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Sacreb Names, 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 Cl/OICE VILIVS OF THE MAh'Y CHARACTERISTICS 
 OF CHRISTIAN LIFE. 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
f 
 
 Sacred Names. 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 CHOICE VIKWS OF THE ManY 
 
 ClfARACTERISTICS 
 
 OF 
 
 CHRISTIAN LIFE. 
 
 BY 
 
 SAMUEL G. PHILLIPS 
 
 Aut/ior of " Christian Life Illustrated-^^ " Ti at I 
 
 Son, orlhelJT£fndretc'i%'''''''" ^''^'^^'^^ 
 
 i WILL WRITE UPON HIM MY NEW 
 
 NAME, " 
 
 TORONTO : 
 
 JAMES CAMPBELL AND SON. 
 MONTREAL : F. E. GRAFrON. 
 
P4- 
 
 
 m 
 
 Printed and Bocnd bv Hintrr, Rose & c«. 
 Toronto. 
 
mention by name of » certain ihi!, , ' " '"''"^'- ' ' '""l"- 
 
 before the n,in„ all tl^oTe t L'";;,"',':"'' °' "'"«''• '» '° ™" ■■.. 
 re»pcetively. Hence when T .7 ^ ""■■"' '° "«'""» '•> each 
 
 name ino.nl, .„e ^^^^Sn';: """■"" »' »"- ""•"^-». that 
 
 tho,« that hear the name, y!" v-AA 'p '" ''"■ "" '""*'"'" "»' 
 i» contained in „,y ,„;„., „„ . '' ' "/ '^ ';»'» «"»=•" I" that name 
 
 fragrance, beauty^c g ' t . '" "' "" "''"« '""■"' '" 
 in that name the fee ,„;;"" '"V"'"""' *'°"- '■'"-. -d I - 
 ^..ow then., either rr;::::;::aZt::;,*:' "l^-^ '"^^ ^ ' 
 »ome men and I imn.ediately think „t virt^."'- ' • " "™™ "' 
 eminence, *e., a» associated with hi M '""■"■'™''' """rity, 
 -c< the opposite associations a fe ,', .'lur '" °' -""""■"• 
 write the name of God and n-h^t , " "' "'""" ""e. Speak or 
 
 the name of Jesn, what e„ , , ' '■■" '"" '""'^"'^ ""'"■' ^t.' 
 
 there. The -i:::^;^ ^rior' ci ':.' "'" "-""-""' 
 
 '- f„„ of ,raei„„s and h.appy n.i:Zr-To.'-X2': """""""'' 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 1 ^ .. .k- I,a,, W..,, ,,rop,„.oJ r,„. , •l„.i.,i„„s 
 
 ' "" '"'^"'"■"""tion.^. rt docs not cont„i„ 
 
 U.e n»,uo.s, Clua-clnue,,, Metl,o,li,t, l',.e.,bv- 
 
 *'•■"""' ^'""g'-'-'gationalist. Baptist. &<■ }L 
 
 name, Hieh ,,,,,,,,„,,,,,;,,,,,,,,; J 
 
 good of all of tliuso. 
 N'tine.s which distinmiish tho ,/c'.,nr- r 
 
 """"•» "" siv»i i.,u,.i „„j,._,i,. ,,: . 
 
 J-Lo authors design i„p,e,e„ti„,„,. „ • 
 •^•"'««"„,, of the Bibic. names of the ( f n 
 
 ^-;"a,hon„n.thenM,,n,an;f: ;'' ?o:.': 
 
 AUTHOJi. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Mra.VGKKS AM) .Sofor-RVL. . 
 H-GRIM, „N -niK EaKTH - 
 
 Hklikvkks - 
 
 i>K1.0Vi:i, OK (joi, 
 
 A Ki.N'c;i)o.Nf OK I-RiKsTs ' 
 
 •-HII.DKK.V OK Co,; 
 'fi:'R.S OK S.AJ.VATIOX - 
 ilKIRS OK THK ProMJsks 
 HOLV Pkopi.k . 
 
 Man- ok God 
 
 DlSCII'LKs - 
 KXCKLI.KNT - 
 i'AITHKUrj. - 
 ^'RIKNDS 
 ^ODLY- 
 
 ^"hildrkn ok Zion 
 Childrkn ok Abraham 
 Childrkn ok Jacob - 
 CniLnRKN OK T„K Frkkwoman 
 
 ^'"U.KKM OK THK Eru,K-CHAMBKR ! 
 
 ViTU 
 
 CJoj 
 
 1 . 
 
 I'Af.K. 
 ■ 13 
 
 
 
 • - 33 
 
 
 
 ■ 47 
 
 
 
 ■ • ^>7 
 
 
 
 • 75 
 
 
 
 ■ «J 
 
 
 
 ■ 95 
 
 
 
 - 107 
 
 
 ' 
 
 • "7 
 
 
 
 
 • ^33 
 
 
 
 
 ■ H9 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 - 165 
 
 
 
 
 - 177 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 ■ 185 
 
 
 
 
 • 193 
 
 
 
 
 - 199 
 
 
 
 
 - 205 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 22J 
 
 
 " 
 
 ■ 229 
 
 R - 
 
 - 
 
 * • 
 
 - 235 
 
 - 241 
 
X (ONTENTS. 
 
 I'ACK. 
 
 Fellow Servants ? - 245 
 
 Counsellors of Peace ^ - 249 
 
 Children of the Resurrection 269 
 
 EnsTLES OF Christ 289 
 
 Sheep and Lambs 303 
 
 Children of Light 319 
 
 Hidden Ones - 333 
 
 Redeemed of the Lord 343 
 
 Appendix 349 
 
 e?^/ 
 
 
 Z,T^ 
 
I'AGK. 
 
 249 
 269 
 289 
 
 333 
 343 
 349 
 
 *""«'» -"'»«"jmn„Btoi,j,g,i, 
 
 J 
 
Hope on, hope ever I " though the day be dark, 
 The sweet sunburst may smile on thee to-morrow ; 
 Tho' thou art h)nely, there's an eye will mark 
 Thy loneliness, and guerdon all thy sorrow ! 
 Tho' thou nmst toil 'mong cold and sordid men, 
 With none to echo back thy thought or Iftve thee, 
 Cheer up poor heart ! thou dost not boat in vain. 
 For God is over all, and heaven above thee." 
 
 " Hoi'K ON', HorF. KVER." 
 
 (JEKA.LU MasSSEY. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 '*,STRAN(iKUS AND SOJorUXKKS WITH (iUl). 
 
 Lev. XXV. 23. 
 
 OLLOW the words and the leadings of 
 thought contained in the \'erse above 
 ^P referred to, and in a few moments yon 
 w411 be able mentally to grasp the changes 
 of ages, and gaze upon scenes whicli passed 
 bcfoie the vision of the ancients. 
 The words at the heading of this chai)ter carry 
 you back three thousand three hundred and fifty 
 years, to the days of the first inspired historian, 
 Musks, the servant of the Lord, — to the most 
 solemn time of his pilgrimage, — to tlit; top of 
 SlXAl, near to the throne of God, amidst the 
 thundcrings, lightnings, and teni])cst, and the voice 
 of God, and to that period of the world's liistory 
 .vhcn men lived more than one hundred years. 
 There are couched in these words a lav and a 
 
 B 
 
Il • 
 
 u 
 
 STRANGERS AND 
 
 promise. It was as though Moses had said, " The 
 Lord spake unto mo in Mount Sinai, saying, when 
 I gave thee possession of the land of Canann — the 
 land flowing with milk and honey — I gave it only 
 for a time ; thou shalt not sell it, for the land is 
 mine, and though I gave it to tJtee and to thy seed, 
 yet thou shalt be only a stranger and sojourner 
 with Me." 
 
 Afid after four hundred and seventy-eight years 
 David employed the same langunge when contem- 
 plating his relation to earth, — to the frail, perishing, 
 and fleeting condition of temporal things. 
 
 Christian Reader ! Do not these words force 
 themselves "upon your own heart ? Can you not 
 say, " My soul, these are for me ? " 
 
 Are you a man of years, surrounded with a large 
 and happy family circle ? You are only a stranger 
 and sojourner with God. Are you possessed of much 
 of this world's wealth? Is your home a palace? 
 Are your estates extensive ? You arc simply a 
 stranycr and sojourner with God. 
 
 These words will not apply to the enemies of 
 God ; for all that they possess is in time, and they 
 have no promise for the " life that is to come." 
 The friends of God only are named strangers 
 
 AND SOJOURNERS WITH GOD. 
 
 In the Bible names of the faithful you see the 
 out-jloiuings of character, and the marked circum- 
 
SOJOURNEnS WITH GOD. 
 
 15 
 
 hen 
 -the 
 only 
 id i^ 
 seed, 
 irner ' 
 
 years 
 iitem- 
 shing, 
 
 5 force 
 DU not 
 
 a large 
 
 tranger 
 f much 
 ^)alace^ 
 
 in^ly ^ 
 
 imies of 
 
 m\ t^icy 
 
 come." 
 
 tlANGEHS 
 
 see the 
 circum- 
 
 stances of tlieir lives, like as many jot finrj.<^ on their 
 [tathway to the " land of promise," 
 
 Stran(;eiis! Whore? In this world of sorrow 
 ami of sin. TJiis world is not the wnial homo of 
 (Jod's sainted people. Far be it from us, however, 
 to say that there is nothing hcautifal or good in 
 this world, notwithstanding the effects produced hy 
 the curse. 
 
 You may see bcaufij and the (JOOiIuchh of God 
 imprinted on all His Avorks. You may sec them in 
 the loftu mountain Avhere it rears its summit to the 
 clouds, and in the fertile valley studded with a 
 million gems of beauty. They may be seen in the 
 wonderful varieties of the three kingdoms of nature, 
 — animal, vegetable, and mineral. You may dis- 
 cover them in the ivildcrncss, where all things si)ring 
 up spontaneously, as it were, and in the lields and 
 gardens which show the marks of human toil. You 
 may find them on the surface of the earth ; and 
 digging through its various strata, far down into its 
 depths, may likewise find them l)uried there. 
 
 Follow that chain of living beings, from tho 
 creeping reptile to stately intelligent man, and 
 from him u[) to the most glowing SERAril before 
 the throne of God, and you may trace them in every 
 being, and order of being, on earth and in heaven. 
 
 Yon may behold them in W(jrlds, and systems of 
 Avorlds, shining in eternal radiance, — in stars, 
 
I 
 
 IG 
 
 STRANGEllS AND 
 
 i)U)oni^, and suufi iinnumborcd, and yet beyond all 
 these are uriniinibered myriads, all sinning- in glori- 
 ous bcanty. 
 
 " Thy glories bhizu' iiU iiiiturc vouiul, 
 Ami strike tlio ■vvoiideriiiu si''ht: 
 
 Throiigli skies, and seas, and solid gnnind, 
 
 "With terror and dcliirht. 
 
 " Infinite strength and eijuul skill 
 Shine throngh thj' works abroad , 
 Our souls with vast amazement lill, 
 And speak their Builder, God." 
 
 Ramble, if you choose, in imagination thi'ough 
 the complicated paths of creation, you wi- not fail to 
 find myriads of spots and hlcniishef^, marks of the 
 curse, and footprints of the fall ; but onr design is 
 to show you that in this world, where there is 
 both heauiij and dcfonnifi/, God's peo))le are only 
 
 STRANGERS AND SOJOURNERS WITH GOD. The term 
 
 or word, Straiujcr, is derived from the Latin, 
 ICXTRANEOUS, and from the French, ctrduger. The 
 English adjective, extraneous, passes into the French 
 etraufjer, changing the ".c" into "^v' and returns 
 to us as straMger, — one who comes from without, 
 belonLi'iiiir to another country, an InhcMifaiit of 
 another land, n fove'iijaer, an alien. 
 
 A STRANGER IS A PERSON UNKNOWN, AND UN- 
 ACQUAINTED WHERE HE JIOJOURNS. 
 
 Unknown 1 A number of friends arc irathercd in 
 
 \\ 
 
soJounxEUs niTH god. 
 
 17 
 
 
 I'N- 
 
 il ill 
 
 a spacious I'doiii to spend a few lioui's In social (>x- 
 c!ian^a> oi' tliono-ht. Tliev understand each (Alior, 
 hocausc all arc friends. Some one knocks at the 
 drior. A servant is sent to inrpiii-e "Who is thei'e?" 
 and l>i-inn's hack the niessiiL:;e, "It Is an irnlnuivn 
 jierson — a si rttni/cr.'' 
 
 The (.'onipany Avere just conversing together very 
 feelingly about a young man who had recently he- 
 come a " Christian." 
 
 " What a pity," said one, " that Alfj-ed should have 
 heen carried away hy this rfliginuf^ e.rctlpinenf . Ho 
 was so hrUliaiit, and played Ids jiart so well in all 
 oui' pleasures." 
 
 Another said, " He is lost." 
 
 " Yes," responded anothei" ; " when sensible peo|.le 
 get such foolish notions in their heads, they become 
 f(Ui(Ulad, and it is verv dillicult to change their 
 minds." 
 
 And a near relative added, " I liad rather have 
 seen him carried to his grave than where he now is." 
 
 On ; HOW BLIND ARE THE UNSAVED I How little 
 
 did any one of that group know of the present bliss 
 and future prospects of that saved one.. In their 
 blindness they mourned over vsdiat they l)elieved to 
 be his sad fate, while angels rejoiced over his change 
 as of 7 7?/77n7c importance; and a thrill of joy ran 
 through the hearts of (Jod's ])eo})le as they beheld 
 the MIGHTY CHANGE. 
 
I ^ ! 
 
 
 18 
 
 STllANGERS AND . 
 
 The near relative just mentioned repeated (and 
 sad to say, the individual was none other than the 
 one who had given him birth and nursed him at her 
 Losom) : " I had rather have seen him carried to his 
 grave than where he now is ;" and little thought 
 that hell might have been beneath the burial. 
 
 God's people and the holy angels well knev/ that 
 every step in tlie change which had been effected in 
 the life of Alfred, v/as one directed towards eternal 
 hap[)inc8s : and they rejoiced over him. " I say un- 
 to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one 
 sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine 
 just persons which need no repentance," (Lukexv. 7). 
 
 They all thought they knew Alfred; but in his 
 present state he was to them as great a stranger as 
 the one who liad just knocked at their door. 
 
 If you see a strange [)erson pass through your street 
 and by your dwelling, you perceive at once that per- 
 son is not a neighbor, not a friend, but an unknown 
 stranger. You are seated in your office of business. 
 A stranger enters. His cautions step and unfatnil- 
 iar manner at once impress you with the fact that 
 he is a stranger. God's faithful people, wdiile in 
 this world of shadoivs, are not known. Nothing 
 IN Christian life is fully understood by uncon- 
 verted MEN. " But the natural man recelveth not 
 the things of the Spirit of God : for they are foolish- 
 oiess unto him ; neither can he know them because 
 
^OJOURNEllS WITH GOD. 
 
 19 
 
 ihty are spirit'dally discerned" (1 Cor. ii. 14.) "lu 
 whom the god of this world hiitli blinded the minds 
 of them which helieve not, lost the liijht of the 'do- 
 rious gosi)el of Christ, who is the image of God, 
 should shine into them." ("! Cor. iv. 4.) 
 
 UXCONVEIITED READER, possibly you mny have 
 thought sometimes that Christians pay too much at- 
 tention to religion. To yourself you may have said, 
 religion is well enough. I don't believe in extremes. 
 It is very well to hear preaching, to read the Bible, 
 jind repeat prayers ; but this going to church two 
 or three times a week, besides on Sabbath, to prny 
 and talk; and this holding worship in the family ; 
 and then to shut oneself up for an hour or two every 
 day to read the Bible and pray in secret, is being 
 righteous over much. 
 
 And sometimes, when you have heard Christians 
 speaking their experience, with hlg tears trickling 
 down their faces, you may have ivondered how a re- 
 ligion which is adapted to make man so Jaippy 
 should produce such results. 
 
 You WONDER, because these Christian people are 
 strangers in the world in which you are a citizen. 
 Were you a child of God, ^'ou w^ould realize the IM- 
 POSSIBILITY OF BEING TOO Dt:voTED ; and that tears 
 which often flow from Christians' eyes are tears of 
 gladness, and bespeak emotions of invjard heavenly 
 
 Joy- 
 
I'd 
 
 STlLlNdEHS AM) 
 
 Tliry .*ir«' slranyer.s to you ; as inucli so as the 
 man you saw pass by j'our U'indon', or ruter y(^ur 
 
 Oillct.', 
 
 A youii*i; latly, ;i iiicuilH'r ot" a wenltliy and fasli- 
 ionalth; lauiily in tlio soutli of Knj^'laiid, had been 
 actcustouic'd ibr many years to entei'tain lior fatlier's 
 IViciids by sinLriujj: his favoritt' souj^s. Under an 
 iini)ressive sornion she y-ave lier heart to (iod, and 
 l»ecamo a FArnirrr. Christian. Her fi-iends deeply 
 re_n-retted the chani/c whieli bad taken plaee in lier 
 mind, and employed every means in their power to 
 destro}' it, but all to no pur[)ose. As tlieir last etfbrt, 
 tlw'v invited a number of their associates to an even- 
 ini;- [)artv. \.h the festivities passed on, she was in- 
 vited to sin<j one of lier favorite sono's. She hcsl- 
 hiftuJ^ and fiocmcd sad. On 1)eing urged, she arose, 
 took liei" scat at the piano, and sunuf with IjK^ssimI 
 effect : 
 
 " No room for mirth or trilling here, — 
 
 For worldly hope, or worldly fear, 
 If life so soon is gone ; 
 
 If now the Judge is at the door, 
 
 And all mankind must stand heforo 
 The inexorable throne. 
 
 " No matter which my thoughts employ, — 
 A moment's misery or joy ; 
 
 But O ! Avhen both shall end, 
 Where shall I find my destined place ] 
 Shall I my everlasting days 
 With fiends or angels spend ? 
 
SOJOUUNEUS iriTll (.'(fl). 
 
 21 
 
 Nothing is worth a tli(;nght beneatli, 
 But how I may escape tliu death 
 
 That never, never dies I 
 How make mine own election sure, 
 And when I fail on earth, secure 
 
 A mansion in the skies I" 
 
 Til the State of Peimsylvania lived a wealtl 
 
 0% 
 
 but i^odless man. A son of his was convinced of 
 
 sin and led to inquire anxiously tlic way to be 
 saved. His fatlier, pei'ceivinsr the eliango, deter- 
 mined to leave no means untried to divert his mind 
 from the subject. He Imrried liim from business to 
 pleasure, and from })leasure to business, with stnjnjjf 
 hopes that his serious impressions might be driven 
 away, or, at least, that he might be prevented 
 making any public profession of tlie change of his 
 views. But all these efforts were in vain. The 
 Spirit of God had laid hold on his soul, and did not 
 desert him. He Avas brought to the dust in sub- 
 mission to (Jod ; and found peace in believing in 
 Christ. 
 
 About this time a splendid hall was got u}), with 
 every possible attempt at displa}', and the youth of 
 the village and surrounding country were all in a 
 state of excitement for the festive liall. The con- 
 vert was invited. He at once declined attending, 
 but his father insisted that he should go. Here was 
 a great strugfrle : on the one hand were the convlc- 
 
 oo 
 
I 
 
 IM 
 
 lid 
 
 23 
 
 STRANGE US AXD 
 
 t'lona of liid own conscience, us well as the desires of 
 IiIh liofirt ; on the other, tlio command of his father 
 wlio.:^ he was still l)onnd to obey. The struggle 
 was long and anxious. At length it was decided. — 
 He determhwil to <j<>. His father rejoiced at his 
 decision. His friends congratulated him on havip"- 
 abandoned his new notions and become a man 
 again. The evening at last arrived. Tlie gay party 
 were gathered in the spacious hall. There were 
 beauty, and wealth, and fashion. The dlte was 
 tliere, every heart seemed full of ghuliiess, every 
 voice was one of joy. The convert appeared among 
 the rest. He was the tirst on the 11 jor to lead oif 
 the dance. A cotillion was formed, and the circle 
 stood in the centre of the room with everv eve fixed 
 on them. What was the astonishment of the com- 
 pany when the young Christian raised his hands 
 towards heaven, and said, " Let us phay." The 
 assembly was awe-stricken. Not a word was 
 uttered. It was as silent as the grave wliile he 
 poured out his heart to God in behalf of his young 
 companions, his parents, and neighbors. With [)er- 
 foct composure he concluded his prayer, and this 
 done, all left the room s'dentbj but one, the young 
 lady whom he had led upon the floor as his partner. 
 She stood near him bathed in tears. They left the 
 room together, and not long afterwards, she was led 
 to the foot of the cross, having been first awakened 
 
SOJOUllNEUS WITH HOD. 
 
 L'U 
 
 by lit-T partuL'r's jirayer on tlic floor of tin; ball 
 
 room. 
 
 Tl 
 
 ley were soon inarriLM 
 
 1, and 
 
 ai'G M 
 
 till 
 
 IVUIL!' 
 
 o' 
 
 aetivo, clovotiMl iiiLMulicrs ol' the body ttf Christ, and 
 he is an elder in one ol' the ehurelies near the eitv 
 of New York. 
 
 Doubtless the parents of eaeh of tliose ])erson.s 
 
 Id exehiini " HOW 
 
 :d 
 
 am 
 
 1 tl 
 
 le Jiotlless 
 
 IK 
 
 tl 
 
 ironu' won 
 
 JUit the Churrh of (lod luilitant 
 
 FOOLISH I 
 
 ti'lamphani said "JloW wisi;!" (Jod's peoi)le ai-e 
 str"nn'(;rs in this world. 
 
 . .IH STRAX(n:}l IS L'XAt\)UAIXTi:i) WHKLIE UK SO- 
 JOUIINS. How I'll lie ilo Christian people know of 
 the ('orn'pHons that are in the world, and of the 
 follu'fi of sin. They wonid seorn to tread in the 
 footsteps of the fallen — indeed they conld not do so 
 without jeoi):u'di/:in;j; their ^n)i)d name, and eonipro- 
 misinfj the cause of the Redeemer. They have like- 
 wise the Divine eonmiand : '" Wherefore eome out 
 froiu among them iind be ye separate, saith the 
 Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; anil I will 
 receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye 
 shall bo my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Al- 
 luighty." (2 Cor. vi. 17, i^.) That which a|)parently 
 satisfies, and even deliij'hts the wicked, would strike 
 the Christian with horror and disi-'ust. It would be 
 to him as the roiniEXTS of hell. 
 
 The Christi.in. is aiiacquantlcd with the scenes 
 witnessed amoai; the vicioufi. But little does he 
 
24 
 
 STBANaEBS AND 
 
 know of the excesses of tlic drunkard, of tlie gam- 
 blers' saloon, the chamber of the libertine, oy the bed 
 of tlie adidtcrer and adaUeresf^. 
 
 In our great cities are many Imndreds of Chris- 
 tians ; little are thev cousciods of what is u'oliif'" on 
 in the dark suburbs, rendered so because of hovr'id 
 crimes as well as oiarrow streets. 
 
 No Christian Avould venture to exploi'c their 
 drinking houses or brothels ; neither is he familiar 
 with the numerous sins therein coiumitted, transgres- 
 sions which stealthily, though as certainly destroy 
 both body and soul. The term sirawjcr may also 
 include the foreigner in its meaning — a person 
 belonging to another country — an alien. Many 
 leave their homes with all their haUoived surround- 
 ings, and go among stranr/evs to improve their condi- 
 tion; they are driven forth by force of circumstances, 
 and in the country whei'c they are strangers they 
 are not as happy as they were in their former homes. 
 This is precisely the position of the peojde of (Jlod. 
 This world is not their home. 
 
 " Here, they are only strangers and pilgrims," so- 
 journing for a while in prospect of a better country, 
 after the toils, sorrows, and pleasures of a few fleet- 
 ing years. 
 
 The Christian's relationshi[) to earth, and that 
 ])etter country is clearly stated in the Word of Life. 
 
 Heaven is the Chrjstian's ultimate home. It in 
 
SOJOUHNEBS TFITir GOD. 
 
 25 
 
 Jescribod all through the inspired pages, but the 
 following will doubtlessly suffice. " And 1 know 
 such a man (whether in the body or out of the bod}', 
 1 cannot tell, God knoweth) ; hoAv that he was caught 
 up into paradise and heard unspeakable words which 
 it is not lawful for man to utter." (2 Cor. vii., 3-4).) 
 " He that hath an ear let him hear what the S[)irit 
 saith unto the churches ; To him that overeometh 
 will I give to eat of the iree of life which is in the 
 midst of the paradise of God." (Rev. ii., 7.) 
 
 In these two passages, heaven is named Fakadisk, 
 meaning pleas\ivc and delirjhf, or j^/ace of pleasure. 
 This earth is the Christian's ivildcrnes.s, bearing 
 thorns and briers, and its inhabitants are sons of toil 
 and sorrow. Tlicir heayenly Paradise will be their 
 abode of pleasure, where " sorrow and sighing shall 
 be known no more for ever." 
 
 Heaven is called the saints' inheritance. " And 
 now brethren, 1 commend you to God, and to the 
 word of His grace, which is able to build you up, 
 and to give you an inheritance among all them which 
 are sanctified." (Acts xx., 32.) " Giving thanks 
 uuLo the Father which hath made us meet to be the 
 partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." 
 (Col. i., 12.) These are the days of the Christian's 
 embarrassments, this his place of darkness ; his in- 
 licritance on the other side of the river of death 
 will be Light. 
 
f 
 
 .:i 
 
 u- 
 
 If ' I 
 
 n 
 
 2G STBANGEnS AND 
 
 " And the city liad no need of the sun, neither of 
 the moon to .shine in it ; for the Glory of God did. 
 lin:liten it, .ind the Lamb is the lic;]it tliereof ; and the 
 nations of tliem tliat are saved, shall vralk in the 
 liirht of it ; and the kin<xs of the earth dobrini; their 
 glory and honor into it. And the gates of jt shall 
 not Le shut at all by day; for there shall bono 
 
 ni 
 
 ght there." (Rev. xxi., 21, 2:,], 25. 
 
 Th 
 
 >tlU 
 
 I 
 
 his inUcritance is said to be " nicorrvptib'e a)u 
 Kiidcfiled, and that fadeili not away." (1 Peter i., 
 4.) God's faithful people in this world are imp- ^sscd 
 with the mutation of all thinL''s terrestrial. 
 
 The seasons go and return. In the winter the 
 whole landscape is covered with the snows of heaven, 
 and all nature seems to la}' in the embrace of 
 death. The j.lants that blossomed as the rose are 
 llowerless, the autumn leaves have fallen and are 
 decaying, the songsters of the forest have ceased 
 their merry warbliiigs ; and man seeks pleasure from 
 a thousand fountains or sources that his spirit may 
 not be shaded by the common gloom. 
 
 The Christian's future inheritance will never fade, 
 the chillinsf blasts of winter will not be felt — no 
 cloudy days — no noon-tide eclipse be ex[)e)'ienced. 
 Its sun will pour forth his lightening and warming 
 rays for ever, and the trees and tlowers shall never 
 die. " It is called the Eternal Inheritance." 
 
 In your probationary state, how uncertain arc all 
 
"tt^ 
 
 ^m 
 
 SOJOURNERS JVITH GOD. 
 
 27 
 
 ither of 
 jod did 
 and the 
 ill tlio 
 ig tlic'ir 
 }t si 1 all 
 1 1)0 no 
 
 hie and 
 Putor i., 
 
 ip" "ssed 
 
 iter tlio 
 
 lioavcn, 
 
 'aco of 
 
 oso arc 
 
 id are 
 
 ceased 
 
 e from 
 
 t may 
 
 r fade, 
 
 t — no 
 
 ■KMiced. 
 
 irminu' 
 never 
 
 CE." 
 
 nrc all 
 
 tliincr*'. Voii mav be the owner of a costly estate, 
 you may live in a splendid mansion surrounded by 
 beautiful fields, groves, orchards and gardens, or any 
 thing else that can possibly gratify the senses, and 
 by a iniscalculaiion, a false step, an unfortunate 
 enterprise, or a providential interposition you may 
 be deprived of all, and with your fortune reversed 
 be compelled to look poverty squarely in the face. In 
 your eternal inheritance you will be liabL to no 
 such casualties. Your substance will never pass into 
 the hands of others ; other children will not eat the 
 bread which should have filled the mouths of vour 
 own. 
 
 Christian, if yours has been a life of i-eversos, 
 your iiJieritance above may be eternally 2??'o*;/'C)'Ows 
 and happy. Your life ix Heaven may be a life 
 
 OF REST. 
 
 " There remaineth therefore a rest unto the people 
 of God." (Ileb, iv., 9.) There are fev\^ things ac- 
 complished ill this world without an admixture of 
 sorrow and pain. How many are the toils of life ? 
 
 You labor to secure the wants of nature ; to bless 
 those who are leaning upon you for the necessaries 
 and comforts of life, and to lay them in store that 
 they may not be brought to ivant and v: retched iicss. 
 
 To some it may bo said, "I see im[)rinted upon 
 every footstep of your's anguAsh and sorrow! 0, take 
 courage, despair not, ' tlierc is sweet rest in heaven.' " 
 
I y 
 
 r 
 
 28 
 
 STItANGEnS AND 
 
 As the blessed Sabbath of rest comes to the poor ex- 
 hausted hiborer after six days of toil and suffering ; 
 so Christian traveller the Sabbath of rest shall 
 dawn upon you, after the cares and anxieties of a 
 few eventful and sorvoivinq vcars. 
 
 " No more fatigwe, no more distress, 
 Nor sin, nor hell shall reach the place I 
 No sighs shall mingle with the songs 
 Which warble from immortal tongues. 
 
 " No rude alarms of raging foes, 
 No cares to break the long repose, 
 No midnight shade or clouded sun, 
 But sacred high eternal noon. 
 
 " O long expected day begin, 
 Dawn on these realms of woe and sin ; 
 Fain would wo leave this weary road, 
 And sleep in death, to rest with God." 
 
 Heaven is called Eternal Life. 
 
 "But the righteous into life eternal." (Matt. 
 XXV. 4G.) The unregenerated are marked in time 
 and in eternity as dead. Here, " dead to God ;" 
 " s})iritually dead in sins ;" " dead to God while here 
 you l>reathe." Beyond this state of existence are 
 , the uidiappy subjects of death eternal. The 
 Christian, from his second l)irth, lives, and has the 
 promise of living for ever. Through the City o' 
 God, the metropolis of tlic believers' paradise, flows 
 
 jj^f' 
 
 jH 
 
lie poor Gx- 
 1 .suffering ; 
 f rest shall 
 J^ietie.s of a 
 
 sojounyjriis iriTii god. 
 
 ' (Matt. 
 [ ill time 
 to God;" 
 liile here 
 enee are 
 L. The 
 has the 
 City o' 
 se, flows 
 
 29 
 
 the river of Life. On either side of that river ..rows 
 the tree, the leaves of wlddi are for the healinr. of 
 the nations. God's ^uthM ones sl^nll forever dHnk 
 ofthe waters of that river, and ent of the fruit of 
 tlie tree of hfb, and live f;.r ever, ykx, for ever. 
 
 " Say, sons of (iod, wl.y do ye sorro^vin. .stand 
 By tlie dark river of the waters of strife ? 
 By faitli take a vieu' of tliat liappy land, 
 Sweet, glorious land of life. 
 
 Tl.cro sorrow and pain sliall be known no n>ore, 
 Nor toil nor care the wayfarer oppress • 
 
 l)eatli sliall not be found on it« sbining sliore, 
 Sweet, lieavenly kind of rest. 
 
 '' All tlie brio-lit beinys of tliat peaceful realm _ 
 Cliernbnn, .serapIiini,~-glorined band,- ' 
 <"^'n' and brightness shall ever o'erwlielni, 
 la tluit briglit, happy land. 
 
 " ()],lessed land ..f life: eternal life ! 
 
 Where pain and sorrow are never known • 
 
 ^Vhereligld,, and love, and joy are rife, 
 Before tlie great Jehovali's thr.me." 
 
 " For ye are stmn;.ers and soj.uiruers w,th mf" 
 f ""^^"^ ';' ^''" -•'<- "^' J-e. Von are not h^ 
 a^|non. a land wi.ere you are .tranter. The lands 
 and houses you ocvnpylielongnnto the Lord. He 
 ;l^vells w,th you. You .re hut strangers and so- 
 journers with Him Feir no*- • ,. i , • 
 
 '"• J^Lai not, y<,u have a kind 
 
 C 
 
\ 
 
 ■IS' 
 
 i ^f, 
 
 J ( 
 
 ■r 
 
 
 * 1 
 
 r'% 
 
 
 41 
 
 mj 
 
 ^^»* 
 
 „> 
 
 \ .if ■ 
 
 St 
 
 • ' 
 
 30 STUAXGEUS AND SOJOUJIXEIIS, ETC. 
 
 Fathei* to guard you ; n hdpftd hand to guide you ; 
 a comfort iu'j voice to cheer 3'ou on. 
 
 Does sin come near you ? Be not afraid. Jeho- 
 vah is ever present. Does the vile tempter approach 
 you ? Your blessed Ddhcerev is at your side con- 
 tinually, by day and by night. In all your extremes 
 of jo}' and sorrow, He will prove your support. 
 
 8uy, poor traveller in tliia world of toil, 
 
 Have yon notliing to cheer you on earth's sod ? 
 
 To have a friend, so great a friend, so dear 
 In hours of danger, when sore distrest ; 
 
 In sorrow and darkness you've lieavenly cheer, 
 Your pain is sweet and hibor is rest. 
 
 Dear header, there are two important lessons 
 taught in this chapter : 
 
 1st. If you desire to be a friend of God, you must 
 live as a stranger in the world. This can only be 
 accomplished by holy living. 
 
 2nd. If you cultivate friendship with the world, 
 you willJ)ecome an enemy of God: for you can only 
 do this by joining in the sins and follies thereof In 
 the Scriptures you will find that "■ frlendslilp with 
 the world is enmity with God." "No man can 
 serve two masters : or cither he will hate the one 
 and love the other, or else he will hold to the one 
 and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and 
 mammon." (Matt. vi. 24.) 
 
 •|^ 
 
 11 
 
'^ 
 
 S; ETC. 
 
 ) guide you ; 
 
 Taid. Jeho- 
 'ter approach 
 u" side con- 
 cur extrcuies 
 up port. 
 
 I's sod ? 
 ,r 
 
 hecr, 
 
 tant les.soiis 
 
 d, you must 
 an only Le 
 
 ||if0i-iars aw tijc (Jjartf). 
 
 . the world, 
 ou can only 
 thereof. In 
 thh'q) with 
 man can 
 te the one 
 to the one 
 D God and 
 
i III 
 
 I '< 
 
 * 
 
 mmm 
 
 (ii 
 
 " (Jolden moments passing .s\\iftl3', 
 Wafting ns along the tide ; 
 J'jver fleeting, never staying, 
 As along life's waves we glide. 
 
 " Golden moments, O thy treasure, 
 That we for an instant view ; 
 Then so hasty in thy mission, 
 Pass and bid ns all adieu. 
 
 " Golden moments of my childhood, 
 O where, thy charms so dear ? 
 Lost forever in oblivion, 
 Alas in yontli tliey are not liore."' 
 
 Mks. Shaw. 
 

 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 " J'lLtJlllMS ON THE KAIITII.' 
 
 Iks, Shaw, 
 
 I 
 
 Hob. xi. ]3. 
 
 liKRK clu.'^tcr around tliis class of i)ersons 
 
 every species of spiritual goodness, purity, 
 
 zeal, devotion, and self-sacrifice: yet no 
 
 enlightened individual can contemplate 
 
 ^^^* tliem Avitliout seeing pass before his vision 
 
 "^ scenes repulsive and sad. 
 
 All nations have consecrated their holij placen for 
 
 the rest and worship of pilgrims. Alas, liow few 
 
 among them all have afforded " rest to the Aveary," 
 
 or comfort to the sorrowful. 
 
 Tlie Christian Church has not existed these many 
 centuries without her pilgrims, and lier pilgrimages. 
 As eai'ly as the middle ages they commenced ; 
 1)ut Ijccame most admired and practised about the 
 eleventh century. 
 
 Then the highest dignitaries of the Church, as well 
 as poor rural pastors, felt it necessary sometimes for 
 
u 
 
 t 
 
 » 
 
 ,1 
 
 i\ 
 
 ?A 
 
 p IK HUMS ox riiH EAirrn. 
 
 many nionfchs to loavo tlicir Hocks to fall a jiivv t<> 
 tlio tempter, wliilo tlu'V trjivclli.'d to some linly 
 })1hcg, — some . (!onsocnil(Ml slirine. And they often 
 mot tlicro the rich and poor of diti'erent lands, 
 not unfrecjuontly kings, who had left alike their 
 palaces and their people to receive some supposed 
 ]'eligions j^'ain. 
 
 In the year 142S, in the reign of Henry VI., licen- 
 ses "svero granted to English captains for carrying 
 nnmhers of devout persons to the shrine of St, 
 .lames. The licenses provided, however, that the 
 ])iln:rinis should iirst take an oath not to take awav 
 anything prejudicial to England; nor reveal any of 
 its secrets, or carry out with them any more gold 
 or silver than would bo sufficient for their reason- 
 able expenses. In the same year nine hundi'ed and 
 twenty-six persons went out as pilgrims. 
 
 Later, multitudes resorted to LoiiETTO, in order 
 to visit the chamber in which the Virgin }ihvcy 
 was supposed to be born, and to have brought up 
 her son, Jesus, until he Avas twelve years of age. 
 
 In England, the shrine of Thomas-a-Beckett was 
 the chief resort of the pious. 
 
 In Scotland, St. Andrews, Avhorc it was said was 
 deposited the leg of that Apostle. 
 ■ In Ireland, pilgrimages have been made down to 
 modern times. The popular resort of penitents Avas 
 
I'lLGlUMS UN TJIK EAUTIL 
 
 35 
 
 a i)rey to 
 OHIO holy 
 hey often 
 ;nt lands, 
 like their 
 supposed 
 
 Vl.Jioon- 
 • carryinjjj 
 no of St. 
 , that the 
 ako awav 
 ,'al any of 
 more gohl 
 
 ir rcason- 
 iidred and 
 
 I, in order 
 ■gin Mar}' 
 |ronght I! J) 
 
 f age. 
 
 •kett v.'as 
 
 said was 
 
 down to 
 tents was 
 
 an island near the centre of Lornii-FlN, or Wiiri'F, 
 Lake, in the county of Doneuat,. 
 
 From the l)e!j:inninii" (^f May to the middle of 
 August, every year, many thousands collected at 
 this place. They were mostly of the poorer class, — 
 many of them were proxies for those' who wei'i; 
 i-idior. Sometimes Church dignitaries, and rich lay- 
 men might have been seen going through thoir 
 devotions at this shrine. 
 
 When the pilgrims came in sight of this holy lake, 
 they uncovered their hands and feet, and thus 
 walking to the Avater side v/ere taken to the 
 island. Here there were two chapels and fifteen 
 other houses. The penances were inflicted, accord- 
 ing to the state of the penitent, Lasting sometimes 
 three, six, and nine hours. There were a variety of 
 forms of penance. In one (jf them the penitent was 
 compelled to pass over sharp stones on his hare 
 knees or feet. 
 
 When all was over Ids spiritual adviser bored a 
 gimlet hole through the top of his staff, in whieh 
 he fastened a piece of wood : then he gave him some 
 holy pebbles out of the lake to be presented to his 
 fri(mds, and so dismissed him, an object of venera- 
 tion to all others not thus initiated. These latter, 
 as soon as they saw the pilgrim's staff in his hand, 
 knelt down to get his blessing. . 
 
 The Mahometans made pilgrimages a. part of 
 
:]G 
 
 riLGEim (LY THE earth. 
 
 \% 
 
 their religion. TliC}'' were expressly conimiiiiflcd in 
 the Komn ; ami there wfis a tradition among them, 
 that lie who died Avithout a pilgrimage to Mf.cca 
 miglit as \vell have died a .Jew or a. ('hrist'aii. 
 
 What was principally revercneed in this plaee, 
 and gave sanetity to the whole, was a square stone 
 building called Kaat.A. Eelorc the time of Maliomet 
 this temple was a place of woi>hip foi- idolatrous 
 Arabs, and is said to have contained no less than 
 tlu-ee hundred and sixty dill'erent images, erpialling 
 in number the days of the Ai'abian year. 
 
 Mahomet destroyed all these, consecrated the 
 KaaI3A, and appointed it to bo the chief place of 
 woi'ship Joi' all believers. The Mus.sulmen ])ay so 
 great a veneration to it, that they Ijolieve a single 
 sijjfht of its vencral)le walls without any ])articular 
 act of religious devotion on their part is as meritor- 
 ious in the sight of God as the most careful discharge 
 of their duty for the sitace of a whole year in any 
 other temple. 
 
 In heathen countries there are numerous shrines 
 and ])ilgrimages. 
 
 They cons'Jtute a part of the religion of the people 
 of Thibet. The Delae Lama or Grand Lama is 
 their High Priest, and the Aisible object of adora- 
 tion to this nation-;-to hordes of wandering Tartars, 
 and to the vast ]K)pulation of China. 
 
 Ho resides at Patoli, a magnificent palace on the 
 
J'lLGIUMS ON THE EARTH. 
 
 37 
 
 nanrlcfl in 
 oiiLT them, 
 to Ml'.CCA 
 I 'an. 
 
 this ])la('0, 
 
 larc stone 
 
 f Malioniet 
 
 idolatrons 
 
 less tlian 
 
 eqnaHing 
 
 crated the 
 jf ])]ace of 
 lien pay so 
 ■e a, .singh' 
 )aiticular 
 
 1' 
 
 \s 
 
 mentor 
 
 11 (lischarire 
 
 ar in anv 
 
 sliiine.' 
 
 itlie people 
 l) Lama is 
 
 
 
 f ado 
 
 ra- 
 
 vz Tartars, 
 
 .-3 
 
 ace on 
 
 the 
 
 mountain, near the l»aid<s of Buramiiooter, ahont 
 seven miles from Lahasso. 
 
 The foot of tlxMnountain is surrounded hy twenty 
 thousand Lamas or /'/vVs/s, in attendanec on tln'ir 
 sovcreiLcn pontilf, who is considered as the vieo- 
 "•(•H'lit of <T()d on earth. Tlu' more i-cniote Tar- 
 tai's reL:;ar(l him as a!)S()lutt'l3' the l)('ity, and call 
 him the KVKKLASTINCJ FATlIKIl OF IIKAVFX. TlieV 
 lielicvc him to he 1 inrno'i'td/, and cndowcil with all 
 kiwidexbic anil ri r'ai'. He is oidv seen in the .seeret 
 plaee of his palaee, amidst Ji great luunher of lanijis, 
 sittiuLT cross-leii'LTed oii a cushion, and decked all 
 over with gold and precious stones. 
 
 Every year they go up there from different parts 
 to worship, and make rich offerings at his shrine, 
 while at a distance the people ])rostrate themselves 
 hefore him ; it not beinij- lawful for anv so much as 
 to kiss his feet. He will not return the least 
 sign of respect ; nor s[)eak even to the greatest 
 princes ; he only lays his hand upon their heads, and 
 they are fully persuaded that they thereby receive a 
 full forgiveness of all their sins. The Emperor of 
 ('hina may sometimes he seen prostrated at this 
 shrine. 
 
 The Hindoos yiei'fjrm torturous pilgrimages. Mr. 
 SwAKTZ, their great missionary, relates the follow- 
 ing:— 
 
 A certain man on the Malabar Coast luid 
 
mm 
 
 i 
 
 il! 
 
 I 
 
 ' w 
 
 i 
 
 38 
 
 PILGlilMS ON THE EARTH. 
 
 inquired of various devotees and priests how he 
 might make an atonement, and at last he was 
 directed to drive iron spikes, sufficiently blunted, 
 through his sandals ; and on these spikes he was to 
 place his naked feet, and walk about four hundred 
 and eighty miles. If through the loss of blood, or 
 weakness of body, he was necessitated to halt, he 
 was obliged to wait for healing and for strength 
 before continuing his walk. He undertook this 
 journey, and while he halted uncter a large shady 
 tree, where the gospel was sometimes preached, one 
 of the missionaries came and preached in his hearing 
 from these words, " The blood of Jesus Christ 
 cleanseth from all sin." While he was preaching, 
 the man rose up, threw off his torturing sandals, 
 and cried out aloud, " This is what I want." 
 
 The name pilgrim, with some changes, is found in 
 many languages. In the Latin it is Feregrinus, 
 meaning ivanderinfj,foreigny strange, outlandish, — 
 one who comes, or is brought from, another country, 
 — a stranger, an alien, or foreigner, a 'pilgrirti. In 
 the Danish it is 'pilgrim ; Dutch, pelgrim. But in 
 all cases it means a traveller or Avanderer from an- 
 other country or to some holy place. 
 
 The Bible speaks often of pilgrims and pilgrim- 
 ages. Jacob, when he stood before Pharaoh, said, 
 " The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hun- 
 dred and thirty years. Few and evil have the days 
 
 % 
 
PILGUIMS ON TEE EARTH. 
 
 39 
 
 s how he 
 t he was 
 / blunted, 
 he was to 
 V hundred 
 ' blood, or 
 halt, he 
 [• strength 
 ftook this 
 .rge shady 
 ached, one 
 lis hearing 
 sus Christ 
 preaching, 
 g sandals, 
 iNT." 
 
 found in 
 eregrinus, 
 
 ndish, — 
 country, 
 
 rim. In 
 But in 
 
 trom an- 
 
 pilgrim- 
 aoh, said, 
 re a hun- 
 
 the days 
 
 of the years of my life been, and have not attained 
 imto the days of the years of the life of my fathers 
 in the days of their pilgrimage." (Gen. xlvii. 9.) 
 The Hel)rew worthies who " died in the faith, not 
 having received the promises ; but having seen them 
 afar olf, were persuaded of them, and embraced them, 
 and confessed they were strangers and pilgrims on 
 the earth." (Heb. xi. 13.) Peter exhorts the faith- 
 ful, as "strangers and pllgrins, to abstain from 
 fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." (1 Peter 
 ii, 11.) And God speaks of the land of Canaan as 
 the land of His people's pilgrimage. (Exod. vi., 4.) 
 The idea taught all through the Bible is, that the 
 believer's life on earth is a pilgrimage. 
 
 How different from these arc the pilgrimages made 
 to earthly shrines. The poor votary of superstition, 
 spending his money, time, and labor to reach the ivhite 
 lake, cannot enjoy the privilege of worship without 
 bodily suflering, and all he receives in return is a 
 piece of wood, a few pebbles out of the lake, and the 
 privilege of seeing mortals like himself fall down 
 before him, and seek his blessing. 
 
 The Mahometan weeps bitterly in the temple of 
 Kaaha, and seeks in vain a Saviour. 
 
 The Hindoo, after days and nights of wmrisoyne 
 travel and torturing pain, finds no red, neither can 
 lie make an atonement. 
 
 The worshippers of Delai Lama receive in return 
 

 i 
 
 I 
 
 40 
 
 PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. 
 
 for all their toil and self-sacrifice, neither look, smile, 
 nor comforting word from their austere and repnl- 
 sivG god. 
 
 It is true that in the believer's pilgrimage towards 
 heaven, there are crosses to be borne, and trials to be 
 endured ; that there are years of toil and care. But 
 there is also the comforting presence of God ; the 
 aid of the Spirit and the inward consolation of 
 reliixion. There is faith also which arms liim for 
 every conquest ; opens heaven, and gives him a 
 view of his final resting-place, after the toils of his 
 [)ilgrimage shall end. 
 
 Christian, there are three things AvWch can make 
 your pilgrimage pleasant. Be sure you have them : 
 " True religion,'' " The presence of God" and a 
 " Joyous hope of heaven." 
 
 TiiUE RFJJGiox IS purf:. The pilgrim should not 
 l)ollute himself with the sins of the country in which 
 he is a stranger. It is wise in a stranger to keep 
 hi,, name pure and his character unsullied. Ho will 
 be more esteemed, and much happier in his own 
 mind. The Apostle Peter exhorts, " Dearly beloved, 
 I beseech you, as strangers and inlgrhns, to abstain 
 frovti fleshly lusts." (1 Peter ii. 11.) Lust or im- 
 purity wars against the spirit, and impedes the pil- 
 grim in his journey : therefore, he should abstain 
 from all impurities. As a pilgrim, he should pur- 
 sue his journey through life to that better world, 
 
PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. 
 
 41 
 
 holding only a transient state leading to that which 
 is permanent. 
 
 To accomplish the Christian pilgrimage rightly, 
 zeal is a necessary qualification. - The word*^ which 
 should ever sound in the pilgrim's ears are, " Be 
 ZEALOUS." He who loiters in the way will never 
 reach the holy place. The racer must " run with 
 patience the race set before him." The worker must 
 "ivorh the worhs of Him that sent him while it 
 is called to-day, for the night cometh ivhen no man 
 can ivorJc." The Christian pilgrim must go on from 
 strength to strength, until lie appears in Zion before 
 God." If he procr.istinates, he will die in the wil- 
 derness, and never reach the city of the " Great 
 King." 
 
 The Christian pilgrim must be devoted. He must 
 have but one religion, one Helper, and one aim. If 
 he mixes up too much with the world, he will be- 
 come its citizen, and lose his character as a pilgrim. 
 
 As a citizen of the world, he will be subject to its 
 riches, honors, and amusements, unlike the pilgrim 
 passing through it to a happier home. Tlie Chris- 
 tian pilgrim must give up everything that would 
 hinder him in the way, and should study to know 
 what are his greatest hindrances. 
 
 Some are strongly tempted by earthly riches ! 
 Christian, what are they ? Can you carry them 
 with you beyond the grave ? Are they not uncev" 
 
"fgra 
 
 'mn. 
 
 42 
 
 PILGimiS ON THE EAliTIL 
 
 \ ; 
 
 »,i'y 
 
 tain, like all other temporal things ? Where they 
 are possessed in great abundance, they are some- 
 times troublesome obstructions. Thousands would 
 be far happier in poverty than in liches. 
 
 Earthly honors often tempt the pilgrim. What 
 are they but blown bubbles ? Are they worth the 
 sacrifice of the interminable interests of a future ex- 
 istence 1 
 
 Do you covet a name among divines, 'poets and 
 jjhilosophers ? Think of Boethius and Bunyan. 
 The fame of the mightiest of them sometimes haii 
 been reflected from prison walls, and even in perse- 
 cutions unto death. 
 
 Do you desire a place among statesmen and war- 
 riors ? Bring to mind the history of NiciAS and 
 Demosthenes, of Dionysius and Socrates. 
 
 Do you covet the wearing of a croNvn and the 
 
 waving of the sceptre of a King ? Call to mind 
 
 Nebuchadnezzar (in Daniels image the head of 
 
 Gold) driven from the throne of one of the proudest 
 
 empires in the world, to eat grass like the ox, and 
 
 compelled to have his dwelling placeamong the 
 
 ibeasts of the field, Kemember Belshazzer, feasting 
 
 'vvith his lords in the zenith of his glory, and in the 
 
 same night slain in his palace, and his empire turned 
 
 -over t(D the Medes and Persians. But a few months 
 
 ■ago, Napoleon III. reigned over one of the mightiest 
 
 nations on earth — now ho is an exile. The Queen 
 
ft^'A\4- 
 
 PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. 
 
 43 
 
 lere tliey 
 re some- 
 ds would 
 
 1. What 
 vortli the 
 \iture ex-- 
 
 ■poets and 
 
 BUNYAN. 
 
 times ha>;5 
 in persc- 
 
 and war- 
 ICIAS and 
 
 ;s. 
 
 n and the 
 
 to mind 
 
 head of 
 
 ! proudest 
 
 ox, and 
 
 (long the 
 
 , feasting 
 
 nd in the 
 
 c turned 
 
 l\v months 
 
 mightiest 
 
 le Queen 
 
 ir 
 
 of Spain has likewise been recently expatriated ; 
 Avdiile Pius IX. has been shorn of his temporal 
 power, and the King of Italy reigns over the city 
 of Rome. 
 
 Colton has said : — " Honor is unstahle and seldom 
 the same, for she feeds upon opinion, and is as fickle 
 as her food. She builds a lofty structure on a sandy 
 foundation of the esteem of those who are of all beings 
 the most subject to change. 
 
 " Honor is most capricious in her rewards. She 
 feeds us with the air, — and often pulls down our house 
 to build our monument." 
 
 She is contracted in her views, inasmuch as her 
 hopes are rooted in earth, bounded by time, and term- 
 inated by death. In the storms and tempests of 
 hfe, honor is not to be depended upon, because she 
 herself partakes of the tunmlt, she also is buffeted 
 by the wave and borne along by the whirlwinds. 
 Be not enticed. Seek rather the honor that 
 Cometh from God only, for many have worshipped 
 at the shrine of honor and fallen her martyrs. 
 Do the pleasures of the world draw you aside ? 
 Read the history of Solomon. He drank pleasure 
 from many fountains, and in the end confessed " all 
 was vanity and vexation of spirit." 
 
 ''At first hor mother oartli she holdeth dear, 
 And Jotli embrace the world and -worldly things ; 
 
 She flics close by tJie ground and hovers here, 
 And mounts not up with her celestial wings. 
 

 
 :i! 
 
 1. ! 
 
 I 
 
 •isi' • 
 
 44 
 
 PILGIilMS ON THE EARTH. 
 
 " Yet \in(ler heaven she cannot light on aught 
 That with her heavenly nature doth agree ; 
 
 She cannot rest, she cannot fix her thought, 
 She cannot in the world contented be. 
 
 " For who did ever yet, in honor or health, 
 Or pleasure of the sense contentment find \ 
 
 Who ever ceased to wish when he had wealth / 
 Or having wisdom was not vexed in mind ? 
 
 " Then as a bee, which among weeds doth fall, 
 Which seem sweet flowers with lustre fresh and gay, 
 
 She lights on that and this, and tasteth all ; 
 But pleased with none, doth rise and soar away. 
 
 " *" :^ vhen the soul finds here no true content, 
 And like Noah's dove can no sure footing take. 
 
 She doth return from whence she first was sent, 
 And flies to him that first her wings did make." 
 
gilt 
 
 t, 
 
 d i. 
 th I 
 I? ■' 
 
 fall, 
 
 ill and gay, 
 
 ' away. 
 
 lit, 
 take, 
 ent, 
 lake." 
 
 Um ^.fcsscii ai tU %axX 
 
 (I" 
 
 'IK. 
 
 m 
 
'(r< 
 
 : i. 
 
 i 
 
 
 " Happy man •whom God doth aid ! 
 God our souls and bodies made ; 
 God on us in gracious showei's, 
 Blessings every moment pours ; 
 Compasses with angel -bands, 
 Bids them bear us in their hands ; 
 Parents, friends, 'twas God bestowed ; 
 liife and all descend from God." 
 
 " Give Him then, and ever give, 
 Thanks for all that we receive ! 
 Man we for his kindness love ; 
 How much more our God above ! 
 Worthy Thou, our Heavenly Lord, 
 To be honour'd and adored ; 
 God of all-creating grace, 
 Take the everlasting praise ! " 
 

 Sgt^^^A9£^ 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 aaaBfl«pw«^ 
 
 iSI 
 
 ^^S 
 
 
 ^^P 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 P^ifefie^^ 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
 b8h 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 '• THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 Vs.; 
 
 Gen. xxiv. oL 
 
 HALES, the founder of the Ionic Sect, be- 
 lieved that happiness miglit be secured 
 _^ V hy seeini'- others in a worse condition than 
 i^^frSS^ themselves. Such a faith is barbarous 
 "%'^S*^^ IN the extreme. 
 
 ^^^' Solon knew not where to find happi- 
 
 ness at the death of his son, and acknowledged that 
 he lamented because lamentation was in vnin. 
 
 Plato, with all his refinements, placed happiness 
 in wisdom, health, good fortune, honor and riches, 
 and held, that they who enjoyed all these were 
 perfectly happy. Certainly, the facts of the case 
 
 show that the GREAT MAN GREATLY ERRED. 
 
 Aristotle went further than this; he affirmed 
 that virtue, without riches, was insufficient to make 
 man happy. This is proved false in the ex})ei'ience 
 of the poor Christian every day of life. 
 
'■•'ii«ii [I la 
 
 am 
 
 
 ^ !■ 
 
 48 
 
 TIIOU BLESSED OF THE LOIUK 
 
 Zeno thouglit tliat luippiness u'as f(nind alilre in 
 vice and virtue, 
 
 l^l'icuiius placed happiness in sensual <3n'atifiea- 
 tion. And, last of all, the eccentric Diogenes re- 
 garded the poor old man as the most miserable being 
 in the world. But looking at his experience from 
 the Christian's stand-point, who should be happy if 
 it is not the poor but pious old man, as he nears the 
 end of life, with the rewards of eternity in view ? All 
 these testimonies shew that the great men of ancient 
 times did not know the nature of true happiness, nor 
 the fountain from whence it may be derived. Our 
 object will be to make this plain in the chapter 
 before you 
 
 The superficial reader will be likely to say, the 
 headings of this and the first chapter are 2?«i'rt(?0ic- 
 ical, while the clear thinker will answer, they de- 
 lightfully harmonicc. The sanctified child of God 
 is a stranger in this world where Satan has his seat; 
 and, at the same time, is " the blessed of the 
 Lord." This is another of the scripture descrip- 
 tions or titles of the faithful. 
 
 Cahefully study its meaning : 
 
 Blessed, hapiiy, enjoying felicity, holy, hallotced, 
 heavenly, " one ivhom the Highest blesses." 
 
 There is not a being in heaven, on earth, or in 
 hell, who would not like to be happy. The only 
 
'>. 
 
 THOU BLESSED OF THE LOIUI 
 
 49 
 
 id aliVe in 
 
 i uratificii- 
 )GENES re- 
 L-ablc being 
 I'ience from 
 3e b<appy if 
 e noars tbe 
 view ? All 
 1 of ancient 
 ^piness, nor 
 rived. Our 
 :he chapter 
 
 to say, the 
 c iiavadox- 
 |er, they de- 
 hild of God 
 las his seat ; 
 
 lED OF THE 
 
 ire descrip- 
 
 I, halloii'i'd, 
 
 }arth, or in 
 The only 
 
 gl^H 
 
 reason why the doomed millions of perdition are 
 not seeking happiness, is because they have })laced 
 themselves beyond its reach ; and to seek it would 
 only, in their opinion, eternally add to their woo, 
 the misery of disappointment. The myriads of in- 
 ferior creatures Avhich fly in the heaven above, or 
 live in the sea, or on the land, seek happiness in 
 obeying the in^stincts of their natures, and in the 
 gratification of their senses. Thej'- know of nothing 
 in the past, and nothing in the endless future. 
 They seek, without deliberation or design, what is 
 agreeable to their particular natures, and avoid 
 wliat is incongruous and hurtful. 
 
 The water fowl before it has found its favorite 
 element, is seen to practise all the motions of swim- 
 ming, for which their oily feathers and web feet are 
 formed. The turtle as soon as it sees the light 
 crawls forth to the sea. Caterpillars when shaken from 
 the shrub or tree in any direction, turn at once to 
 tlie trunk and climb to the foliage. The stone -chat- 
 ter leaves its nest, and shifts for itself when very 
 young. The bee constructs its cell agreeably to the 
 nicest mathematical rules, and carries on its 'xm\~ 
 (Icrful labors to lay by a store for future use. llie 
 oyster, during the afflux of the tide, opens to 
 admit the water with the hollow shell downward ; 
 but when the ebb commences, it turns on the other 
 side, thus providing by a necessary movement for 
 
r 
 
 i 
 
 f I 
 
 t I 
 
 (I s 
 
 I . 
 
 I : 
 
 50 
 
 TrWU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 tho reception of its 2'>rnper nutriincnt, and uftorwiinl 
 discharging what is superfluous. 
 
 Sj)idors and many other insects avoid danger 
 Avhen it approaches, by putting on the ap'HMirance 
 of death, and whan tho object of terror is w .niwn 
 instinctively recover, trillions of birds migrate in 
 search of f(jod to warmer countries, and often tlieir 
 flight across wide ocean.s to distant hinds is per- 
 formed vvitli unerring exactness. Tho carrier ])ig- 
 eon will convey intelligence safely long distances ; 
 and often after leaving thousands of miles in tho 
 distance, return to its own nest, making as many 
 miles in ten liours as would take otlier modes 
 of conveyance as many days. We see tli same 
 manifestation of instinct in the lives of p ' and 
 vegetables. 
 
 Tho hop-vine winds around its pole in tlie direc- 
 tion of tho sun. Confine a running plant in a dark 
 room with a hole in the wall, and it will find its 
 way out to tho sunlight. Innumerable instances, 
 similar in character, might be presented to .show that 
 all the inferior creatures of animal and vegetable 
 life seek instinctively tho blessings which God has 
 made peculiar to themselves. 
 
 With man, it should be especially so, but sad to 
 say, he makes more failures than they. Pie fails 
 ninety-nine times out of every hundred, while they 
 seldom fail. Why does man fail of success so often 
 
"'^ 
 
 iifterward 
 
 lid dunfj'or 
 Tp'X'firiincc 
 w .niwn 
 iiui^iato in 
 often tlieir 
 nds is per- 
 carricr y)ig- 
 f distances ; 
 dies in the 
 \g as n)any 
 ulier modes 
 i til same 
 I 2'^ ' ^^^^^ 
 
 the direc- 
 j in a dark 
 [11 find its 
 
 instances, 
 o show that 
 
 vegetable 
 tch God has 
 
 THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 51 
 
 hut sad to 
 Pie fads 
 while they 
 ess so often 
 
 -.4 
 
 in the pursuit of hap])iness ? Because of his foolish 
 mistakes in seeking. Strange that man should be 
 the most blundering of all the creatures of God in 
 the pursuit of that hap[)iness so important to himself ; 
 hut so it is. 
 
 The inferior creatures were made for man's special 
 henetit ; to supply his wants and promote his com- 
 fort ; some for food; some for clothinij^; some for 
 service, and others for pleasure. They seldom f;iil 
 to secure the blessings they seek; but man the head 
 and lord of the animal creation, seldom secures the 
 blessings sought. He holds to his lips what he be- 
 lieves to bo the cup of pleasure, and finds it the 
 draught of disappointment. He has the shadow 
 and not the substance. 
 
 God has made man higher than the beasts of the 
 field and the fowls of the air, and yet he seeks in 
 many instances inferior gratifications. Many a 
 draught that would repel the dumb brute, man 
 drinks with eagerness. What was said of the 
 Ephrairaites, might be applied to thousands in chris- , 
 tendom. " Woe to the crown of pride and to the 
 drunkards of Ephraim", whose glorious beauty is a 
 fading tiower; which are on the head of the fat valleys 
 of thena that are overcome with wine ! The crown of 
 pride, the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden un- 
 der feet. And the glorious beauty which is on the 
 head of the fat valley shall be a fading flower, and 
 
 I 
 
■I 
 
 1 
 
 *>fyify 
 
 1 
 
 ^ I 
 
 111: 
 111 
 
 t\ 
 
 i ; 
 
 
 ^i : 
 
 1 i 
 
 i 
 
 52 
 
 TZ/Of/ BLESSED OF THE LOBD. 
 
 as the hasty frnit before the summer; which when he 
 tliat looketh upon it sceth, while it is yet in his hand 
 he eateth it up. They err in vision and stum])le in 
 judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and fil- 
 thiness so that there is no place clean." (Isaiah 
 xxviii. 1, 8, 4, 7, 8.) 
 
 Such are the marks of the curse, the fruits of the 
 fall. Hence the tei'ni blessed cannot apply to man 
 in his unrenewed state. 
 
 This is a scriptural picture of an unrenewed man. 
 " It is even as when ahunixi'v man dreaineth and be- 
 hold he eateth ; but he awaketh and behold his soul 
 is empty ; or as when a thirsty man dreameth and 
 l^ehold he driidveth ; but he ftwaketh, and his soul 
 hath appetite, so shall the multitudes of all nations 
 be that fight against Mount Zion." (Isaiah xxix. 8.) 
 
 The fact that the w^ords, " Tnou iu.essed of the 
 Lord," are found in Scripture, is sufficient to prove 
 that even in this world there is a state higher than 
 the merely sensual, and that there are higher joys 
 than those found in the gratitication of the .^j^/^w^. 
 
 Man's truest hap[)iness is found in the cultivation 
 of his spiritual necessities, — the higher life of holi- 
 ness in the soul. These higher spiritual enjoy nients 
 are to be obtained in glorifying God by " HOLY 
 
 LIVING." 
 
 The learned and pious look with astonishment at 
 some men whose only happiness seems to consist in 
 
w. 
 
 THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 53 
 
 icli when he 
 
 ill his hand 
 
 stumble in 
 
 mit and fil- 
 
 n." (Isaiah 
 
 Tuits of the 
 )\)\y to man 
 
 ncvved man. 
 leth and be- 
 lold his soul 
 eameth and 
 md Ids soul 
 i" all nations 
 ah xxix. 8.) 
 SED OF THE 
 
 nt to 'prove 
 liigher than 
 higlier joys 
 f the senses. 
 cidtivation 
 lie of holi- 
 enjoyments 
 by " HOLY 
 
 1 
 
 ishment at 
 o consist in 
 
 the gratification of their appetites in eating and 
 drliikinfj. 
 
 In the northern parts of Euro[)e, Asia, and Amer- 
 ica, there is found an animal of the woasel family 
 called the Glutton. He takes prey by surprise ; he 
 climbs a tree and lurks amoni? the branches of it 
 until a deer or some other animal passes underneath 
 it; in an instant of time he plunges upon its back, 
 remaining there firmly and unshaken, eats away the 
 neck for the purpose of digging a passage to the 
 ijjreat blood-vessels which lie in that region. The 
 afiVighted animal liies in vain ; his insatiable foe con- 
 tinues to feast on Inm, till he has consumed the whole 
 carcase. When the stomach of the Glutton has thus 
 i)cen gorged, he lies torpid for several days. 
 
 C((scs equal/ u repulsive a/re found even anion;/ 
 men. Lucullus, a Roman general, kept supplied for 
 himself a sumjituous table, equally so whether 
 guests were present or not. On one occasion his 
 steward apologised because the table was less splen- 
 did than usual, and hoped it would be excused, 
 having no company. Did you not know, said the 
 epicure, that LucULLUS was to eat with luucujlus to- 
 di\y ? When Cicero and Pomjxiy dined at his tal)le, 
 a dinner was furnished costing twelve hundred 
 l»uuuds sterling. 
 
 Africus sailed froni Camjninia to Africa to taste 
 a species of oyster said to be much larger, and more 
 
 I 
 
 ff 
 
 pv' 
 
 
. 
 
 lilJ 
 
 I l\\ 
 
 I 
 
 - II 
 
 54 
 
 THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 delicious than .any on the coast of Italy : but finding 
 he had received false information, returned immedi- 
 ately without going on shore. Afterward he poi- 
 soned himself through fear of starvation. 
 
 It would be painful to relate the multiplied 
 instances of persons of all ranks and professions 
 seeking happiness in sensual gratification alone. 
 Follow these debased human beings, .nd you will 
 find they all have fallen from the level of the true 
 man to that of the glutton. The beasts eat and 
 drink and enjoy as much animal pleasure as man 
 can without his cares and sorroius. 
 
 We might cite instances occurring among another 
 class, who think they rise higher in the scale of 
 life simply because they devote all their time to the 
 pursuit of happiness in luealth, honor, and 'poiver, 
 without any reference to God or spiritual things, but 
 do not their weariness, vexation, restlessness, and 
 dissatisfaction in the midst of all, show how far they 
 come below the standard of the real unan ? To none 
 of these will the words, " Thou blessed of the 
 Lord," apply. 
 
 None of them glorify God ; none of them are 
 Christians in the fullest sense of the word. 
 
 Another char.icter passes before you. He is not 
 a glutton ; in .ii things he is temperate. He does 
 not worship at the shrine of wealth : but counts all 
 earth's treasures simply dross : nor does he struggle 
 
 im 
 
 ■s. 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 ji 
 i 
 
 
 
 ij 
 
 i 
 
 ' 
 
m 
 
 THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 55 
 
 it finding 
 
 immedi- 
 
 [ he poi- 
 
 lultiplied 
 ofessions 
 Dn alone, 
 you will 
 the true 
 eat and 
 } as mail 
 
 J another 
 
 scale of 
 
 ne to the 
 
 1 i)oivev, 
 
 ings, but 
 
 less, and 
 
 far they 
 
 To none 
 
 OF THE 
 
 hem are 
 
 'e is not 
 He does 
 Dunts all 
 struggle 
 
 to reach the pinnacle of honor; he is content in the 
 orJhiary occupations of life. He is not a pleasure- 
 seeker at corrupt fountains. His aim is morality. 
 He is not a Christian : but substitutes morality for 
 the Christian i-eligion, and in that way robs God of 
 his glory and exerts a corrupt social influence 
 through his example — Ho rejects i\\G njihstance and 
 grasps the shcuknv. 
 
 AiKjther makes loud })retensions as a member of 
 a Christian Church. His religion is only a mask, 
 a covering, or cloak, for sui and rottenness. No 
 thought, word, or deed of his glorifies God. While 
 lie }irofes.ses to live to God, he is " dead in trespasses 
 and sins." 
 
 A third glorifies God, but by what means ? 
 
 By considering attentively the Divine nature as 
 revealed in the blessed Bible, Thus seeking a 
 knowledge of God, his language is, " How I desire 
 to know God! Not that I wish to investigate the 
 hidden mysteries of the Divine nature and attri- 
 butes ; bub desire rather to so know God, that I may 
 love Him with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, 
 — devote every faculty and energy to His service ; 
 enjoy sweet companionship v.'ith God, and be able 
 to commune ^ith Him in every hour of joy and 
 sorrow. And this is the will of God concerning 
 me. "lie that offercth pnihe glorijieth Him, and 
 (o him that ordereth his conversation ari(jht ivill 
 
 -ii. 
 
 i 
 
 
li ^1 
 
 66 ^ THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 I shovj the salvation of God." (Psalm 1. 23.) 
 " Call uj^on me in the day of trouble, I to ill deliver 
 thee and thou shalt glorifu me." (Psalin 1. 15.) 
 
 It is by earnest lioly living alone that 3^on can pro- 
 perly glorify God. When your sins are forgiven, and 
 you have put on the garments of salvation, you shall 
 have attained to that perfection of Christian experi- 
 ence described by John, " Whosoever is horn of God 
 doth not eommit sin, for his seed rematnethln him, ; 
 he cannot sin because he is born of God." (I John, 
 iii. 9.) Then "men seeing j'our good works fihall 
 glorif}'- your Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 
 V. 16.) In such a person you see all the marks of a 
 ])erfect Christian — faith, love, obedience, ifcc. Such 
 a state is necessary to pure, elevated enjoyment. 
 Study the experiences found in the Church of God, 
 and 3'ou will learn that in every instance there are 
 warrings, darkness, sorrow, disappointment, and 
 often backslidinszs where this state is not secured : 
 but as soon as it has been attained, every cloud of 
 darkness is dissipated ; every bond is broken ; all 
 barriers are removed ; all sorrow is taken away, and 
 the soul is filled with blessed, holy, heavenly peace. 
 Then, and then only, can the Christian be said to be 
 perfectly hai)py, "The blessed of the Lord." 
 Before he is made the partaker of that change he 
 can sinfj : — 
 
-*» 
 
 D. 
 
 Im 1. 23.) 
 )Ul deliver 
 n 1. lo.) 
 Dii can pro- 
 given, and 
 I, you shall 
 an ex|)eri- 
 Tii of God 
 hln him ; 
 (I John, 
 3rks .shall 
 (Matthew 
 narks of a 
 e:c. Such 
 ijoyment. 
 1 of God, 
 there are 
 ent, and 
 secured : 
 cloud of 
 ken ; all 
 vay, and 
 [ly peace, 
 laid to be 
 Lord." 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 THOU BLESSED OF TEE LORD. 57 
 
 " What am I ? tell me now am I the Lord's ] 
 Lov'd, saved and sanctified by Thee, 
 Do I rest my soid on those blessed words 
 * Thy sins are now forgiven thee // 
 Have I no doubt to shade the happy way ? 
 T dare not say so much, I dare not say. 
 
 When raised to that state he can sing, 
 
 *' I am the Lord's, I feel, I know, I'm sure, 
 Lov'd, saved and sanctified by Thee, 
 Thou alone hast wrought the heavenly cure, 
 And pour'd the great salvation full on me. 
 I have no doubt to shade the happy way, 
 I now can say it, yes I now can say. " 
 
 Then it is that he most glorifies God, because he 
 secures much of the Divine presence, and bears a 
 closer resemblance to God. 
 
 By glorifying God he promotes his own hap- 
 piness, for, by walking in the light of God's presence 
 he is filled with Divine light, which produces in- 
 ward, heartfelt joy. 
 
 All nature is most happy in the sunshine. So it 
 is with the Christian. He is not happy in the 
 deceptive service of Satan or in the dark hours of 
 apostacy, nor in a dreamy state of religious incon- 
 sistency. He is only happy in the sunny presence 
 of the Saviour. While he walks faithfully with 
 God, "He arises and shines for His light is come 
 and the glory of the Lord has arisen upon Him." 
 
 m 
 
 
 f 
 
58 
 
 THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 W .; 
 
 W m 
 
 " HERE IS AN IMPORTANT TRUTH." 
 
 Christian peace comes from a sense of sins for- 
 given, and reconciliation with God. If you enjoy 
 those blessings, God is no longer your enem}^, and 
 you no longer live in enmity to Him. Your rela- 
 tionship to God is close and blessed. 0, what a 
 change ! You were an alien, an enemy, now you 
 are His own loved, saved and sanctified child. Now 
 you love to sing — 
 
 " My God is reconciled, 
 
 His pardoning voice I hear, 
 He owns me for His child, 
 
 I can no longer fear ; 
 With confidence I now draw nigh, 
 And Father, Abba, Father cry." 
 
 You have access to His throne at all times, and 
 under all circumstances. You feel that, 
 
 " Nothing is too gi-eat or small. 
 To bring before the mercy seat." 
 
 You come to God as to a friend with uplifted 
 countenance and joyous heart, having the blessed 
 assurance that you will not lie turned em])ty away. 
 And you find light in every shadow, comfort in 
 sorrow : amid many disap[)ointment8, afflictions and 
 bereavements : joy in the prospect of a blessed 
 future. 
 
 L 
 
THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 59 
 
 In Bunyan's " Pilgrim's Progress " there is a 
 'pictorial representation of the pilgrims nearinrj the 
 gate of heaven. As they climb the rugged ascent 
 there is a glorious light shining down upon their 
 way, proceeding directly from the gates of the 
 celestial city. ! how blessed is the termination 
 of the Christian's journey, Angels surround his bed 
 waiting to bear him in triumph to the skies, and 
 Heaven lights up the way. 
 
 " From Heaven's gate a glorious light streams down, 
 To guide the pilgrims on their way to bliss." 
 
 Christian ! with such advantages you possess 
 more than the merchant princes of earth, w^ith their 
 millions of gold and silver. 
 
 What if you could command whole cargoes of the 
 richest spices of the East, or collect together all the 
 gold and silver of Peru, or the costly diamonds of 
 Brazil, without Christ you would be poor indeed. 
 On the other hand, if you possess but little of this 
 world's goods — not enough to supply you with the 
 necessaries of life, with the friendship of God you 
 aro rich ; because your relationship to God affords 
 you the most perfect security for at least spiritual 
 brerd. 
 
 Al inoffensive shepherd boy who did notknowhow 
 to battle, save with his sling and stone, went forth to 
 fight with a Philistine giant who was armed with 
 
 \ '• ' 
 
 ;f: 
 
60 
 
 THOU BLESSED OF THE LOUD, 
 
 ..'i [ 
 
 
 1 1' 
 i 
 
 tl[' i 
 
 i 
 
 1 . 
 
 LL 
 
 1 
 
 h 
 
 ■1 
 
 sword, spear and shield. As the proud Philistine 
 gazed upon his youthful adversary, he said, " Am I 
 a dog that thou comcst to me with stones ?" And 
 he cursed him by his gods and said to him, " Come 
 to me and I will give thy flesh to the fowls of the 
 heaven, and unto the beasts of the field. 
 
 But the youth replied, " Thou comest to me with 
 a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield : but I 
 come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the 
 God of the Armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 
 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; 
 and I will smite thee, and take thine head from 
 thee; I will give the carcasses of the host of tlie 
 Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and 
 unto the beasts of the earth, that all the earth mav 
 know there is a God in Israel." (I Sanmel xvii. 45, 
 4G). Because God was with him, he felt the most per- 
 fect security in the presence of the giant of Gath. 
 
 The same David, when sitting upon the throne ot 
 his kingdom, surrounded by discontent on every 
 hand, his subjects rising in rebellion and threaten- 
 ing to stone him, encouraged himself in the Lord 
 his God. (I Samuel xxx. 6.) " Hezekiah trusted 
 in the Lord God of Isreal, so that after him was 
 none like him amono- all the kind's of Judah, 
 nor any that were before him." (II Kings xviii. 5.) 
 Hezekiah and his people were saved from death and 
 captivity because they trusted in God, 
 
THOU BLESSED OF THE LORD. 
 
 Gl 
 
 'hilistine 
 , " Am I 
 
 ?" And 
 I, " Conic 
 Is of the 
 
 me with 
 d : but I 
 losts, the 
 .st defied, 
 ine hand; 
 ead from 
 )st of the 
 air, and 
 arth may 
 xvii. 45, 
 most per- 
 Gath. 
 throne ot 
 on every 
 tlireaten- 
 the Lord 
 . trusted 
 him was 
 f Judah, 
 xviii. 5.) 
 
 The Assyrians, whose banners had waved in the 
 breezes of many climes, and over the remains of 
 many a desolated city, were on their way to the 
 land of Hezekiah for blood and slaughter, when God 
 sent his destroying angel through their camp and 
 slew in one night a hundred and sixty and five 
 thousand. 
 
 Shadrach, MesJiach, and Ahed-nego suffered them- 
 selves to be cast into the burning fiery furnace rather 
 than worship the image that Nebuchadnezzar had 
 set up, and there appeared with them in the furnace 
 a fourth, and He like unto the Son of God, and 
 they were delivered, and not a hair of their head 
 was siXGED ; nor had the smell of fire come upon 
 them because they trusted iL God. (Daniel iii. 21-, 
 25.) " Daniel was not careful to obey the king's 
 commandment, when forbidden to worship the Lord 
 his God, and he was cast into the den of lions, and 
 the Lord sent His angel and stopped the lions' 
 mouths, and Daniel was delivered because he trusted 
 hi God." (Daniel vi. lG-28). 
 
 Paul and Silas in prison and in stocks, jwayed 
 and sang 'praises unto God, and the Lord caused an 
 earthquake to shake the prison to its foundations — 
 every bond was broken asunder, and every prisoner 
 set at liberty. (Acts xvi. 20-30.) 
 
 Believers in every age surrounded with danger, 
 and passing through deep tribulation, have been 
 E 
 
 p. 
 
 (I 
 
 *; <i 
 
 ^^ 
 
 i p. 
 
62 
 
 YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER, 
 
 
 IjIcsHC'lly sustained, trusting in God. They have 
 felt from tlie very depths of their hearts, " tliey are 
 a happy j)Cople," — " a people whom the Lord hath 
 blessed." "The blessed of the Lord." 
 
 " Ye blessed of My Father.'' This expression 
 will be especially used, as applicable to God's peo])le 
 in the great day of judgment — or the world's grand 
 assize. We gather from it that all the advantages 
 contained in it are the manifestations of our eternal 
 Father's love ; not the results of man's merit. 
 
 You were a ivande.ver from God. He called you 
 to return to Him, You no sooner offered up to 
 Him the prayer of the j)en{tent than He pronounced 
 your sins forgiven, and gave you the tokens of that 
 blessing. He sanctified you by His spirit, and 
 brought you on step by step until He ripened 3'ou 
 for immortality ; and He will sooner or later bear 
 you triumphantly over the river of death, and, in 
 the la.st judgment, give you a place among His 
 saints. He will pass in your favour the sentence, 
 " Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom 
 prepared for you fj'om the beginning of the world." 
 A sentence which will at once make you inconceiv- 
 ably and eternally blessed. 
 
 The term blessed here means the same in nature, 
 but not in degree, as when employed in other parts 
 of this book, the one refering to time and the other 
 to eternity. In degree, the blessedness of eternity 
 
 n 
 
YE BLESSED OF MY FATIIEE 
 
 G3 
 
 liey have 
 ' tliey arc 
 iOrd hath 
 
 sxpression 
 d's |)eo])le 
 Id's grand 
 dvantages 
 ur eternal 
 irit. 
 
 called you 
 
 red up to 
 
 ronounced 
 
 ns of that 
 
 pirit, and 
 
 pcned you 
 
 later bear 
 
 th, and, in 
 
 nong His 
 
 sentence, 
 
 kingdom 
 
 10 world." 
 
 inconceiv- 
 
 in nature, 
 ther parts 
 the other 
 eternity 
 
 far exceeds that of time. Here, the saint is as 
 'IB liapf)y as he can ho while i)assing through this 
 state of existence. There, when he .shall have pa.ssed 
 beyond it, and i)ut on the inunortal body, and shall 
 have received the sentence of life, he shall po.s.sess 
 fulness of joy : for *' in the presence of God there 
 is fulness of joy, and at His right hand there are 
 pleasures for evermore." 
 
 '' Through sorrcw's night and clanger's path, 
 
 Amid the deepening gloom, 
 We soldiers of an injured King, 
 
 Are marching to the tomb. 
 
 " There when the turmoil is no rnorc, 
 
 And all our powers decay. 
 Our cold remains in solitude 
 
 Shall sleep the years away. 
 
 " Yet not thus lifeless, thus inane, 
 
 The vital spark shall lie ; 
 For o'er life's wreck that spark shall rise, 
 
 To see its kindred sky. 
 
 "There ashes too, this little dust, 
 
 Our Father's care shall keep, 
 Till the last angel rise and break 
 
 The long and dreary sleep. 
 
 " Then love's soft dew o'er every eye 
 
 Shall shed its mildest rays, 
 And the long silent dust shall biu'st 
 
 With shouts of endless praise." 
 
 W 
 
 
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 4 
 
 l;;ir 
 
iclkbcrs< 
 
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 I 
 
 ¥% 
 
I 
 
 1 
 
 1< 
 
 " Thee my God and Kinir, 
 My Fatht r 'J'hee I sing ! 
 Hear well-pleased, the joyous sound, 
 Praise from earth and heaven receive, 
 Lost— I now in Christ am found, 
 Doail— by faith in Christ I live." 
 
 3'ather behold Thy son, 
 In Christ I am Thy own : 
 Stranger long to Thee, and rest, 
 See the prodigal is come : 
 Open wide Thine arms and breast, 
 Take the weary wanderer homo. * 
 
W\ 
 
 ■ [ i 
 
 ^ r. 
 
 9 
 
 ■-' 
 
 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 " BELIEVERS." 
 
 Acts V. 14. 
 
 hi^\J:< 
 
 ^^^ HIS name is also found in I. Tim. iv. 12, 
 and was much used by the disciples of our 
 Lord. It was understood by them to refer 
 Z\ to mature Christians, who were admitted 
 '^^k?h!^ into the Christian Church, were instructed 
 "^^ in the religion of the New Testament, and 
 who lived up to its teachings. It was used synony- 
 mously with the word Christian. 
 
 Through the moralizing influence of Christianity, 
 and the general profession of the Christian religion 
 in this age, it is common to name the people of 
 tlie world Christians and beUevers, when too often 
 they are practically Atheists and heathens, having 
 no part with Christ. Unconverted persons tell us 
 sometimes, they believe that Jesus is the Son of 
 God and the Saviour of the world, wlien their faith 
 is only the assent of the understanding to that 
 
 If" 
 
 B 
 
. :^1 
 
 ,1 
 
 III iff! 
 
 68 
 
 BELIEVERS. 
 
 proposition, while they are themselves still in their 
 sins. The devils went thus far in the days of Christ, 
 l)ut remained devils still. They were not benefited 
 by their faith. One who came out of the tombs said 
 to Jesus, " I know who thou art, Jesus, thou Son 
 of God. Art thou come to torment us before the 
 time ?" And one followed Paul and Silas for many 
 days, crying, " Surely these men are the servants 
 of the Most High God who show unto us the way 
 of salvation." 
 
 So there are multitudes who profess to believe that 
 Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Saviour of 
 the world and remain in their sins. To enjoy a place 
 among believers, it is necessary that there should be 
 a complete change from nature to grace, from sin to 
 holiness, and from Satan to God. The converted 
 Christian only is a believer in the Biblical sense of 
 the word — all others are numbered among unbeliev- 
 ers. If you study the passages which describe the 
 nature, works, and final destiny of the ungodly, 
 you will find that they by no means apply to the 
 believer. Indeed, in the Bible he is warned against 
 " communion with unbelievers." The Apostle Paul 
 says, " Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark them 
 which cause divisions and offences contrary to the 
 doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them." 
 (Rom. xvi. 17.) " Be ye not unequally yoked to- 
 gether with unbelievers : for what fellowship hath 
 
 
BELIEVERS. 
 
 69 
 
 I in their 
 3f Christ, 
 benefited 
 •nibs said 
 thou Son 
 efore the 
 for many 
 servants 
 the way 
 
 ieve that 
 [iviour of 
 )y a place 
 hoiild be 
 ►in sin to 
 onverted 
 sense of 
 mbeh'ev- 
 3ribe the 
 ungodly, 
 y to the 
 against 
 tie Paul 
 k them 
 y to the 
 1 them." 
 3ked to- 
 lip hath 
 
 righteousness with unrighteousness, and wdiat com- 
 munion hath light with darkness ? And what con- 
 cord hath Christ with Belial ? or what part hath he 
 that bclieveth with an infidel ? and what agreement 
 hath the temple of God with idols ? For ye are 
 the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I 
 will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be 
 their God and they shall be my people." " Where- 
 fore come out from among them and be ye separate 
 saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, 
 and I will receive you and will be a Father unto 
 you and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith 
 tlie Lord Almighty." (IL Cor. vi. 14-18.) He also 
 says, " Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, be- 
 ware of the concision ; for we are the circum- 
 cision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice 
 in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh." 
 (Phill. iii. 2, 3.) In his counsel to Timothy he said, 
 "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and 
 destitute of the truth, sup[)osing that gain is godli- 
 ness : from such wit Iraw thyself." (L Tim. 
 vi. 5.) 
 
 Reader, do you claim to be a believer with these 
 passages before you ? Then we propose to you four 
 questions. 
 
 1st. Have you ever repented sincerely of all your 
 past sins ? 
 
 2nd. Has that rei)entance included conviction. 
 
 
 ^ I 
 
 h'« 
 
 f,i 
 
■I 
 
 J i 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 "i 
 
 if'" 
 
 1 f I 
 
 70 
 
 BELIEVERS. 
 
 sorrow, confession and forsaking of sins, and turning 
 to God with all your heart ? 
 
 Srd. Have you trusted in Clirist for a present 
 and full salvation by giving up all doubt and un- 
 belief ? 
 
 4th. Have you felt as the result of that trust the 
 evidence of sins forgiven and adoption into the family 
 of God ? 
 
 All of which things are necessary to arrive at the 
 state of a true believer. Study the word of God, 
 and 3''0u will find that the unsaved have no claim 
 to this heaven-bcrn title. 
 
 A believer in Ciirist is one who has come to Christ 
 for salvati.ai. Before he came he was a sinner 
 condemned to the second death, waiting for the 
 execution of that sentence, and every hour was ex- 
 posed to it. " The sold that sumeih it shall die." 
 " The ivages of siti {s deaths Christ said, " Come 
 unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and 
 I will give you rest." 
 
 He looked around on every hand to find some 
 other Saviour but found none, anel felt he must 
 perish. Again the words of Jesus came to him, 
 " Come vnto me" and he resolved to seek no other 
 Saviour but Christ. He then came and laid himself, 
 body, spirit, and soul, at the feet of Jesus and cried, 
 " thou hast promised, 'If I come to thee thou wilt in 
 no wise cast me out.' And now T come, blessed 
 
BELIEVERS. 
 
 71 
 
 i » 
 
 Saviour, make me wholly thine !" And Jesus said, 
 '' Son, go in peace, tliy sins which are many are all 
 forgiven thee," and he who was a sinner is now a 
 believer, 
 
 A believer in Christ is one who looks to Christ 
 and confides in Him. The writer knew a man, 
 forty years of age, who never did any thing of im- 
 portance in life, without first consulting his mother. 
 He looked to her at all times. He believed her 
 evary promise, had faith in her judgment and truth- 
 fulness, and never doubted. This is precisely what 
 the believer does to Christ. He looks to Him first 
 for salvation. Then he looks to Him throu'xh life 
 for guidance, support, and consolation, — and this is 
 in accordance with Divine counsel: "Look unto Me, 
 and he ye saved all the ends of the earth, for I am 
 God and there is none else." 
 
 Is the believer depressed in spirits? are clouds of 
 darkness overshadowing his life ? He looks unto 
 Jesus. Is he afllicted, laying upon a couch of suffer- 
 ing '{ He looks unto Jesus who hath said, " Call 
 upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver 
 thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Has he many 
 enemies ? He looks unto Christ, who has promised 
 to make his foes his footstool. Is he poor ? He 
 looks unto Jesus who has promised him the riches 
 of eternal life. Yes, his life is a life of contuiual 
 LOOKING UNTO JESUS. 
 
 N 
 
 ¥):■ 
 
 'V 
 
 ! t1 
 
 
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 I ■ 
 
 Hi 
 
 t.iiii m 
 
I !^ 
 
 72 
 
 BELIEVERS. 
 
 
 f . 
 
 * ' Thy triumphs, faith we need not take 
 
 Alone from the blest martyr's stake ; 
 
 In scenes obscure, no less we see 
 
 That faith is a reality ; 
 
 An evidence of things not seen, 
 
 A substance firm whereon to lean. 
 
 Go search the cottager's low room, 
 
 The day scarce piercing through the gloom ; 
 
 The Christian on his dying bed, 
 
 Unknown, unlettered, hardly fed ; 
 
 No flattering witnesses attend, 
 
 To tell how glorious was his end ; 
 
 Save in the book of life his name. 
 
 Unheard he never dreamt of fame ; 
 
 No human consolation near, 
 
 No voice to soothe, no friend to cheer ; 
 
 The joy God's promises impart 
 
 Lies like a cordial at his heart ; 
 
 Unshaken faith its strength supplies, 
 
 He loves, believes, adores, and dies." 
 
 ^ 
 
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 SBHHKl 
 
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 ill 
 
 *• And of Benjamin he said, The boloved of the Lord shall dwell in 
 safety by him ; and the Loud shall cover him all the day long, and 
 he shall dwell between his shoulders." — (Deut. xxxiii. 12.) 
 
 *' That Thy beloved may be delivered save with Thy riyht hand, 
 and hear nre. "—(Psalm Ix. 5.) 
 
 ■i 
 
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 If 
 
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f^p)lffg 
 
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 fiffj'ViJli'gMa^T--- JW?*^ 
 
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 CHAPTER V. 
 
 " BELOVED OF COD." 
 
 '-^^. 
 
 Rom. i. 7. 
 
 'HE expression, "beloved of God," is one 
 wljich He loves much. It supposes that 
 His people are dear unto Him, and using 
 a home phrase, He loves them dearly. 
 God's love is different when it is bestowed 
 upon dissimilar objects. It cannot be 
 said of a wicked person that he is " God's beloved," 
 and yet it may be said that God loves him. 
 
 The love of God for a wicked man, maybe called 
 love of benevolence or love of pity. The term love of 
 pity is preferable to love of benevolence. In it there 
 is the absence of rL.^ard, and desire after the object. 
 While Cod loves the sinner with the love of pity, 
 He is angry with him every day, and has passed 
 upon him the sentence of His condemnation, and 
 will surely put thatse^^' ■•■ into execution unless 
 he repents of his s.ns, an<.. eks forgiveness from 
 
 i' 
 
 ill I \ 
 
76 
 
 BELOVED OF GOD. 
 
 It :l 
 
 a 1. 
 
 
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 \. 
 
 ;.)h 
 
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 ii 
 
 God. That love was felt toward the antediluvian 
 world, when he declared to its inhabitants, " My 
 spirit shall not alivays strive with man" and He 
 sent among tliem for many years Noah, a preacher 
 of righteousness, to set before them life and death. 
 Yet his love of pity did not spare them when they 
 repented not; though for a time judgment lingered, 
 but in the end it could not be restrained. The foun- 
 tains of the great deep were broken up, the skies 
 poured down floods, and the doomed antediluvians 
 ran to the tops of the highest mountains and then 
 sunk down and perished in the flood. God pitied 
 the inhabitants of the cities of the plain. "When 
 Abraham pleaded with Him in their behalf, He said, 
 "If ten rujhteous persons could he found in them, 
 He would " spare the city for their sake" Ten 
 righteous souls could not be found, therefore fire 
 and brimstone descended from heaven and destroyed 
 them. God's love of pity did not spare them, be- 
 cause they would not repent. Jesus, as he crossed the 
 brow of Olivet and looked upon Jerusalem, ivept 
 over it, and said, "0 Jerusalem, Jeruscdeni, how often 
 would I have gathered tliee together as a hen gather- 
 eth her brood under her luings, hut ye vjould not" 
 His pity spared not the city ; He sent against it 
 Titus and his armies, Avho laid her lofty palaces in 
 ruins, and destroyed her temple, so that not one stone 
 Avas left to stand upon another : the blood of her citi- 
 
BELOVED OF GOD. 
 
 zciis Howud down the streets, and only a niiserahle 
 remnant was left to be scattered amonij the nations, 
 hecause of lier obstinate rehellion against Cod. 
 
 Rhadeh, if you are unsaved, God feels toward 
 you tliis love of pity, but, unless you repent and seek 
 reconciliiition with Him, that i)ity will not spare 
 you in death, judgment or eternity ; because it is 
 not that which He feels towards His saved and 
 siinctified people. 
 
 Tliat is called by another name : it is named hee 
 of cornplaceiiai/. It includes admiration of, and a 
 desire fur, companionship with his ])eople. 
 
 " His siiints are lovely in His sight, 
 He views His cliildrou witli delight ; 
 He sees their hope, and knows their fear, 
 And looks and loves His image there. " 
 
 There cannot be a higher dignity conferred u])()n 
 man than to be called " the BELOVED OF GOD." 
 This state is expressed in the w^ords of Solomon, 
 "He hroiKjJd me into Jlis hanqueting house, and 
 His hi'inner over me uris love.'' (Sol. Song ii. 4.) 
 In tliis passage God's love is His banner which He 
 liolds over the people in whom He delights. The 
 idea sugrrested in it is that God brinojs His saved 
 people to a magnificent feast, with the exultation of 
 a conqueror returning in triumph in company ■with 
 loved ones wrested from the power of their enemies 
 
 * I 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
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 t 
 
 \ 
 
 |i|. ^ 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 
 Miiii 
 
'p I 
 
 nEI/n'KD OF GOD. 
 
 I 
 
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 i ' 
 
 I 
 
 ■li 
 
 — from (larkiK'ss, siii and death. Tlicic is a iiiiglity 
 battle going on between tlie lledcenier of the world 
 and its now powerful and ruling nionareh. On the 
 banners of the one are the symbols of cruelty, revenge 
 and destruction ; and on the other, charity, good-will 
 and lovo. 
 
 Often men are wrested from the i)o\ver of their 
 malignant foe by the mighty arms of that Con- 
 queror, and as He bears them on in triumph to His 
 feast, He waves over them His banner of love. Solo- 
 mon further says, " Thy love is better titan lulne." 
 (Sol. Song i. : 1.) It supposes pleasure, satisfaction, 
 gratification and delight. God takes pleasui'C in His 
 people, and they delight in Him. Ho is satisfied 
 with those He loves, and they ai-e satisfied with 
 their lot in Him. That love raises the spirits, and 
 gives cheerfulness to the soul, even when age en- 
 feebles the body, palzies the hand, and makes cold 
 the heart. This love revives, keeps the spirit vig- 
 orous, the mind active, the aflTections warm, and 
 the life earnest. This love is " better than tuine." To 
 be the beloved of God is better than to wear a 
 crown, or wave a sceptre over millions, It is better 
 than to have a name among heroes, or a place among 
 princes. It is better to be a beggar and be one of the 
 beloved of God, than to possess millions and feel 
 his frown. 
 
 Christian I You might know the whole Bible, 
 
 II' 
 
 i 
 
BELOVKD OF (.'Oil 
 
 79 
 
 and be acHjujilntcd wltli many sayings of proiouud 
 plillosv'^pliers, and tho tlioorios of scientific men ; but 
 wiiat profit would tlicro be witliout the; love of God. 
 Verily, all would be vanity and vexation of spirit. 
 
 This heavenly title is also given to the Sou of Cod. 
 lie is named " God's beloved Son," or " tlie UEI/JVKD 
 SON OF GOD," and tlie saints are named the " beloved 
 of Cod." The Eternal has classed them by name 
 with His ( nly begotten Sou. 0! tiih dignity of 
 
 (iOD's PROPLE : 
 
 "l 
 
 • ''\: 
 
 " My soul, bcivi- tliou thy part, 
 Triiunpli in God above ; 
 With a woll-tunecl licart, 
 Sing tliou the songs of lov«. 
 Thou art His son, 
 Whose precious Wood 
 Shed for thy good 
 His love made known. 
 
 " He did His love begin, 
 Renewing thee by grace, 
 Forgiving all thy sin, 
 
 Showed thee His pleased face. 
 He did thee heal 
 By His Son's merit, 
 And by His sj^irit 
 For glory seal." — RienARn Baxtkh. 
 
 
% |lingt)Dm of |]nc^ts. 
 

 iilr 
 
 " vViigclci our sL'i'vaut.s .irt', 
 And keep in all our ways ; 
 Ami tlitiir watchful hands thoy l^car 
 The sacred sons of grace ; 
 I^nto that heavenly blesss 
 They all our steps attend ; 
 And God Himself our Father is, 
 And Jesus is our Friend." 
 
 til ^1 
 
 ' M^ 
 
 " With Him we walk in \vhiti- ; 
 We in His image shine ; 
 Our robis are robes of glorious light, 
 Our righteousness divine ; 
 On all the kings of earth, 
 With pity we look down ; 
 And claim in virtue of our birth. 
 A never-fading crown. 
 
* !| 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS. 
 
 (Exod. xix. <;.) 
 
 OMK iniglit suppose, as they look upon 
 these Bible names of God's faithful pe()})le, 
 that they are eminently Jewish, and l)e- 
 long only to the Jewish people ; that they 
 represent the characteristics and privileges 
 of Jewish life ; that the Christian must 
 stand aside, and say, they are not for me ; the dignity 
 I cannot have, neither enjoy the privileges. 
 
 Did the passage in Exodus stand out alone on 
 all the sacred pages, it could not .be controverted, 
 fjut has not Peter, in describing the happy state of 
 ('hristians, used the same thouri^ht, bv a chani;ed 
 construction of the words ? The first historian says, 
 " And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests."' 
 Peter says, "Ye are a chosen f/encmtion — a roi/uf 
 priesthood ;" and the last of the New Testament 
 writers employs the words of the first historian : 
 
 I 
 
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 ■«■ 
 
 ■ i 
 
 I 
 
 '':^':i 
 
 \j'i 
 •iii 
 
 'ft 
 
 84 
 
 A KINGDOM OF PniESTS. 
 
 " Thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests." 
 (Rev. V. 10.) These words were written for the Chris- 
 tian as well as for tht^ Jew, and apply to all the saints 
 of God, of all ages and [)laces under heaven. There 
 are times when Christiaiis aie held up to ridicule, 
 and the more holy they are, the more they are 
 despised. The epithets em[)loyed to describe them 
 have become the by-words of the rabble, — fools, 
 fanatics, ])ious, &c, ; but those very characters, 
 ajzainst whom if{norant wits hurl the sliafts of 
 their ridicule, and furnish gossij)ors with employ- 
 ment in their common places of resort, Heaven 
 honours with glorious titles and blessed privileges, 
 and angels echo and re-echo their plaudits in the 
 high places of the universe. 
 
 The faithful throughout the worLl are a '' ]:n>;GDO.M 
 (JF nuESTS." When Cyneas, the ambassador o^ 
 Pyrrhus (after his return from Kome), wiiS asked by 
 his master what he thought of the city and state, he 
 answered, "That it seemed to him to be <t state of 
 none hut great statesmen , and a, cominomceallk of 
 kings'' Such is the Chiwch, nnJitan' an-.I trlani- 
 phant — a commonwealth of kings, an. I e\'^ry sanc- 
 tified soul in that kingdom is co-heir with Christ ; 
 has a robe of honour, a sceptre of i)Ower, a throne 
 of majesty, and a cr • vn of glory. 
 
 Christian, under this heading you have presented 
 you your special privileges, and important du- 
 
A KINGDOM OF ITJESTS. 
 
 85 
 
 llLcd 
 (lu- 
 
 tie-s. Special riiiviLEGES, chosen. Every member 
 of the pricstliood, from the first of the first order 
 down to the last, Avas especiall}" chosen of God to 
 hold Ills office, and to perform its functions. So the 
 ])eoplo of God of all ages are named in tlie Scriptures 
 '' chase n ones.'' (1 Chron. xvi. IH.) " Cltosen ves- 
 st'ls" (A('t^ ix., 15); " CJtoscn (jene ration ' (1 Peter 
 ii. D.) When kings, princes, or governments design 
 to ovortlirow neighbouring thrones, or iiprof)t em- 
 ])ires, they choose as their instruments men of 
 renown, wliosc very names will strike terror to the 
 ii)hahitants of the countries they invade. When they 
 desii'c to carry out some great national enterprise, 
 thev are in the habit of choosinix their men from 
 among the wisest of thoii' nmbass;adors to engage 
 in it, 
 
 The same may be seen in the government of God. 
 Are his people captives in Babylon ? Does the Al- 
 mighty (\esign to release them from that ca[)tivity ? 
 He appoints Cyrus as his instrument, and, through 
 the prophet Isaiah, uientions his name one hundred 
 years before he was born. The prophecy received 
 its fulfilment in the overthrow of Babylon by 
 the ]iand of Cvrus, the release and restoration of the 
 ca})tive Jews, and the re-building of the temple. 
 Does the Almighty' determine to give to the seed of 
 Abraham the whole land of C^maan, for an ever- 
 lasting possession ? This great wt>rk is to beaccom- 
 
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 .1 KINGDOM OF PRIESTS. 
 
 plishcd througli the progress of ages ; uiid ^\'C see 
 rise Ijeforc us on the stage of time many instruments 
 to cari-y it on to completion. The first of these 
 spriing up from tlio house of Pharoah, King of Egypt. 
 It was Moses, by birth a Hebrew, who, because of the 
 decree of Pharoah, when an infant three months 
 okl, was cast into the River Nile, and rescued from 
 a watery grave by Pharoah's daughter, and cher- 
 ished and trained as her own son. He it was who 
 led the mighty hosts of Israel to the borders of the 
 promised land, and for a period of forty years con- 
 ducted them throuo'h the wilderness. After havinir 
 
 o o 
 
 iuliilled his mission, he ascended Mount Nebo, and 
 died, and the " Lord buried him." 
 
 The next in order was Joshua, the heroic son of 
 Nun, Avho succeeded Moses in the government of 
 Israel, and gave them possession of the " land flov:- 
 ing witli milh and honey T The Scriptures also 
 speak of Deborah, of Barak, of Gideon, of Jephthah, 
 and of Sampson, as aiding in the accomplishment of 
 the same, the completion of which awaited David, 
 the son of Jesse, who was to fulfil to their fullest 
 extent the promises made to Abraham, to give to 
 his seed the whole country from the river of Egypt 
 to the great river Euphrates. When he died he left 
 a kingdom stretching from the frontier of Egypt to 
 the foot of Lebanon, and froni the Euphrates to the 
 sea. 
 
p. 
 
 A KINGDOM OF PFJESm 
 
 87 
 
 rypt 
 
 Did Jehovah design to leave with man a treasure 
 the equal to which could not be found in the Uni- 
 verse, and the value of which could not be coni[)ut- 
 ^^.^\^ — the Word of Life, with all its attendant bles- 
 sings ? Tlie Jews were his chosen people to receive 
 that "Word, and to spread its truth among all nations. 
 Does He introduce a brighter day, — a more glorious 
 lUspensation ? The Gentiles are his "instruments to 
 .spread its light, to disseminate its truths, and to 
 leaven millions with the purest principles ever given 
 ti) man, — principles which shall overthrow the em- 
 pire of Satan, and establish in the world a spiritual 
 kingdom, — a kingdom of righteousness and truth, 
 — a kingdom which shall stand out in contrast with 
 tlie corrupt empires of earth. 
 
 " A kingdom of light, and love, and joy, — 
 Of kings and priests enwreathcd ^vith glory. " 
 
 " A Kingdom of Holy Men and Women." 
 
 The first great and grand qualification for the 
 priesthood is cleanness. (See Leviticus, 22nd chap.) 
 For any priest to attempt to perform the functions 
 of his office corru})ted physicall}^, mentally, or mor- 
 ally, would be to bring down upon him the just 
 wrath of God. 0, Christian ! wherever you are found, 
 in the performance of any of the offices of Chris- 
 tian life, you will need the one qualification, holiness 
 above all others, and without it you cannot perform 
 
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 88 
 
 yi KINGDOM OF rPJESTS. 
 
 one act aright, or possibly secure the divine blessing. 
 If you possess it the halo of spirituality will surround 
 your office,your calling,your labours,your all. To live 
 without holiness, would be to despise the sdcerdotal 
 dignity to which Heaven has raised you, — a position 
 above every other in the world. And, thank God, that 
 dignity is not confined to a class or nation : black 
 or white, rich or poor, bond or free, learned or illiter- 
 ate, if they are the called of G(jd, and hobj, they are 
 raised to that dignity. Many of God's people seeiii 
 to be poor in this world ; tliey do not enjo}'- the neces- 
 saries of life ; but any one among the sainted throrig 
 can say to the world : " We have riches which you 
 know nothing of See these priestly robes ! See the 
 kingly crown upon our brows ! Yes, see them, foi' 
 we are to enjoy this dignity forever!" 
 
 As the j)r/(3.S'f.s of the Lord you are to stand near 
 His sacred altar. In doing this, you will stand near 
 to God : for God's presence is over the altar, waiting 
 to accept the sacrifice which, as the minister of God, 
 you offer Him. You have a sacrifice both to ofter 
 and to present. True, th "" 
 
 ay 
 
 ^^y 
 
 end ; yet you Tiave a sacrifice. Said a papal priest 
 once, when addressing a Protestant congregation, 
 " Your privileges are infinitely inferior to ours ! You 
 have neither priest nor sacrifice.'' Continuing, he 
 said, " You have no priestliood'' A pious individual 
 in his congregation exclaimed, " Yes, we have a 
 
A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS. 
 
 89 
 
 priest. Jesus is our priest, after the order of Mel- 
 chisedek, and He is our priest for ever, and there re- 
 mains no other" Tlic ])riest ln'sitaied, and tlien 
 proceeded, by sayinyj, '' You Protestants havenosar- 
 ■rifieey Tlien came the response, " CJtrist is our sac- 
 rifice, ojfered once for all, and there remains no 
 other." And he might have added, God has made 
 all His faithful ones pi-iests unto himself. 
 
 Yea, Christian, you have a sacrifice to hold up 
 to the world. It is not the slain lamb taken 
 from your own pasture. It is not the infc'"ior offer- 
 ing of the blood of bulls, or of goats, or of calves, but 
 the precious blood of the Lamb of God, — " the Land) 
 without spot or blemish," "the Lamb of God who 
 beareth away the sins of the world." Tell the 
 votaries of error, " This is our sacrifice ; we have no 
 other, and we need no other. His precious blood 
 can wash away every stain ;" and when we finally 
 form a part of the sainted company in heaven, it will 
 be said of as that wo " washed our robes, and made 
 them white in the blood of the Lamb." 
 
 You have also a sacrifice to present, M'hat is it ? 
 Prayer .to God for yourself, and the s6veral members 
 of your domestic circle, and for the fallen and perish- 
 ing everywhere. When presenting this sacrifice you 
 stand as intercessors with God! You stand 
 between God and those for whom you intercede, not, 
 as a pleader, one who tries to prove that a guilty 
 
 d 
 
90 
 
 A KINGDOM OF KINGS. 
 
 I i 
 
 ])ersc)n Is innocent l)y argument, but as one who pre- 
 sents before God tlic jjerson for whom he Intercedes 
 Avitli all his sins and deformity, and cries, " ClOD FOJt- 
 (ilVE, wasli away, and blot out their sins, tiirou<;ii 
 the precious blood of Christ." As pvlesthj ititercei^- 
 siom, you present before God man and his sins, Christ 
 and His sacrifice. You make no apologies for man ; 
 but you say, " Christ has died, therefore forrjive" 
 
 "THE FAITHFUL ARE A KIN(JI)OM OK KINGS." 
 
 In the several passages quoted in this chapter, we 
 are taught that, the same saint shall combine in his 
 own person the kingly and sacerdotal dignity. We 
 have notliin<x analaefous to this in the w^orld's his- 
 tory. One reigning king and many exiled princes 
 from other nations might be found in any one em- 
 pire ; but here you have the idea of a kingdom of 
 
 RULING KINGS, ALL GOVERNING, YET ALL GOVERNED. 
 
 In the kingly office, four things are observable. 
 When any person of rank is made king— - 
 
 I. He IS ANOINTED. Anointing in general was 
 emblematical of a particular sanctification ; a de- 
 dication to the service of God, to a holy and sacred use. 
 What an appropriate representation of God's saints 
 this was, because the greatest qualification for happi- 
 ness and usefulness is, *' purity of life," " entire 
 sanctification'' 
 
 n. When a king is installed, a crown or diadem 
 
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J KIXllDOM OF KIXCIS. 
 
 \)\ 
 
 U )>laco(l iqjoii Ills brow, and a sceptre put in liis 
 hand. A'oii Ijavo been tau!:,dit tliat, if faittif'ul to (jodl 
 In tlie immortal state you sliall bo oi-owniMl with 
 life, and tlianks bo to (lod, you nc'0<l not Avait unti, 
 then. EvL'U now, as so(jii as you aro anointed l>y 
 the Ho]y (Ihost, or in othor wonls, sanctified liy tlic 
 Spirit, you shall liave a crown placed upon your 
 lii'ow ; the sceptre put in y<^ur hand, and you shall 
 " rc'Kjn in rifjhteousncss.'' 
 
 III. When kings are conseci-ated they make a 
 iorenanf with theii- nobles that they will f/orri-n 
 accord liKj to lau: When you were anointed by the 
 Holy Cdiost, you made a solemn covenant with (Jod 
 that you would observe eveiy precept, and ol)cy 
 every law ; and you covenanted with your bri'th- 
 ren that all vour actions should be in accordance 
 with your high profession, spiritual piivileges and 
 important duties. May we ask you, Havk Yor kkpt 
 THAT rovEXANT ? Perhajis you have written it in 
 the blank page of your Bible as a remembrancer I 
 After all this have vou kei)t it ? Have vou not 
 often forgotten it ? Ha|»py are you, if you liave 
 remembered and kept it ! 
 
 Ye are reisfninu' kinirs under the Kiiiir of kinjrs — 
 
 the Kino- of the universe. The 
 
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 re over which 
 
 you are kings and priests unto God shall never pass 
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 A KINGDOM OF KINGS. 
 
 to-morrow tottering on the verge of ruin. The might- 
 iest empires of the earth have passed away, and left 
 only the wrecks of their fallen greatness. Alexander 
 the Great bid as fair as any other who has figured 
 upon the stage of time, to attain universal conquest ; 
 yet he was taken from the theatre of his victories at 
 the early age of thirty-two, his numerous possessions 
 falling into the hands of other masters. The great 
 Napoleon, who thirsted for universal empire, lan- 
 guished and died in solitude and captivity. rWhere 
 are now Nimrod and Neb,uchadnezzar, and their suc- 
 cessors on the Assyrian throne ? Where is now the 
 influence of him who reigned from India to Ethiopia, 
 over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces ? 
 Where is now the might of Tyre and Carthage, whose 
 merchants were princes, and whose traffickers were 
 the floted of the earth? Where is now the influ- 
 ence of Kome, once the mistress of the world ? It is 
 gone, clean gone for ever ; but this kingdom of kings 
 and priests shall never come to an end. 
 
 " There is an empire large and fair, 
 Whose subjects great and mighty stand ; 
 
 Kings and priests unto God they are, 
 And ruled by His divine command. 
 
 " They reign with Him with princely sway, 
 
 Crowned with joy and dignity ; 
 When worlds on worlds have fled away, 
 
 Shall reign to all eternity." 
 
CJ^ilton of Coir, 
 
 m 
 
Childhen or God -God is your Father ; Christ the Son of God 
 is your elder Brother, and you are made like Him. You are inti- 
 mately associated with Him in community of life, standing, relations, 
 and privileges ; joint heirs with Him of His glory. The Holy Ghost 
 is your Indweller, Teacher, Guide, Advocate, Comforter and Sancti- 
 fier ; and all believers being subject of the same adoption are 
 brethren. 
 
 t 
 ft 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 "CHILDREN OF GOD." 
 
 John xi. 52. * 
 
 OME men write and talk much about their 
 jf* ancestors and their ancestry, and, how- 
 ever humble in life, seem to take pleasure 
 in dilating upon their ancestral claims 
 ^l and distinctions. Said a very poor per- 
 son who had not enough to supply 
 the wants of nature, — " My forefathers were all 
 rich." Others,' who have never figured even in com- 
 mon life, will boast of their forefathers having been 
 divines, scholars, statesmen, philosophers, poets, men 
 of science, etc. Many thousands of books have 
 been written tracing ancestral claims, link by link, 
 through the changes of generations. And not a few 
 have been foolish enough to spend a whole life-time in 
 tracing their own descent. Some who are very poor 
 have had the mortification to trace themselves back to 
 ancestors surrounded with honour and wealth ; and 
 
 mi 
 
 m 
 
9G 
 
 CHILDREN OF GOD, 
 
 learn that through idleness and extravagance they 
 have been brought to their present state of want 
 and wretchedness : while others who are immensely 
 rich, by tracing their genealogy have found the very 
 reverse — that their forefathers were extremely poor. 
 It is not so with the Christian, whatever may be fiis 
 social position in life. He had a noble origin. His 
 father is the "Lord his God" — even the ''living 
 God." ' 
 
 Spend but a short time in tracing your relation- 
 ship to the greatest being in the Universe, and you 
 will discover that you enjoy special privileges in 
 Him. The whole human race claim to be the child- 
 ren of God by creation, providence and redemption ; 
 b}'" sin they have become His enemies, " rebellious 
 children," the subjects of His just wrath, and liable 
 to banishment from His presence for ever ; but you 
 are His by adoption and by grace ; having been for^ 
 given all your sins, through faith in our Lord Jesus 
 Christ. " Now you are the sons of God, and it doth 
 not appear what you shall be, when He shall appear 
 you shall be like Him ; for you shall see Him as He 
 is." " Ye are the children of the Lord your God ; ye 
 shall not cut yourselves nor make any baldness be- 
 tween your eyes for the dead." Tliis is one of the 
 ivay-marks in the Christian's pathway set up by the 
 hand of God. However high may be the degree of 
 perfection you enjoy, it is still possible and even easy 
 
CHILDREN OF GO^. 
 
 9T 
 
 to turn aside from the purest religion, or to follow 
 a system of religion which is only human; but, 
 in doing so, you make a costly sacrifice ; you receive 
 turmoil, sorrow, vexation, and perhaps lose your 
 soul. In the religion of Jesu.s there is joy, love, 
 peace and eternal life. In the religion which is 
 human, you see only a dismal chaos of frantic 
 excesses, idolatry, witchcraft, want of confidence, 
 breach of trust, and ten thousand other evils 
 repulsive to the human mind, and productive of 
 human misery. In Chi-ist there is peace, lasting 
 as the mind; settled and perfect, which nothing 
 earthly can mar or destroy. Thousands sacrifice the 
 greater to the smaller. They of the world prefer 
 a religion which is human, with jienances, and 
 inlgrimagcs ; with "cuttings and baldness," and 
 reject the glorious liberty of the children- of God. 
 The earth-born systems of religion of this age in- 
 flict upon their votaries a burden of ceremonies and 
 curious rites hard to be borne — burdens which make 
 life a burden, and render it more desirable to die than 
 to live — burdens which fill the mind with a certain 
 gloom and distrust of all things here below. Under 
 their influence thousands have performed the ex- 
 treme penance by filling the graves of suicides. The 
 Christian religion is heart-gladdening and joyous. 
 Is the heart already sad,6owecZ down by the weight of 
 woes, crushed under trouble and anguish? Let such 
 
98 
 
 CHILDREN OF GOD. 
 
 come to Jesus, the " friend of sinners," and the bur- 
 den shall fall from his shoulders (as it fell from 
 Christian when he came to the cross), and the heart 
 that was clouded and sad shall become joyous again. 
 Sorrowful one, hearken to the words of Jesus : 
 " Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy la- 
 den ; take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I 
 am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to 
 your souls." The god of any religion which is 
 human, is an idol of some description, and repul- 
 sive even to their worshippers ; from the ^uncouth ox 
 to the wily serpent. Their votaries serve them rather 
 from a dread of them — not from a love of thcni. 
 They are senseless, filthy, cruel and repulsive gods ; 
 in them, there is nothing amiable, lovely, or love- 
 able. Your God combines all these latter to per- 
 fection. You can love Him with an affection more 
 tender than that which you feel toward a sainted 
 mother ; for He designates you His own dear child. 
 He tells us. " wherefore come out from among them 
 and be ye separate, saith the Lord,, and touch not 
 the unclean thing, and I will receive you ; and will 
 be a father unto you, and ye shall be ray sons and 
 d.aughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 
 
 "God's child ! sweet title, blessed name ; 
 
 Who can explore its full import 1 
 Close union with the great ' I am ' : 
 
 Blessed with a heavenly escort. 
 
CHILDREN OF GOD. 99 
 
 " You need not cherish one sad thought, 
 
 Nor feel a sad and lonely hour, 
 God's child, — He your salvation bought. 
 
 And He's your shield, and your strong tower. 
 
 "His words to yon are words of peace, , 
 
 Your blessings are the fruit of grace. • 
 
 His ways are ways of pleasantness, 
 In Heaven's love you share a place." 
 
 Christian, the bond of union between you and 
 the God of the Universe is the bond that binds a 
 loving father to a devoted child. Then there is 
 another bond, that which binds Christian hearts 
 TO Christian hearts. It is found in the words, 
 " And not for that nation only, but that also He 
 should gather together in one the children of God 
 that were scattered abroad." (John xi. 52.) 
 
 " Gather together in one." Who ? the scat- 
 tered Jews ? Not only them, but the faithful of 
 all aojes from the beginning to the end of time. 
 All nations, Jews and Gentiles, scattered abroad, 
 God shall " bring them together in one ;" shall 
 bestow upon them one faith, one peace, yea, one 
 religion. Christ said, " Other sheep I have, which 
 are not of this fold : them also I must bring, and 
 they shall hear my voice ; and there shall be one fold 
 and one shepherd." (John x. 10.) 
 
 In the best times of the Church the spirit of unity 
 has graced her history. Look back upon the dark- 
 
100 
 
 .CHILDIiEN OF GOD, 
 
 ness of the middle ages, if you wish to learn of 
 wars absurdly called holy, or rather let them be 
 designated bloody crusades of fallen Chris- 
 tians. Search among the most benighted and super- 
 stitious Churches of this age if you wish to find 
 hard fought battles and sectarian strife. Churches 
 which only inscribe upon their banners, OuR Church, 
 or more commonly |The Church. These recognise 
 none beyond their own narrow sphere, whilst the 
 purest of all Christian Churches claim to be " the 
 friends of all, and enemies of none," IN fundamen- 
 tals, UNITY, non-essentials, AND LIBERTY ; receiv- 
 ing as brethren the faithful of all the Churches. 
 
 Brethren : It is God's plan that all Christians 
 should be one in faith; one in practice; one in 
 affection ; and one in interest. The love of Christ 
 shall bind in one the sacramental hosts of God's 
 elect throughout all ages and nations. Not one 
 Church, but one body of Christians. The Church is 
 one body — the body has many members, yet one 
 body. The Church of Christ is a spiritual tree 
 which has many branches ; yet it is one tree. It is 
 like a gentle flowing river — it has many branching 
 streams, winding around the mountains and through 
 verdant vales, the waters of which meet again in the 
 parent waters of the ocean. As the rainbow com- 
 bines the seven ^mwiafic colours in one glorious arch, 
 spanning the firmament of heaven, and transmitting 
 
 ill 
 
 HI 
 
 ii 
 
 Hi 
 
 1( 
 
 I'll 
 
 I 
 
CHILDREN OF GOD. 
 
 Iffil 
 
 its beautijul colourings to the trees, slnubs, plants, 
 and flowers which adorn the earth ; so the Church, 
 one throughout the world, having many names and 
 important distinctions, throws a glorious halo of 
 light over the sinful sons and daughters of night, 
 leading them to the Saviour, and clothing them with 
 righteousness. ' • 
 
 See the millions of stars occupying space, and 
 shining in eternal radiance. No two of all the 
 endless millions ever come into collision, thus re- 
 minding of what should be the onena.98 of the 
 faithful of all nations, ages, and places! In ,i com- 
 plicated machine there are many parts, yet all work 
 with the most perfect harmony. So it should be 
 among the children of God. " David and Jonathan 
 had but one heart." " Eusebius and Pamphilus the 
 Martyr but one name. Pilades and Oristes but one 
 life. Ruth and Naomi but one affection. It was 
 said of Basil and Nazianzene that there was but 
 one soul shut up in their two bodies. On the morn- 
 ing of the Pentecost, the disciples were with one 
 accord in one place, and after the three thousand 
 were converted it is said they "continued stead- 
 fastly/ in the Apostles' doctrine iind felloivship, and 
 all that believed were together. And they contin- 
 uing daily with one accord in the temple." (Acts 
 ii. 42, 44, 4G.) 
 
 Unity is pkoductive qf the most perfect 
 
 ^•!l 
 
102 
 
 CHILDREN OF GOD. 
 
 ORDER. Whenever it is destroyed the result is dis- 
 cord, disorder, disruption, and other untold annoy- 
 ances. 
 
 Unity produces unparalleled strength, and the 
 most blessed pence. A nation united is perfectly and 
 harmoniously organized ; possesses mighty strength, 
 and no foe can easily weaken it. It can claim that 
 peace and quiet which no ordinary adversary can dis- 
 turb or destroy. A neighbourhood united answers 
 well to its name, friendly, ohllglng, hind, civil, and 
 attentive. 
 
 It is truly a fit emblem of Christian brotherhood, 
 if it possesses such qualilications. 
 
 A family united. This .should ever be the case. 
 Its members are from the same lineage — from com- 
 mon 'progenitor. A ftimily divided is an unsightly 
 "paradox. A family united is consistent with its 
 name, and nature too. A church united. Such 
 is the true Church of Christ, — the holy Church 
 throughout all the world. Archbishop Trench says, 
 "The Church is undoubtedly one, as the human race 
 is one in reference to Him its supreme head in 
 heaven, but is not one community on earth." 
 
 Wherever you see in a branch of the visible 
 Church the spirit of contention, strife and hitter- 
 ness against the members of other Churches, you 
 may rest assured that that Church has not the spirit 
 OF HER Divine Master — is not a true Church ; for 
 
CUILDREN OF GOD. 
 
 103 
 
 the sanctified are free from either selfishness or big- 
 oUij. Wherever there is the Spirit of Christ, there 
 is love, and that which takes in its embrace the 
 faithful of all names throughout the world. 
 
 "Look not withbigota' eyoa or selfish hearts ; 
 Nor sever the saintly throng in meagre parta, 
 But take in love's embrace the faithful of the past, 
 All saints through endless ages whiL- ".\e shall last." 
 
 John the Divine has said : " Tn this the children 
 of God are manifest, and the children of the devil : 
 wliosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, 
 neither he that loveth not his brother." (IJohn, iii. 
 10.) Then it is manifest that they who lovf, not 
 
 THEIR BRETHREN ARE NOT THE CHILDREN OF Goi>. 
 
 The Christian's own spirit bears witness that he is 
 a child of God, because " he loves the brethren." 
 Christian ! If you feel the outflowings of love 
 toward Christians of all denominations, and your 
 love is not narrowed down to your own little Church, 
 to the exclusion of the fiiithful of all others, you 
 possess one of the evidences that you are a child of 
 God. 
 
 The Apostle Paul intimates that the very Chris- 
 tians whom some Churches reject, and declare that 
 they are not of Christ's fold, are in very deed the 
 children of God. " As he saith also in Osee, I will 
 call them my people, which were not my people ; 
 
104 
 
 CHILDREN OF GOD. 
 
 and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it 
 shall come to pass in the place where it was said 
 unto them, Ye are not my people, there shall they 
 be called the children of the living God." (Rom. ix. 
 25, 26. There are Churches of this day possessing 
 none of the true characteristics, of Christian life, 
 .and yet almost exist on the thought that they only 
 are Christians, and that all outside their fold are 
 heathens and barbarians. 
 
 The day will come when they will discover that 
 they have made a grand mistake ; that they them- 
 selves may be called outcasts by God, because of their 
 religious inconsistency and want of faithfulness : 
 and those whom they have regarded as impostevs 
 and intruders in the Christian fold, thev will find to 
 be the real " children of God." 
 
 " God said in Osee * I will call them mine, 
 My people not before of royal line. 
 Of Christian fellowship and Godly love, 
 But fallen children from their God above. 
 
 ' * * Yes, I will call them mine, my well belov'd, 
 Who were my enemies in deed and word. 
 And though disowned and outcast on earth's clod, 
 Are named the children of the living God.' " 
 

 itirs ai Salfaation. 
 
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" What are these which are arrayed in white robes ? and whence 
 came they ? And I said nnto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said 
 to me, These are they which came out of great trib^jlation, and have 
 washed their robes, and made them white in the blood ci the Lamb. 
 
 " Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day 
 and night in His temple ; and He that sitteth on the throne shall 
 dwell among them. 
 
 " They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall 
 the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the 
 midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them imto living 
 fountains of waters ; and God shall wipe away all tears from their 
 eyes." 
 
' 
 
 - m 
 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 "HEIUS OF SALVATION." 
 Heb. i. 14. 
 
 ALVATION is the portion of God's child- 
 ren. It has in it heights tlie human mind 
 cannot reach ; depths it cannot fathom ; 
 breadths it cannot span. It reaches unto 
 the third heaven. It is said of the saints 
 before the throne of God, that " they wash- 
 ed their robes and made them ivhite in the blood of 
 the Lamb." 
 
 * ' I ask them whence their victory camo ? 
 They with united bi'eath, 
 Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb ; 
 Their triumphs to His death." 
 
 It is the fondest hope of the human heart. It 
 washes away its polhitions, and renders it fit to be- 
 come the habitation of God. 
 
 It encompasses the whole human family. People 
 
 !J 
 
 1 w 
 
 
108 
 
 HEIRS OF SALVATION. 
 
 f 
 
 
 of every nation, clime and colour, desire to be brought 
 under its influence, and become the " saved of the 
 Lord." 
 
 It offers light to those who are in darkness, com- 
 fort to the sorrowful, purity to the sinful, and hea- 
 ven to the hell-bound luanderer. 
 
 It is the Christian's anchor in the storm — his 
 sword, shield and helmet in spiritual conflicts. It is 
 his sanctuary of devotion, and toiver of refuge, his 
 altar of sacrifice, and croiun of glory. 
 
 It affords to him jo?/ here, and a very fulness of joy 
 in the world to come. But he must ptiss from this 
 state of existence to the brightness of a glorious 
 IMMORTALITY, before he can comprehend the full 
 meaning of the word. Then, amidst the splendors 
 of eternal light, he shall sing of its wonders. 
 
 The faithful are the heirs of that salvation. All 
 the blessings that may be found in it for ever 
 will be theirs. 
 
 The heirs of salvation are the heirs of god (Rom. 
 viii. 17). And if children then heirs ; heirs of God 
 and joint-heirs of Christ; if so be that we suffer 
 with Him, that we may he also ^glorified together. 
 
 Heirship in the east differs from that among us in 
 important particulars. We wait for the death of friends 
 to secure our rights in family property. They often 
 receive their portion during the life-time of their 
 parents. Christ is said to be heir of all things. It 
 
 doe 
 thill 
 
 in 
 
HEIliS OF SALVATION. 
 
 109 
 
 does not imply that any former possessor of all 
 things is dead. 
 
 Heir is from the Latin hceres, hoeredis, and signifies 
 " One wlio succeeds by rigJit to the inheritance of 
 another." When it is said that the saints are " heirs 
 of salvation," " heirs of God," " heirs to the grace of 
 hfe," " heirs of the kingdom," " heirs of the pro- 
 mises," a refei'ence is made to the blessings enjoyed 
 in this life, as well as that which is to come. 
 
 The " heirs of God" are " heirs of the heavenly 
 INHERITANCE," which God gives to his people. In this' 
 life, it consists in having the favour and image of God, 
 and in the eternal state, that which they shall enjoy 
 for ever. 
 
 The adopted children of God have a right to His 
 presence and protection, and to the supplies of His 
 providence and grace, god is theirs. He has 
 taken possession of their hearts, and will fill them 
 with His fulness. 
 
 They may have been heirs to costly estates. What 
 is that to being the heirs of god ? All earthly pos- 
 sessions sink into insignificance before the sjnritual 
 inheritance of the saints. They afford but little 
 satisfaction, and are of short continuance. GOD IN 
 the soul is a self-satisfying portion, and will 
 remain so for ever. 
 
 Doctor Stonehouse, who attended Mr. Hervey dur- 
 ing his last illness, seeing the great difficulty and 
 
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110 
 
 HEIRS OF SALVATION. 
 
 pain with which he spoke, — and finding by his 
 pulse that dissolution was pending — desired that he 
 should save his strength. " No," said Mr. Hervey, 
 "no, you tell me I have but a few minutes to 
 live ; oh, let me spend them in adoring our great 
 Redeemer. Though my flesh and my heart fail 
 me, yet God is the strength of my heart, and my 
 portion for ever." He then expatiated in the most 
 striking manner on these words of Paul: ^' All 
 things are yours" ''life and death," " things present 
 and things to come ; " all are yours" and " ye are 
 Christ's and Christ is God's" " Hore," said he, 
 " is a treasure of a Christian — and a lioble treasure 
 it is. Death is reckoned in this inventory; how 
 thankful am I for it, as it is the passage through 
 which I shall get to the Lord and giver of eternal 
 life ! It will free me from all the misery you see me 
 endure. I am willing to endure it as lono^ as God 
 thinks fit ; for I know He will, by and by, in His 
 good time, dismiss me from the body. These light 
 afflictions are but for a moment, and then comes the 
 ' eternal weight of glory.' ' welcome, welcome 
 DEATH !' thou may est well be reckoned among the 
 treasures of the Christian ! * To live is Chnst ; hut 
 to die is gain.' " 
 
 " Without the Lord things be not what they be, 
 Nor have their being when compared with Thee, 
 In having all things and not Thee, what have I ? 
 Not having Thee, what have my labours got 1 
 
HEIRS OF SALVATION. 
 
 ill 
 
 Let me enjoy but Thee, what further crave I ? 
 And having Thee alone, what have I not ? 
 I wish not sea nor land ; nor would I be, 
 Possessed of heaven, heaven unpossessed of Thee." 
 
 There is a sense in which all human beings are 
 the heirs of God. No one person can claim property 
 in the sun's rays to the exclusion of all others. They 
 shine upon the hut of the peasant, and the palace of 
 the king— alike upon the saVage and the Christian. 
 
 The waters of the mighty river, as they flow on- 
 ward toward the ocean, supply the wants of all who 
 live upon its banks. In like manner, God, the great 
 light of the Universe, dispenses His benign rays 
 upon all mankind, and sends among them the river 
 of His pleasure, to irrigate their lands, and supply 
 their necessities. Yes, He is God of all, and giveth 
 to all His creatures life, and breath, and all things 
 else. The great difference between the wicked and 
 the righteous is, that the wicked enjoy God's bles- 
 sing, but the righteous enjoy both God and His bles- 
 sings. Hence the beautiful words " Fret not thyself 
 because of evil-doers, neither he thou envious against 
 the u'orJcers of iniquity" (Psalm xxxvii. 1.) 
 
 The man who is in possession of some great mas- 
 terpiece in ])ainting or sculpture need not envy 
 others who have only copies of it. The Christian 
 can say the engraving may be beautiful, but the 
 original is mine. Do not envy those who enjoy the 
 
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112 
 
 HEIRS OF SALVATION. 
 
 warm rays of the sun. It is yours as well. The 
 wicked may drink of the stream ; but the fountain is 
 yours. " God is your portion, and your inheritance." 
 The heirs of salvation are ''heirs of tiie gr^ce of 
 LIFE :" of that spiritual and eternal life which is the 
 result of the unbounded grace of God. 
 
 Tlie "heirs of the grace of life" are changed from 
 the death of sin to the life of righteousness. While 
 dead in sin, the curse which was pronounced upon 
 Adam, " Thou shall surely die," fell upon them. In 
 death a person is unconscious and inactive, so in 
 spiritual death the mind is benighted, and the life is 
 useless ; indeed, in the unsaved individual, life is 
 " spiritual death." When born again, he who was 
 spiritually dead is made the partaker of a new life. 
 It is named spiritual and " eternal life," and is tlie 
 result of the boundless grace of God, and not of 
 human merit. The dead cannot merit any thing. 
 They cannot even ask or seek for life. If they are 
 raised to its enjoyment it must be through the grace 
 of God. 
 
 *' O to grace how great a debtor, 
 Daily I'm constrained to be. " 
 
 The heirs of salvation are heirs of the " Messiahic 
 Kingdom." James in his plea for the poor Christian, 
 says, " Harken my beloved brethren, hath not God 
 chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs 
 of the kingdom which He hath promised to them 
 
 I A i 
 
IIEim OF SALVATION. 
 
 113 
 
 The 
 
 that love Him ?" (James ii. 5). The Chiistican, rich 
 or poor, is heir of all the immunities and privileges 
 of the Kingdom of Christ. He is governed by its 
 hiws, holds its offices, and enjoys all the blessings of 
 citizenship. In that kingdom he will be a king with 
 CHRIST. At its altars he will bo a iwiest of God. 
 He will be faithful and obedient, loyal and true. In 
 this, his probationary state, he is governed: in the 
 eternal state he will share in his master's tri- 
 umphs. 
 
 " O^Israel ! O household of the Lord ! 
 Abraham's sons ! brood of blessed afced ! 
 O chosen sheep, that love the Lord indeed ! 
 O hungry heart ! feed still upon His word, 
 A.nd put your trust in Him with one accord. 
 For He hath mercy evermore at hand, ' 
 
 His fountains flow, His springs do never stand ; 
 And plenteously He loveth to redeem 
 
 Such sinners all 
 
 As on Him call, 
 And faithfully His mercies most esteem." 
 
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 " Every promise is built upon four pillar.s. God's justice and holi- 
 ness, which will not suffer him to deceive ; His grace or goodness, 
 which will not suffer him to forget ; His truth, which will not suffer 
 him to change ; His power, which makes him able to accomplish." 
 
 Salter. 
 

 Hi; 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 "HEIRS OF THE PROMISES." 
 
 ff'HE heirs of salvation arc "heirs of the 
 jpromiscs." The word of God contains 
 
 ^i many precious promises, — all of which are 
 ^^ intended to fill the soul with joy, and 
 are especially for the benefit of the Chris- 
 tian. The unsaved have no claim to 
 
 ANY ONE OF THEM. 
 
 The word promise is from the Latin 2'>vomissum ; 
 the Italian, promessa ; the Spanish, lyromesa; and 
 from the French, promesse, and signifies a declara- 
 tion, either verbal or written to do, or not to do, some 
 particular thing for the benefit of another. 
 
 There is another word, ]}olicitation, from the 
 Latin, p?licitatio, and French, policitationy to pro- 
 mise, signifying a voluntary and spontaneous ex- 
 pression of intention tc perform some act in favour 
 of another. 
 
 Where a promise is made in consequence of a request 
 
 
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 1 ' 
 
 ■I 
 
118 
 
 HEIRS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 having been preferred by a party present, it cannot 
 be said to be spontaneous. As an illustration, I ask 
 a friend to bestow on me a certain favour; he readily 
 promises to do so. That lyromise was not the spon- 
 taneous act of his own, but given in answer to my 
 request. 
 
 Sometimes promises are made because of favours 
 received. A jjromissory note is given because of 
 value received, therefore, the promise is not a spon- 
 taneous act of the one promising. 
 
 Sometimes a promise does not necessarily imply 
 the presence of the party in whose favour it is made. 
 It is possible to make a promise in favour of a person 
 thousands of miles distant, and the promise be as 
 good as though he were present. Sometimes it does 
 not confer on the party promised the right to exact 
 its performance, as in cases where the promise is 
 sjwntaneous. 
 
 In every case, however, we think the person in 
 whose favour a promise is made has a right to expect 
 its fulfilment — especially when it is seen to bo 
 highly beneficial to him and not prejudicial to the 
 person who promises. 
 
 There are many instances where promises are 
 made implying the presence of the party in whose 
 favour the promise is made,''confering on him a per- 
 fect moral right to have it fulfilled, or bringing the 
 person who makes the promise under moral, and in 
 
HEIRS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 119 
 
 some instances, legal obligation to fulfil it ; as in the 
 case of a promise being made because of value re- 
 ceived. 
 
 In order to constitute a promise, three things are 
 necessary : — 
 
 I. A voluntary consent or intention of the per- 
 son promising. 
 
 II. A declaration of that intention or consent. 
 
 III. The acceptance of the promise by the party to 
 whom the promise is made. At least there must be 
 tlie promiser and the promisee. Apctct implies two 
 or more. 
 
 The Divine being has determined to bestow upon 
 His people many precious gifts, as rewards of fidelity. 
 He has deckred His intention in His word, and all 
 the faithful are " heirs to those promises." 
 
 Contemplate the blessings promised. He has 
 promised temporal sustenance. "And ye shall serve 
 the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread and 
 thy water; and I will take sickness away from thee," 
 (Exodus xxiii. 25). ''Trust in the Lord and do good ; 
 so shalt thou dwell in the Land, and verily thou 
 shalt be fed," (Psalm xxxvii. 3). "He that walketh 
 righteously, and speaketh uprightly ; ho that des- 
 piseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands 
 from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from 
 hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing 
 evil ; he shall dwell on high ; his place of defence 
 
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 120 
 
 EEIBS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 shall be the munition of rocks : bread shall be given 
 him; his M^aters shall be sure." (Isaiah xxxiii. 15, 
 10.) 
 
 These promises were not made exclusively for the 
 benefit of the pious Jew. God our Father knows no 
 distinction between the pious Jew of former times 
 and the sincere Christian of the present. The prom- 
 ises which GAVE THEM COMFORT, NOW SUPPORT THE 
 CHRISTIAN. 
 
 Our Saviour made the same promises to His disci- 
 ples that were made to the ancient Jews by the p i- 
 archs and prophets. He says, "Therefore I say unto 
 you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat 
 or what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, 
 what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the 
 meat, and the body than the raiment ? Behold the 
 fowls of the air : for they sow not, neither do they 
 reap, nor gather into barns ; yet your heavenly Fa- 
 ther feedeth them. Are ye not much better than 
 they ? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his 
 righteousness ; and all these things shall be added 
 unto you." (Matthew vi. 25, 2G, 33.) 
 
 The sincere Christian has a right to expect the 
 blessings promised, "/or God is not a man i.'iat he 
 should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent." 
 There are but few Christians, if appealed to, but will 
 acknowledge that all through life they have received 
 more than was promised them. 
 
HEIRS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 121 
 
 A WORD TO THE UNCONVERTED. A reinarkcable 
 fiict is visible all through tlic sacred pages, and that 
 is, that tliere is no promise of temporal sustenance 
 to the wicked. If the sun shines on the unjust as 
 well as on the just, and the rain descends on the 
 evil as well as on the good ; if the tables of the 
 wicked are loaded with dainties it is because God 
 is "merciful, loiifc-sufFeiinfj and abundant in i^oodness 
 and truth." 
 
 God has not only promised His own people tem- 
 poral siidenance, but also fruitfulness. David in 
 his Song of Degrees sings, " Blessed is every one 
 that feareth the Lord ; that walketh ,in Ids ways. 
 For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands ; happy 
 shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy 
 wife shall be a fruitful vine bv the side of thine house, 
 thy children like olive-])lants round about thy table. 
 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that fear- 
 eth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion; 
 and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the 
 days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's 
 children, aiid peace upon Israel." (Psalm cxxviii.) 
 
 This Psalm has been thought by many to have been 
 sung at the marriages of the Israelites. It also forms 
 a part of our marriage service. It contains a thril- 
 ling description of the good man's blessedness ; and 
 when used in the marriage service is very appropri- 
 ate, as it points out to the newly married pair, enter- 
 
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122 
 
 HEIRS 01' TItE PBOMISaS. 
 
 t 
 
 ing upon the responsibilities of life, the importance 
 of seeking true happiness in "fearing the Lord and 
 walJcing in His tuays." 
 
 Then there is added to this promise of fruitful- 
 NESS that of PLENTY, " For I will have respect unto 
 you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and 
 establish my covenant with you. And ye shall eat 
 old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. 
 And I will set my tabernacle among you, and my 
 soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among 
 j^'ou, and will be your God, and ye shall be my peo- 
 ple. I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus xxvi. 9, 
 
 13.) 
 
 David sung, "0 fear the Lord, ye His saints, for 
 there is no want to them that fear him. The young 
 lions do lack and*sufFer hunger; but they that seek 
 the Lord shall not want any good thing," (Psalm 
 xxxiv. 9, 10.) 
 
 Solomon, in inculcating the important duty of re^ 
 ligious benevolence, adds his testimony. He says : 
 " Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the 
 first-fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns 
 be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out 
 with new wine." (Proverbs iii. 9, 10). And the 
 Apostle Paul shows that God is no respecter of 
 persons ; that the promises are to the faithful every- 
 where. Ho says: "Not because I desire a gift, but I 
 desire fruit that may abound to your account. But 
 
HEIRS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 123 
 
 I have all, and abound ; I am full, having received of 
 Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, 
 an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well 
 pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your 
 need according to His riches in glory by Jesus 
 Christ." (Phil. iv. 17, 18, 19.) 
 
 THE FULNESS OF THESE BLESSED PROMISES ! 
 
 " God shall supply all your need!' 
 
 He will do more than that : He will make you 
 "fruitful and abound." Yea, He shall bless you 
 with plenty if you walk before Him in right- 
 eousness OF life. 
 
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 IV .1] 
 
 ?i" y 
 
 '* Author of being, life sustaining king ! 
 To wants dependent eye from Tliee implores 
 The seasons wliicli provide nutritious stores ; 
 Give to her prayers the renovating spring, 
 And summer heats all pei'fecting that bring — 
 The fruits which autumn from a thousand stores 
 Selecteth provident ! When earth adores 
 Her God, and all her vales exulting sing, 
 Without Thy blessing the submissive steer, 
 Bends to the i^lough — man's galling yoke in vain ; 
 Without Thy blessing o'er the varied year, 
 Can the swarfch reaper grasp the golden grain ? 
 Without thy blessing all is black and drear ; 
 With it the joys of Eden bloom again." 
 
 The people of God have further promises of 
 PEACE AND SAFETY : " And I will give peace in the 
 land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make 
 
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124 
 
 REIRS OF TEE PROMISES. 
 
 ^fv 
 
 you afraid : and I will rid evil beasts out of the 
 land, neither shall the sword go through your land." 
 (Lev. xxvi. 6.) 
 
 And the Prophet Isaiah has said, " And the work 
 of righteousness shall be peace ; and the effect of 
 righteousness, quietness, and assurance for ever. 
 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habita- 
 tion, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting 
 places." (Isaiah xxxii. 17, 18.) See also Psalms 
 xci., (cxii,) (cxxi.) 
 
 Faithful one ! cast k glance back over your past 
 life. You have been called to brave many dangers. 
 You have scaled the rugged mountain brow, and 
 have wended your way through thorn -tangled 
 vales. Malicious adversaries have lurked in your 
 way to do you harm, and you have sometimes been 
 tossed upon a sea of trouble, but all the way 
 
 ALONG YOU HAVE FOUND THE PKOMISES YOUR SUP- 
 PORT. 
 
 " Let faith suppress each rising fear, 
 Each anxious doubt exclude ; 
 Thy Maker's will has placed thee hero, 
 A Maker wise and good. 
 
 " He, too, thy every trial knows, 
 Its just restraints to give, 
 Attentive to behold thy woes, 
 And faithful to relieve. 
 
 *' Then why thus heavy my soul 1 
 Say why distrustful still ? 
 
HBIRS OF TEE PROMISES. 
 
 12ft 
 
 Thy thoughts with vain impatience roll 
 O'er scenes of future ills ? 
 
 " Though griefs unnumbered throng thee round, 
 ytill in thy God confide, 
 Whose finger marks the sea their bound, 
 And curbs the headlong tide." 
 
 You have received promises of spiritual good lit 
 this life, and eternal good in the world to come, 
 Jesus said before he left the world, "• If I go away 
 I will send you another Comforter that He may 
 abide with you for ever" 
 
 He who led you to cry to God for the par^ 
 don of your sins, and spake peace, when your 
 prayer was offered by faith, was the SPIRIT the com^ 
 FORTER — and the many instances in which you 
 have been soothed in sorrow, upheld in affliction, 
 supported in trouble, and strengthened in weakness, 
 have been the work of that Spirit. The promise 
 of the Spirit, the Comforter, has been fulfilled in your 
 experience a thousand times. 
 
 You HAVE RECEIVED THE PROMISE OF LIFE IN 
 
 Christ. (2 Tim. i. 1.) " Even when we were dead 
 in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by 
 grace ye ar,e saved ;) and hath raised us up together, 
 and made us sit together in heavenly places in 
 Christ Jesus." (Eph, ii. 5, 6.) 
 
 " He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting 
 life." (John iii. 36.) 
 
 ■ M 
 
 m 
 
126 
 
 HEIRS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 11 
 
 " I am come that they might have life, and that 
 they might have it more abundantly." (John x. 10.) 
 
 " For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ 
 in God." (Col. iii. 3.) 
 
 Your spiritual life is marked. Your know- 
 ledge, faith, and labours are the outflowings of the 
 " hidden life," which you have in Christ Jesus. 
 
 The following is a summary of the promises point- 
 ing you to the " life" which is to come. 
 
 " To him that overcometh will 1 give to eat of the 
 tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of 
 God." (Rev. ii. 7.) Who eateth of the tree of life 
 shall live for ever. " Be thou faithful unto death, 
 and I will give thee a crown of life." (Rev. ii. 10.) 
 Faithful one — You may have been on this earth 
 poor and despised, but there you will be crowned 
 
 KING. 
 
 " He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the 
 second death." (Rev. ii. 11.) The second death shall 
 hurt the wicked fur ever, but its fires shall not hurt 
 the righteous. 
 
 " To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the 
 hidden manna (of the bread of heaven), and I will 
 give him a white stone (symbol of purity), and in 
 the stone a new name written which no man 
 knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Rev. ii. 17.) 
 You shall no longor be named wicked, ungodly or 
 rebellious children^ but the " children of God." 
 
HEIRS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 127 
 
 "He that overcometh and keepeth my works 
 unto the end, to him will I give power over the 
 nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron. 
 As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to 
 shivers. Even as I have received of my Father and 
 I will give him the morning star." (Rev. ii. 26, 27, 
 28.) He shall share largely in the triumphs of his 
 blessed Redeemer. 
 
 " Thou hast few names in Sardis which have not 
 defiled their garments, they shall walk with me in 
 white for they are worthy." (Rev. iii. 4.) You have 
 known what it is to walk with dear friends and to 
 talk with them by the way, when your souls were 
 united, and the cord that bound them was love. 
 What is that to be compared to walking in sweet 
 companionship with Jesus by the river of life ; and 
 under the shade of the tree of life, in the city of our 
 God? 
 
 The two disciples who met the Saviour on his 
 way to Emrnaus, said, " Did not our hearts bum 
 witliin us as He talked with us by the way, and 
 while he opened to us the scrijitures." (Luke xxiv., 
 32.) Infinitely hig.jer will be your raptures, for in 
 heaven you shall walk with Christ in white. 
 
 " He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in 
 white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out 
 of the book of life, but I will confess his name 
 before my Father, and before His angels." (Rev. iii. 
 
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128 
 
 HEIRS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 W. 
 
 I 
 
 5.) You SHALL WEAR A WHITE ROBE. The white 
 robe is an emblem of purity. John in vision saw 
 happy spirits " ivho had, washed 'their robes and 
 Tnade them tvhite in the blood of the Lamb." You, 
 if faithful to God, will be among that number, for 
 your " name shall not be blotted out of the book of 
 life." It is blessed to have one's name enrolled with 
 the people of God on earth ; but far more so to have 
 it written in the " Lamb's book of life." Better far 
 than to have one's name in the book of heraldry, or 
 in the most splendid catalogue of kings, princes, 
 poets, statesmen, and warriors the world has ever 
 known. 
 
 Jesus has also promised to confess you before His 
 Father, before the angels and an assembled Universe. 
 He will name you "His children !"" His faithful 
 ones!" "0 the fulness of the blessed pro- 
 mises!" " ; 
 
 And yet more. "He that overcometh will I 
 make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall 
 go no more out : and I will write upon him the 
 name of my God, and the name of the city of my 
 God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down 
 out of heaven from my God : and I will w^rite upon 
 him my new name." (Hev. iii. 12.) A pillar is in- 
 tended both for an ornament and a support. The 
 Christian will help to bear the burdens of the church 
 as well as ornament it. . 
 
 ■na 
 
HEIRS OF THE PROMISES. 
 
 129 
 
 r. " 
 
 ^'^le white 
 Jsion saw 
 ohes and 
 
 You, 
 mber, for 
 3 book of 
 led with 
 to have 
 etter far 
 ildrij, or 
 princes, 
 las ever 
 
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 niverse. 
 faithful 
 
 B PRO- 
 
 will I 
 le shall 
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 of m,y 
 
 down 
 5 upon 
 
 is in- 
 
 The 
 
 hurch 
 
 " To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with 
 nie in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am 
 sat down with my Father in His throne." (Rev. iii. 
 
 21.) 
 
 The promises are good and holy ; exceedingly gi-eat 
 and precious. They are fulfilled in Christ, and are 
 inherited through faith and patience. They are all 
 yea and amen in Christ Jesus. Upon them is the 
 covenant established. They are given to all who 
 believe — are fulfilled in due season, and verily not 
 one of them shall fail. 
 
 Joshua said to the thousands of Israel before his 
 death, " And behold this day I am going the way of 
 all the earth ; and ye know in all your hearts, and 
 in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of 
 all the good things ivhich the Lord your God sjmke 
 concerning you." Christian, the promises made to 
 you are equally sure and certain, because you are 
 an heir of SALVATION. 
 
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 II. 
 
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 " O God most merciful and true ! 
 Thy nature to my soul impart ; 
 'Stablish with me the cov'nant n ew, 
 And write perfection on my heart." 
 
 ' ' To real holiness restored, 
 O let me gain my Saviour's mind ! 
 And in the knowledge of my Lord, 
 Fulness of life eternal find." 
 
 " Remember Lord my sins no more. 
 That them I may no more forget, 
 But sunk in guiltless sham^ adore, 
 Wit'.i speechless wonder at thy fe 
 

 
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 CHAPTER X. 
 
 " HOLY PEOPLE." 
 Deut. xxvi. 19. 
 
 AVID said, " Preserve my soul for I am 
 holy." (Psalm, Ixxxvi. 2.) Jeremiah tells 
 us that, " Israel was holiness unto the 
 Lord." (Jer. ii. 3.) The cruel Herod 
 " feared John, knowing that ho was a 
 just and holy man and observed him." 
 (Mark vi. 20.) Peter calls the wives of the patri- 
 archs holy women, " After this manner in the 
 old time the holy women also trusted in God." (I 
 Peter iii. 5.) That the attainment of holiness is a 
 privilege of the faithful is self-evident. The word 
 Holy would not have been used were this not the 
 case. 
 
 Many Christians tell us that the blessing of holi- 
 ness is not attainable in this life, or if it is even 
 obtained, it is only by the favoured few. When the 
 words " grow in grace," " press forward," " seek to 
 
 
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134 
 
 HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
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 know more of God," are employed, they claim that 
 " these are for us." But when it is said, " be ye 
 holy," they sink into self-degradation before the 
 blessed words ; and say, They are for the saintly 
 only, and reserved for Israel, David, John, and similar 
 holy men. , 
 
 Such are misguided and mistaken, whoever they 
 are. Whatever their social circumstances may be, 
 the blessing is for them. They are the honoured 
 ones for whom it is intended ; and it is designed to 
 increase their joys on earth, and to prepare them for 
 the blest realities of the future state. 
 
 We counsel the timid Christian to look high — 
 take wings of faith, mount up to God, breathe purer 
 atmosphere, feed on the heavenly manna, and drink, 
 to the full, of the waters of life. 
 
 (< 
 
 Plunge into the Godhead's deepest sea 
 And rise to His immensity." 
 
 Be not content with a drop, when there is an 
 ocean of fulness before you. Do not die of hunger 
 in the mrdst of plenty, nor perish of thirst by the 
 side of the broad deep river. 
 
 Nothing is so important to you as holiness : 
 nothing in time or in eternity. Your health is im- 
 portant because it enables you to attend to the con- 
 cerns of life ; but holiness is necessary to qualify 
 you for the vast interest of eternity. Your business 
 
 \>h' 
 
 II 
 
HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 135 
 
 is important because by it you secure to yourself 
 and family temporal blessings ; but holiness is 
 needed to enable you to obtain everlasting good — 
 the benefits of a heavenly paradise. Your friends 
 are needed to make the social influences of life plea- 
 sant ; but holiness is necessary to make you com- 
 panions of the most glorious beings in the Universe, 
 companions of God," " of Christ the Mediator of the 
 neiv covenant" " the glorious company of angels, 
 " the noble army of martyrs," and the spirits of just 
 men made perfect. 
 
 Do you desire further to see the importance of 
 holiness ? Study then the teachings of the Divine 
 Word. 
 
 Without holiness you cannot render unto 
 God acceptable worship. We use the word accep- 
 table, because there are many Jcinds of worship; 
 only one of which is acceptable, and that is the one 
 which comes from a pure heart." 
 
 David says, " Who shall ascend into the hill of the 
 Lord ? or who shall stand in His holy place ? He 
 that hath clean hands and a pure heart ; who hath 
 not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceit- 
 fully. He shall receive tbe blessing from the Lord, 
 and righteousness from the God of his salvation." 
 (Psalm xxiv. 3, 4, 5.) 
 
 1st. The holy place. " Upon the hill of the 
 Lord is the sanctuary" — "God's house," where 
 
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136 
 
 HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
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 Ijllii 
 
 true worshippers assemble ( ^ minister to their 
 God. 
 
 Who shall stand there ? " He who hath clean 
 hands ; who stretches not forth his hand to pollution." 
 
 Who ? " He who hath a pure heart," — a heart 
 cleansed from the defilement of sin. 
 
 Who ? " He who hath not lifted up his soul unto 
 vanity^' one who has no desire for the vanities of 
 the world. 
 
 Who ? " He who hath not sivorn deceitfully" or 
 with a purpose to deceive. 
 
 No one can be a spiritual worshipper without 
 holiness, and none but spiritual worshippers are 
 acceptable to God. " Without holiness no man 
 SHALL SEE GoD." (Hcb. xii. 14.) 
 
 Every Christian should profoundly meditate upon 
 this passage — It concerns all. 
 
 Does it imply that the wicked will never see God 
 either in peace or judgment ? 
 
 Certainly not; for it is positively stated that 
 " We must all appear before the judgment seat of 
 Christ, that every one may receive the things done 
 in his body, according to that he hath done whether 
 it be good or bad." (2 Cor. v. 10.) 
 
 To see God sometimes means " to be with Him," 
 " to dwell with Him," to enjoy the presence of God. 
 The best scholars tell us that this passage means 
 " Without holiness no man shall see God in peace." 
 
HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 137 
 
 The wicked shall see Him as a frowning judge, 
 but the righteous will " see Him in peace." O, the 
 importance of holiness ! 
 
 "THE NATURE OF HOLINESS." , 
 
 In order to lead you to a right understanding of 
 what it is, we shall show you tirst the negative — 
 what it is not. * 
 
 It is not human either in origin or influ- 
 ence. You see a stately edifice erected for the 
 worship of God ; its walls are up, its roof is on, its 
 decorations are complete, it is finished. There is no 
 more sacredness in that structure than in a store- 
 house or dwelling. It is not the holy temple of God, 
 where God is worsldpped. But time passes on, the 
 worsliippers enter ; from spiritual lips and hearts 
 ascend to the God of holiness, sweet tones and 
 words of sacred song. Sincere prayers are offered 
 to His throne, the word of life is proclaimed, the 
 presence of God is felt in all hearts, and the house 
 filled with His glory. It is tlicn " God's holy 
 
 temple," " THE place WHERE HlS HONOR DWEL- 
 LETH." 
 
 You may have seen in some Chrixtian professors' 
 lives much of the glitter and show of external cere- 
 mony, but God is not there ] self is there ; pomp and 
 parade are there ; but not holiness. It is only when 
 God fills the heart that holiness is imparted. 
 
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 III! 
 
 138 
 
 HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 Some think that to be vully occupied in 
 RELIGIOUS thought IS HOLINESS. Here too they 
 deceive themselves. We knew a man of the world, 
 who despised from his very heart churches of all 
 kinds ; who was never seen treading with the saints, 
 the courts of the Lord's house, and who had no faith 
 in the Bible, yet he believed himself to be holy. 
 
 He was asked, in what does your holiness con- 
 sist ? His answer was, " I think continually of God, 
 and have no faith in anything else." He was both 
 3 swearer and a Sabbath-breaker ; but because 
 vague thoughts of God came into his mind he 
 thought himself holy. It is possible for the mind 
 to meditate on religion, while the heart is spirit- 
 ually leprous. 
 
 Holiness does not exact seclusion from the 
 WORLD. It is not confinement in the gloomy homes 
 of monies and nuns. 
 
 There is beauty in holiness. "Worship be- 
 fore the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (I Chron. 
 xvi. 29.) " Give unto the Lord the glory due unto 
 His name, worship the Lord in the beauty of holi- 
 ness." (Psalm xxix. 2.) 
 
 Look into the dark apartments of monastic and 
 convent prisons, and you will see the votaries of a 
 false religion performing sickening penances, saying 
 their long, tedious prayers without ever seeing the 
 light of the sun, or feeling its warming rays. 
 
 1 1 1 ! i 
 
 ill 
 
HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 139 
 
 Little beauty can be seen without full sunlight. 
 Under the dark mantle of night mountain and 
 valley, tree and shrub, plant and flower have the 
 same coloring. And it is only when the day 
 breaks upon the hills, and the sun sheds his beams 
 over all creation, that you can see the beautiful 
 variety. Hang upon your parlour walls the most 
 costly paintings, the grandest woi'ks of the best 
 masters, either ancient or modern, and in the dark- 
 ness of night if you hold before them a light, how- 
 ever bright, you will fail to see the lovely tints of 
 light and shade — indeed you will see but little to 
 admire ; but let the great sun of day throw his rays 
 upon them, and you will stand in admiration before 
 those works of art. 
 
 So in the darkness of seclusion you fail to see the 
 "beauty of holiness," but you may see it in the 
 saintly conduct of the faithful. The " man of sor- 
 rows" when seen of men was said to be the fairest 
 among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely. 
 His disciples too, as they glow with the light of His 
 presence, and array themselves in their beautiful 
 garments, are the " fairest of the children of 
 
 MEN." 
 
 We would not convey the idea that there is neither 
 holiness, nor beauty in the closet. Nay, tliere is 
 both : for the Sun of righteousness shines even there. 
 The holy Christian shines everywhere, in tlie closet 
 
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140 
 
 nOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 or in the family ; in the field or in the workshop ; 
 in the market-place, or the place of innocent pleas- 
 ure. 
 
 The closet is not the cloister or the convent. In 
 either place you see the solitary worsliipper desolate 
 and afflicted, counting his beads, instead of worship- 
 ping Christ. In the closet you see God's child in 
 communion with the Father, and the communion is 
 siveet and refreshing. 
 
 Holiness does not consist in always talking 
 UPON THE SUBJECT OF RELIGION. Very many talk 
 much and do but little. If you judge of their piety 
 by their conversation, you might think them almost 
 angels ; but follow them, and you will see that their 
 works are the works of unregenerate men. They 
 are talking Christians, but living sinners. Where 
 there is a consistent life, there should be free com- 
 munication of thought and feeling on the great sub- 
 ject of religion. It is pleasant to hear a Christian 
 talk of Jesus. When he speaks that blessed name, 
 you are thrilled with emotions of delight ; neverthe- 
 less, talk without action, is ivorthless. 
 
 Holiness does not consist in wearing priestly robes 
 of white, or bowing reverently before images and 
 pictures. Neither does it require you to sprinkle 
 yourself with holy water, nor give a sad expression 
 to your countenance, and throw the same dark cloud 
 over all around you. 
 
HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 Holiness is not Sanctification." 
 
 141 
 
 Many theologians have regarded the word holiness 
 as synonymous with sanctidcation, using them thus 
 in writing. The distinction between holiness and 
 saiictitieation is, that holiness is the greater blessing 
 of the two. The former includes the other. Sanc- 
 titicatictn is a progressive work ; holiness is the work 
 of sanctiBcation complete. The Apostle Paul prayed 
 for the Thessalonian Church : " The very God of 
 peace sanctify you wholly ; and I 'pray God your 
 whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blame- 
 less unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 (1 Thess. V. 23.) 
 
 "Holiness is not Perfect Love." 
 
 Perfect love is one of the fruits of holiness. The 
 lioly soul exercises supreme love to God, .-md loves 
 his neifjhbour as himself. " Jesus said unto him, thou 
 shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and 
 with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." This is 
 the first and great commandment. And the second 
 is Hke luito it : — " Thou shalt love thy neighbor as 
 thyself" Illustrations might be multiplied, showing 
 what holiness is not. Enough has been presented 
 however. You are now invited to consider 
 
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142 
 
 HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 "What Holiness is." 
 
 The word holiness sometimes signifies a pure 
 heart, or freedom from sin, — sometimes good, pious, 
 religious, and devout. Again it means consecrated, 
 hallowed, sacred, and divine. Grammatical defini- 
 tions, however, are insufficient to explain the nature 
 of holiness. You must apply to the theologian, and 
 not to the gramfnarian, for correct ideas of this 
 doctrine. 
 
 It includes the renewal of the soul in the image 
 of God, and entire devotion to his service. Doctor 
 Lucas has said, " The essence of true holiness consists 
 
 in CONFORMITY TO THE NATURE AND WILL OF GOD." 
 
 Dr. T. W. Jenkyns has given his opinion that 
 holiness in the sacred Scriptures means a hallowed 
 state, — a full, entire, and impartial consecration to 
 the service and use of God, and dedication to His 
 purposes and pleasure ; so that to be otherwise em- 
 ployed would be a desecration — a profanation. 
 The Christian's state, having attained to holiness, 
 is that of a new man created after the likeness of 
 God — created in knowledge and true holiness. 
 "Seeing that ye have put off the old man with his 
 deeds, and have put on the new man, which is re- 
 newed in knowledge, after the image of Him that 
 created him." (Col. iii. 9-10.) 
 
 As things consecrated to sacred purposes are devo- 
 

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 )d, pious, 
 isecrated, 
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 holiness, 
 
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 HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 143 
 
 ted to that end, so the holy Christian devotes all his 
 powers of body and of mind unreservedly to God. 
 
 Reader, perhaps you are saying, as you study these 
 explanations of holiness, " They are too high; I cannot 
 attain unto them." Why not? Are you not one of the 
 faithful servants of your heavenly Master ? Un- 
 faithfulness IS THE ONLY THING WHICH CAN STAND 
 IN YOUR WAY TO HOLINESS. Jesus is your pattei'n. 
 He has left you an example ; and what holiness was 
 in Him it should be in you. Follow Jesus as He 
 followed the Father. In His life there was the most 
 perfect purity, physical, mental and moral. So live 
 YOU ! 
 
 " Holiness is a State or Condition of the 
 
 Heart." 
 
 Its fruit may be seen outwardly. John was both 
 loving and beloved. Paul was much in toils and 
 sorrows. Luther and other reformers suffered much 
 for Christ. Wesley, Whitfield, Fletcher, and others, 
 woke up the slumbering energies of many fallen 
 churches, and called the spiritually-dead to life. 
 Thousands in all ages, through its inHueine, have 
 preached to whole communities the Word of Lifa, 
 and have been instrumental in turning thousands to 
 Christ. 
 
 A holy life is much more impressive and efficient 
 in promoting the spiritual good of souls, than the 
 
 
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 144 
 
 EOLY PEOPLE, 
 
 most eloquent words emanating from human lips. 
 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set 
 on an hill cannot be hid." " Neither do i light 
 a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candle- 
 stick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the 
 house. Let your light so shine before men that they 
 may see your good works, and glorify your Father 
 which is in heaven." (Matt. v. 14, 15, 10.) Under 
 the preaching of the holy Apostle, Felix trembled, 
 and Agrippa said, " Almost thou persuadcst me to 
 be a Christian." (Acts xxvi. 28.) 
 
 The influence of the holiness of Fenelon sent away 
 from his house the scoffing Earl of Pe' ">rough, 
 with tl^e exclamation, " I MUST not stay ti^AE, or i 
 
 SHALL BECOME A CHRISTIAN IN SPITE OF MYSELF!" 
 
 And a certain person has said of Henry Thornton : 
 *' It is not more Boyle and Brampton lectures that 
 are wanted to convert the world ; it wants a thou- 
 sand Henry Thorntons." 
 
 Christians may all become preachers for Christ, 
 because the most powerful preaching is " that of 
 the holy life." To all who wish to get good them- 
 selves, and do good to the perishing souls of men, we 
 say, " Be ye holy." In holy living there is more sat- 
 isfaction than can be found elsewhere. At the 
 same time the pleasures of religion depend in a great 
 measure upon the amount of it enjoyed. The Chris- 
 tian who is not holy is often sad and doubting, 
 
 ll 
 
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HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 145 
 
 sometimes despaiHny, simply because he possesses 
 not enough religion to make him happy. 
 
 Religion is one of the most unsatisfying things 
 in the world, if you have not enough of it, This is 
 one of the wise plans of Jehovah, If little piety 
 could produce much joy, thousands would be content 
 with the little. Said John Howe, " I have now 
 found at last where satisfaction may be had, and 
 have only this to do : to bend all my powers hither, 
 and intend this one thing, the possessing myself of 
 this blessed rest. Happy discovery ! Welcome 
 tidings ! I now know which way to turn my eyes 
 and direct my pursuits. I shall no longer spend 
 my time in dubious, toilsome wanderings — in anxious, 
 vain enquiry. I have found it ! — I have found 
 IT !— blessedness is here." 
 
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 " 0, there is a fountain that's opened full wide, 
 And flows in rich streams from Immanuel's side. 
 'Twas opened for you, 'twas opened for me ; 
 come heavy laden, and here be made free. 
 
 " Together we'll plunge, for Jesus doth say, 
 It washes the darkest pollutions away ; 
 From all sin it cleanseth, and fits an abode 
 Within these poor hearts for our Saviour and God. 
 
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 'Tis a life-giving fount ; he who tries its rich store 
 Will thirst for the pleasures of earth never more. 
 'Twill satisfy, cleanse, — yes, all sin 'twill destroy, 
 And make the soul meet for the Master's employ, 
 
 ■>»».;.,:,, .^j' ' 
 

 >H^^B il lUi : .> 
 
 1' II 
 
 146 
 
 HOLY PEOPLE. 
 
 " Come now to thi^ fountain, — nf»w Jesus doth call ; 
 There's enough here for each, and enough here for all. 
 I've tried it, and so can with confidence say, 
 If you come you'll in no wise go empty away." 
 
1; 
 
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 " Would'st see blithe looks, fresh cueeks beguile 
 Age ? would'st see December smile ? 
 Would'st see hosts of new roses grow 
 In a bed of reverend snow ? 
 Warm thoughts, free spirits, flattering 
 Winter's self into a spring ? 
 In some would'st see a man that can 
 Live to be Old, and still a man ? 
 Whose latest and most leaden hours 
 . Fall with soft wings stuck with soft flowera, 
 And when life's sweet fable ends, 
 Soul and body part like friends ; 
 No quarrels, murmurs, no delay — 
 A kiss, a sigh, and so — away ; — 
 This rare one reader would'st thou see ? 
 Hark hither !— and thyself be he." 
 
 ^ ' ^ 
 
CHAPTER XI. ^ • 
 
 "MAN OF GOD." 
 Deut. ixxiii. 1. — I. Tim. vi. 11. • 
 
 N the spiritual as well as the natural life' 
 there are three stages — childhood, man- 
 hood, and old age. John sets forth this dis- 
 tinction when he says, " I write unto you, 
 little children, because your sins are for- 
 given you for His name's sake. I write 
 unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that 
 is from the beginning. I write unto you, young 
 men, because ye have overcome the wicked one." 
 (I. John ii. 12, 13.) 
 
 In the passage 1 eferred to at the head of this chap- 
 ter you have an aged man full of years, ripe with 
 age and piety for a better world, and just ending one 
 of the most splendid careers ever pursued by mortal 
 man. He was a mighty deliverer, a noble warrior, a 
 wise statesman, and a saintly servant of the God of 
 Israel ; one who had fulfilled in all things the Divine 
 
i I 
 
 150 
 
 MAN OF GOD, 
 
 will and command, in the deliverance of the child- 
 ren of Israel from Egyptian bondage, and in the 
 establishment of a people and nation mighty indeed. 
 Forty years had he led them through the wilder- 
 ness. His work was now nearly done ; he was 
 about to ascend Mount Nebo and die ; he had one 
 more <duty to perform, and he felt it to be a happy 
 work, and that was to bless the people before his 
 death. " Moses the man of God " blessed the 
 
 CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. ' 
 
 In I. Tim. vi. 11, 12, Paul calls the youthiul 
 Timothy, " Thou man of God." " But thou, man 
 of God, flee these things ; and follow after righteous- 
 ness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 
 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal 
 life, whereunto thou art also ciilled and hast pro- 
 fessed a good profession before many witnesses." 
 
 Some men are called ** men of the world," because 
 they are wholly given up to the riches, pleasures, 
 or fashions of the world. Some men employ all 
 the powers God has given them in getting wealth. 
 Precious time, a right proportion of which should 
 be devoted to religion, and a preparation for eter- 
 nity, is spent in this one pursuit. Wealth is in all 
 their thoughts, by night and by day, at home and 
 abroad. Domestic ties are not felt ; religious claims 
 are never once thought of — wealth, wealth, 
 wealth seems to be their only object, their great 
 
MAN OF GOD. 
 
 151 
 
 aim. To acquire it the best aspirations of the aoul 
 are crushed, and MANLY honesty is sometimes sac- 
 rificed. 
 
 Said a young man, " I will be rich." He was 
 just starting in life when he made himself this 
 promise, and he kept it ; he became rich, " rich in 
 RUIN." He' obtained large estates, and built for him- 
 self and family a costly dwelling place. But the first 
 day he entered it as his home he died. He died 
 sudden and unprepared. He became rich in this 
 world's goods, but never found the " hid treasure" 
 which " endureth unto everlasting life." He was a 
 " man of the world." 
 
 Others spend much of their time in seeking grati- 
 fication amid the pleasures of the world. The liquor 
 saloon, the theatre, the halls of Terpsichore, the 
 opera house, and the gambling room are the places from 
 whence they alternately seek sensual gratification. 
 Such are " men of the world." 
 
 While others still are men of fashion — men with 
 more exterior than inside development. Their attire 
 is put on them with the utmost exactness ; trade 
 figures in shop windows are not more delicately and 
 fashionably dressed than they. What more have 
 they ? Many of them have neither piety nor in- 
 tellect, — indeed, they have nothing that any intelli- 
 gent person could possibly admire. They are " men 
 of the worlc^/' 
 
 I* 
 
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152 
 
 MAN OF GOD. 
 
 I 
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 iji i 
 
 All such the Prophet Ezekiel has described : " Son 
 of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross ; 
 all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the 
 midst of the furnace ;, they are even the dross of sil- 
 ver." (Ezek. xxii. 18.) They are not made of gold or of 
 silver; but of baser luetal — bi^ass, tin, iron, lead, 
 and eventually with dross cast into the furnace of 
 affliction. The man of God is a very different char- 
 acter from either of these. His designation implies* 
 a " sacred nearness to God," " friendship with God," 
 " the reception of God." 
 
 " THE RECEPTION OF GOD." 
 
 Man in his unconverted state is a rejector of God. 
 His own language is, " / desire not a knowledge of 
 Thy ways." " I will not have the man Christ Jesus 
 to reign over me." In every thought, word, and 
 deed he " rejects God." He rejects the word of God 
 because he refuses to obey its teachings. He rejects 
 salvation, which is the result of the unbounded 
 grace of God. 
 
 When converted, he receives all these ; God's word 
 becomes his light, his chart, his guide in the way to 
 heaven. The grace of God is in him "a well of 
 water springing up into everlasting life." His soul is 
 the " temple of God." He receives God into his own 
 heart, and God receives him into His " banqueting 
 house, and his banner over him is love" In the 
 
MAN OF GOD. 
 
 153 
 
 " Son 
 ross ; 
 nthe 
 / sil- 
 or of 
 lead, 
 ce of 
 har- 
 
 ^0(1/' 
 
 higher life of the faithful there is a special sense in 
 which God is present in the soul. When this exists, 
 how delightful is communion with God! How calm 
 is the rest of the soul ! The believer's lan<][ua(T:e in 
 prayer is, " Come, Lord, enter in and fill this thy 
 earthly temple ;" and then in the language of tri- 
 umph he exclaims, " Thou art here, Lord ! I feel 
 thee near I " "Abba Father " I 
 
 The expression — " Man of God supposes friend- 
 ship WITH God." Friends are united in heart. With 
 them there is no strife, but kindness, love, and for- 
 bearance. A friend will both love and serve. The 
 people of God show that they are the friends of 
 God, by the efforts they put forth to advance His 
 kingdom. 
 
 Fellow Christian. Those yearnings of heart, 
 you often feel for the perishing, show your friend- 
 ship for God. When you gi ve of your earthly weal th, 
 to send the word of truth, or the gosjtel herald to 
 raise the fallen and cheer the faint, you show your 
 friendship for God. While you toil night and day 
 aiuidst many difficulties — perhaps in inhospitable 
 climates, or among ruthless savages, while labouring 
 in the Home Mission in the back streets and filthy 
 hovels of the wicked ; while, like your Master, you 
 ** go about doing good," you show your friendship 
 for God. 
 
 If God is your friend, you have nothing to fear, 
 
 
 * , 
 
 i'i 
 
 
 
154 
 
 MAN OF GOD. 
 
 A heathen sage said to one of his friends, " Do not 
 complain of misfortunes, since Caesar is thy friend." 
 So we may say to you, do not fear or be dismayed, 
 your calamities may multiply, but Jesus is your 
 friend — God is your father ; Christ is your " elder 
 brother." ' 
 
 - "Man of God" supposes nearness to God." 
 God is everywhere present. You see him among 
 the greatest, as well as the most minute object 
 known ; in the lofty tree, and the tender shrub ; on 
 the broad lake and by the winding river — You are 
 reminded of God's presence in the falling waters and 
 the murmuring brooks, in the beautiful flower or the 
 tender blade of grass. 
 
 But God is specially near to His people. 
 The faithful of the present age can say with David, 
 " Whither shall I go from thy spirit, or whither shall 
 I flee from thy presence. If I ascend into heaven 
 thou art there ; if I make my bed in hell, behold 
 thou art there ; if I take the wings of the morning 
 and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even 
 there thy hand shall hold me and thy right hand 
 shall save me." 
 
 " Vain were the attempt, and impious, to trace 
 Through all His works the Artificer Divine, 
 And though nor shining sun nor twinkling star 
 Bedecked the crimson curtains of the sky ; 
 Though neither vegetable, beast, nor bird, 
 
 t^;.W 
 
MAN OF GOD. 
 
 156 
 
 Were extant on the surface of the ball, 
 
 Nor lurking gem beneath ; though the great sea 
 
 Slept in profound stagnation, and the air 
 
 „ Had left no thunder to pronounce its Maker ; 
 Yet man, at home within himself, might find 
 The Deity immense, and in that frame, 
 • So fearfully, so wonderfully made, 
 See and adore His providence and power, 
 
 . 1 see and I adore ; — O God most bounteous ! 
 Oh Infinite of goodness and of glory. 
 The knee that thou hast shaped shall bend to thee. 
 The tongue which thou hast tuned shall chant thy praise. 
 And thine own image, the immortal soul, 
 Shall consecrate herself to thee for ever." 
 
 In the " man of God " you see all the charac- 
 teristics OF TRUE MANHOOD, — wisdom, courage, 
 stability, power, love, and a sound mind. Wisdom ! 
 A man of years and stature should be one of wisdom 
 and understanding. He should have read much, 
 and observed more; should have acquired a good 
 knowledge of self, of the teachings of the great and 
 good, and especially of the Bible. He should 
 understand his earthly^ and heavenly relationships. 
 Should know how rightly to improve time, so as to 
 prepare for eternity. He should understand the 
 contingencies and turnings in human society, so as 
 to avoid friction, and serve his fellow-beings, in pro- 
 moting human harmony and happiness. He should 
 possess much of forethought and foresight, and 
 
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 166 
 
 MAN OF GOD. 
 
 apply his knowledge to the best ends, to the most 
 important purposes of life. 
 
 This is wisdom : for wisdom is knowledge rightly 
 used. Fleming says, " Wisdom is the right use or 
 exercise of knowledge, and differs from knowledge 
 as the use which is made of a power or faculty 
 differs from the power or faculty itself." 
 
 The term wisdom has a Divine as well as human 
 meaning. It is the appropriate employment of 
 Divine knowledge to the best purposes of life. 
 
 Courage. — A kino: of France offered the Prince 
 de Condd his choice of three things: 1st, to go to mass; 
 2nd, to die ; or, Srdly, to be imprisoned for life. The 
 answer returned was the following : " With regard 
 to the first, I am fully determined never to go to 
 mass ; as to the other two, I am so perfectly in- 
 different, that I leave the choice to your Majesty ! " 
 Here you have an illustration of that courage which 
 does not shrink from imprisonment and death in the 
 "cause of righteousness." Under the influence of 
 this Christian excellency, the Apostle Paul could 
 say, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear ; 
 but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind," 
 (II. Tim. i. 7). The Christian has only one thing to 
 fear, and that is, offending God in thought, word, 
 and deed. 
 
 t \ ■ r i 
 
 " Surrounded by a host of foes, 
 Storni'd by a host of foes within, 
 
 li 
 
MAN OF GOD. 
 
 167 
 
 Nor swift to flee, nor strong to oppose, 
 Single against hell, earth, and sin; 
 Single, yet undismayed I am, — 
 I dare believe in Jesu's name. 
 
 '' What though a thousand hosts engage 
 A thousand worlds my soul to shake, 
 I have a shield shall quell their rage, 
 And drive the alien armies back ; 
 Portrayed it bears a bleeding lamb,— 
 1 dare believe in Jesu's name. " 
 
 The Christian has many incentives to pious cour- 
 age, — the example ol the heroic martyrs, who, 
 through slow tortures and fiery flames, passed to 
 their heavenly reward. Then there are a million eyes 
 looking upon him both from earth and heaven. As 
 Napoleon's soldiers stood on an eminence, gazing 
 on the pyramids of Egypt, just before he made 
 his descent upon the Mamelukes, he cried out: 
 "Soldiers, from the summits of yonder pyramids 
 forty ages survey your conduct: act like heroes !" 
 So we say to the Christian, " Live, labour, endure, 
 BE brave : for the eyes of ungodly men, saints, and 
 angels, are looking upon you continually." 
 
 Stability. — Said John, the divine : "/ write unto 
 you, young men, because ye are strong, and the 
 Word of God abideth in you." (I. John ii. 14.) The 
 Christian's foundation is the "Rock of ages." K 
 his life is one of changes, he is not upon that Kock, — 
 
 
 •' '-ill 
 
 ■ ■■fi 
 
' 
 
 158 
 
 MAN OF GOD. 
 
 he is as though he were cast upon the waves of a 
 troubled ocean ; neither hap/iy nor secure. . 
 
 The safety of his whole being depends upon his 
 stability. At the most critical |)eriod in the battle 
 of Waterloo, everything, under Gi)d, depended upon 
 the stability of the soldiers. Courier after courier 
 came dashing into the presence of the Duke of 
 Wellington, announcing that unless the troops at 
 a certain point were immediately relieved or with- 
 drawn, they must soon yield before the impetuous 
 onslaughts of the French. By all these, the Duke 
 sent back the spirit-stirring message : " Stand 
 FIRM." "But we shall 'perish" remonstrated the 
 officer. " Sta?id firm!" said the iron-hearted 
 warrior. "You'll find us there!" rejoined the other, 
 as he fiercely galloped away. The result proved 
 the truth of that reply, for every one of that 
 doomed brigade fell bravely fighting at his post; 
 but the victory was won, and a nation saved. 
 
 So the Christian's success, and final safety, 
 depends upon standing firm. If he desires to end 
 the strife, and win the battle, he must ^t\nd 
 FIRM." (Rev. ii. 7, 17: iii. 3: xiii. 4 he man of 
 
 God possesses soul-power whicl a cannot id 
 elsewhere. " God hath not givert , m th spirit of 
 fear, hut of power!' We distingui.-h t.ii.s gift as 
 soul-power, because of its spiHtuality. It is the 
 
1!^ 
 
 MAN OF GOD. 
 
 159 
 
 strength of a Christian man's soul, manifested in his 
 character, words and life. 
 
 His words are words which burn. They pro- 
 duce a moving intiuence upon the minds of others. 
 They (by the communication of light) niove the 
 heart rightly to work the works of God. The same 
 words spoken by the nominal professor will not 
 produce the same results as when spoken by the 
 man of God. ' 
 
 His life is powerful. His spiritual excellence 
 is seen in his character and bearing. Men say, " Ihere 
 is a Christian," " He is a Christ-like man," " He is a 
 man of God," and he glorifies his Fatlter who is in 
 heaven. The presence of a holy man will move a 
 multitude, and is often the means of leading indi- 
 viduals to Christ. 
 
 If you see in society a man given up to wickedness 
 his mind is dark ; his heart is callous ; his conscience 
 seared. He can resist the most eloquent appeals 
 from the pulpit, or those more powerful appeals 
 made to his conscience by the death of friends ; but 
 he cannot resist the intiuence of a holy life. He sees 
 a devoted man of God " living for eternity ;" he feels 
 a power language cannot describe, and he becomes a 
 Christian. When he gives utterance to his feelings, 
 he tells you he saw in the life of that good man the 
 beauty of religion, which inspired in him a desire to 
 seek it. 
 
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160 
 
 MAN OF GOD. 
 
 The sanctified Christian has power over himself. 
 The man of God keeps himself in subjection to the 
 will of God. " Whosoever is born oC God doth not 
 commit sin ; for his sin remaineth in him ; and he 
 cannot sin because he is born of God." (I. John, iii. 9.) 
 
 "love" 
 
 Is another characteristic of the life of the " man 
 of God." He loves both God and man. This was 
 a prominent excellency in the character of the great 
 " Apostle of the Gentiles," and of the beloved dis- 
 ciple. The writer of these pages has observed that 
 the men and women of this generation who have 
 been most instrumental in the salvation of souls, 
 have, in connexion with great minds, wielded the 
 power of SPIRITUAL love. 
 
 Men can resist the elaborate argument, the 
 studied appeal, but not the loving invitation, or 
 exhortation. When the holy loving Christian, or 
 faithful minister, stretches out the hand of affection 
 arid says come, scores and hundreds respond, and 
 enlist themselves under the banners of the " Prince 
 
 OF Life." 
 
 "SOUND mind." 
 
 The man of God is a man of " sound mind." 
 is very possible for the mind to be diseased. 
 
 " Can' si thou not minister to a mind diseased ; 
 Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, 
 
 It 
 
Nf 
 
 MAN OF GOD. 161 
 
 Raze out the written tablets of the brain, 
 Cleanse the foul bosom of that perilous stuff 
 Which weighs upon the heart." 
 
 A sound mind is not easily unsettled. It is even 
 and constant as the flowing river. Its laws are as 
 tiiie as the laws that govern nature ; its different 
 conditions are kept as orderly as the seasons in their 
 course ; as regular as the succession of night and day, 
 cold and heat, spring and summer, autuTnn and 
 winter. 
 
 A sound mind is not easily led astray by wrong 
 biases, by unholy influences. It is not liable to 
 many changes, because it is neither weak nor Jlckle. 
 
 It is an enlightened, well stored and establislied 
 one — a pure and refined mind, possessing many 
 excellencies, and few, if any defects. Such is the 
 loind of the " man of God." 
 
 Dear Reader, if the special characteristics con- 
 tained in this chapter belong to you, you are wise, 
 courageous, pvA'e, powerful, and of a sound mind. 
 If you find, upon self-examination, that this is not 
 your perfect and happy state, strive to find out 
 what is wanting, and earnestly beseech God to sup- 
 ply it. May God the eternal Father, " guide, 
 
 STRENGTHEN, AND SANCTIFY YOU, THAT YOU MAY 
 PLEASE HIM BOTH IN BODY AND SOUL UNTO YOUR 
 
 life's end." Amen. 
 
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'* Quicken'd with our immortal Head 
 Who daily, Lord, ascend with Thee, 
 Redeemed from sin and free indeed. 
 We taste our glorious liberty. 
 
 " Saved from the fear of hell and death, 
 With joy we seek the things above ; 
 And all the saints the spirit breathe 
 Of power, sobriety, and love. 
 
 " Power o'er the world, the fiend and Hin, 
 We through Thy gracious Spirit feel ; 
 Full power the victory to win. 
 And answer all Thy righteous will." 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 " DISCIPLES." 
 (John viii. 31 : xv. 8.) 
 
 ESUS said unto those Jews which be- 
 lieved on him, " If ye continue in my word 
 then are ye my disciples indeed." " Here- 
 in is my Father glorified that ye bear much 
 fruit, so shall ye be my disciples." 
 The word disciple is derived from the 
 Latin " discipulua" which is taken from the verb 
 "disco ;" one who receives instruction from another ; 
 a follower of some teacher ; one who has come to 
 believe the same doctrines ; who adheres to the 
 faith and practice of an(^ther. A disciple of Christ 
 is one of His faithful followers, who believes His 
 doctrine, observes his precepts, imitates his example, 
 and enjoys His favour and image. 
 
 A disciple of Christ has no other master. He 
 does not seek any other, neither will he receive any 
 other. He must love every other being in the world 
 
 -^^'^VIHI 
 
 •l' V: 
 
166 
 
 DISCIPLES. 
 
 LESS THAN Christ. " If any man come unto me and 
 hate not his father, and mother, and wife and child- 
 ren, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life 
 also, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke xiv. 2C.) 
 The word hate here means, if ye love not your father 
 less than Christ, (fee. It has the same meaning as 
 in Matthew x. 37. " He that loveth father or 
 mother more than me is not worthy of me : and he 
 that loveth son or daughter more than me is not 
 worthy of me." It is the same as if the Saviour had 
 said, " He that comes after me and does not love all 
 his earthly relatives less than me is not worthy of 
 me, and cannot be my disciple." 
 
 " But be ye not called Rabbi, for One is your 
 Master, even Christ ; and all ye are brethren. And 
 call no ma)i your father upon the earth : for One is 
 your Father which is in heaven. Neither be ye 
 called Master, for One is your Master, even Christ." 
 (Matth. xxiii. 8, 9, 10.) The words Rabbi, Master, 
 and Father, here denote eminence, authoritj/, supe- 
 riority, a right to command, and a right to claim 
 'particular respect, since Christ reigns supremely 
 over His people. 
 
 A DISCIPLE MUST POSSESS A TEACHABLE DISPOSI- 
 TION. In this respect he must be even as a little 
 child, innocent, docile, unsuspecting,, and impres- 
 sive. "At the same time came the disciples unto 
 Jesus, saying, Who is greatest in the kingdom 
 
DISCIPLES. 
 
 167 
 
 of ITeaven. And Jesus called a little child unto 
 Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, 
 Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and 
 become as little children, ye shall not enter into the 
 kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall 
 humble himself as this little child, the same is great- 
 est in the 'kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall 
 receive one such little child in my name, receiveth 
 Me." (Matth. xviii. 1, 5.) 
 
 " Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity 
 of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the 
 engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." 
 (James i. 21.) And Peter has said, "Wherefore, 
 Laying aside all malice, and all guile and hy])ocrisies, 
 and envies, and all evil speakings, as new-born 
 babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye 
 may grow thereby : if so be ye have tasted that the 
 Lord is gracious," (I. Peter ii. 1-3). 
 
 A disciple of Christ must be taught of God ; must 
 both hear and learn of Him. Our heavenly Father 
 is the disciple's Divine Instructor, — " his gracious 
 Teacher." He is the Father of lights, and from 
 Him all spiritual light proceeds. "7/ any man 
 lack wisdom let him, ask of God.'' " It is written in 
 the Prophets : And they shall be all taught (if God ; 
 every man, therefore, that hath heard and hath 
 learned of the Father cometh unto Me." (John vi. 
 45). And he who is thus taught of God may 
 
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168 
 
 DISCIPLES. 
 
 rightfully expect an increase of light, even unto 
 the perfect day. " The path of the just is as the 
 shining light, that shineth move and Tnore unto the 
 perfect day." (Prov. iv, 18.) "But grow in grace 
 and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, 
 Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now and for 
 ever, amen." (II. Pet. iii. 18.) 
 
 ** Divine Instructor ! gracious Lord I 
 Be thou for ever near ; 
 I Teach me to love thy sacred Word, 
 And view my Saviour there." 
 
 He who learns of God should have exalted 
 thoughts of God, and humble views of himself. 
 Worldly knowledge j uffeth up, spiritual knowledge 
 humbleth. " Now, as touching things offered unto 
 idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Know- 
 ledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth ; and if any 
 man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth 
 nothing as yet as he ought to know." (I. Cor. viii. 
 1-3.) "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done 
 all these things which are commanded you, say 
 we are unprofitable servants : we have done that 
 which was our duty to do." (Luke xvii. 10.) 
 
 The knowl"edge obtained from God surpasses 
 
 ALL OTHER TREASURES OF WISDOM. " Yea, doubtleSS, 
 
 I count all things but loss for the excellency of the 
 knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord ; for whom I 
 
DISCIPLES. 
 
 169 
 
 have suffered the loss of all things, and do count 
 them but dung that I may win Christ and be found 
 in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which 
 is of the law, but that which is through the faith 
 of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by- 
 faith." (Phill iii. 8, 9.) 
 
 It is likewise a knowledge of Christ. " That I may 
 know Him : " (Phill. iii. 10, 11.) Know His nature, 
 both Divine and human; that I may comprehend Him 
 as VERY God, yet truly man, as revealed in the 
 holy Scriptures; that I may be instructed in all 
 His attributes, — unity, infinity, eternity, omni- 
 presence, immutability, omniscience, omnipotence, 
 — His justice, goodness, truth, and holiness ; that 
 I may know Him as man, — how He was bom, 
 lived, suffered, and died upon the cross, and rose 
 again from the dead ; that I may know Him and 
 the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship 
 of His sufferings, being made conformable to His 
 death, if by any means I might attain unto the 
 resurrection of the dead. 
 
 They who possess this knowledge are made the 
 partakers of a blessed change from sin to holiness. 
 " Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the 
 truth through the spirit, unto unfeigned love of the 
 brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure 
 heart fervently ; being born again, not of corruptible 
 seed but of incorruptible, by the word of God which 
 
170 
 
 DISCIPLES. 
 
 liveth and abideth for ever." (I. Pet. i. 22, 23.) And 
 Jesus prayed, " Sanctify them through thy truth : 
 thy word is truth. (John xvii. 17.) And the Apostle 
 Paul says, " But we all with open face, beholding 
 as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed 
 into the same image from glory to glory, even as 
 by the spirit of the Lord." (11. Cor. iii. 18.) Many 
 unite themselves to the Church of Christ who have 
 not the knowledge referred to in these passages, 
 and therefore have not experienced the change ; for 
 Divine knowledge is transforming. 
 
 The Christians to whom Peter wrote had " puri- 
 fied their souls in obeying the truth." And those 
 of whom the Apostle Paul sT»oke, '^Beholding as 
 in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into 
 the same image." Oh ! Christian, receive this 
 
 KNOWLEDGE, AND LOVE IT. 
 
 Having expeiienced this change, they seek con- 
 tinually to do the will of God ; for this is essential 
 to the character of a true disci[)le of Christ. " And 
 why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things 
 which I say. Whosoever cometh to me and heareth 
 my sayings, and doeth them, I will show to you 
 whom he is like." (Luke vi. 46, 47.) Isaiah said in 
 response to the Divine call, " Here am I, send me ! " 
 (Isaiah vi. 8.) Paul, when convicted, trembling and 
 astonished said : " Lord, what wilt thou have me to 
 do ? " And the Lord said unto him, " Arise, and go 
 
DISCIPLES. 
 
 171 
 
 into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou 
 must do." (Acts ix. G.) 
 
 John says, " Ye are my friends if ye do whatso- 
 evei- I command yon. Henceforth I call you not 
 .servants, for tlie servant knoweth not wliat his 
 lord doeth ; but I have called yon friends ; for all 
 things that I have heard of my Father I have made 
 known unto you. (John xv. 14, 15.) 
 
 The lives of Christ's disci})les are ruarkcd by con- 
 sistency, and He ever requires of His followers THAT 
 QUALIFICATION. " O, Ephraim, what shall 1 do unto 
 thee ? 0, Judah, what shall I do unto thee ? for your 
 goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew 
 it goeth away." (Hosea vi. 4.) Inconsisten'cy is 
 suliicient to exclude a disciple from the kingdom of 
 heaven. " Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, 
 nor jesting, which are not convenient : but rather 
 giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whore- 
 mongei', nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who 
 is an idolator, hath any inheritance in the kingdom 
 of Christ and of God, (Ej>h. v. 4, 5). The disciple 
 should be upright as the plumb-line, and true as the 
 square and level. " Therefore, my beloved biethren, 
 be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in 
 the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ve know that 
 your labour is not in vain in the Lord". (L Cor. xv. 
 58.) 
 
 Readeh! be sure you are a disciple of 
 
 
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 172 
 
 DISCIPLES. 
 
 Christ. Many went after Him in the days of His 
 flesh, — some that they might be fed of His loavm 
 and fishes, others excited by curiosity, — but few 
 were disciples indeed. In this age of popular faith, 
 and superficial Christianity, there are but compara- 
 tively few real Christians, — but few true disciples of 
 our Lord. Our Master has many who go after Him, 
 but few genuine disciples. Are you among the 
 
 NUMBER? 
 
 * ' How beauteous are their feet 
 Who stand on Zion's hill ; 
 Who bring salvation in their tongues, 
 And words of peace reveal. 
 
 " How cheering is their voice, 
 How sweet their tidings are : 
 Zion, behold thy Saviour King, 
 He reigns and triumphs here. 
 
 '* The watchmen join their voice, 
 And tuneful notes employ ; 
 ' Jerusalem breaks forth in songs. 
 
 And deserts learn the joy. 
 
 " The Son of God goes forth to war, 
 A kingly crown to gain ; 
 His blood-re(? banner streams afar : 
 Who follows in His train? 
 
 " Who best can drink His cup of woe. 
 Triumphant over pain ; 
 Who patient bears His cross below, 
 < - Se follows in His train. ' 
 
 lii f 
 
DISCIPLES. 
 
 *' The martyr firat, whose eagle eye 
 Could pierce beyond the grave; 
 Who saw his Maker in the sky, 
 And called on Him to save. 
 
 " Like Him with pardon on his tongue, 
 In midst of mortal pain ; 
 He prayed for them who did the wrong ; 
 Who follows in His train ? 
 
 " A glorious band, the chosen few, 
 On whom the spirit came ; 
 Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew, 
 And mocked the cross and tlame. 
 
 *' They met the tyrant's brandish 'd steel. 
 The lion's gory mane ; 
 They bowed their necks the death to feel. 
 Who follows in their train? 
 
 173 
 
 
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 " A noble army, — men and boys, 
 The matron and the maid, — 
 Around the Saviour's throne rejoice, 
 In robes of light arrayed. 
 
 " They climb tlje steep as<;ent of heaven, 
 Through peril, toil, and pain ; 
 O God ! to us may grace be given 
 » To follow in their train." — REoiNAin Heber. 
 
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 " The badge and token this, 
 The sure (;<)nfirmiiig seal, 
 That He is ours and we are His, 
 The servants of His will ; 
 His dear jieculiar ones. 
 The purchase of His blood ; 
 His blood which once for all atone*, 
 And brings us now to God." 
 
 '■ Then let us still profess 
 '^)ur Master's honour'd name ; 
 Stand forth His faithful witnesses, 
 True followers of the Lamb. 
 In pi'oof that such we are, 
 His sayings we receive, 
 And thus to all mankind declare. 
 We do in Christ believe." 
 
'V' 
 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 ■fl, 
 
 EXCELLENT. 
 
 Psalm xvi. 3. 
 
 HE word excellent is derived from the 
 Latin excellens ; which means, having 
 \ great virtue, worth or dignity — eminent 
 *^ in some particular quality or qualities, — 
 ^^a. i^itvpassing others. In tlie passage referred 
 to above, it is derived from the Hebrew 
 word veadiriL, and means '■ The magnijiceut, or 
 mighty, or honorahle, referring more to character 
 than to position. It shows that all other men, how- 
 ever high their position, may be truly insigniticant 
 when compared with the people of (Jod. 
 
 In life they are not possessed of the n-dme virtues, 
 nor influenced by the same ■motives, nor actuated 
 by the same principles ; nor are they appointed to 
 the same ha})py destinies. " The nations that arc 
 saved shall walk in the light of the celestial city, and 
 the kings of the earth do bring their gh)ry ;uid 
 
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 Jv. 
 
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178 
 
 EXCELLENT. 
 
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 honour into it. And they shall bring the glory and 
 honour of the nations into it." (Rev. xxi. 24, 2o.) 
 That vvhich is most pure and valuable on earth shall 
 be added to their treasures in heaven. 
 
 Human glory is brief and uncertain. Con- 
 stantine the Great, in order to reclaim a miser, took 
 a lance and marked out a space of ground of the sixe 
 of the human body, and told him, " Add heap to heap, 
 accumulate riches upon riches, extend the bounds 
 ji your possessions, conquer the whole world, and in 
 a few days such a spot as this will be all you will 
 ha'/e." 
 
 What has the man of the world to be proud of ? 
 Sir Isaac Newton, said by some to be the " greatest 
 man that ever figured in the drama of life, — a won- 
 derful scholar, who surpassed the whole human race 
 in genius," in his declining years, was requested to 
 explain some passage in his chief mathematical work 
 and could only, as it is reported, say, " that h*i knew 
 it was true once." 
 
 ■ It is related of that celebrated mi) i tary commander, 
 the first Duke of Marlborough, (who flourished about 
 the same period,) when the history of his own 
 campaigns was read to him, in order to beguile the 
 tedious h< .rs in the evening of life, so far were his 
 intellectual powers impaired, that he was uncon- 
 scious of what he had done, and asked in admira- 
 tion from time to time, " Who commanded." 
 
EXCELLENT. 
 
 179 
 
 The worldly glory of man is but as the gf*ass. 
 The estate of the present Duke of Athol accord- 
 ing to Mr. Colton, is immense, running in one 
 direction more than seventy miles. On liis estate 
 there are more than thirty miles of private carriage 
 road, and more than sixty miles of well-made walks, 
 and these are being extended every year. These 
 roads and paths, being made for pleasure, are laid 
 tlirongli the moiii incturesque/Aud. rornantia scenery; 
 alitngthe river's bank, up the glen, cut in the steep 
 sides of the mountains, over their tops, and along 
 tlie margin of the precipitous cliffs — now into the 
 forest gloom, now opening on h boundless prospect or 
 some v'&lley, now bursting on a water fall, and next 
 aloncj the side of a murniurino; brook. The father of 
 t!ie present Duke began in his lifetime one of the 
 most magnificent palaces in the kingdom. It is said 
 that in the estimate of the cost of the edifice the single 
 iteai of raising the walls and ]^ntting on the roof, 
 togetlier witli materials, would have been one hun- 
 dred thousand pounds, (about five hundred thousand 
 dollars.) 
 
 It is reported, that for more than thirty 
 years the proud possessor of all this has reen 
 in a lunatic asylum in the city uf london. 
 
 Spiritual GLORY, how lasting! Its crown will 
 never fade, its manna will never be exhausted : its 
 riches will never rust, aild its light u: ver become 
 
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 180 
 
 EXCELLENT. 
 
 dim. The Christian lives upon the JVlountain top ; 
 breathes its pure air and looks down upon the clouded 
 world beneath. 
 
 His language is- 
 
 *' For the strength of the hills we bless thee, 
 
 Our God, our father's God ; 
 Thou hast made thy children mighty 
 
 By the touch of the mountain sod. 
 Thou hast fixed our ark of refuge 
 
 Where the spoiler's foot ne'er trod ; 
 For the strength of the hills we bless thee, 
 
 Our God, our father's God. 
 
 " We are watchers of a beacon 
 
 Whose lights must never die ; 
 We are giiardians of an altar 
 
 Midst the silence of the sky. 
 The rocks yield founts of courage, 
 
 Thrust forth as by thy rod, — 
 For the strength of the hills we bless thee, 
 
 Our God, our father's God. 
 
 ' ' For the dark resounding heavens, 
 
 Where thy still small voice is heard, — 
 For the strong pines of the forest, 
 
 That by thy breath are stirred ; 
 For the storms on whose free pinions 
 
 Thy spirit walks abroad, — 
 For the strength of the hills we bless thee. 
 
 Our God,, our father's God. 
 
 *' The royal eagle darteth 
 
 On hia quarry from the heights. 
 
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EXCELLENT. 
 
 181 
 
 ili top ; 
 
 loaded 
 
 And the stag that knows no master 
 Seeks there his wild delights ; 
 
 But we for thy communion 
 
 Have sought the mountain sod, — ■ 
 
 For the strength of the hills we bless th»«, 
 Our God, our Father's God. 
 
 " The banner of the chieftain 
 
 Far, far below us waves ; 
 The warhorse of the spearman 
 
 Cannot reach our lofty caves. 
 Thy dark clouds wrap the threshold 
 
 Of freedom's last abode, — 
 For the strength of the hills we bless thee, 
 
 Our God, our father's God. " 
 
 " For the shadow of thy presence 
 
 Round our camp of rock outspread. 
 For the stern defiles of battle, 
 
 Bearing record of our dead ; 
 For the snows and for the torrents, 
 
 For the free heart's burial sod, — 
 For the strength of the hills we bless thee. 
 
 Our God, our father's God." 
 
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 may it all my powers engage 
 To do my Master's will ! 
 
 " Arm me vnth. jealous care, 
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 A strict account to give : 
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 FAITHFUL. 
 
 Ps. xii. 1. 
 
 HEATHEN king had a pious bishop 
 brought before him, and demanded that he 
 should renounce his belief, and bow down 
 before his idols ; but the bishop refused, 
 and said : " No, king, that will I never 
 do." 
 
 Rage seized the king, and he cried out : " Dost 
 thou not know that thy life is in my hands, and 
 that I can kill thee ? A word from me and it is 
 done." 
 
 " That I well know," answered the bishop ; " but 
 first allow me to relate to you a parable, and also beg 
 that you answer me a question. Suppose that one 
 of thy truest and most faithful servants fell into the 
 power of thine enemies, and they, trying to shake 
 his faith in thee, should seek to make him a traitor 
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 FAITHFUL 
 
 his faithfiflness, should then strip him of his raiment, 
 and chase him away with mockery. Say, king, 
 when he came thus naked to thee, wouldst thou not 
 give him the costliest garments, and cover him with 
 honor." 
 
 The king replied, " Most assuredly I should ; but 
 what has this to do with the question?" 
 
 The bishop answered, " Now see, thou canst strip 
 me of my earthly body, but I have a Lord who will 
 clothe me anew ; shall I then value my raiment more 
 than my faith?" The king was silent. At last he 
 spoke : " Go, thy life be spared." 
 
 ■" Faithful found 
 
 Among the faithless, faithful only he 
 Among innumerable false, unmoved^ 
 , Unbroken, unseduced, unterrified ; 
 His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal ; 
 Nor number, nor example, with him wrought, 
 To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind, 
 Though single." 
 
 A faithful Christian has living faith in God. He 
 strongly adheres to his religious profession, fulfils 
 his promises to God, and performs his duties; is 
 trusty, upright, loyal, constant, and true to his 
 religion. Does he prosper in the world.? — he retains 
 his faith in God. Is he penniless ? — he never wavers. 
 Is he encompassed by false doctrine and erring breth- 
 ren? — beholds fast his faith. Is he tempted? — he 
 
FAITHFUL 
 
 187 
 
 remains true. Is he persecuted? — he is ** strong in 
 faith, giving glory to God." 
 
 Paul kept the fViith through a life of suffering. 
 John Bunyan was true to Jesus in his prison-'house 
 at Bedford ; there he wrote his Pilgrim's Progress, 
 to be a helper to the helpless in every age to come. 
 
 Oliver Millard, both amused and intimidated 
 Louis XI. by his faithfulness in preaching. Grimshaw 
 being displeased with the heroic Whitfield, for as he 
 thought using words of flattery when preaching the 
 Gospel said : " Oh ! Sir, for God's sake do not 
 speak so, I pray you ; do not flatter, I fear the greater 
 part of thorn are going to hell with tlieir eyes open." 
 
 Massillon, when preaching before Louis XIV., 
 King of France, used a strong personal appeal with- 
 out any fear. The pious Bishop Latimer, by his 
 marvellous fidelity to God and to his king, so in- 
 fluenced the king, that he, after having threatened 
 Latimer, took hirn by the hand, and embraced him 
 saying, " Blessed be God I liave so faithful a servant." 
 
 Henry the V. on the evening of Agincourt, found 
 the heroic David Cameron in the struggles of death, 
 clasping with deathly firmness the banner which 
 through the fight his arm had borne, and by his 
 might he had defended. Often had the monarch 
 noticed that pennon waving in the foremost van of 
 the men of England, who that day pierced, broke, 
 and routed the proud ranks of France. The king 
 
188 
 
 FAITHFUL. 
 
 knighted him as he lay. The hero died, but dying 
 WAS ennobled. So let every faithful sei-vant of the 
 King of Heaven die. 
 
 The mighty Basil defended the truth while the 
 Emperor Valeu8,a zealous Arian, threatened him with 
 death. One of the Emperor's prefects said to Basil 
 — " Are you not afraid to oppose me ?" He replied, 
 " Why should I fear ? What will happen ?" The 
 prefect filled with rage, and almost choked with 
 passion, gasped out convulsively " Confiscation, 
 BANISHMENT, TORTURE, DEATH !" " Have you noth- 
 ing else to inflict upon me," asked the undaunted 
 bishop? Nothing you have spoken has any effect 
 on me. He that has nothing to lose is not afraid 
 of confiscation. I possess nothing but these thread- 
 hare, tattered garments and ^few hooka, I have noth- 
 ing you can take ; and as to banishment, you cannot 
 banish me, for the earth is the Lord's and the ful- 
 ness thereof, whose stranger and pilgrim I am ; and 
 as to torture the first stroke would kill me ; but 
 to kill me is to send me to glory." 
 
 " No man ever spoke to me like that before," said 
 the crest-fallen official. " Perhaps, you never met 
 with a Christian bishop before" was the reply. 
 Basil, noble Basil ! may many soldiers of the Cross 
 imitate thy heroism, and pass like thee to the plains 
 of light where the sword of the tyrant can never 
 
FAITHFUL 
 
 189 
 
 pierc9, nor tha fire^ of mirbyrJom burn, "where 
 sorrow an J siorhin;j shall be knowa no m jre forever." 
 
 " How fast the mirian death-list is unrolled ! 
 See Litiiner and Ridley, in the might 
 Of faitli, stand coupled fur a common flight! 
 One (like those prophets whom God sent of old) 
 Transfigured from this kindling hath foretold ^ 
 
 A torch of unextingiiishable li^ht : 
 The other gains a confidence as bold ; 
 And thus they foil their enemy's despite. 
 The penal instruments, the shows of crime 
 Are glorified, while this ouce-mitred p.iir 
 Of saintly friends ' the murderer's chain partake. 
 Corded and burning at the social' stake.' 
 Earth never witnessed object more sublime 
 In constancy ) in fellowship more fair." 
 
Jfritnbs. 
 
" The saints on earth, when sweetly thny convene, 
 And the favours of kind heaven rehearse, 
 Each f^ls the other' joys, both doubly shar* 
 The blessings which devoutly they compare ; 
 If saints such mutual joy feel here below. 
 When they each other's heavenly foretastes know. 
 What joys transport them at each other's sight, 
 When they shall meet in empyreal bright." 
 
 W0BI>8W0ETH. 
 
i 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 " FRIENDS.* 
 
 Sol. Song V. 1. 
 
 N this passage you have the word, friends 
 and the symbols which illustrate it. Eat- 
 ing and drinking the dainties provided by 
 another on festive occasions is symbolical 
 of friendship. - 
 
 The Gospel resembles a feast in the 
 RICHNESS of its PROVISIONS. Our Lord, in this para- 
 ble of the marriage of the "King's son," said, "Behold, 
 I have prepared my dinner : my oxen and my fatlings 
 are killed, and all things are ready ; come to the 
 marriage." (Matth. xxii. 4.) In the words to 
 which the reader is referred in this chapter, the 
 bridegroom is represented as saying, " I have gath- 
 ered my myrrh with my spice ; I have eaten ray 
 honey-comb with my honey ; I have drunk my wine 
 with my milk ; eat, O friends ; drink, yea, drink 
 abundantly, beloved." Do the friends of Jesus 
 
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 194 
 
 FRIENDS. 
 
 11 
 
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 hunger and thirst after righteousness i They have 
 the promise of the bread of life, the heavenly 
 manna, the Paschal Lamb, and the waters of life. 
 
 " The bread of God is He vsrhich cometh down 
 from Heaven and giveth life unto the world. Then 
 said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this 
 bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread 
 of life : he that cometh to Me shall never hunger ; 
 and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." 
 (John vi. 33, 34,35.) 
 
 "This is the bread which cometh down from 
 Heaven, that a man may eat thereof and not die. I 
 am the living bread which came down from heaven ; 
 if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever ; 
 and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I 
 will give for the life of the world. And Jesus said 
 unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye 
 eat the flesh of the son of man and drink His blood 
 ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh and 
 drinketh My blood hath eternal life ; and I will raise 
 him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat in- 
 deed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that 
 eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood dwell eth in 
 Me, and I in him." (John vi. 50, 51, 52, 54-, 55, 5^^) 
 Are thsy sick of sinning ? They have offered to 
 them the wine of the sai^ctuary, and the " balm of 
 Gilead." 
 
1 
 
 FRIENDS. 
 
 196 
 
 Are they sorrowful ? He is " sent to bind up the 
 broken-hearted." 
 
 Are they led captive ? He proclaims " liberty to 
 tne captives," and the opening of the prison doors to 
 them that are boupd." ,. 
 
 Are they mourners ? 
 
 He is sent to "comfort all that mourn: to appoint 
 unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them 
 beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the 
 garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." 
 (Luke Ixi. 1, 2, 3.) 
 
 Are they destitute ? In the gospel they have 
 offered thiem the " robe of holiness." The provisions 
 of the gospel are abundant. Its bread, water, and 
 wine is in abundance — enough for all. Millions have 
 fed on them in the past, millions are now feeding : 
 and yet there is enough for evermore. Come, hun- 
 gry souls, eat and be satisfied ! Come, thirsty one, 
 " drink abundantly. ' 
 
 Eat, O friends ; drink, yea, drink abundantly, 
 beloved!" 
 
 The gospel resembles a feast in the friendliness of 
 its attendants. "0 friends! beloved!" These 
 words are spoken by the proprietor of the fea.st to 
 his attendants. In the gospel they are the words of 
 Jesus, and express His desire that His people should 
 share with Him in the glories of His eternal blessed- 
 ness. Here on earth they may delight in His pres- 
 
 

 196 
 
 FRIENDS. 
 
 ence ; may eat of the bread of heaven, and drink 
 of the river of His pleasure. In heaven *'the Lamb 
 which is in the midd of the throne shall feed them, 
 and shall lead them unto living fountains oj 
 waters." 
 
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 " Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, 
 nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the 
 scornful. But his delight is in the law of the I^ord, and in His law 
 doth he meditate day and night. 
 
 " And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that 
 bringeth forth his fruit in his season ; his leaf also shall not wither ; 
 and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."— Psalk i. 1, 2. 3.) 
 
 Itl 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 * GODLY. 
 Psalm iv. 3. — II. Peter ii. 9. 
 
 ODLIKE. In all parts of the Bible, this 
 title refers to the most saintly of the ser- 
 vants of the Lord. 
 
 Is faithfulness on the decline ? Are the 
 righteous becoming fewer ? David cries, 
 " Help, Lord ; for the godly man ceaseth ; 
 tor the faithful fail from among the children of men." 
 Sin abounds; formalism is on the increase; lifeless 
 professors are multiplying ; but the " godly man 
 ceaseth." (Psalm xii. 1.) 
 
 A GODLY MAN IS LIKE GoD ; has the favour of God ; 
 is named after God, Godly or Godlike. He enjoys 
 the presence of God here, and has the promise of 
 friendship with Him for ever. 
 
 Cease to be godly and you lose a flower that 
 blooms eternally; a tree which might afford 3'ou 
 through life, courage, strength, and vitality. You 
 
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 GODLY. 
 
 lose your interevst in the promises, and you no longer 
 stand upon the foundation on which rests all 
 Christian hopes. Your light becomes dim, and your 
 heart sorrowful. 
 
 What was it that supported the Apostle Paul 
 when exposed to cruel death ? It was that support 
 a man feels who has lived a holy life, — " that in 
 simplicity and Godly sincerity, (in the Greek 
 * sincerity of God ',) not with fleshly wisdom ; but 
 by the grace of God, we have had our conversation 
 in the world, and more abundantly to youward." 
 (II. Cor. i. 12.). . 
 
 In his epistle to Titus, he presents a summary of 
 Christian graces, to be enjoyed in the present world 
 in preparation for the " glorious appearing of the 
 great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." The 
 greatest among them all is godliness. Without this 
 the Christian might live soberly, and righteously, or 
 justly, and yet not be prepared for the " glorious 
 appearing of the gi-eat God." (Titus ii. 12.) Oh, 
 Christian, you are named godly, live god- 
 like ! 
 
 " In thee, dear Lord, my pensive aoul respires, 
 Thou art the fulness of my choice desires ; 
 Thou art the sacred spring, whose waters burst 
 In streams to him that seeks with holy thirst, 
 Thrice happy man, thrice happy thirst, to bring 
 Thy fainting soul to so, so sweet a spring ; 
 
GODLY. 
 
 201 
 
 iger 
 
 Thrice happy hewhuse will-resolved breast 
 Expacts no other aid, no other rest ; 
 Thrice happy he whose downy aga has been 
 Raclaimad by scourges from the pride of sin, 
 And early seasoned with the taste of truth, 
 Remembers his Creator in his youth. " 
 
 
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" A band of faithful men, 
 Met for God's worship in some humble room, 
 Or screened from foes by midnight starlit gloom, 
 
 On hill side or lone glen, 
 To hear the counsels of His holy word. 
 Pledged to each other and their common Lord. 
 These, few as they may be, 
 Compose a church, such as in pristine age 
 Defied the tyrant's steel, the bigot's rage ; 
 
 I For when but two or three, 
 Whate'er the place, in faith's communion meet. 
 There with Christ present is a church complete." 
 
 John Bats. 
 
CHAPTER XVll. 
 
 CHILDREN OF 210N. 
 
 Psalm cxlix. 2. 
 
 WAS a member of the Roman Catholic 
 communion until he was twenty -one years 
 of age. He was then led by curiosity to 
 enter one of the reformed churches, for the 
 purpose of hearing a preacher who formerly 
 followed a trade similar to that of his own. 
 He was much impressed by the sermon. He had 
 felt (though he had from childhood been a member 
 of a Christian Church,) that to this hour he was in the 
 gall of hitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity," and 
 had no part with Christ. He now became a sincere 
 penitent seeker, and very soon was soundly con- 
 verted to God. 
 
 As a converted pei"Son and a member of a Protes- 
 tant Church, he lived for more than thirty years in 
 the city of his second birth. At the expiration of 
 that time, he sat one day in the parlour of the palace 
 
 
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 CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
 
 of the Eoman Catholic Bishop. The Bishop, in the 
 most familiar mamier, mentioned the circumstances 
 of early- days. Said he, "K., you were once a faith- 
 ful son of the Church. Where are you now ? are 
 you wandering in the wilderness ? 
 
 K. replied, " Oh no, Bishop. I am still a faithful 
 son of the Church ; indeed more faithful than I evt 
 was when a member of your communion. Do you 
 remember, Bishop, I often revelled in pleasure ? I 
 drank and played with gamblers too much for a man 
 of small means, and especially for a Christian. Then 
 I knew nothing of the joy of inward religion. But, 
 sir, at the age of twenty-one I became a Christian : 
 since then I have never indulged in the sins and fol- 
 lies of the \v orld ; and my years have been marked 
 by prosperity and joy. And I know that I am a 
 child of the true Church of Christ now, for I have 
 the evidence of it." 
 
 The Bishop replied, " You are a faithful son of the 
 Church, and I have no doubt you and I shall meet 
 in heaven." This confession was made xmder an 
 impression stamped upon the Bishop's mind by the 
 character and life of the good man. 
 
 " Children of Zion " means " Children of the 
 Church of God." Thoughtfully meditate upon 
 two or three passages, " Yet have I set my king 
 upon my holy hill of Zion." (Psalm ii. 6.) " But 
 ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of 
 
CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
 iO\ 
 
 the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an 
 innumerable company of angels, to the general 
 assembly and church of the Urst-boru, which are 
 written in heaven and to God the judge of all, and 
 to the spirits of just men made perfect. And to 
 Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the 
 blood of s})rinkling that speaketh better things than 
 that of Abel." (Heb. xii. 22-24.) 
 
 You see in these selected passages the blessed 
 privileges of the faithful children of the Church. 
 When we use the word Church we would not mislead 
 any one by conveying the idea that we apply it to 
 any one section of the visible Church of Christ. 
 He who does this must see with a bigot's eye. 
 
 The Bible teaches that the faithful children of the 
 Church are converted Christians everywhere; the 
 elect of God all over the world. Hence it contains 
 the names which distinguish them, '^faithful," 
 " godly," " children of God" Not Freshyterian, 
 Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian alone. The names 
 employed alike apply to the best members of all 
 communions. 
 
 This idea should not lead you loosely to stand 
 aloof from all Christian bodies. Some people com- 
 mit a great blunder in thinking that they can be 
 members of the universal Church of Christ, and yet 
 not unite themselves to any one branch of it. 
 
 Vuu speak with a man on the importance of be- 
 
 
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 208 
 
 CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
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 ing decided on the subject of religion, and advise 
 him to give his heart to God, and unite with some 
 religious body, and he will re])ly in the most em- 
 phatic manner, " / am a membei' of the Church 
 of Christ, though I have never united with any 
 particular body of Christians" What reason has 
 he for pursuing this course ? Is it according to the 
 scriptures? If it is not, it cannot be right. 
 
 It is God's plan to have a Church in the world. 
 Its rise, progress, and triumphs are under the direc- 
 tion and government of God. 
 
 " See this Church in its Commencement." 
 
 As the little rill flowing down the mountain 
 side, is destined to become the broad, deep river, so 
 was the Church of God at its commencement. It 
 came down from the throne of the Eternal — from 
 the mountain of His Holiness. It was first seen a 
 rippling rill coming out of Mount Zion, a " little 
 stream^ issuing out of the sanctuary!' 
 
 " And when the man who had the line in hi** 
 hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand 
 cubits, and brought me through the waters ; the 
 waters were to the ancles. Again he measured a 
 thousand, and brought me through the waters ; the 
 waters were to the knees. Again he measured a 
 thousand and brought me through ; the waters were 
 to the loins. Afterwards he measured a thousand ; 
 
CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
 209 
 
 and it was a rvier 1 could not pass over : for the 
 waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that 
 could not be passed over." (Ezek. xlvii. 3-5.) 
 
 So the Church of God, small and feeble when it 
 began, now flows on in majesty and strength. 
 
 Once the Church existed only in the family of 
 Jacob, and the seven years of famine in Joseph's 
 time threatened her extinction; but the Divine 
 being, by a long train of providences, preserved her 
 for the benefit of future generations, Joseph was 
 sold into Egypt and cast into prison — and by the 
 interpretation of dreams was brought into the 
 notice of Pharaoh, and raised to a dignity next to 
 the king himself 
 
 He provided for the seven years of famine, and 
 brought his family into Egypt, — thus preparing the 
 way for their bondage, and that bondage for their 
 glorious deliverance. 
 
 The same is manifested through all stages 
 OF the church's history. 
 
 In the ivilderness, and in the " land Jioiving ivith 
 milk and honey," to the very end of the Jewish 
 economy : in the rise, progress and establishment 
 of the Christian Church " you see the hakd of 
 God in the cotinued preservation of His 
 Church." 
 
 The mightiest nations and dynasties of the 
 
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 .1 . ii 
 
 
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210 
 
 CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
 past have arisen and prospered for a time nnd then 
 sunk into oblivion, leaving only the wrecks of their 
 fallen j:jreatness. But this spiritiuil kingdom of 
 the Redeemer, the Church of the living God has 
 stood through the revolutions of ages and the wreck 
 of nations. For the eternal God is hei* refuge, and 
 underneath her are His everlasting arms. 
 
 " OoNSIOpm THE SUPPLIES OF THE rHURCH." 
 
 Did His ])eople journey in the toUdernef>s? They 
 had a sanctuary, if it were oidy a moveable tabernacle. 
 They enjoyed the presence of God, which went 
 before them in the pillsir of cloud, and in the pillar 
 of fire. Moses was sent to lead them ; but their great 
 leader was in the cloudy and fiery pillar. 
 
 Were they settled in the promised land ? He 
 who went before them in the cloud, and led them 
 through the wilderness, built for them a stately 
 HOUSE OF W0H3HIP. He Himself came down into 
 the " Holy of Holies," heard their prayers, and an- 
 swered them through the High Priest. Did the 
 old dispensation with its million of comforts end ? 
 A new dispensation more glorious than the first 
 was ushered in. . 
 
 " Has THE CHURCH IN ALL AGES NEEDED LIGHT ? " 
 
 That light Jehovah has supplied. When darkness 
 covered the land of Egypt. " Israel had light in her 
 
CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
 dwellings." (Ex. x., 21-23.) When the children of 
 Israel escaped -out of the house of bondage, difficul- 
 ties beset thoni on every hand. The Red Sea wa« 
 before them, and a narrow mountain pass on either 
 side; already the neighing of the Egyptian steed, 
 and the rumbling of the chariot wheels were heard 
 in the distance. The Israelites tremhled. Fear took 
 hold upon them ; where could they look for deliver- 
 ance ? Moses said to the multitudes of the hosts of 
 Israel, " Stand .fJll and see the salvation of God. 
 The pillar of cloud which went before the children 
 of Israel, then passed to their rear, creating dark- 
 ness to the Egyptians, but light to Israel." (Ex. 
 xiv. 20.) 
 
 Spiritual light has distinguished the Jewish 
 Church in all periods of her existence, and that 
 light she has reflected upon the nations around her. 
 Study the pages of her history and you are carried 
 back to the birth of time ; open the leaves of her 
 prophecies and you are borne in vision through a 
 million events before you arrive at its termination. 
 Consider the teachings of its doctrines ; and, next 
 to that of Christianity, you will have the most sub- 
 lime system of truth ever given to man. 
 
 It has been said, " That the Jewish dispensa- 
 tion WAS SHADOWY AND DARK" — "that the light 
 which the Jews possessed was only a glimpse of 
 light seen through a shadow, which indicated " good 
 
212 
 
 CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
 things to come. They could only see the dim cross 
 in the distance; yet of this nation it was said, 
 " Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory 
 of the Lord is risen upon thee. The Lord shall 
 arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon 
 thee," (Isaiah Ix. 1, 2). 
 
 Christianity was ushered in amidst the 
 GLORIES OF CELESTIAL LIGHT. On that memorable 
 night when the Saviour was born, the world slum- 
 bered in the arms of the god of this world. There 
 were none righteous, no, not one. "A star appeared 
 in the east," and while the shepherds watched their 
 flocks by night a light shone round about them. 
 " The glory of the Lord shone round about them." 
 (Luke ii. 9.) " And the angel said unto them, Fear 
 not : for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great 
 joy, which shall be to all people ; for unto you is 
 born this day in the city of David, a Saviour which 
 is Christ the Lord." (Luke, ii. 10, IL) 
 
 Through the three years of the Saviour's ministry 
 He laboured to diffuse light ; hence, " The people 
 that walked in darkness have seen a great light : 
 they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, 
 upon them hath the light shined." (Isaiah Ix. 2.) 
 
 The Divine mission given to the Apostles and 
 ministers of religion of all ages was, and is, and 
 will be, to diffuse light, — to preach the Gospel 
 TO every creature." And wherever that preach- 
 
CHILDREN OF ^IOi\. 
 
 213 
 
 ing has been effectual in the salvation of souls, it 
 has been in proportion to the diffusion of light. In 
 every case of conversion, the first influence upon 
 the mind is that of light, revealing the nature and 
 consequences of sin, and the way of salvation ; and 
 man, however benighted before, under tlie influence 
 of that light, can find his way to the " CITY OF THE 
 Great King." Heaven's glory lights up his way 
 to the skies, and the nearer he ^approaches its ]ior- 
 tals, the brighter it is found. 
 
 "Has the Church ^'EEDED faith?"' 
 
 In every step of her prolonged career that faith has 
 been imparted. (Heb. xi.) By faith the fishermen of 
 Galilee forsook their worldly occupation to follow 
 Him who said, " The foxes have holes, and the hirih 
 of the air have nests, hut the Son of Man hath not 
 Inhere to lay His head" (Matt. viii. 20.) 
 
 By fiiith three thousand were awakened, con- 
 verted, baptized, and added to the Cliurch in one 
 day. Through faith, the scales fell from the eyes 
 of Saul of Tarsus, and he who was a persecutor of 
 the churches, became an able and useful minister 
 of the Lord Jesus Chi-ist. Through faith, Paul and 
 Silas prayed, and sang [)raises unto God in their 
 dark, damp, prison-house, not thinking of the 
 sufferings through which they had passed the day 
 previous. By faith the Phillipian jailor and hia 
 
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 CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
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 family were convinced, converted, and received into 
 the Church in one night. Throui^h faith, a noble 
 army of Christians in all ages, amidst tortures, im- 
 prisonments, perils, and death, relatives becoming 
 deadly enemies, lifeless churches furnishing instru- 
 ments of torture, and governments enacting laws for 
 their destruction, have still professed the Christian 
 name. Upon the wings of faith, they have mounteil 
 above the clouds of sin and sorrow, which over- 
 shadow the children of this world, who dwell in the 
 region of death. 
 
 " Has the Church needed consolation ? " 
 
 There is no pleasure equal to religious joy. None 
 equal in its intensity. " One day is better than a 
 thousand..'' None equal in its duration. The joys 
 of earth are brief and transitory, while religious 
 joy does not abate amidst the saddest scenes of 
 life. The Christian is as joyful when the "fig-tree 
 ceases to blossom," and there is no " herd in the 
 stall," as he is in the more favoured times of tem- 
 poral prosperity. 
 
 " For God giveth to man that which is good in 
 His sight, — wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to 
 the sinner he giveth travail, and orders that he 
 gather and heap up, that he may give to him that 
 is good before God, — this, also, is vanity and vex- 
 ation of spirit." (Eccl. ii. 26.) 
 
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 CHILimEN OF ZION. 
 
 215 
 
 " Thou hftst put gladness in my heart, more than 
 in the time that their corn jind their wine increased." 
 (Psahn iv. 7.) And the annrel said unto them, 
 "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of 
 great joy. wliich shall be to all people." (Luke 
 ii. 10.) 
 
 "Her .saints fihnll shovt aloud for joy." (Psalm 
 cxxxii. IG.) Hannah felt it when she said, " My 
 heart rejoiceth in the Lord ; mine 4iorn is exalted 
 in the Lord ; my mouth is enlarged over mine 
 enemies : because T rejoice in thy salvation." (I.Sam. 
 ii. 1.) 
 
 The Jews, also, when they gave of their substance 
 for the erection of the first temple, " rejoiced for that 
 they offered willingl}'^; because with ])erfect heart 
 they offered willingly to the Lord ; and David the 
 king also rejoiced with great joy." (I. Chron. xxix. 
 9.) 
 
 The wise men who waited for the coming of the 
 Messiah when thev saw the star which indicated the 
 appearing of the Son of man, " 'Rejoiced with exceed- 
 ing great joy." (Matt. ii. 10.) After the death of 
 Stephen the work of Christ prospered, " and there 
 was f/reat joy in that cit}'." (Acts viii. 8.) 
 
 After the conversion of the jailor and his family, 
 he brought Paul and Silas into his house and "set 
 meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God 
 with all his house." CActs xvi. 34.) God has planted 
 
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 CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
 His Church in the world specially for the benefit of 
 His people, and has miraculously preserved lier 
 throughout all ages, that His people may enjoy her 
 privileges, and receive all needful grace, under every 
 circumstance of life. 
 
 From the whole you may safely draw the 
 following conclusions : — 
 
 1st. That all evangelical churches ai-e parU of the 
 universal church. 
 
 2nd. That unless you are a faithful member of one 
 of them you do not belong to Christ, — to God " That 
 thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave 
 thyself in the house of God, which is the Church 
 of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth." 
 (I. Tim. iii. 15.) 
 
 3rd. That you are not members of the body of 
 Christ. " And both put all things under His feet, 
 and gave Him to be the head over all things to the 
 Church, which is His body ; the fulness of Him 
 that filleth all in all." (Eph. i. 22, 23.) " Who now 
 rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that 
 which is behind of the affliction of Christ in my 
 flesh for His body's sake, which is the Church." 
 (Col. i. 24.) 
 
 4th. That you are not built upon Christ. " For 
 other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, 
 which is Jesus Christ." (I. Cor. iii. 11.) " And a stone 
 of stumbling, and a rock of offence even to th^m 
 
W- 
 
 CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
 217 
 
 which stumble at the ivord, heiny disobedient" (I. 
 Peter ii. 8.) 
 
 5th. That Christ is not your Head. " Christ is the 
 Head of the Church ; and He is the Saviour of the 
 body." (Eph. v., 23.) 
 
 If you study carefully the Woi'd of God you will 
 learn, that through no other channel do the Divine 
 streams of grace and life flow to man. If you have 
 light, faith, peace and love, they must come to you 
 from the Spirit of God ; in your hallowed coimexion 
 with the Church of God. Then no longer stand 
 aloof from all Christian Churches, and delude your- 
 .self with the idea that you belong to the " Univer- 
 sal Church of Christ." 
 
 Ask yourselves the question, " In what Christian 
 denomination can I be most happy and useful f Let 
 not your decision be hasty, let it not be slow. Set- 
 tle your thoughts upon one, and seek a close, firm 
 and hapjyy connexion with it ; a connexion that 
 shall be life-long, yea, that shall be eternal : for 
 when the Christian dies he onlv passes from the 
 Church militant to the Church triumphant. 
 
 '* One family we dwell in Him, 
 Above, around, beneath ; 
 Divided only by the stream, 
 The narrow stream of death." 
 
 If you are the " children of Zion " you are the 
 " Chiliren of God." You should be " Godliker 
 
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 CHILDREN OF ZION. 
 
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 As a member of the body of Christ you should be 
 living, active and spiritual, — like your Head and 
 Master. 
 
 The Church is puke ; so you likewise should be 
 sanctified, body, soul and spirit." 
 
 The Church is filled with light. You are to let 
 your light shine before men, that they may see your 
 good works, and glorify your Father who is in 
 heaven." 
 
 The Church is filled with joy ; to you it is said, 
 * Rejoice evermore." 
 
 Your religious state should correspond with the 
 light, purity, and peaceableness, of the Church of 
 Christ. Her motives should be yours. Her principles 
 should actuate you, and her spirit you should possess. 
 You should aspire to her dignity, and hope to share 
 in her destinies. In order to this, observe her 
 examples, hearken to her godly precepts, and cherish 
 her benign influences, under the mighty influence of 
 the GREAT " Spirit of God". 
 
 That you may be presented unto Him, not having 
 spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that you 
 should be holy and without blemish. (Eph. v. 27.) 
 
 So LET IT BE. Amen. 
 
 May every Christian reader respond Amen. 
 
 *' For thy loving-kindness, Lord, 
 We in thy temple stay ; 
 
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 CEILDJREN OF ZION. 
 
 Here thy faithful love record, 
 Thy saving power display. 
 
 With thy name thy praise is known, 
 Glorious thy perfections shine, 
 
 Earth's remotest bounds shall own 
 Thy works are all Divine. 
 
 *' See the Gospel Church secure, 
 
 And founded on a rock ; 
 All her promises are sure, 
 
 Her bulwarks who can shock l 
 Count her every precious shrine. 
 
 Tell to after-ages, tell ; 
 Fortified by power Divine 
 
 The Church can never fall. 
 
 ' ' Zion's God is all our own, 
 
 Who on His love rely ; 
 We His pardoning love have known. 
 
 And live to Christ, and die ; 
 To the New Jerusalem 
 
 He our faithful guide shall be : 
 Him we claim, and rest in Him 
 
 Through all eternity, " 
 
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 " Before the Saviour's face 
 The ransomed nations bow ; 
 O'erwhelmed at His Almighty grace, 
 For ever new ; 
 
 He shews His prints of love, — 
 And sound through all the worlds above, 
 The slaughtered Lamb. 
 
 ' The whole triumphant host. 
 Give thanks to God on high ; 
 ' Hail Father, Son and Holy Ghost,' 
 They ever cry : 
 
 Hail Abraham's God, and mine ! 
 (I join the heavenly lays), 
 All might and majesty are thine, 
 And endless praise." 
 
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 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM. 
 
 Gal. iii. 7. 
 
 ^NOW ye, therefore, that they which are 
 of faith, the same are the chihlren of 
 Abraham." In this passage it is inferred 
 that all who imitate the example of Abra- 
 ham are his children, whether they are 
 Jews or Gentiles. 
 Abraham was obedient to the heavenly call 
 When it was said to him, "Get thee out of thy 
 country, and from thy kindred, and from thy 
 father's house," by faith he "obeyed, and went 
 out, not knowing whither he went." The children 
 of faithful Abraham must be obedient to the call of 
 God. That call may subject them to toil, sorrow, 
 and self-sacrifice, — yet they must obey, and bear 
 their burden. 
 
 Abraham valued the riches of this world but little. 
 He laboured for the undying treasures of eternity. 
 
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 CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM. 
 
 When he scattered the kings in the rescue of Lot. 
 he mifijht have received princely fortunes. Ahnn- 
 dance of gold and silver sparkled at his feet. "Take 
 the spoil," said the vanquwJied to the victor; but 
 with holy indifference he turned away from the 
 riches of the world to Him who said, " Fear not, 
 Abraham, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great 
 reward!' So must the faithful children of Abraham 
 treat with indifference the perishing treasures of 
 this life. 
 
 The most remarkable trait in the character of 
 Abraham was his unwavering confidence in 
 God, — HIS STRONG FAITH IN HiM. So strong was 
 this faith, that he never saw any difficulties in his 
 way, nor ever, for once, thought of impossibilities 
 when God had made him a promise. Even the offer- 
 ing up of his son Isaac, the son in whom he ex- 
 pected the fulfilment of the promises, he did not 
 hesitate to sacrifice. But in obedience to Divine 
 command, took him and two servants and went 
 toward Mount Moriah. WLeii within sight of the 
 mountain, he left his two servients, and ascended it 
 with his * son only ; and there, having bound him, 
 prepared for the affecting sacrifice ; but, when he 
 was about to give the blow, an angel from heaven 
 cried out to him, " Lay not thy hand upon the lad, 
 neither do thou anything to him. Now I know 
 that thou fearest God, since thou hast not withheld 
 
CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM. 
 
 226 
 
 thine only son from me," Abraham turning, saw 
 a ram entangled in the bush by his horns, and 
 offered this animal as a biirnt-oftering instead of his 
 son Isaac. 
 
 Let every child of Abraham imitate him in his 
 faith ; let them be strong in faith, giving glory to 
 God. Why should any enlightened man doubt 
 WHEN God has promised? 
 
 '* O for a faith like his, that we 
 
 The bright example may pursue ; 
 May gladly give up all to thee, 
 
 To whom our more than all is due ! 
 
 " Now, Lord, to thee our all we leave, 
 Our willing soul thy call obeys ; 
 Pleasure, and wealth, and fame we give, 
 Freedom and life, to win thy grace. 
 
 " Is there a thing than life more dear, 
 A thing from which we cannot part / 
 We can ; we now rejoice to tear 
 The idol from our bleeding heart. 
 
 " Jesus accept our sacrifice, 
 
 All things for thee we count but loss ; 
 So at thy word our Isaac dies, 
 Dies oi> the altar of thy cross. 
 
 " For what to thee, O Lord, we give, 
 A hundred-fold we here obtain ; 
 And soon with thee shall all receive. 
 And loss shall be eternal gain." 
 
 
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 *' But two beside the sleeping pilgrim stand, 
 Like cherub kings, with lifted, mighty plume, 
 Fixed uunbright eyes, and looks of high command, 
 They tell the patriarch of his glorious doom ; 
 Father of countless myriads that shall come. 
 Sweeping the land like billows of the sea. 
 Bright as the stars of heaven from twilight's gloom. 
 Till He is given whom angels long to see, 
 And lu-ael's splended line is crowned with Deity." 
 

 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 " CHILDREN OF JACOB." 
 
 Psalm cv. 6. 
 
 REFERENCE is here made to a branch 
 of the seed of Abraham. Jacob's life 
 was a troubled one, yet few ever breath- 
 ed a purer spirit, or felt a stronger faith 
 than he. True, he had his father's bles- 
 sing with which to start in life ; but this 
 was only a relief, as he tied from his brother Esau. 
 It was not a small thing to travel six hundred miles 
 and upwards, through barren and inhospitable re- 
 gions, unattended and unprovided for, with only a 
 stati' in the hand. (Gen. xxxii. 10.) " Jacob was 
 nrrudl : by ivhat should he arise ? " And when he 
 reached the termination of his tedious journey, 
 his long time of sevvitud<' for Rachel, the treachery 
 of Laban and his domestic troubles and misfoitunes, 
 well might he say at the end of his journey of life, 
 " Few and evil have the days of the years of my 
 
 
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 CHILDREN OF JACOB. 
 
 life been, and I have not attained unto the days of 
 the years of the life of my fathers in the days of 
 their pilgrimage." (Gen. xlvii. 9.) 
 
 Two THINGS ARE MARKED IN THE LIFE OF JaCOB, 
 
 Piety and faith. 
 
 The Christian may ask, what part have I in Jacob ? 
 Of all the predictions he made with his expiring 
 breath, the most remarkable and interesting is that 
 relating to Judah, because in it is found the promise 
 of "Shiloh" and His kingdom. "Judah thou art 
 he whom thy brethren shall praise : thy hand shall 
 be in the neck of thine enemies : thy father's child- 
 ren shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's 
 whelp : from the prey, my son, thou art gone up : 
 he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as an 
 old lion ; who shall rouse him up ? The sceptre 
 shall not depart from Judah, nor the lawgiver from 
 between his feet, until Shiloh come ; and unto him 
 shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his 
 foal unto the vine ; and his ass's colt unto the 
 choice vine ; He washed his garments in wine, and 
 his clothes in the blood of grapes ; his eyes shall 
 be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk." 
 (Gen. xlix. 8, 12.) 
 
 Shiloh has come, and we are the people who are 
 gathered unto Him. All who ever have been, or 
 ever shall be gathered unto Christ, are, in a spirit- 
 ual sense, the CHILDREN of Jacob. O ye children 
 
CHILDREN OF JACOB. 
 
 231 
 
 of Jacob, follow your guide — repeat His covenant 
 over, and over again, and it shall be well with you. 
 (Gen. xxviii. 20, 22.) Write it upon the table of 
 your heart, that you may never forget it, and it shall 
 
 be ETERNALLY WELL WITH YOU. 
 
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 " Freedom from the servitude of sin, from the seduction of a mis- 
 guarded judgment, and the allurement of any ensnaring, forbidden 
 object ; consisting in an unbounded amplitude and enlargedness of 
 soul towards God, and indetermination to any inferior good ; result- 
 ing from an entire Bubj«ction to the Divine will, and steady adherence 
 
 to Him." 
 
 John Howe. 
 
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 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 "CHILDREN OF THE FREE- WOMAN. 
 Gal. iv. 31. 
 
 ERE you have an allegorical representation 
 of the happy Christian, in contrast with 
 the fettered Jew. The Jews are the child- 
 ren of the " bond-woman" — in bondage as 
 were Hagar and Ishmael. They were from 
 Mount Sinai or Sina, which gendereth 
 bondage. 
 
 Hagar truly represents the law given from Sinai, 
 it subjected its children to laws, rites, and customs, 
 to servitude, fear, and trembling. There was no 
 
 FREEDOM. 
 
 The children of the free-woman are free like 
 Sarah and Isgac, her son of promise. 
 
 The Gospel may be distinguished from the 
 Law in many particulars. 
 
 Under the Law, darkness clouded the minds of 
 millions. The veil was upon the eyes of all men. 
 
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236 CHILDREN OF THE FREE-WOMAN. 
 
 But on the contrary, under the gospel light is com 
 municated. The law held its votaries in bondage. 
 It burdened them with duties and ceremonies hard 
 to be borne — and from which they could draw but 
 little consolation. The Gospel bestows a glorious 
 liberty. 
 
 The children of this world are bound under the 
 mantle of darkness ; are chained in guilt and con- 
 demnation; are kept under the dominion of sin. 
 When they become the " children of the free-wo- 
 man," or, in other words, are made the partakers of 
 the blessing of the Gospel, they are freed from 
 darkness, guilt, and condemnation, as well as from 
 the bondage of sin ; they are also freed from the 
 fear of death and eternal misery, and are restored 
 to light, liberty, justification of life, hope in death, 
 and eternal enjoyment in heaven, " Because the 
 creature itself also shall he delivered from the bond- 
 age of corruption into the glorious liberty of the 
 children of God." (Rom. viii., 21.) 
 
 Christ came that man might attain unto this 
 BLESSED LIBERTY. " The Spirit of the Lord God 
 was upon me: because the Lord hath anointed 
 me to preach good tidings unto the meek : He 
 hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to 
 proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of 
 the prison to them that are bound." (Isaiah Ixi. 1.) 
 
 Under the influence of the Gospel, wherever th« 
 
CHILDREN OF THE FREE-WOMAN. 237 
 
 Spirit of the Lord takes possession of the human 
 soul, there is liberty. " Now the Lord is that Spirit, 
 and luhere the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty .'* 
 (II. Cor iii. 17.) 
 
 Christians, you are the children of promise. You 
 are the heirs of a blessed freedom : of the glorious 
 liberty of the children of God. " Stand fast in the 
 liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free!' 
 (Gal. V. 1.) 
 
 " Who then i3 free ? the wise who well maintains 
 An empire o'er himself ; whom neither chains, 
 Nor want, nor death with slavish fear inspire ; 
 Who boldly answers to his warm desire j 
 Who can ambition's vainest gifts despise ; 
 Firm in himself who on himself relies ; 
 Polished and round who runs his proper course, 
 And breaks misfortune with superior force !'* 
 
 " Liberty ! thou goddess heavenly bright ! 
 Profuse of bliss, and pregnant with delight ! 
 Eternal pleasures in thy presence reign, 
 And smiling plenty leads thy wanton train." 
 
 " Brethren, ye have been called into liberty, 
 
 ONLY use not that LIBERTY FOR AN OCCASIOJf UNTO 
 THE FLESH." (Gal. V. 13.) 
 
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 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 " CHILDREN OF THE BRIDE-CHAMBER. 
 
 Matth. ix. 15. 
 
 HEN came to Him the disciples of John, 
 ^^ saying, " Why do we and the Pharisees 
 fast oft, but Thy disci[)les fast not ?" 
 (Matth, ix. 14.) The Pharisees fasted re- 
 gularly twice a week, besides on a great 
 number of national fast-days. This \vas 
 in accordance with the established laws and customs 
 of the land. John and his disciples did not think it 
 necessary or proper to make so great a change, as 
 to dispense with the practice. 
 
 The religion of Christ was distinct from that of 
 John's or the Pharisees. It was based upon a foun- 
 dation peculiar to itself Christ did not oppose fast- 
 ing, but only informed the disciples of John that the 
 days of fasting for His disciples, (whom He here 
 names " Children of the Bride-chamber") had 
 not yet come. They were not to fast, while He, 
 
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242 CHILDREN OF THE BRIDE-CHAMBER. 
 
 their Guide, their Supporter and Saviour, was pres- 
 ent with them. Now is their time of rejoicing. 
 But when the Bridegroom is taken away from them, 
 then shall the children of the Bride-chamber, (i. e.) 
 the Bride-men, or men who have special manage- 
 ment of the " Bride-chamber," the intimate '' ' .nds 
 of the Bridegroom fast. 
 
 Friends of Jesus, the Bridegroom has been taken 
 away ; while you wait for His re-appearing, it is 
 at times proper to fast, as well as pray ; yea, it 
 is your solemn duty. Moses, Elijah, and our blessed 
 Lord fasted forty days and forty nights, without 
 intermission. The time of fasting recommended to 
 the faithful throughout the Bible is one day, from 
 morning until evening. When the body is subdued 
 and brought under by fasting, the heart is generally 
 fired with holy devotion. 
 
 " AND THEN THOU SHALT FAST." 
 
 And 
 
 "Tell of things which no gross ear can hear, 
 Till oft converse with heavenly habitants 
 Begin to cast a beam on the outward shape, 
 The unpolluted temple of the mind, 
 And turn it by degrees *jo the soul's essence, 
 Till all be made immortii." 
 
Jclloto-Swijartts. 
 
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"Wloever serves God with ,11 u- i 
 
 J" -aster , or „ a subject, h • sertk ™' " " ''™°'' '« -"- 
 i.s parents. The service , G„7j •„ *'? i °' " " "•"■" he obeys 
 that .t is only when engaged in .-Jtt J, V" '"'™"°>' "''h 'easo^ 
 
 ;'» P-Per place, and eLlisi^ow ,:*;""" '''"°"°» '» -«Py 
 l"'"'"' ■"«""». perfect reason' Id " '"'"°"™»- O"" - » 
 
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 John Bate. 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 "FELLOW SERVANTS." 
 Rev. vi. 11. 
 
 HEY who are still struggling with sin, sor- 
 row, and temptation, and those who have 
 served their heavenly Master faithfully, 
 and attained the heights of glory, are fel- 
 low SERVANTS. As millions have received 
 the rewards of service, you are encouraged 
 Do not throw the work demanded of you 
 upon others. It may never be done. . 
 
 Is God's name blasphemed ? You may throw the 
 responsibility of rebuke upon others, who unfaith- 
 ful like vourself, may not administer it. Do you see a 
 fellow creature running heedlessly to perdition, and 
 feel the importance of showing Kim his danger, and 
 yet leave this work for some one else to do ? If 
 so, then it may never be done. Yea, a soul may be 
 damned y and God be dishonored through your un- 
 faithfulness. 
 
 to serve. 
 
 
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 FELLOW-SERVANTS. 
 
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 A gentleman had but one servant. He thought 
 him overburdened with work, and hired another to 
 assist him. Now the one left the work to the other, 
 and it consequently remained undone. Then the mas- 
 ter hired another, and with the three had less done 
 than with one. The gentleman renfiarked to a friend 
 of his, " When I had one servant, I had a servant ; 
 when I had two, I had but a half of one, and now I 
 have three, I have not even one!' Why ? because 
 each one left his work for others to perform, and 
 therefore the work remained undone. 
 
 Servants of our Lord — Your reward will be in 
 proportion to the service you render unto God. 
 Think of the happiness of Joseph raised to a dignity 
 next to the king himself ! Of David, raised from the 
 low station of a shej^herd boy, to that of a king ; 
 of Daniel, in his day, made Prime Minister of the 
 then proudest empire of the world. These were 
 the rewards of faithful service rendered unto God. 
 You, if true to your Master's work, will receive 
 greater rewards. 
 
 You WILL BE crowned KINGS IN THE ETERNAL 
 
 EMPIRE OF Jehovah. 
 
Comtsellors of leatt. 
 
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" Every Christian is placed in a centre of which the globe is the 
 circumference, and each must fill that circumference, as every star 
 forms a centre, and shines through the whole sphere, and yet all 
 meet and mingle, forming one vast field of light ; or as in many well- 
 tuned instruments, each moves every particle of the surrounding air, 
 and yet strikes every ear in one harmonious sound." 
 
 Jackson. 
 
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 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 (( 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 Prov. xii. 20. 
 
 j<" 
 
 FEW years ago, the Rev. J. C, held revival 
 
 services in the city of , Canada. 
 
 One evening, when about five hundred 
 persons were gathered in the basement of 
 a spacious church, a religious social meet- 
 ing was held, in which a number of mem- 
 bers spoke from the outflowings of spiritual, earnest 
 hearts. Among the number was a little boy nine 
 years of age. He had that evening knelt among 
 penitents at the altar of prayer. There was a momen- 
 tary pause, and the little lad arose, turned toward 
 the people, and said : — 
 
 " Friends, I want to tell you what Jesus has done 
 for my soul. I was a wicked boy when these re- 
 vival meetings commenced. My heart was very 
 hard ; but the spirit brought all my sins before me. 
 I felt I was a great sinner. Though young in years^ 
 
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 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 I was old in sin. It made me sorry. I came for- 
 ward to this altar and cried " God he merciful to me 
 a sinner." 
 
 "Mr. C. told us that night, that God was our faith- 
 ful Father, and He had promised, " If we came to 
 Him, He would in no wise cast us out," and that when 
 we came to God, we were to plead that " promise." 
 I saw in a moment what God called upon me to do. 
 It was to PLEAD THAT PROMISE. Then I came to 
 Him and said. Father, Thou hast promised, Thou 
 hast said, " Ask and ye shall receive ; seek and ye 
 shall find," I am come and claim the fulfilment of 
 that promise. In a moment after my soul was 
 free — my heart was happy." He then lifted his 
 voice and said, " Dear unconverted friends : If you 
 knew how happy my soul is, you would at once 
 come to that dear Saviour who has done so much 
 for me." 
 
 One of the resident ministers was seated by the 
 side of the writer, and said, " That little lad is natur- 
 ally very timid — ^what a power is saving grace as 
 manifested in the experience of that little one." 
 Friends, do you look to the platform and pulpit of 
 the aged and great, for God's counsellors ? I tell you, 
 verily, that little lad, only nine years of age, was 
 one of God's " counsellors of peace." 
 
 In the Town of ,in the South-west of Eng- 
 land, in the year 1838, and in a small Baptist church 
 
COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 251 
 
 '■Nl 
 
 ame for- 
 ul to me 
 
 ur faith- 
 came to 
 at when 
 romise." 
 e to do. 
 came to 
 :J, Thou 
 and ye 
 nent of 
 ul was 
 ■ed his 
 If you 
 t once 
 • much 
 
 S>y the 
 Qatur- 
 ice as 
 one." 
 pit of 
 
 • 
 
 I you, 
 , was 
 
 Eng- 
 irch, 
 
 an earnest minister preached a sermon on the text — 
 " For we must all appear before the Judgment seat of 
 Christ, that every one may receive the things done in 
 his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be 
 good or bad." (II. Cor. v. 10.) There was in that 
 church, a youth of eleven years of age. The spirit 
 applied the sermon to his heart. As the speaker 
 dwelt upon the coming of the Judge with his ten 
 thousand saints and angels, solemn sights thronged 
 his vision. The attendant circumstances of the 
 Judgment seemed real and present. He heard in 
 imagination, the roaring thunder, and saw the 
 vivid lightning, and he heard, the voice of God, 
 speaking louder than the thunder, bidding the graves 
 give up, and the greedy sea restore its concealed 
 victims. He saw the gathering multitudes, and ex- 
 claimed, " MY God shall I be there ?" He was 
 convinced. " The nail was fastened in a sure place 
 by the Master of assemblies," He cried to God 
 for mercy, and after the feeling of penitence, and 
 the offering up to God the prayer of faith, there 
 came to his soul the gospel liberty, peace and 
 joy in believing. He cried unto God, " What 
 would'st thou have me to do ?" He was but a 
 boy, and in humble life ; yet it seemed to him that 
 the Almighty said, " Preach the Word." He looked 
 to heaven and said, " Lord I am but a child." Again, 
 came the words, as though an Archangel had spoken, 
 
 
 lA 
 
 . i 
 
 
 :;m 
 
 (^ 
 
252 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 " Preach the Word." He said, " Heavenly Father 
 is it possible Thou hast iiiacU) me one of Th}'^ c(Min- 
 sellors of peace ? When shall I begin the work ?" and 
 the Lord said, " Now is the accej)ted time ; behold 
 now is the day of salvation." And he obeyed the 
 heavenly call. 
 
 Before his conversion, he was given to the sins 
 and follies natural to children of great cities, and 
 was surrounded by sinful companions of his own 
 age and place. After his conversion, he said to his 
 soul, " I will counsel these," and he never gave up 
 until they became the friends of Jesus. Some of 
 them have since passed away ha[)pily to the better 
 world. Others are now active Christians — while 
 others yet are Gospel heralds, counselling hundreds 
 to come to Jesus. 
 
 Only two years later, at the age of thirteejj^ he> 
 repaired to a small room, in one of the back streets 
 of his native town, where a group of hardeuQ/j^ sinners ; 
 were assembled to hear from him the wor^itj of salva- 
 tion. He involuntary lifted his eyes to\fard heaven: 
 and said, " Who is sufficient for these things ;" and 
 again the words came home to hjs soul, " Preach 
 THE Word." That night, weeping penitents oiftved 
 from that room, their prayers to God, and rei 
 the desired blessing — the forgiveness of sins. 
 
 Years rolled qu^ \<^ counselled for God and souls, 
 
COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 263 
 
 and reaped the golden fniit, — " souls for his hire, 
 
 AND seals to his MINISTRY." 
 
 Many opportunities offered themselves, and he 
 endeavoured, as a true servant of his Master, to im- 
 prove them all. He was " instant in season and out 
 of season." If he saw in the congregation, where he 
 worshipped, an individual near him weeping under 
 an impressive sermon, at the close of the service, he 
 would follow him to the door of his habitation, mark 
 the name of the street, and number of the door, and 
 probably, in a day or two from that time, make a 
 stranger's visit. After an apologetical introduction, 
 
 he would say, "I think I saw you at the Church, 
 
 on Sabbath morning, did I not ?" The answer of 
 course, would come, " Yes, I was there." He would 
 thjpn continue, " That was a good sermon preached 
 by the Rev. Mr. ." Again would come the re- 
 sponse, "It was very good indeed, I never felt, 
 under any sermon what I felt under that one. I 
 could not keep from weeping." God's counsellor 
 would reply, " I perceived the Spirit of the Lord 
 was operating upon your heart. That impression 
 was intended to lead you to Jesus, who has 
 said, * Come unto me, all ye that labour and are 
 heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my 
 yoke upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek 
 and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your 
 
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 4* >i 
 
 I 
 
 1,1 
 
 f ' I. 
 
 1 M 
 
 ;■* Li! 
 
 ^.! 
 
 
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 ■ m 
 
 A, 
 
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2H 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.' " 
 (Matth. xi. 28,29, 30.) , 
 
 The soul, thus melted, was now prepared to seek 
 Jesus. When expedient, the counsellor and seeker 
 would kneel in prayer to God, and cease only when 
 the penitent found pardon, and was made happy. 
 
 A special case, which required earnest pleading, 
 occurred in the case of a dear relative who for many 
 years had lived a faithful Christian ; but who now 
 was a fallen outcast from God. The circumstances 
 of his fall were these : — He was a member of a class 
 in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the leader of 
 which was considered a most exemplary Christian. 
 The meetings of that class were seasons of great re- 
 freshing. No one of that group doubted the piety of 
 its leader. One day, as the member referred to passed 
 along a street in the town where he resided, he met 
 his leader, and to his great astonishment, in a state 
 of intoxicatiori. He became discouraged, and un- 
 wisely left the church of his choice. He should have 
 known that, however much the members disgrace 
 themselves, Christ is pure, — ^nd however many 
 fall into sin, the true church is free from pollution. 
 But what is more remarkable than all is, that he 
 who left the church because of the leader's intoxi- 
 cation became himself intoxicated. The sin which 
 caused the leader's fall, ho himself indulged in; and 
 his place, for many months, was amor.g drunkaids. 
 
 & 
 
COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 Ihfi 
 
 Here was a special case, and required faithful coun- 
 sel. Words were often dropped, which proved power- 
 less, for a self-sacrificing effort was needed. 
 
 There was a public house in which he, with his 
 companions, spent sometimes the long hours of 
 night. One night, as many of them sat around the 
 table drinking, toasting, and singing the drunkards' 
 soLgs, God's counsellor stood at the head of the table 
 and said, " except ye repent ye shall all likewise per- 
 ish ;" then he urged upon them the importance of 
 turning from their evil ways to God with purpose of 
 heart. For a moment silence reigned supreme, then 
 big tears dropped from many eyes not accustomed 
 to weep, and the dear, wandering relative returned 
 to Jesus and His Church. 
 
 There was yet more work to be done. God's coun- 
 sellor of peace had three brethren, all uncon- 
 verted. Their state was to him a great burden. 
 He often thought of the words, " what if any one 
 of our family gi'oup should be found wanting in the 
 great day of judgment," and earnestly prayed that 
 all might meet in heaven, 
 
 " To shout in turns the bursting joy, 
 And ciii cticriiiuv o^u w/i^jfj 
 In songs around His throne." 
 
 He counselled them daily to give their hearts to 
 God, and flee from the wrath to come, and had the 
 
 '¥) 
 
 ij 
 
 
 n 
 
256 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 happiness to see his brethren become the brethren 
 and friends of Christ. 
 
 We shall not, however, pursue this narrative of 
 facts any farther; but close by saying, "that for 
 many long years, as a Sabbath school teacher, ex- 
 horter, local preacher, and minister of the Gospel, he 
 has been God's counsellor of peace to precious, perish- 
 ing, souls. 
 
 In these pages, Ave have presented the work of 
 two " counsellors of peace." Allow us to remind 
 you that this name is given to the faithful all over 
 the world. 
 
 Brethren and sisters in Christ your work is 
 TO COUNSEL FOR Jesus AND SOULS, wherever your 
 lot may be cast, and under whatever circumstances 
 you may be placed. 
 
 If you desire to see the importance of that work, 
 and the blessedness of doing it, read carefully a few 
 scriptural passages — 
 
 " But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, 
 and mine acquaintance, we took sweet counsel to- 
 gether, and walked unto the house of God in com- 
 pany." (Psalm. Iv. 13, 14.) 
 
 " But to the counsellors of peace is joy." Prov. 
 xii. 20.) 
 
 " Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one 
 to another : and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, 
 and a book of remembrance was written before Him 
 
 fol 
 
 H| 
 
 of 
 
 ai 
 
 tl 
 
 dc 
 ar 
 
m 
 
 brethren 
 
 rative of 
 that for 
 2her, ex- 
 spel, he 
 , perish- 
 
 work of 
 remind 
 lU over 
 
 '^OEK IS 
 2r your 
 stances 
 
 work, 
 a few 
 
 guide, 
 
 5el to- 
 
 com- 
 
 Prov. 
 
 1 one 
 rdifc, 
 Him 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 257 
 
 for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon 
 His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord 
 of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels ; 
 and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son 
 that serveth him." (Mai. iii. 16, 17.) 
 
 " And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles 
 doctrine and fellowship ; and in breaking of bread, 
 and in prayers." (Acts ii. 42.) 
 
 " And they continuing daily with one accord in 
 the temple, and breaking bread from house to house"*; 
 did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of 
 heart." (Acts ii. 46.) 
 
 "And some of them were men of Cyprus and 
 Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, 
 spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 
 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a 
 great number believed and turned unto the Lord." 
 (Acts xi. 21.) - ■ 
 
 " But exhort one another daily, while it is called 
 to-day, lest any of you be hardened through the 
 deceitfulness of sin." (Heb. :ii. 13.) 
 
 " And let us consider one another to provoke un- 
 to love and to good works :" " Not forsaking the 
 assembling of ourselves together as the manner of 
 some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much 
 the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Heb. x. 
 24,25.) 
 
 
 
 a: 
 
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 4 t. 
 
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 f Hi 
 
 
258 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 " There are three things to be considered. 
 
 
 Firstly — your work and the importance of that 
 work, and the blessedness of doing it. 
 
 Your work — speaking with men about Jesus for 
 their good, that you may help them to God and to 
 heaven^ when the journey of life ends. 
 
 Care must be taken that you do that work well. 
 When you speak to a man about his soul, speak 
 w©rds of fire, but speak them in love. If you speak 
 to a group, be careful that your thoughts and words 
 take effect, lest you " cast your pearls before swine 
 and they turn again and rend you." 
 
 It is possible to speak for Christ and do much 
 good. It is also in your power to speak for Him 
 and defeat your own purpoFffe. 
 
 A group of persons were standing together in a 
 certain place. One of them was a professing Chris- 
 tian. One of the company, dropped in his hearing, 
 a profane word. The Christian imprudently said, 
 " Don't be so outrageously wicked as to use profane 
 words in my company." The person who used it, 
 replied, " Mind your own business, I use what lan- 
 guage I please." The reproof, though needed, 
 through not being properly given, did evil, rather 
 than good ; hardened rather than softened the indi- 
 vidual. 
 
 Reproof or counsel should be given, if possible, 
 
COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 259 
 
 that 
 
 for 
 to 
 
 when only two are present, (except when companies 
 are addressed), and then should be GIVEN with mild- 
 ness AND LOVE. 
 
 It is said that Mr.Wesley and a lawyer once travel- 
 led together in a public stage. The lawyer spoke 
 in Mr. Wesley's hearing a profane word. Mr. Wesley 
 said nothing at the time. When they stopped at the 
 next inn, he said to the lawyer, " I perceive, sir, that 
 you and I are to travel together for some distance; if 
 you should hear me swear on the journey, T hope you 
 will reprove me." The lawyer replied, "I thank you, 
 Mr. Wesley, I hope I shall not swear again in your 
 company." Thus, the reproof did much good. 
 
 It is always a safe rule, to counsel at the 
 
 PROPER TIME, AND WITH MILDNESS AND LOVE. If 
 
 you are too severe, you will repel. If gentle and 
 loving, you will probably draw towards you the 
 most impolite and discourteous persion. Your work 
 is also to inhtriict, advise, reprove, warn, and to en- 
 treat men, that they may be reconciled unto God. 
 
 " The Importance of your work." 
 
 The children of this world are in darkness — under 
 the very shadow cf s[)iritual death. " But the natural 
 man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, 
 for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he 
 know th(.'m, because they are spiritually discerned." 
 (I. Cor. ii. 14.) ' 
 
260 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 
 " In whom the god of this world hath blinded the 
 minds of them which believe not, lest the light of 
 the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of 
 God, should shine unto them." (II Cor. iv., 4.) 
 
 Such people need your counsel, "For ye are the 
 light of the world. A city that is set on an hill 
 cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, 
 that they may see your good works and glorify 
 your father which is in heaven." (Matth. v. 14, IG.) 
 They must be so counselled that they may be 
 
 LED TO seek the IMPERISHABLE TREASURES OF EVER- 
 LASTING LIGHT. 
 
 The children of this world, though the sons and 
 daughters of God by creation, providence and re- 
 demption, have, through sin, become His enemies. 
 " Hear, Heavens, and give ear earth ; for the 
 Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up 
 children, and they have rebelled against Me." (Isaiah 
 i. 2.) i 
 
 " Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomi- 
 nation is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem ; for 
 Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord which 
 He loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange 
 God." (Mai. ii. 11.) 
 
 " Your words have been stout against me, saith 
 the Lord ; yet ye say, what have we spoken so much 
 against Thee ? Ye have said it is vain to serve 
 God ; and what profit is it that we have kept His 
 
COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 261 
 
 ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully be- 
 fore the Lord of host. And now we call the proud 
 happy ; yea they that work wickedness are set up, 
 yea, they that tempt G(jd, are even delivered." 
 ^Mal. iii. 13, 14, 15.) Such is the picture given of 
 man's rebellious attitude towards God. 
 
 Your counsel is needed to bring them back 
 to reconciliation with their offended master. 
 
 The children of this world have polluted them- 
 selves, — " Ah ! sinful nation, a people laden with ini- 
 quity, a seed of evil-doers, children that are corrup- 
 ters ; they have forsaken the Lord ; they have pro- 
 voked the Holy One of Israel into anger ; they are 
 gone away backward. Why should ye be stricken 
 any more ? Ye will revolt more and more. The 
 whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint ; from 
 the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no 
 soundness in it, but wounds, and bruises, and putri- 
 fying sores; they have not been closed, neither 
 bound up, neither mollified with ointment." (Isaiah 
 iv. 4-6.) 
 
 " And God saw that the wickedness of man was 
 great in the earth, and that every imagination of 
 the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." 
 (Gen. vi. 5.) 
 
 Your counsel is needed to direct them to the only 
 true fountain. tell them, " Jesus can wash 
 OUT every stain !" " In that day there shall he a 
 
262 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACH. 
 
 fountain opened to the house of David and to the 
 inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for unclean- 
 7iess" (Zee. xiii. 1.) 
 
 The polluted must stand in the last day before 
 the tribunal of God, and from that time spend a 
 miserable eternity. (Matt. ch. xxv.) advise them 
 to seek such a preparation as will enable them to 
 stiind at last at the right hand of God, and receive 
 that sentence which shall make them inconceivably 
 and eternally happy. Thus you will see in these 
 th(^ughts the importance of the work in which you 
 are engaged. 
 
 "The blessedness of that work." 
 
 The blessedness of that work may be seen in the 
 results of contrast between it and the work of him 
 who counsels to do evil. " The counsel of the for- 
 ward is carried headlong. They meet with darkness 
 in the day time, and grope in the noonday as in the 
 night." (Job V. 13-14.) 
 
 " The counsel of the wicked is far from me. How 
 oft is the candle of the wicked put out, and how oft 
 cometh their destruction upon them ! God distrib- 
 uteth sorrows in His anger." (Job xxi. 16-17.) 
 
 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the 
 counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of 
 sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." 
 (Psalm i. 1.) ^ 
 
m 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 263 
 
 We gather from these Bible declarations, that the 
 COUNSEL OF THE WICKED IS FiiAMED without deliber- 
 ation, without thovght/ul conisideration. The lift- 
 ing up of a finger is sometimes enough to draw the 
 wicked to halls of [)leasure, the drunkard's bar, or the 
 gambler's quarters, and many other scenes of debauch- 
 ery. Christian counsel leads one to deliberate thought- 
 fully and calmly. You tell them of their own sinful- 
 ness, and of the great blessings of redemption ; you 
 point them to their bleeding Saviour, and the very 
 first impression produced upon their minds imparts 
 light ; you explain the way of life, and so bright 
 will be the light that shines upon their understand- 
 ings, that they will be able to see their way directly to 
 the throne of God, and find peace with Him "through 
 our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 ml 
 
 fm 
 
 
 r -m 1 
 
 [ ^ y^ k 
 
 1 ''Xi H 
 
 fm 
 
 " The counsel of the wicked produces dark- 
 ness." 
 
 Darkness in themselves, and destruction to their 
 own souls. " How oft is the candle of the wicked 
 put ou* ; how oft Cometh their destruction." The 
 Christian, whilst he imparts light and peace to 
 others, receives light and joy into his own heart, and 
 shall enjoy the light of the Lamb forever. There 
 is no blessing bestowed upon man through Christian 
 counsel that does not promote his spiritual welfare 
 — give him a clear understanding, a sound judgment. 
 
 r 
 
264 
 
 COUNSELLORS OF PEACE, 
 
 a peaceful temper, a loving heart, and a sanctified 
 nature. All these are to be obtained through the 
 power of the Spirit, the teachings of the Bible, and 
 God's living " counsellors of peace." 
 
 Christian, perform faithfully this noble 
 WORK. The planets receive their light directly from 
 the sun, and reflect their borrowed light upon other 
 worlds. So you receive that which is spiritual 
 from the Son of righteousness. O, reflect it upon 
 
 YOUR fellow beings, WHO GROPE IN DARKNESS AND 
 
 THE "SHADOW OF DEATH." Drive back the thick 
 clouds of error from their minds ; give them to see 
 what they are and what they must be in order to 
 inherit eternal life. Point them to their dear Re- 
 deemer, and tell them "Jesus died for you." And 
 however far you have fallen from God, you may yet 
 come to Him, and find present and eternal life. 
 " Witnesses for God." (Isaiah xliii. 10.) 
 Say to poor sinners, — 
 
 ** Sinners, turn, why will ye die ? 
 God, your Maker, asks yoii why : 
 God, who did your being give, 
 Made you with Himself to live ; 
 He the fatal cause demands, ^ 
 
 Asks the work of His own hands. 
 Why, ye thankless creatures, why 
 Will ye cross His love, and die ? 
 
 ** Sinners, turn, why will ye die ? 
 God, your Saviour, asks you why : 
 
COUNSELLORS OF PEACE. 
 
 265 
 
 God, who did your souls retrieve, 
 Died Himself that ye might live. 
 Will you let Him die in vain ? 
 Crucify your Lord again ? 
 Why, ye ransoni'd sinners, why 
 Will ye slight his grace, and die ? 
 
 *' Sinners, turn, why will ye die ? 
 God, the Spirit, asks you why : 
 He who all your lives have strove^ 
 Woo'd you to embrace His love : 
 Will you not His grace receive ? 
 Will you still refuse to live ? 
 Why, ye long-sought sinners, why 
 Will you grieve your God, and die ?" 
 
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 W V 
 
 
n 
 
 Cl^iltirtn 0f t^t "^tsmxttibn. 
 

 
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 I 
 I I' 
 
 " First the dead in Christ shall rise, 
 Then we that yet remain 
 Shall be caught up to the skies, 
 And see our Lord again : 
 We shall meet Him in the air 
 All rapt up to heaven shall be : 
 Find and love and praise Him there. 
 To all eternity. 
 
 " Who can tell the happiness 
 This glorious hope affords ? 
 Joy unutter'd we possess 
 In these reviving words . 
 Happy while on earth we breathe ; 
 Mightier bliss ordain'd to know ; 
 Trampling down sin, hell and death, 
 To the third heaven we go." 
 
 li' 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 "'CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION." 
 
 i I 
 
 Luko xz. 36. 
 
 EITHER cati they die any more; for they 
 are equal unto the angels : and are the 
 children of God, being the children of 
 the resurrection." This is one of the 
 mysteries of the Christian's existence, 
 In the morning of the resurrection he 
 shall enjoy special privileges, — and even now, by 
 the light of prophecy and the power of faith, he ia 
 able to look forward and see the position he shall 
 take amidst the rising millions of God's elect. 
 
 The expressions " Resurrection of the dead," 
 and " from the dead," are both used in scripture 
 to designate the future general rising, by the power 
 of God^ of the bodies of all men, from the " sleep of 
 death." 
 
 This will be an important period in'man's destiny; 
 because then will come from the eternal Judge tq* 
 B 
 
 il, 
 
 
i.LiiM^ii.niwif nw 
 
 270 CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION. 
 
 him, the doom of wrath, or the sentence of life, 
 which shall produce, either unending war, or ever- 
 lasting blessedness, — shall make man eternally, in- 
 conceivably, and irrecoverably wretched; or shall 
 introduce him to heaven's light, society and blessed- 
 ness for ever. 
 
 i I 
 
 THIS IS A DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE. 
 
 " For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that 
 He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. 
 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, 
 yet in my flesh shall I see God : whom I shall see 
 for myself, and mine eyes shall behold,''and not an- 
 other." (Job xix. 25, 26, 27.) 
 
 " But God will redeem my soul from the power of 
 the grave; for He shall receive me." (Psalm xlix. 15.) 
 
 " Thy dead men shall live ; together with my dead 
 body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell 
 in the dust ; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, 
 and the earth shall cast out the dead." (Isaiah 
 xxvi. 19.) 
 
 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the 
 earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some 
 to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that 
 be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- 
 ment ; and they that turn many to righteousness, 
 as the stars for ever and ever. But go thou thy way 
 
CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION. 271 
 
 till the end be : for thou shalt rest and stand in thy 
 lot at the end of the days." (Daniel xii. 2, 3, 13.) 
 
 " And the graves were opened; and many bodies 
 of the saints which slept arose. And came out of 
 the graves after His resurrection, and went into the 
 holy city, and appeared unto many." (Math, xxvii; 
 52, 53.) 
 
 " Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming, in 
 the which all that are in their graves shall hear His 
 voice. And shall come forth ; they that have done 
 good unto the resurrection of life : and they that 
 have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation;" 
 'John V. 28, 29.) 
 
 "And this is the Father's will which hath sent 
 ir.e, that of all which He hath given me, I should 
 lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last 
 day." (John vi. 39.) See also (Acts ii. 25, 32) ; 
 (^Rom. viii. 11, 22, 23) ; (Phil. iii. 20, 21); I. Thes. 
 iv. 13, 17); (I. Cor. 15.) 
 
 With the foregoing passages before him, no bible 
 student will question or doubt that the doctrine of 
 the general resurrection is the doctrine of the Biblc; 
 
 :^ " 
 
 "THEllE AHE ALSO THE ANALOGIES OF NATURE 
 
 During the summer months under the heat of 
 the sun, and the fructifying showers of heaven, 
 all nature lives. The fields are covered over with 
 living gi-een ; wild flowers in endless varieties 
 
 - 'I 
 
 
 
 ii'i^ 
 
 t^ 
 
2?2 CHILDREN OF THE liEStJRRECTlOU. 
 
 beautify them ; the orchard trees are laden with 
 the richest fruits ; the leaves of the old forest trees 
 are as green and beautiful as those found upon the 
 tender shrub ; the flower-garden is filled with the 
 richest fragrance, and covered with a million of 
 tints of the choicest colouring. 
 
 The cattle low in the meadow ; lambs skip in 
 gleeful pleasure upon the hill side ; the songsters of 
 the Wood warble merrily at the break of day, and 
 man partakes of the common joy. 
 
 When summer draws to a close, the first cold 
 breath of Autumn comes ; the nights are clear and 
 cold; in the morning the ground is covered with 
 hoar-frost ; but in a few days the leaves change their 
 colour; first green, then yellow, brown, purple, scarlet, 
 crimson, or madder, according to the variety. These 
 changes indicate their speedy death ; for the richest 
 Autumn colourings in nature are only the precursors 
 of that death which winter brings. 
 
 In a short time, the leaves have fallen ; the grass 
 is \/ithered, the flowers are deadj the birds have 
 ceased their chatter, and all nature is covered with 
 the snows of winter ; death reigns, and man seeks 
 pleasure from a thousand sources, in order to break 
 the common gloom. 
 
 Aftel* a while win+nrw^ears away ; warm southern 
 breezes fan our snow- clad vales; the sun's rays be- 
 come more powerful ; the snoiv of "winter melts and 
 
 fl 
 
 ^.*t;sv*>l'*^ 
 
CHILDREN OF THE RESUBRECTION, 275 
 
 tf 
 
 disappears ; the ploughman follows the plough ; 
 the husbandman casts his seed into the ground ; the 
 sun shines, and the showers descend ; and in a brief 
 period all nature blooms with life and beauty again. 
 
 Every year of time, brings the appearance of life, 
 to be followed by death. 
 
 Every year of time also exhibits some feature to 
 remind us of the resurrection. 
 
 " The change from night to day is typical of 
 
 THE resurrection." 
 
 In the still dark hours of night, man's vision is 
 obscured by the darkness that reigns universally, 
 (emblematical of that darkness that reigns in death), 
 and all creation is hushed into silence, like the 
 silence of the grave. There is a universal pause 
 like that which takes place in the period between 
 death and the resurrection. 
 
 The husbandman has returned from the field, and 
 is sleeping the sweet, soft sleep of health. The 
 workshops, which, through the long hours of day, 
 swarmed with life and labour, are now deserted and 
 silent. The trampling of horses, and the rumbling 
 of carriage wheels are not heard. When a man 
 struggles in restless sleep, it is like the struggles of 
 death, for UNNATURAL sleei assumes the aspect 
 OF THE LAST AGONY. The cycs start from their sock- 
 ets ; the ears tingle with horrid sounds ; the nostrils 
 dilate widely; the face, pale and ZiVic? by turns, is 
 
 
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 274 CHILD EEN OF THE RESURRECTION. 
 
 agitated by wild expressions, and foam gathers upon 
 the clenched teeth, and purple lips. Such is gener- 
 ally the sleep of disease, terror, intemperance or 
 crime. 
 
 The day breaks, the darkness passes away, tlie 
 birds begin to warble, and sleep passes from all crea- 
 ted beings. With the freshness of new life, tlie 
 busy world goes forth to labour. The husbandman is 
 found in the field, the mechanic in the workshop, and 
 all tradesmen and professions are at their calling. 
 The morning of every day is typical of the resur- 
 rection. 
 
 Death is compared to sleep, and icahlng to 
 
 THE RESURRECTION. 
 
 In the beautiful language of Hebrew poetry, we 
 have it written, ''He giveth hia beloved sleep" Jesus 
 said, His friend Lazarus sleepeth; hut I go, that I 
 may awake him out of sleep." (John xi. 11.) 
 And of Jairus' daughter, He said, " The maiden is 
 not dead hut sleepeth." 
 
 In the sleep of death, there is unconsciousness and 
 inactivity. In the sleep of time, sorrow is soothed, 
 every pain assuaged, every grief hushed for a time, 
 and even the anguish of guilt and remorse, for the 
 time suspended. When death comes in his most 
 welcome foi-m, he borrows the garb of hcautiful and 
 gentle sleep. 
 
 Sleep, in health, is a necessary preparation for 
 
 ll. 
 
CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION. 275 
 
 the active duties of life, whether physical, mental, 
 or moral ; and in most diseases it is necessary to 
 recovery. Man, when ho rises from a proper amount 
 of sleep, is strengthened and refreshed. His body is 
 rested, and his mind clear. He likewise, in the 
 act of waking, experiences that which is typical of 
 the resurrection morning. 
 
 Another emblem is to be seen in " the trans- 
 formation OF the creeping caterpillar to the 
 
 BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY." 
 
 The caterpillar through many months has the 
 appearance of death. He takes no nourishment'; 
 nor does he need any. He sleeps most profoundly 
 till spring comes, the resurrection of the year, so to 
 speak, when all nature awakes to new life. At this 
 period, life is renewed and the caterpillar takes on 
 the characteristic of a beautifully winged butterfly, 
 all tinted with a thousand colorings, animated with 
 life, and prepared to seek '.s food from countless 
 flowers. These arc only a few of the typical repre- 
 sentations to be found in nature. 
 
 " Then God's saints are to enjoy special privileges." 
 "The wicked shall rise to everlasting shame and 
 contempt." (Dan. xii. 2.) "To damnation." (John 
 v., 29.) " But the righteous into life eternal." (Matth. 
 XXV. 4G.) 
 
 They shall possess incorruptible bodies. " It 
 is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption." 
 
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 276 CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION. 
 
 In the grave, the body of the saint, as well as that 
 of the sinner, will decay and return to its mother 
 earth ; but the same body will rise from the dead 
 incorruptible. It will be no more liable to loath- 
 some and painful diseases such as afflict humanity 
 here. No wasting malady will seize upon the body 
 after its resurrection, or hasten it to the dreaded 
 grave. " 
 
 This thought should afford special consolations to 
 God's people. The wasting consumption, the putrid 
 cancer, and the million ills to which " fle»h is heir," 
 will not afflict them then. 
 
 " When they once are entered there, 
 
 Their mourning days are o'er ; 
 Pain and sin, and want and care, 
 
 And sighing is no more ; 
 Subject then to no decay, 
 
 Heavenly bodies they put on ; 
 Swifter than the lightning's ray. 
 
 And brighter than the sun." 
 
 " Shall be raised with a glorious body." 
 
 When the body of the Christian is consigned to 
 the grave, the most cherished friends will say, "Bury, 
 my dead out of my sight." The poor body, like a 
 dishonoured vessel, is cast into the cold, damp grave. 
 That same body will be raised in glory and clothed 
 
 WITH LIGHT AND BEAUTY. 
 
 God himself will honour it by stamping upon it 
 
CHILDREN OF THE EESUEEECTION. 277 
 
 His own image. He will make it pure and immor- 
 tal. The word glory implies dignity. If desire to 
 understand the dignity to which the Christian will 
 be raised at tie resurrection, you must study the 
 promises. "To him that overcoraeth, will I give to 
 eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the 
 paradise of God." (Rev. ii. 7.) 
 
 " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee 
 a crown of life." " He that overcometh, shall not 
 be hurt of the second death." (Rev. ii. 10, 11.) 
 
 " To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the 
 hidden manna ; and will give him a white stone, 
 and in the stone a new name written, -which no man 
 knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Rev. ii. 17.) 
 
 " They shall walk with me in white for they are 
 worthy. He that overcometh the same shall be 
 clothed in white raiment ; and I will not blot out 
 his name out of the book of life, but I will confess 
 his name before my Father, and before His angels." 
 (Rev. iii. 4, 5.) 
 
 " To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with 
 me upon my throne ; even as I also overcame and am 
 set down with my Father upon His throne." (Rev. 
 iii. 22.) 
 
 Surely greater dignity could not be conferred upon 
 any person, either in heaven or in earth. 
 
 Christian ! is it an honourable position to occupy 
 a throne ? You will sit upon the throne of the 
 
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 278 CHILDREN OF THE EESURRECTIOK 
 
 ETERNAL. "Would you feel pleased to wear a crown ? 
 You will be crowned with immortal life. Do you 
 desire to participate in the triumphs of earthly 
 heroes ? You will finally overcome your own and 
 God's enemies^ — even death itself Would you feel 
 elevated in the company of the rich and noble ? 
 Be patient, you will walk with Christ in white — in 
 companionship with the King of the Universe. 
 You will be clothed with glory and honor, with 
 majesty and splendor, with excellency and perfec- 
 tion. This glorious COMBINATION will be yours 
 
 FOR ever. f 
 
 "Your bodies shall be glorious like that of 
 
 Christ." 
 
 " Who shall change our vile body, that it may be 
 fashioned like unto His glorious body." (Phil. iii. 
 21.) 
 
 "For if we have been planted together in the 
 likeness of His death, we shall be also in the like- 
 ness of His resurrection." (Rom. vi. 5.) 
 
 As the body of Christ is spotless, so the resurrection 
 body of the saint shall be free from every stain. 
 The body of Christ was glorious. The saints shall 
 partake of His light, and reflect His radiance. 
 
 0, the unspeakable blessedness of possessing a 
 glorious body, like that of our glorious Kedeemer ! 
 
CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION. 279 
 
 " SHALL BE RAISED IN POWER." 
 
 "Sown in weakness, raised in power," One of 
 the marked effects of disease hero is that of weak- 
 ness. When the powers of the body are fully ex- 
 hausted, man dies. A common expression just before 
 dying is, " I feel very lueak." In proportion as men 
 lose their health they lose their strength. 
 
 The poor consumptive will tell you, " I have no 
 pain hut I feel very iveak." " I cannot endure as I 
 once could." And as the disease progresses that 
 weakness increases till death takes place. 
 
 Christian reader, we place before you the dark 
 side of your destiny, that the sunny side may appear 
 the more glorious. You shall rise in power. You 
 shall not feel the weakness of disease, decay, and 
 death ; but the strength that belongs to endless life 
 — to eternal youth. Your powers of vision shall 
 never grow dim amidst the glories of celestial light. 
 The services of heaven will be eternally rendered 
 there, for " There is no night there." 
 
 Yet you will never grow weary. Hero you may 
 praise God from morning until evening, but you 
 will require 
 
 " Tired nature's sweet restorer — balmy sleep, 
 Which like the world its ready visit pays." 
 
 There you will never feel the want of sleep or rest. 
 
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 280 CfflLDSEN OF THE RE8UBBECTI0N, 
 
 There the sainted will never experience the depres- 
 sing influence of earth, for they *' shall he raised in 
 power.** 
 
 "Your resurrection body shall be spiritual." 
 
 Though the body deposited in the grave will rise 
 again, it will not need the same animal organization 
 —will not require the same supports it does here, 
 such as rest, sleep, food, exercise, clothing, change 
 of air, or the care of a physician. The word natural 
 means animal, the word spiritual stands opposed to 
 it, and shows that the same body will not bo organ- 
 ized in the same way, be governed by the same laws, 
 or be sustained by the same means. 
 
 As to what that spiritual body will be, it is an 
 unrevealed mystery. There are two or three things 
 we may suppose. It is spiritual, therefore can live 
 without physical nourishment. It is immortal, 
 therefore not liable to sickness, pain or death. It 
 will live as spirits live, exercising its powers without 
 waste, weariness, or decomposition. 
 
 "It is sown a natural body and raised a 
 SPIRITUAL body." (I. Cor. XV. 44.) 
 
 *' Vanish then this world of shadows ; 
 Pass the former things away ; 
 Lord appear ! appear to glad us, 
 * With the dawn of endless day ! 
 
cntLDREN OF TEE RESURRECTION. 281 
 
 conclude this mortal story, 
 
 Throw this Universe aside ! 
 Come Etema? King of Glory, 
 
 Now descend and take Thy bride ! " 
 
 Can anything more blessed be conceived than to 
 live forever amidst heaven's blessedness — ^without 
 feeling the ills attendant upon human life? 
 
 "You SHALL SHARK iN THE FIRST RESURRECTION." 
 
 But every man in his ovfn order ; Christ the first 
 fruits, afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. 
 (I. Cor. XV. 23.) " For the Lord Himself shall des- 
 cend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of 
 the archangel, and with the trump of God ; and the 
 dead in Christ shall rise first." (I. Thess. iv. 16.) 
 " This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is 
 he that hath part in the first resurrection ; on such 
 the second death hath no power, but they shall be 
 priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with 
 him a thousand years." (Rev. xx. 5, 6.) 
 
 Theologians differ in their views upon these im- 
 portant passages. Some have maintained that thd 
 eainted dead will literally rise first in point of time, 
 and rdign a thousand years With Christ upon the 
 earth, before the general resurrection. Others con- 
 tdnd that this is in opposition to the teachings of 
 the entire Bible. Others think that only one passage, 
 (that in Rev. xx. 5j) favours the idea of a distinction 
 
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382 CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION. 
 
 of time between the resurrection of the righteous 
 and the wicked. 
 
 The passage in I. Thess. iv. 16, lefers to the fact 
 that the dead in Christ shall ri^e before the living 
 Christians are changed, (see vs. 17) Then they which 
 are alive, &c. Several objections may be presented 
 against the idea, that any distinction of time will 
 exist between the resurrection of the righteous and 
 the wicked, or that it is tatight in Rev. xx. 5, 0. 
 
 1st. It would not be consistent with all the other 
 passages which refer to the resurrection. They 
 speak of the resurrection as general. (Compare 
 Matth. XXV. 41 ; John v. 28, 29 ; Rom. ii. 7 ; I. 
 Cor. XV. 23; Phill. iii. 20, 21 ; II. Thes. i. 10; Heb. 
 ix. 28 ; I. John ii. 28, 29, iii. 2.) 
 
 2nd. If the first resurrection means, that those 
 who thus rise shall be clothed with immortal and 
 glorified bodies, we do not need the assurance found 
 in verse Cth, that on such the second death hath 
 no power. That must necessarily follow. If, hov;^* 
 ever, it refers to men in the best times of the church, 
 yet in the body ; but, in whom is revived the prin- 
 ciples and spirit of the martyrs ; or who have risen 
 with Christ to that enjoyment, and are yet to did 
 there would be propriety in saying, " Though their 
 bodies die, on them the second death shall have no 
 power." 
 
 8rd. If the first resurrection must be regarded as 
 
il;;-J 
 
 CHILDBEN OF THE RESURRECTION. 283 
 
 5,0. 
 
 literal, it would follow that all who have not died, 
 and therefore could not share in the first resurrection, 
 are given over to the power of the second death. 
 
 4th. There is no reference here to all the saints, 
 but only to one class — the MARTYRS. " Those who 
 were beheaded for the witness of Jesus," and those 
 who had not worshipped the beast It seems most 
 likely to refer to the fact that during the spiritual 
 reign of Christ, the spirit and principles of the 
 martyrs shall be revived. And men shall live 
 
 ON EARTH AS THOUGH THE BEST SAINTS AND MAR- 
 TYRS HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD, WHEN THE 
 
 WILL OF God shall be "done on earth, as it 
 IS in heaven." 
 
 The ruling influence in the world will be the re-' 
 ligion of the Son of God, and the principles such as 
 have governed the most holy of His people. The 
 Bible plainly teaches the doctrine of a general resur- 
 rection. If, in the passages where the words "first 
 resurrection" are employed, there is any reference 
 to the resurrection of the body, it can only mean 
 that the saints shall have a more honoured place, or 
 a FIRST place in the privileges of that day. 
 
 Hence it will be of more importance to them than 
 any other beings in the universe, for they shall 
 be glorified with Christ. The Apostle Paul says 
 ** WhcQi Christ who is our life shall appear, then 
 
 ;i 
 
 'Viifll 
 
284 CHIWEEN OF THE RESURRECTION. 
 
 ehall ye also appear with him in glory." (Col. 
 iii. 4.) 
 
 The doctrine taught in this passage is, that in the 
 ^ resurrection, Christ shall appear as the Judge of the 
 world, and all believers who have received from 
 Him the blessings He has purchased by His death 
 shall be sharers in His glory. They shall " awake 
 UP IN His likeness." " Blessed and holy is he who 
 hath part in the first resurrection." In that day the 
 children of the resurrection shall be recompensed, 
 (Luke xiv. 14.) Our Saviour speaks as follows 
 of those who manifest towards the poor the Divine 
 principle of Christian charity : " The poor cannot 
 recompease them, but they shall be recompensed in 
 the resurrection of the just." 
 
 That day to the Christian will be a daj of re- 
 Wards. Reader, are you an earnest Christian? 
 Have you given up all things opposed to the mind 
 and will of Christ, and made choice of Him and 
 His service in prefererro to all else in the world ? If 
 BO, blessed has been thy choice. Hast thou laboured 
 with zeal in the Master's cause ? To you it shall 
 be said, "Well done good and faithful ser- 
 vant, BECAUSE THOU HAST BEEN FAITHFUL OVER 
 A FEW THINGS I WILL MAKE THEE RULER OVER 
 MANY THINGS — ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF 
 
 THY Lord I" 
 
CmWREN OF THE RESURRECTION. 285 
 
 ^< And must^this body die t 
 
 This well wrought frame decay, 
 And must these active limbs of mine 
 
 Lie mouldering in the clay ? 
 
 ** Corruption, earth and worms 
 
 Shall but refine this flesh ; 
 Till my triumphant spirit comen 
 
 To put it on afresh ! 
 
 " God my Eedeemer lives, 
 
 And ever from the skies 
 Looks down, and watches all my dust 
 
 Till He shall bid it rise ! 
 
 " Arrayed in glorious grace * 
 
 Shall these vile bodies shine ; 
 And every shape, and every face 
 
 Be heavenly and divine ! 
 
 s 
 
 ^* These lively hopes we owe, 
 
 Lord, to Thy dying love ; 
 may we bless Thy grace below, 
 
 And sing Thy power above ! 
 
 '' Saviour, accept the praise 
 
 Of these our humble songs ; 
 Till tunes of nobler songs we raise 
 
 With our immortal tongues. " 
 
 8 
 
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 Cpistks ai €^mi 
 
Justin Martyr informs us that he left philosophy and became s 
 Christian scholar through beholding, with admiration, the innocent 
 and godly lives of the primitive Christians. When he heard them 
 pray for the good of those who plotted their ruin, he became con- 
 vinced that their religion was not human. To him they were epiatles 
 of Christ, for in them he could r^ad the teachings of their Master. 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 EPISTLE OF CHRIST. 
 
 II. Cor. iii. 3. 
 
 fip> 
 
 .N the second verse the Apostle says, "Ye 
 are our epistle written in our hearts, known 
 and read of all men." (II. Cor. iii. 2.) Cor- 
 inth was a wealthy, proud, and polluted 
 city, wholly given up to corruption, — 
 exceedingly debased. There the Apostle 
 Paul preached, and was instrumental in the conver- 
 sion of souls. From that city came the most bitter 
 persecutors of that saintly labourer. He writes in de- 
 fense of himself that he does not tiy to prove himself 
 an Apostle by his great ability, or by any special 
 oratorical display, but simply refers to their con- 
 version, as an epistle of recommendation to himself, 
 and as an attestation of his call to the Christian 
 ministry. 
 
 Ye who were debased by sins, are now holy 
 Christians. This was to the Apostle sufficient evi- 
 
 ■^S 
 
290 
 
 EPISTLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 dence that he was called to be an Apostle of the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, and the same is manifested before 
 the world. 
 
 " Ye are our epistle," " WRiiyEN in our 
 HEARTS." As we behold the great change which 
 has been effected in your lives, we see that we have 
 not laboured in vain ; nor spent our strength for 
 nought. " And read of all men" the same may be 
 seen by others. 
 
 But lest the Apostle should seem to take glory to 
 himself, he adds, " For as much as ye are manifestly 
 the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not 
 with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God ; not 
 in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart." 
 (II. Cor. iii. 3.) The Apostle evidently meant to 
 convey the idea that, " This change is wrought in 
 you by Christ through the Spirit." We are only His 
 instruments. By holy living ye convince us, that 
 the work wrought in you is the work of Christ ; and 
 that we have been made honoured instruments in its 
 accomplishment, and ye manifest the same unto the 
 world. 
 
 In reading an epistle, you are sometimes enabled 
 to form a fair judgment of the charactkr of the 
 WRITER. If he is a worldly, thoughtless man, it 
 will manifest itself. If he is a devoted Christian, 
 you will read it in words of living light. When 
 you behold a devotedly pious man, in every thought, 
 
HPISTLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 291 
 
 word and action of his, you see Christ, as though 
 He had written to you a letter concerning Himself, 
 and Jesus also sees Himself in him. 
 
 "His purity in the midst of defilement." 
 
 The Christian's dwelling place may be in the city 
 of Satan ; (Rev. ii. 13,) in a polluted Sodom, where 
 sin is universal, where corrupt influences are many, 
 and temptations are great: where he has h:\d 
 many foes, and much persecution. Jesus knowy tlio 
 peculiarity of his position ; his fidelity is more ' irJceJ, 
 because of ^ho trials over ^vhich he has triumphcl. 
 
 Thousands become Christians in times of spiutral 
 prosperity; when the Christian is beloved above nil 
 other people, and his name popular with the mas- 
 ses, for then it will serve their interests to become 
 Christians. But times being changed, the cloven 
 foot of practical Atheism is sometimes more admired 
 than the most lovely graces of Christian life, and 
 to profess Christianity, is like swiming against the 
 tide ; flying against the wind, and fighting against 
 the storm. 
 
 Ye are the epistles of Christ if ye retain the 
 Christian name and faith in the days oi 'persecutwn 
 and trial. Some there were who did this in mar- 
 tyrdora, and by their fidelity did more good to the 
 souls of men than they possibly could have done in 
 the more favoured times of the Church. Thous- 
 
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292 
 
 EPISTLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 ands in adversity deny the " Lord who bought 
 them." " He who stands fast " is in very deed an 
 ''epistle of Christ" 
 
 Bishop Latimer, having one day preached before 
 King Henry the VIIL a sermon which displeased 
 His Majesty, was ordered to preach again on the 
 next Sabbath, and to make an apology for the offence 
 he had given. After reading his text, he began his 
 sermon thus : "Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before 
 whom thou art this day to speak ? Before the high 
 and mighty monarch, the king's most excellent majes- 
 ty, who can take away thy life if thou offendest. 
 Therefore take heed that thou speakest not a word 
 that may displease. But then consider well, Hugh, 
 dost thou not know from whence thou comest, upon 
 whose message thou art sent, even by the great and 
 mighty God who is ALL present, and who beholdeth 
 all thy ways ; and who is able to cast thy soul into 
 hell ! Therefore take care thou deliverest thy mes- 
 sage faithfully." ' 
 
 After so speaking, he proceeded with the same ser- 
 mon he had preached on the preceding Sabbath, but 
 with considerable more energy. The sermon ended, 
 the court was full of expectation to know what would 
 be the fate of this honest, and plain dealing bishop. 
 After dinner the king called for Latimer, and with a 
 stern countenance asked him, "how he dared to be so 
 bold as to preach in such a manner ?" He, falling on 
 
JSPISTLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 288 . 
 
 bouglit 
 deed an 
 
 d before 
 spleased 
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 egan his 
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 he high 
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 a word 
 , Hugh, 
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 would 
 )ishop, 
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 be so 
 ingon 
 
 liis knees, replied, " His duty to his God and to his 
 prince had enforced him thereto, and that he had 
 merely discharged his conscience in what he had 
 spoken." 
 
 Upon which the king, rising from his seat and 
 taking the good man by the hand, embraced him, 
 saying, " Blessed he God I have so honest a servant." 
 
 Brethren in Christ your conflicts may be many, 
 your foes may multiply, trials of your faith may 
 come thick and fast, but be careful that you hold fast 
 your faith in Christ. In the sunshine of prosperity 
 fidelity will not be difficult. If you are the " epistles 
 of Christ," the furnace will only purify you. " Ye 
 are the epistles of Christ if ye do the works of Christ." 
 Your Master went about doing good. The early 
 Christians laboured many ways for the good of souls, 
 and the honour of Jesus. They prayed, believed, ex- 
 horted, and performed acta of self-denial for the 
 good of others ; aird by their works they were the 
 " Epistles of Christ read by all men." 
 
 Men saw them by faith live above the world, and 
 by works live superior to it. Many of those works 
 may be enumerated. We shall confine ourselves, 
 however, to the one that is the main spring of all 
 the others— THAT OF charity. The exhibition of 
 this grace has done more than any thing else to 
 honour Christ. * ' 
 
 The apostle Paul says, " Though I speak with the* 
 
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294 
 
 EPISTLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 
 tongues of men and angels and have not charity, 1 
 become as a sounding brass or a tinicling cymbal." 
 (I. Cor. xiii. 1.) Tliough I have the gift of tongues 
 and could speak in many languages, could preach 
 and pray like an angel, without charity my speech 
 would be like the "sounding brass or tinkling 
 cymbal." 
 
 " What is charity ?" It is not the gift of pro- 
 phecy. " And though I have the gift of prophecy, 
 and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge ; 
 and though I have all faith, so that I could remove 
 mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." 
 (I. Cor. xiii. 2.) You may indeed be wise ; may know 
 by the inspired word the tremendous events of the 
 future, and possess the power to penetrate the pro- 
 foundest mysteries, having faith to soar above 
 mountains of difficulty, and, if destitute of charity, 
 you are " nothing." 
 
 You may be benevolent and seif-sacrificing — may 
 give all your goods to feed the poor, and your "body 
 to be burned" and if you have not charity, it will 
 profit you nothing. (I. Cor. xiii. 3.) charity means 
 LOVE, it has many qualities. 
 
 " It suffereth long." 
 
 If you have charity you will endure injuries, re- 
 proaches, and unkindnesses, without the feeling 
 gf revenge, or desire to retaliate. A pious local 
 
EPISTLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 295 
 
 preacher, in connexion with the Methodist denomi- 
 nation, sought employment in the city of London, 
 England. A situation was offered him in a workshop 
 where there were many infidels. He accepted it, 
 and no words can paint the miseries of the first few 
 weeks he spent among them. The only thing that 
 consoled him was the words, " charity suffereth 
 LONG." After a little time, he was advised by 
 Christian friends to give up his situation, and seek 
 one among Christians ; soon one was offered him. 
 
 This suggestion became to him a subject of deep 
 thought ; he said to himself, " If I leave this place, it 
 will preclude the possibility of my ever doing any 
 good to these poor infidels ; changing places would 
 be certainly more pleasant to myself, but perhaps by 
 remaining among them and 'suffering long,' as a * liv' 
 ing epistle of Christ,' they may see the Saviour in 
 my life, and turn to him with purpose of heart." He 
 decided to remain among them, and bear all things 
 for Christ, and for these poor straying * sheep.' 
 
 He kept his word. After four months had passed 
 away, one day a fellow-workman smote him upon 
 the right cheek, using the words of Scripture, " If 
 he smite thee on the right cheek turn to him the 
 other also" The patient Christian lifted his left 
 cheek for a second blow. The whole company of 
 infidels stood astonished, and said one to another, 
 " There is no one among us who could stand that." 
 
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 EPISTLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 'There must be special power in this religion. 
 
 Through the influence of that bright example, 
 nearly the whole of the workmen became true 
 « epistles of Christ." 
 
 "Charity IS KIND." 
 
 Hatred is one of the characteristics of the carnal 
 mind. It prompts to unkindness of expression — to 
 harshness and severity toward others. It produces 
 a desire for revenge. Charity is the very reverse of 
 this. It is kind, polite, gentle, and courteous. It 
 seeks the good of others. This quality is seen 
 in the desire to promote the welfare and happiness 
 of all around you. 
 
 The Christian possessing charity is affable, gentle, 
 tender, and loving. That pious female who goes 
 from house to house visiting the sick and poor, re- 
 lieving their necessities, giving them words of 
 cheer, and helping them to Christ and to heaven, is 
 a true " Sister of Charity I' and an " epistle of Christ," 
 showing to the world one of the choisest graces of 
 Christian life. 
 
 "Charity envieth not." 
 
 A charitable person is never envious at the prosper- 
 ity of others. Envy is one of the worst passions of 
 the human heart. It is often felt toward those 
 who are friends of the person who feels it. 
 
m' 
 
 EPISTLES OF CHRIST, 
 
 297 
 
 It is a feeling of pain, disgust, uneasiness, and 
 often hatred of others, because of their special ac- 
 complishments of mind, advantages of birth, rank, 
 fortune, or brilliant success in their pursuits. 
 
 "Base envy withers at another's joy, 
 And hates the excellence it cannot reach." 
 
 Envy has no place in the heart that is filled with 
 charity. Such a soul loves to see another's prosper- 
 ity. Such a heart takes delight in special gifts or 
 favours conferred upon others. He will do ivhat he 
 can and thank God others can do more. 
 
 Why should one feel envious at another because 
 of superior mental attainments ? These may have 
 been secured by toil ; by burning the " midnight 
 lamp," even to the sacrifice of health. 
 
 Neither should we feel envious at another because 
 he may be our superior in point of birth, rank, or. 
 wealth. If you could draw aside the vail and view 
 the motions of the inner soul of such, you might see 
 it rent with a pang of anguish quite equal to that, 
 which those feel, who are not thus favoured. Feel 
 not envious at another because of his successes in 
 worldly or religious enterprizes ; for they may have 
 been secured by heart-burning labour. 
 
 As the " epistles of Christ," you should show to 
 the world that envy has no place in your heart. 
 By such an example, you will do much to put it 
 
 ■■I ■ ^ 
 
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 m 
 
298 
 
 EPISTLES OF CHRIST. 
 
 down in unregeneratcd men, and assist the church 
 to free itself from its influence. 
 " Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed 
 
 UP, DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY." Charity 
 
 is not a boaster or braggart. The man, who has 
 charity says but little about his own goodness. 
 Self is nothing : "Christ is all in all." The devo- 
 ted Wesley could say, " / am a sinner saved by 
 grace ;" and the Apostle Paul speaks of himself, as 
 " Less than the least of all saints." In all the rela- 
 tions of life, the Christian is amiable, true, hum- 
 ble and self-sacrificing. Such cannot fail to be an 
 ^'epistle of Christ." 
 
 Charity is not easily provoked ; thinketh no evil ; 
 rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. 
 "Beareth all things, belie veth all things, hopeth all 
 things, endureth all things." 
 
 " Charity never faileth :" but whether there be 
 prophecies they shall fail ; whether there be tongues, 
 they shall cease ; whether there be knowledge, it 
 shall vanish away " And now abideth faith, hope, 
 and charity, these three ; but the greatest of these 
 is charity." ' 
 
 By ALL these THINGS SHALL MEN KNOW THAT YE 
 ARE THE " epistles OF ChRIST." 
 
 ** Go whUe the light is beaming, 
 Ere'the evening shadows fall ; 
 
EPISTLES OF CHRIST, 
 
 Reat not in idle dreaming, 
 While want and suffering call. 
 
 Qloom and gladness here are blended- 
 Earth has many a dreary lot — 
 
 Rise and work till life be ended— 
 Hearts are bleeding — linger not, 
 
 ■ * Go where poverty and sickness 
 
 Shroud the poor in lonely grief j 
 Wake the sleeping pulse of gladness, 
 
 Bring the fainting hearts relief, 
 Tho' their fate be dark and lonely, 
 
 God still watches o'er the poor ; 
 And to those who kindly aid them, 
 
 Heaven's sweet promises are sure, 
 
 " Let the gifts thy God hath lent thee, 
 Freely from His gracious hand, 
 
 Still be used a^ best thou knowest. 
 Will fulfil Hi 3 wise command. 
 
 Every act of faithful duty— 
 Every gift of kindly love, 
 
 Blossoms in immortal beauty, 
 
 • In the world of life above." 
 
 299 
 
 E. H. Dewart. 
 
 
 
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" By Thy Spiiit, Lord reprove, ~ ' 
 All my inmost sins reveal ; 
 Sins against Thy light and love 
 Let me see, and let me feel ; 
 Sins that cnicified my God, 
 Spilt again Thy precious blood. 
 
 " Jesus seek Thy wandering sheep. 
 Make mo restless to return ; 
 Bid me look on Thee and weep. 
 Bitter as Peter mourn. 
 Till I say by grace restored, 
 Now thou know'at I love Thee, Lord." 
 

 \ 
 
 ■'4' 
 
 CHAPTER XXVL 
 
 "SHEEP AND LAMBS." 
 John xxi. 15, 1G» 
 
 HRTCE in this chapter are Jesuy' followers, 
 according to their weakness or strength 
 named sheep and lambs. There are thous- 
 ands in our age, who cannot appreciate 
 the beauty of the figures here employed. 
 Now-a-days when persons are compared 
 to sheej) or lambs, it is in derision. 
 
 Do they look foolish or shame-faced ? It is said 
 they look shceinsh. Are they wild and unintelli- 
 gent ? they are named sheep. Do they run before 
 their enemies (as in times of war), in wild and shame- 
 ful confusion ? They arc said to " run like a flock 
 of sheep." 
 
 In the Bible, sheep and lambs are used figuratively 
 to illustrate the wanderings of the prodigal. (Isaiah 
 liii. ;) and the innocence, purity and perfection of 
 God's saints. The Master Himself is called the 
 
 
 ! 'Ml 
 ii 
 
 m 
 
 '- • p 
 
 1 M 
 
304 
 
 SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 "Lamb of Ood which taketh away the sin of the 
 world." (John i. 29.) And Isaiah tells us, " He 
 was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a 
 sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not 
 His mouth." (Isaiah liii. 7.) 
 
 What has made the change ? When the 
 Scriptures were written, men thought less of money- 
 making than of making life happy. In the pastoral 
 lives of the ancients, their flocks were cared for 
 with as much tenderness as are the children of this 
 generation. 
 
 If flocks are kept now, it is to gratify the money- 
 tnaking tendencies of the age. The profits arising 
 from them only occupy attention. The love of money 
 destroys every feeling of tenderness. In the Bible, 
 and from the pulpit alone, is this simile employed 
 now. 
 
 In the Scriptures, every instance where this figure 
 occurs refers either to Christ or His people. Is 
 God angry with His people ? The psalmist says, 
 " O God why hast thou cast us off for ever ? Why 
 doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of Thy 
 t)asture ?" (Psalm Ixxiv. 1») Does He lead His 
 t)eople through the wilderness ? It is said, " He 
 made them to go forth like sheep." Are the people 
 of God in danger ? Is the hand of persecution 
 raised against them ? It is said, " Yea, for Thy 
 sake we are killed all the day long : we are counted 
 
SEEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 305 
 
 figure 
 
 as sheep for the slaughter." (Psalm xliv. 22. 
 Rom. viii. 36.) 
 
 Are the people of God prosperous and hoppy 1 
 They triumphantly exclaim, •* So ive are Thy people 
 and sheep of Thy pasture," (Psalm Ixxix. 13.) 
 " For He is our God : and we are the people of His 
 pasture and the sheep of His hand." (Psalm xcv, 
 7.) " We are His people and the sheep of His pas- 
 ture : enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and 
 into His coi ' i with praise : be thankful unto Him, 
 and bless His name." (Psalm c. 2, 3.) 
 
 Do they wander from His paths ? They go 
 "astray like a lost sheep." (Psalm cxix. 176.) 
 " All we like sheep have gone astray : we have 
 turned every one to his own way : and the Lord 
 hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 
 liii. 6.) " They are a sheep having no shepherd." 
 (Matth. ix. 36.) In the day of judgment Christ 
 shall separate the righteous from the wicked :is a 
 "shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats." 
 (Matth. XXV. 32.) 
 
 In this simile you have portrayed several charac- 
 teristics of the Christian: 
 
 M' 
 
 4-. 
 
 'n^ 
 
 "m\i 
 
 " Innocence." 
 
 " Albert," said a young man to a Christian friend, 
 ** How pure must a person be to be a Christian V* 
 " As SPOTLESS AS A LAMB ; while there is the pres- 
 
306 
 
 SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 i 
 
 ence of guilt and sin in the heart, you are not a 
 Christian," was the reply. • . ^ 
 
 " Spotless as a lamb," '"Innocent as a lamb," ' 
 are often used to iJlustrate Christian purity. The 
 lamb, because it >yas without spot or blemish, was 
 chosen among the many creatures of God, and offered 
 in sacrifice to Hiai. There are three things implied 
 in innocence : " Freedom from guilt," harm- 
 LESSNESS, AND PURITY. The Latin innocentia, the 
 Italian innocenze, also the Spanish inooencia, and 
 the French innocence, all contain these three ideas. 
 Will they apply to man in his recovered state ? It 
 ,:s commonly said all men are sinners. The words 
 of Jesus are often used : "Let him luho ia without 
 »in cast the first stone." True, such is man's state 
 by nature ; but when saved and sanctified, that 
 guilt is removed, and the heart cleansed from all sin. 
 " Lts last remains are taken aivay," and the dispo- 
 sition is implanted in the soul to do good to the 
 bodies and souls of men. 
 
 The desire to do harm is destroyed. " If any man 
 be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are 
 passed away, behold all things are become new." (II. 
 Cor. V. 17.) "We know that whosoever is born of 
 God sinneth not ; but he that is begotten of God 
 keepeth himself, and that v/icked one toucheth him 
 not." (I. John V. 18.) 
 
 You have examples of this state in nearly all 
 
SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 307 
 
 1 A LAMB. 
 
 churches, in the men who walk in the footsteps of 
 the Lamb of God, — their sins are forgiven — they 
 labour to do good only — they are harmless and un- 
 defiled, and separate from sinners, — they keep them- 
 selves unspotted from the world. 
 
 The Jews regarded all men innocent who complied 
 with the letter of the law, — who were not disobedi- 
 ent to the will of God as taught in the law, " Who 
 shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? or who shall 
 stand in His holy place ? He that hath clean hands 
 and a pure heart ; who hath not lifted up his soul 
 unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall re- 
 ceive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness 
 from the God of my salvation." (Psalm xxiv. 
 3, 4, 5.) As Christians, we believe that innocence 
 can only be attained in connection with the forgive- 
 ness of sins and the sanctification of our natures.' 
 Innocence cannot exist where sin is present. Chris- 
 tian innocence does not come of obedience to the 
 law, but through the sanctifying grace of Christ. 
 The Christian is washed and made white in the 
 blood of the Lamb. 
 
 "The INFLUE^'CE of this innocence upon its 
 
 POSSESSOR." 
 
 It is his defence. Like polished armour it adorns 
 and it defends. Christ by the innocency of His life 
 stood forth as the light of the world, — and He 
 gathered multitudes to His light. He was the spot 
 
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 '.b ',!.,■ ^ui^ 
 
308 
 
 SHEEP AND LAMBS, 
 
 less Jesus, and thousands who gathered around Him 
 became pure, and in their turn exerted a benign in- 
 fluence upon the character and destiny of others. 
 
 A corrupt heart contaminates all who come in con- 
 tact with it. A guiltless, pure and harmless soul 
 holds a powerful influence over the hearts and lives 
 of others. The most corrupt characters are softened 
 in the presence of innocence ; the most ferocious 
 tamed, soothed, and led captive by it. 
 
 ** There is no courage but in innocence, 
 No constancy but in an honest cause." 
 
 — Southern. 
 
 In the picturesque valley of 
 
 -, one of the 
 
 most romantic rides in the Dominion of Canada, is to 
 be found, the mountains on either side reaching to 
 the clouds of hea^•en. At the base of these mountain 
 eminences rest the dwellings of an intelligent 'peas- 
 antry, many of whom are noted for their innocence 
 of life, while others are " desperately wicked," — as 
 is the case in nearly all mountain regions. 
 
 In the year 1858 there commenced among the in- 
 habitants a blessed work of revival, more than a 
 hundred souls were converted to Christ. There was 
 one man among the number whose heart was as hard 
 as the rocks of the mountains where he lived. He 
 would not yield to the influence of the Spirit. 
 Among the number of converts was a little boy only 
 
SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 309 
 
 8. 'i 
 
 S 
 
 ten years of age ; so innocent was his character, so 
 pure his life, that the strong man could not resist 
 the influence of his example. He became a Christian, 
 and at one of the social means of grace, said, 
 pointing to the little lad, " That boy is my spirit aal 
 father." 
 
 Christian innocence is your best defence through 
 all your conflicts with men and things. In Bunyan's 
 Pilgrim's Progress," when the pilgrims came to the 
 MOUNT OF INJ^OCENCE, they saw a man clothed 
 in white, and two men. Prejudice and Ill-will, con- 
 tinually casting dirt at him. The dirt in a little 
 time would fall off again, and his garments look a3 
 clean, as if no filth had been cast upon him. The 
 pilgrims said ** What meaneth this ?" And the shep- 
 herds answered, " This man is named Godly-man, 
 and his garment is to show the innocency of his life ; 
 those who throw dirt at him are those who hate his 
 well-doing ; but as you see the dirt will not stick 
 upon his clothes, so it will be with him that liveth 
 innocently in the world." 
 
 Men may charge you with neglect of duty, but 
 you are consoled with the thought that you are in- 
 nocent. The silent slanderer may asperse your 
 character. You feel a sense of security because you 
 are innocent. Your rest is not disturbed by perse- 
 cuting foes, because you are not guilty. The inno- 
 
 1' ^ 
 
 ii#.^-* 
 
 ■'II, 
 
 1 1 
 
 
 
 
 "II: 
 
 
 h,-- 
 
310 
 
 SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 CENT LAMB MAY SLEEP SWEETLY WHEN THE RAVEN- 
 OUS WOLF IS NEAR. 
 
 " Against the head which innocence secures, ' 
 
 Insidious malice aims her darts in vain, 
 Turned backward by the powerful breath of heaven. " 
 
 "Meekness." 
 
 The names given by Christ to His followers, '' My 
 SHEEP," "My lambs," stamp upon their character 
 meekness, for the lamb is the symbql of meekness. 
 This word, with slight changes, is found in several 
 languages. In Danish myg, soft, pliable; in the 
 Swedish, mjuh ; and in the Spanish, megs, signifying 
 gentle, meek; in the Portuguese, mei^s, meaning mild- 
 ness of temper, not proud, not easily provoked, soft, 
 gentle, quiet, humble, modest, unresenting, submis- 
 sive, and forbearing. 
 
 Christ left to His followers an example of the spirit 
 of meekness. In the poetic words of Isaiah, He says, 
 " He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He 
 opened not His mouth : He is brought as a lamb to 
 the slaughter, and as a sheep before His shearers is 
 dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. He was 
 taken from prison and from judgment, and who 
 shall declare His generation ? for He was cut off 
 out of the land of the living, for the transgression 
 of my people was He stricken. And He made His 
 grave with the wicked and with the rich in His 
 
SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 311 
 
 death, because He had done no violence, neither was 
 any deceit in His mouth." (Is. liii. 7, 8, 9.) Jesus 
 Christ in the judgment hall fulfiled what was spoken 
 of Him. The high priest sat in judgment, and be- 
 fore him stood Christ and His accusers. " And when 
 He was accused of , the chief priest and elders He 
 answered nothing." (Matth. xxvii. 12.) "Then said 
 Pilate unto Him, Hearest thou not how many things 
 they witness against Thee? And He answered him 
 never a word, insomuch that the governor marvelled 
 greatly." (Matth. xxvii. 13, 14.) 
 
 Brethren here are important lessons taught 
 BY Jesus. If you have any enemies love them. If 
 it is in your power to injure them, embrace them. 
 If it is possible to do them ill, do them good instead. 
 If you desire to pacify an enemy, be mee/^ toward 
 him. 
 
 Through the spirit of meekness you can do more 
 to gain over a foe than by many learned arguments. 
 A meek man, turns all things into good, will magnify 
 his own failings, and limit the failings of others. 
 He is at peace v/ith himself and all mankind. 
 
 He who can thus control himself can conquer him- 
 self ; he is a lord of the world, a friend of Christ, 
 and an heir of heaven. 
 
 God's sheep and lambs are liable to go astray 
 FROM Him and His fold. 
 
 In eastern countries it often occurred that sheep 
 
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 312 
 
 SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 went astray, as is taught by Isaiah, and a Greater 
 than Isaiah. Christ, in His parable of the " Lost 
 Sheep," has said, " How, think ye, if a man hath an 
 hundred sheep and one of them be gone astray, doth 
 he not leave the ninety and nine and goeth into tlie 
 mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray ? 
 And if so be that he find it, verily, I say unto you, 
 he rejoice th more of that sheep than of the ninety 
 and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not 
 the will of your Father, which is in heaven, that 
 one of these little ones should perish." (Matth. xviii, 
 12,13,14.) 
 
 The mountain ranges in the east are often covered 
 with roaming sheep and goats. Here and there 
 may be seen low flat buildings in sheltered places : 
 these are sheep folds. They are called marah. In 
 some seasons of the year, when the nights are cold, 
 they furnish places of refuge both for shepherds and 
 their flocks. 
 
 Towards evening large companies of sheep may 
 be seen coming from all directions, converging to a 
 single point ; coming with the order and regularity 
 of an army ; their shepherd coming before them, 
 they follow after, and the dogs bring up the rear. 
 Some of the sheep keep near the shepherd and fol- 
 low him whithersoever he goes, while others stray 
 about on either side, or loiter far behind ; and he 
 often turns around and scolds them in a sharp, stem 
 
SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 Z\t 
 
 cry. They are thus taught to follow and not to 
 stray away into unfenced fields of corn which lie so 
 temptingly on either side. Any one who thus wan- 
 ders is sure to gQi into trouble ; and when a sheep 
 wanders beyond the reach of the shepherd's voice 
 he cannot find his way back, unless sought and 
 found by the good shepherd. How true to lifEj 
 Nothing can be more oriental, and even biblical, 
 than these several scenes in pastoral life in the east. 
 From all accounts given us by travellers in the 
 east, we learn that the sheep which stray from the 
 shepherd, are those which roam about, or follow 
 their shepherd at a distance. The sheep that 
 follow close to the shepherd never go astray, — A good 
 
 REPRESENTATION OF STRAYING CHRISTIANS, for those 
 
 who live near to Christ, do not wander from His fold. 
 The men who are found every Sabbath day in the 
 sanctuary, as often as possible in the prayer circle 
 and social means of grace, who commune with God 
 in private and seek at all times to do His will, are 
 
 not STRAYING CHRISTIANS. 
 
 The shepherd sometimes is obliged to speak sharp 
 and cross to his straying sheep. So the Saviour has- 
 sometimes to speak in judgment to those who are 
 wandering from Him, in order to bring them back 
 to His favor. 
 
 Reader, perhaps this may be applicable to yoti. 
 Many years ago when you and the companion of 
 
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 t^ 
 
 "ty 
 
 
 
314 
 
 SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 your life commenced to traverse the rugged steps 
 of time, you were both devoted and happy Chris- 
 tians. You made each other many promises. 
 How THESE PROMISES SOOTHED LIFE. You pro- 
 mised never to grow cold to each other or to God. 
 The cares of life multiplied, only a year or two had 
 passed away, when your prayers in retirement be- 
 came less frequent, family prayer was occasionally 
 omitted, and sometimes a trifle keept you from the 
 house of God. 
 
 The Good Shepherd addressed you in tones of 
 admonition. He said to you, " Strive to enter in at 
 the straight gate; for Tnany I say unto you shall 
 seek to enter in and shall not he able!' " Watch and 
 pray that ye enter not into temptation. Again 1 
 say unto you, watch" Did you heed His counsel ? 
 No, like lost sheep you went astray from Him. 
 Then He spake to you in judgment. He took from 
 you a loved little one, and when you had borne him 
 to his resting place, you retired together to a pri- 
 vate room, and upon your bended knees, and with 
 joined hands, you promised each other that you 
 would seek again the Shepherd's approval. 
 
 As a sheep which had gone astray you returned 
 to Jesus, who is the Shepherd and Bishop of your 
 souls. Remember all through life it is only in the 
 presence of the Good Shepherd that you can be safe 
 and happy I 
 
SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 315 
 
 The eastern shepherd with large flocks has some- 
 times to cross broad, swift rivers. Some of the sheep 
 enter with the shepherd courageously, and cross 
 without fear. The loved ones keep hard by the foot- 
 steps of the shepherd. Whether passing through 
 meadows, by the still waters, feeding upon the moun- 
 tains, wading through rivers, or resting at noon be- 
 neath the shadow of giOat rocks. Some enter the 
 river, but in doubt and alarm, sometimes far from 
 the guide, and miss the ford and are carried down 
 the river. 
 
 Those who stray from Jesus leave their true course 
 
 AND THEREBY COMETH THEIR DESTRUCTION. 
 
 Some, though weak, dash into the river, not want- 
 ing courage ; but they are feeble ; the Good Shep- 
 herd sees it, and stretches out His hand of mercy 
 to their rescue. He holds them in His bosom and 
 saves them from perishing. The lambs of Christ's 
 flock are feeble ; they make many false steps ; but 
 Jesus the Good Shepherd knows their feebleness 
 and gathers them into His arms. 
 
 Christian, you are taught in this chapter to culti- 
 vate lamb-like innocence. Live as " spotless as ^ 
 LAMB." Imitate the gentle lamb in meekness. Your 
 Master did this, "for He was led as a lamb to the 
 slaughter and as a sheep before his shearers." 
 (Isaiah iiii. 7.) ^ 
 
 41 i 
 
 
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 iHi 
 
 iiBii 
 

 I 
 
 316 
 
 SHEEP AND LAMBS. 
 
 The servant is not above his Lord. Be not 
 
 ASHAMED TO TAKE THE PATH YOUR MASTER TROD. 
 
 As a lamb you are liable to wander from the 
 Saviour's fold, therefore watch and follow close to 
 the Good Shepherd. If you wander from Jesus, you 
 cannot find your way back to Him, unless the Good 
 Shepherd seeks you. Loiter not then behind, or 
 tnrn to the right or left, or you will meet with 
 many foes and dangers. The only place of safety 
 is near the Shepherd's side. 
 
 If you wander, and He speaks to you in judg- 
 ment, don't wonder; rather feel amazed at His 
 long suffering and gentleness. If in danger, be not 
 afraid ; you are one of His flock, and he says, " Fear 
 not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to 
 give you the kingdom!* 
 
 " See Israel's gentle Shepherd stands 
 With all ehgaging charms ; 
 Hark how he calls the tender lambs, 
 • And folds them in His arms. 
 
 it 
 
 Permit them to approach He cries, 
 Nor scorn their humble name ; 
 
 For 'twas to bless such souls as these 
 The Lord of angels came.'' 
 
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*, 
 
 " Among whom ye shine as lights in the world. (Phil. ii. 15.) 
 The image here is not improbably taken from Uffht-Iiouses or places 
 on a dangerous coast, to apprise vessels of their peril, and to save 
 them from shipwreck. So the light of Christian piety shines on the 
 4ark world, and on the dangers of the voyage wc are making." 
 
 Barnes. 
 
'■ U'l 
 
 * 1i 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 tt 
 
 CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 Luke xvi. 8. 
 
 T the commencement of this chapter, it 
 has been thought proper to present a 
 few names in contrast, showing the 
 very superior condition of the people of 
 God. 
 
 1. "He was a burning and a 
 Bliining light ; and ye were wil- 
 ling for a season to rejoice in his 
 light." (John V. 35.) 
 
 2. "But ye brethren, are not 
 in darkness, that that day should 
 overtake you as a thief." (1. Thess. 
 
 «V. 4.) 
 
 3. "Ye are all the children of 
 ligJit and the children of the day : 
 we are not of the night, nor of 
 darkness." (I. Thess. v. 5.) 
 
 4. "Therefore let vs not sleep 
 as do others, but let us watch and 
 be sober." (I. Thess. v. 6.) 
 
 5. " Let us who are of the day 
 be sober, putting on the breast- 
 plaf e of faith and love ; and for 
 an helmet, the hope of salva- 
 tion." (I. Thess. V. 8.) 
 
 1. " They were the children of 
 fools, yea children of base men ; 
 thev were viler than the earth." 
 (JoD XXX. 8.) 
 
 2. "The fear of the Lord is the 
 beginning of knowlt dge, but fools 
 despise wisdom." (Prov. i. 7.) 
 
 3. " Professing themselves to 
 be wise they become fools." — 
 (Rom. i. 22.) 
 
 4. "For thoy that sleep sleep 
 in the night, and they that be 
 drunken are drunken in the 
 night." (I. Thess. v. 7.) 
 
 5. " But he that hateth his 
 brother is in darkness, and waJk- 
 eth in darkness, and knoweth not 
 whither he goeth, because dark- 
 ness hath blinded his eyes." (I. 
 John ij. 11.) 
 
 <-. f • T . 
 
320 
 
 CHILDBEN OF LIGHT. 
 
 Jesus said "the children of this world were 
 wiser in their generation than the children of light," 
 and the people of this world have employed the 
 same to exhibit their supposed superiority over the 
 children of light. They should remember that our 
 Lord calls His disciples by the superior name of 
 " Children of light," while the unsaved He names 
 the " Children of this worlds 
 
 The expression " Children of," signifies parts of 
 the same familj^, hence " Children of Israel," " Child- 
 ren of Edom," " Children of Moab," are a people 
 who claim a common origin, and take pride in pre- 
 serving the name of their progenitors. Homer often 
 calls the Greeks, " children of the Greeks, " and the 
 Trojans, " children of the Trojans." So we desig- 
 nate the Jews, "the children of the East." All 
 mankind we sometimes call " the children of Adam," 
 and " the children of men." 
 
 The wicked are called the " Children of the wicked 
 one" (Matt. xiii. 38.), '* Children of hell" (Matt, 
 xxiii. 15.), " Children of the bondwoman" (Gal^ 
 iv. 30.), "Children of base men" (Job xxx. 8.), 
 "Children of fools" (Job xxx. 8.), "Children of 
 strangers" (Isaiah ii. 6.), " Children of transgres* 
 sion" (Isaiah Ivii. 4.), "Children of disobedience" 
 (Eph. ii. 2, Col. iii, 3.), " Children of the flesh" 
 (Rom. ix. 8.), "Children of iniquity" (Hos. x. 9.), 
 « ChUdren of pride" (Job xli. 34.), " Children of 
 
CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 321 
 
 this world" (Luke xvi. 8.), " Children of wicked- 
 ness" (II. Sam. vii. 10.), "Children of wrath" 
 (Eph. ii. 3.), " Children in whom there is no faith" 
 (Deut. xxxii. 20.), "Children that will not hear the 
 law of the Lord" (Isaiah xxx. 9.), " Childyen that 
 are corrupters" (Gal, i. 4.). Thus the expression, 
 " Children of," &c., took its origin. 
 
 The Divine Being in calling His ^leople "the 
 children of light," names them after Himself He is 
 the '* Father of lights, in whom there is no variable- 
 ness, neither the shadow of a turning." (James i. 
 17.), and what Jesus calls himself, may be inferred 
 from the passage, " Then spake Jesus again unto 
 them " I am the light of the world ; he that fol- 
 loweth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have 
 the light of life.' " (John viii. 12.) In prophecy it 
 is said, " arise, shine, for thy Light is come and the 
 glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." (Isaiah Ix. 1.) 
 
 John spake of Him as the " true light." " That 
 was the true light which lighteth every man that 
 Cometh into the world." (John i. 9.) 
 
 "Christians! when God calls you the "Chil- 
 dren of the light," and the " Lights of the world," 
 He represents you as links in that glorious chain of 
 spiritual beings, from the most glowing seraph before 
 the throne of God down to the last of all His 
 saints. In that chain, there are millions of bright 
 and happy creatures, thousands of glowing angels, 
 
 i . 
 
 i».L 
 
 f I 
 
 '1, y 
 
 

 CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 and the saved and sanctified above " Who came up 
 out of great tribulation." 
 
 John saw in vision a white-robed multitude, and 
 an elder inquired of him, ' What are these which 
 are arrayed in white robes ? and whence came 
 they ?" John answered, "Sir, thou knowest." He 
 might as well have said, " Thou art one of the blest 
 inhabitants of this spirit land'" The elder respon- 
 ded, " These are they which came out of great 
 tribulation, and have washed their robes and made 
 them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore 
 are they before the throne of God and serve Ilim 
 day and night in the temple : and He that sitteth 
 on the throne shall dwell among them. They 
 shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; 
 neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat. 
 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne 
 shall feed them, and shall lead them into living 
 fountains of waters ; and God shall wipe away all 
 tears from their eyes." (Rev. vii, 14-17.) 
 
 There are also millions of living Christians in 
 the world. These are distinguished as "Beings 
 clothed in light." All who are numbered among 
 them should thank God. They are links in the 
 bright chain, — stars in the spiritual firmament of 
 heaven, and suns in His glorious system. Truly 
 
 THEY SHOULD SHINE I SHINE UNTO THE PERFECT 
 
CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 323 
 
 Lans in 
 
 DAY ; they shall enjoy the sunlight of the Lamb for 
 ever. 
 
 Before time began and the angels were created, 
 the only light that existed was the " Light of the 
 Eternal." First, He created the angels bright and 
 happy beings to minister to His pleasure continu- 
 ally. Then He created the heavens and the earth. 
 " The earth was without form and void, and dark- 
 ness was upon the face of the deep." " And God 
 said, ' Let there be light ' and there was light. 
 And God saw the light, that it was good, and God 
 divided the light from the darkness. And God 
 called the light day, and the darkness He called 
 night ; and the evening and the morning were the 
 first day." (Genesis i. 2, 5.) 
 
 Friends, as you study this beautiful passage of 
 Holy Writ you are carried back to the birth of 
 time ; you roam in imagination over the chaotic 
 darkness that then extended through all space ; you 
 hear the Deity saying in His might, "Let there he 
 light" — suddenly an elastic fluid undulates through- 
 out all space. The vibrations or undulations, reach- 
 ing the eye, affect the optic nerve, and produce 
 the sensation which we still call light, the greatest 
 physical blessing in the Universe ; that which most 
 promotes the life and happiness of all living 
 creatures. In this you see the Majesty of the 
 Creator, and the glory of the creature. 
 
 >4i 
 
 
321 
 
 CHILDBEN OF LIGHT. 
 
 All creatures may enjoy the light of the eternal 
 Father of lights, and live to be happy. 
 
 Children of light ! you have a glorious origin. 
 God spake light into existence, and you are born of 
 Him. The light that illumines your spirit, and that 
 shines before men, cometh down from the " Father 
 of lights." 
 
 " Light is rapid in its flight." 
 
 It passes from the sun to our earth in eight min- 
 utes and thirteen seconds. Infinitely more rapid is 
 that light which cometh down from God into the 
 benighted souls of men. No time intervenes be- 
 tween the shining of that light and our souls feeling 
 the impression. Christian, let your light shine 
 swiftly upon those of your fellow-mortals, who are 
 groping in the darkness and the " shadow of death." 
 
 The moon shines by means of the sun's light, 
 which is reflected from its surface. Be careful 
 you do not hide the precious rays you receive 
 from God ; but as they glance upon your own souls, 
 let them rebound and find a lodgement in needy 
 hearts which may possibly be darker than your own 
 was before you saw the true light. 
 
 " The surfaces which reflect the most light 
 ARE the most brilliant." 
 
 Light is absorbed by dull bodies. Gold glit* 
 ters. Silver shines. The church of which you 
 are a member is one of God's "golden candlesticks." 
 
it 
 
 CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 325 
 
 a^ 
 
 It is the bearer of light. Let your piety shine with 
 the dazzling brilliancy of silver and gold when 
 it glows in the furnace. The more light you shed 
 upon others, the more the light of God will shine 
 upon your own hearts. 
 
 Through the influence of light a thousand persons 
 may see the same object at the same time, because it 
 shines by an infinite number of rays. One person 
 sees one portion of the rays, and another person 
 another. Hide not your light " under a bushel ;" 
 let your example and precepts be such that they may 
 shed light on all around. 
 
 Let your charity shine when cases of need present 
 themselves ; let your patience shine in trouble and 
 sorrow ; let your meekness shine in the presence 
 of malignant adversaries ; let your purity shine in 
 the midst of defilement ; let your principles shine in 
 the midst of error, and let your piety shine at all 
 times that others may see your light. 
 
 " Light moves only in straight lines." 
 
 It cannot be seen through a crooked tube. So 
 when the Christian walks in the crooked by-ways 
 of the world, in moral defilement, his light cannot 
 be seen. It only shines when he walks in the " nar- 
 row way which leadeth unto life." 
 
 " LnHT IS PURE," and unlike many things it can- 
 not be polluted. No impure element can mix with or 
 mar it. It shines upon defilement, yet it is un- 
 
 iw ftii 
 
 
 Iv. 
 
 i;r: 
 
 i.-- 
 
 ^1 
 
 
 
 Ml' 
 
326 
 
 CHILDnEN OF LIGHT. 
 
 defiled. Washed wool is white, but the hand of 
 man may soil it; the snow as it falls down from 
 heaven is white, yet it can become as filthy as the 
 ground you tread upon ; pure water from the bub- 
 ling spring is clean and bright, but other elements 
 may mix with it and polute it. Pure light cannot be 
 thus polluted. 
 
 You should avoid defilement and not allow moral 
 pollution to touch you ; remember you may be de- 
 filed, jOiM religion cannot. Religion teaches you 
 that you are to help the miserable, to lift the sinner 
 from his ^^ 're ..^.u clay of sin, and set his feet upon 
 the Rock of Ages ; at the same time you are to be 
 careful not to polute yourself with the touch. You 
 are to live in the world, and keep yourself unspotted 
 from it. 
 
 In this respect your Divine Saviour has left you 
 an example that you should follow. He came down 
 from heaven pure, and returns pure thither. He did 
 not need to offer an atonement for Himself, for He 
 never sinned. When He was born in the manger of 
 Bethlehem, He was the "spotless Lamb of God," and 
 when He died upon the cross He died as the " Lamb 
 without blemish." 
 
 "Through the influence of light you can 
 see in nature both beauty and deformity." 
 
 In the absence of light you cannot distinguish 
 between the endless objects in nature as to size, form 
 
CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 327 
 
 or colour, but through its influence you can discover 
 the minutest differences. So the spiritual light you 
 possess is alike necessary to reveal to you the nature 
 of sin, and the beauty of holiness. 
 
 The attendants at the Marriage feast were arrayed 
 in robes prepared for them. The Church is com- 
 manded to put on her " beautiful garments." The 
 Bride, the " La nb's wife," is clothed with fine linen, 
 clean and white, which is the righteousness of the 
 saints. And God has oromised His people that He 
 will clothe them with the " garments of salvation." 
 The saint is rendered beautiful in the " light of the 
 Lamb." 
 
 " Light is a souhce of safety." 
 
 In the darkness, a stranger may approach a dread- 
 ful precipice, and be unconscious of danger until the 
 ground crumbles under his feet. 
 
 The assassin lurks in dark places to spill another's 
 blood; the robber takes the night season for his 
 plunder, and the unconscious and unsuspecting are 
 a prey, for the light makes all things plain, and is a 
 source of constant safety to him. 
 
 Child of light, the pit-falls of the world lie in 
 your path ; the light, which you carry about with 
 you, should help you to discover them. " A malig- 
 nant adversary is walking about to devour you." 
 " Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion walk- 
 ©th about seeking whom he may devour." (L Peter 
 
 iil 
 
 Mm 
 
 m 
 
 ■•^ii 
 
 
 '1^. 
 
 ' 'I 
 
 tihil 
 
328 
 
 CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 
 V. 5.) Ye have learned his devices, resist his temp- 
 tations. 
 
 An alluring world has set before you brilliant 
 scenes of gaiety to dazzle and bewilder you ; has 
 thrown over some of them the garb of religion ; 
 perhaps, has mixed up the pleasures of the world 
 (such as card and dice games and the pleasure dance) 
 with religious socials ; you are able to discern be- 
 tween the sinful gaieties of the world, and the duties 
 and responsibilities of religion. 0, live in the 
 LIGHT OF THE Lamb. " Then shall ye return and 
 discern between the righteous and the wicked ; be- 
 tween him that serveth God, and him that serveth 
 Him not. (Mai. iii. 18.) 
 
 "Light is free." It may be obtained without 
 money or price. It lights up the palace of the rich, 
 not because of riches ; for it also sheds its beams 
 into the cottages of the poor. In this respect the 
 privilege of the rich and poor are similar, for light is 
 given to them all. 
 
 Free as is the light, there are dark spots in nature 
 where its rays have never penetrated, and where the 
 day and night are both alike. 
 
 In this dark world there are hearts which have 
 never been open to receive the light of God. This 
 is the state of the sightless sinner. " Light is the 
 
 FOUNTAIN OF LIFE." 
 
 Dark places are barren. Nothing in the ani- 
 
CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 320 
 
 mal or vegetable kingdom can live when excluded 
 from the sunlight. Perpetual night is perpetual 
 death. Where the sun sends forth his light and 
 heat, all nature teems with life and beauty ; flowers 
 cover the landscape ; trees are filled with leaves and 
 fruits ; cattle upon a thousand hills roam in pleasure 
 amidst plentiful supplies, and man's heart is glad. 
 
 He exclaims " Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye 
 the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the 
 heights. Praise ye Him all His angels. Praise ye 
 Him all His hosts. Praise ye Him sun and moon 
 Praise Him all ye stars of light. Praise Him ye heav- 
 ens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heav- 
 ens. Let them praise the name of the Lord; for 
 He commanded and they were created. Mountains 
 and all hills ; fruitful trees and all cedars : beasts 
 and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl; 
 Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm cxlviii. 1—5, 9, 10.) 
 
 " Children of Light." Let it not be said that 
 the children of this world are wiser than you. That 
 they are more in earnest to secure the perishable 
 things of time, than you are to secure the unperish- 
 able pleasures of eternity. "Where much is given 
 much will be required." Let every spot in life be 
 bright and sunny : let the halo of spiritual light 
 surround your person, your character, your doings, 
 and dealings with men ; " That they may see your 
 
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 'I'M'MVM 
 
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330 
 
 CHILDREN OF LIGHT. 
 
 good ivorks and glorify your Father ivho is in 
 heaven." 
 
 * ' What is true knowledge ? is it tlie keen cyo 
 Of lucre's sons to thread the mazy way ? 
 Is it of civic rights, and royal sway, 
 
 And wealth political, the depths to try ? 
 
 ]s it to delve the eaith, or soar the sky ; 
 To marshal nature's tribes in just array ; 
 To mix and analyze, and mete, and weigh 
 
 Her elements, and all her powers descry ? 
 These things, who will may know them, if to know, 
 Breed not vain-glory ; but o'er all to scan 
 
 God in His works, and word shown forth below ; 
 Creation's wonders, and redemption's plan ; 
 Whence come we ; what do we ; and whither go : 
 
 This is true knowledge, and ' the whole of man.' " 
 
 Walk as " Children of the Light." 
 
 
) 5} 
 
 fitiiim #ms* 
 
 ■ H < 
 
 
" JesuB is in my heart ; His sacred name 
 Is deeply carv'd there ; but th' other week 
 A great affliction broke the little frame, 
 E'en all to pieces, which I went to seek. 
 And first I found the comer, where was I, 
 After where es, and next where u was graved. 
 When I had got these parcels, instantly 
 I sat down to spell them, and I perceived 
 That to my broken heart He was I eate you, 
 And to my whole is Jbsu." 
 
 HSRBERT, 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 "HIDDEN ONES." 
 
 Psalm Ixxxiii. 3. 
 
 HEY have consulted against Thy hidden 
 
 ones 
 
 » 
 
 The verb to hide has many mean- 
 ings. It may mean to conceal — to cover 
 — to shelter — or to screen. The words 
 employed in the passage above repre- 
 sent the singular care and love which 
 God had towards His people, who were "His pecu' 
 liar treasure." (Ex. xix. 5.) 
 
 " God is the hiding place of His people." A 
 hiding place is a secret place, saints and angels hide 
 themselves in the secret place of the Divine presence. 
 Moses saw Him in the burning bush when he was a 
 fugitive from his countrymen, and had led the flock 
 back to the desert, to the Mount of God even to 
 Horeb the " mount of desolation" 
 When G-od afterward wished to show Moses His 
 Y 
 
 
 H-i- 
 
 m 
 
 litiiii 
 
334 
 
 HIDDEN ONES. 
 
 
 glory, He put him into the cleft of a rock on this 
 same Horeb. 
 
 God Himself is His people's rock. " The Lord is 
 my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer." (Psalm 
 xviii. 2.) " For who is God save the Lord ? Or 
 who is a rock save our God ?" (v. 31.) " For Thou 
 art my rock and fortress, therefore for Thy name's 
 sake lead me and guide me." (Psalm xxxi. 3.) "From 
 the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my 
 heart is overwhelmed ; lead me to the rock that is 
 higher than L" (Psalm Ixi., 2.) 
 
 A rock may he viewed in contrast with the shift- 
 ing character of all things. The waters of the ocean 
 ebb and flow. All things in the animal and vege- 
 table kingdom live, mature and die, but the majestic 
 rock, emblem of the Deity, ("who is the same 
 
 YESTERDAY, TO-DAY AND FOR EVER"), will endUre 
 
 the pelting storms for a thousand years without 
 change. 
 
 Towers, strongholds, and dwelling places are gene- 
 rally built upon rocks because of the security thus 
 afforded. In like manner Christians use 4he language 
 above quoted, " Thou art my rock;" and, when in 
 trouble they pray, " Lead me to the rock that is 
 higher than I," and feel in response to their prayers 
 that " He is their stronghold in the day of trouble" 
 
 A good hiding place affords freedom from anxiety, 
 care and fear. The fugitive trembles when closely 
 
 
HIDDEN ONES. 
 
 335 
 
 pursued, tmt when he passes beyond reach, and finds 
 a hiding place, he feels secure and happy. Neither 
 does the Christian, whom God shelters, feel the 
 storms "which rage without. 
 
 A hiding place often confuses and disappoints 
 pursuing adversaries. Saul followed David to de- 
 stroy him. He was often disappointed, and instead 
 of finding David for his prey, he found himself a 
 prey to that man of God — for by seeking him in his 
 hiding place to take his life, he endangered his 
 own. 
 
 The most glorious scenes ever witnessed by the 
 sainted on earth have been in the hiding places of 
 God. When Moses was in the cleft of the rock he 
 saw the " glory of God." On the top of Horeb the 
 Prophet Elijah feared not when " the Lord passed 
 by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, 
 and brake in pieces the rocks before .he Lord. 
 When after the wind came an earthquake, and after 
 the earthquake a fire, and after the fire the still 
 small voice, he only wrapped his face in his mantle, 
 and went out, and stood in the entering in of the 
 cave." (L Kings xix. 11-13.) 
 
 The transfiguration of our Saviour took place on a 
 high mountain, on the summit of :he majestic Ta- 
 bor ; He, Peter, James and John being present ; 
 and " His face did shine as the sun, and His rai- 
 ment was white rs the light." " And behold there 
 
 if' 
 I 
 
330 
 
 HIDDEN ONES. 
 
 appeared unto them Moses and Elias, talking with 
 Hiin." Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, 
 " Lord it is good for us to be here : if Thou wilt, let 
 us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, one 
 for Moses, and one for Elias." (Matth. xvii. 3, 4.) 
 
 John had his wonderful visions on the r)<^colate 
 Isle of Patmos. (Rev. i. 9.) 
 
 Christian ! have your joys been felt in close 
 communion with God ? The outside world may 
 have troubled and annoyed you, but j^ou have en- 
 joyed a sweet, heavenly, ]ieace after all. Remem- 
 ber, for the remainder of your life, the more you 
 retire from the world, and hide in the rock of ages, 
 the more will you feel secure and happy. 
 
 If God has called you to stand before the World 
 and fight the battle of life. He has also promised to 
 be your shield. What the shield is to the warrior, 
 God will be to you. This protection or shield stands 
 between him and the enemy — between him and 
 harm. Fear not then, for that Being will stand be» 
 tween you and all your enemies, and the weapon 
 thrust at you will PIERCE THE Deity HimselF; 
 
 God is your Father. He loves and cares for you 
 with the tenderness of a Father. Evans says, '* My 
 life is held by a single thread, but that thread is in 
 my Father's hand/' Children who have kind fathers 
 are never afraid when they are with them, and 
 
HIDDEN ONES. 
 
 337 
 
 Christians have nothing to fear, for God is with 
 them. 
 
 Arrninius gives the following, which is only one 
 instance among many thousands, illustrating God's 
 care over His people. 
 
 " Do you see this lock of hair ? " said an old man 
 to me. 
 
 " Yes ; but what of it ? It is, I suppose, a curl 
 from the head of a dear child long since gone to God." 
 
 " It is not. It is a lock of my own hair ; and it 
 is now nearly seventy years since it was cut from 
 this head." 
 
 " But why do you prize a lock of your own hair 
 so much ?" 
 
 " It has a story belonging to it, and a strange one. 
 I keep it thus with great care because it speaks to 
 me more of God, and of His special care, than any 
 thing else I possess. 
 
 " I was a little child of four years old, with long 
 curly locks, which, in sun, or rain, or wind, hung 
 down my cheeks uncovered. One day my father 
 went into the wood to cut a log, and I went with 
 him. I was standing a little way behind him, or 
 rather at his side, watching with interest the strokes 
 of the heavy axe, as it went up and came down up- 
 on the wood, sending off splinters with every stroke 
 in all directions. 
 
 Some of the splinters fell at my feet, and I eagerly 
 
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 m 
 
 .', 
 
 ■* 
 
 I". 
 
 
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 5* 
 
 fii 
 
 'M' 
 
338 
 
 HIDDEN ONES, 
 
 stooped to pick them up. In doing so, I stumbled 
 forward, and in a moment my curly head lay upon 
 the log. I had fallen just at the moment when the 
 axe was coming down with all its force. It was too 
 late to stop the blow. Down came the axe. I 
 scream ed, and my father fell to the ground in terror. 
 He could not stay the stroke, and in the blindness* 
 which the sudden horror caused, he thought he had 
 killed his boy. 
 
 We soon recovered — I from my fright, and he 
 from his terror. He caught me in his arms, and 
 looked at me from head to foot, to find out the 
 deadly wound which he was sure he had inflicted ; 
 not a drop of blood, nor a scar was to be seen. He 
 knelt upon the grass and gave thanks to a gracious 
 God. Having done so, he took up his axe and 
 found a few hairs upon its edge. He turned to the 
 log he had been splitting, and there was a single 
 curl of his boy's hair, sharply cut through and laid 
 upon the wood. 
 
 " How great the escape ! It was as if an angel 
 had turned aside the edge at the moment it was 
 descending on my head. With renewed thanks up 
 on his lips, he took up the curl, and went home with 
 me in his arms." 
 
 " That lock he kept all his days, as a memorial of 
 God's care and love. That lock he left to me on his 
 der' -bed. I keep it with care. It tells me of my 
 
HIDDEN ONES. 
 
 339 
 
 father's God and mine. It rebukes unbelief and 
 • alarm. It bids me trust Him for ever. I have had 
 many tokens of His Fatherly love in my three score 
 years and ten, but somehow this speaks most to my 
 heart. It is the oldest, and perhaps the most strik- 
 ing. It used to speak to my father's heart ; it now 
 speaks to mine." 
 
 Few there are, who have attained the age of three 
 score years and ten, who have not experienced many 
 wonderful providential deliverances. They are all 
 intended to impress upon our minds the Fatherly 
 CARE OF God. 
 
 " There is an eye that never sleeps 
 
 Beneath the wing of night ; 
 There is an ear that never shuts, 
 
 When sinks the beams of light. 
 
 " There is an arm that never tii'es, 
 When human strength gives way ; 
 
 There is a love that never fails, 
 When earthly loves decay. 
 
 " That eye is fixed on seraph throngs ; 
 That ear is filled with angel songs ; 
 That arm upholds the worlds on high ; 
 And love is throned beyond the sky." 
 
 Up. Hebrr. 
 
^cbetm^tr 0f tlje i^0rb. 
 
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 liif 
 
" The world, sin, death, oppose in vain. 
 Thou by Thy dying, death hast slain ; 
 My great Deliverer, and my Uod ! 
 In vain does the old Dragon rage, 
 In vain all hell its powers engage ; 
 None can withstand Thy conquering blood. 
 
 *' Ijord over all, sent to fulfil 
 Thy gracious Father's sovereign will. 
 To Thy dread sceptre will I bow. 
 With duteous reverence at Thy feet. 
 Like humble Mary, lo ! I sit ; 
 Speak, Lord, Th}' servant heareth now." 
 
^ 
 
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 /V^*t?=^>'--^sC^!AV>^" . . 
 
 i|i 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 i 'i 
 
 PvEi^EEMED OF THE LORD.' 
 
 Isaiah li. 7. 
 
 HIS name is intended to represent the 
 peculiar state of God's ancient people when 
 they were delivered from the captivity of 
 Babylon, and brought back to their native 
 land. 
 
 The word redeemed, is derived from 
 two words in the Latin emo, to buy, to take, to 
 purchase ; and redirao, to redeem, to ransom, to re- 
 cover, to buy back. Several words in the New 
 Testament are derived from the Greek, and used to 
 signify the obtaining of a thing by price, and intend- 
 ed to set forth the idea, that the multitudes, who 
 are saved by Christ are brought back to God by His 
 precious blood. 
 
 The Apostle says, " Te are bought vAth a price" 
 (I. Cor. vii. 21, 6, 20.) 
 
 m 
 
 'm 
 
 
344 
 
 REDEEMED OF THE LORD. 
 
 ** Fee^, the Church of God, which He hath pur- 
 chased with His own blood." (Acts xx. 28.) 
 
 " Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the 
 Law ; being made a curse for us, for it is written, 
 Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." (Gal. 
 iii. 13.) 
 
 " Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not re- 
 deemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold." 
 (I. Peter i. 18.) 
 
 In the I. Cor. vii.- 2, 6, 20, and Acts xx. 28, the 
 simple Greek verb agorise " to buy " is used, and in 
 Gal. iii. 13, the compound word Exagorazo is era- 
 ployed, signifying to buy again. Lutroo, or other 
 words derived from it are used to signify the deliver- 
 ance of a slave or captive from thraldom by paying 
 a ransom price for him. The passage in I. Peter i. 
 IS, 19, represents the saints as redeemed, not with 
 the inferior " offerings of silver and of gold," " but 
 with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb with- 
 out blemish and without spot." 
 
 He gave Himself a ransom which is an adequate 
 and full price for us all. 
 
 The great work of human redemption was accom- 
 plished by Christ upon the cross. We are re- 
 deemed — not by His life — not by His exemple — not 
 by His ministry or miracles — not even by His suf- 
 ferings, but by His death, 
 
REDEEMED OF THE lORD. 343 
 
 He paid the price amazing to compute. 
 " Archangels fail'd to cast the mighty sum." 
 
 Divine justice demanded blood. "Without the 
 shedding of blood is no remission," (Heb. ix., 22.) 
 The blood of Jesus was shed for universal man, and 
 all, who desire, may come and avail themselves of 
 the sacred benefits it procured. 
 
 ** A spear deep dipt in blood ! which pierced His side^ 
 And opened there a fount for all mankind, 
 And what is this ? — Survey the wondrous cure, 
 And at each step let higher wonder rise ! 
 Pardon for infinite offence ! and pardon 
 Though means that speak its value infinite ! 
 A pardon bought with blood ! with blood divine ! 
 With blood divine of Him I made my foe 1" 
 
 Young. 
 
 All who come to Him are called in a special 
 sense, the Redeemed of the Lord, because they 
 are freed from the "bondage of the Law." The 
 Apostle says, — " To redeem them that were under 
 the law ; " (Gal. iv. 5.) Sinners who had broken 
 the law, and had incurred its just and dread pe- 
 nalties, condemnation to eternal death. " The man 
 that sinneth he ehall die. The wages of sin is death" 
 
 By redemption, they are set free from the bon- 
 dage ; are forgiven and brought into reconciliation 
 with God, and are made the partakers of the " Glo- 
 rious liberty of the children of God," which is free- 
 
 U\ 
 
 ^nn 
 
 !.|li 
 
 i ;*.' 
 
m 
 
 REDEEMED OF THE LOUD. 
 
 I 
 
 dom from all sin." (Rom. vi. 18-22 Psalm cxxx. 
 8— Titus, ii. 14.) 
 
 They are restored to the lost image and favour of 
 God ; are justified, adopted, and sanctified, and have 
 the promise of the glorified state above : for the bles- 
 sings of redemption are not limited to time ; but 
 extend to a boundless eternity. (Heb. ix. 12.) The 
 " redeemed of the Lord " are the property of God. 
 " But now thus said the Lord that created thee, 
 Jacob, and He that formed thee, Israel, Fear not 
 for I have redeemed thee, 1 have called thee by thy 
 name ; thou art mine." (Isaiah xliii. 1.) 
 
 They are His peculiar people. "And what 
 one nation in the earth is like Thy people, even like 
 Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to 
 Himself, and to make Him a name, and to do for you 
 great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy 
 people which Thou redeemest to Thee from Egypt, — 
 from the nations and their Gods." (II. Sam. vii. 23.) 
 
 They shall walk safely in holiness. "And 
 a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall 
 be called. The way of holiness ; the unclean shall 
 not pass over it ; but it shall be for thee : th w >- 
 faring men, though fools, shall not err in." 
 
 ** No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous be. ^t shall 
 go up thereon, it shall not be found there ; but tl ■ 
 redeemed shall walk there." (Isaiah xxxiv. 8, 9.) 
 
 They alone can learn the songs of heaven, 
 
REDEEMED OF THE LOUD. 
 
 347 
 
 " And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of 
 many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder ; 
 and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their 
 harps : and they sung as it were a new song be- 
 fore the throne, and before the four beasts, and the 
 elders : and no man could learn that song, but the 
 hundred and forty and four thousand which were 
 redeemed from the earth." (Rev. xiv., 2, 3.) 
 
 They are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Eph. 
 iv. 30.) They have the earnest of the comple- 
 tion of their redemption. " In whom ye also 
 trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the 
 Gospel of your salvation ; in whom also after ye be- 
 lieved ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of pro- 
 mise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until 
 the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the 
 praise of His glory. (Eph. i. 13, 14.) 
 
 In the state of the redeemed, many things connect- 
 ed with the grand Christian system seem to converge. 
 
 " man's lost state." 
 
 He was cast out, and polluted in his own blood; he 
 lay under the guilt of sin, and the condemnatory 
 sentence of God's broken law, and the curse of God. 
 He was unable to help himself, or atone for one 
 sin that was past, or even to secure to himself the 
 favou- of God. 
 
 If you turn from man to God, you will see Him an 
 
 h.' 
 
 i' ' 
 
^48 
 
 REDEEMED OF THE LOBD. 
 
 the Great Moving Cause of man's redemption : "For 
 God so loved the world, that He gave His only Be- 
 gotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should 
 not perish, but have everlasting life." (John iii. 16.) 
 
 In redemption, you see how His Divine plans 
 harmonizes; you comprehend how God can be "just 
 and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus." 
 
 You also attain to a knowledge of the Media=- 
 torial work of our blessed Redeemer. You behold 
 Him going below the nature of angels and taking 
 upon Himself our nature, and, having fulfilled His 
 mission in the world, He ascending the hill of Cal- 
 very and spilling His blood as a ransom for the sins 
 of a guilty world, and then arising from the dead 
 and ascending into Heaven to intercede with God 
 for man, and send forth His Spirit, " to convince 
 the world of sin, of righteousness, and of a judgment 
 to come," — to comfort and enlighten His redeemed 
 people ; and to adopt, sanctify, and make them par- 
 takers of a " glorious immortality." 
 
 " BUT THE RIGHTEOUS INTO LIFE ETERNAI 
 
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 n»v -v 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 " Called of Jesus Christ." The Apostle Paul 
 names the Christians at Rome the " called of Jesus 
 Christ." (Rom. i. 6.) 
 
 This name has many 'meanings^ sometimes it sig- 
 nifies to summon together. Assemblies are called for 
 deliberation ; a physician is called to the sick ; — a 
 minister is called to the ministry. Sometimes it 
 means to name, to denominate, to style; some- 
 times to invite, to appoint. In the passage above, 
 the Romans were invited to become Christians, and 
 were appointed to the duties, responsibilities, and 
 enjoyments of Christian life; the same as chosen. 
 See page 85. .» 
 
 "Chosen." Page 85. ,, 
 
 " Chosen ones." (I. Cliron. xvi. 13.) All God's 
 
 people are His " chosen ones ;" or every one is chosen 
 
 to enjoy the blessings of adoption, and to do the 
 
 will of God. Chosen ones, are words of love and 
 
 w . 
 
350 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 tenderness, designed to corafort the individual nieni- 
 bers of the family of God. 
 
 "Chosen Vessels." (Acts ix. 15.) The term 
 vessel, as generally used in Scripture, means cup or 
 basin, such as is used in a house. Here it means 
 an instrument used by God to accomplish His pur- 
 ])oses. The word chosen, as connected with vesseU, 
 implies that the Lord had made choice of Saul to bo 
 His instrument, to bear His name before the Gentiles, 
 — so the people of God are chosen by Him to lovo 
 Him and love His people, and faithfully to do His 
 will. 
 
 " Chosen generation." (I. Peter ii. 9.) Genev' 
 ation means people of the same race, family, or 
 period. It is as much as if Peter had said, " ye are 
 A CHOSEN race." To choose, does not always imply 
 to prefer, it is generic, and is an act of the will. To 
 prefer, is to take one thing in preference to another, 
 and is the act of the judgment. Sometimes clioice 
 is made of that which is not preferred. The people 
 of God are chosen because they have believed unto 
 righteousness, and are preferred because of their de- 
 votion in their master's service. Page 77. 
 
 '' Vessels unto Honour." (II. Tim. ii. 21.) As 
 in chosen vessels. 
 
 " Vessels of Mercy." (Rom. ix. 23.) 
 
 "People of God's Pasture." (Psalm xcv. 7.) 
 Are fed in green pasture!^ of His Church. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 351 
 
 " People of God's Inheritance." (Deut. iv. 20.) 
 Are sharers with God in His spiritual and eternal in- 
 heritance. See page 25. 
 
 " Obedient Children." As obedient children, — 
 "Not fashioning yourselves according to former 
 lusts in your ignorance." (I. Peter i. 14.) Page 95, 
 
 " Sons of God." " But as many as received Him 
 to them gave He power to become the sons of God, 
 even to them that believe on His name." (John i, 
 12.) 
 
 " That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons 
 of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked 
 and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights 
 in the world." (Phil. ii. 15.) Page 95. 
 
 " Sons of the Living God." " Yet the number 
 of the children of Israel, shall he as the sand of the 
 sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered ; and 
 it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was 
 said unto them, ye are not my people, there it shall 
 be said unto them, ye arr the sons of the living 
 God." (Hosea i. 10.) Page i03. 
 
 The ideas contained in the passages before you, are 
 found in many parts of the Scriptures, and their fre- 
 quent repetition portrays the dignity and blessedness 
 of God's faithful children. It opens up before you 
 the path of life here, and that eternal fi-uition which 
 awaits you in the better world. 
 
 " Speak, Act, Live, as the children of God." 
 
 Wk 
 
 m 
 
 tiiii 
 
35: 
 
 APFENJJIX. 
 
 "Children of the Lord." (Deut. xiv. 1.)— 
 No. 1. 
 
 " Children of the Living God." (Rom. ix. 2G.) 2. 
 
 " Children of the Father." (Math. v. 45.) 8. 
 
 " Children of the Highest." (Luke vi. 45.) 4. 
 See Chap. VIL, Page 99. 
 
 The relationship of the peoj^le of God to Himself, 
 is the same in all these passages. It is the relation- 
 ship existing between an " obedient child and a 
 LOVING Father." 
 
 In Passage No. 1, God is named Lord or Johovali, 
 signifying the Supreme Governor and disposer of 
 all things. The name " children of the Lord," sup- 
 poses that we are governed, supplied, and preserved 
 by Jehovah. 
 
 No. 2. — That God our Father liveth, therefore, 
 knows what we most need, an<l is able to supply us 
 with all things necessary. 
 
 No. 3.— *God is spoken of as the believers' "Father." 
 
 No. 4. — Intimates that our Father is the Highest. 
 Yea, He is high above all Gods, King of kings, Light 
 of lights, Lord of lords, Very God of very god. 
 
 " Dear Children." (Eph. v. 1.) See Chap. VII. 
 Page 98. 
 
 " Little Children." (John xiii. 33.) I. John ii. 2. 
 Page 98. 
 
 " People prepared for the Lord." (Luke i. 17) 
 Page 91. 
 
 
II i,! 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 353 
 
 " People SAVED by the Lord." (Deut. xxxiii. 29.) 
 Page 91. 
 
 " Heirs of Salvation." 
 
 " Pillar in the Temple of my God." (Rev. iii. 
 12.) Page 128. 
 
 " Heirs of God." Page 108. 
 
 " Heirs of the Grace of Life." Page 112. 
 
 " Joint Heirs with Christ." (Rom. viii. 1 7.) 
 
 Christ is the Eternal Son of God — hence He is 
 the Son of God in a higher sense than any other 
 being in the Universe. As the eternal Son of God, 
 He is heir to the glories of eternity, both of the 
 past and future. A Christian is the son of God by 
 adoption, and is a joint Itcir %oWi Chrifit, because 
 he shall share with Christ in the glories of eternity 
 to come. 
 
 Christ and the Christian shall share in the 
 heavenly inheritance. "And being found in fash- 
 ion as a man. He humbled Himself, and became 
 obedient unto death, even the death of the cross ; 
 wherefore God also hath highly e.-^alted Him, and 
 given Him a name above every riame." (Phil. ii. 8, 
 9.) " With" (Heb. ii. 9, 10.) But we see Jesus, who 
 was made a little lower than the angels for the suffer- 
 ings of death, crowned with glory and honour : that 
 He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every 
 man ; for it became Him, for whom are all things, 
 and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons 
 
 
 !;{|ii 
 
354 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation 
 perfect through sufferings. 
 
 Here Christ and His people are one in heaven — 
 they shall be one forever. 
 
 Christ said, " because I live, ye shall live also." 
 (John xiv. 19.) The Apostle Paul adds his testi- 
 mony — '• For if we be dead with Him, we shall also 
 live with Him ; if we suffer, we shall also reign with 
 Him." (H. Tim. ii. 11, 12.) And Jesus has promised 
 " He that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in 
 My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set 
 down with my Father in His throne." (Rev. iii. 21.) 
 
 " Fellow Heirs." (Eph. iii. 6.) 
 
 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of 
 the same body. That the Gentiles should have" a 
 right to the same immunities and privileges as the 
 Jews. Page 99. 
 
 Under the gospel dispensation ^ there is no dis- 
 tinction between the Jew and Gentile. The light 
 which was the glory of Israel, was also to ligJiteri 
 the Gentiles. (Luke ii. 32.) Isaiah sings, " The 
 Gentiles shall come to Thy light, and kings to the 
 brightness of Thy rising. Then tho'Ji shalt see and 
 flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be en- 
 larged ; because the abundance of the sea shall be 
 converted unto Thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall 
 come unto Thee. The multitudes of camels shall 
 cover Thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephaii ; 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 355 
 
 all they from Sheba sliall come ; they shall bring 
 gold and incense ; and they shall show forth the 
 praises of the Lord." (Isaiah Ix. 3, 5, G.) 
 . " Brethren." (Matth. xxiii. 8.) 
 
 Brethren is the plural of brother. A brother is a 
 person who is related to another, being born of the 
 same parents. It also means an associate, or one be- 
 longing to the same society, or association with 
 others resembling himself in views, manners, and 
 mode of life. 
 
 In the Christian church, it is a "fellow Christian." 
 This name is seldom used of late, except in Theology, 
 or in other words, among Christians, and in Socie- 
 ties where the principles of morality are taught. 
 
 Brother and brethren are words reverberating from 
 all Christian pulpits, and falling like the gentle dew 
 upon the hearts of the sainted, all over the Chris- 
 tian world, and is taken up again and used by 
 Christians of all communions one toward another. 
 
 " Beloved Brethren." The Apostle Paul names 
 the pious members of the Corinthian Church, his 
 ''beloved brethren" or his much beloved brethren, 
 and warns them to cultivate Christian steadfastness ; 
 reminding them that their "labours will not be in 
 vain in the Lord." (I. Cor. xv. 58.) 
 
 " My Brethren." James, in the second chapter 
 of his book, begins with, "my brethren," or breth- 
 ren of mine ; and*verse 5th says, "My Beloved 
 
 nM 
 
doG 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Brethren." In both instances you hiho the out- 
 flo wings of brotherly affection. 
 
 " Brethren of Christ." If you belong to the 
 Christian brotherhood, you are the brethren of 
 Christ. Jesus said on one occasion when they told 
 Him that his Mother and His brethren were with- 
 out desiring to see Him, " My Mother and My breth- 
 ren are those which hear the word of God and do 
 it." (Luke viii. 21.) Jesus said unto Mary, after 
 His resurrection, ' go to My brethren and say unto 
 them, " I ascend unto My Father and to your Father, 
 to My God and to your God.'" 
 
 As the brethren of Christ, we should manifest to- 
 ward Him unwavering fidelity, and true love ; and 
 toward your fellow Christians, confidence and the 
 warmest affection, 
 
 As to the spirit which should be manifested to- 
 ward our fellow Christians, see page 99. 
 
 V " Faithful Brethren of Christ." (Col. i. 2.) — 
 as above, under the heading of " Brethren of Christ." 
 
 "Christian." (Acts xi. 2G, 2S.) See page G7. 
 
 " Holy Brethren." " Wherefore holy brethren, 
 partakers of the heavenly calling." The words 
 " holy brethren," here, have a double meaning : — 
 
 (1st.) That all Christians, whether converted Jews 
 or Gentiles, were brethren ; members of one family. 
 
 (2nd.) That they were the brethren of Christ, the 
 angels, the martyrs, and the spirits of the just men 
 
AVPKNDIX. 
 
 ns: 
 
 made i)erfect. They were named holy brethren, 
 because they were sanctified wholly. The Apostle 
 in his epistle to the Thessalonians, charges the mem- 
 bers of that church, " that his epistle be read unto 
 all the holy brethren." See (I. Thess. v. 27.) Mean- 
 ing that his epistle was to be read to the whole 
 church at Thessolouica, then in a very spiritual and 
 happy state, and upon whom was now pressed the 
 doctrine of entire sanctitication. 
 
 " Holy Nation." ,Ex. xix. G.) 
 
 " A holy nation." See Page 134. " A nation 2>'^i'e 
 and consecrated to God's service." Nation is from 
 the latin 7ia^<o; nasco, natus. "To be born." "A 
 race of men." A people living in the same country 
 and under the same .fjovernment and laws. " A 
 people distinct from others." 
 
 The Jews were named a " holy nation," because 
 they belonged to the same si)iritual race. Their law 
 maker and lnw-giver wan God. Their laws were 
 pure, just and good. They, as the subjects of that 
 nation, were sanctified believers : halluwed, set ajyvrt, 
 and consecrated to God's service, and such are devo- 
 ted Christians of all ages and places. 
 
 " Holy and Mighty People." (Daniel viii. 24.) 
 
 Holiness and might are inseparable. The pious 
 Jews were remarkable for their vaiglity 'poiver and 
 great heroism. " Adino, the Eznite, lifted his spear 
 against eight hundred whom he slew at once." 
 
 lifll! 
 
 li 
 
 I 
 
 11 
 
 li' 
 
 ;i: 
 
358 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 " Eleasor, the son of Dodo, the Ahothite, aroae and 
 smote the Philistines itntil his hand was weary, and 
 his hand clave unto the sivord" Shammaii, the 
 son of Ager, the Hararite, when the Philistines 
 were gathered together into a troop, where was a 
 piece of ground full of lentils ; and the people fled 
 from the Philistines. And he stood in the midst of 
 the ground and defended it, and slew the Philistines ; 
 and the Lord wrought a great victory." These, and 
 many others were mighty men of valour when they 
 fought against the Lord's enemies. (IL Sam. xxiii. 
 chap. 1.) The two forces j)iety and power, were es- 
 pecially manifested by the Jews in their severe per- 
 secutions under Antiochus — of him it was said, "He- 
 shall destroy wonderfully." Wintle renders it, 
 " He shall make astonishing havoc, and shall he sue- 
 cessful." It is further said, " He shall destroy the 
 mighty and holy people." In the fulfilment of this 
 prophecy, we have illustrations of wonderful piety 
 and heroism. " Howbeit, many in Israel were fully 
 resolved and confirmed in themselves, not to eat 
 any unclean thing, wherefore they chose rather to 
 die, that they might not be defiled with meats ; and 
 that they might not profane the holy covenant. So 
 they died." (Maccabees i. 62, 63.) 
 
 The widow and her seven sons stood before their 
 tormentors and instruments of torture, and each 
 gave his life amidst the most direful sufferings, with 
 
yi 
 
 IPPENDIX. 
 
 ;i50 
 
 as much composure as though the}'' were standing 
 before the altar of God in the peaceful sanctuary. 
 
 Six of them passed bravely away from the sor- 
 rows of martyrdom, to their heavenly reward. One 
 and his widowed mother only remained The 
 tyrant king exhorted him with words, and assured 
 him with oaths, that he would make him both a 
 rich and happy man, if he would turn from the 
 laws of his father; and that he would take him for 
 his friend, and trust him with his affairs. He also 
 called his mother, and exhorted her, " that she would 
 counsel the young man to save his life." 
 
 Noble woman ! she counselled him " to die bravely 
 like his brethren ;" and he turning to the king, said, 
 " But thou, godless man, and of all other most 
 wicked, be not lifted up without a cause ; nor puf- 
 fed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy hand 
 against the servants of God ; for thou hast not yet 
 escaped the judgment of Almighty God who see- 
 eth all things. For our brethren, who have now 
 suffered a short pain, are dead under God's covenant 
 of everlasting life ; but thou, through the judgment 
 of God, shall receive just punishment for thy pride. 
 But J, as my brethren, offer up my body and life 
 for the laws of our fathers ; beseeching God that 
 He would speedily be merciful unto our nation ; 
 and that thou, by torments and plagues, mayest con- 
 fess that He alone is God." 
 
 
 m 
 
3G0 
 
 .IVPKNDIX. 
 
 Then the kiny being in a rage handled liini worse 
 than all the rest. And last of all the mother died 
 also. They all died bravely and undeeiled, 
 PtrxTlNO THEIR TRUST TN GoD. (I. Maccabees, viii. 
 chap.) 
 
 In the books of Christian ?>lartyrology, you have 
 accounts of hundreds of hoi}' and heroic Christians 
 passing alike hrav ebj i\\vo\\gi\ the tortures of 7r».rn'- 
 tyrdom to their reward above. 
 
 "An Holy Priesthood." See eha[). YIL, page 83. 
 
 "Holy Seed." (Isa vi. 13.) 
 
 " But yet it shall be a tenth, and it shall return 
 and shall be eaten as a teil-tree and as an oak, when 
 substance is in them, when they cast their leaves ; 
 so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof." 
 Tenth is an indefinite term used often among the 
 Jews. In this passage, it means a small number 
 shall return from captivity in Babylon to enjoy 
 again the blessings of their own land. " ^ 
 
 " And shall be eaten :" shall become a [)rcy to the 
 kings of Syria the second time, and then to the 
 Komans. " They shall be devoured by them." 
 " Yet as a teil-tree and as an oak 'whose substance is 
 in them." Yet tliere shall be another people, not 
 those who come up out of Babylon, nor like them, 
 but a " HOLY seed," whose substance is in them. 
 
 The oak and the teil-tree have a substance in them- 
 selves, even when they cast forth their leaves in 
 
A WEN I) IX. 
 
 :{Cl 
 
 wintei* ; that .substance preserves its life, and in 
 sprinjnr time causes it to bring forth leaves. So the 
 "holy seed" shall be the support thereof. Tlie holi- 
 ness of the Jews made them triumphant in their 
 great national conflicts, as now Christianity is the 
 .soul, strength and bulwark of the British Empire. 
 
 Such are the hallowed names of God's people. 
 
 " Holy people," " holy brethren," " holy nation," 
 " holy and mighty people," " holy seed." Christian, 
 have you never come up to this standard ? O LIVK 
 FOR IT. We ask you to jtray for it ; to believe for 
 it ; and especially to live for it. God help you. 
 
 "Elect of God." (Col. iii. 12); (Tit. i. 1.) 
 
 In the passage in Collossians, the words the 
 " ELECT OF God," signifies as in other places in the 
 New Testament, all who are saved through faith 
 in Chi'ist, and members of Christ's Church ; and that 
 in Titus, means " God's true people." See also 
 (Ephesians i. 4.) Election here, means not the elec- 
 tion of individuals from among men, to re[)ent, be- 
 lieve, and be saved, passing by others ; but the 
 choosing of such as are saved unto eternal life ; 
 such should make their calling and election sure. 
 
 The opponent of tliis view, will say, there follows 
 " before the foundation of the world." 
 
 Macnight observes, " being said of the Ephesian 
 brethren in general, it cannot be election of the 
 whole of them as individuals (unconditionally) to 
 
 i ■' , 
 
3(52 
 
 APrENJJIX. 
 
 eternal life," but musu be tliat election which, before 
 the foundation of the world, " God made of true be- 
 lievers out of all nations to be His children and 
 people, — and to enjoy the blessings promised tu 
 such, — " that we should be holy." 
 
 ■' Peoplp: near unto God." (Psalm cxlviii. 14.) 
 Page 154. 
 
 " Peculiar Pi<:ople." (Deut. xiv. 2.) 
 
 The people of God have a character and name 
 [)eculiar to themselves. They believe a purer doc- 
 trine ; cherish a livelier faith, and breathe a better 
 life. The notions which influence and the princi- 
 ples that actuate them are peculiar. They are spirit- 
 ual. He who governs them is God. His laws are 
 holy, just and good. They are the laws of love, 
 pectcG and life. They are a people near unto God, 
 and related to the most spiritual beings in the uni- 
 verse, — to angels, martyrs, and saints. 
 
 Earth is not their settled home, they hope for 
 heaven, — hence are a " peculiar people." 
 
 " Peculiar Treasure." (Ex, xix. 5,) 
 
 Not that God is enriched by them as a man who 
 has received an earthly treasure ; but that He would 
 value them as a man would a costly jewel. He 
 would distinguish them from, and dignify them 
 above, all other people. 
 
 Christian, such is Jehovah's estimate of thee. 
 Thou art His loved and prized jewels, — exceedingly 
 
AVrENDIX, 
 
 :]Gn 
 
 m 
 
 prized. What if the cold world frowns, while your 
 immaculate Father lives and smiles upon you, and 
 regards you as His much piuzed jewels ? 
 
 " Special People." 
 
 •' Tiie Lord thy God liath chosen thee to be a 
 .special people unto Himself, above all people that 
 are upon the face of the earth." (Deut. vii. 0.) Con- 
 veys the same meaniug as, '' Peculiar People," " Pe- 
 culiar Treasure," «fcc. 
 
 " People of God." [(Heb. iv. 9) ; (I. Peter ii. 10.) 
 
 "Faithful of the Land." (Psalm ci.) See, 
 page 185. 
 
 "Fkiendsof God." (IL Chron, xx. 7); (James 
 ii. 23.) See page 193. 
 
 " Servants of Christ." ( I Cor. vii. 22) ; (Eph. 
 vi.) Page 243. 
 
 "Servants of the Lord." (Deut. xxxiv. 5); 
 (Isaiah liv. 17.) Page 24G. 
 
 "Servants of the most High." (Dan. iii. 26.) 
 Page 246. 
 
 " Servants of Righteousness." (Rom. vi. 18.) 
 Page 9G. 
 
 "Children of the Kingdom." (Matth. xiii. 38.) 
 Page 113. 
 
 "Fellow Citizens." (Eph. ii. 19.) Page 113. 
 
 "The Lord's Freemen." (L Cor. vii. 22.) 
 
 " The Righteous." (Psalm i. 0.) 
 
 What he does not : — 
 
 
 i 
 
364 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 0) a> 
 
 1. Walketli not in the counsel of the un- 
 godly. 
 
 2. Standeth not in the way of sinners, f |"&;i 
 
 3. Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, j <1'?C 
 
 II. What he is and does. 
 
 1. His delight is in the law of the Lord. 
 
 2. In His law doth he meditate day and 
 night. 
 
 3. He is like a tree [)lanted by rivers of 
 water. 
 
 4. He bringeth forth his fruit in his sea- 
 son. 
 
 5. His leaf also shall not wither. 
 
 6. Whatever he doetli shall prosper. 
 " Trees oe Righteousness." (Isaiah Ixi. 8.) 
 
 As trees are deeply rooted in the ground and capa- 
 ble of standing amidst a war of elements, so the 
 people of God, as "trees of righteousness," are deeply 
 phinied by God through faith in the Gosjiel truth 
 and holiness, are ornaments in the vineyard of God, 
 and by sincerity, fortitude and patience, can stand 
 fast in the liberty of the gospel, amid the severest 
 conflicts of life. 
 
 J 
 
 to «« 
 
 > a ^ 
 
 •F-l 
 
 • ^ *^ 
 
s. 
 
 J 
 
 « 2 . 
 
 )- 
 
 >* 
 
 to ^ 
 5 <u 
 
 .2 be, 
 
 o 
 
 <! 43 
 
 i.a) 
 
 md capa- 
 , so the 
 e deeply 
 el truth 
 of God, 
 
 an stand 
 severest 
 
 INDEX, 
 
 A. 
 
 A Kingdom of Priests, S'A. 
 
 Al)r,'ham, children of, 223. 
 
 iviust be obedient to the 
 heavenly call, 223. 
 
 Adoption, %. 
 
 Amusements, Earthly, o]. 
 
 ,v icestors and Ancestry, 95. 
 ngels, their relation to the 
 saints, 321. 
 
 Anointed, emblematical of par- 
 ticular sanctihcation, 90. 
 
 Aristotle, his thoughts on hap- 
 piness, 47. 
 
 Athol, Duke of, 179. 
 
 B. 
 
 ilasil, his tidelity, ISS. 
 
 Beauty imprinted on all the 
 works of Cod, 15. 
 
 Believers, 07 ; Ungodly are not, 
 08 ; Repentance, faith, and 
 salvation necessary to the 
 state of a believer, OS ; He 
 looks to Christ, 71 ; The 
 converted (Christian only is 
 a believer, 08. 
 
 Beloved Brethren, 203. 
 
 Blessed, the meaiung of the 
 word, 48. 
 
 Brethren, all ( 'In istians ;uv, 205. 
 
 Brethren of Christ, 205. 
 
 Hretliren, h(dy, 205. 
 
 Brethren, 203. 
 
 Brethren, my, 204. 
 
 Brethren, my Beloved, 204. 
 Brethren of Christ, 204. 
 Brethren, faithful, 204. 
 Bunyan, John, in Bedford J a 
 187. 
 
 C 
 
 Care, God's, 30. 
 
 Called of Jesus Christ, 257. 
 
 (Jailed has many meanings. 257. 
 
 Cliarity, 294; Suffereth long, 294 ; 
 Illustration, 294 ; Is kind, 
 290 ; Fuvieth not, 297 ; 
 Vaunteth )iot itself, 298 ; 
 Thinketh no evil, 298 ; 
 Never faileth, 298. 
 
 Children of Cod, 95; Theirs a 
 noble origin, 90 ; They 
 should not turn aside from 
 (Jod to serve idols, 90. 
 
 Children of Zion, 205 ; Illustra- 
 tions, 200. 
 
 Children of Jacol», 229 ; Their 
 ]>art in the Covenant, 230. 
 
 ( Children of the Freewoman, 235. 
 
 Childn^n of the Bride-chamber, 
 241. 
 
 Children of the Resurrection, 
 209 ; Shall possess incor- 
 ruptible bodies, 275 : Shall 
 possess glorious bodies, 270; 
 Shall be ylorious like that 
 of Christ's, 278 ; Shall be 
 raised in power, 279 ; Sliall 
 be raised spiritual, 280 ; 
 Shall share in the lirat res 
 urrection, 281. 
 
 ^'11 
 
366 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Children of Light, their super- 
 ior condition, 319, 
 
 Children of, what that signifies, 
 320; Are called after the 
 Divine Being, 321 ; What 
 Jesus calls Himself, 321 ; 
 What Jesus was called, 321. 
 
 Children of the Kingdom, 272. 
 
 Children of the Lord, '>60. 
 
 Children of the living God, 260. 
 
 Children of the Father, 260. 
 
 Children of the Highest, 260. 
 
 Christ the Fountain of Peace, 
 98 ; Came to the end that 
 man might have liberty, 
 236. 
 
 Christianity, strife and bitter- 
 ness opposed to the true 
 Spirit of, 102. 
 
 Christian, 14 ; A stranger in 
 the world, 14 ; His relation 
 to time, 24 , His ultimate 
 home, 25 ; Must have but 
 one religion, one helper, 
 and one aim, 41 ; Nearing 
 heaven, 59; Possesses more 
 than the merchant princes 
 of earth, 59 ; Illustrated, 
 59 ; His privileges, 84 ; His 
 work, 256 ; His purity in 
 the midst of defilement, 
 291 ; His name, 264; Is de- 
 spised by the ignorant, 84; 
 Honoured by God and an- 
 gels, 84. 
 
 Christian, a king and a priest, 
 90 ; Crowned, 90 ; Lfnder 
 covenant, 91 ; Chosen a 
 priest of God, 91. 
 
 Christians a kingdom of priests, 
 84 ; Of holy men and wo- 
 men, 87 ; Above every oth- 
 er, 87 ; Near to Gc ' 88: 
 Illustrated, 88. 
 
 Christian church, her glory, 84: 
 The importance of belong- 
 ing to one branch of it, 207; 
 Its commencement, 208 ; 
 
 Miraculous preservation, 
 200; Supplies, 210 ; Light, 
 210 : Joy, 214. 
 
 Churches are parts of the Uni- 
 versal Church of Christ, 
 216. Those who are not 
 members of any behmg not 
 to Christ, 216; The true 
 members of, are members 
 of the body of Christ, 216 ; 
 Those who are not, have 
 not Christ for their head, 
 216 ; Self-examination with 
 a view to, 217 ; The Spirit 
 of all true members, 217. 
 
 Church, the universal, 207. 
 
 Church of Christ united, 99. 
 
 Chosen a priest of God, 84. 
 
 Chosen vessels, 85. 
 
 Chosen generation, 85. 
 
 Chosen, 257 ; Chosen ones, 257. 
 
 Chosen vessels, 258. 
 
 Chosen generation, 258 ; His 
 chosen ones, 257. 
 
 Confidence, Abraham's, 224; All 
 true Christians should imi- 
 tate, 224. 
 
 Counsellors of peace, 249 : Ex- 
 amples, 250, 'iSe ; This 
 name is given to the faith- 
 ful every where, 258 ; 
 What man's duty is, 264; 
 How to perform it well, 258; 
 Its importance, 261 ; Its 
 blessedness, 262. 
 
 Counsel of the wicked, 263 ; 
 Produces darkness, 263. 
 
 Cyrus, God's instrument in the 
 deliverance of the captive 
 Jews from Babylon, 86. 
 
 Constantine, 179. 
 
 (,'ourage possessed by tht' man 
 of God, 156 
 
 Creation, 333. 
 
 D. 
 
 Dark places of the earth iir<^ 
 barren, 328. 
 
 i 
 
INDEX. 
 
 :ui 
 
 M 
 
 David, him God gave to the seed 
 of Abraham the whole 
 country promised, 86. 
 
 Death the wages of sin, 70; the 
 penalty of sinning, 70. 
 
 Death, calmness in view of, 109. 
 
 Death compared to sleep, 274. 
 
 Djar children, 200. 
 
 Decision, religions, 20 ; Illus- 
 trated, 20, 22, 23; Is wise, 
 23. 
 
 Devotion, 19 ; The Christian 
 cann(jt be too devoted, 19. 
 
 Diogenes, his thoughts on hap- 
 piness, 48. 
 
 Disciple, 165 ; Meaning of the 
 name, 165. 
 
 Disciple of Christ, 165: Has no 
 other Master, 165 ; Loves 
 all other beings less than 
 Christ, 165 ; A disciple 
 must possess a teachable 
 disposition, 166 ; Must be- 
 come as a little child, 166 ; 
 Must be taught of God, 167; 
 His life is marked by con- 
 sistency, 171. 
 
 Earthly things, mutation of, 26. 
 
 Earthly and heavenly things 
 compared, 109. 
 
 Elect of God, 270. 
 
 Election, 270. 
 
 Epicurius, his thoughts on hap- 
 piness, 48. 
 
 Envy, one of man's basest pas* 
 sion.s, 297. 
 
 Epistles of Christ. 289 ; Read 
 of all men, 290; In an epis- 
 tle you see the character of 
 the writer, 290 ; They are 
 epistles of Christ who re- 
 tain the Christian name in 
 the midst of persecution, 
 291 ; Who tlo the work of 
 Christ, 293 ; Who exhibit 
 Charity, 294. 
 
 F. 
 
 Va,iih, 67, '-24 ; Of Devils, 68. 
 Faith, saving explained, 70 ; Its 
 
 triumphs, 71, 217. 
 Faithful are a kingdom of priests, 
 
 84 ; A commonwealth of 
 
 kings, 84, 90. 
 Faithful, 185, 188 ; Of the land, 
 
 271. 
 Faithful brethren of Christ, 264. 
 Familv united, 102. 
 Fasting, duty of, 242 ; When, 
 
 243. 
 Father, God our, 29. 
 Fenelon, his example, 144. 
 Fellow servants, 245. 
 Fellow citizens, 272. 
 Fellow heirs, 262. 
 Forsaking God, the folly of, 80. 
 Free woman, children of, 235. 
 Friends of God, 272. 
 
 God's care, 29. 
 
 God, friendship with, 30. 
 
 God, blessedness of coming to 
 Him in trouble, 50. 
 
 God's love described, 75. 
 
 God, the portion of His people, 
 01. 
 
 God, a hiding place for His peo- 
 ple, 334 ; His people'^ rock, 
 334. 
 
 God's sheep and lambs are liable 
 to go astray. 311. 
 
 Godly, 199. 
 
 God-like, 199 ; The unhappy 
 state of those who lose their 
 god-like character, 199. 
 
 (Jodliness, the importance of, 
 200. 
 
 Goodness of God imprinted on 
 all the works of nature, 15. 
 
 Gospel committed to tl^e Gen- 
 tiles, 83. 
 
 Gospel distinguished from ihe 
 
368 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 law, 235 ; Beatow« libi-rty. 
 'JSG ; A feast, 193. 
 Cirimshaw and Wliittield, 187. 
 
 H. 
 
 Happiness, perfect, where it 
 may be obtained, 48 : Ifow 
 sought, 52 ; Desired by 
 every living being within 
 its reach, 41) ; How sought 
 by them, 49, 50; Man's mis- 
 take in seeking, 51, 52 ; In- 
 ferior creatures seldom fail 
 in seeking, 51. 
 
 Hatred one of the characteris- 
 tics of the carnal mind, 29(5. 
 
 Harmlessness, 80(). 
 
 Heaven, the Christian's ultimate 
 
 home, 25 ; Called Paradise, 
 
 25 ; Saints' Inheritance, 25; 
 
 An incorruptible inheri- 
 
 , taiice, 2G ; An eternal in- 
 
 , heritance, 28 ; And eternal 
 life, 28. 
 
 Heirship, 108. \ 
 
 Heirs of God, 109 ; AU human 
 beings claim to be, 111. 
 
 Heirs of the Grace of life, 1 12. 
 
 Heirs of the Messiahic king- 
 dom, 112. 
 
 Heirs of the promise, 118. 
 
 Heirs of Salvation, 261. 
 
 Heirs of (iod, 2(il. 
 
 Heirs of the grace of life, 261. 
 
 Holy living necessary to, and 
 productive of happiness, 56. 
 
 Holiness necessary to the priest- 
 hood, 87 ; To perform the 
 othces of Christian life, 87 ; 
 To secure the Divine bles- 
 sing, 87 ; Not to enjoy it is 
 to despise Christian privi- 
 leges, 87 ; The timid Chris- 
 tian exhorted to seek after, 
 134 ; The importance of, 
 134 ; Necessary to ai<l in 
 spintual worship, 135 ; and 
 to meet God in peace, VM^. 
 
 Holiness its nature, 137 ; What 
 it is not, 137 ; What it is, 
 142. 
 
 Holiness a state of the heart, 
 143 ; Necessary to religious 
 enjoyment, 145. 
 
 Holy brethren, 255. 
 
 Holy Nation, 265. 
 
 Holy and mighty [jcople, 2(it). 
 
 Holiness and ini<rht inseparable, 
 266. 
 
 Holy priesthood, 268. 
 
 Holy seed, 268. 
 
 Holiness of the Jews made them 
 triumphant in their great 
 national conflicts, 269. 
 
 Holy people, 133 ; To whom 
 this name is applied, 1 33. 
 
 Hidden ones, 333. 
 
 Hiding places, 333. 
 
 Hiding places of God, 333. 
 
 Honours, earthly, worthless, 
 42. 
 
 Hypocrisy, 55. 
 
 Human glory brief and uncer- 
 tain, 178. 
 
 I. 
 
 In the presence of God is ful- 
 ness of joy, 63. 
 
 Innocence, 305 ; Its influence 
 upon its possessor, 307. 
 
 Instinct, powers of, 49 
 
 Instruments, wisest and beat 
 employed by God, to ac- 
 complish His purposes, 85. 
 
 Intercessors with God, 89. 
 
 Jacob, 229. 
 
 Jonkvns, Dr., his opinion on 
 
 '"' holiness," 142. 
 Jesus the " Bread of Life," 194. 
 Jews named a holy nation, 2(56. 
 Jews, they had committed to 
 
 them the " Word of Life," 
 
 87. 
 Joint heirs with Christ. 261. 
 
 
TNDEX 
 
 3(VJ 
 
 .loshtia leads the rhildn'u of 
 Israel into tlu- prtnnised 
 land, 86. 
 
 inion on 
 
 Joy, religions, 
 speak, I S) 
 
 9 ; Tears l»o- 
 Higher than 
 athisual, r)2 ; Found in the 
 cultivation of the spiritual, 
 o2 ; Sensual illustrated, 52, 
 53. 
 .)udgment,tho sentence in favour 
 of Cod'.s [teople, iV^. 
 
 Kingdom of Priests, 83. 
 Kingdom of (Jhrist shall never 
 
 pass away, 92. 
 Knowledge ol)tained from God, 
 
 surpasses all the treasures 
 
 of wisdom, 168. 
 Knowledge of Christ, 168 ; 
 
 Transfonir'ng, )69. 
 
 Lamb of Cod slain fortbe salva- 
 tion of man, 89. 
 
 Lamb's book of bfe, the saints' 
 names written therein, 128. 
 
 Latimer, his tidelity, 292. 
 
 Life, spiritual, 109; The result 
 of the boundless grace of 
 (iod, 109. 
 
 Looking unto Jesus is faith, 71. 
 
 Love, its voice, 29. 
 
 Love of God described, 75 ; 
 His love of pity, 75 ; Illus- 
 trated, 75 ; Spares not in 
 the absence of repentance, 
 75. 
 
 Love of benevolence, 75. 
 
 Love of comi^lacency, 75. 
 
 Love of God better than wine, 
 78 ; Superior to all things 
 on earth, 78. 
 
 Love a characteristic of the man 
 of God, 160. 
 
 I iight bestowed upon the church, 
 210, 
 
 Light, Children of, 319. 
 
 Light is rapid in its Hight, 324 ; 
 The surfaces which reflect 
 the most, are the most bril 
 liant, 324 ; Through the 
 influence of a thousand per- 
 sons can see the same ob 
 ject at the same time, 325. 
 
 Light moves only in straight 
 lines, 325. 
 
 Light is pure, 325; Through the 
 influence of it you can see 
 in nature both beauty and 
 deformity, 326. 
 
 Light is a source of safety, 327. 
 
 Light is free, 328. 
 
 Light is the fountain of life, 328. 
 
 Little Children, 260. 
 
 Lucas, Dr., his opinion on holi- 
 ness, 142. * 
 
 Lust wars against the spirit, 40. 
 
 M. 
 
 Man made higher than the beasts 
 of the Held, seeks for him- 
 self inferior gratification, 51. 
 
 Man of God, 149 ; Implies the 
 reception of God, 152 ; Sup- 
 poses friendship with God, 
 153. 
 
 Man of God, in him you see all 
 the characteristics of the 
 true manhood, 155. 
 
 Man's mistake in seeking hap- 
 piness, 51. 
 
 Marlborough, Duke of, 178. 
 
 Marriage feast, attendants up- 
 on, arrayed in white robes, 
 327. 
 
 Meekness, 310 ; Meaning of the 
 word meekness, 310; Christ 
 left His disciples an exam- 
 ple of,- 31<t ; Lessons from, 
 311. 
 
 Millard, Oliver, 187. 
 
 M-rality not enough, 55. 
 
 I I 
 
 n. 
 
 MM 
 
370 INDEX. 
 
 Moses named, ThOil man of God, 
 
 The Hebrew worthies wer«. 
 
 149. 
 
 39 ; All the faithful are, 39. 
 
 N. 
 
 Pilgrimages not productive o) 
 
 
 joy, 39 ; In the Christian 
 pilgrimage there are labours 
 
 Names, stranger, 16 ; Bible 
 
 names will apply to the 
 
 and sorrows to be borne, 
 
 Christian as to the Jew, 88. 
 
 40 ; Three things necessary 
 
 Nation, holy, 265. 
 
 to make those labours pleas- 
 
 Nation, from, 265. 
 
 ant, 40 ; The pilgrim .should 
 
 Nebo, Mt. Moses died on, 86. 
 
 throw aside all that would 
 
 Neighbourhood, its name, 102 ; 
 
 impede its progress, 41. 
 
 Emblem of Christian 
 
 Piety and power, 266. 
 
 Brotherhood, 102. 
 
 Pillarin the temple of my God, 
 
 Newt(m, Sir Jsaae, 1 78. 
 
 260. 
 
 
 Prayer, its nature, 89 ; Its im- 
 
 o. 
 
 portance, 89. 
 
 Obedience, 123. 
 
 Priesthood, holiness a qualifica- 
 
 Obedient children, 257. 
 
 tion for, 87. 
 
 Of the promises, 117. 
 
 Of the blessings promised, 1 19. 
 
 Oriental shepherd life, 313. 
 
 Promises, 123; Made to him that 
 
 overcometh, 129. 
 
 Providence, particular, 337. 
 
 p. 
 
 Purity of heart, 56. 
 
 Paradise, 25 ; Meaning of the 
 
 R. 
 
 word, 25 ; To what it re- 
 
 Redeemed, who are they? 343. 
 
 fers, 25. 
 
 Redeemed, meaningof the word, 
 
 Paul, his fidelity, 187. 
 
 843 ; From whence derived, 
 
 Peculiar People, 271. 
 
 344. 
 
 Peculiar treasure, 271. 
 
 Redemption, how it was accom- 
 
 People near unto God, 270. 
 
 plished, 345 ; The price 
 
 People of God, 271. 
 
 paid for it, 345. 
 
 People of God's pasture, 258. 
 
 Redeemed, why are the saints 
 
 People of God's inheritance, 258. 
 
 called ? 345 ; They are the 
 
 People prepared for the Lord, 
 
 property of God, 346 ; Are 
 
 261. 
 
 His peculiar people, 346 ; 
 
 People saved of the Lord, 260. 
 
 They shall walk safely in 
 
 Personal obligaticm, 245. 
 
 holiness, 346. 
 
 Pilgrim and pilgrimages, 33 ; In 
 
 Redeemed, they alone can learn 
 
 all nations, 33 ; In the 
 
 the songs of heaven, 346 ; 
 
 Christian Church, 33 ; In 
 
 Thej' are sealed unto the 
 
 England, 34 ; In Ireland, 
 
 day of redemption, 347 ; 
 
 54 ; Among the Mahom- 
 
 They have the earnest of 
 
 etans, 34; In heathen coun- 
 
 the completion of, 347. 
 
 tries, 36 ; Among the Hin- 
 
 Redemption, in it you see nian'b 
 
 doos, 37. 
 
 lost estate, 347 ; God's love, 
 
 Pilgrim, meaning of the name. 
 
 254 ; The mediatorial work 
 
 38 ; Bible speaks of, 38 ; 
 
 of Christ, 347 ; And the 
 
 • 
 
INDEX. 
 
 371 
 
 blessings bestowed upon 
 man, 348. 
 Religion, true iucn .les purity, 
 
 56 ; and zeal, 56. 
 Religion, Christian religion must 
 have but one head, &c. ; 
 Productive of joy, 97. 
 Religions, human, their origin, 
 97 ; Are burdensome and 
 oppressive, 97; Their gods 
 are idols, 97 ; Are repul- 
 sive, 98. 
 Resurrection, Children of, 269. 
 Resurrection explained, 269 ; 
 Its importance to man, 269; 
 A doctrine of the bible, 270; 
 The analogies of nature, 
 271 ; Change from night to 
 day, typical of, 271 ; Saints 
 shall enjoy special privi- 
 leges in, 272 ; Shall possess 
 incorruptible bodies in, 272; 
 Shall possess glorious bod- 
 ies, 272 ; Shall be glorious 
 like that of Christ, 276 ; 
 Shall be raised in power, 
 279 ; Shall be raised spirit- 
 ual, 280. 
 
 Riches, earthly what are they ? 
 41 ; Are of little value, 
 224. 
 
 Righteous, tie, 273. 
 
 Righteousness, trees of, 273 . 
 
 River of Life, 29. 
 
 Rock, its stability, 334. 
 
 Royal priesthood, 83. 
 
 S. 
 
 Sacrifice of Chrirjfc, 88. 
 
 Saints' inheritance, 25. 
 
 Saints, to enjoy special privi- , 
 
 leges in the resurrection, 
 
 275. 
 Saints, their relation to .Migels, 
 
 321. 
 Salvation, 107 ; Heirs of, \m. 
 
 Siilvation, its height, depth,, 
 length, and breadth, 107. 
 
 Sanctitication prayed for, 265. 
 
 Seed of Abraham, 229. 
 
 Servants, fellow, 245. 
 
 Servants of Christ, 272. 
 
 Servants of the Lord, 272. 
 
 Servants of the Most High, 272. 
 
 Servants of Righteousness, 272. 
 
 Shiloh, 230. 
 
 Sheep and lambs, 303 ; How 
 they are used in figure now, 
 303; How used in the Bible, 
 303 ; Jesus called " Lamb 
 of God," 303 ; Why sheep 
 are now kept in sheepfolds, 
 312. 
 
 Solon, his thoughts on happi- 
 ness, 47. 
 
 Sons of God, 259. 
 
 Sons of the Living God, 259. 
 
 Sound mind possessed by the 
 man of God, 160. 
 
 Spirit, witness of, 103. 
 
 Spirits, agency in man's conver- 
 sion, 136. 
 Spiritual Life, three stages in, 
 
 149. 
 Spiritual glory, 179. 
 Stability, a characteristic, of the 
 
 man of God, 157. 
 Stranger, meaning of the word, 
 15 ; Illustrated, 16. 
 
 The holy life, influential for 
 
 Good, 143. 
 The Lord's freemen, 272. 
 Thornton, Henry, his example, 
 
 144. 
 Timothy, named. Thou man of 
 
 God, 150. 
 Towers built upon rocks, 245. 
 Transfiguration of our Lord on 
 
 a high mountain apart, 24(5. 
 Trees of righteousness, 273. 
 
372 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 U. 
 
 IJusaved men aro l)liiul, 10 ; 
 
 Illustrated, 16. 
 Union, Christian, 99. 
 Unity productive of order, 101 ; 
 
 Of strength, 102. 
 
 . V. 
 
 Vessels unto honour, 258. 
 Vessels of mercy, 258. 
 
 W. 
 
 Waking, typical of the resur- 
 rection, 274. 
 
 What has the world to be proud 
 of, 178. 
 
 Wicked, names of, 320. 
 
 Widow and her seven sons, 2G7. 
 
 Wisdom, the man of God pos- 
 sesses, 155. 
 
 Witness of the Spirit, 103. 
 
 Words of God committed to the 
 Jews, 8C. 
 
 World, friendship with, 30. 
 
 INDEX TO APPENDIX. 
 
 An holy Priesthood, 300. 
 
 Brethren, 355; My, 355; Be- 
 loved, 355; Of Christ, 350. 
 
 Called of Jesus Christ, 349. 
 
 Children of the Lord, 352; Of 
 the Living God, 352; Of the 
 Father, 352; Of the Highest, 
 352; Dear, 352; Little, 352; 
 Of the Kingdom, 303; Obe- 
 dient, 351. 
 
 Chosen, 349; Ones, 349; Ves- 
 sels, 350; Generation, 350. 
 
 Christian, 356. 
 
 Dear Children, 352. 
 
 Elect of God, 301. 
 
 Faithful Brethren of Christ. 
 356; Of the land, 363. 
 
 Fellow citizens, 363 ; Heirs, 
 354; Friends of God, 303. 
 
 Heirs of iSalvation, 353. 
 
 Holy priesthood, 350; Nati(m, 
 357; And mighty people, 357; 
 Seed, 300. 
 
 Joint heirs with Christ, 353, 
 
 Little Children, 352. 
 
 Obedient Children, 351. 
 Peculiar people, 302; Treasure, 
 
 302. 
 People of God's pasture, 350; 
 
 Of God's inheritance, 351 ; 
 
 Prepared for the Lord, 352; 
 
 Saved by the Lord, 353; Near 
 
 unto God, 302; Peculiar, 302; 
 
 Of God, 303; Special, 303. 
 Pillars in the temple of my God, 
 
 353. 
 Servants of Christ, 303; Of the 
 
 Lord, 363; Of the Most High, 
 
 303; Of righteousness, 303. 
 Sons of the Living God, 351. 
 Speak, live, act as the Children 
 
 of God, 351. 
 Special people, 303. 
 The Lord's freemen, 303. 
 The righteous, (1) what he docs 
 
 not, 303 ; (2) What he is and 
 
 does, 304. 
 Vessels unto honour, 350 ; Of 
 
 mercy, 350, 
 
B¥ THE (SAME AUTHOR. 
 
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BY THE SAME AtlTHOH. 
 
 THE MODERN PRODIGAL SON; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE LOST FOUND. 
 
 -The 
 
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 Part I 
 THE WANDERINGS OF THE MODERN PRODKJAL. 
 
 Chap. Ist. — Olimpaes of Home Life in the Wanderer's early days. 
 
 2nd. — The Wanderer inquiring into the Nature of »Sin. 
 
 3rd. — The Wanderer's resolve to leave Home. 
 
 4th. — The Wanderer's first step. He goes from hoimt 
 among Strangers. 
 
 oth. — The Wanderer's second step. He runs into Riot. 
 
 6th. — The Wanderer misspends his Substance, illustrating 
 the consequences of Wandering. 
 
 7th. — The Wanderer Homeless and in want. 
 
 8th. — The Wanderer vainly attempts to remedy his condi- 
 tion. 
 
 Part n. 
 
 THE PRODIGAL REPENTANT RETURNS TO HIS 
 
 FATHER'S HOUSE AND IS RECEIVED 
 
 IN PEACE 
 
 Chap. Ist. — The Wanderer's Reason Restored, 
 
 " 2nd. — The Wanderer's Penitential Resitlutions. 
 
 " 3rd. — The Wanderer's Penitential Sorrow and Confession. 
 
 *' 4th. — The Meeting and Reconciliation. 
 
 '' 6th. — Home Joys on the Wanderer's Return. 
 
 Should be put in the hands of all young people. 
 
OPINIONS OF THE PRES8. 
 
 ■ \y-%y y^-^"^ ■^^•>- 
 
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 —This is a gift book for the times. It is evidently born of the 
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 Chnstian Messenger. 
 
 The Modern Prodioal. Son ; or. The Lost Found. — Under 
 the scriptural imagery of the story of the *' Prodigal Son," the 
 writer of this earnestly religious volume portrays the career of 
 dissipation and the recovery of a young man " known to the 
 author," and the whole narrative is so presented as to arrest the 
 wandering, and win them to a better life. It is a very different 
 kind of book from the easy going, trashy, religious fictions of the 
 Jay. Its reading will do good to all. — New York Christian 
 Advocate. 
 
 The Modern Prodigal Son ; or, The Lost Found. — This 
 is the title of a useful, interesting, handsomely bound volume by 
 the author of "Bible Palm Trees ; or, Christian Life Illustrated." 
 We bespeak a large sale for this excellent book. Alas that there 
 should be so many Modern Prodigals ; some who have left the 
 parental roof, children of many prayers. But pious parents, 
 though affectionate and well meaning may be too indulgent, and 
 ])ermit their children to grow up to maturity without crossing 
 their natural inclinations. Thus it was with Edward, the sub- 
 ject of this interesting narrative. I 'ut Edward the lost son was 
 found ; and may the history of his recovery induce many a wan- 
 derer to return to his father's house. — Guiile to Holiness. 
 
 Bible Palm Trees, and Modern Prodigal Son are two 
 books by the same author. They are well calculated to promote 
 the object for which evidently they were written, viz : The 
 former to prompt and encourage the child of God to aspire after 
 holiness of heart ; and the latter to show, as does its protot}'pe by 
 the Saviour — the downward tendency and degradation to which 
 sin ever leads its victims, and the claims which every such prodi- 
 gal has on the practical sympathy of the disciples of Jesus. 
 These books deserve as it is understood they are receiving a 
 widely extended patronage 'and diffusion. — Rev. J. Borlaml, St. 
 John's .