A visitor at a school for the deaf was writing questions on the board for the children. Soon he wrote this sentence: “Why has God made me able to hear and speak, and made you deaf?” The shocking sentence hit the children like a cruel slap on the face. They sat paralyzed, pondering the dreadful word “Why?” And then a little girl arose.

With her lip trembling and her eyes swimming with tears, she walked straight to the board. Picking up the chalk, she wrote with a steady hand these precious words: “Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do” (Matthew 11:26). What a reply ! It reaches up and claims an eternal truth upon which the most mature believer , and even the youngest child of God, may securely rest—the truth that God is your Father .

Can you state that truth with full assurance and faith? Once you do, your dove of faith will no longer wander the skies in restless flight but will settle forever in its eternal resting place of peace: your Father!

I still believe that a day of understanding will come for each of us, however far away it may be. We will understand as we see the tragedies that today darken and dampen the presence of heaven for us take their proper place in God’ s great plan—a plan so overwhelming, magn ificent, and joyful, we will laugh with wonder and delight. ARTHUR CHRIST OPHER BACON

Chance has not br ought this ill to me; It’s God’ s own hand, so let it be, For He sees what I cannot see.

There is a purpose for each pain, And He one day will make it plain That earthly loss is heavenly gain.

Like as a piece of tapestry Viewed fr om the back appears to be Only thr eads tangled hopelessly; But in the fr ont a pictur e fair Rewar ds the worker for his car e, Proving his skill and patience rar e.

You ar e the W orkman, I the frame. Lord, for the glory of Y our Name, Perfect Y our image on the same.

SELECTED

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.—It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.—I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.—We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.—How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.—O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.