IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // .<^ w^. c'w^. ^ Vx 1.0 I.I 1.25 142 11 2.0 14 III 1.6 vQ <^ /a °^' m # m .> A > ^ O^^ % ^ /(^ Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ A^ :\ ^9) V .^ ^ % \ 0^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4503 M " ^} BY THE REV. ROBERT C. MOFFAT, St. John's Presbyterian Church, Walkerton, Ont., Canada. -sr^-.o-»-o. -^- WALKERTON : Heuald English and Gkuman Stkam Jon Printinc. Establisnmknt, 1881. / Life Dear and Helpful. 5 "- REV, ROBERT C. MOFFAT. .^^.o^o.-^: -i~— -* Memorial Gleanings of Twenty-Third year of Pastorate. •e-^e— WALKERTON : HERA.LD English and German Steam Job Printing Establishment. 6' if. 5^ of -<'3 -p VERY HELPFUL I -^:j-h*-<^:^ oMr^.^ET Joliii lluskin apeak. His vonnnible futlier liiis passed uwiiy a rMM^ the lipe old aije <»f .seventy Ave. Hj rests m the (iuiet CJod's 'Ilk' iipe Old age <»t .seventy Ave. Hj re.sts m the (piiet CJod's acie of Shirley. A i»laiii i)).'irble slab tells of the honored ,!,^';^ dead beneath. No hopeless heathen symbol pollutes that ^ grave, but there we read the tribute of the cultured .son to his father's christian work. It is strikingly sui^gestivo, "His memory is very dear and helpfiil." That his memtjry should be very dear is sure- ly naUiral, but that his memory should be very helpful is a rich theme for earnest thought. His life very helpfid to such a son, then he was no common man. That .lohn Kuskin should cause it to bo engraviid there, shows how very nnich he felt he was indebted to his father's training and his father's life. Life, helptul, very helpful, lies within the reach of every Christian. The world from the yearning hearts of the discouraged, the adrift, the erring, is ever crying out "Help"' oh for the .sake of Jesus, help me. One warm grip from thy hand, one decided word from thy lip, and some undecided one decides for God and the eternal right. You read with thrilling interest the story of Isandula anful f.itliori the hoinu bucomos :i power vital with («oiIw:im1iio88 and (iofllikenean. How siin'^estivo the boyish aii- Hwcr to tlie unostion "Is your fntlier a christian ?" "Well I ''«nmut fier- > uiven will !i»icl praised, Ji'»ik1 and '» an uttor ^«»* a most ^ '« words am to this Whatever you may aspire to bo, to do, have the ever glowing am- bition to leave the world better than you found it. Do you aspire t( eminent usefulness ? God's highway is pre-eminent piety. Then living here or glorified hereafter, some grafeful heart may look back and say "Thy memory is very dear and helpful." air to read liavo gone i generous »r dark as e upward and help. g^o«-y of of Aquila but the «i»e won- iiuinble of some Has not not the >t souls ount of demand 3 to be t yonr tempt- A PWESr OF THE OLD SCHOOL -m^ terian family. ^' ^ ^'•"«*'''»" P^est for every Presby. mm We enter soin« h«..»„i. , , . terian family. «'i-»pae3 of the"! nlifitd Th "u' "° ''""-''<"<' 8 » P II"' "r'' "° nnd as one h» , ™ , *"• The chiJdren are ,m ,u . ^ *"* '"eot exha.„rd .r <,r TV''^'' """"•'«." i, ?"''"« ^'^^^t^ or worse, ^»i now let „s look at '"Possibilities. There are Jn In jXtlr"^ '" ™^ ^^" -- Shall they go out tm.. , ! ^ ""■"'« '» start in .1,,. • -bt<"/ P«.h o SiT''"' «™ -<» steidfl rl'" -"".er thing" '•■•the righVmen :''"""«'"«'. »" there is alwt ''°"' ""' ^^ <"•« "I©. Away then with all 7. mi. »'P should 'luwbJed. a few ities. of life le first other's ristoc- godljr voe lear- igto one R'est e as iha »r's an all xivhining about the indiflorciice of the 3'oung to religion, and lot ovary Christian father be a warm hearted Christian priest, and God assured- will make good the C(»vonant blessing. Let us also glance at a patriarch's oreatest fear. With some fjithers their great fear is that their sons may not bo able to reach wealth and position, with others that tht;y may bring dis- grace upon the family name. But with Job it was this fear, unhappily so rare, "I<^ may be that my sons have cursed God in their heai'ts." We have not the slightest hint that they did over curse God in heart or speech. Yet if the old may too often forget God, so may the youui; and should the heart be left unfilled and unguarded, then from life and lip there will be surely seen a viperous procession. Should the son forget his God well may a father fear, and such a terrible danger con- fronts every father with this question, What plans do you .take to keep your children near to God ? The father who continuously leaves his own altar fires black out is surely preparing fi)r his own sons not a benediction but a malediction. Let us further notice a patriarch's most important business. We have everywhere professing Christian fathers who are busy about everything but the salvation of their own children. Fathers, your noblest work (m earth is to bring your children to Jesus Christ. Let no one rob you of the eternal hong religion. We have heard of a man who had married a godless bride giving lip family religion lest it should offend her. The moment s>he knew it she quit'tly remarked that she thought she had married a Christian ; but that the only Christian she could love and respect was one faithful and true to his God. Need I add, that night two souls side by side worshipped God. Oh weary mother, to-night give the family bible in- to the hand of him who swore to love and cherish you, and plead with him for your children's sake, for your sake, for Christ's sake to be a man, a high priest for life before God's altar. Did Job's religion soon pass away? No ! There may be utter poverty, terrific bereavement, passionate prayer to curse his God, but the anchor held. With Job eternal life had but one meaning, eternal life and nothing else. And wherever you have such a religion consecrating the dear old family altar, then you have one of God's mightiest powers to hold the scatter- ed ones. A grey haired father walking with God, a saintly mother in that old arm-chair are sights never to be forgotten. These sons may go out into the world, but the prayers of such a father wrestling with a covenant-keeping God can reach their heart, either in the land of Uz or on the far Saskatchewan. And man^' a sacred memory comes back of the lowly family altar, the dear old church, the much loved minister of our childhood, and the seed long buried springs into vigorous life, useful and eternal. The special want of this busy age is a religion which, starting from the family altar will stand the tear and wear of the longest life, ever grow- 9. in every house ; jy a family wj ^ i^aviour. in '*•'« ifotUess ex- : »vith the min- "'ade that Job ts before every 5rtant business sons of God bride giviijcr ^ s-he knew it a t?linstian ; 3 one faithful' side by side niJy bible in- ^ plead with ike to be a 'eligiori soon Breavemont, With Job else. And "Id family the scatter- "lother in sons may tling with land of Vz ng in every Christia!i '^vaco. For years the family may be unbroken, >gt 8«>on death enters, all the ten are .JJfone, swept by one strange blow. Vl^ouid Job then in that dark hour regret those sacrifices, these pray- efs, these years of j,'odIy example ? Regret them, no, the very tliomjht were madness. Fathers, would yon hold high office in God's sight, be God's Wgh priest in your own families ? We have religious life in many a pnblicform, but never forget the dear home vineyard; it is yourbacred ^usc, see to it that it is well kept. If living piety fills the home there if no fear of the Church ; if the altar tires are all aglow there is no (ear of the family ; if the blood is sprinkled on every conscience there is no fear of the outgoinjjs of every son's life. I tirgo upon you in the strongest language your personal accountability to God and to your fam- ily. Would it not be an overwhelming shame, if before God and the Iprorld, one after another of your sons were to rise up and iay. "I never heard my father plead with God ; I never heard my father read one chapter ; I never heard God's worship spok- en of by my father with Joy or gladness : I never heard my father speak of true religion with any other spirit than a tneer ; and I rarely ever knew my father to speak of our minister and jiis life work otherwise than with the coldest criticism." With such grave evidence possible from any child's lip, at once, through him miighty to save, confess your madness, get grace from on high for your great priestly work, and then in the midst of that wonC.jing family group you can face the woild and say, "As for me and ray house we will serve the Lord." tiily altar, ood, and I eternal, from the ^ergroir- I . r-^.-> SM «"■• fanuliar altar ^ ?'• O'"- -othcV, t. W There „,,. At^ '° """hera k„ee „.,„;•,„ ^'*' P-''^ 'ho p„,,,. face ,0 face „i„, „(,„„''""'• i"* if the Morn ,1.? "^'''"'' "'""•o "fe "..d destiny, ina' "' """» """-o « a« ^ '"*""*' ''^^''-o ">„« celestial cit,-. ' ^'"^""■••"••> and J,er oluldrei'tnd in'T"" """"=' "«"d Wea, „,„ , '""■' '"■"'''" «"«. "less Our homo " . "•"J- ooo^Kit^ "2 '"V ■•"''»■" t;,e,va|,.,„,, , ■ as erery rose has it, th ' "-*■ ""' rioliosl love „f f ^'"' '"ving special tro„ble-It 1. 7' "" """•« "'es „ , 7 ' """"° '"'^''and: buf yot it is there ly,'''r"<>i'y hidden "7" "'"""" ''«■ o*" "%''Mhis t^id^f ;::' ''»" ->» a=ronvrf'„7,''^''-<"-"y borne" fl'".«»l.si,fe^: ".°r";''"hed ""dor dai ' """'"'"''^^tod into one' G"''. the more^t 1 f * '""•"'^''» "est ,,„t f, '""''J-'-d"''' for yea^ f"","- -.:;:: 3":;^°-. t,. .„;.:i, t-'-- the ,.„.r:f ^ »oes the child rn«h • ^'''^ ''''^'''' ^'^^^^^'^ *" *hi8 wounded ^'■^e brio er f 'I,' '°« ^'» heart "^^''^ makes '"d for the '^« ^ov/„g ''^"d; but ^»er OH-,, I' 'jorne ; into one ^ years. '«ii3e of ^erab/o • overy ^'ea on ther's ndod "I' 1 11. heart do, but "take it tutlio Lord in prayer? Crowds may come and go amid the sacred calm of Sliiloh; but this weary one lies in unspeak- able agony, and wrestles with infinitj love. The forms of prayer may (satisfy the cold formaliht when the calm snnshine shines on the rippl- ing waves, "Rut, let the strong temptation rise, Ar whirlwinds sweep the sea, Wo find no stren;?th to 'scape the wreck. Save, pitj-inK God, in Thee." And when the the deck, is sinking b9'ie ith the feet, who, with a sonl. , daro sneer, at a loving woman taking a life grip of the hand mighty to § save ? Only a few weeks ago when a lady was dragged into the ci owd- ■ff. ed boat from the sinking wreck, and there knelt in adoring praise, ' strong men felt the fitness. Yea, last month, when the shores of Lake Michigan were strewn with those silent timbers, men read, with deep- est emotion, that card nailed to one of them ; "The ship is fast brejik- ing up ; oh God this is dreadful." Hannah's creed should be every woman's creed; the soul may bo walled in, but it can never be roofed over. THE STRANGE MISUNDERSTANDING. ^ To the venerable Eli there was a stran^^e fascination in that silent long praying woman. There may be ready tears from the eloquent pathos of the pulpit; but ah, inexpressibly sacred are all such tears when thjy come from a burd- ened heart. Ministers of Christ, here is our inexhaustible empire; to watch for souls in trouble, for the agonized seekers after Jesus. Came not our Master "to heal the broken hearted; to set at liberty them tha^ are bruised." And oh how the heart of womanhood thrills with eternal vitality when she is first supremely conscious of that eternal word; "He loved me and gave Himself forme." So, while an Eli may take one extreme, and sadly trace her fervour to the wine cup; it is just as easy to use tenderest words, as if conversion, before ever conviction has brought in agony to the mercy seat. But does Hannah bitterly resent the dark suspicion? nay, verily, but with sweet fearless honesty she swfeps it away for ever: No, my l<>rd, it is not the wine of earth drunk in, but the wine of sorrow poured out before the Lord. 12. ■ '■o hear, ,he 1 J^»"f , "^ *'- b,.rd„,. b.,,;/"7' '''«= "^ it ...«y bo jV,^, «« hastens. With bmfca,,,,. '""'«''"^'- »' '"rmw. covenant blessij' T( 1 T "" '"""' "l-» her^L ! ^"'f' "•"" '' » *h« -Xs rfiL?',:;",,^;!''":?,; •"'* "'>- ««> poa=o of p„ , — .a„te„s,.oj:;- :;^- .w.o,.s ,„:, :hr47-;; 'r'>«'ei« joy and Z" ""'""''' "»*"" '»-"• 'o'hoheart wC. h "''"' ^""''■.- motherWi ^"r ever. WhL . v "' "'"' '''•naming „f a „ , '""'""^ Pressing -«« ««ne. ind : striS-JT-" !' «'< «■-: „;:;"-: ""' «.« «;. strinir is drawn "hnM^'^^' *''^ ''*'*'''^»' tf'e pnrsB . *u .. «rb :"?-•;"<' 'He Cn^iri^xf"''-'^ - tr^ut' 7. p^; at: :t::^j7Hhesh:«tttrf;n^^ ver irse 'St, be y V.-. tian work, then wo dure not listen to the words of worldly acorn about fuch a beggarly ministry. Even the heart of the Christian mother oi Knill was wrung with trouble when the son of her many prayers had devoted himself to the far-oft' work of Christ. What hours of agony in that cl'iset ! at last the glorious peace, as she comes out saying, *'Ni»w my dt-ar son it is settled, God has given me grace to say to you, go, go my son, go.' And then th.it sacred wedding nng, worn with the toil of forty years, is taken off, placed on his, and her son is Goil's son for over, with a mother's whole-souled benediction. And hmg after, as he c(»mes back and kneels in the same room, wo hear him whispering, "Blessed be God for a praying mother," THE mother's blessing. She has many of them now, but she cannot forgot the absent one. These al)Sttnt ones, what mother can forget. All over Christendom busy niotliers find sacred toil in those little coats for the loved ones far away, But the mother heart has many a silent telegram that God may save, may guide, may bless the absent ones. The mother of a Byron may drive her sensitive child from her presence as a "lame brat;" the mo- ther of a S imuel fills his soul with love and consecration. Shall we tTjice the history of a Byron m life and influence ? nay, we draw the veil, and read, instead, of a Samuel : 'He worshipped, he ministered, he grew, and the Lord was with him." The spikenard of Mary, the gar- ments of Dorcas, the loving words of Priscilla, are still living inspira- tif)ns wherever Christian women are. Si> praying sous, working sous, honoured sous, are God'sabidingbenedictions wherever there are Chris- tian mothers. The benediction may come from Shiloh or from Canada: and come it must, as surely as the L )rd hath said it. A veter.in mis-ilouiry is dying in far away China; they ask in broken whispers, have you any message for the loved ones far away; life uiakes its last effort; "Tell my old mo- ther 1 thank God she led me to Jes'is." Thousands, with heart-felt love, can look to a Christian mother, per- haps a sainted one; her well-worn Bible, \viv well-known arm-chair, her oving faith, her many self-denials, her life-long example, and they softly whisper, "blessed mother." Last month, crouching in a wretch- ed hovel in uur Queen City, you hear that wreck of womanhood moan- 14. •""•-Shfur „f Cr" " "'"'•' "' "-y mother-, U,,.. - . " niot/ior anci ■'X% ;:'" «'»« i..,r !"*^^e ruin : f I jiEiiP F^eja jpjiE cpTi^ieJF ep Fii^E. i ■^^uJIC^^lA.'. HO^€^J grip of iJie doath-coM hand I He was your father. Son on foruet it ? — No, That last look of iiitoiiHo love; thy wife's. Dare you doubt the heart'.s att'ectioii ( — No, novor. That last whisper I Mother, it was thy child as she nestled in thy bosom for the last time ere G )d took her. Can yoii ever forget it ? I know you cannot. To-day we look ou the last journey of Elijah andElisha. One glance and the .scene lies before us — Gilgal, Bdthol, Jericho. What memories of devotion and heroism, of omnipotence and mercy, linger among theii* ruins. But the visit of Elijah concerns not sacral ruins, but living men and national destiny, These schools of the prophets w«re near to Elijah's heart, and once more he must visit them. S' niehow they have learned that Jehovah is about to remove their great teacUer, and with wrapt iraze and hushed solemnity they listen to his parting counsels. The nation's God and the nation's need; and the few living words about blessing, duty and aspiration are burned into their memories for ever. Amid bowed heads he passed out and on^ and they feel that eternity is before him; and stern life work before them. Following our text we see, FIRST — THE TWISTED MANTLE. These last words will cheer these young men in the darkest hours in their atfer- bat tie of life, when, amid worldliness and idolatry, they contend for the God of Israel. But the speaker passeth on ; he is eastward and homeward bound. You have heard of the lordy eagle painfully reaching its rocky eyrie only to die. Then why should not the prophet long to reach Gilead ? Life's great work is in its last hour, but that hour can only come in his :.m^^ 14 16. native Gilend. They reach tlie Jordan, but, how cross it? To-day neither bridge nor ford nor bout is ueede(i. The man whoso public \ih. sonubly opened, uniat leave one more memorial of God-given power behind him. Mirk the stranifMiiaiitle, in a m >meiik taken from tlu shoulder; then twisted as a staff. With sinewy force he strikes, ami lo ! there is a passage for these two men. 'Twas faith teachinv; the sub. lime, and then passing calmly on. Jn thes j Bible tele«^ram) we learn little about the 'means, but thi» we can learn, that any weapon is a mighty power in the hands of a true man of God. Are yon ne iring tlio end of the valley of death ? Look up and say, "Thy rod and thy stafl' they comfort me." Shrinking; soul, are you sayincj, Oh, how can I cross the dark deep river ? Smite it with the robe of Christ's rii/hteoiis- ne.ss, and in a moment you stand safe on the heavenward side. SECOND — THE DISCIPLES FAR-REACHINf! I'RWEU. How like Elijah that parting counsel, ask what i shall clo for thee. It was a strange suggestion to make; but his great snul yearned for the welfare of the man who had been so true and loyal. Twas a strange answer that of Elisha too, and it has often been as strinjely under- stood. Not lordly wealth, not twice the power to work miracles, not doubly to excel Elijah in speech or power or deed. The worldly heart is ever judging by its own standard, by its own stereotyped prayers. Oh God, give me success, is the prayer of the worldling every day in the year. And when pro."ve is seen, then a living f.aith take* absolute possession. Elijah may be gone; th^j chariot of fire may be gone, but Jehovah the Lord of Israel liveth. Prayer is answered, and that doubly. There is not only the one wondrous glimpse, but lo, there falls the very mantle of the prophet itself. To the one, the mantle is exc'iaiiged for the robe and the palm and the crown. To the other, prayer is answered beyond the f(mdest hope; and thus accredited, back he journeys, God's ambassador to fallen Isnael. Finally, two lessons may be hastily gleaned from the prophet's life. First — What a comfort to the much afraid. Did Elijah never flee from duty ? Xever tremble upon the verge of despair 1 Yet he was -fir ved, so as by fire. Sec(md — What hope to the traveller near the journey's end. One may pass intr* heaven God knows how, another by the cloud, another in angel's bosom, another by the whirl- wind; but no matter where, no matter how, if only saved at last. Safe at home by Jesus Christ, the only one able to save to the uttermost. ;-#• ™«3' l,av„a„ „„,„/;» .»-t be fa, o„Mi, : l",' "^ ;t""«'" and «'"^ »» well as „.a „ !f "", ""•"' "' ""•'«"; tl.e^ , "' :"'"• T/.ere ,„ay '"«'■■ *'■« very ,„^'r "'''"•'■"'• ^™. 0.rjr'"-' ''""'"f-piritn --every led^e; tl;' 'ZT""'"' P-Poiy M? '"'f "" »-""- ^ H''in.ess ,.„,, „;„ ^^^'^^ ^'-7, write i„ ,e,L ««" ."f .'he „.„„d, o- every .^d^: re,, ?:"""-« P-^ ir^ '7 "" -■"< *h"» •• a few yea,, „f . ™ " "ot, t,„„ , «^ f bn™,,hed g„,d, "" '"it to the f„„,,ea f "' P^Pe-ty, and ^ j* '!"'' ,^ "ritten -"■ »'"-«* paradise '^Th''"''"'"'" '" e«'.Iy bles,' ;ver «,„ri,„ ^^^;- There y„„ g,,, pe,pe.,fa ^ "«■ •^eHc,.., Uy ,„ iy np..„ the great c^aVa, " "'""" °«»'^e torb; r ' ""'""S amid »d'I.tio„ there . J „ i^ """' '""'""en the It ! f'' " '"^ "■^ect- •"/ «-e way t„ the htlVc^ ""•""'''■•''« -h„„T„;;Ll ""': ^e". in ■»»'ead of r„„„, J^^ '^.""h «« hon-st^id, ""^ ""^^ "P"'"' »f the • "'^- -There was plenty '— - ^Bl!asu^~!^ 19. .'-P 1 *^'«cli words '* We Iiuve •"'ty- But ^ Want of ^' ^"caJ en- 'Jntioii _ e, tho ono 'id/o and "^ town '«re may ^spiritii. ^ a want - ' World, ''^ gold, written hv in arnid irecfc. 'a. in >pen. •icho the his, )he itj of wiiu-T 111 tlio fountain for plain and s^arden and city, but ah, it, was a' n»u.d»t. So tliero niiy bo plonty «)f roligioii, so callod, in tlio land *' bui it i.s posHJ )lo that nnicU of it may bo iuhntnan or uii'^odly. S'> Whili? thu site of thuir city was well choHun, yet on evory side barron- Qea^. Life may t)ridu itself upon its h'>no4ty, morality or oti(|U(.!tte, ^ibnt it tiie Hold has nought else thuii : life is a mournful failure. Tha trw<.' man daily bruathin.j vital 'godliness seeks the very hi«j;hest nu'as- Urt' of life. IJut mark the men of Jericho wore not content to let evils alone. 'J'hey reason thus : there is a i)rophet of (rod amongst us; if Ciod Ciin di» anythiii!4 for Ui, let >is at oncj implore his aid. Yes men ot Jerio, "Seek and ye sliall find." Second —The stranijcu chemical a-'ont. — We have no nmrked cards here in the haiuls of a veteran astrolog jr. We have no loaded dicj in the hands of an astute mi'^ician. Your Ejcy[)tiaii magicians can o.ily imitate other and bettor men. Jehovah's acts are unique, and each stands out clearly in its own finished beautiful originality. What, says the scotLr, add salt to such brackish v.ater to make it pure ! Who ever heard such folly I l*atience, sir, and study Divine chemistry in the midst of nature's strange combinations. If God can create, God can purify. What, asks flippant sarcasm, can your dull sermons trans- form man ? No, they cannot. But if living and loving truth comes in the newness of the Holy Spirit, mark the change. But you mark the work given to the men of Jericho. They must bring the new cruse; they must till it with salt. Yes, there are things that God will not do, there are tilings that aian must do. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and the King of glory shall come in. Open the doors of thine im- pure heart, let Jesus enter in all His fulness, and we have no fear of the result. Third— Religion at the Fountain Head. There is no use to trouble these children with religion; how can they understand its mysteries? No, it is time enotigh when manhood comes. Ah, but are you sure thai such manhood will come i Mothers, I never knew a child dis- gusted with the wondrous story of the cross. Make the household sonij the old, old story of Jesus and hfs love, and you will have many a cire and fear the less. Elisha went to the fountain head with the salt. Purify the stream. — Change first the heart, and then no trouble with the life. You may shape and prune the brances to your heart'* wmmmmmKm 20. content, but unless the tree is well grafted all the labor may be thrown away upon a worthless, tasteless crab. No doubt, to the men of Jeri- cho salt Wf)uld seem to be the very last thing to purify their foiuitain. Well might they say, we have salt enough in the Dead Sea. But wise- ly they held their peace; there was no r;tsh judgment of G'td until they knew tl'.e result. So even yet, the very means wliicii men may lau rh at; may be God's chosen moans to change the whole current of man's eternal life. Fourth — Blessings to the Earnest Seeker. Jericiio iss never noted ns a city of saints. Still they had their traditKms both of woman's faith and of Jehovah's power. Now, in their troubles they have brains enough to tliink of God. You go with the eager crowd to the fountain; iiie salt is cast in; in a moment you taste the change. Has tlie salt done it ! No, the change is wrought by the Omnipotent power of the God of Israel. True, there is a change, but how long will it last ? God's love is not from the cradle to tlie grave. No, it is from eterni- ty to eternity. You mark that sin: around itthere is barrenness, after it for ever the bitter dregs. You mark that s^'ed falling into the eager seeking soul, on every side the waving harvests, thirty, sixty, one hundred fold. Men of God, there are evil fountains nearer home than Jeriolic. Cast God's s ilt into them, and as you cast; cry, create m me and in them a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Further — Is there a God ? The men of Jericho saw his power and telt his goodness, and wiih living faith and deepest gratitude they believed in a God of Infinite Goodne'iis. But finally— Of what use are God's Ministers ? Just to take God's texts and fill weary troubled hearts with them; so that there may be joy forever, and fruitf ulness forever, and glory to God forever. ;; _n PBLP F0R JFjiE iifiM m gjiaNEja. -S-*^H«H«^J- Ij^OW touching that mournful cry of Job — "Oh that I were as *^^ when the Ahnighty was yet with tue, when my children were " about nie." The storm sweeps by in its awful power, and what is left for history? Wreck and ruin, desolation and be- reavement, vacant chairs, and silent graves. Disease suni- , mons from the cradle, from the side, from business, or from sin, to the bar of God. Heap on your life Insiirance premiums. Is life safo uud sure for to-morrt)w ? No : to-morrow is God's. Fathers can your weak arms keep death at bay ? Mothers, can your fondest love shiel':* from the barbed arrow ? Shepherds, can you so tend your f*ocks that not even one lamb shall be praitten ? Ah, no; death strik- es the loved one down, and the even tenor of life is broken forever. That gravestone is a milestone of life which shall never be forgotten. That first death in the household works an epoch in the hcmsehold which no father, no mother, can ever forget. It may be only a child's fjrave, but graven above it forever you read — "Sacred to the memory of ." Four facts are before us to-day : * '^ FIRST — THE 8TRICKN FLOWER. The years have quickly passed in Shuuem. Child laughter fills all the great house with sunny melody; ihe father renews his youth amid the prattle of his first-born ; the mother's cup is full of holiest joy. For years no cloud disturbs the family sky; the seasons come and go, and promise only hope and peace. But stiddenly, without one moment's warning you listen to the cry of trouble. Where is it ? Yon- der in the harvest field. What is it ? Ah, a moan of mortal agony — "My head, father, my head !" Gently he is borne homeward. Where ehall they lay him ? Where but nearest the great heart of his treuibl- iag mother. You mark the symptoms; you feel the pulse; you note 22. the utter prostration. Tn a treiniilnu wliispor you say — "Ah, there is no hope." True; but say it very gently. See you not the ashen face, the quivering, sore stricken mother? Everything is done that If)ve can do, that skill can sugu'est. Broken ejaoulations from a uiotii- er's lips are breathed to Hetiven. But all is of no avail. At last the bitter end came. He sat <»n his mother's knees till noon, and then died. And even as David mouiJied, so may that mother have mourn- ed, — "O, my son Absalom? would God I had died for thoo; O, Ab- salom, my son, my son ?" SECOND — THE BROKEN STORY. , Whose funeral is that in the grave yard to-day ? Oh, only some little child. Yet trifler, the death of one cliild, may be the death of a thousand fondest hopes and plans. How unsj)eakable the loss of the bereaved mother over her dead first born. You cannot sympathize with her imless you have been bereaved like her. But one frail thread of hope '& left, and to that the mother clings in heart-broken affoiiy, it is the magic words — ''Elisha, Elisha." With Martha and Mary of Bethany there was one tliought — "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." The woman of Shunem has lost her son, but, thank God, she has not lost her faith. But there is not one moment to be lost. The fleetest beast is saddled. What matters the fierce sun, or those long twenty miles before her? On, on, with all speed to Carmel. The mother's head feels no weakness, knows no weariness. How she got through that journey she never rightly knew. One thought filled her, and carried her on; the only help on earth is with the man of God in Carmel. Give us living love, and no seeking or serving God is ever wearisome. Elisha may have been the last to perceive the one want in the great house, but he is the first to see the swift steps of the soul in trouble. Gehazi may run to meet her at his masters bidding, but can he understand her or help her? No. Then waste not one moment. On, on, to the man of God with the breaking heart. She clasps the prophet's feet, with streaming eye, with broken voice, she sobs — "My son, my son," Did Elisha feel; Ah, there is no heart so tender as the heart of the true man of God. Yet Geliazi would drag her away, would dare to rebuke. Ah, there were Phari- sees then as there are Pharisees still, who dare to condemn with one 8weep the tears of the sinner, the mercy of the Saviour. Sharply, ' 23. rZ\ **■ V ■ternly, Klisha speaks — "Lot her a1'>ne;" and at nnco Gehazi abaahed withdrew, and loaves tUo agoiiizjd inorlior to tell tlio sad, sad story of that one fatal day. Avaunt, every Gehazi, and let the heart-broken Buul go straijjrht as an arrow to the feet of Jesus, THIRD — THE USKLEMS STAKF. The moment the stt>ry of deaih is told the command is given — "Take this staff, Geliazi, and run and lay it upon tlie fane ot the child. Lose not one moment salnting any man; 8trai!j;ht to the house of mourning. God's express me3sen^ors have no time for idle ceremony, they are on the King's hiisiness and that demands uii^ont haste. God's ministers must give up much which is allowable to other men. De- nying Self, their own life-work is t«) rou-^e thi dead; to cheer the downcast. To the very letter Gelnizi obeys; f^r one short day he is a great man, on an errand of life or death. For a few hours a great man, but for all life a small soul. But will the staflF even of Elisha satisfy the agonized mother? No. Can she f«>llow in faith a Geliazi ? No; she would rather die at the feet of Ehsha. That mother's plead- ing can take no denial; her faith conquers; and Elisha at once sois out with the overjoyed heart to the houho of death. But about Gehazi? Ab, yonder he is coming back. Surely he is crestfallen. Ah, w«.ll he may, he can only report utter failure. Doggedly, gruffly ho reports — "The child is not awaked." And you liear him saying in his heart, "Nor he never will bo awaked." The reason of failure is very simple, the moment Elisha resolved to go himself there was m> more use for the stafl. FOURTH — WKK8TUNO BY THE DEATH-BKD. ' When Jesus entered the door of Jairus, the mourners ceased their wailing, listened to His word for a moment, and then laughfd Him to utter scorn. So even to-day if you speak of the resurrection somo laugh at the very thought. The glory so called of their shallow, hope- leas, Chnstloss creed is that man has no soul. Let those who like it worship annihilation; we believe in an eternal weight of glory. Ah, said one, there may be a God; but as for me, I intend to spend my Sabbaths settling the accounts in my ledger. Just so will God spend the day of judgment, settling accounts. But mark Elisha : his first act, when he o.iters his own chamber, the death chamber, is prayer. And what a prayer I It was nerved with regal faith; it was winged 24. with boniidlesa trust; he pit^ads for that stricken mother in her awful 8<«rro\Viis man never pled for woman; lie pleads the promise of God given in those byijone years, ixiven in th.it very room, with all the in. tensity of lii.s being. Yea, if prayer, there is also living contact with the dciid. Yes, livinij religion must grasp dead man as well as pray for him. And lo the change; the pnlse feubly Wats, there is a little warmth, the eye is not so glassy; but is nature left to do the rest ? No, verily. Again he prays, again encouraged he pleads, for the covenant mercies of the living God. And now, wonder of Divine mercy, the eye opens as if from a sweet chihl sleep; yes, the child lives, and nestl- es lovingly in the bosom of the man (»f God. Once more the mother clasps Elisha's feet; but ah, n'»t now in speeohljas sorrow, but in tear- ful wonder and in speechless joy. And there that happy group, as they gather around the family altar to adore and glorify the God of Israel; are heard singing to some grand old melody the Comnnniion psalm of the Church universal : "Bless the Lord, O my soul! and all that is within me bless Hi<» holy name; who redeemeth our life from destrnction, who crowneth us with loving kindne&s and tender mercies; blessed be His holy name for ever and ever." FINALLY. Mothers when dread sickness shadows the household, seek not only the phj^sician's remedies, the earnest prayer of the Christian minister, but especially cry to the Father «»f Fathers. God will never do wrong to a beUeving soul. Motiiers, in our quiet Churchyard there are many little graves. There are yours, there are mine; we have laid them down in tears, but through Jesus we will yet clasp them to the soul in unending joy. You visit your little graves in the stillness of the Sabbath morning, and as you stand beside them the silent tears fall like precious gems on the grassy sod. Yet by Christian faith your soul is lifted up, and you see them in the Father's bosom, shrined in glory, and there is not only a living gratitude for, but a per- sonal interest in, Jesus Christ the Resurrectirm and the Life. .\nd you enter the door of the Sanctuarv for another Sabbath's sacred worship, saying to your soul with hushed voice, " 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." 1 =£^ 1' iie years of life, the last of his four score and eight, he spent among us. Whatever may be the size of the cairn, we will lay one stone upon it, in memory of one of the noblest men of Gv>d we have ever known in Canada. I— HE WAS A MAN FULL OF (iOD's BIBLE. No man can ever become a great Christian, unless he has drunk deeply at the fountain head. Whatever our culture may be, whether toned by tiie classic past, or by the scientific present, yet what is it worth for holy living or holy dying, unless filled with the very essimce of the Book of God. Few men knew more of its power for a vigorous Christian life. And few knew more of its comfort for bereavement and *» 2(5. oM age. But this knowledge did not make hiin a nurrow-mindod big< 't. No, but we ever found him in liia years of mental prime, thornUL^h- ly abresist of all the great questions of the day, whether political or re- ligious. But JUS the yi-ars rolled on, and the eternal verities of life drew nearer, then the day camo when ho told us that he had done with them all; "There is just one book for mo now,' hj more tiiau once ha-HSaid, and when even the palsied hand could h