I know thy poverty, (but thou art rich) . . ." --- Revelation 2:9.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." --- Matthew 5:3.

"The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever." --- Psalm 22:26.

"He healeth the broken in heart; and bindeth up their wounds. The Lord lifteth up the meek; . . ." --- Psalm 147:3, 6.

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." --- Matthew 12:20.

Such are the tender mercies of Christ towards the weakest of his people, that he supplies them from time to time with all proportionable strength, till at last they are able to gain complete victory.

As soon, therefore, as we are sensible of our poverty or miserable condition, and are desirous of grace and strength to overcome sin, and evidence that desire to be sincere by constant prayer, we have actually some grace and spiritual life, and are delivered already from the jaws of hell; for there is no such feeling in dead souls; and in hell there is only a desire to be delivered from the punishment of sin, but not from sin itself.

Bless'd are the humble souls that see
Their emptiness and poverty;
Treasures of grace to them are given,
And crowns of joy laid up in heaven.

Bless'd are the men of broken heart,
Who mourn for sin with inward smart;
The blood of Christ divinely flows,
A healing balm for all their woes.