EVENING.

When the noise and turmoil of the day are over, it is sweet to commune with God, the cool and calm of eventide agree most delightfully with prayer and praise. The hours of the declining sun are so many quiet alleys in the garden of time wherein man may find his Maker waiting to commune with him, even as of old The Lord God walked with Adam in the garden in the cool of the day. It is meet that we should set apart a peaceful season ere the day has quite departed, a time of thanksgiving for grace abounding, of repentance for follies multiplied and for self examination for evils insinuating. To leap from day to day like a mad hunter scouring the fields, is an omen of being delivered over to destruction, but the solemn pause, the deliberate consideration, these are means of grace, and ensigns of an indwelling life.
The drops of the night come from the same fount as the dew of the morning, He who met Abraham at break of day communed with Isaac in the field at eventide. He who opens the doors of the day with the hand of mercy, draws around His people the curtains of the night, and by His shining presence makes the outgoings of the morning and of the evening to rejoice. A promise at dawn, and a sure word at sunset, crown the brow of the day with light, and sandal it's feet with love. To breakfast with Jesus, and to sup with Him also is to enjoy the days of heaven upon the earth. It is dangerous to fall asleep till the head is leaned on Jesu's bosom. When divine love puts it's finger on the weary eyelids, it is brave sleeping, but that The Lord's beloved may have such given to him, it is needful that he should make a near approach to the throne of grace, and unburthen his soul before the great preserver of mankind.