Section 2

Section 2

lIOflNG AND WAITING. 05

Remember, when tha thought comes iuto your mind, **I shall novor get rid of this;" that it is good lor a man (0 liujKi for the salvation of Jehovah; He will deliver. Trial and affliction will come; well, never mind, deliverance will also come, fir the Lord is gaud. If you do not hold fast this hope, if you lose it, and givo up the comfort that God would bestow npou your soul, then you will find yourself losing the couiiurt and strength you would otherwise have. Therefore I say, hold it fast.

Remember the memorable pftsaogfl in Pfl&ltn XXViL 13, where David wiy*, " I hiul fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord ia the laud of the living." All my strength would be completely taken 8-way, except I were expecting to see better days. That is what we hare to do, to be looking out for brighter and happier days, morn blessed and cheerful days, whict the Lord will send if we wait for Hun. That is the thought which comes from the Spirit of God; [he other thought, that of hopelessness, comes from the evil 00*, in order that, if possible, he may make us wretched, and that we should give up hoping in God. untl should sit down in despair, us if no good were possible, fiut " it is good that a man should hope for the salvation of Jehovah." And this is not all ; il is said, moreover, it is gnod that he should quietly wait for the salvation of Jehovah. Thus, we have not only to hope, but we have to wait, and wait quietly. This you and J cannot naturally do. We want to have our deliverance at once; we woidd have it to-day, and do not want to wait, or that it should be delayed. arid if it does not come when we want it, tho temptation is to think our-

9&

THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER.

V

wfeeT than God, to begin to complain, to be di**iii-nod,aud even to begin to mnrnvar, because it in 80. Kow, all this is dishonouring to God. and should not bo. The will or* God is, that we should make known our requests to Him ; in the meantime leave ourselves in His hand. And, for our comfort, remember the words, " All tilings work together for good to them that- love God." This should sustain us in the meantime, together with the hope that He will finally deliver us. And if this deliverance isnnt yet,tlieu uur business is, quietly to wait, and "by onicily wailing, to honour God; became then it will ho known w those who see us, that wc have « Father in heaven, a Father who cares for us; and that we are watched over and cared for; and thiit we trust and rely upon the Father in the assurance that " all things work together for good for them that love God." Let us* peek to curry away a blessing.

THE CONCLl.'SIOX OK THE MATTER. First of all, then, lot. us remember that, whatever trials or afflictions' befall us, it is nothing at all to what wo deserve. Wc all deserve eternal punishment, even hall. Thcrclore let us say with the prophet, " Il is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They tire new every morning."

next point is, that Jehovah Himself is our portion and our hope. Let us be satisfied with nothing short of this that God Himself is our all.

The ihird point which T desire yon specially to '.any sway is, that when trials and afflictions come, us come they will, we remember that u it is good to hope and to THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER. 97 wait for the salvation of Jehovah;" and not only that we begin to wait, but that we go on quietly waiting til) the deliverance comas. And then it becomes us to bless and pruisu God for what Uo has done.

TZE GOD OF JffSBBRUN*

! OR mr meditation tliis ovoiiing I have been directed, after prayer, to a few verse* in Dout. xixiii. 2C-2y. "There ia none like now the God of Jeshnmn, who ridcth upon tho heavens in thy help, and His excellency od tho 1 to the clcwo of ihc chapter.) This portion, as most of you know well, is connected with the blessing which Moses gave U> the various tribes of iNael, just before the Lord took him away. After giving n particular blessing to each one of the trilms, the blessing in these verses is now uttered, by the Spirit speaking through the prophet, with regard to all tJie tribes of Israel —wiih.rcgard to the whole of the literal Israel. Tho Holy Ghost sums up all the previous blessings in this List, which Tie begins by the words, " Thoro is none lite uuto the God of Jeshnnra." litTUTED B1GHTBOCSNBSS.

Jeshuma means, " the righteous," or " Uio righteous one." And rliis is ono of the tides given to the Israelites.

Strange title, is it not ? to bo given by the Spirit to rhat stiff-necked people, who had again and again provoked the IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. 99

3od of. Israel, and who had Binned against Him times ■without number. Stiff-necked and rebellious though thoy had been, jet they are here called " the righteous." In speakiDg of this people, the Holy One calls them " righteous."

Precisely &o is it with ourselves—by nature we are siuuers, and great sinners; and uut only so, hut deserving punishment, and nothing but punishment; yet the moment a. poryr sinner is brought to believe on the Lord Jesm Christ he U called righteous. " Wo are nil by nam™ •children of wrath, even us others," yet by faith iu the Lord Jesus Christ we are accepted, regenerated—that is, born again ; instead of the children of wrath, we become the children nf God, we are brought out of darkness into His marvellous light, are delivered from the powers of darkness, aud translated into the kingdom of His deux Son* —are brought on the road to heaven, and have before us the bright and blessed prospect of our Fathers house.

SAVED CI GRACE TIIKOUGH f Ami.

Through faith iu the Lord Jesus Christ, these and all vtfaer blessings of the gospel become ours. Fear is lost, judgment is taken away, and instead of all that, we instantaneously become children of God. And this may he obtained by nil sinners bore present. There awauol), in all prob ability, here at this moment, who aro still in the bonds of unrighteousness, who are going on their way io spiritual darkness—who belong to the kingdom of darkness—who ore dead in trespasses und sius.

To such I have to Bay, inatmitaneonsly you may obtain the forgiveness of your sins, be made alive in Christ ioo TUB LORD OUR PORTION: Jcsns. and bo « delivered from thfl powers of darkness, and translated iuto the kingdom of His dear Son;" but ll.U U alone to bo obtuinoi by faith in the Lord Jesus Chi Lst.

Oil, GLOttlOVS aOSPEI,! that we should be called the sons of God 1 When 1 tl.ink of my«»lf, aud when other believers think of themselves, when we look inward, wo see that wo uro utterly unworthy of such honour— We can indeed see auythiug but righteousness. Yet we are called » righteous."

If this title was applied to these oft-provoking and itiff-neckou Israclites-if they were called " Jeshumn "— the righteous ones, how much more abundantly is t plieabie to those who are uuited to the Lord Jesus Christ, and who partake by foilk of His perfect rightwi Boetfi 1

Now, regarding these Israelites, it is here stated that " There is uoue like unto tho God of Jeshurao." There la no god like unto their God. They had tho living God, \hile others had but dead idols. tub i-or.D orjB postioh. And this is especially our |>orlion: we have the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to be our God and Vather. That is, we havo the living Cod on our side, to bo our God, onr Guide, our Father, and our Fricud. All this, however, ia only true of us if we believe ia the Lord J.sns Christ. We may speak about Him as our God ; we may «ad about Him"; we may bo able to explain Certain passages of Scripture concerning Him ; we may even have written much about Him; and may have preached

37/t' LORD OUR STRENGTH. 101 in His came; and yet it may not he true of us (hat we have the living God for our Father, except wo really believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, und trust in ilim alone for the salvation of our souls.

Hut if we do thus accept Jesus as onr Saviour, then it is true of us that we have God as onr Father, and wo have the same precious share in those blessing* as the literal Israelites had, and it eon bo said of us, tt There in none like unto the God of Jeshuruu."

TUB LORD OUE STRENGTH.

But further, with regard to these blessed ones, it is said, "Who rideth upon the heavens iu thy help, aud in His excellency on the sky." Look at this expression, "Itidclh upon tho heavens ia thy help." bucb a thought as thii would never have entered into the mind of the greatest pool who ecer lived, except he had borrowed it from the Bible. All the best and noblest ideas in ihc poets they have bor. rowed from that source. The thought here is, that there is none who cau resist God-—that no power on earth can oppose Him. Pass through all England, France, Germany, or America, and (here are none equal to Him. Tho powers of this earth— that is, all under heaven—ore as nothing; before Him. He is the Creator—they are the creatures, and thoy cannot withstand Him, who is above all.

TJ!E LOItD OUIt DELIVERER.

Now, the comfort to us is, that we have such a God foi onr helper—ouG who rides on the heavens—in the very sky; Wfl have Him to fight on our behalf. He is above all, He is out of the reach of Satan and wicked men, He can- 102 THE LORD OUR DELIVERER. rot bn opposed by any of thorn. He is above tlie elements,, mid they cannot withslano Him, neither cao any creatnro stand Against. Him, who is the chief cat of all. He is on oar side, He is for n&, and if lie ho for us who can bo against ii- ? If He is on our bide ail is well with us. But. alas ' if Ho is against us, what shall become of us? If we are in lliui we axe in perfect safety.

But if there be anyone here who has not God on his stile, who has never believed on tho Lord Jesus Christ, let me exhort yon, yoa, won implore yon, be yon reconciled—bo you at pence with God. If so, then you will be-safe, and then it will be said with regard to you, that " Ho rideth. upon the heavens in your help." All thai we have lo do, feeling as we must our Own weakness, iropo-uwy, and helplessness, is but to cose ourselves into His arm?, and say, " My Father, 1 am Thy child. Thy poor, weak, helpless child; be uigh unto Thy child, and help Lim."

What will our Father, who rides upon the heavens, do ? Mostassoredly, He will assist His poor weak child. TVhat-**cr his necessities may be, he may feel assured that the everlasting arms are nrouud him, and that His Father wilt thrust out the fneniies, and will destroy them utterly.

TRYING C1KOUM3TANCB8.

Remember, that wheu this blessing was given, the. Israelite* bad not yet entered the promised land, although on the poiut of doing so. Moreover, even if they had' crossed the .TordAii, there were stillthoeevon mighty ri-itinns of the Oananhhes to l>e overcome; and therefore at such a time Umy needed the help of tho living God, and were THE ETERNAL GOD IS OUR REFUGE. 103 blessed by being reminded that Uiey had sneh a helper.

Aud so with us, the Israel of God, and the heirs of the promise. We have much conflict yet before us, airi so then words are for our encouragement. God, the living (ml, is our refuse. A* if the Holy Ghost by the prophet would say, "True, yon have these great and mighty enemies to overcome, but in going forward, remember that God will be at yom side as your helper. Commit yourselves to Him, look to Him, trust in Him, depend on Him. and vnu will find (ho power of Hi* mighty win will save ymi." What He would have m remember aud take conr-ago in, is the fact, that TUB BrEllNAi. <K>D IS OTJTt REH'OB.

Can we, each ono of us, say this, * God, tho eternal, living God, is my refuge" ? For myself, I caneay He is my only refuge, and has been so for Qfty years. How many "f you can say the same? Ask yourselves individually [liis deeply important question. If yon are able to say ibis wi* regard to yourselves,whatahappy pooplo you arc. But if not able to say it, yet there is no reason why you should not he able to say it. It is only trust iu Him that is required; nothing else but to place yonrsolvts wholly in His hands. This Mousing ia rtady for us, but waiting to he received aud appropriated. It is f 0 r "Whosoever will," as in that precious hymn wo have just been singing—

"Whosoever will—th* promise is Meuro,

Whoecovor will, for over moat endure (

Whosoever wilt, 'w« tile &r evermore,

Wliosoovw *ui, may come." There is nothing to hinder anyone who is here present

IC4 « THE ETERNAL GOD." having it now, if he will If yon will only depend on the Lord Jesus Chrisc for the salvation of youc souls, it may be yours now. Just as it is true of mo, a poor, miserable dinner, and true of many thousands who, like me, are poor miserable sinner?., but who now trust in 11 Era, so it may be true of you, thai then- is none like jaw God, who ridcta upon the heaven in your help.

"THE ETElrXAT, fiOD,''

But further, "tho eternal God is thy refuge, and nnder-neath are the everlasting arms." There iBsomcthingpceu-liarly sweet u> me iu tlsis verset it tells mu that 1 hnvo an eternal Friend, a living Friend, a Friend who is above all, who has all power and might, aud that He is on my side.

It is well indeed to have an earthly friend, who, if yon are iu poverty, may help you. But sickness may come, he may be taken away by death; Or, if not that, he may lose all his wealth with which he helped you, aud thus may bo unable further tn assist you. But none of these things affect ibe living God—He is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Eternal is thy refuge. Fifty years ago He was as now; a thousand years ago—ten thousand years ago—He is ever the same.

The God of Elijah is here to-day, and He 13 exactly the same as He was in the prophet's time—an ready and as willing to help His children. The Bring God is with us, who«e power never fails, whose ami never grows wenry, whose wisdom is infinite, mid whose power is unchanging. Therefore to-day. to-morrow,and next monih,as long as life is continued, Ho will be our helper and friend.

FALSE VfF.IVS OF CHRISTIANITY. oj

Still more, even as He is through all time, &> will ne be through all eternity. Oh, the blesseducsi of having the eternal God on our side I Not ouly on our side, hut on whom we may rely as on a fortress of strength, iu whom we may gel refuge continually, aud in whom there is peefect security.

FAT.SB VlliWS Ol' UlIICISriAXtTT.

If the world only knew tho blessedness of thus having God as our refuge, 1 think the whole world would seek at once after the Lord. It is only because they tbiok it is something miserable to be a Christian, aud do not know that it is infinitely more piccious to bo u CL; istian than 10 be without God, that llicy are content to remain unsaved.

This is one great reason why thoy do not seek to enjoy the thiugs of God, And it ia just the reason why you and I should malte it our business to he out-and-out Christians, that we muy show to the world what it is to be truly happy Christians, and at the same time be living •examples to the Church. But this true and real joy cannot be possessed unless we are out-and-out Christians. There most not be a seeking to hold fast tho thiugs of the world to the utmost, nud yet seeking to get to heaven all the same. If this he the case with us, we shall just have enough religiou to make us miserable, and too little to make us happy.

-WHAT nO'S GOD WAST?

Thai we should be happy Christians; and this we can only be if we are holy Christians. We shall never, ol

Ik

J.Q5 u THE LIVING GOD IS THY REFUGE." coarse, bo altogether free from sio. on tbt* earth ; not. that nutil we are taken home. But we must aim nfror letting holy children; wo must not go on iu what we know is contrary to llio divine will, Aud if wo are really ont-niid-out Christians, aud are really holding on to the eternal living God, (he result will be that we shall bo happy Uliristjan*, and shall l« bearing testimony to tho-e " that iire wiihont."

And the result of this will bu to stir them up to seek after the Lord; and so a thousand Christian!* will he a thousand witnesses for the living God. Therefore, my beloved brolhreu and sisters, let na lay it to heart to be out-and-out Christians, so that we may lay hold of lhi& word— "the ltvixo god rs tttt hefcqe."

I am a weak erring sinner, yet I have the living God ou my side, the eternal God as my refugo. Oh, the blessedness of having such a refuge as this. What are all earthly honours in comparison with this ? What the highest ilignilies? What t!ie greatest earthly crown as compared with the blessedness which wo possess in having the living, eternal God on our side, and of being permitted to make Him our refuge?

And this is the- position of the child of God ; above ovoryihmg that man can conceive, " underneath are the eierhistiug arms," with the power of the almighty God for our helper. What a comfort in our helplessness, to know that although yon and I are wouk, erring, aud feeble naturally, and can do nothing if left to ourselves; yet we have these everlasting arni£ underneath us U» support us. ior

Though we are helpless, here in an Almighty arm to tear upon, and even to lie upon. It is an arm that can cam us through the diffiou Kiea which lie before us, and throngh the trials which aWftitUsj can bear us safely through— can cmTy us in all our helplessness. Oh, the blessedness of the figure used here—"The eternal God is thy ref uge, and underneath are the everlasting arms!"

TBB DELIVERER,

Further, K And Ho shall thrust out the enemy from before thee, and shall say, Destroy them." What k bleSSe 1 promise woa this to the Israelites! Before them was the Jordan to be crossed; and even if it were crossed, were there not those great and mighty nations to be overcome r Looking to themselves, they might well have been afraid ; hut it must not be thus, there must he uo fear in those nnderncath whom arc the everlasting nrms. Further, to encourage them, Juhovuh distinctly says with regard tn-thesc seven mighty nations, I will thrust out the cnerav from before you, aud will my, " Destroy them."

Look at the entrance of the children of Israel, and see how this was fulfilled- Look at the crossing of the Jordan ; sec how the walls of Jertoho foil. Look at the various battles with the enemy. When the kings came against them, how easily they were overcome. When nation* united against them, still Jehovah was on their side ; and at last, nil were thrust out and destroyed—overcome by the power of Jehovah.

Now, this is particularly comforting with regard In ourselves. We are a feeble baud, a "little flock;" our eueniiws aro mighty aud strong. " Wo have no power in

ICO

JEHOVAH SAVES. ourselves against tins great army." So wo must look on all this as a bopelots case, and exclaim, u Wo can never get to heaven ; we are so weak, helpless, and sinful in ourselves." Well, it is quite trnc, we are so weak and helpless in ourselves, that we cannot ovorcomo those that are against us; hut our Helpur is mighty, and though these enemies wore ten lbou«iud times more numerous than they are, and though they would easily overcome us if faced in our own power, yet it is still time that JEnOVAH SAVES, and thai lie has promised to thrust out the enemy from before us, even to destroy them. All the power of evil will not finally prevail, though at times it appears as if it would !>u so. Neither shall the corrupt nature within us finally have the victory; but through the Lord Jesus Christ we shall have the victory, and be more than conquerors.

Therefore, right blessed is the prospect before ns 1 Tf we look at ourselves, there is abundant reason to he cast down. Yet we must never forget the word, that we shall have victory through the Lord Jesus Christ., for " greater is lie that is for us than all (bat can be against us," and throngh the God and Father of our Lord Jcsua Christ we shall finally have the victory.

DE1.IVEI1AK0H3. Tn the literal fulfilment of the promise with regard to the Israelites, the enemy was destroyed, but not nc all through their own strength. It was solely by God helping them that these were destroyed. Remember how God

ISRAEL SHALL DWELL INSAFETY ALONE!' 100- fought for them time after lime, now the sun stood still at the request of Joshua. How, again, the elements from heaven fought for them; how stones were bailed upon the eneiuv. The hornets alro were by Jehovah used for the destruction of the enemies, lu various ways Jehovah fought on their behalf, and showed His mighty power in loading His people tn possess the land.

So now with the Lmiclof God ; they can of themselves do nothing, having nothing but weakness; but again and agaia God delivers them; so that while in this life they can never be perfectly delivered from the power of tho enemy, yet they shall finally bo helped by their God.

Further,

"lOtAH. TttlOJ SITAT,T, DWELL IX SAPETK ALOXS."

I wish you to mark this word, "alone," most porti-culaily. It contains tho idea of ,l separation"—safely in separation. '• Israel then shall dwell iu safety alone." The safety is dependent on their dwelling alone; the safety is dependent on their entire separation from other nations. It was to he their peculiar position of scparate-uess from others: it WHS to be their very safely. God intended them to bo separate, He forbade their entering into marriage with the other nations, or in any other way forming connections with them. They must destroy the surrounding nations and walk separately.

Now if my beloved brethren wHl walk according to the mind of God, that is what they must do—come out, and be separate. TUre must be separation from the world. Naturally, we are inclined to give up the line uf demarcation, and to say, "This is too strict, too particular i why should I bo so much separated from the world ? See that brother ; lie is enjoying the world a little; lie is mixing with the world, and so 13 able to moke something of each world, MHl ho is n Christian. Why should not I also be able to mix somewhat with the world, and vet get to heaven :it hist ? "

Mark I mark I my beloved Christian friends. What jhe Lord requires is, that we should live

SaAUAia EltOM THE WOBU>.

Of course, as our business i3 here, we must have something to do with the world, yet we should not go on in the zpirit of the world. It is quite possible that we should conduct our business carefully, and yet he separate to the Lord. God dors not we it good (0 take us out of the world. Jcsns prayed with regard to us, *' I pray not that TIidii ahoulde&t take thum out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil." The Apostle rajs, " Couie out from among them, aud he ye separate." Thus, if we desire to attain nearness 06 communion with God, wo must be willing to live in Separation from tho world, ami 10 aim at a decided Hue of demarcation between ihe world and the Church, which will he fur the praise, honour, aod glory of God. This we cannot do if we are living as the world does, or seeking to he as much like the world as possible. In 00 doing we shall only bring dishonour upon tho name of God. and misery upon ourselves. Beloved Christian friends, let us keep rank agniu&t tliO world,living in separation from it? habits, maxima, and principles, and aim at conformity to the mind of the Lord .lesus Christ, rather tlmn, as many seem to do, to try lo live as much like tho world as possible.

WE OUGHT TO SB A "MARKED PEOPLE." ill vm ovum to de a "maukkd i-uople." Men should know that wo are servant* of the Lord Jesus Christ; even as our blessed Master HimwK, who did not seek to he liko the scribes and rharisces, but rather sternly denounced them. He Himself said, that lie must be about tho business of ITU Father; that was His grand object Aud that is what wo must aim after. In the btl Sinwe and matters of this life we must of newwily mix, •to a certain extent, with the world, but wo must, day by day, and hour by hour, seek to live as much as possible unlike the world. Tbu» only is it that we bringforth fruit abundantly, to the praise, honour, and glory of the Lord. I would ask you most affectionately, my beloved brethren ami sisters, »Are you willing to be such diwiplea—wch out-mid-onl Christians, tmd to be such children of God ?" This, remembur, is the kind of children •that God looks for; such disciples the Lord Jeans desires to have—moo who arc willing to UvcwforHim. Such children, such disciples, are certainly needed for these days, especially in view of the wondrous manner in which God has been visiting the whole of our land within the last twelve month* At such a time the eyes of the world are upon us, wsee if we do live according lo flcr profession. Surely, thou, it is expected thai we should ave so that we may bring glory to God.

By thus living oiit-aud-out for the Lord, wo should become bolder and bolder. Ho will grant US more graeo and more help, and we shall be delivered. « Thus Israel shall dwell in safety alone." Even so. And '-'ihe fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land otWtD auJ wine." That means

11 a PRUITPULNESS. fht: nvcur Bsa— the fountain in the midst of aland of com and wine. Bntinlho Hebrew, tho word how rendered "fountain" also means " eye," aud therefore it moans " the eye of Jacob shall be upon a laud of corn itud wine." The laud into irhieh ihe Israelites were to be brought, was to be a laud of plenty, " a land flowing with mill: aud houoy." When they entered the land, they did find abundance. So with rofenjueo to ourselves, having been brought into safety, wo shall also be brought into a land of plenty. Wo shnll be fed with the finest of the who.it, and with eoru and wine, for strength aud for encouragement lu the work of the f. "'1 " Also the heavens shall drop down dew." Wo are to he brought into a fruitful country spiritually, in which there is uo such thing us drought. The children of G-ml have the promise that they shall he well watered, (heir foul shall delight itself in fatness.

"Happy- art ihon, O Israel ; who is liko nnco thee, O people saved by the Lord, tho shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency I and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; ami thou shall tread upon their high places." This was spoken just as they were about In enter tho land of piomise.

"ll.U'Pr akt ntot'. o 1SIUEL." They were, U is true, about to enter tho land, hut before them Ihey had the great and mighty nations. Now if this was true of the literal Israel, how far more abundantly ought it to be true regarding the Israel of God. Believers in the Lord Jcsui Christ, here present, "HAPPY ART THOU, 0 ISRAETJ' is it true of yon and of me? " Happy art thou, 0 Israel/' Can we say positively of each and every oue here preseut, " thou art happy," and ° dm art huppy ? " Caa wo say this of ..iii-sulves ? If we cauuul, yet we ought to be able to .-ay it. Thre is no reason why we should not, if we we really believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Il ought to be true, hot i$ it true of you all ? It might, aud ought to be.

I desire to give my testimony (hat it is true of me. Though a poor miserable sinner, I am a very happy roan. Though just now nearly seventy yours of ago, and though having been fifty years in tho spiritual life, yot I have not grown unhappy; I am still very happy. Even as it is Iruo of me, so it might be true of each of yon. Why nol? It is the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all liis disciples should ho happy disciples. Lei us, then, aim after it.

Now, in leaving home.for the second time lo speak as God gives me opportunity, it is my desire to do my little purl, in order thai the children of God should bo happy children of God. For there is such u thing Re being holy and happy children—«wh a thing us being thoroughly decided Christians, aud yet being happy. It its the will of tho Father Ihul we should be happy. What is the reason that we are not all happy ? Let each of yon usk iho question, and answer it before Cod to yourselves—" Why. why, why I am I not a happy child of God—a happy fliso Jple of the Lord Jesus Christ?" There is nothing whatever to hinder us, so far as God's truth is concerned. God delights to aee you all happy. Do not say, " Oh, Air. Miillcr, if you had my trial, my burden, yon could not bo happy." What a mistake! The CfmSttOQ may be ever a happy man. While tlio world is dependent upon surrounding circumstances for apparent happiness, the Christina uuvy be truly happy, I whatever his circumstances may be, so long an he is really trusting lu God, aud satisfied with Him. Therefore, my beloved Christian friends,

SEVT-R ATTEMPT TO CAIMtY YOUtt OWN BUKDKN,

. but learn to roll it npon the Lord. &«k to deal with Him about everything; if yon have any (rial, auy perplexity, cant i( upon Him, then you will find out how ready lie is to help, and you will be able to say, even in view of all these circumstances," 1 am happy."

If wo aro unhappy, the fanll lies with onrsclvr». There is uo reason why we should not be happy children. Our Father loves 113, and Ho will load us safely through. Having sneh aFathor, it muy well be said of us, " Happy art thou, OTsrjiol; who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is iho sword of thy excellency."

These Israelites were happy because they had such a Gad. Look how Jgp delivered them aud saved them. It was He who delivered them from the Egyptians, who led thorn through the lied Sea, destroying the hosts of Pharaoh, It was He who led them through tho wilderness, provided thcii Twith heavenly food, aud water from the roe 1 -, and finally lod theai into the laud of promise. oausiC fob rxirrrs Ess.

And remember that it is by Him that you and I are delivered from a worse power ilieu Egypt; are delivered

CAUSE FOR HAPPINESS. m from greater enemies than tho host of the Egyptians and by Him we arc led through the many difficulties of this life. Daily He is leading us, ontil at length He will land ns safely above. Ought we not then to be happy truly happy i» 'he Lord ? I ask you, affectionately, is it so with yon ? Arc yon all happy Christiana ? You o ught to h e, if yon will only look fn Him. God Moss dicse words, bringing before us, as they have to-night, thai. He is willing and able to help ns, and willing aud able to fight nur battles for ns, until at lust all "thine cnaiiits shall ho fonnd liars unto thee; and thou shall tread upon their high places." So it was with the literal Israel, and so it shall he with us, through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, in conclusion, if there be any hore present who know not this blessedness, let them seek that this blessing may be theirs, through faith iu the Lord Jesus Christ. They may have all thnse blessings, if they will only trust in Him alone for the salvation of their souls. As for the many hundreds here present- who believo in the Lord ' Jesus Christ, let them remember, that though weak, vile, and erring sinners in ourselves, yet, by the grace of Cod, we are what we ore, and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, laying hold ot His righteousness, aod His strength, we shall have Uie living God for our helper; and, in the midst of all troubles, we may still be truly happy. He is willing to do for us all we need. Trust Him with child-like simplicity, and you will see how ready He is to help you, and to give blessing.

THE SECRET OF PREVAILING PRAYER.

% DESIRE, Moved Christian friends, to Mug before 5lt vou, for encouragement m prayer, a precious. ■*" mstonce in which an answer 10 united supplication is given, as we have it recorded by tho Holy Ghost, in Acts xii. , , ,, •• Sow about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he lolled James the brother of John with the sword." Tins was the first apostle who became a martyr for Christ. Stephen had previously been stoned, but he was not an apostle. Tliif jue was an apostle.

SATAS's POWBlt LIMITED.

"And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also." Now Peter, indeed, (earns to be at death's gate; but tho Lord said, "Thus far shall thou go, and no farther." This we have to keep before us, that Satan, though he hates us, can go no farther than the Lord gives him liberty.

The most striking instance of this, we find in the case o£ Job. Satan had tried to get at him. but was unable

SATAN'S POWER LIMITED. "7 to do sb; and at last he has to make confession before Jehovah, " Hast thou not made a hedge abort him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?" Satan had tried to get at him, but by reason of the hedge he was unable to get at the person or substance of Job. It was only by the permission of Jehovah, and when this hedge was removed, that he was able to get at the substance of Job. And even still, the hedge was around the person of Job, and not until this hedge had been removed, was he able to touch the person of Job. Though we must never lose sight of the fact, that on the one hand Satan mav be, and often is, powerful to hurt us, yet on the other hand, He that is with us is more powerful still, and Satan can do nothing without the permission of Jehovah. . .

when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him." He was delivered to sixteen soldiers—four little companies of four soldiers each, who were to be responsible for him; so that there might he two inside, and two outside, and so always some to take care of him. Thus it seemed to be utterly impossible that he could escape. "Intending after Easter to bring him forth to tho people." It is called Easter here, but there was no such thing as Easter then. It was the feast of unlcaveneo bread.

"Peter, therefore, was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church onto God for him." Here wo have prayer in church capacity. The saints at Jerusalem meeting together, and giving themselves to prayer, and from what we see afterwards, it was ti8

PRAYER WITHOUT C

FRATKR WITHOUT CHASIXO.

Thoro was always some little baud at prayer—" prayer was made without censing of the church unto God for him."

Thoy did not say, Now we will send a petition to Herod to let him go. Ihey might have sent in such n petition, for by this rime there were thousands in Jerusalem who tattered in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were a formidable company by that time; and if they had nil written down their names to this petition thoy might have succeeded. And if thus they did not succeed, they might have raised a large sum of money. 'They were very willing to gjvo their substance, to sell their houses and lands for the poor of the church; and most certainly they would have willingly done so for tho deliverance of Poter. They did nob do this, though a most probable way of getting Peter delivered would have been to have bribed seme of Herod's courtiers, lilven in this very chapter we find that when disunion had arisen in regard to Ilia men of Tyre and Sidou, some individuals bribed a courtier, the king's chamberlain, and thus made peace. Therefore it might possibly have succeeded if they had done so. But none of these things did they use; they gave themselves to prayer. And that, my beloved friends, is the best weapon thoy could have used. There is not a more blessed and powerful weapon for the children of God, than that they should give themselves to prayer. Ior thus Ihey can have ihe power of God on their side—the almighty power of God. And by making use of this power, through the inslru-mentality of prayer in all things we need, we can have the infinite wisdom of God brought to work for us, and have God Himself at our side, as children of God. Therefure

WAITING FOR THE ANSWJiR. we should seek to make a far better use than ever we hare done of prayer. And you, my beloved Christian friends, who are in tho habit of meeting often at the noonday prayer meeting, expect great things at the hands of God; look out for wondrous blessings, and you will find how ready He is to give those tilings which we ask for. This, then, those saints at Jerusalem did—they gave themselves to prayer without ceasing. That is, they believed that though Herod had apprehended him for the purpose of slaving him, and though tins Herod was a notoriously wicked man, as wo all know, yet God was able to deliver him from this bloodthirsty Herod. Tbey behoved that nothing was too hard fur God to accomplish, and thereiore they prayed without ceasing.

TVAITiSQ VOtt TUB ANSWEB.

Now, notice, we do not know how long Peter was in prison, but it is an obvious and natural inference that he had been apprehended before those days of unleavened bread; as after these days his execution was to take place and, therefore, at least he was in prison soveu days. Now' it was not on the first day that the prayer was answered. They met together and pruyod.-prayed earnestly; but tho first day, hour by hour, passed away, and yet Peter was in prison. The second day, and again they are found waiting on God in prayer. SUU, hour by hour, the second day passed, and yet he was not delivered. And so the third, and fourth, and fifth .lays passed away. They are still waiting on God; prayer >s rnado without ceasing; yet this holy man remamod m prison; and there seemed to be no prospect of Go* answering their prayers.

GOVS MANNER OF ANSWERING PRAYER.

And thus, beloved friends, yon and I shall find ngain and again that the answer is delayed; and the question. is, shall we give up praying, or shall wo continue? Thefc -notation is to cease praying, as though we had given up hope, and to say, "It is useless; we have already prayed so long that it is useless to continue." This is just what Satan would have us say; but let; us persevere and go on steadily praying, and be assured that God is Loth, able nnd willing to do if. for us; and that it is the very joy ond delight of His heart, for Christ's sake, to give to us all things which are for the glory of His name, and our good and profit. If we do so, lie will give us our desire* As assuredly as we are the children of God, if we pray pcrseveringly, and in faith, the prayer will be answered. Thus let ns learn from this precious instance regarding prayer, which the Holy Ghost has given for our en couragem en t.

"And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the keepers before the door." Mark, that the last night before his execution is now como, and yet Peter is asleep. Not carelessly and indifferently was he lying there, but calmly, quietly resting in the arms of Jesus, and leaning on the bosom of his Lord. He is bound with two chains, as the custom was, between two soldiers, one on tho ono side nnd one on the other *ide, that he might not escape.

GOD'S MASNBB OF ANSWKlirKll THE PRAYTB.

And now about the dulheraneoj wo will see in what way God works.

" And behold, tho angel of tho Lord came upon him,

COITS MANNER OF ANSWERING PRAYER. Ml

and a light shincd in the prison." "We should have said, this must be done in. the dark, nnd as quietly as possible. But see, the light came into the prison. Humnnly speaking, this would have wakened the soldiers; but not thus ivitsb Jehovah; when He works, He can do His will, notwithstanding all these things.

The angel "smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly," without any fear that; in addressing Peter the soldiers should be wakened.

" And. as he rose, the chains fell from off his hands/' Still there was no Fear of arousing Hie soldiers.

Gird thyself-* There is no need to hurry; he is to be taken out, but is to dress himself properly.

And now comes tlie strangest thing of all, " Bind on thy sandals." Tbesewoodcn shoes must) be bound on the feet. We should have said, let liim walk out without them, that no noiso be made to awaken the Bleeping soldiers. Not thus; it was God who wrought the deliverance, and when lie works there is no ueed to fear, for who can withstand? And so he did. And the angel saith unto him, " Cast thy garment about thee." His outer garment is to be put on. Everything, therefore, is to be done in an orderly manner. It is as if Herod had sent a messenger to deliver him; he is to go quietly forth.

When they were past tho first and second ward." The eyes of the keepers were miraculously shut.

But. now they come to "the iron gale." Many, many I hues do we come- to twino such iron gate. He was now out of the prison, and past the soldiers who were watching, but now ho comes to tins great hot gate. How shall he get out of prion after all ? And so it is with you and 122 THE UNCHANGEABLE POWER OFGCb. me at limes. Everything seems prepared, and difficuilhs have been removed; and yet, after all, there seems to be one great obstacle which is insurmountable. Can we escape ? Yes; God is able to opeji the iron gate for you and for me, even as He caused the great iron gate of the prison to open of its own accord. Lot us oxpoct everything from God, and He will do it, if it is for His glory, and our good and profit.

TUB UNCHANGEABLE EOWEE OF GOD.

But cau Ho do miraculous things in the latter part of the nineteenth century ? Yes, as well as Ho coxdd in the middle of the fast century. let us never say this wns in the days of the Apostles, and wo cannot expect such things now. Quito true, that (rod does not commonly work miracles; hut He can if He will, and let ns give glory to His name, that if He does not work miracles it is because He can and does do His will by ordinary means. He cau accomplish HU ends in many ways. Let us never lose heart in such circumstances; He has the same power as ever He had. Many think if they were living in the days of Elijah, or in the days of lilisha, or in the days of the Apostles, they would expect- these things ; but because they do not live in those days, but in the latter part of the nineteenth century, therefore they cannot oxpect to have such answers to prayer. This is wrong; remember, that God has the same power as in the days of the prophets of old, or of the Apostles of old; therefore let us only look for great blessings, and great blessings will be bestowed on us, my beloved friends in Christ.

"They passed through ono street, and forthwith the TJIE DELIVERANCE EFFECTED. 123 departed from him." This contains an important spiritual truth—it is this, that God does not work miracles when they are not needed. The angel was sent to deliver Peter from prison; but Peter was now in the streets, and he knew vory well the streets of Jerusalem. Ho had been living there, and he knew all about them ; and it was not, therefore, necessary that the angel should lead him through the streets, and bring him to tho house where- he was going. Therefore as soon as he was outside the prison, and no more supernatural help was required, the angel doparled from him.

TIIR UULIVXUAXOE EFFECTED.

" And whon Peter was come to himself, he said, How I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hands of Herod, and from all tho expectation of the people of the Jews." Ho wist not that it was true at first, and thought that it roust he a vision, but now that he finds himself in the streets, ho knows that Ood has indeed delivered him.

"And when ho had considered the thing, he came to tho house of Mary tie mother of John, whose surnair.e was Mark, where many were gathered together praying." Notice this, "many were gathered praying." For what purposo? For Peter's deliverance unquestionably; because prayer was made by the church on his behalf without ceasing. Though it was the night before his execution, they did not lose heart. It is to be next day; to the eye of man the case seems hopeless, but they still coma together lo pray. Therefore they had not only begun well, but they had also gone on well; they had continued in prayer. fAILING PAIUI.

"And ah feter knocked afc the door of Ihe gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rboda." Her name is given. Why so? When this was written down, inuiury 3uight be made as to the truth of the account. The damsel, probably, was then living, and thus opportunity for this inquiry was afforded. "And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the gate."

Here we find a description to the very life. What shall we say? The damsel hoard his voieoaitd know it; tho know fchey were praying for Peter's deliverance; her heart was so glad that first of all sho runs to tell that Peter stood at the door. She could not open the door. Now what do we expect to hear out of the months of those beloved brethren in Christ, those holy inon who havo boon waiting upon God day af fcer day? Surely it will be praise. " Thev said unto her. Thou art mad."

1'AII.IXG rAlTH.

Ah ' there it is which shows what we are. " Thou art mad." I specially seek in bringing this before you thi;i morning, that we may loam what we are naturally. They had begun well, and had gone on well, yet failed completely in the end. They had faith afc the first, and axerciscd faith, but had no faith in the end. Let us be warned, beloved friends; that is just what we must seek to avoid. It is comparatively easy for us to begin well and to go on well, day after day, week after week, month after vaonth; but it is difficult to remain faithful to tho end-Even thus it was, beloved Christian friends, regarding those of whom we are ouite ready to say, " we are not worthy to unloose their shoes;" and if they failed, what of

ASK AND BE LOOKING FOR THE ANSWER. l=S

us? What say they? "Thou art mad." They are praying for the thing, and it comes; yet this is what they say. Those men bad begun in faith, had gone on in faith, and yet it is gone. They had continued outwardly to wait upon God, but at last without, expectation. If they had continued in faith, they would havo said, whea they hoard the tidings, "Blessed be God; let His holy name be praised!" It could not have been otherwise, if they had been waiting to the ond for the blessing; and since it was not so, it is a plain proof that faith was gone. I am as certain ot this as though an audible voice had told me from heaven. It would have been impossible for them to 6ay to that dear, godly young woman, " Thou art mad," when she brought tho news of Peter's deliverance, unless faith bid been gone. This, however, is what we say naturally, "Thou art mad."

D? WB ASK 1EI OS BB XOOXTKO FOB TUB ANSWSB.

" But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished." Another proof that they were wanting in faith at that time, "thoy were astonished." True faith is thus known, that when we begin in faith, and continue in faith, we are not astonished when the answer comes. For instance, Buppose any of you, my Christian friends, havo beloved boos or daughters who ore unconverted in America, or in Australia, or in New Zealand, for whom you have been praying long. At last you get a letter, stating that at siich-aud-sueh a time thoy have been brought to the Lord. The tesS, whether you have been praying in faith or not, is, if Buy when the letter comes, "Tho Lord bo praised for it," and you receive the tidings gladly; then you have been exercising faith. But if not., if you begin to question whether it is real, can it be the case? Then by this you know- you have not been exercising faith; yon have not been expecting yum- request to be granted. If J. may use a phrase in the right sense, although one of the world's phrases, the world says of certain things, "We take it as . a matter of ouurse." So, iu a spiritual sense, we should be so confident that God will bless, and that J-le will do for us in answer to prayer what wo ask, that when it comes, we should still be so confident as to soy, like the world, " we take it as a matter of course; it could not be otherwise; the thing must eorae, "because God has pledged Himself, for Christ's sake, to give tho blessing."

But he, beckoning unto them, with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how tho Lord liad brought him out of prison. And ho said, Go show these things unto James and to the brethren; and he departed, and went into another place."

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST. Oajteiw iv. 12-lfc **d v. 1.

YjjX 8 the Lord may help us, we will meditate this J$§& afternoon on the last five verses o£ the fourth «-i v >- chapter of the Song of Solomon, and the first verse of the fifth chapter. The division into chapters is simply a human arrangement, and it becomes us by no means to read or meditate on the Word of God according to that arrangement, but to observe what the Holy Ghost would teach us: sometimes the very point to bo learned being lost by the division made.

Till! CHARACTER OF THE BOOK. Most of my drair Christian friends here present, if not all, know very well that in this part of the divine testimony, called (ho Song of Solomon, or Cantmlos, we have brought before us the wondrous love o£ the Lord Jesus Christ to His Church, and the lore of the Church to the lord Jesus Christ, her Redeemer, imder the figure of bridegroom and bride.

This is just one of tho portions which we should consider as well as any other portion of God's Word. We may naturally have little inclination for doing so, and ton reason is, bcenuso our hearts OTe so little towards tie Lord Jesuit Christ, and wo know so little of this real personal attachment to Him. i'et tliis is the very reason why we should bestir ourselves to increase in love, and to got hue such a state of heart that we may understand, something of the Song of Solomon. If our hearts were in greatoi. sympathy with what we find in the Song of Solomon, we should soon ecu that this is just the state of heart which will fiud its highest degree in Heaven. And surely we should never rest satisfied till we get in some little degree to understand and enter into the joys of Heaven—till tho aspirations, feelings, and desireB of Heaven are found in some measure in us now.

THE SA5I13 OITHN TO TOE CJTUTtai.

Notice first, that the Lord Jesus Christ calls tho Church His spouse, His sister. Wondrous grace towards sinners inch m we are! When wo remember that we are but wicked, guilty, and rebellious sinners by nature, does not His wondrous love indeed amazo us 1 Such is this love, that while we naturally are so sinful, and while each of us only seeks to gratify himself, yet tho Lord Jesus Christ looks upon us as His sister and spouse. Wonderful i yot thus it is!

And this is not only said regarding tbo eminent saints, as John tho aged in Palmes, or Faul tho prisoner at Rome. It is said of thein; but. it is also true of you and me, provided that we trust in the Lord Jesus Chrisl El It the salvation of our souls. Every one of us who accepts the provision which the Lord has made Tor sin in the person of Christ,—every such an one has scriptural warrant to look

TBS ABSENT BRIDEGROOM. open himself as part, of the spouse of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as belonging to the bride of ChriBt. TUB AUSIINT «Rll>EdnoOM.

Oh. how precious, how unspeakably precious and blessed is Ibis' We are His bride, and the Lord Jesus Christ has gone to prepare a place for the bride—a mansion in His Father's house; and when He has made it ready. He will come again to take tho bride to Himself. For tho Lord Jesus cannot be satisfied, until the Church, His bride, is witl Him in the place of honour and glory, which tho Tether has given to Him as the reward of His perfect obedience—His obedience even unto death—in this world, while doing the Father's will. "I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that whore I am, tioro ye may be also."

So, when we read such a portion of Scripturo as the one before us, we should read it with reference to ourselves. Each one of us should say. Though I am a poor miserable sin nor, I belong to the spouse of Christ; I am part of the bride of the Lamb. Do you say this in your hearts? Who among you can say this? Do all of you, who i rust in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of your bouIs, say of yourselves, Though, naturally I am a vile, wicked siimor, yet I do belong to the briie of Christ, I am ono of those for whom He is preparing a place. _ I slialt be with Him in tho mansions which Hois getting ready. Soon He is coming to tako me with Him, that i may be where He is.

You see it is just in the measure in which we are able to appropriate the statements in tho Scriptures to ourselves, that we enjoy them. The point is not how much we tpeak abont theso things, how much we \vrito about thein, how much we read about thein, how much we preach about them. It is not how many books wo may have written about the things of God; hut it is how far do wo appropriate them to ourselves, and know the power of. them in our awn hearts. Only in so far as this is the case, will the Word of. God bo really profitable to our own souls. Now hore, before going any further, the point is, BO WB BBIXIXa TO THE SEOUSE OI OHBJST, OB HOT?

If I do believe in Christ, and trust in Him alone for the salvation of my soul, that is the point. Let each of us see if this is the case. Can wo each say, Although I am a poor miserable sinner, yet I have trusted and do trust in Him. If I have never seen that I am a sinner, and as a sinner deserving punishment and nothing but punishment, and for escape from this punishment, have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, then all these things do not refer to me. But, while this is the case, it is not too late yet. The door is still open, that we may enter and find mercy. Just as in that beautiful hymn we have just sung— " Wboeojver cometh need not delay, Now the door IB open ; eater while yon may; Jesus i« Uio true, Ihe only living Way ; Whosoovor will amy come."

Only let us put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for tho salvation of our souls, and then all theso blessings apply a> really and truly to each of us as they applied to John in tho Isle of Tatiiios, or to Paul the apostle a prisoner in Home. Therefore, now—new—now is the time. The GARDEN ENCLOSED.

IJ' door of mercy is open wide still. God is willing to hear for Christ's sake. Come thus, and you will have salvation.

I supposo that those to whom I speak are all in tliis blessed state; but if not, let them come thus, and they will be brought into it.

Now lot us soe what the Lord Jesus Christ says of Bii Church— " A. OAUi>l!N ENCLOSED IS Ui SISTER, HT SCOUSfi."

What does this mean? Literally it means, barred—locked up. But what is it intended to convey here? When a garden is locked up, as wc all know very well, it in that the proprietor may have the right only to enter, 01 those to whom he may give this right; aud that not every one may have access to tho gardon to help himself to the fruits as he pleaseth. The garden is not only enclosed by walls, as would seem here; but in the Hebrew it is "locked-up," or "barred;" so that none but the proprietor may have access. Who is Ho? The Lord Jesus Christ: and Ho alone may have access to our hearts, and not any one eise, as He pleases.

then, does this deeply important truth convey to us? Simply that we are bought with a price, even the precious blood of Christ; that we are set apart for the glory of Christ. He, and Ho alone, has any right to us, aud tho devil has none.

THE BELIEVES 13 HOT 1U3 OWN.

More than this, we have no right to ourselves. "We ore not our own, we aro bought with a prion." We are not cur own masters. No ono can say, My time is my own, as the world does say. It is not mine. My time, my talents are no), mine, they are God's. My business

THE BELIEVER IS \0T HIS OWN. even is not mine, it is Gods. My house, my lands, my purse, everything I have is not mine, it belongs to the Lord; for He has bought mo with His precious blood, and having bought, mo, lie has purchased all that I have. All this is implied in the figure used, "ft garden enclosed." But, beloved brethren and sisters in Christ, let me ask you affectionately. Is it thus with you? I have desired, time arter time, to press the passages, upon which wo have been meditating, home to your heart**; so this afternoon do I desire to impress this point on your hearts- Do yon enter into this? Do you rejoice in this. That you are not your own, that you are bought by the precious blood of Christ, and that yon and all you have belong entirely l-> 11 i m ? Your hands, your feet are His, and therefore are to he employed for Him. Your eyes, your tongue, your talents, your time, and your purse, nro all Ilis, and therefore to l>e used for Him. Your business and your possession? are His; everything you have belongs to Him, being bought by His precious blood, and thus set apart for His use. He has access to all these things, and He alone ought to have this access. Ho is the JVIashT, and we are but stewards whom He will order as He pleases.

Let us eeefc to outer into this, that we are set apart for His use, and so we shall be enabled to bring forth more abundant fruit to the praise and honour and glory of Gktd. This is intended by the Holy Ghost to be conveyed to our hearta by the figure, " a garden enclosed." But there is still more.

" A SPBTyo SHUT TO." Why is it shut up? When au earthly spring is shut

A FOUNTAIN SEALED.

133 up, it is that not everyone may have a right to it, but that the owner, or any to whom he may allow the right and privilege of access to the spring, may be able to drink of the water, and none others.

It is, then, another figure used by the Holy Ghost to teach us the truth we have already been considering—to show us that we are the Lord's, and that we are set apart that He may use us as He pleases. That wo have no right to our time and talents, but that they all belong to Him.

Some think it is all the sarae how they spend their time, whether in learning to play instruments or otherwise. Others have a desire to learn sciences or languages, and they think they have a perfect right to do so if they feel inclined. Sow I do not mean to say that such things are sinful, if we have time for them; but no one has any right thus to employ his time or talents until he has laid it before the Lord, and has asked, Is it Thy will that I should spend my time in learning to play this instrument, or this science, or this language? Shall I thereby serve Thee or otherwise? If it is the will of the Tx>rd, then it is right and proper thus to employ our time. 80 with ovorytliing we have, as our time, money and talents, they nre His ; and we ought not to use them unless it be for the praise and honour and glory of God.

Rut here another figure is used, not only " a garden enclosed," and " a spring shut up," but also "A. FOUNTAIN SEALED."

Tortlier, and more particularly still, not simply " a spring shut up," but still more pointedly, to mark that the owner of the spring alone has right of access to it, it is called " a fountain sealed." It is His, and His only, and thereforo there is a seal on it; and no one daro break that seal to take water out of the spring. 'Die spring is His; the water which 5s in it came from , Him; the water that He has put there is for Him and for His use. Therefore, the Living meter which is in it, is to be used only for the praise, and honour, and glory of His great name. 'This brings before us for the third time, more minutely than before, that we are the Lord's. Therefore we are to learn to bo more decidedly out and out for the Lord; and we should never look on ourselves as belonging to this world, or as being our own; but should ever remember that we are bought with a price, even the precious blood of Christ, aud that thus we, and nil we have, nnd all we are, belong solely to the Master for His glory and use. jot of cinitisr itf ms cnr/RCTt. 80 much for the first point in the portion beforo us. Now the Lord Jesus Christ speaks in praise of His bride, tho Church. And how does He speak of her ? " Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard; spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aLoes, with all tho chief spices ; a fountain of gardens, a well of living wu Urs, and streams from Lebanon." Ho moans by these figures to convey the delight which He, the bridegroom, takes in the Church, His bride; to show us how dear we are to His heart, and what loveliness and l«auty He sees in us. And how He is delighted with our service, although it may he but little, and how our worship and praiso are sweet as incense to Him. Wonderful, is it not 1 that such as wo poor uiiserablo Burner* are, should ACCEPTED SERVICE. vet be able with onr service, and worship, and lovo to give delight to tho Lord. Everything we do or think is in a greater or less degree mingled with sin, and yet we are icceptahle—even delightful—in His wight.

AiT 1XLTJSTKATI017.

Take, for instance, this poor service I am rendering for Him now. I have set out from home to offer a word here and there, as God may give me openings; and as Ho niny help me, I am seeking to speak a word, specially of counsel and advice, for the younger brethren and sisterc in Christ, to uphold tho honour and glory of His noma One or another may say, What a good thing that is ! Bui what does this poor worm say of himself? Before mj (rod, I say I am a poor, miserablo sinner. Although J do not live in open sin, and do ::ot give occasion to people to point at me and say, "See what ho is doing again; see how inconsistent ho is." Ifot thus with me; but still 2 am but a sinner in myself, and all I do or say is mora or less mixed with sin. All my efforts need the precious blooc of Christ to cleanse tliem; and I have to go with my preaching to the Lord, to make me clean in all these pool attempts to serve Him.or to help my brethren.

ACCSrfED SERVICE. Tet with all this, 1 know that the Lord Jcsns looks or. me and on mv service with complacency and with delight; and that He delights in me, and that He says of roe, u He is my beloved servant: I will go with him as ho labours for me, I delight in his work and will accept his service as rendered unto Me, in the riches of My grace." That is the thought of the blessed Lord arid Master concerning

BEARING THE INFIRMITIES OF THE WEAK. me. His unworthy servant; while I myself see nothing but defilement in my service.

Such is the truth taught us in these verses—the joy of the Lord in His Church. It is that the Lord Jesus Christ looks with delight and complacency on His people. He does not see sin in us: He sees His own, comeliness reflected in us—His own beauty in as, and His own spotless righteousness, and therefore it is that Ilia eye sees in ua that which is beautiful, lovely, and which pleases Him. All that is in us good is •£ Himself and not of us.

This brings before us another deeply important point. It is this: thai if the Lord Jesus Christ looks on us with delight, although weak and wring as wo are, so we should look on each other. The natural tendency is, to see in our brother or sister their failings and errors ; but - ve ought to aim after this—to find out Christ in one another; and if there be found in such and such a poor sinner anything of Christ, though it be but little, then let ua delight in it.

BEABTSG THE INFIRMITIES OP THE WEAK.

There is frequently much weakness at lirst in the divine life, but spiritual strength will increase. Just as we see in Nicodeinus, who at first came to Jesus by night for fear of the Jews; and also in the caso of Joseph, of A 'imathea, who at first did not own the Lord boldly and pi inly; yet afterwards, we find them so much grown in gr co, that when all tho disciples—courageous Peter and beloved John—had forsaken their Mnster and fled, then th so two, who were so weak at first, came openly forward an 1 asked the body of their Lord, that they might burv it.

CHRIST'S ESTIMATE OF HIS BRIDE.

Therefore we ought to look lovingly on weak disciples, for they may be slreagthoned and put us to sliaine; «md you and I, instead of looking at their weakness and shortcomings, ought to seek to find out Christ in them. If we do so, wo shall find how dear they will become to our hearts, and we shall lore them. The natural tendency is, to look at the weakness and failings of others; but let us strive to overcome this, and, like the Lord Jesus Christ, see the beauty and comeliness of our Master in our fellow disciples.

©HEIST'S ESTIMATE OP HIS BlUDE.

These are the particular lessons, which we have gathered from these verses—that Jesus sees Ixsiuly in us His people, that I le sees loveliness, that He sees the beautiful fruits and spices, to which reference is hero mode, which, although we do not find thorn in our gardens in this country, yet are they most precious fruits in the gardens of tho J'Jist: and if He sees all this comeliness in us, surely we should sie beauty and something to delight us in one another.

Now, further, in the description of tho Church we read —"A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters,and (Streams from Lebanon." " A fountain of gardens." This does not mean a fountain producing gardens, as it might here be taken to mean, but a fountain in the midst of gardens. A fountain, the waters of which refresh and nourish the gardens. This He says further of His ■Church, and here He again uses three figures, even as wo notice with regard to tho £rst point. The figures are— first, "a fountain of gardens;" second, *' a well of living waters;" and lastly, "streams from Lebanon."

A WELL OF LIVING WATERS.

STKEAMS FROM LF.BANON.

"What do these figures imply? First of all, let us consider the figure—

" A FOUNTAIN OP CABUEKS."

Ho means hero, that in this world -we are, or ought to be, for Hie refreshment and nourishment of one another; for the strengthening and invigorating of one another. Just as by a fountain in the midst of a garden, the plants are watered and nourished, and all the vegetation is benefited thereby, and the beautiful and fragrant flowers are refreshed: so the Church of Christ is left upon the earth to ba a liko blessing! not that she should merely enjoy His fulness herself, but in order that she should be for the fertilising of those surrounding her, and especially that sho may lend a helping hand to the brethren and sisters, particularly the younger brethren and sisters in Christ, tins is the very purpose for which we aro left in this world, that we may bo as fountains of water, and especially for the strengtheni n g and encouragi ng of one another, and the refreshing, nourishing, and watering of one another, even as the fountain in the midst of gardens. But now, the second figure:

"A WBM, OF LIVING WATEBS."

What does this mean ? In John vii. 2$, Jesus said, " He that boueveth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake Ho of the Spirit, which they that behove on Him should receive; for tho Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified." It was of the Holy Ghost He spake.

Bow tho Holy Ghost has been given. The Church in her collective capacity has received the Holy Ghost, and every individual believer has received that gift; therefore we are expected to be wells of living waters. There is no reason why out of you and me individually, there should not How rivers of "living water. The living water which has l>eon given us ought to How out to others. Have we oil considered this, that for this very reason has been given to us the Holy Ghost.? Just in order that we mav minister to the world around us. We ought to be the means of good to our fellow tanners, and out of us there should flow rivers of living water, that poor Burners all around, yonng and old, rich and poor, whether enemies or friends, should be benefited.

And not merely so, but wo should also be as wells of living water to the dear follow believers. They oft may and do stand in need of refreshing and comforting, and it should be our aim to seek to be tho messengers of this blessed help to these our brethren; we onght to aim so to live and act, that here, there, and everywhere, as God given us opportunity, we may seek to spread far and wide the tenth as it is in Christ Jesus. That is what is meant here—that we should not only be as fountains in the midst of gardens, but oven as w-dls of living waters going out to benefit others; that out of us should flow rivers of living water.

Further, regarding this point, there is another figuro asod by tho Holy Ghost— " STREAMS PROM TiBBAgOB.

What is meant here? It goes still further than tho other figures. When the snow melted under the summer Kin on tho heights of Lebanon, then mighty torrents poured down from tho mountain, sweeping everything

WRONG IN THE ARMOUR CF GOD. before them. Nothing could stand in the way of these streams. So should streams of living water How out of tis, with bo much divine force and power, that the people oE this world shall not he able to stand before us, but shall he constrained to say that of a truth God is with ua.

If such were our slate, wo should cany away all before us, boing strong in the Lord; and hundreds, yea thousands, would be converted, 'l'he whole Church surrounding us, which may It' cold and dead, would be quickened and set on fire, and all would be stirred up to new love and joy. Thus must we become blessings to many around ua. Surely we ought all to aim after this, to be like •'streams (torrents) from Lebanon."

"Wo may liave been idle, but lot slumber and shop rest upon us no more ; and even when we have been stirred to some effort, let us not go back into a cold, lifeless state, but having dono all to stand. "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth; and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your foot shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall bo able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always and with nil prayer and supplication in the Spirit, aud watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

That is to be our attitude— flTBINU IK THE ABMOUE op god; or, according to the figure which we have been considering, like mighty torrents coming down from Lebanon, •carrying everything before them, and being never dis-

RBCIPROCAI. DELIGHT. conrnged by anything we may meet- Because mighty torrents, to which this figure likens us, were never discouraged or beaten back, but carried everything before them.

Oh, that this were impressed upon onr hearts, that we have power as the disciples of the Lord Jesus Obrist, and that we can accomplish great things by prayer and by faith ; that none can withstand us, if we go in His power; thai; great as may be our enemies, yet greater is He that is for us than all that can be against us I And all the powers of darkness cannot withstand us, if we work in the strength of (rod and look to Him and trust in Him alone. For all that is before us cannot bo accoui|!jiahed by our own power or resources. If this were more deeply impressed upon our hearts, we should become more and more usefu. to the praise and honour and glory of God.

BICmtOOAL DBLIfiHT.

But I must hasten on, as I have still two verses to speak of. In the sixteenth verse, to which wo now come, the Church is speaking. The Lord Jesus Christ has spoken in the highest terms of the Church, and now the Church,His bride, speaks of Hhniu return. She delights in giving joy to the heart of the Lord Jesus; to see Him partaking of her frnit with pleasure, and to sen Him gratifying His loving heart with her. Therefore she now says, " Awake, 0 north wind; and come thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out." Meaning, in ollior words, "What I am I am for the Lord's sake* What I have received I have received for the Lord's sake. AU that I have belongs not to me hut to the Master, who has bought me with His precious blood. Therefore I taka

CSATI FY THE HEART OF JESUS. delight, joy. and pleasure in gratifying His heart who bought me. All I have and nil 1 am I take delight in readeriiig hack to Hiin again.

It is with this feeling that the Church responds to the loving words of the Lord Jesus, "Awake, O north wind; and come, (hou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out," because the wind causes the spices and sweet fragrance of a garden to How forth, so that the owner may enjoy the smell thereof.

And here we observe that whether it be the pleasant south wind or the strong, rough north wind, it is all tho same; only that lay blessed owner may be gratified by spices which flow out. Whether it be the sweet soothing influence of love, or tho blows of affliction, it matters not, so that Ho is gratified by the display of the graces which lie hath given.

But she proceeds to say: " Lot my Beloved come into His garden, and eat His pleasant fruits." Do you seek thus to GRATIPT IKS HKATI.T OP JBSU8? My beloved brethren and sisters in Christ, we can verily do so. Really and truly, poor, miserable sinners in ourselves though we are, we can gratify tho heart of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is not personally here now,—He is gone up into Heaven. We have to do with a risen Lord Jesus Christ, who is now at the right hand of God. Tet we can gratify the heart of this Jesus. "We can cause sweet spices to ascend to Him; He can come into our company, even now, and enjoy our graces.

Shall I mention one of the ways in which, amongst many others- that might be mentioned, aud which yo>c

I.Mas gjssro Msn. mast know yourselves, we can thus gratify His liming heart. It is this—" Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." There is a poor brother or sister without food, without clothes; needing money, words of comfort or encouragement, or in any way a helping hand. Now, whatsoever ye do to that brother is dono to and accepted by Jesus Christ as done to Himself.

Thus we shall gratify His heart in doing so. And we shall be saving, " Let my beloved come into His garden and eat His pleasant fruits." Lot me ask yon nffeetion-ntaly—are ,ou doing this? Are you lending a helping hand to any weak or suffering brother, and in so doing gratifying the heart of tho Lord Jesus Christ ? tub lord's BESPON8!;. Now Jesus responds to tho words of His bride—" 1 am come into My garden, My sister, My spouse; I have fathered My myrrh with My spices; I have eaten My houevcomb with My honey; I have drank My wine with My "milk; eat, O friends: drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved." What is this? I belong to Jesus, I am His sister. His spouse. I belong to the Church, that Church is His-by the grace of God wo are what we ore, by the grace of God. we have what wo have; all wo have and aro is His by divine right. While He accept* the longings of our heart to offer ourselves to Him, still He would have us remember that we do belong to Him. . , „ .

Thus the T«rd Jesus Christ brings before us, that W( arc His aud have received all we have from Him. Hi would have us keep in mind that we are His througJ

Him. and what we have is through Him. "We are wholly His, and to the very lost day of our earthly pilgrimage, all wo ever hove in the world is of Hint. While therefore the Church invitf-a Him to come into tho garden and partake of the pleasant fruits, yet Ho claims it as His own by right. He does accept and rejoice in onr offer ot it, hut would have us understand that it is already all His own.

•EBB INVITATION.

Lastly, " Eat, 0 friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, 0 beloved-" If there, be anyone who desires to partake-of these blessings, the Lord Jesus Christ says to him, "Eat, O friends; drink,yea, drink abundantly." Which literally means, "bo drunk with lovo." Oh, aim nbnvo everything after this—to increase and abound in love; 23 it were, to be drunk with love—intoxicated with love! Oh, that we might know something more of this, and be so brimful of love to Jesus, and brimful of love to everyone, that it were running over to all around us! Jesus delights in seeing us filled with love, intoxicated with love, drunk with love. May we aim incrt'-asiiiyily after this!

THE POWER OP THE KING.

The subject for our consideration, beloved Christian friend?, is "The Power of the King." This subject is full of comfort for each one of us. All the children of God, while yet in the body, are most weak in themselves, though we can do all things, through Christ who strengthens us, by exercising faith in Him day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment, seeking to lay hold on His strength, that we may have power. In ourselves we are most weak, by reason of the old conupt nature remaining in us, and we shall remain in ountfaes most weak, to the end of our course ; therefore this subject is full ol comfort, full of instruction, full of exhortation, iuU ol warning, too, in a certain sense. But the great point, if the first place, is that we are ONE WITH THE KINO.

There is no blessing to be had Irom the King, unless we are reconciled to God by faith in the "Lord Jesus Christ. Naturally we are alienated from God ; naturally we are "dead in trespasses and sins;" naturally we ate afraid of God, on account of a guilty conscience. There is' therelore no such thing as drawing strength out of God, nor is there a fcsulility of drawing Strength outol

TliB POWER OF TUB JtV.VG.

Him, until we are made alive spiritually, until we are regenerated. And how are we to be regenerated ? By believing the Gospel; by faith in the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, should there be any here present (as peradventure there are), who are as yet not reconciled to God by faith in the Lord ^esus Christ, who have still a guilty conscience, who are still unlor-jrivefl—lei me beseech and entreat such, with all earnestness to care about their souls, and no longer to go on without obeying the Gospel. Remember that we are commanded to obey the Gospel—that it does not rest with us whether we like it or do not like it, we are commanded to obey the Gospel; beloved, we are commanded to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The great sin of man in his natural state is, that he does not believe the Gospel. Should there be any here present who do not see that they are sinners, let me beseech them with all earnestness to read the first three chapters of the Epistle to the Romans; and if they do desire to find out that they are sinners, God the Holy Ghost will show to them through that epistle most assuredly what they are by nature ; and should any here present see that they are sinners, but have not yet believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls, yet desire to believe, if they could only just groan out a few words to God and say, " Have mercy upon me, O God, and help me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ," God would help them to believe. It is through this faith in the Lord Jesus that we arc regenerated. According to that Weed, "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus," (Galatians iii. 26I; and according to thai

THE FOWER OF THE KING.

Word, " Whosoever believefh that Jesus is the Christ—is born of God," <i John v. 1), viz., that the poor despised, rejected Jesus of Nazerctb is the promised Saviour, the Messiah ; millions may say it, but none believe it except die children ot God. Then, if wo are regenerated we have life—spiritual life—and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we obtain the forgiveness of our sins, according to that Word in the 10th chapter of the acts of the Apostles, 43rd verse, where it is stated concerning the Lord Jesus. " To him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever belicveth in Him shall receive remission of sins." Then, if we are regenerated—if wc have obtained spiritual life, if the guilt is removed from our consciences, if we have become, through faith in Jesus, the children of God, then shall we enjoy the truth of " the power of the King." But should there be any one here present (I repeat it), who is as yet not a believer in the Lord fesus, then let me beseech and entreat him with earnestness to seek after iorgiveness. Again, pezadventure there are a few here who once enjoyed a cleansed conscience, who once walked in the ways of God, but who have now departed from Him. 1 desire that there may he none such present; but should this be the case, what have you to do ? What you did at the first—to come as poor, miserable, guilty sinners, and confess your sins to •God, exercising feitb in the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, in which there is power to make you also clean again ftom your sins ; the sins of back sliding will be forgiven and taken away by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ, just as the sins which were committed in our nnregenerate state. Therefore sec to it that you

14S POWER IN TUP. KINC IS OUR WEAKNESS. again obtain a cleansed conscience.—If there is power in the King, and we have a cleansed conscience (as by the grace of God I trust by far the greater part of us have), then oh, how precious to think that this POWER IN THE KING 13 TO HELP US IN OUR WEAKNESS.

The more we advance in the Divine life, and become acquainted with ourselves and with God, the more we see of the power of Satan and the corruptions within. The more we know of the temptations without, the more sliaii we be conscious day by day, and hour by hour, how weak we are in ourselves; and therefore we need the strong One to lean upon, to go to. That strong One we nave in Jehovah Jesus. 0 the prescionsness that we have not to do with a dead Christ ! Though He was crucified and put into the grave on account of our numberless transgressions, yet He rose from the dead, He ascended up on high, and there at the right hand of God He is, for us who put our trust in Him, as the Living One, as the Mighty One, who takes delight and joy continually in helping us amidst all our weaknesses and frailties. When Paul stood alone, and every one of the brethren, by reason of tire danger, had forsaken him, there was One who stood with him, there was One who was at Iris side. There was the King in power that blessed One never leaves us, never forsakes us. It us rejoice in the Knowledge of this.

I desire now to make a very few Temnrks (on account of the shortness of the time) on the various portions of Scripture which are brought before us as the subject for our consideration. '1 ne first is in Malachi i. 14 : " I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts."

POWER.

149

REVERENCE.

It is deeply important to remember that, while wc are at peace widi God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and while we arc the children of God, and in fellowship with the Father and the Son, yet we are creatures and remain creatures, and therefore it becomes us to reverence (!od. On the one hand, they may not sufficiently walk in holy friendship with God! or, on the other hand, we may lose sight of the fact that we have to do with the Creator and Upholder of the universe, that He is a great King.

Let us not lose sight of this; for we must never forget that, while we arc the children of God, and while we are partakers of the glory together with the Lord Jesus Christ, that yet we are creatures, and shall remain creatures, therefore it becomes us, as it were, to put off our shoes from our feet, and to consider that wc are standing on holy ground. I affectionately press this on every one of my brethren and sisters in Christ; for the danger is lest we should lose sight of it, and in consequence make light of sin, by reason of our oneness with the Lord lesus Christ.

POWER.

The second point which is suggested to us is, " Where the word of a King is, there is power " (Eccles. viii. 4)-Most comforting and precious is this. For instance, with regard to all brethren and sisters in Christ who are engaged in service. "Where the word of the King is, there is power." What have we to do therefore? To pray for the word of the King, in order that there may be , sa POWER. power ; and therefore all who feel interested in the glory of God, and in the services of the Lord Jesus, should with earnestness seek, on behalf of all who arc in any way labouring for the Lord, His blessing, that the Lord the King would speak the word, and then the world would feel His power. The word, though uttered by mortal, sinful lips, if the King speaks through the instrument, will come in power. Let me affectionately beseech all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity to see to it that with earnestness they help all who in any way seek the spread of the truth. Every one of us may exceedingly help all the beloved brethren and sisters who are occupied in this way. Then with all the efforts that arc now made to .spread the truth, let us especially keep before us this, that the Lord will be sought for blessing, and that, if there is little prayer, there will be little result; whilst the more abundant prayer there is brought before the Lord, the more abundant blessing we may reckon on. Therefore all of us with earnestness should see to it that the word of the King, which is the word in power, may come through the instruments who are seeking to spread the truth as it is in Jesus. But more than this, we have mighty enemies to fight against, and we have no strength of our own. We may say, " Get thee behind me, Satan," but the word of the King we need in our weakness—in our helplessness—the word ot the King we need to subdue our natural evil tendencies— the word of the King we need in ordet that the world may not have power over us ; and for this the King will be sought and entreated, and the more earnestly we give ourselves to prayer, the more we may expect to hear the KiGirre.ousi'ESS, 'S* word of the King, so that the world, the flesh, and the devil will be kept down, to the honour, praise, and glory of God, and the confounding of Satan.

The next point on which I wish to make a few_ remarks is, " The sceptte oi Thy kingdom is a right sceptre " (Psalm slv. 6). In

KIGHTEVOUSNKSS

the King rules, and this is what we have to keep before us It is not only that in the world to come, when the 1 o.d Jesus Christ Iras returned, there will be the rule in righteousness, but even now He rules in righteousness, and that is practically what we often lose sight of. 1 here is eiven to ns that precious word, "All thmgs work together for good to them that love God;" hut very n-eouemiy, when great trials and afflictions come-when „e have to suffer from the world, when we are in weakness of body, when we have to sustain bereavements, losses, and the like-then the question arises, by reason of our old nature, why all this? And f we WW"* our cuard, we shall be inclined to entertain hard thoughts about God. But " the sceptre of His kingdom is a right sceptre;" "In righteousness He rules;" Everything works together for good to them that love God. In joy or sorrow, however we may be situated, everything tends to our real good and profit, and it becomes us to-be satisfied in our inmost souls (no matter how God deals with us) that all is for the glory of God, and for our real good and profit-all to make us mcreasingly .o be conformed to the mind of God and to me Lord Jesu Christ; and therefore we ought to be sat.shed with Gods dea Jings with us in the darkest hours—we should kiss the hand that smites us. Oh, how we can glorify God under these circumstances, and show to an ungodly world the reality of *he things of God I Wc can let then* sec that we do not differ from them in the matter of creed only, but that we are really children of God—that we have a Father in heaven, that we have a Friend in heaven, that we do not profess simply to believe the Word of God, but that we verily <b so—that we receive the statement that " all things work together for good to them that love God." How could it he otherwise, but that all things work together for good to them that love God, since God gave the choicest gift He had to give in His only-begotten Son, and also promised that with Him He would freely give us all things? Therefore it becomes the children of God to be still, to be quiet, to know that God is dealing with them in everything, and to know that "all things work together for good to them that love God." Whether we see it, or whether we do not see it, His dealings are already working for our good. We have to exercise faith in this, and to be satisfied with the statement; that the sceptre of the King is a right sceptre; tliat everything He c'oeth is in righteousness; everything He doeth is good and like Himself.

The next statement is, that "a King that sitteth on the throne of scattereth away all evil with His eyes." (Prov. xx. 8). Tiiat Satan shall be bruised under our leet is the blessed prospect before us—when by the power of the King he

JUDGMENT. will have been bruised under out feet, when by the power of the King wc shall have been completely delivered from everything contrary to the mind of God, so that when the will of God shall be presented to us, instantaneously in our inmost souls, we shall respond to the carrying out of His will. This time as not yet come, nevertheless wc have in joyful anticipation to look forward to that day; and the more we can exercise faith with regard to the things to come—the realities of the heavenly day, the great day of the IiOrd Jesus Cltrist—the more shall we bring down the joys of heaven now into our souls already, the more spiritual power we shall have now ; for, though we cannot have the office of apostles, we cannot say to what an extent wc may, while yet in the body, overcome all the natural evil tendencies within us. The more we exercise faith in the power of the Lord Jesus, the more we practically use the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we make confession of our manifold failings and shortcomings, we may expect help to overcome what is contraiy to the mind of God. There is also connected with the subject particularly this joyful prospect: the little flock is mixed up with the world. At present we are not separated from all them that hate the Lord; but this will be the case in that day when the whole heavenly family will be united, and in separation from those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ. Are there any heTe present who will be separated, then, from us ? Shall we all meet again as wc meet under this one roof now ? None, none will mec; with the people of God, but those •who trust in the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ. None, none will be found there in the glory, but those 154 7J5K CBRTA1NTY OF ClIKISrs TRWMFll who were regenerated, before they were taken out of the world, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. O be in earnestness ahout this, if any be here present who are not yet believers in the Lord Jesus 3 for the power of the King will see to it, that none who are defiled enter the New Jerusalem. O the separation—the awful separation which will take place, it may be between parents and children, between brothers aud sisters, Ixnween husbands and wives ! O see to it that none be separated from the people of God, in that, day! We can only meet again in one place, if we are all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ; only then can we hear the word of the King, " Come, yc blessed of My Father, uiherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

THE CERTAINTY OF CHRIST'S TRIUMPH.

A few words on the last passage : " He must reign till He hath put all enemies under his feet' (i Cor. xv. 25). He must reign! O the comfort of this word, He must reign ! Who will oppose the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Almighty God the Creator of the universe, the Upholder of the universe? Who will withstand Him— Who will keep Him from reigning? 0 the joy we have m this—Jesus must reign! And it is particularly comforting in these days, when we see infidelity and Popery spreading, and all kinds and forms of superstition and error. How comforting to know that (he truth must prevail! Jesus will triumph at the last. "He must reign." Every knee must bow before Him, every tongue must confess that He is Lord, to the glory oi the Father. Bright and blessed prospect that thus it must be, that THE CERTAINTY OF CHRISTS TRIUMPH. 155 even those who now blasphemously speak against the Lord Jesus Christ will have to feel the power of the King, they will have to see that the King has power. He will triumph at the last. And now we who are united to the King, we who arc of the little flock, most weak and helpless in ourselves, yet because we are united to the King who must reign—to the King who will triumph over every enemy—therefore we also, however weak and helpless in ourselves, through Jesus our Lord shall eminently triumph. That is the bright and blessed prospect before us ! I am a poor sinner, and nothing at all, let us say to ourselves, but my Lord Jesus will help me, my Lord Jesus will obtain the victory for me; let me only cling and cleave to Him, let me only look to Him, let me day by day seek to exercise faith in His power, and all will be well at the last We shall have the victory over Satan, over the evil spirits, over everything that opposes itself to our blessed Lord.

23RE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. "That I may know Hut"—Phill iii. ro.

It appears to me, beloved Christian friends, that with regara to the subject before us, " That I may know Hun. the Holy Ghost, shaking by the Apostle, has no particular reference to the measure of knowledge ubich is absolutely needful with regard to the sanation of our souls, bur a higher, further, more intimate acquaintance with the lrcl Jeans Christ, even as a friend is intimately acquainted with his bosom friend. That this is the meaning, I gather from reading verse Sth in connection with verse roth: "Vea, doubtless, and I count all things Ml loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jest,, my Lord." The.i what follows up to~our portion before us, I judge to be a parenthesis, so that the con. nection would be-" I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ fesus our Lord that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings," the parenthesis commencing from these words in the Sth verse-"For whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness wtuea is of the law, but that which is through the faith of PRACTICAL RESULTS OF KNOWING CIIKIST. 157

Christ, ihe righteousness which is of Cod by faith." This parenthesis, it appears to me, refers to that which he has attained to already as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and To which multitudes of the dear children of God have attained, but with which diey should not be satisfied, but aim after greater attainments than these, even that they should know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.

The question arises naturally, What is it that the Apostle particularly desires in our text, "That I may know Him ?" That he might know the Blessed One in all His loveliness, in all His beauty, just as the saints finally will see the King in His beauty, will know Him in all His loveliness, in all His characters, so as every one of His saints will know Him in the glory finally, so, while, the Apostle was yet in the body, whilst yet in weakness, whilst yet Satan was not bound, and himself not in the glory, he desired more and more intimately to become acquainted with the precious adorable Lord Jesus Christ in ai! His loveliness, so that the joy and the blessedness of the glory in the world to come might, in a great measure, already be realised by him while he was yet in the body.

PRACTICAL RESULTS OF KNOWING CHRIST.

What would be the result of this intimate knowledge of the adorable Lord to which the Apostle refers here ? Evidently it would be increased conformity to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the word of the Apostle John : " Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be , but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall lie like Him! for we shall see Him as He is," (or know Him as He is). So knowing the Lord Jesus Christ perfectly, knowing Him in all His loveliness, seeing the King in His beauty, they will be made like Him. Now in the measure in which we, the children of God, while yet we are upon earth, know the Lord in all His beauty, in all His loveliness, in all His characters, wc shall be conformed to the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ. And on this account, this knowledge here referred to by the Holy Ghost, through the Apostle, is of such immense value. And we -should not say, " I know him for the salvation of my soul I shall at last be saved through Him." God be praised if we know the Lord sufficiently with regard to the salvation of our sou!; but this is not the ultimate object regarding us, but the glory of Hi». name, and our increasing conformity to the mind of the Lord while yet here on earth ; and in order to bring ths about, increased intimate acquaintance with the precious Lord Jesus Christ is to be sought after, sr» that one ought not to be satisfied with the measure of attainment regarding the knowledge of Christ to which he has been brought already. This is the first point then to which I desire to direct your attention, namely, that, with increased knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, there would be found in us increased conformity to the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ Another point that would be attained is increased spiritual power, increased comfort, increased strength in every way. I refer you, as proof of this, to the 4th verse of the 50th of Isaiah. Jsaiah, you know, speaks here about the Lord Jesus Christ. There the Blessed

PRACTICAL RESULT OF A'SOWIAQ CHRIST. 159

One Himself stated for the comfort and the encouragement of His Church, " The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary" Therefore, the great point is to be able 10 treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a bosom friend, to be able to go to Him and say " My precious Lord, speak to me the word in season," when we arc weary. Whilst passing through this vale of tears, in the midst of trial and difficulty, in the midst of labour and sadness, in the midsc of sore temptation, in (he midst of conflict oi greater or less degree, again, and again, and again, the child of God, who desires to walk in the ways o* the Lord, will find himself spiritually worn. Now then go to the precious Lord and say, "My Loid, speak to me the word in season, for I am weary."

These happy conference meetings are not so much for theological discussion as for spiritual encouragement. I ask, therefore, my brethren and sisters in Christ, how much <lo you know of this ? Are you in the babit of going to the Lord Jesus Christ and saying, " My Lord, speak to Thy servant the word in season, for I am weary." 1 tell you as one who has known the Lord Jesus fifty years and eight months, again and again, and again, have I thus come to the I-ord and said, " Lord speak a word in season to thy sen-ant who is weary." And what have I found? Invariably this—I bear the testimony to the honour of my precious Lord—invariably this, He hath Spoken to me the word in season when I have been weary. And let my beloved brethren and sisters in Christ but try the way. Seek to prove the blessed Lord 'Jesus in this way, and they will find now ready that Blessed One is to speak to them the word in season when they are weary. These are not merely religious statements, but fit to be treasured up in our hearts and to be known experimentally, But if you find it thus, oh the blessedness of that state of heart to have a friend ready at all times and under all circumstances to speak to you the word in season when you are weary ! Oh, the blessedness of this indescribable, and if any of my friends have nol known this preciousness, let me entreat them not to give themselves rest till they know the Lord Jesus Christ as a bosom friend !

Kut this is not all. Another result that would follow is this. Thus becoming increasingly acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ, we should finally get into the state to which we find reference made in Psalm ix. loth verse.-" They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee" And therefore we say, knowing Him they confide in Him, they trust in His power, they trust in His love, they trust in His wisdom, they trust in llim at all times and under all circumstances. How blessed such a state of heart would be ! The world without looks on and wants to know if our religion is more than a mere difference of creed between themselves and us, to know how much we have of the reality of the tilings of Got!. Now if they find a man or a woman able at all times, under all circumstances, because they have a bosom friend in heaven, Almighty and infinately wise, who loves (hem at all times, and under all circumstances, who will ever help and succour and bless them, and therefore they are able to confide in Him, to look to Him, to trust in Him, to be quiet to be calm, and at peace, whatever the circum-

PRACTICAL EZSVLT3 0? RXOWXKQ CLlltlST. \Gl stances, and to be able to say: " Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him ; " then can the world surround-iiig us look on and see the blessedness and the re- J ality of the things of God ? And on this account it is of snch vast moment not to be satisfied with knowing enough of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of the soul, hut to seek intimately to become acquainted with Him, to know Him as a friend knows His bosom friend, and thus wholly to trust in Him. This blessedness I may tell you I havo found in all the varying conditions of life. Oh I try Him, try Him, try Him I You will find how well it is to confide in Him, and how well you may confide in Him, and He will help you and never leave you nor forsake you.

Another, and tuo last roason why all this is so doeply important that we should seek increasingly to become acquainted with the Lord Jesus is this. All of you, my beloved brethren and sisters iu Christ, know that won.-o in fellowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesaa Christ, that wo ate in co-participation with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ, that means in partnership with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. Now does not evory one see how docply important it is to know who our partner is, to know the riches of the partner, to know the means of one's partner, to know too disposition of the partner, to know the- ability of the partner, to seek increasingly to acquaint ourselves with Them regarding whom God in the- riches of His grace declares that wo arc in fellowship, in co-partioipatiou, in partnership with, the Father and the Son ? How wondrous the condescension of that Blessed One to vile, worthless, wretched beings like us. While yet in weakness and yet exposed to tho powers of darknoss, mid a pilgrim here on earth passing through, this vale of tears, how important that I should be able to go without fear to Him, tho good and gracious, and ever generous partner, the Lord Jeans Christ, who is infinitely rioh and wise, and who lovos mo with an eternal and unchangeable love.

EOW TO ATTAIN TE5 KNOwXEDOE OF CHRIST.

But some may say," All this is most precious, hut how nay I attain unto it y " Of course, in the first place, we most have passed sentence on ourselves, matt have condemned onraelves, and put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of onr souls. 'Without this there oan bo no such thing as attaining to this more jntimnto knowledge of the Lord Jesns Christ. This is absolutely needful. But as I stated at the beginning, it appears to mo there is roferred to here a higher dogroo of acquaint-ance with the Lord Jesus Christ, moro than that which is necessary for tho salvation of our souls, in order that we may glorify God, live as becomes the children of God, and bear fruit abundantly, sixty-fold, and a hundred-fold. I just mention hore, and have my beloved brethren and sisters in Christ over thought of it, that we are not to Lft 6alis Qed with bearing fruit thirty-fold, but actually forty-told, forty-Jivu-fold, fifty-fold ; to press on; yea, if it might he, to attain to hearing sixty-live-fold, and if any of ns have attained to this, then to aim at attaining seventy-fold, seventy-fivefold, eighty -fold ; yea, to ho satisfied

THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. 163 short of nothing than toahnat one-hundred-fold. When tho blessed Lord Jesus Christ brings this statement before us, Ho means what lie says, that some bear in one and some in another degree. And why should we not advance to bear the higher and more glorious degrees, till tho glorious consummation of one-hundredfold ? We should never lose sight of the fact that the salvation of our soul is not the ultimate object that God hns, but the glory of His name is intimately conueetod with our bearing fruit. Lot us not think, that because we hnvo now for a few years in some little measure loft the world that we may take our ease, and now go on more quietly, bat to press on, to press on, to press on, and to set before ns nothing Bhort of the prize, tho bear-a hundred-fold.

Lot us take the test in its connection. How may I attain to this intimate knowledge of tho Lord Jesus Christ ? In the 8th verse we read, " And X count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ; Jeirns my Lord," u that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and tho fellowship of His Bufferings." Everything he desired to put aside and renounce, in order that he might know Hi to, and that increasingly he might hocomo acquainted with Him. Therefore, beloved friends, the pleasures of this world are to be put aside—tho fashion of this world to be laid down at tho feet of Jo&us, the richos of this world, the honour of this world, and all that tho natural mind craves after, desires, finds gratification in—all to bo laid down at tho feet of Jesus, in order that wo may be able to say with tho apostlo, « Yea, doubtless, and I count all things

KM THE KSOWLEWE OF CBBIiT. but loss for the exocllency of tho knowledge of Christ Jesus." So that we have for tho remainder of our life but one single object. Not sis, not five, not three, cot two, but one single object—to live for God, TRANSFORMED IN MIND.

The subject for our consideration this evoning is " Being transformed by the renewing of our minds." The con-nootion in which this stands, the dear Christian friend* fcnow • " Be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" As the redeemed of the Lord, it becomes us continually to Beep before ne.thatonrown solvation is not tho ultimate eno bat the glory of God. This we have never to lose sight of • and in order that we may do our part as witnesses for God in this world, it is necessary that we should not be conformed to the world, but transformed Without this it is entirely impossible to be witnesses for God in a rMit way. We may think we do this and we do another thW to the glory of God, and yet just only in so for as we are not conformed to this world, but aro transformed, ore we truly witnesses for God. ,,„,,„, Sow as we have been bought by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; as God in Christ to.a»o«. much : as that precious and adorable Lord Jesus Christ Las done somueh for us.it well becomes us that we, the eons of the Most High, should not wait for the glory, in ardor men to aim at being conformed to the .mage of God-sdcareon(though then it will be perfect conformity .,„ Hurt Blessed One), but as far as in us h« to aim at it l«i son Doaa ovb own kill. day by day already in Ibis world. Now then, tho first tLLug that we have to keep before us is just this: that it is the will of the Lord that wo should bo transformed.

Another rM>int for onr eomfort isthatthis is possible—> that it can be done through the renewing of oar minds. The latter wo have tokoop as nvnohboforo as as tho former.

NOT DOTNO OUn OWN WILL.

First, then, it is the will of the Lord that we should bo transformed. In our natural state we all go tbo way ot the world—that is, we go our own way, We may bo amiable people in the eyes of our fellow men, we may be honest and moral, and overy one may speak well of us even before our conversion ; bnt yet we go our own way, and in this state it is entirely impossible to i>lcase God, because wo set Him not before ns. Wo do not what we do-to the praise of His name. Wo use our bodily strength, our mental powers, our talents and gifts, just a3 we please, in order to gratify ourselves. Wo do not uso them to the praise and honour and glory of God. Wo do not use our profession, our business, our money for the Lord, but we uso ihem just as it ploases ns, becauso we go naturally our own way : and thac is just how wo dishonour the Lord, how all natural men, through their living to themselves and not living for God, do dishonour God, cannot but dishonour God, and nntil wc arc renewed by tho Holy Ghost things will go on in this way. All the resolutions that we may make to be in a different btato will not alter the case.

" Day by dny wo go aalrfty, Day by day we go our owr. way, A9 dbeep askay." not soma ova own will. 107

That is just what dishonours God, becauso we set Him not before our eyes. We do not live for Him: our lime is not given to Him. Why 1 Because the heart is not givon to Him. Oar talents aro not given to Him, because the hoart is not given to Him. Wo go our own way. Wo set Him not beforo us, and therefore we live to onreelvos, we please ourselves ; and thus it will go on, until we aro convinced that we have been sinners needing a Saviour, and nntil, as poor, lost, ruined, guilty sinners, wo havo put oar trust ia the Lord Josus Christ, and have accepted salvation through His atoning sacrifice alone. In this way wo are by the power of tho Holy Ghost renewed. In this way we obtain spiritual life, and then begins the possibility of boing transformed. Before that, it is impossible to be transformed, because we are dead in trespasses and eins. We are without spiritual life. Before the Holy Ghost lias been given to us, and has renewed ns through the belief of tho gosr-cl, wo have no posvor to please God and to live for God, but wo shall -o on, to a greater or less degreo, only to be conformed to the world, and to live to ourselves. So, then, should any bo present who, upto this time, have been conformed to the world, and who have, nevertheless, a longing to be transformed,then lot me saytosuch,dear friends,the only wnv to bo transformed is, by the reception of tho gospel, by believing tho gospel, so that, throcgh faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, wo are born again : for until wo receive the gospel,until we believe in the Lord Jesuiv Christ, every one is dead in trespasses and sms : every one lives to himself; more or less, every one is conform to the world, and must be, an'', cannot possibly be trans-

PROGRESS IX THE DI7DTE LIFE. formed from tlie world. And, therefore, since the only way to bo transformed is to receive tlio gospel, tins is the first deeply-important point; for bytliis the founda-(ion is laid, and only in this way tho foundation nan be laid.

Eut whilst thus the beginning is made, it is only the beginning, and wo should not bo content with tho beginning; but our hearty desire should be this, that not only ior a few months after we have received the gospel wc may bo in some litllo degree transformed, but that thus vt be month after month, year after year, ten years one after the othor (if life is prolonged, and the Lord Jesus tarrieth) ; so that persons who knew us ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty years ago as disciples of tho Lord Jesus Christ, and see us ten, twenty, thirty, forty, ol fifty years after, still find us in just the same way. Now, in order that it may be thus; in order that we may show our love and gratitude to our heavenly Father by being witnesses for Hira in this evil world, and not waiting till the time of glory comes, and satisfying ourselves with saying that " I shall one day bo conformed to the image of God's dear Son," there must bo

MIOGEESS IN THE DIVINE LIFE.

In order that already in a goodly meagre it may be the case in thie. life, I desire to throw cut a few hints, by the attending to which and the blessing of God we may make progress in tho Divine life, and become more and more conformed to the image of God's dear Son. Wo have not to forget that the eyes of the world are upon us, that they want to sec whether thore is a difference

ITHtf WE AM SAVED VSTO.

Just in the incisure in which it is !>opi '* ...

that once we belonged to tho tt***S££,

God's dear Son.

WffllT WE ABE SITED ONTO.

And, then, not only lo keep before nswh.it we hav. been redeemed from, but what we have ta«M onto. All onr aine forgiven-alrcady now , JgUM before God through faith in the Lord Jcsua Ohnrt, Sen again, children of God for time and etornity andl such, the heirs of God .ad thejomt-hou-s W x h tho LordJcBUBChrist.ero long we shall rcigi. with feus, «o long we shall sit with Him on the throne, and with Him judge the world—yea, Satan even, and the fallen angels. I say tho more this is kept before us, that wo shall spend a happy eternity in. glory, together with the Lord Jesus Christ, that our own eyes- shall see that Mossed Oeo, that our own hands shall ho allowed to touch that Messed One, and that, in seeing Him as Ho is, wo shall bo like Hira, not only obtaining the glorified body, but be perfectly freo for ever and ever from every Bin—tho more this is kept before us, tho more shall we he constrained in this world already to seek the glory of God.

Further, wo havo to aim at this, that we keep it before ns, that it is the will of the Lord that the human ereaturo should not be happy while walking in separation from God. Itsceujsto mo a matter of deep moment that this should be a settled conviction in our minds, that what God has determined is, that the human creature shall be ■wretched and miserable going his own way, and that peace and joy in God and in tho Holy Gho3t can only bo obtained by walking with God—by walking in the fear of the Lord. Now if this were really tho doop conviction of our hearts, a settled tiling in our hearts day by day, as assuredly as I go my own way, as assuredly as I live to myse'f, so assuredly must I be wretched and miscraMo, because I walk in separation from God. Were this deeply impressed upon onr hearts, wo should aim after walking in the fear of the Lord.

LIVIXG TO PLEASE GOD.

And, therefore, in the nest place, it should be our deep, hearty longing, to have but ono single object for LWIXQ TO PLBASX GOD. I" 1 - our life—to live for God, to please God, since it is impossible that, in going onr own way, we should bo happy, we could really havo peaoo and joy in the Holy Ghost. Therefore, to have this settled purpose of heart, that for the rest of the days of our life we will live for God, and for God only, aud thus to dedicate the whole heart to God—not a part of it, bet the whole of it—that is what is wanted. And this is a matter of the deepest moment, my beloved brethren and sisters in Christ; and should there bo anyone amongst us with whom it is a question whether half tho heart or three-fourths of the heart are given to the Lord, or whether the whole heart has been given to the Lord, then let me beseech such, my beloved brethren in Christ, not to bo satisfied till they come to this, that the whole heart is given to tho Lord, so that we can stand before the Lord and say, " My Father, Thou knowest all things ; Thou knowest that Thy poor child is feeble and weak, bat Thou knowest also thatmy herrtie given to Thee: Thou hast my heart." Thus it shonld be with us; and if it is not thus, oh ! let us bo determined not to leavo this Conference Hall without coming to tho purpose that the whole heart shall be given, to the Lord. But, then, my beloved brethren, we havo not to loso sight of this, that though the whole heart is given to tho Lord, and we desire with our whole heart to live for tho Lord, that in ourselves we are weak and feeble. Wo have no strength of our owu, and wo must adopt certain means whereby, with the blessing of God, we shall be kept in this frame of heart, and shall go on in this frame of heart—not merely to have it for an hour or two, or a 173

LOYtitQ THE WORD OF GGV. day, or a week, or a month, but to have it for all the remaining days of our life.

Now in order that it may be thus, it is a matter of the greatest moment that we remain conscious of our own weakness, andnothingness.nnd ignorance, allthedaynof our lives; and, therefore, in simplicity, in the consciousness of our -weakness, and feoblonesa, and nothingness, cling and cleave to one heavenly Father in prayer. We must be men and women given to prayer; day fcy day i'taff to our heavenly Father for help, strength, support, wisdom, for everything that we need, thus speaking to our heavenly Father. But, then, coupled with this must 'je, lotting Him speak to ns. "When we pray, we spenk to Him; and when we read the Word of God, our heavenly Father speaks to ns.

LOV1SC THE WORD OP SOD.

Here I again ask ray beloved Christian friends : Are wo really men and women who love the Word of God? How dooB it stand with us in this matter? Kow since our happy Conference meetings last June how has it been with us? Ilowmuchhave we been reading of the Word of God ? Have we onco boon reading through the whole of the Bible ? Oh! beloved in Christ, it is a matter of dcop moment that we are men and women given to the reading of the Word of (rod—regularly reading it, consecutively reading it; but, then, we should coriplo with this—meditation. Meditate, if it only be for a short time, upon only a small portion of the Word, and do this always with reference to our own hearts. Always me-■litaoiiA ith refereuco to our own hearts, and read the uivma rax wobd of god. w»

Woia of God practically, as the Wort of God, so that our fallen reason bows before it. It is God who says it, and that should be enough for us, whether we can understand it with our fallen reason or not. "What thoa knowest not now thou shall know hereafter isappl.oablo in this respect also, and we should patiently, and prayerfully, and believingly wait till that time comes when we shall see why it is so, and why it is oppressed in this way and not in another. But always have it before ns practically, that the Holy Scriptures contain the Word of God, and therefore it becomes the fallenhuman being to bow before the Word of God.

But we should mix with the Word faith.and we should read and ponder it with the especial object of carrying it out in our life. If this is neglected, prayer will profit us very Utile ; and the reading of the Word mil profit ns very little, if we do not moan to act according to it. It is given to na for the very purpose that we s::oulcl act according to it; and iu doing so comes blessing to the goal. In doing so oar peace and joy m the Holy Ghost Wffl be increased more and more. The blessedness of this I have known in my own happy experience for the last forty-seven years and nine mouths, and 1 can recommend this very particularly to my beloved younger brethren and sisters in Christ. Let ns bo honest. Le na never cease to act according to the Scriptures, and then with whatever wea UnossfaUhenrstthismaybe he case) we shall surely make progress, we shall got farther and further in knowledge and in graco.

COJiFBSSIOM OP FAILOEB.

Mow i£any one after all this failiu any way, what thon?

Simply honest confession at once, without hypocrisy or without seeking to excuse our failure. There should bo unnristakeable confession before our heavenly Father, and then to sook to experience the power of the blood of the Lord Jesns Christ afresh with regard to our own I ■ . Bttd to lay hold on tho promise: " If we confess our sins, Ho iB faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to oleanse us irom all unrighteousness;" and to lay hold of that Word afresh, that the blood of Jesus Christ makes chan from nil sin. And this being the easo, afresh to consecrate the heart to God, afresh to yield ourselves to Him, and seek His grace with regard to tho future.

Sow if any ono were to go on in this way, what would bo tho result 1 The ful Blment of the promise of our adorable Lord, "Whosoever hath,to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance." As assuredly as any ono walks in this way, he will be less and less conformed to tho world, and more and more transformed. Ho will be more and mora liko Jesus. Though it bo but little in comparison with what it may bo, and what it ought to he, still tlioro will be more and more conformity to the image, of our precious, adorable Lord even in tliiB life. And He is worthy, that blessed One who laid down His life for us, who shod tho last drop of His blood —Ho is worthy that we should seek to live for Him.

Oh, my beloved Christian friends, let ns aim at this! You see we are come here in ordor to be strengthened wilh might by the Spirit in our inner man. Wo oonio here, not to he amused, not to have somethings brought before our minds, and, after all, just to remain in the 3iute in which wo were before; but we are here, beloved wholly Tim lows.

Christian friends, in order that each one of us may obtain spiritual strength through these happy me.togs The Lord delights in giving us blessing j it is tho very joy of His heart to give us blessing; and ,f we aro only williusto receive blessing, He is sure to be ready togivo and to give far more abundantly than we ever expect o receive. It is a blessed thing, even for th.a l.fo, to walk in tho ways of the Lord; but what ne looks to you for .. the whole Uoart.

WHOLLY TUB LORE'S.

In this one thing wo must be honest, that there does O ot remain to ourselves a part of the heart; He will have the whole heart. Ho says, " My son, give Me thine heart," not •■ part of thine heart. Nor does Ho say, " My son, give me a little of thy money j but He MM " Give mo thine heart," and He will aeoept nothing in the room of the heart. When the heart is really given to the Lord, then the purse is given to Him also", then the profession and business aro giveu to Him also; then our houses and lands belong to Him also ; and all we have and are belongs to the Lord. At this wo should aim, and with nothing Bhort of it should we be satisfied.

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