We must not measure by an earthly standard in testing the failure or success of life. There are lives which the world crowns as successful, but which Heaven rates as failures. Then there are others over which men drop a tear of pity, but which in God's sight are put down as noble successes. All earnest Christians do many things which they hope will prove blessings to others, which yet in the end seem to fail altogether of good result But we do not know what good may yet come out of our true work that has appeared to fail “Your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” It may not show any result at once, but somewhere, sometime, there will be blessing from everything that is done truly for Christ. The old water-wheel runs around and around outside the mill. It seems to be accomplishing nothing, but the shaft goes through the wall and turns machinery inside, making flour to feed the hunger of many or driving spindles and weaving beautiful fabrics. Our lives may seem, with all their activities, to be leaving no result, but they reach into the unseen; and who knows what blessings they become, what impressions they leave on other lives and in eternity?