5. WE WORSHIP ON THE GROUND OF THE 3. PEACE BY BLOOD. Every one who has Our sins separated us from God. Naturally we know you may die, but have you thought peace with God knows that it is only through are far from God, but the blood has made the the precious blood of Christ. Nothing quenches believer nigh-brought the prodigal to the Fa- of the state beyond the grave? OH! the burning of a guilty conscience but the blood. ther's bosom. Thus the believer stands fully WHERE ARE YOU GOING? There are It was nothing less than the death of Christ that pardoned and blest in God's holy presence; thus satisfied God's justice; therefore that only paci- he is sanctified by the blood of Christ, reconciled but two classes here, there are but two fies the conscience. This is why the Holy Ghost unto God, and stands in happy confidence and classes hereafter. You are now either so often uses those texts which refer to the blood grace before Him in love. of Christ to give peace to anxious souls. It is "in Christ," or you are living “without an already accomplished peace. He hath made BLOOD. We enter into the holiest "by the blood Christ." There is no alternative. You peace by the blood of His Cross, and God is now of Jesus," and worship the Father. In ourpreaching peace by Jesus Christ; not peace by selves there is no ground of praise and thanks- are in one condition or the other; either ordinances, duties, and the like, but peace by giving, but everything to make us abhor our you are for Christ, or you are against Jesus Christ; and all who simply look to Christ, selves, and repent in dust and ashes; but the and know that they are justified by His blood, blood so fully witnesses to us of the Father's Christ. If you are in Christ, your sins have peace with God; not shall have, but "have love, and of our eternal redemption and peace, are pardoned, your soul is saved, your peace with God." How is it that many anxious that we praise and magnify the unsearchable Souls have not peace? Because they do not riches of Divine grace. Our consciences are heaven is secure. If you are without honour the blood of Christ. They look to them- purged, our hearts gladdened, our minds in Christ," you are still in your sins. selves, to see if their experience is good enough, | peace, our souls lifted up: so that we are ready bad enough, or religious enough; so that, as to say, "Bless Jehovah, O my soul, and let all frames and feelings change, they alter their that is within me bless His holy name!" judgment of safety. The end of looking to experience for peace must be disappointing; but when, driven out of self and its wretchedness, they look simply to the blood of Christ, they find peace. Others are greatly distressed with the fear of death. They do not see that Christ has died in see death." likeness of Jesus. "Brethren! His glory all is ours, His fellowship with God; "Without Christ," then you are without peace. You have food for the body, while your soul is starving. You have pleasure for the mind, but, alas! it is not solid; it passeth away, and cannot en6. WE SHALL ENTER GLORY BECAUSE OF THE dure. You have had kind friends, but BLOOD. We are purchased by the blood of Jesus. Had not the corn of wheat fallen into the ground friends, or separate your friends from Our hope of glory is Christ, not self. death will either snatch you from your and died, it would have been alone, but having died, it brings forth much fruit. All the re- you; you have riches, but they are not deemed are the fruit of Christ's death, and are lasting; you have life, but how rapidly is washed in the blood; and as it is said of some, so I doubt not it is true of all, "they have it fleeting-bearing you onward to that washed their robes, and made them white in the drear place where hope is a stranger! blood of the Lamb, THEREFORE are they before the throne of God." Then Jesus will see Ah! well you may rise up and ask the of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied, and startling question, "OH! WHERE AM I then we shall sing more sweetly, (but not more truly then we can now,) "Unto Him that loved "Without Christ," then you us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Then it will be fully known that "it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." GOING?" their stead, that He was brought into the dust of death, and tasted death, with all its terrors and judgments, for them; and forget that Jesus said, "If any man keep my saying, He shall never It is true, we may fall asleep in Jesus, but it is a stingless death; and death is so far behind us, and we have been so judicially delivered from it, that we shall not all sleep; for when Christ descends from heaven, redemptionwork will be applied to the bodies of those who are alive, and in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be eternally in the presence and are without support in sorrowful scenes. The full peace of others is hindered by the thought of coming judgment. They think that What will you do in the hour of adversity? Christ must have us before Him as the Judge, The Christian can say, "I have a Friend before we can be sure of being saved. This is who loveth at all times; I have a Brother not true. Christ has been judged for us; our sin has been already condemned in Him, removed who is born for adversity." What will from us, borne, suffered for, and put away by Him on the Cross; so that, instead of our sins you do, when stretched on a bed of sickbeing judged again, God declares, "Their sins IN the month of May, 1860, on a ness? The believer in Christ has Jesus and iniquities will I remember no more;" that they are cast behind his back, &c. Therefore it Lord's day morning, a little girl, with then with him, making all his bed for is clear that Christ hath borne death and judg- some companions of her own age, wanhim in his sickness. What will you do, ment for us, according as it is written, "AŠ it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this dered along the rock-bound coast of the when bereaved of earthly friends? The the judgment, SO Christ was once offered." Thus south east of Scotland. While walking man who trusts in Jesus has the conwe see, that death and judgment having been settled for us by Christ, we are called to rejoice along above the sea cliffs, she was de-solation, that, "when all created streams in hope of glory; not to be looking for Christ sirous of gathering the primroses, which are dry," Jesus Christ is the same, yesas the Judge, but as our Bridegroom. Not to be expecting to be tried at a general assize, but to grew there in great variety. While reach- terday, to day, and for ever. What will be looking for Christ to appear the second time ing over the cliffs after a beautiful bunch you do when persecutions rage? The without sin unto salvation. Saved ones giving an account of their stewardship at the tribunal growing down the side, she lost her man who has fled for refuge to Christ of Christ is another thing; but that will not balance, and fell over a fearful precipice, is assured that he is safe, come what take place until we have glorified bodies, and are like Christ, and with Him for ever. nearly two hundred feet in depth. Just may. But you-Ан! WHERE ARE YOU as she was falling she shrieked out, GOING? "Oh! Where am I Going?" Again, there are some who have not peace, because they look to the work of the Spirit in Run and tell my mother-OH! WHERE "Without Christ," then you will be them for peace, instead of the work of Christ for them. They see clearly and rightly that it AM I GOING!" The children ran scream-without comfort in time of death. You is only by the regenerating power of the Holy ing for assistance, but when they return-must die. You have a natural, an inGhost that any one can enter into the kingdom of heaven, and they look into themselves for the ed, they found their little companion stinctive dread of death. You somemovings and actings of the Spirit for peace, in- quite dead: she had broken her neck by times, notwithstanding your attempts to stead of the blood. They do not know that the Spirit's office is not to testify of Himself, but of the fall. struggle against them, have fears conChrist; that He shews us the beauty and glory Has not this fearful catastrophe a cerning your hereafter. You have to die of Christ, and the blessedness and suitability of His finished work. The Holy Ghost does not voice to each one of us? Does it not but once, and then, AH! WHERE ARE YOU say that He has made peace, but that Christ has declare, that in the midst of life we are GOING? made peace. He points us to Christ and His blood for pardon, peace, righteousness, justifica in death? Can we not hear a voice tion, and redemption. The Spirit comforts us speaking, in a trumpet note, bidding by ministering Christ and His truth to our souls. Therefore we know we are born again, and have us, "Prepare to meet our God?" 66 end, "For it is appointed unto men once "Without Christ," then you are without a well grounded hope for eternity. You may have a hope, but, like the little child gathering pebbles on the sea shore, discover that those pebbles are nothing worth, so will you, ere long, discover that all else is worthless, if you have not Christ as your hope of eternal life. You are nearing eternity, day by day. From your cradle till now your pulse has been 4. WE HAVE NEARNESS TO GOD BY BLOOD, rect the attention of the reader. You beating a funeral march to the tomb. After death, the soul, "without Christ," has lost all; he is friendless, naked, and lost-lost, lost; for ever lost, and for ever under the wrath of God. Christian, this was once your condition; ye were "without Christ." Bless, for ever bless, His holy name, that now Jesus is He who came to you. Saviour. your seek and to save that which was lost has you are found and saved you. Reader, do you know the value of -to keep them; so that our inability to meet Christ? If so, He is to you the alto- the hardness of the terms forces us back upon the gospel of free grace. This is indeed true. gether lovely. Look entirely to Him, No one can come up to the terms of the law, rest solely upon Him, and He will never and these verses might be so interpreted; but leave thee; in affliction He will be thy rather think the declaration to be, that God, invested here with his character of Judge, helper and comforter. Are you per- will carry on this judgment equitably upon secuted by the world? He must defend whomsoever it is exercised. The question is When forsaken, He will be thy not of salvation by faith, but of a righteous support; when dying, thy life; when judge in the exercise of rewards and punishments. It is God, and man universal, whether mouldering in the grave, thy resurrec- Jew or Gentile; and inasmuch as "immortion. Would you not part with anything, tality" (incorruptibility, see Greek) is sought than such a Saviour. Then live near to (comp. 2 Tim. i. 10), I am disposed to think for a state "brought to light by the gospel" Christ, for the nearer you live to Him, that the judgment bears also upon the Christhe happier you will be. Feed on Him tian condition. If the reader disputes this entirely. That is what God's word re-interpretation, he must consider the terms proposed by God as intentionally so hard, that quires, where it says, "Except ye eat the a man cannot keep them; so that by the very flesh of the Son of man, and drink His hopelessness of the terms he must be forced blood, ye have no life in you." And we to the gospel or perish (ver. 12). I am aware that an adhesion to the former view may lay may truly say, except we go to Him daily one under the imputation of working out a for fresh supplies of grace, we have no legal righteousness; but the question is, whelife in us, but are spiritually dead. But ther the epistle is hitherto doctrinally enough developed for the latter view. Perhaps we if my reader have not gone to Christ, are little aware how abstract are many of very and found peace in Him, let me beseech the apostle's statements. him to seek Him at once, or he may To return for a moment to the principles of never have an opportunity; for time is ing to the written work of the law in their the judgment: it will be for the Jew accordshort, the morrow you may never see; hearts. In every nation, there is doubtless, then ponder for awhile, and think what some standard of right and wrong. They have rules by which their society is guided, an awful state is yours, what account and each individual has a monitor within-the will you be able to give when all your conscience, which points to the defections in sins are brought to light; must it not be himself or in his neighbour from this standard. a hardened creature who would still go is the standard, does the monitor point truly It is true that only where the Word of God on in sin? when God so loved the world, according to God; but we are sure that "the ques-that He gave His only Son, that whoso-judgment of God will be according to truth," Come, now, sinner. Come, now, to Jesus, who is able and willing to save you to the uttermost, and will not cast you out. "Come, guilty souls, and flee away. To Christ, and heal your wounds; Wherein true grace abounds. And Jesus says, He'll cast out none That come to Him by faith." "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Dear reader, now ask thyself the tion, "OH! WHERE AM I GOING?" T. W. M. The Precious Jewel. WHO is this jewel? Christ is this rare jewel; but men know not His value, a sun which ever shines; but men perceive not His brightness, nor walk in His light. He is a garden full of sweets, a hive full of honey, a sun without a spot, a star ever bright, a fountain ever full, a brook which ever flows, a rose which ever blooms, a foundation which never yields, a guide which never errs, a friend who never forsakes. No mind can fully grasp His glory, His beauty, His worth, Hist importance, no tongue can fully declare. He is the source of all good, the fountain of every excellency, the mirror of perfection, the light of heaven, the wonder of earth, time's master-piece, and eternity's glory; the sum of bliss, the way of life, and life's fair way. "He is altogether lovely," says the saint; a morning without clouds, a day without night, a rose without a thorn; His lips drop like the honeycomb, His eyes beam tenderness, His heart gushes love. The Christian is fed by His hands, carried in His heart, supported by his arm, nursed in his bosom, guided by His eye, instructed by His lips, warmed by His love; His wounds are His life, His smile the light of His path, the health of His soul, rest, and heaven below. His ever believeth on Him shall not perish, How loving is Jesus, who came from the sky, How precious is Jesus to all who believe, And every thing needful, He kindly provides. L. Thoughts on the Epistle to the Romans. No. 2. CHAP. II.; 111.-20. "in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ" (ver. 16). Both parties are put on an equality. "There is no respect of persons with God." These verses to ver. 16 close up the account of the Gentile world. They will serve for its every condition; from the man hardly removed from a beast, up to the philosopher who judged the heathenism, but was not bold enough to cast it off; who knew, but neither publicly taught nor practised anything better. On the other hand, they will serve for such as Abimelech in the Old, and such as Cornelius and Lydia in the New Testament-persons who not only knew the difference between right and wrong, whether morally or doctrinally, but were bound by this law as to their conscience. We have now done with those who, without teaching others, judge them, and we come to those who both teach and judge others, but not themselves; that is the Jew. · Behold thou art called a Jew....knowest his will ...an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes." "Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself." He ends by declaring that "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles for their sake," and he introduces the subject of circumcision, that sign which stamped them as under covenant with God (Gen. xvii. 10). "CircumTHE former chapter drew a fearful picture of cision," says he, "verily profiteth, if thou the state of man in the general, from Noah's keep the law;" but with a broken law circumtime, or, at all events, from the time of the cision becomes uncircumcision. Here is the dispersion of the nations. Chapter ii. sup- first lowering of the Jew down to the Gentile; poses this same man under a dispensation but not only so (he hints now at the conver during which Christ is on high, and a gospel sion of the Gentiles, that is, to their coming preached. As to the principles of judgment, under the favour of God), uncircumcision those who have sinned without law perish (converted Gentiles), if it keep the righteouswithout law," and as many as have sinned ness of the law, shall be counted as circumin the law shall be judged by the law." We cision, nay more, judge the transgressing Jew. need not take vv. 7-11 as some have done, Spiritual men are now in question; they are to be expressive of such severe terms, that it circumcised in heart (Phil. iii. 3), requires undeviating, unflinching constancy-praise is not of men, but of God" (Gal. vi. "patient continuance in well-doing" (ver. 7)| 12, 13). In this way does the apostle prepare 66 66 whose the Jewish mind (for the arguments are all drawn upon Jewish objections) to the possibility of God being the God of the Gentiles as well as the Jews. We can clearly perceive that the levelling remarks of the apostle had taken effect, by the opening question of chap. iii. His object had been to show that outward profession or privilege went for nothing with God-a Jew was one inwardly, circumcision was of the heart. 66 (ver. 19). Many have concluded from this, that all the world have been or are under the law; but the apostle seems only to mean that the favoured nation, viz., the Jew, being thus convicted, much more the Gentiles, left uncurbed to their lawless propensities. If the effect of law was to convict those thus privileged, then-all men. There is no hope then, is the conclusion, of any mortal man being justified by deeds of law: by it comes only the knowledge of sin. With ver. 20 closes the first great division of the epistle. We have finished with any good in man; on the contrary, he is proved to be under condem Love, the most Excellent Way. Dost thou for Jesu's glory care, Wouldst thou escape the subtle snare, And quench the fiery dart? He that his race would nobly run, Must watch and pray, and daily shun A lukewarm selfish heart. Just Lot of old, chose Sodom's plains, For herds and flocks, with carnal pains, Rich pastures to provide. Without the city first he dwells, But afterwards his prudence feels He must within abide. It opens with two questions. 1. What advantage hath the Jew? 2. What the profit of circumcision? The nullity of these alone had been set forth in the last chapter. The ques-nation. tioner evidently understands that a Jew is such by birth. "We also are Jews by nature' (Gal. ii. 15). He divides this birth from circumcision. Circumcision was the ordinance applied to him as being thus born a Jew. Our chapter is engaged with the answer to the first of these questions. The advantages of the Jew were immense-"much every way," chiefly that the Scriptures were committed to him, and the unbelief of some was not to make the faith (fidelity) of God to his own word-what He is in Himself, as revealed in the Word-of none effect. Being a Jew was nothing in itself, but to have faith in the oracles entrusted to them was everything. The apostle here quotes Ps. li. as expressing, in David's case, the condition of all men who have by nature no title to the favour of God. But even if their iniquity, predicated in these oracles, commended the righteousness of God, such an assertion as that God was unrighteous in taking vengeance, would deprive Him of his allowed prerogative of judging the world. Still less was the thought to be tolerated, his own glory being God's object, that if the truth of God by man's lie has redounded to his glory, it is hard that man should be judged as a sinner; which is as much as to affirm -the natural consequence of which would be that we might do evil that good might come, "whose damnation (judgment) is just." Not a word of reasoning is added. "What then, are we better than they?" (ver. 9). From the answer we clearly see that the object of the apostle hitherto, has been to prove both Jew and Gentile to be under sin. As to the Jews, he fortifies this statement by large quotations concerning the misuse of almost every member of the body, from their Scriptures the Psalms principally. Let the reader particularly notice the dif ference between the structure of this epistle in the use of the Old Testament Scriptures. from that to the Hebrews, as I have before called his attention to the difference of St. Paul'a treatment of man's sin in the Romans from that in the Ephesians. In the Hebrews he begins with a quantity of Old Testament quotations, and, indeed, the whole subsequent reasoning is grounded upon their ancient writings. Here, on the contrary, he reasons upon notorious public facts, and in the way of direct assertion; and he supports these facts and assertions by a multitude of scriptures. Until this third chapter there can hardly be said to be more than one direct quotation, and that a very short one (i. 17). Observe, also, the beautiful keeping in these texts. Suitable to the tenor of the writing, which does not show man as a sinner by nature until chap. v., all these passages suppose the Jew to have had, so to speak, a fair start under the law, and to have thoroughly failed: none righteous," "all gone out of the way," "together become unprofitable," "no fear of God," &c., a different statement altogether from "by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin." 66 Now we know, that what things soever the law says, it says to them who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped" Yet nothing prospers-friends and foes Trouble that righteous man's repose; Grief, losses, shame, he reaps. While Abram is Jehovah's friend, Princes and kings to Abram bend, The paths of love he keeps. Love hearkens to the kind reproof, Of Christ her Lord, who stands aloof When jealous and displeased. How many tears her cheek bedew, Until his face unclouded shows, His anger all appeased. The purest mind may be defiled, Can stray from Jesu's side. W. To Christ her heavenly guide. A little while-she sits in vain, All Jesu's members to their Head, Some little love must bear. All springs from Jesu's blood. is now doing for you, as Advocate and Intercessor at the right hand of God. "For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. iv. 15, 16.) 66 'By His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Heb. ix. 12.) "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Heb. vii. 25.) These passages beautifully bring before us the work that Christ is now doing for us in the presence of God, and which is so much lost sight of in the present day: the believer when he has lost his confidence through unbelief or sin, being generally pointed again to the work which Jesus did on the cross, instead of the work He is now doing at the right hand of God. Not that the work on the cross must be forgotten, but it must be remembered, as that which gives Jesus, as our High Priest, power to plead before the Father, He being able to point to His own blood as that which has obtained eternal redemption for us; and it is in the knowledge of the infinite efficacy of that blood, that we can draw near and confess our sin even to a holy God; and if the sin is confessed to God, it must be forgiven, for His faithfulness is involved herein. (1 John i. 9.) Satan will try hard to keep us back from this, and tell us we have gone too far; but you must meet Him with the word, "able to save to the uttermost." This is an infinite word, which we cannot get outside; or he may not deny the possibility of forgiveness altogether, and tell us that we must get better first, and be more contrite; but do not listen to him; carry your burden at once to the Lord, and if He fails you, you will not be worse than you were before. Does not Jesus say, "Without me ye can do nothing" How can we therefore expect to find contrition and amendment from ourselves. Seek to enter into the Holiest-the way has never been closed since Jesus entered, (Heb. x. 10-22,) and there, in the confidence of His intercession, tell out before the Father all that is upon your conscience, and you will find tears of contrition will begin to flow, but they will be mingled with tears of joy, because the blood is there, which causes the Father to send an answer of peace into our souls by the Holy Ghost; proving the truth of His own word, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Even under the law, the Israelite had the ashes of the red heifer laid up to be mixed with water, that he might be sprinkled by a clean person, and be cleansed from his defilement (Numb. xix.); and "if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb. ix. 13. 14.) You speak very confidently, that when you had peace, it flowed from the knowledge that your sins were forgiven through the blood of Jesus; and if God thus gave you to feel your need of salvation, and brought you to rest on A Letter to a Backslider. the foundation, which He has himself laid, do DEAR BROTHER,-I have felt much interested you think He will leave His work unfinished? about you ever since I saw you at S- and is not His word, "Yea, I have loved thee with should have written you before, had I not an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindbeen very much engaged. ness have I drawn thee?" (Jer. xxxi. 3.) This passage plainly shews that when God brought us to himself, it was on account of the everlasting love He had towards us; I trust, ere this, you have been before the Lord, and confessed your wandering and sin, and proved the efficacy of the work that Christ this is confirmed by the words of the Apostle, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more being reconciled we shall be saved by His life." (Rom. v. 10.) And again, Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. i. 6.) But you will say, how is it I have been left so long without hope? This may arise from different causes: I have no doubt it arises from wrong views of God's grace and love. You have been looking to Him too much as a hard Master, instead of a kind Father, whereby you have been deterred from coming and confessing your sins to Him, and also not having proper views of the Priesthood of Christ, and of the value of that one sacrifice, whereby "He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Heb. x. 14.) This last passage is very important, as it brings before us the extent of the work of God, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ; that the same blood which justifies us sanctifies us; (Heb. xiii. 12;) that is, sets us apart for God's service; for we are not our own, but bought with a price; (1 Cor. vi. 20;) and that Christ, having taken the criminal place substitutionally for us, we can The question between you and God is not the question between the criminal and the Judge: this has been settled, and settled for ever, by the one offering of the body of Jesus; but the question of forgiveness between the Father and the child, and the terms of restoration, are contained in a small compass: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." It is because Jesus hath by one offering perfected us for ever, that the Father can forgive us, and restore our communion immediately we come. There may be also another reason why you have been left, that is, to prove experimentally the power of Satan, and the corruption of your own heart, that you may more thoroughly renounce all dependance on self, and that all your strength must be derived from Him moment by moment. "I will go with thee into prison and to death," were Peter's words in his self-confidence. We know what this ended in; the Lord had told him Satan would have him to sift him as wheat; but He also added, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." May you speedily experience His restoring grace. Consider attentively the following passages: "Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isa. xiiii. 24, 25.) For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wrath with thee, nor rebuke thee." (Isa. liv. 7-9.) "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his branches as Lebanon." (Hosea xiv. 4, 5.) "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged; but when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world." Gleanings for the Poung. "A Peep at a Ragged School." HAVE you ever seen a ragged school, dear children? if so, you will easily picture to yourselves a number of children in very shabby clothes, and some quite in rags, sitting close together, and listening with deep interest to a lady who was talking to them about Jesus. The lady had a Bible in her hand, and had turned to those verses in 1 Thess. iv. 16, 17, which speak of the Lord's return to take His people to himself; and she was telling them, that when Jesus came again, He would first call His own dear people out of their graves, and make them alive again; and then "we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we be for ever with the Lord." The children were quite delighted at the thought, and one little one cried out, “ Would it not be nice!" while another looked up in her teacher's face and said, "I wish Jesus would come now, for I should so like to go and live with Him:" while many others, with eager faces, asked, When will He come?" 66 16 dren, you haste and run to Him, for we cannot tell how soon He may be here!" have no time to lose: so do make At this moment a little girl looked up and said, "I wish Jesus would make haste and come." "But are you ready for Him, dear?" the lady asked, in an encouraging manner. Yes, teacher," said the child; "for Jesus has forgiven all my sins, and I love Him so much." And then another little one slipped her hand inside her teacher's, and half whispered, "He would not leave me behind, for I have a new heart." "Well, dear children," she replied, "I hope it is so, but I cannot see the heart to tell; but Jesus knows; yes, He knows every little girl that clings to Him; He knows every one that has her sins forgiven; and their names are all written down in the Book of Life, and they shall never perish, and Satan will never be able to get them in the fire; and when Jesus comes He will not forget one of His own dear little ones, but will carry them all away to His happy home above! But, remember, that if your sins are forgiven, you ought to try and please that precious Saviour, who died to save your souls, Yes, dears, if you are His, you ought not to be like other children, who are still on the road to hell, but you ought to try to leave off every sin, and so become the Lord's obedient little ones: for think how kind He has been to you; how kind, how very kind to make the way to heaven so simple! You see, He has had all the hard work; He has borne all the pain and punishment, and you just believed in Him, and fled to Him to save you. Oh, dear children, think how you ought to love Him, when He has done so much for you! and remember that He says, If ye love me, keep my commandments.'" 'Listen, dears," their teacher said, "I cannot tell you how soon it may be, for the Lord says, Of that day and hour knoweth no man;' but I hope it will be very soon, and every day I ask Jesus to make haste and come. But are you ready, my children? Are your sins forgiven? Have your hearts been changed? For you can never enter heaven until those sins are washed away in Jesus' precious blood: and unless your hearts are changed, He could not take you with Him, but would be obliged to leave you behind. They had listened with happy faces, and Suppose He came now, while we are sitting glistening eyes, and now quickly answered, here, would He take you with Him? He "I will try to please Him." would take me, for I am His own dear child, She then turned to the others, and said, and my sins are all forgiven; but would He" You see, dears, that when these children take you with Him? He will descend from fled to Jesus, He heard their cry, and blotted heaven with a shout, and all those who have out their sins; and would you not like Him their sins forgiven will be caught up to meet to do the same for you? Oh, yes! I am sure Him; these bodies will be changed, and made you would! Then do make haste and run to like unto His glorious body, and upward we Him! Go, tell Him of your sins, and beg shall fly! Oh, would not that be joy indeed! Him for forgiveness; ask Him to make you would you not like to be among the happy His own dear children, and give you His number? Just think how you woud feel Holy Spirit: He will hear you, I know He while mounting through the air? how loudly will: for He has promised to save each one you would sing! how deep would be your that comes to Him, and He cannot tell a lie. joy! and Jesus would carry you away to His He came into the world to seek and save the own bright home above, and there you would lost! He died that He might have the power share with Him His glory and His bliss: and of pardoning sin, and now He waits to see He would love you dearly, and wipe each you come! Then take your sins to Him, dear tear away; and there should be no more pain, children; yes, go at once and lay them at nor sorrow, nor crying, nor woe, but everlast- His feet! and do not turn away from such a ing joy and rest! And He would talk with loving, gracious Lord!" She then turned to you, and you would walk with Him in white; a new girl, who had been listening with deep and He would feed and satisfy your souls, interest, and said, "Do you not long to have and cause you to drink abundantly of the your sins forgiven, dear?" river of His pleasures. And there shall be no more sin, no evil tempers to rise and trouble you, no wicked heart to lead you astray; but you would be holy, even as Jesus is holy, and happy for ever and for ever in His blessed presence! Oh! who would not wish Jesus to make haste and come, and take us to such a joyful. happy place! "But, suppose," and solemnly she spoke, suppose you were left behind, what would you do?" 66 66 "I should ory," said one; I would begin to pray." said another; while others cried out, "I would ask Him to take me as well." Mary could scarcely restrain her tears, as she answered, "Yes, teacher, but I don't know how." "Then go to Jesus," said her teacher, "for He has died for sin, and He will quickly cleanse your sins away, and make you His own dear child." "But I have not got a new heart," said Mary, as she burst into tears. Jesus can give it you, my child. Ah, yes! He gives eternal life, and puts His Spirit in the pardoned sinner's heart; then fly to Him, for He has power to save! He took the curse of sin upon himself, and died for wicked ones like you. He bore the pain and woe, and groaned and wept instead of sinful man; and now He freely saves, and gives eternal life. He offers you forgiveness; He says, the price is paid, and bids you come “Yes, dear children, you would cry indeed! Oh, think how bitterly you would weep! how fast the tears would flow! and how earnestly you would beg the Lord to take you as well! But it would be too late then, the door of mercy would be shut, and when you cried out, Lord, Lord, open to me,' He would to Him and live!" answer, I know you not; depart from me, "I will go to Him," said Mary, as she G. H. D. all ye workers of iniquity! Oh! dear chil-wiped her tears away. Yours in much Christian love, "No! no!" was echoed round the class, in a most excited manner; He will forgive her first, and help her to be good afterwards." Mary looked round in great amazement, for she wondered to hear the children talk like this; then she turned a wistful eye upon her teacher, as if to ask if they were right. They have told you quite right, dear child," she replied. "Yes, Jesus will forgive you first, and help you to be good afterwards; for this is always His way of saving poor lost sinners. And what good news is this! what joy it is to me to sit here and tell you, that how ever naughty you have been, there is forgiveness for you directly you go to Jesus! and is it not joy to you to hear it? Oh! dear children, I do indeed rejoice that I can tell you, that however naughty you now are, Jesus still bids you come to Him, and promises that He will at once receive and pardon you. And can you stay away from such a loving Saviour? Can you put off going to Him another hour? Oh, do not keep Him waiting, for He loves you =very dearly, and wants to make you happy." "I will go to Him to-day, teacher," said Mary, "and I am sure He will save me.' Mary kept her word, dear children, and when she got home, knelt down and cried to JESUS to forgive and save her from eternal wrath. Ere long her prayer was heard; she saw the precious blood of Christ could cleanse her sins away, and rested in His finished work; and so with joy and thankfulness she could look up to Him, and praise Him for His love in blotting out her sins. Dear children, turn to Him yourselves, and you will find Him full of love, and ready to forgive. The Praying Black Boy. THERE was once a little black boy, living at Sierra Leone, who had been rescued from a slave ship, and taught about God. One day Mr. Thomson, his schoolmaster, heard him praying in a low voice outside the schoolroom. This was the negro's prayer: "Lord Jesus, I thank thee that the wicked men came and took me, and that the English ship brought me here, where Massa Thomson has taught me to read, and to know thee. But I have a great favour to ask of thee. Let other bad men take away my father and mother, and let an English ship bring them here, that they too may learn about thee, and that we may all go to heaven." Sayings of Rutherford. CHRIST is a well of life; but who know eth how deep it is to the bottom? O to think that Christ should be so large in sweetness and worth; and that we should lose our love so miserably as not to bestow it upon Him! O that Christ had his own of us! I me there; so began to look up to the Lord, saying in my heart, "Lord, what wouldest thou have me to do." After a few moments a young woman came out of a field into the road where with her, and gave her a gospel tract; when I was walking. I entered into conversation felt that my service there was done, and having asked her the way to the old W- road, I left her, and entered some fields, where I found very bad roads, and my "soul was discouraged because of the way.' At length I saw a little house standing alone in the fields After looking and far away from any village. to the Lord, I felt led to go and speak to the people living there. They received me kindly, Let no man think he shall lose at and seemed to listen with much attention when Christ's hands in suffering for him. I know the shower of his free grace was needful for me, otherwise I should have withered. His I read and expounded the Scriptures to them. F gave them some tracts and left, feeling thankful that I had missed my way, but had been kept in the Lord's way. See that Christ lay the ground work of your profession; for wind and rain will not wash away his building. From there I went to W-, where the Lord Called works have no shorter date than to stand enabled me to give away many tracts. on poor B. He was rejoiced to see me, for evermore. and seemed something better in health and Think not much of a storm upon the happier in mind than when I saw him last. sen, when Christ is in the ship. I do hope he is now a child of God. He receives the gospel just as I like to see a poor sinner receive it. What a sweet, what a safe and sure way is it, to come up from the wilderness leaning on a Saviour! That Christ and a sinner should be one, and share heaven between them, is the wonder of salvation! What more could love do? Christ is a rose that beautifieth all the upper garden of God. Let us then go in to meet with Him, and to be filled with the sweetness of His love. It is mercy's wonder, and grace's wonder, that Christ will take up His abode in such a polluted dwelling as our soul, in which the old man is ever breaking out in rebellion against the heavenly Guest. May I not say, Lord Jesus, "what dost thou here?" Brief Extracts. Jan. 26th, 1859. Since the last date the Lord has given me much blessing in His service. Have been again to A-. The house was crammed with people waiting to hear the word of God. Had much liberty in preaching the gospel of the blessed God, and at the close of the meeting, I gave each person a copy of The Evangelist to take home. Went last Tuesday week to D-; visited many houses, spoke of my precious Jesus to many people, gave away many gospel tracts, and arranged to preach the gospel on Monday last, when I went and found several people waiting to hear the word. Spoke with much comfort on the fourth of John, and then gave each person a copy of The Evangelist. Was glad to see Mr. T there from A-. The master was much surprised to hear He walked with me a mile on the way home, this prayer, and he thought about it a great and we had sweet conversation on the truth. deal. That evening, as he was walking by He is an old man; I think he is a child of God, the sea side, he met the little praying negro. but through bad teaching he has not often In a kind voice he said, "What are you doing much joy. I am happy to hear from him that here, my boy?" The little fellow replied, my preaching has been of use to him, and also "I have been praying that the Lord Jesus will bring my parents to this place, and I am come here to see whether he has granted my prayer, and brought them here." That evening no parents came. The child continued daily to visit the shore, and to watch all the ships that arrived. One evening he came to Mr. Thomson, leaping, and dancing, and I went yesterday to T-, had a long round, clapping his hands, saying, "My prayer is and returned home at night weary with the heard; my father and mother are come!" journey. I lost my way in the morning through Then he drew Mr. Thomson by the hand to taking a wrong road, but as I knew the road the sea shore, and showed him two negroes, so well, and had, notwithstanding, missed my just rescued. These are my parents-my way, I felt sure that the Lord had service for prayer is heard!" that the gospel tracts are much liked by the people; and that there is a strong desire expressed by many people, for me to go many times to preach the Gospel there. I do think that my going there is of the Lord. I have arranged to go there twice more, and also to go to D- again, if the Lord will. From thence I went to T-, where I gave away many tracts, had conversation with many people, and arranged for a meeting next Monday night. Visited poor old Lain, who lives a short distance from the village. His end is near. He seemed much pleased to see me, and the Lord enabled me to preach Christ to him, and to two or three others who were in the room. May God bless His own word to their souls. I find my tracts are causing some excitement in the village. O Lord, make them the means of blessing to many, many precious souls. I am pained to hear that at the village of M-, some christians are so alarmed at my tracts and preaching, that some of their leaders have publicly warned the people not to hear me; and in their meetings they pray that God will drive away all such doctrines as those I preach; and some of them boast of having obtained some of my tracts for no other purpose than to burn them in the fire. They say it is "most dangerous to preach Christ as the only Saviour, and to tell a sinner that faith in Christ, and that alone, saves the soul." Oh, that they knew more of that precious word, GRACE. Lord give me grace to love those who love thee, and to pray for those who speak and pray against me; may I forget myself, and seek to glorify thee. We are again very much in need of money. I have asked the Lord for some, and feel sure He has heard me. I have no idea where it is to come from, but I have the answer in my soul, and can praise the Lord for having heard me; I feel it will soon come. 27th. How good the Lord is to me! I have. this day received a letter enclosing £5 from a christian man whom I have never seen, and perhaps shall not see, before we reach our Father's house." Feb. 3rd, 1859. Last Lord's day I received 4s., and to-day the Lord sent me a P. O. for 12s.; thus the good Master supplies our need. Preached last Thursday night to a full house at M. After the meeting, a dear young woman told brother B- that she had peace with God, and would like to meet with the saints at the Lord's table. Went to A- on Friday night. The crowd was so great that some had to go away, not being able to get standing room. It was the same at T-, on Monday night. A full house at D-, last night. Met a person there from A-, who told me that she has found peace with God through reading a little book I gave to her sister. She meant that the little book had put Jesus before her as the only Saviour, and the Lord had enabled her to trust Him for life and pardon. (To be continued, if the Lord will.) |
