devotion, for their benevolence; and confidence in their vigilant custody." "If I should give myself to be thy servant," said young Tobias to Raphael his guardian, " I should not make a worth}' return for thy care." (Tob. ix. 2.) Reverence, therefore, your angel guardian with affection; and do not presume to do in his presence, that, which you would be ashamed of doing before men. " Take notice of him, and hear his voice," says the Lord, "and I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and I will afflict them that will afflict thee" (Exod. xxiii. 21), " and my angel shall go before thee." (Exod. 23.)
SATURDAY.
Benefits from the Patronage of Saints.
I. Our heavenly Father has not only provided us with angel-guardians, but also with patrons, advocates, and models, in the Saints, who reign with God in heaven. He is our judge, and we have in the saints interposers to plead in our behalf, and to move Him to mercy. "Go to my servant Job," He says, "and offer for yourself a holocaust, and my servant Job shall pray for you; his face I will accept, that folly may not be imputed to you." (Job. xlii. 8.)
II. With what care and affection the Saints in heaven perform their office, and what benefits result to us from their intercession! It is said of holy Jeremias, in the second book of Machabees, " This is a lover of his brethren and of the people of Israel, this is he that prayeth much for the people, and for all the holy city. " (2. Mach. xv. 14.) What confidence may we not place in the protection of advocates so powerful! If it be an object of high importance to possess a powerful friend in the
