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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre filmis d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de I'angle supirieur gauche, de gauche d droite. et de haut en bas, en preriant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. n 32 X 1 2 3 r 1 2 3 4 5 6 90 A ■ NEW YEAR ADDRESSES TO THE YOUNG. Br THB REV. ALEXANDER TOPP, D.D, KNOX CHURCH, TORONTO. I'OKONTO: JAMES BAIN & SON, 46 KING STREET EAST. He '««S>VTM,M HINTroo HOOS.. 5 JOSHAH ST., TOSOHTO. INTRODUCTION. It fa not necemry to uy much by w»y of Introduction to many on both «do. of the Atl«.tic. The .udden de.2 of tte lamented author, after a paatorate of twenty^ne yem m ttn. cty ha. left a bUnlc to the oonnnunity .^TtoZ Church wh.ch wffl not «on be filled, and ha. leTnLmy to dMire some penaanent memorial of hi. bbou,,. TZl thiademand thefollowtogdi.cour«.aregiv7^the;ubr The volume containa twenty^ne New Tear Addrewe. to &e young people of Knox Church, Toronto TTr^ ^iS^^ to flock d.ould begto each ^^ ^tL ™ ' ■ ^ "T" *° =°°»' ^'^ to congregation m the momug „, e„h .«cce««ve New Year'fX f™ forward to with pleaaure. and at the clo« of the .ervice &r -^ i!? ' '"■"' "' ** ^"'°''' N^" Year', Ad! *^ These addreme,, eitendtog over ffie entire period «l™e To'tr^*^ " ''°"""'"' "« «""«°**^ i^"to TOiume. To the memberii nf *i.*x « x.- , . . ^S^iT J^'^^'^^^P^"^^^"''*. They «e linked with each year in ttie faithful paatoiate of a l^! It. INTRODUCTION loved minister who now rests from nis labours Jiiany who in their youthful days received from his hand the earlier addresses in this collection saw their children re- ceive from him the same gift. It is oelieved, however, that these discourses will be acceptable and profitable to a much wider circle of readers. All who knew the author will expect to find in them sound doctrine, judicious counsel, and the earnest and faithful presentation of Gospel truth, but they may not look for qualities which these addresses display. We have been informed that in tho earlier years of his ministry, Dr. Topp was peculiarly popular as a preacher to the young. His ordinary services, in later years, had not many of the char- acteristics which we usually associate with special success in this important department of ministerial usefulness. But those who read these discourses, .md mark how they abound with apt Scripture illustration and appropriate anecdote, will easily understand how such a reputation was obtained No one can peruse them without observing that they are in every way fitted to interest the young, and to impress divine truth upon their jninds. And it may be added, that, like many sermons prepared specially for the young, they will be found more likely to interest and profit persons of riper years than many of those designed ex- pressly for them. The volume closes appropriately with a sermon aid m perpetuating hi. influence for good in the worid Wm. McL. ToBOKTO, Sltt January, 1880, CONTENTS. Introduction ^^^"> Address *"• Moses' Prayer. ® The Childhood of "jesi; ^ MeSamuel; or, the Minis't;;i;;gOhiid;: fo God: our Father and Guide . f Boy. and Girls Playing in the si;eVt;'of' the CiVv * ' To Jesus our Example ... » "^ cne ^ity . . 33 Jesus; the Good Shepherd ^^^ The Pej. of the Lord ; or, tie Greai ie'sVon for' 'ti^, "' ^^^!^^^:^ m God^OaUtotheYoungtoEni;;'i„;;Hi;s^^^^^^ 170 I will arise and go to my Father " ''"• * i?^ ^Little Captive Maid of the Land of i^^;^l f' Obadiah who feared the Lord from his youth Z "The Lord's Jewels" I ^81 The Aii-Seeing Eye of God ^^® Oome to Jesus 349 ThePexpetuip ail they began their unhallowed amusement, and continued for some time, not thinking of any dan- ger, when this boy, wishing to obtain a better ph.ce. tried to jump from . le spot where he stood to another In doing so, his foot slipped, he struck his head against a boat and fell into the river ; and after being sought for some time, was found and taken out a life- less corpse. Dear children, take warning by this boy's unhappy end. The way of transgressors is hard. Re- solve with David, " Depart from me all ye evil-doers ; I will keep the comLu ndments of my God." Remem- ber it is written in Scripture, " My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." V. Live always as in God's presence, remembering that his all-seeing eye is upon you. He is now your ever present witness. There is no place whither his eyes do not penetrate. The night and the day, the darkness and the light l ^ %l\ '" '— things are naked and op^n ■ your very thoughts, He ka(.v r e alike to Him. " All f>v3s of Him with Tils, your actions, irapos- b. well T5 iH ADDRESS. 19 Sinners sible to conceal th» imaginations of the heart from Him, You may hido iw\ 'h. that you think, and speak, and do, from yonr fellow creatures, but you cannot hide anything Aom God. He treasures up all in the book of his remembrance ; and there is a day coming when everything, good and bad, shall be brought to light, and men shall receive a reward according to that which they have done, whether it be good or evil. Yoa may now profane the Lord's day ; you may neg- lect prayer and the word of God ; you may utter oaths and curses, and take God's name in vain ; you may tell falsehoods and commit other kinds of wick- edness in secret ; and because your parents or teachers, or others whom you respect, do not know all that, you may think that you have nothing to fear. Ah ! my dear children, this is a ruinous delusion ; a device of Satan to destroy your souls. God will reckon with you for all that you have done, or thought, or spoken. He will bring you into judgment for everything ; and should you not then be afraid to sin ? If you continue in a wicked, unbelieving course of life, and die in your sirs you will indeed rise from your graves, but it will be tr^ be bani ;hed forever from thp presence of the L-i- But if ^ '/a forsake your unrighteous thoughts and evil ways and turn to the Lord, you shall rise to the resurrection of life and glory. Oh ! let this truth be ever present to your minds, *' Thou God seest me." When you are tempted to sin, say with Joseph : " How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God ? " And with David, " I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes ; I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." Living as in God's 20 ADDRESS. presence, delighting in Jesus as your Saviour, and walking in his ways, He will be ever with you, to com- fort, and support and deliver you from evil ; He will sustain you in the hour of death, and throughout all eternity, will make you happy and blessed. These things have been written to you, my dear, young friends, from a heart-felt anxiety that you may kr ow and choose the way of life. You cannot do so vOO early. Your time upon the earth is uncertain. It may be veiy short. This year thou mayest die. It is very probable that some of you will die ; but who can tell which of you shall be laid in the grave before the termination of this year 1 God can take away whom- soever He pleaseth. Do not foolishly say that because you are young, and healthy, and strong, that you shall have many years to live. Go to any church-yard, and you will see jnany graves of an infant's length. And have you not seen some as full of health as you now are, soon cut down by death, and borne away to the cold and narrow house appointed for all living ? Do not then delay, lest the angel of death come, and carry you into eternity, unsaved. " Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." " Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him whilst He is near. " Jesus, when He was but twelve years of age, said to his mother, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business V When He thus spoke, his language is fitted to teach you, and all young persons, that you have an important work to engage in, and that you cannot begin too soon. You are all sinners — you re- quire to be wasxied from your sins in the blood of Jesus — you have wicked hearts by nature, and these ADDRESS, 21 must be changed by the Spirit of God. You havo heaven to attain and hell to avoid : and oh ! when you consider what it is to be consigned to the agonies of the second death, why should any of you refuse to listen to the entreaties that are made to you to flee to the Saviour 1 Why should you be concerned about your bodies and careless of your souls? God the Father waits to be gracious — Jesus waits to receive you — the Holy Spirit waits to bless you. Choose then now the good part which shall never be taken from you ; and all that is good will be yours, both in this life and in the life that is to come. May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, incline and enable you all to do this, is the fervent and daily prayer of. My dear young friends. Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexander Topf. Toronto, Januai-y, 2859, MOSES' PRAYER My Dear 'Young Friends, You have in the mercy of God, been spared to enter on another year. The grave has not swallowed you ups as it has many much younger than any of you. To God be the praise ! It is He who has kept you in health, or raised you up from a bed of sickness. or preserved you in the midst of danger. Give thanks then to God. Pray that He would give you hearts to praise Him. Som6 of you have been saying, one to another, "I wish you a Happy New Year." But perhaps you have thoughtlessly used these words, because it is common amongst people at this season to do so. Have you considered what it is that can make you happy? It IS not health, or riches, or kind friends, or long hfe, or any earthly thing that will bring happiness You may have all that most people think good things, and yet not be happy. The way of happiness you will hnd pointed out in the following verse, from which I am going to address you in these pages : for - un «.i mj uui*x t, X desire that you may be truly happy. May the Spirit of Christ lead you to see your MOSES' PRAYER. 23 need of mercy, and enable you to offer up this prayer day after day : "0 satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may be glad and rejoice all our days. "—Psalm xc. ,14. This is a most citable prayer for you. You know who it was that wrote most of the Psalms. It was David, the man after God's own heart. It was not at one time, but at different times throughout his life from youth to old age, that he wrote them. He loved God, and walked with God, and made God his chief- est joy. And sometimes, when h« was in trouble and sometimes when he was in joy ; and again, when he felt his need of mercy, to pardon his sins, and of grace to enable him to do God's will, and to over- come his spiritual enemies, he would write one of those Psalms, telling God what he felt, and what he needed for his soul. For this reason, all good people take pleasure in the Psalms. And if you have hearts to love God, you will delight in them too, for they are just the words ot a godly man's heart, speaking with God. But this is not one of David's Psalms. It was /ritten long before the time of David-about 400 years before he was born. Moses was the writer of it He wrote it at a very remarkable time, and in very interesting circumstances. God had promised to bring the children of Israel into the land of Canaan, to drive out the inhabitants for thfiir winlror1r,«oo „«^ to give It to them as their possession. Accordin«^ to Im promise, He brought them in safety through "th^ 1 ■ ; ff 34 MOSES PRAYER. wilderness, tliough they had often sinned against Him ; and when they came to the promised land, Moses sent out twelve men, one of each tribe, to spy out the land, and to bring back a report regarding it. They all, except two of them, Caleb and Joshua, brought back an evil report, to discourage the people. They said that, though it was a good land, a land flowing with milk and honey, yet the inhabitants were men of great stature — giants, whom they would not be able to overcome, and that if they were to attempt to seize the land, they would be destroyed. Then all the children of Israel murmured against Moses, and against Aaron, and the whole congregation said unto them, " Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt ! Would God that we had died in the wilder- ness ! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us into this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey ? " This was unbelief. It was the same as if they had said at once, that God was not able to give them the land — that He could not fulfil his word ; and therefore God's wrath was kin- dled against them, and He threatened to smite them all with a pestilence. But Moses prayed for them, and his prayer was heard. The Lord said unto him, " I have pardoned according to thy word." But in order to pftnish them for their unbelief. He told Moses that none of them above twenty years of age, ex- cept Caleb and Joshua, should enter into the land. He would make them wander for forty years in the wilderness, because they were a rebellious generation, til] tiiey all died, and then their children would enter in and possess the land. MOSES' PRATES. 25 You thus learn, my dear young friends, how God will punish them that do not believe his word. The Israelites were kept out of Canaan, because of unbe- lief, and so all that have not faith— all who do not believe the Gospel and follow Christ fully, will be kept out of heaven. No unbelievers shall enter that holy place. Moses, as you may suppose, was very much affected by this awful sentence pronounced against them ; and then he wrote this psalm as a prayer to be used by them. They knew that they were to die in the wil- derness, because of their sins ; and he here teaches them to ask forgiveness of God, and grace to enable them so to improve God's dealings with them, and to count their days, that they might apply their hearts to wisdom and not die eternally. And the verse from which we are now to address you may be considered as a prayer to be offered up by the young amongst them, that they might learn from the sins and punishment of their fathers, to seek God's favour and mercy above everything, and thus to live in the enjoyment of happiness and peace. "O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may be glad and re- joice all our days." You can easily conceive how earnestly the children of the Israelites would offer up this prayer. When they saw their parents dying, one rfter another, some in one place, and some in another, as they wandered about in the wilderness, each succeeding death would be a warning to them not t^ sin against God— it would make them very anxious that'' God would visit them with mercy, and grant them his 26 MOSES' PRAYER. favour that they might be blessed, and enabled to serve Him. God is the same God still. He hateth sin : He is an.^ry with tlie wicked every day. And the close of every year telling you that time is passing away and every instance of death around you, should make you concerned that you may have the mercy of God, and thus be glad and rejoice. I remember reading of a little boy who had this prayer fultilled to him. He had been taken very ill; and one morning he prayed especially for his father and mother, and brothers and sisters, t > ,t they might all meet in heaven. When fte was toid that death was near, he said—" 1 am pre- pared ; Jesus hath prepared me. I do love Jesus I trust in Jesus Christ. Gh ! let me not miss the path- way to heaven." Then, closing his eyes, he breathed out— hven so : come Lord Jesus ; come quickly t" That evening, he called for hip brothers and sisters that he might speak to them for the last time : and when ;hey came to his bedside he earnestly besout^ht them saying—- 0, pray that God would change ySur hearts, and then you will be happy. I made this my consta.ntprayer-'0, satisfy me early with thy mercy, that I may be glad and rejoice all my days.' And uod heard and answered me. He forgave all my sins • ^e washed me in the blood of Jesus; He gave me a teart to love and serve Him ; and now I am glad, and an rejoice m the prospect of death. Make that your -rayer, and you will enjoy the same blessedness." Let me explain this prayer to you. And (I. ) I shall cell you what is meant by " mercy," which you are to asK ; (il.) vViien you are to seek mercy— "early ;" and MOSES' PRAYER. 27 (III.) The benefit of obtaining it, " that we may be glad and rejoice all our days." ^ X. It is mercy you are to ask— "O, satisfy us early with thy mercy." What is meant by the term " mercy r It means anything that is good bestowed- upon you when you do not deserve it. You may have heard of some wicked man who had killed another or who had broken into a house at midnight, and robbed in h.lti Z^f discovered, and brought before the judges to be tried for his crime. He was found guilty, and condemned either to die or to be sent out of the country all his life. Suppose the sovereign of the country to hear of his case-to take pity upon him and to send to him a message, as he lay in the prison! expecting the sentence to be executed, that he was pardoned and might go free. This would be mercy shewn to him. He did not deserve it. He had broken the law and was justly condemned, so that b»» had no right to expect a pardon. It was a gift freely bestowed upon him, It may be that some of you have been disobedient to your parents (you are bound to obey them for the command f God is, " Honour thy tour fn^h^ *^^ mother;)-you may have disobeyed your father-you may have done something wrong- something which he forbade you to do. He threatened to punish you. But suppose that some person went and made intercession with your father, Ld satisfied him for your fault He listened to the request made 'fJ:?A f "f P^^^!^^^d you. That is mercv-vou ..^.c.vcu CO oe pumshed; but your father's goodness at the re<^uest of another, saved you from^ ^uS I ! 28 MOSES' PRATER. ment— you received mercy, and were restored to hii favour. Now, dear children, we have all disobeyed God ] you and I and all upon the earth have broken the laws of God. We have sinned against Him and brought upon ourselves the curse of heaven. God is justly displeased with those that sin against Him. He created us • He preserves us ; He gives us life and all that we have, and therefore we are bound to obey Him. But all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If you say that you, have not sinned, you make God a liar, and the truth IS not in you ; for his word and your own con- sciences tell you, that you have often offended Him in thought, in word, and in deed. Now, what doth every sm deserve ? You could all answer, as in the Shorter Catechism—" Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse, both in this life and in that which is to come." Death is the punishment -^-hich you and all have merited— not only the death of the body, but the death ot the soul— to be separated from the love of God in this life, and to have your place with the devil in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. This is a fearful doom. It would be righteous in God to give it to every sinner. But oh ! it is glad tidings— It is good news to be told that God is merci- ful in Jesus Christ— that He willeth not the death of sinners, but rather that they should come to re- pentance and live. You have read these precious words of Scripture— "God so loved the world that He gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever be- Jieveth in Him should not perish, but have everlast- m^ life," stored to his MOSES' PRAYER. 29 fiere, my young friends, is infinite mercy— here is boundless love. What are the guilty children of men Axfu should have dealt so kindly with .them ? When angels sinned— higher and more exalted beincrg than man— God shewed no mercy to them. He cast them down, to be reserved in chains of darkness to the^ judgment of the great day. But, when man sinned, Jie said—" Let him not go down to the pit, I have tound a ransom." And what a wonderful ransom i His own Son, equal, eternal, almighty as Himself. And Jesus willingly, cheerfully, came to be the ran- som. «a lay down my life," He said, "that I might take It again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay It down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." He died to satisfy divme justice— to make reconciliation for iniquity— to bring m an everlasting righteousness.* And now God is waiting to bestow, mercy on all that believe in Jesus Christ, and love Him. "He that believeth in the Son of God hath everlasting life; he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." None wm be without mercy who come to Jesus. Mauy children have been known to love the Saviour to rest on Him, and to die in peace and joy. I have known such, and I have read of such. I will mention one instance.. She was a dear little child, and for some time before she was taken sick she felt that she was a sinner, and that she needed the Saviour for a triend. Day after day would p,he go to her little room and kneel down, and pray^ with tears, that God would torgive her sins, and not take her out of the world r~- ^Kft^watw-. 30 r ! i;i i MOSES* PRAYElt. before her new heart had come to her. When she became ill, she was told that she soon must die. She begged her father not to weep, for she was going to her dear Redeemer. She heard the Scriptures read ; she her.rd her father pray ; and with a pleasant smile, she stretched out her little hands to bid her father farewejl, and closed her bright eyes in death, singing that beautiful hymn — "Jesus can make a dying bed, Soft as downy pillows are. " Her body was left, but her glorious spirit went up to God. This little girl had mercy, and so may you— each one of you — if you believe in Jesus, and pray to God, for Jesus' sake, to be merciful to you. There is noth- ing you more need : if you have not mercy from God, you are lost for ever. You have nothing to offer to God for His goodness — you deserve nothing that is good from Him. Your prayer, and that of ever^^ one who enters heaven, must be this prayer, uttered with the heart, " God be merciful to me a sinner." Some people have very proud hearts and think they have no need of mercy ; but God resisteth the proud — they shall have nothing at his hands but everlasting de- struction. They who cry for mercy will receive all that is good : God gives grace to the humble. If you seek mercy, my young friends, you will re- ceive — 1. 7%e pardon of all your sins. There are many ..:ns written against you in the book of God's remembrance. You have been sinning day after day. Look into your MOSEs' fRAYER. 81 own.hearts— think of your past lives, short as they may yet have been, and you cannot but feel that you have many a time indulged evil thoughts; and many a time Bpoken bad words ; and many a time told lies ; and many a time profaned the Sabbath, and cared not for all the kind words and counsels which your parents and teachers have addressed to you. Remember how often you have laid aside your Bible, because you loved it not, and had no desire to hear the voice of God— how many days you have spent without prayer— how many profane oaths some of you have uttered— how great and frequent has been your disobedience to your parents. All these things God has marked and recorded against you. And what can you expect, if your sins are not forgiven ? What but death ? I am sure you would all shrink from this. Then seek mercy, that you may be cleansed from your sins in the blood of Jesus. " The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." God will cast all your transgressions into the depth of the sea, so that you will have nothing to fear. You will enjoy God's favour. There will be nothing to make Him hide his face from you. I remember a good man saying on his death-bed, as he took hold of his minister's hand— "Now I can, with as much pleasure, take hold of death by its cold hand. You may won- der at this, for I see and believe myself to be most un- worthy ; but, at the same time I see Christ to be my great sacrifice for sin ; and faith in his blood gives me comfort. I see myself to be all vile and polluted ; but I see Christ as the fountain opened, and faith in Him supports me under a sense of my vileness." 2, When God bestows mercy, Be gives a heart to 3d M0SE8* PRAYER. i I lov6 and serve Rim. This is a great blessing, for Goa 18 ft holy God, and heaven is a holy place, and nothing that IS unholy can enter into his presence. The Bible Hays, "Without holiness no man can see the Lord " iSow, you do not naturally love holy things—you de- light in doing that which is sinful, and why? Because you have wicked hearts by nature— you were born sin^ ners. You cannot make your hearts good— you can- not keep them good. God alone can do it by his Spirit • and He l^as given the promise, "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean ; from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you A new heart also will I give you and a right spirit will . put withm you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them." This mean? that if you 4 and ask for mercy, God will change your heart, aSd make you delight in that which is good. A minister was once visiting a little girl, about ten years of age when she was apparently dying. She asked him to' read the conversation between Christ and Nicodemus about the new birth. He was much struck at her teeble voice asking him to read such an important pas- sage from the Bible. He then inquired if she knew what was meant by being born again.—" Sir," she said, It 18 to get a new hea/t." « And who can give you a new heart ? is it man ?" " No." « Is it angels ?" No; It 18 the Spirit of God only who can give it." iTj" 'iTm *" ■* ^"'^ "^""oi-^i iis^tJu, " are you atraid of death ?" " Oh ! no," she answered. "Why ?" "The jIOSES* PRAYEtt. 33 blood of Christ l^kes away from me the fear of death." A- ,»^?.'V*^'^^ ?'^*y°" «^'^^^ g« *« heaven when ffWv, . >^ ^?/^'^' '^'^- " ^^^ ^h^t makes you think that?" "Because Jesus hath said, 'in my Fathers house are many mansions ; if it were not so^ I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where J am there ye may be also.' » '' ' T ^' 7^^^"" ^""^ ^""^^ ""^^^3^' He bestows eternal life.-^ is not this, too, a great blessing ? What is this life compared with life in heaven? Dear children, you, and I, and al must die, because we are sinners. We must all go down into the grave, for it is written- JJust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return." The king and the beggar, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, all must die. But Chris't will raiJe thf dead again; not all, however, in the same state. You remember the story in the history of Joseph, about the chef butler and the chief baker. They'^were taken out of pnson at the same time, but the one to be honoured, and the other to be hanged. So Christ says "Marvel not at this, for the hour is comin<. when nl'J'l'^M^ *^t ^^'^ «h^" h^- his "CanS come forth; they that have done good to the resur rection of life and they that have done evTto the resurrection of damnation." Would you not wish to be raised to the resurrection of life ? Then sepk f »,« mercy o God through Jesus Christ, for theroSv who are Christ's shall rise to eternal life "I am^' Re says, "I am the resurrection and the life;Te' that beheveth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he u . MbSfis' PEAYfifti live. When a little girl was dying, her sister said to her— ' To all appearance, my dear, your body must soon return to the dust, and your spirit to God who gave it." She Answered «0h! yes, I know they ^ n\, JF^*" ®^®*^^ ^^^^^' " ^°®» *^a* thought trouble you ? She inquired, « What thought ?" " That your body must soon be mingling with the dust." She answered, «'0h ! no, not at all, for you know that the grave is the place appointed for us all. Dust we are, and unto ^ust we must return. I can lay down my body in the hope of a joyful resurrection." Hearing her grandmother say, " O death, where is thy sting O grave, where is thy victory?" she added, "Thanks 'be to God, who giveth me the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." The last day she spent on earth was a day of hard struggling with death, but it was a day of heavenly enjoyment to her soul. In the morning it was thought she would not speak again, when sud- denly she exclaimed, " Angels are come for me. Jesus IS with me. Jesus is precious." Here her voice failed. Presently she cried, "Jesus is preciouj. * JJy Jesus to know, and feel his blood flow Tis life everlasting, 'tis heaven below.' I am happy, happy." She expired immediately without a struggle or a sigh. You see then, my young friends, how precious a benefit mercy from God is, and what blessings are con- tained in it. Let me now say to you Ix. That you ought to seek this ''early." Moses taught the young Israelites to pray. " satisfy us kOSES PRAYfetl. 35 early with thy mercy." And so should you pray.— You are all sinners by nature— you all need mercy and you cannot ask it too soon. Does not Jesus say! 1 love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me." Perhaps some of you may ba saying "I will seek mercy— I will attend to the coiT cerns of my soul at some more convenient season." But - how do you know that this convenient season will ever come to you 1 When the time shall come at which you propose to seek mercy, are you sure that you will be ahve ? Do not the young die as well as the old ? One beautiful morning in summer, a little boy was playing J" *f 6 green, at his father's door. The 'dew, which liad fallen thick, was hanging in large drops upon the long grass, and on the flowers, and shining like little globes of pearl in the sun. The boy was greatly delighted with the drops of dew. He was called into the house; on coming out the dew was dried up and gone. He asked his father whither it had gone ? His father told him that the sun had chased it away. J^ather, said the little boy, " was the sun angry with the dew-drops?" " No," replied the father. Shortly atter, there was a cloud, and a rainbow was seen reflected from its dark bosom. " My dear child," said the father, "you see yon rainbow? In that glorious bow are the drops which you admired. There they shme, the jewels of the sky, and the foot of man shall not trample on them more. Now learn, my child, that what withers on earth may bloom in heaven." The father Till "'-\-^- •""• •'■^ ^'-' F"*- "^» icHHuii into practice, iur his little child sickened and died, and like an early dew-drop was drawn up by the Sun of Righteousness to heaven! d6 UdSES^ l^RAtilt. ' Be warned, then, my young friends, that you may die soon. I^et me ask yon, where "are some of tliose who began the race of life with you last year ? They are gone. They have left this earth. Disease came upon them— their friends were anxious about them— they did all they could to keep them alive ; but God had otherwise determined, and his will must be done. They pined away, and withered, and died.— And if you were to go to the churchyard, you would find the grass growing upon their graves. Perhaps some of you may be taken away by death during this year on which you have now entered. Which of you it may be, is uncertain, but God knoweth, and regarding one or more of you, He may have said, " This year thou shalt die." O ! do not delay to cry for mercy. " Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Be earnest now in seeking the salvation of your souls — give your hearts to Jesus— perseveringly ask Him to make them good, and then you will not be afraid to die but will rejoice that you are going to be for ever with the Lord. III. Let me remind you, lastly, of the benefit aris- ing from receiving mercy at the hands of God. "O, satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may be glad and rejoice all our days." The mercy of God in Jesus Christ is satisfying to the soul. You have read what Jesus said to the woman of Samaria, whom He met at Jacob's well " Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again ; .. .,,, Ul iiliV.Ci/ii lii uuc TTa,L~i liXiaS/ X iSIlcUl iilVQ him, shall never thirst ; but the water that I shall give MOSES PRAYER. 37 him shall be m him a well of water springin;? up into everlasting life." The world cannot satisfy the soul. You may have wealth, and possessions, and all things that the natural heart desires; but all of them com- bined cannot fill the mind of man with real satisfaction and delight. The one grand thing is wanting-the favour of God. If you have that, sin is taken away --batan has no power to condemn you. If you have tUat, Orod IS at peace with you ; and is not that enough for you? If you have his mercy in Christ, He wi 1 make all things work together for your good He win satisfy all your desires ; and though you may have afflictions and adversity, and meet with unkind- ness in the world, God will be your friend, and notli- iDg will come to you but what is for your good. Happy IS the people whose God is the Lord." " You will be glad and rejoice all your days." Many people think themselves happy because they have earthly pleasures and comforts around them : but if they have not the mercy of God-if their sins are not torgiven-if their hearts are not made holy, their mirth is foolish-it will end in eternal misery. Nofte are truly happy but they who can look up to heaven and say, "The God that dwelleth there is mine in covenant Jesus who sits upon the throne is my Saviour. ' That will sweeten every trial, and lighten every burden, and ease the mind under every trouble You have read the 23rd Psalm, how David could sing - The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my souf He leadeth me m in the paths of righteousness, for :i=t aatrtT-i>f-i,j.»,-y. .jy , 38 MOSES' PRAYER. his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, fo? Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staflf they com- fort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house cf the Lord forever." Why could David use these words ? It was because he had been satisfied with the mercy of God. And so may you sing the same! words with the heart, if you make this your constant prayer — "r>h! satisfy us early with thy mercy." Then, wh'ether you are taken away in youth, or live to old age, you will be glad and rejoice all your days. May God, in his infinite mercy, grant this to each 6i yon, for Jesus' sake — is the earnest prayer of My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexaistder ToPP. Toronto, .tst January, 2€6C, THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. My Dear Young Friends,— I wish you many happy years. I mean, years spent m the service of Christ; for that is true happE If you continue in sin, loving si>, and committLTt I want to set before you at the commencement of this new year, an example for your imitation. It L the best example which you can follow-.tho examole "Thn?.^"'' ^'!i '''^ '^ ^^^ i^ hi« early dTys The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit; bein.^ mie^d with wisdom; and the grace It God was upoS You were born sinners, but Jesus Christ was free from sin. He was a holy child. There were no evU dispositions m his heart. He loved God his Father supremely. He had no desire after sin He never indulged one evil thought. He never spoke oneTd wlL f '''''''■ ^««^^i««d one act of iniquity. Which of you can say that you have never sinned Ir 1 were to trn anA orx«r.U A-< xu- -^ . , .. .^^ ' vr-.A^ +!,« "" °" ""t "P r, "'' ""^ youngest child that r'^^ds these pages, I would tell that child that he is a . 39 40 THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. sinner — he has, by nature, a wicked heart— he is in clined to evil ; and if God does not change that child's heart, he will grow up in the love and the practice of sin, preparing for a place in the abodes of darkness and misery. But God has promised to change your hearts, if you ask Him, and then you will be like Christ. It is a blessed thing for young people when this can be said of them. God will be their Father. He will watch over them, and protect them, and do them g6od continually. He will love them and de- light to bless them, and when He takes them out of this world, He will make them eternally happy in the enjoyment of his presence.in heaven. Through the mercy of God sparing you, you have been brought to seethe beginning of another year. And I cannot tell (but God and your own consciences know) whether you are yet wicked and rebellious against Him, or whether you have given yourselves to the service of Jesus. But surely it is painful to see young people, as they grow up, instead of becoming more concerned about salvation, only remaining neg- lecters of their souls, hardened and daring in sin. This is painful to their parents, painful to good people around them, and what is worse than .il, it is bringing ruin and destruction upon themselves. Suppose I were to cake you into a garden in the time of summer, when the flowers are springing up in all their beauty and freshness, or out into the fields when the crops are upon the ground, and if I were to ask you how these flowers and these crops grew, you would tell me that it was because God caused them, and the rain to descend and water them. la The ciiiLDnooD op jesus. a i J'-fre manner it is God w},o rnakos you c^row un h. 1 • "<^rcy ..pa,.ng you, a:,.] tho horn c^^; J hfs ^"^ •' lier, pressed her trattei ' II r ^^r^f.^"^^«' ^^ho loved propa^ion foVetn^ Sh'^Viirn S'^t '^^* ?ion as altogether unnecessary t.^, \T\ *^ ^^^^■ time would ime >vhen t Tou'^^d be of ^t '' V^'-' ^ portance.to her but thaf fi, the greatest im- .he ahvays re^Mod ittit a"^' Ce "tZ C^"!,- eeives many a younff ner^nn « i i 7 i' 7, ^ ^^**" ^«- is too late/and'thTy^Si::^^^^^^^^^ '^ f i ^^ ease fell .upon this youn^ fpmnl7 \ ^ ^^""^ ^^ ^i«- bed of sicWssX ?rl:r h^f/h^^^^ opportunity of renewin" tL,v ^ '* "^^^ ^ goo'''. he tu?e of a bad Lrsat " I do '■ renr'T*?°« '" ^""P" made a bad bargain, when he ,'nl,lt i''-''.,'"'^ ' " ''^»»« messofpottag^r- A to n^oy s "d "t'f ' '"^'* a bad bargain, when he »„i,j 1 • r ■ .' ''^"''^*^ ™ade of silver."" A tifrd saM 'I i'' ^"'''^ *T ""'"'y P'^'^^' makesabadto^at ;;„ to ±" ,''"\"1 """ ^e loses his own soul " Tl !'k P *''^ ""hole world, and, I hope, wrLabW ' otlWU ''t.Z '?"* ' the same truth, and I trust ZTV ^^^ also know you will never for..et it nf 2% T ^^""^ ^"^"^s, all your hearts. sll^\ri" «««k salvation with said, "Happy is the mT/hf/^- T!? ^"'^ ^^ ^«^ael, -an that |elth unXXX"^^^^^ *-^^ cipal thing, therefore get wisdom anrl •fi^nP"''- getting, get understanding Hea'r ye IJ^ I] '" !?^ instruction of a father." ' ^ children, the This wisdom is to be obtained fn ^ ^h. b-ui ., most precious of all books God b«?^ '' ^^^* that you may know his will ^dll ^'"".f'^^oyou way of life. It tells vn„ Ti ^"'^^^ ^^ ^^e and rise to heaven The rn« IT" T^ ^'^ ^''^^ ^^^11 ^r ?- i!!-? B?bre,Tirr:„tl? :- -: z • i ' I 44 THE CHILDHOOD OP JESUS. and I hope others who value Christ and his salvation, will pray for you, that God may give you light and understanding to see your sinful and dangerous state. All good people love the Bible, and esteem the know- led f^e of it more precious than all the riches of the earth. You remember that when Solomon became king of Israel, God requested him to choose anything that he pleased, and he would give it to him. What was the choice Solomon made ? Some of you could answer 'at once. He asked wisdom and knowledge, and God said to him, "Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, or the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life, but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people over whom I have made thee king, wisdom and knowledge is granted unto tliee, and I will give thee riches, and honour, and wealth, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like." Here was God reward- ing him even in this life for the choice, the good choice that he made. David his father says in the 119th Psalm, " Oh ! how I love thy law, it is my mediation all the day. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart." And you all know what Paul said of Timothy, that, " from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus." Now, let me ask you, my young friends, are you, IB you become older, gaining true wisdom ? Have y^ou a greater knowledge of the Scriptures, and are THE CHILDHOOD OP JESUS. 46 you praying God to bless i>hat knowledge to you ? Many of you, I trust, have parents who make it their tr,?f Wf P IfTxf *? ^r' "P°^ y^^^ attention the truths of God's Word; but if they do not, they arc very guilty, and God will reckon with them for their conduct in the great day of judgment. Many of you ^ too, come to the Sabbath school, and have the means of instruction there. What improvement are you making of these means? Do you take more delight m hearing about Christ, in knowing about Him in more'o5V?i? \^f' '^ ''''' you are able tl^Wu more of the things that are related in the Bible, but ttsdoiT "T^ ^"^ ^"" ^r^ '^''^- Thi« i« *rue 'Tannv «. T ^T^ *h^«« ^^ings," said Jesus, happy are ye if ye do them." Happiness is to be got not in knowing what the Bible reveals, but in do- tuends, that if you are not made better by the know^ anZZZT T'r"^-, "J°re free from sin, more anxious to fear God, and keep his commandments more holy than other children who have not the sTrn^ you'and'o'f f "'" r^^ ""' '''' "^^^^^« ^' condemning S to ?b! T ""'"^'S^ ^^^' conscience at last. Jesul said to the Jews, as He says to all who hear the gospel, nnf 1, A ' ''''^ ''^'"^ ^"^ «P^ken to them, they had not had sm, but now they have no cloak for^he'r II. If you would be like Jesus, seek that the grace of God may be in your hearts. You are told riaX^ So"' Sr-'^Tr" ^^-^\"The grace of God ••.::i upon Him. This means that the Holy Spirit dwelt ?f-=^- 46 THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUti. 1 like Christ, have in Him. Now, childreh who g the Holy Spirit in their hearts, and there is no greater blessincr you can ask for yourselves, or any can ask for you, than this. Without the grace of God you are still dead in his sight-you have hearts full of wicked- ness, and God cannot dwell in them. Would you like to have souls in which God is not ? Would you wish to have hearts, like the ungodly, in whose thoughts God is not? Surely none of you would wish this to bo your state. But let me say to you, because God says it, whether you believe it or not, that this is your state, till the Spirit of God takes away the hard and stony heart out of your flesh, and gives you hearts ot flesh. You cannot be the children of God till your hearts are changed by the Spirit— you cannot call G od your Father— you cannot receive any spiritual bless- ing And, oh.! remember that He is as willing to give you the Spirit, as you can be to *sk Him. Be earnest, then, in prayer for new hearts. "I would rather," said a little girl, "have the love of God, and the grace of God in my heart, than n!1 the riches of the earth." There is nothing more beautiful m a child, or any other person, than grace. Some are proud of their beauty, but it will soon fade. Grace will never tade. Others are proud of their health, but it may be soon taken away. God may soon lay them on the bed ot sickness or of death, but He will never take away his grace— it will only shine more brightly in affliction, and make you happy when your body is m trj)uble. You may be proud of riches, but you juay soon ^^^e them, and become poor. Job was a rich man, but m THE CHILDHOOD OF JE8U8. 47 one day God took away- all that he had ; but you can never lose grace. It will remain with you, and pre- pare you for heaven, tor grace always ends in glory, and there can be no glory without it. Let me entreat you, then, in conclusion, my dear young friends, to seek wisdom and grace above every other thing. God is doing much for you to bring you into his family. He has given you the Bible to teach you the way of everlasting life. He has in infinite love sent his Son to die for you. Will you trample on such love 1 Oh ! think of Jesus shedding his blood upon the cross, to open up a fountain in which you may be washed and made clean. Will you not wash in it and have all your sins taken away 1 He offers - u a spotless robe of righteousness, even the righteuusness of Christ. Will you not take it, that you may be ac- cepted of God, and become his dear children ? He promises his Spirit, to give you new hearts. Will you not pray earnestly for his Spirit ? Jesus eomes to you and knocks at the door of your hearts. Will you open the door to sin, and not to Jesus 1 Oh ! how wicked and ungrateful are you, if ycu do so ! He has given you parents, who, I hope, every day entreat you to love God, and pray for you. He puts it into the hearts of kind teachers to employ their time on Sab- bath evenings to give you knowledge and understand- ing of the Scriptures, and shew you the good and the right way. Will you grieve and discourage them, after all their kindness, by slighting their instruction, by eiv- mg yourselves to sin and folly 1 God warns you, too: by every msLance of death among your young acquaint- ances, that you also may be soon removed by death. 4d THE CHILDHOOD OP JESUS* And if you are not his children by faith in JesuS Christ, how wretched must you be after death ! Be wise then, and with this, the commencement of a new year, begin now, if you have not already done so, to seek and serve the Lord. May God give you grace to do this— may He keep you from evil, and preserve you to his heavenly kingdom— is the earnest prayer of, My dear young friends, •Yours affectionately in the Gospel of Christ, ALE3LA.NDER TOPP. Toronto, January 1, 1861, LITTLE SAMUEL; OR, THE MINISTERING CHILD. My Dear Young Friends, Kpl^'f i' *^® first day of another year, and you have hlfi. If ^T ^''°.*^''' ^^^ '^«*^^« a^d companions by the hand, and saying to each of them, "I wish vou a happy new year " Now, though I cannot take^aS of you by the hand and say these words to you, yet I sincerely wish you a happy year, and th.t yoi may be spared many years, if it is God's will, to love Him You are all thankful, I am sure, that you are the living before God this day. He has preserved your irom death. You have known some boys or eirls as young as yourselves -some who went to thf same school, and with whom you were accustomed to play --seized by the cold hand of death, and carried away to the place whence they shall not return. Sr parents and friends wf>nf Vnr- tho-i -n^ ^- - beon.orry >,„o, but thTirtia.f Sd^'iraTS 66 LITTLE SA-MUEL; Oft, their bodies were laid in the dark and silent grave, their spirits returned to God who gave them. You will see them no more till the morning of the resur- rection dawns. Why has not the same happened to you ? We cannot tell. It is God's good pleasure to keep you alive. Perhaps some of you who read this may have been very ill during the past year. Your friends were afi^aid that you would not recover, and you may have thought so too. But God has removed the trouble,^ and you are again in health and strength. Give praise to God for his goodness. And let all of you who have been in health give thanks to God. It is He who casts down and raises up — who kills and makes alive — who wounds and heals, and there is none that can deliver out of his hands. I want you to consider for what end God spares you. It is not that you may seek your own pleasure, but that you may learn to serve Him and do his will. You have all read the parable of Jesus Christ about the fig-tree : " A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard : and he came and sought fruit there- on, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold these three years I come seek- ing fruit on this fig-tree and find none. Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground ? And he answering said unto him. Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it. And if it bear fruit, well, and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."— Luke xiii. 6-9. We are here taught that, in answer to the intercession of Jesus Christ, God spares us,^but we cannot tell how long, that we may bring forth fruit to Him. He surrounds us with many blessings, and *rHfi MINISTERING CHILD. M ere is none in answer vrlth the means of grace, that we may be drawn away from the service of sin into his own holy and blessed service. Now you cannot begin too early to pursue the great end of your being. If I were to ask you, Whajt-is the chief end of man ? You would all answer, " Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever." The subject of my present addr* s to you will be about one of whom you have ofl . ■. ad, and who began very early to serve God. " S . - : ministered before the Lord being a child." And I write to you with the earnest desire and prayer that you may be taught and enabled by the Holy Spirit to follow his. example. Before proceeding to tell you what he did, there is something which I wish to say to you about him. He was given to his parents in answer to prayer. His mother, whose name was Hannah, was a very pious woman, one who feared the Lord, and because the Lord heard her prayer, she came up with her husband Elkanah to the yearly feast at the tabernacle in Shiloh, and consecrated her son to the service of God. " For this child," she says, '•' I prayed, and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him. There- fore, also, have I lent him to the Lord ; as long as he . liveth, he shall be lent to the Lord." Samuel, then, was given to the Lord from his birth. It is a great blessing when mothers dedicate their children to the Lbrd, from whom they receive them; when they pray with and for them, and labour to bring them up from their infannv in fh^ f'^n^- of (^oA ^h^rt^h-^ f -> child knew the .Holy Scriptures, which were able to make him wise unto salvation through faith that is in 52 Little samuel; ott, Christ Jesus. The prayers and godly instructions ot his mother were largely blessed to him, so that he grew up, knowing the truth, and serving the Lord. Many who have lived happily in the enjoyment of Christ as their portion, and have at last died in the Lord, liave had to thank their mothers for the pray- erful diligence anr" the faithfulness with which they sought to instruct them in the way of life. Surely the example of Hannah should teach parents, and especi- ally mothers the duty of seeking to bring their chil- dren to ChHst in their infan(»y, and of imploring Him to bless them, and make them his own. He Himself gives them every encouragement to do this when He says, " Suffer little children to come unto me, and for- bid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." And does He not teach us the deep interest He feels in the young when He said to Peter, just as He was about to as'^end to his throne in heaven, "Feed my lambs," meaning the young and tender ones of his flock. I remember the affecting language of a good man, when he was very old and just going to die : "When I was a little child," he says, "my mother used to bid me kneel beside her, and placed her hand upon my head while she prayed. Before I was old enough to know her worth she died, and I was left very much to my own guidance. Like others, I was inclined to evil passions, but often felt myself checked and drawn back by the soft h«nd upon my head. When I was a young man, I tia/elled in for- eign lards, and was exposed to many temptations, but when I would have yielded, the same httud was upon my head, and I was saved. I seemed to, feel its pres- THE MINISTERING CHILD. 53 sure, as in the days of my happy infancy, and some- times there came a voice with it in my heart,— a voice that must be obeyed,-' Oh ! do not this wickedness and sm against God.' " If mothers would always act thus, how blessed would their children be ! God will answer their prayers in his own way and time. They ' ""^I • l^.^,^^'''" ^ ^"""^ ^' *^«"gh He heard them not —their children may reject their counsels and live on m forgetfulness of God, but their prayers are remem- bered before the throne on high, and never shall the earnest believing prayer go without its answer. A ^lous mother, about sixty years since, had a prodigal son. He was very wicked, and notwithstanding 111 her prayers and efforts, he continued to follow the bent of his own evil inclinations. Ho was about to leave f W .r^' l""'' ^^ 7^^^ determined to go to sea, thinking that thus he would have more freedom to be wicked As a last resource, she put a Bible in his chest, offer- ing up at the same time a prayer to God for his blessing on it Year after year passed away and noth- ing was heard of the wandering sailor. But the eye to ^Z T^^'^:'' ^i r' "^^°^ ^""' ^- «^- -nt^nued calfp7. •/"• ^>^'^' *"^^" ^^^^^' ^ clergyman was called to visit a dying sailor. He found him peni- fiTb r ^.^'K^r'^ *^ ?^- ^' ^'^^ ^ ^ hi« possession a Bible, which he said had been given him by a dyinc s upmate, who, departing out of this life, in the hopo of btZ' &7 ^* *f 'p-n^*' ^''^ P^^'^"^-^ ^^--"«- ^" the Mn 1, if .^""^ *^' ^'^^^^ '^^' ^^^'^"^'^ the name of John Marshall, the pious mother's prodio.l son H^ 4'- tile brother of Mrs. Isa],ena GiahamV who writes some beautiful excellent books. Let parents be en LITTLE SAMUEL; OR, couraged from this to persevere in praying for their children, however wicked they may be, for He is the hearer and the answerer of prayer, and He can humble and subdue any heart by the power of his "Word and Spirit. Samuel, ^s I have said, was a child of prayer, and we read about him that " he ministered before the Lord being a child." His father belonged to the tribe of Levi. This tribe was set apart for the service of the sanctuary. They were the priests — the ministers of the Lord. And when it is written that Samuel ministered before the Lord, ihe meaning, is that he. was employed in some way or other in the service pf the tabernacle where God was worshipped. The high priest's name at that time was Eli. He was a good old man, but he had two sons who were very wicked. " They made themselves vile, and he restrained them not." Eli should have warned and corrected them — he should have told them of the guilt and danger of their conduct. Perjiaps he did so. But he should have done more. He should have commanded them, and used his authority to keep them in the right way. He was vefy wrong in allowing them to go on in their profane and ungodly habits, especially when they were engaged about the service of the sanctuary. But God is a jealous God. He would not permit them to continue to defile his service. You know the dread- ful punishment he inflicted upon them for their pro- fanity. The Philistines came up to war against Israel, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, went forth with tho children of Israel to battle. They im= piously took with them the ark of (jrod, thinking that THE MINISTERING OHILD. 65 if they had the ark they would be safe and sure of vic- tory. But they had no right tq take the ark without the command of God and He was so displeased that He allowed the Philistines to prevail. Israe- was smitten, and the ark was taken, and both the sons of Eh were slain It is written in the Bible, and you should never forget it, that the enemies of God, all who do wickedly shall perish. They shall be punished with everlasting destruction from' the presenc^. oMhe Lord 'and from the glory of his power. fcsamuelrairistered before the Lord." He was em fl,7r .K "" *i^^ tabernacle under the directions ox Eli the father of these two wicked young men, buohe d d not loin with them in their evil .^.oin|s. They would Ikh them ' '""^ '^°'^- "^^ "°"^^ ^^* ^^ My young friends, you have in the conduct of Sam- uel an example for your imitation. You may be at times, in places where you see people committing ^in profaning the Lord's day, or taking God's name in w' or despising his ordinances, or doing such like wicked • things, and you may be tempted to take part with them in their ungod^ways, for your hearts are, by nature in c ined to sm, but you should remember Ihat the waya pray to God to keep you by his Holy Spirit, to deliver you when you are tempted. Y ou will say wi'th Joseph God ?" Tho ^" *^ ^r ' -iekedness, and sin agaS ^odf Those who do not care abnuf. their -o-l- ."a7f rthe^r^i r" •'/ '^'^y taken in° the snare of the devil, but if you wish to have the 56 LITTLE SAMUEL ; OR, favour of God, and to be happy, both here and hereafter, you will beware of ungodly conir panions. You will turn away from them. David, who served the Lord from his youth, says in one of his Psalms, " Depart from me, all ye evil-doers. I will keep the commandments of my God." It waa the advice of an aged good man, who rose to be a judge in the country, to a young lad of sixteen, who once came fco see him, to beware of being led astray by the exaipple or persuasions of others, for he said, " If I had listened to the advice of some who called thei i- selves my friends, when I was young, instead of being a judge, I would have been a criminal in prison." And I remember reading of a little boy, who was one day going to the Sabbath school. He met one of his companions, who endeavoured to persuade him not to go, but to come and amuse himself in the fields. The boy put away the temptation and went to school. When this came to be kiiown by his teachef , and the boy was asked why he did not yield to the urgent en- treaties of his companions, he answered. Because I have read in my Bible, " My son, if sinrers entice thee, con- sent thou not." Here was a boy who not only read his Bible, and remembered what lie read, but who sought to obey it. And I hope it wil be so with all of you. Samuel, then, was not like the wicked sons of Eli. He must have observed their wickedness, but he did not follow their ways. He had been taught by his mother the knowledge of God, and having had a new heart given to him, he resisted all temptations, and ministered before the Lord. And so, if you would be like Samuel, and I hope you love* to imitate good ex- ^fii; MINISTERING CHILD. 67 ftmple, you will remember the pious instructions which you receive from your parents and 'others. You will attend to what the Bible commands you, and praying that God would change your hearts and enable you to believe m Christ and obey Him, you will delight in the service of God too. You may not be employed in the same way as Samuel, but you may have the spirit of Samuel. You may be serving God as truly as he did. Do you ask, « In what way V I will try to tell you. ?n \d{ ^*''' ^""^^^ ^? ^'^^ ®*"^"^^ yo^ ^ill delight in the house and worship of God. It is very painful arnwn'"^ how careless some young people, and even grown-up people, are about attending the public wor- ship of God They will stay away from churchTor the most tnfling excuses, and often without any excuse whatever. This is a sure evidence that the/ do not love God, and Jesus Christ, the Saviour, and is not that a fearful state to be in? Paul, the apostle, says ''If aiiy man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha," *.«., accursed when the- Lord • rZtl.V^^^''^''^''^^' «y«^loveanyone,wili;ou with him, and trying to please him ? So, if you reallv reiiQwahip with Him in his house of prayer David «ap the 84th Psaloi, in these words%L:i. you ^[r How lovelv is thy dw^Tlin" -nU^r. ♦ Lord of hosts to me, The tabernacles of thy grace. How pleasant, Lord, they be. VM. pili; n 58 LITTLE SAMUEL ; OR, . For in thy courts one day excels A thousand, rather in My God's house will I keep a door Than dwell in tents of sin. God has promised to bless those who wait upon Him in his ordinances, and I could tell you many instances of the happiness and benetit of attending the worship of God. I will just relate one that I have heard. A little girl, who had found much pleasure and advan- tage in going regularly to the house of God once said to a gentleman who seldom or never went to church, " Sir, why do you not go to church ? 1 am sure that such as you need food as well as myself. " "Pray, who feeds youl" he replied; "and what kind of food do you re- ceive at church 1 " She answered, " Sir, it is God who feeds me there, and his word is the food that I am supplied with, and I assure you that though my mother, being very poor, is sometimes scarcely able to give me food to eat, yet fed as I am every Sabbath by the bread of life, I never know what the pangs of hunger are." The gentleman, astonished at what he liearcl from the little girl, resolved from that time to attend the service of the sanctuary, and adhered to his determination, feeling and confessing the great pleas- ure and profit arising from a constant attendance on the means of grace. Here was a little girl not only ministering before the Lord herself, but blessed to be the means of bringing another, much older, to do the same. II. If you would be like Samuel, ministering before the Lord, you will delight in the Word of God. I be- ^fi' THE MINISTERING CHILD. 59 hevc that he sought and loved to know God, else he would have had no pleasure in the service which he had to perform. Now, you have the Bible in your possession Who gave it you ? Was it not God ? And lor what purpose has He given it ? It is that you may learn about Jesus Christ and the way of salvation through Him, and if you do not love the Bible it is a sign that you do not care about the salvation of your souls. It IS the Bible alone that can direct little chil- dren, or any one, to heaven, and point the way to the land of promise. You read that David, wh^n he was young, as well as when he was old, delighted in read- ing and meditating upon the word of God "Oh» how I love thy law ! it is my meditation all the day" It is more precious than gold, yea much fine gold! sweeter also than honey and the honey-coSiJb » You are told also that Josiah, though he was a kin- and very young when he came to the throne reioiced that part of the Bible was found, and then wept Xn H was read m his hearing. Why did he weep i It was because the Bible told him of his own sins, and of the sins of his people. He was sorry that he had offended God, and he cried for grief. But though the Bible tells you of your sins, it informs you also how your sins may be taken away. Jesus died to atone for sin He 18 the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, and if you believe in Him and obey Him his blood will cleanse you from all your sins. There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Enimanuel's veins, ' And sinners plunged beneath that flood liose all their guilty stains. it LITT E SAMUEL; OR, Timothy, I have already reminded you, knew the Scriptures from a child. A young King of England, when he had been crowned, and presented with three crowns, to signify that he was king of three countries, said, "I want one sword yet, and when asked what that one was, he replied, "The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." A master cahod together four of his workmen on a New Year's day that he might present them with a gift. It is customary for people to bestow gifts on that day, and you all like to receive them. When they came he informed them that he had provided for them ten shillings, or if they preferred it, a Bible. He at the same time strongly recommended the Bible. " The money," he said, "is of little consequence — you will soon have spent it — but the Word of God will always remain with you, and you will find in it consolation and the best advice." The eldest of the four said, "As for me, 1 would very much like the Word of God, but it would be of no use to me as I cannot read ; so, if you please, I shall take the ten shillings." " Oh," he replied, " if you prefer the money, here it is." The next two also, on some ground or other, chose the money. The master, then addressing himself to the youngest, advised him to take the Bible. " I would rather have it," he said, "and will read a chapter every day to my mother." He then gave him one of the four Bibles, and on opening it, he found four times as much money as each of the others had received. You see how he was rewarded even here for making a good choice. And this will remind you of Solomon's choice when the Tjnrd said i.ti.iv\r t T t Til, " Ask what I shall give thee." This was a large offer. THE MINISTERING CHILD. 61 And many would have asked very different thin^ quest Some might have asked riches, and others might have asked power. Some might have sou Jhf pleasure, and others again lonsr life BnV^nl^r^ was better guided. He^skerwl 'ot aifdlowrd^-^ -tae best things that he could possess. And tlan God said unto hin, "Because this was in thine heart ^elZf\T "°' '^^^^^ "^^^^' --^*h or honour, nor ■ life ht f . "? 'f ""?' ""^*^"^ y^^ h^«* a«ked long e but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself m^de X"eT"' J" t "^ T^^'' ^^'^ ^^^^ I have made thee king, wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee, and I will give thee riches and weafth and heerbefn"'?! "' "'^t"^ '^ ^''''^' ^^^^ ^^^ t^^-tWe the like. ' ' '""''^'' '^"" '^''' ^"^y ^^''' *h^^ I^ave tJip"/' ¥ ^'''' ^"^"^J^ ^^ ^'^^ ®^"^"^J' ministering before loht ,1 ^'' ^^" *^^^ '^'^'^^' i" prayer. God loves to hear the prayers of little children. " I love thim «^at love m^ and they that seek me early shautd me. You should seek God early and pray to Him because He is the fountain of all good and Hp fl^i can give you the blessings which yo'u n 1 You tve sts'^nf "1'"""^ ^^' to b/forgiven, elsrttle sms AMli crush you down to hell, and He alone .an pardon you for his Son's sake. You have al Ibv na^ Wed eW ^*^^^^,^-r*«' -d these hearts muTtTe —^--^, -_. .w»o. x>uw, xie alone can give vor arge offer. ■ new hearts and right spirits. You have all mafy temp x>ow, lie alone can give you 62 LITTLE SAMUEL ; OR, tations to resist. You are surrounded by evil on all sides, and you have much evil within you. God alone can keep you from the evil. Therefore, be earnest in prayer. He knows what you need, but He wants you to ash Him that He may do it for you ; and if you do not ask, you cannot receive. God knew well what Solomon needed, but He said unto him, " Ask what I shall give thee." Jesus knew well that blind Barti- meus needed his sight, yet He said unto him, " What wilt thou that I should do unto thee 1 " So, though God has^ promised to give you all good, and his Holy Spirit to teach you, and make you good, yet He says, "For all this will I be inquired of to do it for them." Pray then for every blessing, and especially for the Holy Spirit to change and sanctify your hearts. You know that the seed which is sown in the ground will not spring up and grow, except the rain and the dew descend, and the sun shine upon it — so there will noth- ing good grow up in your hearts, except the grace of God descend to plant and water it, and warm it, and make it grow. I hope, then, that you will be much in prayer, not only in the morning and evening, but frequently. If you are prayerless children, you will never get grace to serve God upon the earth, you will never attain to his glory in heaven. IV. If you would be like Samuel, ministering be- fore the Lord, you will love the commandments of God, and delight in keeping them.* This is the best and surest evidence that you are really ministering children of God and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. If we know what is right and pleasing to God, and THE MINISTERING CHILD, 63 yet are not endeavouring to do it, we are all the more guilty, and will have no excuse for our guilt in the day of judgment. Jesus died not only to take away your sins, but to make you holy. It is to turn men from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, that we preach the gospel. It is to make you good and obedi- ent to the will of God? hating sin and loving holiness, that your parents instruct you in the knowledge of tne' Bible at home, and that kind teachers devote them- selves to your instruction at the Sabbath school. When this effect is produced — when you are brought to forsake the ways of iniquity, and to take pleasure in doing what God commands— then only will you be really ministering before the Lord. A bad boy may hear, and may not forget ; but it is the distinguishing mark of good boys and girls that they are anxious to do God's will. You will recollect in the parable of our Lord that two sons were commanded by their father to go and work in his vineyard; the one did not refuse to go like the other. He said, " I go, sir," but he went not. So it is not those who learn and know the will of God,— not those who keep it in memory,— but thos6 who do, and love to do, what pleases God, that will reach heaven at last. They minister before Him on earth, and they shall minister before Him in heaven Now, my dear young friends, God calls you to begin to minister before Him from your earliest days. You know that He called Samuel. One night in the temple Eh had lain down in his place, his eyes being dim that he ^coula^not see. Samuel also had lain down to sleep, ^eiore the morning, while it was yet dark, the Lord called Samuel, and he answered " Here am I," He 64 LITTLE SAMUEL; OB, / thou,(?ht it was Eli who had spoken to him. But when he ran to him to learn what he wanted, Eli said to him, " I called not, lie down again." A second time the child hears a voice, "Samuel." He arose, and went to Eli, and said, "Here am I, for thou didst call me." But he answered, " I called not, my son, lie down again." A third time there was the same voice calling out ; " Samuel." The child rose once more and went to tell Eli. Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore, he said unto Samuel, "Go lie down ; and it shall be if He call thee that thou shalt say, 'Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.' ' So Samuel went and lay dov/n in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, " Samuel, Samuel." Then Samuel answered, " Speak, for thy servant heareth." Now, dear children, though you may not hear the voice of God, as when at midnight He spoke to Samuel in the Temple, yet He is calling you as truly as He called him. He is doing so in many ways and at many times. You have often been called already. Every time you read his word He is saying to you, "Son, daughter, give me thine heart." Whenever you see the funeral of any little boy or girl, He is call- ing you, and bidding you remember that though you are young, you may die too. Why then will you not give Him your heart, and. be prepared ? I*: very time you are invited by ministers, or your teachers, or your par- rents, or good people to choose the good and the right way, it is the voice of God calling you to do so. And Jesus, who loves little children, and said, " Of such is the kingdom of heaven," tells you, " Behold I stand at THE MINISTERING CHILD. 65 the door and knock." He is knocking at the door of your hearts now, whilst you read this, and conscience ^ys, you ought to open your hearts to Him, and the Holy Spirit bids you come to Him. And He is knock- Yeirin^r'n-*^'' ^^^' ^* *^" beginning of this New lear, and calhng upon you to consider that time is passing away, and that before the end of this veaL your bodies may lie mouldering in the grave. 0)1^ am I 5oTt^ aT. "T' ^^^ '^y '^ Hi°^' " Here am I, for Xhou didst call me. Take away my sinful heart, and give nie a heart to love Thee supremely! wash me from all my sins in thy blood— make me a ministering child before Thee-then, whether I Tive 1 shall live unto the Lord, or whether I die I shall dje^unto the Lord-wheth.r living or dyingl'sUJbe en«^?J *^^^ Holy Spirit incline, and persuade, and enable you thus to choose, without delay, Christ and his service, is the earnest prayer of, My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, • Alexander Topp. GOD : OUR FATHER AND GUIDE. Jill Hi liir My Dear Young Friends, — • I am ,glad to speak to you all again in this way. It is New Year's day; and I wish you all many happy years, if it be God's will to spare you. You are expecting an address from me, as usual at this season, and I shall take these words as the subject of it : "Wilt thou not from this time cry unto Me, my Father, Thou art the guide of my youth ? "—Jeremiah iii. 4. This verse, you will observe, is a question. Do you know who asks it^ It is God Himself; He asked it first of the Jews, and now He is putting the same question to every boy and girl — to every young person to whom his word has come. It is very kind and con- descending in God thus to speak to sinners, and to offer Himself as the Father and the Guide of the young. They are the only wise and happy who accept this offer. H§ will defend them from all evil on this earth. He will bless them throughout eternity. A lady, whose husband was captain of a vessel, heard of the wreck of thft vessel. She was in great distress fearing that he and ^lilll^e crew had perished. She OOD : OUR FATHER AND GUIDE. 67 had two little children, a boy and a girl, whom she had carefully endeavoured to instruct in thf^. principles of religion. Among other things, she had told them that they ought never to be overmuch grieved under losses while our Heavenly Father liveth. The little boy seeing his mother weep most bitterly, looked earnestly at her, and asked with great emotion, " (X mother, why do you weep so much ? U God dead?" " No, no," she said, but clasping both he.r children in her arms, exclaimed, "Your father is dead" "I thought," replied the child, " that God had been dead tor you have often told us not to cry whilst our Father m Heaven liveth." She felt the rep/oof-she received the consolation, and often told her friends that all the kind and sympathizing counsels she had received from her minister and pious acquaintances and rela- tives had not produced so strong an effect on her mind as the sensible and pointed admonition of her child This little boy was learning from his earliest days to cry unto God, " My Father," and a happv thing it was for him. He had lost his earthly father, but you know that David says, as all the children of God can say, " When my father and my mother foraake me the Lord will take me up." God would be a guide and support and counsellor to him, far better than any other friend. You may have kind earthly pa- rents, who seek to do you good, and to lead you in the right way, and you ought to be thankful for so f-reat a blessing ; but God is above all, and the best ot all fathers, and if you have not hearts tn Inve Jiod and serve Him, and be guided by Him, you will be unhappy in this world, and miserable for ever 68 god: our father and guide. when you die. No one upon the earth, however anxious he may be for your welfare, can s&\ ( your souls from hell — no one upon the earth can «Ieliver you from the power of Satan, and guide you in the way to heaven. 0( d aione can do so. And whether you have earthly parents sparrd to ycu, or tvhether they have been taken from jou by death, you Lave all need to take God as your'f ather. and you will be happy children indeed, if you ci'v, 'ach of you, from this time henceforth, "My Fati)'f>r '.Chou ^vilt be the guide of my youtli." I. You should choose God as your Father. 1st. Because He is your Creator. One of the first ques- tions thai little children &re taught is this. Who made you? You know the answer. You would all reply, " God."- Buc have you ever sincerely thought of this ? Or do you give the answer just because you have been taught by your parents or teachers to say so ? If you made anything yourselves, would you not call it your own property, and claim it as what you had a right to? Certainly you would. So if God has made you, and given you life, does He not claim you as his own, and should you not look to Him as your Father, yielding Him all honour and reverence and obedience ? If you always remembered this, it would tend to keep you from much sin which your own wicked hearts and bad companions lead you to commit. When you are tempted to live wickedly, without thinking of God at all, you should recollect that the very life which you are mis-spending is God's. He gave it to you, and He can take it away in a moment, tempted to say bad words, you shou> When you remember it member it I GOD: UJR fAl^MER AND GUIDE. gO Gel. Whe^Jr^JT^^' r '^'*"^^ dishonour on vou nowor in wfliL^ ^'"j^i'^er that it was God who gave '7 to leam from hk W„ ^ !i. *' ^°"'' ^''*''^''' "■"• t. pleaae Him you arfnot Int™? 'M'"'"'' ^^-^^ of your creation nnT;!t ''"^^^"ng the great end ^■ii be banished fro" Jr,'"' "' 'P^^'^S Him. you mi.oruble wm you Ten'be' " '"^ '"''' ""^ ^°- with you ? Is if nnVT^' ^^ 7^^ ^^^ ^* ^een so you ? ^ Why are vn, ^T^'^ S""^ ^^« strengthened p a"::;^li--t"'^t- o^^God ' ^yx *^ot dese 'vn to die And if P T'.-n , ''''^ ^'''"^^«' ^^d -■ ■: rLTir*'^' r ?'™« y""" hearts* to'lir So' ■•get this, and when you are tempted to sTn, yo-! 70 god: our father and guide. should say— God spares me not that I should commit sm, but that I may love Him more, and do good to all around me. You go into a garden in summer, or in autumn, the time of fruit— you see some trees loaded with fruit, and bringing forth abundantly— you see others withered and bare, or if they have leaves, with- out any fruit upon them. You are ready to say— Ihere is no use of these trees, they should be cut down bo might God say of many who are not serving Him' but walking in the ways of sin— cut them down, why cumber^ they the ground? But he spares them in mercy, to give them space and opportunity for repent- ance. He willeth not the death of any sinner, but rather that all should turn to Him and live "Turn ye, turn ye why will ye die?" Thus He speaks to you, and follows you with his beseeching voice. Surely then you ought ail to turn to Him, and say, "My J^ather,^thou wilt be the guide of my youth." 3d. God deserves to be called by you " My Father " and to be tonoured and obeyed by you as such, because ot what He hath done for you in the gift of his Son Jesus Christ When God created this earth, He made It, and all things that are in it very good. He pro- vided everything for the welfare and happiness of man who was to be the inhabitant of it. But though God was thus good, man was unthankful. He rebelled against God, and brought misery and death upon him- self and all his posterity by disobeying the command ?: . ? „ T ?^^^ *^^ ^^^^* ^* "^^-n good; but now It IS full of evil and rebellion against God. All are sinners, and have no inclination by nature to do the will of God, but rather hate Him and his law. This GOD : OUR FATHER AND GUIDE. 7] is your state by nature. David «av« " t ,. i, mankind to perish in this state/and I down to th" ^^^^^ hi'™ rf i"- but have everlasting life" ^"" *"''" "<" ?''"»'>, Was not this most amazing love? Manv t,»„«i» ^<^"^^^^e with ink the ocean fill And were the skies of parchment made Were every stalk on earth a quill ' And every man a scribe by trade. '''"w "*i^ *?^ J'^^^ «^ <^od above, Would dram the ocean dry ; Nor could the scroll contain the whole Though stretched from sky to Iky ' Chapter of John, and had "read ^tlfr ;' " ^"^ ?''^ one of them .hi had ^^t^^^^]^'^^ ' m^ 7^ god: our father ajstd Gumfi. words, interrupted him and said, " What words •vrf^rr those you read? What words were those I htard] Let me hear them again." The missionary again read the verse, "God so lovpd che world," &c,, when the native arose from his sp^t, and said, "Is that true? Can it be true ? God love the world when the world not love Him 1 God so love the world as to give his Son to die, that mer. might not die. Can that be true ?" Mr. Nott again read the verse, " God so loved the world," &c., told him that it was true, and that it was ^he message God had sent to them, and that whosoever believed in Him would not perish, ^lut be happy after death. The overwhelming feelings of the wondering native were too powerful for expression or restraint. He burst into tears, and as they chased each other down his cheeks, he retired to meditate on the amazing love of God, which had this day touched his soul, and there is every reason to believe ti;at he was afterwards raised to enjoy the peace and happiness resulting from the love of God sh-^d abroad in Vis heart. Now, when you thus think what God is, and what He hath done for you, how He is yom ^Veator, how He preserves you, and gives you all that you havej and how He is waiting to take you into the bosom of his love, if you believe in Jesus, have you not mud reason to cry unto Him, " My Father?" If yo ^o so with your heart, seeking to love and serve H'> H will be better to you than idl earthly parents, l^ A a.b they may be, and though they should be removed from you by death, God will take you up and bless you. A poor child that had a very bad father, but it is hoped, GOD: OUR FATHER AND GUIDE. 73 a good mother, was, by the providence of God brouglit to a godly friend of mine, who upon the Hrst sight' of the child had a great pity for him, and took a n afiection ^or him, and had a mind to bring him up for Christ It was not long before the Lord was pleased to strike m with the spiritual exhortations of this good man, so that the cliild was brought to think about the things ot Crod. He would ask wry excellent questions, and Uiscourse about heavenly things, and seemed mightily concerned about what would become of his soul when he should die, so that his discourses made some Chris- tians ev' stand astoni: lied. He was greatly taken with the kindness of Chr '^ in dving for sinful men, ancJ would be in tears at c > mention of it. It came to pa^s that his mother die.; After her death, he would often repeat some of t^< promises that are made ^o tatherless children, especially tha in Exodus, chap, xxii. 22 : " Ye shall not afflict a widow, or the fatherless child, if thou afflict tiiem m an ' wise, and ^ey cry at all unto Me, I wi^l surely hear their cry » ile would oftei say, with tears in his eyes, "I am ratherless and motherless upon earth, but if any wronj? Tie 1 have a Father in heaven, who will take mv part --to Him I commit myself, and in Him is all my'trust. ne continr.ed in a course of holy duties, living in the in ?-n i! '.^'V* shewing wonderful grace for a little »oy, till he died in the faith of the Redeemer. He r^'you'tk' '' " ""^ ^'*^"' "^^^^ ^''' '« *^^ ^^' vJ^'J^X'""^ ^^T"" ^^'^ "^^y y°" ^^^''^^ call God your Father, and honour Him as such, I go on in r^ 6 ^ 74 god: our father and glide. mind you that you need a guide, and that God alono can guide you. Ist. You are naturally vp-y ignorant, and know not what is for your good. Had you nothing but your own hearts to guide you, you would choose the evil rather than tho good — you would choose only that which would hurt your souls, and ruin thera for ever. I have seen children going out to the woods, to pluck and eat berries which looked very nice, and tasted very sweet. But the berries are poisonous, and if they were toj eat them they would die. Even so, young people, were they to follow their own natural desires would choose and do those things which would injure their souls, and make them die the second death in everlasting misery. Sin looks very pleasant ; you think not that the wages of sin is death — that God is angry with the wicked every day, and therefore yon take pleasure in acts of Sabbath-breaking, in lying, in swear- ing, in disobedience to parents. These and many other wicked ways you would choose, if you were left to yourselves. But God has given you the Bible to in- struct you. It is his own blessed Book. It reveals his will. It tells you of his character as a holy God it tells you of sin as that which He abhorreth, and which if loved and practised by you will cause you to be banished from his presence into eternal misery. It tells you of hie love in Jesus Christ, and of his willing- ness to receiv«3 you, and teach you the way to happiness and glory, if you give your hearts to Jesus. You may read many other books, and delight in them, but the Bible is thfi bpsf of bnnlrs Tf wan n-ivon vf\■,^ "Wtr ^Lr^A "- — — ~^ 6 ' .;•••-' '-'J •-I'-'V!. to save your souls, and if you do not love it and read god: or II FATHER AXD GUIDE. at God alono 75 It, and pray God to teach you out of it, it i.s tlip same as It you wero to .say tJmt you \vill not havt; God for your -uule-that you arc dotonnin. d to reiiiain in igiioraiico, and go on in tho ways of sin. I hope none of you, my young friends, will he so unt\ '^. .""T ^"^ •^°"'' °^^'^ •^"'"^•^ ^^ to act thus. Ihis, said the Saviour, "is life eternal, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Ihon hast sent." Take delight then in the Bible. Be thankful that God hath put it into your hands. Multitudes of young persons in heathen lands have never heard of it. Look upon it as the most value- able book you possess. Read it every day, and let your earnest prayer be that of David, " Open Thou mine eyes that I may see wondrous things out of hy law. Then will God be the guide of your youth He will keep you from the paths in which destroyers go, and you shall have far more peace and joy than a 1 the wicked have in sinful enjoyments. A little blind boy about twelve years of age, became very desirous to learn to read the Bible with raised letters prepared for the use of the blind, and in a very short time he learned to run his fingers along the page, and to read easily and correctly. The object of his ut- most wishes seemed now to be to possess a complete copy of the Bible for the blind, which consists of several large volumes. His parents were unable to buy one, but his minister obtained one from a society for him. Not long after the little boy received the volumes, his mother saw him retire tnthf^mom w^ — e xhey were kept, and she stepped softly to the doorio see what he would do. And why do you think the 76 god: our father and guide. ii i I «ij blind boy went alone to his room ? His mother saw him kneeling by the side of these precious volumes, and lifting up his little hands in prayer to return thanks to God for this blessed gift of his holy word. He then rose from his knees, and taking up one of the volumes, kissed it, and having laid it on one side proceeded to the next, and so on, till be had in this simple, but beautiful and expressive manner, signified his love for that blessed book which by means of touch, had opened up to his mind the wonders and glories of God's revelation to man. What a beautiful illustration is this of the words of David in the 19th Psahn, " The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing th^ heart. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb !" 2nd. You have, by nature, wicked hearts, inclining you to the ways of sin, and these must be changed in order that you may be guided in the right way. Am I not speaking the truth when I say, that even when you know what is right and good, you are not of yourselves disposed to follow it? I have known young people, and I have known old people too, well acquainted with the Bible, able to tell you about most of the things therein contained — about God and his people, and his ways— about Jesus Christ, and his work and sufferings and death, and yet walking in the ways of iniquity, taking pleasure in sinful words and deeds. These persons are sinning against light, and against their own consciences, and they will have a fearful account to render at last, if they re- pent not, and turn with their hearts to the Lord. It GOD: OUR FATHER AND GUIDE. 77 is not knowledge alone that will make you good, and lead you into the way of life. You may know much that is revealed in the Scriptures— you may be able to repeat chapters or verses, and yet not be taking God as your Father and the Guide of your youth. It IS written in the Bible, " lying lips are an abomina- tion to the Lord." You may know this, and yet tell falsehoods, refusing to tell the truth. I have known boys, who could repeat the third commandment— '• Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain," eic, and yet in the company of other boys, they would utter oaths, and curses, and profane lan- guage. Some little girl reading this has often re- peated the words, " Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right," and yet she has become sulky and disobedient, when her parents' told her to do what she does not like, or when she does not get what she wants. Now, what is the cause of all this ? It is plainly because of your naturally corrupt and deceitful hearts, and thus will it continue with you until your evil hearts are changed, and you become new creatures in Jesus Christ. This is the work of God alone. And in the case of all whose desires are turned to Him, and who cry earnestly, " Thou wilt be the Guide of my youth," He will take away the hard and stony heart out of their flesh, and give them hearts of flesh. "Mother," said a little girl once, " it is so hard to do right, and so easy to do wrong." " That is quite true mv nhild" sliA onoTO-ofo/1 " q«J Vi<%«r A^ ■.- — , --, x for that?" "I don't know, indeed," said Elizabeth. " Simply, my dear, because our hearts are naturally 78 god: our father and guide. sinful, or, as the Scripture says, they are evil nnl« evi,and evil continually." "Oh >'' kid shT '*??^^ IS the very truth, and the reasoTwhy 1 am s^ o te'n Zf^l mi, ^?*' *'^^ '^ '^ ^^^de Abetter by the Hoi v of being proud and passionate and un^^ratefn] T. Ihe mother assured her little girl that Cn^^L knol ? ;),ri??""' '"'^ ^"^"''^*''' "f°- then, you whilst we are in this world, we shall «Hii uT ^' contend with sin. The ™od snWt 1^ u }"" *° against the evil spSt that i? wUhTn'u': W°i?"™ hearts are right with God, He will a "last' .tl l 21 victory over al our evil passions, and tak.Cto thtt ' heart to love and serve and'^bev God to ff T"* •" re^rCd''- ■'*- with:^t*^w^i7hi^ra:^:^^^^^^ 3rd. You need to have GTL^ ^'^^'^ ''' ^' -^ if you can get up and called out? "Oh - father lYn J^^^^g^^ened, shall fall; what am I to do?' ' T ?"^' i T '""'^ ^ boy," said his fathS. "If L l^f "?' ^°°^ ^P' "^^ fiiddv . K„+ .. ^''"^'V ^^ you look down you will get Sp of the Ir.'''''' -1?°?'"^ "P '^ ">« fl-g "the f^n„ J I ■ T^*' y°" '''" descend safelv " f hp l,n» Mowed h,s faWa advice, and reachedThe deK^ to f^mliril!^^^'' '^'"? '"" *"- *" look -"ore language'of the Sw,/?r'r,- ^^"'-''^^ the same boy when heT.nf t- ^'"'^' ^"^ *'" b" Hke the top of th'e zi: t\z izzr'' ^"^ '"« ** *"« Look up, and singthe Saviour's praise And crown Hjm King of kings ' thou not from this time cry unto Mp m^ Th'o+v. mV t the guide of mv vouth P ^^ f '• / i .*^^''' ^^'^^ ar willing to b. Zjv'^l J? ^^^ is God from being r - ^ --I . aT,xv.x aiiu your limUe, that He god: our PATfiBIl AND GUIDE. di offers to take you as his children, and entreats you to pray unto Him for that end. And oh ! my dear young friends, did you know the danger you are in without the favour and guidance of God, you would gladly accept his offer, and ask Him- earnestly to make you his children. V'ere you to die out of the family of God, how dreadful must be your condition ! But if - you cry to God as He bids you. He will take you into his family— He will, for Jesus' sake, pardon all your sms, so that you shall not be condemned. He will give you hearts to love Him. He will teach you by his Spirit the good way of life. You will thus be happy yourselves, and the means of giving happiness to others. And remember, you cannot do this too early. "Wilt thou not from this time cry unto Me ?" This day you are commencing a new year. You don't know whether you shall see the end of it. Therefore, this day, this hour, say to God with all sincerity and determination, ' " My Father, Thou art the Guide of my youth." Then whatever comes to you in this world, you will have nothing to fear. Whether you live, you will live unto the Lord, or whether you die, you will die untQ the Lord. That God of his infinite mercy and grace, may give you all a place in his house and family, through Jeeus Christ, 18 the fervent prayer of, My dear young friends. Your very affectionate Pagfrtf]-, Toronto, Januan'y Ut, 1863. Ax^ltXAJNDBR L^jifP. BOYS AND GIRLS PLAYING IN THB STREETS OF THE CITY. My Dear Young Friends,— You have now been brought to the first Hnxr r.t another year; and I hope tSat your thant'-il^s have a ready been offered to God, the Preser'virS your bves. He has mercifully spared you whilst some whoir you knew have, during the ^pak year been taken a^ay by death, and are now lyin.Tn tW graves till the morning of the resurrection^ Y^u have all reason to say, as you look forward, - Because Tbm? hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I put my trust." ^ I take the opportunity, at the beginning of a now year, to put this Address into your fands^ls a tokel of my best wishes, and anxiety for your good My sincere prayer is that you may all have many years of happiness and usefulness, if it be the Lord's wifl-that He may be to you a sun and a shield, giving you JL aim gxory, and witiiiioiding no good thing from you/" BOYS AND GIRLS PLAYING, ETC. 83 The subject of my Address will be specially appli- cable to young people like you. "And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and giiis playing in the streets thereof. "—Zechariahviii.,. 5. This passage presents a picture of happiness and peace among the young. We like to look upon boys and girls engaged at proper times in healthful play, and cheerful exercise. It is a sight pleasing to all who take an interest in the young and love them. You should not indeed be always thinking of play. You have other and more important things to attend to. Your early days ought to be employed in acquiring useful knowledge at school, and, above all, in seeking to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. But the young require recreation. It is a sign that you are in health and joy — that you are free from sick- ness and trouble, when you are found joining together in play, and without any angry feelings, enjoying lively exercise one with another. If you are fearing God, and keeping his commandments, obedient to your parents, lovers of God's Word, and of the Lord's Day — if you are diligent and anxious to make progress in knowledge, and to store your minds with useful learn- ing, no one would forbid you to seek active exercise and play. On the contrary, your parents and grown- up people will feel pleasure in seeing you engaged in peaceful, harmless amusement. I am not, however, going to address you on this subject. I liave only said tliese thinfjs to shew you the import of the words which I have quoted. They were spoken by God Hiiiiscli a;> a sign of peace, and S4 BOYS AND GIRLS PLAYINO security, and happiness. He mentions ihe fact as one ThtTl^iVJ^ ^** "^^""^^ ^^ «° prosperous and happv without fear 1 If you read the chapter, you will find that It IS the City of Jerusalem which i^ so described This was the chief town of the country of the Jews-I the city where David reigned and Sdomon hisTor and where the kings of Judah all dwelt and had theS l7^^' /* 7' t^^ '^y °^ ^^i«^ ^a« Mount Zion and the temple where the people worshipped God and the priests i,tfered sacrifices, aSd God had^proS^o meet with and bless his children-the tSe into which Jesus was brought by his parents when He was eight days old, to be dedicated to the Lord, and whlre He was afterwards found by Joseph and his m^" on a certain occasion when He was twelve years of age, sitting with the Doctors, hearing them, and askinf them questions. Jerusalem was the city which he Jews loved above all other cities. Their^rrtsVere ' bound up m It. They had reason to love it for God had chosen the Mount Zion, with its temple, to record people. And three times a year, at the great feasts al the males m Judea went up to Jerusalem to wor- ship God, and to present their ofterings and sacrifices to Him in the temple. It was a highly-favoured citv but .ts inhabitants had become veiy li Jked aTftrg^! ful of God so that m order to punish them for their iniquities He allowed Nebuchadnezzar, the sLg of Babylon, to come with a large armv to nlun^i^^ -«i ae^troy the city, and to cany away the' peiplels IN THE STREETS OF THE CITY. 85 captives to his own land. When they had been seventy years in captivity and had been humbled for their sins^ God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to grant them per mission to return to their own country, and to rebSnd Jerusalem. It was when they had returned, and were engaged m the work of building the city and teS tf ^iiem 'f ^t""' *'^ P^^P '^^ -- cLmandedt tell them for their encouragement, that God would be gracious to them yet, and so guard their city that they would live m peace and security-they wouW have so gre-at abundance and so much hapZe s that old men and old women at a great age^ouTd be found going about in it cheerfully, and manv thJreoT ^ "'"'^ be joyfully playing'in the streets ^9}'.'^\^^^^r&]]y say to yourselves, Oh! that would be a happy city. And certainly it would, be- cai^e God had promised to return to itf and to dwell m the midst of it. Wherever God say^ that He wl come and take up his dwelling. He brings along with Him all that is good, and puts away all that is e^l If He were to say, I will come and dwell in this city" in Toronto, I will stay in the midst of it, and bless it' It would baa happy place-there would be no more delight m sin-no more Sabbath-breaking-no more stnfe-DO more drunkenness-no more ly in ..-no more stealmg-no more profanity-no more of that which ruins the soul, and only -prepares it for hell AH would be peace and holiness and love. All the lamilies would be nrnvi'rify foivil'"" ---1 -11 1 .. ., and young, would be lovers of God's Word and House ana I^ay, and evorything that belongs to Him. 86 BOW AND GIRLS PLAYINO you read of Jeru.sal„,„ i„ tl.e BiS. it^finf!™, ^''^ po.nt out that city. The Jews we^e la J S '" another peopHt'/Seity ' t Chuth t'j T^ inhabitants of it are all who believe in r ' n? ''"' and have given their hear^ Xim^arif ,"'*' n^<:;'s:r: tTofthidl'vir^^- r^^ ^^' -™ in Canada W ini.^^, Jto'^S'nd Tlt^^f""^ America ; but part of it is here and '^„/-. "f "^ -all over the Lth, from o^e^J'""^^ ll '" ^™ It has not walls rou^d it, built of ;..;:, l^d ,L?^ th« hands of man, for these migfc, sJ CkJ "^^ ^^ and enemies might come in and de<,tr;. 1 ■^°™' are in it God^Himself is'?he ^^oZt^ "'d this makes it safe and secure for n„ ! ' ''"'' vail against God. He is stronger than „7 ""^ T" said that He will keen on,l ,iot„ i ,,■ . *"' """l "^as' by night. Hrsli:lt no"' .irs'^ t "'^ ""Jt" Shepherd of Isn.el, and they wh^'Zdl i^V^*' nothing to fear. You would all wish t. ™ have a place in that city, which is th^/hr 'T' *? protected by God for none ,T.lt i Z '""^'"^ ^"(l who are in it. I shall ttr *r ^ '""PP^ ''"* '"^^r would urge you to^i" mlj it tSryorml" V"slf' from^every evil thing now. and be h^V fCgh^t You may be asking, what like ig ti,;„ „;,„, . , w.at IS ti;e character of the people who i;i^W,tlu IN THE STREETS OP THE CITY. 87 We have in the chapter a description of it. If vou know that^Ae I ruth means ilie Bible, the Word of God. And surely hi God', own City, the Bible ought to be thr -ule and guide to them that are in it. It is the best o£ books. You may have many e^cellen? books, full of good advice and of much valu^abriearn- mg but were all the books in the world, all the good books to be brought, together, they would not be of so much worth as the Bible. Other books may in- struct you as .0 the things of this life, but the Bible tells you how your souls may be saved for ever Now there are many people who do not care for the Word of God. They neither read it, nor try to understand It nor pray God to teach them out of ^t ; andTow can they hve according to the truth? Such perso J cb not belong to the City of Truth. And there are others agam, who, though they know much of the Bible having been taught it by their parents, or at the Sab! bath school, or hearing it from the pulpit, or reading CnH T/ ?i!' ^'^/"^ ""t"''^ ^^ ^^^^ ^« the Word of Christ Th'? ^°-, They do not believe in Jesus letf Af r'^-^r *i^u^^^' "^ sin. and their know^ ledge of the Bible will but make them all the more miserable m the place of outer darkness. My young friends, none belong to the City of God ^ut they who love the Bible, and make it t),eir d.b.hi! to obey tlie truth. All God's people, whether old" or young, are distinguished by thi^. I have read aboul IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.25 tiitlt ^ 1^ 12.0 25 2.2 U ii.6 6" Hiot^phic Sdences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 '% ■^.fitii. \ *>i % % C/a 88 BOYS AND GIRLS PLAYING i m- a young boy, who loved the Word of God, and shewed by his conduct that he had learned to make God his portion and guardian. The story is told by a chap- lain on board one of the ships which sailed to the West Indies, at a meeting of a Bible Society, and was to the following effect : — » "The ship in which we were," he says, " was a good one, but at one time we feared that she was on her last voyage. We were but a few days out from the harbour when»a severe storm of five days' continuance overtook ua. There was a little boy on board as an apprentice. He was literally a boy, and far better fitted for reading his spelling-book than for furling sails in a storm. But his mother was poor, and where could the boy earn a living for himself and his mother better than at sea? The ship was rolling fearfully Some of the rigging got entangled at the main-mast,' and It was necessary that some one should go up and put it right. It was a very dangerous task. I was standing near the mate, and heard him order that boy to do it. He lifted his cap and glanced at the swing- ing mast, the boiling, angry seas, and at the steady, determined countenance of the mate. He hesitated in silence for a moment, then rushing across the deck he went into the forecastle. Perhaps he had gone' two minutes, when he returned, laid hold of the lad- der of rope, and went up with a will. My eyes fol- lowed him till my head was dizzy, when I turned and remonstrated with the mate for sending the boy aloft. He could not come down alive : why did vou send iii.u , * vtix* IV, B«iu wic Hjiitu, • CO save me ; we ve IN THE STREETS OP THE CITY. S9 sometimes lost men overboard, but never a boy. See how he holds like a squirrel. He is more careful. He will come down safe, I ho^e.' " Again I looked till tears dimmed my eves, and I was compelled to turn away, expecting every moment to catch a glimpse of his last fall. In about fifteen or twenty minutes he came down, and, straightening himself, with the consciousness of having performed a manly feat, he walked away with a smile on his countenance. "In the course of the day I took occasion to speak to him, and asked him why he hesitated when ordered aloft. ' I went, sir,' said the boy, ' to pray.' ' Do you pray V « Yes sir ; I thought that I might not coiiie down alive, and I went to commit myself to God.' ' Where did you learn to pray V * At home ; my mother wanted me to go to Sabbath school, and my teacher urged me to pray to God ta keep me, ahd I do.' 'What was that you had in your jacket?' * My Bible, which my teacher gave me. I thought that if 1 did perish, I would like to have the Word of God close to my heart.' " Good, noble boy ! He shewed ;>.at in feeling his need of God's protection, in praying to Him, and com- mitting himself to his keeping, he had the Word of God not only close to his heart, but in )iis heart ; and, my dear young friends, if you have been thus taught to love the Word of God, and to pray to Him, and seek hia guidance and protection, that M-ill pro /e that you xxave been taken by Jesus into his own Church, that you are the lambs of his flock, and that you are 90 BOYS AND GlRtS PLATINO ,if I . tne Uity of Truth, the meaning may be, that all who belong to It vrorship God in truth and serve Hhn in sincerity. You could all repeat a verse in the Bible A^hich says :-« God is a spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." TWe IS a great deal of deceit in the world. Many preS to be what they are not. You may say that^you love a person, thdt you are anxious to please him and do his wiU when you very well know that you have no such feeling towards him, and that, if hereon W read your heart, he would find that there was no love ?o him there. You may profess to be obedient to your parents, and yet as soon as you are out of their sight, and you think that they would not know it, you may vn„T T^ the very opposite of what you said you were willing to do, and giving yourselves to all Jsobedience and neglect of your parents' commands. l^Tow this is dealing very deceitfully. You mav im pose upon them, and hide your dishonesty from them and from others, because they cannot tell what is in your hearts; but the All-Seeing Eye of God you can- not deceive. « He searcheth the heart and trieth the reina He knows every thought that arises in your o^^w ^""^"^ /^^"^ *^^* y°^ «P«ak, and every action that you perform. Nothing is hid from God And yet there are people who deal with much deceit m ^e worship and service of God. Some will come to tne Liord s table, as you ImvA ^oer «« « J-^ -^ Communion, ^nd call themselves by the name of IN THE STREETS OP THE CITY. dl Christ, saying that they belong to his Church ; but notwithstanding this, they will go away, and very soon afterwards may be found in a state of drunken- ness or uttering profane language, or breaking the Sabbath or doing other things that are contmiy to the Word of God. Would you say that persons who act m this way are really the people of God ? No indeed, they are noc. You remember how it is said m one of the Ppalms, « The bloody and deceitful man 10 a'T^iorred by Thee." Or, perhaps the consciences of some boys and girls will tell them that, though they know the Word of God and profess to reverence it^ though they cbme to Church and to the Sabbath school— and will say there that they lov God and his commandments, yet will go away and be very careless about the things of God, taking no delight in prayer and m reading the Word, being obsignate and stubborn m their dispositions, and disobedient to the law and ordinances of God. Now, such young people cannot belong to the Church of God. " He requireth truth in the heart and purity in the inwa d parts." God looks not so much to what you profess as to what you really are and if you do not giv^e Him your hearts, and seek to serve Him in truth, it matters not what you may say with your lips, for it m only they wlio wa k uprightly and speak the trath in their hearts who will dwell in the City of God. You could repeat part of the 24th Psalm :— " Who is the man that shall ascend Into the hill of God, Or who within his holy place Shall have a firm abode. 92 fiOYS AND GIRLS PLAYING " Whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure. And unto vanity, "Who hath not lifted up his soul, Nor sworn deceitfully. " ,u\^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^*" *^® ^^"'^^ of God is called the City of Truth, the meaning may be that they who dwell in It are persons who hate falsehood, and love to speak the truth. What do you read about Jesus in the Bible? Was it not said of Him, "He did no sin neither was guile found in his lips." Now, all who love Jesus fend obey Him will try to be like Him in this and m every other respect. They will put away all lying and guile— they will be careful always to speak the truth. There are many boys and girls who think nothing of telling a falsehood. But if any of you act m this way, you cannot be the children of God for He 18 the God of Truth. Two boys were going along one Sabbath morning in very earnest conver- . sation when one said to the other, "It is no use to rf«if • li,- f°' '""^f^' ™y *^**^^ ^y^ yo^ ^er« quite right m thinking and saying that, and I hope yoii will never allow any one to make you say a false word. rou may have read in the Bible about Elisha the prophet, and Gehazi, his servant. The latter, for the sake of some money, told a lie, imagining that his master would not find it out; but Gehazi forgot that God knew every evil thought that was in his heait. r xf afterwards that it was any use to tell a lie? No; for after having tried to deceive his master by saying, "Thy servant went nowhither," J^od punished him, and though hfi £rain*>d +^« ^>^«««y if Naaman, he had with it a dregful affliction. ^'"Se went IN THE STREETS OP THE CITY. 93 out from his master's presence a leper as white as snow." There is nothing gained here or hereafter by lying. "All liars shall have their portion in the lake that bumeth with fire and brimstone." One of the laws which the Lord gave by Moses to the children of Israel was, '* Lie not one to another." Arid the Apostle Paul says in the New Testament, *'Put away lying, and speak every man truth with his neighbour." In the Book of Proverbs there are seven things mentioned as hateful in the sight of God, and the second of them is "a lying tongue." In John's Gospel, the Saviour tells the people who love falsehood, " Ye are of your father the devil, and the works of your father ye will do, for he is a liar and the fa her of it." In the Arts of the Apostles, you read that Ananias and Sapphira his wife were struck dead for telling a lie. There are just two ways before you for your choice —the way of truth and the way of lying. Whether ot them will you choose? May God enable you to choose the way of truth. To tell lies is a dreadful sin. " Whatsoever worketh abomination and maketh a lie shall in nowise enter the Heavenly Jerusalem." Then let me entreat you to ask God, as David did, to remove far from you the way of lying, and I do hope that you can also say with him, "I hate and abhor lying, but thy law do I love. I have chosen the way of truth." . ^ II. There is another description of this city given^here. It is not only the City of Truth; in the same verse you will observe, that it is called " The Holy MountaivJ' The meaning of this is that it is a holy city, and that 94 BOYS AND GIRLS PLAriNG m t. ,ii .t'lle^t^e " "r '>'•'- ''"«S» At character. A. « oonse! ways on the earth pL if ",'' ^'' •'"'''•upted their and"^ only right^„; N^h „ T^^ *5^°'. "" ""y " flood! Many iitaf "s „f God wfh " ^""y. ''«"' «aved. '. -th, as you read your BiMetbufZ' '"/"" »«»' of all, that God innot W?'sit"'and .CI?' f™°^ holiness, was the death of hiso™ ■tn ^ ^^ ''"'«» harmless, undefiled, and se^^e frl ^'^"^^oly, ^-ent abjut oontinUy dolTld^" 'tT''' ^^ great sufferer. He wai n m.S f* ' '^ ^^ ^^ » »or«>ws, and acquai^Sd rftrirTf '"^"^ J"" <" -led Him, and perse.uteS" 4™f- Jtlen'-.t <3 IK THE STREETS OF THE CITY. 96 naUed Him to the Cross. When He was in the gar- den of Gethsemane, " His sweat was 3t8 it were great drops of blood ealling to the ground. ' When He was seized by the armed band, with Judas at their head, all his disciples forsook Him and fled: And then, even the Father hid his face from Him, as He hung upon the Cross, so that He exclaimed, " My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Mel" And why was all this? Had Jesus sinned Himself? No; but He stood in the room of sinners. He suffered, the just for the unjust; and God is so holy that when He comes to punish sin,' his sword of justice falls with such weight, that if his own Son takes the place of sinners, He is smitten and put to death. How much Jesus suffered, we cannot tell, but that his agony was inexpressibly great, we learn from his own words, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me— nevertheless, not au I will, but as Thou wilt." You. see from this, how holy God is, and how im- possible it is for Him to have communion with any but those who hate sin and love holiness. This is the character of all his people, and except your hearts are changed and turned from the love and practice of sin to the love and practice of all holiness, you can have no place in his happy city « Charles," said a Christian mother one day to her little boy when conversing with him, "do you wish to go to heaven?" With much thoughtful solemnity, and serious deliberation, he answered, "No, mother." She, of course, was not a little surpris'ed, and after assuring herself that she was not misunderstood, she asked his reasons. " Why do you not wish tn an +.« h^airon 1» T^'o li^'^ia '-T -- 96 BOYS AND 01 EM PlATmo his eyes filled with tears, reolied "T I. i. Wicked boy, that 1 am af~?i . ' *^'™ ^^ '"oil » not ,appo/.'that this chnrwJ" "^l^J^" ^ow do uaing bad language or^irr """'"'' "* **" ""y of wise outwardly uSlv Th? "J""^"™*. or other- All but himse^if T:^ J J^^^^Tt^'thiswastrue. cellent child But h;. L ■ ."' ''™ » '""ely, ex- -he had beentughrthrGol'"r' '"" *°"«''^''^ broad, that the MoS/of fn^r ). "^ oxceeding much sin may CZL^H^t^'^t ". T' «'"' «>»* '"•ong feeling^ even Xn^!?f ^.'''f '"<'<''««■'« of by words and aSs H«T ^^t """""' *» "thers that He requiresTni,„» • "f" **'*^ <5<^ >" holy- with„utho1^2rnomt.2ir«e'"^.'=T''''?"' "'"' *" - the pure in ^J^XXy'r^ttto.,"'^''''^ , citilf tL^a^^^X^peS 1 ^1; J"'*, " » •" presence of buoyant yithS ^" ** °'<*- The it is pleasant to tehold and r^H •"' ""^ *='""' ""d "> »nd girls in his own oiy ""^ " "''"'"^ *<- »«* boys »s rT-e T(^'^,«<' '- '•f •^Xan^CsSitt -hen a child ObtiiahTe^^rST^'r/'"' ^"I youth. Timothy, from his Sn,j ^"''* ^""'^ J""! Scriptures, which wer^ able to m„1 ' ^''^ *!■" ^"'^ salvation through faith th„t .*°.™?;'f«.'"m wise urtto sweet singer of tXystn tl^^tTp '/^'IfX ^''« the mouths of babes andTucklinL Th t'^I ?"' °* length." Matthew uZt'X'JZ'Zl^^^ «en such a Now do ihe way of or other- I was true, oyely, ex- lightened exceeding and that gence of to others K holy— wid that 'Blessed as in alJ i The » and so Jet boys ht into ah the derated eLord m his 3oly s urito The )utof ained liable IN THE STREETS OP THE CITY. •r Commentary on the Bible, was a remarkable example of early piety. When he was three years old, he could read the Bible distinctly, and as he grew in years he grew in grace. "The thoughtful bov," wo are told "was often remarkably solemnized uAder his father's preaching, and when the services of the Sanctuary were over, would hasten to his little chamber to weep and pray, and could scarcely be prevailed on to come down and share the family meals." Many other examples might be given. Indeed, it IS evident from the history of the Church that most of those who have been eminent and useful in the service of God were converted to God in early life. Jesus Christ loves to receive the hearts of the young, and you have the promise that if you seek Him early, vou thall find Him. - sfy :i ly. They who belong to the City of Truth, and dwell in it, are happy people. It is said that " the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls play- ing in the streets thereof." This shows that they are happy. And so the young who are the cbi^'! n of God are truly happy. Boys and girls sometimes chink that if they have fine houses to live in, and much money, and many costly earthly things, they would be happy. But the Bible says, "A man's life [or a man's happiness] consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." These things you may soon lose, and, at any rate, you must part with them at death. And all experience goes to prove that they cannot makf> anv odp barjriy « \vi,«t ie -> -"ar^ ■, ^^ '^ « he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul ?" 9H BOYS AND GIRLS PLAYING If you are in the City of Truih n«j. you will have God for vour p".k ^'^ * "'^ ^'^7- light to do you ir^d God 1 ' ^""i ^" ^^^^ de- everyday. 'uXi c'l^^Zr^^K^l^^r^'f^ ever, except they renont T?„f k- ^ "^''^ ^'^^n™ ^^^ delights to'blesaiTalhiB^^^^^^^^^^^ Tr^ ^^'^^^^ He them with sinffine And f h;. • , , '"^Joices over .Then,againfi??out"l;ir^^^^^^^^^ will have Jesus as your S^avUr and^FW 'l?*^' J*'" have nianv sins for ^^i,,- u *'^^""'^ ^^^ *nend. You from Oo^ipZZtti:" -^"1*° ^ '»»«h^ in the for^La^L Wo" vl .T*" "'"'" '" ""V nes8 of jour own, butUe wm .^^ '"' "8l'««0"»- beautiful, perfect ribe of hiL ■ I ** y"" "" th* have haar't? by nature u'hZ7„X''''T,T '^°" the hard and stony heart and '»i ^ T" **''« »'«'ay And further it is s^^of Hi^ /S? ''?'^« «' fle»h. flock lilce a shepherd H„ S m' ?' '*'»» '««" his his arn,s,andS'.:;'them''4''ttl^ir''»'^ happiness to belong to the floek of JesurChi. " "^ You have no security of 1 fn v*™' ^hmt. But if Jesus is your Friend and I\""7 *" «°°n- nothing to fear. ^ He^n^nZl^ ''^^l''' y"" ''»™ home to his heavenly k^XS*'''*r7y°" am face to face, and shSfreterJal Ue^M •■*" ^ th^r Shall be »isedrifii*:a'xrs'^,„jt ^iiTurf^Zr oTg*:,'' '^T.-rt" - 'his loving-Undnes, tS U b^tt tM:,"'"' '"'* '^ IN THE STREETS OP THE CITY. v» I have seen boys and girls chasing butterflies ovei the field. Often, just as they thought tl)f>y had them away they fly. But look, a boy has caught one. He opens his hand, and looks into it. How great hi« disappointment 1 It is no more the beautiful object i< appeared to be. It is crushed— a loathsome thing Such is this world, with all its bright and allurinfl prospects. * But if you love and serve God, and choose the things of God as your portion, you will never be disappointed. He will take care of you and preserve you from all evil. He will do you good continually. He will be with you in all trials. He will make all things work together for your good. And then He will take away the sting of death when you come to die. A Sabbath school girl was once visited by a lady when she was very ill, and near her end. The lady asked her, " My child, what do you most of all things desire ? " She replied, " Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." " Have you no fear of death 1 " She answered, " 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." "And are you not afraid," the lady continued, "that some of your sins are yet unpardoned?" Her reply was, "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son cleanseth us from all sin." ' This little 8*ory shews you, first, the importance of knowing the Scriptures in your early days, and Secondlv. the valnft of ffti'fVi in o /1vi"~ h I ^- 100 BOVS AND GIRLS PLAYING, ETC. [ a] dwelle IS the earnest prayer of, ^ '^^ ^^^ ^^PP^^ ^^^re, My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexander Topp. Toronto, i*< jr^^ttaj^^ ^^^^ if,.,- JESUS OUR EXAiyiPLK My Dear Young Friends, — I have the pleasure of addres-jing you a-^ain at thn commencement of another year. I would be glad to take each of you by the hand and say to you, " I wish you a happy new year !" But I cannot do that, and therefore I can only assure you in this way, that I sincerely pray for you all that you may have many years of usefulness and happiness, if God is pleased to spare you. You have all reason to be thankful that God has preserved you from danger, and kept your souls from death during the past year. I suppose you can re- member some boys and girls who were quite well, and as likely as any of you to see this day, on whom sick- ness and death have come, and now they are lying silent in their graves. Little did they thinlc, when they began last year, that they would never see its end. And so, none of you can tell whether you will live through this year on which you have now entered. This year you may die ! I do not say this to make you unhappy, or to damp the joy which you naturally feel at the present season, but to lead you to consider the necessity of being prepared for whatever may 16^ JESUS OUR EXAMPLa ^^appen to you. AnrJ hr. either for uL or for dtaj, J ^ "'" *^ '^ P^^P-^d ^o£nst,and thus getti.^ ,^^ ^-^ .- W^^ ■ *° be iiC? am^uUhatth""^ ^^ ^^"^^ ^i«h most desjre to be prepar:d 't Wei 'Z "^° ^^ "-^y 7'J^ Ood at Jast, would teJ) 1 ?u' ^"'^ *° ^e happy to be like Jesus. There is i^^ ^^^* ^«" ^o»ld w^sh ed with the BibJe who ^ii^^''^^^ g^^^' acquaint Wen at length t it ^Hf a ^ '4^ *«~ and ali would wish to be ?? f^^'^^ ^f happiness wouJd say with Balaam "IT j"^!? *^^^ ^^' A 11 the righteous, and let 2 last . ^^ ^^f ^^^ death of Balaam was a wicked L T^ ^^ ^'^^ his." But ife, and therefore httShvT^' ^^^ ^^^ ^^ve a holv and iabou:!^t?reikrji;^^vv^^ ^^ wjh' aJi:! ^;4^ and pure as He was pure '?-; I ^ ^' "^ ^^s holy^ these words, part of a^ Cut.fnl'/"" '^^ ^^ truth «ure you could all repeat-1 ^"^ '^•>''"" ^^ich 1 ala The Father's hoiy child." f^^^^^^J^^ to take as Jesus said when He wL on?\''''^' something that like some of yoursefvl^ °^^^ ^^^^^^e years of aoe Most of "■— •" "" you will have read the story of Jesus .TEStTS OUR EXAMPLE. 103 Christ in the temple, when He was a boy. You will re Mcrt up to Jerusalem as they were enjoined, and is all the people were enjoined, to keep the feasts and to worship God there. The^ lived ! long way 'off!!! 7^ZTJ^^ ^'''" Jerusalem-but notwithstanding the rn^Tn^l M^ went because they loved the service of God, and delighted m his house. God has promised to give great blessings to those who take pleLure in his ordinances, and seek Him in the Sanctuary. None TJZT \ ^T"" ^""' ^^^^ ^^•^^i^'^ S-i^-^tion to their souls who do not come and worship Him in his house. All good people delight in the worship of wVh. t"*"?^ ""i'^^'^ r^ ^ ''^^^^ ministered be- fore the Lord m the temple. And you could repeat what David says m one of his Psalms— " How lovely is thy dwelling place. O Lord of hosts to me, The tabernacles of thy grace, How pleasant, Lord, they be !" The parents of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, though it «; great distance that they had to go, ^ent up to worship God at Jerusalem. But they 'did not go alone. They took Jesus with them, though He w!s only a ht tie boy. Does not this tekoh pfrents that they ^louid take their children with them to church and that young people should, after the example of ^:^!'i:']^^S^'^ .^^--'^ .^ou should be t:,'\., .a..^ cvcxy opportunity of coming to the house ot God, that you may learn about God and Jesus Christ, and the way by which you may be 104 JESUS OUR EXAMPLE. saved, and made blessed for ever. A little boy, about four years ot age, who was regularly taken by Ws parents on the Lord's day to the house of God was Btal Tr^ ^'t "* ^^"^^' «^ account of The state of the weather. When his father returned you'but not"; " ^*^^^' '* '^« ^^^- Sabbath-day to w' . u ul''''.^ ""^ "^y "'^t^er' for we have not been at church to-day." If you feel like this bo7 you will be sorry to be absent from the worship o? God-you will love the habitation of God's house and he place where his honour dwelleth. Jesus savs "Suffer the little children to come to meT CoTe then, al of you, to meet with Christ. He will take a^nd" bl^y^r^"^- ^^ ^'' '^' '^^ ^^^^ "P^ ^t But I must proceed to tell you more of this inter- esting story about Jesus. When the worship was over, frnl T f ^^^. ^''" ^"^^^' ^i« parents set out from Jerusalem to return to Nazareth, their own ttfliH?K'"'f*A^^^.^ *^^* they would'have taS the httle boy by the hand, and led Him with them Happen tc Him. But perhaps they were occunied So't tl?f ''1 "'^* *!?^^ ^'^ ^-^ doinl. and hear ng in the temple, or they were busy in conversa- which'ih T^ u '^' P^^P^^ ^^'^' '^^ servicIsTn which they had beon taking part. However that may be, they neglected to lookafter Jesus They had WhLMev di^'^ ^Z^'' ^'^^^ '""^y missed ^m' WHen they did miss Him, they began, as you mav suppose, to inquire after Himlthe? would Tdo^h^ 60 auiongst the people, and ask if any one had seen JESUS OUR EXAMPLE. 106 Him. When they found Him not, and could get no wiT.? ^''?' ,*^®y ^^°^°^® alarmed for his safety. What then did they do? They returned to Jerusalem and after three days' search, they found Him in the temple, sitting m the midst of the doctors, both hear- ing them and asking them questions. They were astonished to find Him thus employed, and then his mother began to chide with Him for causing them so- much trouble and anxiety. She said to Him, " Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us ? Behold, thy tather and I have sought thee sorrowing." Jesus then answered « How is it that ye sought Me 1 Wist ye notthat I must be about my Father's business ?" Ihis, my young friends, was a remarkable answer, and 1 wish you to think much about it. Had you seen the young boy sitting in the midst of the learned men, the teachers of the law, and filling them with amazement at the wisdom which He displayed, you would have wondered at the sight. But you should recollect that Jesus came into the world to teach sin- ners the character of God, to reveal the way of life as well as to die for them upon the cross ; and even at this early period of his life, He was beginning to shew his anxiety to be employed in that work. His meat was to do the will of his Father who sent Him. And when Christ thus early devoted Himself to his leathers business. He would teach you, and all youn- people, that you have an important work to do, and tnat you cannot commence too soon to do it You have souls to be saved— you have hell to avoid— vou have neaven to gain. And oh ! when you think what it IS to be miserable throughout eternity, why should any of you refuse to hear and obey the voice that ./ 106 JESUS OUR EXAMPLE. summons you to seek the Lord whilst He is to be found, and to call upon Him whilst He is near? Th^ promise is, « I love them that love Me, and they that seek Me early shall find Me." ^ The business which your Heavenly Father has given you to do is— ^ *«.i'uer nas I. To seek the salvation of your souls. You read m your Bible that all are sinnei-s, that the wratH God lies upon all, young as well as old, by reason of wrath ^f^ ^"'''^ '* 'V *^^^"^ *^i-^ ^ ^'^^e the- wrath of Heaven resting upon you, and to have nothing before you but the place of everlasting woe You may not believe that this is true-you may think httle about it, and if only you have present .n^ment you may not care about your souls. But this is great folly. You may sometimes have seen a man deprived of his reason. He may have thought himself a king or some great person, and that he had large posses' sions. But you did not believe him-you fnewThat he was mistaken. Just in the same wav, many people young as well as old, imagine themselves safef though they are in great danger. ""ugu My young friends, we must hear what God says in t LTr V ^^'* ^T^ '' t^' *^'^*^- ^d wh7doS It say? You remember these words: "The Son of man (*^., Jesus Christ) is come to seek and to save that which was lost." We are all by nature lost sin! ners, and in danger of being eternally lost— banished from heaven, from the presence of God and cast down to the abodes of hell for ever. What a blessed thing It 18 to be saved from this state, to be delivered from the wrath to come, and to be made heirs of heaven I JESUS OUR EXAMPLE. 107 Once there was a boy in Liverpool, who went into the waterto bathe, and he was carried out by the tida Though he struggled long and hard, he was »ot able to swim against the ebbing tide, and was taken out to sea. He was picked up by a boat belonging to a vessel bound for Dublin. The poor little boy was almost lost. The sailors were all very kind to him when he was taken into the vessel. One gave him a cap, another a jacket, another a pair of shoes, and so Oi>. > w ^v* But that evening, a gentleman, who was walking near the place where the little boy had gone into the water, found his clothes lying upon the shore. He searched, and made inquiries; but no tidings were to be heard of the poor little boy. Ht found a piece of paper in the pocket of the boy's coat, by which he dis- covered who it was to whom the clothes belonged. Ihe kind man went with a sad and heavy heart to break the news to his parents. He said, " I am very sorry to tell you that I found these clothes on the shore, and could not find the lad to whom they be- longed; I almost fear he has been drowned " The father could hardly speak for grief. The mother was wild with sorrow. They caused every inquiry to be made, but no account was to be heard of their dear boy. The house was sad; the little children missed their playfellow; mourning was ordered; the mother spent her time crying; and the fat>.er's heart was heavy. He said little but he felt mnta. The lad was taken back in a vessel bound for Live- pool, and arrived on the day the mourning was to be brou^t home. As soon as he reached Liverpool he set off towards his father's house. He did not like 108 JESUS OUR EXAMPLSi be be seen m the strange cap and jacket and shoes he iiad on; so he went by the lanes, where he would not meet those who knew him. At last he came to the hall door. He knocked. When the servant opened It, and saw who it was, she screamed with iov, and said "Here is Master Tom." His father rushed out and, bursting into tears, embraced him. His mother fainted. "There was no more spirit in her." What a happy evening they all, parents and children, spent ! They did not want the mourning. The father could say with Jacob " It is enough j my son is yet But what do you think will be the rejoicing in heaven, when those who were in danger of being lost forever, arrive safely on that happy shore 1 How will the angels rejoice, and the family of heaven be glad I Perhaps when some of you will hereafter go to heaven your fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters will welcome you and say, " I am delighted to see you safe. Welcome! welcome!" You will not go there like that boy, with a cap and clothes of which he was ashamed, but with garments of Salvation, white as snow, with crowns of glory that do not fade away. And what must you do, to be ready to enter heaven when you die ? There is only one who can save you from being lost forever, and that is Jesus Christ. He died upon the cross, though He was Lord of all, that you might live— and now from his throne in heaven He IS saying, "Come unto Me, and I will give you rest." If you come to Him (i.e., believe in Him), and love Him, and obey Him, He will wash away all vour sms in his blood— He will clothe you in his glorious robe of righteousness—He will put his Spirit within JESUS OUR EXAMPtfi. 109 you, to make you holy, and all that is good will be your portion for time and for eternity. ^ II. The business which your Heavenly Father hath given you to do, and which you cannot begin too early IS to serve Him as his children (i.e., to seek to please Mim}, to do his will, and to obey his commands If you love your parents, you will make it your great object to attend to their directions, to do what they bid you, and in all things to hearken to, and follow their advice. Even so, if you are the children of God. and therefore like Christ, it will be your chief anxiety that you may be taught and enabled to do in every respect what will be pleasing in his sight. And this 18 the only way by which you can prove to others that you are about your father's business. You may say that you are the children of God; but if your hearts are not^ven to God-if you love hin, and practise sin with the wicked, all that you may say will only prove that you are false in heart, that you are serving featan, the wicked one, doing his will, and working his work. And oh ! surely it would be a sad thing for any of you to be growing up in the family of Satan and thus preparing not only for unhappiness on this earth, but for the regions of the lost throughout eternity But I would hope better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though I thus speak. I hope that you all feel the danger of sinning against God, and the necessity of striving to please God in everything. And not only so, but I hope that you are seeking grace from God to enable you to do 'his will. By this test, it will be known whether you be- long to Jesus Christ or not; for, says He, "Ye are my \ no JKSUS 6Uft BXAMPLfl. friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Yott may hve m a Christian land-you may^read loZ books-you may respect the Sabbath-day-you mav be taught at the Sabbath school-you may ha^ve pSus do the will of God. You remember, I suppose that parable of our Saviour, of the two y'oung men whom their father sent to work in his vineyard. The on^ refused not to go, as the other did, but replied, "I go "'"Lit ^' '^'''' ""*• ^^* '^' ^«r« J^^aLs of truTh -not the learners, not even those who keep it in their and love to do what pleases God. Pray to God that you may le'arn, keep, and do aU that IS good. Ask for the help of his Holy SpWt to ^^"fS^" rl^l, heart, and^eek to be^unfted b; faith to Christ, that you may be saved by his blood, and become like your Lord. "^wu, III. Another part of the business which vour do all the good you can-to try to bring oihers along with you in the way of life. The first great work of totrv .Th ^! *^«n*^'** ^' '' ^^^^ ^^^^^^> «*nd then to try to be the instrument of saving others. You may ^y that It is little you can do, but let it be only a Jol V ^Ki ^*'" 'h??^^ ^° ^*' *^^ if yo« look up to God for his blessing, He wiU grant it. P t" ^oa Kemember the great multitude of heathen children. do not know that there is any Saviour for lost men, j^appose you had seen the Liverpool boy, whom I have mentioned, carried out to sea by the tide. How JESUS OUR EXAMPLB. Ill you would have pitied him ! Then suppose you had seen the water full of boys, all drifting out beyond the reach of human help. How would your spirit have died within you! Wb^n you should have turned away, and gone home, how sad you would have felt ! No " pleasant bread " could you have eaten that night. But all the children in heathen lands are drifting hope- lessly onwards— can you tell whither 1 Oh ! try to do something to send the Gospel to them. Be missionaries for Christ. Again, when you see any of your companions going on in a sinful course, you can warn them of their danger— you can invite them to come to Jesus— you can tell them of the love of Christ, and of his willing- ness to save — you can invite them to pray with you, and if you do this in the. spirit of love and kindness! your labour will not be in vain. Be loving and kind to one another and to all. Two boys were going along the street, the elder about si*, and the younger about four years old. The elder one seemed very anxious in urging his little brother to quicken his pace, by taking hold of him roughly, and saying in an unkind manner, "Come along." The little one held back by the fences, and made a whining noise, as though he was tired and dissatisfied, and appeared unwilling to heed the rough command of his persevering brother. They were told that brothers should be very kind, one to another, that they should try to speak gently, and it would help them to be happy. " Speak very gently to your little brother, take his hand kindly, and say to him, 'Come, Willie, and let us go home.' Perhaps he would go then." 1 112 JESUS OVn EXAMPLS. He took the little bo v's hand, and in a sweet child- like voice, repeated the words, " Come, Willie, and let us go home." ' The child, with a pleasant look, trotted alone by his Bide, encouraged by the repetition of "Come, Willie • and let us go home," and thus they went lovingly along It was a lovely sght to see these brothers going hand in hand to their earthly home. But would it not be lovelier still to see little children joining hands, and saying, "Let us gb home-to our heavenly home." Ah ! if they did, how surely would the Lord Jesus ioin t^^'lmg them by living fountains of water. Oe&T oung friends, be always kind, one to another --love oae another and truly you will be blessed. Jesus Canst was very loving and kind when H^ was upon this earth. He called the little ones to Him laid his hands on them, and blessed them. And now' tt|ough you cannot see Him, yet if you strive to be like ilim. He will bless you likewise in all that you do or say h».i^lT "{?* *°'' ^T"^ ^*'. ^^ ^"S^S^*^ ^^ y^^*" Father's •fi fu •• x?^^"" ^^""^y^ *^^ °^ake ™"ch of life. Bedn with this New Year to seek, and serve the Lord more earnestly. It is the ^Hligent child who makes the useful M~"'Ji''i t ^^^^^^^"gchild that makes the aged saint. May God by his grace, guide, protect and bless you all continually, is the earnest prayer of, My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexander Topp. ToBONTO, January 1, 1865, li JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. My Dear Young Friends, — As I cannot go to each one of you, and speak to you, I take this way of saying, as I do with earnest- ness and truth, "I wish you a happy new year ! " God has mercifully kept and preserved you. Some of you may have had good health all the past year; others of you have been laid on beds of sickness, and yet raised up again. There may have been boys and girls whom , you knew that are now lying in their graves ; or, per- haps, the angel of death has come into your own dwellings and taken away a father or a mother, or a brother or a sister, or some near relative and friend. But you are yet the living on this earth. To God be the praise of your preservation. My sincere wish is, that you may be wiser and better during this year than you have been, and then you will be certainly happier. With this view, I purpose on the present occasion, w'lep you exp ^ct an address, to write to you about the ^*o.. Shephe.J, Jesus Christ, and to entreat you to come to Him, and follow Him, that you may form part of his blessed flock. The Prophet Isaiah, who prophe- sied much of Christ, says of Him : *v ",^®-f "^"^^'t'^ ^"8 flock like a shepiieid ; Ke shall gather ' the lambs m his arms, and carry them in his bosom. "—Isa. xl. 11. ■\r:- m ^Esus, Hhe good shepherd I. I shall tell you of Jesus as a Shepherd- a l!L Z '''^' ^^ *^n ?^^^ ^' '' sometimes called ? ^ ?\ ^^ ""^y ""^^ ^® «a"ed so, for He is the or queen you thmk of some person possessed of ereat power, sitting upon a throne, and wearing a ciwn surrounded by much splendour, and govfrninTS people who are his subjects. Now, JesSlsThe\w of kings. He sits upon the throne of heaven h! wears a crown the jewels of which are his own belifv -tiimselt. He has all power at his command He governs and protects his people. And He wUi make them all kings, to sit down with Him on his throne in heaven^ ^« ^^ *hat overcometh will I grantTo s^t with Me on my throne, even as I also ove^ame and am set down with my Father on his throne." ' Sometimes Jesus Christ' is called a Master, and thev who believe m Him and obev Him avo h;. ?^ They delight in doing his Timtr^And T^T. kmd and r ghteous master rewards thote who seTve him, so will, Jesus reward his servants with all Jhe happiness of heaven. *"" But Jesus is here spoken of as a Shepherd— vea He so speaks of Himself : " I am the Good Shephl^' and know my sheep, and am known of mine. And f E" *"" '"""^' "*^' """^ *«y """^l "ever You read in the Bible of many great and »ood mon who were Shepherds. Abel, who^ wicked ShS Xt-~ I " *.' fieW,was_"a keeper of sh^ep" .-».a„.>„, iu„ laDher oi the Jewish people was n shepherd, for he had great flocks and herds Jacob JESUS, THfi GdOD SHfiPHfiRD. 116 kept the flocks of his uncle, Laban. His sons, the W 7if r r /' ""^^^ shepherds. You will remem- ber that when Joseph, their brother, whom they had sold as a slave into E^^ypt, and who afterwards be- l^V f ^!* °^*^ *^r> had brought down his father and his brethren to that land, he said to Pharaoh, the ^y'TT^H'^ ?'"'' "^^ °^^^ ^r« shepherds for their trade has been to feed cattle, and they have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that thiy mLr. ^Tv! ^''^i' ""*" * '^^P^^^^ i^ *he land of M dian. He there kept the flocks of Jethro his father- ly il ^^^^ y°'' "^'^ ^" recollect a king of Israel who had been a shepherd, viz., David^ He was king of the land. But there is no Shepherd like Jesus. He is the good Shepherd. You are not accustomed here to see great numbers of sheep under one shepherd. But in Eastern coun- tries, in Judea were Christ lived whilst He was upon earth, and in the countries around Judea, the shep- herds generally have numerous flocks of sheep to tend They cannot have houses or folds large enough to con- tain them They are therefore obliged to remain with their flocks upon the mountains, and to watch over them both during the night and during the day. Thus fT« VJV"?^^^' ?°'\^^'^^ ^"^"^ *^^^^^^ *« announce the glad tidings that Jesus was born into the world they found the shepherds watching their flocks by night on the plains of Bethlehem. In this way hav- ing to be out constantly upon the mountains, the oftephercts are exposed to the severity of the weather along with the sheep. They have to bear the rough winds and stormy tempests, the cold, and frost, and : s*,!** \ 116 JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. snows of winter, as well as the scorching heat of fhrt summer sun during the day. JacoCiHl have just told you was a shepherdf says aboit his keeping tne flocks of Laban, "Thus I was, in the dl7^l drought consumed me, and the frost by 42^ and sleep departed from mine eyes." ^ ^ ' The shepherds, too, in that country have often to encounter wolves, and lions, and bears and othpr ravenous beasts, which prey ipon sheep -LtW have to drive them away, so that they are themselveJliaWe to be torn m pieces by these fierce animals. Dav^d once when he was a young man, was in great daZr tine? Saul ft ? /'' ,*^5 ^''^* ^^^"* «* *h« P^^s- tmes, feaul, the king, looked at him with some kind of contempt, as if he was not likely to be any match for the giant "Thou art but a youth, and hT a man o^jrar from his youth."-But David said unto S^l Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a hon and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flocT And I went after him, and smote him, and stw hTm and delivered it out of his mouth, and when he aroTe' against me, I caught him by the beard, and smote him and slew him. Thy servant slew both theTon and the bear and the Lord that delivered me out of ^e paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the Sear He will dehver me out of the hand of this PhiHstSe'' Now, Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, was exposed to dTth i^^r%c\r''''' W w:hTprand aeatn itselt. Though he was infinitely hapnv and f^rr-'^'-wV^' ^° «""' ™ hisLeS„„»« ot mani.,uu ihatlie came down to this earth and hved . hfe of poverty and persecution, and then died t^ JBSUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 117 save them. "When He was an infant in his mother's arms, Herod, the cruel king, sought to slay Him; — when He grew up, men- reviled Him, and hated and persecuted Him, though He went about continu- ally doing good. Jesus had no certain dwelling place, no house which He could call his own, for shelter and repose. " The foxes," He said, " have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." The wicked and ungrate- ful Jews contjj-i-'ed to take away his life, and at length they crucified Him on the accursed tree. He might easily have rescued himself out of their hands, for He had millions of angels, and all creatures under his control. But He wanted to save perishing sinners, to deliver them from hell, and to bring them to heaven, and He knew that if He did not thus die, not one of us could be saved. Oh ! my young friends, was not this amazing love, and may not Jesus well be called the Good Shepherd, when He laid down his life for the sheep 1 II. Now I shall go on to tell you about the flock of Christ. He could not be a Shepherd without a flock. But He has a flock. God gave Him a flock, and He died for them, that He might claim them as his own. You will ask, perhaps, where are the sheep of Christ's flock ? They are not all in one place, neither are they all upon the earth at one time. He has had sheep and lambs in every age— old and young — all good people, and all good children that have ever been on this earth. He has watched over them, and fed them all their life here ; and then, when they died, He translated them to his fold in heaven. There He leads Bir! '• ^ -»:>.■. 118 JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHBBD. themto rich pastures and living fountainsof waters, and God Himself shal wipe away all tears from their eye^ But as to the sheep of Christ now upon the earth they are not all in one place. There are some in one country, and some in another ; some of one colour and some of another ; some in one church, and some in another. I trust there are many of Christ's flock among you But I cannot, and no one can tell accur- ately who they are. Jesus, however, knows them all and If He were to go round among you, as you were assembled in any place. He could, without any mis! te,ke, pick out every boy and girl that really bvea Him and say to each of them, "You belong to me " Would there be many of you^I hope there would Yea, I pray that all of you may belong to Him. For :f any of you do not love Christ, but walk in sin, you will perish everlastingly. ' ^ But whether there are many among you or nnf Jesus Christ has a large flock. ^And ^h^e^ they are all gathered together, they will form a multitude which no man can number, out of every kindred, and nation, and people, and tongue. Long before they T,t "" -i ^^ f^ ^^*^^" '^^ ^*^^* H« could make of them, if He dressed them all in Christ's robe of righteousness, and put the Spirit of Christ in them He saw what a holy, happy company He could make out of them, though He knew He would find them sinners And so He gave them to Christ ; yea. He gave all that great multitude, young men and maidens, old men and children. And Christ said He would willingly suffer and die for these many Bouis-He would be their ransom. It was Jesus, then, who saved them all. You wonder JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 119 at this ; but it shews what a heart of love Jesus had when He died for his enemies. Once there was a deaf and dumb boy who was taught his lessons by a kind friend. This kind lady could speak to him only by signs and pictures. She arew upon a piece of paper a picture of a great crowd of people, old and young, standing near a wide, deep pit, out of which smoke and flames were issuing. She then drew the tgure of One who came down from heaven, and this was to represent Jesus, the son of God. She explained r a1 ^°y *^^* 7,^6^ *^i« person came. He said to C^od that He would consent to be nailed to a cross for these people, if that would save them from the pit and how, as soon as He bowed his head on the cross and died, the pit was shut up, and they were saved. ihe deaf and dumb boy wondered much, but he made signs that the person who died upon the cross was but one and the crowd very many. « How could God be content to take one for so many ?» The lady took off her gold ring, and then put beside it a great heap of withered leaves of flowers, and asked the boy "which was the best-the one gold ring or the many, many dry leaves V The boy clapped his hands with delight, and spelt the word, "One! One!" And thenf to shew that he knew what was meant, and that Jesus was the One who was worth all the rest, he ran and got his letters, and spelt the words, "Good, good One ! He had learned that day that Jesus alone had saved them all-all that great flock, and he stood, wondering at his love. ' III Now, in the third place, I will try and plain to you what Jesus will do for his flock. ex- 120 JESCS, THE OOOD SHEPHEKD. has to travel a long distance in search of the lost sheen and, when he finds it, perhaps it is wrried o^ wounded or nearly dead. He will then Sy lake It up in his arms and lay it on his shoulders and a« that he has found the sheep that was lost. NoHl It IS with Jesus, the Good Shenherd Th^.L t V? takes into his fold are natuSy vL wUd ^tv "^^ lost sheep^ They have wander^ed fa^ away from L7 They are doing the will of Satan, and if tKe left m this state, they will have their portion with th« devil and his angels. But Jesus wflks abouTon the cold mountains of this world, seeking his lost sheen calling upon them to return to God His «w.!f I ^i powerful voice you may now hearllii^gVpTyou and If you feel that you are lost, He will take^youCt ol t o'Xr ^^' '^*^"' ^^^ -^^ ^- ^^'^-t Do you know what it is to be lost ? How wm^U you feel If you had strayed away from your falher'« house, and were lost in a forest L a darHight a^^^ heard the bears growling, and the wolves howliL all around you? A good man was travellingTrouf h l wood, ma dark night, many years ago. lie fSf.W howl of the wolf, and the terrible yelf of the cltamtinf every now and then, broke the silent st,Tir.'Tthe dark night. As he rode slowly along, he heard 1 «nff and gentle cry. He thought it wt a I'd He .1 Aesus, the good shepherd. 121 stopped and listened. It seemed a great way off. He said to himself, "What shall I dol It may be a catamount, for this creature sometimes imitates the cry of a person in distress, to dr«w people to it, that it may devour them ; or, it may be. a robber, who seeks to lure me out of my path, and get my money. If It is really a child, it is so dark, I am afraid that I cannot find it." He listened again, and still heard the cry, as of a child. He was a kind-hearted, resolute man. He said to himself again, "It may be a child, I will go its relief, though I may risk my own life." So he got off his horse, and tied him to a tree, and went mto the woods in the direction where he heard the cry. After going some distance, he heard it, as 'he thought, still farther off in a different direction. Still he followed on. After going for some time, he stopped to listen, and felt a little hand pulling his clothes. He stooped down to see what it was, for he did not know but it might be a black snake winding itself around him • but he heard a low sweet voice say,' "Papa, is it you v' The gentleman took up the little boy, who was about four years of age. But now he was in danger of being lost himself, for he did not know how he should find his way back in the dark to his horse. However God directed his feet, and he came out in the right place He got on his horse, ^.ch the boy in his arms, and rode on till he came to a house, when he got off and wentm, and lo ! it was the house of the boy's father And there was joy in that house. The father and mother fainted, when they saw their little son, _r they thought he was dead. The children jumped and clapped their hands, and cried "Henry's come, Henry's oo,W- Poor Uttle fellow he had beau fro. ^, 122 JESiJS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. father's house almost three dava TTo ^. i . almost starved. O hot LAl ^^ ™ P^^e, and And they were all'glaTaffreticr foVth ''"'' mourning for him, thinking h? wis d^S ^ T! been lost and was found. "^^ ^^ -S ^""goH f'"''^'' r^.^"'^ ^" 'i^« *hi« little boy away from Him T/arf '"' '"* ^°" '^^^^ ^'^^^^^ for ever But l^kp^ht '"^i*^'' ^5^ ^^^ ^"^ ^e lost sinner returns to God there is ^ f^t "'^^'' ^^' P°°^ was in +i,«* u '-^""/flere is joy m heaven, as there iMe'w is.r Buri/'* ^1 ""» """«"* ^ Saviour you ^n not ™lt ■7"'' ™*''"^ *° '»"<"' «>« «.ae. you oo.e to li^r^' If ifcar"yr :Trv3 that He came to seek and savp fJ,o i«// ^x?' ? ^^ Bavid says in the 23rd Psalm— ^ ^® " ^^hI'^^'^v ""^ Shepherd ; I'U not want- He makes me down to lie ""*"*— In pastures green. He leadeth me ^ . -Ihe quiet waters by." ;; ifiSUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 123 You know that the soul requires food as well as the body, and it is the Truth of Christ that feeds the soul. When your parents instruct you at home, and when kind and pious teachers come to instruct you at the Sabbath scl^ool, it is the hand of Jesus, the good Shepherd, providing that which will nourish your souls unto life eternal. And all good people love the Word of God, and feed upon it. " Oh ! how love I thy law ; it is my meditation all the day." But there are lambs in every flock, and 90 in the flock of Christ. Who, then, are they? They are those who have lately become Christians, or are young in years, like yourselves. Now Jesus takes special care of them. He was kind to little children when He was upon the earth. He is as kind still, though He is now in heaven. He will do them all that is good, as it is said in the text : " He will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom." 3rd. — Jesus Christ will watch over and defend his flock. He says : " My Father who gave them me is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." You are of yourselves weak and defenceless. Satan goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He would tear you in piedes, if he were allowed. Wicked men, and bad companions would do you harm by enticing you to evil. They will laugh at you for paying attention to divine things, and they will try to make you join with them in the ways of sin. This is very dangerous to you, for your hearts are naturally inclined to ail evil. — And if the Lord Jesus does not stretch forth his arm to protect you,, you would fall a prey to their wicked devices. But ■ill ■' I i '> 124 Jbsus, the good shepherd. vhat a comfort is it to know that you have a Shep- herd who IS everywhere present, who regards you as the lambs of his flock, who knows every one of you by name however poor and young, and who is en- gaged to defend you by his almighty pow:er. • ' Thy foot He'll not let slide, nor trill He slumber that thee keeps, Behold He that keeps Israel He slumbers not nor sleeps. The Lord shall keep thy soul ; He shall Preserve thee from all ill ; Henceforth thy going out and in God keep for ever wiU. " n ^a""! ^e afraid then to trust in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, to keep you. In a Christian family near Amoy, m China, a little boy, the youngest of three children, on asking his father to allow him to . make a profession of his faith, was told that he was too young that he might faU back, if he made a pro- tession when he was only a little boy. To this he made the touching reply :_« Jesus has promised to carry the lambs in his arms. As I am only a little boy. It Will be easier for Jesus^to carry me." This pleading was too much for the father. He at once consented. The whole family, of which this child is the youngest member-the father, mother, and three ^s— are all members of the Mission Church at 4th.— Jesus Christ will comfort his flark id sick- ness and tror.ble, for He is the great Physic^n of soul and body. He knows what they need, and will JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 125 provide accordingly. We are told that on one occa- sion there was a great multitude of people about Him, afflicted with various diseases, and there went virtue out of Him, and healed them all. He always sympa- thized with those who came to Him in suffering, and He hes the same heart still. " In every pang that rends the heart The Man of Sorrows had a part ; He sympathizes with our grief, And to the sufferer sends relief." And if you are the lambe of his flocK, Ho will sup- port you in death^ You know that the young die as well as the old. You have seen a gfeat mahy^fener- als, and when you thought of your own death, per- haps, you were afraid. It is a natural fear. You do not like that your bodies should become cold and life- less, and be laid in the dark, gloomy grave. But, however, you may regard death, it will come sooner or later, and you cannot tell when. If you had your sins forgiven, and were thus at peace with God, you would have nothing to fear. It is the consciousness of guilt that makes you afraid. Now, if you are in the flock of Christ, your sins are all washed away in his blood ; you get new hearts to love Him, and serve Him, so that whether you live or whether you die, you are the Lord's. " I will feat no evil, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, for thou art with me ; thy rod, and thy staff, they comfort me." It was so with a young girl from among yourselves, whom God was pleased, itkhoxxt three weeks ago, to take away, I ho^e, to be f ore ver« with Himself. She bftd for several ^ears attended the Sabbath school 128 JKSUS, THE GOOD SHBPHBRD. regularly -loved It very much, and in every way gave her teacuer the greatest satisfaction. The mis- sionary cause had a great attraction to her and she was principally concerned in getting up & bazaar which was held in her house some tirfe sLe, forThe purpose of raising money to send the Gospel to the heathen. But what was better still, her heart seemed to be gradually more and more drawn to the Saviour Her mother and father told me that during last sum: mer she had one day been praying for two hours, and that then she thought she saw a bright light shLiing around her From that time she had been happy, re- joicmg m the Lord. As she had not been very strong for some time, her mother said to her, when she knew her complaint that she might die at any time. She reohed that, though she would like to remain and be with her for some time, yet she was ready, if it were the Lord's will, "for," she added, "I LllZj Saviour Jesus had revealed Himself in her heart and made her one of the lambs of his flock My young friends, Jesus Christ is thus speaking to you m his Providence Hear his voice; give your hearts to Him, and then when you die. whether in e,p\VfrS:"fl^t '°' "^ ^ '^" "^'^ -'''' •^-^ 1. He expects them to love Him supremely If you saw any kind shepherd defending his sheep from danger, and exposing his ovn life to be tak«n a-oy for their safety, would you not think him very good md would not the sheep Jove him for it ? So, sm-ely' .^^w JESUg, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 12: you should value Christ above all, and love Him above all, because He suflfered so much and laid down his life for you. A young heathen boy, who had long tried to overcome his sins, but was not able, because he knew not the way of salvation, came to a mission- ary, and said to him, " I have a flower, a precious flower, to present as an offering, but as yet I have found none worthy to receive it." Hearing of the love of Christ, he said, " I will ofl'er my flower to Christ, who is worthy to receive it. " This flower was his heart. Jesus accepted it. He refuses no heart that is offered to Him. He made him one of the lambs of his flock. 2. Jesus expects of his flock that they hear his voice and follow Him. These are his own words : " My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. The shepherd calleth his sheep by name and leadeth them out." A traveller in the East tells us that, when he was there, he asked a man whether it was usual to give names to the sheep. He informed him that it was, and that the sheep obeyed the shepherd when he called them by their names. One morning he had an opportunity of seeing this. Passing a flock of sheep, he asked the shepherd the same question, and received the same answer. He then bade him call one of his sheep. He did so, and it instantly left its companions, and came up to the hand of the shepherd with signs of pleasure, and a ready obedience, which he had not observed in any other animal. It is also true in that country, that the sheep will not hear the voice of a stranger. " They will not follow him ; they will flee from hiui, for they know not the voice of a stranger." The son of a prince put on the dress of a shepherd to try them. Hi I'il 128 JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. V ^;, T !? ^"T". '* '^*' "^* *h« ^oi^'e of their own shepherd, though it was his dress, and they would not I'^TJ'^'I ^V'^' ^^'^ '^' «^^^P «^ ^^^^'^ and this IS the way by which you may know them. They will not obey sm, or Satan, or wicked people. They follow Chri8t,anddoh swill. TheyknowVvoice,and^obewI I remember that one day in the north of Italy f saw a shepherd with a large flock of sheep comiAg along the road Ihey had to cross a deep, rapH stream, over which th^e was only a rough plank I wondered what they would do ! how they could get across. But as soon as the shepherd put his foot upon the narrow bridge, and spoke to them, and went C fore them, they all followed, one after another. They A^'iJT' ^^"'"'"'^ *^^ shepherd went before them tht^^r k"" 'Ti^^^*'^ ^^' ^"^ **^"« *" Christ's sheep and lambs will do. They will listen to his voice nrf/i '^ '%u ^^%T^^ ^^ ^^^* ^' t,idsthem wi h. out delay. They will follow whithersoever He leadeth Him Zl ti^'t' ""^ J^-' .^^°^ *^^* *^^y ^« a" like Him , that they bear his image. Your daily prayer, if you are His, will be— ^ i'*«'j'«'-, " I long to be like Jesus, Meek lowly, loving, mild, I long to be like Jesus, The Father's holy child." In this way the flock of Christ are known, and dis- tinguished from others. They have ril got a new heart, and this makes them like Christ. Th..r „.. gentle to one another, and to all. They are'^ever -eady to do good, whether to the bodies, or to th^ JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD, 129 Bouls of those around them. They are haters of all Sin, of falsehood and dishonesty, and Sabbath break- ing, and intemperance, and vice in every form. They love all that is just and pure, and lovely, and of good report. They think much of Christ ; they honour ±lim m their hearts, and they extol Him by their lives. « I have not done enough for Jesus," said a kittle girl, when she was dying. She had felt the worth of a Saviour, and how much she owed to Him and she grieved that she had done so little for His sake Now, let me ask you, have you done enough for Jesus ? You know what He has done for you What have you done for Him ? He likes to see yougrowing up holy, and just, and true, in favour with God and man, as He did. Then He likes to see you trying to bring others to Him. Thus you will be known as the lambs of his flock. Always feel that you have not done enough for Him, and strive to do more. Let this ever be your earnest prayer and effort. Seek daily at the throne of grace the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Begin from this day to be earnest and true m the love and service of Jesus Christ. And then, so long as God spares you, from year to year you will.not only enjoy the special care of the Good Shepherd, but you will be growing in usefulness and piety, and m all that will enable you to answer the great end of your being. This is the daily fervent petition, for each one of you, my dear young friends, Your verv affftofionofo Poa^•<^- Toronto, January 1, 1866, ALEXANDER ToPp, THE FEAR OF THE LORD ; OB, THE GREAT LESSON FOR THE YOUNG. My Dear Young Friends,— I am glad to meet you all again on this the first day of a new year, and to be able to address you as usual on this occasion. But first let me say to each one of you, "I wish you a happy year." May God put his Holy Spirit within you, to make you good and to keep you good. Then you will be really happy, and be enabled to look up to God from day to day, saying, " My Father, Thou wilt be the. guide of my youth." The subject of my address to you at this time is one . which IB intended especially for young people. "Come, ye chilch-en, hearken unto me, I wiU teach you the fear of the Lord. "—Psalm xxxiv. 11. ^ You kno\«r wh(*. wrot« this Psalm, and most of the other Psalms in th^Bible. It was David, the kins of Israel. Whftn h« wna o lUfi^ u«t- u ., i * , . , . r:~ „ ~ "7" " "vi^x,^ KT^jj nc vvits empioyed m keeping his father's sheep. But God, who chooses ftny according to his pleasure, and makoB them whftt THE PEAR OP THE LORD, ETC. 131 He pleases, chose David, and took him from feeding the ewes, to make him a great king over his own people. And though David as a king had much to think of, and many things to do — though he had large armies, and was obliged to fight against his enemies, and defend his country, and manage all the affairs of his kingdom — he did not neglect the young, he sought to do them good. No doubt he had many advices and counsels to give to grown-up people, and this Psalm is full of in- struction to them. He asks them to come and taste that the Lord is good. David knew that himself, and he wanted that others should know it too. But, you observe, he does not forget the young. He calls upon them to come to him also, and he would teach them the way to be good and happy. This was true kindness to them. All who know God, and 1 ve God, godly parents, and ministers, and teachers, and others, will be anxious that the young may be taught the fear of the Lord. You may receive many gifts — you may think much of these ; you may have a great deal of knowledge imparted to you ; but if you are not taught the fear of the Lord, you cannot enjoy the favour of God, you will have no real happi- ness in this world, you will be shut out of heaven when you die. A minister who had iMt cbngregatioiE^'*'*' near a very lofty mountain, was one morning taking a walk at a little distance from his house, when he met a shepherd, whom he knew to be a regular attendant at church. He had his plaid cloiely wrapped about him, and had evidently somethinjg^in it, that he was carrying with unusual care. After some friendly words between them, the minister said to him, " What is that you have got in your plaid 1" He answered, " It is ft w^ 132 THE PEAR OP THE LORD; OB, poor forsaken lamb. When I was going my rounds this morning I found it lying on the cold ground. Its mothei' had left it, and it would soon have died. I took It up, wrapped it in my warm plaid, and am now carrying it home to my cottage." "And what," the minister asked, "do you intend to do with it?" "I will feed It » said the kind shepherd, "and it will soon be one of the flock." He did so. The poor forsaken lamb revived, grew, and became one of the liveliest and strongest sheep of the flock. Had this kind friend not taken compassion on it, it must have pined and died. New the young are just like this forsaken lamb. Ihey will die m their sins if they are not brought to Jesus and taught the fear of the Lord. Jesus came down from heaven, and walked over the cold mountains of .his world, to «eek and to save that which is lost He 13 going about the hills, seeking for the wanderers of his flooif . His sweet, though loud voice, you may hear cryir.g unto you. Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die ?/ If you hear that voice and obey it, instead of .being dying lambs, you will become living members of Chnst s little flock. He will take you up in his arms —He will carry you in his bosom— He will bring vou 1 if "Z? ^^^^-He will feed you with the pure milk of the Word, with the finest of the wheat— He will make you blessed in heaven at length. Which of vou would not wish that? "Come then, ye children. Lord ""^ ''''*'' "'^' ^ ^"^ ^^^""^ ^"""^ *^® *^^'' °* *^® n J i.~ '\'\ spuiiuii to are young people. God has a word m the Bible to you, as well as to others. Yo^ have souls to be saved. Tou were born with sin- m tflE ORfiAT LESSON t'OR THE YOUNG. 133 ful hea»ts, and you have often done sinful things, all of you ; and your sins need to be forgiven, and washed away in the blood of Christ, else the wrath of God will rest upon you, and destroy you forever. Your naturally wicked and deceitful hearts require to be taken away, and new hearts given to you, else you can never see the face of God in kindness or in love. You are by nature ignorant of God, and of the things of God ; you need to be taught the good and the right way Now God wants to do all this for you. He knows what yeu require, and is anxious to bestow it upon you. You may remember, as recorded in the Old Testament, that when God had given to Moses the laws which He would have the Israelites listen to and obey He bade him to say to them, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart, and ttou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and mm talk of them when thou sittest in thine housp and wnen thou walkest by the way, and when thou liestrdown, and when thou risest up." And in one of the Pualms, it is said, "He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He com- manded our fathers, that they should make them knoum to th£ir children. That the generation to come might know them, even th^ children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments, and mi^^bt not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious gene- ration— a generation that set not their heart aright and whose spirit was not steadfast with God." You m 134 THE PEAR OP THE LORD j OR, learn from these passages, how careful God was that the young should not be forgotten, but should be dili- gently and prayerfully instructed. In the New Testa- ment the apostle Paul says by command of God to parents "^/^/e fathers, provoke not your children f fnl^f A T ^T,? *^^^^ ^P ^ *^^ ^"^"'•e a^d admoni- tion of the Lord." Remember always that God cares tor you and wishes your good. Let parents be warned to care for the best interests of their children, and let children be admonished to attend to the good instructions of their parents, because it is the will of It is also a sign that God is mindful of children, and seeks their happiness, when He puts it into the hearts of those who love Him and keep his word, to come and toach you at the Sabbath school. It is He who inclines his own people to do this, and you should not i'i? Vuu^.f ^^^^ f^*" ^*' ^"* ^^^'y *i°^« yo« come to tHe babbath school, you ought to recollect that God Joves you, and you should eiarnestly pray that you may be brought to love Him too. ^ ^ And how did Jesus Christ, the friend of sinners, who came down from heaven to earth to die for uZ how did He treat the young ? Did He overlook them as If they could not understand Him, or as if they could receive no benefit from Him 1 No ; He wt^ always very kind and ^ondescendir^g to the young He was ready to heal them when they were sick and to do them all manner of good. When a heathen woman came to Him, entreating Him to have mercy upon her child, who was arievoualv tnrmo«+^/i «.;+i, „ evil, and when she pressed Him again and again He said to her, « O woman, great is thy faith. Be it THE GREAT LESSON FOR THE YOUNG. 135 unto thee even as thou wilt." And I jr child was made whole from that very hour. There was once a certain father, whose child was very ill. He was much concerned about her, for what father or mother would not be concerned about any of their children, if they were sick and likely to die ? He ^me to Jesus, and fell down at his feet, and besought Him greatly, saying, " My daughter lieth at the point of death, I pray thee come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live." If you had been present at that time, and looking on, you would have seen Jesus kindly consenting to go away with the anxious father, and proceeding to the house. When they arrived near the door, there came one and said to the ruler, "Thy daughter is dead, why troub- lest thou the Master any further 1" But Jesus said unto him, « Be not afraid, only believe." And they went into the house, where the people were weeping and wailing for the death of the girl. Jesus went to the bed-side, where her body was lying cold and dead and took her by the hand, and said, " Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." And straightway she arose and walked, for she was of the age of twelve years. Did not this shew the interest that Jesus had in the young? On another occasion, when He was employed in teaching the people, some motheis brought their chil- dren to Him, that He might touch them. His disci- ples rebuked those who brought them. B«t when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto tnem " Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." You have every encouiagement then to seek after A i* 136 THE PEAR OF THE LORD; OR, Jesus, to go to Him, and ask his blessing. He wil not put you away. He will gladly receive you, and make you hij own. And there are many passages throughout the Bible, in which God speaks to the young, and promises them a special blessing, if they give their hearts to Him. Foi- example, "I love them that love Me, and those who seek Me early, shall find Me." I have read of a very celebrated man, who when he was a boy, was accustomed to hear an excel- lent preacher, with whom he was so much -.leased, that, in returning home from church, he would walk behind him, and try to tread in his footsteps. 'The- minister did not know him, but one day he noticed the little boy trotting after him, and said," Well, my child, God hath said, ' I love them that love Me, and those who seek Me early shall find Me.' " He said no more, but the little boy pondered these words in his mind, and asked himself, "What does he mean by * those who seek Me early?' I rise early, and my first work is prayer. Is that what he means ? No, I think it is those who seek God in early life— when they are young. Then thus I seek, and thus I will seek the Lord. The minister said also, 'They shall find me.' Others may perbaps seek, and not find; but God says to the young, They shall find." This thought gave him great encouragement, and led him earnestly to seek the Lord ; and experience has often proved that the true ligLo which, coming into the world, light- eth every man, often shines with great power into children's hearts. ^ You will thus know, from what you have been read- ing, the care which God tfikes •of you, and how desir- ous he is that you should be taught what is good for '■ " ■"■ •■■-• -^^ ^-'-\_ -■--*-•■' ^..Xi.^ *-'"X, ' '■ - idi^^k THE GREAT LESSON FOR THE YOUNG. 137 yoTi, and will save you forever. What then are you to be taught ? . II. This is the second thing I am to tell you, and what It implies. It is the fear of the Lord. " Come, ye children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the /ear of the Lord." There are many people who don't like to think about God. It makes them uneasy, and they would rather put away all thoughts of God from their minds. Are there any of you of whom this is true 1 If there are any of you who have wicked hearts, w'ao delight in wickedness, it is so with you. There ar3 boys who will not care sometimes to profane the Sabhath who will rather spend that day in play, and amusement, or it may be m a worse way, than go to church with their parents— who will not hesitate to stay from the Sabbath school with bad companions at times. I am sure they will nc,; like to think about God. There are boys too, who, when they get angry with others will curse, and swear, and take the name of God in vam— who often say things that are false, and care not for the word of God, and for prayer. I am sure they will be afraid, when they think of God.— And there are girls, who can be very disobedient to their parents, and very unconcerned about their souls, when any one speaks to them regarding divine things, and the wonderful love of Jesus Uhrist. I am sufe they will have no pleasure in the thought of God— they will be afraid to think of Him. ^ And why is this ? It is because conscience tells you tMt you are sinners, that you have made God angry with yon by your ms, that you do not love Hiw, or 5 rii 138 THE PEAR OP THE LORD; OR, his day, or his word, or his laws— and you know that God is able to punish you, and to cast you away from his presence into the place of everlasting burnings. " God is angry with the wicked every day." It is this that makes all unconverted sinners afraid of God. They know that He can punish them, and that He will punish them at last. Hence they tremble and fear before Him. But this is not the fear which is spoken of, and which you should have. Bad people, wicked boys and girls do not require to be taught that. They feel it in spite of themselves. They cannot help it. Conscience speaks to them of many sins committed against God and of his anger and power, which they cannot resist! And so long as any of you continue to love sin, and to commit sin, and to hate God and his law, so long will you be unhappy and afraid to think of God. " The fear of the Lord," which the Bible teaches you is that fear which springs from love. If you love God* you will fear to offend Him, you will seek to turn away from everything that would make Him angry with you. You will try to do everything that would please Him. A boy was once tempted by his companions to pluck some ripe cherries from a tree, which his father had forbidden him to touch. "You need not be afraid," said they, "for if your father should find out that you had taken them, he is so kind that he will not hurt you." "For that very reason," replied the boy, " I ought not to touch them, for though my father would not hurt me, my disobedience would hurt my father." Now, why did this little boy so act 1 It was not because he was afraid of his father as one who would punish him, but because he loved his father THE GREAT LESSON F^R THE YOUNG. 139 and revered his father so much, that he would not do anything which would offend his father, and make him displeased. This will explain to you what is meant by the fear of the Lord. It is such love to Him, that you fear to disobey his law, and that you delight to do what would be pleasing to Him. You love your parents, 1 nope. You have good reason to do so. Your moth- ers have watched over you, and taken care of you and have shewn you kindness in every way. Your fathers have laboured to provide for you, and it is a pleasure to them to see you happy and comfortable. Ihey have often pardoned you when you have done wrong, and treated you with as much kindness as ever. Oh ! who can think of a parent's lovfe without lovmgm return and treating them with all respect and affection? You must have hearts full of ingrati- tude if you do not lovo your parents and seek to obev and please them. ^ And have you not much more reason to love God 1 Who has done so much for you as God ? He created you. He preserves you. He supplies all your wants, and continually upholds you. He sent his Son into this world to suffer and die for you. And now, if you believe in Jesus Christ, He will blot out •,/°y,.®^^^" -^^ ^^^* Sive you new hearts. He will deliver you from the power of Satan. He will take you to heaven when you die, to be .for ever with Himself. Is not' this most wonderful love? Thmk of God Dartinsr with hia own Snn o«^ ^pi,:„_ Him die upon the cross, that you might be saved from hell. Think of God, willing to pardon all your sins 8«d give you a spotless robe of righteousness, that you 'm '- '\^ 140 THE FEAR OP THE LORD; OR, may shine brighter than the angels in heaven. Think of God, ready to make you his own children, to de- fend you from all evil, and to allow nothing to hurt you, till He bring you to heavenly mansions, per- fectly happy, perfectly holy. Now if you love Him, and pray for his spirit to make your hearts good, and to keep them good, you will take pleasure in obeying his word, you will re- inember that God is near to you, seeing you at all times, and you will endeavour to do everything that He commands you. " My dear child," said a teacher to one of his Sabbath scholars under alarming illness " have you any reason to suppose that you love the Saviour ?" « I hope I can say, sir, that I do love Him " was the reply. "And what makes you say so?" added the teacher. « Why," said the little girl, « be- cause I love his word, I love his house, I love his people, I love to pray to Him, I do not like to offend Him, and I believe that He loves me." That is just the fear of the Lord. Can you say as much ? If you can, thon you are blessed indeed. May God, by his grace, keep you in this state, and then you need not fear any evil. He will do you good continually. You may say from day to day, "This God is my God for ever and ever. He will be my guide even unto death." But in order to teach you more particularly what is meant by the fear of the Lord, I shall tell you what I have read about a little boy, who feared the Lord, and served Him, and then shew you from his example some marks and evidences of those who possess this character. After an absence of some years, a minister returned for Q, Sabbath to the place where he had foiinwl/ 1PHE GREAT LESSON POR THE YOUNO, 141 preached the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the services of the day were over, a widow knocked at the vestry door, and requested an interview. " Do you not remember me, sir?" said the woman. " Not at this moment," was the reply. " Do you not remem- ber John Reynolds?" « No." " Why, he was at your Sabbath school." "That may be, but I cannot promise to remember every boy that has been in the school." " But, sir," said the widow very earnestly, "my John was the best John in all the world." "That may be, too, still I cannot say that I remember him." "But I am sure that my 'John is the best John in all the world, and you will say so too, when you have heard what has happened since you left us some years ago." And then the poor widow gave the minister the following account of her John : " After you left us, sir, my husband died, and we became very poor ; indeed, we were almost irving. And one day my John said to me, ' Motlhi-, dear, we cannot starve, and there is no work to be got, let me go to sea for a time, and try to earn some money for you.' I was very loth to part from liim, but times were bad; and as he seemed so anxious about it, I gave him a parting kiss, and he went to the nearest port, about seven miles distant, to seek for a berth in a merchant vessel. John tried in many quarters, but he could not succeed for some days ; and he was al- most going to give up in despair, when he saw the master of a ship passing by. * Do you want a boy, sir,' said John. 'Why, that is the very thing I am & '^'"y -'^t« viiC vctj^-vaiii. i-'u i.ncii, an; inKd me. * Well, where is your character V * Sir, nobody knows me here ; but in my own parish, I could easily get a 142 *HE J-HAR Off tHE tORi>; 6R, chamcter, but I am a stranger in this town/ * I can- XdtenlT:;frii1r^*"- 'But I will be vT^ ODeaient 1 will do all that you tell me.' 'That is ch:ral'"t7 ''^' ^^''^^^ ^^^ ^ must Itv: cnaracter, or I cannot take you with me ' Tnhn Stthf 'f^ ^- '— 1> and the^nl: gfven"fo* t^l^ "^ ^'' P'?'.* ^^^'^ ^^^'^ had been oSnl fli ^-M ^ i'"'^^"^ '^ *h^ Sabbath school. Upening the bible, where the inscription was written before & captain^ Will that do, sir^ for a cWcttt' The captain read t^ie following:— " PRESENTED TO JOHN REYNOLDS, FOR HIS GOOD BEHAVIOUR IN ■ ■ ■ Sabbath School Date. mendation. Come along with me.' Bei7o1'Vv^T''l^^^^^ f^F^'^ in a merchant ves- sel for St. Petersburg. A few days after, a storm arose, and the wind blew a hurricane, and the wavS dashed over the ship, and the danger ' became friglt! ifZK"^^.' i*^"^^ """^^ ^'' P^^^^^ ^i^H and read in a loud and solemn voice the fifty-first Psalm. On his bended knee did that young sailor boy cry to that God who alone can appease the raging storm. Zd one oy one one after another, did the sailors, and the mate, and the captain kneel down by that s^lor boyt *HE GREAT LESSON FOR TfiE YOUNG. 143 when he read the Psalm at the top of his voice. And it pleased God to hear their united supplication. The storm abated, and the ship pursued her voyage in safety. The captain used to say to John in the after- part of the voyage, ' It was a good day for me, my boy, when I shipped you ; your prayers saved my ship ; when we get to St. Petersburg, you shall have a holiday.' "When they arrived at St. Petersburg, according to the captain's promise, John had the holiday. Boy- like, he must needs go to the Emperor's palace, to see all the great people go to court. There he stood, gaz- ing on the novel scene ; and as carriage after carriage passed by, something dropped from one of them at his feet. It was a bracelet which had fallen from some lady's hand. John picked it up, and called aloud to the coachman to stop ; but in vain ; the crowd and the noise prevented John horn being noticed, and he re- turned to the captain with the bracelet. ' You are a lucky boy,' said th(} captain, 'these are diamonds.' * But they are not mine.' • How did you come by them V 'I picked them up, and I called to the driver to stop, but he drove on and did not hear me. * You did, then, all that you could do under the circum- stances,' said the captain, ' and they are clearly yours.' ' No, captain, they are not mine.' John was too hon- est and simple-minded to be caught by the captain's guile. ' Why, you foolish boy, let me have the dia- monds, and when I get to London, I will sell them for you ; they will fetch lots of money,' ' That may rj\.f cSipvSfin, ouv vixv-j are noi/ mine j anci, captain, sup- pose that we should have a storm as we go home, what then?' * Ay, Jack, I never thought of that; i u4 •THE PEAR OF THE LORD; OR, { M;i'' however, let us try and find out the lady to whom the bracelet belongs.' " The owner was soon discovered, and the lost pro- perty was safely restored. John Reynolds received from the lady, as a reward of his honesty, the sum of one hundred and seventy-five dollars, and this, under the captain's advice, was laid out in skins and hides • and when John left his good ship at the end of his voyage, he had, buttoned up snugly in his pocket, the sum of four hundred dollars. " Thus enriched, and with a heart bounding with happiness, he set off as fast as possible to his native village, and very soon he found himself at the wicket gate of the well-known cottage. But here, what a scene presented itself ! The narrow pathway to the cottage door was all covered with grass and weeds; tHe wmdows were aU closed ; then there was an ap- pearance of desolation all around ; and burning grief soon withered all John's hopes. He felt sure that his dear mother was dead. He stood before the deso- late cottage, and gazed upon it; he could not weep, nor speak. Alas ! how cutting, how grievous his dis- appointment ! "Just at this moment a woman came out of a neighbouring cottage. 'Is that you, John?' John did not reply. The woman instantly saw what was passing m his mind. ' Your mother is not dead, John ' Is not she, is not she V and the big tears flowed plentifully. Where is she?' 'She's in the Union workhouse.' * Is that all V said John, and he brushed the tears away, and with a throbbing bosom, set off lor tiie Union house. There he knocked at the door m fine style ; and the master came running out, think- THE QREAT LESSON FOR THE YOUNG. 146 mg that it was the chairman of the begird, or some great ..lan on important, and pressing business. ' What do you want V said the master, in a gruff, dis- appointed voice. * I want my mother.' * Your mother! Who is your mother?' 'Mary Reynolds.' 'What do you want with your mother V • Support her, to be sure.' 'You support her! that is very likely.' *I am a merchant,' said John. ' I have got lots of money, and I will have my mother.* ' You must get an order from a magistrate first.' ' Order ! do not talk to me about orders ; I must — I will have my mother.'" And John succeeded. He "led off his mother in triumph, rejoicing in the ; ect of being able to minister to her comfort, W e do not wonder at her saying, " My John is the best John in the world." She concluded her touching and true story by afl^rming, *' All this, sir, was through the Bible." Yes, it was the blessed Word of God which had changed his heart, and taught him to fear the Lord. " The entrance of thy words giveth light — it giveth understanding to the simple." It was this that made him an honest boy, and a dutiful and affectionate son. Now observe — 1. This boy loved his mother, and wanted to provide for her. God had been pleased to take away his father, and that his mother might not be in want, he would do what he could for her sup- port. This was just acting out the fifth command- ment, " Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." It was the fear of the Lord that taught him to obey this commandment, for he who fears the Lord will try to keep them all, not one of them, but every onOvof them. -II F** 4k ?"■;;;■ 4;^ I V 146 THE PEAR OF THE LORD; OR, 2. This little boy loved the Bible. You read that when he left his mother's house to go to sea, he carried his Bible in his pocket. There are many grown up people, and many boys and girls too, who will never think of their Bibles but on the Sabbath morning, when they may be going to church, and then they will take them to church with them, more for the sake of decency than anything else. Such persons cannot be said to love the Bible. If you love anything, you will like often to look ao it, and have it in your hands — and so if you love the Bible, you will delight to have it in your hands, to be reading it, and praying that God would open your eyes to see and understand, and your hearts to feel the things that are written therein. For the Bible is the book of God. It is the best of books. It tells you the will of God, and the character of God, and what He has done for guilty sinners on the earth. It tells you of the love of Jesus Christ and what He suffered for you, and how anxious He is to save you, and make you happy. And, therefore, if you love God in your hearts, you will love to converse with Him in the Bible, and know what He would have you to do. This little boy betook. himself to his Bible, and read it when the storm was raging and the ship was in danger. And so in danger, in trial, in temptation, in sickness, and in death, at all times if you are taught the fear of the Lord, you will delight in the Bible, and ask counsel and direction from it. " He that followeth Me," saith Christ, " shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." 3. This little boy had gone to the Sabbath school, and no doubt attended church regularly, and through the grace of God, he received a saving benefit. He tHE GREAT LESSON FOR THE YOUNG. 147 tad got a reward for his good conduct at the school. Ihis shewed that he had been diligent and attentive, and well-behaved when there. And so, if you love the •11 i ^- ^^ *^® ^°^'*' y°^ ^i^ • ^e like him. You will delight to go there also, and not only be grateful to your kind teachers, but you will listen to their in- structions with the earnest prayer that God would bless them to you. And it may be, that like this little boy, you will receive a lasting benefit for time and for eternity. 4. This boy was a praying boy. He feared the Lord, and prayed to Him, knowing that He alone could keep bim m safety in the storm. And he was at peace and happy when all the rest were afraid. If you were out at sea m a storm, I sup])ose you would be very much frightened when you looked out upon the foamincr waves, and the raging sea, whilst the ship was heav- ing up and down and rolling about, as if it would be swallowed up every moment in the deep. I am sure that sinners, such as do not serve God, would be afraid. But this boy was not afraid. He took his Bible and read it. He prayed to God, and God heard his prayer for himself, and for the others, and saved the ship, and all who were in it. So if you pray to God, and delight in prayer, He will keep you from all evil. He will defend you from danger^ and bring you in safety to heaven at last. 5. This little boy feared God in his conduct. Some boys and girls if they had found anything lying in the street, would have called it their own and put them- selves to no trouble to find out to whom it belonged But it was not ao with this boy. He might have kept the bracelet, which was of great value ; and had he M 11 148 TUE FEAR OF THE LORD; OR) taken the captain's advice, he would have done so. But he feared the Lord, and though nobody might have found him out, he remembered that God saw it, and knew it, and therefore he could not be at peace in keeping what was not his own. And so, if you fear the Lord, you will remember that He sees and knows and hears all that you think, and do, and speak, and accordingly you will endeavour, by night and by day, in +he darkness as well as in the light, at all times to ooey the will of God. "Thoii, God, seest me." Never torget that, wherever you are, or wherever you go. Fear the Lord, depart from evil and do good. So will God be to you a sun and a shield continually. You cannot begin too soon to fear the Lord. You remember that in the parable of the father and his two sons, God is represented as saying to each one of us, " Son, go work to-day in my vineyard." To-day, not to-morrow. lifow is the accepted time. Begin now in early life to seek, and serve, and fear the Lord. Most of those who have been known as eminent Christians in after life, gave their hearts to the Lord in the days of their youth. You have many examples of this in Scripture too. Obadiah says of himself, "I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth." Samuel when a child ministered to the Lord. Timothy from a child knew the Holy Scriptures, which made him wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. If you are like them, God will bless you, and make you useful in the dayfe to come. You have no security against the stroke of death at any time. Have you not seen during the past year, funerals passing along the streets, of boys and girls as THE GREAT LESSON FOR THE YOUNG. 149 i) young as any of you 1 Which of you can say that you will be spared to the end of this year ? Oh i be earnest in prayer for the Holy Spirit to dwell in your hearts, to teach you the fear of the Lord. And then, whether you live, or whether you die, you will be the Lord's. Consider how your time is fleeing away. You are all this day a year older than you were on the first day of last year. And whether you have been doing good or doing evil during the past year, you cannot recall it. It has gone up to God, to witness either for you, or against you. How have you spent it ? What had been your great anxiety? Has it been to love God more, and serve Him more faithfully 1 or have you been altogether careless aboul the things of sal- vation 1 If hj your own carelessness you have lost anything on which your hearts were set, you blame yourselves for it — you feel that it is all your own fault. And if you misspend your time, and neglect your oppor- tunities, you will accuse yourselves forever, as the cause of your own ruin. Be wise then in your early life. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him whilst He is near. Be careful to redeem the present time, for it will never return. A child, beside a running stream Sat carelessly at play — Her hands were nlied with ^rettv flovrers Which made her young heart gay. She gazed upon them with delight Tkey were so beautiful and bright. I' Ifi if 160 THE PEAR OP THE LORD, BTa And ever and anon a flower Into the stream she cast, Then clapped her hands, and smiled to see How swift it glided past. And thus she threw them one by one, Till all her pretty flowers were gone. Then when she found no more were left The little maiden wept. And wished, but wished in vain, that she Her pretty flowers had kept. The stream refused to hear her cry — ** Give back my flowers !"— it glided by. And yet again her little plaint Fell sadly on my ear ; It pained me much to see her grief, Her useless cry to hear ; For only echo caught the strain, ' ' Give back my pretty flowers again ! " ■ And thus have children oft the loss Of golden hours to mourn — The opportunities they lose Will never more return. Dear little ones !. seek Christ to-day, For days of grace soon pass away. The stream of time is flowing pp«t, Oh ! see that you improve The precious season you enj' y, To serve the God of love ; Else soon your bitter cry mist be, "Give back, give back, my flowers to me !" Your very aflfectionat© pastor, Algxa^^didr Toff, ToBONTO, iit January^ 1867» M 'J SEEKING GOD EARLY; OB, THE BEST CHOICE OF THE YOUNG. !, '1 My Dear Young Friends, — We have now, in the good providence of God, been permitted to see the beginning of another year. And as I have been in the habit of doing, I desire to put a short letter or address into your hands this day, with the earnest prayer that when you read it, it may be with the Lord's blessing, and therefore with benefit to all of you. I might address you about many things that would be profitable. I might speak to you about improving your time in gaining useful knowledge and informa. tion, to fit you for your place in life, if God spare you- I might tell you to take advantage of all the oppor- tunities which you have for this end. I might write to you about obedience and dutifulness to your parents. I might exhort you to be truthful in all things, to be honest in all your dealings with others, to be kind and gentle, and to do good to all as you have the means and the power. But there is one thing over and above all, which I wish to urge upon you, and that is, to see that you are learning to r^ if r, 'yiii Hl*»«l#l 162 SEEKING GOD EARLY; OR, member your Creator in the days of your youth, be- cause, if you are seeking and serving God in the way of his own appointment, through Jesus Christ his Son, this will enable you, and this alone will enable you to do everything else that is well and pleasing in his sight — this; and this alone, will make you grow in wis- dom, and in favour with God and man. My subject, therefore, will be : — (t Early wiU I seek Thee."— Psalm Ixiii. L You know who wrote these words ; it was David the King of Israel. He wrote most of those beauti- ful psalms, which are in the Bible, which good people in every age have loved, and which have given them so much instruction and comfort. When David was a little boy, like any of you, he sought God, and loved and served Him. God had loved him, and when He wanted to set up a king over Israel, to what house do you think that God went to choose a king? You might suppose that He would have gone to some of the great people of the country, those who had large pos- sessions — wealthy and powerful, and taken a king from among them. But God does not take these things into account in carrying out his purposes. You remember a verse in the Bible, " The Lord seeth not as man seeth ; man looketh on the outward appear- ance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." He did not, therefore, go to the families of the rich and the powerful, and choose a king from among them. But He sent his prophet to the House of David's father, and though David was the youngest son in the family, and was employed in feeding the flocks of his father, yet the prophet seat for him from the fields, and by THE BEST CHOICE OF THE TOUNO. l53 God's appointment anointed Iiim king. You will be r. fi'^^uP'f^P' ^^^ ^^^ «^««« ^^ rather than . any of his brothers. We cannot tell the reason. He giveth account of his doings unto ncyie. " 'He chooseth this we do know that David loved Godf and sought to please Him and do his will. God alwiys delights in , and honours those who love Him and keep his coi^ mandments whether they, are old or young, whether iov aod'/f '' ^T ^""^ '^ y°^ ^^"»d ^«h to en- ^oy God s favour, if you would have God for your God If you would be truly happy, you cannot be so except you seek and find God. "Them that honoi^ S^b^j TsteemTdT' "^ *^^* ^''^''' "^" «^*" ^' W .J^!^^ ^""f "^^""^ ^^'""^^ ^^ *^»*s ^«rld that are con- sidered valuable, and for which people will expose ttiemselves to haiJships and difficulties, and trLTs For example, some will go to far-off places across the ocean to seek gold. When gold mines are dWered n any place many will flock to them in search of treasure. Just now, in the eastern parts Tthis Province, they say they have found gold in the rocks and some are in great excitement fbout it and pr^ pared to dig for this gald as for hidden treasure bS there IS something far better than all the gold in the world, aiid that is, to seek God. " What is a xnan profited, If he gain the whole world and lose hfs "wn mnU Why is it so much better to «oot -^j «„j 1. ^Nobody can ta..,. _ rea^ tHat a Mexican man Him away from you. I have 11 dug up a gold nugget worth 154 SEEKING OOD EARLY ; OR, three hundred dollars An Indian digger snatched it from him, hid it in his bosom, and toctk to his heels. The Mexican drew his knife, ran after him, caught him, stabbed him, and leaving him half-dead, went off with the gold. That night, the Indian's brother murdered thf^ Mexican, and stole Hhe nugget. He soon lost it in a drunken brawl. It was picked up by a white man, who went and locked it up m an iron safe at Sacramento. The safe was robbed. The nugget was next seen at a gaming table, and bought by a jeweller. The jeweller put it in his shop window. A thief stole it, and sold it to an assay ojQfice, whence it came into the possession of its present owners. The sad history of this nugget shews how men prize gold. That nugget was terribly dear, for it cost two murders, and four robberies. And then how uncertain is the possession of it ! But if you seek and find God, no one can rob you of that portion. Neither can fire burn it, nor can water drown it Bad times cannot damage its value, nor can bad partners gamble it away. You may sail round the world and not leave it behind. You may be shipwrecked and not lose it. You may be put in prison, and carry it with you. It is not too rich for a cottage, nor too poor for a palace. Sickness does not cheapen the worth of it, or health add to it. Nothing robs it of its value. Times and seaaonsj ' which alter everything else, make no alteration in this. It ever endures. 2. To seek and find God is to have a treasure far more profitable than all else. People ask about any- thing in this world. " Does it t^ay 1" ^nw rln^e *Ko Bible s»^ that it is profitable to seek God ? Certainly. It distinctly tells us that " Godliness is profitable unto THE BEST CHOICE OF THE YOUNO. 165 all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." It says, that in keepinc tf od s commandments, there is a great reward Gold may buy multitudes of things, but it cannot procure spiritual blessings. Can it buy the pardon of sin ? r^- It get you peace and happiness ? Can it secure t ) you room m heaven? No, gold cannot purchase thUe. And they are the very things you want most. I m^ member a well-known man who had acquired he -^ property and was called the richest man in the country. I wish, he said, " I could go back to be a poor boy and make It all over again." The possession of it did not make him happy. It did not satisfy. You recollect the story of the rich man and Lazarus Ihe rich man had everything which money could buy "-houses and lands, and plenty of all kinds. These took up his attention, so that he neglected his soul- he laid up nothing for the world to come. A poor creature was laid at his gate, who begged for tho crumbs which fell from- the rich man's table. He was both sick and poor, and had none of the comforts which gold can buy. Some pitied him, and some may have scorned him, as they hurried past. But how many on looking up to the rich man's house, envied him. The two died and then what a change in their condition ' In the other world, the rich man was poor, and more ttian poor. The poor man was rich in heaven. Why? Because, while on earth, he sought, and, to his everlast- ing happiness, found God. The rich man was not shut out of heaven on account of his riches, nor was the poor man welcomed on account of his poverty— it is not our situation m life here which determines our situation hereafter, but it is our having or not the pearl of great • n 156 SEEKING G.OD EABLY; OR, price, the true riches, the current coin of heaven, which rewards its possessor with everlasting peace and joy. Therefore let yours be the determination of David, this day and onwards, "Early will I seek thee." I. I shall try to tell you why you should seek God. You should do this : — 1. Because He hath created you. One of the first questions which little children are taught is, " Who made you ?" You know the answer ; you would reply Crod. But have you ever seriously thought of this, or do you give the answer just because you have been taught by your parents or teachers to say so 1 If you made anything yourselves, would you not call it your own property, and claim it as what you had a right to ? I am sure you would. So if God has made you, and given you life, does He not claim you as his own, and should you not seek Him as God your Creator, whom you are bound to love and obey ? He made every thinu happy 't, when it of the lambs of i boldly ew him, STou will tid kind, onderful danger, [ am the 1 giveth > danger 3 person empting i village a. The most of jmbered e house it. He )uld be yone to e knew 9 burnt hild so ler life, ire and but she m care all the ) went I raged violently. The stairs were burnt, and had tumbled down, and there was no way for him to get out. You will be sorry to hear that this kind, tender-hearted father was burnt to death. Now, must not this father have loved his child very much, before he would have rushed into the flames and lost his own life in order to secure hers? And surely this child must have had a very strong affection for so very kind a father during all her life. But Jesus has done far more for you than any earthly parent could do. For though He was the maker of all things, yet He descended from heaven, ai^i endured for you the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross. And though He has gone back to heaven, and reigns on a glorious throne, yet He has the same heart still, and is as much concerned for your happiness. And there is not a boy or girl among you whom Jesus does not want to come to Him. He is now looking down upon each of you, and saying — Will you not love Me, and take Me as your Saviour, and give your heart to Me that I may introduce you to my Father, and that you may see his face, as your Father and Almighty Friend? Now, what is your reply? Are any of jou saying "No; I will not give my heart to Christ — it would take me away from sin, from evil companions, from many pleasures and amusements. I would rather continue in sin." If any of you speak thus, and act thus, your conduct will be very ungrate- ful to Him ; very foolish and dangerous for yourselves. Consider what will then become of you at last. You will be put on the left hand of the Judge, and He will say to you, " Depart from Me, i know you not." I am sure none of you would like to receive this sentence. 160 SEEKING GOD EARLY; OB, I'll I'lH ■ Oh! then seek God through Jesu3 Christ, pray that you may be reconciled to the Father through Him ^e IS willing to do this for you, and then yours will be the joyful invitation, "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." ^ um wwk fl^^""® ^""^ ""V- ^1** ^""^ important blessings which flov ^rom seeking God. * 1. You wiU receive the forgiveness of all your sins -you will be at peace with God. By nature, all have corrupt, wicked hearts-all have done many sinful things. What does the Bible say about this? "We go astray as soon as we are lorn, speaking lies » « If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth IS not in us." There is no one who can say. 1 have never sinned against God. Have you not spoken your own words, and thought your own thoughts, and done your own works, on God's holy day? Have you not often done things which you knew to be wrong? "Your own hearts do condemn ITih^ » ^^ ^^^**^'' ^^^"^ ^"^""^ ^^^''*®' ^""^ knoweth Now what do you deserve on account of your sins ? You know that "Every sin deserveth God's wrath and curse^both in this life, and in that which is to come. This must be the portion of all whose sins we unpardoned, and is it not a dreadful portion? How are you to be saved from it? It is by belie vine m Jesus— seeking and returning to God by Him So long as your sins are unforgiven, you cannot be at peace with God. Nothinff can tatp a^o" -v u„. Ohrists blood. And it is our comfort to know that lili THE BEST CHOICE OP THE YOUNG. 161 the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin. He who is washed therein has no ground of controversy between God and Him. All guilt is removed. " There is no condemnation to them who are in Christ." I once read of a remarkable thought of a dumb boy of some eight or ten years of age. He was called "Poor Jack, and appeared to be destitute of all animation and intelligence. A Christian lady took .p the case ot this boy, and resolved to devote herself to the noble work of instructing him. It was difficult work, but after a time the boy's mind broke its prison, and looked around on every object as though never before beheld. By a gradual and interesting process, he was led into the recognition of a Supreme Being, and into the reception of the Gospel. As his mental faculties developed, he became animated and happy, and would come to his teacher every morning with a budget of new thoughts. Some of these were expressed in a way at once beautiful and original-such as the idea ot the lightning, that it was produced by a sudden opening and shutting of God's eye-and the rainbow, that It was the reflection of God's smile. The most remarkable of these conceptions was per- haps the following. He said that when he had lain a good while in the grave, God would call aloud, "Jack » and he would- start and say, " Yes, me Jack." Then he would rise and see multitudes standing together, and God sittmg on a cloud, with a very large book in his hand-he called it "Bible-book, "—and would oeckon him to stand before him, while He opened the 4. XT-' 1,~:^ 7'^' ^F "* ^"'^ F%^> till he came to the name of John B— la that page, he said, God had written all his bads, I -'te 162 SEEKING GOD EARLY j OB, all the sins he had ever committed, and the page was full. So God would look and strive to read it, and hold it to the sun for light, but it was all " No, no, nothing, none ;" for when he had first given his he i -t to Jesus Christ, He had taken the book out of G od's hand and found that page, and pulling from his palm sorae- thing which filled up the hole made b;y the nail, had allowed the wound to bleed, a- 'i passed his hand down the page, so that God could se<-i oor*; of Jack's bads, only Jesus Christ's blood. Nothiog i aving ibxni found against him, God would shut the L , >k, and then he would reiiiain standing before Hirii hll the Lord Jesus onme, and saying to God •' My «iaek," would put his arris around him and bid him staisd with the angels tin the rftct were judged. And is it not written, ' The iniquity of Israel shall be sought f J and there shall be none." "I, even I, am He, who bictteth out thy transgressions." During his last illness he frequently recurred to this idea, and would say to his friends with a look of infinite satisfaction, " Good red hand." His view of Christ's all-sufficiency was realizing, and it was quite evident that the Gospel was his sole and solid sup- port. 2. Another blessing which God will give to them who truly seek Him is a new heart, holiness within, and thus a fitness for his service here, and for the enjoyment of Himself in heaven. When your sins are washed away- in the fountain of Christ's blood. He gives you at the same time a spotless robe of right- eousness to cover you, and thus to enable you to stand accepted in the presence of God. But something more is needed — you must be made clean and holy in THL BEST CHOICE OF THE YOUNG. 163 1 '* IS jour hearts. Remember what the Lord said to Nico- demus, " Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." God is a holy God, heaven is a holy plaue, and nothing that defileth shall enter into his presence, Now you do not naturally love holy things --T70U choose evil rather than good, and why 1 Because your hearts are by nature deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. You cannot make -them good. You cannot keep them good. God alone can do it by his Spirit. • And this is his promise to them that seek Him. " I will sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean ; from all your filthi- ness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a. right spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony iieart out of your flesh, and give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them." There are many who hope to get to heaven who will be disappointed. They do not possess the state of heart which would fit them to be happy there, even if they could be admitted. A deaf man can have no pleasure in music — he does not hear it. A blind man can derive no pleasure from pictures — he does not see them. These persons cannot ha gratified, be- cause they have not the faculty to derive pleasure from such things. So a bad man, a bad boy or girl, could find no pleasure in heaven. When Uzziah, the King of Judah, became a leper in the temple for his ofauity, he was not only thrust out, but he himself H. ;t3ned to go out, so unfit did he feel himself to be tor that holy place, as smitten with the leprosy. Jn. 164 SEEKING GOD EARLY; OB, like manner, whosoever is unhealed of. the leprosy of sin has no fitness for the holiness of heaven. If you would reach that blessed place at last, you must be prepared for it by a life of faith in the Son of God— a hfe of obedience to the Word of God ; you must be taught by his Holy Spirit to love what is good, to hate what is evil, and to struggle against your pride and selfishness, and self-will, and vanity. Let, then, your daily prayer be, " Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me." Thus will you be enabled to serve God in faith and love, and pre- pared at length to dwell with Him for evermore. 3. And this brings me to notice another blessing which flows from seeking God, viz. :— Eternal life in the Kingdom above. " Blessed is the man that seek- eth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me, findeth life," spiritual life here, and everlasting life beyond the grave. You know that your continuance upon the earth is very uncertain. Death will soon snatch us away, whether we are ready or not. And hence Jesus says to all of you, « Be ye ready, for in su6h an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh." It was on a lovely summer day that a lively girl stood m a half-opened window, full of joy and hope. Her eyes looked bright, and a smile played on her lips. " I am going home," she said ; « I shaU see my dear fether and mother, and my little brothers and sisters. How happy we shall all be together ! I am going home. I fancy I can see my father's house, half-hid ' among the trees, and hear the birds sinrinff awPPt songs. I wish I could fly like them, for then I would sooji be at home." *rHE BEST CHOICB OP THE YOUNG. 166 It was a calm evening in autumn, and the rays of the setting sun shone into the sick-chamber. On a low couch lay a pale and dying girl. The bloom of her cheek and the brightness of her eye had faded away. Who could fancy her to be the same girl who rejoiced at the thougTit of going homel Pain and sickness had brought her low ; yet there was an ex- pression 'of peacefulness on her face that shewed hap- piness within. She was calm, for she was one of the lambs of Christ's flock. ' " I am going home," she gently said. *» I am going to my Saviour, to be with Him forever. In his presence is fulness of joy, and at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Life, indeed, has many attractions, but I can leave them all", for perfect hap- piness will soon be mine. I am going home. In my Father's house are many mansions. There will be no sin, no grief there. I shall sing the new song, and tune the golden harp to the praise of my Redeemer. Oh ! that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest." What a blessed thing, if you could, each of you, through divine grace, look up to heaven and say, "That is my home, and God is my Father. I am striving to seek Him day by day. I am striving to do his will in everything, in the strength which his Spirit gives me, that so I may be with Him in the enjoyment of his presence forever." III. Let me now speak to you about the time when you are to seek God, « Early will I seek Thee." In the days of your youth, in your early ears, you ought to enter on this necessary work, li id of the highest 166 SEEKINa GOD EARtT ; Oil. importance as regards your spiritual welfare. Indeed nothing 18 of so much consequence to you either in this world or in the next. If you do not seek and find God through Jesus Ohnst, you cannot be in h- state of safety. God alone IS the author and giver or all good. God alone is possessed of all power to protect you, and keep you from evil G,^ alone car deliver you from the snares and devices of Satan, \"ho wants to make you his for- ever Now, if God ift not your God and nortion— if you have not become his children by faith* in Christ and thus engaged in serving Him from day to day' you have no defence against the evil one, you are an open prey to all that would injure and destroy your souls— you have- no shelter from the storms of divine wrath against sin. Of every one who gives his heart to Him, God says, " Be. ause he hath set his love upon Me therefore will I deliver him ; I will set him on liigh, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon Me and 1 will answer him ; I will be v^ith him in trouble ; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life Will I satisfy him, anrl shew him m- salvation." If you do not seek and find God through Jesus Christ, you cannot be happy. You belj'-re, I am sure, that the Bible speaks the uuth. A.nd'does it not tell you that " Happiness consisteth not in the abundance of the things which a man possesseth?" Does It not say, " Blessed is the man whose iniqu' ' ^s are forgiven, whose sins are covered?" Does it i; declare, " Happy is the man that findeuh wisdoi " Does not Je«us tell His diaoiples, « If ye know these^ things, happy are y<. li ye do them V You thus see THE '^RST CHOICE OP THE YOUNG. 167 that real happiness is connected with true relidon Therefore, to seek God early, is to be early happy.' And oh ! what cause of thankfulness will you have If from this time henceforth you are able to say in humble confidence-, " Behold God is my salvation • I will trust and not be afraid." If you speak to any of God's people, any that are striving to serve Him in a right spirit, and to do ;od to others, they will all urge you to seek God early, as knowing that religion alone can make you truly happy lour parents, I hope, encourage you to this— at any rate, if they are right-minded, and would be free from^the blood of your souls, they will press it upon you ^ ,m day to day. And I know tliat your Sabbath school teachers, to v. m you are so much indebted and to whom the chu h is under such obligations' encourage yu also to thi luty, and pray for you that you may be enabled to < . But above all, you have encouragement from Jr.us Ch- ^,. He says, "I love them that love Me, and they i. seek Me early shall Jmd Me. He does not promise thu* they may find Him, but that they »haV find Him. It is a special promise to t>!e young. The aged may find Him. The door is not shut against them. But the young shall nnd, if they seek Him early. Think of this, and begin now, if you have not already done so, to seek to kno v and glorify Ood You cannot begin too soon to do it. Young as you are, death n ay come to you at any time. It spares ^®}*Jer old nor young, neither minister nor people, neither teaehc-f nor scholars, whuii Ciod sends it forth With his commission. During the last year, it was sent liot only, as I mentioned already, to some of the 168 SEEKING GOD EARLY; Oft, scholars of the Sabbath school, but also to one of the teachers. She was a young lady, who, I believe, loved Jesus Christ and his work. She took a great interest in the Sabbath school, and for several years taught a class in it. But God saw fi. to call her away from the Church on earth. His hand was laid upon her in trouble. She was advised to go to Britain for the sake of her health. But after crossing the ocean, and travelling on to her friend's house, to which she in- tended to go, God said to her, "Come up hither." May the Lord comfort sorrowing friends, and sanctify to both teachers and scholars these successive breaches m our midst! " You know not who may be called away from amongst us during this year which is now begi^^ning. There- fore, neglect prayer no longer— neglect the Word of God no longer— remember that every invitation in that Holy Book is addressed to you, as if you saw and road your own names written there, and by that Book you shall be judged in the last day. A little girl was working by the light of a candie. It was burnt down almost to the socket. She was plying her needle very fast, and at length she said to herself, "I must be very industrious, for this is the only candle I have, and it is almost gone." • What a lesson there is in the words of this child ! Surely we may learn wisdom from them. Life is but a short candle ; it is almost gone, and there is none other. How earnestly engaged, then, should you be in every dutj of life ! Whilst you have the light of life, how careful should yov be to seek God, to perform everything enjoined by your heavenly Master f How ought you to use every talent for the glory of God, THE BEST CHOICE OF TUB YOUNG. 169 and the kingdom of Christ, working the work of Ilim that sent us, whiie it is day, becaui the 2ht cometh in which no man oan work i ^ cometh mignt, tor there is no work, nor denoe nor know Mav'Godt'v' ir^^^^-^. whitheXu go^st^' May God by his Spirit teach and enable vou all to seek Him early-to make this your early/ only^hoicl —IS the earnest and sincere prayer of, My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexanoek 'lopp. t: .**i - »! ^1 ToBONTo, 1st January, 1868. THE BEST KNOWLEDGE. My Dear Youno Friends, — I am glad to meet you again in these circumstances on the jfirst morning of a new year. God has been pleased in his mercy to preserve us in safety through all the days of the year that is now past. To Him let our hearts be lifted up in thanksgiving. Many younger than any of you who may read this, have been laid in their little coffins, and carried to the graves, from which they will never rise till the morn- ing of the resurrection. But you are all here, the liv- ing before God. And I hope the earnest desire of each one of you is that you may seek God more devot- edly than ever, and thus be fulfilling the great end of your being. For this purpose I avail myself of the opportunity, as usual at this season, of addressing you specially, that I may entreat you in the name of Jesus Christ, and for your own peace and happiness, both here and hereafter, to learn wisdom in your early days, and to choose, like Mary, that good part, which will never lie taken from you. I know that you have souls as precious as those of people much older than you. I know that one thing is needful for you as well as for them— even the sJ^lvation of jrour souls, I know that :y^. !(') ' ' THE BEST KNOWIEDOE. IJ, Jesus is just as ready to receive ,m„ it ■ ceive any others and tw n j™ ^?.V. *^ ^e is to re- his children. ^ read n th^ r-,1 ^"'°S *° ""ke you you be n.ade tru? Wadset .^^Ket*!'"/ ""'^ "^" being permitted thus to writp t„ , ? "^^"^"^ '" affectionate counsel and Ti ?• ^ °'' * ^^^ ^ords of founded on that Tirse tS™ 1°"; ^^'^ ^'^''" ^ could repeat, *"" ™'* many of you tu::sttli^rirabYe'f„''4'll?r'"°™*''^Ho,y Scrip, through faith which L 'i^ Otot'SLr-la^^^Lirw °' Ti2l^; ct yrg™i^:L''jf ^r ■ .'^ ^'^°%- epistle was sent to hfm Tn, hf/''™*' '''><"' «'« for him. He calls h m'),; ^ . ," «''*'** affection he entreats him to confteStb ''1"™'' ^°"' ^'"' had learned, for from a cb;u i,\ i ,*"""«" ^''ioh h« Scriptures, Ui'ch w^ m't'ite^Z" *'^ «"'^ salvafon, through faith which ist Chr4" J™"- "'"° Ho^7vrSt\rt- ;w' ChTV^*^^^^^^^^^^ his childhood. You w?lT h. y Sonptures from had any to teach hTm when heTatalirY''^^ ""^ who it was that taught hfm ?! T V"^' T''' teacher. I don't sunnn<,» Vk'* i ,' ?™othy had a go to, and kfnd perZs wlo tat: """^-T ^'""'' *° young to instruct 1 J :; X^ou hlT^tf had what was of the hi(rli«of ;/ / ®- ^^^ ^^ mother was an excellent^loHirP''*^^'' ^"^ ^^- His faughthim ouVof ^he Scr^Ws' ^ '"^ "^'^^^ Mru in the .nowIedge^r& Saf^CC' 172 THE BEST KNOWLEDGE. Jesus as the Saviour of her own soul. She loved Christ because of what He had done for her, and she was anxious that her child, Timothy, should know and love Jesus also. She felt assured that this would be better for him than all other knowledge — that it would give him greater joy than to possess all the riches of the earth — and perhaps she would take him quietly beside her, and speaking gently and aflfection- ately, would tell him of the love of Jesus Christ, and of all that He had suffered for perishing sinners. She would tell him that Jesus, though He had a glory far above all in heaven, or on earth, and though H6 had dwelt from all eternity in the bosom of his Father, yet laid it all aside, and came down to this earth, and suffered, and died upon the cross, that He might save the souls of lost and fallen men. She would speak to him about the kindness of Jesus to little children — how He took them in his arms, and blessed them, and said, " Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them n^t, for of such is the kingdom of God." She would entreat him to give his heart to Christ, and I have no doubt she would pray with and for him, that the Holy Spirit would bless her instructions, and touch the heart of her young child, Timothy. God heard her prayers, and Timothy, though a child, began to feel an interest in what his mother taught him. He would then think much about these things. He would ask his mother to tell him more than she had done, and to repeat the same things over and over again, trying to remember them. Thus, his ten- der heart would be imoressed -with the story of Jeaua' love. And I believe that when Timothy was able to read, he would take the Bible and delight in studying t THE BEST KNOWlEDGt J 73 tiTo^^pSn^Ut'' w t *° '■■' "Other and a.k de«ta„d,trhe';o .Tdi^; t'oZl r tt^' -"■ make him wise unto \^}vI7 ^»V° *«aeh him, and prayers of tLT wh^'rC cry^lfr^? ''--*''« yo4. HefSm/edL pi3;h<:,r«-tof ">e the hard and stony hear? o'uT^f'our Llh 'a^ST'^ give you an heart of flesh " ' ^ ^'" ohiiUrew^ht HrsI*'/"'^' ">-* Timothy, when a itht? ft nirs ^-f"™ r hf had'^sur: thus take paiis tolivevl'thrt ^^^^^ ,"">^i"'-- -ho and who p?ay with™ ^^Vf knowledge of Christ, taught byV Sl^a "a"„rm f/eS^t TeS "? and they shouldCmeSb™ ha't heVoS o7:Lf "*^' be required at their hands. ^""'^ ™°'y But if you have mothers, or fathers or +„.„i, who desire to bring you to Christ J! j' * *®achers care for all that tf ey tell%„ "fr^rl^jt ^ f "»* are very guilty, and will brC Sh ^1 ^ ^'^ tion upon vouraelve« it ,„ \ *"'' «°ndemna- to love'^^Tobey H?;, ^°" '■'^*"''' *° '=''"'« *° 0^^^'. ent^ or"!,*''!!" '"''?'"' ""^ instructions that your rar tt?:K*!!^!^?'™y<'»fr<'» the Bible. 'Vou'-s" of"lu" pious motheT^ t ^'f teningto the lessons Han„a.fbynr^^5,e^-L^;t/,-^-«^ lU THE BEST KNOWLEDOE. f! 'J tions, and you read that he ministered unto the Lord, when a child. David had a godly mother. He pro- fited by her labours lor him, so that he could sing, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." I could tell you of many others, who had reason to bless God that He inclined their hearts to hearken to, and receive the counsels of their pious parents. But I could also tell you of the danger of despising instruction, and forsaking the law of your mother. I once read of a missionary in India, who said that he frequently visited a British soldier, who was under sentence of death for having, when half intoxicated, wantonly "shot another man. When he visited the gaol, a number of the other prisoners came and sat down with this man, to listen to a word of exhorta- tion. On one occasion, he spoke to them about the importance of studying the Bible. " Have any of you a Bible f* he inquired. They answered, "No." "Have any of you ever possessed a Bible?" They said nothing At last the murderer broke silence, and amidst sobs and tears confessed that he once had a Bible. "But, Oh!" said he, "I sold it for drink. It was the companion of my youth. I brought it with me from my native land, and have now sold it. Oh ! if I had listened to my Bible, I would not have been here.' I. You should seek to be made wise unto salvation. This is the greatest of all blessings. For — 1st. It secures the forgiveness of all your sins. You are told in the Bible- that all are sinners — and thprp R.rA nnriA nf irr»ii Tp-Tin Vio'"" -nn-t- ■rv.r...-,T» ^-^-rt'. +~ answer for to God. You know that you are sinners. Your hearts do condemn you — and if you were to *HE BEST KNOWLEDGE. 175 say that you had not sinned, you make God a liar and his word is not in you. If any of you care not to profane the Sabbath_if there are an^ of you who teel in your consciences that you have often said things that were not true-if there are any of you who take God's name in vain-who are disobedient to your par nts—who do not love the Word of God He marks all your sins, and you know that every sin deserveth God s wrath and curse, both in this lifef and m that which is to come. It is a fearful thing to be lying under the dis- pleasure of God When a man comes to feel that he IS burdened with a load of guilt which is sufficient to crush him down to hell, when he comes to feel that <^od 18 angry with him, he can take no rest in his mind, because of God's anger-he would give any- thing for rehef to his soul. You remember that when Lhm2^5 i;- '-^^ *^"' ^'' ^^^^"^*^' °r *he pun- ishment of his iniquity, was greater than he could bear. You have read, too, that many of the Jews who crucified Christ when they had been awakenii by the preaching of Peter, and felt their heinous sin were cut to the heart, and cried out, " Men and breth- ren, what shall we do V The gaoler, at Phillipi, too, rnrflTlT"^ ^w '^^ i° ¥ ^ '^''^'> ^°^^ trembling and ffell down before Paul and Silas, and said, "What must I do to be saved ?" » "xia-c These persons knew that it was a drea ifal iMng to fall mto^the hands of the living God. U was this ««a. ^aue tnem so deeply concerned. N' w .>'A>rv one who has not been made wise unto «alvati:.u,s exposed to the divine displeasure, whether he feels it or not '■ii 176 THE BEST KNOWIEDOB. i '" There are many who live in sin all their days under the wrath and curse of God, and who will at last go down to th6 pit of everlasting burnings. But they who are taught by the Word and Spirit of God— who accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour, are freed from the punishment of sin. « The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." It takes away all the sins of believers, however many or great. There is no con- demnation against them. Satan has no power to con- demn them. You have read of the cities of refuge in the land of Canaan — seven cities which God appointed in different parts of the land. When any man had killed another unwittingly, or by mistake, if he fled to any of those cities, he was safe, so long as he remained within the walls of it. The avenger of blood could not enter to hurt him. Even so, Jesus is our city of refuge, and to Him we may flee with all our sins; and if we do so, Satan — the great deceiver and destroyer of souls — cannot touch us. Jesus bears the burden of all our iniquities. There is no blessing like this, — to have all your sins forgiven, to be freed from the power of Satan, the great enemy. There is nothing, then to separate be- tween God and you. He becomes your Friend and Father in Jesus Christ, You may have done many wicked things — ^you may have been very guilty — but Jesus will answer the Father for you. He will say, " These are my children, who know my voice, and love Me. I have suffered for them upon the cross ; there- fore let them go free." A little converted Namacqua girl, when asked if she loved Christ, answered, " Yes, I do, and I desire to love Him more.-- \Vhen asked why she loved Him, since she had never seen Him, THE BEST KNOWtEDOB. 177 the favour of God Ind all^n T"? 'v*/'"="'-«' *» y™ life. You would tMnk it » ? ."?' ""'''"«« '" 'Ws the favour of Xe Slt n ^^*' \°''°"""' " y°" had delighted ^^lorXd^.Zth:^'' '°\^' y""' -" honour is it to ha^e thTfa^u" oJ 00^°^^ T' J" was a king himself savs "Tkly • , David, who loving-M/dness is b'eShan iff^^™^,^ ^^ ?"^ *h'^ cometi down fromTbove Sl Tv, T''? P"*"' §»' t';^int"'"^'i-,o~F"4-^^^^^^^^ the^ the best thin^XV^Ta;: , ^"^ ^-« ""* ricLT„d"Uu7a:dVe''re"s' *■"" !f .^'l"^ "'«' S'-' comforts whieh"LTr\::rtrd~r^^' r",!^ happy. But these things, even all th./I-""'* ^ -orld, if you had them, fouJd never let"^ '" *^ a man. It is only when ht^i^I^ give happiness to is reconciled to God tWt he . i. ""' ^"'Si^^^, and joy V *hi^ i° th':*at''rh''a7wrhr"r'' S;tr: *""^'' '"^ -^« wlet°o^th: ^:i; You know f.lio+ « «^j.i 1 , . _ delight to'bestow mTrtVerirtw''''''"', f'"' '^" their good. But .a^y .^s hL'^^t r;o::rt i7d *Hfi BBaT KNOWLKDGfi. do for their children what they would like, and often they may be mistaken as to what would be for their wn'Jfu I ^ . f"" ?!''®'' ^^ ^^ ^^y °^i«*ake as to what would be best for his children, for He is infinite in W oT ' ^L""^"^ ^^ everything for them, for He hB8 all power. Then his promise stands sure that He will watch over and defend all the members of his w^^lv l^'^'i ^°''''«' **^** S^ ^" "lake all things work together for their good. If He sends affliction upon you-if He lays you on a sick bed-if He takes away from you your father or your mother, or any of your brothers or sisters-it is because it 4ill be for mT'ff. i ^u^ ^^'^ "^^^ ^^ *^1^ **^ «*y' " I* is good for me that I have been afflicted." He will give you hearts to love Him, and to serve Him faithfully where- nZ /"!?•?",!' ^^^ wherever you go; and though you may find it hard sometimes to do what is right—what Jesus commands, and what your own consciences tell you to be according to his Word— yet God will strengthen all who look to Him for help. You have many spiritual enemies, but He will protect you against them all so that they shall have no power to Ljure you. "Mark that text," said a good old man to his fw!'*'""!^ ^'^^^ ^°y' ^^° ^*« ^^^^^S to him the thirty-second Psalm-" mark that text, «He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about ;' I read it in my youth, and believed it ; and now I read "nJJ.J"? old age, and thank God that it h true." ir!2l A r? i^ ^^^ ^^**^® ^°y' " i* i« » blessed thing, m the midst of the joys and the sorrows of the world to trust m the Lord, and to eniov hi.^ salvafinr. » 3rd. Another reason why you should seek to be made wise unto salvation, is, because it will take away VHB BEST KNOWLEDGE. J 79 ^nViroS^^^^^ entrance into tHe Cometh the McTrnen^ V '\ ^^^ *^^* ^^^^' ^eath signs and rei:fc*;3 J°,^^^^^^^ .^" °'*^" -^ *^e you see them somewhere if vo^l, ""^^ ^ ^^^ ^"* in your own dwS/s V- "'^'' ''"^ *^^°^ street, or you are aS« ^? ^'''"^ ^^°^g ^he obser;e a Cse coS fn^T'^ •'' ^^ P^^^^-^o^ and then, perhaps S .«* W^g at some door ; and a nuXoTLp^^^^^^ ^'^^^ "P behind around. What if AlXV\"?'"'r^' ^^*^^^^^ one has died in that house and i. L t ^''^"'! '^°^" now in a coffin amid.f fl ' T *^ ''^ ^^^"^^ ^way friends. S Wf I ^^ *'^'' ^^^ lamentations of that has taken plaTe Td^r''.^^ *^^ ^^P^^^*^«- this world behold TeC of tir ^'^"^^^^ ^^ thus cut down. *^°^® "^^^^ death has app^L^f^faH^^^^^^^ .? is the narrow house old, for the rLh and fo^^^^^ the young and for the for the unleaded TWeir'^ ^^^ *^e learned and There the wi^ed pp«.o T ^^ Prisoners rest together. are at rest Tht small 17.*^^^^^^' "^^ ^^^ weary Some are enabled tZL *^\great--all are there They have fl' pt eefl/h?^^^^^ ^ grave without fear. Jesus for their Friend tP^' ''^"'' ^^^^ ^^^^ had the twenty-third Psalm • ^ '"''' ''''^' "^'^^ ^^^^d' '^ ''"Yeitmj} '""^'^ "' ^ifath's dark vale, T?^* rj,^"^ ^ ^ear none ill ; ' ind ,Hft^'* ^^*^' "^^ ' ^"d thy rod ^nd staft me comfort still." 'fl »'.i 180 tHE BEST KNOWLEDGB. I toU you before of a young lady-one of your teachers-wJio, during the year before last, died in the Lord, whilst on a visit to Britain. She had been ad- vised to go for the benefit of her health. But it was the will of God to call her to Himself, leaving behind her the record of a Christian life. Now, during the past year God has again visited us in the same way, and called away another young lady, who for several years was a devoted teacher in the Sabbath school. She always took a deep interest in it, and in every good work, for she loved Jesus. This was the pervad- mg principle yi her heart; and she attained, on her death-bed such faith and joy in the Lord as few a^e privileged to have Her death was loss to her friends, but gain to herself. She had r^o fear of death. But many are airaid to meet with death, and to go to the ^ave Why? Because th.y h... not Jesuf as their Friend. They have never gone to J esus to get their sins forgiven They have never given their hearts to Him. They feel that God is angry with them, and they fear to go and stand before Him in judgment. May you, my young friends, have Jesus as your Companion and I'rotector, when you are called to go down to death. .J'^'^XuT^^l or girl reading this, may say to him- self,-shall I die ? shall I have to go down to the dark and dreary abode ? Yes-whenever the messenger is sent to summon you. But you may be thinkingT « It will be a long time before he will come to mef I am ' so young. Look at the Necropolis, or any if our church-yards. You will find little graves there- craves or b'^^^a attI o'lvl'^ «" — ,-, - C8 ui J an,! giri« ao yvUug as you, and perhaps of some with whom you have spoken, and played, and gone to school. It is not many weeks ago since I was THE BEST KNOWrEDGB. 181 God Lrh 1 ^ ^?^* ^^^^' ^^°«^ ^^"^e was Lydia. «o fh^ 1, P^'T^ *? ^^« ^^^ ^ ^^ry weakly body so that she was often ill. But I hope she knew and some tim. T ^ ^' '" ^**'?^ '^^ ^^^^^*h school for some time Her age was only eleven years. She died rather suddenly. And so the messenger may be sent t 'afraid Tr'nl'' T'./^" ""^* °^^^' whe'ther yo'u ar< atraid or not— whether you are prepared or not I sasv, very lately, a fine little boy, of only five years o age, unexpectedly cut down, to the great l^fo his parents He had been running aboS qui^ well and was taken with severe trouble.^ In thrrLs he was in his grave. ^^ "® old. But if you are looking to Jesus, and seeking f^ be made partakers of his salvation, yorshallTav^ nothing to fear. He once died, and Entered theJuvT and rose again that whosoever believeth in H m shTw not perish, but have everlasting life. Vou are nof fon young to seek his face-you ar! not too young to dt And m the grave you will lie till the Lord Jesus Chrisi shall come to judge the world; and then, if yL W loved Him, and been saved by Him, He ^ill Sse vlu glory of heaven for ever. « In My Father's house are you. I go to prepare a place for you ; and if I eo and prepare a place for you, I will come again^ d S you unto mvself. that wliovo t «^^ .?.' «-"" receive also." ■■' ' ■■"•■-^ 1 «in, tiiure ye may be II. How are you to be made wise unto Salvation 1 . 'i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1^128 |50 ™^™ 25 2.2 I.I 1.25 1^ UUi. IE l£ 16 6" Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STRiET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SB0 (716) 873-4503 182 THE B2ST KNOWLEDGE. It is by knowing tha Holy Scriptures, and through faith in Jesus Christ. There is much knowledge in the world, and you may be anxious to gain that. It is right, too, that you should be diligent in acquiring that knowledge which will fit you for the business of life, in whatever sphere God in his providence may place you. But then let me tell you that if you have not the knowledge of salvation, you want that which is of most importance to you — you want that which will carry your souls to heaven when you die. Many a man who has tdiled all his days that he might be wise in the learning of this world, and who has been praised as a learned man, would on his death-bed give it all, and everything else he has in the world, for that knowledge which Timothy had when he was a child, and which maketh wise unto salvation. You know that the Bible is the best of books. There is no book in the world like it It makes known to us the will of God— all that is necessary for us to know — that we may please God. It tells us of the creation of all things by God ; and last of all, of man in the image of Himself. It tells about the fall of our first parents in the garden how by eating the forbidden fruit, and thus sinning against God, they brought misery and death upon themselves and their posterity. It tells us what God did to keep up the knowledge of Himself, and of his will, and of his worship upon the earth, by separating the Jews from the rest of the nations; and above all, it tells us about Jesus Christ, who came into the world in the fulness of the time, to suffer and die for sinners, that ». si„.,."--vt ?j^.'iiVTci;« iii jxiui uiv^y uiivu uis siQo par- doned, and be taken to heaven when he dies. THE BEST KNOWLRDQB. 183 v.e™ve^rBfhlf • ^ "'^t^ "^^ '' ^' <>«' ^'^7 that of salvation ' "" "^ ^""^^ ^'^^ *^*^ ^^e means '•The Bible is a blessed book, in love and mercy given ; oent, by tne mercy of oui God. lo guide our souls to Heaven." truth, It can change your hear( or the h^t rf anv wnen a missionary entered his hut. and told hia ZlL^'r T* ^V" *^"^«' ^^^^^ hold of h?s hands and thanked God for the vieit that was paid him Sc^r^ WM a liVl ^'?j ?° '"'"''• "'" '•«"1 " himself. It was a httk child who read it to him every day. By tnis means Ha wop i«»j *« i-i.'. . ^^ J'' ^/ Saviour of hi8"soul7 " """''''^ "" ^^'"' *" *^« And so, my young friends, ministers and tethers, "ft 184 THE BEST KN0WLPD6B. and otfiers who take an interest in your welfare, want to lead you to Jesus. I hop« many of you have a knowledge of your Bibles. But this knowledge will be of no avail to you, if it does not guide you to give your hearts to Christ. The great message of the Bible IS, " Be ye reconciled to God." " Behold th» Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world " " Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of th« earth : for I am God, and there Is none else." He is the spiritual ark of safety for sinners, and we enter that ark, when we believe in Him. Believing in Him IS just taking and trusting in Him as the only Savi- our. You have, perhaps, heard of the boy who fell from a high scaffold, but caught a rope as he was fall' mg, and so hung swinging in the air. He must soon have fallen, and perished. But a kind, strong man ran, and stood under, and cried, "Do not be fright- ened. Let go the rope, and drop into my arms I will catch you. Never fear." He believed the man. He dropped into his arms, and was saved. Thus we must fall into the arms of Jesus, by faith ; and doing so, we shall never perish. And do not delay to do this. Look at that boat on the nver above the falls. The stream moves slowly —the man might easily row ashore. But the boat ^oes down the stream and now runs more swiftly. It would take more labour now to reach the bank--still the boat floats down. The water moves more swiftly now, and just below, it sweeps down the rocks, and forms the great falls of Niagara. It would be very hard to brmg it to the shore now. But rpa i if io i^ the sweep ol the fall. The man is alarmed.' With all his strength, he pulls with the oar. Oh ! will he *HB BBST KNOWLEDGE. 165 be drowned? Ah ! the oar breaks. The boat is gone &nd the cries of the drowning man mingle with the noise of the falls. He is lost ! ^ This IS a picture of what we may often see in an- other way. By delay it becomes hard to you to jnve your heart to Jesus Christ. He who will not leave sm m his youthful days finds it hard to do so in man- V^f\ -^^ ^"V^'^ie age, sir. is yet stronger. In old age It 18 hard indeed to call the man away from sin and hard ^"^ ' ^^ ^"^'^ ^°^' """"^^^S is too Beware then of delay in this all-important matter. Another year is gone never to return. A new year IS begun. But none can tell whether we shaU pee its close. Therefore, "seek the Lord, while He is to be tound, call upon Him whilst He is near." "Now is accepted time, now is the dav of salvation." -ay God, in nis infinite love and mercy, give vou all a saving knowledge of his truth~a blessed ao- quaintance with Jesus Christ~a life of holiness on earth, and an eternity of glory in heeven, ie the •anxest prayer of, ' My dear young friends. Your v#ry affectionate Bastor, Alexander Topp. 1 4 •I'Otntmx Jhnua/rp 1, 1869, -4'l GOD'S CALL TO THE YOUNG TO ENTER li^TO HIS SERVICE. My Dear Youno Friends, — When Samuel as a young boy ministered unto the Lord, in the days of Eli the High Priest, the Lord one night called ti.' him three separate times by name, "Samuel." He thought it was Eli who spoke, and accordingly he went each time to him. Eli said that he did not call. And when Samuel came the third time, Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. 80 when the voice was heard again, Samuel answered, "Speak, for thy servant heareth." I hope that all of you will shew the same willing spirit — the same ready obedience to the voice of God. When God calls, every one should reverently hearken and cheerfully obey. ** Let earth and all that live therein With reverence fear the Lord ; Let all the world's inhabitants Dread Him with one accord. " To receive and act out the will of God is to secure our happiness here, and eternal life hereafter. To re- GOD*S CALL TO THE YOUNG, ETC. 187 fuse to hearken and obey is to bring upon ourselves unhappiness now, and everlasting death beyond the grave. " Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watch- ing daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord . But he that sinneth against Me, wrongeth his own soul. All they that hate Me love death." Thus spake Jesus Christ the wisdom of God, and he that keepeth his sayings shall never see death. I have been accustomed, as this season comes ronnd, to address you in this way, with regard to your best, your highest interests. It has been a pleasure an^ a privilege to me to do so. And now that we have been mercifully spared to enter upon a new year, and while we render thanks to Him to whom alone praise is due, let us manifest the sincerity of our gratitude by seek- ing to know and to follow out what God would have us to do. It is not enough to say to a friend who has rescued us from danger or done us some great service, that we are thankful to him for his kindness. The best proof of our tnie feelings of gratitude is to do what is pleasing to him, what he wants us to do. God tells us plainly in his Word what He would have us do. And the call of God which I design to make the subject of my present address is that con- tained in one of the parables of Jesus Christ: " Son, go work to-day in my vineyard. "—Matt. xii. 28. I. Let me explain some things in this command. 1. It is God who calls you. I need not say that if you knew any boys or girls who disobey the reasonable and lawful commands of a parent, you would look 188 god's call to the youno upon them as very ungrateful and wicked. **Thd eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it." This is the language of the spirit of God, regarding the perverse disobedience of children to parental authority. It shews how abhorrent such conduct is in the sight of the Almighty, and how it will lead to the ruin of such as practise it. The boy that is rebellious in his father's or his mother's house is not the boy that will be obedient to the voice of God. Thejr who hearken to the will of God and seek to do it, will not fail to honour the injunctions of their parents, when these are according to the word of God. But God's authority is above all. In his hand is the life of everything, and the breath of all mankind. He spake, and it was done. He commanded, and all things stood fast. And by his providential oare they continue this day according to his ordinances, for they are all his servants. " Whatsoever pleased the Lord, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and in all deep places." He made the sun and the moon stand 3till in the valley of Ajalon. He turned the sea into dry land as a way for his ransomed to pass over. Helias power over all creatures. The lions' mouths "were shut by Him, so that they sought not to hurt Daniel in their den. The three Hebrew youths, in the furnace heated seven times more than usual, were preserved, so that not a hair of their heads was singed, and the smell of fire came not on their garments. God has power to kill and to make alive, to wound and to heal} to save and to destrov. You are de^^endGnt on Him for everything. Without his upholding hand TO ENTER INTO HIS lERVICTB. 189 you could not live for a single day. He is youl- Maker your Preserver, and He will finally be your Judge U> assign to each one of you, your everlasting portion. And, therefore, He has the right to demand your obedience, whilst it is your interest to hearken and obey. Then further. He is the God of love. He saw this world fallen and apostate. He beheld man alienated from Himself, the slave of Satan, ruined by sin lost and helpless. "He so loved the world, that He 'gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life " Now, his command is that you believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ. There is no love like the love of God in Jesus Christ. It passeth knowledge. The angels desire to look into it. On the ground of what Christ hath done and suffered, He is willing to take you back into his family, however much you may have sinned against Him. Surely then the call of God should come to each one of you as the call of sovereign authority, and of match- less love. It is our imperative obligation to hear his voice, to honour his truth, to submit to his law Many a one now alive on the earth has no greater cause of joy then that he was constrained to comply with the call of God. Many a one now in heaven is employed in smging praises to God, and to the Lamb that was slain, for the work of sovereign grace, whereby he was taught and enabled to enter into the service of God to fight the good fight of faith, to persevere to tiie end, and finally to overcome every enemy. And on the other hand, many a one in the future worid is a witness of the melancholy truth that disobedience of 190 ood'b call > to the youno I God is the source of misery in time, and that the wages thereof is eternal death. 2. The vineyard into which God calls us to go is his Church upon the earth. This does not mean any particular church in Canada, or in America, or in Britain, or in any other country, but the Church of the redeemed, the general assembly and Church of the first- born, that are written in heaven. You may form part of a Christian society amongst men, you may belong to a congregation of professed worshippers of God, and yet you may never have belonged to the Church of the living God. The true Church of God is made up of all who have given their hearts to Jesus Christ, and have thus come into the family of God, having Christ as their elder brother, possessed of the same spirit, and transformed into the same image. Now when you do so, you are united to the people of God, wherever they are, you form part of the innumerable company who shall stand at last around the throne arrayed with white robes, and palms in their hands. Judas Iscariot was professedly in the Church as one of Christ's dis- ciples, but he had never joined the company. Simon Magus confessed Christ, and yet he was in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Demas was once a fellow-worker with Paul, and professed to belong to Christ, but he forsook Paul, having loved this present world. Many of Jesus' disciples or followers, when He spoke some truths which they did not like, went back and walked no more with Him. Thus it has been in ev£ry age. " They went out from us," says the apostle John, "because they were not of us; for ii they had been of m, they would no doubt liave continued with us, but they went out from us, TO KNTER INTO HIS SERVICE. 191 that^it might U made manifwt that they were not aU yineY^rfotZi"^''' yourselves; you are only in the JlnW I' u ^ ^^^° y^"" ^^^^«^« "^ Jesus Christ, and of thTwH A 1 -^ uf ^^'°r **^^ ^^'^^ ^'^d daughters Hitl /; rl ^1?'«^*?- "^° *« °^any as received Srsln« o? n'*> '°*^'^ «*^^ H^ P^^«r *o become the^sons of God, even to them that believe on hi. 3. God calls the Church "My vineyard" because it anS'hr.^ P?Pf *^- /^^' ^^'^ " his; for He ml^n and his hands formed the dry land." -The earth ii the Lord's and the fulness thereof." So the CWh L his, because He chose it out from amon^t our fallen S^%^ltf -r.^* ^.^^"«* *^ ^' ransomed^by Ws b?oK He called it by his word and spirit. He has deter Tarth "^^aV' "/i BPeoial^ossessionVnthe it^T L L T *^ V '* ^''^'y moment, lest any hurt It. 1 do kaep it night and day." / «u*v nf^""^ yemember how Jerus says in the 16th chapt i MjAa At«6anj^an." The husbandmaA owns the v ne^ yard, and so God owns the Church. The fruit of tht nneyard is for the benefit of the husbandman, and thus God has the Church, that it may be to his ^r^fse InJ^Yl. *^'«"«l^<^^V*^rnity. The redeemed^U sL?of f^ ^''.^yj^^ before Him, and when the last stone of the spiritual temple shall be laid, and the wh^ole completed, it wiU be with shouting, ciyiT vjrace, grace unto it i" , ^ ^* 4. The Church is called God's vineyard, because it 192 ood'b call to the touno 8 precious m his sight. Vineyards in Jnde« and in the Eiist were very much esteemed. Great care was bestowed upon them. Their owners placed a h^b value upon them. ^ *»" God's vineyard is very precious to Him. It is so because of the price that was paid for it. We cannot aiTlKn ^''''*' was ransomed is the infinite God. n?l^« f'^^'^r^rJ'^^'^^^^' I remember reading ?riend ThTs tlT 1 > "^S "*^ .**"«^* ^^ * ^inf mend. This Vmd lady could apeak to him only bv signs and pictures. She drew upon a paper ap^cLre nL:r'*/T^ °^. P^^P^^' °^d •^'^ny] Vi'^ f'*\ 1-*- ' » • i-5„i ssit,,, tti-Taj-a iia-x Hia v^iiuriru among men, DUTi before the coming of Jesus Christ, it was for the most part confined to one people ; I mean one nation. The IB'' i' xit" 194 god's call to the YOUNa Gospel of Christ broke down the middle waU of parti- tion between Jews and Gentiles, and opened the door for all of every nation, and kindred, and people and tongue. Every one now may enter in, and that with- out money or price. The Church of Jesus Christ was at first very small, but thus It IS with everything both in the Wngdom of nature, and m the kingdom of grace. We were once, all of US, httle children, not knowing our right hand from our left not able to move about, or understand anything; bu1| we have grown up by the goodness of God, and been made able to speak, and to think, and to understand and discharge the duties to which we are called. You are young, and not so strong in body or mmd as you hope to be. If God spares you, how- ever, you will grow uj>, and, very soon, have to occupy the places which other people now hold, when they have been taken away out of this world. You lift ud a httle seed, which you can hold between your finirer and your thumb you put it into the ground, and in a few years it will grow up, and become a large tree, under the shadow of which a great many people may sit down and rest. Or look at any of oir ve?y large nvers-for example, the Mississippi, of which you have heard and which runs through almost the whole continent of Noith America. At first, far away North. It IS a very little stream, over which you could leap but as It goes on, it becomes greater and greater, and other streams and rivers flow into it, so that it grows into a very large river, on which steam-vessels sail for thousands of miles down to the of^ean Just so. The Church of Jesus Christ was very small »t the beginning. He called only twelve Apostles. TO ENTER INTO HIS SERVICE. 195 And He had very few other followers. When He rose again from thc4 dead, and ascended into heaven, there were but one hundred and twenty disciples or followers of Christ assembled in Jerusalem, in the large upper room, to pray for the coming of the Holy Ghost to enlighten their minds, to sanctify their hearts, to fit them for their work, and to convert sinners to the Lord. But Jesus Christ said that He would be with his disciples, when they went forth to preach, and you will remember that at the -first sermon which Peter preached at Jerusalem, after the ascension of Christ, about three thousand souls were converted. Then they wrought miracles, healing the sick, making the blind to see, and the lame to walk, so that it was plain that the power of the Lord was with them, and thus others were led to embrace the Gospel, and receive Jesus Christ. The chief Priests and Scribes and Pharisees were very angry at this j they hated Jesus Christ, and consequently they hated his people and his cause. They began to oppose and persecute his fol- lowers in Jerusalem. They put Stephen to death, because he proclaimed the Gospel, and others were driven away from the city, lest they also should be put to death. Wherever these Christians went, they made known the glad tidings of salvation, and called on those to whom they spoke to come to Christ, and be saved. And though Jews and Gentiles, though kings and rulers did all they could against the Church of Christ, and against those who sought to advance it, making them suffer the loss of all things, and even death itself in multitudes of instances, yet the truth spread by the power of God, and many in different countries became obedient to the faith, 196 god's call to the Youira And so for the last eighteen hundred years and more since Jesus Christ went up to heaven to sit upon his mediatorial throne, and to receive the never-ending praises of the heavenly hosts for his wondrous love in dying to save fallen sinners on the earth, He has been making his Church extend gradually from one place to another, and from one country to another, till now there is scarcely any part of the world where the name of Jesus has not been proclaimed and there are not hearts to love Him and serve Him. Sometimes, in certain countries, thousands have been persecuted to the death for maintaining the truth of Christ— wicked men have tried hard to put down his cause ; but, notwithstand- ing all, it has never ceased to grow, because it is the cause of heaven, and Jesus Christ hath said, " I build My Church upon a rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." And this will go on and increase till the Church shall fill the whole earth. The kingdoms of this world shall all yet become the kingdom of Christ. There are millions now who love the Lord with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their strength, and with all their mind— who would suffer anything for Him ; and the time is coming, when no man shall require to say to his brother, "KnowtheLord, for all shall know Him from the least to the greatest." It is a glorious thing to belong to the kingdom of Jesus Christ— that kingdom which is destined to fill the whole earth, and to endure for ever. We rejoice in being the subjects of a great empire on the earth ; but what is the honour of being a Briton compared with the honour of being Christians saved by the blood and righteousness of Christ, and made heirs of God— » TO SNTER INTO HIS SERVICE. 197 kings and priests unto God 1 What are all earthly privi- leges to. the privilege of belonging to Christ? All of us will one day feel this, whatever our lives may have been. Therefore, let us all covet it above everything else. And remember how, for your encouragement, Jesus hath said, " I love them that love me, and they that seek me early shall find me." The Church is thus built up through the instrumen- tality of its members. God honours them to be fellow- workers with Him in subduing the world to Himself. All true believers should regard themselves as not their own, but his. They should be full of life and energy and devotedness in the work of the Lord. They should form a living, active body, animated by the spirit of Christ, and working for Christ, good soldiers of his striving to bring all into subjection to his government and laws, II. Now, you may think, my young friends, that you have nothing to do with the work of God, that you are too young and ignorant and feeble to have any- thing to do with it. But this is a mistake. You remember that when Jesus, just before his crucifixion, had come into the temple at Jerusalem, and the crowd of people were crying out, " Hosanna to the Son of David, glory to God in the highest, blessed is He that Cometh in the name of the Lord," some of the child- ren present joined in the shouts of praise also. The Scribes and Pharisees who heard it were sore dis- pleased, and said to Him, " Hearest thou what they say 1 And Jesus said unto, them. Yea, have ye never read. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise 1" 198 GOD S CALL TO THE YOUNO I Then you can be in no doubt that Jesus invites you and wants you to shew forth his praise, to engage in his work. And in those words which we have quoted, He assures you that F > will take your part, and en- courage you in all that you do in a right spirit for Him. 1. You have a work to do in your own heart ; or rather I should say, you have to give your heart to Jesus, that He may work his own work in it. The heart is by nature "wicked, desperately wicked," " All h?^ve sinned, and come short of the glory of God." If we 'say that we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves, and make God a liar. There is not a boy or girl who can say in truth, " I have never sinned against God," and if any of you think you can say so, you are very ignorant. If your hearts were right with God, you would always love Him more than any other one, or than anything else in the world ; you would always delight to praise Him and to obey Him ; you would never indulge a wish to do anything that would be offensive to Him ; you would be always dutiful and affectionate to your parents, and kind to every one. But there is not an individual on earth, young or old who has always done these things as he ought to have done. Some people will tell you that they have good hearts, though they often do wickedly and commit sin. But if the Spirit of God opens your eyes and lets you see yourselves, you will know that your hearts are very sinful, or as the Bible says, desperately wicked. A minister relates that at one time, when his congrega- tion were in an unusual manner interested in solemn considerations from the Word of God, he was requested to visit a family where a little girl was very sick He To ENTER INTO HIS SERVICE. 199 found her lying in bed very ill, but quiie sensible. On seeing him, she burst into tears and said, "Oh' Sir, what must I do ?» He asked her what distressed her. She looked earnestly at him and said, " Sin, sin, and this wicked heart of mine." He asked her why she was in trouble. She answered, " Because I am a simier. "How do you know that you are a sinner ?" Because I do not love God and never did." He asked her again, "Why do you not love God and repent 1 He says He will pardon you for the sake of Jesus Christ, if you believe in his name." "I know He does, and I know ^e will forgive me, if I believe and repent, but my heart is so hard and wicked." But Elizabeth, 'the minister said, "What do you mean by saying that your heart is hard and wicked ?" Why, 1 am wicked, and perverse, and I have loved to be so, and have not loved God. Oh ! what will I do ?" He told her to plead this promise with God • " A new heart will I give you, and a right spirit will I put within you. She did so with earnestness till she ob- tained It, and then she served the Lord till the day of her death. What she felt herself to be, you all are by nature— your hearts are wicked, and must be changed li ever you would work for God, and get to healen You remember what Jesus said to Nicodemus about that: "Verily verily I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God " You may be saying to yourself, " How am I to eet a new heart 1" God promises it. He alone can give It. No one but God can take away the hard and stony heart, out of your flesh, and give you a heart of nesh. Your parents may do much for you— they may try to instruct you, and pray with and for you. You>- 200 O0D*S CALL TO THE YOtJlfO teachers and ministers may try to give you the know- ledge of the Bible, but they cannot make your heart good. It is the work of the Spirit of God. Do you then say, " Will God work this change in me V Yes, God has said He will do it in every one that will but seek it from Him. If an earthly parent gives good gifts unto his children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him. In order then to got new hearts — hearts to love and obey God supremely, your first work is to believe in Jesus Christ, to pray for the Holy Ghost, and then you will keep his commandments, you will be trans- formed after his image, you will love what God loves, and you will hate what He hates, you will be at one with God in will, in affection, in spirit, in aim. 2. Now when you have entered into the vineyard, and got new hearts, you will have work to do for God in your families. There is your mother who bore you, who nuiaed you in her arms, who bent over your cradle in tenderest love, and watched you witu the greatest care, as you grew up. There is your father, daily toiling for your support and comfort. These are to be loved and reverenced and obeyed. "Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." There are your brothers and sisters to be loved and kindly treated; you are to be patterns of love and kindness ; you are to try to be sources of light and peace and joy in your respective homes. You are so to act in your dwellinofs and wherever vou »q as to constrain people to feel and say that, you liave been with Jesus, and have learned of Him. TO ENTER INTO HIS SERVICE. 201 3. You have work to do for Christ in regard to others. He went about doing good, and so ought you to be always doing good. You are to be true and honest and good, avoiding falsehood, and deceit, and all evil ways. But you are also to try to be kind to all whom you can help, to comfort the distressed, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to bring careless boys and giris to think about their souls, to guide them to the way of life, to try to lead them to Jesus Ihe more you thus act the happier you will be. 4. You have missionary work to do for God. "Go work to-day in my vineyard." There are many in darkness throughoi-t the earth, ^ey do not worship God. They do not know Jesus. Ihey bow down to stocks and stones. They are cruel debased, miserable. We hear about them from the missionaries who have gone to the Indians in the far West and to Africa, and to the East Indies and China, and the South Sea Islands. Now nothing will really benefit them but the Gospel. ^ You may think that you can do little good. And even your parents generally think the same. You ^n be kind and affectionate. All will admit this. But few think you are old enough to do anything for the salvation of the world. But this is a ^eat en-or Can you do as much as an insect ? « Yes " you would all exclaim, "and more too." Let i., .ee. ' Sup- pose that you and I were all sailing in a vessel in the feouth Seas. We are carried along beautifullflfc ^the surtace of the ocean. But wba+ i" ih^i- ^Aa^njeut^ .. above the waves, like a painted higl^qifof r 9]froW it appears like a rock of silver^ '»ii3"«K^'#^aumes various colours, changing^if(^^jHeMj»b>^^hi«i-«f^d f' 202 ood's gaxl to thb young golden, silver colours, are all blended together. Nearer and nearer we come to this attractive object, when lo ! we diseover that it is the splendid work of insects so small that we cannot see them with the naked eye. Yes, the little coral insect threw up these many-coloured reefs, a little at a time, till we have this magnificent sight. And just over there, beyond that line of reefs, you see that little island covered with tall pahn trees, so green and slender. The foun- dation of that island, now a fit habitation for man, was laid by ^hat same coral insect. Myriads of them worked away, year after year, until a huge bed of coral became the foundation of that island. Then the soi'. accumulated, and the trees grew, as they are now seen. This is what some insects do towards making this world a habitation for mankind. They make islands. God did not create them to be useless in this world, where so much is to be done. Their work amounts to something. Would you not be useful as this little coral insect! You cannot build islands. But you can help the people who live in them, and those who dwell in other parts of the earth. You may not be able to give much— any of you; but many littles make a large sum. And what you do give, give cheerfully as to the Lord. And then a blessing will go with it. I rejoice that you take pleasure in giving regularly at the Sabbath school for missionary purposes. And I trust that as you grow up, you will continue to manifest the same spirit, and to take a deeper interest in the work of the Lord at home and abroad Besolve to engage earnestly in it Give your hearts to Christ, that tiiey may be made good. Then endea- ro ENTER IKTO HIS SERVICE. 203 vour to get all the good, and do all the good you can Worrfll''?'' ^""^ "^""^ ^^^-y- aburdant": sav Go If 1 ? 7°" '' i°^°^edi^t«- He does not say, Go at some future time, go next year or npvf month, but go, work to-day in ly vfneyJrd ' ' Young people are sometimes ashamed or afraid to have It known that they are thinking seriously on religious subjects, even when they reluy feel the^r ge'ouf W"1°"\^*V'^"^^- ^"* thisifadaT gerous fear. Banish it immediately. If God has awakened your minds-If He has made you anxio^ about your souls and divine things, go and speak ?o 121 Pi^"\Pr^*«' or to your minister, or fo your Sabbath school teacher, or to some pious friend Thev will be ready to sympathize with you, to instruct yo7 ^ pray with you. And above all! go'to oesus Christ' tell Him all you feel and all you need, and He will not reject you; He will speak kindly to you, and%Tve you aU you require. Go now, seek the favour Zd forgiveness of God. JVow is th^ accepted t^e ^w IS the day of salvation. ^ u cune. j\ow Don't delay. You have seen a bright and sunnv mommg m summer suddenly changed into darkTi and clouds, and instead of loig houfs of sunshfne and iZ'/ T' ^^ "^'^-^^y disappears among the dark been hinS^ '^ ^Ti ^^^^ "^ P^^^"* excursion ha: been hindered, or the merry play suddenly ended, and boys and girls sent hurriedly in-doors for shelter from the storm and rain. And so, many bright momL^ of promise are thus overcast otherwise than in th« ueautifui world around. Health and beauty and 204 god's call to the young, bto. Let me then urge you to give yourself to the Lord at once. I know that the natural heart is very ready to say, I will do it at some future time; I will give my heart to Jesus at another period; I know that it is best to be religious, and that the only way of salva- tion is in Christ, but I would rather delay thinking about it for a while. Oh! how foolish! how sinful ! You cannot tell whether you shall have the oppor- tunity of seeking Christ. God says, Go work to-day in my vineyard. The morrow is not yet ours. ' May God bv his Holy Spirit incline and enable you to comply with his call, that you may be workers, all of you, in his vineyard, is the earnest prayer of, My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexandbb Topp. TOBONTO, lit Jamcvty, WO, "I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER." My Dear Yodno Pbiehds,— -h of „,, specially at Z set"ol "sSk ye Z'?^'^ yowZfi!** r ^ ?r°;'**.^ *» P"* *« ^ddroas into My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexander Topp. ToBONTO, fit January, 1S71. 206 ** I WILL AftisB Airo «o TO irr father.'* "I will arise and go to my Father." — Luke xv. 18. A little boy, attending one of the mission schools in India, was obliged to go with his parents to a village not far from his home. He took with him his lesson- books and a few -racts. These he read to the natives who came to see him, and who were idolaters. One day he went out in the heat of the sun to the river side. There he complained of his head. He was immediately brought home and laid on a bed fi*om whir*' he D'^verpse. For two days he was insensible, and juoiid nt^ ling. On the third day he asked for his books. His parents refused to give them to him. They thou^jit that >his sickness was inflicted by oTie of thoir gods, because, he had been taught out of these books. He was disappointed. But he did not remain silent. He spoke, and thai very solemnly: "You must not worship idols," he said to his surrounding friends; "The worship of idols is a great sin in the sight of God. I have a Father in heaven, who sent his own Son into this world to die for us, and to bring us back to his famil}- I will iiow arise and gc to Him." After this, he stretched himself on his bed, and in doing so, sent many thanks to his teachers. Immediately after, he fell asleep in Jesus. These words, " I will arise and go to my Father," are the words I am going to address you from, and were spoken by this little boy with reference to his death — his departure out of this world, to be with God the Father, in heav \ in eternal glory. But before hecould have spok?i> . ? ont'dently about his future happiness and glory li* iv /. iiave acted upon these words in their proper i^tA ii- ng —he muj Iiave for- ** I WILL ARISE AND 00 TO MY FATHER." 207 rJ^Kri?*'" ''^''!' T"^ ^'M'""^ *"^ ^»^'^" hi« heart to God J ^iT'l ''' "^r' Chn.f,_thu« becoming a member of his family and an heir of '-is kingdom. None but W r !^! '!^^''*"'^ ^*" ^^^ ^'y ^*ith in Jesus Christ will get to S .ven when they die. And rnv who read this, may truly go to your Heavenly Father "^LZm ^^ ^^^^i'^"^"^ ^ his sons and dLghte S Then will this year, and every year you are L life, be a happy year to you, and when you die, you will go to your Father's home in heaven. ^ In addressing you, I notice : I. Who is it that is here said to have used these You could all t^ll me if I were to request an answer W ^2- U^'' T'l^ P^^* °^ that parable of Tur Ix)rd, which goes by the name of " The Prodigal Son " It IS ono of the most interesting and instructive of all the pai^bles delivered by our W Many a time has t been blessed to be the means of awakening aXon' vincing and converting sinners from the error of thei waj •.. I rh, ; * ;.on you, / rs„ how Jesus was led to deliver rJf'' J^»^?^.that He came down to this world to ^^d f r^t""^ r ""'' ^'r deBtruction-to do them good--.to seek and save the lost. And, accordingly whilst He lived upon the earth, you fikd Him con stantly speaking words of kindne«o ---^ i^^" -- ' - mercy. He told the people who listened to Him how ^08 " I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER." they could be saved from hell and raised to heaven. He healed the sick; He opened the eyes of the blind ; He cast out devils; He bade the winds be still; He made the storm a calm; He made the lame to walk, and gave life to the dead. Wherever He was He was doing good. You might have seen Him, if you had lived at that time, surrounded by crowds of people, sick and diseased, looking eagerly to Him for help ; and there went virtue out of Him, and healed them '•1-. Oh! what a great Physician! and how willing He was at all times to remove trouble and sickness ! He never refused to receive any who came to Him. However wicked and depraved they were, if they were only willing to take his salvation. He di not send them away unblesned. Mary Magdalene had seven devils, yet He did not decline to notice her. He cast them out, and she became a follower of his. Zaccheus was an unjust, fraudulent man, the chief among the publicans, who were reckoned degraded and vile; yet, Jesus, whea He saw him up in a sycamore tree, said to him : "This day is salvation come to this house." There was a woman in the city who was known as a sinner. People pointed to her as such and looked down upon her, as if she were not fit to be spoken to and taken into their company. Yet, when under a sense of her unworthi- ness and guilt, and assured of the love and willingness of Christ to save, she came one day into his presence, washing his feet with her tears and wiping them with the hairs of her head, in token of her gratitude and afiection, He did not spurn her away, but graciously said to her : " Thy sins, which are many, are forgiven thee. Go in peace : thy faith hath saved thee." Now, the Scribes and Pharisees — self-righteous ** I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER." 209 the other n\e pCt XS' we^^ safe '^ """^^^'^ °' back the wanderer 'nd '°^ °"* »»<" "^""S found by jZfchriCnd LTwniS't"' ^°" ■"•' sin. anfl rAf,,r" +-^ ^--3 " . . ® wiJlmg to give ud over those-thJ^anal"^" 'r''"' ^^"" ^^'^^ ™«"^^ ^^^^ ainnprJ w • • ^^® ^^ beaven— who have never sinned. He rejoices over you, as ransomed from Sh t-'-i 216 " I WILL ARISB AND GO TO MY FATHER.* —rescued from the power of Satan, and destined to dwell with Himself forever in heavenly bliss. He then spake the parable of the Prodigal Son, to teach us that however far any one may stray from God— however low he may sink in the mije of iniquity, and however wretched he may be, yet, if he is only desirous of returning to God, God will welcome him back, and receive him graciously, and bestow upon him the choicest tokens of his love. " As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but rathejr that he turn from the error of his ways and live. Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die, O house of Israel." In this parable Jesus tells us of a man who had two sons. He had brought them up with great kindness, providing for their comfort and welfare in every way. Those of you who have kind, considerate, loving parents, have reason to be thankful for this great blessing. You have constant reason to love them in return, and to try to repay all their devotedness to your good, by your love and cheerful obedience to all their wishes. s This was what these two sons were bqjind to do. The father did all he could to bring them up well— to educate and train them for usefulness-^to minister to their comfort and happiness. It was clearly their duty in return to shew that they had a happy home, by seeking to please him and to dp his will in everything. But with one of them this was not the case. Some- times the younger has been the better soa. You will remember the case of Jacob and Esau. Esau was the older ; but Jacob got the blessing. Joseph was a younger son of Jacob ; but he served God, whilst some "iWIttABISKANDOOTOMYPATHKR." 211 prod4ai: • ** '""^ yo^-'K*'- '»'' who acted the tho^rtt»* and agreeable vftt: T ."«"' *"' ''°'"« "*« happy sullen*^ Sbs he difc.^ ®^.* discontented and father'8 house hI w^w -^^ *** restraints of his bad comSns fndT" "^ •'" ™''^«'- »>'<»'* with after eviL They feel tW fr*^"' '•^*'^ "^ °"' desires gratifiedTnde;'thf ;:ren.I roT^kfv* ""t Wish to be out at ni«Jif ^*^««^i root Ihey would do evit But tW .r ^ ^° ""'^^ *^« multitude to because- th^^^ pa^L™ o;^^^^^^^^ aw^'s trt: .^^-T^^^^^^ motL th^v mf2 ) ^T""*'^^ °^ **^^ir father or young peTple X'tv®'^ l*^", i'""™ "nd hearf of com?^ °p!>\ ?„!.*''A\r.'^'«»' ««». forsaking all the parents, and going forth, as they say, to do for 212 "I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER." themselves ; but really that they may be at liberty to walk witliout any hindrance in the ways of sin Some I have known run away to sea— and others trom lovable country homes to go to great cities, and there to plunge into vice and ruin. No one ever yet so acted to parents without having reason to regret it and that bitterly, either here or hereafter "The way of transgressors is hard." ♦ The younger son no doubt acted with the feelings which we have mentioned. He wanted liberty to go with wicked asspciates, and to revel in all the sinful pleasures that his heart lusted after. He therefore went one day to his father, and said to him, " Father give me the portion of goods that falleth to me" Ihe father doubtless would reason with him about it but It was of no use. He insisted on the right that the law gave him, at "that time in eastern countries to^have his portion, "and the father," we are told' « divided to *hem his living." ' Gathering together then all his property, all his money and his goods, and thinking himself now in posssession of all that he required for his happiness this young man set out from the home of his child- hood and parental care, and proceeded to a far country. He goes a long distance off-to some citv or town where he might be as far away as possible from friends and relatives, and from all their influence Ihere his money gathers around him the wicked young men of the place, and as they flatter him with their tongues, he spends and spends on what he has m riotous living, till, in a short time, he finds himself uesi/iLUte ana penniless. Now his trials begin. A famine breaks out in that it I W:U. ARISE AND 00 TO MY FATHER.' 213 ^'dew "^m„ ' "^'■"^'y o' *"'"'• Everything fa him. He b^nln^Zh^t" "^ P^T^sos. desert He is eompelledThSe ht^r- .^''f .""^ ''^ d<" ;«PP0rt; and a« he ha^leamrf „Th^''''"" *°' ''" he has to submit to tL . j business or trade, thatof herd^^r^tt^hTfeldr''''^ •"""I-''*''''': £t™t» £: ^^tr^is^rrix would fam have fiUpfl IiJd k^n "» wo^k. ne the swine did eat . but no 1 ^ "^^^ *^« h"«k« ia wasted Id worn "T .^^^ ^^^ ^^°^-" He wretch-vet " no ^^n tattered—a miserable change ^^^i CtZlZL Tli^SL.Tt'' » Yet'^Sis^i' tr '"^ ■""• ''"-"X t S iei tnis IS the sure rpsnlf «* „ » hardness and disobedZce andsin SeW° * ™'; begins by indulging sinful desL. k. °^ °'' «"•' length, and (rZ L stpt^^'otht tTtLTif gates are fully onened aWri fi,/ j , . *"® °°o«*- and^n 'oHof S'^:^ rOoWs^Tprn? e.c.atldtltt'leT/trSr.l^lt^"^ just push it off from the bank ™ «t. ^l^' '' y°" -k and k<.p it from gd^t^c^.^.f,'*'''' ■>- - *he It may be we had better wait for Geor? ^^^^ "'■y^^g'" ^^^ »* once said to them. " What is the matter ? Where is vnur little shipr' With tears they owned their folly.'and pleaded that they thought there was no danger. But **! WILL ARISE AND GO TO MV FATHER." 215 assistance, and one consequTncl nf iiT' ^''?.* ^""^ ^'^^'^ ^as the loss of their S **»eir self-sufficiency . ^* is a common case TT/%«, instead of asking ^or if th«f oT '^^"^ ^^^^ Persons, the advice and ^^aLlt^^^^^^^ l^^^/^d of following ^«er and older thaHhey rut^l" ^?r^«' ^^« ^^e and think there is no danZ' ^n ^u^^^"^ ^^*° f«»y, plunged into ruin i 0?W« !l '^ *^? ^"'^ ^^^^^^elvfs esssurely--alittrefar«,er 'dlT.!f ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^o they disobey their ^Z.Z' ? ^'**^^ ^^'^h^r. First thmkthatb^ec;Srth'^^te\?t'i^'^ Th^; and punished, they^TawrV"''"^'*'**"^^ <^«tected grow up and becLe wni ^' t ^ ^^^^^- So they litUe s4 they rr^n^r yTr' "°^^^' *"^> ^^^« ^^^ 4^:;^a^^^^^^ Kesistthe farther, yet a little fa4L ^uinr^/°^--a Me tation. But if fartW S j ^ *^^ **®^*i « temnf a- God, you cannot tfbenerrnll^r' '"^^^^ ^^^ destruction. « Take heed I!^ Punishment, and nearer ter into temptation S J T^ ^""t P*"*^' *««t ye en- flesh is weak." ^^ '^^ * "^^ ^ billing, bit the lut[o'n^f\r;^^^^^^^^ Pl-e, the wise reso- same. ^ ^^ ^**''» ^'^'^ ^^s carrying out of the My young friends, I am sutr iho^- u done wrong, and you are d^«!^ } ^^^"^ ^^^ ^^ave vnii oftrn L- ''^? ® disgraced, or anfr«t.i«« *^^ .-x ^— orren reproach yourselvps fft'». »,„ • s *o^ u, 216 «« I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER." he walked about in the fields, herding the swine and was almost perishing with hunger and cold, an outcast from others, and nobody caring for him, he began to .reflect on all his wicked and ungrateful conduct, which had brought him into this condition. He could not but feel that he had sinned most heinously— that he had himself alone to blame— that he was the cause of his own misery. He thought on all the comforts and joys and love of the parental home which formerly he had despised, and that now he wa^ worse off than ,the lowest about his father's household pde had been thoroughly subdued, hirf spirit was humbled, and coming to himself, exercisin/his reason and judgment aright, he forms the resolution u- "^'U T^^ ^^^.^"^ ^"^ "^y ***^^^' ^nd will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son : make me as one of thy hired servants." And he did act out the resolution. He' arose and proceeded to his father's house. No doubt his feelings would be terribly agitated as he went on. and approached nearer and nearer. He would be ashamed and ready to sink into the dust, not lifting up his eyes, lest they should meet those of any friend or former acquaintance. He would be in doubt as to the reception which his father would give him. Still his circumstances compelled him, and moreover his heart was really sorry, and grieved for all that he had done against his father's love and kindness. At length after a painful and bitter journey, he draws near the scenes of his early childhood and o. „ig growing years. His father had been out about the doors, probably bowed down and grieving at the "I WIIL AKISB AND GO TO HT PATHEB." 217 he says to himself "^this ^» i'""' f""" "^»"'' '«''" eyes deceive me! No it ii .^7. "??"'"''?/'"' ' d" ■»!»« moment his he«t wa^ fil ed " »/ ""**"•' ^"^ '» » ways, but now it ovl^JT^lfJ^^'"'^'.'^^ »•• love. << He mn »., j . ii .'™ compassion and sinned «gain!^eren"'^dTthr.iir''"^ ' '"'^'' more worthy to be callM fS, .^ '\*' ""• "" »<> »id to his servant Brta^Zr;.. ^u* *''" '»*«•• put it on him and nnfl^? forth the best robe and on his feet anS l^"*wZSr V° ''»'"'• »'«' 'to™ it. -d let^^'slaWt'lS^/T ttl! ""' ''"' of p^A'vVood^heFf. *°- *^'' "'"- "^' th^ ^ve derrS^^„^;^Care*t!^r"\°' '^""^^ in true repenLnoe andTaitl. 'wL ^''^"f *? '^*»™ s^iH^i^-nrtZTd" ^<' "-p"~r- them back aga n"n the »!'' ""t^^^S to re^ceive they are not^Ui"g to plrt™ith *^' ''!™' ■>"' *'"'* their hearts to Him.^?hrist ''?.*T,.'T ""'' S'™ He was upon the larth "V„ -.i "l* '''''^' ^''^" that ye may ha™ 1,^ • "' „7^ "'" "<" """"^ to Me to alHmpeS^n^^rs stm" T f" '"■"' ^ ^'<' is. " T« l?V,i..»:„ . J ' ™"-. The languaje of God Mm »«u/^ns'i?rtu^.^:rarr^ 218 " I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY PATHBR." repentings are kindled tog^lher." " Retucn to Me, ye backsidmg children; I wiil heal your backslidinga ; LTf J ^ ll"" ^'^^^y- " I' e^e^ I am. He that blotteth out thy transgressions, and will remember tnLfh ^°^^T- ^^°^^' ^«^' ^^d let us reason together ; though your sins be as scarlet, they sh^^ IL^IV^ '^"^^ *^""S^ *W be red Uke crLson they shall be as wool." *t"wn, «in^L*T'"^ P""?* '^ *^^' y°"»« ^^^'« <'0«r8e, from sm and shame and misery, to comfort and obedience and happiness, was his forming and acting out the not S ^^wi? ^°.* """^^ *° ^^« "«h* ^"^d ; had he not said, « I will arise, and go to my father :" or had he shrunk from doing that~had he delayed, or had ho coiresponded with his father-he might have perished It was his arising and going to his father that conducted him to pardon, to peL^d hoLu^ to hia father's embrace, the fatted calf, the best robe the ring, the shoes on his feet. ' anif^.u ^''' '* ^""'^ Y"""^^ ****"^ *«> holiness, and peace and the service of God, and eternal blessedniT k^ WhrOorbvT'* '''''' ^"^ «^ *^ your rrhe" Tr r^L^ 1 T^ """^ ^''''^^^* °^^ degradation and our misery, let us flee to Himself in Jesus Christ as our only refuge, and He will not reject us He Sir'-Z^ 'P"*^"^^ ™^"^^^*' «^«^ the robe of f^Lv ^Jl"«*« Wood He will receive us into his noiy, and invest us wifJh oil ^-u .-.^i - ,. JiQ^gg^ — "" v«c jt/nvuoges or ms ^'^^^^'^^i^^ ^^tC^l,^^^ not sometime, »re living i„ sin ^^ deIiX?„! • '". "'™ "">=« '•'ho sent by God into the hem a^fj" '';«■«> these are of h« ow,. Holy SpWt^It tZf?^"' ""^ "■« '^"■•ting »nd turn to the Lord iV^t* ^'^ T^ remembe? person, are arou,ed from careli Ji"^'''J' """^ '"■"e «o God. <»'eles,neOT and ,in, and led sho^dVat ff|«e"r ■T'".''" "<" -W he ">d brought „; r ^ ^'&1"r*d, nourished! prayer, of godly parentr'and !♦ ^^ """"'^l* and "i-gious. Ho taught in a SahUtT ".■"*' internally but Christian companrons ttl^ f"^\ '"«' """e miMionary meetinj™ AM il,; o^** *"<* «P°ke at hopeless, ''ho wX t^e mU^/'?"'r<' ''« ™»« -om yet w«, .ecretly led .^ttWe t"^ I'T' '''" «~<'' »<» Sermon, passed over h^i?kv ?..*',**''' «* hi, will, no an-ow pierced hi^ hS'rt S'* "^^ Sabbath, but appearance, against the Gosdp) T ''"'^^"^d. to all ■ mght in the coantrv At^.- . ^^ "pending a into hi, hand and Xected h^ T.,'^'? ?»* » "^ndle he entered the apX3 J^ ° '"' bedroom. As of the prodigal ^ nlret"^" ^^^ ™ « Piotule on that loviSg bo^m whTch LT'?"'^'''^ ''^ ^^ which still WM tmvSlW wit£ i^ '" 8"*™"' ""it toward, him. As he Zke,?^.^"^'*'* compassion seemed to »y, "Thou artfte man" 'l!; T'"^ ''"'■■» were, before God. He felt twn T^"*" '"' »tood, as it and he knelt arJ "1 j . ^*' ^°^ was in that nl».. when he left the'roZt T""'" *° ">« earthll^nd «>^t««. He «idn'"..n^^T°?'''«' he was a new -o<'tosay,"G;,'SZl't?„; me in that 220 " I WILL ARI8B AND 00 TO MY FATHER.** most unlikely of all spots^-brought my sins to remem- brance, and enabled me to arise and go to my Father " «od can use any means He pleases to awaken you to a sense of your need. But in whatever way you are brought to feel that all is not right with you—that you require a Saviour— that you are away from your father m heaven, look upon it as his voice, saying unto you, " Return unto Me." *" During the past year, God has frequently thus spoken Z^a' ^^^^^ f''''® ^"^ ^'^^^ *^°*® yo« have read his J! a i,f ^i^**! ,'^°"® ^*^ ^°"" *h® P"Jpi<'» and through fn iwt ?, '^*'?'*^ *^*°**®'« ^^^'^ Sabbath day, and in all the godly exhortations of your parents. He has spoken to you m every illness you have had, and He has dc^e so m the death of every boy and girl whom any of you have known. He has then been saying to w ' .1 I ^^ *h J«*dy for in such an hour as ye think noMhe Son of Man cometh. » « Return unto Me » «r,fnlo?%*''!?i°?®i'* *'® y*''' ^^^°g ^^ h>« voice of entreaty t Oh ! do not delay. Say not, « I will arise and go to my Father at some future time." That is a vo7r« T"*""' !;*y «^«Peaking. The future is not yours, mw is God's time. w ^% ^^e once or twice during the winter to borrow John's skates Who was he da fine looking boy He went to the same school. That was the most John knew of him. Afterwards John's mother saw him m the porch of the church door, and invited him to come to the Sabbath school. "Not now " he said, " but I'll think of it." A few Sabbaths after the lady met him again and agam asked him to join her cla«« Ln ?k!^« "lu*"'^ school. He held back! « Not just now,"" he ^id." " I WHL AKI8B AND 00 TO MY FATHEH." 221 her heart and went an7C„dt^°* ^he? V""°"*^ the porch door. She be^irprf 1.7^1 "'^'* ^^ "^^ ■« She stopped and told hiSu^Th„ '"T T'* ''«'• had found at theSabbatwS the good which boys of God. She urgS hta, wuM " f ""^^'^e "»« Wo^ ne|8 to come. I& «t.Stcl .< No'?"'''^''^ '<'"<'«'^ Stt weeks after this, a storTin Vh» -n "'"'' ""^ »"<'• o^n and robbed. '^eV^^Zl^ ZTf"" He was arrested and thrown ,«*!: ••ix^ ^'^^^ %• set off and visited htn^oTC^X^: ^^« ^^^^^^ fatigue and grief, she was ^^n s^^^dTT^^^ a week, broken-hearted ' ^ ^^^ ^'^Jiin tha^b^^'ir i^eTne L'T ^*'^'«' ^^^ ^<^ -t leave mercy, ''j^^s^tl^^^'^^^^^ o? Sabbath school teacher ^iTthi^^ *^'^ * ^^i^^f^I to me ; learn of me ; cLInow '^ '^'''^^' '' " ^^"^^ II Not now," said the boy. ' ■Wow is the accepted time • nnw ,•« *k j vation," said God. *^ *^ "^^ ' ^^^ is the day of sal- '•Not now," persisted the boy. My young friends, take the lesson a^A> *• • now, and He knows best. Your wJ,n"]« f? ' ^'"^^ '^ .^d:^t^:a-^r»:;^wtho Holy Sj)int make you willing to return sn f W fu ^® may be many amon^t ^n,, L;"^^^"^*^^,' ^^ *^a* there ac«% out the resolution '"YZmZr'' T^""'^^ ^^** Father." '^^'^^^n, i will arise and go to my THE LITTLE CAPTIVE MAID OF THE LAND OF ISEABL. My Dear Young Fbiends,— I rejoice to be permitted to speak to you all afrain in this way, and to express my earnest ^sh for S one of you that you may ha4, in ihe best se^of the words, « A Happy Kew Year " You have been mercifully kept by God's good hand upon you during another year, "^When you began the last year, you thought it a longtime toTokforward to the end of it, and that it would never be dTne and fear nr nYf iJ ^ ^°^ ^^""^ 'P""^* ^* ^^ «°d'« ^ove and tear, or not, it has gone up with all its record to the judgment seat of Christ, and it will testify either IZJdlZTT^ ^°^"^^^ y^^ ^'' summoned to stand there, and to render your account. Your own consciences will accuse you of many things whTch ylu have said and done wrong, and for which the Most High might justly put forth his wrath against you But the blood of Jesus Christ. n]«««c.o*i. *!?*:» ^P"- and if you believe in Him,7nd";ast7ou;^;er;;^r' TIIK LITTLE CAPTIVE MAID, ETC. 223 mean that you hejntr^^ S r''^ T^ "^ ^'^-^ already done so, tf cho^C^rL ^'l-^^^ ^*^« ^°* your highest hlppines3 aS .1' T^ ^^« '"'^^^^^ as whereve? you are and wh. ^** ^^'^ ^^««^^e that faithful in hold^' ?orth .^^^^^^ Jou may be instrumental t^JX^^T^tr^l oIV"^ *'"^ '^ trying to bring perishingVntrS hL ^^"«' "'^^ ^ • I am, my dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexander Topp, ToaoNTo, Ut January, Wi. ? -.^* brought away cStt^ o^ofTe land'?fT'"T'f'' ""^ ""^ ■""."If « "fed on Naam^Wife'™' •'""««'"■» = ware wfthlhe^lX't Sfa* "'''?'^?' ^""^ Go^ my lord going to chuVch !" jSd^.1,1^*'".""'' •»'» grandpapf on anoth« SoilL., f"'' ?''^'' ^gaui. some weeks aftJt — ^ , the. artle. CuestC;^!,,^^'';'^ 224 THE LITTLE CAPTIVE MAID hearing of an aged man, who was very careless and ungodly, and who had seen the inside of a church tut resulTl Th« 1 ^^^^^^ /^'^^^ ^^^ ^^at was the result ? The old man, then about seventy-five was soon found reading in the most devout and solemn manner the Bible, and some well-known books whTcS were intended to explain and enforce the truths of the Bible This continued for months, before he would consent to appea: in the house of God. But at length he did appear there, humble, penitent, and broken-hirted hour. He f ourid peace in believing in Jesus, and now unless absolutely prevented in the providence 4 God' he goes to church not merely like other folks, but like other Christians, because he loves to go there Were the questions of that little boy little thinus? bv Tmf l^' 'I ^ *?«^««1^««» and they were Sd by a little boy; but God made them great by emplov mg them to awaken a thoughtless sinier, and to bS Jir siiv^tioY:?)^: f^. *^- *^ '^' ^-- ^^^^ Hannah More records an instance of a gay ladv re turning from a midnight party at cards, Snd findW her maid-servant reading a religious biok,-"?^? melancholy thing," said she, "what pleasur^ can you have in poring over such a book?" But even in her own careless glance upon it there was one word that at length filled her with so much distress that her maid came to her in anxiety to know what it was that nT'Jl Ut ^'; '""'''^^^ ' "^^^ '' tears ™lat- mg, uJi t It was one word in vmir K««t +i.»i. i.-_ taken hold Ot me, and that one w^rdT-EW^' »» TM tun, OP ISMM. J25 f» ttX?;'' ^ •' '»" *» « earnest p«p.„«o„ God often chooses thfw^'lr tt" """^ senses than one, found the things that' ITl^^ '^ *''« -<»■" ^ -nl It IS about such a weak tM„„ • .i "any, that 1 am goCto S^l 1"* *''" estimation of ^hom God strengthens^ j!" ^1^* young person, and to his truthfin oSint^**'*?""^ *»h^name »dve«ity. He mSeTs^7/^°e» °f great trial and rendering his namel^at !. o ■' *".*''* Purpose of of aaying souls ^ "* ^y™' and thus probably oomnSn^mentrf' tWs"^;^^°' Z°^^^*!\*° ^"^ »t the of Wing any of you n'oHnlyl^til " "^ *'" "eans Ij>rd yourselves, but to dirSh. ?^,.""' ^"^ the We and salvation *v«„ *„il t *¥" *° the only way of -ill be to r^e^XZT:^'^'^'^'^'^^^^:^ --fJoyorofthanl.S„:ll,1j»rerrifgr 4 ^i:bVj4rsr;'^f » "* - «>« — been ^ttt^ro ."i "7hl s''!'^ T -«'<» >-- thought fit to record it fit ff"' °* <^'"' "^ ""t than the record of her name ?i, A' u " f^**"" '•"nour "Ptfn her. She was honZL^ ^ ""**" wnferred ertol the name of hSs r„^ ?""«'' ? ''"'« girl, to vellous love, and g,!^ aL^„„ ' "^ ^^^^ "^ "s mar- means of I^Ih,.,^?^!?™ Pe*er, and thus to be tl,. to apply to-God-s"'^r:j;„7»'"?''e spoke as herloS; bodily, but spiritual mZd S^Uh? °^'*^' »»* O"'? 226 THE LITTLE CAPTIVE MAID , • ,^5" belonged to those who were the anri»„t S °* «°f-^''»"' He had chosen frl amZ the ^If TwV"'* J° 'l? "^ P^""""' people to Hm! selt. They alone, of all other kingdoms had thl. holy Nation I^tf^fe.-^ " ''"'^'"" "' ^''''' '""''' It IS a good thing to be among the peonle of God to be bom a;,d brought up in a fami^ that f^God" and m wh.ci, j, heard the voice of joy and Xto ll^itlZ^'"' *■!" fi^egeJifVhave gX l«^t W^f. w r'* ? yo"' »"<' t"? to do you good be taunlrful for .t, and seek to improve that privuZ tlu^l '2,..oug'. the blessing of*^God, you^^lS bar* "To ZT^ ''''* ^^ supremely.' '^or 7Lm- ^IlbeT:Sr™' ">-" '» given, of them much ThK little Hebrew maid had been instructed in tl,. knowledge of God, and of thethinjof Go7 SJ^ I Keti:frthru:rtrred'"si^4''^S mstruoting the people throughout the land and^;r.; T?r' '^l '"^ »" »tolligent hearer of aU Thfa ^ conferred upon"S; pro^Lr-^rLrtt^ °' TM WNB OF ISRAEL. 33^ had the conviction thi^. aV^""'' '"»' ""J Z could wort as great wonde«LTr *PP"''' *». *' power of God. ''OMew as these, through the Hew'^^rJ^LtXr""''""*'' •■= ""^"h «>« theX^r"„rtg» ^.t:":'' O-lling nearh, fem.ly in peace and securitriTr ".'•'""» ^'h «>ei^ engaged in some other laTw Tr-"'**'"^ .^^ '""d. or were, no doubt, happy and /hi * T^' . ^^^"^ "hiWren roof lilce any 'ot y^IZte^^^^rt^' *«' father's «« about to come npo^^K ""' *'^°« of any evil who dwe t across the border X""** *« Syrians, tnbe^m tunes of hostility ^L „P* "^ghbouring ™de the land, when they Lu ^T ^^"^^ '^7 to in- JJttle or flocks of ^^fo^Z t^' '»<' 'o »"7 off they «,„ld lay their haSds „r' *^ ^ P*™™ 'hat for^4~:«'^C;iu'»..^^^^^^^^^ «^» came the family of this lit«rmL'Tf , *''« PJams whore either by herself, as they fold .fi*' .""» seizing her along with some othera th^v « • / '" *» ^el^ or oould take, and her I^ot'fttr"' °* "" ">«* they country. 1T»- — •- """"S^t the rest, tn *i,.:. ._' -oten'the^le^S^^r m^ 'S^ "° -«-"-"tS cruelly turned a deaf ear r'Sl t^enw*^- "^'^ Her entreaties, and 228 THE LITTLE CAPTIVE MAID If/, just like Joseph, who was sold as a slave intn rt. house of Potiphar, in Egypt, so was sheZd^ o^r knd ^rS^ .'^^\^ »-« of the great men of X mZ^tL^rirruM''it'rn'"„r"^<'"'i for her in these oiroumstances'trL^L":^^"' of her ownUd, ^e1^\eZ'"a^^jr.T'iZ s|X.^i^];:l*LfiS"hr'^ '-*•"' ±Jut she did not manifest any feelin^fl Af ^^« t suppose that just as Joseph^ sS dl^ J^®' ^ r^tti^?g:-£-iltr"^^"' religion ofJesusChrir*^We^ewata*Het T -^«, »o* only so. You recoUect the command tk.f Jesus Chnst gave to his discioles "T n™, ,„ . bless them thtt curse yonTrjoJ^^T^^^flf'f: you ; and pray for them that despitefily ^'^^^X^ 0' »HB um> OF MBAEL. gj, persecute yon." Tn fj,« • . yo«»g HeLw oap«v^:„f "' »' '"s precept did hhi, As she obsprvorj i,« sharp and observantl^r* '^P'" «■* generally very peatly afflicte^"*5r^he saw that k% mas4 w2 "and of Syria. He w^^ ^"^ " 8^' »an in the of the countiy, and leM fe wHf " »*.*" ""^^ «"gn, and by the peopl" Th5 T^"^ ^^ ^is eove- M a successful wa^oJ- Hp ^ '°'' ''onoured him fluence, and power ard „ .T?° * """> of large in- not keep off t^uMeUTlicZtJ' ^f »" thisiu^d and the poor, the g^at ^j^. " ^^^^- The rich l»We to the stroke ofdiseaTe °'^°' """^ «" "^i^e ie ' ""'^ Jl^t^^a^^i^'ll *^ ^o" "^d that Wi'td"^«;; ^ t'^ about the lep^sy ^ ^^ded it as a^r^ »„!f/^'''' ^'^a»«- Tfc Je^ as could only be reZtj^T thT* *'":>°- »>"» ™"h fon of God Himself it^*" >mm.iate interposi- covering the whole body andtn^ ^^^ sometimes of It eating away thesHn^„i?T*ir' ""'y a part loathsome, that &,e ^S aftZ" *?i^*-and so djvme appointment se^»^t^ ?^ '"*■* »' ^as, bv people, aSd from the l^l?*"^ ^"'^ ^e rest of the »dreKgiouspTviW„'*^,fr^' «? i. she had been taught to W o^^*'*^ "^ ^^d, whom confidence in Elisha^o ^'^'^ ^^rve, and LhZh^ My young friends, be ««v.. „.i... , V wiue, when your hesLtt^ Z^r. """"^^ea or afraid at ^«"s, and to ait fL t^^I^^^^?* ^ou, to sne^t fo* Jesuig^ — -» aauamea or -^is prompt you, to i Jesus, and to seek the good 23^ »HE LlTTLfi CAPTIVE MAID fiw«A f^ '*,/ uf '^^ "**^" ^'^> ^"^ ^^^^^ and It'^w -r^wT y^."' ^^'•^^ °r y^^r deeds, it 18 not said whether it was his wife, or some Pther one, who had heard the utterance of' the iTttle But he was immediately informed of it. In the providence of God it laid hold of his mind. Probabl nf ol circumstances he would have thought lightly of any advice from the little stranger in his housJ BrLlT '^l^." ^ ^r °* "^« ' " ^« ^o«W have s^S; But affliction brings down high looks. And what whkTr wT '"' *^/°%hearing and recovery? o whither will a man not go for restoration and health ? It was so ,with Naaman. These words of the Hebrew maid were the means of leading him to applv «n^! ^*^ ^^T presents, and attended bv a gorgeous retmue of servants and horses, and stoS at ou? to°m«^ f" P'^P^*> *^r«- E^^^*^ did noTgo «a« oT 'T' ^"* ''°^P^y «e^* ^°» a message- Go and wash seven times in Jordan, and thy ^fl;sh shall come again to thee, and thou ^halt be dean But Naaman w-as wroth, and went away, and said* Behold, I thought he will surely come out\ me and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his G^d' and ^ke his hand over the place, and recover the tper Are. not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of r>ol«!? in a rage. And his servants came near and snake unto him, and said, My father, if the nrnnwl Jt?S thee do some great thing, wouldst thou nStWe done '^''-^Pt\C%tT'.:^ '/ -'"• *o thee, iimself seven times in JordLr, ^^'""' "''' *PPed of the man of God ; Md It fl.T"'^"'* '» t^e saying to the flesh of » litt eThild aS^L"""" T^ "'^o »»* . The result of this wm ^h.^ .T" u"'*""" •".pressed by the M^aLTr^ v'i'' .""^ ^" so o«re, that heaoimo^l^^ Onj" fr' "'i™««Iou8 only time God. He thus not!,,, i . "f ^""^l « 'ho but, it is to be hZd sn«t °?'i^/»"»i' bodily health! »||B,thu« magnified i.C'^i't""'' ''I?'*''. God whole land of Syria- C „i, ' *hrough him, in the ^markable re^^' %7tC^t"" ""^"^ ^^ Naamanj And how dW^i .S^ ^° «'"'^ *» by the 5nstrumentaKtv of ti?^ • ""S^t^' I* was totle Hebrew oap^'^^5 ""^ """Pie words of this the td%tC!:^f ^Go^'tt^:' *^V'*"« -"O <" ker a place in the Sa^r^X. T i^*'' ^^ «^"n« Wn and rememS Jfc^' "?,*»* »be ^ill bf l^H and that will tfor^vw* " ^^ ^"'^ "* Ood J^d now let „s notice the lessons which her histo^ IS there you learn whatfi!^; ^ "^* °-^ ^^orf. ft and what, inhis^oC f w„' "S"* ^^"^ '^'b done! and is wiUing to do for ™, Tf '^T^"' ^^ <=»« do Him in his appoint^ wC' Hldfv "/''» ■=<»»« to' been taught, had she nTatte^H^ ^" \'"* «^' °ot .taughti »he would nev"" ht 1™,^*^ to what she was aer own salvation neith.T"! ^V ""« truth for -.o^eronetotheae^lnr^lr^ 'm 234 THE LITTLE GAPTIVB MAID do not take delight in the Scriptures, and treasure up the word in your memory, and in your heart, you will be ignorant of that which alone can guide you in safety through all the snares and temptations of life, enabling you to serve, and glorify, and enjoy God as your portion. The more you know of the Bible and of Jesus Christ, who is the sura and substance ^oth of the Old and of the New Testaments, so much the more will you be made like to God. " Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord." You are taUght by your parents, I trust — you are taught by pious Sabbath school teachers, you have the Bible in your possession that you may read it for your- selves — and if you neglect all this, and care not for the things of God, you will have nothing to answer why sentence should not be pronounced against you — you will be speechless and self-condemned. Many of those who have been brought up in heathenism, value the Bible as their greatest treasure. I read lately of a venerable missionary in the South Sea Islands, wko relates that one day, in returning from his Bible class, he found a number of people on the verandah, all anxious for the sacred Scriptures. He had no copy left, but the one he used himself. Among the group was a fine, intelligent-looking young chief, who had come from an island, two hundred miles off, to obtain a copy of the Scriptures. He stepped forward from the rest, and said to the missionary, " O our teacher, may you be saved, come give me the Word of God." It was with much regret he had to say, "The ©■ a OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL. 235 wistfully, the young man exclaimed, "Alas! alas t» The missionary went into his study, and put his long, when he heard some one entering— a man's hand was stretched towards the teble and the BTble was gone. He looked up, and there wa« the young cWef slntA «S/« ^^S*^* «™"g«).> Baidto\he m/s sionary This is your money, and this is my Bible " whilst he pressed the Bible to his bosom, as if he £t '* 'J.^'^t T.?r^ *^^^ ^y the missionary that It was the only Bible he had to read, to refer to or to preach from, he said, "But you can do h^n^l without the Word of God than I ca^n-a^dVy^u It not do otherwise, you can borrow one." Then he continued with great emphasis, « Send the money to Bntem, and tell the Christians of Britain to se out many more Bib es,-we will buy them all. for the pTs'sei" "^"^ '' '^' ''''' P^^^^^"^ *^i-g -« ^ V.?: ^'^^M^^vaGod. Have faith inUn Word. The little Hebrew maid, of whom I have been telling you did not hear with indifference of all that God had done for his people, and of the labours of Elisha his prophet in her native land. So far from that,' she took a deep interest in what she heard-she received It m faith and love— she treasured it up in her heart, and earned it about with her, so as to influence he^ thoughts and mould her life. Faith in God and in His truth made her what she was— patient, kind, com- passionate, and devoted to the cause of true relidon And so will it boxinfTi all rt* Trrx :* u ill the same _„ . , ,, " " -' J-"> *i juuiii fcue same manner, take the word into your hearts, and receive 236 THE LITTLE CAPTIVE MAID it in faith, as the word of God. In honouring God's word you honour Him, and, accordingly. He will honour you. The Holy Spirit will apply the truth to your consciences, convincing you of sin, as contrary to God, and ruinous to your souls, shewing you what a precious Savipur Christ is — how He died for sinners — how his blood cleanseth from all sin — and how He makes his people like to Himself, creating them anew, after the divine image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness. When the truth as it is in Jesus is thus known and believed by you, you will think much about it from day to day— you will delight to speak of divine things, and the more you meditate on the word, and allow it to reign in your hearts, so much the more will you be made conformable to the same- more free from sin— more anxious to shew forth an example of all that is good. 3. Be ca/reful to ca/rry your religion with ymtwhere- ever you go. Let there be no mistake in that matter. Let it be manifest that you are lovers of God, lovers of Jesus Christ, and determined to live according to his Word. In your own homes, let love, and kindness and filial obedience, and regard to everything that is peaceful, and true, and holy, mark your behaviour. In the company of others, like yourselves, whether in school or at play, let not anger, or pride, or deceit, or fraud, or bad words, or injustice, or unkindness be found m any of you. Let the same mind be in you that was also in Christ, so that those who know you may have reason to say, "This is a boy or girl who fears God, and delights in the truth." When you are unjustly treated, do not return evil for evil. Bear even that which is wrong in the way OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL. 237 that the Hebrew maid did. Her desire was to do good, if she could, to those who oppressed her, and, at any rate, she bore her hard condition, so far as we read, without murmuring. Paul and Silas sang praises in the dungeon, when they were thrust into the inner prison, and their feet made fast in the stocks. Dur- ing the war, at the beginning of the present century, as a British vessel of the navy was running close to the coast of Barbary, the officers on deck heard some one singing: In a moment they were convinced that he was singing the Old Hundredth Psalm tune. They immediately conjectured that the singer was a Chris- tian captive, and determined to attempt his rescue. Twenty stout sailors, armed with pistols and cutlasses* manned the ship's boat, and approached the shore. Directed by the voice of a singing prayer; they soon reached the abode of the Christian captive. It was a little hut at the bottom of his master's garden, on the mouth of a small river. They burst open the door, and took him from his knees, and in a few minutes he was on the deck of the vessel, frantic with joy. The account he gave of himself was, that his name w;as McDonald, that he was a native of Scotland, and had been a captive eighteen years. He had obtained the confidence of his master, was chief gardener, and had the privilege of living by himself. He said he was not at all surprised when they burst open the door, for the Turks had often done so, and whipped him while on his knees. But he carried his religion and the truth of God with him, and hence he sang praises, n.TiH nrovorl fr> i-.ha T nrA TV./^ T r>^^ U^a i U'~ I — ^- — -^- i-it^- jjuivi. j.iiij jLJuxu ticaxu ills cry, remembered him in mercy, and set him at liberty. He was not ashamed to acknowledge God in his 238 THE LITTLE CAPTIVE MAfD captivity, and amongst those who contemned his reli- gion. So, oven in the presence of those who cared not for God and his Word, be not ashamed to own Him as your God. Be not partakers of the sins of others. Give no countenance to that which is evil. Speak with all kindness to those of wiose conduct you have reason to complain. Shew, in the spirit of meekness your abhorrence of unholy words or sinful behaviour' of everything that dishonours God. ' When sickness, or trouble, or calamity comes, be patient under, the hand of God ; for He orders all your trials, and He will makeaU things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose. 4. Seek to make your religion, your saving know- ledge of God and his truth, profitable to others. You know that it is for this end that any are chosen to glvation, that they may shew forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. If you truly love Jesus, you can- not help making this known to others, although you do not tell it in so many words. Your lovely, ami- able, benevolent, holy character, will let them see who IS the master whom you serve, even Jesus, the Saviour and the friend of man. But you are to exert yourselves for the good of others, and for spreading abroad the influence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You read of the little He- brew maid, that both in compassion for her suffering master, and for the honour of her God, she hesitated — J-- ,„,j vii«i, T^TOvto piOpiiet wuuiu cure mm, ii he would only make application to him. And so, you will be ready to speak to those around you, who are OP THE LAND OP ISRAEL. 23d diseased with the loprosy of sin and who are living m ungodliness and vice, about the great Physi- cian who has the balm of Gilead to heal the souls, as well as the bodies of men. If you have a brother, or a sister, or a companion, dear to you, laid down by a dangerous fever, and if you knew of a physician who had skill to deal with that fever or disease, you would at once invite them to send for him. In Uke manner you will speak to those who are living in sin, and go- ing along the broad road which le I h to destruction, about Jesus Christ and his lo' Vould that they would come to Him, and He wouid neal them in time and for eternity ! Thus would you speak to them, and pray for them. Oh ! how little do young people and even grown-up people think of this, their duty and privilege, as having freely received, and therefore called upon freely to give ! A young girl was rapidly sinking under severe trouble. Only a few months before, had she, like the prodigal, come to herself, discovering her sinfulness and her danger. By the grace of God she was led to seek forgiveness, and to find peace in Jesus. Soon after this, her health failed— she grew worse and worse— and it was clear that she would shortly die. One thing especially troubled her mind. When asked what it was, she answered, " I have not done enough for Jesus." Poor girl ! she had felt the worth of a Saviour, and how much she owed to Him, and she grieved that she had done so little for his sake. liet me ask vmi all yxfhn Tt^aA fKia Z7>»«.^ «.^., ^ emugh for Jesus ? Your answer will be, if you know yourselves aright, that you have not. You never can do too much. You never can do enough. Think of . 240 THB LlTTtE CAPTI B MAID, tfd. what He has done for you And nn^ «,vu ^t mencement of this ne/?ear feek ?oIo .5 *v^ '^°^- of the Holy Ghost, ^afyou^^^^^^ Instruct, as%:„ c:LThe*lo^^"s*rt ^^''^^ and urge them to flee from t^^;], f ^ ^"""^ *^^'"' some youBg peri^n^ as^oung ^y^^ante J^'' yon were acquainted, have b£,n iued away bv I^T And who can tell whaf mo^ v^^ j.u ^ "^ death. JOSIAH, THE GOOD YOUNG KING OF JUDAH: AN EXAMPLE OP EARLY SEEKING AND SERVING GOD. My Dear Young Friends,— It is of God's mercy that we have been soared tn ^nrprrr^t'^H?^^"?^^--^^^ pmise. ^"" '"^ *^^'"« ^^^^ ^ a" the voJ i!^TL*i'^^'^*'T ?°^ P"^^^«« «* ^S^^^ addressing you in this way, and of wishing you many haoDv vear! fol ^-^f !^^ occasion last year, an example of youth- TvP ^* taken from the Bible. ^ of Stud t ntfi^^^^^^^ ^P^*' "^^^^ i* ^^^^ '"^^^^ dftL n^K ' *^?^® ^^° «^^^ »^d find God in the days of their youth, is the earnest prayer of Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexander Topp. WftlBWo, Itt Janiuirp, 187S. m JOSIAH, THE GOOD YOUNG KINO OF JUDAH. JerusalemVom theS n?±?^^*^*iP"'Se Judah and this, may perhaps not be much older and mnJ^^/ maybe several years older I hnn« u. T^ ""^ ^.^^ you will take an^ntl^ltTn^UTodtl^^^^^^^ Word about this youne kinff Vnrht ^ ^^ was very young md^dto b*e a ktos ^ J?* "" ^OSIAH, -THE GOOD YOUNG KING OP JUDAH. US histo^^?*/''"i "^5° ^M? ^""^ acquaintance with the ni« 3, l^""^^^?^' ""'" remember to have read of age. he was only nne years old. Two of his mmiaters once asked him to allow somethinglo be done m his palace, which would have been vL diV honouring to God. They made this request Zlrd^ to oblige a powerful Emperor, who reigLd in^nother t^Z ^^.^^^^''I.VI- (for that las the narcf this young king to whom I refer) feared G^d and would not do anything which he kniw would displease told them that he could not permit what they wanted Slt"?n?n f'^ «*i" ^^ti'^^eS to urge him toVS he Snt i . "*'? *^^ wept much, saying to them "that he was detarmined to lose his life, and all that he had rather than agree to do that which his conscience told him to be against the truth." Was not this a noble resdutioni He would rather lose his kingdom? and ^^ A f^"^^ ^'^' ^'''"^y *^** ^*« a s^gn that he nf ]5!' ^^rf;.*;^ '^^' ^' ^^ '^^^^ "P his mind to do the will of God, and to maintain his truth. To the great grief of the nation God called him away, and took him to Himself, before he had reached the age of seventeen years. ?n the same way as Edward, will you act, if you would please God and enjoy his favour. When you are asked or tempted to do any wicked tiling, even though they who ask you should be angiy when you refuse, you should answer with Joseph, "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God ?" Jesus died to save you from sin, and you cannot belong to - S.A '■(f 244 JOSIAH, THE GOOD YOUNG KING OP JUDAH. a boo^^n? ' ^''V''''^ ''^. *^^ "^'^°»^* **• CJod keeps a book of remembrance, in which He writes do^oi every sm of which you are guilty. He™es in t1^ He wiU Y;fn?<■' to seek Christ A Sf? ' i '""^^-ken yon propose preach4r«t tte rfcinr o'/cWs^''' '"*^"«' and spotless robe She S«nS .^ *' *® * P^^^ and attention ie happted to r«\^''* ^^*^'^«* when she said she wisff to be ctthed fn thT* K^'^^i righteousness, that she miltlTa^ - ^** ''°*'^ °* conversation was alt nlSf t "^ "" P^*^®' The that she fdt tlT vast^,t ' T'^ *'. *° *^°^^i^°« him Christ TtI 1.0^ importance of being found in ^nrist. He had scarcely rpAnliori Ur.^ %. *"«ua m senger arrived to Jl him tW . ^ ®' T^^"" * °»«»- been found dead by her pLnt^^^^^^ ^"^^ °^^^^ ^^ is reason to believe that she h«T. • ^^I^?"' ^«^« which she wag Lirous fit if T- T^ the robe of said, I will seek trTobe^wln I'l^^l^^ ^'^ ^^^ year, or at some future f,'r«« "'^en -i am old, or next of her soul Xn r. ^'"^^'J^^^ ^^^^ have become -r^ou^aypuiott from season to seasii, £„„ ;2 WfllAH, THE GOOD YOUNG KING OP JUDAH. 249 I'ffwIll^r.J'T"'' °^"r«*nd more Wicked, and clSriT •''^ companions, you will have no in. ciination~no desire to seek Jesus. in o^e of f hi f ^''^'. ^^ >'°" ^^^« «^* i° the fi Ids J J of jhese stormy days at this season of the v ^^ if youh^d friLr^^^" !f «*^^^*- ^'- *he«'or!;; some fallll .K ? V^:^ ^"'P ^^*^^' »« ^^ hear r^ some falbng through the ice into the lake, vou would feel your need of some one to help you to es^c^pe from beuig drowned. So the Bible, God's ow^ w3 teZ you that you have need of shelter froTth^wrath " God from the storm which will beat against the wicked and overwhelm them. Now Jesus Is He who alone can save you, and He will do it, if you belJve in Him and give your hearts to Hii. He willTe- hZ Tv^"^ .'^^ >;^^ P^*' He will IZt^n sZ-ffi JT'""' ?.^' ^^°^^- He will send his Sprnt to make you holy, to make you love the ^ood *\^^*«.^^*^** '' ^^^1- A little Chinese drl^was asked, "Were you sure of dying to-mo4w what would you do to^day j " She was Le of a d^! The first who replied said she would be getting her ^rave ready, which ia a very important buLess^amonHhe Chinese ; but this dear child answered, withTreso- lute counten^ce « I would believe strongly in Je us " earKlvlr'TK-'^^^i!^-* *^'^"^^ Jesus Christ in VP fini ^^L ^^'' '' ^'^ °^" ^'-^^^ = " Then shall ye find Me wlien ye seek Me with all your heart " It you really want anything, you will be full nf abSt'^if^"''*'' ''""^r"" *^'^^^^« ^^^1 ^e occupied about It - you %vili continue to ask for it from the person who is able 17 give It to you. In like ',m 250 JOStAB, THE OOOD YOnuo KING OF JCDAB. But God »™ « 1^1 *t' "T' *^"^ "^ p'^y"'- never fcdL to htrM*thr » *^ ^''*''-' •"" man, though thevhEfwk- ^"'°"' *•■« "''""g of the soS of wf ^ "^ it"' '^ *y*^ ^^ '•'oni him P^,.e^^ KXTnSr^^i^^ra- - ^^^^ tt"""' uke a roaring lion, seeking whom he ma^ JOSIAH, Tfifi GOOD YOUNG KING OP JUDAH. 251 If you would truly seek God, so as to find Him you will not only pray in the morning, when you S from your beds, and in the evening! before you le down ; but you will always be in thf'spirit of prayer and you will often ask Him for the blessingsCS you need. I have read of a Very young girWhlfelt the necessity of seeking God in^rayef. She was playing one day with her companioV when she took them by the hand, and led them to a shed near where they were, and bade them kneel down, as shrwis going to pray to God ; « But don't tell my mamiT" she said, "for she never prays, and would nT be pleased if she knew that I do so." Well instead of keep ng the secret, one of her companil went im mediately and told the little girl's mother. She wTs very much struck, but said nothing in the m^ntime When the girl went home, however, her mother asM her what she had been doing in the yard She he? ^tedtotell; but when her^mother 'promised no ft " be angry she rephed, "I have been praying to God." "But why do you pray to Him V " Becaut I know He hears me, and I love to pray to Him." « But how do you know He hears you ?" This was a difficult llf .T T' i'f T'\^^^ ^''^'^^'' «^^ g^^e Putting her little hand to her heart, she said, '' Oh ! I know He does for there is something here, which tells me that He hears me. The r^ply pierced her mother's heart, riw T^-^'^rtf*'^"?" *^ P^^^""' ^""^ ^^^ ^ept bit- 11 I' n i\^^^/r^ ™ "°^ ^^^y honouring and seekmg God herself, but she was the means of leading «er movuer to know the value of the exercise of (c) God is to be sought by reading his Word, and m JOSIAfe, THE GOOD YOUNG KING OP JUDAtt. by hearing it preached. The Bible is th^ Ptnnt * Every boy and girl that is anxious to find ChriS l-fi re^ and study the Bible. I wiS tell yl^^ " liM. how Josiah acted when the bnnt J ri~v , ™* found in the temple But now I obee;^^ A*;: ^^ :^i"a,r^fiti„'-;uTrie:n£?^^^^^^^^ Christ and his love to sinners and tl„= « j '^^ and joy and happiness. A m«e „iri w«i. '^r*'' flnTrt*'' T'"''' fr"™ *e text "He shaU feelT nock hke a shenhprrl Ho ain„n xl , '®®^ his arms." Anft™ J^edtbouf Se's^tlrsh '" "^ ?a\xrzof^s:i:■rn^^=^^ »eL'sTft;,:X7„rhel^--^te„ will be the ne.ssity^,__.eeW„/cf„,, ,„Yf-;H^a .nse ^, ,,^ Josiah:a:;d"bid y^o^Totir" "^ *" '"^ '"^''"'Vof JOSIAH, THE GOOD YOUNG KINO OP JUDAH. 253 II. That Josiah not only sought God hnf AiA good, and to get good, and not like some who are led m wilU^d'^t* Vh""',^'? r" '""t again at the text, yim will road in the third verse that in the twelffl, l?f!:^t' u^ *^^ °'''^*^^ ''"^g^^- This was four years after he began to seek God. He was always growS better and loving God more So, if you Je rl^Uvi^ earnest in the things of God and hisryfce! you w 5 not on^y shew that you desire to seek God when you 2oTl ^whr^"^' ^°°' ^^ attending thelaffi riawful 11h '^ '"*'''' l°" ^^*'' ^P^" ^^y profession or lawful calling, or when you go away from your own home to enter upon the business of life ^ The good king here spoken of, when he" was only m the twentieth year of his age, shewed how much he loyed G. by purging Juda! Lnd Jerusalem from the high I .aces, etc. It was yery ungrateful and so bounti?nll """a^^' '* *^* ^°"^*'^' "^« ^^^ b'en so bountifully and graciously treated by the Almighty to do anythmg which He had exprLly Sdet' AH of you, I haye no doubt, could repeat the second commandment-" Thou shalt not make unto thee any paven image, or any likeness of anything that is in lieaven above, or in earth beneath," etc. You know 2Z ^^'^ ,«^"^^»:f^. *^e ten commandments to the children of Israel, m the midst of thunderings and lightnings, and fire, and the voice of a trumpet, so 254 JOSIAH, THE GOOD YOUNG KING OP JUDAH. that all the people trembled. You would think thaf the appearance of God in such a terrible manner would have awed the Israelites, and prevented them from any open act of disobedience. But so rebelS were they in their hearts, that very soon after tw' ihTchTeVti^r' ^^' r^ ^ ?^ ^' 8<^^:iJ^^e wmcli tley fell down and worshipped, and said ' Ihese be thy gods, O Israel, which have broS hnL, ' ^'S'; »°^«<' "Pon such conduct as most dil honourmg to his name and character. The h^thM, and the children of the heaohen, those who have not the Bible, and therefore know not God-bow do^ before stocks and stones, the work of Zr owhtr and pray to these as their gods. But you know fhat such things are no gods. They neither^see. nor he« nor taste, nor smell. The Israelites were aware^f *" *°°' .»^r'l «« you. Therefore, Gc^ ^ dis pleased with them, and would have destroyrthem ceased. Yet, as a punishment to them, the calf of gold was ordered to be ground into powder anTcast upon the water which they were to d?ink fi, o-,!?'^^'^^,^8 "''^' yo" '»'"' learn, 'if you ve>A he Bible carefully, that thay were often' AtyoiTe sin of Idolatry: and when they had bad kin^ like Josiah's father and grandfather, they encouraSd the people in it, and made them 'sin more ^d more against the Lord. °™ This was the state of the kingdom when Josiah came to the throne. And as he was one X .°^^. Got, lie was anxious that all the people should like himself, know God also, and aocordiniiy he proc^elSed JOSIAH, THE GOOD YOUNG KING OP JUDAH. 256 Thfrw""^ their images and to pull down their groves worsnip m the land. I never read of any occasion iwaTthrjit^^^^^^^^^ '--'-y ^-' ^^^^^- cruelly treated by the hard-hearted BurSfar hL heroic wife contrived to lengthen his life, by eettin^ food and drink to his cellfuntil the En^fsh trnf took the city, and set the poor prisoners free. HaTe^ lock was then a lieutenant in the English armrand oi«^/ Ti, * P^'T" °^^^*^g- W*»«re did he find one I There was a famous heathen temple in a retired grove devoted to the service of Boodh^ He seS Z«'n A' f '^^'^ ^^ ''' * ^^^g« '^^^ filled w^r^ ages of Idol gods, sitting all around with their C crossed and arms folded on their laps ^ fi. t.1.^^1.*'',''®^^^' strolling round the temple thought he heard the sound of English singing He stopped and hearkened. A strange sounf hte he thought; but it certainly was the sound of p^alm! Bingmg, in good old EngUsh style. What did it mean? How could It be accounted for? He determined to foJ'ow the sound and behold it led him to an upper chamber, where Havelock, with his Bible and hymn' ^ook before him, surrounded by more than a hundred ««« 7"*,*' r"'' ""^«"ig a prayer-meetme. The room was dark, but every idol had a lamp in its Ian shedding more light than any idol had ever done before: 't'\*i 256 WSUB, THB GOOD TOUHQ KINO OF TOB.«. pople „ight not ha^The t^dZ^^ 7"^' *»* *« m worship, he resolved to |emS^*t* """* "*»» cooM not change the hewta Tt^ '^^^ »'^- He Bought to do whit ke »uld to turn fl.'"»PJ"' *"■* '"« idolatron, practices ;..Mthir8h*™dtw; '™"' *«'' m earnest in seeking .Jodw:''*^-'*'''" really ■"^to b^g over c^hS^to^^nlw'H ^"""«<^ You will perhaps be readv t^ '? *°''- very good in Josi^, but W^ J? „":'•:' ' "« ^-^^ w„ - low can ««, Joy, a^^dglf^lX '?» ^ow y„„Z the weU to draw waterl. ^?«'a. who 4me to Christ, she ranTcItiherity"'^ r?.""^'«' ^^ tants tJmt sh.i had found cS ^1, ^'''. **« *»l»bi. come and see bim anStelKr H^^ ""?*^ *«» *» Bartunens, the bV'M man Tf t • ■°"®'™»- When "right, he followed j'^fwe a~^!5!f "i '»^ "«ivS and telling how gracious HeZi1^'«!'"^e God, and otter cases Ihich we^T„^!"° ^- The.^ us m Scripture, m example^i „" *\"* ««' befor. love Jesus o^vB.ive^^ZtlZhT^'^^'' »''• name-to pray to TDm .^j * W *° honour his wish to blg'othe^t^'do'"!*^" "I,'^' '• »ffl not boys and girls, whom you Ww f "''• »" ^lorB about their souls and dirfn^ thST^" V" "" <*«1^ «ur«ng and swearing, or ?^s3 ^'"' "? 8U% of Sabbath day, who s-S^pL Z^t^ f P^^ning a. and to treat them witri^^tita^J'^^ tkeir parent^ shew that you love God "ST 't« .C<»J heavenly Father, give me thv Holv «^n,Vi+ ^^:,^;'^^^^^^^? obeK^c^SLh^ as m> Almighty Saviour ; enable me to honour mv parents and teachers, and to walk wUlingly S^ JSe wf^rS^J T^' ^^ ^^« what Jesus 4X^h^n He was a child ; help me to serve Thee while I am voim^ and to go on serving Thee all my days: Sve Ihf grace also to my companions, and send aSeaf^viviS among the young, for Jesus' sake. Ame^ t J"* J^*"® H ^ ^®''y interesting incident in the future history of Josiah, which I wish to teS you for your instruction. You know from what has been said already that the Jews were very wicked anS rebelhous, when Josiah came to be king. God had given them a law to guide them in his Lrship and service and He commanded every king to make a copy It for himself. But the kings who wTe bi fore »h n«f»l«n+o^ *i,: xi. . , ^ "^ V ®" ^nr - — Q-.-.v^v. Vina, au mau nO 30py of God's Wo . was to be seen in the land. However when o...vi. bad ordered his officers and captainsZ'i^ 258 I brought it to JosSh wf^f^ ■; »fy "'the W, a"5 which o„ text is taken, tU^'" A' "''^P**'' fr"" . ^ >t. he rent his clothi ,* d il"'^ ^/^"^ ""e worJs He was so affected bv it t^ T F* "^^o" tie lord ,^ -;f.tArX^^ tW r? - • -rood try to telj yon ThL ul ^ ^^^'^ o{ God ? J win ^o things ^i ^'^,zt "7% r ^'» »^" not serve God n««*« ^V ^ , ^^ *o ^od. Thov no« qxentiy bet^ them t{„''^'"' '^'' «^ S fr^" *o do otherwii. Tnd To it"S it"? "l^^ »<"•" ^h P« m mind, by tte Cd of '^^ *'/* '^'^i'* was which he had done wrong and tS^o °* T^^ "»ings more particularly because *?V «'<>« he wept, but h« people we.-e guTlty ^ °* *''" S^^* ^ ofVhfch One great design of the Riw. • . , *» your rememb?»n^ L ,i " ^ """S y»« «ns them. TherewasonTktSl 5^""** yo" sorry for h.s father's home,°rd'grtt^' -S"" »»»l<'^e^e tned to persuade him nltt^ . '^^ ''"'d father jnmedandwouldgotose^ Tbf- *"•* »■« ™s dete^ thought he might^e ^cfc^ wherC" T" *''"• »« hs father, and that there wo^d h,*"^ 8°' ^^T from him. His weeping father^ ^. ''" ""^ <» reprore 7««it away, and^^be^ged Wm tf rl^-? ^^'"«. ""he »way a„d became 7e,y wLL !^ '*• The boy went ~w hi,„. Tt^^ waT rSeat i J™'*""' B-'God ihe ship oouid not'standaSt Tlu"" *« ""^n. if ^::^s *! ^."^f-^Te'nV^f-f^ -?» -—, »ud lor a few momente^thelrie^™! '08UH, IDE 0001. VOUNG KINO OF «DAH. 259 moked boy wiehec. Selfa? h ^ But h ''^.'' ¥ a few moments for a ar«o+ -^"^ ^® ^^^ only ship on highland LnftTellnr "T'' ^""^ ^'^'^^ ^^^ broken in I IhouslnTpt^ EvT^*^'' '°'H! ^^^ ^*« drowned, except this same wicklHor "^^^^^^^.^^^ mercy of God, he was caSfed by th« w?* ^""^"^^ *^« rock, so that he could cTeep ud ^LT, T' "^^.V ^«^* and almost dead. In the m„!?^ J"^^ """^^ ^'^i«ed on the rock with a book in mT°! ^^7^' «^«^ «i*ti«g the only thi^^L^e'dtom'th?:?^ '^C '^^ ^^^-^ ' and there on the first Wf ».. !^ i , opened it ; father, and he thought of tl^ *^ ^""^"^^i^g of his of his own ingratSe LfilTt^'' °' """* '^^^f. opened the bo^Cdret^'^^Vrl i?" ^ his heavenly Father, and thS iXint .^ thl °« °' brance of his sins aoainst P.C? o- fP' ** ™e remem- He wa. truly peSrjfdi' ^t^^^^ "^ ^">^^ you^r^ThSr ttt- f ' ^°" ''^' «' -"- vincedof your in^Crtol£°'^/Z'irt forgiireness in the anirit „f „„ -T ' '™ tolseek wal well pl«sed X^J^fir'"'*'r ?""" *»'«■• God and weptf^ Xwai HeT^i " 5^ ''T^^'l '^■"self a« trul^ so,^ f~ s^P'Tt^* ?«»' « you to »"« HimWri~to^'nr" 1^'^^ «T you by h,s Spirit here, and ^CZd ^^yo^± his own presence, wherfi fliorr, ;« «. 7 -^ ^^^ ^^ his right hand. wLTX™ !-: ?,.^»« "■ joy. and to andU' <"" Wgtert dignity- totel "^'^ « ''« ^W rum upon your own heaZ v' i! ^'^^ '"isenr Ld is not BPoiirJ ' ^® ^^^^ see its end 2 'rif ^^ ^^7 the love and service ^G^ to those .-h, „^ ^^^ ^j^« Waf^i*?' P"'"'^' '<»• ae "eWI^!, j'?^' into ^re laid in the silln? ^'^^ ^' '"'^^ ^^en youJ K J- «?oner or later, He^V^^^- ^^^*her ^hK^^t sions of bliss wLlr^ : '^^'^^ you intn fi,.?*^ ^'^ ^i« own peopier^- " ^'' ""'^^ ««^« ^^^^^top;;;:^™. 01 My I Itg the CO] this w< have { Whilst forget 1 by givi] in trut: youth." You pleased will be i^eachyo l>y hit c Thatthi TOKONTO, OBADIAH WHO FEARED THE LORD FROM HIS YOUTa My Deab Young Fhiends,-. this way. God has'ltrl C^^^:^ '' T ^" have all reason o praise %^ T ?• ' *"'' ^^^ Whilst^ then, you areffof ' Z fv ^'' «°°^^«««- forget to giv; Lank7r^^L, ^nd^ 'tlTnThif "°* by giving yourselves to God and f n ^ • '^ ^^*'* Tou^' "^^ ^''*". ^" be tcs:ci *e»ohy„u, and keep you from e^ H°'' -.^ ^Pj"' *° by hi.^co,u>.eIs Jd^aftfi^^dtoeiv: ™" '^t^^ That thui may be so, U the fervent prayer "f^ ^' My dtar young friends, Tour veiy affectionate Pastor, ToBOKTO, IH Jmimm, 1S74. •<%^s£ANi/«n TOPP, 262 OBADIAH, WHO FEARED TUB "But I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth."— 1 Kings, xviii. 12. ' ' "Mamma," cried Charlie Gordon, "I never saw a fellow like that Frank McLean. He is so awfully lucky. Everything he does goes quite right; every- thing he tries, turns out as he wants it." •' I would not call that awfully lucky," Mrs. Gordon said, smilmg, "there is nothing in it to make you feel tull of liwe, is there 1" " Oh I weU, you know what I mean. But I never did see a fellow get on so weU. He is not so clever as a good many of the others, yet he is always at the top of his class." "Perhaps he is more dUigent than any of you." Mrs. Gordon suggested. ^ " But it is quite the same with other things," Charlie said. " You know he is poorer than any of us, a great deal poorer. His clothes are often so shabby and so patched, no one would take him for a gentleman's son, If It were not for his looks. He has no fine bats and balls, and bows and arrows like Mark Grant ; and he never makes up fine pleasure parties like George Wreig, and yet there is not a fellow in the school so much made of, or so much liked." "If he is poor in money, then," said Mrs. Gordon, he must be rich in something better." "Rich in knowing how to keep right and straight with everybody, with masters, and us aU. I never saw anyone 1 ke him for keeping out of scrapes, and for knowing how to go just right straight on. I was told a thing about him the other day. It happened about three vears aco. bpfnrA T w<>nf +« c^-u i a _-i. Of the big fellows had brought in some gunpowder, tORD FROM HIS YOUTH. 263 m the school-room window A ««f r.f X * boys, all our class iV^^Z' \ *^® younger window ftt +haT' .' "^^""^ P^^y^^g wilder the JlTwi Tt, .u *'°'®' *"^ saw what happened and couTd hfd'eit '« '^rl'^'l^ *^«^^^^^ ^' tThow'tS^y to do iS«v 1. "" l^i" ^'"^" ^°y« ^i*^ ^«t know what H and a^lL T ^''T ^°^^^ *^ * ^^^^ ^^^k about nnf i ? . ? °* questions, and aU that. Thev did rntioTwiL';&*^^^^^^^ ««**-^ *^--l'^^^^ "w uot water with these old ones : and vet iht^v AiA masC" '^"t^ t""'^- »'° *"ub^e*^tT S^2 masters. Frank McLean never said a word whUe fch« +1,.. I.' £11 » "e ^*^ *^o- -In a few minutes out camA tt ^«dl?"' ""* "*" ''"^ »*«"• »ta„» glad you have him to a frfend Ch»S^I''°'i wish you would write and ask him *i ' ^''*"«»' I in the holidays." *" P*' '" » ™'t "I am a&aid he can't come." mid r-i,..!.-. much pleased with the proposal ^W. *. I?"^ same lucky thing that has^hSd tohT'anI ht* I was gomg to tell you about'^'^His rnXn's a ,^dow fng aif 7hr;r t ^r "" 'if" -«^'°« -"^s little b«therrs^,S C?"^^ "T^ *» »»<' »>'« know, and he wal°d'to ^trm/thintW"' T evenings, to mate a little SoneyThei^.-'? ^.' man in the town— verv rich K?^ „ "^ • ". ""'' "'<• He wanted a youn/Zn' to go'r^S to 'th«e h™^'' heard of it, anl ^ITst^LrFL '^°r,^ ^'^k -n if he would t.y hi.. -=Fi.-„r ^to^ rbefS" LORD PROM HIS YOUTH. 266 hand, and reads aloud uncommonly well ■ anrl h^ gaged him on a month's triaT^ And thl % °T I?." the means He has taken him as a ctok i^trh^^ counting-house, pays for a first-rate master trbr^' oa^Ueave that old genSninst^r J r:ro^ "Ztut ro'h'Zt tLT^" "'' ^"- «-'»-. ga^^impt^ ™;;i t^fin^rtt.'^trs'-ar don hked Fra^ McLean as much as she had expected He was, .ndeed a bright, pleasant boy, but shH^n cSd'of Ge'r '' "" ™"'«*"^ --' -- - t- " Charlio," she said to her son, the day Frank left them, "you must never again call Prink McLean poor ; he IS one of the the richest boys I ever kntt The fear of the Lord is his treasure." Charlie looked ro if i,a j:j i -i . ^ , and his mother exilainel "" ■*""" '^<'«''»'*»<'. "laskedhimone day," she said, "if he, such a 266 OBADIAH, WHO FEARED THE confidence of all your ma^trs" * "^Pectand J^^d how about hi3 luck with the old gentle- ..Li"^^ t*"* T*^"^ ^ *""« ^ofW to do with it • I asked him how he had contrived tn r.I«lJl t ' particular old gentleman! .Tdl* said Tt^? " T'^ self He seemed to wonder that I was alCv« I that, for I knew that ^o'd wotiS rlp"Cd"'if1 etr^fco^rt^"* ' ""i^T ««-» <»^Sot: weU a^ to also of hi» w^^iJ?" ^' '^'■f''*' "■»* i" th« mat! the^'^r-Vf^t!^! *?«"«"' f» ? little, and ' - -, «*»xx4x^», 4 see. Anci i see, too. LORD FROM HIS YOUTH. 267 luamma, how the fear nf +i,« t , , Frank a treasurrof eavfM ^ "^ ^^' ^'^"S^** <^ db all so love hL and si^f'"^! ^^^.^^^dness.^ We hardly think how we ^ote him" t5^ t'^' ^^" ^^^ this is because the fear of th« T. ?f ^ '^^ ^«^ that the most generous the ^Lf ff ^' °^^^^ ^"^ J^^t and gentfe mZltZtTjt\Tr'' '"^^ fear of the Lord is to Frank a ^1 'T'.*^" treasure." ^^^ ^ "ch, a glorious of the house of Ahab tho ir;. " ™^ *"e Uovemor some ofyou wholdU re./tv ^ °' ^f *^'- T'><»-« «e your Bi^s, i^s/o^ruirti n^^^ wer« asked, the characte/of IJab St"""*' '^ ^""i the most wicked kinss that »™. * , ^ ™^ ""^ »' Indeed, we read rXdin! M tr"* °™'' *••»* '»»d. the sight of theSlwe alUh.?'* " 'l' .*<" «"' » And, no doubt beir^ ill- j ?■* """^ ^^"•^^ Him." bent'on doing 6^^?^,^ *" '"' ''™^"' »<» in his court of the same Si ff"°°' "'">''* "■» go along with him 3 Cf ' ?'' ''f^^"'"*' --o^y ^ and wicidness \??oterneo„^ '"n""''°' '''°'**'7 diah in the court of tMswLfcfft™"'' * "^° ^^ Oba- high office of the Oo^Z'tllu^ZZ" ^f"""' ''"' OWiah in their senti^Sttt::::- ^wt^J 268 OBADIAH, WHO FEARED THE of God, but because Ahab felt the benefit of h. • such ad man as Obadiah manac^S tl J'^^ of his palace. Yon will r-c^rr. ^"""-feing an the affairs told yo'u, thit 5.eVd ge'tW s'aw tf; '*7 ' ""^'^ truth and diligence aL Sit^^^L^^K^ri*"^ ^'i^'^ Wot": £ "f ~^ - .^^ in ., e^pi;,trc--i! *,:,- r 00^:?] truth, and prX mXemen^', T'^'-'r^ "»<• mitted to him, and henSfelftW *. "*5*,"^ <'»°'- in him to havi such aZ^a 11^,',, ;-","« -- one whom he could rl^r^ov,^ f . °* ^^^ house— Uereisrmeth4r«alToSn?/''J*f"' '''"' *™^- that commends it.e?fto\heo?n^Cl'o/r '"'^'^T' £ai«.u,,,j.rt;ri\r?h"^^^^^^^^^^^^ -- ways " Wh™ . f ^ ^'''*' V -wa ting in his «.a& ev^ht ene"mTe^ ZT ^l'^ *« I'"'^ ^ Ahab did not care for OUdLl T? '''* ''^•" found that Obadiah'* LroMiLTF°"i '^"* "•« feithful, trustworthy man and ttr^f "f*^" "^^ * *» We him in the ^.t Ji:^/",!: t^^J^^^^^ WW — ■ ■'UUV iV. voii o i;+4-i,. r.ORD PROM HIS YOUTH. $69 suppose he was a gruff-heartlT Z • '','' P^^<^ i ready to do you sorfniZtAeSSt' T^ "■"* upon you, you would be afraid nf t- ^ ^'^ '"""'' out of his way X you could vi^ ^im/ou would get you would have loCet hi^ ^7 n"" ^'^^ '•™' *"* nothing for him beoILfyou Uke'd'to^"", """V'-"" That IS not the fear that T»„ , • ™ P'®*^« Wm- Or suppose vou h^ » , P'*'""^ »'"'»'• very haJsVL^^u a^d ew r "^ f f"""' ^'«' ^"^ though you werftrySraU vL i!, !" P""'^'' ^ rules of the scho7^fd JT ''' *° ***«"<' 'o the would fearthat mtier becaLereVdT. ''^'"'' ^'"^ offend Him ; you wilLlek to? ^'^ ^"^ ^^" ^^^^ *« thing that Vou?d matr W- ^''' ^"^^^ ^^««^ ^^^ry- will try to do evotZn^ ^"^7 ^^*^ ^^^^ you little ^irl ofterfoCel ht^fX'?^^ ^l"' ^ came into the house wifWv .^ ^^^"^ "^^^^ he can I do for you P I'd n^' ^''''*''^.' "^^*^^^' ^^^t when he gaveClom'te Xlu^'^'^' *^f^ said, perhaps tired with h^ ^H?,f^^.n?^u ''f' '^ you ask that question scTmu^^'uXj^^y f^ answered, with the tears swdliL in ?' *'''"' '^® cause I oan'f »^-i- ^-^ » - swelling m her ev :;.. * be- tion, and" her'" roadmesrf7' ^7^*^* P^^'^^^M^es- «et he about wars of th.''*^^' "^"*^"«^ ^« proot ot the genuineness of her 270 OBADIAH, WHO FEARED THE love-~she wanted always to be doing something for ner father. ° _^ People sometimes are in doubt whether they love God or not, or, at least, they speak as if they were so. iTou can easily find out whether your heart is going out to God or not— whether your thpughts and affec- tions are supremely centred in God. Are you often ™g yo,"^ Heavenly Father the same question this little child was asking her earthly father? Is it one of your first thoughts, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to tV . , T y°^ ^®^P °^ asking because you can't faelp It? It so fills your heart that it must come out. And you not only ask, but are on the outlook all the time to hear what He says and to do what He bids, and to forsake what He prohibits. This is the way to know whether you love God or not. And if we love Him, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, we will keep 'his commandments, i.e., do what He says. This is the proof of the sincerity of our love and of our fear to offend Him. My youn^ friends try yourseb^es by this test, anxiety to please God. ' rake anc^ther example of fear to offend God. Lit- tle Nellie was five years old. Her mother had taken great pams to instil into her mind principles of riaht and truth. One day she stood at the door of the dining-room, looking with great earnestness at a basket of fine peaches that was on the table. Nellie knew she should not touch them without leave, but tempta- tion was strong. Soon her mother, who was watching her from another room, saw her bow her head and cover her face with her little hands. " W>,a* ail^ — " IJellie?" she said. The child started, not knowiii'^ that she was watch- '. « O, mother," she exclaimed^ Lord prom flis youth. 271 "I wanted so much to take one of those peaches, but firafc I thought I would ask God if He had any ob- jections." ^ That was a little girl who was right-minded. VThat a path of honour and integrity will be hers through ^® ^ ^^" ^^^ conduct she seeks to know her Heavenly Father's will, and to do no action on which she cannot ask his blessing. • This will explain to you what is meant by the fear of the Lord It is such love to Him that you fear to disobey his law, and at the same time delight to do what would be pleasing to Him. You love your parents, I hope, and you have good reason to do so. Your mothers have watched over you and taken care of you, and shewn you kindness in every way. Your fathers have laboured to provide for you, and it is pleasure to them to see you happy and to make you comfortable. They have often pardoned you when you have done wrong, and treated you with as much kindness as ever. O ! who can think of a parent's love without loving in return, and treating him with all respect and affection? You must have hearts full of ingratitude if you do not love your parents, and seek to obey and please them. And have you not much more reason to love God 9 Who has done so much for you as God ? He created you. He preserves you. He sent his Son into this worltt to suffer and to die for you. And now, if you believe m Jesus Christ He hath promised to blot out all your sins, to give you new hearts, to delivfir vnu irom the power of Satan, and to take you to heaven when you die, to be forever with Himself, Is not this most wonderful love 1 Now, if you iove Kim for 272 OBADIAH, WHO FEARED THE yof ha™^?t1 "^/Z "^'^ ^^- c^ yo" »y that not fear any evil W« ^ii j ' ^^ *''*'» y" »>««1 so in the days when he Z^y.^ « I t^?"* ^i^ fear the Lordyromms^yow/"^ ■»»% servant, 1. He began to fear the Lord in Jiia o„«i j Every one should begin earlv to do iL,^^^^ ^^y^' Nothing bad should be Wunfrrlv-'l'''^ never be begun at all T?,?f^ ^IJ indeed, should be too soonUt^i^l*7:7t^-f g^^^^ -nnot tnous, or diligent, or active, beL earfv to « ' '" habits of industry, and Hn^'Ljff _!. ^ ^? .^^q^^re you -htolearn-anything;Si;;^k;^3SrS-p^ fcORD PROM BIS YOUTH. 273 fesfflon to become master of it, and to be able to turn Y^.T fT^ ^^^ """^^^^ ^^^ *h« f^ of the Lord You cannot adopt and cultivate that too early. God Z^t 'J"", Tr "^ ^*, y^^' ^^^« ^ --U as your ^ lit^ T'^u^^^ T^ ^ y°" a^« spared to see it. Sections " ^r*/.y"^r thoughts, and feelings, a^d thn ' 'vf/ u^\ ^^''^^^' ^ ^ants to havf you betW f ?i^^ ^ ^'^^^ y^"' fi'«^ ^ays. And who h Js a better title to your services ? Has He not given you iL A ""^^J^^ ''^^ ^^^P you alive? Do you not of^nll^ ^^"lu*"' everything? And doesTe not often caU away the young as weU as the aged, to give an account of themselves to Him 1 ^ DeoDle*t.W Tf '*^"''^^' ^^'"^ ^^ ^^^ h^*« ohosen people principally among the Jews, whom He had fC:^^ ^^«^,f ^*h^T> *« ^e a peculiar natfon to hi^ wn ' ^u^ J^iS remember that in the revelation of Tofnli ' ^^^t He madete them, it was expressly en- joined upon them that ^;hey should take special care te instruct their children in the laws and ways of G^ and to train them up in the knowledge and obedience ot His ordinances, and statutes, and judgments. Thev were ^commanded to tell them about the passover^ wnat It implied, and about the great deliverance from i^gyptian bondage which it commemorated, as also about circumcision, and the sacrifices and other obser- vances of divine appointment, so that they might know the claims of Jehovah upon them. « And these words, It wa^ said to them, " which I command thee tnia fitLV aha II V>« i.^ i.Ui^» I L _ 1 ,» , , +1. "Tm- ■""■', "^"^ "* """'^ "^"^^> ana cflou sliait teach them di igently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when ■*Si^: 274 OBADIAfi, WHO FEARED THE and"" JlTiwi ^^ -^^ ^*^' ^^^ ^^^^ *hou liest down them thtiovemf r„dXrrw ''^fy'"«■ "I'°™ find me." ' **'^ *'"'* '^ ■»« e^'y shall when He was upon the earth id rA""*' ''''"'' •'Suffer little ohifdren toco^V^^Me tdr?^' ' "^"^ j'l^ars or age was found it* +i»« 4. 1 ''^ astonishing the docSrs and teachers th^l ^^^u'' questions and his knowledge '^w! • ^'^^ ^'' even th^jtZ „Tol "L"""'"""''"?' »* W- '»'l join in anfo^iS A:' araSS'^, f.*? "going on, were taking pLt with the w -7 ^ out. "Hosanna to the^Ln rfDavid^''' Whe^rt^ they wle'lorT'd^eatetZf I,nZ g™' "Hearest thou wh».t th.„ '™*"" T\ T^" Him, unto them "Ve« L™ ^ Ana jesus saith Mem, ifea, have ye never read, out of the LORD FROJt HIS YOUTH. 275 'P^/^ ^'^'' ^^^ '"^'^""SB Thou hast perfected fea?Hirr*V^)^''"''i*^ '^*'^ ^^*^ l^i« service, to fear H m and to love Him, and you cannot do this t isTn Li '"f \"^" '' r" ^^^^ -- -o'-ed, but It IS mteresting to observe how intimately usefu ness and distinguished names are in the Bible conneS with eai ' piety. Abel, the first martyr Ltrt^u^^ was young when by faith he offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Noah, who found ^ace in the eyes of the Lord to survive the deluge an?be come the parent of a second world, was yZg when first he walkod with God. ^ ^ Joseph was but a youth when he began to fear the Lord, to resist temptation, and to di4prove the evi! doings of his brothers. Moses was young when be refused any longer to. be called the son of^plaraoh's a season TniM^ ^''^''^ *^" P^^^«"^«« «* '^ for a season. Joshua, the successor of Moses was bi,f «. young man when he departed not ^7t ^T^er- Samuel, yon know, was but a Uttle child when he ministered before the Lord in the temple, ITwkh a bnen ephH and when he heard the oa?l if the w" it ZTi.' ^*""''' *^"8'' ^^ ^PPO^d at first that rt was the voice of the aged Eli. David, the king, Z.^f\V"™«r??',? '*"?'"«• ^''^^ '"«''«''» forth S" 1^^* P*?* ^°''*"'' »"'• Pi^vailed over him sZ'r^ o'? Vlifr^i:'^^ ..^"-.^ -" ^--» Thou art my hope, O Lord God ; thou art my Trust from my youth. Cast one not off in the time of old IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k // {./ ^V' .<^i I ,% 4^ n.4 / ^ h ^ ■% 1.0 I.I U Hi )M i U 116 ^''cS 7 Pholic^raphic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4503 \ '^ I/. 276 OBADIAH, WHO PBARBD THE put hi. arm «ouSd S^ and^.nS'T'' '''*" «<"< the lions, so thatZHd hto,t?f *''* ""'"*'"' «* the time. He ^S not ^V^ hr* "" -^ °"»« »' would not dq»rt from t2e t™tt of^ J'"*^™'^'> Mconnt, as roTwill remem W k. "•' *"<' °'' that of lions with thrip "ta?i^ 'ttTS ""* '""o » <"» kill and devour him B„t n that they would soon most savaeeTbWte « In ^I*"* ?" •»»»«>• the furious X, toTtL" 7t-, J^' "1""" "^ »«»' them not to c^e n^h^ J^ l.^""?-*- ""^ "^««'l Mesheoh and Abe^^^ iT "^ Shadrach, were, for the W^^ltS^L?*'"'T y*""*^ "ho bow down to r^^o?ZJ'^.l'" .^^ ''<'»''» "ot burning, fien^C^ h™?J "** '^ «"' '"t" the usual. The&T^'i.^ '*';*'' *^"'«» "e^ than when the doo^ofTwereo^^*)? *^"' ^""^ «■»" flames issuing out slewtte'^"!'' \'^*' *^<"^ '". the to thrust them i^to it ButT '^ ° T^ ^'"P'oy^' upon the bodies of Jhe th^ w u"" "^ "o P»wer Son of God app^te^wa'C^tnir*'^. P*^ aace, and they were taken ™!f 3^-* ■ ? " **« fur- a hair of their Ss w« s^nli'L?,?'""^ "^ot coats changed, nor had thTfT*!! ''i*^'" ^^ their y .««€! ^xxua fle Degan to know the Holy LORD FEOM HIS YOUTH. 277 Scriptures, which were able to make him wise unto raI vation trough faith that is in JesuB SsT John ^e Baptist was fiUed with th. Holy Ghost from hirWri that tL!« wi.'^^' ""^ ^°^?« ^"^'^^«' ^'^"^ *te Bible, in fh!?. T ^l""^ generally most useful and honoured m their lives, began to fear the Lord in the days of their youth. And many instances to the same effect might be given from the records of the Church in IJ!7 ^^oi Y^-^' y°^ ^" ^^*™ ^'•O"^ ^1 that you reaji of Church history, and of the annals of the good and pious, that they who have been eminent for their usefulness m the cause of Christ, who have left their spintual mark upon the worid, and have exerted the greatest influence upon others, are, with rare excep- tions, such as have been brought to the saving know- edge of the truth, and thus to fear the Lo?d from their early days. Let me, then, urge you all to this— to follow the example of such, and to choose the one thing needful without delay. I know that the natural heart is reaiy to say, I will do it at some future time, I will give my heart to Jesus at another period ; I know it IS best to have a saving interest in Christ, because the only way of salvation is in Fim, but I would rather detey thinking about it for a while. O, how foolish and sinful, too ! You cannot tell whether you shall have the opportunity of seeking Christ. Death may come to you at any moment. It spares not the youni any more than others. And it may seize you before you have given yourselves to the Lord. A noble ship, while on a voyage recently from Bos- -«fi vo Kjaiz iraiicisuu, was overtCKeu by a severe storm. Fof several days there was reason to fear 278 OBADIAH, WHO PEABED THE that the crew would never see land aimin A^„^ them was a little toy, who had left a C iu^S done with it " "I Hnn'f »^o lu ^ , ^^"^ *°<^ ^e and in a ha« .eriou,taff c^leS wl^tl,^^ "Sl^f - wie Doy to go aloft. He went brnvftlxr «« *u fcn&rd'sSlnTnT °' *"« ''^-^^^ hI^ he lost Zhold ^d lr??t fr "^^"'^ *'"''■• »«<«. ^member, my dear yoiinff friends th,if f»,. • yard-arm of a ship in a howling Sr's stol^^. ''I the only place from which one llv Jo in T' ''^* into another world Is it J^}7 ^?u * moment that there is but a step betwixt us and delth™ r, J •::d" zr'T^.^i'''' *°' " i»« ^^^^^utfu^s nou., „]i.^« ^ pray, may be the lot of many of l-ORD PROM HIS YOUTH. 279 only h^^^ C^ulh' W 1*^ '"« ^""J' H« not when once He hath h '"'fi'""™' of God's wrdfthat God in yo^^^tJ^^'J °::"'^°^. .^■''™ y°» '«» women are eLflJ' ? f""^ ^'^^^^ "P °^«^ ^nd wkkffi ;Sne ti^'^P*''? ^o" "k'-t Wn» were a^y »d God fuf^n '^^^ *° '"" ^''^ ^''«'' ^e was :a&r ''I T n "-^ Kni''°iii;;; 280 OBADIAH, WHO PEAKED THE tORD, ETC. Jezebel, the aueen w«« -7 ^^..^^^gi but his wife had been a helSwoman ff^ ^f ^^^^^ She with her to Ismel maS\tf """i^^* her idolatry the god of her nation S? ^ P®°P^^ ^^^^hip Baal she Lde an atC^^o^Jr,,-^^ - *"« that •I^rd. She suceeedflH i„ ci • ^^ Prophets of the k'ng, was not afraid to do what hi !: ii^"* "^ *''« servants of the Lord and w. . .,",'*' *° ™™ «■« one hundred Sft&:3hi7tt^,'«W*l>»t he took and fed them and sustainn^ *),1 ^i.^ ^^^^ '" * <»™. «o forth again in^^^ *^'"' *^« «" ^ey could tV^^hlt^IXeltKred^G^d""^^- J* "•«-" hi" own lifeto danger in orflt^ ^^t" *^ ^J'O'^d and servants of the Lort f""**^ *^« «»»se afe clearly called upon bv vom. !^ *''" ''''°° yox theWord\f God 'S doVJd S^d consciences U for .t "Fear not them who 1.^1''^ T?^ ?»<• f^'^':ris"a^i~\?^^^%t^^r RHODA, THE YOUNO DAMSEL OP JERUSALEM : EXAMPLE OF FAITH AND PRAYER, My Dear Young Pwends,— In puttmg this address into your hands it i« m^ f^ ™ wSi'TL"* '"i-"""— nt'^nrc goodness hath sustained you. His TwTr Wl. 5 served your lives. Give kim thl praTsI' R:!??^ Him the homage that is due. i^ender to You speak about a happy new vear Rnf +i,o«« • no happiness out of the s^^^e'ol St ^Het"!' men Mid only then wiU you answer the great end S82 «Ho»..,H.vou.a».«„, or „„.,«.«. tiZ "^^ '^^ *» S'o'ify ««0. .nd to enjoy Hin, I •■», my dear young friends, ^'*- Your very affectionate Pastor, ■^•J^U'DBIl TOPP. r'^^^^^^^'^^^t^Itr^'i'' opened not the fore the gate. "•""' toM how Peter etood ™ .n»n, her master tL ^s!^"**""*' '"«<=«'>« Naa- the i„re of^^letosv^"^ ~.mma„der to Elifhafor Scriptures from Wslil„^™"*?' ^'«' '""^ the Hi/self.whoSe^^s^^l'';"^^^'"^;^ "^T ^^'^^ m favour both with God »,!l -IS ^ '° *"**•"•«' and .hall direct youmtenHlT^r't '"*°- ■^'' '">'' I of Khoda, ZTZT^lZ^S"" h«^7and chamcter She lived ,» T ."a™ 't recorded to us. ThoSghTi mtrWe";.*''^ "''^ »' *"« g'^a* king, godl/charaotr "wL sILhrthTr l'"^^ "»"«» «* day,, and who ilsotfo^d'to tte^f, "S,f "'■.T'^ the country, vet of all +1,^ "^' *^® capital of it» she aloS UWoured LZT^P'^P'" ^''° <*'''''* i" the Bible, a,.d thSs Wd^ dol T '"'"' """"•'^'^ " one of the favoured oXe T™°i 'l""" *«" *» age, as prominent place to the Sf ^^ ""^ ""''*''>' »» hold a «d peopleSm,d^ HowT""* *°.°»'» of the Church acquW g^4t wealtt or ? "^J"^ '"^'^ted, or hoiour and ^eTth; Zj}" '^ "ttained high other attraetSsaSo^^X^U-- "'"' '"'^ P"^^'^ away unheard of aX*£:':i:^»^«°. Jaye passed damsel, the spirit of Phi^-lri! X. ^^^ ****« young with a place in th« «- ^ '^^'^ "^^^ *« honour what shr^Vand^hoTl'eS*"'' "'^^ *^ ^-^^ stances. All' tl,« 4XT- —1 '"^ '^''*^^'^ "'•««"^- Honour,though5;eh^a-B;\of^n^^^^^^^^^^^ m RHODA, THE YOUNG DAMSEL OP JERUSALEIf. m every place, and of you if vou a+^n^ h„ *i. . and serve Christ, and follow on fn t ^- *^? *^*^ be found true, that whilst Thrj^! ""^ ?'?' '^ «^^" disciples o« this "Tnrt? lo"' J«™s warned his and shaU kill Zl^j 1 1^"^^^"^ ^ ^ '^"^ for my name's^^' 'if,*" ^ ''»*«<' »' all nation Paul «,e ApMttf w„^,,"'' "''» "'^■•''ards became --J^^'Herit£^t--;^-ffcasp;. victim to the biW WwiT/' **1 '"^'^^ fe«« Finding that this murde^^Jf* ""^''^ »' ^erod. Jews, heprooeeded to tetn *^ agreeable to the to dekth.^ Wlh thi^ Wew^^'/^P^'i^SP^**"^ Passover, he simply put Wmi^.- ''*• "? *''»« °f *« intending to pStWrn t^ J^ •^™°'',"' ^^ "neanti™, was overf that iw miX t!tj^'i&.' ^''«« "»« fe J hi-. Bit the a^P^'^I^ifeSf " "^Jf his deliverance. ™ercituljy interposed for ««>„ t„. uands 01 Herod. God wa, plWd to ;;;;,';^ by the truth [lim, it shall ' the wicked t everlasting 1 connection t those early ted, and for * Christian warned his have tribu- )e afficted, all nations "ds became top of the In his days en was put e cause of Apostles, elve fell a )f Herod. ble to the Peter also me of the Qeantime, the feast 'e against posed for d prayed vol 4% A r answer BHODA. THK VOUTO DAH.H, OF «BUSAU.M. 285 out to the people, and whikt p!^^ *° -^""^ '''"' chains, one on each side the S of th.^ ^ ° peared, and awakening him ouJ^f «w i.^'^.^P- me up auioklv WiT^i. ' ^ ' "'^f< '"«'« Wm •tood VonS'fee^ mZ fV."** '°°«"'' »"■» ^» -gel. L ;„t orhu t^^\'"a?^l^"r°'''"«'«' X^^n ^»trr f °r ^' »^*^"^" after a I^f]« wvi i ^ '^,® *° *^« street. Then tghM':^^ it'ret^'Xeiir^ran^rt s:iv:;rr.^oror;^,/cHfr^ gehst. It was there no doubt thaUhT^hris^fZ,- been awustomed to meet for divine woS^L!^ jm^ l^ing at this tim^ ShtS^tr^^.r i'^^ When he had come to the door and knocked u., rt. ^teadamseI,namedRhoda,haTingh^Ztnod^i^ ran at once to hearken. Before opeiiine she wouH tSS Me^'T"''""!* '"*«T8. «<> ^ to f nd ouMf p^' ible, who was there, and what was wanted VL^ would not open the door JonZlJ^ll^U^'^ •"■ ="'*"' "' *«»• But as Peter sfoke she im -Viatel, .new his voicer^dV^TeTt::/^/ ^^ 286 "nODA, THI YOtTNO DAMSEL OP «Rn«At«ll. not beheve her. though they had been .skinio^loJ his dehvorance They told her that ,he w« iZ or 2.« thatTt Z?b ?■'- *''<'"«\«'ey all «nited"nt; mg that It must be his angel, she still persisted in ho, affirmation And it was found true. For whei tw liad opened the door he came in »„J j i j ^ them how the Lord had brTglt "irout J tr* •""*<' enem.es. Hi, then departed and went into anoth^ Now, in this story of Peter's relftMA t^«. ^ • we have all that is?nown of this itZl who wTr^ pf ««^;i - tr tiTe ^pTsS £Cr? I. We gather a good deal regardine her fron, »™ . name, Bhoda. Ehoda means a r^ and ft L ™^ Jf that tins name may have been ^^ek to her^o^S" th^f^"' »'*«™'>'-<'«' « the^ustom o?£n t« ?„ th«^t.mes,o„ account of her disposition ldTh.i smlrof 'floors'" ^erTl ^""'^ ^^ -«' not know this You all like ^l^T ."' '"'".'''"' ^o full bloom. And if you are allowed to pluck'o^ or tVofT" to"orh::in-s t :n^ M countripq v'Ho~/- -J- - » ? - - **6*"»> ana in all .oonir.e^ Vrliexe .. ;r,^^f-^ ^een highly prized. And it HBODA, TUB VOU»0 DAM«, OF «BU,AL.M. 287 or of character, cither mJZ ' '^"^'^ "^ f<>™. "oiuj beaX Z mav i,. ''^«?'='«''' Whatever per- be no doubtthl'Xe w« on^l. <™t™'%. there «„ of her, and from T«lu °''^'7'^°< .fro" what we read n(ght •had'^ritfcl^S.rf.rrd'r^' fruits of the sSa^rf„ ^*''*'? °* holiness, the actcr in the eyrof a^f «>n»equently adorns the char- You may l^vf^lv • L . "l! '!''«'""J' themselves. We pemmTlS IT '''^'-'r^ts-you may please yonreelves and tn J„ ?i? ° *" ""orfd to nothing^ii/cs;"^*: tu wdrLTt""? y™-. *•"' but divine grace inoW^ ^i It ' ^ .'""'^ *'"»bl9 exceUeace Zl wiZr'^^^fel^tlar'and t!I. "*" neZ^U^If ^"^ *'°?' your'';:>^;,."'''Brt"^ ■ '■■■>« people, and g o^ J JL*° ^''™*' "d love to aU of all around X^lf ::^\^?'«^ forthe^e«a«, younger days, "The Gr^of o J* ""^ lord in his So will it be with you ifTu wo,^^.."?? "P"" Him." your daily ^,^yl tSrTte .^r'^oHin,. ^^ ^? h-, Lord, and ren^w^i ^T^^ir^^^^^^ 4h?^o zz.^c.r^^^xt '- - -"0 the truth to others. ^*''* *^^ Preciousuess of Take a rose, and out if ;«+ garden, where the^ T^ Jed o^rol?' ^'' ^^ ''^"^ - discern their presence by the ZZ * ^J^.^^" ** o^^e emit So young peopr whTt '^''^J^ ^°«r they loreChrist^ndifigr^.t^tth?'"*^" *^"*''' ^^d Christ will be kno4, whereti f»,^°°'°'*^^^«'^*« of carry about with them't^e 'slvlur of?,,^^- ^^'^ ^" Christ, so that others w^Il i!L ^- *^® J^nowledgeof character, and, reo:';.i::'^^ZZ'^f'yFrr''^ ^^^ by faith m Jesus Christ Tfl^ u ^'^^^dren of God -111 be obedient to yot ^arel V' Ti"^ ^^^^ ^^^ njarked feature of the boyh^c^ o^t. ' *^\* ^*« the Sharon-you will be kind to^u/^ ?^'~~*'^^ ^°«« of and companions>-no rude cond2 ^^^"^ ^^^ «^«ters ,word8 will mark your inlr^n? *' ^^fough, unseemly love the law, andTe W ^S Th^*'^"' ^°" ^^^ day, and +»»- i- '"*", ana tno cn.iioo --j ^i ^, a_a „„, uxdxnanees of Christ-^you"wiIl J" ''T «hoda.th.vookodahs,iof™bosai™. 289 you wiU speak to theri^h^i^u"' **"• «"' ™y»— in Christ, and you ^ s„ a^ .flfi?^'' »^ '"'Ivation others feel, though C do ^tt " *""'?' "^ *» "'»k« yourselves, that you have been^t^f'' ^ f«™>»- of learned of Him "Thlw. with Jesus, and 'ave ous within." The child of ^ j*'v"«''**'' « »" 6-oii- and brought in?o Usfa^L^^i.'""? »' ^s S^„^ wrought «old "W~ ^ *S«in, has clothine of aJoeslnd^'o^ia ouf: tHC T" 1 ""^^ "^^ the precious things of sal^K?'^ '^*™«> «ontaining impart f«>gmncef ^* wdTXiSlr^v,!* "'»"« -»» chat»cter and conduct of any. '^ ""^"'y *» *« y?"g'y^'S:'^inStl^ifSlt"5^ ^"'^ -« disciples of Christ. Her di^l.^ I^'^'s people-the the excellent of the ^rth ^ ""^ "^^^ *« ««inte. Christ, when she^wH ve^lX" M '**"> ''''™ about in Jerusalem, ^5 m?k«T.Vw:'r^''ty2 ^k,'^" *■»* nent servants of God werTft^™ !? ?"*' " «°^- youth lovers of Him^f^^nd htwh".*?!"' *•""' SISe'^fth'^rT^^^ TC T r""""*^^- ^« demption was yo«r when ^hl^l.*? '™'* «' "" *T J 7°""'' «™<* " *« «yo» of the LorP'tn J''^ the deluge, and become the parent n*.' *o/''"'™ wa. young when first he ^SIhI oT"^ '"'''^ rptts^^^iJL^^ -t"!^ -TtalfteZ when he departedl^t-out of XtaZ^,^""* ""» swered, "Speak, for «^? l^Tk SamueJ," he an! was a lad, whek »f * •? ?T*''* teareth." David flocks, hr^rtemptaL^jW*- k«epmg-hi. faC, roent, and sang pSt'upltea'rp^'! *« «™- Btnplmg when Qod stood by Wm 2' f l.? Tf° •""? * >^g and stone to slay tbeLT^ f ' u "t'^'^ '^^ «d the house of the Srd tS ? ^'^^ '''«> "P""-- to his worehip .. tegt^ ^hT h ""«''* "^"^ *''« P«°PJ« whrsfeirlSisCitd''rt^'*'' '"'"• '-"* y»-« ing Redeemer dSw^*^ ^""T^ «f ^e com- arms around him to ^e K";?*' """Si ^""^ P»* 1^ Jiach and Abedne^ we« vol^'".. ^^^^' ^^ befo^tha^;, at thHS of sZh^' the "' -f "'"^ laid down their cIothe-g the courts ToTq^> ' ^'^' ^^" '^^ fl««ri«h if inv«?;H?l°it.^^ ^y^"«g_d^^^^^ she "TirJ««"i'r"^'"T^'"'^*^d was there." ' 294 RHOOA, THE YOUNG DAMSfcL OF JERUSALEM. James had been killed by the orders of Rpm^ tk ^as great fear that Peter 4uld suffefrl' • f® manner Anrl if p^+^ *^ouia suiter in a similar -igU have Seen pufto TS' t 'tt T" "^f "«» private members"^^.! the cCch I? th'"' ?' *' mother '^ ^'"^' *•" ^°«^ ot Mark's of tSel°'^4 *¥he?^'- ""? '«~ ^ 8«»t <'«''g«r invaded, aud some rf Z ±,'T5 ""'s"" ''"'™ "««» prisoned or put "o de«t£ """"""^ P*"P'« "^^^ *■»■ Khoda wis th»lThe,!^^r„S ** ^T "''^W. for believing that 2 w«^ a s^^t ik't'er""" though she UgeneiaUy SDoken nf i??t ?^ "® ''°"^' inclined to thmk th»f .iL ^ *""* *»y- I »>" house, but iXmtlt'^:^ ^ „!? ''^»*? ?' «>« petitions with theirs and ^1? i • ?*" ,*» J"'" J"" door of heaven. Akdrt» * !''fu^»*^"««**e gate, whenXknlfwn^ou^^ "* ''V"8 ^ *« inSa ^^ rda^rt"' '"^^ » "-''"g. -<• no strange to DraverZf' t l^??^"* *""* "*» ™ o^eng4gSrste^o1:d''l%t- frii'^"" Penenced the benefit of doing so. ' ^^ thoT^tZ excuse, for »bsence,'^S " *wf .^^'^ "''7 *™'»« home; butitisgenerallvftS^ jf ^^^ '■*» P^J at On the contrary, it will fw. vl. " **"* respect, that they who^^neX tefei'''^ «Perience. to prayer."^ It was th" tot^. J^f '* "> ^^1 be given corded of Paul, as so^n m h? *'°'" ""* *'«'* ^ «^ W thus pointed CoZVr "«^''™'*«d. The the street that is called XJlt^T" "^ """o house of Judas for one wS T .*'"' '"5"'^ *" «>« Priyofh." So Rhod. had iLlJr""' ^'"" ***"« *> hghtinp»yer, as eve^chM^fG^^^T'^'' '" ^'^ You need merer an,! „.» ™ ^™' do- lly. You a^l^S tr^ '^'7 """y' y^*- "ontinu. tose* and 7on2^ ^/t ^"^ J""" ^^^ receive, opened nato/ou. Godwhot^"*' ?"1" *»» '>^ » waiting to^bestow „pTt7„f^7XV* *" '"'"^»»' And Jesus, the great Advoite an^ T * ^"^ ""i""^- people, will present your ^^ * J"**'^''" of his acceptance. "I know" w.™-j 1 *! .'' P'ooure their Xhou hearest Me ZI™? .?'^„*" '"^ *'"'''«'•- "*hat »i^»d it shall be S untoI:;j -?"'' ^ ^^' ^0" Christ's bloo^"gu^""jj^».^7 *" *« founteii'rf bu«.ens and fea^r^d^i^'s^^^^^^'.^and $96 RHODA, THB tOUiro DAMSBL 69 JKR^SAtftl*. meeting. You^g ^^oJld b^ti^at^^^" sr -"^tt'tt ^'."^ p™--d ,pei,.;i S mvn;™. tfc ^° w three are gathered together in my nune, there am I in the midst of them " W. heard the prayers of his anxious waitLg Zple^J yoTOg, with I reference to Christian inference and rk^flir„''T'"- ';"•«' *»* feared Te C beMm^^^he^-^^ S'^^ZT^Z in rll^''S2* TS *°''"*°* "» ^»i* *w. She believed m God. She felt persuaded that He wonid ft^fii l- word, and that He would answw d.*t J aL j- ^ s^iete^l\t:h: r " "^^^^^^ gJr^S^elS^'ntXnffi'f^L^*' -"^'^ «« evidence that the objIctfoVwhio^ef IZTsS b«n attained, even the release of Peter R^fli did not Though they had been ask^rOod to do ?hl iUt the^ suppLt^ns^l^^be'tr:, 'S-T/t' id not Deueve that the result would m7w t^i BHOPA, THE TOCNO »AMm OP „KU,At.M. 297 and :tea^' ,^^* ^^t^ho".- with breatWe. haste. f» feelings, cried out^^llter ?/t.T' *» ''^^ w' jaid to her, "Ehoda, thou^ ''J\?'« «»*«." *W % mind." Thev hkrri 1... ?"' """" »•* O"* ot one who had iX^^'Z^f- ^ t^e words of ;« saying. But s^e W ;S ±'1 "I* ^'■'" *« doing. She felt that .hJI ""f*" ^l"** *e was ■natter. She Li^e„ I *^ ■"•* .''^oived in the Peter, having of^n s^n W ""^ T* *« ''"i'* of tk« Gospel, ^d pr^bS fcl^*??^ ^ P™'"!' him. ^ ^y naying sometimes spoken to the^°S tdtheJL^' "/'« ""'y anam.werto that it wL C^'':£f/r*e.Pe''»i«ted in affixing right. God had S^Tttt •"'^- ^^ Khoda waf and sent his angeUolet^tTrerKt:* "t',^^'' They were induced to eo^ t^^ ^'*''""''«''ty- "•y doubt, Peter stoS fte" r"?'' *■"■• '"''thout the faithfulness of G^ ^^tT;, ^'T« '^'"""'ny to They who offered uDthe?,» ^* *®***y "^ P«»yer. holieve; yetHe w2^f^th?utr^T'' ''"* of h^to oame in Ld rehl3^ Jf Ih -^ true as ever. Peter that the lord ha^^' ^ ^^" astonished eaw, all of ^he^^wh^^^ltf tn-^^r™* *o *-«' learn the truth of J^L' tot. f'T^^^ . ^"^ ^^ hast hid these things from7l!? ^ ^'^ ?»*''«'•. "Thou hast revealed them StoZbet " Z "I"" P""**"'' •'"t bnt as a babe oomnared w^t^i, ^'"'* ''*» P«>bably in n.any things.°'"K' matV'r-* °* *'.'^'n"; ?i any way superior to them" w'I"f' "'"' "«'' ^ Lord-flhe beUwed that hI » ^ ,^'' '"'noured the evea tiiat He would listen to the voice ii 298 RHODA, THE YOUNG DAMSEL OF JERUSALEM. EM of his own-that He would care for them, and ftrmt their request The Lord honoured her in return bv making her the medium of communicating the fulfit inent of their desire to his distrustful disciplesV and bv giving her faith a place of remembrance in the midst of the Church at all times and in all ages, till HeCne the second time, to clear up aU mysteries Ld^ gather his saints to Himself. J^«^eries, and to Jesus might have said to each one of the assemblprl members of the Church on that night, as He hTd dJnf li^ln -^K^^^'.^'^iP^^^' ^^*«^ the stirm, " O thou of St hIV^'^S?'' ^^'' *^°" ^«^^*-" And justly K 1^^ thus address many still. For, notwithstand ing all the testimonies that have been borne to th« power of prayer, how often is prayer uSed ks i? there were no thought of an aJwer, or Tif iTan swer were not expected. Hence the failure^fTo" many prayers " Ye have not because ye ask amLs » And when the apostle James exhorts every one to pray, he says, « But let him ask in faith wk; doubting, for he that wave^eth ifu'e a tVe o^^^^ sea driven with the wind, and tossed; and let not ^at^man think that he shall receive anything of the Rhoda's conduct is very encouraging to the yountr It shews that you may have stroni faith given^u' aa well as others, and perhaps abovt others B is t' the heart that the Lord looks, and if you? hearts are !^ f • 27i*° ?"'"^' ^^^ y«^ ^o^^'^r Him a^The true and faithful witness. He will honour you with greater :?:f of Tot ^'^^^* '-- ^ ^- - *^« ^- ^_ ^. „„,„ I rrao^nviieged to have in my ««OBA, THB TOWO WMSEL OP ,BBU8ALKM. 299 the son of highireste™!i «nV' ■ ^'"^"*"- He was father was „„i'i resSt ii^T™***" •»""*«• His ■n the congregation buf?„ °''°'"''' »"d an elder position elsewhere ' WhenV"'"P^"« "" '"'P°>^t «'?8 struck not only with \i.^T° *" *''« <>'»»«. I with divine truth bnl with k'".'"""* ^■'quaintanoe fharacter in eve.7' way Td h •" ''T*'*"'' ""n^stent m grace himself, and to lead „/lf "^^ "l''^^^ *» ««>»' ascertained aft^rw^S Xt .? ^^™" ^ prayer, and in d.JKf . * ''»' abundant in wa/the sec^t of '[^sZ^T T** «''"* Th^ "oany „f his years. He Z""^ ^'™'*^ "'«' '^oye promise, and wished to InL 7h?"*- "t" "* »"'«'' Gospel But he is not hZ , % """nistry of the him, and now he ^rC in th^ pT ^f '•"''''»'? took lord and Master wS he „v^ "^^ *"''"'Piant the I*t me say to Z fte^?;"^ f ° '^T"*'^ «" «arth. Mate it yoJ..rZ"'pr^t:^^^::'t''>r ^*™'- increase our foith " V™ L„ i,- ''^""P'®^ I-ord words, " If ye shall as^ Zytw"^? Z\Z'""-'^"« name, He will do it " Wh.„ „* ! "**■■ " "y •or your mother tomB.^.y^° *° y"" father expect them to s™,t W if S^ "^"^"^ °' *«'». you "^1 do it. And^y it rf^^fy,,'^™ ^^'l that they "He hath never Jd to °„t u^"' *'* *« I«rd ? ye my face iTvIS'' ^ "* '*'* »^ °* J'«»h. «eek she^wi'"rSd*y'?ra!;^^ ^"'^''■- "^'■^"g ^^oda, that T „-.j,. . °" '^'^ aiiy service in nnnno^f i«^ ™„x.' " ^^-u» -or*. w,.tever the Lord laiZto^l- I^Td to rd the knookmjatthe outer gate, wW^ >_ 300 «H«^.., tm VOUVO DAHm O, „w,^„^ at once she hastened to Co^J°J° *? *"•« ''°<"-. b"* And so should you be mdv\TJ ^ *° .""^ Church, time, by which^thet'^a^ t ben'2''>'''« !.' '"^ Church served. You may U.i^ .1, -. ?x^' ""' ""e that you can do. But wLwr ^f"'* Jj " ''"* ""'« the means and the oZ>Hun^Jl^ ^ '•' *''/' y" ""^ hi« people, either in^eSg » a^^? '"' ?^"'" « Chnst, do it humbly, but eafnesfW *^ ?.■" ^""^ '^ of cold vrater given in fte name of^' "jf ' rV ""P no wise lose its reward." dwciple, shall in I have thus endeavoured to «.t »,.«. example of faith and praver .fj^ . " y"" "» Hhoda, ^oung and other™' t„„ "^ *°. '^«""' had a place aligned herTtle^^S^Tfe " f" Z'^ you cannot have But oZ IhtT ^^!^- ^'^ Kft-'i;r.^;4Poub^-^7^^ you are too youn/ He -JVi.?^ "^^^ '^o* ^7 that young as ^eS as^of ^:.S p^erson?'"ilf' •"^'^^^ He will take awav A]]\ZJt^ ' ^^^ y^ur sins you. If you baTe Him as vouf F ^T ^« ^ «i^« all you need fo Z^ZdflZ f"^ x^^" ^"^ ^^e you by his CO.U. '^::'5^^:;^^-/y- He will guide you to glory. ^^' *^^ afterwards receive We 1 another some wo agement, whom is to your need. There) some, wh that is pa they are i the earth, nsband? ' oke of sisters alsc last trumj "Arise, ye Which c have enter< God alone. w uu witn I neying ? I it upwards "THE LORD'S JEWELS.' Mv Dkab Yotoo ]?«,roM,_ Trr anoth?;:L.'^"i:-/P^^^^^^^ t «<>^'« -ere, during some words of instruction and J'"^'' ^ °^«^ ^ou agement, with the earn^Lf . "^^^"^l^^' and encour- -hom is the residue oTtheS *''* ^"^' ^'^ to your hearte and conscience^ ' ^^l ^^P^^ *hem need. consciences, according to your There are manv anfl t j tx »omo, who appeared at the 00^™. *"" '""' »" ^now that « past a7 likely to «veT?'''T' "' ^^y^*' tk«y are numbered with those^.?^ "^ "5' y«* ""'^ tho earth, nnd who We g^nTi^t^T'^.'^''^^* "P™ "sband. ..d wives haCw'° ' eternal world. ■. oke of death-parents and I^m''*'^*^ >>? ">« pstersalso-and L7Tjtt'^""'~^'°*^«^ and ast trumpet shaU^utmL.T ^^^ T'" ''" *'"' We ente^d^^ha' "1 W, r-»' ^'^'^ - which we Godalone. But surely the ablT^!. IT. ."»■? *«" but ^ wj v^^l;n each of us • Tn td^i,^^' j""'^ 4"^-Mon ousfht ?eying? Is it towards God . "^''"f ^'^ ^"^ ^ jour- .* upwards to h«venrfc^ftTh?;£ 5 362 "the lord^s jewels." darkness? Have I given my heart to Christ, and entered into his service ? or am 1 still afar off from Christ, never yet brought nigh to God by the blood of his cross ? May the Holy Spirit guide your feet in the way of peace, and direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ, that so your lives may be lives of usefulness in his Church, if God spare you ; and that at length you may be honoured to be acknowledged as the Lord's jewels in that day, when he shall judge the secrets of men by his Gospel. I am, my dear young friends, Your affectionate Pastor, Alexander Topp. Toronto, Ist January, 1876. I * "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. "— Malachi iii. , 17, You all know what jewels are. They are orna- .ments, generally of much value, worn by people of wealth or rank to adorn their persons. You read sometimes of Queens or Princesses, or others of high station, that on great occasions, when they appear in public, they have about them jewels of great worth. A jewel usually means, not so much an ornament of Crnlfl nr» ailvor oa an nvnamn-n-i- r\t ■.ml.■.^'L.^ i_ 1 1. as gold, having a precious stone fixed in it. This is what makes a jewel so highly prized, not that it con- m " THE LORD^S JEWELS.*' 393 ;„ t^T J distinction lies not in the metal bnt m the character of the stone ' "' tru^ol'jjr^olrrt ^ ™y ^ H°" <=»" this be applied to the persZhe^' me^SionSTZ' T^'" ample, the des^ri^n will ir^J^.^''-^ '«- «?- city in the Revelation of John ^™1„1 Jl ''^*''n"'? the city had twelve foundlttons iTd. •*!.''' V names of the twelve Apostles XtheUmb *'Cd L' foundations of the wall of ih,^ «;+ -"a-uiw. Ana tne vdth all manner 'of ;::l"„'s 'iSnl*^ ^? &^ dation was jasper; the second, sapDhire f^f fi,,- ^ chalcedony; the fourth, an eSld thp fif.K ' * th7- U^ r^^ T^^"«^ ^hH^en^^^^^^^^^^ the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz • th«wKo chrysoprasus ; the eleventh, a jacinth thPfLtfJi' amethyst. And the twelve' gaC weVe teCZrU- every several gate was of one pearl ; and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent Sass" This does not signify that there are SLta is m. heaven having foundations of these precious stZes Za 1''^''?,'^ ^"^^ *° '""^^^^^ that, i such a c^ and such walls would be something gra^d anrf ^ ^ ficent on earth, so the heavenlv cftv^r^l'L^ T^^^l' smgiy excellent and glorious, far bevnnl" J,^ TTT imagination to conceive. In 1 ke mCer T^ '^^'* the Lord speaks to us of havingV^r^ltt's: 304 *'thb lqbd's jewels." moo«« ^"^^P^^y oeiore an assembled universA tt^ whom HT^lUt kn^?K^*''«^*.'?'"'™ *" «'««. <»d 0Pnq«ermg7owT' *™P'"'° »* ""' redeeming, The lord hi^s always had his iewrfu T„ ti. brother, CainTse'lj?""; f?^ *''«"g'' h'^ ^der by his test monv Ev«nT. fV ^"^ *"'' ^''^^P^^ ^^^ l:ni^th^^r«icS??F-"^^^^^^^ a fe'oi^ ?r hr;Zf TVi?* «PonTNoah his family were save7Z,° ^^^O"^- ""d he and »U the earth a^i^ 7n ff"'".''^''™'^^™, and peopled Ahab, tt'Cof t^r X H^far'*"" ^'"« complained, "ThechiW^n Jt ■ S^^ ? ignorance covenant, thrown d^!™ *i.° ^' """^ '"""ken thy and they seek mv W. 7„' * ?. -1 ° ^ ™'y "^ le" i plied to^m fo7h ' m^^^' ':^ ^^y-" ^^ !"»•<• >•«- left Me seven thoir„T ™.^ "?"!:*■«>«. "I have have not bowed unreal ""^li^''" *'!' ^^""l "''■* «* T4/r_.- 1 . ,, "''^ ^"'^^- And so also in fli« ^o,,„ Kihwr"; '^'^ J^^^P^^* ^J^^o ™te this' part 'of TC Bible, the last prophet of the Old TesL'ent aboSt '*TflE LORD^S JEWELS." . 395 lifted upT Srfni'di'r^e^''''!^ Z^ ''""7^ truth, and whom God guSTttrl^Ttllll' rf his eye, his peculiar treasure. iTis if them ff»! He speaks m the words fiom which Ve a«. t„.^j you, and concerning whom He Tav» " a ^ !? ^^ be mine ia that day^ wht? f^Z^^p ^'^^g ,^»» wh cn:rwo7d^arwi» «»» this^Sonour ledgedLd -^ole"dTt1a^^tr^a^eS^"^r jewels. And in this confidence I derirefn .T ' ' attention (I.) to the ohai^ter of'thot whom?h! f"! regar,^ as peculiarly his childrenTSid whom He^^ >b1.„ *i: appearing, i shall then consider in \ why they may be called his hvieh \^a V; { give you all the needed gra^ 4 iek tuf l^J ^^ privilege and honour, above rverythLVd e yT " set your hearts upon many thiiSsaf Htl * u?*^ them ; but nothing of all that 3c^l^> "^'T' If, for the sake of anything earthly or temnnr!] have negkcted the grL Jvation o^f Lus S ' -S you will be constrained to feel, to your unuttPrTwi dismay, when too late, that "the harvest, ^o.^ summer ended, and you not saved.'' " ^^'^ ^^' I. Who are they whom the Lord will nw« ^p^ ^-^ sem as ins jewels, when He cometh to'judgethe worid with his holy angels ? They are his owi people y^un^ and old, wherever they are throughout the earth of 306 **THE lord's jewels.'* his -joy and crown " He r«W ? ^""^ salvation, as lost but now WLas't,7X ZV^'"^ ^ °^- nigh by the blood ofWs IrZ T. ^ ^?* "^^ '"^de but now heirs of heaven noThT '''''^ ^^^ °* h«»» simply through his Ubours as t eT f'^"" °^ *^«' ^ut J^^f And%e would^earti*""'""^*^ Clod's emblem of hoUr. TheotfL ? *\* ^^^^ or the symbol of high diwiitv^^^ ""^u^' ^^'^ ^'''o^ as esteem his conveLafS^^A^^^^^^^ and glory. AH his toils and^„f? ^^""^ °^ distinction afd persecutions, e«1rtS'Tr 2 ^"^^«^^^^ Christ, and in building ^hTs caL ^^ °^ Pleaching compensated by the fact of h?« W T''''^ "^^^^ ^«re someperishing souls from eveil^Sr^^"^""*^ s^stotherfessalonlTc^I^^^*'^?^^^^^^ He and joy." "vww, le are our glory his'pVopf:V\t"HeTatWr ^^ J-«« -ga«i which He offered ^^f*^/j;^,^^^^^^ the sacrS given Himself for them and /h^ *^''*''^- having the costly price of his own tlo^'tr'"'"'^ *^«^ '^t to Him; for that which wLet inM ^^ ^''^ ''^^ ^«*»r a great price ^e value ve^Cjv '"' ^""''"^^^ ^^ On the other hand, they wf H^n, i, loved them, and redeemed thlmf^ ^^"^^ ^^^'^t and death. They love Him wifl^ ""^^ ^^^ ^atan, They feel that they ar^ no^^the^r '"^T" ^^^^^^ therefore, to honour Hi„^t:^^!^^"^,^ h«t his; and ^aeir constant aim from Saylo dav"" v ' "^^^^ ^« ^^^ »7 w day. You may know u THS tOBD'a JEVILS.' 307 nZ bv t'i- ^J" r"? "? ''"' «■«• their love of hoU- designation r«eSSSl*T*l^f' jewels by t].is you may aU try yourselves whethZT^t yi W Miything ol them in your own OKperienoef ^d Z thus able or not to take to yourselves the .^forS and b^mgs of an assured faith. wmiorts r,}L ,<^-C'^"' *^ -^* The Psalmist says in one pla^e "God IS great and greatly to be fearJ Md?^ 'mi "" *«*™ addressing God, he savs " Thn,, ir ?^\"" t"""' "'* H« tl^t *ou d^teTred a^d ?hou'Ltan^A,"V'?"? F? *''y ^J" «once .w! * J . *^ He 18 to be feared, because He is Z; S^f.Z'tl^l^'*='?H ".^«« "ot them that XI. \ — '^"^v> »"" uitur mat have no morA tKnf they can do; but rather fear Him who is abkto «^t both soul and body into hell." 308 "the lord's jewels." . the fear that is We s^okeT. f """r"^ ^"^^^^^^ ^' ^^^ the mind ^^hilst wIcLZ^ ^ ^\ .^^** "^^y exist in is not changed We re! ^ Vf^^t^' ^"^ ^^^ heart and tremble ;"\>4:rd,-^^* *\^ ^«^1« believe and Majesty if God t {• ^^^ '"^ *^^ Omnipotence dition, ind vet trP^Ki ^'' ^^li^to cast down to per! them of wilfunXLT- ' ^hose consciences accuse think of thecLr^l^^tTY'^ ^^^'"^^ ^hen tW and that He ^H w .if "^ ^' unchangeably hol^ to escape^^L^'^rhe""'^^^^^ tn.ns JessoS nature as that which a JtJ J^^'' J^ °* *^e same r^ter. There U no loyf^h^^ sire to please him, no In^«,rT "^ *^^ ^^^^^ no de- ests. There is ^mlt^^X^ promote his inter- his mastery and oZVw^^^^^^ the ground of But the fear of (^d tW y ? "^^.'°* P^^ishment. his people is tL fear of ,i ^^^^^ the hearts of l?ve Hi^m supreme^': If' youtfe^?' '"^"^^ ^^^^ sincere affection^ you wiult^- ^S^"" P^^^nts with that would off^d^tLr4ru'"^ii';°o^ rr^.-^ feelings if you can help it-™ ZWK * ^"''* *^eir ence-you will shrink frnrl^^ ^ °'°' >^ith rever- ^^ould offend Him L ^^mtr^ r^^^ing that fears 6od will not give utf.rtn^!' * ^^^ ""^^ *"^Iy tongue, or indulge if X^J-'^t^ ^^. °^*^ ^^h his 18 dishonouring to the' ImT! ^^^"^^^ts. because it s o tne name and character of his "THE LORD'S JEWELS." g^j, ber the Sabbath day to.kee„r^!;?''r°»' tK^-em- that God would be dCeS ^th^' ""''. ''" '"»'» his own day. He wmTndel:^ ^XP'-^^?"?''''" "^ mandments of God. beoauao r^\. ! P *" *« "o™- that they who are h.7S::5d^&rffi:t T"'"^ of others as witnesses of his truth aJ^ i ** ^^^ read m one of the Psalms, "Messed tfh '"^ ^e" feareth always, and delightealZtTv t? T" ''''° mandments." He reioicpth in tiPT^ ? ""^ «<>«>- therefore he fea7sto7m^^i''it,^„T»* O-d, and it is said, "The Lord tSff ^, ° *^® °*°'« effect fear Him." Fear i^^A • ?'«»»'>« in them that Piness; on t^eZnl^'ZZ^' "^^ '"""^f each other. The fear^' a 1™ fe« .accompany with torment, but the W „f ' ,"'?««''. •» attended discomfort, bit mtW Z t f k"* "'*'" ''" »<> father who is lovS td Zo«ei' Tr"' °' *« tempted by his companionsTtke t^^„^r-! 1 1" ?. Yout^'d „t b^r "^vp^^^^^ withthevilrofrdt^MrnXL^^y »!<'*<' tim, (jon, "for your father isT X^dtS^I^^*^- if he knew you had taken ft iT. 1? "■** ^^^'^ you." The boy at "plied -vZ°^\ °"* P"^* I ought not to touch thatS /f *H'''*5"'«»*<>» would not hurt me mv disnh^- """"S*; "^ ^^^er father." This b"v dUnof T w t ''°"''' ^""^ my to do because he was afmid tha, J**/'!,.^'^ *<'^''"*° ish him, but because he lid tS^^-tt" - ' - P""' SO much that he could nnf "L ^""'^^'''" ^'^^ ^^-^^er would make h^ a^^ rdi^^rs^d.'" ""^'^''^ '"»' 310 "THE lord's jewels." This fear of the LnrH io >i,« u • • the beginning of a wi e and ?T°« °' '^»^<»»- BIessed\re all they whThlve^t Tf ^ '^"T "* "'«• knowledge and w^dlm .o cIm .^d?'*'' 5" '"*«'• you may ascertain whethe,^, \ '? '"'''«'■ *!>«* this tei from tl.: wX'f ^'od'-^'rTl.^™ intake lord IS to depart from evil " rT" ™* ^"^ of the friends, that you%r striving d^r" f^' -"yyoung from evil J C^yoTs^y^^^, ^l ^l ^^ to depart and are turning 'LwaTi^Vtt/''''' '»"'"''*« "^- more and mo?? to b^e S Ctost X" 5^ ^^« neither was guUe found in I,,-: r , iS^ *<" "o sin, supplication with stToi^'i'P''. ^"^ He made that was able to save h! Z^Va^- 'tf* ^°*'' H™ If you a,^ his children yr^''',iVH-' ^I'^'^^A fiUed with reverence ani feaTSwal gS ^ *™' hi/>woirtt°\?er..Tif:i-i .»'■»'' «- - need scarcely say to von S i!^ *" '^'»«-" I value most highly, wiulw l'"**™'-/'"' love and ly and freq«lntf;n;i5"XT'''r°^* '""•«»■ your thoughts. If anv „T1 ^ ^ *''^*''* f™i object different from Z^* InT.T^"'^'"^ ^^' "» away from such, you are^erar IZ T"°' ««' t'"*'" Oh! you are aiv^ys l^in't^'/^^/y '» »? to them, course they are becau J t^L- f *''*'• ^-ell, of So it is wifh aU ^XetTftTn T !?' »P»» ^t' godly you ro^ thattt,^ le 1?.^ . ?/ the un- that "God is not in all th r tSoutht -^'^^^ """'k fc,"" "'Jo^ God; they do Z'l. .^^I t ''!'' »».V o.uod, and hence their affections «;; not Z "the lord's JEWBLS." 3,, to do, the fountain of all n,„ *i' "■""» ^ey have of salvation in j!^"«° 0^'%,?^?^' *■"> ^^thlr ke a deep interest i^S thtt *' °^'"'^" »' God •ngupof theChurchandSni^^'l.'^rt"* *« »>"*><<- notouiyhavethisoWtffi n **™«'»*»J'- They b"t they put forth iheKl'^ '" *'«'" *J'°«ghti^ good to others around Tern "^ . ^''^P "'^y ^ ^0 over all the earth It i. S' ^"^ *" "®°'l the Gospel much of the name of^ .TJ.^ ""^ *»»' Jou thiTk your anxieties and efforte /"'^n™ P'ove that by perned boys and girls ^twt '™1 •^^T'-.^ool 312 "the lord's jewels." there is a way. I rememU,; „„ "' i*"^" " » «" ago, there liv^ed it a co ^ ^ M^ ^ T"^ ^'^'^ years of age, Iyi„„ „„ "Xm kj ^^' *'''"" '^"'n thin, but he 'was happy Sje^-C^^W^" ""d boy loved the SavioSr and flfr S"™*- ^" <•«"■ continually. TMs'w'S Xhis* j^L"?!?, '^r": the same age whom I u^j J •■'•. , * W o£ «eye™l months ofVve^llltss^tirlS'' ^J" '^' patience, was'takcn away froSr,.! '* '»"<''' ago in this city. Thev w^t xf*r"'**''<'"'«''eefa . fold. The Holy SpSJ!^.'«'*5 ,'r'" in Jesus' directed them iWe lo™ t S *''t.5'«^ "' ' waiting for. Christ The Ith^r iS t "l^ **" P»«»' first, had a mother -ho ,t\trk.^dT ^J^'^™'' who knew and oared n„H.j» i ^ , . *° ••«". but He used often tr;Sy?*h|.'*^'';' ^ ^T ^^°^'- sick bed. « Lord ri™ thy sSit .-> IT*!.'^'"* "" ^ and make her lo^e JeKL* .. %^«" "'»*er. tu-ed of praying this nraver .n j * i . ™' "e^er swered. The mottierC^^fr^ ** ''"S*'' '' "asan- .on's side, and he uLTto^^ ^■•'^ ""y •"«' «»«« about Jesus, and repeat m«W ^ \*"' ^^ *«" !>« had. learned at theTbbattt„„T^ ^''5"" *''i<=I' h« ture t» her. And G^ did ^tT' "'"','<'*<« "f acrip- praye,^, but «ent hSIpl^j"?* f f * ^ 8«^ c""^ began to love Jesus, aifdt foUow hL'^V"' ^^ conceive how dad Jia woe , , ,"^ -"^ini. You may he thanked Godtr heTr Llan'lj^' '"^.**^^«' ^"^^ ^^^w ^ The father was a veTy Kr'""^ nghisprayer. drunk, and then cLe LmAr ^^"'^ *« g«* to b« Prnol .o i^-- -^"'®- **^ ^'^^se and swear «®n^ " ' "" "^« ^^'"^ ^'^^ <^hildren. So ttie"7o;; THE LORD'S JEWELS." 323 hoy h»d done fo™ her and .f?^"'' "' ""^ '^P^'ed ftot hin, to go to the church ^f^^""'."^^'*'*'"?*^ *e fett after Sabbath and 0„7i,i ''^Z ^« ''«"» Sab- ihere. He left offCey^'^b^'^'^''. l^' ''« ^eard and quiet, and God-Sr T ?"<','«««">« steady, The Holy Spirit M U^t f^^ >'" effectuallK cast out any who came to ^iJ^ ®""™'"' ''ho never Thus yo/see thS^hi^Bw ^ b^ '"""*r ""l ^'th. leading both his parento to W. J^''*" *''« ""^^n' of oh ! what a happy mi« *° tl^? f^'' ^"^ ^'"^- And Bo not think tiat, "S vil '^ ""^ ^ ''^»^«'' ' do no good. Rem'emW this^Zr/"""!' y"" <»» give you the heart to think u„™i,- "^ '" <^«' *o you will be anxious to be th?^L* '"'°^- »"<' then hi»j«wU^rhflX:^Khe;"* r",-- - to another." Generallv U^ *hey spake often one together into one pwfthlt S ^°P'* '°«^*> or come times about one thinTa!,d 11°: • """"T™''™' »ome- If they are friends, ^hCT^lT!*/ ""t"'""* """ther. terest them mutuaUy7rnniMi™''-'''?.\'-'»<'h in- concerned. Peonle tLt .. ^ ,°S ''hich they are about Divine tb^^,*^*o Z-r^'T^r'^ ''"''*^»* and his claims upS «,em W *u *« truth of God and vanities of the worid wUl en *"" P''*''"'^' in their ungodly haWta '(1^1"™?^ °°« another artSood, afd deK^tln tS^t whi^^ •' ''*"^.' ">»y ^ho their souls, and they will tvvin if i ^ »n*erests of ^v^ard in the path o/ho W ^ "''" *^^*^^^ ^^'- 21- wm.m dU "the lobd's jewels.' that the things whiS. forld I'^b^taTlTJ' sation amonir them were «ii^I, 7. """J^ota of conver- tioned-ao<^„dthTttb!fof G„r ^Z J"" ■"«"■ terests of ete^ty Our Sm h° ' ^.''.*.? «'"»' '°- ;.out of the abio°e"f rhSrhL^oi":;.:^^! ■ ot,,,j^^^",tT„^7^r.::,?^t5j»gBthr^e will delight to ,pe»k o^ ttem t^: he^* '^T±' ^"^ Sin mZ^'™"*' '"•°8'«8»t«d at a streercomer J^oaretoo^'^te wi'or/"" °''!f';r« «■»- thf::.^a^ ^ss'tjt'ii' s^^t 'srv^ ^-. «»jr. „x persecution the true members ''orthe "TH« LOHD'S JEWELS." 315 having the same precious fS li!? ?? ^°*'^^' »« love and hope. They wonld^n .K? * f*""* '"''y the knowledge of G^ ^^aJ, • ^'' T^ '^'^P »''™ till better da^ taTl^p^vidl^^" S """ *°"*'P' To love the Word nf nf? 'j °*°"' »™'™<'' David, "Open'S«''iiS'lrti:tT"'* "^* wondrous things out of thy D"^ aJ^7, 't'" prayer, and to practise itJfalu*!, ""''Khl- »» -to teke pleas^urt^^'thtl.^ut^f'GXTr^''^"? nances, are never-failing Ss of P^"^ "J-.i"''"- "Thoy that wait nn/^n *i. t , , "^ ' children, stren^" ..BTe8sT°J*!,^'-l«haU renew their housejthey wSrftiUp^SlTht' "C'f '"^ strength to strength ; every one of tho J • '^*^ """ peareth before God » IKd tfc v '» Zion ap- together,as you^«t, ofte tfc T^^Z/^"" own spiritual lyeltare, and tiMnt Ji ' *,'"' y"""" unite in sayin^to tKrou^^ you trSr"*"' '"^ as weU as by your words «W„ f^ ■ ^ *^^ ^■'""' ""y"' land of which the Cd hath^in ^"T"^"*. *° *« Come thou with us, Td we wS d„ Z «'''! '/ ^o"' Lord hath «poken'g?^::„:^?„^t:jft tt'^ot he produced for your app^vKn theTTorSr'al" Wc^^c-ottfrtli' wri^t.^^'y''^^ lovp niii^-c* ««^ i!" ' "y should not they who MXw? ^idrr, .txx ?'-"!'■' . ^"^ *'° you may gi forth as' a U^d ' ^--^^at^^aa^o^, 316 "the lord's jewels." hath touched, to do His will to fi^lif hi^ i.«++i x t. steadfast and unwavering tahts lu I"' '***'*°' *° ^ th. u *•»"» «<>»gl»t to present for your imitation the cliaracter of those who shaU be gathered ZetC as the precious jewels of the Lord on the ^re^f ^iv own on that'day when He nikS up L^wST^ *" found ^L*" °»*, <»'»'»»-t4 ari no? often The arge proportion of them are such L hTIJ mand a very high price, though Zl rZkor^d ^2' undlT' '" *^*? "^^y ^*^^^ -tones tj:f:;^;^^^^^^^^ under «ie name of precious stones. "* a Me Lf 'i* ' "^ • '^"^T ^* ^«*^ '^^^e »l^ays been a attle flock, few m number compared with ill ^ f titudes that are afar off from God T^int nf.^^' whole world having been ovemSed b^ tH« fl ^/ and everv living thin«, r.^^^!^' ^ ***® ^^^^^ alone w,:rfoZVghZu'LT^"LS* l"*'' ^'"^ the inhaWtant. halbecZe "I'Tp/T^th':^^^^^ ness of man was great on the earth ' tLw ^^' centuries the Church of God was £„; tit T """^^ Kne, nv. aur worslupped the true God. They were , n.- "THE lord's jewels." and Obadiah, and J^" !{,' "^ °^."'*' ^"^ Josiah, Timothy, aer^inX t„I tm^S'"'' "1 y»»»« now, though the GospeUf jIsus Ohrf/?"*"^ '^•' mg into every land on the face of t>,„lJu P^T*™*" ping the foundations of sylims of M^ur""' "f "^ "*?" stition, and though tl>»^,r , »' 'l?'**"^ ""^ ™Per- eountresareridnfup toS* °* ?'"' *" ^''"««»» and devotedne^if tZ l^fl^ ^i^Tr true as our Lord intim«foo +u wf '^^"st, yet it is spiritual dar1Sl'''''C; *:**h« ■??•'? '•■•e ^^^ '» " Enter ye in at thp i~;t -. ^^ ' '"* "^^ '"'>«'<'s : and broafiatte wa;S iSil'T T'f " '^^ ^*- many there be thaWo t. ther^,*",?"""'"''*''"'' ««d the gate and narrow if th?wav S» . "T^ '***'* " and few there be that findT" "^ndlhl ?"*" ' ?' lesson to yon all mv vn,rn„ « • j . "'«'*'o™. the themultitudetod^Jva bu*tt^ /'J' ""l* *» '""<"' of God and his righteoui th^f ifll'*''" "»«<'<"» good and needful Sl/be Sed^Lo *'"«V''''* "'« person put the question Tcbti^JT ,t '""^'" that be saved!" Inst*«A* ' "^'^ *'*''« ^^^ :^'^«nrs:eStS?"T-5- !^^ !«■? '•?"8'' -t- foSnd i„\rsoii „?fji\': iaTo? Cwrtm tS h!™ b"" ""« o-'-^heir 'value a a.iifui -wr^Tit^^r :t:riis„^ 318 "the lord's jewels/' constant work requi^t L „dntt or^iLSyl:,' stone to a regular form will PTrfB„,i *„ ' °"™ months' steady work™ ll^t ^?. |!Lr'° ?"■ *«■" the Pitt diam^ond, plS bf ft ^^i^l^t":* F ance, and put by Napoleon on the hUt S«^^ I of state, was said to occupy two velrs »°J *i* ™'"'* sold for morp than six hunKCnd Sdte" ^' In like manner all God's sAinf*, «ii k i ^ .; , were originally in the roui7.Sy''rf''^[u:e ''S^'' tord Jesus Christ cAme to seek ^d s^e^, S' He searches about, and wandor. .n^. .v ® '''^'' «>ou;>tains till he ChoTfof Se'fbVhrwJrf'^l his own hand, and so clears away "heiTXtl, .° vileness, and outs them into tb. .i,.^. *r^®" ""' which He designs to usetJ'thtXTlIra.i" appear beautiful in the eyes of^I Kif^^"*"^ manifesting the cunning wSm^shin rf mr^"''' wonderful L counsel a^d exoeS7w° rk^*^ '''" " Many examples of this there are to b^ fSd in A. f^%T^ '"Z^" ^^^ »' *« Church Wk a But by his Spirit! rrintriiA^r-i* ?!"!"»*»', nuu into the loving d«vn+o,l ^7+ ;>^^°us vurnea the faith which »^4rauiTrdir^5^:j«4ai "THE lord's jewels." 31 9 Paul counted not his life dear to him, that he miffht finish his course with joy. Think of the woman who was a sinner, so much so that Simon, the Pharisee in s^nTi 1^^^^ ^^^ P"^®"^^*^^ °* Christ. Yet she stands behind Him weeping, washing his feet with her tears, and wiping them with the hairs of her head-a memoi^ble example of the love and mercy and^ace tl ^''i'r ^^««5?»i«hed as a Christian woman^Sat the Lord honoured her by appearing to her first after slavrnrP^r Think of Onesirfus, the l^unaw^^^ tZl ^^^°\«°' ^^^^ ^y the hand of soverS mercy, and made profitable not only to his mS p^ied are the mstences in common life of those who were apparently far from the kingdom, and sunk in vi^ and profanity, arrested by the p?;er of Christ and made shining lighte in the ChuJch S thelJj^lng nhL^^ .^""""l "^'^^ ,^^y« ^""^ thoughtless girls dZ t hI" ..?' S7''.?°^ ^"^« ^' ^««^« have W i,i 1 ^^""^ *-^® 8^^*«s* hardness of 1 J^ ?"* ?.^*'''^ *h® °^««* poW'ited soul If vou ^rth ^*/ ^'^^'"^^ '^i* ^«^^* ^* i*« place iL^the ^rthi cbarse and rugged, and uninviting, and then *i! ammed it a year after, when it had been cut and pre- W thlt',>''"^"li7'^^°^^"' y^^ ^'^^ acar^?,Te. heve^that it was the same stone, there has been such a^diff^nce between the two states. And so the change that Jesus makfis in f»,« i,.„^. frTif®. . ^ose whom He draws to H^ins^if ira"^;L;g: fZ aH that IS sinful to all that is good and holy. ^ TSe;^be. 320 "THE lord's jewels/ I'H and benevoknl 11 faHhi?**"'! J"™'"^ -^d know them cannot fail "~ /*""™1, so that aU who - with Jj^^ and tt t h.f'S: It' *^7 ""^ i""^ Blessed are thev whn r>«f^ ?v ^^^ ^Jm* thev are lo^ hand. VX C bSt""^,-'"' f"""' ^ " ''«» PleMing in his sight Lrf^ri,"'y°"' «" ""at rower. He ^U a^nfn^ *^ '^"''^ <>* ^ith with completely bright and relC^*' ^""^i* appeats of God often si.bjecTedlf f^?"*- '5 T *«,<=Mdren fver. afflictions/and h«w^ ""* '""•d'hips, and hss ohojen and ciw them?no™'''*,, ?"* He who "<& and what will best »?„ T'.'^"" ^J** He is do- •^ganling them. liZt !f ^^^P'"^*" ^^ <>«» pu^ ■ «?tting £.d grindL^'the !rt^r J^r"««d ^"•'C tames hamm^g „,» . '"« P««»ou8 atone, and aom^ was .destroyin7in*4,^J»« would thinl thrhl as. to make it answrie !^/'^"»''l« P^perties. «> pmed ornament. So God ^^4^ *° ""^ » "'»«»' his children for his wwk L .J^*"*" wa^te to fit adorn them with the belL "f Tr ^« ^""^ " to prepare them for heavenlv W T ^^ ^""te He uses the discipline rf 1 ?«fl. "^"^'dness. Hence most effectually tj promote fh^' *" "^^ « way aa glory. A father comcS ht S?m """Z ""^ ^^ o^ so does our Heavenlv R^rt oi'ildren for their profit their benefit. ^Slf'!' .«'.''?<'» Ws childr^Z --.- — «x tneir faith will be found "THE LOBD'B JEWELS." S2I have th«m in tLr~C r^^ ^^ *"«« "J"" v?ry great pecaniwy ?Se beM^J ""T ^ «»"« of different ooSntries. ^ Jne £ F^§^ ?°'^<'^ »* tile crown, called "t)ie jSti?^ j ?, ''*'«"'««<1 to worth moie tC h^f a^llSHf"! "^^^^ "« now in tlie liands of the Amti^^ ^ ^"?^ »°»tl>er property of the oie of^^,^<'"'^>t once the much; a third in the pS^'^t'^i''' *''''»'«» Portugal, 8aid to be mnot^''l,°!y,^' ^8 of Koh-i-noor," or mountain of n7?J.^i *■"■ "tie the hand, of seve.XoTS.erSfwhl^nH'^ '*^'' ^ another for more than two tM^^,!^j °^'*' °°« »ft«r i« now posaeased byo^^^^Z^LT''','^'' »"<» miUiOn and a half of dollS ktt *'"*'' »* » which fell to the Britid, CrX, ^ P"*'""? Jowel, tie last Indian Sovereign who lad ??* t«""orjr of property of the kingdom, is kent c^.ft^i "**"■* *« lest any one might i?j«« it"or ^'^V"""^'^ Those who are to be ackniwled.,^ . ^i » jewels in the last dav areln Hti „*^ *" '^^ I-otd's his sight, and therZ^'watehrf ovTrj ""^j"!.'.^ Almighty power and infinite ^Xm af^f^f t^ oare of them as given into his Ss ^d to b.^' H.m redeemed, and sanctified andXih^ .m?* .k' w that none of them shall be lost '^f tti^Sf*' nev^„porish,-n5th;r;2^tyli;S- - -ey ^«^ 322 "the lord's jewels." How precious they are in €Jod*s sight we letim from the way in which He speaks of them, as "the glory of Christ," as " a crown of glory in the hands of the Lord," and as « a royal diadem in the hands of thy God." He bought them to Himself at a costly price even thesacrijace of his own Eternal Son. They are the purchase of Christ's blood, the fruit of his mediation. For their sakes He preserves this earth in being till all the elect shall have been gathered in. " He suffers < no man to do them wrong, yea, He reproves kings for their sakes, saying. Touch not mine ' anointed, and do my prophets no harm. « He that toucheth his people, toucheth the apple of his eye " He protects them from aU evil. He bestows upon them all that is good. He brings them all at length to the manwons prepared for them from the foundation of the world. 4. They who possess valuable jewels not only keep them carefully from aU harm in cabinets made for the purpose, but on great occasions, when they want to make a display of grandeur, they love to exhibit their precious omaments to the admiration of all be- holders. So, when the Lord shall assemble all the generations of men on the great and final day, the wmdmg up of this last dispensation of love and mercy to mankind, nothing shall be more glorious, nothing more lovely, nothing more estimable and precious in his sight, and in the sight of all holy beings, than his olm^people, acquitted from all guilt, ransomed by blood of infinite value, adorned with all the graces of the Spirit, and receiving the joyful welcome, " Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit tho kin<«<». 5n that ?.? ?^ -^ "■*•' ™*^«' "P my jewels." ttnahohoor have all the children of Ood What h<^ titat yon are of that Alesid fi^T^ot? STlT .*"•*? "»«»»«ive„ and imagTJhat £ are the Lord's, when they are not really lovinff ffim Sed^ ^1'""^'*"** •*« "Siteous from the ^S^^XZX^^TX' " ^''^ ''"'''""' My young friends, do not put away from vou this vital q„est.o:^ whether you are in the famUyT ^ or m the fomily of Satan. There is nothin/,rf m^ .mportoice to you than to be the sons andllSe« of the Lord Ahnighty. You have had another I" r" jZThrisTlr''*''' V"^ ^^^ ^ proviSe Jesus Chnst has many times been knockinR at the door of your hearts. Have you heard his voice and opened the door » Have you said to uTtA smcenty, . Come in, thon blessed of the L^ -^wd by thy Sp.nt m my heart ; make me altogeCr'thile ' .„ J^ T "" ^ '"' J***'^' ""> He 4ill keep you and gi»rd you as such. You may have h3 ^he story of the lady who appeared at the Eo.^our? m very plain but respectful attire withlhe, t„ pretty children, leading Le by eacSnd « ^^° was her prompt reply, pomtmgwith delight and satis factaon to he, chiidmi, " Ihesl a«, my jLel^ What a blessed thmmhf *« i,«^^ y- . . iT:^zr'.f^^i''^ I ha;;rXmXL;' by my blood ; I have bought them to myself. They 324 "the lord's jewels." upon them aS tha? ir.ir'^J"*""^.' ^^" '«t«'^ THE ."Then with a swi come to t] the armie< xvii. 45. MyDbab At the habit of p yay. An ing mercy in thus sp( January,. ; with the i inaketh ric in the prot»] said to God us not up ] time of Moi our covenan DAVID AND GOLIATH, THE PHILISTINE GIANT; OB, THE ARMOUR OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER. wi*?^„^f J^^i^t*? ft^^^- Thou o„m„t to me come to thee'in the Tme SZeSri^t'n' f"°J:* '• >>»' I f4«r"'"^>,whom"'th'^S^^Slfi^f?l«'|;^«2^f Mr Deab TooKo Pbibbds,— ing mercy in preservine us »H™ i if ™ ^ »?»••- in thus speal^K^J^t I, !■' ^,''*™ """h pleasure Januarr, ISrr T ^1"^ '!>« day, the first day of with t^' uj^ng^r^^zAcij ''^PPy/-" »aketh rich and \ddeth „i ^rro! the^'"^ t '^ US not upiJi"%^rrt?r;:?it'^-.-^ vime 01 Moses T# +1,, • — ""'-' ""'^ "-^ ^n ^fle ourcovenanrOod^^LrSnTrwl^^^u^ 326 ^DAVID AND OOLIATB, life ^11 be a life without hope, and without God in the world, destitute of true happiness here, and ter- minating in misery everlasting. May the Lord give you grace to choose that good part which shall never be taken from you. « I love them that lave Me," says Christ, "and they that seek Me early shall find Me ^' The verse at the commencement of this address brings under our notice a very interesting and memor- able event, recorded in sacred history. You have all heard of i^ or ^read it in the Bible. I doubt not you have wondered at the courage and determination of David m the presence of such danger. But God had strengthened and prepared him to meet the enemv ^.w • *^, ^r^ »? ^?'^**^^ ^^«* ^°i«e, coward as long Ts yiu ifve D ' ^^ *" ^ ^"^^ ^ are all waitin|r ^Thet !il « ^?V^^ ***** ^^ William stood with nw * ^""•ounded him. But finnty clenbhed ^the midr„At''^^'^' "^^ ^^^ ^^^^ fine subject for Tnain^r ?, ? *^« group. He was a flushed brow flash w!^ •^"'* ** ***** °*«°^ent. His ing cheek' aTi toi&T;.''°'P^^^^^ **P' *^<^ ^*»ang! in his brekst WillT« i ^""^ <^^^^^ was rankling to them ? li w^a s?rof ?^ ^i'"'"*^ ^^'^^ ^^ yi^Winf fear that the eTiU nr?S! '°'*^^?^'*' *^^ *^^« was f good. But no " I^ ' T?"i^ ^%*r «*^«^« ^«r *1^« mother," said the noblTbnv 1-*° '^***'**** *«*^^g '"J emotioi, "and I%^m^t\l^^^ ^'Jo^::^^ llhful^T: T^ *^~^^^^ tell her k wicked lie "T^ ^^ '°'^*''^ *^ ^ were to right, ifthe n the case of that h^^- k„» iv aucwH tne chamcterof hi« Iim>»j- . „ j iT""' T"*^ ^ ""^ inKtuethi.gs,.he„c:^^ir:^ir/rt^!^.: 328 feAViD AND GOLIATH, . 4'rwrJUtfootr^' :t::t:^^ «"->'" » the confidence in God in ?h« t^ *•* ™'"' ''"■« S'^^ d«ctodhi»»elfo^hr«o^L7Xed\*''l''r<'"- But he had Sen !n„?niS *f • "'"'' ^'"8 »' I«™el. God had »ent^m„JfT "J""* '««"« t™e before fhildren^of /eaBew^tobeottr tC ""''ll "' *« into the room of the houL „h! .^''^y "O" brought that he might see them W^^ ""^ ''*»• <•»« ""^ »»«. with the eldest, eSTw?!™' ^."^ much taken "Surely the lord's anl^^d.^etrHir.'' "b* .°?k"?' one -iraa not the lord's oh^l^I a "' "ut this before the prophet Butthr;, ?^™" ""^ »" P^'sd hath not chosS^ tiese " ^. '""TcT""' "The Lord "Are here MtbycbM^nr'^'i *^";uel to Jesse, "There remaineth vet rt» •*'"' ^^ answered, teepeth the Zip. '^"'^d S^f*' ?"<• b^bolj he "Send and fetch him »HoZ!^ *""- ^^' came in. a ruddy youl lad IJ? *v " '^°* f"'- ">d l-nce, and goodVtoTok'Cn " An'd the T ' T''^' Jrohdrandtd*""!^:"}' *.%«"«' •««>»« -'r him, because 5\f isoWie^i' af th??-'^''^" m%h?rh7t^;Kdt"^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -a..d „» . ^„,,, ^,i,y^, „^ y^^ j^^ " His reputei THK PHILISTINE GIANT. gjj ■poke to Saul about hii^ 'ft' ■°/*'"' "^'"K- Th™ royal request, broucht^^^- '"'' " accordingly, by Saul nor\is ootSt W^tCT'■ "j^"*" *«">•" Divine direction anoint^\- ^*""'*' ""ad. by the His lively, accomplS'^f^"" *" ''^ »"«'■ Sa5! probably'the oh'SK^TiTr" "">. """P. "-i panying touched the kinaa^d hldT ™'°' '"'»"'■ from melancholy. David Zr.^ * '"" "P' »» *". oiroumst^„Z^T§aH::Zhe*:^!^,'«'"^*««« »« «•<• oame forth to war a2S, ' . « '™ "' * "»«»». roused up to activflnd w ^" -^-no doubt vices being no longer reaui'd ^^ T ^*"'''» ««'- father's hluse at &S ' ^ "*""«* *» "» «?ant, no doubt one of"S, 30ns o,^ w*' ""^ • g^ite), spoken of in the BookTf W^"*^ ^^"^^ »' "«? of prodigious size, about ew'^l'lt ?V^^ wtth armour which no ordin»rv !. ^et high, and groat was the weight of it 1""'/°"''* '^^' «> man, Goliath, stalked oLLI*^ ^^^ '" "^7 «>i. and defied ani man of th. T .v* "'" "^ *» a^my, in single com^d dS:!'lt,*? ^ft^ ^^^ Wm contest between thn t„" • *"^* " ♦'"s ™y, the Thisco„tinue?f"rfortXr'??,/!?!»l^ ^ "-^ded. ^;6rror into the he&rf^ nf +C^ "V ' ' i ". "I'F^a^ince struck fled on his appror^ ^"*'''**''' "» t^"*' they aU I"- 330 DAVID Aim GOLIATH^ patched lith thaTviet ir^ I>»Wd is des- arrived at the very «J^ JL ^PPened that h« forty days, 1 two "Smil ll'^/ i""* •»»«• ^ battle arky, and wire n^f • ^ ^', ♦'•'"^selves in Philistine, iSordkil If wf ^f ^"^ *■" "*'»°t. The his words. His snii^if ;« J- , »^w ium, and heard fi-d with z^^ioXc rf^^'-jHis "* ^^ gW in a.inkiLgto^Crfht'?wf •'?'•'' '^'' "^- himself thereby NeZlK ^l^tine and exalt no doubt, . -j • and oiTere to be t£e oham^it^f W? "'«'*^* *"■ his servants are astonished Thev ^t • ^"^ •»<• but he wiU not have it „"^°^^t>^<» armour, kept his father's sCp wW vr"**"^" ''»''' " i* a lion and a bearout o7 the t JT*. ""y- **»« <»»e his flock, and how^e w5 . A S ''^ """e of the lion and the C a^'l''^"*^ Wm to shy both inference which h^a^ i^ n^"" ?" f^P- The me to do this, can rtrChterme tt.''*"?*^''^^ «»« giant, and give SZZ^ bT'^T^'^ bear to hear the namA «f n^ ^^^'^^y* ■ae could not with zealTofthrronour^Tr'^J^^' ^e burned He had .«,,fi,^'?l .?^°"'^ ?^. Jehovah, and his tr„th ■ '"^ -— ^ "^^ »oeiun^ was too hard for Qod s THB PHILISTINB GIANT. ggj David wonM hi^ ° "* ""S strength. accustomed t?ut:™Ssr"'.'"" "'»' ^-^ ^ "een outward thing, oTanffci^ZT''""^ ""^ °<" « «»" staff in lus l.£d, a^^ ch^l If™*""- ^« ♦""k hi^ xif hrh^£r >^if : «drr- he i« a you^f 1^5 '"J".^'^ ' him. As they drew neartf T*!. .?° ^' ™'"0'' for took one of the amril .Z!^ ? "*'"■' ^^a^'d simply -ith well-direttT^ait ZC'tCD-'? * ^''';!' '''^ the stone struek the foreWlof «. '".^ guidance, expected spot, where he dM ^t the giant at an un- and penetoat „g h7» Bk nil ^f^.*^ he wounded, ground, mortall^ wounle "' S!f ?■ ''''" *»" *<> 'i-« hold of the Phiii8tW^7™rd^u7offT r''>"8 when the Philistines saw Xf ti. • '^ ^^ ' ""<> dead, they fled i^ auL^ ' Jf "^"^^T ^"^ pursued them even to the ^S. J ? ."* ^'"^^i cities, and returned to spoiTtS, tent' " t^"- "^""^ was complete. ^*®' •'■^e victory po™hrh:;i7„rj:^X«?!t "^^''"•'- ^-p- "presentitives Tthe^Zfrf *'.??<'.^?".*'"' *-» part of the Philistines «^ in.' :"°°" """atn on the Wites, aPF-i^re^Xl^w^-LlJ: 332 DAVID ASH GOLIATH, k/' Hia opponent wa,^X>tKuAt!l^„?; "'*'*«'7' strength, oovercH t^ «.i* .'""•" 'a^raperior of «.Sl so dS'aJto?r" ''?5> *°, foot with i^coat stroke of sworf o?s^e^Z*»\S' ""di-goff any to wield weapons mJt^ewlv.*^^ "™« *^« "We foe. David/on tKX^dh^''*™"''™ *» ""^ l^l at all, neither sword nwsl^r W.Tf^ »' coat of mail, nothine hut I,;. „°5^ ?® •"** on no that he had 'w^TslCt tib^TF.t'^^1- ^ bag slung over his sSerL t^I, 'fi '' '^..^^Phenl's It, taken from the nZi,^ ?"th five smaU stones in the place whe ^th^^t^^-^S^'ook that «n pas? oombat depended on tL ^ *''o '«i«e of the and ^-l-pSt^f l*tr SSf^^uS'f ^ r»«* prospect of success. No one w,-** ^"^ "^ "» toanyotherconcCion -^1 ^'°«""^ '^"Id "ome Why was it that W ^Z"'t/^T^f °*t."^ ' apparently, in oompailr^^ Oof'^l* " •" "■» victorious J i«"wou witii Gohath, came off PhmstinesaidtoWm ?^^^ The to me with staves lAndSJn ?i' *^** *^^^ ^^^^^at Come to me, and I wm 2« fK^^i^ ?^^«' *»« added, of the air, and bi^ of the *&'r° *^« f-^« nothing could prevent this and^lV k ^^«P?^^« *« i'^ of his sword L could mite Ba^d^^ leaving his body to be devr,,,!^ ? ?• ^ *^® ground, wild beasts. But dLm d^'d ? ^'''^?,^* ^^^y^ and proud blasphemer rI t ^''^ ^"^ *>efor3 the He had ZfiJ?!^: ,He,knew where his stren^.h lot — ......... ,« ,^e arm in which he truet^; THE PHIUSTINB GIANT. 333 g>uld not prevail a^dtW If ?"' *^^"ght thS he ^t David a^wel^d^S^t^V^^^^ "^^ ^^"^ fith a sword, and with a T. , '^^"^est to me tut I come to^hee ^L^lVf^ V'^ ^ '^^^^^ the God of the armier Tl. *^? ^^^^ «^ ^osta, defied." ™^®' ^s^el, whom thou hJt the^me Ste SJrdtfl J^^^^^^^ *' °^^* ^«^th in deijnded on the power of God ^kT.^^ ^«' *h** he in fighting the battles of th^Wd.w T^ '''^Sed ?^^»»«hlf of the Lord's caui^a'r^T*^^^^^^ *PPea^ed looked for his almighty am 'to 1* i^V**'^^^^^'"^' ^^ him the victory In Z 5!^ to shield him and give rest upon, whlS is^^Zt^'&l wh^' *'^ ^f^^^^^ *' «de, " Certainly I will b« ww^° ^? ^'^ *he Lord's ofthel^rdisa^stro^g^^^eTj^^^^^^^^ '' The name mto it and is safe "^ ' *^® "S^iteous runneth thJtrart Ke fhifdT n T^^^ ^« owed ward He march^^tni dowfto^^^^^^^ the Lord made a passage fn7X ® ■?®'* ^^a* and parting the waters,^ Sth J F^.-^'' ^"^ ^^^d' by overtake them, w^rl Zwno^^^*!.^"«' essaying to called to be the rive'rof hi«^^'^. ^^^^^n las oppression of the MidTanTtpf^K t^^''*'^ *"om the "I will be with thee^' S ,^ ^T^ "^^ ^ him, Gideon went forwJr'^.v ?,^, *¥ «*rength of this, ing, « The sword of'thrLorroT"^"^ °^^'^' «hout: the Whole army o/tt Milnts^f ^V^t ^ 334 DAVID. AMD QOLIATft, multittides wwe slaughtered. In the name ttt Jesus Christ the Apostles wrought miracles. You remember how Peter and John said to the lame man in the temple, " In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." In the name of the Lord the Church has made all the progress it has attained 'to on this earth — in his name all its triumphs havo been achieved. And in the name of the Lord all whojhave ever reached the heavenly kingdom have fought the good fight of fadth, vanquishing all their spiritual foes, and receiving the conqueror's reward, even the in- corruptible crown. All God's people are called to be warriors. They are here in an enemy's country, and have to contend day by day with the assaults of foes, with hindrances and opposition at every step. You know that when the Jews, who had returned from captivity in Baby- lon, were engaged in building and repairing the walls of the city, they had to hold their weapons of war in the one hand, and their tools and materials for build- ing in the other. They had to labour, and yet always to be ready to fight and ward off the enemy. So it is with all who are on the way to heaven, whether young or old. The followers of Jesus are often called soldiers. Jesus is named the Captain of Salvation. They are said to be engaged in warfare under Him! And they are enjoined to fight on till they get the victory, and are called to sit on Christ's throne, even as He also overcame, and is set down with the Father on his thi*one. This is a holy war. It is a war ftcrainaf sin ft^oir"* everything that is wrong and evil—everything con- trary to God. You read that Jesus came to destroy THB PHILlSTmB GIA»T. M tte works of the devil, who is the author of all evil in ^e world. He fou^t with Satan and overcame him. « rStf °?!*^ ^y ** ^*''*' °®*^ *^e *ii»e of his crucifixion . ^ fnnce of this world cometh, and hath nothing "^•^1 J ?® ^*® ^^^^ "^ *^® ^^*^®' ^-^^i t'lere fought with death. But the grave could not retain him a prisoner. He burst the bands of death, and rose a mighty conqueror, and then ascended into heaven, hav- ing spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly. ^ Now, having vanquished sin and Satan and death m his own person, and for our benefit, He wants us all to enlist under Himself as our captain. He calls ig)on us to accept his salvation, and give our hearts to Him, and then to fight under Him, in his name, and in the strength of his Spirit against all our spiriinal enemies. I do not kiiow whether you have entered into the service of Jesus Christ, or how many of you are acting 4s good soldiers of Jesus Christ But this I know, that none but they who do so, shall be saved from SatanVpower hereafter, that none but they who war a good warfare shall be with Jesus, wearing a crown of glory, and casting that crown at his feet, saying, " Sal- vation to our God, and to he Lamb that was slain." Kow, would you not all like to be welcomed by Jesus, as those who have been his soldiers, and fought ms battles, and obeyed his orders, and been faithful to Him even unto death ? I am sure you would. But some of you may be saying, "Can I fight ogSinst sin and Satan and all evil ? Am I able to do So ?" You are not able of yourselves. give you strength, and, like David, But Jesus will you can go into 336 David a»d goliata, He hath provided armour and weapons for yon S ^erC^^TP'" '^°' fight witho«r"eapIr Jiven David had arms— not like Goliath— who fo^ . "^u."i^fali%'^r?fly -y other man'til^if: Jja. Jl antwf^e ^^Xl^Tt^Zg^J^ ss.*^x^thrwhiLsr:£ f^-" uwyaarts ot the wicked. And take tho liAlmof «# i. Lf""^ ^"^ '"'"? ^''' «*<»" «** «rM ™»ted a thorough that iKltaS"wfefe„ tK""!'", '"""^^ cannot eo richt w„„ 1. x ''"' **" «nholy state it to do « D^^^'diA "Xt^^r-Crt! ■^"" "«" clean hearf o«,i **»/ MJ v*oa, Create m me a ever would reterZrSe h Th^^* "g'^nst what- arrows for .ta^^Zi, ^ "* ""'^ ^P**"' '""l ™ld ae^nTS tt "PP™™**, and swords to resist tie stlw a^rsw^^.*^ ^'' <" ^^ <»«*. <" The righteousness with which t}i« Pi„.,-c+; u- ««o wiuitea one, is the richtftnnqr.ooc. «* i..-_ t imputed to him as a believe-r^an-d" .:e^;;d"by1S alone. It « a nghteousne^ -perfect i.d oompU^, 340 1>AVID AND OOIIATa, which has no flaw in it, nothing defRctive. and thew fore, preserving the Christian aold.er »fc frim the accusations and fiery darts of Satan. The mlent you believe in Jesus, he takes away vour fiHhv ^^iz-^^i^'t^l y:utit:"d'^"^^^"" obedienoe, hjw c^uld^rsG lit? VoTZT. ;amgs has Satan to bring against yo^ Sow ZZ arethecharges which he*n,i|ht bri^g forw^'l^S Sv^R^f^** '""' r"''' ^ """'trained to^ guuty. But, however Satan may accuse "thXT;, no oondenmation to them that a™ to Christ »1l nghteousnessformsacompletedivine"oveSthroSh winch no weapon of the evil on. can eve^Smte ^ Jfonpel o/peace,"-In ancient times saniT or shoes were very useful to those engaged in^, Z greatest penl, and had to struede throuali ^JZ rugged paths, and to clamber overraLhlZ^^ ^ ous walls; and without these Xstf^Te^^^^^^^^ never have been safe from wound« Ts,i ?l whose feet were well shod" erd^n^ wfy'^'-t' ^ent through every difficulty. There were airgreavelor defensive pieces of armour for the legs ^ ^ We are taught here that the piace, which the Gospel bnngs and speaks to the heart ^U^naW« „! to wade through ar.^ fvioi «« *1. ?7"' 7}^ ®^^^^e us ui our Christian course. The peace which the G?spe? THE PHILISTINE GIANT. 341 away fear-ht ffs iblt \1 ™™"- I' *^^ obstacle that sin mav «tL ^ i?" "^-^me every the good ffishoo H^' Mary" of England. AVhen death, a bKnd Lf T^.T1f •"'""" *° "« ''"™«1 to J««l lately suffered^ltSoltt ^ot ^"T ''"y confessing the truth, ifter rtln- 1 Gloucester for him conleming hU ^ ?L !5°P''*^ ''»™'''«<> imprisonment, he look^^onL"'", T"". »* >>« standing in Ms eye^ and^M « Th r'^'^%. »«»>■« hath taken fromShee thy ttwt^' sK > H."^ reason He best knows ■ hJ-aTt^^T ?"*' '"^ "!■»* with the eye of iSedge aS tot "^' ""^ T' grace continually to prav nnlTwt *r? S™ *^ ^e boy's name was Thomas Dowrv W„„ lu or how lone he har) oi.j.,™j • ■" . "• "ow often truth's sake'^is not ^o™^f'?P""'""«°* ^o' t^e Dr. WilliamrtSl CWellor ofVr *"''/" '^*«"' dealt with as L heretic from the fa th rfX'pi:' \ ^. Rome. This Pho^o^n^ u i . • ^* *"© Church of the truth. al^lthX^'^m'fde^TmiT ^""''"'^ the questioning which^t^rSf ?^°. '." f^'"'"'^ "* iHe truth throich him from'^i,!.'*""'; ™ "™. '-ece'ved the pulpit in th^e ^"""ThttttTd a|o^ 342 DAVID AND GOLIATH, tatized from the truth, and answered the boy, "Do as I have done, and thou shalt live, as I do, and escape burning." The blind boy said, " Though you can so easily dispense with yourself, and mock God, the world, and your own conscience, yet will not I d ' so." "Then God have mercy upon thee," rejoineu the Chancellor, " I will read the sentence against you." " God's will be fulfilled," answered the young martyr. The Chancellor passed sentence, and delivered him over to the secular powers, who on the very same day led the blind boy to the place of execution at Glou- cester, where for his testimony to the truth he joyfully yielded up his soul into the hands of the Lord Jesus. This young follower of Christ had his feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. 4. The ifext piece of the Christian's armour is " the shield of faith, by which he is able to qmnch all the Jiery darts of the wicked." -^There was nothing amongst the arms of the soldier, in the times when the Apostle wrote, more valued than the shield. The Spartans were great warriors, and it was reckoned a calamity that a man should survive the loss of his shield. Hence it was a motto, " Victory or death." It is told in ancient history that, when a Spartan mother presented her soft with a shield, on the eve of his departure for the seat of war, she gave him at the same time the advice that he should either bring home his shield with him or be brought home upon it she would rather he would die than part with it. The shield of faith, of which the Apostle speaks, k confidence in God— a full persuasion of the truth of All llIC *\«w„, hafo doT o by Sh'"''„'S*^.*e heavenly went out not knowL wwl i, -^^ '"* Abraham faith Moses estSe7tht~t T>r ?*«• "^y nehes than the treasls rf e|^' et ^'i™.' *'^'<'' a^l the patriarchs and holv m^of * ;^"'' ^° *'th the apostles and pronhete »„/ -T"" ^*y^ ^^ ^U ^^i'/tCtth irjite Sfr^ ^r^- have not faith you are Hrey tTaluL •^'- -P ^^^ will be carried captive by Sn af L -V' ^^^^-^0^ from being a soldier of CW ^ his^-and so far of the wicked onr May ?£fi jr ^"^^ ^' ^ '^'^^^^ of Christ to believe in hi^ ^ame ^''' ^'" ^ ^^'^^'^^ ...i..^^ ^?^* piece of armour is "/A. z./^.. ,^ , '.-^«cr«. we are not told in th^ ^2" T :;:"=' of saU -^-ur, what the heCet S '^Buf If^^^ t; 344 DAVID AND GOLIATH, 1 Thess. V. 8 you wiU find that the Apostle caUs it the hx>pe of salvation. The helmet is a kind of metal cap for protecting the head of the warrior. So the good hope of salvation is a defence to the soul from receiving any injury from sin. A warrior without his helmet would ever be exposed—and a Christian with- out the good hope through grace would ever be in danger. If Satan could only get ypu to despair, he would expect to succeed in ruining you. If any of you are ill, the hope of recovery will enable you to bear much pdin and trouble. Suppose that any one of you were anxious to gain the reward of merit in your class at school, you would, if you Entertain the hope of securing it, put yourself to a great deal of pains, and deny yourself other enjoyments, in order that you may succeed. The hope of gaining the victory carries the soldier through all the fatigues and dangers of war, and so the hope of salvation will make the Christian bear aU hardships, and undergo many trials, and endure much suffering. " I reckon " says Paul, " that the sufferings of this present tim'e are not «rorthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us." And then, my young friends, remember that you may struggle^after many things in this world and never get them. You may hope for riches, and toil for them but you may fail in acquiring them. You mav hope for honour or fame, and yet it may never come to you. You may here for long Hfe on the earth, and you may never see old age. But if the anchor of your hope IS cast within the veil, it lays hold of solid __ , _„,,.., ^^^j yjjgj. ^^j. ancnor out m the storm, but It may not take hold of the bottom, or the THE PHILISTINE GIANT. 345 the rock otleesZuitilZ ^f "'.'•"''* "" Christ, in your hea*^ '7^, V^^r'br^^^ °* *?"!?""? «P'"* cut their way ttr^^h in'"' "* •'I?™' C"""'* «« *<> heaven at S *'' *" "PP-^'t'on. and to ,«ach readthatHe'CdUro74':s;a:r- 7r He then deparlS fr^^^lS"! Satan was defeated. »w that heU'n^rtLum:ce:'d"^' '^''*" "" -aU that- « evil, by the Word*? G^' *"« P"' "^"^ !i * Thou Shalt not steal,»^use the Word of Pn.l then as the sword of the Spirit, and Z A^Ztli ^."^ ord^rT^*' *'"'P**'* *" **" « "«. t» sP«ak falsely in order to cover over some other sin, take tlus^worf 'ill 9 ] I 846 DAVID AND GOtlATfi, " Speak every man truth to his neighbour," and slay that temptation thereby. If on the Lord's day, some wicked boys or girls were to say to you, " Oh ! come away, never mind church, or Sabbath school, or any- thing else of that kind, let us have some amusement on the Sabbath, take the sword again. « My son, if «inners entice thee, consent thou not." Say, " It is written. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," and in the strength of God, strike down that tempta- tion, and scatter the enemies of your peace. This is the' way in which you are all, if faithful to Jesus Christ, as your great Captain, to use the Word &s the sword of the Spirit. And if you do so, day by day, fighting in faith, in hope, and in watchfulness, God will give you the mastery of your foes, and make you useful boys and girls now, and in future, if you are spared, and finally enable you to say, when the last enemy has been overcome, "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord." "If God be for yoi^ who can be against youl" Finally, the Christian warrior is "to pray alwwya with all prayer and suppUcation m the Spirit.** You remember the 12l8t Psalm : "I to the hills wi" lift mine eyes, From whence doth come mine aid ; My safety Cometh from the Lord, Who heaven and earth hath made." Whatever weapons may be used, even when they are the very weapons which God provides, it is God alone who can make them effective. When he went to meet the giant, David did not depend on his sling and^ the stones, but he says, " I come to thee in the name of are evei strength brings C down wi and the will be I world. Myyc and earn He leadf and glor] be to th safety. happinesi course of lasting n May tl choose CI so that w you may 1 now, for even the and one h have beer them very that scare trust that Christ, th round, wit and the Ja That ev« And faithf THE PHILISTINE GIANT. 347 name of the Lord of hosts." AndsotoPn^^ . e*'"> ^yu are to war a good warfare P««,. brings Omnipotence to your aid Pr.? •,, T^®'' My young friends, let me entreat vcu in nil off.«+- »uu gioiy. It may be through the crn^js K«f ,-<• -ii be to the crown at last \^th Wi^ ?' • '^ "^"^^ so that when others ask, « Who is on the W wI^^J you may be ready to.reply, " Here am I.» Be dedded low, for there is no security of life to «« J ^l^'^^ed even the youngest. During^th. las? y^rThrfe S and one boy, who used to attend the Sabbath ?Z 1 have been called away by death The^tt :i^^^^^^ them very regular attendants. Their pareX^tofJ rl tmstrrt fr^^\--l f ; i t 348 !>AVID AND GOLIATH, ETd. length hear the joyful welcome, « Well done, good and faithful servant, entei thou into the joy of thy Lord " IS the fervent prayer of, o j j , My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Albxakder Topp. ToioNTo, itt Janmw% zm. TE Weha^ spared th] And I ai addressing great peri( measured. This is ] the pleasu congregatii mostof th( have been addresses f of this wor great chan generation comoth." you may, b; from your for a longer • — his on ea: The suBje new year, is your thougl THE ALL-SEEING EYE OF aOD, r My Dear Young Friends,— We have, in the mercy and goodness of God been spared through the year that has just passed aw^ And I am permitted to have the privSege ofThus addressing you at your entrance on another of the This is now the twentieth address which I have had the pleasure of writing for the young people of tC congregation. Since the time of thf ff addret most of those for whom this one is now being ^Z* have been born; whilst many of those who receivS addresses from year to year have been called away out of this world. We are thus reminded how many and great changes take place as years roll on. « One generation passeth away, and another generation Cometh. My earnest prayer for all of you is, that you may, by the grace of God, learn to serve the Lord from your earliest days, and then, whether you Kve for a longer or shorter period, you will be the Lord's • — Qis on earth and his in heaven. The suBject which I intend to brine beforfi von thia new year, is one which ought never to be absent from your thoughts by day or by night, wherever you are 350 THE ALL-SEEING EYE OP GOD. or wherever you go, or whatever yon are dof- ■. W... It ever present to your minds it Tm,l^ • ^'® been th, ^^J^.^tn^V^^''^^ ^^ ^* ^^^« The thou^t of & ^.^;.t^f .^t f^^C^^^- persons from taking u <>te .; whicr hunr,!Jl ^.^""^ might havo led the.n .«n rfruin Wh^.'P'^^^^' hereafter. Applied bv 'he Spiv t of' God^if '-f, .*''? you to seek corL.all. the W d"^ LT ^'^^ appointed way; so that'you may beeoL Jot^ ^?^^^^^ a^d of all that pertains to Him, followTrs of t?«^ Christ, ready aud resolved to do his vfUl ITaJl ff "^ and at length inheritors of everlastin; It ^ , ?' t^' «, the truth to which I refer iTSl^^^^ ^T\ jm^Hanoe, viz.: the Omniscie^^^^J^* that h^^ aU-seeing eye is ever upon us ""^^ "Thou, God, seest me. "--Gen. xvl 13. The place where these words were iiH-^m^ away from the habitations or dwdHno^!!? ' ""^'J^' arid waste, you miZ C-Ii" V" "P"" *•>« digging h^/step?^^^ ^ffl^% ln«t?:S7°'°''"' She becom<« ve^ weary, an- d?5.M^t?r; »- =un, ana with the wa,t • water to Quench her thirst, in the ( WLter, refresh: Aas] the Loi He it i Covena] address] solitary corniest not say herself, to the 6] by Sarai wanted This^ be inclin remembe thy mist: wecannc her thus from troi Lord eiti bear it. Howe\ to her, th her. He from the Him as G ingly, wh( to return, promises < THE ALL-SEEINO EYE OP GOD. 361 WLte !^^ :;» J ^"^^^ *« "<"»« to » fountain of ^J die ia thus situated, the «neel of the T«,») .•« He It 18, who was the MessengeV or An™l nl tZ aaaressing her m to the reason of her beinirin this ^mes7tX^a^\';?»«*'>, ^'« -"<», wLni comest thou, and whither wilt thou got" She does Z^I th^^i ™' ?r8' '<" ^"-^ <«'» "•» k^^ W aTrai !« w •'°""'*y' ^^ ''»^ l^en iU-S^ted ^™ * away from that hard treatment This was natural, and though at first sight we micht remember that the Lord said unto her, "Ketum to % mistress, and submit thyself under herhaSs^ Z'^l but feel that there'^ something wJo^^ lZ ^h^ i 5 ? ** ""Sht to have entreated thi UrdMther for deliverance out of it, or for strength to to ?^tZl *^* T^ *"' .*''" ^"^ »» '^^^ «•»»«« he. He h„d •"r^T**."'"' '* '"" *»* -pake to fmm tT 1 8?'?<*''% fo»nd her out^ when away ffim »?o^*,?* ^?'y' ^^ '""' ^ acknowledged Him as God whose law she ought to obey. Accorf- jngly, when He had not only ^ven her t^e ootZ^i «" i^i-um, out iiau held out encouragement to her bv promues of protection and care, she hatefully oty^ 362 THE ALL-SEEING BYE OF OOD. My young friends, the creat +tn,fK these words is, that the eyeS God?« « °^^**^ed in wherever you are, or however you^ 'T "^'^^ ^^"' whether you are in darkn^sl or^n 7^?? be engaged^ are on sea or on land wWif '^^^' ^^^ther you which is good or ^hir^ilhWif^" ''^ '°^« *^»* everything/ He is alwav«L?*'u'?"'* "^« ^^^ know being may observe us r^!w If ?i"'- ^« '^"'^ that none shoulLZe7JtV^^lt^^F'^^''^P^i^ forest; we may he h.Thlr^^'^ *^^ ^"P**»« ofthe shrouded in pLl^lr W t^r^^ One above all others whom w. iJ t^'f '^ ^''^' ^^^ and strive to pham ^ho\Z?J'''^^ ^t^"" ^ °ff«^^* hide ourselves from ffim i-« Ht .^^ a**empt to attempting to hid^ hersdf frl^\*^' ^"^ ««*"ch thrusting ler head Lorbush ^'' P"^«"^^« ^7 but when Jonah thought to Z ^"i^ ^^ ^« ^^i sence of the Lord, and had L.^*^ ^^^"^ *Ji« Pres- the sailors in a storm God^ir ^^'.^""^ overboard by the belly of the mTkiol'L'Z^ed b ^'^' *° ^^ ^ IS no darkness or shadow of SiT u '"" ""P* " There of iniquity may hillCsel'^.'' ^^''' '^' ^^^ters THE ALL-BEEim ISYB OP GOD. 353 change of raiment and the flK "^^ ^^^ ^^^ *he EIisha,Ius master, had icH^^^^^^^^ °'/^^^«''' ^hich he had stowed theinawatl. • ,*°?I**- ^^^ when }^ composure, he wen?^ rr/^T^/^^ '•«^«^ere3 he was wont to dr H^ ^^d stood before Elisha, as "This is done cleveriy ^^fat u °5f * ^° <^«^K and quick as an electric m^l^t^^t^'' ^*^^««i servant darted into the St' '^•''5''''^'*^°^ Ws entered the chamber and ^f^^ul-' ^"^^^ and as he J^id, Elisha chaTeng^'^L ,^^« P ^« ^« ^^ve Gehazi?" Gehazi fflf of^ ' ,?^nence comest thou seest me," when Eltsh^^^^^^^^ *ruth » Thou, S leprosy of Naamf: shalfcW ^ ^^j "The seed for ever." ^^® *° *l^ee and to thy JoSG^i.::j:" ^ r *^ «"* "Wter of fould speak an/ act TbepLj^'Z^? *'" *!?* "^ hear of it again. But wh™^' ?** ""^ '""»" "<>* welcome of W he IZS '^^^!' <'\<">rdM thou me t" the Lord sent *i^;* '.I v'>«ooe knowest into his heart, ^^ he ™!S ^ p ?*' """^""ienoe oalledthee, when thou ^72, t?"^?^ *■"* ^^^'P thee." h; knew no? ThaTt!/'' V?'^' ^»»^ onmisdenceoftheSonofGod ..Thou^p"!^ '"' *•>« Paul was tossine about in' . ?^ ?°^ **««' "ne-" the Meditemnean IJTlh'eV T^'^^fsged ship in -™d in the ^r.^i:Zi7:^rB:r^z t^- 354 THB ALL-SF^iNO BTB OF GOD. a hejivenly messenger stood by his berth, as he -ainlv tned to sleep, and assured him from G^ ;. t^c safety of all m the ship. With what power could Paul then have preached from the words, "Thou, God seest me* I have read bout a man who was in the habit of going to his ne-ghbours» corn-fields to steal the grain. One day he V ok Wb son with him, a boy eight years of age. They crept through a wood ; they stopped to listen ; all was favourable ; they went to work [the boy was stiffened and tired ; and now for the result • Johnny, lad, liold the bag, whilst I look round, and see if the coast is clear." He got on the wall and looked north, south, east and west, and then dropped down, saymg with a bugh : "Not the tip of a nose— nowsour time !» "Father,'' said Johnny, in asolemn undertone, "you forgot to look up there," pointing to the sky. The man, suppo.^ing he had seen aorae one, let go the bag, as if it were on fire, a-j.d cried • "Wh^re child where 1" "Father you forgot to look ip, and see if God was watching us." -?: is s^id tha the father was so affected by this i-eprt .i that he shook the com out of the bag, returned home, and never ventured to steal agam. There was a young man whc was a hypocrite. He had been highly educated, nourished, and bro^ ht up for Crod. He had the counsels and pravers o^godlv parents, and strange to say, his own f .s p med to income to what was internally religious, de aght in a Sabbath school ad none but ChristL. companions, attended rrd spoke at missionary meetings. All this rendered iiis case more hopeless. He was in the midst or wnat was good, and vet wuh HflwofW i«j *.-,„ i— THE ALL-aumm eye of aoD. 355 go.peI-hart -n^d »"»*P'e»-ced his heart; he wta ti^^'CpuTatnlleN^'urh.^^ ""T*'^^ "' »«<'• to his bed room. C he ™f „ ^",1; ^"'^ ^"'"'*^ «>» eye fixed on a picta« of Z ^^•*^" aparu.ent, his wa., burying h£ fC fa t W P'^'^'«»' "e"- There he tenderest oomp«,io„ T„tim A *l 'r?"'"* ''""' voice seemed to say withL i?' t'n^^ '""''ed at it, a ond he stood, MTtrot^^f"= "Thou art the man," '-od was in th. t pC ' S^l "! ^^ =« *e" »l^t feM to the earth. dt^A^it \°"'l""' *«'^«d him- hel.f flat room in ^K^'J"^^"P J"" heart; """1 when He used to say, ' !S S^' ^t T-^ » "ew creature, unlikely of aU sjo- , and . 1^' *'" "^ '" *»* »«>»* th( burning." ^° ''""*^ '*<*ed me as a brand from When, my young friends, doe« not Uod see us » ought to confegs your sins to Kir^ i ' '"' ^^^^ ^o" self a sinner, deservi^g^ his wrak T^'^«^ y«^'- pvene^s through JesuVchrist T^^'^ 'fP^^''^ *«'- ta be away from Gcul 7^X ^° ^^ unforgiven is -d wialZnte'ote: ffitVT ^^^^^^^^ Iiave God for your friend S'-''.^^ ^^^«^^«^ '« *o eternity. He 4ohL hi . '''.*'"'^ ^^^ through God ; he who iT i^p^on^^^^^^^ ^« ^ ^-^ild of and of helL ""P^^oned, is still a child of wrath There is no areatfir M«c«v^ .^ _ . r-giyenes. y„ -".emb^r' tlkr^en TpCty^: 356 THE ALL-SEBINQ EYE OP GOD. man was brought into the presence of Jesus. Ivim? upon his couch, Jesus first of all said unto him • "Son thy sms be forgiven thee," indicating that this was a far more valuable benefit than the healing of his bodily infirmity. And so David says in one of his Fsalms, "Blessed is the man whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered." Now, God sees that you are all sinners, and that you need forgiveness. I have known and heard such a thing, because they thought that others did not know It, or that it could not be proved against them iiut when It was proved, and made clear, or when tney telt that it could not be concealed, thev wnnlri theXt'^*^'^ ^""^ ^"'"" '^'* '^""^ ^^^'^ ^''"^^^ from''*rnH''V' ''° T ?^ *'^^"« *^ h^^« ^'^ytti^g tiom God You recollect ^reading in the Bible that when Achan stole the Babylonish garment and the wedge of gold, no human eye saw him do the deed He went and put them in some secret place, imagin W that no one knew what he had done.^ But God Tl T«!^li Vv.*' ^Z ^''°'^' "^'^^^ ^"^ stand before all IsraeLas the guilty man, who had brought the our^ for a time upon the whole camp or congregation. ' Cam thought, when he killed his brother Abel that because he had taken him away into a retired sdi tary spot, no one would know that he had com wm "What'hTr;. ^":s ^^? ''^ ''' ^-^ «-id^ nina What hast thou done? The voice of tliv brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground!" ^ _lhere is something, too, within Vourselvfi«. wKiVl. wu^ :fOM tijat you have sinned, 'and which oftTn »HE Att-SBEING BYR OP GOD. 357 from whfch vour L J " *'^'^' * ^"^'^ ^^^^hin you, Tour vl? ^^ ^^°°^ ^°"»es and goes throuch all Sn'allvCmdf rr^'^V'^^ «-« ^^ *1^- 4 If you DuWm,?h« ^i"" ^^^- ^^^ ^° y°^ t«°^ that ? beaJnTaLTu s'rou kCT^ '"'^ ^°^ ^^" ^^^ ^* that Ue Zrd wL f \ ^''^f ""^ ' ^^^^ ^^^ «Poke told yorZ LT!, ^""^ '''** something within that wiu you you had done wrons? Thia in ««„ • when vou havA u^^^ 1 j ? "*• *^ conscience. And there is this, too, about oonsoiencp Tf fc« a record of all that yoi do wrZ You ™t v!!"' aakesTspotor stein iZtt Ttr ''^^'^ "» nliZ" ™' * ^"^ •'*'' ^°y by the name of Amos He had a very sood fot.hB,. -ri;. f-^i. ' ■^'": and troubled at the wickednei of hrin'^f e W tned m vain to convince him of his Z Xd to1^d„ce $58 THE ALtrSEBINO EYE OP QQb. him to make efforts to reform. One day t^ie father said to Amos," « Here is a hammer, and a keg of nails 1 wish you, every time you do a wrong action, to We 1 father, I ^1 ! » Before long, Amos came to his father, and said, "The keg is empty, I have used all the nails. Come and see." The father went to the spot, and found the wall black with naUs. He said to his son, « Amos, have you committed a wrong action for every one of these nails ?" "Yes "WW ^^A ^°'- ^^^ ^**^"' ^'^ sorrowfully; wnat a bad boy you must be, Amos! Why will you not turn about and try to be a good bov?" Amos remained thoughtful for a few moments, and then said, " Father, I will try ; I have been altogether ^^A^^r^ I "^^ ^? ^^^^ ^^^^"^ ^^y ' " His father saia, lake the hammer, and for every good act you do, draw out a nail, and put it into your keg." In a few weeks the boy came again to his father, and said Come, father, and see the nails in the keg again' Fm every good act I have done, I have pulled out a nail. See, the keg is full again." " I am glad of it my son. But Amos ! the holes are left ; the holes are What did he mean, my young friends? Why. he just meant this, that the holes were the marks or the stains of his sins, and that they remained, not- withstanding all his good actions, to attest his guilt and to speak against him. You can never, by all your goou deeds— what you may consider good, but (^od may regard them as dead works—you can never by any stood dftHHs wivio aurotr +i,« «*.„: e . ' ihe holes remain in spite of all you can do. Thp *fiB ALt-SEBIKG EYE OP GOD. 359 CuTTgT' *° '""^"^ y°»' •» ^-i-g broken eternal de»th if tte^^i wTJ '^ """ ''^'"« y"" *° greatest consequenlCv™ M t ^T^' ** '^ "^ ^e be removed WW al71 . ^"""T '"'"^ '% are to WordofGod! mat^r,L^''i,*''°"' **'^ " «"« porges the conscience ! tI«!^ **^*' '^^ S"'". »<» prophet Micah X ' \^I rt J"'^. ?^ *'»«• The thousands of r^, or to, k? ^T' ^ ^^^'^^ "i* ShaU I gire l^iZ iT *°»»»nds of rivers of oU 1 •fruit of r/U/f^^th;!'"/ ""^ t«»«gression, the ing but the omJ^me^TJ "^ *""" ^»' »»tb- as effl«=«iour^^'^^e"at;^"ur"T]:^''^ ""^P' Son,'deansett r fror^^^'^^?' ^tT Sll'' ^'''^ K?^'^c;r»r!l-ei:^dt/r.ts ^ould be£ugrf:;°t%fc:S« -; "the, commit s^ old h» Jfl * "" Tx^ y°" ^f™" to the wick^eve.; day V^w ™ ^' '\"^ ^'^ the sight of God so M f„ J' y°." «'?'""'» get out of "»ay 8ta in the dirk Tr „t f f 7'* rP"''"^- Y"" yol heari, btt'^W'i^l^'e™ o7goS^5;T' "'" deeps, over every sin ^ ' **** °»™' ««2, M America-I mean General Lafayette. m tHE ALL-SEEING EVE OP dOD. He tells us that he was once shut up in a little room m a gloomy prison for a great while. In the door of bis little cell was a small, very small hole cut. At that hole a soldier was placed, day and night, to watch mm. All he could see was the soldier's eye : but that eye was a ways there ! Day and night, every moment wnen lie looked up, he always saw that eye / Oh « he says. It was dreadful ! There was no escape, no hid- ing; when he lay down and when he rose up. that eye was watching him ! How dreadful will the eye of God be upouithe sinner, as it watches him forever in the world to come ! Who would be such a sinner ? I hope that none of you will be such a one. And remember, it is not only the sinful action that Orod sees, but the sinful thought and the sinful pur- pose also. The last two lead to the other, and all are hateful m the sight of God. i. Ji^''^^^ ^"v5 M?"^* ''''*' ^^^ *^« ^^«*«^ o^ Joseph in the Bible. It illustrates each of these three kinds of sms—wrong thoughts or foeUngs, wrong plans and wrong deeds. 1. Wrong feelings. Joseph's brothers, you know were envious of him They were jealous of thei^ father^s partiality for him, and amiable as he was. we are told "they hated him and could not speak peace- ably unto him." There might still have been kind treatment at home, and no one might have seen by their manner the feeling that lurked in their hearts : fnT ^^^^*« ^ad gone astray, and on the principle of God s law, they had committed sin. There was guilt, not of action indeed, but of feeling. And the worst of it is. tihflf flio ,«^».«„~ A X . „ l,„ mi-- 'W , ^'^^rzi^ wvcB iiui, UoUaUT stop here. This is the danger. -^ ^ THB ALL-SEEING BYE OP GOD. ^61 2. It takes the second step, planning f « A^ ^ meaning to do wron^. A ffreat Z. wi.- ^^ "^^^^ der a person from carrvt.f w T^ ^^^^^ '"^^ ^^' The providen^o^ Go7m^ restrain T^'/ *^""S^^- ing injury, however he n^^^wf^:^^^^^ brethren lay plans to do hil harm f Vn "* ^^''^.^ " that his father sent him .vS fk ^ i ^ ^°" remember brothers and the1?*fltl"tr^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ when they saw him cominaX! *^ "^ f^^""^^ ^^"<* to slay him." Th^y sSd fn n,7 '"'''!? '"^ ^^^^'^ ^^ therefore, and let us skv h^m T*^^^' " Come now, pit, and we wi frv tm^ ?'-ff '*'V^^^ ^^*« «o°ie- him." Here vl^iT ^^.^. ^"^^* ^^*^ devoured mind, in opposSn to d^L^"'^ P"'^°'"' ^^^^ the do w^on/^rrdottt d rrSa'r'^;-*^ purposes? ^®® *he heart and its to pull him out of th.n;f 77 ™y.. '% concluded Td they didTand teC'td'Xvd" ''^l'^' poor boy's coat in 'the Woc^. fnd carikTit^''*?'' his father, as a Droof th<,t v. i, i t " '"■ """"^ to beasts, iht fsCmy a^ tl JT? ""^? ^^ "■'<• do the laws of men nnntlf ir ^'^ «"''*y »«*'<»is to protect so^i"™ G they pu^nTh a"' T '^^'«"«'' injury done OoHV lL! ^ ^ " according to the aci, therwouKop'^'^rr if ^! S^.^?^™" *f '4, 84 rythmg dean and pure there. 352 THE ALL-SEEING EYE OP GOD. IM Therefore He judges people by their sinful feelings or thoughts He says, "Whosoever hateth his brother thought ^^' '''°* ""^ ^" ^"^'^ '^ '"^ *^^ '^^"^ So you see the danger of harbouring sinful thoughts They may rum all your prospects for this world : and if not quite so bad as that, they always damage L per- tZ'p 7?^^^^*y- But the solemn consideration is, that God judges you by them. It is true, we look at the conduct of people, and we are thankful for all good behaviour. But the most important, the most senous busme^ of every boy, of every man and woman 13 to look after the state of his own heart : for while atX heart '^ ^* *^^ ''''^^^''^ appearance, God looketh Yes, my dear young friends, have your hearts right, clean, pwre. And how can you have them thus, but IJ^tt^Al *?i,^T- *^"^. "^"^^'^^ by *h« blood and sanctified by the Spirit of Christ? "Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shaU be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me." ch Id of God, loving Him and his Word, and all that belongs to Him, you will look to Him as your Father ^^'^wn ^ ^ 1'^^' T '"^ ^^f P'^y^*' ^^"^^ Je«"« taught us "Our Father who art in Heaven." You are awLe that If you love your father and mother, you will trv to please them You will be afraid to' do anything that would make them displeased. So, as the childreS of God, loving Him as your Heavenly Father, you will be anxious to do what He commands you J-you will i^i wy v**eiiH am by your disobeOieiiQQ. You will »Hi au-bSeinq btb of god. 383 truly say with David in the ll<»tl. P=.r „t , vain thoughts, but thy U do i °v„ "^'^ ' I }^ me all ye evil doers T ^n i .? ' ^^P^ from of my God." ' ''''^P **■« commandments upo'i'Tou!"^ S^rhaoswhf ' ^^^ "^^^ ^""^ *--* aSything'Xch TOW oU r ^?" ^'''' *"^f^ *» <•» G.i tell! yoi to CriX '""'^'"^""^^•'d the Word of than reflect that God^^ Ch""" '',° T '"'**^' *''i°8 on you, acquai„t^°^ry„uf allt? / '^''™ "'P and concerned that ym. should rn^* purposes, the^way of his prJ^^^^tT^C X.l^" ^^ «. alarmed him, that he turned Ck *'""'8''* ;w.K&^, -^d :: is^^^^rz p^.r^tT^lfilnrtLanii^!^ if I d? so ■" Gcd'i^S 'Lm, fc 'shaft tf ^ ^ ""1 his eye is UDon mp » T« L liJ ^^^ ^*®^*> and the l^rsonTard^ve u^themZ "tT" '"' "^ ^'*^' him, and e'ven i? he Kot he he J ^' "T'""^''^'' Hn approving conscience '^' 'sstimony of What am I going to do 9" nqto ,5-' cj. ui, .li , .""'"= viiu young are trained up bo fear ftnH or,"^T""° 1U3 commandment.. X reme^perrm:,'''^,':^ t"^ S64 THE ALL-SEEING EYE OF GOD. T:^'^'''* I P'"^^ ^°^' *^^* ^« '"^y n^ake me an Obedient, attentive, anxious scholar, and both make and keep me one of his own children. " What am I going to do?" asks John one holiday afternoon. My mother has given me leave to go out and play with my schoolfellows. Let me not set angry or fight, or call names, or do any mean or wicked thing, for God sees all I think and do, and it garThif kw. '"^ "^ ^^' '™''^ *" ^''^'' ^^ ^'''■ Often ask j^ourself, and never.be afraid to ask- What am I going to do? A bad act will not bear' reflection, as a good act will. "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established Turn from etn^""^*"* ^and or to the left— remove thy foot It will be pleasant, if you are Christians, and try W to do his will, to know that God's all-seeing eve is ever upon you. He looks at you only to see what you need, to keep you from evil, and to do you good. Ill Another lesson I want to impress upon you from the omniscience of God, is, that it should encourage twJ^f r ^^i'" *^^*.^Ji«h i« good, and to do the thmgs that are pleasing m his sight. If you are seek- ing ±lim truly. He knows your hearts, and will fulfil your desires "Then shall ye find Me, when ye shall seek Me with all your hearts." If yoi are labouring to do Ins will, struggling against the wicked inclina- tions of your own natural hearts, He knows it, and will strengthen you for the conflict, so that you shall not be overcome. If you are resisting the aac-nlt^ «f watan, or of ungodly men, upon yoii integrityrSe »HB AIMEEIOT Bra OF OOD. • sgg you^Hsta'dSttL'hSraSl,*; *"- Hebrew worship the golde» ima~ „?h„ J*'°"'8°' ''<»■" not King Nebuchadnemriar' ^r '■"J" *° "»'«' 'he oast them into the bur^nl fiT'^, "^ threatened to 8wered : " If it be so oTon^ ^i. ^'""^- ^hey an- to deliver us from^oZrn^otr ^ ''"' *^ ""e ;^il deliver iis out oUhy lamf oZ "^^ ^"d He be It known unto thee K,,,^ ^l"? B"' « not, ^rve thy gods, nor worahin^i^* t^* ""^ -^''l not thou hast set ip." Se k,L ? ^v''''° '""S^^ 'hat the furnace to be heated sew-f;' ' '"'"''' ""-dered and that these three vou„!T T f'"'*' 'han usual, bound hands and feft |ht j'"""'* ^'^'^ '"*» " furnace, and the heat was^;™,.^» «?f t into the took them up to cast them S th^fl ^^ '"^'' ^''° andT^rup^L't:fe"r/sp*^^otl '^' "«'»•''«'■ sff-L^i^rc;:£'r^^^^^^ -: king, True, O king. H^ InZT^ *".^ ™<^ ™*° the four men loose, vtlkinJ^iTT^i'""^ '»'<>' ^o, I see they have no hirt STIthp f ""'t*."* *''« «"«, and the Son of God » ' ** *°™ »* *he fourth is like Jesus was -ro-iVi, j.t •_ •• ttt's. '^ijF^i' *h^^"'-ho"tr j:'^'^- ^"^ - -ai that the highest honour ' tney can have ? If you are 366 ¥H8 ALL-SEBINO BTB OF GOD. ^stmg HiHa, He knows and approves the faith which He hath given you. If you are striving in the midst of difficulty and opposition to do his will, He will be with you, to succour, and comfort and guide you. Some of you may attain to places of honour and use- fulness and influence among your fellow-men, if God is'pleased to spare you. But the portion which you will find the best, and most consoling and satisfying at all times, is that of God in Jesus Christ, as your Father and Friend, to feel that He is yours, and that you are under his omniscient eye, doing his will, and working his work, and striving to do good to all around you. Jesus says for your encouragement ; « If any man serve Me, let him follow Me. And where I am, there shall also my servant be. If any man serve Mel him will my Father honour." That this may be the experience of all of you is the earnest prayer of, My dear young friends, Your very affectionate Pastor, Alexander Topp. •ffoBONTO, li« January, i57*. Mi- Deai You he who was as a Slav did that \ do the sa father, an the way. from all e^ shewing I rose to be Egypt, an( he controll charge of t had orderei plenty. ^ others froi whilst the "Go to J attend to it So, there are invited Christ, the All mankini COME TO JESUa M y Dear Young Friends,—. whl^l^^r^^^^^^^ Joseph, as a slave. They hated h^L' T **H'' '""^^ %3^P* did that which was ri^t an^' *^?^'\««,he Wed and do the same. He^^orteTl^'^'^M^l' brothers to father, and therXX? sou.ht t?' f 1"^ *" ^^« the way. But God was ^f^ 1,1 ^ F^ ^'"^ ^"* ^f fn>m all evil, enabllrhim to cfco tr^l' *^^ shewing him favour^ From S a ?' '"*^ ^'^^ rose to be the GnvAm^* ^7x1 ^ ^ ^^*^®' Joseph Egypt, and ^^^'.^^^^^^^^Wul kingdom ^„f he controlled aU the affa°Zf tM^' jjf « B*'; charge of all the treMiir»= J , •- "* ™<' '"U had ordered tTto S 1 ^ '" t?"* *""^ ''"-=•' ^ plenty. When^yTthT-oKtr™" ^^"^ °* others from the nati„n» !j? T ^^ «>»ntry, or whilst the years orfSe7r,. T' *" ^"^^ "o™. "Go to Joseph iZhL^' **^ <=<»»">and wa^ attend^ it, a^^s«SyyCC^^«' -'' ''^ ^^ Christ, the S.~vlou;"o?rCen,"' vr»' T" ''^"^ AU mankind are ^er."Te/™^rdlrr Z 367 868 OOMB TO JESUd. wrath and curse of God both in this world, and in the next. Now it is Jesus Christ who alone can save any sinner from destruction. " Neither is there salvation in any other ; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." " He came to seek and to save the lost." " He is willing and He is able to save to the very uttermost all that come to Him." And God directs you and every one to go to Him, when He says through John the Baptist, " Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin qi the world." God will have all men to " honour the Son, even as they honour the Father." And whosoever does rot believe in, and serve and obey Christ can have no part in the kingdom of God either here or hereaf > v four safety, your happiness, your present and eternal v;elfare, depend on your being the followers and serx;i.nts of Jesus Christ, loving Him above all, arid doing his will supremely in every thing. It is for this reason that I have resolved to address you at this the commencement of a new year, on the subject, '*Come to Jesits." I pray for you above all things that you may do this. There is nothing you so much need. You may get many friends in the world. You may have parents, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, and other relatives, who are very kind to you, and seek to do you good. You may get presents at this season from loving friends — it makes you glad to receive them. We rejoice, with you in all this. But there is one thing needful. And this is, that you may have Him as your dearest, your best, Vrmr or\r\ai:a-ni- iTrtu*. A Iw.^^ I,.. T?-I«^J T£ He is your Friend forever, He will save you from COME TO JESUS. 369 sm and Satan and death, protecting you from all evil, and bestowing upon you everything that can enrich your souls, and make you useful, and true, and faith- A QuM'*'^^- . ^^^ ^^"^^ ^^^^ ^« *« y«« your Sun and Shield, giving you grace and glory, enabling you from "P"^^*^^' ^^^ withholding no good thing A Httle converted girl, who had been a heathen, when asked if she loved Christ, answered, " Yes I do and I desire to love Him more." When asked, why she loved Him, when she had never seen Him. she replied " He loved me first, and died for me on the cross, that I might live." My young friends, no one can be happy, unless he has the love of Christ shed abroad in his heart. But with Him, you can be happy anywhere and every- where. Soon, perhaps, your father and your mother may be laid in the silent grave. Soon, too. will your triends and relatives pass awav, one after another; but if you love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth. He will never leave you, nor forsake you: never grow weary in taking care of you, and providing for all your wants. And when you come to die. He will make you happy even then, for you shall « ever be with the Lord." God has been pleased to give me the privilege of addressing you again at the beginning of a new year He has mercifully spared us all, whilst we have seen many as young as any of you, and some from amongst yourselves, cut down by the stroke of death during the year that is now past. I desii-e, therefore, to avail myself of the present opportunity which God is giving me, of entreating you wamsmmasma IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 11.25 |io i"^" IIIII^H £ US |2.0 IIIIIM 1.4 Hill 1.6 9 Photographic Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WeBSTer, N.T. t4SB0 (716) 872-4503 V 'o^ iV '.N LV '^ ^ J^i^ ^ m tOME TO JVBVd. With all earnestness to come to Jesus, and irive von,, hearts to Him now. I hope that some of fo^ whj may read this, have done so already. But I sincarelv long that every one, into whose hands thisZZZ with fT-' Tl^' persuaded and enabJed to comp^ with the mvitation, that you may have life, and that more abundantly. * ^** I. By whom are you called and invited to come to Jesus ? I am sure that when you think who^Lv Td orvJ'^.^"*' *'^* '' "^^ sLuld brhslned^t! and obeyed, there are none who deserve to be so like notidn^ «"' '''*^ *'^ "^''"^''^^ -^^'J^ -e -e n* in ^'^' T"" *'**^^''• *^® 8^* <^'«a*or and Preserver of all, m whom we live and move, and have our beW caUs upon^s to come to Christ. In the Old tS ment Scriptures, long before Jesus appeared upon the earth. He said regarding Him, "Behold my Lrvant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my so^^St eth I haverput my Spirit upon Him, and he shall K forth judgment to the Gentiles." "6 Zion, that b^^ est good tidings, get thee up into the high mounteS^- O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, Uft up thy ZSZ\''''''fVJ^t ^*^P' ^ nSt afraid! say the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his am, and his work befo^ Him. He shaJl feed his flock like a shepherd : He shall gather the lambs TnLV fS ^^^^'^"y them in his bosom, and fll ^ T?- •*^'''^, ^^\^'^ ^^*^ young.--l8ai;h xl. »-ll. This IS SDoken nf .Tob,i«. nu^^i. -°u . A ^ --,,«„ ---iiiiou^ TTiiu was lio ap- COHB TO JE8V8. 371 Jjar as the pmt Shephe«l, to lay down his life for the sheep. And again, « I, the Lord have called Thee m righteousness and will hold thine hand, and keep ^\TJ^1 ^^^ ^°^ ^ covenant of the people, tS open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the pnson, and them that sit in darkness from the prison house. Thou shalt be my salvation unto the ends of the earth." In the New Testament times, when Jesus was about to enter on his public ministrv oT J5? ^ 2^""^ descended on Him at his baptism iu a bodily shape, like a dove, and, «lo, a voice from heaven, sa^ng : This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." And so also, at the time of his trans- hguration on the mount, with the three disciples, "A bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold a voice put of the cloud which said : This is my beloved Son iS ^S.°S ^ ,*"" "^^^ P^®*«®^ '- hear ye Him." "This is l^JftV ""'": ""^^ ^^* ^«' ***** e^ery one who L^kig^L ""^ ^"^''^*^ '"^ *^' ""^^ ^^""^ ^''^^' God the Father provided the means of salvation in t ^IS^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^* *^e«"s C*»"st. When it was asked. Who will go for us? and whom shall I sendt the Son answered. Here am I, send me : "I delight to do thj will, O my God, yea, thy law is withSi my r I:*j,.. ° .^^"^ *h** '^e^"^ hath- come and accom- plished his work, that salvation is freely offered to all— eve^ one is at freedom to take it. "God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that who- soever bv-^heveth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." r . -. ^^.r^-^o, ao vixv iDvn ui uoa, mvites and caiis yon to come to Him. "Come to Me, and I will give you d72 OGMS TO JBSUa Fathe? Helf ;,Si^™.''' r'' omnipotent «, the »nai3t. ..All thing, were mKy Hi^^^^ ••e., If ye do not acknowledffe and beliftv^in \r ^^ But Jesus invites and calls you to come to TTim «^* ■•„ !. 7*7=^" ™ ^PPew in thoir room and steaH • „^ uijoyful exultation exclaimed '.1 will ~«. ii. from the power of thn «Z^t -n j """om them death ; O dS I ^n ^Ik' 7*" '^**" *«» *«>» be thy deSoi^'l:^ J/^S^-f^ "^H*^^?' ^ "^ W claim, upon aU of y^t tor^atiJ'l'TP.'l' ^• and willing, devoted obLuenoe^f^^*"^! ^ ^^ much, anri anffo^^j u . , " *"y o^® "ad done , „...^„ ^„^.„ ^ Q^ ^^^ good,— if he had l^l^t^it l^^iLy'k'*^^ |^9y^ COMB TO JJtSUS. 373 that he'shoJld h^e S^ n'ri'l^ ^T ^""^^ '«>» or suffered so mSfe, „„ t" *"" ''»»« «° «"•«'«. might Peter ly«T;^ T ' ?" '^'"™ ^^™" Wei Thi J ThTu^ S?r^' ^/""T <»" "« go but unto believe i^^J^Lr^' of eternal life, ,„d we of the i.""/^ " A,^7?r "f *' <^"'*> t''* Son •ooursed when the Lord cometr' ' '" ^ ^ ^^ItTffir' *^''™* *?"*™ »""» comm»ndf you to ^MS'Sd^iii^'rro^HH^-"-^ from the dead iS th^ ° • u ""i^. "^^^ "< *orious triumphing oterp^feS'^w^riSfJ?"' captivity captive «»!?« ^roJ """ P^^^^Sj -ind leading of Vi Vpo^ir. ao^tdi;^ XXi^t XT^ V his resurrection from the de^ " ^w;rt 5° "*"' blood He hath now enterS i^lu uf" '"' "^ ^ving obtained eter:r;^empM„^^fo''r°ur "Lf' u the ,omV,Ar^grt^r^4rr/-»ii 874 CX>][B TO JE8U8. judge mankind for the manner in which they have treated his call, surely it is the part of .visdom to go to Jiim at once, with all eagerness and delight. ** Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee. O Lamb of God, I come ! " Further, the Spirit and the Bride say "coma" Come to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person ot the Trinity. Jesus was anointed with the Holv Spirit above measure, to quaUfy Him for his ardu- ous work. But "the Holy Spirit was not yet ^ven because Jesus was not yet glorified:" ie the Holy Spint was not poured out so largelv and extensively, till Jesus had died upon the f c^,^^ tr^ and then put his cross into fhe hands ^^^ Spmt, as the powerful weapon for subduing ^d meltmg u,to obedience the hard heartsTf^mTn And h^ce It was that Christ said to his disciples* when they were cast down and disquieted by the prospect of his removal from them, "It isexi^ient for you that I go away: for if I^o notaw^tL Comforter will not come to you; but if I Srt I wJ send Him unto you, and^when He is co2? Ho l"dUr"%TL^""' '' righteousness and of judgment. He has been ever since, I meon since the death and resurrection and ascension oTchris? thus dealing with the hearers of the Gospel, and ^th the consciences of men. He is the author of all good !:;iri>.^r..^_^i«*« ,*^? ^^y. «*"-i^g« after the ^_.^.^,„« .^^ vitfis^, ajiQ mv givuig Qi your hearts to "OUS 10 JMvg, S7S °L°^to J^?, " J"^ *^« Holy Spirit calling you to Samuel when XTl^'^^t^"ii "^ ^"^ «»"«» » young woman u to tliit "^«°''«'' the experience o£ I was about five yean, oU r * «fT« "*•"■» • "Wiien death o£ a certaLC^" "' i"^ "> 'J^tt'e book the whisper, ' Though'^^r are ^ """ething seemed to Why do you nft ive ToJT'^l ^»"' ""^ ^ie too. prepared?' I felty^Srfr' *? •P'^'- »d be a still smaU voice aS if / '''"'« ' •»" ** w«8 Then again, two o?£ yd^J-^.^" "in pUy. » dead body from which ^ "ter, when I fii -t ^w something s^emeS^to w ^» "V'^.«»''«- Then the daysltf thy youtlT^ ' < -^ T*^ *'? <^'^tor in shaU fiid Me.' Sn T U ?^ ^^ ""* "^^ Me early few days as beto^Ztm^T^r'^ .'"'' «»*«' fe' • Boon ceksed. As7'<^ttlder l°^?,"l' ™''»' ""d it and less frequent, a^dmtfht tt'^'^n^"* '""*« have ceasedlltogkh^. Kt^ttanks'to h^ ' «°°*'*"' blessed voice came again ZdTt^ ^ *"? °'«'^' the »ol the Spirit ' sounS from rt« ■ "^"Z^' ' ^"'k were again «peateS ta my 1^' T/*'*'? "P"- ""• bed atmidnieht I m.w.^„ • ' ^, '°*ed upon my ready to io.f'^ttlTZ 'Tt'^T^rf^^* /, and from that time resolv^dVn i? i*'?' ^^^ "^ all my life. Then pZe ill • T ^''^ ^^^^ ^^s* could sleep sweetly -^fri had ^^^^ ^^'^Und I the heavenly voice ^ From th. A ^^ *°^ ^r^^v^ev^ "ii' 876 COMB TO ntJJB, Jng yon to love and serve Him. If you do not listen now, you would not under any circumstances. Child- Hood soon passes; and the noise and din of earthlv cares soon droyn the calls of God, and they thus are often unheeded, till it is too late. Christ loves the young. And when he was on earth. He blessed child- ran, and said, "Of such is the Kingdom of God." Now the next time you hear the Spirit's voice calUne you to come to Jesus, say, "Here am I; for Thou didst call me, and trusting in the Lord for help, try to obey the vojce. He wiU give you grace to obeV, tf you ask it. " o j, ^ Once more. There is another who caUs you to come to JesTis. The Bride as well as the Spirit says come. In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle Johil tells us that he heard in vision a voice saying unto him "Come hither, and I will shew thee the Bride, ^e Lamb s wifa " There can, then, be no doubt as U> ^e meaning. The Bride is the Church, or people, of God. They also invite you to come. They have themselves come. They have been made wimng in .hnst, one with Him, members of His body, their great business among others is not only to Uve holy hves, to walk in the Spirit themselves, but to beseei and exhort their fellow-men to do the same, to mve thwr hearts to Christ, and thus to be saved eternally. When Hobab, the son of Eaguel, Moses' father-in- law, who had been on a visit to him, as he was on his way through the wilderness, spoke of his going back to his own country and people, Moses said to him, We^are journeying unto the place of which the Lord saiu, X WiU give it to you, Come thou with us, and we r^ «*IM TO ngOI. 877 wai do <^ee good, for the Lord has snnW«. 3 ceming Israel." Whfln n.J™. v P "™ 8°*^ "«■ deluge upon theear7h,be«ut^^K:''''"* *° i"""* *"" nesg which prevailfid v!,?k the universal wicked- ~ved from the com"ng d^tr^'if" A^^ ""«'" <« They hav^t: :,t° LmU::; \"r *°,$"^*- you into the ways of Z yZ w^\'""'^'^ *»^» worda of heavenly wisdom ■< M ^"Z ^"^ever, the thee, consent S^^" 'b5^ T' "^ '"'«'" «"«<» ^^t.^.-'bESt?""--^^^^^ when thosewho W beerS?aled\'^'?t *T^^'- «»' Him to you. do not dXet go^^^'^f^ ""^-d «ys,..«ndethUfl AuteytS^Kvel^It?^ me mto the presence of the Quee^ or tfe ^vf^S^^ come OB auutiy. And they have t",«%«,■■ OOMB TO JI8U8. let some stroni? onn in ,.,u , '*^^**' -But oome to your ZZd ZlZlZlJ""'" ""ll*''''""^ you to do it. viu wonid l?h ne'P you, and enable down, .nd the feeT.er^!!!;:^^^:,';^.]'^ t"« oome to Him for the need^l sttngth "Au\b!""° Ye believe in ^, M^lZlT^ "* ^"""'"^ tolnrb"eSrrrt\t\^lt*T""'"*!^"T boys w^'re .ZZg ZlJ^wlTt^^T '7'"" '<"« practice of throwing TnTC 1,!™'?' <>»n8««'<« of the boy,, by ^^T^ ^"'^^K a'^"' toward her, and struck her a cru^ blowT »\ °* She was carried home in great affomr tS ** "y*" sent for; and a vervnSniT ^•.- ™««"8:«onw«» neoessar^. When t?e mZ^ "P*™*;""? ™s declared yet," she reolied " Wi,o* / ^' . , °' lather, not my chad r ^Vf f^antTo I ""/^^ "^^'^ "« *« ^«^* K to Jesus first » Z ^""^.^^ '^ y^"*" ^*P' a«d pray to_ Jesus first, she answered. And then lrn«.i-?i fTfhT^^° t'^"" moments, and afterwaiW submit;^ to the operate with the patienoe of a wom^ ^ ! ■■ I 382 OOMB TO JESUS. How beautiful this little girl appears, under these t^ing cncumstances ! Surely Jesus hea^ her piWr u^z S: nZ r^ ^^^' ^^^'^ '^^' ^^ ^-^> -^o -1^ 3. They are specially called to come to Jesus, who are inquiring after the way of life. AH are. by nit^e far away from God. When Adam and Eve hS smned, and fallen from their high estate, they were driven out of Paradise, and a flLing s^ord! wS turned every way, kept the way of the tree V Hf e The tree of ,,£^ ^^^ ^j^^^ f^^^.^^J ^^ or ^e -to all their posterity. If any one tried to enterTn LTri;^*''''''' ^' ^'^ T^ «^^"' ^« ^«"Jd have to meet The wa;y of life was, therefore, barred up aeainst the entrance of every man. The flam ^ng swTrd me^a ^Z'^1 'u^' ^^' *^^^' *" ^®re to be subjected to «?v VtT ^^"l^^«-r^> all would peri^ eternally. But Jesus undertook to meet the flamini? sword, and to suffer the penalty of death for alW^f believe in his name. He did so in the fulness of time He appeared on the earth for this end. He came ^d Zt^aZ'^^r^-^' Heobeyedfndrff:^' breath «Tf?«fi ' i! f °!? "^^^^^ ^*^ ^^ «^Pi"ng satisfied the believing sinner is saved; God is now c£t.» ' ''^ *^' J"''^^'' ^^ ^^ *^* believeth il Accordingly you will recollect how He said in one place, «I am the way and the truth and th^ lifT- no man cometh unto the FnthAr b"* k^ tw^ » ^ / ? justice o( God, and iUng^Kem^l^i^Zt^o^ COME TO JESUS. 383 to God even bfhi» o^nuZ T« "^^1 <^ocm He IS the light thp w f- Y?' Z*™' « 'te way. -What would fSe'ea^httiSt^h *l^t "^f '^ ^^^ Just consider. IT^ CuU t • **..^''* * «>« «m J would be no ligh^noTifo nn^h"" ^^■•^«™- There - ness and death^ It wast wh "«''"* '^'"»>''«™- ae hands of God" Z^rtl " "'''^*r •»»« ^om void, and darWs w«^^T r*""* '""' O"'' God said, let there ^^Z° „i *t **°* "* *"« <«eep- In like manner all ;. * • .*"<',*'>ere was Ught. ^ ^'^y^o,,tcS\fi^ly'I^;^l^rtness i/the soul shines into the W ^t'Zfs^''^.'»-'«S- =« *?a«h yon and enable von t^^- ?"?• ^^ '^ give your hearts to Hii to ?n^t • ^ir"? "^ "»"«' *» «J™tion and all your de^*™^^.^?" '-<^\ your Chnst y6u will be ^ided infte wX^f f f v"' """"^g *» Will be as the shining li^ht „! Z^ °* We— your path follow you all the lyroVlu^'}rf'"''r~y*»" dwell in the house of Z U^°Zlt "" ""^ "^ Jes'us.'^^^li^th^ttnt^'"^*"^ *o o-eto who is thirsty X to \a" eTd"!:? ri' ^« °"» the cool, refreshiM spS fej** "l^**' fr"™ womoutandfatimedin^' , "f' yhen he was hem, where the PbiuZ,^ ^Tt"^^ "«»' Bethle- daimed in his loS Cre !^ ? «'™"»°' «='■ out of which he h<^^„ it;r"'r'*™8 the well thirst, "O! thatoTwoSd J i"!^' loo^'hed his of the well of BetUehir tfcf*™ "'! "J™^ »* the water H,!.,.. , , "™'enem, that is at tliA o«f^ i'> a . ., vuitcvjf suunongs for thA TOO* iti.T"?'"^' oocne «.. throneof G^od andt? tre1^^bnr>:tfr;^ 'fi 384- OOMB TO JB8U8. Christ Himself, for thus He spoke on thelasL th^ great day of the fea^t, "If any man Thirst l^i^ come to Me and jirink. And whosoeve7£nketh of the water that I shall give him shall neverTir^ but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a Wll ot water, springing up unto everlasting Ufe." How ready Jesus is to bestow Himself upon the believZ soul, and to take up his residence there by faitS learn from his own words "If thou knewest the' ^ of God and who it is that saith to thee, give mfto drink, thou wouldst have asked of Him, a^d^^ wo^^ have given the^ living water." ^ T ^' -^^^' yi*ho«t exception, are called to come to Jesus All stand in need of his mediationrf o^Sl aJ^ I f 1. Y''*^ l?""* ^ "'^^' I ^1' and my voice is to the sons of men." " Whosoever 4ill, let him t^tf the water of life freely." None are Scuded'^h^So not exclude themselves. Whatever or howeve7manv may have been your sins, Jesus will not S to receive you « This is a faithful saying, and wo,^*^ of aU acceptation, that Christ came 4to he w^?d!to save sinners, even the chief." He Zdly^eloLt all who-come in faith and earnestness and sfc down upon them the richest blessings oihuZ^ and ^ace. The fountain lies open 4h the fr^i^J uXu" "^ «Acc.rding'to your M^X^^ ^^}i'^?^. ^^** *^® y^^ *o come to JesusI TJ„-h ,*« »ny person, it is generally for somn ™.ir>«.J o- w«eu ,ou we called to ooie to Chriat,^i'i,lo, S'i oom TO jEaug, 38S hath ploa^dthe Vlth- ?h'^^ n^"'" ^»" ""'»• I* ues8 dwell AnH fh- '. h' '" ^''"'* »'"»>l •" «<«- Amongst those who have h<.«n «.ii«j our n,id.t by death during the year find srT' '"t here. An enaaam™ lif+i^ u « T ^' ^^ existence «!, t J , ^"S^S^^g "ttle boy of five vears nf ««« who had been for about a year ill wJasIdaZl, J' away at last from his loving m^ntet^^ ^*^^^ family, two Dromi8in•« the moomparabljr more glorious «^^i' k"'°"'«°'' Son and Divine Lord *" °' his greater 396 THE PERPETUITY OF Messianic; I mean, referring to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. There may be a few expressions in the com- mencement of it which can bear application to Solo- mon, or the government of any earthly kingdom, and which might be advocated as terminating in him. But taking the whole Psalm together, it seems to be a pro- phetic delineation of the surpassing greatness and glory of the Messiah, and also of his kingdom, and govern- ment and work, the elevated inspiration of a soul thor- oughly in union with the purposes of God as to the triumphant progress and the perpetuity of the Church of Christ. Splendid and imposing as Jerusalem, the city of the great king, became during the reign of Solo- mon ; great and decisive as were the victories with which his arms were crowned ; extensive and enriching as were the conquests which he made, and largely as the nation flourished in all the arts of peace during the greater part of his reign, after the days of battle were over ; the language of the Psalm would be nothing but exaggerated and out of place, when understood to ap- ply to anything of wordly grandeur or fame, anything merely human, which had ever appeared upon the earth. As we begin, and proceed with the reading of the Psalm, our thoughts are irresistibly drawn to Him to whom all the law and the prophets bear witness, even the Branch from the stem of Jesse, growing out of his place to buUd the temple of the Lord, the King reigning in righteousness, coming to judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth, of the increase of whose government and peace there shall te no end ; and then, when we read that his subjects shall be as the grass upon the ground for multitude, that all the nations shall be blessed in Him, wid come »HE REIGN OP CHRIST. 397 amen, and ampn » "ii j ,^ . ""'^^ wi<^h Ws elory any question, is the Sonof P^! p ^^' ^«''®' ^t^out Beliverer of our fallen rlt hi f'y'"'^' *« mighty destroyer, He who t^Ti^tl"^"'' °' **f S^^o' "tCS ^»f^ *^" H«^' ^"^'. """' '"'" '"- HeWj^l„t:LtewL'' r^'',"^"''"^ •". dom and subdues subjects "ffiin^.r^r ■■'» ^'^S' »onal caU, the call of his Word aS,^f his own per- tave been broueht intn 1,1° 7 ? j ?'"*• -*J>d if we glory in wXlove 'eJ^fr % '* '' <■»" *<> a« the highest honour of ™. IV •'^^f' '* "^^ "'ga'd it to have teen mTe pl^" "/J? '^l?"^ !» Him, and rejoice in every „;p^S^tylert?'„Tr 71''" hw praise, to acknowledge 0.11^1,1? ? ^ eelebrate supremely for all ihZhH "7 °'>''gations to Him time, anl'iL'^alf'tt^rtii'hor'r' ''^"'^ '" and glory beyond tbeZ.TZl toT 1 ?""»'tality honour and extol »n^ ^ ' j t^ •*" ^'i** '"e -r ^' *^« -quests whi^h S — ^»u< otisuuou mo pre-eiuiuent place which ho occupies m the histbry of the world from Cteing »HB EEIOS OV CHEIS*. m future Ze^ldVh^rf^T "J^ *^« C'"^'' '«» «S to build-up Xe Chur h of rW* '"''°"°"' ««■<"*» of the earth. * '^''™' ^"'"ns the nation. or^^'iirof*«rsr;"p'i'''-p'"«'^ in material thinira whom tl,» „ m *"*"" °* mankind with Chri .TfJ''^ .t! "'^^ rZ^""' "o^P^ed appear m the hltnsVtheZ r^"**^* ""'^ ** ^. On t^:tX"tcSKam"etsf r^?^ ?Sl l.« name wiU endure, and l.Z^S^U'^U.l*^ divinity in Him who nndlZ^ rt "p "^V^^i^ God, and can mediate for ^ bit fiS"? ^w.'"'?:'^ dTr^a;i^t'tu»r"-^^^^^ satisfaction to ale tati^*"^? ^JW^^^rr"' ""d robbery to be equIfwTth God » « h' '^n"^.^* ^* '^^ blessed for ever " « Hi« «^ v. ,?® '^ ^^^ *'^«'" ^^i #.»! Til n » ■'^^^ '**"^® shall be called Wondfii. ftil, the Counsellor, the Mighty God. f.b« pl.u^.l!- X aiiaer, aua the Prince of Pparp » Wo7" 11 ' ' ""'=""« 400 »HE PERPETtJITT 0* GodB. But on this we need not enlarge. Did we ^th the Unitarians believe that Christ f'only a ^! ated being, however high, we are chargeabWth ^ femty in worshipping Him; we havHoS^wt have no hope as sinners. But, blessed b«rn5 have no such faith. He is EmlnueT" GoS and^^^^ in two distinct natures and one person." ' ^nL . !i u ^?* "^^^"^ ^^^ "Po^ his work of humili. l^^e '^^TT^ su^ringsand death fX S?« 1 J I. ** i^® ^^^^ Word, the Son of God should become flesh and dwell among men °hat rr^ should put Him^lf in the ioom of ^trcr^atres rebels agamst Ws authority and lawi-uffi w to do for them what they could never have done for titemselves, and to endure for them all that tW werl hound to endure, in order to procure salvation -thT^i! the most wonderful of aU mysteries Orw • !i. J?y«^^ of^godliness, God mSrS'the 5^1 M' prehend it. And we, of course, can only say the lovL displayed therein passeth our 'knowledge^ Yet ^^ It not been displayed, salvation, so far as we know ^^^^y^sini^ftrh:^^^^^^^^^^ tZTt'lr'^'^'^^^^^ aKrierouTto the fiiU the determination which He had formed "I delight to do thy wiU, O my God, yea, XHaw i» wiain my heart," what but everksLg hSsSTenl 'fcyt ^"'^'"^ *™'*''' *« *'«'J« i"^*" Sut He shrank not from hiown.n- ,*om the terrible conflict wiS 'the",;kked ^r^?' ^c*eyed the law, not for Him.e«:b„t Me'mightt able to present a porfecf ,!»!,» »to all and upon al tl^'^'t^jOU^^" 'hich shall be 4ed for sins, but not hS ' w^ /f^*' '^^ Mes^mh death which istelo'rter 1 »''^<''»«'. »<• founded character ^Zh yLi\^''V'^ ^ ^«"- W«. and blessedness in heaven r?* f ' everlasting believers you are indebted Tfte f».f *° *"' *•>»* «^ and peace and nv^^^iuZ- ™® ™* ^^nse of oardnn benefit of XStX^tt^""' ""<• '»^" "member, I tr,«t with tr ' w^^""" r" foP"^ ^ sumnce of feith, at the tebl. „f f^ ?"' ^"> M as- ''bich hath gathered nmu! J *'' ^■^- I* w this «™th, "God forbSlhaTj^lf ^?^ *". =™' «»y4^ oross."etc. It fe this, ^wt" ft ?'"^' f ™ in^th^ bebeved which makU ^hTI^rti '' P'^^^f'"^ and praises of Emmanuel • an,??f ? !J. • "^"nd idth the mansions of heaven ;ith A *" "^^^ "»' A" tU tory and triumph! "Wortfv,-,"?rr^ ^""^ »' *i<- slam to receive power »^!f^ f ** ^•°'' which was 3 The fame on^rChrto'S "d"' •"'^''■"°'" «^ his glorious resurrection »^ 1 .•'"Wed also from right b,,,, ^ s^^st'cwr^*''^^'''''™"^ all things to the Church. He laM^ ' *"'' Pead over He might take it again. He d M .^'^ "' '"" *»' sepulchre with a ffreat ^tn.. <• ed and was laid in the »f led, but it was^:^^:^^^,?" **'."'™«' "nd of death. He had renCd ™??* ?\'"']'''' ■« """Wen h'w. He had baffled ^Hh/^^f. *^<«»»« to the °a»n, so that he could say "'■&"„ • """ """ning of Cometh and hath nothinfta Me' ^^'^.°^*'"' ^"'•W ^^ -my on his own glund^^^i^g^^t r *! m ras PEBPBT«rlTt 69 eras of the tomb ; and now nothing remained but that He should, as the mighty Conqueror, burst the fetters of the grave, and in the fact of his resurrection give the assurance that his work is a finished work, that by one offering up of Himself He biith forever per- fected them that are sanctified. He hath thus assured all his believing people of their resurrection in due time from the power of the grave, the body as well as the soul redeemed. He hath promised them with a similar ftssurance, that they also shall at length follow Him to be where He now IS, in the fact that He appears as their forerun- ner in heaven. And consequently the Holy Ghost hath thus recorded his fame, and the ground of it which we have already mentioned : « He humbled Himself and became obedient . . . wherefore, also God hath highly exalted Him," etc. On these grounds, then, hJB glorious and divine per- son and character, his wondrous work of redemption for his people, being made a curse for them, and then h^s exaltation to his mediatorial throne as universal Lord for the interests of his Church—on these grounds does the renown of Jesus rent. In every heart that has experienced the benefits of his salvation He reigns supreme. He is the chief among ten thousand and the altogether lovely. Praise waiteth for Him continually in Zion, in his ransomed Church, where- ever any are found doing his will and working his work. Even the consciences of the ungodly stand in awe of the despised Nazarene. Infidels have in their last moments prayed to Him for mercv. And a» nnn generation after another passes away, and the songs Qf the redeemed are heard mora extensively through- "ore numerous crowns' ^t u-^^"" ^n^iro'ed with -d sovereign and Sn'us*"^^^ »* "^ «»^ n. "We come novir in *i.^ ^endure," etc. WhaSver is -J^- = "^" '^o «nd mcrease give value to c^vS,.?'*'^ Permanence The meteor may flash briehS wi * "?"='' *« P<»«ess. *^s TT" '" " "oSt ^&'' ^\oiy. and mains brilliant as befoiv. o *™ ^^d star re. ;™table a« the wind How S'te^"' *™» " °C "nown of one eclipsed U the T?^ '?"'°«^' ™» » the or talents of anothw J How A?*™',?"''*'- or sfcm pen that the idol of JvZ *'«1»ently does it h^ 5^ost forgotten ot ifttte I^tS^^^^• "'y «»» & Jesus has never faded in ito 11 ^"' **« »«"'« S t-^y. just as before his a^nJL '^- On the con- exjjectation of his oTi^JTf^"'* ■>» tieearthX intensity, as the f^Zf ti'„ f^ " ardour,^ »i?ce He came as the "21 If ^ *'°'^ "PProaehedrso "•^wn is matter „f*;r„^^°?»-» "f his name „r »•«'-♦>', I have e^taVted One >** ^"'P °" »»« thatt -HehadgUy^-I^C^lTfctSlS: ,. and ^f .-i ■If 404 THE PERPBTUITY OB' the assurance is given, • . will make Him my at boni, higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for Him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with Him. His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days o^* heaven." So also by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, *J When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sm. He shall see his seed, He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands." And again it is promised of Him ''My servant shall deal prudently • He shaU oe exalted and extolled, and \ie very nigh." 2 We argue for the perpetuity of the name of Onns. from the fact that it hath kept its place, though assailed by the strongest opposition o wicked men and of all the powers of hell , th# so tar from losing its ustre it has been more and more honoured, anc his kingdom hath gone on extending itself from one period to another. From the time when after the fall Ot our first parent^, God said to tht .Id serpent, the devil I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed,-* it has been found t^e both m the OM and New Testament economy thas 'he who was bom after the flesh persecuted him who was bom atter the Spirit.* When Christ ap- peared upon the earth. He came unto hi& own, and his own received Him not. Not only did Herod seek to slay Him m his infancy, not only did Satan come forth with all his power and malice against Him, as He entered on his public ministry, but the Jews, who ought to ha^ve been the builders, reviled and persecuted and put xiim to death, imagining that they had cmshefl out his name forever as au impostor and deceiver THE REIGN OF CHRIST ' .^k 400 ascension He proved how vain an^T ''^!^^«*ion and mahce. His Gospel proTed mSr£?i'°lf *«^* ^*« *^eir of strongholds. His S^^^ ^.^ *^^ P'^^g down to age, sometimes bitS In V*'^^ «^ from age <^t down, as it weie hi fhPr?' ^^^ *«r^. and spedily be extinguished it w-^^ ^ ^^ i* ^ould the fire as glorio?^ t eVLn ?""? °"* °* *^« ^^es of tend its cbnUS^fcorLr^^^^^^^^ ej of Messiah. "icrease of the fame and gloiy been broken and un^ "P"" '"^^ ''"ne, and grind them to ^owZ bTS.e* '"^ *^'?'' "^^^ rises in renown Zd if fk • """^ »* Jes"" etiU to stir the Cruroh^(''cl^?- - -fhi^g ««'*»"«'" lievmg people everywhere7;f Vif • ^ ""'*° <»" be- ought tS stimulate^lr zeal Id T "" "'y«^8''tich the kingdom and ^se Tf S^st JITk'" '^^ °* the grand motive thp „„„.*•■' °. ^''^^•■"eMy to lovetf Christ,it5Ae "Sr^? "^"^"^ °f ^e is spreading, ^d feSnJSf^ l^ ''''''='' "»« ^ospel heathenism*'',^ i„^f ?t ' "> •>« great centres'^f that whilst Saton is bus. tif °li"" '"^^^ &<=' ity and error in proleS ^T!-* V.*' »* '"fid^I- to all the greater antlt^f^u'*'*" '*"<'». 'feed ud time ;. .L?^*!t .f ''"'y; ''»<'»>«« he kno^^s th»>H? itself to hiti^hllo Z:Z'' 'r Z^^'" '» *^-'ng i^oi»tr,andL^.^.rS'"^^:t:^7--J II If 406 THE PERPETUITY OP meek and humble follower of Christ, and thus to give an earnest of the speedy coming of the time when^the Messiah shall have his kingdom from the rising to the setting sun. The kings and rulers of the earth have taken counsel together against the Lord and his anointed, saying, "Let us break their bands asunder and oast away their cords from us." " He that sitteth," etc. '* Yet have I set Him king upon his holy hill of Zion." And then the certain, infallible promise is added, " Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen," etc. 3. We argue for the perpetuity of the name of Christ, and f^r the continuance and increase of his fame, from the means which He hath left and p'lt in operation for the advancement of his cause and king- dom on the earth. The weapons of his warfare are not carnal, but spiritual. The battle of earthly war- riors is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood. In this way they generally achieve their con- quests. But the government of Christ is first in the hearts and consciences of men, and then over all their affairs— all that pertains to them. And the sword which He employs for this end is his own truth — the Word wielded by the omnipotence of the Holy Ghost. Physical force can never overbear the conscience, or command the will of man. You may compel an indi- vidual to do certain acts, or to go through some out- ward process or piece of work ; but you cannot by any external power bring the will and the moral faculties into subjection. That can only be by the persuasive, quickening, sanctifying influence of the truth in the hands of the Spirit of God, enlightening the under- Rtapninor. rAr»AwiTif ^■■b*» 'Will oTirl 'Kriv./^iTir.^irv^, 4.'U^..~i.i. into captivity to the^ obedience of Christ. You know how procJ and \ in ti heart oarnt was e pra vQi creutu precio those ^ as eific into tJ of his snow 4 wateret that it eater, s< mouth accomp] thing wj minister sage as grand m< "Whoso( name of they ca , And how have not J preacher l>e sent ? u of them (,1 $hd tiding ^;IA-..v.^ '« B««» OP caw,,. ... now the doctrine nf n. ■. «^Med into both Jewish « j "V Pentecost, and ^« ^a^eifectualtoovercZefr'^ '^'^^^^'^ ^onjau^tie? P^^v^ed and sunk in T\^^. "'^^'^ ^^bellious a^ !? ' futures .n Cut Chrisra^dt' '^ WXm" net precious benefits whioW ^."^ Partakers of aJI flT ;^ho^ Who e^braJd^i? ^*C&"^ to ool^^ ^ as efficacious as ever wht^ •'^ ^ ^^^^ the samp »nvo the heart. Fcr Sth T'f ^ ^vine p^^er oi his prophet, "As th?:?- ^^ ^''^ ^7 the m «now from heaven ^A ^'"^ ''^"^^t^ doVn InT^J^ water t, ,,« ean? ^n^aS^tri ^^^ *^*^" "t that It may give aeed to X „^ "^^ ^^^^^ and bud eater, so shall my Word hlli.''^''' *^^ "read to tlTi «»outh ,fc shaJl'^noT^l^ *^* ^^^*h forth out^ 11" ^compli«h tha. ^hU r '^, "f to me void, but i .haH tlung whereto 1 sen t fe^"f ^^Per m the ministered bv hi« o^ . "® Word of Trnfi, „ , nave not heard /„j k ,"■ S™ of whom t^T preacher And h^Vajr*?"" ""^^ '"'^ X*t If sent t As it is y^^^}*^'''- Pleach exceot °"„ SM tiding, of good thinga" '^ "' P****. Md bring ' ! . 408 THE PBRPBTUITT OV < This is Qri*B plan for the renovation of our fallen worU. " All flesh is grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the Word of the Lord endureth forever." So the continuance of the Word qf Gospel of Christ as the weapon by which the kingdom of Christ is to be advanced, shall certainly secure the stability and permanence of the Redeemer's fame. "The Gospel is the power of God unto salva- tion to every one that belie veth." And accordingly, wherever the Gpspel is published, and the Cross of Christ is lifted up, there we may say, an ensign is pre- sented around' which the tribes of the earth shall gather, and thus the grand and glorious consummation will be attained, when " men shall be blessed" in Jesus -and all nations shall call Him blessed." III. — This is the third part of our subject: The results of Christ's reign. 1. "Men shall be blessed in Him." This has been, and will be, wherever the Gospel is known and re- ceived. It is the necessary consequence of the saving knowledge of Jesus' name. You may, by the progress of civilization and the arts, communicate material bene- fits to those who have hitherto been destitute of them; but whatever improvement there may be in the tem- poral condition of any man, or community of men, thev are left, if destitute of the Gospel of Christ, still stran- gers to everything which can impart fight to the dark- ened mind, or pe.wce to the troubled conscience. When the Gospel comes into a man's heart with quickening, regenerating, and sandtifying power, it brings him as it were into a new world. Not only does he see all '--w^ •^n a t^^tttJi^H bue He h. ,„, ,„^ ,, ttiTr' "'''^'' h« would U"^'r*'''' «'eme„J "5 the world contains, if he had ,> ^^f ''«'>8e for all that ">d excellent comes into a mi- Y^^^^^ i^ preciZ Gospel ^mes-pardoCec' rc2V''"*»' '"O" «» the o' oonscience, joy in the SSi"*'"" '"«' God, peace •fording to his'day cow^^ '°^«™^ ""<' «treS oftronble, resignatioi to thfdit"'' ^PP""* '» theX teumphoverttTTastLe ' andT '"' "' "" "-"i! *e end "Men shall be" Wed f°Z-'^'"'^"^bh in to the blessings which coZ^ ^""- This ref™ -■* aemrc:^ : ^-7'»?».7 a/d' sattS'n Jong and pray, and iaCr a^d '""'.''»'*% n^? Whangs may be conveyed to^f, ?/<''*''«* t^e^me l««ve access, and even U, the end' „f *r'"'° ''"^J' ™y „ 2. It is added "A II «o*- , "' *« «arth ? ' Tl.i-«fe«tothewimnglC^?"™l' Him blessed" . »tato of our =^c« ot "Him whose nair'»LT."""'.'^"''°*''»influ- *"' *o ^j'**"" for and wWe amZ tfc *?'^™'" " thug world, 410 THE PEBPETUITT 09 IS chosen as an emblem of that period. Is there any- thing b^utif ul in fertility and power 1 Fertility and power are chosen emblems of that period. Is there anything beautiful in order and harmony and peace 1 Order and harmony and peace are mentioned as the emblems of that time. "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion, and the fatling to- gether, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones fihall lie down togetl^er, and the lion shall feat straw like an ox. And the sacking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cocka- trice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the know- ledge of the Lord." Men "shall beat their swords in- to ploughshares, and their speara into pruning-hooks ; they shall hang their trumpets in the hall, and learn the art of war no more/' The light of the moon is to be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun is to be sevenfold. Man is to be the child of God, and God is to be the protector of man. Then shall the cry ascend as the sound of many waters, "Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of the Lord and his Chxist." . , . 1. Our first remark from this important subject is that it becometh you so to contemplate the wondrous name and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, as that you may be constrained to realize and act in accordance wiUi his claims upon you. Think of Him first as dwellinsr in the bosom of t.TiA Ffl.fliAr frnm oil Afz^miftr equal and eternal, and omnipotent as Himself. You THE REIGN OP CHRIST. ^^otke^^^^^^ in swaddling " garden, agonized and disSj* Jy!''' '^ ^^ ^^ *hi his people's guilt, till hL sS tl '^"^« *^^ ^^^^ <>£ drops of blood falling to thf V ^* ^«r«> great next at Calvary, st^Ued onfhr.^' I°" «^^ Him thieves, exclaimW « Mv rJ^ ''''°^^ ^®*^een two Thou forsaken me r fid n^ ' ""^ ^^^ ' ^V h J I^ord of glo,y, swaying th'e'slU^? ''' ^^" ^« ^^e eignty and addresLf to vnuTh! « "'''''^'•^' «°^«r- He did to the people by thfr*,! T? "^^i«on as ee, « Come unto L^lyeth^Tu ""^ *^" ®^^ ^^ «««- laden, and I will give you ^j fbour, and are heavy the call to you, buf to^^prosLt^^t^^* *^^^ « having : XtaJ LvSel^^^^^^ - Him. which the Saviour died fndin«! '5 ^^''^^ objectsfoj jnatters it if Christ L 't& L^^ !?T"^' ^hat knowledge to others, if Hel« i^!? ^""^ *^^ ^^"'''e of matters it that Ke iatL » ^°^ ^^"^ What others, ^ you possess not that Ce'^f'* '^P^'^*"^^^ ^ Pardon? Freedom? Prace? s«T?^''? ^°«^«^^es ? you to remain ignor^^L .^''''' ' ^r® any of lost? Let me sSSy^ktT'^' ^**^» ^^^l^veS, leave this sanctua^'^lL^ftVj'"' ^'^ you content tc^ salvation aiid gloi^ard fame ^^^^^ ^^ ^«* ^^ *he does not say tS yoS on theXv If ?* ' ^' ^^'« ^^^^^^ yo blessed of my Fa^e7 »T ^.t^-^^^P^^o^*, "Come IDepart from 1~^J.*,^J! ^^rtainly tell you! liiwe are the two "fiis^ilT'^^' '""^ everlasting fire," th«n ^^ ->_ , ° «*»tes, no neutral n^o ?« xt™' than, we are amba^drf^;^^*^^ ^^«- "^ did beseech you/' etT ' *® *^^"Sh N^ow, God 412 THE PBRPBTDITY OF ^ 3, ho you who are true believers cultivate a grow- ing attachment to the great Redeemer. Let your love to Him be written out in legible characters— you know what I mean— ia the characters of a highly devoted self-denying and spiritual life. Be faithful to your principles , love Him because He first loved you be- cause of what He is in Himself and what He hath done for you ; avow your love, if it be needful, it the cost of all that is dear, even Hfe itself. You have, no doubt, read within the last few weeks of the terrible massacre at Isandula in South Africa, when almost a whole regiment, with a large number of native tro6ps were overpoweifed by multitudes of Zulus, and cut down without mercy and in savage barbarity. Some of you may have read too, that among the bodies of the slam was found that of the young officer whose duty It was to carry and preserve the colours of his regiment And in what condition was it found 1 It was discovered with the flag which he had sworn to defend wrapped around his body, as if in the pros- pect of what he saw coming to himself and his com- panions in arms, he was resolved that these colours should not be taken from him but in death. Even the most indifferent cannot but be filled with admiration of such heroism and courageous bearing, such fidelity and devotedness to the honour of his sovereign and country. Blessed be God, there have been those in every age who have thus borne up and maintained the banner of Chnst, and have perished rather than part with it Oh ! how does this put to shame the pusil- kmmous^coAduct of many, who will allow their pro- *e3Siuii, their nag, to be blotted and marred, and rent by daily inconsistencies, who will allow their colours THE REIGN OF OHEIST. 413 toin the fame md hono^i^T?'''* °1''^*> *° "'*'- in heaven. Se Th J I "" '''"> '' *« %•»«»» strength of thf^Wt'S'Jr Sb": "'T ^ *« to sing, "I'm not ad,.™«ii ^ ^ i* "o* '"""gli it be manifest Ty ^£j ^ "^ ^«''" •»•* !«' or his cause. ^Sv J^J^- ^ ^^'^^ »' Him name C ^on?i^!5\?°" instrumentaUty hi, his name'sh^TZf Cter" X^ ^T".^' / *"" fulunto death. andlX^C ;:^U''i''j^l'-