THE NORTHCR1IOT LILIES.

 cannot 'rejoice always' if we carry every little fretting
 care about with us."
 "But the trials are so little, papa!"
 Are they too little to disturb your quietude of
mind? Are they too insignificant to make you cross?"
 Mary did not answer at first; she did not like the
word-who does? especially at eighteen. When we
have lived longer, and know ourselves better, we find
that, harsh and disagreeable as the term crossness "
is, it is more true than all its counterfeits, of which
"vexation," "wounded feeling," and "nervousness,"
carry away the palm.
 But if Mary was proud, she was also honest; and
by-and-by she lifted up her head. Papa, the wor-
ries often do make me cross I know, and to be cross is
wrong; then what can I do ?"
 Do this, my child. If the worries, small though
they seem, have power to affect your temper, you must
turn them to good account and let them help you in
the cultivation of patience. He that ruleth his spirit
is greater than he that taketh a city,' and we cannot
rule the spirit in our own strength: to turn the care
into a blessing we must cast it on God. We talk of
bearing the cross; but if we do not bear it cheerfully,
accepting it humbly and in loving faith, we do not
take it up, we let it lie in our path; and thus what
might be our greatest blessing becomes a stumbling-
"block. But it is late, my child. Good night."
 Good night, papa."
 God bless you, dearest! and think of the lilies:
'Shall He not much more care for you ?'
 Mary did think of them. She had told her father
of only a few of her difficulties; to-night she told them
all to her heavenly Father, and as she remembered
how she had been helped before and guided in her
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