want to ask for; I cannot but cry before
thee; save this poor woman ;" and I felt
the Lord would answer my prayer accord-
ing to the riches of His love toward us in
Jesus our Lord.

(To be continued, if the Lord will.)

chair to the other platform. I could not
help shedding tears to see she had no
kind friend with her, only her two little
helpless children, who needed much care.
Oh, I thought, the Lord will be your
help, my dear friend. I offered up a
silent prayer to the Lord before I could
A Letter.
speak, for my heart was full of sorrow for DEAR S. I am glad to see and hear
her. I said, "O Lord, help! and remem- that our kind and heavenly Father is still as
ber this poor woman, for she is very ill; dew unto Israel; and as to you, oh, how good!
good as His word, in that He would be as a
she has no kind friend with her, but these I heard from you before, but have been, as
two poor little children. Oh, that I may you know, busily engaged lately. We are
be able to speak to her about her soul, beginning to feel at home here; as to myself,
I was never better, and I am truly happy in
and shew kindness to her." After re- the work of the Lord. We have at present
straining my tears, for I could not help a room, in which we meet for worship on
weeping over her, I said, " My dear wo-
Sundays; and there are a few of us, who are
the Lord's children, who meet around His table
man, I feel for you and your dear chil-
every Lord's day morning, commemorating
dren; how far have you come? She the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ;
answered, "From Y-." "No friend
and endeavouring to realize (oh, that we could
more so!) our having died with Him on the
with you?" She answered, "No." "How tree, and having been buried with Him. Truly
long have you been ill?" "About three baptized into His death, and also, as risen
months." "And where is your husband? with Him, through the faith of the operation
of God, who raised Him from the dead, so
could he not come with you? how could that all our hopes and expectations as to this
he let you come such a long way by your-life may have met their end in Christ Himself.
self, being so ill?" "He put me in the He having appeared at the end of all here, as
train and came a little way with me, but
to eternal things, to put away sin by the
sacrifice of Himself; so that our language
was obliged to go back again to his work." may in truth be, as in the sight of God, The
I said, "Poor creature! the Lord knoweth life we now live is only by faith in Him who
your weakness and will help you." "She
loved us, and gave Himself for us." Oh,
Dear S, how much trouble we should be
said, "Yes, the Lord is very kind; but set free from, and how many difficulties we
where I come from they are bad people, should avoid, were we more heavenly and
I hear nothing but swearing and cursing, dient children, in the power of our heavenly
more divinely taught; and live more as obe-
and I could not stop any longer, I was calling, that we might be made useful in the
afraid I should die in my sins." I said, cause of our Divine Master, being daily and
"Do you feel yourself a sinner?" She hourly fashioned more in His adorable and
lovely image (as the servant of all). Sitting
said, with difficulty, being so very weak, at His feet, and learning His mind, oh, may
"Yes." I said, "Take courage, for Jesus we as individual souls, live nearer to Him,
and enter fully into that rest which Christ has
Christ came to save sinners, such as you
purchased for us. For we who were as others,

meetings for prayer, &c. God does not de-
spise the day of small things. I should like
-, but at present I cannot
much to come to
say when. I have much work here. The
people are mostly poor, but I am truly happy
with them; they have, God says, the Gospel
preached unto them. My kindest love to all
I know at H. Remember me to your
dear family; I hope they are all well.
I am, dear S-

Yours ever in Christ Jesus,

Christ Crucified. DEAR READERS,-You may have listened often to the glorious truths of the gospel, and perhaps daily read the word of God. Permit me to ask you two questions, Have you as an awakened sinner felt the burden of sin, and believed God's record concerning His Son? Have you received Jesus Christ as your Saviour to the peace and joy of your soul? "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John iii. 16.) How great, unspeakable, and precious this Gift! We deserved not such a Gift, but the grace of God abounded toward lost, ruined, perishing sinners. Man's disobedience brought death into the world, and each child of Adam is fallen very low, every soul by nature is diseased with sin, under the curse and wrath of God. obedience unto death brought life to poor, dying sinners, and the only deliverance from the curse and wrath is through the shed blood of the only-begotten Son, who is able to save to the uttermost, and willing to give everlasting life to every believing soul. The Father gave His Son, and He who is mighty to save The salvation of the lost could be accomcame to rescue sinners from the pit of woe. plished by none other than an Almighty Person. One equal with the Father came forward with a satisfaction to Divine justice, and thus in a body prepared for Him made reconciliation for the sins of many. God was manifested in the flesh. The beloved Son of God, became the Son of man. There could be no remission of sin without shedding of blood.

Christ's

that feel you are a sinner! He did not dead in trespasses and sins, hath He quick-The Father found a ransom. The world could

come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. All that believe in His name have eternal life." "Oh," she said, "that is what I want to hear; for no one has come to speak to me but once since I have been ill, or to read to me." I said, “Well, I shall be very glad to call on you where you are going."

ened. He hath brought us nigh to Himself not
by His own blood. It is enough,-by the
disobedience of one Adam, many were made
of Christ, the second Adam, many are made
sinners; so by the great and glorious obedience
righteous.

supply a sacrifice for sin.

God Himself provides the victim;
Jesus is the Lamb of God;

Heav'n, and earth, and hell afflict Him,
While He bears the sinner's load.
Jesus' blood, His blood alone,
Can for human guilt atone.

The Blessed Jesus surrendered Himself up as a full satisfaction to the justice of God. The Eternal Son of the Eternal Father paid a perfect price and offered up His body an unblemished Sacrifice, thus making complete reconciliation between God and man.

66

There

are numbers who hope for pardon without
payment, and venture the salvation of their
precious souls upon God's mercy. We cannot
separate the justice and mercy of God; but,
wondrous work! at the cross of Jesus mercy
peace have kissed each other." To save sin-
and truth are met together, righteousness and
ners, Jesus bore the curse: on the spotless
Lamb the wrath of God was poured down.
The Surety was stricken without mitigation or
mercy. The sword of Divine Justice smote
the Shepherd; all the sensible consolations of
the Father's love were withdrawn from His
expiring Son.
He prays,
• Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do."
Oh! the amazing love of Jesus, thus to atone
for the crimson crimes of sinners! Wondrous
words! "It is finished!”

No human process is needed, no human excitement is wanted, or can be tolerated in any way; for the glory of the great whole belongs to Jesus Christ. We are begotten She could not bear much talking at a unto a lively hope, or living hope, through time. Her lips were dry. A little bottle We are not in any way debtors to the flesh, it His death and resurrection; God does it all. was taken out from the basket with a cannot supply our wants, for Jesus is our only tle drop of wine to wet her parched Shepherd, and alone can feed His sheep. He ips. She was much fatigued with her the Good Shepherd careth for them, and His journey, and it was painful to her to lean care is over them, and they know His voice in the chair, while waiting for her friend with His own blood for Himself. Oh, may in the chair, while waiting for her friend and follow Him, for He has purchased them to meet her at the station; and she felt it we enter more fully into these joys, and live the more as she expected her on her more in the life and enjoyment of that which arrival. The omnibus came to take her is already given us by faith; and may the to her friend's house. I took her up in my Spirit, of which we are temples, take of the arms and placed her and the children in great things of Christ and show to us. the 'buss, laying her on the seat. At this Flesh will and does fail, however prominent time her friend Mrs. T came; I it may be in operation, for God has cast flesh charged her to be very kind. She said she out of his sight, and with Him it cannot would, but she was not aware she was so dwell, but may we who have entered into Very ill So she left the station with her God's rest in Christ abide therein. And let friend in the 'buss. I went immediately those dispute it who will, our only comfort is to know what our heavenly Father says. to pray for her to the Lord that He would Who shall lay any thing to the charge of pleased to reveal Christ to her soul by God's elect" (when elected by Himself)? It His blessed Spirit, but my prayer was is Christ that died, yes, and has risen again, Inixed with shedding of tears. I said, because of our justification; oh, shout to God "O Lord our God, thou knowest what I the triumphs of His own grace! We have xi. 25, 26.)

Have you everlasting life? "I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John

E. P.

3 6 THE VOICE IN THE DREAM; or, "Her Soul
is Worth Saving." A Tale of Age. A True Narrative. WHISPERS IN

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The Only Saviour.

BY JAMES SMITH, CHELTENHAM.

vilege. To say that a man is saved, and
saved by Christ Jesus, is to say that
he is blessed indeed-blessed with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

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concerns to Him. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ for Jesus Christ as a Saviour, and for a free, full, and everlasting salvation by Him! Blessed be God that Jesus can save-that Jesus will save-that Jesus waits to save! Blessed be God if Jesus has saved us, and if we feel his subduing power, his cleansing blood, and sanctifying grace! Blessed be God, that if we are not saved, we may

be, and be saved now and for evermore!

THE WATCH.
JOHN xiv. 3.

I AM waiting 'neath the storm-cloud-waiting-
The dawn of the coming day to see!
As the weary child sits weeping for its mother,
Down here--the shadow and the sadness,
I am watching, O my Lord Christ, for thee!

The conflict with the foe in fierce array;
Up there-the joy of sinless service,
Never to pass away!

I am waiting in the sunshine-waiting—
A gleam of the starry cloud to see!
That shall bring to us the brightness of thy glory;
I am waiting, O my Lord Christ, for thee!
Down here-the Tempter and the Accuser,
With wiles that unwary feet betray;
Up there-the smile of the Beloved,
Never to pass away!

SALVATION IS BY CHRIST ALONE. No one can save but Jesus, for He alone could make a satisfactory atonement for our sins; He alone could produce the righteousness necessary to justify our souls; He alone can exert the power needful to raise us from death in sin, rescue us from Satan's power, and conduct us safe to glory. No one has authority to save but Jesus. He is given to save, given under heaven, among men; being intended for fallen man, not Ir is remarkable with what ease and fallen angels. There is no other name Padiness a spiritual mind turns from a or person, whereby we must be saved, temporal to a spiritual subject. When but Jesus only. He saves such as we Peter and John had saved the poor lame are. He saves freely, whosoever will. man at the beautiful gate of the Temple He saves fully, by grace and not by from his lameness, and conferred on him works. He saves eternally, not for a perfect health and strength, being ques-time, but for ever. Any one may be saved tioned thereupon by the priests and cap- by Christ, but no one can be saved withtains of the Temple, they vowed that they out Christ. His blood can cleanse any had healed the poor man in the name of conscience. His righteousness can justify Jesus Christ of Nazareth; and then by a any person. His power will reach any happy turn they asserted that he was the case. If, therefore, anyone is not saved, only Saviour of the soul, saying, "Neither it is because he has not heard of Jesus; is there salvation in any other; for there or hearing, has refused to come to Him is none other name under heaven given for life. among men, whereby we must be saved." To be saved, we must receive the (Acts iv. 12.) Man needs salvation-he Spirit; for we are saved by the washing cannot save himself. Jesus is appointed of regeneration, and the renewing of the to save, and He is the only Saviour. Holy Ghost. To receive the Spirit, we BEWARE of judging the merits of the SALVATION! What is it? It is a deli- must come to Jesus, for He has the bless-preachers you hear, rather than your own Terance from sin, in its guilt, power, and ing, and has promised to give the Holy self by the word preached. Men whose penal consequences. It is a deliverance Spirit unto them that ask Him. Coming minds are callous to the power of the from Satan, his authority, power, and to Jesus, is believing on Him, trusting in word, can sit in judgment thus on the dominion. It is a deliverance from the Him, confiding in His person, work, and

I am waiting on the fulness of thy promise,
Where thou art shall thy longing people be;
I am leaning on the hope that shineth fairest,
I am waiting, O my Lord Christ, for thee!
Up there the long and cloudless morning,
With delights that never shall decay;
Down here--the scoffing and the scorning,
Soon, soon to pass away!

How do you Hear?

wrath of God, and the bestowment of His word. When we do so, then we appeal preacher, and compare him with some best and richest blessing. Salvation is a to Him, receive from Him, and realize other, just as they would their own with restoration to the image of God, the smile that we are saved by Him. Come then, Come then, other men's possessions. This is a sort of God, and the presence of God; or, a reader, come to Jesus-come to be saved. of Sunday business with some. Little, restoration to holiness, happiness, and Come now, delay not a moment. Rest little, do such reflect that the Gospel, if safety. Salvation is for man, for sinners-not until you are saved. If you are not not embraced, shall condemn in the day for sinners, as sinners. No qualification saved by Jesus, you are lost for ever, and of judgment. Oh! sit not to hear as a is required, no conditions are made; for you cannot be saved by Jesus, without critic, or as a judge, of well-rounded senthe gospel says to all, and to each one faith in Him; and, as we have said, faith tences, eloquence, or attitudes; but listen that it addresses, "Come, and be saved; is the heart going out to Him, resting on as for your life, and flee to Jesus from come, and be saved." Salvation is in Him, and committing itself and all its the wrath to come.

J. B. I.

Salvation; or the Philippian Jailor.

"What must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on

the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts

xvi. 30, 31.

even as others."

I DESIRE to address myself especially to the unconverted. Many will read these pages who are unconverted. Some know they are unconverted; their daily pursuits shew it; they are conscious that they have not yet tasted the joys of redeeming love: others despise and discard the subject altogether. There was a time when every Christian in the world was unconverted; for "we were all by nature children of wrath, What an awful condition it is to be unconverted! and yet how many are careless about it! The Jailor at Philippi was unconverted; but when he felt the reality of the state he was in, he sought salvation, and found it, to the joy and rejoicing of his heart. One thing is certain, that all who would enjoy the blessings of eternal salvation must be converted; for Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." This is very plain and

decisive.

Here I would pause, and kindly ask the reader, what profit has the sweet voice of God's redeeming love been to you? You read of Jesus in this paper, you have often seen His servants, and heard them testify of forgiveness of sins through His blood, but has it aroused you? Will you, by your indifference, compel God to visit you with some painful affliction, some distressing dispensation, before you consider your state before Him? Must He snatch away from your eyes the dearest object of your life? Must He lay you prostrate on a bed of languishing? Must He shake the universe, and make the earth to tremble before you turn to Him for sulvation?

we may gather that he was diligent in his call vulsion of an earthquake might have consigned ing, and that he shewed no more interest in the him at once to a dark eternity, another shock apostles of the Lord Jesus than in the worship- and he may be called to give an account of himIt is very self to God. He is assured that Paul and Silas pers of the great goddess Diana. likely that he had heard something of Paul's have that peace and joy which he is a stranges ways, if he had not of the conversion of Lydia to, and that they are the servants of God. He and her household. He knew, also, why Paul feels now that he is an unsaved man; that if he and Silas were imprisoned; and appears not only die, he must go where hope and mercy never can to have acquiesced in the propriety of punishing come. His case is urgent, danger imminent, and restraining such men, but also of preventing, position most perilous, for he now knows that as far as possible, a recurrence of their preach-he had been sleeping on the edge of an eternal ing. They were brought to the prison, with a precipice. Not a moment then can be lost. A charge that the jailor would "keep them safely," light! a light! he cries. His very joints are but to shew us that they had then no favour in loose, and every fibre of his body seems to quiver. the jailor's eyes, we are told that "he thrust Salvation, salvation is the longing of his whole them into the inner prison, and made their feet soul. He springs at once into the inner prison, fast in the stocks." This is enough to shew us the and falling down before these servants of Jesus, condition of his heart. He knew not, felt not cries out, "Sirs, What must I do to be saved?" God's love; therefore his heart was destitute of that love to the brethren which always marks the regenerate. He had, very probably, heard Paul and Silas praying, and singing praises unto God at midnight; for we are told that the prisoners heard them. But none of these things seem to have moved the jailor. Like a thorough man of the world, he appears to have retired to Many persons are really ignorant of the ter- bed that night with as much composure as on rible danger they are in; they see not the preci- any other occasion. All he heard and saw of pice on which they stand; they perceive not the the servants of the Saviour were insufficient to brittle thread on which they are suspended; they awaken his dark mind, and arouse his conscience. know not that they live on the very threshold But God had a purpose of blessing in store for of eternity; they feel not that they are distant him. God's eye was upon him for good. God's from God, rebellious against God, and guilty good pleasure was to glorify His own name, in before God; therefore they cannot be anxious about salvation. They may think of outward making the wrath of man to praise Him, and hiding pride from man. The holy, godly testipropriety before men-of religious forms, ordiof faithful ministers had not impressed his nances, and the like-but they are not concerned heart; therefore other means must be used to about salvation from sin, and its eternal desert. alarm his benighted soul. That jailor who had The Bible, however, speaks to us of salvation. so cruelly thrust them into the dungeon, and God's servants publish salvation. The grace of chained them to the stocks, must yet be brought God provides salvation. The gospel is a message to fall down before them, and acknowledge them from God to men about salvation. Jesus himself as the servants of the Most High; and Paul and preached salvation; He said to a weeping woman Silas, who appeared to be interrupted in the at His feet, "Thy faith hath saved thee," and to faithful discharge of their gospel ministry, were a repentant publican, "Salvation is come to this also to prove, that, like their Master, each step of house." Paul exultingly exclaimed, "I am not cruelty and oppression only led them forward in ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the the path of true service, and not out of it. Their power of God unto salvation to every one that midnight prayer and praise, too, seem to indicate believeth." Those who received the gospel in that they were in the lively attitude of faith, apostolic times felt that they were saved; they and in full expectation of the blessing of the realized a present salvation; they regarded themselves and fellow-believers as saved; hence, we

are told that the Lord added to the church such

mony

Lord.

It seems to me that these bitter ways are sometimes necessary, before men will incline their hearts to seek the Lord. Oh, my reader! do consider how matters stand between you and God, and turn to Him at once for the salvation of your soul, lest, instead of an earthquake being sent to alarm your conscience and bring you to the Saviour, a messenger be dispatched in judg ment to hurl you into an eternity of blackness and despair!

2. THE GOSPEL PREACHED. It was salvation that occupied the jailor's whole soul, nothing less than salvation; not religious ceremonies, but salvation. What must I do to be saved? This too is the anxious enquiry of every truly enlightened soul; and we need not go to commentators or learned doctors for a correct answer to the question, for the Scriptures plainly tell us. The apostolic reply was, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." This was the gospel that Paul and Silas preached, and it was an echo of their Master's voice, for when He was asked the question, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

But there is something very solemn in this period of the jailor's history, for it seems to tell as should be saved-saved ones. Paul addressed us, that if we reject the quiet, holy testimony of the Corinthians, saying, "Ye are washed, ye are the servants of Christ, God has other means of sanctified, ye are justified;" and that the preach-bringing down man's lofty looks. God's power ing of the Cross is "unto us, which are saved, is unlimited, both in mercy and judgment. In the power of God;" and writing to Timothy, he this case it was to be made bare in grace. He said, "Who hath saved us," &c. And so, also, who smote Paul with blindness, and brought the Old Testament taught; for the Israelite in him to the Saviour's feet, could also bring the The gospel then preached to this awakened Egypt, whose lintel and door post were sprinkled jailor there. That almighty arm might justly sinner of the Gentiles was salvation by faith-with the blood of the lamb, was saved. When have been lifted up with the sword of vengeance, not by doing, but by believing on the risen and God's angry judgments were all around, he was and, piercing the heart of that man who had ascended Lord Jesus. The jailor's thought, like perfectly safe, because of the sprinkled blood; dared to chain the feet of His dear servants, many others, was that salvation was by works; he might feast on the roasted lamb, and rejoice, have at once hurled him to the pit of eternal what must I do? But Paul and Silas assured because he was sheltered by the blood. The destruction; but mercy rejoiced against judg-him that he could be saved only in the way of fleeing man-slayer was saved the moment hement. In the darkness and stillness of the night, faith. They presented the Lord Jesus Christ to entered the city of refuge. The avenger might without any warning whatever, a tremendous him as the object of faith, and His finished work, seek to alarm him, but he was safe, because convulsion threatened to rase the whole building and God's acceptance of it, as the ground of salhe was inside the city. Noah was saved as to the ground, and to bury every inmate in its vation, and warrant for perfect peace—“thou soon as he entered the ark, for God shut him in; ruins. We are told that "suddenly there was shalt be saved." This is very simple, and comthough afterwards he was in the midst of destroy-a great earthquake, so that the foundations of mends itself to the confidence of an anxious ing vengeance. Rahab the harlot, whose house the prison were shaken, and every one's bands enquirer. The gospel really excludes all idea of was on the wall of the city which fell down flat, were loosed." This was God's way of shewing creature-doing for salvation, because it testifies was saved, for the scarlet line was in the window. that He is greater than man. This was Mercy's that Jesus the Son of God hath so completely All these persons, I say, were saved. Their way of bringing salvation to that house, and of finished the work of our redemption, so thoroughly security was unquestionable. Whatever judg-honouring the Lord's faithful, suffering servants. purged our sins, that He has sat down on the ments happened to others, they were taught that This was the very weapon that would arouse right hand of the Majesty on high, is proclaimed they were perfectly safe. They so understood the hard and unfeeling jailor. He awoke out Lord of heaven and earth, and that all who be the matter, and the result confirmed it. And so of sleep-his conscience owned it as God's dis-lieve on Him have at once an eternal interest in now, God so values the shed blood of the unpensation. His first feeling was despair and that blessed work. The Lord Jesus having fulblemished Victim, the One Perfect Offering of self-destruction. He drew his sword, and would filled the Law and borne its curse, put away sin, His well-beloved Son, that He pronounces a full, have killed himself, when he saw the prison brought in everlasting righteousness, abolished free, present, and eternal salvation to every sin-doors open, supposing the prisoners had all fled. death, burst the bars of the grave, and triumphed ner that believes-perfect safety, come what may, His heart sunk, terror filled his mind; his over Satan, hell, and the grave, has entered into because of that blood which cleanseth from all imagination drew the most hopeless conclu- heaven itself with His own blood, having obsin. There is now no condemnation to them sion, and Satan's last effort with him was the tained eternal redemption for us; the resurrection and glorification of Christ being God's public testimony of His acceptance of the Saviour's all-sufficient work. What is then to be done for salvation? Nothing; it is done already, and we have the warrant of God's word to receive and enjoy it by faith-" Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Faith reads the lessons of redeeming love in letters of blood in Christ's cross; and those who can say, "we have known and believed the love that God hath to us," have peace; they see that God's love has

which are in Christ Jesus.

Happy Christian, God's own child, Called, chosen, reconciled; Once a rebel, far from God, Now brought nigh, through Jesus' blood. In our remarks on the text we shall notice, 1. The jailor's awakening. 2. The gospel preached to him. 3. Its effects.

1. THE AWAKENING. With regard to the Philippian jilor, we know but little of his for mer history. From the few materials we have,

foul suggestion, "Kill thyself." A loud voice,
however, suddenly altered his judgment, and
produced an instantaneous revolution in his
mind? Are not all the prisoners gone? No.
"Paul cried with a loud voice, Do thyself no
harm, for we are all here." This was a sweet
and heavenly way that Paul took with his jailor.
It was returning good for evil, and blessing one
who had treated him so cruelly. But more than
this. His conscience is awakened, a crowd of
solemn thoughts press upon his mind. The con-

brought salvation to them, even when sinners, in the Cross of His Son, and they approach God with confidence; they know that He declares them saved by grace, through faith. What, I would ask, can exceed this boundless love? What else could have really met us in our low estate? What could so redound to the glory of God? | Who so thoroughly reject the gospel, display self-ignorance, and despise the unsearchable riches of Divine love, as those who talk of doing for salvation? "Where is boasting?" said the apostle. "It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay; but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law." (Rom. iii. 27, 28.) Blessed gospel for a sin-convicted, heavy laden

sinner!

3. THE EFFECTS. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation; and when received into the Heart brings forth fruit. It is God's means of beretting new creatures-"Of His own will," says James, "begat He us by the word of truth." 1: also gives liberty and peace-"the truth shall make you free." All this we should expect, when a sinner is brought to realize that he is saved. Who so grateful, so dutiful, so happy, so free! Some hear the truth of the gospel, and the only apparent effect is that it hardens them. This was not the case with Lydia, for her heart was opened, that she attended to the word ministered by Paul, and so the jailor, for his whole soul was filled with anxiety; he therefore reeived the truth at once in the love of it, and its effects were most manifest. What could be so sweet to such an one as the story of the Saviour's love! With what intense interest the trembling isilor must have listened to these servants of the Lord while declaring to him the way of salvaton! and what grateful surprise must have filled his heart at hearing that the way was so simple, so fee, so full of blessing, and so suited to a lost, helpless sinner!

It at once engaged his attention, and made him long to hear more about such glorious tidings, aad soon, by some means or other, all his house

lold too were attentive listeners to Paul and

house.

a

But more than this, he obeyed the word of the Lord" he was baptized.". This Paul and Silas had doubtless set before him, and it came with authority to his conscience, because the love of Christ constrained him. His heart was full. His whole soul was influenced with the Cross of Christ, and the power of His resurrection. He knew that he was saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, that he had redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace; it was therefore not arduous, but a sweet privilege to attend to an ordinance which would enable him to realize so personally that he had been buried and was raised up with Christ. The Lord Jesus had commanded His servants to make disciples, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and this was enough, Faith does not argue, it simply believes God's word, and obeys it. Nor was the jailor alone in this, the whole congregation, even all his household, had received the gospel too, were happy in the Saviour's love, and obeyed His word in being baptized. (See verse 34.) Hence we see there was not merely a confession of faith, but the obedience of faith, not only an attentive ear to listen to the word of the Lord, but a grateful response in obeying it. In spirit they might say

Life Eternal.

abideth in death." But in the jailor's case the
entrance of God's word had given light, it had
given understanding to the simple, it had by the ARE you seeking after salvation? If so, let
Spirit quickened him when dead in sins, he thus me remind you that there is a possibility of
had divine life, therefore there was divine love,
fruit in season, self-denial for the sake of Christ's one who is even searching after a knowledge
servants.
of the truth being led away "after the com-
mandments and doctrines of men." These
teach us only that wisdom which "is foolish-
ness with God, for the Lord knoweth the
thoughts of the wise that they are vain"-
By one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin, and so death passed upon all
men, for that all have sinned." (Rom. v. 12.)
How proud is man of his virtues and attain-
ments, but here is the place to which sin has
brought us all, and to be delivered out of this
state of guilt, condemnation and death, should
be the anxious desire of every soul who is
still far from God by sin and wicked works.
Some feel themselves to be sinners, and tell
us that they would welcome salvation; they
hope day by day for the knowledge of deli-
verance from death and entrance into life, but
know not Christ as the wisdom and power of
God unto salvation. The farther a poor sinner
goes on in the pursuit of knowledge out of
Christ, the greater will be the disappointment
of his hopes of salvation. "As sin hath
reigned unto death, even so might grace reign
through righteousness unto eternal life by
Jesus Christ our Lord." "He hath made
Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
we might be made the righteousness of God
eternal, that they might know thee the only
in Him." (2 Cor. v. 21.) "And this is life
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent." (John xvii. 3.)

"Into thy death baptized,

We own with thee we died;
With thee our Lord are risen,

And in thee glorified.

From sin, the world, and Satan,

We're ransom'd by thy blood;
And now would walk as strangers,
Alive with thee to God."

and peace now animating the jailor's soul, there
And yet further. There was not only love
was joy also. "He rejoiced, believing in God

Sulas, while they further opened up to them the with all his house." This seems to complete the riches of divine grace, The energetic, determined jailor, who, only a few hours before, had picture. There was now nothing wanting to shew forth the fine workmanship of the Spirit rudely thrust them into the inner prison, re-in this new-born soul. It was indeed bringing A knowledge of Jesus brings to every singardless of their lacerated backs, now sat like forth good fruit. He could clearly see that there ner who trusts in Him all that is necessary for tle child as an anxious enquirer at their feet, was only a short space of time between him and the soul's salvation. To know Christ is death and gathered others to partake also of the blessirgs of the gospel-"They spake unto him the pleasure for evermore, so that he could rejoice in to the flesh, and life to the soul, and thus hope of the glory of God. He could anticipate i of the Lord, and to all that were in his entering the pearly gates of the golden city with being born of the Spirit, we enter into newunhesitating confidence, because he believed thatness of life. The believer knows Christ as Among the first effects then of the jailor's all his sins had been atoned for, all his debt had the burden-bearer of his sins, he feels all reeption of the gospel of Christ, we may notice been cancelled, and being united by faith to Ilim his love for the truth, a child-like enquiring mind, who is Lord of heaven and earth, and seated in guilt removed by His precious blood, and the and concern for the spiritual welfare of others. Him in heavenly places, he could survey the leprous disease of the soul healed by the The good news of salvation by Christ had been future with a hope and confidence blooming so applied to his conscience by the Holy Spirit, with immortality and glory. We are told he that it came to him as cold water to a thirsty was "believing in God," how could he then fail soul, and he was immediately like a dead man to rejoice? raised to life. He was born again of the incorruptible seed of the word, he was a new creature, d things had passed away and all things were become new; he therefore had an ear to hear, a mind to understand, a heart to receive, and desire more and more, the sincere milk of the word, ad such a sense of its value, that he wished his whole household to receive the same blessed 2 spel.

"Who have such reason to be glad

As those redeemed to God?"

Thus we have traced in the narrative of the Philippian jailor the various workings of the Holy Spirit in awakening one dead in trespasses and sins, giving peace through the gospel of Christ, and its blessed power in regenerating the soul, and bringing forth fruit to God. But the The next thing we may notice among the thought crosses my mind that perhaps my reader raits of faith in our Lord Jesus, is his love to is unconverted, still dead in sins, still seeking the Lord's servants. He is begotten by the word ease and satisfaction apart from God and Christ. of truth, is a thoroughly changed man; he has Is it so? Is it possible that you are going on to passed from death unto life, therefore he loves eternal ruin without seeking salvation, without the brethren. A few hours before, he saw nothing once anxiously crying out, "What must I do to more in Paul and Silas to call forth affection and be saved?" Is it true that you hear of salvation sympathy than in the other prisoners, but now by Christ and heed it not? that you know there he views every thing with new eyes. Having is a fountain open for sin and all uncleanness in received the word of truth, the gospel of the the Saviour's blood, and wash not? that the glograce of God, his heart is so changed that he rious sound, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, loves not only Him that begat, but them also and thou shalt be saved," rings in your ears, and that are begotten of Him; hence we are told you put it far from you? O my friend, beware, that "he took Paul and Silas the same hour lest the Saviour have to say to you as to them of of the night and washed their stripes....and old-"Ye will not come unto me that ye might brought them into his house, and set meat before have life-how often would I have gathered thy them." This was blessed. This was a fine ex-children together as a hen doth gather her ample of the fruit of the Spirit, and it proved chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" the sincerity of his profession, for it was not love

DEAR READERS!

ponder the Lord's awful

"Ye sinners, seek His grace,
Whose wrath ye cannot bear;
Fly to the shelter of His Cross,
And find SALVATION there."

in word and in tongue, but in deed, and in truth. words, YE WOULD NOT!
Love is a vital point. Religious profession, with-
out a loving heart toward God and His people,
is but a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal;
the apostle John declares, that, whatever any man
may profess," he that loveth not his brother

great restorer of spiritual health. By a knowledge of Jesus, the pardoned sinner has not only peace through believing, but looks to Him. as the author and finisher of faith. The presence of the Loving One is enjoyed in times of sorrow, through days of suffering; and when temptation assails us, we know the Son of God to be our shelter and strong tower from the enemy; "for in that He himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." (Heb. ii. 18.) In the hour of trial, or season of affliction, the sorrowing saint knows Christ "who was afflicted," and ever promises to succour and support those who are called to endure such things. To know Christ is the beginning of bliss here, which will be fully realized in glory. Life eternal is connected with the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ." "This is the true God, and eternal life." (1 John v. 20.)

My dear reader, Have you this blessed knowledge of Jesus in the application of his atoning blood which can sanctify the heart, purify the conscience, and cleanse from all sin? Are you happy in the Lord? You cannot be unless you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, whom to know is life eternal.

E. P.