"On all that has been sown,

Thy blessing, Lord, bestow;
The power is Thine alone

To make it spring and grow;
Do Thou the gracious harvest raise,
And Thou alone shalt have the praise."

This spirit of faith is a second element of success.

III.

POWER.

WE NEED AN

INTELLIGENT ESTIMATE OF THE DIVINE "So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." This very natural inference is drawn from the preceding verse, and is specially calculated to awaken a spirit of humility in all the discerning and diligent servants of God.

This estimate shows the comparative nothingness of the labourer. "So then neither is he that planteth anything," &c. It is to be carefully observed that the apostle does not say that the planting is nothing, or that the watering is nothing, for both are essential to the increase. He does not disparage or discourage the labour, but seeks to present the real truth, and thus to humble the labourer. We cannot fail to see that the disposition here indicated is one essential quality for ministerial work. Too often the temptation is powerful to assume a position of independence, and thus freeze up the strong emotions of the heart which pants for the salvation of souls. The apostolic injunction must be ever present to our minds, and become the conscious habit of our spiritual life: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." These utterances are confirmed by the experience of many to whom God has given the great honour of prominent positions in His Church. When Moses was called of God to be the leader of the oppressed Israelites from Egyptiar. bondage, he touchingly, and with manifest humility, inquires, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt ?" Isaiah, when called to the prophetic office and permitted to see a vision of the Lord in His glory, is so startled at his own uncleanness and consequent unfitness that he almost despairingly exclaims, "Woe is me, for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." Paul, in the contemplation of the issues of ministerial toil, and with conscious human weakness, pathetically asks, "And who is sufficient for these things?" Dr. Payson tells us that he was unfit to speak to perishing sinners unless he could present to God for himself the sacrifices of a broken and contrite heart. It was the same spirit that animated the youthful Sunday School teacher who undertook the manage

ment of the most refractory class in the school, and became the honoured instrument in the conversion of every member of the class. When interrogated as to what might be the "secret" of her success, her simple, touching, and instructive reply was, "Secret! I have no secret, sir; all I can say is this, I love them and I pray for them." Oh, brethren, it is the heart's cry for help that God answers, and by which He clothes His servants with power. "For when I am weak, then am I strong." God can convert such an instrument into a powerful weapon to thresh the mountains of sin and scatter them as chaff before the summer breeze.

"But

This estimate duly appreciates the all-sufficiency of God. God that giveth the increase." According to this sentence man is nothing; God is everything. He has power to succeed the work of the husbandman, and He can also save by human instrumentality. The planter and the sower, even with their utmost skill and varied appliances, unaided by God, cannot ensure a harvest of fruitfulness. But He can take the logic of the argumentative, the eloquence of the rhetorical, the pathos of the sympathetic, and the earnest fervour of even the illiterate, and through them magnify His own power. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." By duly appreciating the power of God, it will produce the very natural effect of humbling human pride and of exalting His sovereignty and glory. "This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." An unreserved acceptance of this explicit Divine declaration cannot but draw forth the homage of our dependent and grateful hearts. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name, give glory, for Thy mercy and for Thy truth's sake." Thus a right estimate of the power of God is a third element of success.

IV. WE NEED A DISCRIMINATING ANTICIPATION OF THE DIVINE REWARD. "Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one, and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." Discernment upon this point is the highest wisdom we can covet. It will affect us in present labour and help us to reach the highest bliss of heaven. Next to a conscious interest in the precious blood of Christ, the Christian minister must contemplate his true relationship in toil, and the momentous issues affecting his eternal destiny at the day of judgment.

In this passage we have a recognition of the identity of Christian toil. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one." The one idea running through this analogy is, that both the planter and

the waterer are the servants of Christ, and employing the talents committed to their trust. Admitting this, the identity and equality are plain. From the centre of union-Christ-by a common faith each earnest worker obtains his qualification and commission. Division of labour and diversity of operation there may be; but there is oneness of faith, doctrine, spirit, effort, and design. Such unity, as it appears to me, necessitates the virtual equality of the ministers of Christ. Airs of superiority, then, in any must be out of place, and highly reprehensible. In the great field of Christian toil all who are employed by the Master are necessary, and whatever differences there may be in their ability or success, ministers are on a level, and none is authorised to claim pre-eminence over another. We are fellow-labourers engaged in the same work, and seeking to accomplish the same object. Both the planter and the waterer have their respective spheres assigned by wisdom infinite, and cannot therefore be dispensed with. But it must never be forgotten that "both are inferior to God, and neither could do anything without Him." "But be ye not called Rabbi, for one is

your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren."

In this passage we also have a recognition of Divine impartiality in the distribution of rewards. "And every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." This doubtless refers to the day of judgment. How solemn is the thought that such a day will inevitably come! What is here stated is equally true, whether we apply it to ministers in particular or to Christians in general. God will reward, not according to the measure of your success, but according to the amount of labour bestowed; and in this there will be strict impartiality. The words imply an exact equivalent in value for services rendered. It is not for one moment to be assumed that anything meritorious for the removal of present corruption and guilt and for the realization of heaven hereafter attaches to the most earnest and devoted labour; but the measure of favour shown will be in the proportion of service rendered. The explicitness of the language here employed leaves no doubt as to the exact meaning of our Divine Lord. There is a point where the identity of Christian labour will cease, and a scrutinising Judge will read out every man's individual doings and respective reward. What then should be the abundance of our labours in the great field of toil around us? Honest, earnest, persevering labour can never lose its reward; and at the last-the great day of final decision-"every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." The incident once narrated by the now sainted Billy Bray relating to one of our early preachers.

has great significance in this connection. "A member of another society said to the preacher one day, 'You are fine fellows for beating the bushes, but we get the birds.' The missionary then said to him, 'The day of judgment is coming, and then every bird-cage door will be thrown open, and every bird will fly to its own cage; and then those will look foolish enough who have got only empty cages in their hands.'" To all mere speculators in the service of Christ, and to ministers in particular, let this come as an alarmclarion from the judgment-seat of Christ. But to all who are faithfully seeking to promote the Saviour's kingdom and glory let it come as a note of celestial music to stimulate in present duty, and as a sure guarantee of an impartial and eternal reward.

These, my brethren, are the four indispensable elements of success in our Christian work-the spirit of discernment that will not misapprehend the Divine purpose; the spirit of faith that will diligently employ the talents entrusted to our care; the spirit of humility that will magnify God's power in toil and success; and the spirit of wisdom that will discriminate on the labourer's equality here and his prospects for the future. May the Divine Spirit bless us with this fourfold blessing, and grant us a year of unprecedented success! Amen.

Forest Hill.

I. B. VANSTONE.

THE DARK VALLEY.

IT is scarcely necessary to state that we have in mind these words of the Shepherd-King of Israel: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." The sublime confidence which the psalmist here expresses he reaches, not in a single stride, but step by step. Sublime his confidence is, presumptuous it is not; for reasons sufficient to explain and justify it he gives. Daring his faith is, but discomfited it cannot be. His security is perfect, for God is with him. And easily and gradually he leads us up to the vantage ground he occupies. We share with him his thoughts; we see the manner in which he establishes his position; we feel the warm pressure of his hand; we journey with him on the way, and are therefore not surprised by what he says; it only delights and encourages us.

If the Lord was David's Shepherd, what conclusion so natural, so certain as that he would not want. It was not because he was a king that he had this confidence, but because the Lord was his Shepherd. The reason is not to be found in his circumstances, but in his relationship to Him who governs circumstances according to His own will. The Good Shepherd is not only careful to provide, but omnipotent to create. The earth may yield nothing,

but rather than His people shall suffer want or permit His faithfulness to fail, He will rain down manna from heaven.

He gives, in addition to necessary food, rest and enjoyment. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, and leadeth me. beside the still waters." The barren waste He turns when He pleases into a fruitful field, and the dry land into springs of water. Rest and enjoyment are not to be despised; but they are for some higher purpose.

"He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." And having done so much for me, and being what He is to me, David says, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.'

The dark valley may be some great and sore trouble which we encounter in life, or it may be the soul's last conflict-life's last scene; probably the former, but it is not necessary to decide which. It is sufficient to know that there are dark valleys through which we must travel, where not a ray of human light or comfort finds access. There are dangerous places, which all pilgrims have to pass, where their enemies hide and shelter. There are deep sorrows to be endured, heavy crosses to be borne, fierce conflicts to be waged. The deepest sorrows must be endured alone, the heaviest crosses borne alone, and the fiercest conflicts waged alone, so far as all human help and sympathy is concerned. No friendly human voice is to be heard, no helping hand shall be extended, no beaming eye shall encourage us to be faithful. Better that it should be so, because Almighty help is more eagerly sought, and Almighty power more fully depended on.

None knows where our dark valley is situated, and when we shall enter it. Some flowery path may lead to it. It may abut some choice, pleasant, goodly spot, where our souls love to dwell. But this matters not. God will be there. We are safe with Him. "Underneath are the everlasting arms." "The eternal God is thy refuge." "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under foot." We are perfectly, absolutely safe, if God is with us. As safe in the dark valley as on the mountain-top. As safe in the prison as in the palace. As safe in the wilderness as in the "defenced city." Safe anywhere, safe everywhere, if the Lord is with us. Safe in the lion's den. Safe in the fiery furnace. Safe in the deep waters. Safe in the populous city. Safe in the lonely desert. Safe in the fiercest storm. Safe on the wildest sea. Safe! SAFE!! SAFE!!! if the Lord is with us.

Oh, it is better to be in the dark valley if God is with us, than on the mountain-top without Him. It is better to be in the dungeon with Paul than with Nero on the throne. It is better to be with the martyrs, bound to the stake, than share the worldly ease and honours of those who hounded them to their death. It is better to be with Christ in Gethsemane, even if we do, like the three disciples, fall asleep with sorrow, than, like Judas, be found in the company of His enemies. It is better to be a prisoner at the bar, as was Jesus, than to be enthroned, as was Pilate, on the judgment-seat. It is better to