GERON: 
 
 THE OLD MAN IN SEARCH OF 
 PARADISE. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN LAVICOUNT ANDERDON, 
 
 \A 
 
 AUTHOR OF 'THE LIFE OF BISHOP KEN BY A LAYMAN,' 
 
 'THE MESSIAH,' ETC. 
 
 WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR 
 
 BY 
 
 THE REV. GEORGE WILLIAMS, B.D. 
 
 VICAR OF RINGWOOD, HON. CANON OF WINCHESTER. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 GEORGE BELL AND SONS, 
 
 YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
 
 LONDON : 
 
 Printed by JOHN STKANGEWAVS, 
 Castle St. Leicester Sq.
 
 H5iograpbical ana Literarp Notice. 
 
 IN presenting this posthumous work to the public, it seems 
 to be a sacred duty to the memory of the author to prefix 
 a short biographical and literary notice of one who has been 
 many years before the Church, although with characteristic 
 modesty his name was always omitted from the title-pages 
 of such works as were published during his lifetime. The 
 authorship of one probably the best-known production of 
 his pen was, however, very widely known soon after its 
 publication. 
 
 John Lavicount Anderdon was born at Bristol on the 
 5th of April, 1792. He was the third son of John Proctor 
 Anderdon and Anne, daughter and coheiress with her 
 sisters of Thomas Oliver, Esq., of Broghill Castle, Cork, 
 afterwards Governor of Massachusetts. He was educated 
 first at Dr. Nicholas' preparatory school at Baling, and 
 afterwards at Harrow, from whence he was transferred, at an 
 early age, to the office of Messrs. Manning and Anderdon, 
 in which firm he became a partner about 1816, on his 
 marriage with Anna Maria, second daughter of William 
 Manning, Esq., M.P.
 
 iv Biographical and Literary Notice. 
 
 Gifted by nature to a rare degree with those personal 
 qualities which are essential to the formation of a perfect 
 ideal of an English gentleman, Divine grace threw round 
 him a halo of sanctity, which lent a charm to his whole 
 life and endeared him to a wide circle of friends. 
 
 His active business life as a junior partner in a large 
 mercantile house did not, for some years, afford him much 
 leisure to devote to literary pursuits ; but he was, so far as 
 opportunity offered, a diligent and careful student, espe- 
 cially of history, and his first effort as an author was in a 
 pamphlet on West Indian matters, very useful, and highly 
 appreciated at the time. 
 
 His next literary essay was prompted by his favourite 
 recreation as a disciple of Izaak Walton, and The River 
 Dove was written, after the method of The Complete Angler, 
 in a series of dialogues between Piscator and Pictor, in 
 this case, suggested by a walking tour through that classical 
 region, in company with a brother, in the summer of the 
 year 1823. 
 
 These two minor works represent the whole extent of 
 his secular writings, for he soon turned his thoughts to 
 more serious undertakings. That there was a connexion 
 in his own mind between his love for Izaak Walton and 
 his reverence for the memory of Thomas Ken the half- 
 brother by marriage, and virtually the ward of that most 
 charming of biographers cannot be doubted; for some 
 years the good Bishop of Bath and Wells seems to have 
 exercised a kind of fascination over him. A reprint in large
 
 Biographical and Literary Notice. v 
 
 type of the Morning, Evening, and Midnight Hymns, with 
 the original accompaniment by Tallis, was his first tribute 
 to the memory of Bishop Ken, whose model of simple, 
 genuine, Church-of-England piety and devotion, had a 
 peculiar charm for Mr. Anderdon, and exercised a marked 
 influence over his religious life, as well as on his course of 
 studies and his literary pursuits. 
 
 The reprint of the Hymns was shortly followed by a 
 selection from Bishop Ken's devotional works, published in 
 1850 under the title of An Approach to the Holy Altar ; 
 and in the year 1854 by a reprint of his Exposition of the 
 Creed, with notes and extracts from various ancient authors, 
 in defence of the position of the English Church, at that 
 critical time so much controverted. While thus becoming 
 imbued with the spirit of Bishop Ken's practical and 
 devotional writings, he was led to undertake a more 
 full and complete biography of him than had yet been 
 attempted, and he spared no pains to make himself 
 acquainted with the history of the good Bishop's life and 
 times. The first edition of this Life of Bishop Ken was 
 published in the spring of 1851, and proved every way 
 worthy of a disciple of Izaak Walton; a second and 
 enlarged edition was soon called for, and published in 
 the year 1854. 
 
 The following estimate of this work, from the pen of 
 one who rendered him material assistance in the prepara- 
 tion of the second edition for the press, does no more than 
 justice to the author, and very accurately describes the
 
 vi Biographical and Literary Notice. 
 
 conscientious pains which the author bestowed upon all 
 that he put his hand to : 
 
 ' I can state, more especially from my knowledge of his 
 labours in bringing out the second edition of Ken's Life, that 
 his industry in collecting materials was unwearied. He grudged 
 no expense to obtain them, and was most conscientious in the 
 use of them; not wresting them to the support of party or 
 prejudice, but presenting them to the reader generally in their 
 entireness, and always in the old-fashioned spelling of the 
 originals, with as much minuteness as if he were a witness 
 giving evidence on oath. Rather than omit occasional portions 
 of the valuable MSS. which he exhumed or procured from the 
 Bodleian and other collections, that bore but remotely on his 
 subject matter, yet might be of service to future writers or 
 students in historical investigations, he willingly incurred the 
 charge of prolixity or faint relevancy. He sought not to 
 elaborate any style or produce any effect, but wrought up his 
 authorities and delivered his own reflexions on the events 
 which he was chronicling in an artless and natural manner, 
 aiming at nothing but the truth, the good of man, and the 
 glory of God. His Life of Ken I regard as an unpretending, 
 solid piece of work, which furnishes many pages of delightful 
 and instructive narrative, and abounds in valuable materials 
 for the biography and history of the Church of England. 
 Unquestionably he will go down to future generations of 
 English and American Churchmen, all over the globe, as the 
 biographer of Ken, with whose fame and whose virtues his 
 name most justly will be durably associated.' 
 
 His retirement from business in 1854 left him full 
 leisure to undertake the subject which now occupied his 
 thoughts, and to which he devoted the next six years of his
 
 Biographical and Literary Notice. vii 
 
 life. This was a work which he entitled The Messiah, 
 being a continuous and harmonised narrative of the Life 
 and Ministry of our Blessed Lord. With his characteristic 
 diffidence he for some time kept to himself the secret of 
 his ambitious undertaking; merely saying, in answer to 
 inquiries, that the subject on which he was engaged was 
 too high for any layman to aspire to, and that he was 
 unworthy to attempt it. It need hardly be said that this 
 view of his own personal disqualification for the task, to 
 which he was yet irresistibly drawn by a higher influence, 
 proved his surest safeguard in so arduous a work -periculosa 
 plenum opus alea for it led him earnestly to seek grace from 
 on high, and to imitate the example of those holy mediaeval 
 limners of our Lord's features who are reported to have 
 consecrated their artistic studies by fasting and prayer. 
 And such illumination was consciously vouchsafed to him. 
 He would often say, ' The thoughts are not my own, but 
 given;' 'All the light is from above.' And this solemn 
 conviction was altogether free from vain-glorying arrogancy, 
 as simple and sincere as the very similar sentiment of 
 Bernard of Morlaix, with reference to his immortal poem. 
 The very last thought of a mind so habitually reverent 
 as was his would have been to trick out the grand simplicity 
 of the sacred narrative in the factitious graces of human 
 language ; and The Messiah is studiously free from all such 
 embellishments of style or diction. Neither was there a 
 shadow of fanaticism in his conviction of help from above ; 
 for the work is a perfect marvel of patient industry, and the
 
 viii Biographical and Literary Notice. 
 
 chief wonder is how, in the short space of time in which it 
 must have been completed, the writer could not only have 
 read, but digested, such a variety of authors. For his 
 apparatus criticus embraces not only, nor chiefly, the best- 
 known patristic commentators on Holy Scripture ; not only 
 the best of the old English divines and modern writers, 
 home and foreign ; but chiefly the voluminous writings of a 
 period little studied by our modern divines, the mystical 
 and deeply devotional school of late mediaeval Catholic 
 theology, and of the early Lutheran pietists. The very 
 copious extracts from these almost inaccessible sources, 
 given in the foot-notes to The Messiah, while they bear 
 witness to the industry no less than to the diffidence of the 
 writer, have conferred a great boon upon the student who 
 resorts to the Gospel history for devotional purposes, by 
 bringing within easy reach of the ordinary reader ' thoughts 
 that breathe and words that burn' with the purest flame of 
 devotion. Yet there can be no doubt that this great 
 excellency of The Messiah detracted seriously from its popu- 
 larity, and hindered its extensive circulation ; for not only 
 did these full illustrations of the author's text add enor- 
 mously to the bulk of the volume, but what was perhaps 
 a still more serious drawback the fact of their appearing 
 in a learned language, the original Latin, presented, at 
 the first glance, the appearance of a learned theological 
 work, unsuited for the edification of the devout, simple- 
 minded, unlearned Christian, in the family or in the closet. 
 Although, then, the author was not without the reward,
 
 Biographical and Literary Notice. ix 
 
 which he would greatly prize, of knowing from the testi- 
 mony of private friends that his labours had been helpful 
 to individual souls, yet he might naturally experience 
 disappointment that it had not been so widely useful as 
 he had hoped it might be. This feeling suggested to him 
 the idea of publishing a smaller edition, without the Latin 
 notes and excursive dissertations of the original work. 
 Soon after he had engaged in this task, a volume of Nouet's 
 Meditations on the Gospel History fell under his notice, and 
 it was suggested to him that a simpler reproduction of this 
 devotional work, in an English dress, adapted to the Seasons 
 of the Christian Year, would supply a desideratum which 
 had been much felt by the devout poor, especially among 
 the inmates of various religious houses. With his habitual 
 deference to the judgment of others he adopted the 
 suggestion, and resolved to cast the materials already stored 
 up in The Messiah into this form ; and the final result was 
 that, the original idea of a translation of Nouet having been 
 abandoned, The Devout Christian's Help to Meditation on 
 the Life of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostolic Church, 
 was published in five consecutive parts in 1866 and 1867 
 anonymous, as usual, so far as the authorship was con- 
 cerned, but bearing on the title-page the revered name of 
 the Rector of Clewer as Editor, and earnestly recommended 
 by him in a brief Introduction, as 'a most valuable help 
 towards the exercise of a mode of devotion too long 
 neglected among us, and still very partially practised, but 
 which spiritual writers have agreed in recommending as
 
 x Biographical and Literary Notice. 
 
 most efficacious of all others in cherishing and deepening 
 " a life hid with Christ in God." ' 
 
 This devotional work, reflecting as it does the calm 
 and deep tone of the author's own religious experience, as 
 now, at the mature age of near fourscore years, 
 
 ' Along the cool, sequester'd vale of life, 
 He kept the noiseless tenour of his way,' 
 
 soon made its value felt among those for whom it was 
 chiefly designed, and his declining years were cheered by 
 the assurances which reached him from various quarters, 
 that as a writer in the school of devotional and practical 
 piety he had 'not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.' 
 
 But his work was not yet done. Never of a robust 
 physical constitution, and sensibly affected by the feeble- 
 ness of his advanced age, his mind, unclouded by earthly 
 shadows, became more and more vividly alive to heavenly 
 realities, and he loved to bask, as it were, in the light which 
 ofttimes is found to illumine the path of God's saints as 
 they approach the goal of their earthly pilgrimage. ' The 
 path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more 
 and more unto the perfect day;' and his desire was to 
 catch some glimpses of ' the land very far off,' and yet so 
 near, and to fix them not only on the retina of his own 
 spiritual vision, but on the written page of his last earthly 
 essay, for the edification and consolation of others. Geron, 
 or The Old Man in Search of Paradise, pleasantly and who 
 shall doubt ? profitably beguiled the last years of his life,
 
 BiograpJiical and Literary Notice. xi 
 
 and he had already made considerable progress with the 
 third revision and transcription of the MS. when the 
 summons came to enter upon that rest which he had 
 so long and so lovingly contemplated. He fell asleep 
 March 8th, 1874. 
 
 Can this brief notice be more appropriately closed than 
 in the words of his own favourite master, with whom he had 
 so much in common as a model layman ? 
 
 'And now he seems to rest like Lazarus in Abraham's 
 bosom. Let me here draw his curtain, till with the most 
 glorious company of the patriarchs and apostles, the most 
 noble army of martyrs and confessors, this most humble, holy 
 man, shall also awake to receive an eternal tranquillity, and, 
 with it, a greater degree of glory than common Christians 
 shall be partakers of.'
 
 on tf aratrig*. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 THE INTERMEDIATE STATE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PARADISE. 
 
 i. The Garden of Eden. 
 
 THE Lord Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one 
 God, supreme Creator and Ruler of His own beautiful 
 universe from all eternity, in His wisdom and His love 
 willed to make a new order of intelligent beings, a little 
 lower than His angels ; that their happiness should be to 
 love, worship, and obey Him on earth as angelic choirs do 
 in heaven. Having completed this world for their delight- 
 ful dwelling-place, the Lord God said, ' Let Us make man 
 in our image and after our likeness.' ' So God created 
 man in His own image, in the image of God created He 
 him ; male and female created He them.' The most pre- 
 cious ornament, the brightest jewel of this new intellectual 
 creature, would be his living soul in God's own image, 
 capable of angelic instincts ; intended for a higher paradise 
 in realms of unclouded light perpetual day.
 
 2 Paradise. 
 
 A great mystery ! Man, a creature, to be like God, his 
 Creator ! In His mercy and beneficence He purposed that 
 Adam and Eve should seek their joy in loving Him as 
 obedient children, that He might be their heavenly Father 
 and translate them to His celestial kingdom in compa- 
 nionship with cherubim and seraphim. The soul of man 
 could never die; but, dwelling in a body formed from 
 dust, it might decline from its original holiness through 
 temptations of a fleshly nature. God graciously placed 
 these new creatures of His choice in a beautiful garden, or 
 Paradise, of His own, which He had planted eastward in 
 Eden. They were to be lords over all they surveyed on 
 earth, which for their use brought forth abundantly her stores 
 of flowers, fruits, and all that might contribute to make them 
 happy. What more could have been done for Adam and 
 and his partner Eve in Paradise ? They rejoiced in the 
 presence of the Lord God as He walked through their 
 garden in the cool of the day. 
 
 With an eye of faith behold, as it were, in panoramic 
 view, the glorious scene : You look around from point to 
 point; every object opens on your consciousness in brilliant 
 colours, and in accuracy of perspective : all seems a de- 
 lightful reality, even as Scripture declares, ' God saw 
 everything that He had made, and behold, it was very 
 good.' Adam and Eve, in their beauty of innocence, are 
 the central figures, surrounded with flowers of every hue in 
 their garden of Eden, springing up in fragrance, and tempt- 
 ing fruits to be freely eaten, except of one mysterious 
 tree in the midst of the garden, ' the tree of the 
 knowledge of good and evil.' Of this they might not 
 eat on pain of certain death death of the body, 'formed 
 from dust,' a beautiful casket for the soul, that jewel inesti- 
 mably precious to its Creator, because it was made ' in His 
 own image and after His own likeness,' imperishable, im- 
 mortal. Alas ! Adam and Eve did eat, and so they fell.
 
 The Earthly Paradise Eden. 3 
 
 From that first day of sin, themselves and all their genera- 
 tions were to die return to their original dust, according to 
 the Word of God, which is imperishable once spoken, un- 
 alterable for ever. 
 
 But the jewel of the soul was immortal ; it would as- 
 suredly be received into the presence of its Divine Giver, 
 carried by His angels to a higher Paradise than the garden 
 of Eden ; reserved only for such as should repent them of 
 their sins, the sad inheritance of their fallen nature, and 
 live in obedience to Divine command. Then, at a general 
 resurrection of the last day, their respective bodies shall be 
 reunited to each respective soul. Thus, whatever once has 
 been is to be again, in its original or some other form, for 
 ever ; but man especially, for he is responsible treasurer of 
 that royal jewel his soul on trust, to keep the casket 
 undented, that no breath of taint may dull the brilliancy 
 of its jewel. And when he shall be called to render up his 
 charge, if he is found faithful to his trust, richly shall he 
 be rewarded in a kingdom of never-failing joy. Thus each 
 one of us may understand that divine mystery opened out 
 to view in God's Book of books ' God is Love.' Man is 
 His child ; adopted brother of His well-beloved Son, Jesus 
 Christ, that Incarnate God who died for all mankind. 
 Unfathomable mystery ! It was His love that moved Him 
 to endure ' unknown agonies,' that so all transgressions of 
 repentant sinners might be for ever cleansed through His 
 righteousness. Thus man is dear and well-beloved of God, 
 accepted freely through a Saviour's atonement, not through 
 any merits of his own.
 
 4 Paradise. 
 
 2. Paradise Lost. 
 
 WHEN His work of creation was ended, and God rested 
 from His labours, what choruses of seraphic alleluias must 
 have resounded through the highest Heaven ! ' the morning 
 stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy' 
 (Job, xxxviii. 7). Unto angels He appointed a new service, 
 to succour and defend those creatures, formed in His own 
 divine image, so beautiful to behold, so wonderfully en- 
 dowed with powers from His Holy Spirit. In providential 
 wisdom He ordained a trial of Adam and Eve's grateful 
 love and fidelity to His commands. For this purpose He 
 made to grow in the midst of His garden a ' tree of life,' 
 and a ' tree of knowledge of good and evil.' These two 
 trees had wonderful properties. If Adam and Eve should 
 eat of the ' tree of life,' they would live for ever ; but if they 
 tasted the ' tree of knowledge ' they would learn the nature 
 of evil ; and thus might be tempted to pernicious acquaint- 
 ance with sin. The fruit of that tree was pleasant to behold, 
 but laden with death to any disobedient eater. Therefore, 
 to prevent Adam and Eve from tasting this bitter fruit, the 
 Lord God commanded the man, saying, ' Of every tree of 
 the garden thou mayest freely eat ; but of the tree of know- 
 ledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it : for in the 
 day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.' A fallen 
 angel, Satan, subtle enemy of innocence, gained entrance into 
 Paradise, and tempted Eve to eat of that tree. Alas ! she 
 transgressed, and took the fruit ; then gave to Adam, and he 
 also did eat. Wherefore God drove them out; and their 
 offspring, to all generations, contracted an inherent taint of 
 original sin, thus becoming subject to the threatened 
 death; awful warning to all future ages! Earth was 
 cursed because of sin ; it would become more like a wilder- 
 ness than a garden, bringing forth thorns and thistles, and 
 would require continual toil to cultivate : in the sweat of
 
 Paradise Lost. 5 
 
 his face man was to eat bread. Thus we see how Adam 
 lost his earthly Paradise, all the joy of innocence, and, 
 greatest loss of all, the sense of God's favour and the un- 
 speakable privilege of personal converse with God. 
 
 Carry back your thoughts to happy Eden ; contemplate 
 that glorious age, when ' God saw everything that He had 
 made, and, behold, it was very good.' But fix your chief 
 regard on Adam and Eve in their existence of a spotless 
 innocence, formed in the likeness of their Creator. What 
 uninspired pen of poet or historian has ever conveyed to 
 you an adequate description of their beauty, grace, and 
 dignity of person ? How can you or I impure, defiled 
 express, or even in imagination picture, their exquisite form 
 of body, bright and glowing in that one pervading attraction 
 of immaculate holiness, guiltless as the angels ? Such was 
 man in his primeval state ; his body as a polished casket of 
 his immortal, precious soul. Do we scarce ever meditate 
 on this for our improvement ? Have we any earnest desire, 
 or do we pray, for help to keep our body undefiled in sight 
 of a Heavenly Father? He has intrusted to our care 
 that sacred tabernacle of His indwelling, our immortal soul 
 an image of Himself to keep it holy, undefiled. Alas ! 
 who could have the courage to make a faithful record of his 
 evil habits, lusts, and passions ? or declare the truth in all 
 its fulness to relatives and friends ? Yet every fault in each 
 particular is known, and has been open from earliest youth, 
 to the all-hearing ear and all-seeing eye of God. And, 
 worse than this, we neither blush before Him, nor weep, nor 
 pray, nor vow with any fixed resolves, steadfastly to pursue 
 His only path, gain His approval, and thus secure our 
 entrance to His kingdom of Paradise. O that men would 
 pause before they take one step in evil, say one word untrue, 
 or for a moment entertain a single thought dishonest or 
 impure, so to keep their body that casket of the soul for 
 which their Saviour died brilliant as the noonday sun !
 
 6 Paradise. 
 
 Our body is a sacred vessel of His sanctuary, consecrated 
 to offerings of sacrifice in His temple, before His altar ; 
 there to join with His holy Church in receiving His flesh 
 and partaking of His most precious blood, ' after an heavenly 
 and spiritual manner,' in objective view of His presence. 
 Let all partake who have a sorrowful, reverential sense of 
 their own transgressions, and steadfastly purpose to lead a 
 happy life in future : this evidence of a sincere desire to be 
 forgiven will be accepted ; they shall be justified in the 
 righteousness of Jesus Christ their Lord, rejoicing in His 
 atonement, whereby He hath made them free from con- 
 demnation. So when their mortal body shall put on im- 
 mortality, and their corruption put on incorruption, they may 
 find their seat prepared at His heavenly marriage supper. 
 
 3. Paradise Regained. 
 
 WHO could restore Adam and Eve ? Where in a wilder- 
 ness of sin might they find refreshment under some over- 
 shadowing rock, to hide their shame from the burning wrath of 
 God ? Who should deliver them from the penalty of their 
 sin? Love divine hath no bounds is infinite; and love 
 divine it was that moved the counsels of the everlasting 
 Trinity to find a remedy for this great transgression of Adam 
 and Eve; that they, and all their children's children, as 
 pardoned sinners, might live in search of a higher celestial 
 Paradise, loving God, and through His divine grace setting 
 forth the glory of His loving mercy. The eternal well- 
 beloved Son of the Father, God of God, very God of very 
 God, would be their Saviour. ' By Him were all things 
 created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible 
 and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or 
 principalities or powers ; all things were created by Him, 
 and for Him ; and He is before all things, and by Him all 
 things consist ' (Col. i. 16-19). I* 1 tne appointed time, this
 
 Paradise Regained. 7 
 
 beloved Son, Jesus Christ, would lay His glory by, would 
 leave His throne in highest heaven, would be miraculously 
 born of the Virgin Mary into this lower world in the nature 
 of man become Incarnate God; would surfer bitterest 
 agonies nailed to a cross, that He might make atonement, 
 as Redeemer of countless millions of the human race, in- 
 heriting sin, death, and corruption from Adam and Eve's 
 transgression. Such is the great mystery of iniquity, and no 
 less mystery of Divine redemption, never to be penetrated in 
 its fulness until some day of final revelation, when all secrets 
 will be opened out before God's eternal throne. 
 
 4. Happiness restored through Penitence and Innocence. 
 
 ' CURSED is the ground for thy sake,' said God in His 
 anger unto Adam ; but the curse was capable of being 
 turned into a blessing, when first our Lord abode on earth. 
 His Presence consecrated this world unto Himself; and 
 every rood of land on which a temple is built to His service 
 and glory, is made a holy spot. 
 
 Beauty of Innocence. 
 
 It is a various, strange, and troubled world we live in> 
 each with his own motives and schemes trying to better 
 himself. I say nothing here of means or agencies, good or 
 evil. For a moment let me pursue my search after a rare 
 and precious jewel. Show me a rose-diamond, the 'beauty 
 of innocence.' I have searched far and wide, but often all in 
 vain. What, then, you may ask, do I consider the properties, 
 of this valuable gem? or, in other words, 'What is innocence?' 
 It has several choice, peculiar attractions, setting off graceful 
 qualities, suited to various circumstances and characters. 
 
 What was it drew the Lord of life and love with such 
 tenderness to children? What made Him challenge all 
 men to cherish and protect them? declaring how His
 
 8 Paradise. 
 
 Father's angels guarded them, and would avenge Him of 
 any who should betray these objects of His love? It was 
 their innocence, their purity. Remember His words : 'Whoso 
 shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it 
 were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his 
 neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.' 
 Innocence He loves. Difficult it may be to attain, but not 
 beyond our endeavours, by help of grace divine. Innocence 
 has an active quality of gratitude to God; unselfishness, 
 fortitude, and perseverance ; is prompt to zealous exertions 
 of benevolence : also it has a passive faculty of long-suffering 
 forbearance, and the three great theological virtues of faith, 
 hope, and charity. All these, and other kindred" traits of 
 beauty, would entitle us to say, that if anything on earth 
 could be perfect, Innocence might shine as an angel of light 
 But the fallen condition of our nature forbids the thought ; 
 for since the Divine Exemplar of all perfections ascended to 
 His throne, not one among all the children of men has ever 
 reached His standard of Christian innocence. The right- 
 eousness of all the saints on earth can plead nothing of 
 themselves, but through the atonement of His Incarnate 
 Deity. He alone presents to us the harmonious attributes 
 of immaculate innocence. Unto Him, therefore, make the 
 offering of all you are, or have, or hope for, or desire. Pray 
 that He will keep you innocent : make that your highest 
 object of attainment, as most acceptable to Himself: let all 
 your actions be governed by His commands, that so, in the 
 beauty of innocence, you may be sanctified as a temple of 
 the Lord, a sanctuary of His indwelling, and hear His voice 
 ' in the cool of the evening.' Thus earth once more might be 
 a Paradise. 
 
 If there can be any greater joy than God dwelling in 
 our soul, it will surely be His nearer presence in Paradise, 
 teaching us to look yet higher to His heaven of heavens. 
 All these are mysteries beyond our power to solve. By His
 
 Happiness possible on Earth. 9 
 
 established truth it needs no argument or proof to make it 
 clear. 
 
 Penitence. 
 
 The awful nature of a sublime and holy God might 
 justly overwhelm desponding sinners with dismay at the 
 thoughts of deserved punishment ; but His love and mercy 
 are no less conspicuous than His majesty and holiness. 
 By rules of earth, a beggar, ragged, poor, or sick of heart, 
 may not approach a throne of king or prince surrounded by 
 royal attendants ; still less can offenders against the royal 
 laws expect to be received. But our heavenly Father, King 
 of kings,- pities all His repentant children ; invites all deso- 
 late, suffering, or oppressed souls, sinners, to kneel before 
 His throne. He listens to their tales of woe. Of all the 
 thousand millions of this earth, no single penitent who, by 
 God's Holy Spirit, bows in faith and sincere desire of ac- 
 ceptance, is disregarded. One plea prevails Christ's all- 
 perfect Righteousness. Eternal glory, praise and adoration, 
 be unto Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for such divine 
 condescension ! 
 
 When a man walks forth and looks on high, he cannot 
 look steadfastly on dazzling rays of mid-day sun ; but nature 
 all around him is enlivened, and he is warmed, never 
 doubting how. So with our souls : we cannot fixedly con- 
 template God supreme, arrayed in His effulgent glory; 
 but, conscious that He is at the only source of uncreated 
 light, we kindle joyfully to a flame of loving obedience. 
 Divine grace shines sweetly within, enlightens all a Christian's 
 course, and opens out expansively glorious prospects of 
 hereafter to his eye of faith. And greatly do we need this 
 light of grace to enlighten us. However we may seem to 
 ourselves to understand our spiritual nature, we only catch 
 some faint glimmering of its future advancement to a state 
 of glory when holy men and women shall be as angels are
 
 io Paradise. 
 
 in heaven (Mark, xii. 25). That future is beyond all com- 
 pass of our earthly thoughts ; the most enlightened must 
 abide in hopeful expectancy. But earnest, prayerful con- 
 templation may confirm our faith, exalt us to a higher reach, 
 and thus enlarge our love for God, whose divine providence 
 has prepared for His elect so high a store of joy in His 
 eternal presence. 'Now we see through a glass darkly,' 
 then we shall behold Him ' face to face ;' ' now I know in 
 part ; but then shall I know even as also I am known.' Let 
 this high promise inspire fresh resolves by Divine grace to 
 purify our souls, so may they be restored to His lost like- 
 ness, in which they were originally created. Surely this 
 exalted object is a noble ambition, worthy of our best 
 endeavours to attain, giving on earth assurance, and leading 
 on to higher consummation of joy in heaven. It is the 
 soul of man that gives him all distinction. Born in likeness of 
 its great Creator, dwelling as in a sanctuary, to be preserved 
 in holiness undefiled, it contemplates high visions far away 
 from earth, travels in thought to heaven, returns enlightened 
 and refreshed, yearns for Paradise, hoping afterwards to 
 dwell for ever in the presence of the Lamb. 
 
 If we would meditate on God's mysteries with a trustful 
 eye of faith, well might we stand amazed to find in what 
 a Presence we have lived, surrounded by a world of spirits. 
 Then we should lament lost golden opportunities of peace- 
 ful life, preferring painful hours, anxious labours, restless 
 nights, that disturbed the soul, as upheaving waters chafe 
 some quiet shore. Strange dimness of our intellectual 
 sight, unable to discover those pure, serene sublimities of 
 a better world, so clearly promised through Holy Scripture ! 
 Short glimpses now and then we have in meditation and 
 in prayer, but they vanish quickly into thoughts of earth, 
 and then how difficult to recall ! The interests of present 
 life keep so hard a grip upon us, it is difficult to break away. 
 And yet there is a land, not far to reach, near to us in the
 
 Hades an Intermediate State. 1 1 
 
 hour of death ; a peaceful land of spirits redeemed and 
 spirits blest. There we shall be restored to friends and 
 relatives already gone before, with them to worship and 
 rejoice in nearer presence of Jesus our Incarnate God. 
 Rise up, then, O my soul ! life is no vain, airy shadow, no 
 day-dream of unrealities, but leading on to Paradise, and 
 higher still to long eternity. Let nothing come between to 
 overcloud the brightness of your view ; let no impediment 
 intercept your progress ; but steadily advance. No sooner 
 shall you enter on your path than flowers shall spring 
 around you. If mists obscure the clearness of your horizon, 
 even then the eye of faith will penetrate the darkness, that 
 you may behold the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our Lord. 
 He says to each who loves Him, ' Thou art mine.' Then, 
 bearing Him in sight, step by step hold on to Paradise, 
 your proper home, there to wait His summons to a never- 
 ending future in His eternal kingdom; a kingdom of holiness 
 for which we may be perfected by grace of His Holy Spirit, 
 teaching us to sing alleluias to the praise and glory of God. 
 In that strength, in that hope, may we persevere unto the 
 day of bliss. 
 
 5. The Promise of Paradise. 
 
 THE mystery of a soul escaping from its fleshly tenement 
 to a world of heavenly light would be altogether impenetrable 
 but for a divine revelation of God's Word. We have seen 
 how Adam lost his earthly Paradise, and how Almighty God 
 promised restoration, peace, and pardon, through our beloved 
 Saviour, Jesus. Contemplate the nature of that second 
 Paradise, not on earth but in the intermediate world : a 
 celestial Paradise, a blissful realm of cloudless joy between 
 this earth and distant heaven. Regenerate men, who lead 
 a humble and religious life through faith in Christ's atoning 
 sacrifice, are carried when they die to His nearer presence. 
 Our body moulders in the earth, ' ashes to ashes, dust to
 
 1 2 Paradise. 
 
 dust,' until the day of resurrection ; but our souls, immortal 
 spirits, wing their way to the blest society of those we have 
 loved on earth. There in a heavenly Paradise we shall live 
 in peace and joy, singing together psalms and hymns of 
 praise to God, who opened the gates and gave us before- 
 hand the fulness of faith in all its gracious promises. 
 
 Love for God and victories over self offer unto all a 
 delightful path of happiness on earth, and afterwards celestial 
 joys in His presence, to those who desire only to purify 
 their motives, looking onward, immediately after death, to 
 God's Paradise of saints redeemed and spirits blessed : then 
 beyond, in remote eternity, a higher future, ' face to face ' 
 with their Lord and Saviour. On these points let our Lord's 
 parable of Dives and Lazarus be our contemplation (Luke, 
 xvi. 19-31)- 
 
 Open gates to Paradise await all humble Christians, rich 
 or poor, dying in assurance of their Saviour's most precious 
 merits and atonement. To some believers their bed of 
 death may be a painful struggle for release ; to others a 
 peaceful flutter of the spirit, soft as breathings of a sleeping 
 child. The trial over, the spirits of the righteous pass 
 through some valley of separation between earth and 
 Paradise, wide beyond all calculation of distances ; but, 
 quick as thought, the soul redeemed passes on to realms of 
 joy, hears ' unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a 
 man to utter,' and enters into sights of glory such as no 
 imagination can realise. 
 
 Many, even good Christian people, have strange ideas 
 of Paradise. To some, indeed, the subject is no better 
 than a beautiful vanishing view. As to any intermediate 
 kingdom of joy, any garden of perpetual delights in higher 
 realms between earth and heaven, they know it not, near 
 though it draws to every penitent man and woman. Hour 
 by hour we are all on the slippery verge of that nether 
 world which separates our existence from living spirits in
 
 Hades an Intermediate State. 13 
 
 Paradise. Some even imagine that after 'earth to earth, 
 ashes to ashes, and dust to dust,' their souls will sleep, till 
 reunited to their kindred bodies in the last day of resurrec- 
 tion : meanwhile we slumber ! 
 
 One sufficient, vital argument against this sleep of the 
 soul is our heavenly Father's love for His redeemed saints. 
 ' God is love,' as four times persistently repeated in one 
 chapter of St. John's first Epistle. The disciple whom 
 Jesus loved, being inspired, his words are eternally true. 
 God and love are inseparably one ; God the Deity, and love 
 His attribute. 'What, therefore, God hath joined together let 
 no man put asunder.' It is a sacred union, beaming from the 
 Lord in heaven to man on earth ; afterwards in Paradise, 
 and finally in oceans of celestial light around the throne of 
 God. Can St. John's epitome of love be reconciled with 
 any notion that, after righteous men and women have con- 
 fessed Jesus to be the Son of God, and have dwelt in Him 
 and He in them, and after He has given them His Spirit, 
 and after they have continually partaken of the blessed 
 body and blood of their divine Redeemer in Eucharistic 
 Sacrifice ; yet, after all, their precious souls should slumber on 
 for ages? Born in the image and likeness of God, there- 
 fore imperishable, immortal, to have no perception of 
 spiritual realities until the trump of judgment wakes them 
 up to consciousness ? Impossible ! Let us, therefore, stand 
 confirmed in faith and live to God in holiness, that when we 
 die our spirits may be wafted to regions of propitious joy : 
 there at once to sing our hymns of praise in Paradise with 
 all whom we have loved and lost on earth, who already wait 
 for us on high. 
 
 In what a labyrinth nine-tenths of men and women live, 
 with no clear view of scriptural realities as to Paradise ! 
 There millions of saints redeemed understand it all ; and 
 on earth millions, by Divine grace, enjoy the antepast of its 
 coming future. But vast existing populations cannot realise
 
 14 Paradise. 
 
 a truth so seldom brought before them by teachers of the 
 Gospel. Yet how vivid, strengthening, and consolatory, 
 when once embraced ! We travel on through years of 
 difficulty, pain, and suffering, of moral frailties, and, alas ! of 
 sin. But all this while postpone a thought of our deliverance, 
 so close at hand, of Paradise, until the last, loud trump of 
 general resurrection shall call our bodies out of dust cor- 
 ruptible to rejoin our immortal souls before the judgment 
 seat. Why not contemplate nearer joys in intermediate 
 realms, preparing us for the final ecstatic presence of God in 
 glory visible, in majesty eternal? 
 
 In this most comfortable anticipation of Paradise we 
 have an assurance of a middle world, on the verge of which 
 we stand. How short our period of embarrassment, and dif- 
 ficulties, and infirmities ! how close our day of transfer on to 
 happier unclouded regions ! There faith, hope, and charity, 
 in higher prospects bright, shall raise our souls to that yet 
 more exalted consummation of everlasting joy face to face 
 before the throne ! ' Now we see through a glass darkly,' 
 till enlightened by the radiance of grace divine. Then the 
 eye of faith perceives at once how feeble were all our en- 
 deavours to comprehend God's mysteries ; how dull our 
 natural ununderstanding ! All was darkness before the 
 beams of grace shone down ; now wonderfully fresh visions 
 break on our consciousness. In the midst of aspirations 
 towards the heights of heaven, wafted up by higher than 
 seraphic wing, we seem put down in Paradise, hopefully to 
 wait a higher flight to archangelic scenes of glorious exalti- 
 tude -in oceans of eternal light. Thus we behold in vision 
 the heavenly dominions and principalities. All this is 
 sketched by Divine grace in holy Scripture; redeemed souls 
 around God's eternal throne in stately order seem to sing 
 ecstatic songs of love and adoration. Oh, break not the 
 charming vision till realised in blissful wonders of eternity ! 
 
 Divine revelation of Jehovah's will is one of the highest
 
 Hades an Intermediate State. 1 5 
 
 gifts to man on earth, imparted by the Holy Spirit, promised 
 in His Scriptures. It opens out His providential purposes 
 for their happiness here and hereafter. Patriarchs and 
 prophets saw ' through a glass darkly;' and even now, with 
 more perfect light of Gospel truth, the revelation is misun- 
 derstood. Scripture spreads the joyful news that in the 
 hour of death redeemed souls are carried by angels into 
 Abraham's bosom in Paradise, whither Christ our Redeemer 
 went after His sufferings on the Cross. His glowing words 
 to the apostles were, ' I go to prepare a place for you.' In 
 His own agonies He said to the penitent thief by His side, 
 ' To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.' 
 
 It cannot be too often repeated that many devout men 
 and women take comparatively little account of those realms 
 in joy. Their thoughts pass over that intermediate world to 
 far more distant ages, when the last loud trump shall sound 
 and the dead shall be raised from their graves, and myriads 
 shall stand before Christ's judgment-seat. But our hopes 
 are not indefinitely postponed to long eternity. A holy man 
 upon his death-bed, trusting in the sole merits of his Re- 
 deemer, would lose the inexpressible comfort and assurance 
 that his soul was on the verge of entering into his rest of 
 perpetual joy, to be once more united to those whom he 
 had lost and mourned for, and now are waiting for him in 
 expectation of his coming. Recall to your objective view 
 departed friends whom you lament, whose memory you 
 cherish, as refreshing ; now they are blest in peaceful realms 
 of Paradise, what a happy glorious company they form with 
 other souls redeemed ! They whom we so dearly loved are 
 in communion with Abraham, and prophets, evangelists, and 
 saints innumerable, joining in associated bliss of thanks- 
 giving and adoration ! Then let us live, nourishing our souls 
 with love for God, in hopes of sweet reunion in His Paradise 
 of delights. Each departure of a faithful man, at peace with 
 God, breathing out his confidence to those around his bed,
 
 1 6 Paradise. 
 
 is an earnest of expected joys prepared for those who follow 
 Christ. No glittering treasures of this poor world, or a 
 thousand worlds, would tempt the saints to leave their realms 
 of joy in Paradise. 
 
 How unconscious are we what a galaxy of spiritual 
 beings surrounds our weak mortality ! Yet angels, saints 
 redeemed, and spirits blest, whom we have loved but lost, 
 await our joyous reunion in realms of light, and pray for us. 
 Compare these companies with men and women here on 
 earth, frivolous and vain, selfish and pre-occupied, immersed 
 in present objects of wealth, influence, or rank ; how im- 
 measurably inferior ! Shall we cast in our lot with such as 
 these, to follow unrealities ? or shall we strain to instincts of 
 a pure angelical companionship ? May God be present to 
 sustain, enlighten, purify, and give us more and more full 
 release from self-captivity ; that, free as air, we may ascend 
 towards His Paradise of sacred rest, there to sing with them, 
 ' Glory to God, eternal King.' 
 
 6. Paradise, an Intermediate State. 
 
 IF this material earth of ours be so admirable a work of 
 God, what must be His regions of nearer presence, and, 
 higher still, His majestic throne in His palace of magnificence 
 in heaven? If a thousand millions inhabit this lower globe 
 almost the least of yonder stars that roll throughout the 
 vaulted skies what figures will express innumerable myriads 
 of saints in Paradise, and angelic choirs that throng His 
 heaven of heavens, and sing eternal praises to their God 
 and our Father, eternal Three in One, co-partners with the , 
 Holy Ghost our Comforter ! How beautiful those burnished'/^ 
 clouds, like silver mountains in the sky ! Raise your hopeful 
 thoughts to Paradise ; and, higher yet, immeasurably higher, 
 to heaven of heavens, where God Almighty sits enthroned, 
 arrayed in light, amidst loud homage of cherubim and
 
 The Eternal Paradise Heaven. 1 7 
 
 seraphim. There angels offer on His golden altar vials full 
 of odours, which are prayers of saints. Happy they who 
 join on earth, rejoicing in their hymns with angels, who 
 adore in alleluias. 
 
 7. Heaven and God. 
 
 When I think what God hath done for me, and that I 
 have rendered nothing in return, I am ready to hide my face 
 for shame. Wonderful that He should condescend to such 
 'a worm, and no man !' Then let my soul seek sure refuge 
 in a heavenly Saviour's bosom. He calls us in His voice of 
 sweet persuasion, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labour and 
 are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Come unto Me ! 
 and where ? Surely in heaven, His own kingdom ; to the 
 ' river of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne 
 of God and of the Lamb.' Divine words, to draw me out 
 from all delusive trifling of this poor earth of vanity, and 
 make me love the real delights of heaven ! By His grace I 
 will no longer hesitate, but there lay up my treasures ; and 
 so labour that I may dwell in the brilliancy of His Presence. 
 
 8. When shall I get to Paradise ? 
 
 How often do you ask yourself this question ? Alas ! it 
 would appear that few among the busy multitudes desire to 
 know, or care to ask. Consider for a moment unenlightened 
 heathens : picture to yourself a Laplander, for months wrapped 
 up in winter darkness and in snow ; he sees no cheering sun, 
 feels no genial warmth, unknowing that such a heavenly rest 
 as Paradise is prepared for him and all he loves. Or see 
 some dark African beneath the burning summer solstice, 
 naked, uninstructed, worshipping a wooden idol, himself the 
 subject of a tyrant who may at any time sell him as a slave 
 at the vile price of a string of beads ; has he ever heard of 
 
 c
 
 1 8 Paradise. 
 
 Paradise ? Do you pity those poor heathens, and millions 
 of others in the same benighted ignorance ? Have you a 
 desire to shed across their desolation some ray of gospel 
 light, opening to their immortal spirits glorious visions of 
 Paradise? What have you done on that behalf towards 
 accomplishing the prophecies, ' The earth shall be filled with 
 the knowledge of the glory of God, as the waters cover the 
 sea?' (Isa. xi. 9; Hab. ii. 14.) But, worse than Gentile 
 tribes, behold millions upon millions, baptized in the holy 
 name of Christ, signed with His cross, living midst worse 
 than heathen darkness ! And what says St. Paul ? ' It is 
 impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have 
 tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the 
 Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good Word of God, and 
 the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away [he 
 says it is impossible] to renew them again unto repentance ; 
 seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and 
 put Him to an open shame ' (Heb. vi. 4-6). Alas ! seldom 
 is the question asked, ' When shall I get to Paradise ?' 
 
 9. How shall I get to Paradise ? 
 
 Here we may turn to more hopeful views, supposing 
 this question to be asked in sincerity of desire by some 
 one resolute in purpose. We are well instructed through 
 every page of Holy Scripture in opportunities of plain 
 advancement, and means of reaching the delightful place. 
 But why must it be so charming ? What will constitute 
 its attractions ? Will they be nothing else than dainty 
 delights in a heavenly Eden ? a garden of fruits and 
 flowers, such as Adam and Eve enjoyed in days of their 
 innocence ? Far, far more than this ; exalted high above 
 all earthly bliss. The soul being in Paradise, disbur- 
 dened from its trammels of sinful flesh, will love God, 
 Father, Saviour, and Holy Ghost, by whose mighty power
 
 The Eternal Paradise Heaven. 19 
 
 and ever-willing grace we travel through our pilgrimage, 
 and are brought by angels to the gates. Then will our 
 love and nature's instincts be unalloyed, pure as gold seven 
 times refined. This alone would be sufficient rich reward 
 for such uncertain, wavering obedience, as we frail creatures 
 ever could accomplish. And yet fair Paradise of God opens 
 out His nearer presence, in company with saints redeemed 
 and spirits of just men made perfect. 
 
 10. Beams of Divine Grace. 
 
 At night in gloomy darkness we are as blind men : 
 with light gleaming out along our path all nature is 
 beautiful. Thus also the ^spirits of men grope in spiritual 
 darkness until Divine Grace shines within their hearts. 
 Then our eye of faith is raised to glorious visions, joy- 
 ful contemplations of God's white throne, and a sense 
 of His transcending love. We wake from unrefreshing 
 slumbers of spiritual night, vain dreams, and fleeting images, 
 to realities of day, raised to delightful consciousness of His 
 presence. Cherish these bright beams of grace, rich com- 
 fort of your soul. 
 
 ii. Heaven revealed to St. John. 
 
 St. John's revelations of heaven came not to his eye 
 through any power of his intellect. His faith beheld them 
 by light divine, a gift of grace. According as we love to 
 contemplate God's glory, as described in Holy Scripture, 
 we advance higher and higher in celestial scenes, open- 
 ing out in form more real, in brilliancy more vivid. 
 Thus we delight to meditate on the city of our God set 
 forth in St. John's book of visions. We behold that attractive 
 ' river of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne 
 of God and of the Lamb.' We listen to cherubim and
 
 2O Paradise. 
 
 seraphim, angels and archangels, singing joyful alleluias. 
 We tread light as air when our heart is disencumbered from 
 all its vain seductions, and yearns for Christ's eternal 
 presence in ' Jerusalem the Golden/ where God and the 
 Lamb are the temple and the light thereof, where the Spirit 
 and the Bride say, ' Come.'
 
 CHAPTER It 
 
 LIFE A JOURNEY TO PARADISE. 
 
 i . Life a Pilgrimage. 
 
 LIFE is but a pilgrimage, leading faithful Christians on to 
 Paradise, that near sanctuary, well worthy of our earnest 
 and continual pursuit to reach. Guides enough there are 
 to keep us in our path, Grace divine, Holy Scriptures, word 
 of prophets and evangelists, angels above, around us. We 
 have all histories for our instruction, experience of holy men 
 who have travelled various ways before. With shield of 
 Faith, staff of Hope, and scrip of Charity, we have free choice 
 of valleys to explore and mountains to climb, or follow any 
 course of rivers ; you may repose beneath delightful shade 
 of palms, or venture over steeps, at your own free will and 
 choice. At every turn you have all Nature's beauties, with 
 assurance of a future entrance to the better promised land. 
 Take counsel of your fellow-pilgrims more practised than 
 yourself, extend a ready hand to wearied travellers or the 
 weak; to the poor distribute from your scrip of charity; warn 
 the rash, instruct the young. Discourse with others of 
 those surpassing habitations whither your pilgrimage is lead- 
 ing, prepared for all who persevere to their journey's end, 
 sure inheritance of those who trust the Word of Covenant. 
 Throughout your travels be prepared for dangerous tempta- 
 tions besetting you on either side. In one place you will
 
 22 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 be invited to delay, and join a pleasant feast in some lux- 
 urious arbour; in another you will meet some insidious 
 enchanter; at this point an open unbeliever, at that a 
 hypocrite. Again, your faith will be assailed by doubtful 
 misgivings, your hope be daunted by false alarms, your 
 charity be discouraged by whisperings of selfishness. But 
 'Onward!' is your watchword. Look for comfort and re- 
 freshment to one sure Rock that follows you, and, that Rock 
 is Christ (i Cor. x. 4), who knows each thought and hears 
 each word ; notes your dangers step by step ; encourages, 
 sustains, approves your best endeavour ; will receive you to 
 Himself, and crow'n your pilgrimage with joys unspeakable 
 in His heavenly kingdom. 
 
 Life is full of marvels, had we but hearts to understand 
 the miracles of God's infinite love ; and in the midst of all 
 is man, the greatest of earthly wonders, undecided, incon- 
 sistent, ever changeable. Death looms in his horizon, yet 
 he disregards, makes no preparation. Sometimes bright- 
 looking views, but deceitful, gleam before him ; then he 
 imagines all to be propitious : sometimes darkling clouds 
 will overspread, and then he is depressed thinks them evil 
 indications. Life is but a gust of wind, passing on, soon to 
 be forgotten : yet on this he loves to fix his hopes, and 
 barters all his future prospects for trifles of a present most 
 uncertain hour. He knows that all he has of grand and 
 glowing he must leave behind, to be enjoyed by some one 
 else ; but still he craves for more. Although from infancy 
 he has learned that righteous souls shall dwell in peace, 
 midst, as it were, ' gardens by the river side, as trees of lign 
 aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedars beside the 
 waters ' (Num. xxiv. 6), yet man prefers the tents of folly ! 
 His life is one continued chain of contradictions between 
 what he ought to do but does not. How, then, shall he 
 escape this vortex of inconstancies ? Let him reflect, and 
 learn from experience of ages one sure and certain way to
 
 Life of tJie Soul most precious. 23 
 
 happiness in denial of his own will and conquests over Self. 
 Let him travel back those mazes of deceitful labyrinth that 
 puzzle hunters after vanity; find out his errors and know the 
 value of decision, seek guidance from above, follow the 
 wise, avoid the frivolous, study golden rules of life from 
 that Book of books, the Bible, and seek God's grace to 
 persevere. Then his path shall bloom with roses, he shall 
 find a calm in meekness and a joy in Christian friendships, 
 a nobleness in charity, far, far superior to selfish, unsatis- 
 fying companionship with a world intent upon its own 
 frivolities. Then God will be the climax of his desires; 
 he will stand amazed to think what a prisoner he was 
 to petty Self, how broad ' the liberty wherewith Christ 
 would make him free.' 
 
 2. The Value of the Soul. 
 
 NOT all treasures of richest kingdoms, not all hidden 
 mines of earth, are so precious in a heavenly Father's sight 
 as one immortal soul. Did He not create it in His own 
 divine image and likeness ? Has He not prepared for it 
 an eternal rest in ' Jerusalem the golden,' giving joyful en- 
 trance through those ' gates of pearl ' to feast at His 
 marriage supper ? Think then, O man, how high and rich 
 a trust is committed to your charge, how great your respon- 
 sibility to render up a strict account, whether or no you 
 have dared to offer violation to your soul, wounding it with 
 arrows of sin, defacing all its beauties by taint of iniquity. 
 Learn in time for time is short, eternity has no end ; one 
 only true, one only pure, one only noble possession you can 
 call your own for ever, is your immortal spirit. Be, then, 
 clothed in the whole armour of God, to guard your treasure 
 safe from all corruption. 
 
 Shut out atmospheric air, and life is at once extinguished. 
 No less our soul, excluded from celestial breathings of the
 
 24 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 Holy Spirit, sickens, languishes, and dies to all righteous 
 purposes for which it was created in the likeness of God. 
 If it could really die, a wicked man would be a suicide of 
 his own immortality. Rejecting all Divine grace, his soul 
 grows cold and insensible to its glorious future destiny in a 
 better world ; it is extinguished, goes out for want of sacred 
 oil. Having no vital sense of religion, such an one falls 
 deep and deeper into evil, degrading sin, till summoned to 
 account for opportunities neglected. How dreadful such a 
 thought ! O that man would understand bright realities of 
 God's Word, His purity, His anger against those who 
 corrupt themselves ! Judge what a jewel He has entrusted 
 to our responsible charge, our own immortal soul, encased 
 within a precious casket, our conscience, that we may keep 
 it safe ; how by persuasion and a thousand instances of His 
 paternal endurance, by cautions and by promises, by His 
 grace and by His revealed Word, He assists our weak en- 
 deavours to present it before Him pure and undefiled, which 
 is the perfection of our happiness. 
 
 3. The Pilgrimage. 
 
 How shall any Christian pilgrim, wandering in a wilder- 
 ness, hope to find his pathway to the mountain-top of his 
 aspirations ? He knows not the road, nor what is best for 
 him \ his first step to mount requires some celestial guide, 
 or he fails. Such is man in this world, a wilderness of sin. 
 God's help is required ere he can approach the object of his 
 high desires ; but let him persevere in faith and hope, then 
 the Dove of Peace will go before him, fluttering or alighting 
 here and there, to point his path : and when the shades 
 of evening close around his journey and he falls asleep, she 
 will nestle in his bosom, to give him visions of presiding 
 comfort. I mean, the Holy Ghost shall be his cherished 
 guide and guest.
 
 Our Pilgrim State. 25 
 
 Thus day by day in travelling on he shall find an altar 
 reared where he may offer fragrant incense, prayer and 
 praise. The Lord says, ' Give Me thine heart.' The patri- 
 arch Abraham, in obedience to God's command, took his 
 beloved son, young Isaac, ' and laid him on the altar upon 
 the wood,' that he might slay him with his own parental 
 hand. We know the result : ' The angel of the Lord called 
 unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham : 
 and he said, Here am I. And the angel said, Lay not 
 thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto 
 him : for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou 
 hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.' So 
 will it be with ourselves. Offer unto God your heart and 
 your affections by sacrifice of obedience to any word of His 
 command. Thus holy pilgrims may travel on towards those 
 blessed realms of Paradise where all His promises shall be 
 accomplished beyond imagination to conceive. Meanwhile, 
 in hope assured, if, true to their own best interests, they 
 advance in search of heavenly Wisdom, they shall find that 
 ' her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are 
 peace.' 
 
 'Tell me where is happiness, and how to find it?' Travel 
 through all nations and you shall not have a ready answer. 
 Yet happiness is everywhere if you seek in faith and love, 
 which are a sweeter incense to God, the Giver of all good 
 things, than richest perfumes of Arabia. Make your heart 
 a golden censer with offerings of prayer before His throne, 
 upon His altar. Then shall His Holy Spirit dwell with you, 
 and that is happiness. This secret, short to tell, is precious 
 to discover. 
 
 Do you answer, ' This have I sought everywhere yet 
 have missed my way?' Then travel back, if you are earnest 
 and sincere ; examine well your heart. Who reigns within ? 
 If Self still sits enthroned, you bow before an idol that will 
 never lead you on to happiness, but be your constant stumbling-
 
 26 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 block. Perhaps your heart is set on vanities ; but drink 
 them to the dregs, and at the bottom of your cup is bitter- 
 ness. Gain your first victory over Self; make that your 
 stand-ground for another : advance not over -confident. 
 Once take your heart a prisoner, offer it bound upon God's 
 altar, and as a fragrant incense it shall ' ascend up before 
 Him out of the angel's hand ' (Rev. viii. 3). Your sacrifice 
 being accepted, you shall find at once the object of your 
 search, that pearl of great price happiness on earth, and 
 after that fulness of joy in Paradise. 
 
 Millions and millions tread their weary way midst bitter 
 pains and anxieties of life, ambitious projects, or laborious 
 massing up of untold wealth, having no objective sense of 
 their Saviour's loveliness, no desire to rest in Him ; their 
 blessings have excited no desire for a heavenly land of 
 promise. They are unconscious, nay, careless to under- 
 stand, that if they earnestly desired and prayed for grace 
 they would receive ' by day a pillar of a cloud, and by night 
 a pillar of fire, to go by day and night' (Exod. xiii. 21, 22). 
 Happy would it be for them had they discovered that 
 heavenly Canaan, where Christ, having gone before, pre- 
 pared His realms of Paradise for the penitent thief, and 
 thousand thousands of redeemed souls in every age, to be 
 enchanted by a nearer Presence, reserved for all who live 
 and die in faith. This sure and certain hope of all His 
 promises shall be realised to true disciples. Our gracious 
 God desires to fix their best affections on Himself. All who 
 turn to Him experience what joy and freedom are afforded 
 in His service, what peaceful calm, what power of grace to 
 root out sin, and curb that proud, presumptuous tyrant, Self. 
 They wait in confidence His promised day, when He will 
 reveal Himself as light of light and consummation of all 
 delights.
 
 A Sure Path given us. 27 
 
 4. The Sure Path. 
 
 You seek a happy life? One only path is clear, one 
 only way secure. This truth has been revealed to all ; to 
 love God first, Him supremely, Author of all you have, 
 Centre of all you should desire, all that is beauteous and 
 wise : next to that, love His creatures as yourself. ' On these 
 two hang all the law and the prophets.' Have you faith, 
 hope, and charity ? Faith to believe His Word, that Rock 
 of your salvation ? Hope, sweet harbinger of a blissful 
 future ? Charity, that oil of Gilead to consecrate all your 
 sacrifices? Oh, that men and women would refrain from 
 hurrying in vain pursuit of happiness that mocks their grasp, 
 and leaves them to bitterness' of disappointment ! Seek 
 communion with your Heavenly Father, your Incarnate 
 Saviour, and the Holy Spirit, blessed Comforter of souls 
 distraught with care and sickness. Travel on through path- 
 ways of a holy life to glorify the God of love; and when 
 your day of death shall come how soon you know not 
 your spirit shall be winged to realms of joy in Paradise ; and 
 there with friends and relatives, whom you have known and 
 loved as true believers, rest in peace, looking higher still to 
 the fulfilment of all His promises in full. 
 
 Who guides the bird of passage to warmer climes and 
 across the trackless sea without a compass ? and shall not 
 Christ commit His baptized children in charge to holy 
 angels across the valley of death to His summer regions of 
 Paradise ? Then cultivate the presence of God in the soul, 
 as a foretaste of His visible glory in heaven : this richest of 
 all possessions is promised by our Lord to His faithful and 
 obedient followers, when He declares, 'The kingdom of 
 God is within you : ' that is, God sits enthroned in the soul ; 
 and for this He bids us pray, ' Our Father, which art in 
 heaven . . . Thy kingdom come.' He would have us bow,
 
 28 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 and keep the soul as a holy temple, consecrated to His 
 service and His glory. 
 
 'The Way, the Truth, and the Life :' Christ is the Way of 
 peace, leading to joy on earth, and such bright realms of 
 glory, as transcend the thought of man ; Christ is the Truth, 
 and surely nothing can be more truthful than the Truth itself; 
 Christ is the Life, without whom life here, and life here- 
 after, would be miserable to any believing soul. Is it not 
 wonderful that creatures such as we are have a way to 
 heaven, as plainly marked step by step as any path we walk 
 on earth ? and yet we turn aside to our own devices, seeking 
 after vanities of Self, in tangled labyrinths of an erring world. 
 God Almighty would take us to His own overshadowing 
 wings; yet we seek Him not, because we love Him not: 
 we love unrealities that pamper Self! Altogether it is mar- 
 vellous. Still He waits to be gracious ; points the way ; 
 would willingly persuade our judgment, and by power of 
 His Spirit draw us on to heaven. His love surpasseth 
 knowledge ; and though He put us through many trials 
 of faith, it is only that He may bring us forth as silver 
 purified in the fire. Henceforth I will follow my or- 
 dained path, seeking all my happiness in His service, my 
 comfort in His Word. 
 
 5. Light from above. 
 
 Study well at every step those intricacies of life, those 
 depths of peril, those mazes of a world's labyrinth that 
 surrounds you. How often you are brought to a stand, not 
 knowing which way next to turn ! Look above ; there is 
 your guiding Star to make all clear, your sun by day, your 
 midnight lamp, bringing each bewildered wanderer to his 
 proper home, peace to the troubled, and to the weary rest. 
 Holy Scripture is each mariner's sure-appointed compass, 
 each pilgrim's guide, a firm-set rock to each one of humble
 
 Light from above. 29 
 
 mind, that would be strong in faith, patient in hope, fervent 
 in charity. All such have ' the helmet of salvation,' and a 
 shield 'against all the fiery darts of the wicked,' and the 
 ' Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God ' (Eph. vi. 
 13-18). Wonderful it is, that, having the 'whole armour 
 of God,' we .should not be ' praying always with all prayer 
 and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto 
 with all perseverance and supplication.' That God from 
 the heights of heaven should stoop to man on earth so 
 low, and teach him wisdom, is a theme of endless praise : 
 that man rejects the aid thus proffered from above, is a 
 standing miracle. 
 
 We are as pilgrims travelling through a wilderness ; but 
 not without a sure-directing Guide, no less divinely appointed 
 than the pillar of the Lord that led the people of Israel to 
 their promised Canaan. The Cross of Christ is our ' pillar 
 of a cloud ' by day, to lead us in our path ; and by night as 
 a ' pillar of fire ' to give us light ; ' to go by day and night ' 
 (Exod. xiii. 21, 22). It abides for every need. Under the 
 shadow of His Cross we may rest in noontide heat ; at night 
 it gleams as a holy fire. Bitter as His Cross of Calvary was 
 to the blessed Saviour, to us it is most precious, giving 
 salvation to all believers. It enables us to cry, ' O Death, 
 where is thy sting ? O Grave, where is thy victory ? The sting 
 of death is sin .... but thanks be to God, who giveth us 
 the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ ' (i Cor. xv. 55-57). 
 Beneath His Cross then I will cast the burden of my trans- 
 gressions. I will pray that when I die my immortal spirit 
 may be carried into Paradise, that on my way through the 
 dark valley His Cross may be my confidence, my beacon- 
 light, till I reach the gates and enter in; there to meet the 
 fond embrace of many I have loved and sorrowed for, who 
 in joyful praise will give me welcome. There, in realms of 
 hope, we shall abide until the last great day, when the sign of 
 the Son of Man [His Cross] shall appear in heaven;
 
 3O Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 'And He shall send His angels with a great sound of 
 a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from 
 the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other' 
 (Matt. xxiv. 30, 31). 
 
 6. Periods of Life. 
 (i.) Childhood 
 
 Is a period of innocence, before the world has left its evil 
 mark to taint a young one, signed with its Saviour's Cross. 
 Innocence it was that so commended little children to Jesus' 
 gracious love. He took them in His arms and blessed 
 them, and denounced severest judgment on whomsoever 
 should corrupt those budding flowers of His own garden. 
 These are His little flock, His lambs. If cut off through 
 disease or accident in their beauty of holiness, He trans- 
 plants them to His bowers of Paradise, to bloom with saints 
 redeemed. Childhood is a golden age; the time when 
 parents ought to polish their affections to a simple love for 
 God, and stamp His royal impress on their susceptible 
 nature : then it will seldom be entirely effaced in after-life. 
 O parents, whoever you be, learn in time to train your 
 children in religious truth, as surest path to happiness even 
 in this life ; that when they come to full maturity they may 
 be known as brethren of Christ, their Redeemer and In- 
 carnate God. What joy, what higher or more lasting honour, 
 can you covet than having saintly children, disciplined in 
 religious obedience to the law of God ? What reward so 
 rich as, taught from earliest days, to take delight in any ser- 
 vice of their heavenly Father, to understand the nobleness 
 of self-denial, and to cherish all kindred virtues of a 
 Christian spirit? 
 
 There is a loveliness of innocence that wins respect from 
 the most ill-mannered. The hardest of men will protect a
 
 Periods of Life. 3 1 
 
 helpless child. There is a bravery in innocence fearing no 
 approach of spiritual evil, but hopes all things. Its guardian 
 angel closes the mouth of lions. Nothing shall come near 
 to hurt it ; or, if it suffer, patience and trustful affection shall 
 assuage the pain. Innocence securely sleeps, and hopefully 
 awakes ; turns all things to charity. There was a child that 
 on its death-bed whispered to her watchful parent, ' Pray 
 for me to Jesus, who said, "Suffer little children to come 
 unto Me, and forbid them not.'" That same morning her 
 child's spirit winged its way to Paradise. Her mother praised 
 God that He had graciously taken it from a world of 
 temptation to be with Jesus and His redeemed saints. 
 
 (2.) Youth 
 
 Is our entrance to a world of trial and temptation. Then 
 seeds first sown in childhood, good or evil, begin by their 
 unfolding to indicate some future qualities of fruit, ' after 
 their kind.' But because the vast majority of parents 
 neglect in proper season to implant religious principles, 
 youths, boys and girls, too often grow amidst unwholesome 
 weeds that choke good seed. Then who can reasonably 
 expect to 'gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?' 
 Therefore be warned in time. When youth has been 
 neglected, its temper and its passions grow turbulent; 
 carnal desires enter into determined conflict with spiritual ; 
 love for Self more radically supplants a love for God; the 
 force of present will is paramount, thrusting out a reverent 
 sense of higher interests. Natural instincts strive against 
 those higher and divine instincts of God's exalting grace. 
 Already evil influences lead to evil acts ; examples of the 
 world around breed corruption; temptations stimulate re- 
 bellious passions. What wonder, then, if enemies such as 
 these banded in hostile league, prove too strong against 
 inexperienced youth, unless well grounded in moral and
 
 32 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 religious principles of self-denial and respect for virtue? 
 All experience and history bear witness to the power of 
 sin through national and social circles. How, then, guide 
 the young ? Few have zeal enough to give them Christian 
 counsel ; and afterwards, when friends are needed, they are 
 not at hand. Well might many youthful say, 'They that 
 be against us are more than they that be with us.' But if 
 they have had early blessings of religious education, each 
 courageously may say, ' I know that rny God is sufficient 
 against all comers ; to Him will I make known my weak- 
 nesses.' Therefore let parents and friends strengthen their 
 young men and maidens against temptation, to clothe them 
 in the righteousness of Christ. Then will all be safe ; they 
 shall grow from strength to strength, from victory to victory, 
 proceeding on, triumphant over evil. 
 
 (3.) Middle Age 
 
 Is our practical race-course and struggle throughout life's 
 maturity ; then all are entered for appointed stakes ; all 
 must prove their quality of early training. The prize for 
 which they run is high; from time to time their chances 
 vary, as trials for speed or strength beforehand give promise 
 of the winning-post. To drop this imperfect metaphor, 
 men and women in their middle age enter into some third 
 term of their existence under deep responsibilities. Happy 
 for them if conscious that their future . must depend upon 
 a heavenly Father, their only sure, all-willing Guide. His 
 eye beholds each act ; His ear, intent on every word, dis- 
 tinguishes unerringly good from evil ; His providence has 
 long foreseen who will best deserve reward or suffer punish- 
 ment. In middle age sure fruits of former seed, sown and 
 watched through childhood and in youth, gradually unfold 
 to their maturity, sweet or bitter ' after their kind,' according 
 to seed sown, good or bad. Various professions, predeter-
 
 Periods of Life. 33 
 
 mined it may be by parents through years of education, call 
 out their energies. Numberless their employments, making 
 up what we call ' Society.' There men intently work for 
 their advancement in this or that dear object of their choice 
 and aspirations ; some profession of art or commerce, some 
 literary, mechanical, or scientific study, or projects of am- 
 bition. For the most part free to choose, they persevere, 
 relax, or change for better or for worse ; but all for Self. 
 Some noble exceptions you may find,-men or women 
 devoting themselves to the happiness of others in works 
 of charity and benevolence, instructing ignorance, relieving 
 sick and poor, earnest in imitation of their Lord. Such as 
 these are wise and happy, meek and gentle, long-suffering 
 and unselfish, true 'salt of the earth.' They labour on 
 through trials of pain and sickness, domestic losses, dis- 
 appointments, misfortunes, or ingratitude of others. But 
 with eye of faith they contemplate a future Paradise. 
 Cheerfulness of hope and fervency of love are their sure 
 reward through every course of vigorous exertion, 
 may be ' troubled on every side, yet not distressed ; per- 
 plexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; 
 cast down, but not destroyed ' (2 Cor. iv. 8, 9). 
 
 (4.) Old Age 
 
 Is our winding up of life's short story, when true believers 
 look towards the height and consummation of all ecstatic 
 joy in presence of their eternal heavenly Father. Things 
 past have lost their interest ; nay, their memory has no 
 hold upon them: or, if an aged man can recollect his by- 
 gone scenes, how many of them bring regret and vain 
 reproach ! Amidst all these, with present feebleness or in 
 pain, a truly pious and a faithful, practical Christian, in 
 declining years draws comfort from assurance of his God's 
 all-boundless mercy and compassion; for he has long ago
 
 34 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 repented, and still repents, grieving over his omissions and 
 transgressions ; but by grace divine has learned to love 
 his pure, immaculate Redeemer. Now his thoughts are 
 fixed on glorious promises of a blessed future, in beatitudes 
 of Paradise. There, in his intermediate resting-place, he 
 earnestly desires reunion with many loved ones, who are 
 gone before : there he expects to find them, with countless 
 other spirits, in nearer presence of the Son of Man, whose 
 objective Image is already present to his mind. Conscious 
 more and more of his own unworthiness, he has a higher 
 trust in joy of restoration to the love of God ; for His word 
 of Scripture has revealed to him a Saviour's righteousness 
 prevailing on his behalf before the throne in heaven. He 
 prays continually for growth in holiness, intercedes for others 
 still on trial here, that they, partaking in his joyful hope, 
 may by faith, and fervent love, attain their promised crown. 
 A wide extension of God's universal Church in unity of 
 doctrine, and in spirit of a mutual Christian forbearance, is 
 more and more his subject of prayer and intercession, that 
 the glory of Christ's kingdom may be established among all 
 nations, to their happiness on earth and eternal joy in 
 heaven. Thus he overcomes that tyrant Self within his 
 heart. At peace with all, he gradually prepares for his 
 appointed hour. He has learned to understand the breadth, 
 and height, and depth, of universal charity ; he feels com- 
 passion for sinners unrenewed by God's Holy Spirit. In 
 these meditations he awaits release from mortal evil, and a 
 summons from his guardian angel to realms of light in 
 Paradise, there to join with saints redeemed and sinners 
 pardoned, singing hymns of alleluia to the Lamb slain. 
 
 7. The Way to Paradise. 
 
 FINE specimens of maps are offered to our view; all 
 four quarters of the globe are seen far stretching over seas
 
 . Stages of our Pilgrimage. 3 5 
 
 and mountains, east and west, north and south, and tropical. 
 You have geography at your fingers' end, prepared for ' com- 
 petitive examination;' you can point to subdivisions of 
 territory, measured out to every tongue and nation, latitude 
 and longitude, from Andes to Himalaya. But can you 
 tell me where is Paradise, its pleasant hills and vales, in 
 atmosphere of celestial purity? Say you, ' No ?' For what 
 lasting purpose, then, have you so studiously learned geo- 
 graphy ? You and I are long well-stricken and matured in 
 age ; we hope and pray to make our rapid journey in God's 
 appointed time, carried by angels into Abraham's bosom. 
 We need no map or compass, trade-winds, rolling Atlantic, 
 or Indian Ocean, to prosecute the voyage. Not round and 
 round this world have I the least desire to roam, and find 
 myself again where I was before. My point is Paradise. 
 Roll up your maps and come with me ; I have a better 
 prospect open for you ; a blessed region peopled by saints 
 redeemed, and spirits of the justified to bid us welcome, and 
 introduce our souls to a companionship of perpetual peace. 
 Among them we shall embrace many a cherished friend, 
 dearest relative, and* others we have known familiarly on 
 earth through life's long journey, who have gone before. 
 No need to ask how we shall find our way. We shall be 
 wafted' carried,' as I said by angels, and join them all 
 in songs, and hymns, and spiritual melodies, to Jesus the 
 Redeemer. 
 
 Forty long years did the children of Israel wander 
 through the wilderness, not knowing whither ; all from blind- 
 ness of heart and perversion of their crooked will. Less 
 than forty days might have taken them in a straight line 
 from the Red Sea to their promised Canaan. In vain ' the 
 Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead 
 them by the way ; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give 
 them light; to go by day and night' (Exod. xiii. 21). But 
 they would choose their own paths, and so wandered forty
 
 36 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 years. Often do men wander during nearly all lifetime in 
 a rnazy labyrinth and wilderness of sin, carried hither and 
 thither by numberless temptations : yet at every turn a 
 pillar of a cloud was freely offered to hide them from all 
 enemies, and by night a pillar of fire to give them light ; yet, 
 like the Israelites of old, they preferred to go perversely by 
 their own mistaken light and clouds of self-deceiving error. 
 May our heavenly Father forgive us, and millions of other 
 baptized Christians, who are still out of their way and 
 wander in Egyptian darkness ! 
 
 God has made our road to Himself full of all pleasant 
 delights ; placed everywhere guiding signposts, that none 
 may miss their path if earnestly they aspire to reach the 
 highest mark. At every turn His rich repast of prayer is 
 offered for their consolation ; each hour He is ready to hear 
 their sighs of penitence, their breathings of desire, and 
 voice of praise. Then Faith and Love cheer all true-hearted 
 pilgrims on their way. Compassionate to their fellow-men 
 and women they lend a helping hand to those who suffer, 
 weary, feeble, faint of purpose, and soothe them in their 
 difficulties. Nearer they draw to 'imitation of Christ,' 
 more earnestly they pray, more humbly do they rejoice. 
 Alas ! the best of men at times grow listless ; worldly in- 
 terests come between : but even a feeble purpose, if sincere, 
 is graciously accepted as an incense, to be rendered yet 
 more fragrant as their spirit of prayer is exalted to a higher 
 reach of well-doing. 
 
 8. Lessons of Experience. 
 
 THERE lies before you some experience of mankind from 
 age to age, unfolded freely in histories of all nations ; yet 
 scarcely one in a hundred men or women takes Experience 
 for a guide : all prefer to buy their own at costly price, 
 through suffering and disappointment, with numberless mis-
 
 Experience. 
 
 takes and the world's reproach. Self-confident, self-willed 
 they volunteer to risk future sorrowful, unavailing regrets of 
 dearly-purchased experience, and pay the penalty. 
 radical defect of education or crookedness of sight ever in- 
 tercepts their view of stern realities. The first ingredient in 
 our cup of happiness is love for God ; the next is like to it- 
 love for man : these give a flavour to all the rest, promoting 
 general harmony of social life. Study, then, each charming 
 evangelical doctrine, as humility, gentleness, charity : t 
 all are confirmations of one same truth. Especially gather 
 up all experiences of your own heart. What have you found 
 most peaceful? To love vanities, parade, ambition, covet 
 ousness, lust, or wealth? After more than eighty years ex- 
 perience I can answer for you, < No !' Where, then, may 
 happiness be found? To solve your difficulty I would 
 again refer you to history of all times past, old as the hills ; 
 then you will find how many truths you have neglected. 
 Let Holy Scripture be yet your higher guide, your only 
 sure infallible witness to the will of God, who desires you 
 to be happy, has pointed out your way, given you His wel 
 beloved Son as guarantee of all His promises, and laid 
 richest store of treasures in His everlasting mansions for al 
 who believe and do, strong in faith, steadfast in love, fruitful 
 in works of charity, wise by experience and lessons in dmn 
 
 who have a long acquaintance with the world, 
 having seen much of life in its various aspects, can from ex- 
 perience say, 'There is no such solid peaceful state as 
 perseverance in God's service, and self-denial for love of 
 Him ' We may not hope for gratitude from men, that is a 
 plant of rarest growth within a human heart: but persevere, 
 and like St Paul, ' forgetting those things which are behind, 
 and reaching forth unto those things which are before, press 
 toward the mark for the prize of your high calling in C 
 J.esus ' (Philip, iii. 13, U>-
 
 38 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 9. Turning Points of Life. 
 (i.) Conversion. 
 
 CONVERSION, justification, a renewed heart, are turning- 
 points of life which harmoniously blend together for our sal- 
 vation. All are gifts of grace. Many men have puzzled 
 themselves and each other by disputes on nice distinctions : 
 let them pursue their controversies if so they will, but we 
 may live as baptized Christians, day by day renewed, that 
 after this life blessed angels may conduct our spirits into 
 Paradise, to inherit our Redeemer's sacred promises. There 
 all disputes will cease, and holy truths be made plain to our 
 enlightened understandings. We shall enjoy free intercourse 
 with redeemed saints, patriarchs, and apostles ; our hopes 
 will in part be realised by a nearer view of heaven, looking 
 on to eternal glory. 
 
 St. Paul is never confused in his theology, and he de- 
 clares to Titus that ' through the kindness and love of God 
 our Saviour toward mankind,' and ' according to His mercy, 
 He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing 
 of the Holy Ghost ; which He shed on us abundantly through 
 Jesus Christ our Saviour ; that, being justified by His grace, 
 we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal 
 life ' (Tit. iii. 5-7). Then he bids us ' avoid foolish ques- 
 tions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about 
 the law ; for they are unprofitable and vain ' (Tit. iii. 9). 
 The same word often carries different meanings to different 
 minds, and controversy multiplies disputes. St. Paul, 
 speaking by the Holy Ghost, unites in bond of closest 
 union Renewal of washing and Repentance, Faith in God, 
 and maintaining good Works. Be satisfied with these and 
 pray. 
 
 There is a nobleness of character in a truly converted 
 man ; his victories over Self most difficult to attain have
 
 Turning Points. 39 
 
 won for him benevolence, firmness of purpose, a lion's 
 courage in any righteous cause. He is watchful of his own 
 faults, severe against himself, tender to weaknesses in 
 another, and scrupulous not to censure any who are abs 
 His open candour is in harmony with discretion; he 
 sparing of expenditure on himself, that he may be generous 
 to others. These are among the gifts of grace which give 
 'a noble confidence and bravery of innocence, crowning 
 him with Divine pardon. 
 
 (2.) Justification. 
 
 Are you saved ? This may be a question of life eternal 
 or eternal death,-essential, therefore, that each should ask 
 his soul. The answer is not so easy. Yet, put it not away 
 from you ' Behold, now is the accepted time ; behold, now 
 is the day of salvation' (2 Cor. i. 2). If you are not now 
 prepared to render your account, when do you mean to be ? 
 'To-morrow come never?' Postponement is fraught with 
 danger : for who can say he will see to-morrow dawn? It 
 any case, when you die your soul will be saved or lost. Either 
 you have been washed in the redeeming blood of Jesus cruci- 
 fied, to inherit His promises of heaven, or you live without 
 assurance of God in this world or of His world to come. 
 If Christ has offered pardon, hasten without an hour s delay 
 to His altar, and there pour out your desires to be reconciled. 
 He died for you ; He loves you still amidst your disobedience, 
 if you will come to Him. But if you disbelieve and rejec 
 His offers, or turn deaf ears to His persuasions, you make 
 your own free choice to condemnation. You may have 
 lived to self, and vanities of the present time, sinning against 
 light and knowledge; but even now, with all your faults, if 
 you repent, ask pardon, amend your ways, the door is open. 
 If you reject your Saviour's offers, despise His laws and dis- 
 regard His atonement, you are lost: His voice declares,
 
 4O Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 'Verily I say unto you, I know you not' (Matt. xxv. 12). 
 Think what it must be even now, melancholy and hopeless, 
 not to be known of Jesus our Saviour as His disciples! 
 But in another world, how terrible ! There is an eternity of 
 joy unspeakable to all believers in His Word, who have 
 assurance only in His meritorious death, who by their 
 works of obedient love testify their faith. How weak then 
 and stolid you must be, if, setting Him at naught, you 
 enter that dark valley of death, hopeless of salvation! 
 Again I ask, Are you saved? 
 
 Our heavenly Father hears our prayers and vows ; has 
 mercy, gives us comfort, strengthens and assures us, snatched 
 as a brand from the fire : whispers, ' Peace ; be still : I am 
 sufficient for thee. Go, and sin no more.' Dry those tears, 
 sanctified by thy Saviour's precious blood, shed for thee, 
 that has washed thy sins away : though they ' be as scarlet, 
 they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like 
 crimson, they shall be as wool.' Henceforth, true to our 
 vows in newness of life, not in self-dependence but in a 
 humble spirit of prayer, we will follow after righteousness. 
 Having found mercy, we will be merciful to others and 
 intercede for them : as we have received much, deserving 
 nothing, we will serve our Redeemer, and love His poor, 
 thus to lay up treasures in His everlasting habitations. 
 Precious, most precious, are His words of comfort to all 
 who pray, repent, and live to His glory. Shall we not delight 
 in obedience to our heavenly Father's commandments, which 
 we used to set at naught before ? Shall we not keep the 
 jewel of our soul brilliantly polished, and by His grace pre- 
 serve its casket, the body, pure and undefiled ? Yes, verily, 
 and by His help so we will, living the life of a pardoned 
 sinner.
 
 Turning Points. 4* 
 
 (3.) The Heart renewed by grace. 
 
 Cold as an icicle is a human heart until God's fire of 
 grace has warmed its best affections. Then, no longer 
 chilled by withering selfishness, it glows in a flame of love, 
 changed in its nature, expansive in benevolence. It takes 
 an interest in seeing others happy, and thus reflects on 
 itself the sunshine of summer. Though a man should live 
 ' a thousand years twice told,' not having a charitable heart, 
 he would live in vain. Only by imitation of Christ our 
 Lord can we offer unto Him an acceptable sacrifice of love. 
 He declared, ' My yoke is easy, my burden is light,' and 
 so we find in practice. To be bound in His yoke of charity 
 is freedom from bondage to Self; to carry His Cross dis- 
 burthens a Christian heart from its oppressive yoke of sin, 
 and gives it wings to heaven, there to present before Him 
 pure oblations of disinterested love, and plead for grace 
 through Christ's all-precious righteousness not our own. 
 
 (4.) Opportunities. 
 
 How slight sometimes may be the turning-point between 
 some imminent danger and escape ! All life through keep 
 your eye intent; a faint and glimmering light may then 
 direct your path. Mark yon beacon-fire on that mountain-top : 
 indistinct it may be now, but hold your course, then clear and 
 more clear it brightens on your view. Again, that far-off ship 
 in the horizon, tossed on trackless oceans, finds safety in its 
 helmsman's watchfulness, steering on towards the lighthouse, 
 becoming brighter at every tack. But Christian men and 
 women have a surer Guide, who never fails if they regard 
 His proffered light. Be attentive to the slightest ray that 
 beams upon your heart from God to kindle its affections 
 and inform your understanding. Grace divine has power 
 and attractions, known only to those who humbly seek its
 
 4 2 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 glorious rays ; and when bestowed, fondly cherish its delight 
 within the soul. It is a royal gift from heaven's throne, 
 meted out on trial of our faith and love. If they fall on 
 earnest minds the Holy Spirit gives them brightness, till by 
 degrees they are perfectly enlightened to the glory of a 
 heavenly Father. 
 
 10. Review of Life. 
 
 WE pass our days and years in visionary schemes, mere 
 dreams that conjure up unrealities. Happy they who wake 
 in time ! Those fancied views of life gleam in mingled 
 colours like a rainbow, but ere we can make them out they 
 vanish. We are born to do, not to dream ; to bear our 
 witness to some high purpose beyond our present moment, 
 and despise all vanities that surround us. Especially make 
 a humble estimate of yourself, your own merits and accom- 
 plishments. True knowledge of your heart and disposition 
 will save you from a world of phantoms. Much time is 
 lost, but yet enough remains, if thou art willing. Many 
 hours are passed, the day far spent; but go thou into 
 Christ's vineyard : so labour in doing good, that when the 
 Lord of His vineyard cometh thou mayest receive full wages 
 of His love. Think not within thyself that He requires 
 aught at thy hands for His own glory ; no laborious life can 
 make Him richer or greater, but, serving Him in His own 
 appointed vineyard, thou thyself art rich and noble in sight 
 of angels. Yet trust not in thine own supposed righteous- 
 ness. Long standing idle in market-places it may be till 
 the eleventh hour few are your claims of merit ; in His 
 own free bounty thou art accepted, to receive wages un- 
 deserved. 
 
 If we would meditate on God's mysteries with trustful 
 eye of faith, well might we stand amazed to find in what a 
 Presence we have lived surrounded by a world of spirits.
 
 Review of L ife. 43 
 
 Then we should lament lost golden opportunities of peaceful 
 life, preferring painful hours, anxious labours, restless nights, 
 that disturbed the soul, as upheaving waters chafe some 
 quiet shore. Strange dimness of an intellectual sight, unable 
 to discover those pure, serene sublimities of a better world, 
 so clearly promised through Holy Scripture ! Short glimpses 
 now and then we have in meditation or in prayer, but they 
 vanish quickly into thoughts of earth : and then how dif- 
 ficult to recall ! The interests of present life keep so hard 
 a grip upon us, it is difficult to break away; and yet there is 
 a land not far to reach, near to us in the hour of death a 
 peaceful land of saints redeemed and spirits blest. Then 
 we shall be restored to friends and relatives already gone 
 before, with them to worship and rejoice in nearer presence 
 of Jesus our Incarnate God. Rise up, then, O my soul ! life 
 is no vain, airy shadow, no day-dream of unrealities, but 
 leading on to Paradise, and, higher still, to long eternity. 
 Let nothing come between to overcloud the brightness of 
 your view ; let no impediment intercept your progress, but 
 steadily advance. No sooner shall you enter on your path 
 than flowers shall spring around you. If mists obscure the 
 clearness of your horizon, even then the eye of faith will 
 penetrate the darkness and behold the Sun of Righteousness, 
 Christ our Lord. He says to each who loves Him, ' Thou 
 art Mine.' Then, bearing Him in sight, step by step hold 
 on to Paradise your proper home, there to wait His summons 
 to a never-ending future in His eternal kingdom. 
 
 ii. Contemplation of Future Glory. 
 
 Raise your view to that rich golden edge of radiance, 
 shining from behind yon darkening mass of clouds, that you 
 may catch an objective view of Christ's surpassing glory on 
 His throne. Does not this refresh and strengthen, delight and 
 satisfy your heart ? Then persevere, and He will lead you
 
 44 Life a Journey to Paradise. 
 
 on within a nearer circle ; then a nearer still, that, knowing 
 Him more clearly, you may love Him more devotedly. 
 Contemplate His crown of thorns, worn for you, that He 
 might bind a bright aureola round your brows, and thus re- 
 ceive you to Himself among His elected saints ! Perfect 
 your imitation of His righteousness, and bow before His 
 throne. Will not this suffice to win your strict obedience 
 to His law ? Angels live in contemplation of His glories ; 
 they worship Him in choruses of Alleluia ! If we on earth 
 delighted in our heavenly Father, and thought upon His 
 high dominions and principalities in realms of light, we 
 should draw near and more near with heart and voice to 
 join in hymns of praise sung perpetually round about His 
 throne. But, weighed to earth by incumbrances of vanity 
 and sin, we cannot rise. We seldom meditate, except it be 
 on schemes to gain increase of poor possessions, or win 
 applause for vain accomplishments. Therefore our desires 
 after heaven are but languid. 
 
 Intent on daily business of our passing life, we have no 
 time to spare for infinite futurity, nor inclination to become 
 familiar with mysteries of God's great providential purposes 
 through eternity. If these contemplations are too high and 
 dazzling, fix your regards on intermediate Paradise, where 
 saints redeemed and spirits of the just repose in blessed 
 companies, rejoicing all in peace and love, looking on to 
 more exalted nearer Presence in highest heaven of eternal 
 God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to worship and adore 
 for ever and for ever.
 
 PART II. 
 
 HELPS TOWARDS PARADISE. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 GIFTS OF GOD. 
 
 i. God's Gifts to Man in Creation, how Beautiful and 
 
 Glorious ! 
 
 MOMENTS of time are not more in number than the mercies 
 of God ; and all eternity will not exhaust His treasures of 
 joy, laid up for righteous souls. Here on earth uncon- 
 sciously we tread the confines of Paradise : it might, if we 
 so desired, be made familiar in spirit by constant testimony 
 from bur God of love. To-morrow we may receive His 
 summons to pass that gulf of separation between life and 
 death. Why not prepare? We have His divine Law, His 
 Word, His Spirit, and His angels, to lead us on. He has 
 revealed enough to animate our hearts and confirm our 
 faith. Sometimes He startles us with awful warnings; at 
 other times He spurs us on with hope towards attainment 
 of a joyful future. All these are constant gifts of a heavenly 
 Father : He would stimulate our ardour to reach His king- 
 dom of Paradise ; and afterwards to be eternally blessed in 
 His Presence face to face before His throne.
 
 46 Gifts of God. 
 
 We live surrounded by Nature's countless beauties, look- 
 ing on to Nature's God, and His more glorious spiritual 
 world. Noble subjects for contemplation ! Behold this 
 earth : how richly enamelled, laid out, and prepared for 
 happiness to man, if only he would be obedient ! All Nature 
 is a record of her Creator's never-changing laws of wisdom, 
 a testimony of His love. Suns, stars, and planets, shedding 
 light and life on all animal and vegetable varieties, in 
 vesture more brilliant than robes of princes ; multitudinous 
 in their individual specimens, not a feather, leaf, or com- 
 bination of blooming colours, exactly resembling another : 
 all are different. Mountains and valleys, forests, fruits, and 
 flowers, rolling oceans, mighty rivers, little brooks and foun- 
 tains, metals, rocks, and crystals, pearls and diamonds, 
 all are contributions to our earth, making it rich as a paradise. 
 But, high above all those brilliants of his dwelling, man has 
 a far more transcendently gracious offer of God's divine 
 Presence within his soul ! Jehovah volunteers to abide 
 with him as a holy guest, to guide his judgment, purify 
 his affections, and enlighten him to richer glories in a world 
 of spirits ! What is frail and sinful man that he should 
 hold communion with Heaven? resplendent, pure, distant 
 immeasurably, invisible, eternal ! How deep this mystery ! 
 He bears the image and likeness of his Maker, called to be 
 a ' brother ' of the Son of God, who united human nature 
 with His own Deity, making man to be one with Himself ! 
 And what awaits him beyond this earth ? No pen, no tongue, 
 no highest intellectual power, can describe, nor imagination 
 picture to itself. Man has an imperishable pledge, that if 
 he lives to God he shall, after death, inherit joys of higher 
 perfection in Paradise above; and finally dwell with God 
 in eternal glory.
 
 In all Creation. , - 
 
 47 
 
 2. Wonders of Nature. 
 
 These are unceasingly forced on our attention by their 
 1 
 
 nf d and 
 
 magnify the glonous attributes of God; above al( His love 
 man. His gifts of nature are mercifully ordained to 
 secure our happiness on earth. Wonderful each ordinance 
 of God -most beautiful His works of Nature, mighty mother 
 f mynads mult,plied by myriads, through all His boundle s 
 worlds, various in their order, as appointed by Eternal Wisdom 
 rapid almost as thought, whirling in silent circles of sun 
 and stars f No less varied and beautiful are His works of 
 his our earth : sluggish and slow they may seem through 
 the r seasons, ages, and centuries, in successive growth ace, 
 mulatmg deposits from time to time. To consider f ora 
 moment Nature's solemn silence in her dumb my! e * o f 
 vegetable life, its progress, death, and reproduction,-^ 
 -lent oak , that , sprung from ^ ' n 
 
 "oak ' Tf 6 US T ^ f a th USand ? ears > from acorn 
 to oak, and from oak to acorn, season by season, and then 
 
 coT ath si a e g r ; f life ^ link by iink ' for a thous - d ^ 
 
 benTath K T^ *" ^ ^ Kef daborated 
 th the sea by long succession of multitudes upon 
 
 multitudes of animalcule, till it reared its head above the 
 
 * 
 
 h an e ar 
 
 man of a hundred-gun ship. Thus, too, in gently 
 murmunng plash, alternate ebb and flow of tides succeed 
 h other on sea-girt islands; and so will do till time shall 

 
 48 Gifts of God. 
 
 186,000 miles in an instant of time, affords no clue to 
 astronomers in calculating wide distances of those oceans 
 of primaeval light, in which the Lord arrays Himself; from 
 which our sun, with millions of other distant suns, receive 
 their borrowed brightness, without which black darkness 
 would envelope them in a mantle of obscurity. In heaven's 
 broad expanse are countless suns, and systems of suns, 
 rolling in majestic order, obedient to eternal laws of motion. 
 To human eye those millions might appear to wander in 
 confusion, as chance directs ; but all are ruled by Wisdom 
 infinite, unchanged, unchangeable. They shine in lustre 
 not their own, reflecting oceans of empyreal light around the 
 throne of God, Himself the uncreated Light of all. Millions 
 and millions of miles below is this our little globe of earth, 
 travelling in its orbit, sometimes shining in light, sometimes 
 darkened, turning on its axis round our appointed sun. 
 Wonderful that the Almighty ' I AM ' should condescend to 
 notice it ! Wonderful that He should not long ago have 
 swept it from His heavens with a breath of just and holy 
 a,nger against rebellious men, who set His ordinances at 
 defiance ! But as a tender Father, He yearns towards His 
 children, redeemed by the precious blood of His dear Son. 
 He would have them seek a refuge in His love, that, being 
 cleansed from leprosy of sin, they may offer before His throne 
 pure praise and adoration. Deeper still than depths of 
 nature is grace divine in souls of men regenerate, silent 
 and unseen, yet intelligible and clear to their consciousness, 
 pointing assuredly their path to happiness, and guiding 
 each willing heart through all entanglements of life. 
 
 3. The Animal Creation. 
 
 To say nothing of countless worlds that spangle yonder 
 glowing arch of heaven, think for a moment of this our 
 little earth, peopled as it is by a thousand millions of men
 
 In the Creation of Man. 49 
 
 and women, each to itself the centre of a world of thought. 
 Wonderful also are those secret functions of animal life in 
 man, minute and intricate, that range throughout his phy- 
 sical organisms. If they depended on his own volition, his 
 feelings, and his energies of movement through night and 
 day, he would cease to be : they act, he knows not how, by 
 laws independent of his will. Descend yet lower to veriest 
 animalcules, invisible to a naked eye, yet each is its own 
 centre, busy and importunate with its instincts, full of an 
 indefatigable nature, through a short summer course to feed 
 and live, to propagate its species, and then to die. High 
 over all other creatures of this world is man, endowed with 
 spiritual intelligence, with instincts of thought and memory, 
 hope and fear; and higher yet with faith in the mysterious, 
 unseen, divine, eternal Jehovah, by whose celestial grace 
 our instincts are exalted to resemble those of angels ; nay, 
 higher yet again, may be restored, through Christ's all- 
 prevailing merits, to our lost inheritance of His image and 
 likeness. Behold to what a noble and superior reach men 
 and women maybe exalted, if they will dedicate their hearts 
 to the loving service of their God. Let them in humble 
 confidence believe that their immortal souls bear an impress 
 of their Supreme Creator, destined to future joys in oceans 
 of light, where angels worship and adore their and our 
 heavenly Father, Lord of His expansive universe, animate 
 and inanimate. With hopes like this we may travel on- 
 ward through our pilgrimage. All are free to choose their 
 path. Let them decide between poor baubles within their 
 reach and inestimable treasures by-and-by; to make ex- 
 change of unrealities on earth through a few short, fleeting 
 years, for Paradise, the near-approaching world of happy 
 spirits. Have I any doubt which is my far nobler object of 
 desire ? To shine amidst a masquerade on earth, or live 
 for joyful reunion with beloved souls in Paradise, who wait 
 my coming? I unworthy, in all humility and selfabase- 
 

 
 5O Gifts of God. 
 
 ment here resolve, by help of grace divine, to set my hand 
 to His most blessed will, and lead a life of unwavering 
 obedience to fullest measure of His free gift of faith ; not 
 begrudging a return, but, in broad expansiveness of grati- 
 tude, pouring out all I have. Oh, that I could feel my 
 instincts purified to a faint resemblance of angelic; and, 
 higher yet, to my lost image and likeness of God ! By grace 
 divine He mercifully imparts His richest gifts of love, 
 flowing immediately from the pure river of life to all who 
 dedicate to Him their whole existent being, their very soul, 
 to be absorbed in love. 
 
 4. Mysteries of Creation Man. 
 
 EVERY spring of sap that feeds its countless fibres of 
 Nature's vegetation by one exhaustless impulse, is a mystery.; 
 each mechanism of winged tribes disporting through the 
 air is a mystery ; each action of intricate organisms in hand 
 or foot is a mystery ; or pulsations of man's blood through 
 arteries and veins, beating time from his central heart to 
 each extremity, are mysteries. How much more wonderful 
 his faculties of intellect, and still more those moral agencies 
 that control his will ! And even yet far more mysterious 
 than all is God's anointing grace. How deep, unfathom- 
 able, drawing the soul to its Divine Centre ! Are we not 
 fearfully and wonderfully made? Who shall explain? If 
 the sap of vegetation were full of bitter poison, instead of 
 sweet and wholesome juice, all cattle would die; we should 
 cease to be, and return to dust. If men were left to their own 
 evil instincts, uncontrolled by God's law and by influence of 
 His grace, they would be hateful one to another, and perish 
 in their wickedness. What Power overrules the mighty 
 fabric of thousands by thousands of measureless worlds that 
 circle through His heavens ? No voice is heard, no hand 
 is visible ; in mute and silent order of His majestic universe
 
 Bodily Power and Organization. 5 * 
 
 all atoms fit their proper place. Remember how in the 
 
 beginning God said, ' Let there be light let the earth 
 
 bring forth grass .... let there be a firmament .... let 
 the sea bring forth abundantly.' From then till now His 
 mysteries of nature within our earth have continued through 
 successive eras, governed by eternal Wisdom, and will con- 
 tinue till His ' times of consummation of all things.' Whi 
 all His universe gladly pays its never-ceasing homage, shall 
 man alone, for whom the earth was made, refuse to join? 
 All Scripture speaks as plainly for our moral and religious 
 government as for our creation j no cavils justify our re- 
 pugnance to obey, no subterfuge extenuates our wickedness 
 and folly. If we disregard we shall inevitably gather bitter 
 fruits from every poisonous seed we sow, and lament in vain, 
 too late, the lost opportunities for a holy life. On the other 
 hand, how rich in joy are mysteries of religion to souls 
 illumined by grace divine ! Nothing can compare with it 
 yet wonderful to say, this precious treasure, so freely offered 
 to every one of us, is by multitudes undervalued, and 
 privileges disregarded. 
 
 5. Natural Instinct and Divine Grace. 
 
 WHAT is Instinct? A motive power that prompts a 
 creature of animal life to this or that purpose. This power 
 may be controlled, indeed requires to be restrained within 
 its wholesome limits, otherwise our happiness on earth and 
 life hereafter may be endangered. Various are those instincts 
 graciously given on trial to fallen man, many of them difficult 
 to control, some leading to forewarned evil, some to promised 
 good in answer to prayer, with sure reward of obedience. 
 
 The universal moving principle of self-protection is an 
 instinct implanted in the human breast for a purpose 
 gracious and beneficent, to guard us through countless per- 
 plexities of a selfish world ; full bent from hour to hour
 
 52 Gifts of God. 
 
 upon their own advantage, and forgetful of God's law, to 
 love their fellow-creatures as themselves. 
 
 Such is the universality of instincts ; they are scarcely 
 less various than great in numbers, all imparted by the One 
 Great Cause to all living creatures. This is made clear by 
 inherent properties; ever the same thoughts, generally 
 mixed with others, possessing germs of attraction or repul- 
 sion; as in chemical mixtures you see so many various 
 changes, when two or more given substances come within 
 each other's influence, that you are lost in surprise. What 
 can be more difficult to explain than the instinct or pro- 
 pelling power of a magnetic needle pointing to the Pole ? 
 What is there in the Pole, so many thousand miles off, to 
 guide a ship to fragrant spices of Arabia, to the Andes, or 
 Mountains of the Moon in Africa, or golden mines of Peru ? 
 Yet thus God's providence has ordained. A magnetic 
 needle with unerring finger points some well-ascertained but 
 sunken rocks in wide expansive oceans. Their latitude and 
 longitude, marked in his chart, are well known to a skilful 
 mariner ; he gives 'ample room and verge enough,' to escape 
 ail danger. Without the instinct of his magnetic needle he 
 might be shipwrecked. 
 
 But more marvellous still are the unseen moral influences 
 of man's spiritual being. If he cannot direct the circulation 
 of his blood and all the system of his nervous frame, much 
 less can he depend upon himself as a spiritual and respon- 
 sible being for the overrule of his moral conduct ; so incon- 
 sistent and capricious are his motives, instincts, and passions. 
 No, he must seek his guidance from the Fountain of all 
 intelligence his Creator, who has bestowed upon him an 
 imperishable soul, and given him the unchangeable revel- 
 ation of His Word to point his path through every stage of 
 life. Divine grace alone can countervail his tendencies of 
 heart, earnest after its own impulsive, momentary desires. 
 Seek for grace before all other gifts, and you have a Teacher
 
 Instincts. c 3 
 
 of heaven's philosophy, more clear than all professors in 
 every school of science. In less than one short moment, 
 the Holy Ghost instantaneously impenetrates the soul from 
 highest heaven. His divine influence goes before the 
 occasion, anticipates every trial, effectuates each result. 
 Weak and worthless as we are, He strengthens our resolves, 
 enlightens our reason, and purifies our motives. He is 
 glorious in all His attributes, boundless in love and mercy 
 to His erring creature, Man. 
 
 6. Instincts of Human Nature. 
 
 AFTER sin had taken possession of man, losing the image 
 and likeness of his Creator, he was subject to new instincts 
 of a fallen nature, given for preservation of existence but 
 liable to corruption. By these various instincts he is go- 
 verned : acting continually almost without choice, or reason, 
 or apparent cause, subject to necessities for food and breath, 
 exposed perpetually to carnal temptations on every side, he 
 is actuated by momentary influence and impulse, uncon- 
 sciously a slave to his own perversity of will. Where, then, 
 shall he find a refuge in some fair land of moral liberty ? 
 how emancipate himself from so burthensome a captivity 
 to Self? Are there no principles, no promises, of Divine 
 intervention ? Is there no supreme and overshadowing rock 
 for a wearied soul ? Yes ! an always -present, heavenly 
 grace, if he will seek it by means ordained for his unclouded 
 happiness. He must buckle on his armour of defence, that 
 shall testify his profession of a Christian warrior, unfurl his 
 banner of the Cross, swear allegiance to a Saviour's cause, 
 and follow whithersoever He shall lead. Love for God and 
 victories over his tyrant Self shall lead him on and on, 
 nearer to prospects of a glorious crown with never-dying joy 
 in presence of the Captain of his salvation. This is your 
 covenant of grace ; deny your instincts of the flesh, pray
 
 54 Gifts of God. 
 
 that all your motives may be purified, that your sorrowful 
 abiding penitence may prevail, give solemn pledge of future 
 obedience, have faith in God's rich promises of mercy and 
 acceptance through Christ's meritorious Atonement ; then 
 shall be perfected within you instincts, if not angelic, so fully 
 Christian, that it would be of all things most offensive to 
 your renewed nature to trespass against the law of God. 
 By grace imparted in divine instincts we may feel and 
 know how delightful is His presence in our souls on earth ; 
 through faith we may believe His promises of a better future ; 
 both are parts of His divine revelation, to lead us on to 
 Himself for ever with angels and archangels, cherubim 
 and seraphim, singing, 'Glory to God, eternal King !' 
 
 7. Angelic Instincts. 
 
 HUMBLE your soul before God's everlasting throne, then 
 fear not : He is willing to confirm your confidence in His 
 almighty grace, and exalt your motives to angelic instincts. 
 This is not presumption but a reach of humble faith. Did 
 He not give our well-beloved Saviour, our Incarnate God, 
 to die on an agonising Cross, that we might be sons of a 
 heavenly Father, brethren of Christ, and temples of the 
 Holy Ghost? Here is our glorious assurance of a prevailing 
 heavenly grace. By His free and undeserved favour we 
 make approach to angelic instincts that renew and purify 
 the nature of God's elect as heirs of Christ, by faith made 
 partakers of His righteousness, though still within ourselves 
 Unworthy to be called after His name. Is not this a miracle 
 of love ? For see what a mighty change is here effected ! No 
 longer instincts of a fallen nature enthral our soul in base 
 captivity to sin ; but our anointed spirit, aspiring to celestial 
 heights, wings its way above, beyond all glittering suns and 
 planets, to God's great throne, with principalities and powers 
 and dominions, cherubim and seraphim, to sing their alleluias
 
 Instincts. 
 
 Hi, M-iiestv Be persuaded : this angelic, mysterious in-. 
 
 in i'the cLe of His promises : then new hghts 
 
 o trm will irradiate your convictions j rnsed from earth 
 
 you shall enjoy a rich foretaste of Parad.se, lea dl ng to a 
 
 higher promised heritage. 
 
 8. Divine Instincts. 
 
 Is it too much to say that a soul renewed to holiness by 
 erace is brought towards that Divine image and likeness m 
 Si God condescended to create His favoured creature 
 man" If, consecrated as a sanctuary of His presence, it 
 Stakes of angelic instincts, may it not by His mercy rise 
 Tr hfgher still-to His own nature ? A Christian adopted 
 freely by his heavenly Father as an accepted disciple of 
 carnlte God a temple of the Holy Ghost, is enlightened 
 "d sanSn^d to a* by divine instinct. ^ 
 before his Saviour's altar, through faitfi beholding H 
 objective loveliness in presence spiritual; part .ake * rf ^H B 
 most precious Body and Blood in ^crament identical re, 
 Lts all past offences, steadfastly resolves on future fidelity, 
 S- ** Lord of life. Thus he is exalted ^~ 
 of nature to nearer presence of nature's God. 
 change I Then it requires a persevering course of pracl 
 hSss prayer for advancement in love and victory on 
 "; g aiJt our tyrant Self. These being accomplished 
 tough mighty aid from on high, we may advance by step 
 and sfep to Paradise. There, and in highest heaven, all, all 
 is love; for 'God is love!' Amen. 
 
 9. Our Moral Nature. 
 
 FAR more noble are mental faculties of men and women 
 than mere acquirements of activity and strength or orna 
 mental accomplishments, in common tracks of life.
 
 56 Gifts of God. 
 
 proportion to the influence of intellect and reason on society 
 is their responsibility of possession. Men of highly culti- 
 vated minds have not, as a class, been remarkable for re- 
 ligious dispositions, or belief in revelation. Their own 
 attainments often vainly tempt them to undervalue others of 
 a lower standard. Nay more, because their own intellectual 
 power is too weak to grasp the height and depth of Divine 
 mysteries, the self-wise proudly reject them. This is a 
 perilous condition. I had rather not be, than live to doubt 
 my sure foundation-rock of truth, God's Word, whereon 
 my happiness is built. What said the angel Uriel to Esdras? 
 4 1 am sent to show thee three ways, and to set forth three 
 similitudes before thee : whereof if thou canst declare me 
 one, I will show thee also the way that thou desirest to see ; 
 and I shall show thee whence the wicked heart cometh.' 
 Then Esdras said, 'Tell on, my Lord!' And Uriel said, 
 Go thy way : weigh me the weight of the fire ; or measure 
 me the blast of the wind; or call me again the day that is past.' 
 Then answered Esdras, ' What man is able to do that, that 
 thou shouldest ask such things of me?' And yet these were 
 but things from which Esdras 'could not be separated;' 
 his own things, such as had grown up with him (2 Esdras, 
 chap, iv.) There is a deep moral lesson to be learnt from 
 this passage of Holy Writ, to humble the pride of intellectual 
 men ! 
 
 10. Intellect. 
 
 No powers of our intellectual faculties can grasp God's 
 mysteries, unless revealed by light divine. A man may be 
 endued with mental powers not inferior to those of Euclid 
 or Aristotle, with imagination of all poets, and yet be 
 unable to comprehend one depth of Gospel truth ; whilst a 
 prayerful peasant, through one precious gift of grace, is 
 strong and clear in faith of Divine mysteries. Thought is a 
 great traveller : it climbs up hill and down dale, over pre-
 
 Intellect and Reason. 
 
 cipice and distant ocean, flies far east and west, more rapidly 
 than light, or sound, or electricity, from star to star; but 
 finds its only sure, its sweetest rest, in God. That joy once 
 attained, our hearts will rise in aspirations of desire for near 
 and more near approach ; then higher in prayer for faith and 
 love, until at length His presence in our soul is r. 
 Then our thoughts no more delight in vanities of earth, but 
 raised to heavenly visions of His spiritual world, are warmed 
 by celestial fire of the Holy Ghost: we grow from grace t 
 grace, and evil thoughts no more assault the soul. 
 
 ii. Knowledge of God the noblest use of Intellect. 
 
 LET it not be said as an excuse for ignorance, that know- 
 ledge is difficult to attain. There never was any science to be 
 acquired without a steadfast will. Though deep the mysteries 
 of God His revelation has made them clear enough for 
 happiness on earth, if only we have faith in His truth, hope 
 of His promises, and love for Himself. He has grafted 
 these on the Gospel of His dear Son : they bloom together 
 through the celestial unction of His Holy Spirit spreading 
 round His thousand odours on the nature of man, m 
 harmony with its original stock, created in the Divine image 
 and likeness. The Holy Ghost breathes into our heart a 
 sacred energy of knowledge, even as atmospheric air sustains 
 our physical life; not by sudden illumination or visible 
 descent but in secret influence of grace, maturing whole- 
 some increase to rich abundant fruit. ' Knowledge of God ' 
 is a high reach of our moral nature, Divine in its source, 
 leading us on to instincts angelic. Then man, invigorated 
 by practical virtues, advances from strength to strength, and 
 lives to glorify the Eternal. St. Paul says, ' Being children 
 of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer under 
 a schoolmaster ' (Gal. iii. 25, 26). Once lay the foundations 
 of this knowledge in loving hearts of your youths, and you
 
 $8 Gifts of God. 
 
 have done your best to make them wise and happy. Neglect 
 this, and you expose them through life to the same assaults 
 of temptation that beset your own path at their age. Such 
 is knowledge from on high : if that could be fallible, it were 
 better we never had been born. How many truths are hid 
 from the wise and prudent ' (as men are called in the circles 
 of a busy world) but ' revealed unto babes ! ' No faculties 
 of the understanding nor cultivation of science can reach 
 mysterious heights opened out to a calm, clear eye of faith, 
 that spiritually understands God's revelation of His own 
 Divine condescension and benevolence. 
 
 12. The Soul's Yearnings after God. 
 
 MAN was made in the image and likeness of his Creator. 
 This is verified by longings of an ardent soul renewed to ho- 
 liness, in faith of Jesus Christ. Though encumbered by tram- 
 mels of its own fallen nature, dimmed by clouds of earthly 
 interest, yet our breathings after God, our near approach 
 to His presence, assure us that His Word is imperishable. 
 New-born in Baptism, pardoned in Eucharistic communion, 
 believing in all His promises, we are inheritors of Paradise 
 with His redeemed. We dwell beneath the covert of His 
 wings ; again and again repent our long, long catalogue of 
 transgressions against His law. If He is present in our 
 soul, if He deigns to keep us by His grace, we are safe 
 amidst all perils. But for our coward fear of death, and 
 our feebleness of religious hope, we should long impatiently 
 for Paradise. Some few would mourn if we were taken 
 away ; we dare not wish the change : His wisdom better 
 knows the hour ; we rest in His sufficiency. Meditate, and 
 pray earnestly by His strength to win fresh victories over 
 Self, and keep your eye of faith steadfast on the glory of your 
 Redeemer : lovely is His image ; His presence in the soul 
 unspeakable delight.
 
 Spiritual Capacities. 59 
 
 It is the soul of man that gives him all distinction. Born 
 in likeness of its great Creator, dwelling as in a sanctuary, 
 to be preserved in holiness undefiled, it contemplates high 
 visions far away from earth, travels in thought to heaven 
 returns enlightened and refreshed, yearns for Paradise, 
 hoping afterwards to dwell for ever in presence of the 
 Lamb. 
 
 13- The Heart of Man. 
 
 WONDERFUL are the intricate organs and mechanism of 
 the physical heart of man in its constructure, sensible to his 
 knowledge in throbbing pulsations and fountains of blood, 
 Sowing through complicated arteries and veins to sustain 
 his animal life. But far more intricate and mysterious his 
 moral heart his soul! Here, indeed, is a subject of 
 wonders never ceasing, an object of study not to be ex- 
 hausted, constantly changing in its emotions of instinct, 
 sentiment, and passion : at some times fierce and uncontrol- 
 lable, at others gentle and sympathetic. God, in His 
 boundless mercy, would love to dwell within the soul, that 
 He might fill it with His Spirit of purity and gladness, if we 
 prayed for the gift and longed for His presence. Then we 
 could never be entirely cast down by any sorrows, never 
 hopelessly oppressed, never indifferent to the sufferings of 
 others, but feel united in His divine love for all creatures 
 born in His image and likeness, especially for those with 
 whom we have knelt before His altar and partaken of His 
 Eucharistic Sacrifice. 
 
 14. Search after God. 
 
 THERE is a vast difference between a fancied knowledge 
 of God and real devotion to Him as a heavenly Father. 
 His attributes of power and wisdom being manifest in all 
 things around us, we know, by irresistible conviction, that
 
 60 Gifts of God. 
 
 ' in Him we live, and move, and have our being :' but to live 
 for Him, for His glory, is a sweet, most enviable privilege 
 and joy of love, our only real happiness wisdom infallible ! 
 All these are promised gifts of grace to inmost souls that 
 search for Him. How comes it, then, so many turn to 
 their own devices in a frivolous world that knows Him not ; 
 loving its vanities more than God, Creator of all things? 
 Because they have no feeling of desire to realise His 
 promises, and, therefore, disregard them. 
 
 15. Capacity to love and serve God. 
 
 SUPPOSE there never had been made to us a heaven- 
 inspired revelation, that we have a God supreme in glory, 
 perfect in beauty, power, and wisdom ; whom we may love 
 and live to please, Author of all we now enjoy or hope here- 
 after to possess, with whom we may hold spiritual com- 
 munion, of whom we may ask whatever would make us 
 reasonably happy, to whom we may offer unceasing homage 
 of love, praise, and adoration; without all this, what would 
 have been our present saddening, almost hopeless, state? 
 To whom could we pray amidst a world of misfortune, of 
 misery, and of sin ? a world intent on Self, its sympathies 
 so mercenary and uncertain, its favours measured out with 
 niggard hand ? Then, how seldom we should find true friend- 
 ship ! Suppose, again, there were no promise of a future state; 
 no looking forward to companionship with beings of more 
 exalted nature ; no restoration to blessed-relatives most dear 
 to us, now in realms of Paradise, whose loss we sorrow- 
 fully deplore ; no future access to visible presence of our 
 heavenly Father, beloved Saviour, and Holy Ghost our 
 Comforter ? Where, then, would be our bright assurance 
 of a vivid faith ? Make comparison of all men and women 
 unrenewed by the Spirit of God with His righteous servants ; 
 how immeasurably inferior they are, tainted by carnal in-
 
 Spiritual Capacities. 61 
 
 stincts of entailed inheritance from Adam ! A humble yet 
 aspiring love for God His own free gift exalts our souls 
 to a higher world, and sanctifies all our desires to honour 
 and adore Him as source and centre of our existence. This 
 prompts us to a ready earnestness to do His will on earth, 
 as angels and archangels love to pay their services in 
 heaven. 
 
 Behold, this love for God is your one solution of all 
 perplexities, your sure escape from evil, your full enjoyment 
 of God's free gifts, a jewel inestimably rich ; never to be 
 acquired other than from Himself great Author of our 
 promised heritage on earth, in Paradise, or heaven of 
 heavens. Take from me every other treasure, but leave 
 me this. Whether in retirement or amidst the busy haunts 
 of men, whether poor or rich in worldly possessions, unin- 
 structed or highly endowed with learning, in sickness or in 
 health, joy or sorrow; in every circumstance, love for God, 
 by His own divine grace, exalts our inmost faculties to the 
 steps of His almighty throne. 
 
 1 6. Capacity for Glory hereafter. 
 
 IF on earth we have no delight in God's abiding presence 
 within our souls, when freely offered, what do we desire to 
 find in heaven? Do we seek His love? do we hope to 
 glorify His Majesty with cherubim and seraphim round His 
 almighty throne, or only sensual joy, freedom from danger 
 and from fear? The proof of our sincerity is obedience to 
 His commands. One such act of service for love is worth 
 a dozen vain professions, seeking some reward. Faithful 
 assurance that He beholds and approves, will satisfy a soul 
 that has poured out its griefs before Him, and received His 
 gift of a living faith. His Word is guarantee that hereafter 
 we shall love even as we are loved. 
 
 Which would be most delightful earth blessed by God's
 
 62 Gifts of God. 
 
 presence consciously within the soul, prompting us to zeal 
 in serving Him, or joys of Paradise without Him ? We pray 
 for heaven, as consummation of all that is most enchanting : 
 but what if He Himself were absent ! should we think it 
 insupportable ? Alas ! who can make a truthful answer ? 
 How seldom do we contemplate or desire His Paradise ! 
 Visions are but dreams ; possession within the soul is reality; 
 having God within, the God of love, He would raise once 
 more our perverted instincts to the likeness of His angels. 
 Then we should love as they love : then prayer would be 
 an exercise of delightful privilege ; religion would become a 
 first necessity of our enjoyment; all would be to us a fore- 
 taste of Paradise, where we should desire, only as a nearer 
 sense of His presence, a more exalted knowledge of His 
 attributes. Who can venture to say they have ever realised 
 this truth but for a few short moments ? then all again is 
 dark and overclouded with mists of a fallen nature ; soon 
 is all our zeal expired. And yet our merciful, heavenly 
 Father, would desire that our instincts should be purified, 
 exalted even to His effulgent presence. 
 
 17. Devout Aspirations after God. 
 
 DIVINE grace is still a mystery to us poor worms of 
 earth, unseen, unheard. It is an essence from God Himself. 
 Mental exercise, intellectual faculties, upward yearnings of 
 man's soul, are sparks from God, centre orb of grace. 
 Science and philosophy in search of truth, theology taking 
 flight on angel-wing of earnest faith, are beams from light of 
 Deity. All these, in separate amalgams, assume indefinite 
 varieties of combination in children of a heavenly fatherhood. 
 God has mercifully ordained that His truths of revelation 
 should attain a place in hearts of warm believers, to love 
 Him with their whole affections ; and closer as we analyse, 
 the more we study, and longer our experience of life, we
 
 Divine Grace. 63 
 
 increase in heavenly knowledge, and find how rich are all 
 His gifts of grace, how bountiful His contributions to our 
 necessities of humanity. Taken as a whole, all true philo- 
 sophies have their origin in God, and are religious at the 
 root. If perverted in their growth by obliquity of un- 
 believers, they verify the words of Holy Scripture, that man 
 before his disobedience was created in the image and like- 
 ness of God. All grace divine within the spiritual identity ' 
 of man has the elements of religion ; all the moral virtues 
 derive their power and their beauty from the same Divine 
 Fountain, the grace of God. He crowns this complex yet 
 harmonious economy of His providence with a diadem of . 
 faith and love, His highest gifts from above, that we may 
 be thankful for all advance in knowledge of Divine truth. 
 Then pray for brighter light and higher yearnings to His 
 throne. He beholds ; He hears each whisper of your soul's 
 desire for His presence. Though He may seem to tarry in 
 His answer, it is only that you may pray more fervently. 
 
 God on His throne is centre orb of light to His whole 
 universe ; irradiates all things, spiritual and natural : some 
 mysterious to us unseen oceans of light celestial, re- 
 flecting a portion of its beams to countless suns and stars, 
 planets and constellations, that illuminate the spangled arch 
 of heaven. To pass by many beautiful phenomena of light 
 with its influence on all surrounding nature, we turn to 
 consider a far more exalting subject of inquiry, God's 
 mysteries of spiritual light, conveyed by grace divine to the 
 soul of man. We may accept as a first established foun- 
 dation of all truth that God is a spiritual Being, ' dwelling in 
 the light which no man can approach unto ; whom no man 
 hath seen, nor can see' (2 Tim. vi. 16). He deigned to 
 create man in His own image and likeness, which applies 
 exclusively to his soul in a state of innocence. If before he 
 fell this was but a reflected likeness of his Maker, how little 
 of the image does he now retain, when carnal instincts and
 
 64 Gifts of God. 
 
 desires have such power of his affections, and lead him into 
 sin ! In a few short years he dies ; departs no one knoweth 
 whither, but Omniscient God alone. Not one of Adam's 
 children has any power, righteousness, or merit of his own. 
 All are inheritors of original sin, whether patriarchs, saints, 
 or prophets, only to be restored by God's free undeserved 
 grace. David was himself an adulterer and murderer, but 
 through the power of divine grace became a monument of 
 God's compassionate love, and a witness through prophecy 
 of the Gospel of Jesus to after ages. 
 
 1 8. Divine Grace. 
 
 GOD mercifully imparts to us His divine grace, that our 
 inward darkness may be illumined. He purifies our hearts 
 in fire of celestial love, that all defilement or impurity being 
 purged away, and utterly consumed, our fallen nature may so 
 be purified from dross as silver and gold. This must be 
 sought in earnest prayer, with hearty desires of amendment. 
 The free-will of man in presence of God's absolute and eternal 
 foreknowledge is a mystery, to be understood only by souls 
 renewed, not to be explained by logic. Once let real love 
 of God take full possession of our hearts, and all is clear. 
 His divine grace is an amulet against spiritual disease, a 
 charmed talisman from on high, to keep us from foul, con- 
 tagious, hateful taint of sin. 
 
 1 9. Freedom of the Human Will. 
 
 THIS is an intricate subject, if you resolve to analyse the 
 difficulties raised by controversial writers, endeavouring to 
 prove that freedom of human will is inconsistent with an 
 Almighty everlasting Providence. It needs no dispute : 
 obedience to His eternal law is your path to happiness; 
 therefore exercise your free-will in subjection to His divine
 
 Free-will. 65 
 
 ordinances, and you shall be at peace. Is not this harmony 
 sufficient for man's practical life ? But again, granting the 
 infallible wisdom of God, His mercy, His irresistible power, 
 and boundless love, can we have, a higher service, a more 
 noble ambition, than to bend our will to His commands ? 
 However unfathomable the mysteries of futurity, one grand 
 central design of God is clear the welfare of His creatures. 
 When they transgress He punishes in mercy, not for any 
 possible advantage to Himself, but for theirs ; to discourage 
 and prevent their further advance in evil. He would not 
 inflict retribution for sin, if men had not the power of 
 choosing virtue in their exercise of free-will. It is given to 
 each individual, and each is responsible for the use he 
 makes of this high trust committed to his care, having 
 access by constant prayer to the Fountain of Divine Attri- 
 butes, which no opposing force can turn aside. God seems 
 to say continually, 'Choose you this day whom ye will 
 serve.' His will ordains all things immovably in heaven 
 and in earth, as revealed in His imperishable Word for our 
 guidance ; and His laws are so few, so clear, so simple, that 
 ' he who runs may read.' This evidence of His providence 
 is fortified by all experience, and by our inward consciousness 
 of right and wrong. ' Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
 things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 
 things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever 
 things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if 
 there be any praise ' (Phil. iv. 8), we know that they are all 
 from God, all consistent with His perfections. We have 
 only to bow before Him, admire and love Him, pray to 
 Him for grace to assist our weak endeavours, to mould our 
 uncertain instincts into harmony with His providential will : 
 then we are crowned with victories over Self; we attain to 
 happiness, and shall inherit the fulness of His promises, 
 Paradise, and Heaven of heavens. 
 
 We have a liberty of choice in search of happiness. If 
 
 F
 
 66 Gifts of God. 
 
 common sense were effectual, and reason were infallible, 
 man might find the safest path ; but at every step he bears 
 a taint of natural infirmity, and being liable to error, con- 
 tinually mistakes his clearest interests. His only sure 
 guidance is from above, the anointing Spirit of Grace. 
 Is it not a marvel that creatures such as we are, worms of 
 earth, may exercise a choice, declaring who shall guide 
 their path amidst all evils that beset their moral course 
 through life? God sets before us everything in its own 
 true colours, good and evil, wisdom and folly, virtue and 
 vice. He has clearly revealed, by promises of reward and 
 threatenings of punishment, infallible results, that wisdom 
 may regulate our selection and obedience be crowned with 
 joy. We may entertain ourselves with artificial pleasures, 
 and dress up imaginary figures to beguile the precious time 
 appointed to us : but present enjoyment of vanities, gran- 
 deur and possessions, even if perchance attained, prove 
 deceitful in the end; and when we fail presumption 
 aggravates our overthrow, and censures of a harsh, un- 
 charitable world, embitter all our vain regrets. Let historians 
 tell us if great ones, rich or learned, emperors, kings, or 
 conquerors, were happy. If they all failed, give me another 
 choice, and I will seek my future happiness in better know- 
 ledge of a heavenly Father, who reveals Himself in 
 mysteries of love, and manifests His mercy in trials of our 
 faith. He breathes into repentant souls of men and 
 women sweetest hopes of salvation through Christ's atone- 
 ment on the cross of Calvary, and from sorrow raises them 
 to joyous prospects of happiness above. If our choice be 
 wisely made, it will be justified by results immediate reward 
 in happy, peaceful, calm convictions, and hopeful views 
 to be all realised in consummation of a glorious future. 
 And yet how strange it is that Christians should often pass 
 the livelong day without addressing one word of prayer to 
 their heavenly Father, or aspirations to His praise ! He
 
 Free-will. 67 
 
 desires to dwell within their hearts; all their blessings, 
 from early morn until midnight, and through dead of night 
 till daydawn, are gifts of His beneficence. Angels are sur- 
 rounding them, and yet His ' children ' have no moment 
 to spare from frivolous pursuits for enjoyment of holy inter- 
 course with a Father so rich in love, a God so bountiful in 
 gifts ! Ignoble and oblivious ingratitude ! 
 
 Free-will of man should be in harmony with the will of 
 God. Look on any busy crowds in assemblies, or hurrying 
 through the streets; perhaps unconsciously to themselves 
 that hour may be a crisis of some important future, as their 
 next moral or immoral act shall decide. All are free to 
 choose. How great, then, our responsibility at every turn ! 
 If governed by gratitude to God, with reliance on His con- 
 tinued goodness, we possess a talisman of happiness ; for 
 then our ruling motives being in harmony with His will, we 
 are in peaceful rest. The accidents of life may in various 
 ways disturb the even tenour of our pilgrimage ; but the 
 power that implants pure motives, and directs attention to 
 laudable and religious objects of pursuit, can harmonise our 
 will to His own, and consummate the blessing of His in- 
 dwelling presence. 
 
 20. Our wide range of Choice. 
 
 GOD leaves us free to choose our sphere of service in 
 our own circle, and wheresoever we may be accepts each 
 earnest wish, each real endeavour, if only we be loving and 
 obedient. But, having this free choice, pray for guidance. 
 Some employments there are especially open to temptation, 
 and difficult as trials of our faith : we need to take our course 
 with fear and caution, safe only in Divine preventing grace. 
 Then some unseen power sits at the helm to steer us through 
 all sunken rocks and treacherous sands. But if we proudly 
 claim to guide ourselves, we challenge shipwreck : our na-
 
 68 Gifts of God. 
 
 ture being prone to err, and flesh overruling spiritual 
 consciousness, we disregard besetting dangers. Our only 
 safeguard is counsel from the Holy Spirit. He will give us 
 grace, strong confidence tempered by reverence, and hope 
 mingled with humility, lest we fail. Love and gratitude for 
 His immeasurable bountifulness, with abiding sense of our 
 insufficiency, will bring us finally to His harbour of promised 
 safety. 
 
 21. Responsibility for Divine Gifts. 
 
 MINUTES of time are not more in number than our 
 heavenly Father's mercies ; and all eternity will not exhaust 
 entrancing joys laid up for righteous souls. Here on earth 
 we are not far from Paradise. It is made familiar to us by 
 studying the Word of God, so rich in promises of a blessed 
 future. At any moment we may be called to some mys- 
 terious gulf between : why not prepare ? We have His 
 laws, His Holy Spirit, Jesus our Redeemer, merciful and 
 mighty, and His angels to lead us on. He has revealed 
 enough to animate our courage, kindle our hopes, and con- 
 firm our faith. Sometimes He terrifies a reluctant soul with 
 awful warnings, at other times He spurs us on by promises 
 of reward. All these are gifts and favours of a loving Father 
 to give fresh impulse to His lagging children. Each gift of 
 God is a blessing, if we use it well ; if neglected or abused, 
 it returns to the Giver, lost to ourselves, but leaves within 
 the memory a sting of self-reproach and unavailing regret. 
 There is a germ of life in each and every one of our Al- 
 mighty Father's gifts. If prized and cherished, He gives it 
 heavenly rains and dew, with sunshine of His blessing, that 
 it may bring forth fruit, according to the care we take in 
 nurture of its growth. 
 
 In dealings with our fellow-men we are bound to return 
 whatever another lends. The giver of gifts has a claim to 
 gratitude ; it is a debt of honour, and must be paid, or we
 
 Gratitude for Gifts of God. 69 
 
 lose caste in our circle of society. By what law, then do we 
 regulate ourselves towards God, the great Giver of gift 
 He requires only that we make good use of all His bounties. 
 They are lent on deed of trust, as trials of our faith, our 
 gratitude, and love. But He keeps account; and we 
 held responsible. If used for Self, in cold forgetfulness of 
 the Giver, they yield no fruit but disappointment. It 
 charitably distributed to others, they are repaid by rich 
 reward of present peace and joy, perhaps by grateful 
 prayers to God from those we have relieved. In any case 
 He promises great returns hereafter, laid up in store ! 
 every act of self-denial and benevolence. 
 
 If we continually offered gifts to a fellow-man, which he 
 as constantly declined, what should we think? 
 sense to value them? distrusts our motives? or dislikes the 
 giver? Thus it is with more than half this world towards 
 ?heir heavenly Father. He freely offers unto all His highest 
 spiritual gifts; so precious they would yield enduring peao 
 of mind, and make us rich indeed. Alas, how often they 
 are set at nought ! We prefer to seek our own poor vai 
 imaginings, although again and again experience has tau, 
 
 s how they vanish like a will-o'-the-wisp, lead us astray, 
 and end in disappointment. When shall we find our error, 
 and make amends ? 
 
 22. Whom shall I love ? 
 
 HE who formed the heavens and measured them with a 
 span, was wrapped in swaddling-clothes and laid in a manger 
 for me ! He who bids the lightning flash from east to 
 west, and rolls His thunderclouds to shake the earth, was 
 born in a stable, and uttered feeble cries of an mfant- 
 me ! He who receives eternal homage from cherubim and 
 seraphim, endured long agonies of mind and body and 
 terrors of desolation, suffering, forsaken, dying on the Crc
 
 70 Gifts of God. 
 
 of Calvary for me ! Shall I not, then, love Him with all 
 powers of my affections ? and pay Him constant homage in 
 my daily life of charity for His suffering poor, out of gratitude 
 to Himself ? Yea, verily, I will pray to love Him above all 
 things, and so to love His destitutes ; in faith to trust His 
 promises, which exceed all I can desire.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A CHRISTIAN HOME AND EDUCATION. 
 
 i. The earthly and the heavenly Home. 
 
 To most men amidst a world of -rest there is a ^magnet 
 that draws them to a peaceful, cherished home, to find a 
 W elcome in some social circle. It maybe m "**% 
 or retired village, or a mansion near its ^?^!~J 
 with gardens and overhanging trees, or retired cottage by 
 some'common of golden-coloured gotse, near jc , .ts pan h 
 church and graveyard, where some beloved -**** 
 silence, waiting their appointed summons to joyful re 
 surrect on. Wherever Home may be, in peace of mind, 
 so owful bereavement, or pains of sickness, one sweetnes 
 there we find-a sympathy of love, for there united heart, 
 expanl n mutual confidence. Higher than this we have a 
 promised home in Paradise-' where God shall wipe away all 
 tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, 
 Sther sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any m ore 
 pain : for the former things have passed away .ev. x. 4). 
 How is it we so seldom look to that our promised home ? 
 Alas' because our interests centre all in this world. A 
 narrow heart can but embrace things visible; the mvisib e 
 are bTyond its compass. If your affections be set on earthly 
 obiectl the joys of Paradise, though near and glorious are 
 to yoS view distant as stars and suns of the Milky Way, 
 indistinct, and soon forgotten.
 
 72 A Christian Home and Education. 
 
 I know by all the promises of my heavenly Father there 
 is a beatific home in Paradise, and higher yet around His 
 throne, where in His presence we shall unite in alleluias 
 with angels, ' ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands 
 of thousands,' through my Saviour's all-perfect, all-sufficient 
 righteousness, not our own. In vain the world may spread 
 its poor allurements, entangling the heart, to lead it back 
 from peace. Give me contemplation of those holy realms, 
 where well-beloved spirits for a while are lost to us, but 
 have found their blessed, proper home, and there await 
 to give us welcome. 
 
 2. Happy the Home where Love is. 
 
 ONE might almost say, God's law of love in the Gospel 
 of Christ was written with a pen from some angel's wing, 
 but that we know its far more glorious source our heavenly 
 Father, God of love. Most blessed sight is a house in 
 concord ! United in prayer before a family altar, together 
 smoothing all rough passages of life, they yield to one 
 another, careful not to touch a chord that might awaken 
 pain ; always gentle, ready to find excuse for difference of 
 temper. Then united in domestic life they are at peace; an 
 angel of peace is in their midst, a messenger of Jesus. 
 4 Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to 
 dwell together in unity ' (Ps. cxxxiii. i ). Suppose a religious 
 family by one consent to recognise a guardian, present from 
 the spiritual world, reading all their thoughts, hearing their 
 words, beholding their daily life; what a change would 
 sanctify their circle ! what gentle behaviour, mutual tender- 
 ness and sympathy, unselfishness, forbearance, and piety, 
 would make it an abode fit for angels, each year through life 
 knitting in closer ties those golden tissues of mutual love ! 
 Such a guardian is mercifully appointed to each of us, 
 with whom it is lawful to interchange sweetness of spiritual
 
 Love reigning in the Home. 73 
 
 communion ; not praying to but with those heavenly mes- 
 sengers. How delightful ! 
 
 3. Christian Home. 
 
 PEACE and love are among God's choicest blessings, an 
 unction from above, comfort, life, and heavenly fire. Enter 
 the house where these prevail. What cheerfulness and 
 harmony ! what gentleness and sympathy for one another ! 
 what amiable forbearance of little faults ! Love consecrates 
 as a temple such a home : love for God, in whom they all unite 
 as one common centre, and mutual love among themselves, 
 bear richest fruit of happiness. Christian charity is their 
 ruling principle. Prayers and intercessions in their closets, 
 thanksgiving and praise around a family altar, breathe on 
 them all. Their guardian angel is in their midst, and 
 whispers, ' Peace at home.' 
 
 4. A Christian Family. 
 
 HAPPY man who finds the blessedness of possessing a 
 religious wife, modest, unpretending, and discreet, charitable 
 and kind a tender mother and a faithful friend. Solomon 
 says, ' A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.' God 
 having placed Adam in Paradise declared, ' It is not good 
 that man should be alone,' and bestowed upon him a wife, 
 to be his fond companion, making them one flesh. Jesus 
 our Saviour sanctified marriage as a holy sacrament by His 
 gracious presence at a marriage -feast in Cana, where first 
 He exercised His Divine power by turning water into wine, 
 in that ' beginning of His miracles.' Afterwards He con- 
 descended to express His never-ceasing love for His Church, 
 under the image of a bride and bridegroom. St. John, in 
 his visions of Revelation, describes the consummation 
 Christ's Gospel, as it were a marriage between Himself and
 
 74 -A Christian Home and Education. 
 
 His holy Church, the Lamb and His Wife, but really the 
 union between Christ and all His redeemed, when they 
 shall be ' a glorious Church, without spot, or wrinkle, or any 
 such thing.' Husband and wife are centre of their family 
 circle, setting forth an example to their children of mutual 
 forbearance and tenderness, uniting them and servants in 
 family prayer, training them to love and obey God, and to 
 love one another as He commands. Let married people 
 understand this to be a sure foundation of happiness in 
 children, to teach them heavenly wisdom. 
 
 Step with me to yonder house beside a quiet woodland ; 
 mark its inmates : a various family in age and temperament, 
 but a constant sunshine gladdens all. Let come sickness or 
 anxieties, that sometimes bring their overclouding cares, still 
 a genial warmth is felt throughout, to comfort and encourage 
 one another with loving sympathy. They form a picture 
 that gains upon you the more you contemplate its attrac- 
 tions. Their talisman of peace is love for God, frequent in 
 united prayer. Let the outer world be mingled in its 
 own selfishness and confusion ; but in yonder home all is 
 joy, and bears its radiant fruit. 
 
 5. Waters of Baptism. 
 
 THERE is a virtue in the Cross of Christ, marked on an 
 infant's forehead with water of baptism, beyond that of all 
 rivers, east or west, from Ganges to Mississippi. Naaman, a 
 Syrian leper, being told by the prophet Elisha, Go, and 
 wash in Jordan seven times, and thou shalt be clean,' 
 was wroth, and said, ' Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of 
 Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel ? May I not 
 wash in them and be clean?' (2 Kings, chap, v.) The 
 waters of Jordan were fore-ordained to be a sacred font of 
 Baptism for the Son of Man ; and His Sacrament of Baptism, 
 being appointed of Himself, is holy and divine : sanctifying
 
 Holy Baptism. 75 
 
 every rivulet and stream as a consecrated font of regenerating 
 water for millions still in heathen darkness, but in time and 
 times unknown to be enlightened through His universal 
 Church, ordained of His own providential wisdom. Let us 
 treasure up this institution of a Saviour's love, that, being 
 true to all the mysteries of His religion, we may be found 
 among His faithful disciples ; and when He appears in 
 glory may plead the virtue of His Cross marked on our 
 foreheads. In that great day there will be no more baptism, 
 but all shall freely drink of that ' pure river of water of life, 
 clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of 
 the Lamb.' Glorious futurity ! Is it not worth living for 
 in righteousness and obedience to His heavenly Gospel? 
 (Rev. xxii. i.) 
 
 Glory be to God that the Holy Ghost doth nurture 
 children through their years of innocence and feebleness, 
 and by His power divine they pass refined from dross to 
 gold of piety ; or if, through inheritance from Adam and 
 temptation, they offend, still, through the crucible of such 
 trials, divine instinct from above guides their aspirations 
 to rise towards the throne of Jesus, who loves them, and 
 would not have the benefit of His atoning Sacrifice rendered 
 vain. He Himself trains us step by step from victory to 
 victory over Self. Thus endowed by something of angelic 
 instinct, we travel through all mazes of an earthly labyrinth 
 towards His intermediate Paradise. When death prevails, 
 we cross over that dark valley of shadow to realms of light, 
 where those whom we have loved and lost await our joyful 
 reunion.
 
 76 A Christian Home and Education. 
 
 6. Early Impressions. 
 
 MAN is a compound of physical, intellectual, and moral 
 instincts. Out of these ingredients endeavour to mould 
 your children's character on a basis of security, and bring 
 it to the form of comeliness in religion. None other will 
 suffice to happiness, the one absorbing object of our human 
 life. The poet says, ' Men at some time are masters of their 
 fate.' Alas ! unconsciously ; and so they miss the point that 
 might have given them security through life. Strong are 
 the fetters of error or of prejudice, fast riveted on our nature 
 from earliest years ! It requires a resolute and abiding will 
 to break the bonds of this our vile captivity. How many 
 fail ! Hence we learn the deep responsibility of each 
 society in every nation that disregards the early training of 
 its children to religious principles, and leaves them openly- 
 exposed to false impressions. Stamp them whilst young 
 with God's indelible laws of virtue ; then, through every after 
 stage of life, adverse or prosperous, rich or poor, strong or 
 sickly, they will be clothed in impenetrable armour; the 
 sevenfold shield of Christian graces shall carry them through 
 all dangers of their earthly warfare. If parents will neglect 
 this early teaching they betray their trust. Other nations 
 are advancing in culture and intelligence ; let us beware lest 
 we have cause to lament our mistaken policy, and the next 
 generation suffer punishment for our sin of neglect. 
 
 Train your children betimes in their only way of happiness. 
 Is there a pearl of greater price than a fair, young, stainless 
 soul to watch and cherish ? O parents ! mould your children 
 from their earliest years ; for then the clay is soft, ready to take 
 whatever form you will. Then is your time to shape their 
 character. Teach them to love God, their heavenly Father ; 
 let them pray continually for all they want; let them feel how 
 amiable and noble are righteous motives, prompting them
 
 Early Impressions and Training. 77 
 
 to resist temptation and choose obedience, not so much 
 from fear as love. Give them to understand how you re- 
 ceive whatever you possess from God, and so are bound to 
 make Him full returns of gratitude. Next teach them how 
 delightful and how sweet it is to love one another, and those 
 around them, better than themselves; thus you will keep 
 them from taint of narrow selfishness, by making them 
 familiar with its opposite attraction Christian charity. 
 Encourage them to know what pleasure they may find in 
 dividing a portion of what they have with brothers, sisters, 
 servants, and the poor. Let every little incident of selfish- 
 ness and self-will meet disappointment, and every act of 
 self-denial bear its pleasant fruits, pointing out each sure 
 result of good or evil actions. 
 
 Teach your children from earliest age to pray for love to 
 God, and He will teach them to love and reverence your- 
 self, rejoicing always in cheerful obedience ; your and their 
 happiness will be mutually reflected from each to other. 
 The sure and certain Rock of all virtues will be found in 
 this love for God. Raise up an edifice of religious character 
 on any other foundation, but be assured when rains descend, 
 and winds blow and beat upon it, great will be the fall, for 
 you built upon the sand (Matt. vii). All other education is 
 comparatively but vain, if weighed against a love for God. 
 That is the fountain-spring, high and pure from Himself, for 
 without His grace it would be dried up : from thence re- 
 freshing streams give life and vigour to Christian virtues, and 
 mature their fragrance. 
 
 Children are as Christ's chickens and lambs. ' O Jeru- 
 salem, Jerusalem !' our Lord exclaimed in complaining 
 voice, as He overlooked the doomed city, ' thou that 
 killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto 
 thee, how often would I have gathered thy children to- 
 gether, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her 
 wings, and ye would not !' (Matt, xxiii. 37.) We know how
 
 78 A Christian Home and Education. 
 
 tender He was to children ; how He loved them, took them 
 to His arms, and blessed them ; how severely he denounced 
 judgment on any one who should betray His young ones. 
 ' It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about 
 his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the 
 sea' (Matt, xviii. 6). Again He said, 'Whoso receiveth 
 one such little child in My Name receiveth Me.' And again, 
 ' In heaven their angels do always behold the face of My 
 Father which is heaven.' Here are both an awful warning 
 against corrupting their innocence, and an encouragement 
 to every one of us to protect them. They are lambs of His 
 flock : let us feed them in wholesome pastures, gather them 
 into sure and peaceful folds, train their young hearts to re- 
 ligion, and teach them to love Christ as their Good Shepherd, 
 their Saviour, and their God. Thrice blessed are they who 
 do this. ' Feed My lambs,' was almost His last injunction 
 to St. Peter. 
 
 7. Early Training in Holy Scripture. 
 
 OUR first readings of the Bible ought to be in earliest 
 years, even on our mother's knee. Under judicious teach- 
 ing, what can be so full of deepest interest and instruction 
 to simple minds of children? There they read the 
 Scripture histories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, 
 Noah's flood, Abraham's offering of young Isaac, those 
 varied stories of Joseph and his brethren, young David and 
 Goliath the giant, that loving friendship of David and Jona- 
 than. Still more delightful to them is the history of their 
 most blessed Lord ! His beauty and innocence from 
 earliest years, His miracles of love, the charming imagery 
 of His parables, His tenderness to little children, His own 
 surpassing gentleness and humility, have peculiar attractions 
 for minds young and susceptible. Those various incidents 
 of His life, from His cradle in the manger of Bethlehem ;
 
 Early Love of Holy Scripture. 79 
 
 then, through His youth, obedience to parents, and His 
 final Sufferings on the Cross : all are beyond example ex- 
 quisite, and deeply touching. Then His wonderful maek- 
 ness under reproach and insult, the sweetness of His love, 
 His inexhaustible charity, are inimitably tender. Again, the 
 treachery of Judas on that sorrowful eve of His passion, 
 and those blood-stained events of Good Friday, those bitter 
 agonies of His sacred wounds, His prayer to the heavenly 
 Father on behalf of His murderers, are beyond all tragedies 
 that were ever written. And once more, His resurrection 
 from the sealed sepulchre, and glorious ascension into heaven ; 
 can anything of history or human imagination shadow forth 
 such an example of Divine power, humility, and love ? When 
 the young are told that all these wonders were accomplished 
 that they might be made children of God, and live in a 
 beautiful paradise, they are led to new sentiments of love. 
 Sad, and indeed awful, is the neglect of parents, if they fail 
 to teach their children these miracles of love systematically, 
 whilst gathered round their knees ! What golden oppor- 
 tunities are lost of making them at once, and afterwards 
 through early youth, maturity of years, and infirmity of age, 
 admire and adore so heavenly a Saviour, and learn to find 
 their happiness in obedience to His commands through 
 every stage of life ! Can parents confidently declare that 
 future opportunities will be given? What if some fever 
 carries off their youthful treasures ? What if themselves 
 are called away, and leave their orphans to uncertain care- 
 fulness of others ? In any case those earliest years are most 
 propitious to receive an impress of sound religion whilst 
 their moral clay is soft and pliable ; for if their disposition 
 has never felt that wholesome bias, but was left to harden 
 in its natural propensities and instincts of a fallen nature, 
 parental influence will be far more difficult to establish as 
 they become hardened in a world of sin and rooted in a 
 love of self, rather than of God.
 
 8o A Christian Home and Education. 
 
 8. Personal Influence of Parents. 
 
 IT is a first duty of parents to keep a watchful guardian- 
 ship over children, training their infant reason to moral and 
 religious principles. From their very first unfoldings of 
 intelligence and reasoning faculties, let them be taught 
 continually what loveliness there is in Christian virtues, 
 especially love for God ; for then their hearts are soft and 
 pliable, easy to mould in any form, and stamp them for 
 good or evil. Every day of youth is precious, that true and 
 solid happiness through life may be exhibited in beauteous 
 excellence. Let the image of a noble form, and wisdom's 
 fine expression, be sharp, and true, and lasting. Clay once 
 grown hard is difficult to chisel into shape. In youth our 
 nature is open to receive a lively confidence in parental 
 admonitions, warm attachments, gentleness, and obedience. 
 Happiness through after-life may principally depend on 
 judicious management of children in early days; and all 
 experience verifies the proverbs of Solomon, ' Train up a 
 child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he 
 will not depart from it.' 'A wise son maketh a glad father: 
 but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.' 
 
 Self is their great enemy to warn them against. Live 
 much in their society, leave them not to servants. Won- 
 derful what a bright, abiding, and intelligent remem- 
 brance they will treasure up from hourly intercourse with 
 their parents; how eagerly they drink in examples of 
 goodness, temper, or of virtuous self-denial. All is new to 
 them, and interests their feelings. Teach them especially 
 how to pray, not for themselves alone, but others. Never 
 fail to beseech God for His divine grace to instruct you how 
 to train them in religion, which is, and will be, no less their 
 happiness than their wisdom. Then, by your own living 
 example of piety, they will reverence their God ; by your
 
 Example and Influence of Parents. 8 1 
 
 charity, learn to care for His poor, and, constantly watching 
 your consistency, will love and respect yourselves. Their 
 and your future comfort and peace will much depend on 
 early training. If your hearts are not right, how can you 
 hope to mould their tempers to that beautiful model of the 
 infant Jesus, an imitation of His righteousness ? 
 
 Would you any morning trust your child to his own 
 free agency for a day ? Could you feel assured he would 
 not come to mischief? Parental affection forbids the 
 thought ; anxiety would make it unendurable. Would 
 you desire to pass a day yourself simply dependent on 
 your own uncertain will, or blind imaginings, without prayer, 
 declining all assistance or control from on high ? Bold the 
 man who advisedly would venture this. Constituted as we 
 are, prone to evil, changeable, perverse, subject to many 
 passions and temptations, always self-indulgent, we might 
 reasonably expect to see such an one totter over some fatal 
 precipice on either side his path. Trained, it may be, 
 through youth by discipline, knowing little by experience of 
 life's realities, men are launched into a wide world under 
 conditions of infinite variety, where success must ever be 
 uncertain. See, then, how important it is to lay a deep 
 foundation of religious principle in each young heart from 
 earliest years. Cherish, above all, their religious affections, 
 most especially their gratitude to the God of love, who 
 alone has given them all they have, or can ever hope to 
 enjoy. Let them understand how sweet is the harmony 
 between man's free agency and God's controlling providence. 
 Who am I as an independent agent? I travel through 
 a sultry wilderness, not knowing what will happen to me of 
 good or evil; I search for shade beneath some protecting 
 rock ; I seek repose in some green oasis. If once I find 
 my heavenly Father as a Guide, my beloved Jesus as a 
 Refuge, the anointing Holy Spirit as my Comforter, the 
 wilderness is changed to a garden of delight : to my ob-
 
 82 A Christian Home and Education. 
 
 j active vision unseen angels are around, doing service to 
 their Creator and to my Redeemer. Thus by divine grace 
 we all may bow before Him in free-will offering, confidently 
 seek His guidance, travel through delightful paths strewed 
 with flowers, leading on to those bright realms of His inter- 
 mediate kingdom, where many a happy spirit redeemed, 
 how dearly loved ! how sorrowfully lamented ! await our 
 coming. 
 
 9. Promises to Prayer. 
 
 OUR Lord declared, 'Whatsoever ye shall ask in My 
 name, that will I do ; that the Father may be glorified in 
 the Son ' (John, xiv. 15). Nay, ' Whatsoever ye shall ask in 
 prayer, believing, ye shall receive ; ' and, ' If two of you shall 
 . agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it 
 shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven ' 
 (Matt, xviii. 19): and again, 'Much more shall your 
 heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him' 
 (Luke, xi. 13). Thus we have repeated promises, that 
 earnest united prayer of parents shall find acceptance. Has 
 Christ invited our petitions to His throne, and shall we un- 
 gratefully despise the call, regardless of our children's dearest 
 interests, and our own most lasting happiness ? 
 
 10. Mutual Duties of Masters and Servants. 
 
 ONE essential ingredient in our cup of domestic peace is 
 a kindly confiding intercourse of master or mistress in a 
 family with their servants. To be uncourteous or impatient, 
 abrupt or proud, is most unamiable. To be meek and kind, 
 considerate and forbearing, towards dependants, bespeaks a 
 sweet disposition, to be admired under every aspect, and 
 cherished in each example. Why am I not to be polite and 
 affable to those who serve me ? why not condescending to 
 meir feelings, whilst they contribute to my daily comfort ?
 
 Duties of Masters and Servants. 83 
 
 or why neglect the many little opportunities to give them 
 pleasure that costs me nothing? Will consideration diminish 
 their respect? nay, rather bind them by ties of affection, 
 making their duties a service of love, no mere mercenary 
 contract. Shall I be wanting in any reasonable endeavour, 
 by example or mild instruction, to make their circle down- 
 stairs amiable to one another, and thus promote their general 
 contentment ? Rather I would rejoice that, as far as I was 
 able, I have made them happy. Their comfort and their 
 health, especially their morals and their hearty sense of 
 religious joy, even their love for God, may be advanced by 
 gentle discipline, tempered by kindness, courtesy, counsel, 
 and example. One regulation should strictly be observed, 
 never to be omitted, except on unavoidable interruption 
 short family prayer, morning and evening. Added to this, 
 make judicious selection of books, interesting and instructive, 
 especially of Holy Scripture, for times of quiet leisure; 
 otherwise they may take to books of injurious, immoral 
 tendency. If this and other judicious cares be neglected, 
 we put at risk their social duties of truth and honesty, self- 
 denial and forbearance, with purity of conduct; on all 
 which their, and our own, security and comfort so much 
 depend. Thus we may be held responsible for lost oppor- 
 tunities and neglect of their immortal spirits. Surely con- 
 fidence and personal regard of masters or mistresses, and 
 their servants, would be a blessing and advantage to each 
 and all. 
 
 Amidst their other duties, encourage them to prudence 
 in expenditure, to save their money for time of age or 
 sickness, future loss of service for a while, or want of place, 
 rather than to squander it on ornamental dress or other 
 frivolous vanities. Teach them to understand the value 
 of money, and how seldom they will find others to lend 
 or give in time of need. Let them depend on ' self-help,' 
 not expect help elsewhere. Hear how St. Paul, an inspired
 
 84 A Christian Home and Education. 
 
 master of the human heart, instructs us all in our relative 
 duties of domestic life : ' Servants, be obedient to them that 
 are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and 
 trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ ; not 
 with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, 
 doing the will of God from the heart ; with good-will doing 
 service as to the Lord, and not to men.' ' And, ye masters, 
 do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening : 
 knowing that your Master also is in heaven ; neither is there 
 respect of persons with Him ' (Eph. vi. 5-9).
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND OF OURSELVES, 
 
 l. Attributes of God. 
 
 WHATEVER ideas we might form of Jehovah's wonderful 
 attributes, never could we conceive, but by Divine revelation, 
 His illimitable attributes of Deity, eternal, self-existent, 
 throughout each crevice of His universe. Even as it is, with 
 all advantage of Holy Scripture, our poor, narrow intellect 
 cannot comprehend in fulness even one of His Divine 
 attributes. For example, His Omnipresence. This is, 
 indeed, mysterious. If God is present everywhere, then we 
 may ask, ' Doth Jehovah, God of Purity, dwell within the 
 worst of reprobates, yielding themselves to hateful Satan?' 
 His inspired Word in the mouth of David declares, ' If I 
 ascend up into heaven, Thou art there : if I make my bed 
 in hell, behold, Thou art there' (Ps. cxxxix. 8). This 
 passage is one of many in the Bible which faith believes j 
 but if we attempt to penetrate its height and depth, all our 
 endeavours are but simply futile. Refinements of distinction 
 often lead to confusion ; and disputants on either side, lost 
 in mazes of a controversial labyrinth, leave off, as they began, 
 in contradicting one another. I confess my inability to 
 comprehend. I had rather be left to my prayers, that I may 
 beseech the Lord to purify my soul by His anointing grace,
 
 86 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 and give me faith and love in the delightful peace of His 
 indwelling. That will suffice for me. Who can show me 
 any measurement of Divine Wisdom that absorbs all know- 
 ledge into Itself, setting in motion the busy instincts of 
 myriads, but giving them boundaries they cannot pass? 
 Then, again, what can feeble creatures such as we are 
 imagine of God's universal power ? He created, penetrates, 
 and controls, the mighty complications of systems through 
 His wondrous works of nature, stretching east and west, 
 north and south, governed by irresistible laws of motion, 
 attraction or repulsion, gravitation, solidity, and evaporation. 
 He rolls in myriads planets, stars, suns, and constellations, 
 in their settled, never-changing orbits : He overrules count- 
 less mysterious existences, acting by forces a million times 
 greater, and more various, than we can calculate, in one 
 continued exactitude of harmonious order. So we might go 
 on to speak of His foreknowledge, purity, glory, mercy and 
 love, with all other unfathomable depths of Deity, no less 
 miraculous. We can only stand amazed, wonder, and adore. 
 Then let us one and all beseech His Majesty to instruct our 
 hearts more and more, more and more, by His divine grace, 
 in virtuous service which He claims, and obedience to laws 
 which He deigns to appoint. Let us be thankful that, not- 
 withstanding our perversity and ingratitude, we are still 
 beloved children of His benevolence, and objects of His 
 long-suffering forbearance. Above all, let us desire to be 
 humbled in His sight, enlightened by His Holy Spirit, to 
 ground all our hopes on the immaculate righteousness of 
 His beloved Son, our Incarnate God and Saviour. Amen. 
 
 2. Harmony of Divine Providence with the Law of 
 Nature. 
 
 SUCH is the mysterious, providential will of God supreme, 
 mankind are blest both by influences to grace and perfect
 
 Through Revelation. 87 
 
 freedom of their will. No less wonderful, He ordains 
 throughout His universe whatever comes to pass; but all 
 things harmoniously result from ' cause and effect.' Again 
 we see the slow progressive course of Nature, or rapidity of 
 results, yet alike regulated by some law of harmony. Each 
 fruit of autumn is proportioned to its spring-tide blossom ; 
 each smallest leaf in buttercup or daisy expands to perfect 
 form through countless channels of its peculiar sap, till fields 
 of enamelled beauty glorify their Maker. No less from 
 minutest moral seed its sure result is thirty, sixty, or a 
 hundredfold. All powers of mechanics, all scientific com- 
 binations, fail to animate His lilies of the valley ; ' yet 
 Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.' 
 Does man require proof of a Divine all-superintending Pro- 
 vidence ? let him watch a chrysalis in some cocoon, and see 
 its inmate penetrate through from stillness to instinctive 
 action, till, coming forth with wings of beauty, as a butterfly 
 disports itself in summer sun ; aftenvards lays countless eggs, 
 and dies, leaving them to Nature's care until her proper 
 time, when she changes each to become another silkworm 
 ' after its kind,' then to lay its eggs and die. In like manner 
 men and women, born to labour, engaged in their respective 
 occupations, day by day disport themselves, grow tired, fall 
 to sleep ; awake once more to cares, and work till night ; 
 then lay their aching heads upon their pillow till morning 
 comes again ; and thus exist alternately in succession ; die, 
 and leave their heritage to others. Each, one by one, 
 enjoyed free liberty of action ; but were held responsible to 
 God's high judgment-seat, and will be called to render an 
 account, and judged by one harmonious law.
 
 88 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 3. Is the Lord near ? 
 
 THIS question we should be for ever asking. It is not 
 enough to answer, 'He is everywhere:' but is He close, 
 around, within me ? If not, why ? He offers Himself. Do 
 I then neither regard, desire, nor love Him ? Do I pray 
 continually for grace and faith, obedience and charity, 
 meekness, forbearance, gentleness ? Or rather neglect, 
 dishonour, and offend Him by any lust or pride, presumption, 
 selfishness, or impatience? This plain catechism is easy 
 for the young or old ; no less important for one than all, 
 because all must give their answer without evasion. No 
 deceit escapes God's penetration; each thought of every 
 heart, each word and act of noble truth or mean dishonesty, 
 vice or virtue, is open to His omniscience. As sure as light 
 shines at noon, though clouds may intervene, God, invisible, 
 reads us through and through ! ' Such knowledge is too 
 wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 
 Whither shall I go then from Thy Spirit ? or whither shall 
 I flee from Thy presence ? If I ascend up 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 shall Thy hand 
 lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, 
 Surely the darkness shall cover me ; even the night shall be 
 light about me ; yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee ; 
 but the night shineth as the day : the darkness and the light 
 are both alike to Thee' (Ps. cxxxix. 6-12). This beautiful 
 psalm of David should be committed to memory, that we 
 may learn from inspiration how near our Lord is to every one 
 of us : fearful to those who offend ; inexpressibly sweet and 
 satisfying to a soul that desires to love Him above all vain 
 attractions of a self-seeking world.
 
 Through His Inward Presence. 89 
 
 4. Voice of God. 
 
 GOD speaks within our soul by instinct of a divine grace; 
 we hear Him at every turn, if we listen, whether in quietude 
 of an evening walk, in storm, in moments of questioning, 'To 
 do, or not to do?' So simple are His laws, and His voice 
 so clear, He speaks to us amidst a life of business or of calm 
 repose ; any tender conscience can understand. Therefore 
 no plea of ignorance avails for disobedience. His divine 
 will is written in large by every roadside, a sure and certain 
 path to happiness, or notice of approach to danger : if this a 
 traveller neglects, and comes to grief, he has but himself to 
 blame. They who understand that God in His mercy gave 
 His precious Son as Redeemer of a sinful world, desire to 
 testify in practical life that they love Him before all things 
 on earth or in heaven. Be they poor or rich in this world's 
 wealth, they enjoy that highest of all spiritual delights, the 
 priceless jewel of God's presence in their soul. They may 
 suffer through accident or sickness, through wrongs inflicted 
 by another, or by their own mistakes ; but they are really 
 happy, at peace in Him. 
 
 5 . Light Divine. 
 
 ALMIGHTY GOD dwells in celestial oceans of light, Himself 
 the light and life of all perfections from eternity to ever- 
 lasting. When He illuminates all dark corners of a true 
 believer's soul, what bright and heavenly beams make pure 
 his motives, animate new instincts, warm his affections, guide 
 his footsteps ! Let such as these delightful thoughts draw 
 your heart to constant prayer. As by absence of summer's 
 radiant beams Nature's smiling face is clouded over, so 
 man, deprived of God's illuminating grace, is chilled and 
 darkened ; has no perception of His love, no guiding light 
 to follow after holiness : spiritually blind, he is lost in
 
 90 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 tangled paths of sin. Let not this world with vain at- 
 tractions come between my affections and Christ the Sun ot 
 Righteousness, lesj, my hopes eclipsed, I lose the radiance 
 of His countenance. 
 
 6. Man's Nothingness : God's Goodness. 
 
 EVERYTHING our natural man can do, or say, or think, 
 is of earth, earthy. Our nature has an inherited imperfection, 
 something radically wrong, in spite of all endeavours. The 
 Holy Spirit alone can change our human instincts : yea, ' the 
 stars are not pure in His sight;' and if angels cannot boast 
 before Him, ' how much less man, that is a worm ? and the 
 son of man, that is a worm?' (Job, xxv. 5, 6.) No wonder, 
 when we consider what a little narrow view we creatures of 
 earth can take of high, expansive Deity, shedding oceans of 
 light through one universe ! In that day of resurrection, 
 when our body, 'sown in corruption, is raised incorruptible; 
 sown in dishonour, but raised in glory ; sown in weakness, 
 raised in power ; sown a natural body, but raised a spiritual 
 body;' then shall -we see face to face Perfection of all per- 
 fections, One God in Holy Trinity. For that great day let 
 us all prepare, that, rising from death to life spiritual in 
 Paradise, and from thence at the consummation of all 
 things, we may be accepted before the throne of Christ, 
 Redeemer, Lord, and God. 
 
 See that worm in a sunny path, encumbered with dust 
 and slime, unable to crawl, liable to be crushed under foot. 
 Behold a hand of pity, reaching down, takes this hapless 
 creature from its peril of death, and puts it gently into some 
 neighbouring grass, to cleanse itself, and find some refreshing 
 refuge. Such is man, an earth-worm, a wretched sinner; 
 till the Father of mercy, beholding his degenerate condition, 
 raised him up, and placed him beside still waters, cleansing, 
 healthful, to find his way to fields of Paradise.
 
 Imperfection of Human Nature. 91 
 
 7. Besetting Weakness. 
 
 ALL men and women have their tendency to err, yet of a 
 thousand millions upon earth no two resemble one another 
 in exact degree, or kind of error that assails them. Each is 
 subject to some besetting weakness, some inherent evil 
 instinct, temper, passioh, or excitement. Easy enough it is 
 to see defects in those around us, whilst our own are of a 
 different character ; but any one strong besetting fault will 
 need our strictest watchfulness and resolution to guard against 
 its influence, and root it out. To this unceasing trial of 
 Self direct your chief attention, leaving other sinners to the 
 mercy of their God : for Self constitutes the weakness of 
 your own moral nature. Examine well if there already be a 
 breach in your defences, lest your enemy should storm the 
 citadel. Repair your walls at that essential point ; correct 
 that fault ; learn wisdom from the past to guard your future, 
 that you may rest in peace. 
 
 What shall be said of thee, O man ! so proud and dignified, 
 whispering to thyself, 'Worthy am I to be lord of all I 
 survey?' May an inferior be bold enough to offer one or 
 two suggestions for your 'improvement?' Or is the word a 
 libel on your nobility? I mean no disrespect; for all I 
 shall say of your infirmities with equal force applies to mine, 
 as long experiences too sadly testify. Then let us enter 
 meekly into truthful council for better regulation of our 
 instincts. Needless to write them in a catalogue : a watchful 
 eye and candid heart will soon agree in their report. Take 
 twelve men and women ; range them before a glass through 
 one half day of fair, practical work. Watch their coun- 
 tenances, and make yourself acquainted with something of 
 human nature. Ask a few searching questions of their inner 
 motives ; then draw your own conclusions, as I will mine. 
 You have done ? then let us shut the books. I hear you 
 say, ' Was ever such a curious amalgam ! Is it possible that
 
 92 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 sensible people can be so strange ? or that I am like in any 
 tenth of such as these ?' Ah, my friend ! beware lest you 
 miscalculate the mighty motive powers within your fallen 
 nature. Turn once more to yonder mirror; ask, as you 
 there behold yourself, the same searching questions you put 
 to the others, and you will understand how nearly you 
 resemble them in one or more shade of character. Learn 
 to comprehend your own instincts of nature ; or, with all 
 your pride and dignity, they will drag you from your high 
 estate. Mould that nature to renewal of its capabilities, 
 pray for Divine grace, and persevere in God's delightful 
 service. So shall your instincts be refined and strengthened, 
 till some approach is made towards the angelic standard. 
 This, perhaps, appears to you as theoretical? Strive and 
 labour for advancement and elevation of soul, nor ever rest 
 till you attain ' the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus.' 
 Behold, then, how joyous the last link in that golden chain 
 will be, if firmly riveted ; and at your appointed hour angels 
 themselves will draw you up to Paradise. 
 
 8. Loathsomeness of Original Sin. 
 
 DEEP is the mystery of sin, ovefshadowing a thousand 
 millions, who inhabit all four corners of this earth ; immortal 
 spirits created in God's image and likeness, but inheriting 
 sin, naturally engendered of Adam's offspring. They might 
 be temples wherein God would love to dwell, if purified 
 from inherent grossness of the flesh, made worthy tabernacles, 
 to His honour. But, alas ! though brought into immediate 
 relationship with God, by Christ the Son taking upon Himself 
 the nature of man, yet millions with immortal spirits go about 
 to defile themselves together in their own vile way. Great 
 need, therefore, we have to repent, praying for pardon of all 
 that is past, and grace in future, through His merits; for 
 ' as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive '
 
 Of Original Sin. 93 
 
 (i Cor. xv. 22), being cleansed through His eternal right- 
 eousness. Well it were if sinners understood their degraded 
 state in sight of unsullied angels. Leprous Jews in ancient 
 times were outcasts from society; their very touch was held to 
 be contagious ; they sat disconsolate at city gates, forbidden 
 to enter in. Thus St. John in his Book of Revelation de- 
 scribes ' that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out 
 of heaven from God, having the glory of God;' but it was 
 known to him that ' there shall in no wise enter into it any 
 thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, 
 or maketh a lie ; but they which are written in the Lamb's 
 Book of Life ' (Rev. xxii). Alas ! in millions of professing 
 Christians that horrid ' leprosy of sin' is a chronic complaint, 
 growing worse by time, and only to be healed by Christ our 
 Saviour's blessed touch or voice' I will ; be thou clean.' 
 No other physician can avail. Yet, notwithstanding so 
 noisome a disease, descending through long successions of 
 inheritance from Adam, tainting their instincts, men and 
 women presumptuously walk about brazen-faced and shame- 
 less, in sight of angels ! O that each of us, beholding his 
 natural face in a glass, would not straightway forget what 
 manner of man he is, but sorrow and repent, resolve and do 
 what their Divine Physician has prescribed, and so be 
 cleansed from the leprosy of sin ! 
 
 9. ''There is none that doeth good; no, not one. 1 
 
 ONE drop of Christ's most precious Blood might have 
 sufficed to save a world of sinners, had God so ordained. 
 Or He might have spoken, ' Let there be redemption and 
 pardon to all the righteous ; ' and so it would have been. 
 But how many in their own righteousness would be found ? 
 Even as it is with mighty miracles and disclosures of eternal 
 truth in Jesus high perfection of Divine Wisdom not one 
 could claim His word of promise. We need His daily gifts
 
 94 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 of grace to keep us undefiled : yet even then how difficult 
 do all men and women, even those most earnest, find each 
 victory over Flesh and Self. All come short : < there is none 
 that doeth good ; no, not one.' The merits of Christ alone 
 could prevail before God's judgment-seat. Think what we 
 might do, if we kept bright visions of heaven constantly before 
 our eyes : yet even then our best of deeds would pale before 
 His pure commands. Therefore let us find our happiness 
 in doing all things most pleasing unto Him, from whom 
 each blessing flows, and our security in the righteousness of 
 a loving Saviour. He desires to sit enthroned within our 
 hearts; that there His kingdom may be established, and 
 His will be done on earth as it is by angels in His highest 
 heaven. We should join in their blissful services of praise 
 and adoration, and be ourselves as guardian angels one to 
 other in constant deeds of charity. By the grace of God, 
 through faith and love even now we may enjoy an antepast of 
 brighter realms ; and after death put off our mortal coil for 
 shining garments, golden harps, and crowns of saints, through 
 the righteousness of Christ alone, inheriting all His gracious 
 promises of hereafter. 
 
 10. Know Thyself 
 
 Is a lesson of ancient wisdom, short to express, but difficult 
 to learn ; for having no desire to study the condition of our 
 inner mind, inordinate love of Self blinds our eyes to faults 
 within, and magnifies our poor accomplishments. Truth 
 demands a judge of rigid equity : let Self be cross-examined 
 in the court of conscience ; then shall be disclosed how 
 long we have chosen unrealities, neglecting all sure means 
 of happiness, and deepest interests of our immortal spirit. 
 Knowledge is power, if we desire to improve.
 
 Importance of Self-Knowledge. 95 
 
 ii. Knowledge of Self . 
 
 How many men and women set a fanciful crown upon 
 their brows ! but others detect their vanity. All think their 
 neighbour's crown a mere pretence, unconscious that his 
 own is tinsel. If wisdom ruled mankind, their catalogue of 
 unrealities would be nine-tenths reduced. ' How dull, then, 
 this world would be !' some hunter after vanities might ex- 
 claim. Let him try ; put off his tinsel crown, and see what 
 precious gifts are offered in its stead. One such there 
 is, a rich exchange, the knowledge of himself; a science 
 beyond all schools of logic and mathematics, a higher 
 degree than all their classes can confer. Good sense and 
 common sense will keep him out of many scrapes, caution 
 him at every turn, and teach him wisdom. Knowing well 
 his own weak points, he will follow good examples and 
 experience of mankind, to do the proper thing at a right 
 moment. Give me one friend with qualities like these ; 
 and for your own example, if you so prefer, choose some 
 conceited spark, who thinks himself perfection. 
 
 12. Understand, and mistrust TJiyself. 
 
 LET us candidly inquire within our hearts, ' Whence 
 arise our hindrances ? Who is more absolute in cramping 
 our most generous and noble motives than Self? Who so 
 puffs our vanity in pursuit of trifles, and applauds our bubble- 
 blowings ? Who turns our thoughts from life's real interests 
 to momentary dreams, which vanish at the light of day?' 
 In all these Self is ever found. So, again, let our righteous 
 objects of desire be what they may, there the tyrant sits op- 
 posed. Take any one decided step to joyous Paradise in our 
 difficult path of daily trials, follow out any Christian scheme 
 of freedom from debasing sin, Self is still our dogged enemy.
 
 96 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 Shall I not then hate his promptings, and control his obsti- 
 nate presumption ? Do as best you like ; for my part, if 
 God but graciously assist, no power of earth shall relax my 
 opposition to so vile a tyranny. Each step I take already 
 brings me nearer to my freedom ; the loss of dearest friends 
 called from my side to brighter realms of joy strengthens my 
 decision. Thus, by victory upon victory, I will defy my 
 own idol's influence. Now I understand, and therefore I 
 mistrust his insidious wiles : by powers beyond my own I 
 will break the shackles that enchained me, to be master of 
 myself. 
 
 But such is man's poor vanity, such his wayward will, 
 the centre of each individual is an unworthy idol, self- 
 adorned, self-admired, self-cherished and applauded. From 
 that fountain-source, tainted and uncertain, all our schemes 
 draw their motives ; towards that central point each move- 
 ment is directed. There sits the idol : we labour from 
 morning until night, gathering honey from every varied 
 flower, to make a pleasant offering. Come for one short 
 hour and set aside your own pursuit to watch your neigh- 
 bour ; listen to his words ; mark his movements in the 
 path before him, all intent upon his own. It is wearisome 
 and distasteful. But before you turn away, see your own 
 reflection in the mirror he presents to you. For, lo ! there 
 you are in photograph, stamped to the image ! You stare 
 and wonder ; but it is you yourself: a picture of your own 
 vanity and selfishness ! Is not this ridiculous ? Nay, still 
 more, saddening? for all the folly you detect in others is 
 equally your own. And here is the bitter root in caring 
 only for ourselves. God is the one centre of His own 
 encircling universe ; unto Him supremely must the tribute 
 of our hearts be offered.
 
 Self-Examination. 97 
 
 13. Importance of Self-Examination. 
 
 IT is well from time to time, and frequently, to pause 
 amidst our many hurried projects of a busy world, and as- 
 certain our spiritual condition, whether we are making some 
 advance to union with God. Do we really cherish an im- 
 plicit faith in His revealed Word ? more earnestly desire to 
 realise His presence in our soul ? a higher enjoyment of His 
 service ? If on calm reflection, and a scrupulous inquiry, 
 we have made some steps towards improvement, we shall 
 know by whose assistance, and thankfully acknowledge all 
 power is from God. Being His gift, all the more precious j 
 and thus at once we have first-fruits of self-examination. 
 
 (i.) Conscience. 
 
 All who examine their state of heart must consciously 
 confess the power of sin, riveted on every nerve of fallen, 
 unregenerate man. But God's image in the human soul is 
 not extinct ; therefore Conscience prompts us to resist the 
 evil one, for fear we should be tempted on to deeds that 
 devils only might be thought capable to perpetrate. Let us 
 not be confident in ourselves, but pray for grace divine to 
 keep our individual conscience pure, and give us hearts of 
 bravery, steadfast in resolve. 
 
 (2.) Review of our Past Life. 
 
 If this censorious and unforgiving world could know all 
 secrets of our past life, what shame and confusion of face 
 we should endure ! Our friends would scarce believe, and 
 ask, ' Is that the man so plausible and smooth ?' Yet we 
 seldom fear by our sin to shock pure angels, and God all- 
 seeing, who penetrates our inmost being, knows each dis- 
 honourable taint. Let us, then, examine well, and call to 
 
 H
 
 98 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 mind the charges that stand on record even now against us 
 in His highest court of justice. Repent, and pray with 
 earnest will, that all sins past may be forgiven, entirely 
 washed away in Christ's most precious blood His own 
 divine atonement on our behalf: then strive to make 
 amends in time to come. Thus grace will keep us wise 
 unto salvation. If accepted in our Saviour's righteousness, 
 we shall be forgiven, and made partakers in His resurrection. 
 Here is our only plea ; for, do the best we may, we trespass 
 every hour. 
 
 14. Difficulty of Self-Examination. 
 (i.) Self-Examination 
 
 Is easier to talk of than to practise, more pleasant to 
 approve than censure Self, so dear an idol of the heart. 
 When Conscience would reproach us for our faults we try to 
 find excuse, and failing that, endeavour to escape as from 
 an enemy ; whereas Conscience is our truest friend, ap- 
 pointed, as it were, an angel-guardian to the soul. In vain 
 we try to hush its still small voice, for deep the moral and 
 religious impress of God is stamped within, that Conscience 
 may prevail. Then let us come into court, be well ex- 
 amined, and righteously self-condemned, that Penitence may 
 do its office. Plead in prayer your Saviour's merits, who 
 died for you : thus renewed by faith to tenderness of 
 conscience, you shall learn to sift each motive of your heart, 
 that, rejecting all dross of sin, you maybe made rich in gold 
 of holiness. 
 
 (2.) Self -Flattery. 
 
 Pressing on as people do amidst their hurried business 
 of life, they seldom care to ask themselves what motives 
 prompt their actions. And yet, unless a man is practised on
 
 Difficulty of Self -Examination. 99 
 
 those secret strings of his inmost heart, how can he ever 
 wake its moral harmonies, or correct its discords ? There- 
 fore an intimate acquaintance with himself is most essen- 
 tial if he would lead a happy life : but oftentimes so vain are 
 all those self-flatteries, carnal affections, and prejudices, that 
 hold their sway within his heart such the feebleness of his 
 nobler instincts, his unwillingness to improve, that he needs 
 must be a Hercules to cleanse the Augean stable. Two 
 inconsistencies are most remarkable : first, that with his con- 
 tempt for others, and next, that whilst he is so highly pleased 
 with his imaginary perfections, he remains unconscious how 
 severely those around him judge his character. All equally 
 regard themselves as criterions of perfection. 
 
 15. Examination of Motives. 
 
 LET every man of decided character clearly analyse his 
 own motives of action. Seldom the world in general cares 
 to understand this master-point. Self-deceit, wilful and insi- 
 dious, adds to our perplexity. Then our motives are so 
 inaccurately balanced, and so changeable, so sudden in their 
 shiftings, that for ' confounding of the conscience and jum- 
 bling of the judgment ' there is nothing equal to their incon- 
 sistencies. They have the same puzzling effect on our 
 reason as a kaleidoscope on the optic nerve : at every turn 
 new configurations come before us, each movement brings 
 the coloured glasses into a different combination. Neverthe- 
 less it is indispensable to discriminate our motives at every 
 step we take, for our moral character will be judged, not by 
 great results of what we do, but by the purity of affection 
 which prompted each endeavour. One poor mite bestowed 
 upon a suffering fellow-creature, a cup of cold water given to 
 a thirsty traveller, one word of sympathy to a sorrowing 
 heart, out of love for God, is worth a talent of silver offered 
 from any other motive. How can we enrich the
 
 I oo Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 Giver, when all treasures of His own universe are from Him- 
 self? or how can the Creator of a million worlds, studding 
 with celestial light His vaulted skies, be advantaged by 
 any offerings from creatures of this little earth ? ' Give me 
 thine heart,' He says. Let, therefore, His approval be the 
 central point of your desires, and Himself the all-attractive 
 object of your love. Then nothing can come amiss, for 
 whether in trials He will give you peace, or in prosperity 
 bestow the fragrance of His grace. 
 
 Mixed Motives. 
 
 Let a man continually cross-examine the motives that 
 are prompting him in all actions of his life. This is a first 
 essential, for if we fully understood our motives we should 
 be spared many mistakes. But we seldom analyse their 
 springs with a view to practical wisdom ; at all moments we 
 are changeable as the wind, veering about from one point of 
 the compass to another. However broad the distinction 
 between good and evil motives, we are such a compound of 
 infirmities, that we cannot prevent intrusion of one or other 
 incongruous motive to confuse our judgment. A man may 
 be thoroughly disposed to acts of charity, and yet perhaps 
 unconsciously to himself seme less pure motive will intrude, 
 and thus his love for God and man be mingled with 
 unrealities. Let him not be discouraged ; there is nothing 
 perfect until, by prayer and practice, we become familiar 
 with the chords of our own heart. One little act from 
 simple love for God is worth a thousand great deeds for love 
 of Self. O how joyful that one is ! how sweetly it can har- 
 monise the soul ! Delightful is the task to visit an afflicted 
 fellow-creature, to sympathise in his sorrows, to dry the 
 swelling tear, to breathe a word of consolation, to brighten 
 misgiving cares with gladdening rays of hope, and lead him 
 to understand that God is gracious, even in the hour of
 
 Good Effects of Self -Know ledge. I c I 
 
 trial which is appointed for his improvement. Granted 
 that amidst these charitable offices we are conscious of 
 something selfish within ourselves, yet a heavenly comfort 
 springs from joy imparted to another; imperfect though our 
 motives be, God graciously accepts the endeavour as a 
 homage to Himself. 
 
 1 6. The good Effects of Self-Knowledge must be seen in Action. 
 ' What lack I yet T Matt. xix. 20. 
 
 THIS was the question of a rich, self-sufficient young ruler, 
 to our Lord. It exhibits the natural tendency, more or less, of 
 every man's mind. No matter how little cause we have to 
 boast, or who we are, we love to flatter Self. The answer 
 made to that young ruler was, ' Go and sell that thou hast, 
 and give to the poor.' And 'he went away sorrowful, for he 
 had great possessions.' A man may believe God's divine 
 laws and promises, yet lack the will to do as He ordains, 
 being closely bound a prisoner to himself. Suppose him to 
 ask, ' How shall I break my fetters?' the answer is, 'Seek 
 out one to make happy.' If he were to ask, ' Where shall I 
 go to search ?' tell him one at least is at his elbow it may 
 be a relative, friend, neighbour, or dependant. Make that 
 one happy by gentleness, forbearance, courtesy, advice, 
 persuasion to all that is good, sympathy, charity in gifts. 
 Open this man's heart, or that woman's affections, to a 
 warmer love for Christ. If that spirit be distraught with 
 care or doubt, breathe into it assurance of hope, confidence, 
 patience ; make that overclouded brow cheerful, let the 
 sunshine of your countenance beam upon it, and you shall 
 change a ' winter of discontent ' to a genial summer. Your 
 friend has some sorrow at heart ; offer him consolation, that 
 healing balm for an inward bruise : if he pines in silence, 
 gain his confidence, that you may administer relief. That 
 one heart belongs to Jesus, your and his Saviour. He bought
 
 1 02 Knowledge of God and of Ourselves. 
 
 it for Himself at the cost of His own most precious Blood 
 upon the Cross. He loves it, and fain would give it rest ; 
 He would have you join in this blessed work, as an offering 
 of your gratitude to Himself. And will you refuse ? Having 
 once learned this art, and the joy of practical obedience, 
 you gain a life-long secret of happiness ; you shall find in 
 it such a charm, that you will never rest till you can exercise 
 its influence on some others, and then on many more : thus 
 you enlarge your own benevolent affection, and multiply 
 your enjoyments. That first conquest over selfishness has 
 inspired you with fresh zeal to animate your heart in the 
 same good path. A loving spirit once implanted, celestial 
 beams by the unction of the Holy Ghost impart a nobleness 
 of character, which will exalt your instincts towards the an- 
 gelic land. For all this pray, and you shall lack nothing.
 
 THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER. 
 
 i. Prayer 
 
 Is the highest privilege of a soul formed in the image and 
 likeness of God. Down in every wood, beside each rippling 
 stream, up on brow of mountain or of crag, midst silent 
 heather and unfrequented moor, in every sylvan bower, we 
 may kneel before Him. His ear is always open to each 
 earnest supplication for ourselves, or intercession for another. 
 None has ever knelt in humble faith but rose refreshed with 
 strength to bear him on his way. No voice nor sound is 
 heard, nor shaking of the earth ; no burning bush is seen ; 
 but God is near, and by His whispering grace speaks 
 comfort to an anxious soul. Our times of prayer are every 
 hour. Prayer uprises with each breath of hope, each peni- 
 tential thought, and in an instant of time wings its way 
 before the throne. Especially wheresoever two or three are 
 gathered in the name of Christ, there, in the midst, Himself 
 accepts their tribute, and teaches them to love Him more 
 
 and more. 
 
 Access to the throne of God is not through a circle of 
 courtiers. Humble-minded men and women may every 
 hour of the day approach to make their poor acknow- 
 ledgments, or offer their petitions; and never depart
 
 IO4 The Privilege of Prayer. 
 
 without a blessing from above. Only let your desire be 
 advancement in spiritual light, and you cannot fail: the 
 Royal promises once made are irremovable for ever ; and 
 Holy Scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments, 
 abounds with pledges of Divine Grace. That once ob- 
 tained, happiness is yours, made safe beyond all powers 
 of evil, sorrows of disease, bereavement, and each tem- 
 poral misfortune. Prayer is the highest privilege, the 
 royal avenue to life. 
 
 2. Converse with Heaven. 
 
 EARTH and highest heaven are myriads of miles apart ; 
 and do you talk of man's communion with his God ? This, 
 like other mysteries of revelation, is undefinable, but, by 
 Divine grace, is instantaneously brought within the compass 
 of a soul aspiring to knowledge and virtue. There is a 
 breathing from on high, silent, and yet sensible to faith and 
 love, from the anointing Holy Spirit, to kindle ardent ex- 
 pectations in a Christian who has dedicated his heart to 
 the service of his heavenly Father. Distance or timidity, 
 his conscious feebleness, still more his sinful nature, might 
 be impediments, if not barriers impassable, between his 
 earnest longings and his God; but He, the Holy One, 
 stoops to raise all humble, prayerful souls to His beatitudes 
 above. Is not this marvellous ? But is it not true ? Let 
 thousands answer, who have known the joy, tasted the 
 sweetness in prayer and meditation, hoping that all whom 
 they love may be included in their happy number ; let them 
 say how fragrant is communion of lowly hearts, penitent, 
 but confiding in His almighty goodness; hopeful before 
 His throne. There in high estate the Holy Trinity beholds 
 and pities, comforts and exalts, all faithful souls by power 
 of grace ; preparing them for joyful alleluias that resound 
 through His realms of bliss and glory. What in comparison
 
 Reverence in Prayer. 105 
 
 are poor frivolities of earth, its honours, treasures, and 
 enjoyments? One short, imparted view of heaven; one 
 strong conviction of those spiritual realities that compass 
 round our path ; one firm resolve of inmost nature, renewed, 
 enlightened ; one hour of reliance on Jesus Christ's atonement ; 
 one vision of His loveliness, is worth a world with all its 
 vain illusions. Leave me to my privilege of prayer and 
 holy eucharistic Sacraments, in communion with, my Lord, 
 that I may realise His presence and His beauty, ' chiefest 
 among ten thousand.' 
 
 3. Reverence in Prayer. 
 (i.) Approach with Reverence. 
 
 To pray frequently before God's throne is not to be 
 familiar : the oftener and nearer we approach towards Him, 
 the more deeply we are impressed with reverence. This 
 leads to our highest of all enjoyments, to love, adore, and 
 trust a heavenly Father. Scarcely are we conscious how 
 often, in our daily course, we take some first step towards an 
 object that we have in view, or unadvisedly we enter on 
 some fresh link of a former enterprise ; and yet, perhaps, 
 that step or link may lead to future consequences, deeply 
 interesting and important. This arises from our want of an 
 angelic instinct to obedience. How essential, then, is some 
 unerring principle of guidance amidst all uncertainties and 
 entanglements of life, some ready test of judgment, prompt 
 to counsel, strong to decide ! Suppose it were a guardian 
 angel? or experienced friend? or other sure conductor? 
 One such we have within, ever ready, faithful, worthy of 
 our confiding trust, a reverent and truthful Conscience, 
 sitting at the helm with chart and compass to direct each 
 turning in our proper course. It is like an unseen genius 
 appointed to protect us through life's labyrinth. Conscience
 
 106 The Privilege of Prayer. 
 
 offers an enchanted silken thread to mark our path, and 
 bring us to the object of man's universal happiness. If all 
 such be insufficient guides you have one other, and in- 
 fallible resource, high above all on earth, and heard in 
 heaven Prayer ; and this is open to you in every doubt or 
 difficulty of any undertaking ; to be followed by thanksgiving 
 when your object of desire is attained. And yet approach 
 with reverence : let your aspirations be breathings of affec- 
 tionate, confiding love, and adoration, a humble sense of 
 God's Divine Majesty present in your soul, and your own 
 unworthiness. 
 
 When you bow in prayer, have no reserve of clear con- 
 fession; present yourself just as you are, timid before God's 
 throne, but hopeful of forgiveness, through the precious 
 atonement of a loving Saviour. A simple, earnest spirit, 
 fixed on Christ our Lord, committing all desires, wants, and 
 weaknesses to Him, sees what others disregard, sights 
 ineffable, and hears soft whisperings of boundless hope; 
 then faith rises above all things below, is enlightened to 
 golden prospects of a better world, is lifted up to con- 
 templation of blissful mansions in God's paradise of saints. 
 Angels even cannot reach higher than love; for 'God is 
 love.' Behold, what joyful rich exchange is offered to you 
 now on earth, if you will love ! Onward, therefore, to ever- 
 lasting day. Your Father has given His children this narrow 
 world, as preparation for one more glorious ; that, passing 
 through His valleys here, our eye and ear may be intent 
 on holy mountains of a better home. 
 
 (2.) Humble Prayer, 
 
 Saints on earth are ever seeking to adore their Father 
 which is in heaven. Have we discovered this joy? does it 
 so interest our faculties, that we could as soon lack our 
 daily food as lose that divine nourishment of prayer?
 
 Comfort of Prayer. 1 07 
 
 Whensoever, wheresoever we pray, we have a feast flavoured 
 from above. Do you attain to this ? If not, try mental 
 prayer: often our spirit finds wings when the tongue is 
 tied. Have but a willing mind ; God will supply the rest. 
 Feel that you are nothing, can say or do nothing worthy of 
 His approval, unless by His own divine grace : plead the 
 righteousness of His well-beloved Son, not your own. He 
 loves you, not so much for what you are, as for what His 
 love will make you. His Spirit reaches down to raise, if 
 your heart desires to ascend. 
 
 How and whence comes God's gracious gift of Faith ? 
 By any reach of intellect or power of imagination ? Neither 
 of these. Man's natural spirit can reach no knowledge of 
 Divine mysteries, unless God condescendingly bestows His 
 grace in answer to fervent, humble prayer, which pierces 
 through long long regions of intervening heights, and in an 
 instant reaches to the throne. On thy knees, therefore, seek 
 His highest gifts, not in presumptuous self-reliance, but in 
 pleading Christ's mysterious sufferings, and earnestly desiring 
 to be clothed in His righteousness. Then He will crown 
 you with faith, hope, and love. 
 
 (3 . ) Comfort of Prayer. 
 
 Let those who seldom pray, smile or wonder at a man 
 devout and frequent in his prayers ; he has a joy they know 
 not of. Ever contrite for his sins, more and more fervent 
 in praise and thanksgiving, he has a consolation of continual 
 access to his heavenly Father's throne. Interceding for 
 others, he feels a deeper interest in their happiness ; each 
 aspiration clears away some mist of selfishness that floated 
 between his soul and God. More keen in knowledge of 
 himself and of his faults, he becomes more earnest in 
 desires of amendment, anxious that all around him should 
 partake in his privilege and enjoyment of a Christian life.
 
 io8 The Privilege of Prayer. 
 
 Filial reverence towards a heavenly Father, faith in His 
 Incarnate Son, our mighty Redeemer, comfort in the Holy 
 Ghost, Three in One, satisfy a man of prayer. In private, no 
 human ear is conscious of his whisperings, no eye beholds 
 his uplifted hands ; but God both hears and sees. To Him 
 the aspirations of his heart are open : no place is lonely ; 
 for He is there : God makes a prayerful soul fit for 
 Paradise. 
 
 (4.) Comfort of Heavenly Communion in Prayer. 
 
 What a miracle of mercy is it, that such worms of earth 
 as we are may hold communion with Heaven, invited to this 
 sacred intercourse by God the Holy Ghost ! With all 
 recollections of past offences from our cradle, too often 
 rejecting the voice of conscience, through many years of 
 youth and manhood; yet we may at length find one pure 
 fountain of refreshing peace a calm repose in God ! I 
 know there is a joy among the angels in heaven over one 
 sinner that repenteth. I may hold permitted spiritual 
 communion with them, thought to thought. Higher im- 
 measurably than this, we may bow before God's throne, 
 and pray for His celestial fire to kindle in our souls a flame 
 of sacred love for Christ, who alone can make us such as 
 He approves. This He graciously desires, that we may be 
 temples of His presence. High these words may seem, yet 
 they are humble ; aspiring, yet abased ; fearful of self, yet 
 confident in His promises. On our knees then, again and 
 again, let us pray to be forgiven, sanctified, strengthened, 
 restored to His lost love through the righteousness of our 
 glorious Redeemer, knowing that in all things we are un- 
 worthy, yet trusting in His gracious promises. If fleshly 
 instincts fain would keep us bound to earth, let us pray for 
 the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Ghost, that our souls may 
 approach to the footstool of His throne, and behold in faith
 
 Nearness to God. 109 
 
 bright visions of celestial hosts, who live eternally in blissful 
 adoration. 
 
 When we pray, 'Grant us peace,' what do we mean? 
 Peace in our own imaginings ? in vanities of this world ? in 
 slothful self-indulgence ? Or do we seek that sweet and 
 heavenly peace of loving God? advancing in holiness? 
 doing His will in a life of charity ? Let us beware how we 
 cry 'Peace, when there is no peace;' or presumptuously 
 hurry to our knees with empty, fond petitions, as though 
 God did not penetrate our thoughts. If we desire hap- 
 piness, we must be victors over Self, walking as in His sight, 
 constant in obedience, no more enslaved to sin. Once 
 having gained our mastery over those besetting enemies 
 within, we shall know true joy and peace in love for God 
 a peace that passeth all understanding. 
 
 4. Nearness to God attained by Prayer. 
 
 THERE are no degrees of nearness unto God that by His 
 grace and mercy a humble, holy man or woman, may not 
 aspire to attain, even to be a hallowed temple of His 
 indwelling Spirit. Every step, near and more near, raises 
 and expands their aspirations to be such as they never 
 dreamed before ; then, made sensible of eternal truths, joys 
 of earth, which once were first, become mere secondary ; 
 what before seemed most essential bear no comparison with 
 infinitely exceeding treasures. Such men or women are 
 changed, renewed : yet with all attainments, conscious of 
 their own demerits, they plead the righteousness of Christ 
 alone. Looking beyond this gloomy atmosphere of earth, 
 and fixing a steadfast eye of faith on Light of Heaven, where 
 Jesus sits enthroned, they approach the threshold of His 
 palace, and in lowliest spirit join holy angels in their alleluias. 
 Who would not make exchange of all treasuries on earth 
 to inherit promises of heaven immeasurably more rich ?
 
 1 1 o The Privilege of Prayer. 
 
 A heart of pure religion devoutly reaches up to visions 
 of the realms in glory, which to unprayerful men and women 
 are indistinct. Faithful souls delight in mysteries of reve- 
 lation, more and more unfolded out to view as prayer and 
 meditation make them clear. There is a sacred spell in 
 prayer that binds believing hearts to love God's Sanctuary 
 and eucharistic Altar. There believers breathe their peni- 
 tent confessions unto God, who is easy to be entreated, 
 quickly appeased. We have this pledge of Christ, who 
 lovingly would persuade all to find the real path of happiness, 
 and says, ' Where two or three are gathered together in My 
 Name, there am I in the midst of them ' (Matt, xviii. 20). 
 Thus, whateverwe ask in faith of His all-prevailing righteous- 
 ness, our heavenly Father will graciously bestow, if the 
 gift consists with His unerring wisdom and our true ad- 
 vantage. Alas ! how often do we ask for what would turn 
 to bitterness ! How often it is mercy to refuse ! The law 
 of love is written, as it were, with a pen dipped in honey. 
 From beginning to end of Holy Scripture, one language 
 universally prevails. 
 
 Is any man or woman disconsolate ? Call upon your 
 Divine Comforter ; to Him make known your sorrows, and 
 pray that He will heal your wounds with His own soothing 
 balm of peace, life, fire of love, light, grace, and faith 
 in the Holy Trinity. Open before Him all your fears, 
 weaknesses, and temptations. Seek His strength who is all 
 in all ; then may you be blessed in consciousness how great 
 the power of lowly, faithful prayer, as thousands and ten 
 thousands can truly testify. 
 
 5. The Lord's Prayer our Model of Prayer. 
 
 NONE can say that God has left us uninstructed how to 
 follow after righteousness : His holy Scriptures, prophecies, 
 and commandments, His threatenings, and promises, and
 
 Our Model. 1 1 1 
 
 sacraments, are given for our learning. We have the very 
 words of Christ our Lord, in His appointed prayer, con- 
 tinually to breathe, day and night, our aspirations to His 
 Father's throne. It is the centre of all prayer, and as we 
 repeat the words we should remember that we offer them 
 through His meritorious righteousness. They are His own, 
 therefore chief of all petitions. 
 
 1. That the holy Name of ' Father ' may be ' hallowed,' 
 
 kept sacred, and revered. 
 
 2. That ' His kingdom may come,' established in His 
 
 Church, and His throne set up in every heart. 
 
 3. That His divine will may be performed on earth, in 
 
 obedience and love by men, as it is perfectly by 
 angels in heaven. 
 
 4. That He will graciously give us, day by day, food for 
 
 the body, and especially His grace for our souls, 
 which is far better for eternity of life. 
 
 5. That He will forgive us all our sins and trespasses 
 
 against His divine commandments, pledging our 
 word that we have forgiven, do forgive, and will 
 truly, lovingly forgive all others, who at any time, 
 and in any manner, have done, or may do, an 
 injury to ourselves. 
 
 6. That He will graciously protect us from all temptation 
 
 to unrighteousness. 
 
 7. That He will deliver us from all mischief, especially 
 
 from the temptings of Satan, that Evil One, who 
 desires our destruction in paths of sin. 
 
 8. All addressed to ' Our Father ;' every word by word 
 
 marked down by the Incarnate Son, and breathed 
 by inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Thus it may 
 truly be called the prayer of, and to, and by the
 
 112 The Privilege of Prayer. 
 
 Holy Trinity, exceeding our compass of thought in 
 their fullness as we repeat the words. 
 
 In this prayer, so full of import in its meaning, so radiant 
 in light, we are taught by the Holy Ghost, in words of Christ 
 Himself, to offer before the Father's throne an acceptable 
 sacrifice day and night. Like all things of Divine ordinance, 
 this especially bears its own stamp of celestial perfection, 
 short but emphatic, boundless in extent, embracing each re- 
 sponsible individual through all necessities of life. It is 
 also a confession of faith, that we may never be without 
 the help, and peace, and joy of prayer and intercession 
 to God. Therefore His holy Church from earliest days 
 adapted to the seven petitions a few short words of glorifi- 
 cation, ascribing to the Father all rule in His kingdom 
 of the universe, all power, and all glory, for ever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 This is the central prayer from which all others flow. 
 Like rays of celestial light emanating from the throne in 
 heaven, no offering can be more acceptable to God the 
 Father than words of His own Incarnate Son given as our 
 model of prayer. In them we find a never-failing ador- 
 ation before His holy Altar, and for all other times of 
 prayer. Let us continually make this offering unto Him, 
 not doubting whose sacred words they are, nor by whom 
 they are breathed to our inmost souls the Holy Ghost, 
 our Comforter. 
 
 6. Acceptable Prayer and Offerings of Praise. 
 
 ' Now we know that God heareth not sinners, but if any 
 man be a worshipper of God, and do His will, him He 
 heareth' (John, ix. 31). To pray, and yet to live in sin, 
 secret or open, disregarding God's revealed commands, is 
 presumptuous and profane. Offerings of humble worship,
 
 Acceptable Prayer. 1 1 3 
 
 with faithful obedience united, are acceptable to Him. 
 Such service He receives, and grants His own indwelling 
 peace ; and though a world and all dominions were against 
 us, He would keep us firm. This truth His word proclaims ; 
 all experience proves it. 
 
 A man who happily enjoys deep sensibilities of true re- 
 ligion, and desires to please his Maker, knows by His 
 Divine Spirit what are most acceptable as offerings. They 
 who understand His will, and love to obey, praying earnestly, 
 have a truly fragrant incense to present before Him through 
 power of His divine grace within themselves. They de- 
 light in thanksgiving for their many blessings, sorrow for 
 past offences, earnest desires and resolutions of amendment, 
 prayer and intercession for others, charity and self-denial, 
 restraint on all their tendencies to pride, or lust, or cove- 
 tousness, vainglory, and poor, petty love of applause, or 
 whatever partakes of their own self-will, self-indulgence, or 
 self-righteousness. Such men, by God's Holy Spirit, are 
 humble, though unconsciously invested with a dignity that 
 raises them towards angelic instincts. In their homage of 
 adoration they have a deep sense that all their happiness 
 flows from God's abounding love, their hopes of acceptance 
 rest on Christ's atonement. To Him they dedicate them- 
 selves, and all their affections of heart and soul, which are 
 their highest offering, and in exchange receive Divine ap- 
 proval, their richest blessing. 
 
 A heart that finds enjoyment in studying the will of God 
 through Holy Scripture, is lifted to sublimest contemplation 
 of His attributes. It delights to dwell on His divine be- 
 nevolence in pardon, His bountifulness in gifts, His power 
 and magnificence in visible works of His creation, His love 
 in our redemption, His providence and wisdom in making 
 holy things essential to our happiness in all relations of life. 
 In every distress we have free access to His throne. Sur- 
 rounded as He is by cherubim and seraphim, and innumer- 
 
 i
 
 1 14 The Privilege of Prayer. 
 
 able hosts in heaven, He condescends to our loAvliest 
 prayer on earth ; bids us pour out sorrowfully-sighing peni- 
 tence before Him, that He may graciously forgive, and. 
 reconcile His erring children to a Father's love. Can 
 imagination picture to itself a union of attractions so en- 
 chanting, so lovely, so engaging an object of our grateful 
 adoration? Let, then, nothing come between my soul and 
 His mercy-seat; there, on lowest footstep, intercession 
 is heard before the Father's throne, and receives a blessing. 
 In this we are more than conquerors ; praying for others we 
 gain a victory over selfishness, and those for whom we pray 
 are all more dear to us. 
 
 7. Miracles of Prayer. 
 
 WE have our Lord's repeated pledge that He will be with 
 us in spirit. He binds His Father and Himself (John, xiv. 
 14 ; xvi. 23) to bestow on us whatsoever we will ask in His 
 name, if we desire what is profitable ; otherwise it is 'mercy 
 not to grant. St. Bernard says, ' Every good man's heart is 
 a temple of God, and His house of prayer.' Be thou in bed, 
 abroad in the fields, at home, in any place, it may be conse- 
 crated by thy prayers. And St Augustine says, ' He who 
 prays well cannot but live well:' These are only samples of 
 truth everywhere dispersed through saintly volumes on that 
 endless subject of Prayer, so essential, so consoling to every 
 Christian. Miracles of prayer are part of God's dispensa- 
 tions for our happiness and instruction. When we pray 
 that He will incline our earthly affections towards Himself 
 as centre of all desires, He is ever willing to bestow this, 
 His richest gift. Thus we are confirmed by grace to love 
 Him supremely, and to love one another for His sake even 
 our enemies, and those who think and speak of us unkindly. 
 We endeavour to win their hearts by gentleness, returning 
 good for evil, praying for them and all mankind. This
 
 Intercessory Prayer, 115 
 
 cheering peace surpasseth understanding ; shall we not 
 rejoice that unregenerate hearts may be thus converted 
 by the power and love of our heavenly Father through 
 miracles of prayer ? 
 
 8. Intercessory Prayer. 
 
 GOD is so gracious a Father, it might seem almost intru' 
 sion to intercede for children, whom He loves more perfectly 
 than we can do. He has no need of our prayers on their 
 behalf. His wisdom has ordained their path of trial, we 
 cannot penetrate the mysteries of His providence for 
 their improvement. But out of tenderness He commands 
 our prayers of intercession; nay, promises to hear, and 
 stores them within His heavenly garner, as acceptable ob- 
 lations from ourselves. Like all His laws, this of intercession 
 purifies our hearts, makes us less selfish, more charitable 
 and compassionate; we manifest our faith in God's im- 
 perishable Word, and benevolence towards His creatures. 
 Therefore, pray for all mankind : pray for a world of sinners, 
 especially for those most near and dear to you, afflicted, 
 suffering, bereaved, or sinners sick and dying. Cold and 
 narrow is any heart that only prays for Self. How seldom do 
 we intercede for those who have oppressed, or done us 
 wrong, in violence or slander ! Had the love of Christ our 
 Lord for us been cold as our sympathy for mankind, would 
 He ever have descended from His throne to undergo those 
 bitter sufferings of His Cross ? Think of His love div ine ; 
 remember, and imitate, His intercession for sinners 'Father, 
 forgive them: for they know not what they do.' Shall not 
 those sufferings make us weep when called to memory ? 
 Behold His crown of thorns and bleeding form, His agonies 
 and tears ! Listen to His cries of suffering and desolation, 
 His prayers and exclamations in the midst of a darkened 
 sun, when He bowed His aching head and cried, ' Father,
 
 1 1 6 The Privilege of Prayer. 
 
 into Thy hands I commend My spirit ! ' Think of this di- 
 vinely bright example of beneficence, and intercede for 
 others. 
 
 I am not worthy to pray for others, being myself a con- 
 scious sinner : how, then, can I interpose with God, who 
 loves them more than I do ? But He commands me so to 
 pray, and my will to intercede is blessed to me. Perhaps 
 such imperfect prayer may not avail, for His wisdom sur- 
 passes my understanding ; He knows His fitting hour and 
 manner of relief. Nevertheless a prayer of charity is heard, 
 accepted, and laid to my account of faith. 
 
 We know by Holy Scripture that prayers and interces- 
 sions one for another are acceptable to God. He hears, and 
 delivers with an outstretched arm. St. Paul says, 'Likewise 
 the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities ; for we know not what 
 we should pray for as we ought : but the Spirit itself maketh 
 intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 
 And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind 
 of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints 
 according to the will of God.' Also, ' It is Christ that died, 
 yea rather, that is risen again, who also maketh intercession 
 for us.' Thus the Sacred Trinity unites in mercy to help 
 infirmities within our soul ; for St. Paul means, that it is the 
 Holy Ghost who teaches us to pray and make intercession 
 for others as we ought to do. Christ's sacrifice on His 
 Cross, once offered for a sinful world, made atonement for 
 us all. Now He ever liveth to make intercession before 
 His Father's throne. Not that Christ loves us more than 
 our Father loves ; or that One Person of the Holy Trinity 
 entreats another on our behalf: for in all attributes three 
 adorable Persons are co-equal, co-eternally and indivisibly 
 one God. But Christ's intercession has a living power, 
 effectual and complete to all penitents His loving gift of 
 appointment. Without these our imperfections stand re- 
 corded against us ; for of ourselves all claim to acceptance
 
 Communion with the Invisible World. 1 1 7 
 
 is but valueless. Then let us not neglect this duty and 
 privilege of approach. As well becomes a grievous sinner I 
 will bow, and worship Him ; confess my sad transgressions ; 
 plead for pardon through the all-perfect righteousness of 
 my Redeemer; offer resolutions and humble vows in 
 thankful remembrance of His atoning death, and pledges 
 of my gratitude to Himself through charity to those He 
 loves. 
 
 In the sight of God intercession is an acceptable 
 offering ; for He hears ; and the soul that prays for others 
 gains its own reward, and perhaps avails to save souls. 
 Thus a double boon flows from His throne. He waits to 
 be gracious ; gives more than we ask. A heart that in- 
 tercedes grows warm towards others : the more frequently 
 we pray, the more surely we love both God and men, and 
 less we live for Self. See, then, what a rich outpouring of 
 Divine gifts from the Father of Lights rewards our loving 
 intercessions in behalf of others ! Pray for all mankind ; 
 a fervent spirit sheds abundantly more precious sympathy 
 than princes can dispense ; and God returns it back to us 
 in peaceful rest beyond all wealth, and crowns us with His 
 approbation. 
 
 9. Communion with the Invisible World. 
 (i.) Angels pray to God, and we may Join. 
 
 WHEN we pray, let no thought or word savour of pre- 
 sumption : yet in our prayers we may join God's loving 
 angels, mercifully appointed to be our guardians, kneeling 
 as on a lower step of His throne. In such heavenly com- 
 munion we receive an answer from the Holy Spirit, according 
 to our blessed Lord's most gracious promise, that where- 
 soever two or three shall pray together in His name, He 
 will Himself be present. In such an unity of prayer, our 
 intercession on behalf of sinners, suffering saints, beloved
 
 1 1 8 The Privilege of Prayer. 
 
 friends and relatives, and for all mankind, are heard. If 
 Christian men and women would act on this belief, how 
 joyous we should be in knowledge of Divine truth; and 
 finally, in presence of angelic choirs, to glorify their God 
 and our God, singing before Him hymns of alleluia. After 
 those gifts of Himself, His well-beloved Son, and the Holy 
 Ghost, His inspired Word, and grace divine, how precious 
 His appointment of angels to guard our hearts and guide 
 our path ! All those celestial enjoyments whisper to our 
 souls thoughts so luminous, such comfort in distress, such 
 joys in obedience, such hopes of a glorious hereafter in 
 radiant illuminations of His presence, as earthly minds 
 could never picture to themselves without assistance of 
 revelations from His throne. But mark one truth, and 
 recollect one caution; We may not offer worship to our 
 angelic guardian, nor acts of homage, nor obeisance : to do 
 this would shock the instincts and be abhorrent to the 
 mind of our angel. We are privileged to breathe to him 
 our religious hopes and fears ; thus if we carefully attend, 
 and promptly follow his silent whisperings, we become more 
 pure and humble, less earthly, more heavenly. We see him 
 not, nor are those ' whisperings ' audible ; yet he spiritually 
 bids our conscience follow the rightful path. The oftener 
 we retain a sense of this our heavenly messenger's presence, 
 the more constant is our peaceful joy,--reverence forbidding 
 presumption, our trust in his goodness, and confidence. He 
 makes us clear in thought, patient in sickness, hopeful under 
 misfortune, strong in faith, sedate in judgment, bright, true, 
 and temperate. We become more gentle, charitable, and 
 chaste. We know that he is grieved at any the least 
 transgression, and ashamed of all indecency. Our con- 
 science becomes more tender; we dare not do in his 
 presence anything forbidden, that we should blush to 
 confess before our fellow-men. Then let us join their 
 angelic choirs in praise to God, they round His throne,
 
 Communion with the Invisible World. 1 19 
 
 we on lowest step towards His heavenly palace. Thus we 
 need never pray alone, for they pray always : before we 
 wake, they are in adoration; when we sleep, they still 
 adore : they rest not day or night singing, ' Alleluia/ in 
 consummation of all beatitudes.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 HOLY SCRIPTURE. 
 
 i. The Word of God a precious Gift. 
 
 IF all works of Nature, studied through telescope and 
 microscope, are insufficient to instruct mankind in know- 
 ledge of God's high will, has He left us without a teacher? 
 without a witness to Himself? Does He give us a path to 
 happiness, and fail to point it out? Has He endued our 
 soul with earnest longings for a better state than dull 
 imprisonment to this its present perishable body, yet not 
 revealed a far more glorious state hereafter? Does He 
 demand obedience to His laws, but still withhold a know- 
 ledge of what they are? No; God is holy, just, merciful, 
 and true. ' God is love ! ' Having placed mankind on 
 earth for a few short years, and given them immortal spirits, 
 He could not leave them ignorant of His will. Our tender 
 heavenly Father yearns towards His children. Through 
 His inspired Word He gives them full instruction in right- 
 eousness, rich promises of reward for obedience, happiness 
 here, and bliss in heaven ; but sad and awful threatenings 
 of punishment to hard transgressors. If it were possible 
 that His Word could be deceitful and untrue, where have 
 we another guide or teacher? Then would our faith be 
 languid, our hopes uncertain, and our love cold. But
 
 The Word of God a precious Gift. 1 2 1 
 
 thanks to His most precious grace, we know that His 
 revelation is from the Holy Spirit : we read, mark, learn, 
 and believe, more and more assured. Such are His sweet 
 appeals, tender and persuasive, throughout all Holy Scripture, 
 to His creatures, redeemed by atonement of His well-beloved 
 Son, beseeching them so to turn their hearts to righteousness, 
 that words might almost seem constructed for the language 
 of persuasion. Shall I then doubt His strong assurances of 
 an everlasting future ? forego my prospects ? to die in terrors 
 of a blank and hopeless infidelity ? Then it were better I 
 never had been born, to travel through a weary pilgrimage, 
 beset with all diseases, accidents, and misfortunes, at last 
 to perish as a beast of the field. 
 
 Read countless volumes, even all authors of human 
 intellect, imagination, and laborious study what com- 
 parison for a moment will they bear with Holy Scripture ? 
 In those books of Pentateuch, the Kings, Chronicles, Psalms, 
 and Prophets, we have a wide range of annals by the Divine 
 Spirit of God's wisdom. Then read the Gospels and Acts 
 of Christ's Apostles, their Epistles, and the Book of Reve- 
 lation : all are a history of our incarnate Saviour ; records 
 of His early Church, and glorious visions represented to St. 
 John's illumined eye, beholding that golden city of triumphant 
 principalities, cherubim and seraphim, in heaven. Nothing 
 more pictorial, nothing more attractive in any work of fiction 
 or romance, nothing more stirring in all histories, nothing 
 more miraculous, can be imagined, than the life and actions 
 of God's inspired Lawgiver. When, even in its highest 
 flights, did poetic genius flash with blaze of fancy to compare 
 with the illuminated spirits of David or Isaiah, Ezekiel, 
 Daniel, or Jeremiah ? Read that Scripture history of Moses, 
 when by his outstretched rod he overwhelmed all Pharaoh's 
 Egyptian host in one miraculous discomfiture of the Red 
 Sea. Side by side contrast it with all uninspired epic poems, 
 from Homer until now ; and where will you find one such
 
 122 Holy Scripture. 
 
 description of awful catastrophe? Or what affecting narrative 
 of heroism, self-devotion, suffering, tenderness, piety, and 
 love, in any other book, can be compared with many far 
 more bright examples scattered up and down throughout 
 the Bible? Bring together all existing remnants in laborious 
 compositions of science and philosophy; all their professors, 
 from Anaxagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Euclid; 
 not one affords a glimmering of such wonders as creation 
 in the beginning, man's formation and his fall, the mystery 
 of sacrifices, symbolic of a Divine atonement for a whole 
 world by the Son of God, Christ Incarnate. Not to dwell 
 on many other miracles and mysteries, let Science, if it can, 
 explain the wonder of Christ Jesus our Lord rising from 
 His sepulchre, not in corruption, but in manhood glorified. 
 All these sacred histories pass before us in succession, as 
 various scenes of an enchanted diorama. Any attempt of 
 fastidious improvement would weaken their effect and force. 
 But what a saddening commentary on all this, that Holy 
 Scripture fails to charm or interest the hearts of millions ! 
 Simply we feel astonishment and sorrow that any one can 
 disregard the exquisite beauties of God's own sacred Book. 
 Alas ! some disbelieve its inspiration from above ; others 
 refuse assent to its teaching, if not agreeable to their own 
 doctrinal views ; some make confusion out of apparent 
 differences, when all is in harmony with Divine Wisdom, if 
 we could understand its mysteries ; others, again, distort its 
 meaning, in vain hope to justify their own iniquitous lives, 
 or in affectation of superior intellect. How profitable it 
 would be, if all would seek real knowledge where only it 
 can be found, from the Divine Author Himself, sole 
 Fountain of all truth ! We have no other source from which 
 to learn obedience to His divine, unchangeable commands ; 
 no other guide to happiness ; no other rock of faith ; no 
 sure foundation of our hope to love and worship Him in 
 Paradise.
 
 Our Law of Life. 123 
 
 2. Our Law of Life, 
 
 GOD has once for all proclaimed His law of government 
 for His people. Surely an administration of Divine power, 
 wisdom, and benevolence, should be paramount; but a 
 large majority neglect their own immediate happiness, and 
 contend against His rule. His mighty providence may 
 seemingly be thwarted and postponed; protests may be 
 recorded ; international assemblies may resolve the contrary ; 
 councils may issue their so-called catholic decrees, assuming 
 infallibility ; whole provinces may rise tumultuously in re- 
 bellion : but against His law, once spoken, the universe 
 itself would interpose in vain. Let no man make-believe to 
 plead his ignorance of God's almighty will : His royal 
 ordinances are imperative on every wakeful conscience, 
 known in still small voice of warning, or thundered 
 throughout His Scriptures in awful threats of punishment 
 on disobedient rulers and their people. Let all take heed 
 in time, lest heart and ear, hardened to insensibility, should 
 refuse their office. Sad condition this of almost whole 
 communities, surging in disorder of confusion. Men and 
 women seem to make a contract of 'give and take,' allowing 
 this if others sanction that, as if it were an open mart of 
 exchangeable commodities, offering to each their immediate 
 object of desire. But God's high laws are fixed decrees of 
 joy to the obedient, most consoling in prospect to willing 
 spirits ; but of sorrow here and hereafter to refractory men 
 and women, terrible and mysterious as that handwriting 
 upon the wall of King Belshazzar's palace. Prince or 
 peasant, statesman or his porter at the door, all are equally 
 responsible to God's irrevocable law, ordained for their 
 respective happiness or bitterness of remorse according 
 as they accept or reject His rule : so may a peasant be 
 nobler than his lord in sight of angels ; a porter of more
 
 124 Holy Scripture. 
 
 account in heaven than his master. See, then, how simple 
 a guide is the Law of God through this our tangled laby- 
 rinth of life, securely leading every teachable Christian 
 in the calm of obedience to joy before his Almighty 
 Lawgiver. 
 
 3. Our Standard of Truth. 
 
 IF nothing could be true but what we see, where should 
 we find one uniform standard of truth? Among the 
 thousand millions of mankind, through various distant 
 regions, where could we have a common rule of faith ? 
 How men differ as to what they have seen ! Ocular proof 
 is not always sufficient demonstration of truth, because we 
 see through a glass of prejudice, darkly. That glass may 
 be the force of education, good or evil, selfish interests, 
 obstinate will, or some passion of a moment, uncertain in 
 degree of influence, and liable to constant change. More- 
 over, a man may often see things to-day under very different 
 impressions from yesterday ; and to-morrow some new 
 accompaniment, or fresh light, more or less strong or true, 
 more or less clear, changes the aspect of what he saw before, 
 and alters his opinion. 
 
 Again : words themselves are often stumbling-blocks to 
 accurate definition, and carry to different persons a con- 
 trary meaning. Thus from one cause or other opinions are 
 uncertain; as coloured glasses in a kaleidoscope, always 
 moving a very Babel of moral confusion. We have but 
 One fixed infallible ' Standard of Truth,' the Divine Word. 
 But various nay, wonderful the divergence of opinions 
 among men, on interpretations of Scripture ! Hence arises 
 that odium theologicum, that ' apple of discord,' on which 
 volumes have been written, to ' make confusion worse 
 confounded.' Well might our Lord, Author and Centre of 
 all Truth, say, ' Suppose ye that I am come to give peace
 
 The Foundation of our Hope. 125 
 
 on earth ? I tell you, Nay ; but rather division :' and again, 
 4 I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, 
 because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and 
 prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, 
 Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight' (Matt. xi. 25. 
 Luke, x. 21). Then let me receive Holy Scripture as my 
 standard of truth in simplicity of a child ; read, mark, learn 
 by faith, and inwardly digest in hope and love, thankful for 
 my heavenly Father's revelation of Paradise and eternity 
 in Heaven. 
 
 4. TJie Foundation of our Hope. 
 
 THE sure foundation of our hope is God's pure Word of 
 truth and life. If we disbelieve this to be a Divine revela- 
 tion which God has given us of a future world, where is 
 our assurance that we are immortal, not destined to perish 
 like beasts of earth ? For we have no other record of 
 Himself, or of His will, but our Bible ; no other promise of 
 a future. Without this reliance we should launch into a 
 sea of wild conjecture, having neither helm nor compass to 
 steer us to His everlasting truth, and finally be shipwrecked 
 on some fearful rock of infidelity. 
 
 Seeing what we are an evil generation dust of the 
 earth, it is a marvel of Divine revelation that Almighty God, 
 Maker and Lord of His own universe, who formed us in 
 His image and likeness to become worthy of His presence, 
 should have regard to such vain, rebellious creatures. But 
 4 God is love :' therefore we believe and know how surely all 
 His promises shall for ever and for ever stand immovable. Let 
 those who would participate in this celestial conviction pray 
 for more confirmed knowledge, and labour more assiduously 
 for higher enjoyment in sweet experiences of religious life. 
 In that path God has prepared His treasures of truth for all 
 who covet them ; and graciously presents His richest gifts of
 
 126 Holy Scriptiirc. 
 
 wisdom and of love, combined with many other virtues, in 
 a kindred union never to be disjoined. Thus we have a 
 guarantee of safety to the soul. When the power of truth 
 is thoroughly established in a man, such is its influence on 
 his heart, affections, and desires, he becomes a new creature, 
 an altered being ; his instincts are exalted ; he perceives 
 how like an Egyptian mummy he had been until en- 
 lightened ; how he was enveloped in many a wrapping fold, 
 and artfully embalmed. By this new influence of truth he 
 is raised above his former self, no longer now his idol : in 
 freedom from a heavy burthen of doubt and infidelity, now 
 blessed in the easy yoke of Jesus ; the Truth is surety to his 
 soul pledge of final peace, and all the gospel promises open 
 to his consciousness. 
 
 5. Vur Sure Guide. 
 The Compass. 
 
 MARINERS direct their course through distant seas 
 fearless of danger; for the compass points their proper 
 course. A Christian's compass is his Bible. There also he 
 may find a chart, true and clear, marking every dangerous 
 reef or rock, guiding to a harbour of rest. His course is 
 full of perils on either side ; but, watchful and persevering, 
 near and more near he advances freely to his point. Long 
 acquaintance with his Bible has confirmed this truth, and 
 from his past experience he looks with confidence to a 
 blessed future. 
 
 Go back to times of ancient philosophy, when 
 Socrates and Plato dreamed in theories to raise their 
 disciples to be as gods, through cultivation of intellectual 
 powers : but in vain. The Gospel of Jesus Christ bade 
 mankind bewail their sins, not look for happiness without 
 His revelation of forgiveness. Then poor, sinful, weak
 
 Its Special Value. 127 
 
 humanity, may be restored to love for God. Christ was 
 teacher of a new philosophy (so to speak), not of abstract 
 theories and barren unrealities, but social, moral, and 
 religious duties, in imitation of His own perfections. All 
 this through His sacrifice He accomplished for those who 
 believe, obey, and love Him ; but immeasurably are they 
 raised towards the dignity of spiritual approach to God, 
 looking forward to the attainment, a crown before God's 
 throne. 
 
 He has given us as our companion a book wherein we 
 everently see and hear Him, walk with Him, converse 
 with Him. We are in a labyrinth the perplexing mazes 
 are too intricate to trace. Scripture is the golden thread, 
 the clue that guides us. 
 
 6. Its special Value dependent on our Use of it. 
 
 THE words of God in Holy Scripture are as jewels of 
 inestimable value, set in ornaments of gold, pictures of 
 tapestry in finest needlework, truthful images by inspiration 
 of holy prophets, mysteries of redemption by Christ our 
 Saviour. There is nothing in any range of literature 1 
 whether it be poetry, narrative, history of flood, or fire, or 
 war, to be compared with Holy Scripture in grandeur of 
 expression or exaltation of thought. Let compositions, 
 however beautiful or sublime in depth, in pathos of descrip- 
 tion, or of touching incidents, through every language 
 among men and nations, be brought together, and all are 
 vapid in comparison with Holy Writ. To that alone we 
 return with never-dying interest, to refresh the soul with 
 convictions that God's high attributes are represented for 
 our comfort and assurance, as ' children ' of a heavenly 
 Father, ' brethren ' of Christ, and partakers of the Holy 
 Ghost. Have I discovered the healing properties of that 
 celestial fountain of living waters to my heart's content ? or
 
 12 g Holy Scripture. 
 
 does my Bible lie dusty on the shelf, its gilded leaves 
 seldom unfolded, its warnings all unheeded, and its promises 
 set at nought ? 
 
 7. Beauty and Poetry of the Bible. 
 
 DIVINELY-INSPIRED poetry could not but be most beau- 
 tiful of any in the world sublime in epic, persuasive, and 
 convincing in didactic, in lyrics most enchanting : all full 
 of truth, rich in imagery, abounding in examples of human 
 passion, vice and virtue, descriptions of celestial grandeur, 
 and mysteries of God's spiritual world. It brings before us 
 angels and cherubim, principalities and seraphim in ' Jeru- 
 salem the golden;' and on earth, miracles of Almighty 
 power, awful judgments on rebellious empires, and merciful 
 deliverances of God's favoured people. His Spirit is a 
 perpetual, exhaustless fountain of inspired poetry, from 
 within the mysterious sanctuary of His presence, pouring 
 out from heaven rich streams of revelation to enlighten 
 all dark valleys of the earth, turning millions to religious 
 life, raising up men and women of lowly heart, strong in 
 faith, to visions of glory, which no tongue can utter nor 
 imagination realise. Hereafter in oceans of divine light 
 all poetry will be absorbed in presence of the God of 
 Truth. 
 
 8. Mysteries of God's Word 
 
 Cannot be proved to demonstration like problems in 
 mathematics. But what are mathematics, logic, and all 
 sciences, compared with one recorded truth of God, from 
 whom all wisdom is derived? This requires but a candid, 
 earnest, willing mind to be convinced even as a man would 
 inform himself on evidence of common things, and past 
 experiences of history, on any point affecting his essential
 
 Mysteries of God' s Word. 129 
 
 interests, that he may form a proper judgment Surely it is 
 for our benefit to know this one vital truth that a merciful 
 God has offered His disobedient children restoration to His 
 paternal love through some Divine atonement? Everyman 
 of sound intelligence in Christian society may enjoy some 
 sense of a great Self-existent Governor, who overrules His 
 own vast universe, and will not abide iniquity. Having a 
 consciousness of his own insufficiency, and his need to be 
 reconciled, he must look for pardon through intervention 
 of another on his behalf. He knows that death is inevitable; 
 by instinct fears that punishment awaits transgressors ; 
 beholds around him wondrous mysteries of nature, and 
 believes the merciful providence of an Almighty God. 
 Suppose, then, he is told the greater mysteries of revelation 
 how God appointed a sacrifice for all repentant sinners, 
 which was accomplished in agonies of His Divine Son ; that 
 Christ our Redeemer died upon a Cross, rose from sepul- 
 chre, ascended to His throne in heaven, and promised to 
 receive all contrite and obedient believers into glory amidst 
 His holy angels. Suppose a man to learn all this from 
 Holy Scripture, the Word of God? What a flood of light 
 breaks in upon his awakened soul ! what desire of accept- 
 ance through such a Divine Mediator ! what resolutions of 
 amended life in 'Imitation of Christ! 5 what aspirations in 
 prayer for strength of faith, new powers of grace, and 
 earnest intercessions for beloved friends, that they may be 
 partakers of His joy ! Deeper and more abiding His re- 
 pentance for past offences, so much stronger his faith, 
 brighter his hope, more bountiful his charity, more universal 
 his love for the commonwealth of Christian society. Now 
 he understands his path to happiness on earth, with a pledge 
 of future bliss in presence of his adorable Redeemer. ' O 
 the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge 
 of God ! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His 
 ways past finding out ! . . . For of Him, and through Him, 
 
 K
 
 130 Holy Scripture. 
 
 and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. 
 Amen' (Rom. xi. 31-36). 
 
 9. Presumption of Unbelief. 
 
 ALL things that have existed on this earth, or now exist, 
 may in some sort be measured one against another. The 
 philosophy of Socrates and Plato, metaphysics, logic, and 
 mathematics of Aristotle or Euclid, bear their high propor- 
 tions compared with knowledge of common minds, and 
 win their palm of admiration. But Divine attributes of our 
 Almighty God and Maker, being infinite and eternal, are 
 above all scale of measurement or degree, higher unspeak- 
 ably, and beyond all reach of comparison, by angels or arch- 
 angels. As to intellectual powers of man, who to-day lives 
 and to-morrow dies, they are but as a breath a passing 
 gush of air. All speculations of human device or altitudes 
 of poetic genius, all noblest aspirations and attainments of 
 science, or most exalted mental intelligences, are as dust, 
 and perish with their possessor. Yet, proud in themselves, 
 some men disbelieve the revelations of their God, only 
 because they do not comprehend. With swelling hearts 
 they would reduce high mysteries of heaven to a standard 
 of their own poor, limited perceptions. If they had sufficient 
 modesty or wisdom, they might know that Jehovah in His 
 justice could never exact obedience to His laws, yet keep 
 those laws hidden and unrevealed. There they are recorded 
 in His Ten Commandments, with faith, hope, and charity ; 
 all clearly showing to high and low, rich and poor, how 
 they may be happy on this earth, and promising an eternal 
 fullness of joy in a higher world to come. If He has given 
 a rule of government for all, where can an infidel find it, 
 except in Holy Scripture? Can he point us any other 
 authentic code of law ? If he assumes that any man may 
 be his OV.TI interpreter of the will of God, each his own
 
 Presumption of Unbelief, 1 3 1 
 
 standard of moral and religious principles, independent of 
 Scripture; then, having a thousand millions of reasoning 
 minds on this poor earth, there might be exactly so many 
 standards, and all would be in a labyrinth of inextricable 
 confusion. Every man might claim to be the One Dictator 
 of eternal truth, to rule and guide ; for each is different 
 from every other in quality of mind, and has perceptions no 
 less various. First, let an infidel demonstrate that revelation 
 tends to demoralise the world ; after that let him propound 
 some superior system to promote man's happiness. Until 
 then let each one bow before God's throne ; be thankful 
 for what he has, seek higher attainments of light, and 
 humbly endeavour to advance in love and knowledge of 
 Christ through His gifts of grace.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE CHURCH AND HER MINISTRATIONS. 
 
 i. A Divine Institution. 
 Church of Christ. 
 
 DERIVING all its grandeur, present and to come, from the 
 Incarnate Son of God, the Church of Christ is a mystical 
 compound Institution, its members being called 'Christians' 
 after Himself inheritors of the kingdom of heaven, His 
 spiritual kingdom. It is conjoint of divine and earthly; 
 divine because His own, instructed and enlightened and 
 consecrated by the Holy Ghost ; and He condescends to be 
 Great High Priest thereof, Head over all : it is an earthly 
 Church, because its members are of this world, children of 
 Adam. Thus it bears a resemblance to Himself, who took 
 into His Divinity the human nature, ' sin only excepted.' He 
 became God and man, restoring His lost creatures to the 
 love of their heavenly Father. Again, His Church is 
 governed by ordinances and sacraments, that have their 
 offices on earth but sanctified by His presence, at His 
 altar, and in His temples, and within the soul of each 
 pious communicant renewed to holiness through re- 
 pentance, and restored to His love through faith and 
 obedience. 
 
 Not to go back to the marvellous times of Moses, but 
 later, when God through His voice to the holy prophet
 
 A Divine Institution. 133 
 
 Isaiah, more than 2500 years ago, reproving His disobedient 
 Church under the image of a fruitless vineyard : ' Now will I 
 sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his 
 vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very 
 fruitful hill : and he fenced it, and gathered out the stones 
 thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a 
 tower in the midst of it, and also made a wine-press therein : 
 and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it 
 brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of 
 Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt 
 me and my vineyard. What could have been done more 
 to my vineyard that I have not done in it ? Wherefore, 
 when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it 
 forth wild grapes ? And now go to ; I will tell you what I 
 will do to my vineyard : I will take away the hedge thereof, 
 and it shall be eaten up ; and break down the wall thereof, 
 and it shall be trodden down : and I will lay it waste : and it 
 shall not be pruned, nor digged ; but there shall come up 
 briers and thorns : I will also command the clouds that 
 they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of 
 hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah His 
 pleasant plant : and He looked for judgment, but behold 
 oppression ; for righteousness, but behold a cry' (Isa. 
 v. 1-7). 
 
 This vineyard was the Church of the Lord of Hosts. 
 Christ Jesus, our adored Saviour, offered Himself as a 
 sacrifice to turn away Divine anger from the house of Israel 
 and the men of Judah. Moreover, He established a more 
 extended Church, to become in the course of ages universal. 
 He calls Himself her Bridegroom, and she is named by 
 that most engaging title of Bride, both in Isaiah and in the 
 Book of Revelation; and among other beautiful analogies 
 He calls Himself the Vine of His Church, and the branches 
 are the members : thus expressing His intimate spiritual 
 union with all who bear good fruit. He Himself is the root
 
 1 34 The Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 and stem, imparting to the branches a divine and vigorous 
 growth, to bear fruit abundantly. Nothing could more 
 forcibly declare the close connexion of Himself and His 
 Church, as vital sap circulating through every fibre, to 
 cherish each smallest leaf and tendril ; for without that 
 assistance the branches would be nothing worth but to be 
 cast forth and burnt. This is a picture from which to draw 
 a great moral and religious truth ; that as Christ, the Vine, 
 nourishes the various branches, they should all be united in 
 a loving fellowship, each to impart strength to the others, 
 all to bring forth abundantly good fruit in kindred Christian 
 virtues. Volumes upon volumes have been written, from 
 the date of the Apostolic Epistles inclusive, and throughout 
 each early Church, by men of bright genius and most 
 devoted piety, declaring all this to be the foundation-rock 
 on which to build all doctrinal teaching of the blessed 
 Gospel, proclaiming again and again the song of angels 
 over the sacred cradle of Bethlehem : ' Glory to God in the 
 highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.' 
 
 If such inspired testimonies have no force, persuading 
 men and women to accept God's happy message, and thus 
 secure their present joy with inheritance of future bliss, who 
 can hope in this our day to move their dull convictions ? 
 We may learn at least the responsibilities of those branches 
 of Christ's Church who jostle one another, fearing lest any 
 but their own should widely spread and bear more fruit 
 than themselves. Let each beware how by mutual jealousy 
 tliey hinder the fruitfulness of our Lord's vineyard, so dear 
 to Him. As things are, it might almost be said, ' Behold 
 how these Christians hate one another !' 
 
 It is the duty of every branch with all zeal to convey 
 healthy sap to all young tendrils, languishing through 
 neglect in mildew of ignorance, or tainted with blight of 
 sin. Let them labour strenuously to educate the young at 
 any cost, grafting them into the Vine of Christ. It is His
 
 Universal, or Catholic. 135 
 
 will that righteousness and praise should spring forth before 
 all nations (Isa. Ixi. u). He Himself commanded, 'Feed 
 My lambs,' which were almost His last words, as it were a 
 last legacy. Many times He lovingly committed His 
 children to our care, that they might be trained to His 
 religion. Angels look down from heaven to behold those 
 blessed who obey. 
 
 2. Universal, or Catholic. 
 
 THE music of those village chimes invites you to church. 
 Enter within that porch ; see yonder sanctuary ; and there 
 God's altar, Christ's gate to heaven, leading in each faithful 
 communicant. There hymns in chorus are echoes of angelic 
 alleluias, sung before His throne. Let your heart rise up in 
 harmonious spirit to unite in concert with celestial harps. 
 How different the outside world, immersed in its own 
 confusions ! Dark, heathen world ! Not in our day, but in 
 time and times ordained, Gospel truth will shine upon 
 remote and unenlightened peoples, beside all waters; by 
 Euphrates and deserted Babylon, Tigris and ruined Nineveh, 
 no less the Nile, where ancient cities are crumbling to 
 dust. On each high mountain and in every crowded 
 valley bright eminences will display the Cross sign of their 
 conversion : each church will be sanctified by its altar of 
 eucharistic Sacrifice. All wild places in every desert shall 
 blossom like the rose in glorious sunlight of eternal truth, 
 and Christ our Lord be worshipped through His one 
 universal Church. All glory, praise, and adoration be to 
 Him ! Amen. 
 
 Imagine what might be the condition of this earth and 
 its inhabitants, if all were united in one harmonious voice 
 to love and glorify God, and as a sure result, to love one 
 another. How all institutions of society and nations would 
 be changed and sanctified ! Religion would be our general
 
 T 36 The Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 order through day and night; all moral virtues, truth, 
 holiness, and self-denial, would overrule mankind. No 
 more crimes of lewdness, perfidy, hatred, or reckless selfish- 
 ness, would overcloud the happiness of man. Though still 
 subject to pain, sorrow, and misfortune, we should find in 
 all our trials consolation in Christian sympathy. Wars 
 would be no more, envyings and jealousies would subside 
 in universal peace, all being united in one voice of worship, 
 one holy Church of Christ, one delightful sanctuary for 
 the happy, one safe refuge for all sufferers. Then how 
 harmonious the moral sense would be in detecting any note 
 of anti-Christian discord ! Our hearts being well attuned 
 to love, we should live in concert with that angelic key-note. 
 Blessed and happy are all endeavours to hasten forward this 
 exalting preparation for full enjoyment of the choruses 
 above, where angels and archangels join in one continuous 
 voice of alleluias to the glory of the Lamb slain before the 
 foundation of the world; for 'Worthy is He to receive power, 
 and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, 
 and blessing.' With one voice, then, let us celebrate His 
 attributes, and live in joyous obedience to His commands. 
 
 3. Various Branches. 
 
 THE various organs of our physical frame are not alike, 
 but designed by our Mighty Creator to their several uses ; 
 distinct, yet acting consciously or unconsciously, harmonious 
 in promoting the general ease and comfort of our body. 
 So in His universal Church, which is ' the Body of Christ,' 
 how various its administrations ! and still more, how widely 
 different men's doctrinal judgments are from one another ! 
 Yet if we desire to be called after Christ we should grow 
 together in our several branches, strengthened by Himself, 
 the true Vine that is to overspread the world. Then let us 
 by every method promote this great design of our heavenly
 
 Our National Church. 1 37 
 
 Father. He mercifully desires the happiness of His 
 creatures, as a vast community of immortal spirits on earth, 
 which after death shall be removed to some unknown, far 
 more exalted region, peopled by millions who have srone 
 before. And there, with all prophets and saints redeemed, 
 we shall worship unerringly their God and our God. How 
 brilliant and harmonious will that day of union be, leading 
 on to eternal joy in His heavenly Jerusalem ! Amen. 
 
 4. Our National Church. 
 
 MANY devout men and women hold religious doctrines 
 grounded on error ; some coming short of revelation in 
 Holy Scripture, others going beyond. Contemplations on 
 Truth are delightful to an earnest Christian, yet may be 
 difficult, or mistaken, without a guide. Our natural tendencies 
 are to set up a standard of our own, thinking that to be 
 perfection. Our Church of England, our Articles and 
 Book of Common Prayer, are founded on the Bible sure 
 and certain rock of faith, source of all truth. On that 
 rock, and on the principles of our beloved Church, pray 
 and do. If again you are at fault, pray and do more 
 earnestly; if again and again you falter, bow lower still, 
 more manfully deny yourself: come to Holy Communion, 
 and Christ by His mighty Spirit will give you strength and 
 crown you with His presence at the altar of penitence. 
 
 Take one of her most beautiful cathedrals as a specimen 
 of temples raised to the glory of God a model in large for 
 minor parish churches. See its graceful spire towering 
 towards heaven, surmounted by the holy Cross ; its windows 
 in all richness of colour ; noble arches, varied traceries in 
 stone, each one or other represents some principle of 
 Religion, raising devotional minds to reverence for Christ 
 their Lord. Here is an ancient font of baptism, and there 
 a decorated chancel, sanctuary of His altar. Listen to
 
 1 3 8 The Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 those harmonies of a deep-toned organ, leading chants, 
 morning or evening psalms and hymns, and choir of tuneful 
 voices, all in praise of God. These are figures of our 
 venerable Church. May all other branches join with her 
 in Christ's Church universal, be more and more sanctified 
 in unity, cleansed from all doctrinal errors ; may they grow 
 into likeness of St. Paul's description : ' A glorious Church, 
 not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but holy 
 and without blemish' (Eph. v. 27). May all become en- 
 lightened, more generous one towards another, more and 
 more loving ! 
 
 5. Services of Prayer and Praise. 
 
 HAPPY they who understand and value their joyful 
 privilege of belonging to Christ's Church, to worship where 
 He delights to see them ! It gilds all life with sunshine 
 amidst its cloudy trials, as they can testify who know by 
 long experience this reality. Look round on votaries 
 of the world, their vanities, unquietness, prejudice, and 
 rivalries. See how they hurry on from one poor false 
 enjoyment to another, unsatisfied and restless ; at last wake 
 up to disappointment and to self-reproach. Turn, on the 
 other hand, to those who seek their happiness in religion. 
 Christ the Incarnate Son of God is the object of their love 
 and gratitude, ever near, within them ; especially in Holy 
 Communion, when they feed on Him, and are intimately 
 one with Him. In their humble way they do as He did 
 on earth, endeavouring to imitate His example ; charitable 
 and gentle, benevolent, unselfish, they enjoy all peaceful 
 fruits of righteousness through indwelling of the Holy 
 Ghost. Behold in services at church, in hymns and prayers, 
 and holy sacraments, what happy gatherings of men and 
 women, old and young ; in heart and purpose one ; one in 
 voice of praise and adoration! They hear God's divine
 
 Services of Prayer and Praise. 1 39 
 
 promises, and believe; join in litanies, and confess their 
 sins ; gather round His holy altar, rejoice in their Saviour's 
 presence, receive a priestly blessing, and depart in Christian 
 love one towards another, till they meet again in new as- 
 semblies. Which of these two pictures represents a peaceful 
 happiness in families, or societies on earth ? 
 
 Suppose there were no Christian Church, no services of 
 public prayer, psalms, and hymns of praise? no holy 
 sacraments, instituted by Christ, so full of joy and promise 
 to comfort and to gladden our wearisome, unceasing round 
 of months and years in anxious carefulness and labours : 
 how melancholy we should be ! All who love God delight 
 to join in fervent hymns and praises, prayers, and holy 
 sacraments of His Church. These acceptable offerings of 
 united hearts shed unspeakable joy and calm on all who 
 humbly pay their adoration before His altar. There He 
 deigns to sanctify His children by presence of His Holy 
 Spirit. Thus we know where to find Him. Seek His 
 choicest blessings in services of His Church; especially 
 in eucharistic communion of His mysterious love. All 
 may sing together ' Praise to God on high.' Birds of the 
 grove by instinct carol forth their morning and their evening 
 hymns : shall I alone be silent ? All nature speaks His 
 love and loveliness. Angels and archangels, cherubim and 
 seraphim, sing their alleluias round His throne. Shall I 
 neglect this privilege of prayer and praise ? refuse to join ? 
 I know that I may offer Him acceptable oblations, unworthy 
 though I am ; for He is willing to receive lowly sinners in 
 the meritorious righteousness of His Incarnate Son, my 
 Saviour and my God. 
 
 ( i .) The Lord's Prayer. 
 
 One of Christ's most unfailing gifts is that comprehensive 
 prayer He taught us to offer up before His and our heavenly
 
 140 The Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 Father continually day by day 'Thy kingdom come :' that 
 is, May Thy kingdom be perfected on earth, Thy throne 
 established in every heart, and Thou, the centre of all 
 desires, be our first great object of love and adoration. If 
 this were really our mind, and we humbly prayed, then would 
 His will by men 'be done in earth, as it is in heaven ' by His 
 angels. ' My kingdom,' Christ said to Pilate, ' is not of this 
 world ;' but a future kingdom in full establishment of perfect 
 holiness, by grace of His Holy Spirit, ruling all creatures of 
 His hand, teaching them to sing alleluias to the praise and 
 glory of God. Alas ! how alienated from His laws are 
 hearts of men, so fondly attached to worldly wealth, vanities, 
 and ambition ! indifferent to higher interests in another and 
 a better heritage. When therefore you pray, ' Thy kingdom 
 come,' resolve to live in firm obedience to His will, and 
 earnestly desire in His own good time a glorious day, when 
 God's accomplishment shall verify our Lord's predictions in 
 establishing His universal Church. 
 
 How often we repeat our Lord's own sacred prayer, 
 breathed by power of the Holy Ghost, to the Father's 
 glory, forgetting who commanded us so to pray, or by 
 whose Spirit we pray. What means ' Thy kingdom come ?' 
 We beseech God as a heavenly Father, and King of kings, 
 to set up His throne in all hearts throughout His universal 
 Church, that they may bow before Him in obedience ; that 
 His name may be hallowed, and His service be our delight; to 
 do His will in earth, as it is done in heaven by His angels ; 
 so, being free from temptation to sin, and from influence of the 
 Evil One, we may testify to His glorious dominion. Amen. 
 
 (2.) The Creed. 
 
 Three main articles of our Christian faith are, Belief 
 in the Holy Trinity, the sacrifice of Christ's Atonement for 
 a sinful world, and the anointing of our Divine Comforter,
 
 Preaching. 141 
 
 the Holy Ghost, co-eternal, Three in One. But it is contrary 
 to reason that a mere faith without obedience to His divine 
 law should suffice to reconcile a God of holiness to sinners 
 in practical rebellion to His will. Our Lord bade His 
 apostles ' Go, teach all nations.' Send forth, therefore, your 
 missionaries and emigrants to fertile lands and genial climes. 
 They will teach the heathen to worship God, and spread His 
 Word through tracts as yet inhabited only by unenlightened 
 tribes, ready to receive His Gospel. Alas ! ' the harvest 
 truly is great, but the labourers are few.' Each Christian 
 nation, earnest in the encouragement of missionary work, 
 would enjoy at home security irremovable, general con- 
 fidence, mutual sympathy: then 'peace and happiness, 
 truth and justice, religion and piety,' would be established 
 from father to son throughout their generations, loving God 
 and of Him beloved, all being an example : what a glorious 
 sight would be presented to the view of rejoicing angels ! 
 
 (3.) Preaching. 
 
 Is it too much to say, that preaching is one most essential 
 part of the Church's influence for good, in order to establish 
 in human hearts a love for God, shedding forth bright beams 
 of love for their fellow-men ? It is our heavenly Father's 
 gracious will that His children should be saved through 
 obedience to those two chief commands. Call to mind 
 Christ's memorable words to the scribe who asked Him, 
 'Which is the first commandment of all?' And Jesus 
 answered him, ' The first of all the commandments is, 
 Hear, O Israel ; the Lord our God is one Lord : and, Thou 
 shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all 
 thy soul, and with all thy strength. This is the first and 
 great commandment. And the second is like unto it, 
 namely this : Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 
 There is none other commandment greater than these.
 
 142 The Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 And the scribe said unto Him, Well, Master, Thou hast 
 said the truth .... And when Jesus saw that he answered 
 discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the 
 kingdom of God' (Mark, xii. 28-34). How, then, in their 
 sermons do preachers so seldom seek this rich topic, this 
 golden link of influence ? In all reverence be it said, ' They 
 have insufficient knowledge of the instrument they should 
 play upon, the harmonium of the heart.' Let this be 
 accurately studied and incessantly practised if they would 
 awaken the sympathies of their people in their vital chords : 
 so shall they all be brought to join in melodies of love : that 
 is a never-failing key to open out emotions of delight. 
 Without this ' celestial fire of love,' which is one of the 
 sevenfold gifts of the Holy Ghost, no preacher has a claim 
 to success. By eloquence he may command attention, and 
 gain applause for his talents ; but unless his own soul is on 
 fire he can have small hopes of kindling a flame in others. 
 Then let each one who has received holy ordination learn 
 the zeal of St. Paul, and pray for the love of St. John, that 
 they may awaken lively echoes of apostolic harmony in 
 breasts of their hearers. 
 
 Experience of the human heart may teach us how 
 ineffectual is intellect to guide and purify our fallen nature. 
 St. Paul declares, that ' With the heart man believeth unto 
 righteousness.' Draw, therefore, the hearts of your people 
 to Jesus Christ, their Lord and Master, and to virtue, its 
 loveliness and joy, that they may follow the example of 
 their Lord in earnest faith and love. This rule applies 
 especially to preachers in a mixed assembly, for they must 
 stir the languid fire and rouse the dormant affections of their 
 hearers ; yet seldom are they themselves the most consum- 
 mate masters of persuasion. Dry, explanatory sermons of 
 dogmatic teaching, are beyond the comprehension of a 
 vast majority of those who come to church. They make 
 but faint impression even on the higher classes, who may
 
 The Sacraments. 143 
 
 understand, but grow weary in listening to oft-repeated 
 arguments. Seek rather to influence souls to sweet emotion 
 by describing a beloved Saviour's life, and attributes, and 
 sufferings : then congregations, being taught to love and 
 weep for Him, will feel a warm and sympathetic interest 
 in His wondrous condescension to a sinful world; and 
 resolve by holier lives to please Him, and by obedience 
 set forth His glory. 
 
 Preachers, therefore, should persuade their people to 
 seek their happiness through love for God, who at once 
 rewards the faithful. That is the topic to be urged Avith 
 impressive and affectionate appeals. When once estab- 
 lished it is a monitor ; they are a key to all theology, 
 opening a store of treasures for the sanctuary, wisely pre- 
 pared for happiness to man. 
 
 (4.) The Sacraments. 
 Water and Blood from the pierced Side. 
 
 By water of baptism in Christ's name sinners are made 
 children of God. When they receive the blessed Sacrament 
 of His most precious Body and Blood, in holy communion, 
 they have His promise of a heavenly inheritance. Those 
 mingled streams of water and of blood from His wounded 
 side flow in holy sacraments through every vale, make glad 
 each hill ; and we rejoice in all His miracles of love : we feel 
 assured in hope of gracious acceptance before our heavenly 
 Father's throne, through Christ's divine Atonement. All 
 praise and glory be unto the Lamb slain before the foun- 
 dation of the world ! (Rev. xiii. 8.) 
 
 Out of those sacred streams from our Lord's Cross on 
 Calvary flowed man's salvation to eternal life. Hearts that 
 are buried with Him, dead to all deceitful lusts, shall 
 partake in His glorious Resurrection; raised from carnal
 
 144 The Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 affections to spiritual, from objects visible to invisible, from 
 earth to paradise, they yearn for higher realms secured to 
 them through His own divine Atonement. Bread and wine 
 now consecrated, are a heaven-appointed sacrament of 
 Christ s most precious Body and Blood, which He offered 
 up for sinners on a Cross of agony. Moreover, on our part 
 it is a free oblation of His all-effectual merits, His right- 
 eousness, and His Atonement, ever pleading f or our pardon 
 and acceptance. It is a dedication of our souls and bodies 
 as a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto God- an 
 offering of faith and love, and humble penitence, as 'con 
 itions of our restoration to favour, with holy vows and 
 resolutions of future obedience. Such is our spiritual tribute 
 and sacrifice -a divine mystery to our great and endle 
 comfort, purifying our love for God, sustaining our hear to 
 victories over Self. 
 
 Assurance of these mysteries,-how delightful to those 
 who beheve and meditate,-prayerful, thankful partakers 
 
 . f ^ ^ raiS6d UP in the S ? irit to *e throne 
 on high, from whence He pours on our hearts fresh rays of 
 comfort, hope of forgiveness, and restoration to His love 
 Nothing is more effectual to draw devout believers to 
 frequent communion than this objective view of Tesus 
 present at His altar: for there in faith they behold their 
 beloved Savour, their Incarnate God, giving manna, the 
 food of angels, and wine from His own vineyard to in- 
 vigorate hungry and thirsty souls, and send them home with 
 
 His Chufch r0m HiS Wn ^^^ ^ P r nounced through 
 
 (5.) Eucharistic Sacrifices. 
 
 Sacrifices of blood were ordained of God from earliest 
 
 ages to be testimonies of faith, intended to represent before- 
 
 that great and appointed after-coming Sacrifice of
 
 Eucharistic Sacrifices. 145 
 
 our Redeemer, as an Atonement on behalf of sinners, to be 
 offered on the Rock of Calvary once for all. And now the 
 memory is for ever perpetuated in a mystery of His own 
 appointment on the night before He suffered. There is in 
 every Christian Church an altar and a priesthood, which 
 imply a Sacrifice ; the Sacrament in Holy Communion is a 
 Eucharistic Sacrifice in remembrance of Christ's most 
 precious Death on our behalf. It is a witness that our hope 
 of salvation is grounded on His atoning Sacrifice, with con- 
 fessions of sin, thanksgiving for all His mercies, prayers for 
 ourselves, intercessions for all men, and vows of future 
 obedience. He said to His Apostles, as now each devout 
 priest in his sacred office, administering the bread to com- 
 municants, repeats the invitation : ' Take, eat ; this is My 
 Body which is given for you ; ' and with the cup, ' Drink ye 
 all of this ; for this is My Blood of the new testament, which 
 is shed for you.' Thus Christ is revealed objectively to the 
 soul, not visible to sense, but in the Sacrament adored. 
 His sacred Body is ' given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper, 
 only after an heavenly and spiritual manner.' * All is real 
 to the soul, that jewel to be saved, having the promise of 
 eternal life. Our soul offers praise to Him in adoration ; it 
 is nourished by His mystical food, and sanctified by His 
 Presence at the altar, as our great High Priest. Thus sal-: 
 vation to mankind was mercifully appointed by God from 
 the time of Adam's fall. It was Christ's most gracious will 
 that all should be saved who believe in His word, keep 
 His commandments, and offer at His altar this conspicuous 
 testimony of their faith and love. 
 
 In Holy Communion, earnest spirits of men and women 
 with deepest reverence endeavour to preserve their thoughts 
 in full intentness on their Lord of life, present in soul 
 though invisible to sight. It is a blessed memorial Sacrifice 
 before the altar of His Church. 
 
 * Article XXVIII.
 
 146 The Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 (6.) Real Presence. 
 
 A loving heart is ever watchful for the presence of its 
 beloved. Then let me search, and watch, and pray for the 
 Rock on which to build my faith. If there be one passage of 
 my Lord's imperishable promises in Holy Writ to warrant 
 my belief that He is present in the Eucharistic Sacrifice of 
 His most precious Body and Blood, I will make it mine. 
 I will go to His altar, and in His presence offer a memorial 
 Sacrifice of His love. All glory, thanksgiving, and adoration 
 be to Him for His imperishable words of Scripture His 
 own words, words of the Spirit enlightening His Evangelists, 
 words of His Church from its beginning, words of the Church 
 of England, to whose authority my cheerful, unreserved 
 allegiance is due. In consecrated bread and wine we offer 
 unto God upon His altar a mysterious Sacrifice of our dear 
 Saviour's own appointment, as He said, ' This is My Body, 
 this is My Blood ; ' and we feed on Him in our hearts by 
 faith with thanksgiving, and in His dear objective Presence, 
 after a heavenly and spiritual manner, to our unspeakable 
 comfort. For there the power of the Holy Ghost has made 
 that sacred Presence a reality. 
 
 On the eve of our Lord's Crucifixion, at His last Supper, 
 He declared, ' As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this 
 cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come ' (i Cor. xi. 
 26). Thus with us now in every little church, in every act 
 of consecrating the Eucharistic elements, His holy Sacra- 
 ment is renewed. That same mysterious presence is re- 
 peated, as if Christ Himself were ministering unto us. In 
 His last Supper, with clearest vision of death before Him, 
 He appointed 'this bread ' and ' this cup ' to be unceasingly 
 offered and received, as a reality of gifts to each humble, 
 contrite, and believing Christian. His words also were a 
 promise that He would drink the fruit of the ' true Vine '
 
 The Blessedness of Holy Communion. 147 
 
 with His disciples in His Father's kingdom. The whole or- 
 dinance is an express command, and no less a promise, to 
 His universal Church, ' Do this in remembrance of Me;' 
 and, ' I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.' Think 
 what a vast expanding view of His future Church must have 
 beamed before Him, as He unfolded to His Apostles their 
 coming dignity ! ' That ye may eat and drink at My table, 
 in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve 
 tribes of Israel.' These mysteries are too deep to analyse 
 clearly on earth ; they can only be rightly understood in some 
 future spiritual condition of intermediate Paradise, or after- 
 wards in highest Heaven we know not when, or how. 
 But we may live constant in faith and love, and thus 
 secure His promises, which will be opened out in time ap- 
 pointed. Meanwhile, let every one who desires to obey 
 come to the Christian altar, and there behold His objective 
 Presence, Himself spiritually present to our souls. All glory, 
 praise, and adoration be unto Him, God of Love ! 
 
 (7.) The Blessedness of Holy Communion. 
 
 There is nothing like it in all the earth, when Christian 
 worshippers kneel around God's holy altar to celebrate His 
 loving mercy, and the blessed Sacrifice of His dear Son on 
 behalf of themselves and other sinners. It brings religious 
 souls into mysterious union with Almighty God, Father, 
 Son, and Holy Ghost. Surely this is a divine privilege, 
 such as none, by power of words, can stamp on another 
 man's intelligence. We all are different one from another ; 
 different to-day from ourselves of yesterday, or what we may 
 be to-morrow. But that divinely-refined penetration of the 
 Holy Spirit adapts itself to all varieties of humble communi- 
 cants. Have you a deep and sorrowful sense of sin, a de- 
 sire for reconciliation through righteousness in Christ, faith 
 in the merits of His Atonement, and steadfast resolutions,
 
 148 The Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 by His grace, to thorough amendment of life ? If so, God's 
 richest treasures of beneficence are prepared for you in His 
 holy Sacrament. Therein you are partaker of Christ's most 
 precious Body and redeeming Blood ; thus you appropriate 
 to your soul the imperishable promise of eternal life in a 
 joyful resurrection at the last day (John, vi. 54). In this 
 continually recurring Sacrifice you are strengthened to con- 
 quests over sinful nature; you rise above the instincts of 
 worldly, frivolous men and women, to bright visions or hopes 
 in objective view of the loveliness of Christ. 
 
 They who love Christ, by power of the Holy Ghost con- 
 template with eye of faith His objective Presence; and where 
 can that be realised so surely as before His altar ? If you 
 thirst for His comfort, hunger for His gifts, and would pray 
 for His indwelling, come to Holy Communion, where He 
 gives Himself in consecrated bread, sweeter than manna, 
 food of angels (Ps. Ixxviii. 25), and wine more fragrant 
 than nectar, pledges of salvation ; as He declares, ' Whoso 
 eateth My Flesh and drinketh My Blood hath eternal life, and 
 I will raise him up at the last day ' (John, vi. 54). ' He 
 that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the 
 churches ; 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). None can explain the 
 mystery to another ; it is imparted by the Holy Spirit to each 
 separately before the altar. Nothing on earth is so refreshing, 
 or so full of comfort to sorrowful souls of men and women. 
 All praise, all glory, be to Him who died for us ! 
 
 6. Sunday a special Blessing. 
 
 IF Christian zeal, as in times of old, were thoroughly 
 the joy of our society, how bright a spectacle would present 
 itself on each return of Sunday ! What meetings for praise
 
 Peace of the Church marred. 149 
 
 and prayer, and intercessions on behalf of all mankind, 
 would enliven us ! To hear the Word of God and partake 
 in His mysteries of Holy Communion festivals of each 
 Sabbath day, Christ Himself sanctified for ever by His 
 resurrection from His sepulchre in manhood glorified ! 
 Our own engagements through each week, postponed for 
 services to His homage and adoration, are renewed with 
 greater energy, and have His promised blessing. Peaceful 
 days of religious service before His altar of forgiveness in 
 the Eucharistic Sacrament of His most precious Body and 
 Blood, Himself in present Deity made objective to our eye 
 of faith, carry their benign influence through weeks of 
 labour ; they quicken us to a sense of God's superintending 
 care, and give us confidence amidst all trials. Our paths 
 of life are surrounded with difficulties and sufferings, sick- 
 ness and bereavements, but in calm and rest of Sunday we 
 are specially at ease. Find, then, your comfort in a faithful 
 love for Christ : seek His presence in prayer and study of 
 His Word, but especially at His Eucharistic Feast. 
 
 7. Peace of the Church marred. 
 
 OUR Lord once asked His disciples, ' Suppose ye that I 
 am come to give peace on earth ? I tell you, Nay ; but 
 rather division. For from henceforth there shall be five in 
 one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 
 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son 
 against the father; the mother against the daughter, and 
 the daughter against the mother ; the mother-in-law against 
 her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her 
 mother-in-law' (Luke, xii. 51-53). Yet the Gospel is the 
 glad message of ' Peace on earth, good-will toward men !' 
 Did not that multitude of the heavenly host proclaim this 
 over Bethlehem ? But our Lord knew too well the nature 
 of His fallen creatures, for whose sake, that He might raise
 
 150 . The ChurcJi and her Ministrations. 
 
 them to the glories of His heavenly throne, He suffered 
 death upon the Cross. He clearly foresaw what we now 
 behold, men going about disputing every point of His own 
 richest gifts Salvation and the blessed Gospel. In each 
 circle of society harsh disputations of controversy prevail 
 on those very doctrines which He so graciously established 
 for the peaceful government and happiness of man. We 
 are like the two knights in armour, contending whether the 
 shield before them was gold or silver : both were right, and 
 both were wrong : the shield was gold on the side visible to 
 one, but silver on that towards the other. Yet each was 
 ready to fight in support of his own exclusive opinion. If 
 we could understand that the precepts of the Law and 
 Gospel hung upon charity, given to us for the advancement 
 of God's glory and universal peace, we should be less 
 arbitrary, more earnest to harmonise our own opinions with 
 those of others equally anxious for truth as ourselves. If 
 no vital principles are compromised, we should at least 
 permit our brother to take his own view on less important 
 points. When ' the times of refreshing shall come from the 
 presence of the Lord,' and the 'restitution of all things 
 which He hath spoken by the mouth of all His prophets 
 since the world began ;' then, and not till then, mankind 
 will be enlightened to the mysteries which now disturb their 
 peace. Meanwhile, let all who love Him, or desire so to 
 do, pray for guidance of His grace, to keep them together 
 in love. In His bright morning of general resurrection we 
 shall be amazed to find how unhappily we opposed His will 
 amidst our own divisions. 
 
 Controversy hinders truth, embroils the intercourse of 
 friends, convinces none. Rather than disturb a man with 
 questionings dry as dust, leave him to his prayers and his 
 God. Think not you yourself are perfected in truth 
 beyond all others. Ponder and pray. Try your doctrine 
 by your religious life ; and your love for God by charity to
 
 Peace of the Church marred. \ 5 i 
 
 His creatures. Show your modesty by listening to what 
 others have to say on religion, and express your zeal by 
 good and kind wishes for all men, that they also may enjoy 
 an ardent love for God. Such practical arguments make 
 more impression by example than by controversy. Intel- 
 lectual pride or prejudice, self-confidence or want of 
 candour, cloud all clear perception of the truth. Books 
 of controversy may either be faithful witnesses or lead to 
 error ; the fruit of individual minds often coming short or 
 going beyond the central point. Above all, study the one 
 Book ; to this add contemplation in retirement, prayer, 
 and high aspirings of soul, continued intercession for others, 
 religious services, and Holy Communion. These advance us 
 on to inmost consciousness of God's prevailing grace and of 
 our own unworthiness. Thus a man is led from height to 
 height, and as he grows in faith becomes more humble in 
 his spirit. A heart enlightened is stronger than any 
 cultivated intellect. One ray of grace is worth all wisdom 
 of a disputing world. Let not questions of ' High Church ' 
 and ' Low Church ' disturb your quiet thoughts. Think of 
 the vast expanse of God's kingdom on earth His holy 
 Church. What millions are embraced within its various 
 branches ! and no two men or women are alike. Born 
 under different parents, climates, systems, and circum- 
 stances, enlightened and unenlightened, how can they 
 claim infallibility ? Yet Jesus says, ( Come unto Me, all ye 
 that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' 
 He is more earnest in His love than all disputers. Seek 
 His divine wisdom; He will make you happy here and 
 give you hereafter eternal bliss. His yoke shall be all 
 delight; His burthen rich in store of holiness and joy.
 
 152 TJie Church and her Ministrations. 
 
 8. Time of Restitution. 
 
 IN Holy Scripture is a promise of sweet refreshment as 
 in presence of our Lord ; and Jesus Christ shall come in 
 ' times of the restitution of all things, which God hath 
 spoken of by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the 
 world began' (Acts, iii. 19-21). For this we may live in 
 earnest expectation of His glory, then to be revealed, 
 sorrowful for past transgressions, new-born to hopes of 
 heaven, with deep convictions never before experienced ; 
 knowing that all our sins are blotted out, we steadfastly 
 persevere in strict obedience to the will of God. This is 
 happiness. In comparison with this let all things of earth 
 be weighed, and they are valueless. When round the world 
 all nations shall rejoice with one accord in hymns of 
 ' Hallelujah,' the ' times of the restitution of all things ' 
 will come. The day of solving this great mystery, so far 
 beyond all reach of thought, the Ix>rd reserves till future 
 ages ; but for ourselves, during our short remainder of years, 
 let us humbly do our part, faithful, hopeful, happy. 
 
 The Holy Spirit is represented under the image of a 
 dove, bearing the olive-branch of peace to the ark of God, 
 His universal Church. O for wisdom, prudence, love of 
 peace, and patience, to temper zeal and advocate humility ! 
 
 When will the Holy Dove be admitted ?
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MEDITATION AND CONTEMPLATION. 
 
 i . Blessedness of Meditation, 
 
 (i.) Meditation. 
 
 THERE is an endless source of joy to holy men and wo- 
 men : they listen to each whispering of conscience, desire 
 to hear each admonition of God's Holy Spirit, love to 
 meditate upon His glorious attributes, are frequent in 
 prayer, study His Scriptures. Knowing that God is not 
 far from every one of them (Acts, xvii. 27), wheresoever 
 they may be they offer sacrifice at His altar, consecrating 
 hearts and interests in silent praise and thanksgiving. In 
 every quiet wood, by river, streams, or mountain top, or 
 in valleys, they can meditate : in their chambers they hear 
 Jesus knocking at the door ; they open gladly, that 
 according to promise He may enter in and sup with them, 
 and they with Him (Rev. iii. 20). Is not this communion 
 worthy of our meditation ? 
 
 (2.) Contemplation. 
 
 If earth and heaven and all the universe rang with 
 alleluias they could never add one attribute to the glory of 
 our God supreme, nor contribute one iota to His all-perfect 
 happiness ; yet He graciously desires to be glorified for our
 
 154 Meditation and Contemplation : 
 
 sake, that being thus exalted nearer to Himself, we may be 
 strengthened in our Christian warfare. Let humble souls 
 ascend on wings of faith and love to those bright realms of 
 paradise, where saints redeemed and spirits blest join amidst 
 unclouded light in joyful adoration. Unseen, invisible, yet 
 known in heights of contemplation, our heavenly Father 
 graciously reveals Himself. A new and brilliant inter- 
 mediate world is opened out to meek and thoughtful 
 worshippers on earth ; they rejoice in heavenly visions that 
 beam on their loving, longing spirits. 
 
 2. They elevate the Soul. 
 
 FROM top to top with angelic wings a religious mind 
 may soar on mountains, and delight its eye of faith in 
 contemplation of the Creator's glory. It is not on highest 
 ranges of this earth that great discoveries of God's almighty 
 power and grace have been vouchsafed to His people. What 
 are Horeb and Sinai, measured by heights of Himalaya? 
 What are Hebron, Lebanon, or Hermon, if compared in 
 loftiness with the Andes? Zion, or the Mount of Beatitudes, 
 with the Alps? But the presence of God, supreme in 
 miracles of love, has for ever sanctified the lower ' mounts,' 
 and raised them in annals of history above the most exalted. 
 Let us live for yet more glorious heights in heaven, God's 
 graciously appointed home for souls redeemed by Christ's 
 most precious Blood. An angel in St. John's visions of 
 Revelation ' carried him away in the spirit to a great and 
 high mountain, and showed him that great city, the holy 
 Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God' (Rev. 
 xxi. 10). Thither will I, in humble confidence, endeavour 
 to ascend, and listen to the whisperings of Divine grace 
 that bid me here advance, or there be cautious, lest I slip. 
 I will climb, not depending on myself but on Him who 
 guides His timid ones, upholds the weak, makes straight a
 
 They relieve Solitude. 155 
 
 pathway for His believing children. Let others toil to 
 reach some top of earthly altitudes, I will humbly creep 
 along some lowlier path, pray at every turn in hopes to 
 reach the mountain of my Lord. Though I were buried 
 in crevices of rocks, I know that in the latter day I shall 
 be gathered with myriads before an assembled world in 
 presence of the God of miracles. There may we all be 
 graciously accepted in Christ's righteousness, having by 
 His grace been lifted up from former love of earth to 
 meditate on heaven and His glorious throne. 
 
 3. They relieve Solitude. 
 
 To sit alone and contemplate high heaven with spiritual 
 eye of faith is not loneliness. We live surrounded by a 
 world of spirits, unseen but near. At any time in answer 
 to prayer the Holy Ghost our Comforter wings up our 
 thoughts to loftiest imaginings of realms in light, and 
 objective views of Christ in His celestial glory. If not so 
 manifest to us sinners as they were opened out to St. John 
 in visions of Revelation, they are sufficient to warm our soul. 
 They give it breathings of desire, with humble resolutions 
 to ascend higher and higher towards the throne, there to 
 bow with innumerable companies of angels. ' Give thanks, 
 then, to the Lord of all lords, whose mercy endureth for 
 ever.' His that mighty grace, His that precious unction, 
 wherewith He anoints His children, all one with Him in 
 the Holy Spirit. Be thou master over Self, its evil tempers 
 and uncleanness ; then resting in Him, your soul shall be 
 an ark of His Presence. This sweetest indwelling any man 
 could desire, this highest privilege he can enjoy, is not 
 loneliness, but heavenly communion.
 
 1 56 Meditation and Contemplation 
 
 4. Withdraw from Self. 
 
 CONTEMPLATION withdraws the mind from Self, that 
 centre of its own narrow circle, to fix its consciousness on 
 objects infinitely more worthy. This is not often accom- 
 plished at once. Instances may be found of sudden 
 religious emotion leading to effectual conversion; but as 
 a general rule, rightly to contemplate religious truths is a 
 process of thought, exalted motives, earnest prayer, with 
 humble sense of our individual unworthiness. Then wide 
 and more wide our perceptions will expand, high and more 
 high contemplation ascend, until by Divine grace our mind 
 is fixed on glories round the throne of God. Then St. 
 John's visions in his Book of Revelation appear in beauty 
 exquisite : they pass before our mind as views of a heavenly 
 diorama, succeeding one another in ecstatic evidences of 
 truth. Described with pen of inspiration they are shadows 
 of things invisible, but representing realities of a spiritual 
 world; they strengthen our objective faith in the Divine 
 Personality of Christ, the Lamb slain, our Incarnate God. 
 One might suppose an immortal soul would dwell per- 
 petually on prospects so brilliantly illuminated : but our 
 emotions wander far away from things invisible ; soon we 
 tire ; our zeal subsides ; it cannot rest on ' One like unto 
 the Son of Man ' upon His throne, as described by St. John. 
 It requires steadfast faith to be assured that He is near to us 
 on earth in mystical reality, in our prayers and aspirations, 
 in acts of charity, especially in holy Communion of His 
 Eucharistic Sacrament. We must persevere and strive 
 through grace to realise objectively His Presence, rejoicing 
 in His assurance that we may dwell with Him and He 
 with us.
 
 Are means of acquiring Wisdom. 157 
 
 5. Not Hindrances to other Duties. 
 
 LET no one imagine that high contemplation on God's 
 attributes, and eternal glories round His throne, interrupt 
 the course of a man in common life. They have a per- 
 petual charm ; for whilst they sanctify our motives they 
 calm our judgment, and smooth the rugged paths of a 
 difficult, entangled world : all things are made easier. Our 
 hearts, renewed by the Spirit of Christ our Lord, being 
 conscious of His power, providence, and goodness, are 
 placid in sorrow and resigned in sickness. Under a sense 
 of His all-seeing eye we entertain no secret thought of 
 unclean indulgence, nor dare to venture open sin. His 
 compassionate forgiveness of our offences on true repent- 
 ance makes us charitable to the faults of others : His uni- 
 versal law of love prompts our bounty to relieve the 
 sufferings of our fellow-creatures. Knowing that His blessed 
 companies of angels are for ever engaged in adoration, we 
 love to join their hymns of praise. These are among the 
 fruits of religious contemplation : he who gathers largely 
 lays up store of happiness here, and hereafter will enter 
 into unspeakable joys of God's celestial Paradise. 
 
 6. Are Means of acquiring Wisdom. 
 Wisdom of Life. 
 
 BY God's grace we are enabled through rays of celestial 
 light to reach towards a faint and humble comprehension of 
 His wonderful attributes. However obscure our vision be, 
 we may by perseverance learn the state of our own hearts. 
 This is some advancement in religious knowledge, and in 
 science of a happy life. But we must attain one more 
 effective and practical result to do the will of God, through
 
 1 5 8 Meditation and Contemplation : 
 
 a life of righteousness, before we can lay claim to wisdom. 
 A man may have intelligence and a mind of far-reaching 
 grasp, a knowledge of science and languages, metaphysics, 
 arts, genius, and imagination ; but these again do not 
 constitute the wisdom that ensures our happiness through 
 life : and if we have no possession of that rich jewel, what 
 avail all others in our present state? God has provided 
 employment for intelligent minds in countless objects of 
 interest, study, and contemplation, religious, moral, and 
 scientific : there is no end to their variety of choice. But 
 let a man of gifted intellect strain to the farthest limit, still 
 beyond are greater depths and unapproachable altitudes to 
 baflle all endeavours of attainment by speculative theories. 
 Nevertheless, in Holy Scripture simple peasants may 
 discover the Fountain of them all, and drink the streams of 
 comfort in religious life through every day. Our Lord 
 declared to the woman at the well, ' Whosoever drinketh of 
 the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the 
 water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water 
 springing up into everlasting life' (John, iv. 14). What 
 a solemn, imperishable pledge of His Divinity ! Therefore 
 let rulers and masters in universities, colleges, and schools 
 endowed for religious education of youth, train them up 
 to understand the real, vital principles of wisdom ; to 
 know and love God, to know and love their fellow- 
 men ; to contemplate His love in their redemption, and 
 His glory in all works of nature. Then, in union of theory 
 and practice, young spirits will be prepared to make a true 
 start in the wisdom of life. 
 
 7. They hallow Life. 
 
 PRUDENT men, careful of their estates, think much; 
 politicians, cautious and wary, are intent on objects of their 
 ambition ; men of science plough deep in fields of inquiry ;
 
 They hallow Life. 159 
 
 but none of these are thoughts that reach to heaven. We 
 must take a higher range if we seek for peace and happiness, 
 even here on earth. Had I an angel's pen, it could write 
 no verities so certain as records of Holy Scripture, deep 
 engraven as on granite rock. 
 
 Let contemplations on God's attributes be welcome to 
 your thoughts on waking to the light of day ; let desires 
 after heaven bid you ' good night,' as your eyelids close in 
 sleep. Take the wings of morning to the uttermost parts 
 of earth ; He is there : or at evening fly to depths of ocean; 
 He is there also. You are never alone when engaged in 
 thoughts of God, for He is present ; nor ever need to be 
 cast down, for He will comfort you ; nor be presumptuous, 
 for you know that He who is infinitely pure desires you to 
 be humble, and reads each thought as it passes rapidly 
 through your mind. In every emergency of doubt or trial, 
 each instance of impatience, each emotion of discontent or 
 wrongful passion, He checks, controls, and soothes, whispers 
 to your hopeful ear, ' Be still, and know that I am God !' 
 Let a soul catch that breathing, and all is calm. If this be 
 so, how comes it that to men of the world thoughts of 
 heaven are wearisome and dull ? Why do they seek relief 
 in follies and excitement ? Let each one answer for himself. 
 Tell me, ye who stand bewildered what to do, where lie 
 your truest interests ? If you are persuaded that angels love 
 the services of heaven, imitate their example in your daily 
 life. Then your thoughts will be exalted, and your con- 
 templations rest on all His promises, so rich ; His sweet per- 
 suasions leading on to joys so pure in Paradise. The idea 
 of Jehovah's condescension, keeping fast His boundless 
 universe, 'precious as the apple of His eye' (Deut. xxxii. 10. 
 Zech. ii. 8), surpasses human understanding. But by 
 revelation of His own divine Word it is true. What a 
 comfort, nay, rather blissful privilege of assurance, irremov- 
 able, if we care to have it so !
 
 160 Meditation and Contemplation. 
 
 8. Attributes of God their highest Subjects. 
 Attributes of God. 
 
 LET all languages of earth be searched to exhaustion 
 yet never could they express the fulness of one single 
 attribute of the Highest, His eternity, majesty, power, 
 providence, wisdom, justice, love. But such is man's 
 perversity of nature, such his alienation of heart from the 
 beauties of holiness, that thousands have no desire to enjoy 
 the presence of God in their souls, to testify how sweet it is 
 to offer Him services of obedience, gratitude, and love. 
 They pray because they have much to ask from Him, as 
 Fountain-source of every blessing ; they are ready to be 
 filled out of His boundless streams of mercy : and yet O 
 yet ! they make a scant return ; often, indeed, not even such 
 as grudging decency demands ! Let them traverse every 
 region from east to west, from pole to pole, and there they 
 find sure evidence of His eternal government and majesty 
 in all His works of nature, overruled by laws unchangeable. 
 Everywhere they perceive rotations of worlds above, eternal 
 properties Of light and heat, unexplainable forces of gravita- 
 tion and attraction, all regulated by One self-same, un- 
 changing Power. No less wonderful are Nature's works of 
 vegetation and animal life, in her smallest specimens ; all 
 clear witnesses to glorious attributes of an unseen God. 
 What, then, shall they render unto Him as pure oblations of 
 the soul ? Surely gratitude for gifts innumerable ; obedience 
 to every law of His providential wisdom ; adoration, praise, 
 and glory for His long-suffering mercy, with earnest prayer 
 for grace to love Him more and more.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 ANGELS. 
 
 i. The Ministration of Angels. 
 Angels. 
 
 NEXT to all delightful discoveries of God's glorious at- 
 tributes, opened out to man in Holy Scripture, are reve- 
 lations of those angelic ministers who crowd about His 
 throne in heaven, yet are mercifully ordained and consti- 
 tuted 'in a wonderful order'* to succour and defend His 
 creatures here on earth. Not only are they golden links of 
 love to bind us in a closer union with Himself, but being, 
 as it were, within the celestial presence-chamber, and thus 
 partaking of a more exalted nature, they raise our desires to 
 imitate their angelic holiness. Would that we delighted in 
 their beauty ! What love pervades their refined nature ! with 
 nil their zeal, how gentle ! with their immaculate purity, how 
 tender towards sinners ! amidst their own beatitudes, how 
 solicitous to alleviate the sufferings of mankind ! watchful 
 over children, or those bowed down by infirmities of age ; 
 over all who sorrow in bereavement, pain, or sickness ; and 
 when our departing soul is released from its imprisonment 
 of flesh, how prompt they are to carry their appointed 
 charge into Abraham's bosom ! Then let it be our constant 
 care to mould ourselves, our character and thoughts, temper 
 
 * Collect for St. Michael and All Angels.
 
 1 62 Angels. 
 
 and conduct, in following their example. If the imitation of 
 Christ be thought impossible, too far beyond our feeble, fallen 
 nature, then take His angels for your model. Contemplate 
 the visions of their thronging societies till your mind becomes 
 familiar with their love. Let no mistakes discourage hope, 
 nor failures daunt your perseverance, nor weakness dim your 
 eye of faith, till practice makes you perfect, or such as will 
 secure the approving sentence of your gracious Redeemer : 
 ' Well done, good and faithful servant ! enter thou into the 
 joy of thy Lord." Let your dependence rest on His Di- 
 vine grace, praying for His gift of steadfastness, in likeness 
 of His angels. Then, in time and times appointed, you 
 shall meet face to face those happy, loving creatures, who 
 invisibly guarded over all your changing life, strengthened 
 you amidst temptations, and prompted you to virtuous per- 
 severance. 
 
 They are heavenly messengers; they would converse 
 with us in whisperings of spirit : but we prefer a lower inter- 
 course with those who disregard them, nay, disbelieve their 
 office. Next to a personal audience with an earthly sove- 
 reign, we seek companionship with his attendants in some 
 outer court. Thus to be in conscious presence of my angel 
 is a golden link of spiritual communion with God in heaven. 
 Worldly-minded men hold 'ministrations of angels' as a sen- 
 timent, a fancy. That which they see they profess to under- 
 stand; to them all else is superstition. But Holy Scripture 
 gives an answer. Angels alternately minister to children of 
 God on earth, and sing their choruses in heaven, hymns 
 and thanksgivings ; let us imitate them now, that we may 
 join with them before the throne hereafter. 
 
 O my soul, if angels rejoice at thy conversion, wilt thou 
 make them sorrowful by returning to uncleanness ? What it", 
 having brought theeonwards, step bystep, towards obedience, 
 they should see thee fall away again to sin ? O that we could 
 behold in spiritual light, as Jacob did, a ladder set up on
 
 Guardian Angels. 163 
 
 earth, and its top reaching unto heaven, with angels of God 
 ascending and descending (Gen. xxviii. 12), to bring us 
 their assistance ! What if they should return from earth to 
 heaven with notice of our wandering from paths of holiness, 
 and then come back to us with visitations of God's punish- 
 ment to stop us from more evil ways, lest we perish ? All 
 hierarchies, principalities, powers, archangels, cherubim and 
 seraphim, are under God's providential government. He is 
 head over all and centre of every existence, our One only 
 object of adoration. Excellent, surpassing in excellency, is 
 the nature of angels, overruled by Power Divine, immea- 
 surably more glorious. Wilt thou dare, O my soul, in sight 
 of thy guardian angel, and in presence of thy God, secretly 
 to do what thou wouldest be ashamed openly to confess 
 before men ? 
 
 2. Guardian Angels. 
 
 WHAT mean you by 'a guardian angel ?' He is a spirit, 
 or a messenger of grace, to guide my path. My angel 
 bears no form or substance that I can realise, but in Holy 
 Scripture 'angel' is interpreted ' a messenger' from my God, 
 bearing a celestial ministry. For me that is sufficient : more 
 and more as I can comprehend him to be a spirit pure from 
 heaven, more welcome and precious is such a contemplation. 
 Having immediate communion with God, yet is he by my 
 side in time of need, though to the eye invisible, and bears 
 a message voiceless to the ear, but spiritually revealed to my 
 soul, in pledge of an eternal love. 
 
 This is a subject of deep, enduring interest, not to be 
 carried by imagination beyond the clear revelation of God's 
 Word. There is a world of angels in their unceasing minis- 
 try ; they pay pure homage before their Creator's throne in 
 robes of celestial light, being sent on messages of retribution 
 or of peace ; swift as thought they punish offenders, or mi-
 
 164 Angels. 
 
 nister to children of the Highest. They are a shining army 
 to guide our course, and lead all faithful spirits of men and 
 women to Paradise, their proper home. Angels unseen re- 
 joice over sinners set free from captivity to Satan. Earthly 
 friends mistake, misjudge, and grieve us; angels read our 
 motives and our thoughts aright, and understand our 
 inmost heart-affections. Which shall we choose to follow? 
 the fallible, or enlightened? Each day and hour brings its 
 trials and temptations, cares, duties, hopes and fears ; but 
 we have at every turn a guardian angel by our side, pointing 
 the way to happiness, if we are willing and obedient. Then 
 why not understand ? wherefore doubt, if we in confidence 
 rely on Christ's never-dying words in regard to angels ? All 
 shadows of a cold uncertainty give place to brilliant gleams 
 of grace that dawn upon our understanding ; then we know 
 that a messenger is near, to lead us through this vale of pil- 
 grimage to our land of promise. There we may be conscious 
 that the Lord unceasingly rejoices over us, and how tenderly 
 His guidance led us through many dangers to Himself. We 
 all have times of danger or disquietude, physical infirmity, 
 sickness, dissatisfaction with ourselves, or injustice from 
 others. Then it is we feel our own insufficiency, then we seek 
 some higher comfort ; this brings us nearer to the spiritual 
 world: our thoughts turn to God, and we know that He has 
 ordained guardian angels of His own appointment for us, 
 willing to prompt, able to assist. Angels are a constant 
 subject of revelation in Holy Scripture, but no description of 
 them is given beyond occasional glimpses of their radiance, 
 their adoration of God as heavenly inhabitants, their power 
 and authority as special messengers of the Highest, to ex- 
 press His will to the children of men. We have a mental 
 intuition of their dignity, holiness, beauty, and refinement, 
 rareful of the least approach to evil. But these impressions 
 pass away amidst life's hurry and confusion. Often long in- 
 tervals come between ere we think of our guardian again, so
 
 Guardian Angels. 165 
 
 easily we are led away from deeper interests in pursuit of any 
 poor, vain, unreal phantom of a moment. But let us dili- 
 gently cultivate their spiritual intercourse, for the sweetest 
 thoughts on earth occur through contemplations of God's 
 unspeakable goodness. In our daily affairs with one another, 
 but especially in holy services of His Church, let us be like 
 angels. 
 
 In Christian choirs people side by side unite in singing 
 hymns and psalms, careful to preserve the vocal harmony 
 lest notes of discord disturb the music, and yet, alas ! with 
 spirits ill attuned to love. Brethren and sisters in Christ, 
 the God of love, are often alien in heart, being divided in 
 affection, from insufficient trivial causes; real or fancied 
 faults on either side, jealousies or wounded pride, natures or 
 tastes differing, no allowance one for the other, no forgive- 
 ness of injuries, self-willed, they are divided in affection. O 
 that one soft echo from celestial alleluias of saints and 
 angels might set their hearts in unison to the key of love ! 
 Without this all services are vain. God penetrates their 
 thoughts ; and has He not said, ' He that loveth not his 
 brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he 
 hath not seen?' (i John, iv. 20.) If the world had but the 
 soul of concord to sing, rejoicing in one another and in God 
 supreme, this world might be a foretaste of Paradise. Like 
 angels in heaven we should sing their song, ' Glory to God 
 in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.' 
 
 Angels are connecting links in a golden chain that 
 binds our salvation to Jehovah's mercy-seat. Their minis- 
 trations are graciously ordained of Almighty God ; yet how 
 seldom do men spiritually realise so unspeakable a comfort, 
 or value His proffered blessing ! Some think it a superstition, 
 others have no desire to imitate the angelic virtues ; many, 
 from want of thought, neglect Holy Scripture, which reveals 
 enough to verify the precious appointment of angels by a 
 heavenly Father. Those charming annals of celestial minis-
 
 1 66 Angels. 
 
 tries might well employ man's highest genius to understand 
 what beautiful lessons they convey for his instruction. 
 
 Angels are courtiers round the throne of their heavenly 
 King, ministers of His will, spirits of celestial fire, a count- 
 less host. At one time they are represented as warriors of God, 
 destroying wicked cities and peoples ; at others, His messen- 
 gers to patriarchs, guiding and protecting them, or revealing 
 to prophets His evangelical covenant. By one Hagar was 
 comforted, another appeared to Manoah and his wife, a 
 third instructed Gideon, and so in many other remarkable 
 instances. No need to mention those visits of Gabriel and 
 other angels throughout the Gospel. Holy Scripture points 
 to seven orders of celestial spirits ; six of archangelic order, 
 as cherubim and seraphim, thrones and dominions, princi- 
 palities and powers, and one of angels. So far as we can 
 understand these last, angels or messengers are specially 
 appointed guardians of mankind. Whilst in heaven they are 
 ever singing hymns of joyful praise, God graciously per- 
 mits His children here on earth to do the same. This pri- 
 vilege is a happiness to believers : they join the angelic hymn 
 of adoration 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth : 
 alleluia, alleluia, alleluia !' Souls of believers rapt in 
 adoration, ascending in spirit to God's throne, are purified, 
 and by Divine grace so strengthened that new blossoms of a 
 heavenly fragrance bear fruit in practical holiness. 
 
 3. Obedience to Angelic Guidance. 
 Do whatever your Angel whispers you. 
 
 THERE are many times when counsel of a practical, ex- 
 perienced friend, in any business of life, is invaluable. So, in 
 troubles of a wounded soul, our Church wisely directs us 
 to go to some discreet, spiritual guide, and unburden our 
 conscience, that we may receive his ghostly comfort.
 
 Obedience to Angelic Guidance. 167 
 
 Better than all, turn to the throne of God, who knows each 
 inner breathing of our hearts ; pray for strength of purpose 
 against temptation, and for gifts of grace, that you may 
 escape. One bright beam of light from the Holy Ghost will 
 be sufficient, if you are willing to find, and earnest to abide 
 in, paths of holiness. God mercifully appoints another guide 
 hour by hour His messenger, to make you strong in faith, 
 fervent in love. It is your guardian angel, who whispers to 
 your consciousness, thought to thought, precept upon pre- 
 cept, line upon line ; here a little and there a little (Isa. 
 xxviii. 10). If you will but listen, decide at once, and do 
 the right thing, you are safe. Then all powers of heaven 
 are on your side, so precious is your soul to God. They 
 shall keep you against each adversary of your innocence ; 
 you shall abide under His almighty wing, if you carefully 
 attend to His messengers. 
 
 Angels keep no company with the worldly-minded, proud, 
 impatient or sensual, unmannerly or contentious, immodest, 
 fault-finding, envious, or selfish. Could you expect them to 
 abide with unbelievers who deny their presence, nor desire 
 to possess it ? How can they join with those who seldom 
 pray, when they themselves pray continually ? Be you 
 gentle as they are, be guardians to others as you desire 
 angels to guard yourselves ; believe and reverence God, 
 whom they love and gladly serve; then, doubt not, they will 
 dwell with you. Angels have heavenly secrets to tell, if you 
 are ready to hear and heed : thought to thought they would 
 converse with you, and heavenly joys rehearse. But if ever 
 you incline to over-exalt those happy guardians, ordained to 
 succour and defend us on earth, clearly understand, they 
 derive all grace from the Holy Spirit, as servants of Almighty 
 God : worship them not.
 
 1 68 Angels. 
 
 4. Comfort of this Heavenly Intercourse. 
 
 ALL revelations of Christ's Gospel begin and end in love. 
 It is part of the miracles of grace, not in promises alone but 
 in possession, for God Himself desires to dwell in every 
 righteous soul. Spiritual powers stoop from heaven ; Paradise 
 opens wide its gates. Thus we might be temples of the 
 Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ( i Cor. iii. 
 1 6, 17; vi. 19 ; and 2 Cor. vi. 16). Other companions we 
 have ; we see them not, nor hear : but we know them by the 
 Spirit within, for Holy Scripture declares that angels are ap- 
 pointed to succour and defend us on earth. There are links 
 in the golden chain of Divine mysteries : alas ! they are for- 
 gotten in seasons of prosperity, and so at every step we 
 stumble. In some sharp school of adversity we may be 
 brought acquainted with blessings of another and a better 
 kind ; then we listen more attentively to our heavenly 
 guardian near to us. Thus in moments of my feebleness, 
 under depressions of age, I turn to my angel in thought and 
 anxious hope. Does he flee away ? Never ! but comforts 
 me with thoughts beyond expression. I would not, there- 
 fore, change my feebleness for strength, nor ailments for 
 relief, if in that case I were to lose such blessed moments of 
 celestial companionship. I know that my guardian angel 
 from the realms of light, ' who bears a sacred ministry,' is 
 ever by my side, if I am careful to attend. I know the pri- 
 vilege to love him, and within my soul to join him in 
 adoration of his God and my God, of his Creator and my 
 Redeemer. Pure and undefiled from heaven, he delights 
 in his appointed service to myself, poor, frail, and feeble 
 creature as I am, that he may make me strong in faith and 
 rich in an everlasting inheritance. How do I know this? 
 From God's revealed Word. I would not make exchange of 
 such companionship for wealth of worlds.
 
 As Angels to each other. 169 
 
 5. We may be as Angels to each other. 
 (i.) Be thou a Guardian Angel. 
 
 ANGELS are rich partakers of their Creator's love ; and 
 this they joyfully communicate to others, leading them to be 
 partakers of His indwelling. Taught by their example, we 
 in our turn should love to be as guardian angels to our 
 fellow-men. This is an offering of sweet-smelling incense, 
 and brings its own reward. Each act of pure benevolence 
 is joyous to ourselves in Him. No desire of a world's 
 applause disquiets our motives ; no ill returns can interrupt 
 our peaceful consciousness of His approval. We make 
 allowance for ingratitude, remembering how cold and 
 thankless we are ourselves, how often we dishonour and 
 neglect our Almighty Lord and Giver of every blessing, 
 in those very moments when we most enjoy them. 
 
 (2.) Do the part of an Angel. 
 
 History teaches, daily experience proves, how some 
 men and women are so munificent and generous in their 
 lives, they dignify our human nature. Each act of self- 
 denying charity and benevolence bears a Divine approval, 
 rich reward beyond all price. They who consistently seek 
 out objects of relief are already on their way to happiness, 
 and find their promised joy ; for nothing gives so sweet a 
 pleasure as making others happy. Step by step advancing 
 towards angelic nature, we may be brought within a circle 
 of divine union. Our guardian angels bear a sacred ministry 
 from on high. This truth, set forth abundantly in Holy 
 Scripture, is delightful to think of, still more to realise. We 
 hold communion with a world of spirits, interchanging 
 thoughts of purity. All day long we may imitate their 
 example, and do our part of angels in love to poor, afflicted 
 fellow-creatures ; for such is God's high will. All is within
 
 170 Angels. 
 
 our reach by grace divine, if we humbly persevere in prayer 
 and self-denial. This rich enjoyment of communion with 
 angels must be guarded by one never-to-be-forgetten caution 
 against a least approach to worship them. ' See thou do it 
 not,' twice said an angel to St. John in his visions of the 
 Revelation. Full of wonder at glorious sights opened out 
 to him from heaven by angels, he would have fallen down 
 at their feet; but twice was told, ' See thou do it not:' ' I 
 am thy fellow-ser /ant, and of thy brethren that have the 
 testimony of Jesus : worship God' (Rev. xix. 10; xxii. 8). 
 
 God has ' ordained and constituted the services of angels 
 and men in a wonderful order.' If He has graciously 
 given us such heavenly guardians, shall we not express our 
 gratitude by delighting in angelic services to those whom 
 He loves all who live around our scope of influence? Here 
 is a daily, hourly sacrifice within our reach : how delightful 
 in itself, how acceptable to God, who is so constant in 
 pouring out His benefits upon us ! and how rich in various 
 reward ! Every act of benevolent guardianship to others is 
 a step towards an angelic nature, divine union, and to 
 Paradise. St. Paul says, 'Charity is the bond of per- 
 fectness' (Col. iii. 14); that is, benevolence in all its sweet 
 varieties. Therefore take advantage of your golden oppor- 
 tunities, lest by delay you miss your high reward. 
 
 (3.) Be an Angel to Someone. 
 
 Surely ; we have at least some one near and dear to us 
 whom to love, and influence, and turn to God, is worth a 
 patient trial. Begin your angelic ministry to one, by 
 gentleness of sweet persuasion, companionship, and watchful 
 care, affectionate control, nay, punishment, if you have 
 authority, if wilfulness or obstinacy require control. Per- 
 severe in sweetness of temperament ; and never rest until 
 your influence and service are effectual. Or take one of
 
 Be an Angel to Someone. 171 
 
 many other cases some friend in sickness, with its usual 
 attendants to try the temper ; or one sorrowfully bereaved, 
 overtaken by misfortune ; or, worse than all, some remorseful, 
 suffering sinner. How sweet it is to comfort such an one ! 
 .It returns a blessing to our own bosom ; is registered above, 
 and makes us more thankful to God, who gives us freedom 
 from this mingled scene of temporal afflictions. Whoever 
 has been a guardian angel to only one has not lived in 
 vain : if every man and woman would but act an angel's 
 part to some one other, this earth would be a Paradise.
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 TRIALS. 
 
 i. Trials sent by God. 
 (i.) Trials. 
 
 How lordly and pretentious we walk about in days of our 
 prosperity ! but ready enough in sadness or in sorrow to 
 seek our consolation from on high. God vouchsafes to 
 mourners, destitute and humble, His unfailing refuge. His 
 discipline of trial is for our improvement : amidst perplexities 
 of a world swaying to and fro in tempests of confusion He 
 calms our spirits, if we seek Him with an honest purpose of 
 amendment. If we neglect His warnings, again to trespass, 
 trials more severe may follow, and pardon be more difficult. 
 
 (2.) Commandments of God are Blessings to Mankind. 
 
 God is love ; and He desires that none should perish ; 
 but that all should find their happiness in obedience. 
 Therefore His code of laws from beginning to end is framed 
 to be a blessing, rich in fruits to man. This truth has been 
 established by clear experience of every age. From obedience 
 to His religious and His moral law spring calm repose, 
 humble consciousness of His approval, security amidst all 
 restless spirits, and confusion of a troublous world, that 
 nothing else on earth can guarantee. If you doubt this,
 
 Trials sent by God. 173 
 
 analyse His commandments in two tables delivered to our 
 great patriarch Moses, explained, confirmed, enlarged by 
 Christ our Lord in all His blessed Gospel. Then compare 
 unhappy lives of reprobates with peace of holy men. It is 
 vain to falsify the Word of God ; He vindicates His honour 
 and His name. Nations and individuals pay their penalty 
 for rebellion history repeats this lesson ; sins of fathers are 
 inherited by their children from generation to generation of 
 them that hate Him ; but mercy is promised unto thousands 
 of them that love Him and keep His commandments. Be 
 wise, therefore, in time ; learn to be blessed and happy in 
 obedience. No other refuge is offered from His indignation; 
 no other pathway is open to His love. 
 
 (3.) Rewards and Punishments. 
 
 Such is God's love for His creatures, who are weak, 
 uncertain in all their ways, that, knowing how they turn to 
 evil, He would draw them on to holiness by a golden chain 
 of promises : when that fails, He would bind them by fear 
 of punishment. Between these we have a freedom of choice : 
 His love on one hand, His anger on the other. He merci- 
 fully desires that all should live and die in belief of His 
 Word. If we refuse His proffered favours, our punishment 
 can be imputed only to ourselves ; for clearly He has 
 revealed the honour and dignity of His law of right- 
 eousness. He would bestow on us a sweet serenity of 
 peacefulness in Himself, offers contentment amidst our 
 poverty, and would have us clothed in ornaments of 
 charity to sanctify riches. He so abundantly surrounds 
 us with His means of grace, it might seem almost im- 
 possible to fall away but for our own perversities of nature, 
 lust, pride, covetousness, and vanity ; neither regarding His 
 promises of reward, nor fearing His resentment in our final 
 punishment.
 
 174 Trials. 
 
 In summer-tide of prosperity, with all sails set, the heart 
 is confident, not meek : it must be some dark lowering of 
 horizon, when evil tempests loom ahead, that sends us to 
 our knees, looking to our weather-glass, and praying for 
 God's protection, who overrules all hurricanes. Forgetful 
 of the Giver whilst we enjoy His gifts, we call Him to 
 remembrance when they begin to fail. Is this a grateful 
 love ? nay, rather a saddening aspect of human nature : but, 
 alas ! too true. Real gratitude enhances and multiplies its 
 own enjoyments : it is a ray of light from the God of love, 
 to be repaid by freely distributing to others what He has 
 bestowed upon ourselves. If thou hast much, give bounti- 
 fully ; if little, give gladly ; if nothing, give your sympathy, 
 and a prayer with blessing, a kind word or look, advice or 
 warning : then you may remember those blessed words of 
 our dear Redeemer, ' She hath done what she could,' so 
 shall you rejoice. 
 
 2. Blessing of Trials, -when so accepted. 
 
 Submission to God's Chastisements. 
 
 THESE chastisements come not from an enemy, but from 
 the tender hand of a heavenly Father, administered for our 
 improvement, and less than we deserve. In the midst of 
 His reproof I hear His comforting voice, ' My son, despise 
 not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art 
 rebuked of Him : for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, 
 and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.' I will submit 
 myself to His disposal ; for He is merciful and good, wiser 
 than I am, and loves me better than I love myself. I will 
 keep my soul low in dust till He refresh and raise me up ; 
 nor will I shrink from His rod ; but pray, and again pray, 
 that He will mercifully make His face to shine upon me, as 
 apon a son forgiven : then shall my affliction be turned to
 
 Blessing of Trials. 175 
 
 joy and thanksgiving, and my abasement lead towards His 
 sacred rest of Paradise. 
 
 To be justified and pardoned, then loved as children, 
 are steps to perfect reconciliation through merits not our 
 own, but realised in Christ's atonement. I had rather be 
 punished and love, than be forgiven and fail to love : for if 
 I failed in that, assuredly I should sin again, and then might 
 lose all joy of further pardon. 
 
 None are restored to the love of God without forgiveness.- 
 Till that be granted we are aliens. He will not abide iniquity, 
 as His written Word has solemnly declared. Our first 
 advance to reconciliation is sorrow for having fallen from 
 our high estate of God's adopted children, disobedient to 
 a heavenly Father's law. Sin is indeed a heavy cloud that 
 hides the brightness of His loving countenance; for then a 
 soul is dry; sickness at heart prevents its rising to His 
 throne. If our penitence is real and deep, He is ever ready 
 to be entreated : you know the one effectual plea, Christ's 
 meritorious atonement. In His name then bow, and pray- 
 that God will mercifully forgive ; wash away your sins in 
 that most precious fountain of your Saviour's Blood, and 
 clothe you in His robe of righteousness. Doubt not your 
 supplication rises to His throne, is heard within the sanctuary 
 of His presence-chamber. He will answer by a still small 
 voice of comfort, ' Be of good cheer ; thy sins be forgiven 
 thee.' Thrice joyful will that day be : you shall know that 
 you are reconciled to God, restored to His love, to the fond 
 embrace of His everlasting arms. Then it remains to make 
 a real advance in obedience and do His will, labouring to 
 bring all others to a knowledge of His grace in Jesus Christ. 
 Thus broken bonds of sonship are knit again : you may 
 aspire to that highest privilege of paternal union, rejoicing 
 in peace, which all the world can neither give nor take 
 away.
 
 1 76 Trials. 
 
 3. Trials as Chastisements* 
 Sufferings. 
 
 ALL 'life is full of suffering, generally occasioned by our 
 own faults or the faults of others. In passing through this 
 crucible our natural dispositions are purified from dross, as 
 silver is tried in the fire ; at least we gain experience, some 
 knowledge of ourselves, and acquaintance with human 
 nature. Can it be? suffering all around, and by provi- 
 dential appointment of a loving God ! How is this ? It 
 is, and ever was, His purpose of mercy, through trial to 
 make us wisely choose between happiness and its opposite. 
 If we give a preference to evil, then pain and sorrow, loss 
 and disappointment, soon or late, inevitably follow. These 
 we often call misfortunes, but truly are results of some 
 distinct efficient cause, most probably our own mistakes 
 or folly, instincts or temperament, ending in sin. Suffering 
 is a discipline of cure, a warning of experience, to teach us 
 wisdom for the future. Better far to suffer, and thus be 
 brought to knowledge of Divine truth, than live at ease, 
 forgetting God, and die without a hope of joy at His right 
 hand. As with individuals, so with nations. Read their 
 histories; how full of stolid miscalculations, dreams of 
 victorious war, foolish love of so-called glory, unjust in- 
 vasion of their neighbour's boundary, contempt of rights 
 and law of nations, disregard of justice and religion, 
 constant only to their own selfish aggrandisement ! Have 
 these brought happiness in their train ? Contentment ? 
 Never ! they grasp at more and more ; fresh pretences for 
 another war lead to renewal of their former ' policy ' so 
 they call their wrongful projects; till unerring Justice in its 
 proper time brings them public sufferings and vain regret. 
 Thus history again and again repeats itself, and is disregarded 
 in spite of all experience. But He who reads the hearts of
 
 As Means of drawing the Soul. 177 
 
 men, King of kings, Lord of nations, takes account. God 
 only knows the mysteries of His Providence ; He ordains 
 their path, and points the way of happiness to His creatures. 
 They who wander in labyrinths of their own devices will 
 surely get entangled and come to grief : in vindication of 
 His law of consequences He causes them to reap in suf- 
 ferings what they sowed in bold presumption. Thus one 
 sure result of our own transgressions may most plainly teach 
 us (if we desire to learn) His eternal maxims of happiness 
 and wisdom. In His sight ' the nations are as a drop of 
 a bucket, and are counted as small dust of the balance : 
 behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing ' (Isa. 
 xl. 15). ' He visits the sins of the fathers upon the children 
 unto the third and fourth generation :' a sad, but sure entail 
 of evil fruit from pernicious seed. 
 
 4. As means of drawing the Soul to a closer Union with 
 God. 
 
 (i.) Sweet Trials. 
 
 LOOKING back on a long life, when time has mellowed 
 down the bitterness of trials past, and when new interests 
 have arisen, with clearer views of our future state, we are 
 led to higher hopes than former vanities. Those trials 
 fruits of faults our own most grievous faults, now being 
 reviewed through a truthful glass, we know were admonitions 
 from God in mercy, to make us wise, dethrone that poor, 
 wretched idol, Self, and lead us on to happiness. We would 
 not, if we might, forget the faults from which those trials 
 sprang; they make us humble, penitent in sight of God, 
 more than ever dependent on His love, earnest in hope to 
 find acceptance through the righteousness of Christ our 
 Saviour. 
 
 N
 
 178 Trials. 
 
 (2.) Adversity. 
 
 We learn more in days of trial and adversity than when 
 we are surrounded by all this world so falsely calls success ; 
 say, rather, dreams of unrealities. What if they had been 
 fulfilled? would they have proved less vain, more satis- 
 fying ? Nay, the eyes of our understanding might never have 
 been opened to proper sense of self-deceiving follies, if not 
 vices, that surround us at every stage of prosperous life. 
 Wisdom is our beacon-light, set on its own sure rock, to 
 warn, or guide us on the tack we ought to hold. Trust not 
 your own experience, for at every turn some one or other 
 circumstance may change all aspects of your course. One 
 safeguard against adversity is in standing to eternal principles 
 of right and wrong, established for guidance of every class 
 in each society of men. Let boisterous tempests rage and 
 foam, we may ride at anchor in one safe Refuge. Let 
 fortune make the world her toy to play withal ; a heart at 
 peace with God is rich in joy that all her buffetings never 
 can disturb. 
 
 5. Profit of Trial, to be shown in readiness to follow in 
 the Way of the Cross. 
 
 Trials for Mastery over Self. 
 
 WHATEVER be our immediate business or pursuit in life, 
 we are be'set with spiritual temptations, strong and secret 
 motives ever changing, and objects of attraction various as 
 hours of the day. Thus we have need to take St. Paul as 
 guide, for he says, ' Every man that striveth for the master}' 
 is temperate in all things: now they do it to obtain a 
 corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so 
 run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth 
 the air : but I keep under my body, and bring it into 
 subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached
 
 Bonds of Christian Union. 1 79 
 
 to others, I myself should be a castaway' (r Cor. ix. 25-27). 
 St. Paul united a deep knowledge of human nature with 
 decision of character immovable: therefore he is a wise 
 teacher and a bright example. Our real enemy, opposing all 
 advancement towards perfection, is Self; that is the fortress 
 we must attack and overcome, if we desire to be at peace. 
 
 If you remain alienated from the life of Christ and strain 
 after no imitation of Him, where is your ground of hope in 
 the merits of His death? Men and women, worldly minded, 
 hankering after their own vain pursuits, lose their way in 
 the tangled labyrinth of life, no whit the nearer to their 
 point of happiness. Let them follow after their loving, 
 lovely Saviour, as He beckons them the way by His own 
 immaculate example. Then no longer alienated from His 
 life, they would cherish His objective image in their inmost 
 spirit, contemplate and admire His patient endurance 
 through suffering and persecution, His crown of thorns, His 
 Cross, His Death now exchanged for eternal glory on His 
 throne. In simple trust of His righteousness, not our own, 
 we should humbly take Him as our model, that so we 
 might hope to live with Him in heaven hereafter. There is 
 no object so high and noble, so pleasing and rich in never- 
 fading peace and joy, as humble following of Christ. 
 
 6. Trials Bonds of Christian Union. 
 ([.) Union in Sorrow. 
 
 THERE are moments when religious hearts are drawn 
 together in closer and more tender bonds of union than 
 usual, perhaps beneath some softening influence, some 
 common trial or bereavement. Then we are moved to 
 mutual confidence, warmed to more affection. This occasion 
 may pass away, but leaves a sweet remembrance : some 
 heart has been softened, and this amidst a world of hardness
 
 1 80 Trials. 
 
 is a gain, especially if alienated friends are reconciled. 
 Why, then, wait the day of affliction for a perfect enjoy- 
 ment of each other's love? Why not anticipate each 
 occasion, and by a glorious sunshine warm our cold in- 
 difference by shedding all around a heavenly glow of 
 rejoicing charity? 
 
 (2.) Sensitive Plant. 
 
 This greenhouse plant possesses a peculiar 'instinctive' 
 property of closing up its leaves at any slightest touch, and 
 hence derives its name. The little nervous thing would 
 seem to plead against a rough encounter with your intrusive 
 hand. Thus, like other specimens of Nature's works, it 
 points a moral lesson : warns us to be gentle, lest we 
 wound the sensibilities of a fellow-creature, and teaches us 
 to use each other kindly. Why be rough when soothing 
 counsel or tenderness is more effective ? Observe how 
 readily a child remarks a harsh, contracted brow ; yet takes 
 warning from a sweet, affectionate look, gentle tone of voice, 
 or act of tenderness. If you desire to win an erring brother 
 have regard to his peculiar temperament, differing perhaps 
 from your own, or that of others : so will you the more 
 prevail, when harshness would but irritate. One true friend 
 we have within our conscience, most worthy of all atten- 
 tion to keep it healthy, undisturbed, and thus secure its 
 watchful guardianship of our essential happiness. Like the 
 plant so sensitive to any touch, Conscience warns our soul 
 against all breath of sin ; for that especially wounds its 
 tenderness. Beware, then, how you neglect its wholesome 
 admonitions, lest, grieved by your indifference, it leaves you 
 hardened to your own devices.
 
 Their Blessedness. 1 8 1 
 
 7. The Blessedness of those who humbly and 
 patiently bear Trial. 
 
 CLOUDS of the heavens are a figure of the changing 
 aspects of life ; sometimes they take the shape of mountains 
 craped in black, sometimes of Alpine snows more glistening 
 than silver ; but, whether they are symbols of sorrow or of 
 joy, the sun stands behind in its pure brightness : abide a 
 while and he will come forth. 
 
 Religion has resources of contented happiness unknown 
 to those around, flowing from hidden springs of grace. It 
 may perhaps not turn aside anxieties of life, which are trials 
 of our faith ; but it bears us through in confidence. A 
 religious man has comforts that others dream not of 
 patient resignation and lively hope. These sweeten bitter- 
 ness of pain, and find a recompence for his endurance. So 
 far as regards his present : but for a future and better state 
 who shall describe those high beatitudes that await a 
 righteous soul when it has passed ' the bourne from whence 
 no traveller returns,' carried into Paradise, realms of per- 
 petual day? Then all his sufferings are compensated in 
 nearer presence to his blessed Lord of life. For this, then, 
 let us wait, firm in religious faith, confident in hope, fervent 
 in charity.
 
 PART III. 
 HINDRANCES IN OUR PATH TO PARADISE. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SATAN. 
 
 i. Beat down Satan under our feet. 
 
 IN our Litany we four times distinctly pray against ' Satan ' 
 and ' the Devil ' by name ; yet many ignorant Christians will 
 doubt his personal reality and influence, nor understand our 
 appointed prayers in fullness of their meaning. Holy 
 Scripture gives the first account of Satan in his work of evil. 
 Afterwards, from various passages, we learn his power and 
 deceit in all societies through this world of sin, as ' father of 
 lies.' Again, Holy Scripture declares that ' Satan goeth 
 about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour ' 
 ( i Pet. v. 8) : therefore we are told, ' Be sober, be vigilant.' 
 And our Lord in His parable teaches how the devil cometh 
 and taketh away the word of God out of our hearts, lest we 
 should believe and be saved (Luke, viii. 12). 
 
 The Christian Church in every land receives the 
 mysterious truth that Satan has a personal existence to
 
 Our Fallen Nature. 183 
 
 tempt mankind to evil. In the Lord's Prayer also, as many 
 truthful commentators lead us to believe, we are taught to 
 pray incessantly that we may not be led into temptation, 
 but that God will deliver us from the Evil One. Very 
 important, therefore, it is for each to arm himself against 
 the presence of a being so hateful and insidious, who dares 
 oppose the Creator's Majesty, to mislead His children. 
 This is one great mystery of revelation ; and, like other 
 secrets of His spiritual world, may never be freely divulged 
 until His appointed ' times of refreshing and restoration of 
 all things.' In search of happiness we must withstand the 
 least approach of this our deadly enemy, not trusting in our 
 own strength, but in the almighty power of the Holy Ghost. 
 He vouchsafes to visit all who seek Him in fervent, humble 
 prayer, and defends them from that evil one, first and last 
 worst enemy, who enlists a phalanx of worldly passions to 
 sustain his bitter strife. ' Put on, therefore, the whole 
 armour of God;' stand firm in your allegiance, faithful to 
 your Christian banner of Jesus, mighty Conqueror of Satan, 
 Sin, and Death. He shall give you His shield of faith, to 
 ' quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one ; ' He shall 
 beat down Satan under your feet, and cast him out to his 
 appointed darkness. 
 
 2. Our Fallen Nature. 
 (i.) Human Nature. 
 
 OUR present moral nature is such a complex of tissues, 
 so mysteriously blended, few can understand their closely 
 interwoven network. Yet this study is part of our essential 
 discipline through education and through life ; for the 
 original design, perfect and harmonious when it proceeded 
 from its Divine Artificer, has been marred and entangled 
 through intrusion of evil influences.
 
 1 84 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 We must undo one by one each false knot within our 
 moral nature by earnest prayer and self-denial, to purify 
 and exalt our fallen instincts, advancing step by step 
 towards the angelic. The Almighty, who ' saw everything 
 that He had made, and behold, it was very good,' alone can 
 separate and reintwine the tissues of man's fallen nature, 
 thus restoring it to the Divine original. To God how 
 simple, but to man impossible in his own strength ! In 
 humble adoration, then, give into His own merciful hands 
 your whole nature, soul and body; dedicate all you are, 
 all you have or hope for, that by grace divine He may re- 
 construct them on His primitive design, after His own 
 pattern. Is not this a noble object worthy of a life's en- 
 deavour to promote His will, so beneficent and heavenly, 
 and restore to nature its own high dignity ? Your reward 
 shall be peace and happiness, gratitude to God, and love to 
 man ; His grace enlightening all your doubts, kindling your 
 Christian affections, smoothing each difficulty, and promoting 
 every virtue to an imitation of Christ our blessed Saviour. 
 
 How strange it is, that living as we do with one another 
 in families or circles of Christian society, daily receiving 
 intelligence of human actions far off or near, yet out of this 
 accumulated knowledge we gather for ourselves so little for 
 the inner workings of God's creature, man ! Censorious and 
 critical, with eye intent on faults and follies of those around 
 us, we cannot see nor will reform our own. Again, with 
 so many valid reasons for at least endeavouring to under- 
 stand ourselves, why are we so purblind ? This last arises 
 from inordinate self-love. We magnify our little virtues 
 and ignore our greater faults. Which is more marvellous 
 of the two this ignorance of others or of ourselves? Find 
 me two men alike. Impossible ! External causes influence 
 each in a thousand ways ; few care to remember what it was 
 that swayed their motives yesterday, or endeavour to fore- 
 cast what will be their objects to-morrow. Even history
 
 Our Fallen Nature. 1 8 5 
 
 repeats herself continually in vain : nations or individuals 
 gain little by experience ; few lasting moral lessons are 
 stamped on the memory to guide our future; we are a 
 standing mystery of carelessness : angels weep to think how 
 human nature disregards its higher destinies. 
 
 (2.) Defend me from Myself. 
 
 An experienced man of the world advances through the 
 passages of business -life with cautious step for fear of 
 accident ; keeps watch before, around, behind him, to 
 guard his way. Why not take the same cautious view for 
 interests of far deeper import to your immortal soul and its 
 future destiny? How many a man neglects the true 
 prerogatives of wisdom ! He seems unconscious that he 
 bears an adversary worst of enemies Self, within his 
 bosom. Thus often he is taken by surprise, again and 
 again betrayed to actions he can never justify by any rule 
 of discretion, nor reconcile to moral principle. Whence 
 comes this vital error ? His chief regard is fixed on all 
 without, seldom considering the motive power that regulates 
 his inner mind. If he would maintain the principles of 
 true philosophy, let him examine more familiarly himself; 
 ignorant of that, his best resolves are weak, swaying to and 
 fro, to gain some present object or avert some difficulty of 
 a passing hour : he has no decisive energy. 
 
 Decision in a righteous cause is one of the noblest 
 qualities of man; but in any object of dishonour, blind 
 ambition, or of vice, most perilous, if not fatal to his 
 happiness makes him obstinate in evil, bold to sin; at 
 length he loses self-respect, and is justly despised by others. 
 Those who have travelled through long years of experience, 
 attentive to the instincts that govern human nature, well 
 versed especially in subtleties of Self, and secret springs of 
 their own poor, weak affections, will agree in saying,
 
 1 86 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 'Defend me from myself!' And why? Because Self is 
 the strongest power within a heart unrenewed by grace 
 divine, most wayward, most deceitful, and, lastly, most 
 exorbitant in its demands never to be satisfied. How 
 shall a man thus in the power of his enemy enjoy an easy 
 passage through this life to a better? Make yourself 
 acquainted with your heart and temperament, and all their 
 faults. Thus informed, direct your energies to withstand 
 assaults from within : watch against surprise. Thus vigilant 
 you will gain the mastery, rest in peace, be crowned with 
 final victory. 
 
 (3.) We cannot escape from Self. 
 
 A man resolved on giving freedom to his own impetuous 
 will is no other than a spell-bound captive ; he cannot fly 
 from Self, he is unconsciously a victim doomed to destruc- 
 tion through his own false idol. He has mounted on an 
 ungovernable horse that whirls him through confusion. 
 Up the steepest rock and down the break-neck precipice, 
 through flood and field, he speeds, straining, stumbling, 
 jaded, and fatigued. As he hurries on, they who know him 
 or know him not forbode mischance, perhaps endeavour to 
 arrest his wild career. But all in vain, until that awful 
 shadow, Death, yawns before him. Then mark his terrors ; 
 he topples over and is carried off, none to blame but 
 Self. 
 
 We must choose between the spirit and the flesh. They 
 are distinct, antagonistic, armed cap-a-pie each against the 
 other. Persevere in noble contest till you can dictate terms 
 of peace. But remember always that you bear within a 
 traitor- enemy yourself, who is eveT watchful to disengage 
 your Christian armour, and carry it to the enemy. Other- 
 wise you may plume your feathers in boastful confidence, 
 but never can you claim the crowning palm of victory.
 
 The World. 187 
 
 (4.) Victories over Self and Sin. 
 
 No prison-house so dark and cheerless as bondage to 
 an iron sway of Sin and Self. These are man's inveterate 
 tyrants, yet, wonderful to say, are cherished guests within 
 his bosom ; so they are subtle and deceiving : he harbours 
 them without suspicion, thus yields himself a captive sad 
 spectacle to angels ! Easy it is to talk of sin and death as 
 vanquished by the sufferings of our Lord ; but where are 
 any signs of our religious strength ? what evidence can we 
 bring of victories won beneath His banners ? Let some 
 one conquest over Self be first and foremost : that ground 
 once established is promise of further victories. But we 
 must seek to be arrayed in the ' whole armour of God,' and 
 then follow Christ as soldiers of His Cross through a life-long 
 obedience to His discipline, hoping to be crowned by virtue 
 of His Atonement. 
 
 3. The World. 
 
 \J 
 
 ONE might suppose the greater part of men, living and 
 labouring as it were amid the gloomy smoke of earth, would 
 willingly refresh themselves with brighter atmosphere from 
 heaven. But such is their intentness on human interests, 
 they disregard the altitudes on high; even as a swarthy 
 smith thinks the glaring of his smithy more essential than 
 heavenly sunlight. Smoke of earthly objects hangs upon us 
 like a pall, tends to dwarf and wither all outbuddings of 
 intelligence to higher aspirations. The sevenfold gifts of 
 the Holy Spirit are of slight esteem in hearts that have their 
 centre within, so unamiable an idol as Self, the object of 
 their adulation. This is more or less the spiritual condition 
 of every one busied in the scenes of what we call ' Society ' 
 some circle in which we move, high or lower, rich or poorer. 
 All have their absorbing interests, whether already in 
 possession or in search of further means to gratify their
 
 1 88 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 idol. Study your own heart, and you will discover how 
 closely you resemble those whom you affect to pity or 
 condemn, whilst you have as many faults yourself. If you 
 are blessed with some faint kindlings of love for God, but. 
 find the atmosphere of your mind grown obscure and mirky, 
 be assured there is a heart - disease. Lose no time ; 
 hasten to the Physician of souls ; prostrate on your knees, 
 beseech Him to grant you the balm of His grace to heal 
 your complaint his anointing Spirit, infallible of cure. 
 You are yet in time : He hears and knows ; He weighs 
 you in a balance ; He desires to make you His own none 
 other can ; your only hope of will or power is from Himself: 
 therefore make the most of your opportunity to rise above 
 the smoke. 
 
 4. Worldly Ambition. 
 
 WHILST intently occupied on some one or other excel- 
 lence of art, science, literature, or mechanics, that engages 
 all our faculties to attain, we seldom analyse the motives that 
 prompt us to success. There is an engaging beauty in 
 excellence of whatever kind ; not only moral or religious 
 excellence, but accomplishments, intellectual attainments, 
 and various other pursuits, each in its comparative degree 
 worthy of our best energies, and rich in reward of success. 
 All virtuous excellence is a faint reflex of angelic nature, 
 well deserving our pursuit. Without some such sanctifying 
 influence inferior instincts would lead us to undeserving 
 objects, and vicious tastes impair the general character. 
 But mark how broad is the distinction between a conscious 
 pleasure of attaining excellence for its own intrinsic value, 
 and a poor desire of surpassing others for the sake of vain 
 applause. This difference is not always evident in our 
 thoughts to point a wholesome caution. Loving and 
 seeking moral excellence for its exceeding beauty, we con- 
 tribute to its wholesome influence on society ; but if our
 
 Worldly A mbition. \ 89 
 
 motives be vanity and ambition, they bear the taint of 
 selfishness, and, even when successful, tarnish the brilliancy 
 of attainment. Thus we see how noble are pursuits of 
 excellence, when prompted by motives of purity ; how they 
 sanctify each object we have in view, and promote the glory 
 of the Highest. But a mere desire of surpassing others for 
 our own advancement chains us to the common herd of 
 men, whose chief regard is fixed on Self a poor captivity ! 
 
 ( i . ) Desire of Applause. 
 
 Few subtleties of frail humanity are more difficult to 
 detect and guard against than love of praise. There is a 
 reasonable desire to gain approval from good Christian 
 men for virtuous actions ; indeed, a conscious pleasure of 
 having obeyed God's law is part of His promised reward of 
 peace. All persuasions in Scripture to a life of holiness and 
 charity are linked to promises of Divine approval, there- 
 fore to censure all love of approbation would chill the 
 warmth of our obedience, and check that zeal for practical 
 usefulness which brings its sure reward. Total indifference 
 to esteem amongst our fellow-men would shut us up in cold 
 and reckless selfishness. If we desire to fulfil our para- 
 mount duties of benevolence to others, we must gain their 
 confidence and sympathy, with a portion of their respect. 
 How, then, may we distinguish between a wholesome and a 
 vain desire of approval ? Sift at once the inner motive 
 that prompts whatever you may do or say. Is it love for 
 God and love for His creatures, which is His divine 
 command ? Then surely you need not doubt ; you will be 
 blessed and happy in His approval. If, on the other hand, 
 your object be the prais'e of men, and your fixed motive 
 love for Self, then assuredly you will too late discover how 
 vainly for your real and lasting happiness you were blowing 
 bubbles. The world may shout applause for a moment,
 
 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 and a foolish heart within be gratified ; but in the end this 
 fallacy will be dispelled. There is an Eye that penetrates 
 all truth ; assuredly a time will come when you shall perforce 
 be made to estimate all attainments at their proper standard. 
 This endeavour at once to do, otherwise you will find how 
 fondly you have staked your deepest interests to gain some 
 poor varnish to your name. 
 
 If eagerly you seek this world's applause, most surely 
 you will find it but a puff of wind, blowing hot and cold 
 one moment refreshing your vanity, but soon again leaving 
 you to disappointment. Amidst the general bustle, each is 
 too fully occupied to regard your interests or care for you : 
 almost they will forget your virtues and accomplishments 
 ere the first days of customary mourning are bygone. What 
 shall avail your pretentious claims, your wealth, and your 
 distinction in applause of the world, when you are no longer 
 here ? And as for fame, it is but a breathing of warmth, 
 soon chilled by any wind from another quarter. Be it loud 
 as a trumpet, you will never hear its echoes from that far-off 
 bourne from whence no traveller returns ; were it high as 
 yonder hills, the tiptop notes would be unworthy of your 
 attention. 
 
 (2.) Desire of Distinction. 
 
 Pinnacles are slippery places; they who climb to win 
 the gaze of admiration have need to mind their footing : if 
 they fall a censorious world may pity, not excuse their 
 folly. A humble walk is most secure and peaceful. Like a 
 little victim moth that flies about a candle, and miserably 
 perishes in the flame, so are men and women intent on 
 fatuous delusions, flitting about a glaring world till caught 
 and lost ! There is a spell of dazzling light that mocks 
 the lover of frivolities to his or her undoing. For awhile 
 they serve some interest of their companions; false applause 
 may cheer them on ; their brows be crowned with fictitious
 
 Frivolity and Excitement. 191 
 
 laurel. They may enjoy a short-lived approbation of en- 
 circling friends so called ; but let them slip and fail 
 through some mistaken judgment, or other weakness, they 
 who before clapped their hands now point the thumb, and 
 so pass on, to bow before some other star of fashion. Then 
 is the time to exercise a nobler principle. A world that 
 once applauded proves deceitful. Let them forgive in 
 charity, not resent ; but rather blame their own conceits 
 and turn in future to objects more worthy of attention. 
 They may be what they never were before, true philoso- 
 phers : no longer by voice or pen to win encomiums of an 
 empty world ; but learn to know themselves and be at peace. 
 Let them take a higher reach of ambition, to serve the Prince 
 of princes their Saviour, Jesus. 
 
 5. Frivolity and Excitement. 
 (i.) Frivolity. 
 
 WHAT strange vagaries occupy the thoughts of wealthy 
 and luxurious circles of society, bound in frivolous illusions ! 
 Men and women in their courtly dresses, various in rich 
 costume, adorned with jewels ; young and old dancing to 
 pipe and tabor to see and to be seen, as it were in guise 
 of masquerade. Anything light and airy will suffice to kill 
 their time- that precious time, on which events mysteriously 
 momentous hang in uncertainty. These high court circles 
 have their imitators : each rank may boast its constellations 
 and its stars of minor brilliancy, all in their fashion of 
 costume. The same desire of distinction animates ' the 
 well-to-do' in town and country. If Folly wears his cap 
 and bells at court, what wonder that he claims a like pre- 
 rogative among the peasantry ? Why should not they as 
 well enjoy their own, and spend their hard-earned wages in 
 carouse, lavishing all on Self? Let high ones in their round
 
 192 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 of fashion consider what example they exhibit to servants 
 and the lower classes. How can they expect sobriety and 
 moderation from the ignorant, who daily see their masters 
 and mistresses running such a race of folly ? 
 
 (2.) Excitement. 
 
 More or less, men and women seem to live on excite- 
 ment as it were an essential property of their moral atmo- 
 sphere, stimulating exertion of their physical energies, or 
 exciting their intellectual range of imagination. Take from 
 a man his liberty, his business, his studies, or his objects of 
 stirring interest, and he is vapid, melancholy, tired of himself 
 and those around him. Our nature is mysterious in union 
 of mind and body : as long as both enjoy a healthful con- 
 dition we are happy; when either is diseased, the other 
 suffers from whatever malady afflicts its partner. See then 
 how essential by firm, controlling power, to keep our spiritual 
 and earn <., ycill in clear subjection to the government of 
 grace, ana viedience to God's eternal law of morals and 
 religion. So various are the constitutions of mankind 
 hereditary, or formed by surrounding influences in the path 
 of life, that each biography differs from all others ; and such 
 their constant changes, it is difficult to classify their 
 varieties of character, except by one broad, distinguishing 
 line of good or evil, moral or immoral, religious or 
 irreligious. In any case men should study all experiences 
 of history, of common sense ; especially examine well them- 
 selves, to find ' Where dwelleth happiness ?' the main search 
 of earthly life. Excitement being an instinct, implanted in 
 human nature for beneficent purposes of our All-wise 
 Creator, it may, and ought to be, a moving power to acts of 
 noblest self-denial, an influence of charity to our fellow- 
 creatures, and above all, a motive to testify our gratitude to 
 God in zealous counsels for His glory, and in pure obe-
 
 Self -Deceit. 193 
 
 dience. But, alas ! man in general is heedless, impatient, 
 self-willed, ambitious, and exorbitant in his desires full of 
 excitement, searching after he scarce knows what. In 
 every circle, wide or narrow, so little does discretion guide 
 his acts, he is perpetually exposed to danger on an edge of 
 some deep precipice. Resolve then to maintain an equal 
 balance and a calm repose, that you may be directed to 
 paths of wisdom, leading on to realms of joyous light in 
 Paradise, where there are no more sorrowful regrets, but 
 continual excitement of hallowed services, in hymns, and 
 psalms, and spiritual songs of praise to Father, Son, and 
 Holy Ghost, Three in One. 
 
 6. Self-Deceit. 
 
 NEXT to natural and inherent evil of our thoughts is 
 that of blindness to their deformity, which is Self-deception, 
 Though conscious of our errors, instead of resolutions to 
 correct, we form new plans to veil them wher presence 
 of our fellow-men. Another source of dangli' is, that 
 imagination is often such a spring of unrealities; nourishing 
 vanity, it leads to most ridiculous mistakes, distorting truth. 
 Arm yourself with all resources of common sense and 
 reason ; gird your loins with strength of purpose ; move in 
 simple virtuous dignity; then all heavenly powers are on 
 your side, Satan's subtleties shall have no influence on your 
 heart. The every-day business of this life is a various 
 compacted mass of realities, of which it requires strong 
 judgment to grasp the true and proper course. Judge, then, 
 how important for all to guard against self-deception, not 
 to be betrayed by vain romance of life. Whatever you are, 
 in all you think, or say, or do, be real and thorough. 
 Examine well your motives, severely judge your objects of 
 desire, let them all be weighed in a truthful balance ; then 
 you will understand your inner self: be a censorious critic, 
 
 o
 
 194 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 lest you yield to flattery. Bring them one by one, again 
 and again, to that only safe, propitious standard of God's 
 moral and religious law, clear, precise, and unmistakable : 
 so reason, judgment, intelligence, perseverance, will impart 
 solidity to character, and decision crown resolve. 
 
 However sensitive men of honour are, fearing to deceive 
 a friend or scorning to delude an enemy, they often seem 
 to take a pleasure in self-deceit. This, if not so great a 
 vice, is no less a folly ; and of all follies one most prevailing, 
 insomuch that philosophers and moralists, princes, statesmen, 
 worldly-wise of each degree, in every age, are open to the 
 charge. One feature of this disease, for such it is, may be 
 noted as very common ; namely, that we quickly recognise 
 the existence of self-deceit in others, but are unconscious of 
 its influence within ourselves. How is this? Each man and 
 woman carries in their heart an insidious tyrant, no less 
 peremptory to command than subtle to betray; equally 
 boastful to intimidate, and smooth of tongue to deceive ; 
 so captivating, that one and all are in love with their idol, 
 Self ! Will no one take up the cudgels in a general cause ? 
 In an age when unions are so many for all sorts of objects, 
 good and evil, can none be established against this tyranny? 
 Alas ! in unions there is seldom unity; each is for himself, and 
 within himself must fight his battle, if he would break the 
 chains of his captivity. Peaceful and happy is that man 
 virtuous and wise enough to change his ' cap and bells ' 
 of Folly for palms of victory over Self-deceit. 
 
 It is an old saying, 'Comparisons are odious;' that is, 
 drawing invidious distinctions between friends or com- 
 panions, contrasting some fault of one with its opposite 
 virtue in another. One comparison is especially unamiable 
 and offensive, to think all others inferior to ourselves our 
 own dear Self ! as if it were a model of perfection. Then, 
 indeed, we are apt to make ourselves ridiculous ; unconscious 
 that even if, perchance, we may excel in some one accom-
 
 Self -Deceit. 195 
 
 plishment or quality, we fail in others more essential. In 
 every stage, each day of life, compare your actions with your- 
 moral and religious duties, and you may soon discover, if 
 you will, how short you come of your proper standard. 
 Bring all things to a test of truth, that you yourself may 
 judge, if not severely, honestly at least. The life of Christ 
 on earth is our one infallible exemplar. Step by step in 
 imitation of His righteousness, and framed on His model, 
 our fallen nature may by prayer, and influence of His grace 
 on our hearts, be raised to union of angelic instincts; not in 
 comparison, but in earnest desire of approach towards their 
 likeness. Then we shall make no proud comparisons, but 
 humble ourselves : then, avoiding all that is wrong, and 
 straining on to higher reaches of attainment in all that is 
 right and holy, we may find ourselves renewed in strength ; 
 as St. Paul says, 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new 
 creature : old things are passed away ; behold, all things 
 are become new' (2 Cor. v. 17). 
 
 Passing through a crowded world of men and women, 
 all engaged in various schemes, no two alike, each- one a 
 mystery to all around, we only know ourselves in part ; and 
 that, alas ! imperfectly. To study human nature is least of 
 all a usual subject of our thoughts ; and yet how far superior 
 would such a wisdom be to any knowledge of languages, 
 logic, or mathematics ! If we understood mankind, espe- 
 cially our individual selves, our temperament and instincts, 
 we might attain a calm and clear experience, never to be 
 taken by surprise, but conscious of every motive within our 
 own hearts. How is it, then, we so seldom gain this right 
 opinion? Because of our fixed intentness of thought on 
 projects that absorb our individuality, be it a trifle, or an 
 object really worth pursuing. Take counsel then from 
 others, rather than yourself. Reflect : some other oppor- 
 tunity may occur more favourable, though we imagine now 
 is the only appointed time. Each man's Self being his
 
 196 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 central spring of action, his guide, and too often his worst 
 deceiver, he is mechanically impelled to take his settled 
 course, till some impediment unexpectedly brings him to a 
 stop. 'In the multitude of counsellors there is safety.' 
 But that advantage of security is the very last we incline 
 to seek. Who can judge for us (we vainly think), so well 
 as our individual Self? Thus, having no misgiving doubts, 
 we perpetually banish reason, and suffer bitterly for our 
 indiscretion. 
 
 Idols of the heart are sure to be a stumbling-block of 
 self-deception, most dangerous of all deceits, most subtle, 
 deeply rooted, hard to detect, and if discovered most 
 difficult to eradicate. Thus Self is our stumbling-block of 
 iniquity. The most pestilent enemy of man is himself; and 
 he is noblest of conquerors who perseveres, amidst all oppo- 
 sition of his natural heart and instincts, to gain a victory, 
 leading on to higher : rich his reward, a wreath of laurel 
 that fadeth not away. 
 
 A ' Biography of Masks ' might be classed among ' the 
 curiosities of literature ; ' for this our fictitious world is but 
 a make-believe, insomuch that few men or women, however 
 subtle and instructed, detect their neighbour, veiled as he is 
 behind his mask. Still more strange, all think their own 
 masks successful in deceiving others ! Most strange of all, 
 they come at last to delude themselves, regarding their 
 mask as a true representation of their own fine character ! 
 Is not this all a saddening fallacy ? Far better to appear 
 what we really are ; for each would then present an example, 
 or a warning, to their neighbours, teaching us wisdom, and 
 the truth of that old proverb, ' Honesty is the best policy.' 
 Gather together a party of men and women in any circle 
 of society : behold, what a masquerade ! what airs and 
 graces in by-play of manoeuvres ! No tactics ever seen in 
 naval management are more adroit, nor military stratagems 
 more skilful. Civil and polite, bold in advance, attack,
 
 Self -Deceit. 197 
 
 defence, retreat or rally, the art of acting is complete, 
 dramatic. But when their assembly is dispersed, and the 
 characters retire fatigued, some disappointed, others re- 
 joicing in their momentary success ; how unreal, how vain 
 and frivolous, it all has been ! And these are men and 
 women, born to a nobler purpose of maintaining the 
 realities of a Christian life, advancing and instructing one 
 another in rational improving intercourse. They are each 
 responsible for an example of open candour, simple truth, 
 unpretending innocence, and unselfish purpose. 
 
 Great is the pleasure of pleasing others. But rightly 
 understand the motives that prompt you to be courteous : 
 be careful that you are uninfluenced by affectation, by motives 
 of dishonesty or selfishness, by vain desire to win applause 
 and admiration, by compliments or flattery, by timid com- 
 promise of truth. These are mischievous and deceitful ; so 
 subtle, that you need be well acquainted with your own 
 heart to stand against their influence. The tissues of vanity 
 are so fine, so curiously twisted, so variously distributed, 
 they require a searching scrutiny to detect their fallacies. 
 Remember always that courtesy and courtliness are different 
 in their nature. A genuine courtesy receives its impulse 
 from a Christian principle of benevolence. Courtliness is 
 often tainted by worldly pride, vanity, and selfishness. Gifts, 
 favours, or attentions, have a double grace, if offered in a 
 Christian spirit ; but are spoilt by ostentatious display. Be 
 cautious lest your heart deceive you. No vice or virtue 
 stands alone; each draws others 'after their kind: 1 they 
 live in separate families, good or evil. 
 
 If grace of manner be united with a kind and gentle 
 temper it has a winning charm. If benevolence be wanting 
 you detect the guise of affectation, and at once the charm 
 is broken. A naturally simple manner may be graceful, 
 whilst a studied, over-nice refinement, betrays artificial show. 
 Men and women may outwardly appear at ease, but anxiety
 
 1 98 Hindrances in- our Path. 
 
 for distinction oftentimes prevails within. In mixed societies 
 of the world, unreal and vain, affectation will escape un- 
 noticed, because so common there; but in the narrower 
 circles of domestic life its obtrusive claims to admiration are 
 wearisome. There is a power of attraction in Christian 
 proprieties, of grace not to be denned nor easily resisted, 
 moving other hearts to love; but without these amiable 
 attendants, beauty itself loses half her influence, and all 
 accomplishments appear but vanity. 
 
 We live in a world of strange mistakes, deceived and 
 deceiving one another ; and among so many lying deceits is 
 Flattery : but there is a vast distinction to be made between 
 this vice, and pure benevolent pleasure in expressing 
 approbation of what is truly laudable. Yet often it requires 
 nice discrimination to judge between the two, lest excessive 
 praise should bear the odium of flattery. To ' exalt a man 
 above the moon' is weakness, if not folly, and gives offence ; 
 unless the man himself be fool enough to believe you. 
 Beautiful is truth in all its aspects : never go beyond. 
 Better we were dumb than use the tongue dishonestly to 
 flatter ; for that propels a friend or neighbour to presumption, 
 or, as Solomon says, 'spreadeth a net for his feet.' The most 
 deceitful and dangerous is Self-flattery ! It is wonderful how 
 soon this fills a man or woman topfull of presumptuous 
 words, inflated thoughts, and actions that excite the ridicule 
 of others. They hold their heads so high, they cannot see 
 a stumbling-block in their path that trips them up, making 
 them a laughing-stock. Mark once more the difference 
 between sincere applause and flattery. There is a winning 
 charm in virtue that is irresistible, and I could no more 
 refrain from applauding a lovely singer who enchants my 
 ear, than deny a hearty tribute to any Christian act exalting 
 our nature to an angelic model.
 
 Mistakes. 199 
 
 7. Mistakes. 
 
 AMONG his many counsels of inspired wisdom, Isaiah 
 says, ' Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil : 
 that put darkness for light, and light for darkness : that put 
 bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter !' (Isa. v. 20.) Is this 
 a warning unrequired ? a futile lamp to lighten human nature 
 in its passages through life ? Alas, no ! though millions fail 
 to learn its truth. Our constantly recurring errors are fruits 
 of Adam's fall, ripening through successive generations by 
 evil training, or neglect of parents and indifference of 
 teachers. With persons living unto this world, love for 
 God is not their one foundation-rock, on which they care 
 to build for happiness on earth, or for hereafter : yet it is 
 the only true security of individual, social, and national 
 advancement. We grow with tempers ill-attuned to religious 
 principles, governed all by evil instincts, following unworthy 
 objects of pursuit, imbibing perverted tastes from every side. 
 Christ has revealed Himself in light ; but men and women 
 have no eye of faith to realise His beauty and His holiness : 
 they wander in the dark amidst the blunders of society, alien 
 from God. Through each page of Scripture, and in all 
 experience from age to age, this great eternal truth is estab- 
 lished, that happiness of man springs from virtue, and grows 
 by successive victories over Self: yet obstinately he will 
 prefer his own erroneous ways. What wonder, then, if where 
 he looks for pleasant fruit he finds the bitterness of dis- 
 appointment ? The night of sin is chill and dark : with 
 morning light God's Holy Spirit beams on souls that seek 
 and pray for grace, offering before His throne a homage of 
 their love. What more could have been done for man than 
 God has freely purposed ? Why does a blindfold world for 
 ever persevere in wrong, when every step in righteousness 
 has attendant joys? Unrenewed, irreverent seekers after 
 vanity, some day will learn, perhaps too late, how grievously
 
 2OO Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 they mistook their path ; for it is declared, ' The way of the 
 wicked is abomination unto the Lord : but He loveth him 
 that followeth after righteousness ' (Prov. xv. 9). 
 
 Prejudice. 
 
 From a man who will not see, a half-inch board of pre- 
 judice hides truth as effectually as a stone wall of ignorance. 
 Hard it is to turn him from his foregone conclusions ; so 
 strongly does he resist conviction through his pride, or 
 stubborn will, or force of education, or personal likes and 
 dislikes, he takes his stand on error : happy for himself and 
 others if he can discover it in time. Candour is an opposite 
 of prejudice; a reasonable and philosophic quality of mind, 
 and a Christian virtue. Strange to say, prejudice on subjects 
 " of religion is clad in steel, armed against all reason ; and 
 would rather lose a dearest friend than yield some cherished 
 dogma. Thus it is religious controversy seldom leads to 
 agreement. 
 
 8. Inconsistencies and Indecision. 
 
 IT might be said, that half mankind are ruled by con- 
 traries of inconsistency; either searching after happiness 
 where seldom it is found, or neglecting paths of wisdom 
 where alone it dwells. They who are best acquainted with 
 their own hearts will be ready to acknowledge this general 
 truth. In searching after happiness, who has ever reached 
 it through his own acquired wisdom ? What have his 
 natural temperament and intellect accomplished for him? 
 He would tell you : ' Could I but escape this, recover from 
 that, and be possessed of so-and-so, I might answer, "Yes ;" 
 but not without.' Then take a second man, who has failed 
 either from unskilful training, misconduct of his own, or 
 some mistake of others, or want of earnest principle or self- 
 control, or disregard of moral excellence or virtuous re-
 
 Inconsistencies and Indecision. 20 1 
 
 solutions ; the life of such an one has been a flowing con- 
 tinuity of mistakes to himself a paradox, to others a tissue 
 of contradictions. Or see yon third man in his family circle, 
 or in society ; self-indulgent and pretentious, quick to avail 
 himself of any chance advantage, yet ' a man of the world,' 
 a well-comported man, ready enough to be shocked at any 
 slip of others, not over-scrupulous of his own acts, censorious, 
 unforgiving whenever injured. No want of such as these, 
 men and women in their several degrees, as warnings to 
 ourselves. Is all this sufficient rock on which to build our 
 character? The history of mankind declares that other 
 sureties must be taken, even for a moderate share of this 
 world's happiness. But if we would attain to Paradise, a 
 total change of views, pursuits and objects, agencies and 
 motives, must be set at work at once. We must unweave 
 the warp already wove, apply superior interthreading wefts, 
 before we can bring our complexities into harmony. We 
 must make quite another estimate of realities : all things 
 must be considered from a new point of view ; and not till 
 then shall we escape from all complexities of contradiction, 
 and strike upon the only path worth living for. 
 
 Men are changeable, undecided, impatient of reflection, 
 seldom by self-examination ascertaining whether they are right 
 or wrong in pursuit of present objects. This arises often 
 from not exactly seeing the distinction between motives and 
 objects; they jumble together the impulse that prompts their 
 pursuit and the end they hope to gain. First let conscience 
 decide whether your motives are pure : next, let judgment 
 settle whether your object is justifiable. If either conscience 
 or judgment answer, ' No/ at once desist ; for then success 
 would be a loss and failure be a blessing. If conscience 
 and judgment agree in ' Yes,' you may proceed : for, even if 
 you are not successful, your motive and object will be at 
 least some justification, though you fail; and if you prosper, 
 the palm is fairly won. Before you finally resolve, other
 
 202 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 questions arise, lest self-reproach should follow. Is your 
 object worth a trial, even if gained? Are your means and 
 powers sufficient to ensure success ? Again, is the present 
 time your fittest opportunity? would not delay be prudence, 
 and more mature reflection wisdom? will you not put at 
 risk some other object, more worthy of your pursuit? Of 
 course, in any undertaking the means to be employed must 
 be fair and honourable, otherwise none can approve ; either 
 in great success, or ridiculous failure, you ' lose caste ' 
 among your fellows, and transgress the eternal law of right 
 and wrong. 
 
 9. Distractions. 
 
 WE know how empty, vain and flitting, are discontented 
 dreams of night, confused together, almost forgotten before 
 we wake at day-dawn. Many of our thoughts are as 
 frivolous, perhaps not so innocent as dreams, running on 
 from one to another, unworthy of remembrance. Like all 
 other things, our thoughts require control and regulation, 
 lest they be a prelude to ill-judged action. Many are but 
 ' castles in the air,' built on no foundation, blown away like 
 ' baseless fabric of a dream,' a shame to folly. Thought 
 in its purity is one of our noblest faculties, given for un- 
 folding intellectual powers, moral conclusions, and eternal 
 truths of religious faith : so with many other purposes 
 deeply interesting through practical life. Thought is our 
 fountain-spring of science, most powerful in exercise and 
 aid of understanding and other faculties of mind. If 
 diverted from God's gift to man, or made subservient to 
 evil rather than to glorify our Maker, all- wise, benevolent, and 
 gracious, their privilege and power no longer are blessings, 
 but oftentimes a curse. See, then, how deep our respon- 
 sible trust, each hour of every day, to fix, to purify and 
 control, to elevate and sanctify, our thoughts. Such is their 
 rapidity of flashes, often unsought, unwelcome to our con-
 
 Distractions. 203 
 
 sciousness and purpose, that we should hasten to bend our 
 knees before God, entreating Him to make our heart a 
 sanctuary of His indwelling, and drive away all alien 
 thoughts. Being gracious and loving, He imputes no evil 
 where none is intended ; and if for a while we suffer from 
 intrusion of idle thoughts, it is perhaps permitted as a 
 wholesome warning, or reminder of some foregone un- 
 cleanness, whether or not forgiven. Strive, therefore, 
 constantly to fill your mind with views of the Redeemer's 
 loveliness and beauty as He went about doing good; suf- 
 fering at length a bitter death on your behalf, that He might 
 make you holy as He was holy. Then all unworthy thoughts 
 will be put to flight, even as the tempter flees from us when 
 we call upon the name of Jesus, Son of God. 
 
 Man is constantly baffled by something wrong in thought 
 coming between himself and what is right. He has an 
 enemy within, that mysterious arch -traitor Self, lurking 
 through all recesses of his heart. This, our external world, 
 so full of temptations, thrusting its allurements before his 
 eyes, will make its influence felt, however distasteful to his 
 nobler and higher nature. Even in his moments of prayer 
 before God's throne, thoughts of an unclean world will 
 forcibly intrude, and keenly wound his spirit ; within the 
 very temple some vain surrounding object brings ideas to 
 mind most alien to our desires. Before God's altar, when 
 we strain all faculties of soul to realise the objective Presence 
 of our Saviour, some momentary intrusive thought will cross 
 the mind like a phantom. All may be sensible of this 
 distress : it is our feeble nature, and not imputed as sin by 
 a merciful God. Let us earnestly desire to keep our 
 thoughts at all times and in all places intent on Him, that 
 we may realise His Presence.
 
 204 Hindrances in our Path. 
 
 10. Delays. 
 
 FEW there are so desperately wicked as not to have a 
 smouldering fire of grace within, that may be kindled to a 
 flame by the Holy Ghost. Though oftentimes almost 
 extinct, yet if we desire and pray, God will cherish its 
 latent spark. Long-suffering towards His creatures, He has 
 given pledges innumerable of rich inheritance in heaven to 
 those who love and seek Him. Then joyfully hear and at 
 once resolve to gain : there yet is time : delay is dangerous. 
 Hasten to His altar, bow in prayer, and He will listen ; 
 but if you linger on amidst deceitful trammels of sin, then 
 too late you will hear this sad denial: 'Verily I say unto you, 
 I know you not.' The door once closed, you must depart 
 in hopeless sorrow. 
 
 With clocks in many rooms we take no heed of minutes 
 passing, never to return. Whilst drawing on through youth, 
 and much of life, time often seems to lag ; we wait im- 
 patiently for this or that poor object of earth's attainment. 
 But growing old, each year seems to pass away more 
 rapidly than the last, and yet we make no rules of preparation 
 for what remains. I dare not calculate the occasions of a 
 long life when I might have done some good to others. 
 How often I might have exclaimed in those words of the 
 Roman Emperor, ' Perdidi diemf ' I have lost a day !' Say, 
 rather, years of precious time. 
 
 I have been like one of those labourers described in our 
 Lord's parable, standing all day idle in the market-place. 
 Now again invited to Christ's vineyard at my eleventh hour 
 I have entered in. Lost time might well be charged against 
 me : but my gracious Master of His vineyard is merciful. 
 He condescendingly accepts a willing labourer, however 
 late. With all my powers, therefore, I will work my last 
 short hour, that when my time of reckoning shall come I 
 may receive ' whatever is right,' fully assured it will be more 
 than I deserve. (Matt, xx.)
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 VICES TO BE OVERCOME. 
 
 i. Idolatry of Self. 
 Self our Idol. 
 
 BY His mercy, by His mighty grace, God would lead every 
 breathing man and woman to His kingdom in heaven, 
 higher than all existences. Creator and Sustainer, Lord and 
 Ruler of His own vast, beautiful universe, who then, of all 
 created things on earth, stands madly forward to oppose 
 His will ? Behold the little presumptuous creature, Man 
 in his own esteem the centre of a social circle, almost a 
 demigod unfurls his fluttering banner of rebellion, bidding 
 defiance to the King of kings ! An awful thought, if we reflect ! 
 To all the millions upon millions of this sinful world life is 
 no more than a passing dream of vanishing views, a kaleido- 
 scope of various colours, each turn presenting combinations 
 different from those we saw before. Yet this pigmy, Man, 
 sits enthroned within himself! a helpless idol, who of his 
 unassisted faculties can effectuate nothing worth retaining. 
 By one breath from heaven he would be extinguished : nay, 
 shut him out but some few moments from simple atmo- 
 spheric air, and he dies ! Yet he dares to outrage any law 
 of God supreme, to the peril of his soul ! Wonder upon 
 wonder ! 
 
 Such are all historic annals of individuals and of
 
 206 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 nations, from the beginning to this day. Whatsoever ex- 
 perience we may have of sufferings, lessons of wisdom, 
 examples of virtue, in obedience to the unchangeable will of 
 God, still men and women bow down to their little idol, 
 Self; chosen, cherished centre of all around them. Go and 
 visit every mart on earth : observe their traffickers assembled 
 amidst the din of confusion; all bargain one against an- 
 other, never satisfied. When will it come to an end? 
 Never on this side Paradise. All attractions in that sweet 
 kingdom of perpetual day are postponed, if not forgotten. 
 Alas ! when we hear our final summons at the sick-chamber 
 door, what will our idol do for us in that dread hour of 
 departure ? Be wise in time ; find happiness in loving God, 
 His Incarnate Son, and the Holy Ghost, eternal Three in 
 One. 
 
 Man's worship of his idol, his own so fondly cherished 
 Self, is so rank a weed of noisome growth that grace 
 divine alone can root it from the heart. The Latin poet 
 declares, 
 
 ' Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret : ' 
 ' Thrust out Nature with a fork, and she will return again.' 
 
 Judging from the world of thoughts within and around us 
 in society, man finds his charm of liberty in doing exactly 
 what is most agreeable to himself. Very pleasant for the 
 moment, but slavery in the end, as past results have proved, 
 and so the future will confirm. Self is such a specious 
 animal, it would require a hunter's most practised experience 
 to follow through its windings a trail so intricate. Within 
 the mazes of self-idolatry our subtle heart has a cherished 
 sanctuary, unknown to any but itself. In deep recesses of 
 his lair he brings oblations to his idol, the homage of his 
 will. The passage in Isaiah's 44th chapter on idol-making 
 is remarkable. Bishop Lowth says, it far exceeds anything 
 that has been ever written on the subject in form of argument.
 
 Idolatry of Self. 207 
 
 energy of expression, and elegance of composition. It 
 describes the zeal of an idolatrous smith, fashioning his 
 god with tongs in the coals, and hammers, making them 
 ' with strength of arm,' till he faints with hunger and thirst. 
 'Also the carpenter marketh it out with rule and line, planes 
 and compass ; he maketh the figure of a man, according to 
 the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house. He 
 heweth down cedar, cypress, or oak. Then shall it be for 
 a man to burn, for he will take thereof and warm himself : 
 yea, he kindleth it and baketh bread ; yea, he maketh it a 
 god, and worshippeth it ; he maketh it a graven image, and 
 falleth down thereto. He burneth part thereof in the fire : 
 with part thereof he eateth flesh ; he roasteth roast and is 
 satisfied : yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am 
 warm, I have seen the fire; and the residue thereof he 
 maketh a god, even his graven image ; he falleth down unto 
 it and saith, Thou art my god !' (Isa. xliv. 12-17.) Could 
 any other words so forcibly express the self-comforting vanity 
 of man, hugging with delight his idol, Self? Towards all 
 others, cold and insensible as lumpish clay in a frozen zone, 
 he cannot raise his heart from earth to God celestial light 
 of His own universe, to whom he owes all he has, hopes for, 
 or desires to possess. Prostrate in humility, self-renouncing, 
 let us bow with adoring love, and pray for the anointing of 
 the Holy Ghost, that we may enjoy the celestial worship of 
 the one true God. 
 
 Men love to talk of liberty ; are jealous if you seek to 
 bind them ; persistently assert their right to freedom, yet 
 after all, where may you find this general object of pursuit? 
 Nowhere but in ' the liberty wherewith Christ hath made 
 us free,' freedom from sin. They who loudest vaunt their 
 independence often are most closely bound in slavery. 
 How is this ? Unconsciously they serve their tyrant, Self 
 hardest of all taskmasters, who has a secret art of flattery 
 that leads his victims, by indulgence of their whims, to his
 
 208 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 own purposes. They follow his behests, which he honies 
 over to their taste, enticing them to a bitter captivity. 
 Thus blinded they pursue the strangest courses ; do many 
 things so inconsistent that other people are amazed. If 
 they stumble in their path, or meet with unexpected dif- 
 ficulties, they censure any but their tyrant, Self, who misled 
 them. All men and women are in bondage to this idol ; 
 no allowance must be made for any other. To that we 
 sacrifice our best affections, for that we claim all deference. 
 Each one worships his or her idol, Self, as centre of a 
 world's approval. 
 
 We labour hard to satisfy its slightest appetite, and 
 wonder how it is that others are perverse enough to with- 
 hold their homage. Where is the remedy ? Examine well 
 within, and make an application to your own heart Are 
 you free from this low tyranny to Self? If so, you are not 
 far from happiness : be resolute ; stand fast ; be not again 
 entangled with the yoke of bondage. No longer be a slave 
 when you might command. Once be firm in self-denial, 
 that conquest leads to others. Maintain your ground, and 
 discipline shall make you strong, immovable decision will 
 crown you with victory. 
 
 What a poor, false thing is Self! We dress it up as a 
 fancy thing to admire ; unclothe it, and you see its emptiness, 
 its vanity. When the love of Self sets up its throne in 
 heart of man or woman, merest trifles will prevail against 
 our common sense. Under this vile tyranny we sacrifice 
 our dearest interests in life and our future joy, exchanging 
 all for baubles of an hour. Thus against Self we have to 
 battle day by day, as our unceasing enemy, and make no 
 compromise. More than this, step by step we must retrace 
 all errors of time gone by, and fixedly resolve to amend our 
 future, that, breaking through all trammels of so worthless a 
 deceiver, we may breathe our heavenly devotions in peaceful 
 hope and freedom.
 
 Self our Idol. 209 
 
 Read the history of that Philistine fish-god, Dagon ; 
 "hideous to refined intelligence, yet it represents our own 
 cherished idol, Self, to whom we bow in lowest adulation. 
 Throw down the idol from before the ark of your mind. 
 Until this vile Self- worship be cast aside no peace is found. 
 The appetite of selfishness grows with what it feeds upon, 
 crying, ' More ! more !' degrading to the heart in sight of 
 angels most offensive. Have we no strength to grapple 
 firmly with this our tyrant, and escape its grasp ? Then 
 you are held in bondage to a most hateful tyrant. We 
 were born to higher aspirations after joys in Paradise, 
 where spirits blest devoutly sing, ' Glory to God, eternal 
 King !' 
 
 How soon we take offence when censured, justly or 
 unjustly, for mistake or fault ; yet freely criticise each act of 
 others when we ourselves may be but half-informed ! So 
 rigid and censorious to others, so indulgent to that idol, Self ! 
 One might think we were angels of perfection, if our own 
 account could be relied upon. To our pretentious eye one 
 little spot of earth is magnified; round that we draw pet 
 circles with the compass, all radii meeting in a centre ; and 
 there sits Self enthroned ! Let every one pay his compli- 
 ments who would approach. To this poor centre we attach 
 an interest and importance all absorbing. There we seek 
 our happiness, so perverse we are ; but there we find it not ! 
 The only cure for such a malady is decisive discipline to 
 curb our wayward will, and bring it in subjection to holier 
 influences, that, having gained the mastery, we may be at 
 peace. Shakespeare says, 
 
 ' I would as lief not be, as live to be 
 In awe of such a thing as I myself.'
 
 2io Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 2. Pride and Self- Confidence. 
 
 (i.) Pride. 
 
 ' PRIDE will have a fall,' is one of the wise proverbial say- 
 ings that give us warning. A proud man is last to take counsel. 
 He is full of assurance, confident in his strength of purpose, 
 resolute in selfishness, and all the while ungenerous, low- 
 minded in his motives of action. No wonder if, carrying 
 his head so high, he fails to see impediments that stand in 
 his way : he seldom seems to know, or care, how disagreeable 
 he is to others, who are rather pleased than sorry if he meets 
 with disappointment. A proud man gains no sympathy, 
 because he has none to offer when others stand in need. 
 Was ever Pride attractive in any station, or ornament to any 
 character ? Quite the reverse displeasing in its selfishness, 
 irritable, and captious. Never in any rank of life, from 
 prince to peasant, was a proud man or woman a happy one; 
 but a sweet, loving, humble temper of unaffected benevolence, 
 enjoys its own bright sunshine within, and sheds a genial in- 
 fluence on all around. 
 
 (2.) Self- Confidence. 
 
 Put no confidence in your own strength to stand against 
 temptation in hours of trial. Call to mind that dreadful 
 night when Christ our Saviour was betrayed by Judas, when 
 all His disciples fled, and Peter thrice denied Him ! Mis- 
 trust yourself; lean only on His preventing grace, His 
 meritorious righteousness, His constant love. Under His 
 defence you may gain sure victory after victory in all tempt- 
 ations. Let His presence be your confidence, His service 
 your joy, His Word the rock of your abiding peace, His 
 Paradise one constant object of your hope. 
 
 Achilles, with all his lion courage, never had been a
 
 Pride of Intellect. 2 1 1 
 
 hero in the Trojan war but for the help of his armour, so in 
 all battles of life we must follow St. Paul's advice : ' Take 
 unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able- to 
 stand in the evil day ; and having done all, to stand.' Then, 
 in his own vigorous way, he continues precise instructions, 
 earnest and persuasive : ' Praying always, with all prayer and 
 supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all 
 perseverance ' (Eph. vi. 14-18). Thus clothed, you have a 
 far higher Divinity to protect you than the Grecian warrior's 
 Olympian goddess Minerva. Then add those sevenfold gifts 
 of the Holy Spirit Comfort, life, and fire of love, light, 
 grace, peace ; winding up by faith, whereby, St. Paul says, 
 ye may 'quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.' 
 How far inferior the whole panoply of Achilles to the helmet 
 of salvation, with the sword of the Spirit, the girdle of truth, 
 and the breastplate of righteousness ! Let come all the 
 powers of darkness and troops of spiritual evil, we have 
 God's grace to stand effectually. Thus strengthened, like 
 young David with his sling, and in his shepherd's bag a few 
 smooth stones from the brook, we might go forth as he did 
 to fight with giant Goliath, having his whole trust in the 
 Lord of hosts, the God of armies, and He would give us vic- 
 tory. But, alas ! how torpid we are of mind, how slow to 
 action, and cold in zeal ! Having such a Leader as Christ 
 our Divine Captain, why do we serve the world ? why prefer 
 to pitch our tents by pleasant streams rather than follow 
 His banner, to glorify His name ? We leave the sacred 
 armour committed to our charge all rusty and neglected 
 sad witness to our indifference ! 
 
 (3.) Pride of Intellect. 
 
 1 Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings Thou has't 
 ordained strength ' (Ps. viii. 2). The vanity of men, their 
 feebleness of intellectual pride, all their fancies of relf-reliance.
 
 2 1 2 Vices to be Overcame. 
 
 love of this world's applause, are nothing worth to measure 
 God's unfathomable mysteries : but a humble heart that seeks 
 its peace and comfort through Divine grace may contemplate 
 and belie ve all revelations of His written Word, rejoice, and 
 obey. In simplicity of thought, then, receive Divine truth as 
 you find it ; your stay, your confidence, your guide, your 
 beacon-light ; neither adding thereto nor taking therefrom. 
 Read that beautiful 38th chapter of Job, in which God, by a 
 short description of His mighty works, convinced Job of 
 ignorance and imbecility as regarded his conception of mys- 
 teries throughout the works of Divine Providence. Yet the 
 character of Job is thus given by the Lord Himself : ' Hast 
 thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him 
 in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth 
 God and escheweth evil ?' But the Lord thus spoke to him : 
 ' Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth ? 
 Declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the 
 measures thereof, if thou knowest ? or who hath stretched 
 the line upon it ? Whereupon are the foundations thereof 
 fastened ? or who laid the corner-stone thereof? When the 
 morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted 
 for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake 
 forth, as if it had issued out of the womb ? When I made 
 the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a 
 swaddling-band for it, and brake up for it my decreed place, 
 and set bars and doors, and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, 
 but no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed ?' 
 And from whence, then, does man obtain his knowledge of 
 God? From his intellect? No; nor from any other book 
 than God's Bible, his only revelation of Divine mysteries. 
 Faith and love by His grace are given to humble men and 
 women, that they may read and understand, and lovingly 
 obey His commands. Then pride of Intellect may bow 
 before Him as a little child, and search for knowledge in 
 His revelation, which all philosophy of ages could never
 
 Mammon. 2 1 3 
 
 otherwise attain : that alone is consummation of eternal 
 truth for all societies of truly wise. 
 
 3. Mammon. 
 
 GOLD is an universal idol. It is like the golden image that 
 Nebuchadnezzar the king set up in the province of Babylon. 
 Modern princes and governors, captains and judges, 
 treasurers, counsellors, sheriffs, and all rulers of provinces, 
 chancellors of exchequer and capitalists, are prompted to 
 bow down before this great idol. When proclamation is 
 made for royal loans of money, or other less reliable invest- 
 ments, they are ushered into notice with flourishes of cornet, 
 flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of 
 music. Then all peoples, nations and languages, fall down 
 and worship the golden image that is set up. This idolatry 
 has been going on from the beginning until now. Nations 
 might by this time have grown wiser, for all experience has 
 shown that gold cannot purchase happiness. They who get 
 most, and keep it to themselves, suffer from that dreadful 
 malady, cankerworm at the heart, gnawing it out with cove- 
 tousness ; they who spend it extravagantly on themselves, 
 exhibit frivolities that amaze all people of common sense. 
 Far different from such as these, all who generously dispense 
 their gold among their distressed fellow-creatures find con- 
 tent and sweetest joy in every act of benevolence : but there 
 are rich promises of higher reward ; whatever they so freely 
 bestow is laid up for them in God's everlasting habitations. 
 
 Many rich are poverty-stricken midst all their treasures, 
 if hoarded up for Self no better than sacks of corn laid by 
 in barns to mildew. Therefore sow your riches broadcast, 
 whilst you may, for benefit of Christ's own poor, and for His 
 Church ; they shall bring for you a hundredfold, and angels 
 shall store them up as rich reward in everlasting mansions. 
 Such are your Redeemer's imperishable promises.
 
 214 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 (i.) Exchange your Dross of Earth for Gold of Heaven. 
 
 If we understood aright, there is nothing more disconso- 
 late or perilous than a mind uninfluenced by religious mo- 
 tives, having neither thought nor desire of pleasing God ; 
 like some vessel tossed at sea without a chart or compass. 
 Amidst a world as selfish as themselves, men and women 
 vainly rest their happiness on treacherous sands : seek peace 
 anywhere but in God, and find at last their hopes deceitful. 
 If rich, they may purchase followers, but not real friends ; 
 flatterers, but untruthful : they may seek indulgence in 
 vanities ; but these will turn to disappointment. All is but 
 dross of earth compared with heavenly gold. Awake then, 
 whilst you may, and make exchange : put not your faith in 
 man but build immovably on promises from God ; let your 
 own will be subject to His commands. Rest not your 
 hopes or possessions here ; but seek your rest in Paradise ; 
 let self-love yield to love of Christ, and charity for His 
 creatures. Then, escaping as birds from a fowler's snare, 
 as a stag from hunters' toils, you shall find your liberty from 
 entanglements of this labyrinth of complicated mazes. Fi- 
 nally, there awaits for you a jewelled crown in heaven, 
 richer far than tinselled honours of a world's applause. 
 
 (2.) Gold. 
 
 Deep fathoms down in stony mountains thousands 
 have been employed extracting veins of gold and silver 
 embedded in hardest rocks of ore. And, after all, what is 
 the thing itself worth ? Bring all your mountain-tops to- 
 gether ; from lowest fathoms dig every depth ; pile up the 
 Alps on Pyrenees ; spread wide their bases, from Himalaya 
 to the Rocky Mountains; pile them up ; let height rise over 
 height, and pinnacle on pinnacle, to yonder skies. Then 
 turn them all to burnished gold, and what would they be
 
 Mammon. 2 \ 5 
 
 worth ? Not one celestial breath of grace divine, not one 
 beam from the emerald rainbow round about God's throne. 
 
 (3.) Rich, covetous Men. 
 
 The rich who labour painfully to acquire more, and heap 
 up wealth, must leave it after all for others to enjoy. They 
 might with open hand bestow their gold in blessed charity, 
 thus to benefit themselves thrice more than those who would 
 receive their gifts. But no ; they love the paltry thing itself. 
 My friend, learn higher wisdom ; bountifully dispense your 
 coin to all who need, and thus secure its best enjoyment to 
 yourself in lasting peace. What if we could see yon rich, 
 covetous man, opening his money-bags in that dark nether 
 world on the wrong side of the gulf, and finding nought 
 but dross and dust instead of gold? But a generous Christian 
 philanthropist, who emptied himself to relieve his poorer 
 neighbours, will find his rich reward for all good deeds of 
 charity in realms of joy, and, after Paradise, be rewarded 
 with a golden crown at Christ's right hand. 
 
 Remember Christ's parable of Lazarus and Dives, repre- 
 senting an extreme example of penury contrasted with 
 luxurious self-indulgence, painted in vivid colours to excite 
 our sympathy and point our warning, truthfully adapted to 
 common life : Lazarus a type of poverty, Dives of wealth. 
 At your gate, or round your park, . you will find many a 
 Lazarus ; take them to your charitable protection. ' Behold, 
 now is the accepted time ; now is the day of salvation ' 
 (2 Cor. vi. 2). Delay, and where may you be to-morrow ? 
 Where Dives was on the wrong side of the gulf, and all 
 too late ! If doubtful or unwilling now, when will you begin ? 
 Let not the present precious moment slip your grasp, 
 lest your poor be carried away to Abraham's bosom, there to 
 tell the tale in Paradise, and thus your opportunity be lost ; 
 but do at once whilst you may. Then will the blessing of
 
 216 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 God be on all you have, on all your own enjoyments. 
 To see the poor made happy by your bountiful bene- 
 volence and sympathy for their sufferings, will be the purest 
 of your own enjoyments, and a testimony of your love for 
 God. 
 
 (4.) What Treasures Rich People throw away ! 
 
 Because a man is rich, may he profusely spend God's 
 outpoured gifts in vain indulgence of his own unworthy Self? 
 Wisdom and charity, ages and centuries of accumulated ex- 
 perience, all general interests of mankind, and Holy Scrip- 
 ture, raise one voice of strong denial : all axioms are against 
 him. He will find too late that he has missed the road to 
 happiness. If few acts of niggardly benevolence are registered, 
 his name will be enrolled in a catalogue of unwise, ungrateful 
 servants, self-indulgent spendthrifts. If no monument of 
 worthy deeds on behalf of his fellow-men record his love 
 for God, he has thrown away his wealth. 
 
 Let us weigh the best possessions of the earth we can 
 think of against the least of God's spiritual gifts. In one scale 
 take gilded palaces and a wide domain, learning, wealth, and 
 fame ; and in the other put a loving contentment and meek- 
 ness of heart, that reaches forward in a holy, humble flame 
 of love and adoration to God. Now, which of these is 
 most worth for happiness? It was not the jewelled crown of 
 Solomon that gave him wisdom, it was the encircling love and 
 grace of God. His ivory palaces and untold riches, 'all were 
 vanity,' as he declared. The Queen of Sheba's costly gifts, 
 encumbering the back of camels, brought no balm of Arab 
 spice to give him peace of mind. Nor all the pinnacles of 
 the Temple that he built on Mount Moriah, nor holy shrine 
 of golden cherubim, could keep him steadfast to his God; for 
 aftenvards he was corrupted, fell away to worship idols. 
 Then the lowest beggar at his palace-gate, blind, famished,
 
 Idolatry of Mammon. 2 1 7 
 
 or a leper, was higher in the sight of Heaven than Solomon 
 the Wise. 
 
 Let all rich men beware in time ; short their possession 
 of things on earth. If they have laid up no depository of 
 treasures in heavenly garners, they have betrayed their trust, 
 and must hereafter give a sorrowful account. Ask those 
 who generously pour out their wealth in God's delightful 
 service to benefit His poor, and they will tell you it is the 
 sweetest expenditure on earth : giving more, still more they 
 love to give. As almoners of Christ in deeds of charity, they 
 do honour to His Name. Solomon says, ' Cast thy bread 
 upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days ' 
 (Eccles. xi. i). ' What hast thou done for Me ?' our loving 
 Saviour will say to every one of us. How many will have to 
 answer, 'Nothing!' If we served our Divine Master with 
 half the zeal we serve this world and Self, benevolence 
 would kindle millions of rejoicing hearts; and instead of 
 ' nothing,' we should earnestly endeavour to do everything 
 to His glory. 
 
 (5.) Idolatry of Mammon. 
 
 If in any land idolatry of Mammon reigns, England may 
 claim at least to be distinguished amongst the votaries. 
 She counts her annual increase of unexpected ' capital ' at 
 more than a hundred millions sterling; year after year 
 investing and multiplying her vast accumulations. Again, 
 she makes exchange in foreign traffic of her exports and 
 imports to an amount exceeding a million every day. Yet, 
 after all, she is unsatisfied. Her merchant princes cry 
 through all her streets and marts of money, c More ! more !' 
 Her nobles build their esplanades of palaces if not re- 
 markable for classical taste in outward architecture, most 
 gorgeous at least their luxury within. Honour to those who 
 have a nobler ambition, and make advance in Christian 
 ranks, to spend their wealth in bountiful benevolence to
 
 21 8 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 educate the poor, build churches, colleges, schools, and 
 hospitals. No less honour unto all who follow their 
 example men and women who promote the same high 
 purpose according to their means. A poor man's mite is 
 received into the pierced hand of Jesus his Redeemer, laid 
 up in store for him, to be repaid by millions' worth of future 
 joy, when Christ will crown the charitable in His realms of 
 Paradise. There no self-indulgent niggards will be found, 
 who hoarded up and loved their treasures of earthly 
 mammon. Like Dives in the parable, they 'died and 
 were buried : ' but now, perhaps, in Hades they bewail their 
 uncharitable hardness on the nether side of that impassable 
 gulf prepared for unregenerate sinners. Wonderful it is, 
 that all histories appeal to us in vain, and experience of 
 ages fails to persuade those worshippers of Mammon to invest 
 their hundred thousands in works of mercy. Such invest- 
 ments will hereafter be repaid by celestial joys. 
 
 4. Luxuriousness. 
 ( i . ) Care of Body, Neglect of Soul. 
 
 How many men and women live careful only for their body, 
 but neglect their soul, that brightest jewel of our existence ! 
 For their body each thought is anxiously engaged; their 
 best acquirements in learning, their accomplishments, their 
 precious time, devoted to advance themselves in wealth and 
 station, or setting off to best advantage their pretentious 
 claims to rank or intellect. Yes, the whole life of many 
 immortal creatures, born to heaven, is spent in racing one 
 against another in fields of vanity ! But for the Soul that 
 immortal principle of our existence, how few endeavour to 
 make it a radiant temple of their living God, to keep it holy 
 and undefiled for its eternal destiny ! In vain has ancient 
 philosophy spread its pages to make us wise ; unheeded are
 
 L uxnriousness. 2 1 9 
 
 all Divine revelations of God's Word, to testify that life is 
 but a shadow ; disregarded is experience of all ancient 
 times, and records of countless gatherings in dust of death, 
 where beauty lies deformed and accomplishments are for- 
 gotten : these, and all other warnings, fail to teach mankind 
 how inestimably precious is the soul, born to an eternity of 
 weal or woe. 
 
 (2.) Soul of Man. 
 
 Light of body is the eye ; light of our soul is the grace 
 of God. Think with what indignity we treat our body, 
 cabinet of our immortal spirit, when we defile and smear it 
 with sinful spots of fleshly lust ! We seem not to know that 
 it contains a gem of inestimable value, beyond all fabled 
 virtue of Aladdin's lamp, changing poverty to wealth, a 
 cottage to a palace, and giving its possessor an admission to 
 happiness greater than that of kings, more precious than all 
 unrealities this poor, anxious world can offer. Therefore 
 be careful of your soul, lest you find too late your folly of 
 neglect, and lament your loss irreparable. 
 
 A heinous sinner would be a suicide of his own soul, if 
 that could die ; but cruelly does his worst against it : 
 wounds, imperils, betrays, defiles, dishonours that brightest 
 gem of God's most precious gifts, bestowed upon him in 
 sacred trust to keep it holy. He will be held responsible 
 for thus defacing the image of his God, who calls it His own 
 ' likeness.' See, then, the fatal injury we inflict upon our 
 souls, the fairest work of His creating hand, dignified as 
 they were by His Incarnate Son taking upon Himself the 
 form and substance, soul and body, of man. Then let it be 
 our first and ever-leading principle of daily life to keep 
 ourselves unspotted by taint of sin, constant in self-denial, 
 and never-ceasing prayer for His assisting grace.
 
 220 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 (3.) Extravagance worse than Folly. 
 
 Trace extravagance from its main spring, and you will 
 find it in a selfish vanity or self-indulgence often vicious 
 habits and pursuits. No man or woman stands alone in 
 their circle of life : they each have duties towards all others. 
 Spendthrifts, high or low, noble or common, extravagant in 
 any degree beyond their means, offend against society ; the 
 higher their rank, more inexcusable. Such as these have 
 involved themselves and others in difficulty, loss, or 
 suffering perhaps in ruin ; and are tempted to escape by 
 artful means or wicked contrivances. Their punishment is 
 no compensation to those whom they deceived. They have 
 lost caste among their equals, and ground down poor people 
 more honest than themselves, who trusted their pretended 
 honour. When the bubble breaks and their mask falls off, 
 they find no sympathy from others, but meet with well- 
 deserved reproach. On the other hand, prudence in ex- 
 penditure is a virtue, combining truthfulness of purpose, 
 self-denial, and self-control : all these are ornaments to 
 character in their possessor. When founded on religious 
 principles, they prevent our falling into that opposite vice of 
 stinginess. Economy is a parent of liberality, affords the 
 power, and guides its prudent exercise, keeping in hand a 
 generous reserve for God's suffering poor. Economy gives 
 security and peace, wins confidence from all good men, and 
 is approved of God, who bestows all gifts. 
 
 5. Ingratitude towards God. 
 
 UNGRATEFUL that we are, receiving day by day all 
 precious gifts from God, but disregard His love that prompts 
 Him to bestow! Christ took upon Himself our iniquities, 
 and for our atonement endured those agonies of mortal 
 suffering on a Cross of shame : but we neglect His invita-
 
 Ingratitude towards God. 221 
 
 tions and despise His laws : graceless and ungrateful ! We 
 tire of His present gifts, mistrust His promises for the 
 future. 
 
 Nothing in all this earth could compare with one pure 
 and perfect joy within a human soul, if once it were able 
 to love supremely its Creator. His divine perfections and 
 attributes so far exceed all power of expression or reach of 
 thought, we are lost in wonder and admiration. When to 
 all other motives we add an earnest gratitude, so justly due 
 to Him for His outpouring benefits each hour of every day 
 conferred upon us, any Christian heart must of necessity 
 bow before Him in adoring love. There is a rudeness, 
 coarse and hard ill-nature, in any one devoid of a sense of 
 grateful, fixed endearment to God for His perpetual mercies. 
 Nothing can excite him to the nobleness of religion, step by 
 step in golden links to give fast hold to heaven. He rejects 
 companionship with angels, dull to understand their loving 
 services ; but grovels after his own selfish purposes, fearing 
 only death, that will overtake him unprepared and reveal 
 too late what treasures he might have gained by loving 
 gratitude to his Creator ; but lost through cold indifference. 
 
 Gifts of those we love are doubly prized, especially as 
 memorials of their affection. How is it, then, we so under- 
 value the many bounties liberally bestowed upon us by a 
 heavenly Father life and health, daily food and comfort, 
 peace and superfluities ? Higher than all these, He sends 
 His Indwelling Spirit, the Holy Ghost within our souls, and 
 assurance of all His promises, that in His kingdom of 
 Paradise we shall more clearly realise His mysteries of love. 
 Why so insensible, so dull to estimate the brilliancy of those 
 enchanting prospects offered to our eye of faith by God ? 
 Alas ! because we love Him not ! So many blessings, yet 
 how few returns ! It is our fallen nature that scarce retains 
 a shadow of our Divine Original. If at best we thank Him, 
 as Author of many blessings, we rather look for more to
 
 222 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 come : aye, seldom for those which are of highest price 
 most precious, grace to love Himself, and obedience to His 
 own commands. Thus we lose the ' Pearl of great price,' 
 worth all the rest 
 
 6. Disregard of Others. 
 
 Go down and mingle with yon thickly-peopled city : 
 behold what multitudes are moving to and fro in earnest 
 search of one or other object, known only to themselves. 
 Intent on that, fixed in resolve, not foreseeing nor regarding 
 much their future, they have little scruple how, by dexterous 
 contrivances, they may attain their purpose and desire. 
 Self is their ruling governor ; how seldom bent on con- 
 formity to the will of God ! Yet each must reap that he has 
 sown. This mystery of consequence overhangs the world, 
 and is an awful consideration ; each cause will work its 
 effects, immediate or remote ; good seed and rich fruit, or 
 evil seed and its fruit, poisonous to the lip. 
 
 ' There is a time to every purpose,' says the wise man 
 (Eccles. iii. i). So likewise there is a purpose to every time, 
 well worth our constant care through day and year to do 
 the right thing at all times : otherwise golden opportunities 
 are lost, perhaps never to be retrieved. Send a poor man 
 from your door, though he looked sick and anxious. After 
 he is gone your conscience smites you : you seek him by the 
 way he went, but in vain : your opportunity is lost, alas ! 
 irrevocably. 
 
 As with individuals, so much more with nations, who 
 are responsible to themselves, with other foreign dominions, 
 for peace and friendship. England and America, so closely 
 bound together by ties of natural alliance, should for ever, 
 through all opposing influence, be as one united family of 
 seventy millions. Governments and churches, bishops and 
 pastors, missionaries and congregations, we should be linked
 
 Disregard of Others. 223 
 
 as one in hearty zeal to spread the blessed gospel light 
 through all dark corners of heathenism. Let us join in 
 prayer for strengthened bonds of international attachment ; 
 that speaking the same language, having the same love of 
 liberal institutions, the same Bible and Church, our children 
 may grow together, firmly united under a pattern kingdom 
 and a model republic. 
 
 (i.) Selfishness of Nations. 
 
 The Jews regarded God's promises in an earthly sense : 
 their hopes were temporal ; so their desires : and according 
 to their desires, so their prayers. They made invocation to 
 God, the Lord of Hosts, as an enemy of their enemies; they 
 prayed for blessings to themselves only, as distinguished 
 from all other nations. To be a Gentile was in their view 
 to be unclean alienated from God. Under Christ's neAv 
 covenant we should consider all as one great commonwealth 
 of nations, pray for one another, and rejoice in each 
 other's prosperity. If all would exercise a mutual, national 
 forbearance and charity, as principles of His Gospel, we 
 might hope to make effectual advance towards a Universal 
 Church. At present, in this respect, nations seem to dwell 
 in shadows of perplexity. Let us pray to be refreshed by 
 brighter lights, and let all consultations be to celebrate 
 God's glory in His Church and kingdom, and thus promote 
 general peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and 
 piety, to all generations in one spirit of Christian love. 
 
 Take the societies of nations, as at present existing, 
 with all their arts and sciences, their grandeur and refine- 
 ment, their luxury and parade, wealth and knowledge, splendid 
 architecture of their cities, with all inventions of luxurious 
 usefulness and gorgeous ornament. Contemplate their 
 competitions in commerce, their love of change, of motion, 
 and excitement. At one time you see them driving nights
 
 22 4 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 and days through distant provinces; at another, despatching 
 telegraphic messages over mountains and valleys, through 
 deep beds of pathless oceans, awaiting impatiently a reply ; 
 each seeking their own interest, bent on schemes of pleasure' 
 ambition, worldly advancement, finding no real happiness 
 nor promoting that of their fellow-men. 
 
 Now change the scene: imagine all those golden 
 opportunities turned to usefulness, as the Lord of Hosts 
 designed, for man's improvement and happiness on earth 
 leading on to the blessed presence of Deity in heaven.' 
 Suppose the community of nations with one accord engaged 
 together, and every class of society in each, circle within 
 circle, of Christian men and women, with one consent com- 
 bining, pledged in heavenly covenant with God to make 
 His will and His laws their own, in one united purpose to 
 promote the commonweal in His delightful service, as Lord 
 of His own universe. What an outspreading then we 
 should behold from every commercial mart, and each 
 exchange of money from national treasuries, to build His 
 temples, hospitals, and schools, alms-houses, and happy 
 dwellings for His poor ! What stores provided for the 
 hungry ! what comfort for destitutes ! And who among 
 the rich would then be made poor? nay, rather, who, 
 m promoting a general prosperity, would not enlarge his 
 own ? For half this earth is yet uncultivated : millions upon 
 millions of acres, still possessed by beasts of the forest and 
 reptiles of the prairie, wait for cultivation. 
 
 (2.) Sinful Example. 
 
 If a man's own sin is shocking in God's sight, how 
 awfully responsible must he be if he has polluted some one 
 other immortal soul dear to its Creator ! and thus through 
 his evil example, or insidious temptation, leading two 
 immortal spirits to perdition. Seldom iniquity falls alone ;
 
 Unkindness in Action. 225 
 
 it drags down others. Most dreadful thought ! Thus 
 impure, hardened sinners, betrayers of innocence, accumu- 
 late against themselves double punishment. Alas ! more 
 than that ; for each sinner is another centre and example of 
 evil in some new circle of vice ! Thus a whole family may 
 be contaminated. This applies to every description of vice; 
 not only sins of uncleanness, lust and debauchery, but of 
 violence, untruthfulness, dishonesty, and other grievous 
 offences that degrade man's nature. And yet, perhaps, so 
 vile a creature is not disquieted till the time of vengeance 
 comes. The proverb says, ' It is sport to a fool to do 
 mischief (Prov. x. 23). He stands before God, numbered 
 among grievous transgressors ; in sight of angels an abhor- 
 rence ; to virtuous lookers-on a plague-spot to be avoided. 
 How careful, then, should all be to watch, control, and purify 
 their hearts and instincts from all approach to evil ! No 
 one stands alone in sin ; he is part of a mixed society, 
 whose influence and example may be pernicious to them- 
 selves and others. No thought or action escapes the all- 
 seeing Eye ; no secret is hidden from Him : from eternity 
 God hath foreseen all things. 
 
 7. Unkindness in Action. 
 (i.) l Pay me that thou owest? 
 
 THIS is a knock at many a man's door, inopportune and 
 thrilling. Be not impatient with your debtor ; think how 
 much thou owest to thy Lord : if He were hard or un- 
 forbearing, where wouldst thou be thyself when called to 
 strict account for secret faults, omissions, impure desires, 
 open sins ? Were He to say, ' Pay Me that thou owest,' 
 how couldst thou answer ? More in number than you can 
 count or memory recall, His gifts in trust committed to you 
 have been misapplied to gratify yourself. And what have 
 
 Q
 
 226 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 you returned to testify yourallegiance, your loveand reverence, 
 for interests of His Church, your charity to His poor? 
 Then if your fellow-servant cannot repay, remit your claim. 
 There is an Ear that hears, an Eye that sees, a Hand that 
 can and will compensate you a hundredfold. Are you 
 content to trust His word ? Then thrice happy you shall be, 
 and what you have is blessed to you ; your barrel of meal 
 shall never waste, your cruse of oil shall never fail ( i Kings, 
 xvii. 14). The Lord shall send His former and His latter 
 rain to refresh your fields ; and if your harvest here is scant, 
 there is a tree of fruits inexhaustible beside ' the pure water 
 of the river of life, clear as crystal.' Paradise shall be your 
 first reward, your next in highest realms of glory. 
 
 If men would be persuaded to regard this world as one 
 great, free partnership, and understand that all the charities 
 they individually bestow on others enrich themselves, what 
 a happy commerce we should carry on ! One irremovable 
 impediment to this will ever be man's" exclusiveness as a 
 moral agent. If we thoroughly followed out our own true 
 and best self-interest in helping all around us, what a holy 
 alliance there would be ! We should discover how each 
 benevolent act to promote the happiness of others is one 
 sure step towards our own. 
 
 (2.) Unfriendships. 
 
 Sure there must be some fibres of bitterness, some 
 noxious root about a human heart, some cloud within man's 
 understanding, if, searching after happiness, we cannot take 
 delight in friendship. Surrounded as we are by many 
 estimable men and women, neighbours or relations, can we 
 not select some few at least whom we may truly call our 
 friends, to share their sorrows, and make them partners in 
 our enjoyments, thus to be one with us? What is it mars 
 this union ? It is want of love for God. All links in that
 
 Unkindness in Action. 227 
 
 golden chain have a near alliance : faith in God, and con- 
 fidence in friends ; love for God, and warm attachment to 
 sympathising friends. Thus Christian Friendship is a hand- 
 maid of Religion, and finds its rich reward in constant mutual 
 exercise. Ordinary attachments between worldly-minded 
 people are governed by interests of Self; they seek those 
 whose friendship may lead them to advancement, or serve 
 some purpose of ambitious vanity, or flatter hopes of in- 
 fluence. Let your friends be faithful worshippers of God : 
 they will assuredly be true. Give me a friend who is an 
 earnest Christian ; faults he may have, as I have ; but each 
 confiding in the other we may open out our inmost thoughts, 
 our difficulties, and easily besetting temptations, receive and 
 give advice, seek God in united prayer round His Euchar- 
 istic Altar, that closest rivet, firmest clench of friendship. 
 Thus we may improve each other, and walk to the house of 
 God in company. 
 
 (3.) ' Am I my brother's Keeper ?' 
 
 Yes, certainly : bound to cherish and maintain him, 
 because he is your brother ; as dear to God, the Heavenly 
 Father, as you are. Did you say 'brother?' nay, if only 
 neighbour, he has the claim. If poor or desolate, sick and 
 suffering, all the more you are appointed from on high to 
 be his protecting keeper : and rich your reward if you fulfil 
 the office. Let him partake of your abundance, and thus 
 you may return a portion of what you have received from 
 God's free bounty for this very purpose. No pleasure of 
 life is equal to charity making others happy, having the 
 approval of your Divine Lord, whose lightest smile irradiates 
 the soul with beams of love and promises of rich reward 
 hereafter, far, far beyond all other joy.
 
 228 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 (4.) War. 
 
 Is it not wonderful that men, born in likeness of the 
 God of Jove, should act like demons one against another in 
 bloody strife ? Behold two nations, dwelling close by as 
 neighbours, for years engaged in friendly intercourse ; when 
 the trump of war sounds in their ears they start into 
 hostile array, furious as tigers to tear their neighbours, or 
 themselves be torn to death, unprepared, unblest ! The 
 responsibility on rulers and their people for this offence is 
 beyond all force of words to express. They might have 
 chosen peace ; yet dared in open day to bid defiance to all 
 denunciations of the Lord of love, ' who is Himself love.' 
 Behold their sufferings, self-imposed, husbands and fathers 
 agonised and dying on fields of battle; hastily buried out of 
 sight, with no religious service, no prayers to heaven offered 
 up, no memorial of their grave, they are tumbled into earth 
 in heaps, to keep them from carrion crows and prevent a 
 pestilence. After a while some ploughman turns them up 
 from a battening soil, preparing for his harvest, and finds 
 some trophy, fragment of armour a corselet or a hilted 
 sword. And who are they at home, sorrowful and bereaved, 
 sitting disconsolate, and asking one another, ' Why delayeth 
 the husband his return?' 'Where is the father, that he 
 cometh not ?' widowed mother and orphan children never 
 to see him more ! 
 
 Behold them in silence of their hidden schemes ; or in 
 conflict of their assemblies, where each aspires to distinction ; 
 or in councils of kings and rulers, devising plans of terri- 
 torial aggrandisement ; or in battle-fields arrayed in panoply 
 of arms, nation against nation, destroying and being de- 
 stroyed, hurried or hurrying others to perdition, with all 
 their crying sins upon their head. Thus are sown hatred 
 and revenge, that bring forth noxious fruit now and in 
 after years : bitter reprisals, wrongs and oppression. If we
 
 Censoriousness in Word. 229 
 
 only lived in faith of God's promises, loving His law, 
 "sympathising with one another in interchange of noble 
 charity, this earth with all its trials might be a foretaste of 
 Paradise, leading on to God's everlasting mansions. Such 
 our heavenly Father's will, that, choosing wisely, we should 
 love as brethren and deny ourselves. 
 
 8. Censoriousness in Word. 
 Censure. 
 
 JUDGE not your erring brother, but if you can, find 
 excuse. If your heart must needs condemn, proclaim it not 
 to others ; go, tell him his fault in private, perhaps you may 
 persuade and lead him to happiness. When you have no 
 good report to make of neighbours, never spread an evil 
 one : ' finger on lip,' lest bitter words escape. Sometimes 
 gentleness of influence will make rough tempers smooth, 
 turning them from evils in their way, when harsh rebuke 
 would irritate. Thus mayest thou win thy brother by 
 Christian benevolence. 
 
 What if your brother has fallen ? have we not often 
 stumbled ? He that spareth censure and reproaches deals 
 in a spirit of charity with his brother. By gentleness and 
 sympathy lead him back from his mistaken path. 'He 
 which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall 
 save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins ' 
 (Jam. v. 20) ; shall have forgiveness of his own. Surely 
 this is motive enough to think gently of the erring; with 
 words of love to win them back to happiness, and thus en- 
 large your own. We cannot tell if soon, or late, or where, 
 or how, we may ourselves again be tempted, and again 
 transgress worse than ever thus to merit the same censure 
 we have heaped on others. Reserve your judgments for 
 yourself, and leave your brother to his Redeemer's ten-
 
 230 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 derness. Before you presume to scan his errors be sorry 
 for your own, and improve yourself; then, and not till 
 then, you will learn to pity rather than condemn your faulty 
 brother. A tongue that flatters to the ear finds fault behind 
 our back. Ungenerous and cowardly! It were better 
 candidly to tell your friend his fault, gently, and in proper 
 season, face to face : let all others discover it for them- 
 selves. There is a nobleness in candour that wins our con- 
 fidence ; but detraction is mean, even in opinion of those 
 who listen. Fix on some amiable qualities of friend or 
 acquaintance ; love him for those, let them make amends 
 for minor faults ; then leave the rest to God, not setting up 
 yourself as judge. Be satisfied to avoid his errors ; if you 
 dare not speak of them to himself, be silent to others. There 
 is mischief enough in the world without your making more 
 by a restless tongue. 
 
 9. Uncharitableness in Thought. 
 
 IT is no great compliment to human nature that, in 
 proportion to our general acquaintance with the world, we 
 must too frequently distrust mankind. In youth we glow 
 with confidence towards companions ; but advancing into 
 years, and taught by experience to mistrust, become sus- 
 picious. Is there nothing noble to be found in Nature's 
 model creature, Man? Doubt not. Bacon truly says, 
 ' Suspicions are defects, not in the heart, but the brain, 
 for they take place in the stoutest natures.' Some may be 
 suspicious from a weak timidity, others because they are 
 conscious of their own deceits, others judge from acknow- 
 ledged facts that the world is full of selfishness, and often 
 has its evil ends in view. All suspicions are depressing, 
 fatal to love or friendship. Better seek a candid explana- 
 tion than do yourself and friend injustice by uncertainty 
 without real cause. View this subject under another aspect, 
 and learn a lesson for your own moral improvement. Have
 
 Unreality in Religion. 231 
 
 you any secret habit, unchaste passion, or companionship 
 that friends would be ashamed to hear of, and all good men 
 lament to know ? By all your hopes of present or of future 
 happiness crush out the cankerworm, lest it taint your very 
 being : cut the Gordian knot that binds your character and 
 instincts, your very nature, in the ties of evil. Be assured 
 that others have suspicions, watchful eyes, listening ears ; and 
 whispers of misgiving are all around you, putting this and 
 that together ; and sure as light is day, or darkness night, 
 the verdict of all acquaintances will condemn your fall, and 
 friends refuse to justify : angels will be God's ministers of 
 punishment, His imperishable Word is now your condemna- 
 tion, and Himself will be your judge. In every circle you 
 ' lose caste/ all wonder and deplore. 
 
 10. Unreality in Religion. 
 
 RELIGION is a broad system of realities in continued 
 action, governed by laws proclaimed from the beginning 
 in Holy Scripture, and leading on to higher joys in Paradise, 
 but seldom treasured up in hearts of unconverted men and 
 women. Alas ! multitudes in God's universal Church are 
 but decent professors. Coldly careless, they satisfy them- 
 selves with religious forms, prejudiced to this or that system 
 of Christian doctrines, but languid ,and indifferent to do, 
 though often ready with words of controversy. Even in 
 Holy Communion they content themselves with signs and 
 symbols, as sufficient acknowledgment of sacramental truth, 
 little caring to embrace the msyterious reality of Christ's 
 Presence in His precious Body and Blood, received 
 into the soul 'after an heavenly and spiritual manner. 
 Small trifles or controversial niceties occupy their thoughts 
 and their affections ; there is no vital warmth in their love 
 for Christ, no deep sorrow for having wounded Him by sin, 
 only faint regrets, weak resolves to amend their future.
 
 232 Vices to be Overcome. 
 
 ( Have I not chosen you twelve, and one is a devil V 
 
 Most awful words ! and uttered by our Lord. ' Hand 
 on mouth, and mouth in dust,' when we endeavour to 
 conceive their depth of meaning. ' He spake of Judas, son 
 of Simon ; for he it was who should betray Him, being one 
 of the twelve.' And how many, many do betray Him now, 
 ' seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, 
 and put Him to an open shame !' Fear, then, a least 
 approach to sin, a slightest breath of evil influence ; aspire 
 to please your loving Jesus, for therein is joy : secure an 
 interest in His atonement, following His example of holiness, 
 that amidst ' the many called ' you may be among ' the few 
 that are chosen,' faithful, earnest, persevering. Whosoever 
 cherishes a secret sin sinks deeper, step by step, till uncon- 
 sciously he yields himself a prisoner to the evil one. There 
 is a taint of poison lurking in every cup of sin. Happy they 
 who taste the consciousness at once, eschew the bitterness, 
 repent, and seek that one sure antidote, in loving Christ 
 who offers you the cup of His salvation.
 
 PART IV. 
 
 VIRTUES NECESSARY TO FITNESS 
 FOR PARADISE. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 VIRTUES NECESSARY TO FITNESS FOR PARADISE. 
 
 i. The Excellence and Beauty of Virtue. 
 
 THE true, beautiful, and good, as moral qualities, can never 
 be disunited. A rainbow's various colours mingle in one 
 ethereal light, forming a bright and perfect harmony through 
 the atmosphere we breathe. Far more exalted, moral virtues, 
 by grace divine, blend in one fair comeliness of Christian 
 character. Will prismatic colours vie with God's celestial 
 gifts of grace ? Stretch onward, then, to virtue. God Omni- 
 potent favourably regards every such example, imperfect 
 though it be, accepted in Christ's immaculate righteousness. 
 Behold a man of moral and religious instincts : how noble, 
 yet unpretending, how calm in painful trials, meek in 
 prosperity, generous to others, but to himself severe; im- 
 movably firm in standing to his principles, yet lenient in 
 judging those who lack decision ! There is an equable
 
 234 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 consistency in his actions which all good men applaud, 
 and sinners cannot but respect. Pure in motives, righteous 
 in his objects, honest in his slightest acts, truthful in every 
 word, he wins full confidence from' all around him, and by 
 example points to others their certain path of happiness. 
 
 Christian virtues may be likened to strings of a well-tuned 
 harp. When voice and spirit of faithful earnest Christians 
 are in unison, what sounds of melody ring round and round 
 cathedral aisles ! how do they strengthen and refresh each 
 soul, and bind together all lovers of Christ ! Various His 
 disciples may be, as flowers in a garden : but gathered into 
 one, their hearts are to God an acceptable oblation of 
 sweet-smelling incense. Faith, Hope, and Charity, crown 
 all Christian virtues with fulness of contentment otherwise 
 unknown; for true believers offer them not in their own 
 righteousness, but in 'Christ's all-prevailing merits. 
 
 There is a nobleness of character in a righteous person, 
 uniting sweetness of temper with immovable decision; 
 gentleness of a lamb with a lion's courage in their Christian 
 course. Each stands a watchful guardian over Self, un- 
 suspicious, and tender of another's fault, scrupulous in 
 censure of any one who is absent. Open candour is in 
 harmony with discretion ; love for God keeps hope and 
 fear in a loving union, despising wealth on its own account, 
 jealous of expenditure on Self, that they may have enough 
 to exercise their generosity on others. Such as these, who 
 have entered into covenant with their Lord, are richly 
 adorned with virtues of true disciples ; according to God's 
 holy Word, He cherishes an innocent heart, bestows on it 
 His choicest blessings, and adopts it for His own. (See 
 Ezek. xvi. 11-14.) 
 
 How is it, then, so few aspire to attainments thus worthy 
 of His approval ? Why do they so seldom draw near and 
 more near in approach to an imitation of Christ in practice 
 of holiness? Because their hearts are pre-engaged to at- 

 
 TJte Happiness of Virtue. 235 
 
 tractions of a vain and frivolous world : they have no eye 
 for beauty, and least of all for Christ's beauty, 'chiefest 
 among ten thousand.' 
 
 An engaging character in any rank in life is one adorned 
 with some one signal virtue, one strong religious principle. 
 Take either of the Christian graces, peacefulness of temper, 
 patience, forbearance, piety, self-denial, charity, gentleness, 
 devotion, humility, long-suffering, and above all, love for 
 God. These are so nearly akin, born of supernatural grace, 
 seldom one is found alone ; such is their attractions within 
 our spirit ; and, when combined together, mark their daily 
 influence on the life of their possessor : how patient and 
 confiding under trial ! how attractive, how temperate and 
 thankful, amidst all blessings ! Then, in regard to our 
 fellow-men, we feel for their sorrows, make allowance for 
 their faults of weakness, and partake in their happiness. 
 Behold the saddening contrast of an unrenewed heart, cold 
 or proud, worldly-minded, contentious or revengeful, am- 
 bitious, touchy and impatient, fault-finding, self-conceited, 
 envious, sensual, or covetous ! How any one such evil 
 quality in man or woman disturbs the peace of all around 
 them, and mars their own happiness ! 
 
 2. The Happiness of Virtue. 
 
 THROUGH all His universe, so vast, sublime, magnificent, 
 and beautiful, God Almighty, Infinite, Supreme, presides, 
 constrains, and modulates all existences in nature, all 
 peoples, nations, and languages, according to His eternal 
 will. I should know exactly how to please Him if only I 
 devoutly loved Him, and would delight in service of 
 obedience: for He has told me in His Word, and the 
 closer I can keep to that the more secure my happiness 
 on earth, the brighter my approach to Paradise. God says 
 to every one, ' Thou shalt not rob or steal ; nor tell a lie ;
 
 236 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 nor do a violence to any one ; nor take My Name in vain ; 
 nor neglect My Sabbath-day, but keep it holy to My services ; 
 nor defile thy body with adultery, fornication, or uncleanness ; 
 nor be covetous of another man's possessions. Thou shalt 
 believe My Word, that I am One God with My well-beloved 
 Son and the Holy Ghost, Whom thou shalt love before and 
 above all in heaven or on earth : and next to that, thou 
 shalt love thy fellow-men, whosoever or wheresoever they 
 may be, to do them all the good thou canst ; even if they 
 have done thee wrong, and are thine enemies, thou shalt 
 forgive them, even as I have forgiven thee. All this for My 
 sake thou shalt do ; for I love thy fellow-creatures no less 
 than I love thee, and wish them to be saved as much as I 
 desire thyself to be saved, and by the same means, namely, 
 through prayer by the Holy Ghost, through faith in the 
 precious merits of My Incarnate Son, and through obedience 
 to My law.' If we would do all this, how charming it would 
 be ! for then we should be happy here as ' children of God ' 
 and 'brethren of Christ;' happier hereafter in His kingdom of 
 Paradise, and still and still rise to higher altitudes round His 
 throne, there to worship the Holy Trinity with angels and 
 archangels, cherubim and seraphim, singing joyous alleluias 
 through all eternity. 
 
 3. Gratitude to God our first Duty. 
 
 CALL to mind all blessings of your life ; in early years 
 hedged in, as it were, by domestic ties, wholesome restraints 
 of discipline, placed in a garden of peace, there beginning 
 to bud and blossom, gave fair promise of riper and abundant 
 fruit. From whom did you receive all these, and countless 
 other blessings since ? Even from Him who, with His out- 
 pouring bounties, has committed to your charge a responsible 
 stewardship for others. Return to Him love for love, gifts 
 for gifts. Pour back of your abundance with liberal hand a
 
 Gratitude to God, 237 
 
 portion of what you have received from His treasury. Who 
 was ever sorry for offerings made to God ? They will be 
 multiplied to your bosom sevenfold here in present joy, 
 whilst giving happiness to others ; but a hundredfold here- 
 after. Occasions constantly present themselves to testify 
 your gratitude and love. Some there are living round you, 
 His poor, His children, ' brethren ' of Christ, who loves them. 
 Contrast their dwellings with your own : theirs, comfortless 
 and cold, scarce air or water-tight; yours, luxurious and 
 tastefully adorned. If they find employment, they labour 
 through the day, the week, the year, from sunrise to sunset, 
 in all weathers, for scanty wages. They require nourishing 
 food to sustain the wear and tear of their physical frame ; yet 
 must they deny themselves, or their families would starve. 
 If unemployed their fate too often how shall they escape 
 temptations to evil? If sick, how pay for medicines and 
 nourishment? Amidst all this, your every want and wish 
 have been provided for, anticipated. Think of your own 
 forgetfulness of His numberless blessings to yourself. Well 
 might you dedicate your life, all that you are, all that you 
 have, as a loving homage of your gratitude. Exercise a 
 noble spirit of decision to recall the past, and henceforth 
 labour in the cause of charity. Let not any instances of 
 ingratitude you may meet with damp your ardour of doing 
 good. 
 
 Bestow your benefits out of love for God; most acceptable 
 they will be to Him, springing from such a motive. You 
 will find a present rich reward in any charity or pleasure 
 you confer on others, and inherit higher joy laid up for 
 you at His right hand. But if you look for gratitude on 
 earth, you will seldom find it. Let this be no dis- 
 couragement. Rather learn how cold you are yourself, 
 how wanting in grateful love to God for inestimable 
 blessings He has bestowed on you, and on those you 
 dearly cherish.
 
 238 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 Gratitude to Christ. 
 
 The millions of souls on earth, if offered in sacrifice, 
 would never have availed as an atonement for one sinner ; 
 because all being transgressors, how could they ever be 
 acceptable to the God of purity? Hence we learn the 
 mysterious power of Christ's expiation on His Cross of 
 Calvary, a spotless Lamb, Incarnate God, yet taking into 
 Himself the nature of Man, 'sin only excepted.' He suffered 
 death-agonies on our behalf, and shame of a culprit. This 
 great mystery of Redemption, gradually unfolded through 
 ages of comparative darkness, at length in time appointed 
 blazed gloriously on the world. Behold, a celestial light 
 shone over a company of shepherds at Bethlehem, keeping 
 watch over their flocks by night; and a multitude of the 
 heavenly host was heard, praising God and saying, ' Glory 
 to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards 
 men' (Luke, ii. 13, 14). Read this narrative from that 
 first day to the day of our Lord's ascension into heaven, 
 and declare if there was ever such a history of miracles, 
 such a golden chain of mighty incidents, such a delightful, 
 supernatural, and entrancing series of Divine perfections, 
 presented to the reading world? Must we not, then, un- 
 worthy though we are, gratefully adore, love, reverence, and 
 obey our precious Redeemer, Saviour of all whom we love, 
 or ever have loved on earth ? With them I hope to worship 
 Him hereafter in Paradise, through His only righteousness, 
 His sacrifice of Atonement, His imperishable promises. Give 
 me these, and take to yourself all other possessions, hopes, 
 and reversions, if so you desire. Yet one thing I covet 
 ardently, that you would join in like convictions and 
 resolves, that we may together travel this our pilgrimage ; 
 and at the last day sing hymns of gratitude and love to the 
 dear Advocate of sinners.
 
 Sincerity. 239 
 
 4. Sincerity. 
 
 'SINGLENESS of heart as unto Christ' (Eph. vi. 5). One 
 central point of practical religion is, ' Doing the will of God 
 from the heart,' for love of Him ; doing all things for His 
 glory : that is, by a hearty, willing, earnest obedience to His 
 law of love, and therefore doing all in our power towards the 
 happiness of His creatures : for ' God is love.' Such is the 
 mysterious harmony of His will. All wisdom, learning, and 
 philosophy or men, with all their schemes, devices, and 
 experiences, their governments and jurisprudence, have never 
 produced a code of laws for a moment to compare with 
 God's simple, all-embracing height and depth of Divine 
 legislation. The Christian virtues enjoined throughout His 
 Gospel, taken together, make a perfect code that reaches 
 every circle of earth, adapted and fitting to each man's own 
 requirements. Surely this is among God's miracles of pro- 
 vidential rule. If we attain assured conviction that He 
 desires all His children to be happy, and provides the 
 means, we may regard obedience as our greatest privilege 
 and His love our highest joy. Then all our motives will be 
 changed from fear, all our actions have their root in prompt 
 desires to please a heavenly Father instead of pandering to 
 our own unworthy Self. Make then your choice, and having 
 once decided, stand immovable, delighting to conform your 
 will to His supremacy. This is true nobleness of character. 
 Religion will become our veritable science of happiness. 
 Doubtless conformity remains an indispensable imperative 
 duty ; but is exalted to that higher sense of ' the privilege 
 and joy.' When ' perfect love casts out fear,' all is peace. 
 Yet some men are apt to regard religion as melancholy and 
 burthensome, because their selfish instincts are restrained, 
 their vanities discouraged, their self-indulgence forbidden. 
 But this view of religion is among the many other deceits 
 that stand opposed to truth. Our heavenly Father would
 
 240 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 have us reasonably enjoy the pleasure He has provided in 
 recreations that produce no after-mischief. They bring 
 societies together at fitting times, promote benevolence, and 
 mutual cheerfulness of mind. Receive them with thank- 
 fulness as the bounties of Providence in ' singleness of heart, 
 as unto Christ :' whatever is done in this spirit promotes His 
 great design in happiness to His creatures. 
 
 5. Truthfulness and Honesty. 
 
 (i.) Truth. 
 
 IT is better to avoid a fault than bear its punishment : 
 but better take the punishment than escape it by a lie. 
 There is a triple consequence of each offence that violates 
 God's code of truth. First, it displeases Jehovah Almighty; 
 next, it is offensive to society ; and thirdly, it inflicts a wound 
 dishonourable to human nature. We might suppose it 
 could only be some terror of an overhanging catastrophe, 
 or other object of vast importance, that could tempt a man 
 of firm resolve, or real experience of life, to transgress that 
 law of honour established in society. We should expect 
 that either his regard for moral courage, or his fear of 
 'losing caste,' or regard for his eternal interests, would 
 prompt him at once to speak the truth. Far happier for all 
 if history bore witness to this result. But religious motives, 
 moral principles, a sensitive regard for personal character, 
 have been ever found insufficient to control the tempera- 
 ment of a coward, selfish will. Suppose a skulking man 
 escapes the censure of his fellows, and for a while is crowned 
 with what he calls 'success;' even if a lord, or rich, it is all 
 the worse for his sense of purity, and his hold on that 
 foundation-rock of quiet consciousness, transcendently above 
 all false manoeuvres. Let him date that unfortunate 
 ' success ' as certain source of its own inevitable effects,
 
 Honesty and Candour. 241 
 
 immediate or remote. Encouraged by that ' success ' till 
 habit becomes familiar, his conscience dulled, his moral 
 sense perverted, and he is 'a marked man.' Last of all, 
 and worst of all, he must give account in higher courts, 
 where his untruthfulness and evasions will be revealed to 
 light of day : in presence of angels he will stand abashed. 
 There he must encounter an all-seeing Eye his Judge 
 Supreme : he will meet his punishment at last. 
 
 (2.) Honesty and Candour. 
 
 A man of moral character is honourable in conduct and 
 honest in his dealings with others. How is it, then, so 
 difficult to find one who is either honest or honourable to 
 himself, but unconsciously betrays his dearest interests ? 
 We are all intrusted with important responsibilities, of 
 which we must give a strict account. Yet a man may 
 carry himself into danger with such self-confidence and 
 pride that his prudent neighbours are astonished, and 
 predict his fall. Then what should be a leading principle 
 with us all to direct our course in safety ? Let each have 
 a candid mind, ready to form impartial judgment of his 
 personal motives in every action. If they are pure he 
 cannot far go wrong; his mind is sensitive to the least 
 perversion of his interests ; with religious courage he 
 controls his inner Self, asserts his own prescriptive right 
 to judge and do, and so gains the mastership. Thus his 
 motives gather strength, confirmed by practice and ex- 
 perience. No vain love of applause disturbs his peaceful 
 course ; at every step his candour wins the confidence of 
 others, his word is as good as his bond. His character 
 for decision clears his path of triflers and their impertinence : 
 every one knows that what he says he means. It is won- 
 derful what influence he has with all in whose society he 
 lives. There is often a simple grandeur in his thoughts, 
 
 R
 
 242 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 expressed without premeditation. If he does not aspire 
 or reach to some more eminent position, his perfect freedom 
 from ambition, his simple views and contentment, will 
 account for it; he lives in a higher atmosphere than his 
 associates, though he walks among them. Such a man is 
 an ornament in any circle, an example of consistency. 
 Would there were many such ! The complex machinery 
 of an unwieldy world would move in oil, great advance 
 would be made in mixed relations of life ; motives pure, 
 instincts controlled, results all harmonised to general im- 
 provement. Thus it might be if honesty and candour 
 were the ruling principles. 
 
 Candour 
 
 Consists in a ready impulse to recognise truth whenever 
 found, and a prompt desire to acknowledge it to others. 
 Such a man receives the lights of truth as gleams from 
 Heaven, the only source of Divine principles, of all ex- 
 istences material or spiritual. Candour, by its keen, unpre- 
 judiced conceptions, unravels difficult intertwinings ; it 
 gathers up impartially the threads of theory and fact, dis- 
 tinguishing one from another. Whenever such a man 
 perceives his error, the manliness of his nature ingenuously 
 makes confession ; and thus his influence is quickly felt, 
 inspiring confidence in future. But prejudice is obstinate, 
 perverse, offensive to friend or stranger, creates distrust, 
 embarrasses the truth. One feature, yet more amiable, 
 distinguishes a candid man he refrains from censure, 
 especially of those who are absent. ' Wherefore should I,' 
 he says to himself, ' condemn another because his words 
 or actions seem at fault? Am I my brother's judge? 
 Perhaps he is the victim of a slander. If wrong, let him 
 answer for himself ; let some one else proclaim the error : 
 if misrepresented, I will at least be careful not to aggravate 
 the injustice he already suffers.' If men and women were
 
 Jtistice and Moderation. 243 
 
 wise and merciful guardians of their tongues, how happy we 
 should be ! 
 
 6. Justice and Moderation. 
 (i.) Justice. 
 
 IN ancient Scripture terms, ' the just ' implies a man 
 endowed with many virtues justified before God. Among 
 heathen nations, ' justice ' was a subject of their proverbs, 
 a thesis of philosophy in government. The Christian law, 
 as usual, expands this virtue to a wider and a heavenly 
 range, making it harmonious with the whole covenant of 
 grace. Needless to say, justice is an attribute of God; 
 eternal and almighty ; yet selfish man, contending to the 
 full for justice to himself, would disallow an equal share to 
 others so little conscious of his Master's law of equity ! 
 God's principles of justice are distinctly written in His 
 Book of books ; founded on love, they form a high stand- 
 ground, moral and religious, for happiness to all. It may 
 be, the social relations of a kingdom within itself are 
 governed by impartial laws, whilst justice is forgotten in 
 jealous intercourse of nation with nation. Each, desirous of 
 its own aggrandisement, is ready to overstep the boundaries 
 of right. But when a faithful love for God and man shall 
 shed its influence through the zones, east and west, and 
 when the Dove of Peace shall bear her olive-branch to the 
 ark of Christ's universal Church, then, and not before, 
 Justice with her kindred virtues shall be acknowledged as 
 one world-wide principle of His kingdom . Meanwhile, we 
 may each individually pray for those promised ' times of 
 refreshing,' for universal peace, love, and justice.
 
 244 Virtues necessary to Fitness 
 
 (2.) Moderation. 
 
 Alas ! how seldom we have wisdom to pursue the 'middle 
 way,' depending first on God's assisting grace, but diligent 
 in personal exertions to follow His commandments in a 
 charitable love for all around us. Like other paths of trial, 
 this is difficult : but we are not left without an index, clear 
 and true as a mariner's compass, pointing each degree of 
 course to hold, and marked for guidance. This is God's 
 revealed Word, infallible. If we neglect and follow out some 
 other track, we make no progress, encounter storms, for- 
 tunate if we escape shipwreck. What, then, are the sure 
 and certain pointings of our index to avoid surrounding 
 difficulties ? Prudence, caution, and humility ; counsel from 
 on high and from those who by experience know the ways 
 of wisdom better than ourselves ; forbearance, gentleness, 
 and patience all connected by the three great virtues, Faith, 
 Hope, and Charity. If these be sought in constant prayer, 
 Divine grace will elevate our instincts of self-protection to a 
 higher reach, nearing those of angels, thought to thought. 
 One of those most lovely, unseen, spiritual companions, will 
 be a guardian more safe than Self to block the way of ill, 
 and God will keep us under His almighty wing. 
 
 Men are apt to think that true liberty consists in doing 
 what is most agreeable to themselves. Few notions are 
 more productive of troublesome captivity. In social 
 struggles, strife of tongues, or jealousies of governors or 
 governed, all contend on either side for liberty. How 
 seldom they consider that self-control is freedom from their 
 worst of tyrannies ! So it is with nations. Judging from 
 recent wars, it might be imagined we had travelled back to 
 days of barbarism, yet boast our high advancement in 
 civilisation, arts, science, and philosophy. Thus we travel 
 round and round our self-created centres, indifferent to any 
 interests of others. Indeed, all men and women in their
 
 Humility and Meekness. 245 
 
 own opinion are centres each of a surrounding world, even 
 as little winged insects that live their day, then die. Have 
 we not immortal souls, responsible for government of 
 motives, thoughts, and objects ? It well behoves us, 
 whether we look to happiness here, or, higher still, to 
 future in a world of spirits, to answer this. Pay willing 
 service to your holy, loving, and beneficent Creator, who 
 commands us all to love one another : and you shall ' stand 
 fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free ; 
 and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage ' (Gal. 
 v. 13). St. Paul defines the freedom of faithful Christians, 
 'Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty' (2 Cor. 
 ni. 17). And again: 'Brethren, ye have been called unto 
 liberty, only use not liberty for the occasion of the flesh, 
 but by love serve one another : for all the law is fulfilled 
 in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as 
 thyself (Gal. v. 13, 14). Observe how this moral law 
 exalts our ties of social and international life, bringing pride 
 and selfishness within control of mutual charity. In every 
 circle of society each one is expected, by self-control, to 
 acquiesce in certain acknowledged rules. If he offensively 
 behaves by discourteous, unseemly manners or expressions, 
 or by immoral, irreligious example, he should be quickly 
 banished. Establish for your inward government an efficient 
 law of self-control. Let disobedience to God be simply 
 hateful in your sight ; or any offensive habit that usurps 
 dominion over your religious principles ; so shall you be 
 master of yourself, therefore happy. 
 
 7. Humility and Meekness. 
 (i.) Humility. 
 
 WHEN we contemplate our Lord's humility, how in 
 Divine love He came down from His throne on high and
 
 246 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 suffered bitter agonies for our redemption, may we not well 
 be covered with confusion at thoughts of our own false 
 pride ? O when shall I beat down this swelling heart of 
 mine, to be as He was, meek and lowly ? Alas ! how vain 
 our feeble strivings to be humble, living in full pursuit of 
 poor, pretentious frivolities ! Except Divine grace all things 
 are against us ; all minister to pride, affectation of merits, 
 and love of applause. I will learn step by step to follow 
 Christ and take His cross upon me. I will dwell in thought 
 and admiration of His lowliness, remembering His gracious 
 words, and how the admiring crowds of hearers said, ' Never 
 man spake like this man !' I will contemplate His crown 
 of thorns endured for me, now exchanged for His diadem 
 of eternal glory. Thus every presumptuous thought shall 
 bend before Him with an offering of my humility. Without 
 this grace of lowliness no promise can be found of peace 
 through all God's Word. Proud people are never happy. 
 
 Self-confidence is dangerous in hours of temptation ; 
 humility seeks counsel from on high, and thus is strong. 
 God teaches us to know what His assisting Grace can 
 perfectly accomplish. We call to mind our Saviour's words, 
 ' Without Me ye can do nothing.' His eye of purity, sleep- 
 less, searching, beholds us everywhere. He reads our 
 inmost thoughts. He gives us comfort by His presence, 
 and we learn this lesson, ' Be ye meek and lowly, for I am 
 meek and lowly.' How difficult is this amidst a world 
 that values men according to their wealth, or means of 
 influence ! Learn better, in schools of meditation and of 
 prayer, to discipline your mind ; subdue each thought of 
 pride, and guard your words, lest they speak vanity, or 
 wound some feelings of another. 
 
 Hear our blessed Lord's words in commendation of the 
 grace of humility : ' Consider the lilies of the field, how 
 they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin : and yet I say 
 unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
 
 Humility and Meekness. 247 
 
 like one of these ' (Matt. vi. 28, 29). Examine well some 
 lowliest floweret in garden or in field through a microscope ; 
 its brilliancy of colours, and thousand veins of sap, giving 
 streams of life to every fibre, disclose Divine providential 
 workmanship, more beautiful beyond compare than all a 
 royal wardrobe. Full many a saint blossoms in secret like 
 a lily of the field, prayerful and diligent in works of charity. 
 Not one act is unobserved of God ; each in His day of account 
 will be acknowledged in sight of millions ; then will they 
 appear as kings and princes, faithful servants of Christ our 
 Lord, who loved them and washed them from their sins. 
 
 There is an attractive grace in meekness that even pride 
 with all its waywardness can scarce resist. A gentle spirit 
 shrinks from all contention, yielding every point but one 
 consciousness of duty. Temperate and self-denying, it 
 seeks the path of peace, and through Divine grace gathers 
 mellow fruit. Who shall find occasion of dispute when 
 meekness offers no resistance ? To turn the other cheeK 
 when smitten disarms the quarrelsome, is a high attainment 
 in this resentful world, governed by rules, falsely called 
 laws of honour, that settle all disputes by rushing deeper 
 into combat, to avenge the wrong of one by calamity to 
 many, and heaping up remorse on Self. 
 
 It is an old proverb, ' Words may be silver, silence is 
 gold.' To be silent on our own supposed perfections; 
 silent when entrusted with a secret that belongs to others ; 
 to refrain from speaking evil of another ; silently but visibly 
 to discountenance any word of irreverence, indecency, or 
 profanation; to be silent under reproach, rather than retort; 
 avoiding harsh expressions, fearing to offend all such in- 
 stances of silence are victories over Self. We are so prone 
 to hear our own voice, so difficult to sober down to modesty : 
 these are signs of wisdom, contribute to a general peace and 
 confidence in one another.
 
 248 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 (2.) Meekness. 
 
 Who am I, that I should take offence at a breath of 
 slander against myself; or some sharp word of reproach, 
 whether deserved or undeserved ? Was not my Lord, the 
 purest and most exalted pattern of all perfection, yet vilified 
 as a blasphemer and deceiver, still answered not a word ? 
 Smitten and spit upon, mocked shamefully and buffeted, 
 mercilessly crucified, yet in bitter agonies of a cruel death 
 prayed for His murderers ? Shall I, then, who am a worm, 
 return evil for evil when I am unjustly treated ? No ; I 
 will obey His injunction : ' Be ye meek and lowly, for I am 
 meek and lowly.' 1 will follow His example and suffer 
 gladly, adore Him as my Saviour and my God. 
 
 When acting under some strong and fearless impulse of 
 our own we are in danger : but if experience has taught us, 
 or a spirit of meekness prevails within, we are open to 
 advice, our own desires yield to wisdom. Self-confidence 
 is a stumbling-block that has brought many a man down 
 from high condition. Then counsel from a friend, perhaps 
 before rejected, may be thankfully received : he will confess, 
 ' I refused your words of caution, now all is lost.' Not lost, 
 if now you turn to some better fountain than your own 
 resolves. That which you so highly prize, philosophers ot 
 old, and Christian saints, the wise of ages past, have little 
 valued. Learn how vain your motives, how poor your 
 objects, that have drawn you on to frequent disappoint- 
 ments ; add to this a consciousness of your strong, impulsive 
 will ; and in future be resolved to turn nor right nor left 
 from paths of duty. Submit your purposes to God's high 
 wisdom, and pray for future opportunities of amending your 
 mistakes.
 
 Gentleness and Benevolence. 249 
 
 8. Gentleness and Benevolence. 
 (i.) Gentleness. 
 
 GENTLENESS in manner, thought, and words, how pleasant 
 and engaging ! It sheds perpetually a graceful influence on 
 every circle. If gentleness performs no deeds of valour, it 
 wins affection from the brave. In absence of pretence it is 
 more near akin to angels than any pride of heart. Men and 
 women of a gentle spirit, unconscious of any claim to genius, 
 admire that of others their words persuasive, their maxims 
 simple, their thoughts full of charity. Gentleness acquires 
 more by yielding than presumption by demanding, for it 
 gains the sympathy that is lost by pride. A helping hand is 
 ever more promptly offered to the gentle than to men ob- 
 trusive, rude, over-confident in themselves. If gentleness 
 seems to gain few friends in hurried rounds of vain society, 
 it never loses one by any want of kindness. You will find 
 it always in unison with other kindred virtues, charity and 
 benevolence, long-suffering, calm forbearance, meekness 
 and humility : these draw us nearer to imitation of Christ, 
 the one Divine Exemplar of all perfections, whose true dis- 
 ciples live together in undisturbed serenity. 
 
 (2.) Benevolence. 
 
 Whensoever our spiritual affections, warmed by Divine 
 inspiration, expand in vigorous benevolence, we are no 
 longer in captivity to narrow selfishness. Then we feel an 
 interest in making all around us happy; rejoice in their 
 success, endeavour to imitate their virtues, and find indulgent 
 mitigation of their faults, conscious of our own. This is one 
 of those sweet, heavenly springs of love, clear as crystal, 
 ' proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.' 
 It only waits an opening of Divine grace, flowing forth in
 
 250 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 streams of comfort to ourselves, refreshment and delight to 
 others. 
 
 9. Decision of Character. 
 
 TENDERNESS of charity, sweetness of hope, strength of 
 faith, combine in harmony to constitute a thorough Christian : 
 they are at once his ornament and security, especially when 
 firmly grounded on what we call 'decision of character.' 
 Comprehend at once the clear distinction between Decision 
 and Obstinacy, which last is a degenerate offshoot, disfi- 
 guring a noble stem. An obstinate will, ungoverned by re- 
 ligious principle, slighting its safeguard of discretion, and 
 resisting advice of kind and sober judgment, robs Decision 
 of her attractions ; it bears a harsh offensiveness that society 
 will never tolerate, nor wisdom ever justify. Examples 
 enough in history may be found of men distinguished for 
 decision to effectuate unrighteous schemes, scattering to the 
 winds all regard for justice or the claims of others, and at 
 last making wreck of their individual happiness. Such de- 
 cision requires little comment to unveil its deformity; its 
 features are sufficiently unamiable and odious. The virtuous 
 decision we speak of is a moral and religious force of cha- 
 racter that stimulates a man to virtue, and enlists his 'tender- 
 ness of charity, sweetness of hope, and strength of faith,' to 
 prompt and accomplish every righteous purpose. When ever 
 did a man, thus distinguished, fail to win confidence and 
 esteem ? He has a settled mind, not wavering like the sea 
 in ebb and flow, tossed by inconstant winds. In danger he 
 is prompt to overcome, in every crisis clear and resolute, 
 under each reverse prepared to suffer, in every trial patient 
 to endure, and through all difficulties of path holds his 
 course. As well attempt to move yon mountain as drive 
 him from his point. Firm of will, constant in purpose, he 
 rises superior to misfortune, and if at last he fails, his honesty
 
 Decision of Character. 251 
 
 dignifies the cause he undertook ; his right motives are a 
 balm of comfort ; the sympathy of all good men is compen- 
 sation for unsuccessful aim. Men embarked in various 
 occupations are changeable as winds, or persevere to evil ; 
 finding themselves encompassed by unexpected obstacles, 
 they have recourse to doubtful expedients for a passing mo- 
 ment, rather than stand to rules unchangeable of Christian 
 virtue, rightly to do the proper thing at a fitting time. They 
 had better listen to their guardian angel, speak truthfully, be 
 open and honest as the sun. Once resolved, let them abide 
 by their first promptings, not wait a second notice : there is a 
 nobleness in moral courage that dignifies a humble, but de- 
 cisive Christian, rooted and grounded in religious principle. 
 This resolution of character effectuates important enterprises, 
 and is perfectly consistent with a gentle spirit; but false 
 decision, acting on its own determinate will, is obstinate 
 presumption. A man of true, decided character, with ten- 
 derness of conscience guided by God's moral law, is some- 
 times called to act upon an instant of reflection ; at other 
 times he deliberates, weighs nice points of distinction, then 
 sees his path of duty, enters upon it unchangeably, and 
 never turns. 
 
 Sometimes temptations, or occasions of responsibility, 
 call upon us without preparation to say or do, to choose or 
 reject a doubtful act, to give consent or refuse to join in any 
 questionable scheme. One sure infallible resource we have 
 a mental decisive prayer, however short, for Divine assistance 
 of our judgment. God will give us counsel through the 
 whisperings of a sensitive conscience. Whatever be your 
 doubt, decide at once, especially when required by present 
 self-denial ; that is always a guide to be relied upon : let 
 nothing lead to hesitation, neither flinch nor change, and 
 you are safe, come what come may.
 
 2$ 2 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 10. Industry and Contentment. 
 
 ( i .) Industry Hive of Bees. 
 
 SEE you that hive of bees ? Out of insensible grubs made 
 winged creatures of the air, with instincts of perseverance, 
 self-denial, and forethought, they lay up honeyed treasures 
 for chilly winter in cells of architecture more curious than 
 palaces of kings. Go, sluggard, or thou hunter after vanities, 
 learn from their example to prepare for thine after-coming 
 day, lest being called to a reckoning of lost opportunities, 
 thou hast no account to show of ingathered store. 
 
 (2.) Contentment. 
 
 St. Paul says, 'Having food and raiment, let us be there- 
 with content ' (i Tim. vi. 8). And once again : ' I have 
 learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I 
 knowboth how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every- 
 where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and 
 to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need ' (Phil. iv. 
 n, 12). By illumination of Divine grace St. Paul adapted 
 himself to each occasion ; he knew in whom to trust, and 
 exhibited for our instruction a full reliance on the mercy of 
 God who careth for His children. ' Troubled on every side, 
 yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, 
 but not forsaken ; cast down, but not destroyed ' (2 Cor. iv. 
 8, 9). How different from ordinary men ! Each disappoint- 
 ment of our slightest wish ruffles our evenness of temper ; a 
 momentary neglect, an occasional omission or mistake of 
 others, chafes the spirit. Life is full of change and trial, but 
 if we have learned contentment we are quiet, and rejoice in 
 the happiness of others. If real sorrows cloud over us in 
 loss of fortune or bereavement of those most dear to us, we 
 call to mind our dear Saviour's words : ' The cup which My
 
 Diligence and Perseverance. 253 
 
 Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?' (John, xviii. 
 n). Silently we may live contented, though none have 
 breathed our praise. And what is praise but a breath ? He 
 alone is worthy who perseveres in duties of his proper station, 
 as unto God, whose approval is a heavenly reward beyond 
 the highest reach of human praise. Men of simple mind are 
 nearer to depths of theology than puzzled unbelievers, for 
 they are children of a heavenly Father, who maketh clear 
 His truth to them through grace, and crowns His blessed 
 gift with its own rich fruits. He teaches them divine theo- 
 logy, centre truth of science, philosophy, or intellectual facul- 
 ties, uniting them in all that is essential to the happiness of 
 man on earth, preparing him for future companies in bliss 
 of Paradise. 
 
 11. Diligence and Perseverance. 
 (i.) Diligence. 
 
 Too long we lose our precious time in lingering on 
 through vain interests and fallacies of earth, as if this were 
 our proper home : but immortal spirits, once awakened to 
 realities of their higher destinies, yearn for heavenly realms, 
 prepared for righteous believers. Blessed was that hour 
 when God's morning star of faith first dawned upon our 
 soul, shed clear light on all the past, revealed its wanderings, 
 and opened out new visions far beyond its former conscious- 
 ness. Then by degrees a Saviour's love shines clear and 
 clearer, as we mourn that heavy burthen of our faults 
 which kept us long apart from love, and knowledge of Jesus 
 our Lord ; we desire to cast it down before His cross, look- 
 ing back with shame and wonder at what we were through our 
 degenerate will. We gaze on His beauty, His loveliness 
 of countenance, bright ' as the sun shining in his strength,' 
 shedding joy and delight on His redeemed. Then we know 
 there is a heavenly kingdom in Paradise, and Jesus in His 
 love is near. But higher still will be the ecstasy of eternal
 
 254 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 rest in His heaven of heavens; there angels offer Him 
 pure oblations prayer and praise before His golden altar. 
 There thousands of thousands inherit a sonship of God 
 through their Redeemer's merits and atonement ; there He 
 ' makes up His jewels' (Mai. Hi. 17). O blessed Saviour 
 of penitents, lead me on ; Thou art the only way. 
 
 (2.) Perseverance. 
 
 ' Nulla dies sine lined,' 1 ' No day without a line/ says the 
 busy author. So with man on pilgrimage to his better coun- 
 try, ' No day without advance;' he perseveres in climbing: 
 one step higher is a step gained, leads to the next, and that 
 to others ; thus we strain towards the mountain-top. In like 
 manner Christian virtues are confirmed and increased as we 
 rise : we become stronger, breathe a refreshment of celestial 
 atmosphere, nerved to higher religious resolutions. Every 
 point gained in self-discipline is another step in a right di- 
 rection for happiness. Only let us do all for God's glory, 
 trusting in His grace, prepared to make all sacrifices for love 
 of such a Father. 
 
 Look at this watch : you see how delicate its wheels, and 
 chain, and cogs, moving true to every hour and moment, day 
 or night, yet so fine and slender you would not venture on 
 the slightest touch. Those working hands that turned its tiny 
 screws and fixed its springs were large and hard. Why, then, 
 could not you or I make any part? The reason is, that perseve- 
 rance matured their skill, and practice made them perfect ; 
 So let us learn, and labour diligently, to regulate the springs 
 and wheels within our hearts, more intricate than any me- 
 chanism of a watch : keep them wound to proper movements, 
 they will beat as true. 
 
 Good resolutions are in themselves but little worth, unless 
 we persevere to do. How many change their place without 
 improvement of the inner man ! A world is all before us ; we 
 wander on from pillar and from post in search of happiness,
 
 Holiness. 25 5 
 
 but unless we leave behind us that heavy load of nature's 
 faults we are as far as ever from our object of pursuit. Go 
 round all tracks of travellers for change of air and scene, 
 then come home again ; but if your temper is the same, 
 unless experience and observation have wrought a whole- 
 some knowledge of yourself, and you have gathered no rich 
 fruits of moral resolution and religious purposes, you are 
 only like that traveller in the fable, ' grown ten times perter 
 than before,' confident in your own opinions, ' thinking none 
 can see as well as you.' Come home again, but leave your 
 faults behind. 
 
 12. 'Holiness; -without which no man shall see the Lord! 
 
 (i.) Holiness. 
 
 BECAUSE God knows that love for Him, and obedience 
 to His will in a religious life, are essential to man's true 
 happiness on earth, leading on to bliss in heaven, therefore 
 He is so earnest with His creatures to seek Him in obedience 
 to His laws, revealed in Scripture for their guidance. Even 
 so an earthly parent with his children, knowing what trials 
 must be encountered in their course through life, trains them 
 by lessons of wisdom to be prepared. No service of love 
 or faith can add one ray to God's eternal and resplendent 
 glory, His self-existent happiness, power, and magnificence. 
 All His ordinances are for our sake, not for His. Behold 
 His law of holiness ; accept it, and be happy ; or reject, and 
 surely you will rue the consequence. Is man's wisdom to 
 be preferred to God's providential rule? shall our poor 
 designs prevail against His purposes omniscient? 
 
 (2.) Holiness by Example. 
 We have remarked elsewhere on a sinful example. Turn
 
 2 56 Virtues necessary to Fitness. 
 
 now to an opposite picture delightful change and contrast ! 
 For there is a sweetness in the very thought of Christian 
 qualities ordained of God to mankind for their happiness 
 on earth. Loving His creatures, He would have them grow 
 continuously in righteousness. His holy Word abounds in 
 descriptions of what that is : various illustrious examples are 
 offered to us in His Scriptures for our instruction. More- 
 over, volumes upon volumes have been written in histories 
 and biographies. Far above all vulgar sensational literature 
 we have, in poetry and prose, works of real genius that 
 enchant the imagination, and elevate our love for virtue. 
 Thanks be to our heavenly Father, who has not left us 
 destitute of brilliant lights by example to point our way 
 saints, prophets, apostles, martyrs, stars and constellations 
 of religion, that illumine the darkness of our surrounding 
 atmosphere. 
 
 Builded up in God, that built all things (Heb. iii. 4). 
 Progress in grace is a Divine mystery; and, as such, 
 inscrutable to man's unassisted reason ; but not, therefore, 
 unfit for reverential exercise of our mental faculties. God's 
 providential law from eternity is in harmony with man's 
 freewill; all events are the result of growth, each effect 
 springing from its cause, as fruit matured from its own seed- 
 time. Then you will understand that you must sow, if you 
 would reap a harvest of Christian virtues strengthened in 
 progressive power of grace within your soul. For this we 
 often pray, as if it would be granted for our merely asking. 
 But we must carefully prepare our heart to be a fitting 
 sanctuary, where God may dwell so awful and so pure a 
 guest ! Penetrating every thought, and rich in mercy ' for 
 His great love wherewith He loved us,' He has declared 
 His willingness to guide, enlighten, and instruct, to strengthen 
 and to build us up, that He may be still more gracious, if we 
 faithfully attend. We often set to work with honest purpose : 
 yet, forgetting that essential principle of perseverance, we
 
 Holiness. 257 
 
 relax and so miserably fail. In practical life, none can be a 
 competent mason who has never served his apprenticeship. 
 He needs experience and instruction to understand how 
 every lay of bricks or stone should rest securely on one 
 beneath, and have a right cement to bind, and make it 
 fitting to sustain one next to come. How can a house be 
 squared, made perpendicular, without plumb-line and 
 measuring-rod, both skilfully applied ? How expect to cover 
 in a roof, unless the walls beneath are strongly built, suf- 
 ficient for its weight? When complete, every judge per- 
 ceives that some pervading genius reared and crowned the 
 whole a fine effect produced by scientific knowledge and 
 by practised art. So is a Christian character builded up by 
 grace after the Master Architect's design. Without His 
 governing Spirit the edifice never can be raised in proper 
 form and order. This building is only by power of God's 
 Holy Spirit. He is the great Architect who designed and 
 framed from eternity His universe : afterwards, in His own 
 due time, from dust of this our little earth He created man, 
 breathing into him the breath of life ; ' thus man became a 
 living soul.' Thus also with His holy Church universal ; He 
 laid the chief ' Corner-stone, on which all the building, 
 fitly framed together, groweth unto a holy temple in the 
 Lord' (Eph. ii. 20, 21). Observe, what says St. Paul: he 
 desires that our progress in Divine grace should be sought 
 in willing, happy obedience, preparing a holy tabernacle for 
 God within our heart, to present before Him a persevering, 
 never-ceasing service of loving, grateful faith, joyous hope, 
 and fervent charity within them, with fragrant incense of 
 prayer, that by His favour we may constantly advance in 
 holiness to the end.
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 SPECIAL VIRTUES. 
 I. FAITH. 
 
 i. Trust in God. 
 
 RICH in promise, faithful ever to His word, Almighty to 
 fulfil, God seeks to make us happy ; and yet how seldom do 
 we thoroughly put our trust in Him ! All pains and sorrows 
 that afflict humanity are open to His penetrating eye : He 
 is ever present at our side, unseen, to whisper comfort, if we 
 turn to Him ; upholds and guides us, if we seek His help ; 
 tells us how His preventing grace is all-sufficient for our 
 necessity ; bids us keep His paths of righteousness that lead 
 to joy unspeakable, prepared for all who are obedient. Won- 
 derful is it not? that, notwithstanding His benevolence, 
 millions rather seek their own contrivances ! How comes 
 it thus to pass ? They neither love His will nor trust His 
 word ! Though enthroned in highest heaven, yet He dwells 
 in loving, faithful hearts on earth. To these He offers 
 present peace, leading on to perfect bliss hereafter. Whoso 
 putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Henceforth, then, 
 let us seek our happiness in obedience to His law, and He 
 will prove an overshadowing Rock in sandy deserts, a green 
 Oasis in this wilderness of a world of sin. 
 
 We form our judgment of any offers made to us in 
 common life by a man's surety to perform his promise and
 
 Faith the Gift of God. 259 
 
 realise our hopes. The power of our Lord to give is equal 
 to His bounty in promising ; His word is imperishable, His 
 grace divine, His dominion over all. To those who accept 
 His kingdom on earth, He pledges an inheritance of His 
 Paradise with saints redeemed and spirits blessed. He is 
 willing to give in exchange those riches of His mercy for 
 charity to His poor, His love for our benevolence, a crown 
 of never-ending joy at His right hand to all who seek their 
 happiness in Him by faith. Yet men and women are so 
 insensible ! they rather choose their own vain anxieties of a 
 passing hour than all His precious offers. 
 
 2. Faith the Gift of God. 
 
 HOWEVER weak our natural conceptions of God, our eye 
 of faith spiritually beholds Him according to His light, 
 graciously bestowed upon us. In answer to prayer He 
 reveals Himself more and more : twilight of religious know- 
 ledge grows to brightest noon. He deigns to ripen His 
 precious fruits of grace, even to make Himself our centre 
 of attraction. Therefore render unto Him full homage of 
 your heart, and happiness is yours. 
 
 A carnal eye is dull, and cannot rise to spiritual heights : 
 but faith assured, with eagle eye, upwings its flight through 
 overhanging clouds, and beholds Christ the Sun of Right- 
 eousness amidst His glories of highest heaven how bright, 
 beautiful, and joyous ! Yet too soon we tire of this ecstatic 
 contemplation. Nay, often whilst in prayer, by some slight 
 sound, some thought, or vision, a wandering mind will settle 
 down to earth, where, alas ! our interests too closely centre. 
 Long intervals will sometimes force themselves between our 
 desire for renewal of celestial intercourse. Moments of 
 vivid faith, how short ! sometimes regarded as interruptions 
 of business, or amusement ! Days and years are occupied 
 in anxious strivings after some advancement in this be-
 
 260 Special Virtues. 
 
 setting world; and if our object be attained, how full of 
 vanity all is found to be, unsatisfying, and precarious ! Pray 
 then for an eye of faith, clear and steadfast in spiritual visions, 
 that you may constantly behold your glorious hereafter. 
 
 There is a heavenly and an earthly theology : that of 
 heaven is revealed in Holy Scriptures by inspiration ; that 
 of earth is moulded on doctrinal teaching of men, each in 
 his own favoured Church. Theology of heaven opens out 
 mysterious, brilliant vistas of God's majesty, justice, holiness, 
 wisdom, and loving mercy in His realms of light Father, 
 Son, and Holy Ghost, in Divine glory : it includes within its 
 wide-embracing circle all that is practically required of man 
 to believe and do. Faith beholds in visions round about 
 His throne countless angels, cherubim, and principalities. 
 From God alone, pure fountain-source of inspiration, 
 prophets of old, evangelists and apostles, received their 
 wisdom : hence it was they breathed such sublime doctrines, 
 for our instruction and happiness. 
 
 3. Faith in Chris fs Presence, 
 
 I NEED not search Jerusalem for a Via Sacra that led 
 my Lord to Calvary, nor seek the garden of Gethsemane to 
 kneel where Christ my Saviour knelt. All earth may be a 
 Sacred Way if I desire to walk in His commandments. In 
 every garden I can pray to Him, and He is near. Lovely 
 to think of, beautiful to behold with eye of faith, precious to 
 possess within my soul, Jesus offers possession of Himself to 
 every one who seeks Him earnestly in imitation of His 
 holiness. Yet, strange to say, clear as our path is made to 
 happiness, few there are who find it. Though every garden 
 might become a paradise on earth, if He were present in our 
 hearts, yet, alas ! we seldom seek Him there with earnest 
 and sincere desire. Then how can we expect Him, if we 
 keep the narrow, crowded circle of our affections so pre-
 
 Faith amid Trials. 261 
 
 occupied by trifles light as air ? We have no room for His 
 companionship, and take no pleasure in His society. Who, 
 then, shall keep us in His holy paths ? 
 
 ' Cursed is the ground for thy sake,' said God in His 
 anger unto Adam: but the curse was capable of being 
 turned into a blessing, when first our Lord abode on the 
 earth. His presence consecrated this world unto Himself. 
 By grace imparted we may feel and know how delightful is 
 the joy of His continuing presence in our soul on earth : 
 through faith we may believe His promises of a better 
 future : both are parts of His divine revelation, to lead us 
 on to Himself for ever, with angels and archangels, cherubim 
 and seraphim, singing, 'Glory to God, eternal King !' 
 
 Where can a child enjoy such security as in a father's 
 bosom ? Seek, then, within your soul the comfort of the 
 Holy Ghost through His sevenfold gifts of grace : then shall 
 it rise on wings of faith and love far, far above all un- 
 realities of earth, to rest in peace with God. 
 
 4. Faith amid Trials. 
 
 A SOUL imbued with faith takes eagle wings to rise above 
 all trials of this earth, and seek its rest in Christ, the Rock 
 of Ages. This royal gift of faith from God, sovereign Lord 
 of His own glorious universe, sustained the courage of holy 
 martyred Stephen, and ancient prophets long before him, 
 apostles and a whole army of martyrs since. In our time 
 trials of faith are different in character, more perilous to our 
 souls not from violence of men, but spiritual temptations ; 
 for in an age of luxury we are subject to incitements of 
 lust, pride of intellect, ambition, vanity, covetousness, or 
 self-indulgence. These are insidious enemies, coming in 
 disguise, to sap and undermine our strongholds of virtue. 
 They allure and take a sinner captive. Against all such 
 great need we have to pray for trust in God's almighty
 
 262 Special Virtues. 
 
 power through His abiding Grace. Then beneath His 
 shield, and clad from His bright armoury, by prayer and 
 watchfulness against our great arch-enemy, Self, we may 
 hope to gain a constant victory. True love for God "being 
 thus established in renewed hearts, we rest in peace; He 
 will perfect His own gifts, make Himself dear and more 
 dear to faithful souls, guard young innocents, forgive and 
 strengthen penitents, comfort and sustain aged dying ones, 
 all in all a heavenly Father. 
 
 (i.) God heareth Prayer. 
 
 How soon in common life do men grow weary of urgent 
 petitioners, and turn away ! Not so our God of love from 
 those who pray to Him. He knows their weakness ; stoops 
 to raise each willing soul higher and higher to Himself; 
 imparts sweet comfort by His presence, even when His 
 higher purpose delays to grant their prayer. All trials are 
 His warnings of love for their amendment, drawing them 
 nearer step by step to His law of righteousness. Therefore 
 amidst afflictions testify your faith in prayer, leaving the 
 answer to His infinite wisdom. One thing is sure : if 
 earnest in will, true of heart, we pray for His divine grace 
 to keep us unto Himself in obedience, He never fails to 
 hear. A hearty spirit of prayer is God's free gift, and what 
 He deigns to plant shall bear its fruit and bring us peace. 
 Then all is joy; then in His strength we shall overcome 
 temptations, love and serve Him in charity to all ; and as 
 our day of death draws on, our last sigh on earth shall be 
 exchanged for joyful hymns in Paradise. 
 
 5. Faith proved and perfected by Works. 
 
 INSPIRED by God, St. Paul was a bright example of 
 Christian character, especially in faith, hope, and charity :
 
 Faith proved and perfected. 263 
 
 of these, with other gifts and virtues, he knew the sweetness. 
 None have described with greater clearness their attractions; 
 none denned their excellence with more exact precision, o 
 in loftier strains of spiritual enthusiasm : for He was taught 
 of God whom he served continually 'in much patience, ir 
 
 afflictions, in necessities, in distresses by pureness, by 
 
 knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the oly 
 Ghost, by love unfeigned ' (2 Cor. vi. 4-6). St Paul loved 
 all mankind, sought earnestly their conversion, always ready 
 to be offered up in his Divine Master's service. At last he 
 died a martyr's death. Where is he now? In Paradise 
 with St. Stephen, whom once, before his conversion, he 
 persecuted unto death, and heard his exulting words, 
 ' Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man 
 standing at the right hand of God !' In Paradise they sing 
 together joyfully, with thousands of other blessed spirits, whc 
 bore their faithful testimony to Jesus in practical life, high 
 or low, strong or weak, old or young on earth, but now are 
 blest in one sublime ecstatic adoration. Let us follow IE 
 the path of Paul, looking for acceptance and justification 
 through Jesus, our great High Priest and glorious Saviour. 
 
 Give me a ladder of faith and love, that I, a worm of 
 earth, may climb to heaven, there to receive angelic wings. 
 I will pray that overclouding doubts may never intercep 
 the Sun of Righteousness from my aspiring soul. Bright 
 thoughts fly off like sparks, not to be recovered; dreams 
 are as empty air; but deep convictions of a living ; faith 
 abide upon a Rock : there we build realities to be perfecte 
 in heaven.
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 SPECIAL VIRTUES (continued']. 
 
 II. HOPE. 
 
 i . Life without Hope. 
 
 SUPPOSE there were no such delightful place to live for as 
 Paradise ? no such joy as heaven ? no such visions to 
 occupy our constant meditation? no eternal existence in 
 presence of our God and Father to praise and lovingly 
 adore ? no celestial attributes to admire and proclaim ? no 
 hope of living round the throne of our dear Redeemer? no 
 sweet enjoyment now through indwelling of an Almighty 
 Comforter? nor prospect of ecstatic future bliss in His 
 presence through eternity ? Suppose us not to be endowed 
 with immortal souls, created in the image and likeness of 
 God, looking to reunion with the happy spirits of those 
 whose memories we love ? But instead of all this, suppose 
 we were mere creatures of earth ; living in company with 
 other animals; having only their instincts; feeding with, 
 and eating them, and they eating with and feeding on us ; 
 dying and rotting together unburied in forests, caves, or 
 deeps of ocean beds, there forgotten, extinct? The soul 
 nauseates such degrading thoughts. But pursue them to 
 their consequence. What should we do? whither fly? where 
 seek for happiness, moral or religious truth ? Answer for 
 yourselves, ye unbelievers ! Tell us what you would suggest
 
 Worldly Hopes delusive. 265 
 
 for happiness on earth, instead of hopes of heaven? Since 
 you would have us not to look beyond this world, have you 
 nothing to propose ? Can you cast no gleam of light upon 
 a reasoning soul? Is all so far beyond your intellectual 
 faculties? Speak : or close your books. Nothing? Then 
 away with all your affectation ! Confess your folly. But 
 before we part, hear what a little Christian child might say 
 with David: ' I have more understanding than my teachers' 
 (Ps. cxix. 99). For that child has a talisman of knowledge 
 worth all your science and philosophy. Go, search the 
 pages of your Bible. Be wise in time j for time advances 
 quickly on, and waits for no man. 
 
 2. Worldly Hopes delusive. 
 
 SOME men and women, like children, fritter away best 
 part of their days in seeking objects of momentary interest 
 or amusement. Others labour more intently in pursuit of 
 wealth, honour, or ambition ; all differing one from another 
 in motives, taste, employment, and disposition. One point 
 gained, they cry 'More! more!' Nothing satisfies: their 
 spirit yearns beyond their possessions. The fault is not in 
 this universal desire of advancement ; for it is implanted 
 within the soul, to lead us high and higher in praise, 
 adoration, and love of God, from earth to paradise, and 
 from paradise to His eternal throne. The common error 
 lies in our mistaken choice of object. There is a clear 
 distinction between wisdom and folly, between virtue and 
 vice, between unrest and sweet contentment. Tell me 
 where you fix your chief affections, and I can prophesy 
 whether or no your path will lead to peace and happiness 
 on earth. Seek before all other allurements the presence 
 and the love of God. He will sanctify your choice of all 
 the rest. As our Lord declared, ' Seek ye first the kingdom 
 of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.'
 
 266 Special Virtues. 
 
 Then you shall find the pearl of precious price ; the calm 
 of faith, and joy of hope in Christ the Saviour. Then, in 
 answer to prayer, the Holy Dove will visit you with His 
 olive-leaf, symbol of His peace. 
 
 3. God in Christ our sure Hope and Stay. 
 
 How often will a single hour bring a change across our 
 voyage of life ! We are ourselves inconstant as the wind. 
 We dream of unrealities ; memory hath no hold on them. 
 At one time all is lulled in calm, even to weariness ; at 
 another, some tempest threatens danger. Sometimes with 
 favourable tide and breeze, all sails set, we dash along with 
 unmisgiving confidence : then comes a lowering, overclouded, 
 darksome hour of misfortune a sunken rock, a lee shore, or 
 treacherous sandbank. Perhaps a sunshine of deliverance 
 sets in again with stronger will and resolution. Thus 
 alternate hopes and fears keep us in perpetual uncertainty ; 
 all for want of eye intent on helm and compass, and on 
 Polar star, Christ our Lord, to guide us safely on towards 
 His peaceful harbour, there to rest secure. At a word He 
 tempers down the troubled waves ' Peace ! be still ; ' and 
 there is a great calm : then He says, ' Why are ye fearful, 
 O ye of little faith?' 
 
 Who guides a bird of passage to warmer climes across 
 all trackless seas without a compass ? And shall not Christ 
 commit His baptized brethren in charge to holy angels 
 across that unknown valley of death to His summer regions 
 of Paradise ? Then cultivate so Divine a Presence, God in 
 your soul, as a foretaste of His visible glory in heaven : 
 there richest of all possessions are promised by our Lord to 
 His faithful and obedient followers, when He declares ' The 
 kingdom of God is within you ;' that is, God sits enthroned 
 in the heart; and for this He bids us pray, 'Our Father, 
 which art in heaven .... Thy kingdom come.' He would
 
 The Hope of future Bliss. 267 
 
 have us bow, and keep our souls as holy temples, con- 
 secrated to His service. 
 
 4. The Hope of future Bliss. 
 
 Loss of sight is almost as great as any trials of the flesh ; 
 but spiritual blindness is worse by far. To have no faculty 
 of beholding God and His glory with eye of faith, unable 
 to contemplate His mysteries of love, that indeed is darkness, 
 with scarce one ray of hope. But God is gracious, and in 
 answer to prayer so enlightens the renewed soul that it 
 basks in the sunshine of grace. Then to steadfast faith are 
 opened out such glorious sights of heaven as unimaginably 
 transcend all beauties of this visible earth. Then the 
 prayerful blind, made conscious of Divine truth, know that 
 a heavenly Father regards the privations of His children, 
 and will compensate all their trials. Then thousands who 
 once were blind on earth are now thrice blessed in open 
 vision of Jesus, whom they had never seen represented in 
 the best attempts of gifted painters ; nor could imagine His 
 loveliness, ' fairer than the children of men,' His lips full of 
 grace, His countenance beyond angelic beauty, 'choicest 
 among ten thousand.' Now they rejoice with all redeemed 
 saints : now they see clearly, not through earthly sockets of 
 the eye ; but in the blaze of spiritual delight behold their 
 Saviour in radiance of spiritual light and faith. Let the 
 blind learn to sing beforehand their psalms and hymns of 
 praise. To them especially Christ's words apply, ' Their 
 angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in 
 heaven' (Matt, xviii. 10). 
 
 5. Hope in reference to the Departed. 
 
 BE comforted. Why cast down? why disquieted? If 
 angels have in mercy taken your beloved one to realms of 
 light, that precious soul has found its liberty : breaking forth
 
 268 Special Virtues. 
 
 from trammels of a sickly frame, it has taken wing to be 
 at rest in Paradise. Would you call it back to sufferings 
 of body, disquietudes of mind, uncertainties of a dis- 
 appointing world ; above all, temptations to self-indulgence 
 and sin ? The very thought would be a selfish one. Turn 
 rather to your Divine Master, willing as He is to compensate 
 most richly all your trials, in giving you Himself to love, 
 that in His appointed time, and in His realms of perpetual 
 light, you may rejoin that fondly cherished departed one, 
 now blessed unspeakably, rejoicing, though you lament. 
 Jesus Christ is fairer than the children of men; full of 
 grace are His lips : He invites you to His presence, saying, 
 ' Come unto Me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, 
 and I will give you rest.' Go, therefore, unto Him : He 
 shall dry your tears, bind up your wounds, and you shall 
 find the truth of His words, ' Blessed are they that mourn ; 
 for they shall be comforted.'
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 SPECIAL VIRTUES (continued}. 
 
 III. CHARITY. 
 
 i. Charity chief of the Virtues. 
 (i.) Charity. 
 
 WHY is Charity or call it Love the chief of the virtues, 
 Faith, Hope, and Charity ? Because St. Paul declares, ' the 
 greatest of these is charity;' and because 'God is love,' and He 
 is eternal : therefore it will outlive the other two sister graces. 
 Hereafter Faith will be absorbed in ecstatic sight of Deity, 
 face to face ; and Hope will be accomplished in full pos- 
 session of all promises realised : beyond these nothing can 
 be desired : but Love must needs exist for ever through all 
 circles of angelic hosts. Love for God is our great found- 
 ation-rock on which to build a Christian character, and 
 Charity supplies a heavenly cement for every stone in the 
 edifice. Millions through neglect of parents, or other 
 causes, have thought but little of love for God : others 
 again, better trained, but growing up amidst a self-seeking 
 world, have faint impressions of its solemn privilege ; indeed, 
 owing to a thousand different circumstances, are careless to 
 seek the gift of a charitable heart. Gift it is from God, 
 most precious in fruits to our own happiness. Therefore 
 pray continually, that, being built on such foundations, our
 
 270 Special Virtues. 
 
 Christian character may be harmonious in all its parts, our 
 souls raised towards the angelic nature, and all contribute to 
 a heavenly Father's glory. This we may do more or less 
 in every act ; and if Charity with her kindred ornamental 
 virtues prevailed, what a fragrance they would diffuse 
 through every circle ! Then each and all in mutual inter- 
 change of love for love, and bowing down together in 
 joyful thanksgiving, earth would be a paradise. 
 
 2. Ijyve to God the highest form of Charity. 
 (i.) Love for God. 
 
 IF we loved God as He loveth creatures who are ' brethren' 
 of His well-beloved Son, all approach to sin would be dis- 
 tasteful and offensive to our souls; any the least transgression 
 sorrowful, any moral degradation insupportable. For His 
 sake we should love whatever He commands ; for His sake 
 most carefully, with tender conscience, avoid whatever He 
 forbids. If we truly desired to be enamoured of His love- 
 liness, we should delight in nothing so pre-eminently as His 
 presence within our souls, fear nothing so sensitively as His 
 displeasure, constantly wait with ear intent to catch a 
 whispering of His grace, for ever bringing before Him some 
 fresh offerings in acts of benevolence towards His creatures, 
 whom He loves : then we should incessantly think of Him, 
 speak of all His marvellous attributes, sing His praises, 
 pray to Him, worship, adore, and love Him, delighting in 
 obedience to His will. We should frequent His temple 
 and His altar, honour His ministers ordained to holy 
 services, and cherish all His poor. We should rejoice in 
 His Name as Christians, and supremely glorify Him as a 
 heavenly Saviour, the well-beloved Son of one eternal 
 Father, and co- eternal with His anointing Spirit, the Holy 
 Ghost our Comforter, one Triune God. Making Him the
 
 What shall we do for God ? 271 
 
 centre of all our aspirations, we should say with David, 
 'Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none 
 upon earth that I desire in comparison of Thee.' Is it not 
 a marvel of Divine compassion that so blessed a condition 
 is freely offered to every one of us? God desires that 
 Jesus should be the object of our adoring love. They who 
 have accepted Him know the sweetness of possession, calm 
 of spirit, visions of faith, treasures of hope, and fervency of 
 love, as gifts of the Holy Ghost, with joy, peace, long- 
 suffering, gentleness, goodness, and humility. O my brother, 
 my sister, my friend, whosoever thou art, may God grant 
 you His Spirit, that all this may be realised in love for the 
 Holy Trinity. Amen. 
 
 3. Love leads to desire of serving and glorifying God. 
 (i.) What shall we do for God? 
 
 IF Almighty Jehovah, Creator and Sustainer of His own 
 visible and invisible universe, is ' all in all ' to earthworms 
 such as we are, it might seem an inversion of terms, a 
 confusion of ideas, to ask, 'What shall we do for Him?' 
 But His condescension is no less an attribute of His Divine 
 Majesty than His power, wisdom, and glory; for 'God is 
 love,' as declared in Scripture. If He should for one 
 moment let go His sustaining hand from over us, we should 
 cease to be, and perish like the beasts. He made and 
 blessed, cherishes and loves us ; and shall we not gratefully 
 love Him in return, serve, and obey Him ? To pray for 
 His gifts, and not to praise, admire, and adore Him when 
 they are bestowed; to ask again for more in future, and 
 forget the past; is that a worthy acknowledgment, a fit 
 return? Alas ! what am I made of? What should I think 
 and say, if any friend on whom I had conferred continual 
 benefits were so insensible and cold? Yet such is our
 
 272 Special Virtues. 
 
 ingratitude towards a heavenly Father, who poureth out His 
 benefits upon us ! If He withholds His streams of bounty 
 it is for our improvement, to try our motives and to make 
 us wise, to bring our hearts in closer union with Himself, 
 to manifest our dependence, make us humble, and, if re- 
 quired, by compulsion teach us that He is our only Foun- 
 tain-spring of happiness. Have you no decisive energy 
 of resolve, no desire to do for Him all possibilities of your 
 inmost being? The miracles of God's condescension and 
 our ingratitude are all the more mysterious and inscrutable, 
 because He requires so little of us in return; and that 
 little for our welfare, not for His ! Strange that we have 
 lived so long in ignorance of these vital truths ! yet we know 
 that peace dwells only in grateful hearts. Think not to find 
 repose in any path that hinders your approach to imitation 
 of the life of Christ, who declared, ' I seek not Mine own will, 
 but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.' This is 
 love ; and love is joy. ' Whatsoever you do, do it as to the 
 Lord, and not to men.' Let your chief and highest motives 
 be, to love God and purify your heart before His throne. 
 
 4. Love to our Neighbour the Golden Rule, next to Love to God. 
 (i.) The Golden Rule. 
 
 SECRETS imparted to the soul by Divine grace are pearls 
 of matchless price, free given from above. Rich, indeed, are 
 they who seeking find, and learn to cherish them. We call 
 them secrets, because known to few, by few desired of those 
 who live in the world. Yet through all Holy Scripture they 
 are openly revealed, incessantly enforced by every argument 
 of persuasion, of truth, and by example. But such is man's 
 habitual and obstinate refusal to listen, and to understand 
 the will of God, truths of His Word are unknown to millions. 
 If it were not so, each individual would be a benefactor to
 
 Love the Mainspring. 273 
 
 every other; each social circle like a nest of doves; all 
 nations one great commonwealth of peace. Simply the will 
 and word of God, His golden rule of life, is, to love Him 
 who giveth all we have; and for His sake to love our 
 fellow-men as ourselves. Here is the summing-up of His 
 law, prophets, and gospel. Refer to any volume of bio- 
 graphy, or narrative of social life, all records of history, and 
 you will find this golden rule was given for the happiness of 
 man on earth. But from the beginning to this our day it 
 has been neglected and disobeyed. And see the con- 
 sequence party contentions, class against class, and unholy 
 wars that desolate and agonise the nations. 
 
 (2.) Love is the Mainspring of Religion. 
 
 In mixed societies there are earnest men and women, 
 whose thoughts and interests are engaged in promoting 
 religious and charitable objects : yet, differing in opinion, 
 how often they contend with one another ! Forbearing love 
 alone can bind them in union, to the glory of God. Till 
 this prevails, with mutual temperance of thought and 
 generous conciliation, Christ's kingdom on earth lacks the 
 grace of love, that first principle of its advancement. How 
 surprising that so many halt upon the very verge of an 
 amicable understanding, in mutual misgivings one of another ! 
 Perhaps a few words of explanation, one assurance of desire 
 to conciliate, would suffice ; yet it will not come ! Some- 
 times a nearness of family relationship makes them more 
 liable to misunderstand : the proverb says, ' A brother 
 offended is harder to be won than a fenced city.' 'Go tell 
 My brethren,' said our risen Lord to Mary Magdalene, when 
 He sent her to His disciples to announce His resurrection : 
 then let us rejoice in that high title of ' Christ's brethren.' 
 And shall we not live worthy of so sacred a relationship ? 
 Yea, to the very utmost of all our powers and our might, 
 
 T
 
 274 Special Virtues. 
 
 living together in cordial union of gentleness and forbearance 
 towards Christ's ' brethren ' and ours. 
 
 5. Our Love begins in and is perfected by God. 
 (i.) Growth in Love. 
 
 You are in search of happiness ? Where do you look 
 for it ? Love for God is your hidden treasure : seek it step 
 by step from Himself, for there alone it is found, and brings 
 a rich reward in peacefulness and security. Then you will 
 love Himself and all mankind, for that is His desire, and 
 His law : so shall you glorify Him : all your affections will 
 be intently fixed on pleasing Him, a heavenly Father. Once 
 more: you are in search of happiness? Where do you look 
 for it ? You may pass through all earth's boundaries ; but 
 though at every turn beauteous Nature spreads her wonders, 
 pouring out for you her choicest gifts, yet not in them will 
 happiness be found. First seek God's throne, pray to love 
 Him, that you may subdue your love of Self: then all 
 things shall contribute to your peace of mind. Until re- 
 newed by grace you cannot even desire this rich possession, 
 but when you take delight in humble prayer, by faith you 
 will attain to conscious breathings of the Holy Ghost. 
 That will be your first decisive step : then advance, and 
 never rest until you make your ground secure against that 
 treacherous enemy, Self. So will you be crowned with 
 happiness here in victories over your deceitful idol. And 
 what for eternity ? God will never fail His promises. 
 
 (2.) It will not do to love by halves. 
 
 In a soul devoutly raised to religious contemplation one 
 absorbing humble joy prevails love for God, who Himself 
 is love. That alone can satisfy its longing, yet stimulate
 
 Perfect Love. 275 
 
 fresh appetite of enjoyment. Then we find ' it will not do 
 to love by halves.' ' No man can serve two masters ; for 
 either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he 
 will hold to the one and despise the other.' Elijah said 
 to the people of Israel, ' How long halt ye between two 
 opinions ? If the Lord be God, follow Him ; but if Baal, 
 then follow him ' (i Kings, xviii. 21). Let us make decisive 
 choice. We know that between love for this world and love 
 for God there is a great gulf fixed. Our heavenly Father 
 condescends to every earnest penitent, man or woman, who 
 desires His Divine Presence : nay, dwells within to purify 
 each heart, forgives all past offences, comforts all the 
 humble, as His adopted children, with assurance of re- 
 storation to His favour. Then we truly find ' it will not do 
 to love by halves,' to rest content with any prospect other 
 than of joys in Paradise. New principles of life exalt us far 
 above all fanciful allurements of this vain world. We seek a 
 path to brighter realms, where blessed spirits, whose memories 
 we fondly cherish, wait our coming, to join with myriads in 
 hymns of Alleluia. 
 
 (3.) Perfect Love. 
 
 I have nothing else to fear, except to offend my God, 
 my loving Father. Terrible must fear be to unbelieving 
 souls. But, glory be to His transcending mercy, He hath 
 taught me to love rather than to fear Him. If my love 
 were perfect, which every hour of the day I am conscious 
 it is not, 'perfect love would cast out fear.' For this I 
 pray ; and as He is infinite in love, He hath great delight 
 in zealous services, making His chosen of every age to love 
 Him. Therefore we are permitted to love and hope in Him 
 rather than to fear. He would have us beseech Him many 
 times a day to perfect our feeble love : so by His grace, 
 and by Christ's all-powerful Atonement, and clothed in the . 
 armour of the Spirit, I may ' quench all the fiery darts of
 
 276 Special Virtues. 
 
 the wicked,' defy malignant spirits, and resist temptations 
 from an evil world. My confidence is a treasure stored up 
 in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour ; my comfort rests in 
 His Atonement, not in any merits of my own ; and all my 
 hopes are in His sacred pledge that angels at the hour of 
 death shall carry my redeemed soul into His bright realms 
 of Paradise. If my lips could speak words contrary to this, 
 I should belie His own revealed Scriptures. On that I rest, 
 as on a rock. Though I have great reason to fear my want 
 of steadfast purpose and of zeal, faith through grace is stronger 
 than reason, breeds hope, and supersedes pale-hearted fear : 
 by this united power of faith, hope, and love, I am released 
 from bondage to the evil one. What would be all beauties, 
 riches, or delights of a thousand perishable earths, in com- 
 parison with such breathings from the Spirit of our dear 
 Redeemer filling our immortal souls?
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 THE FOUR LAST THINGS. 
 I. DEATH. 
 
 i. Valley of Shadow. 
 
 DEATH is an awful solemnity. ' Sad message of the sullen 
 bell !' It summons kings and princes, victors and victims, 
 conquerors of nations and the conquered, to heaven or 
 to hell. When hope of life is in eclipse, and darkness of 
 eternal destiny hovers over some bed of sickness, surrounded 
 by a circle of friends, none can declare what secret sorrows 
 agonise the breast of yonder dying man, about to enter 
 within the Valley of Shadow. If through life he has en- 
 deavoured to serve his God, learned how sweet is restoration 
 to the love of Jesus, that valley will be illumined by glorious 
 beams ; his soul will be conscious of his Saviour's cross, 
 bright beacon of his hopes, and angels shall carry him to 
 the dazzling gates of Paradise. If in life he gave himself 
 to work iniquity and ungodliness, then indeed the Valley of 
 Shadow will be ' darkness visible,' setting forth its realities 
 of terror. 
 
 Observe with what eagerness men and women follow their 
 pursuits of pleasure ! crowds mingling with crowds, whether 
 in kings' courts, halls of music, theatres, or vast assemblies 
 anywhere. Thus millions of immortal spirits, urged to 
 their several objects by a wild confusion of motives, having
 
 278 The Four Last Things. 
 
 little or no regard for God in their hearts, whirl about in 
 captivity, bond -slaves to the world, to self, and to sin, 
 advancing on and on to that grim tyrant, Death ever ready 
 to take them off to his valley of shadows. Then, where shall 
 they find themselves ? How bitter will remembrance be of 
 all their palaces of pleasure, their courts of parade, those 
 bubbles they loved to blow ! vain imaginings and dreams, 
 follies and self-deceptions ! All then will be one lamenta- 
 tion. Alas ! too late : no going back, no hope beyond sad 
 memories ; only reproach for promises neglected, warnings 
 disregarded; nought, nought remains but future unsettled 
 account and final judgment. 
 
 2. The King of Terrors. 
 
 To die, to leave all friends, to loosen all endearments 
 and tender ties of nearest relatives, no more to be delighted 
 by beauties of surrounding nature : to go hence, not knowing 
 whither, conscious that of ourselves we have no claim to 
 join the saints redeemed and spirits blessed in Paradise; and 
 still less to sing with angels and archangels, in 'Jerusalem the 
 golden,' hymns of praise. All this, surely, might well be 
 an awful thought to the vast majority of men and women. 
 Nevertheless, Death is not the king of terrors; he is no king 
 at all, his crown is a figment, his sceptre but a reed, his 
 royalty a sham. Painters and poets have derided him in 
 pictures of the ' Dance of Death,' with many groups of 
 skeletons kings and princes in their robes of royalty, crowns 
 and sceptres all grinning through their bony jaws; and 
 'dead men's skulls, where eyes did once inhabit,' but now, 'as 
 it were in scorn of eyes,' are but empty sockets. These 
 poets and painters represent bands of skeletons beggars 
 dancing with pipe and tabor, bishops and abbots in their 
 robes and mitres, or conquering heroes in procession, rattling 
 their bones. In these caricatures Philosophy reads us all a
 
 Death. 279 
 
 moral lesson, showing how mankind dance life away. St. 
 Paul, inspired from heaven, takes a higher altitude of per- 
 ception. He says : ' Behold, I show you a mystery : we 
 shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, 
 in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : for the trumpet 
 shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and 
 we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on 
 incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So 
 when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and 
 this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be 
 brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed 
 up in victory. O death, where is thy sting ? O grave, where 
 is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin, and the strength 
 of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us 
 the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, 
 my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always 
 abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know 
 that your labour is not in vain in the Lord' (i Cor. xv. 
 51-58). Follow, then, St. Paul's advice : 'Abound in the 
 work of the Lord,' and you shall not dread the day of death. 
 So learn to die, that you may at the last day rejoice with 
 saints redeemed and spirits blessed, whom you have lost and 
 still lament ; then you shall find them in companionship with 
 patriarchs, prophets, and holy apostles. 
 
 
 
 3. Warnings of Death. 
 (i.) Three Warnings. 
 
 ACCORDING to the fable, when Death appeared to an 
 old man, and bade him come away, he was reproached for 
 not having given 'warnings.' 'What!' replied his grim 
 visitor, ' are you not lame, wrinkled, and almost blind ? 
 What better warnings did you expect ? Pack up and come 
 with me.' One might fancy half the world lived without a
 
 280 The Four Last Things. 
 
 looking-glass. All other people appear to us so changed 
 by age as scarcely to be recognised after some absence ; but 
 to ourselves we seem much as usual comely to look upon, 
 still good for many a year. 
 
 4. Death an Object of Awe to Man. 
 
 ALL pale, and wan, and faint, his beauty marred, perhaps 
 his body racked by pain, his breath deep -heaving in its 
 struggles of escape, man dies ; no power of earth can bring 
 his cold mortality back to life. Carried forth to be food of 
 worms, his dust awaits the day of resurrection for reunion 
 to the spirit, then to be restored to its original Divine image 
 and likeness, lost through transgression of a fallen nature. 
 But what of the intermediate condition of his soul after that 
 dread hour of separation, when all ties of earth are snapped 
 and all possessions yielded up ? It is a mystery to friends 
 bereaved and sorrowful; but the departed spirit knows. 
 After death must come that awful, inevitable Future ; then 
 would our souls most willingly exchange all dignities and 
 wealth of principalities for one short hour more, to live, 
 believe, repent, and spread abundant gifts of charity, 
 lamenting that in years of strength our hearts so little loved 
 their Saviour, who loved so much. Bright and soothing 
 are examples of a blessed, happy death-bed, when a man's 
 departing soul exhibits faith immovable, cheerful hope 
 through his Redeemer's righteousness and atonement, and 
 Christian love to all around. He feels assured; yet wonders 
 that God should graciously give him immediate entrance 
 into Paradise. 
 
 5. Fear of Death. 
 
 FEAR of death is an instinct implanted in our fallen 
 nature to make us watchful in preserving life, lest we be 
 overtaken unawares, unprepared to stand before God's
 
 Death. 281 
 
 judgment-seat. Only believers in His Word have a promise 
 of His glorious hereafter: advancing from strength to 
 strength in perfect love, they are always ready to depart. 
 Such a man can say, ' O Death, where is thy sting ? O 
 Grave, where is thy victory ? The sting of Death is sin. . . 
 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through 
 our Lord Jesus Christ.' Let not poor, vain pursuits of life 
 cloud your sense of inevitable death : so by proper prepara- 
 tion you may become familiar with thoughts of Paradise 
 beyond, that as your hour approaches you shall be at peace 
 in assured hope of a glorious future, and, being taught to die, 
 you may triumphantly enter into those realms of blessed 
 spirits who await your coming. 
 
 6. The Fear of Death removed, 
 
 THEY who faithfully strive to be obedient, continually pray 
 and plead the meritorious righteousness of Christ as their 
 ground of hope, need have no fear to die. The grave is but 
 a bed for dust, and death the gate to Paradise ; thither im- 
 mortal spirits wing their way to brighter realms ; they who 
 die in humble faith of their Saviour's merits shall live eter- 
 nally. These are promises from God, fountain of all truth. 
 Bury yourself sometimes in retirement, free from distractions 
 of common life ; it has a charm of placid rest spiritually re- 
 freshing. There your heart, elastic, full of vigour, escapes 
 from a vain and frivolous world, to find some short repose in 
 meditation and in prayer. Judicious Hooker somewhere 
 says, that prayer and intercession, and holy aspirations, 
 are so many angels of communion between God and our 
 souls ; these lead us on through a peaceful, happy death, to 
 a blessed immortality.
 
 282 The Four Last Things. 
 
 7. Graves of the Earth and Sea. 
 
 IF you would study man's universal history, take your quiet 
 walk through some cemetery or churchyard : observe how 
 variously those tombs are raised to symbolise the tyrant 
 Death. Read those memorials of departed men and women, 
 some in quaint expressions, others in earnest tributes of sor- 
 rowing relatives and friends. They reveal two great truths : 
 one, that death is inevitably the end of all mortality, men 
 and women ' ashes to ashes, dust to dust ; ' the other, that 
 they who died faithful believers in the word of God, obedient 
 to His commands, were joyful in hope of a blessed resur- 
 rection. There is a lone and wide-extended cemetery for 
 thousands who have sunk beneath tempestuous oceans. No 
 monument below, no mound, perpetuate their names or 
 virtues, but they are all enshrined within the sanctuary of 
 affectionate remembrance. Called suddenly away from 
 worldly cares and expectations, from turmoil and uncertainty, 
 immortal spirits of young and old have winged their way to 
 Paradise to sing Alleluias, safe in Christ's all-prevailing 
 righteousness. On that bright morning of the resurrection 
 'the sea shall give up its dead,' and thousands who were 
 overwhelmed in roar of tempests, confusion, and alarm, if 
 their names are found in the Lamb's book of life, shall sit 
 down at His marriage supper in 'Jerusalem the golden,' 
 where there is no more troublous ocean, but before His 
 throne a sea of glass like unto crystal. They have the Di- 
 vine promise, ' I will bring My people again from the depths 
 of the sea.' We are permitted to aspire in affectionate con- 
 templation of their virtuous lives, and wish in vain we had 
 availed ourselves of lost opportunities to testify our love for 
 them whilst on earth. Now we may give thanks for their 
 release from this uncertain world ; they pray for us, and let 
 us hope their prayers will be effectual, not rendered vain by
 
 Death. 283 
 
 our vice or folly. ' O that will be joyful, joyful, when we 
 meet to part no more !'. 
 
 8. Memories in the Dust. 
 
 WE shall be no more remembered than our forefathers, 
 who once were but are not : to others we shall soon become 
 as bygones, until quite forgotten. Thus, successive waves of 
 time sweep off all memories of those who now are dust. If 
 you can retrace any history of your ancestors, tell us Were 
 they fortunate in life, or otherwise? rich, or poor? servants of 
 God, or slaves to the world ? What now avail their posses- 
 sions, small or great, once so highly prized, unless devoutly 
 used in service of the Giver ? Count the number of the 
 days you have already lived ; how many passed in pleasures 
 vain and empty perhaps forgotten, or employed in projects 
 of ambition that ended in disappointment : add to these the 
 treasures you have spent, and calculate the portion devoted 
 to the wants of others a tithe, or what, for churches, schools, 
 and hospitals ? Of all expended in your self-indulgence no 
 fraction will be found in the dust, nor laid up in God's hea- 
 venly garner. Nevertheless a full account you must render 
 up in His great day of judgment. Labour, then, assiduously 
 to be among the blessed, of whom the prophet Malachi 
 thus speaks: 'They shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, 
 in the day when I make up my jewels. ' (Mai. iii. 17). 
 
 Tfie Dust of Man and his living Soul. 
 
 'Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,' are not spoken of the 
 soul renewed by grace divine, that wings its way to God's 
 Paradise, the realms of happy spirits, there to wait an eternal 
 future in the heaven of heavens. Why, then, are we so 
 anxious about our short-lived body that is daily changing 
 from beauty of infancy to wrinkles of age, then to be for-
 
 284 The Four Last Things. 
 
 gotten in the grave ? Why for ever adorning Self in gar- 
 ments of outer grace to hide its inner defects, intent on 
 pleasing a frivolous, worldly circle, that soon will crumble 
 into dust ? A higher and more glorious destiny awaits re- 
 deemed spirits. God breathed into man a living soul with 
 instincts of life eternal, to associate with angels in heaven if 
 he would rise on wings of faith, hope, and love. Had he 
 sense to learn from experience of every age, he would know 
 that earth is not his proper home. Think of millions in Para- 
 dise, where, with songs of joy, they celebrate Jesus in beauty 
 and in splendour of Divinity ! There they enfold in fond 
 embrace those blessed ones so beloved but lost on earth. 
 Still more abundantly His promises shall be fulfilled in Jeru- 
 salem the golden. There all His holy disciples shall drink of 
 the river of life, clear as crystal, sit at the marriage-supper of 
 the Lamb and His bride. There they shall meet innumer- 
 able companies in beatific vision of their Saviour, through 
 His Atonement, not through their frail righteousness : so 
 they will join patriarchs, prophets and martyrs, in hymns of 
 triumph. Jesus Himself, on His glorious throne, will be their 
 fulness of reward, perfection of their joy. Were He not 
 present, eternity would be tedious. 
 
 9. Death the Sleep of Saints. 
 ' Fallen asleep in Christ? 
 
 ST. STEPHEN ' fell asleep,' am idst a cruel crowd of persecutors 
 and was at peace, beholding Jesus ; for he saw ' the heavens 
 opened,' and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of 
 God/ The death of righteous men is joyful, released from 
 all their sufferings of body. Through life they sought and 
 found their happiness in doing Christ's will; they now, in His 
 presence, join saints elect, to sing their hymns of Alleluia. 
 O that I so might live as they lived, and fall asleep in full 
 assurance of hereafter, blessed in my Saviour's bosom !
 
 Judgment. 285 
 
 II. JUDGMENT. 
 
 i. Judgment prefigured in Providential Government. 
 
 IF we could doubt that Holy Scripture is a revelation from 
 the heaven of heavens, it would be proved by God's univer- 
 sal harmony of Divine wisdom there recorded, confirmed as 
 it is by history and all experience of mankind. It was one of 
 His laws ordained for government of this natural world, 
 that earth should bring forth grass and herb yielding seed 
 'after his kind ;' and all creatures of sea, and fowls of air, and 
 beasts, and every living thing that creepeth, ' after their 
 kind ;' and God saw everything that He had made 'and be- 
 hold, it was very good.' No less wonderful is that universal 
 mystery of consequences exemplified in His moral world. 
 Who can for a moment question the providence of Almighty 
 God, the one only first and final Cause, in bringing to pass 
 every great and less event throughout His own universe, 
 corresponding with its agency, good or evil ? Mark, then, 
 the working of cause and effect. They who love His law, 
 and obey, receive His choicest gifts according to promise, 
 as fruit of their own planting; happiness and peace, even 
 amidst all incidental trials, rewarding them for acts of piety : 
 but disobedient men and women assuredly will reap a bitter 
 harvest of their own sowing, though at present all may seem 
 success in ill-gotten vanities or possessions. Let sinners 
 boast awhile, but soon or late they pay their penalty ; each 
 is agent of his own joy or his own undoing. Long experience 
 can foretell what will result from any given course. Let a 
 rebel vaunt his own success in immorality, but his evil deeds 
 will find him out. There is an Eye upon him that penetrates 
 his inmost nature ; there is a Law of consequence that lives 
 for ever, and an Arm that all powers of earth may seek to
 
 286 The Four Last Things. 
 
 turn away, but in vain. Princes and paupers have liberty 
 of choice ; obedient labourers may find repose, while lawless 
 kings wear uneasy crowns. And as with individuals, so with 
 nations. Those who oppress others for their own selfish 
 aggrandisement may not care to mark God's providential 
 dealings in sure results, but their children will no less suffer 
 in penalties brought down upon them by wrongful prede- 
 cessors. This is God's providential law. 
 
 2. In Man, by Consciousness of Sin. 
 
 I AM, by conscience and by law, condemned ; condemned 
 in sight of angels : but worse, far worse than all, condemned 
 before a heavenly Father of most tender love, who from my 
 cradle has cherished me, fed and clothed, nurtured and 
 preserved me, through health and sickness : kept me safe 
 amidst all dangers of accident and misfortune, with hourly, 
 daily, life-long blessings crowned me. Conscious that His 
 all-seeing eye penetrates my offences, one tithe of which 
 would be my shame in sight of friends and relatives or 
 neighbours, if they knew all, whither shall I turn ? They 
 would reject me, scorn my words of penitence, suspecting 
 other realities worse mistrusting my very truthfulness. 
 Then where to find a refuge? Friendship is treacherous; 
 the world more ready to condemn than willing to condone. 
 I have but one sure covert from confusion of face the 
 bosom of my God. I will bow myself at the lowest step of 
 approach to His throne of grace in heartfelt, sorrowful pro- 
 stration of repentance and humility ; entreat forgiveness, 
 unworthy as I am, through Christ my Saviour's precious 
 merits ; plead His all-powerful Atonement ; pray for the 
 Holy Comforter's assisting grace to keep me steadfast for 
 the future, that by His celestial aid I may preserve my soul 
 and body henceforth undefiled.
 
 Judgment. 287 
 
 3. l lfwe would judge our stives, we should not be judged.' 
 
 MEN have eyes sharp enough to judge of others, and 
 sufficient wisdom to censure what is really wrong ; yet all 
 the while unconsciously they harbour the self-same faults of 
 disposition, though maybe in some other form. Through 
 days and years they are intently occupied in various mis- 
 taken schemes of pleasure, ambition, or advancement; earnest 
 after wealth, honour, or distinction; too often careless of what 
 others think ; and, worse than all, regardless of the eye of 
 God. How is this ? Self is the great offender. He wears 
 one set of spectacles, rose-tinted to his own attractive features; 
 but another, green or yellow, to discover and to magnify the 
 warts and moles of his neighbour. One might almost say 
 with Shakespeare, ' O Judgment, thou art fled to brutish 
 beasts, and men have lost their reason !' Come now to the 
 privy council of your heart : consider well God's law, His 
 existing moral and religious code. To that square all your 
 desires ; to that adapt each purposed word or action. You 
 have no power to foresee what difficulties await you : success 
 or failure are suspense ; one only thing is sure : in either 
 case the end will be disastrous, if you transgress His law of 
 righteousness. By that standard, therefore, judge your own 
 motives. If they will not justify your course, turn to some- 
 thing better. Learn the sweet enjoyment of religious peace, 
 that divine gift of the Holy Comforter, far, far more precious 
 than all the poor acquirements this ' world of vanities ' can 
 offer you. Set your hopes, through faith, on Paradise, a 
 blissful hereafter. Search Holy Scripture for a revelation 
 of what that future is to be ; and follow on to reach the 
 gate, open to all redeemed souls. But remember always 
 those emphatic words, ' There shall in no wise enter into it 
 anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomi- 
 nation, or maketh a lie ; but they which are written in the 
 Lamb's book of life ' (Rev. xxi. 27).
 
 288 The Four Last Things. 
 
 4. The Great Day, 
 
 How brilliant and glorious will that day be when the 
 trumpet of God shall sound ; when holy men and women 
 shall wake from death, and look each other face to face in 
 wonderment amidst their joy, all remembrances absorbed 
 in adoring gratitude to Christ their Saviour ! What self- 
 reproaches will appal sinners unregenerate ! Then will be 
 seen how true were all God's promises, how awful His 
 tremendous threatenings, in Holy Scripture. Then peace 
 to believing penitents, hopeless remorse to wicked souls, 
 will be revealed in fulness of irrevocable judgment. 
 
 ' Many be called, but few chosen.' All are accountable 
 to worship, love, and obey their God, sole Giver of every 
 blessing, but few take heed : all are invited to Christ's 
 Eucharistic Sacrament, but few accept its privilege and 
 joy : all are ordained to keep themselves unspotted by sin, 
 as temples of the Holy Ghost, but few regard the solemn 
 warning : all are directed to walk in paths of peace and 
 love. Alas ! how few endeavour to find or care to keep 
 them ! Well, then, might our Lord declare, ' Many be 
 called, but few chosen.' 
 
 In that day of days, when He shall appear with all His 
 holy angels to final judgment, and each must give account, 
 who will be among the ' few chosen ?' 
 
 5. The Sentence, ' Depart, ye Cursed '/' 
 
 To faithful Christians, men and women, who invite Him 
 by prayer and holy obedience, our Lord, Creator of His 
 own sublime and beautiful universe, Giver of all good gifts, 
 has pledged Himself to dwell with them on earth, and after 
 death translate them into bliss, far, far beyond the stretch of
 
 Judgment. 289 
 
 our imagination. To all such He offers rich clear prospects 
 of delight. Yet millions, calling themselves Christians, reject 
 His Word, refuse to believe, or make the trial ; had rather 
 go their own way ; until at length they hear that awful word, 
 ' Depart !' What rebellious child could bear that final 
 sentence if taken to a tender father's threshold, and there 
 thrust forth, an outcast heard the door-bolts grating behind, 
 and found itself alone in an outside wilderness ? What new 
 convictions would oppress its throbbing bosom ! what un- 
 availing sobs and tears ! what vain entreaties for but one 
 more opportunity of obedience ! Alas ! too late : the door 
 is closed. What to do ? whither turn ? Then would be 
 a terrible consciousness of disobedience and punishment 
 deserved, remorse, and hapless desolation. If Holy Scrip- 
 ture be true, there is a day, and sure to come, when many 
 will hear God's awful voice, ' Depart from Me, ye cursed !' 
 Thus a Father's blessing, or a Father's curse, awaits each 
 one of us, old or young, rich or poor, prince or peasant : 
 free choice is ours, and ours the fault if miserably we choose 
 amiss, neglect the warning, and pay the penalty. To hear 
 sweet music from the inner mansions, and choirs of angels, 
 and to know our fulness of desolation, will add intensely to 
 our sufferings, as we turn away to shame and suffering. 
 Then, too late, we shall understand what paths of happiness 
 we might have chosen ; but miserably preferred to wander 
 through deceitfully pernicious pleasures, to depart an exile 
 from a heavenly Home. In that day of days, when He 
 shall appear with all His holy angels to final judgment, and 
 many are called to give account, who will be among the 
 'few chosen?'
 
 290 The Four Last Things. 
 
 III. HELL. 
 
 i. Everlasting Punishment. 
 
 THE awful words of Holy Scripture, all testimonies of 
 prophets and apostles, Christ our Lord's loving warnings, 
 are they but a false alarm ? a vain phantasma to frighten 
 superstitious men and women to obedience by imaginary 
 terrors ? If Christ, our bright Exemplar of all possible per- 
 fection, could mislead, then farewell truth, farewell hope, 
 farewell to every moral virtue here on earth nay, farewell 
 to bliss hereafter in heaven of heavens ; for that same voice 
 of His which bade the tempestuous waves ' Be still !' 
 and called to Lazarus in his grave, ' Come forth !' gave 
 equally His pledge of life eternal to all righteous believers, 
 and revealed the mystery of hell prepared for unrepentant 
 sinners. Thus we know that our heavenly Father hath 
 redeemed us by Christ Jesus, One with Him in sovereignty 
 of His own universe. We are assured that the Co-eternal 
 Holy Ghost, enlightening our souls, sinful though we were 
 and are, has saved us from being cast away. Day by day 
 we are on trial, by His mighty grace to gain a crown of 
 glory, or through our own transgressions be in peril of ever- 
 lasting exile from -His presence. The certainty of our 
 eternal future is sufficiently revealed in Holy Scripture to a 
 humble mind. Let pride of reason wander amidst its own 
 entangled labyrinth of confusions. Intellect and imagina- 
 tion, philosophy and science, are incapable to understand 
 the illimitable range of futurity. Faith with eagle eye takes 
 flight to gaze on Divine illumination in heavenly realms. 
 God is holy, just, and true ; there will be some distinction 
 made between His righteous and the wicked, when Jesus 
 comes in awful state to judgment. They who loved and 
 honoured Him in their lives, will then receive a sure
 
 Hell. 291 
 
 reward from their everlasting Prince of Peace. Obdurate 
 sinners will be banished to regions where His attributes are 
 blasphemed ! If there be truth in Scripture, He who bled 
 and died that they might repent and live, must then con- 
 demn ! If that be all a fable, we are yet in heathen dark- 
 ness ; for there is none other book or writing under heaven 
 that claims to open out His mysteries of a future state. 
 
 2. Satan. 
 
 THE co-existence of iniquity in presence of a God of 
 holiness, and that Satan should presume to arrogate, and 
 be allowed to exercise, a pernicious, hateful influence over 
 fallen creatures on this earth, bidding defiance to Jehovah, 
 Creator and Ruler of His own glorious universe, are indeed 
 awful mysteries. Sceptics, in their little platitudes of pride, 
 are confused amidst a labyrinth of their own poor, feeble 
 speculations. If they had a love for truth, it would shine 
 on their hearts ; they would discover how God's providential 
 wisdom and power, announced through Holy Scripture, are 
 consistent with His law of ' cause and effect.' Satan was a 
 fallen angel : thus began the ' Mystery of Iniquity,' beyond 
 all reach of human comprehension. Intellect and reason 
 falter before it. Satan still exists in some unknown recesses 
 of punishment and hopeless exile, far, far away from his 
 place in the resplendent ranks of archangels in glorious 
 presence of his Creator's throne. 
 
 Almighty, Self-existing God, might have swept the 
 rebel angel, Satan, from His universe : but He permits him 
 to exist doomed to perdition. Jehovah deigned to have 
 a purpose, inscrutable to cherubim or seraphim. We have 
 seen the sad result of bitter fruit from evil seed sown in 
 Adam's soul, even in blooming Paradise, by the fiend. But 
 this first step led the demon deeper and deeper to his own 
 destruction in flames of hell. And now, generation after
 
 292 The Four Last Things. 
 
 generation of Adam's children, victims of Satan's perfidious 
 malice, make their way through labyrinthine mazes in a 
 world of sin, on pilgrimage of trial whether they desire 
 faithfully to do God's will. If so, He will cherish them as 
 His children. By His mighty grace within their hearts He 
 will sustain their weakness. They who humbly and prayer- 
 fully press onwards in constant faith, hope, and charity, 
 shall after death be carried by His angels through golden 
 gates to realms of perpetual light and joy in His celestial 
 Paradise. How far more glorious than that first Garden of 
 Eden, where Adam and Eve transgressed ! We need not 
 perplex ourselves with questions, 'Where is Satan now?' 
 ' What means perdition in everlasting flames ?' Leave him 
 to God, who only knoweth God of eternal mercy. 
 Sufficient for such as we are to escape from captivity to sin 
 and Satan, to seek the freely-offered grace divine, and find 
 security in never-ceasing watchfulness against the mystery 
 of iniquity. 
 
 The Mystery of Iniquity. 
 
 What an awful passage of God's revelation is that in 
 St. Paul's Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, describing 
 the future Day of Judgment, when Christ shall come to 
 punish wicked men and women ! That day will not be 
 unless there first be ' a falling away.' Then afterwards that 
 ' Man of Sin shall be revealed, the Son of Perdition, who 
 opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God.' 
 And St. Paul declares, the ' mystery of iniquity doth already 
 work,' only so long as God letteth the Evil One continue, 
 * until he be taken out of the way,' and revealed; 'whom the 
 Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall 
 destroy with the brightness of His coming :' that is, shall 
 destroy the Evil One, 'whose coming is after the working of 
 Satan with all power and signs, and lying wonders, and with 
 all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish ;
 
 Hell. 293 
 
 because they received not the love of the truth, that they 
 might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them 
 strong delusion, that they should believe a lie : that they 
 all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had 
 pleasure in unrighteousness' (2 Thess. ii. 3-12). Could 
 any words be more fearful? Yet these threatenings are 
 delivered by inspiration of God, who is love, and gave His 
 only Son, well-beloved, to die an agonising death and save 
 mankind from these terrors of perdition. Let all men 
 beware, pray, and labour continually in works of faith and 
 charity, that they be kept from the ' mystery of iniquity,' and 
 from falling into the power of the ' Evil One.' 
 
 3. Irreversible Doom. 
 
 IN the last chapter of the Book of Revelation the angel 
 in the vision concludes with an awful threatening, ' The 
 time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still : 
 and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still : and he that is 
 righteous, let him be righteous still : and he that is holy, let 
 him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly ; and my 
 reward is with me, to give every man according as his work 
 shall be.' 
 
 There is no repentance in the grave, no time for im- 
 provement in the Day of Account : whilst the righteous are 
 entering into the pure companionship of angels, the filthy 
 will be filthy still, and cast out. How could it be other- 
 wise ? Judge for yourselves from common life. How could 
 the decent and orderly, the well-mannered and courteous, 
 and those who have a sense of the beauty and loveliness 
 of religion, be asked to join in society with the rude and 
 boisterous, the debauched and the drunkards, and blas- 
 phemers of God's holy name ? Impossible ! So much more 
 the circles of heaven are closed against the filthy. O sinner, 
 whoever thou art, turn whilst you may ; learn betimes what
 
 294 The Four Last Things. 
 
 precious things you barter away for your vile, unhallowed 
 tastes, that always even here prove to be 'ashes in the 
 mouth ;' and are the sure forerunners of self-reproach and 
 hopeless sorrow hereafter. 
 
 IV. HEAVEN. 
 
 i . Heaven. 
 
 THE Book of Revelation winds up with glorious visions 
 of the realms above, vouchsafed to St. John the Evangelist 
 by the Holy Ghost. He saw the open heavens in a vision, 
 the angels and the seraphim, and saints with their golden 
 harps harping Alleluia to the Lamb ' as it had been slain,' 
 the Son of God with the seven stars in His hand. He 
 beheld the sea of glass like unto crystal before the throne, 
 and round about the throne a rainbow like unto an emerald. 
 All words are tame, all thoughts are feeble, when we 
 endeavour to embrace the mysteries of the mercy -seat. 
 This Book of Revelation puts a seal to Scripture ; but from 
 the beginning to the end the Bible is full of the same 
 grand disclosures of God's glorious attributes. Our heavenly 
 Father would have His children understand that they walk 
 on the verge of a world of spirits. From this life to Paradise 
 is but a step, if they will abide in His law. That message 
 of glad tidings which the angel brought to shepherds watching 
 their flocks by night on the mountains round Bethlehem, is 
 the same everlasting Gospel which St. John here speaks of. 
 At the Saviour's birth it was preached by angels, and now, 
 after eighteen hundred years, it is daily accomplishing 
 through all the corners of the earth. Angels sent down 
 from heaven are preaching it to every nation, kindred, and 
 tongue, and people, though we see them not. They are 
 invisibly present here amongst us, as in all places where the 
 altar of the Lord stands.
 
 Heaven. 295 
 
 Man is born for heaven. He has implanted in him 
 aspirations after something higher than the interests of the 
 earth ; an immortal soul, made in the image of God, reaches 
 up to Him, in whose likeness it was created, unless it be so 
 clouded over by the mists of darkness that it cannot con- 
 template the beauty of the Divine Countenance. In all 
 His dealings with mankind God would lead them to 
 Himself, as the crown of all their hopes, the object of their 
 fond desires. 
 
 2. Place of Light. 
 
 GOD said, 'Let there be light; and there was light.' 
 He ordained its nature and offices ; He only knoweth what 
 it was and is, from whence it came, how comes, or whither 
 goes, how it moves and acts. He alone directs His 
 lightnings from heaven to earth. Well did He inquire of 
 Job out of the whirlwind, ' Declare, if thou knowest it all. 
 Where is the way where light dwelleth ? and as for darkness, 
 where is the place thereof?' (Job, xxxviii. 18, 19.) Of all 
 this man is profoundly ignorant, even living in the midst of, 
 and contemplating its effects under every aspect, knowing 
 that without light he could neither see nor do, but would 
 perish, yet knows not what it is ! Philosophy and science, 
 with all discoveries, have found no answer to the question 
 that puzzled Job. It is true, science and philosophy have 
 ascertained something of the marvellous speed of light, 
 travelling about 186,000 miles in a moment of time. 
 Newton discovered its seven primitive colours, yet uniting 
 in one white light to the eye. Science also has verified its 
 chemical and other effects on flowers, plants, fruits, minerals, 
 and all substances it can penetrate. Again, astronomy has 
 revealed the influence of light reflected from suns that 
 illumine their own stars and planets, opening out to our 
 delighted view fresh wonders of God's visible heavens. But
 
 296 The Four Last Things. 
 
 it cannot tell us how and from what quarter of the universe 
 those suns themselves derive their own primeval light. 
 Again, therefore, we may ask, ' Declare, if thou knowest it 
 all. Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for 
 darkness, where is the place thereof?' It is inscrutable ; one 
 of those mysteries on which Revelation is silent. And 
 again, how do those oceans of empyrean light round God's 
 effulgent throne pour their radiance upon those suns? 
 ' God covereth Himself with light, as with a garment.' He 
 only knoweth where, and how. He is Himself the Centre 
 of light, as no less Centre of all that is matchless in beauty, 
 power, holiness, and glory, and other His attributes, and 
 all perfections. Towards their present advancement, astro- 
 nomy, science, philosophy, chemistry, and all faculties of 
 man, have been employed from that beginning when God 
 said, 'Let there be light;' but to this our day, what has 
 been ascertained to satisfy inquiry? Men have only reached 
 some lower steps of the ladder of knowledge. Climb 
 as they may, they will find that higher still they must 
 ascend, before they can fathom those 'oceans of light' in 
 the ' third heaven ;' for human intelligence is but feeble it 
 must be clothed with angelic instincts ere it can stand 
 undazzled in presence of Eternal God, great central orb of 
 light. 
 
 If we cannot define the nature of material light, in which 
 we live and move and do all things, we know still less of 
 those oceans of light around God's throne, where He sits 
 arrayed in glorious effulgence. But far above all, and most 
 marvellous, who shall tell us what is the mystery of that 
 spiritual light proceeding from His Divine Grace those 
 hidden emanations from the Holy Trinity, illuminating man's 
 immortal soul, raising all his faculties of thought and reason, 
 faith and love, to high devotion and ecstatical aspirations ? 
 This is, indeed, the culminating point of man's attainment : 
 he can neither fathom nor define it to himself, much less
 
 Heaven. 297 
 
 explain to any other ; and yet any faithful Christian, man 
 or woman, has a consciousness of its truthful existence 
 within the soul. Nay, the poorest, weakest, most uncul- 
 tivated spirit, enlightened by grace divine, feels that the 
 gift enables him to see all things through the power of 
 Christ strengthening and refreshing him. He is calm in 
 the midst of danger, patient in misfortune, fearless in death. 
 Thus a true believer, if illumined by heavenly light, reckons 
 all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of 
 Christ Jesus his Lord, for whom he suffers the loss of all 
 things and counts them but dung, that he may win Christ 
 (Phil. iii. 8). He may be 'troubled on every side, yet not 
 distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but 
 not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed' (2 Cor. iv. 
 8, 9). And why ? Because he knows that light through 
 grace has beamed on his soul. 
 
 Philosophers declare, that notwithstanding the marvel- 
 lous speed at which light travels, by calculations of 186,000 
 miles in each moment, it would take 6000 years since 
 the creation for material light to reach our earth from those 
 most distant stars brought to our eye by powers of a tele- 
 scope ! Wonderful discovery ! Hardly credible yet true 
 for aught we know ! But mark how pigmy are these specu- 
 lations, when again compared with mysteries of the light of 
 grace. On any emergency of temptation, any sudden 
 danger, and in answer to one short breath of prayer from 
 any humble Christian, man or woman, the light of a loving 
 God flashes from His highest heaven an instantaneous ray 
 of grace, to comfort, or to guide them safely through their 
 darkest passages of life. God's divine attributes know not 
 any distances ; He fills all things, everywhere, at all times. 
 He is on His throne, and at the same instant in the souls 
 of humblest, lowest sinners ; present ever with His adopted 
 children, who offer up their hymns on earth, whilst angelic 
 hosts sing their Alleluias to His glory in highest heaven.
 
 298 The Four Last Things. 
 
 1 O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and know- 
 ledge of God ! how unsearchable are His judgments, and 
 His ways past finding out ! For who hath known the mind 
 of the Lord ? or who hath been His counsellor ? . . . For 
 of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things, to 
 whom be glory for ever. Amen.' (Rom. xi. 33-36.) 
 
 3. Our Future Hope. 
 
 HOWEVER we may seem to comprehend our spiritual 
 nature, we only catch some faint glimmering of its future 
 advancement to a state of glory, when holy men and 
 women shall be as angels are in heaven (Mark, xii. 25). 
 That future is beyond all compass of our earthly thoughts : 
 the most enlightened must abide in hopeful expectancy. 
 But earnest, prayerful contemplation may confirm our faith, 
 exalt us to a higher reach, and thus enlarge our love for 
 God, whose divine providence has prepared for His elect 
 so high a store of joy in His eternal presence. ' Now we 
 see through a glass darkly;' then we shall behold Him 
 face to face : ' now I know in part, but then shall I know even 
 as also I am known ' (i Cor. xiii. 12). Let this high promise 
 inspire fresh resolves by divine grace to purify our souls ; 
 so may they be restored to His lost likeness, in which they 
 were originally created. Surely this exalted object is a 
 noble ambition, worthy of our best endeavours to attain, 
 giving on earth assurance, and leading qri to higher con- 
 summation of joy in heaven. 
 
 Each departure of a faithful man at peace with God, 
 breathing out his confidence to those around his bed, is 
 earnest of expected joys, prepared for those who follow 
 Christ. No glittering treasures of this poor world, or a 
 thousand worlds, would tempt the saints to leave their 
 realms of joy in Paradise. 
 
 If this material earth of ours be so admirable a work of
 
 Heaven. 299 
 
 God, what must be His regions of nearer presence, and 
 His majestic throne in His palace of magnificence in 
 heaven? If a thousand millions inhabit this our lower 
 globe, almost the least of yonder stars that roll throughout 
 the vaulted skies, what figures will express innumerable 
 myriads of saints in Paradise, and angelic choirs that throng 
 His heaven of heavens, and sing eternal praises to their 
 God, and our Father? 
 
 4. Fitness to be gained on Earth. 
 
 ST. PAUL says, ' If any man be in Christ, he is a new 
 creature ; old things are passed away : behold, all things 
 are become new' (2 Cor. v. 17). In this we have a living 
 truth. A heart that loves its Saviour, who calls us 
 'brethren/ is regenerate, new-born, as a child of God, an 
 inheritor of His kingdom in heaven, through the blessed 
 Atonement and merits of His Incarnate Son. But unless 
 we testify our confiding love for Christ by a new life, being 
 fitted for His kingdom, we forfeit all His promises. Essen- 
 tial, then, it is to prove ourselves by strict examination. 
 They who love Him watch for some occasions to do 
 Him service : this is their delight, the very ground of 
 all their happiness. In such enjoyment, through every 
 trial, He becomes chief object of their contemplation. In 
 His name, as ' Emmanuel, God with us ' all-powerful Re- 
 deemer, let us offe/ constant prayer, not only for ourselves 
 but all mankind, that God's new kingdom may come His 
 throne be established within our hearts, His will be done on 
 earth as it is by angels in heaven. Such is the revelation of 
 His Gospel, full of divine promises : and they who believe 
 His word, and do His will, shall join His angelic choirs in 
 Alleluias before His throne. Seeing these heights and 
 depths of God's unceasing love for creatures weak and 
 fallible as we are, redeemed by Christ's own precious Blood,
 
 300 Tlie Four Last Things. 
 
 strive earnestly to gain some one of those celestial crowns 
 prepared for obedient servants. 
 
 Only by obedience to His new covenant of grace can 
 we hope to inherit that better Paradise than Adam lost. 
 We must repent and pray, desire, resolve, and strive to 
 amend; persevere, and exercise ourselves in self-denying 
 love and faith immovable. But after all, we can only look 
 to Christ our Saviour's righteousness, remembering always 
 that we must give account of what is forfeited through our 
 offences. Endeavour, then, to make amends by practical 
 obedience to regain our long-lost inheritance. 
 
 5. Triumph of the Good. 
 
 THERE will surely be a joyful resurrection to all righteous 
 followers of their Lord. When, by His trumpet, God calls 
 their buried dust to be reunited to their kindred souls 
 before His throne, each saint redeemed will stand in presence 
 of the Lamb, to hear those gracious words, ' Enter thou into 
 the joy of thy Lord.' Though long forgotten here on earth, 
 their deeds of mercy and their patient perseverance, prayers 
 and praises, their repentant tears and self-denials, will then 
 be found recorded to their names in God's imperishable 
 Book of Life. What happy welcomes will be exchanged 
 among those saints who walked together in courts of their 
 Lord's house, and took sweet counsel to exalt His name ! 
 They rejoiced not in their own happiness alone, but in that 
 of friends and enemies, saved perhaps through their prayers 
 of intercession. And in this happy resurrection all will be 
 together in love: in heaven all is love, for 'God is love.' 
 They will enter to His golden city through 'gates of pearl'' 
 (Rev. xxi. 21): they will hear triumphant music of archangels, 
 and join their Alleluia choruses to glorify the Lamb. He is 
 the Light of heavenly Jerusalem : no need there of sun, or 
 moon, or stars : eternity in one bright, endless day, one ever
 
 Heaven. 3 O1 
 
 filling fulness of joy, in presence of Father, Son, and Holy 
 Ghost Is this not worth a resolute advance m righteousness, 
 taking joy in services to God, through every trial, under all 
 infirmities, strong in faith ? Rest, therefore, in your Savio 
 all-prevailing merits, His perfect righteousness, His atone- 
 ment on behalf of sinners, His promises of restoration to 
 the Father's love, and sure admittance to His enchantir 
 realms of Paradise, where those whom you have loved on 
 earth, but lost, await your coming. All to be consummated 
 before His throne in highest heaven of eternal glory. 
 
 6. Alleluias in Heaven. 
 
 Do we ask, even in imagination, with earnest eye of 
 faith, to understand the ecstatic joy of powers, principal* 
 and dominions through those illimitable regions of highest 
 heaven, where they bow before Jehovah's throne ? Alas, no ! 
 Let every angel and archangel exhaust all colourings of 
 celestial, irradiating light, to picture forth in harmony such 
 sights as the beloved disciple, John, endeavoured faintly 
 to describe; let them join with cherubim and seraphim in 
 combining all brilliant tints of the precious beryl-stone 
 ha" emerlld rainbow round about the throne ; yet all would 
 fail Behind the visible there are higher altitudes, and 
 deeper depths, impenetrable, invisible, perhaps unknown to 
 those fourand-twet y elders, who fell on their faces and 
 cast their golden crowns before the throne, to worship 1 
 that liveth for ever and ever.' 
 
 Or let them all with their golden crowns and harps, and 
 golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of. 
 and those angels and archangels, ten *<>^ *" ^ 
 thousand, and thousands of thousands, with all ^ am 
 their white robes, be assembled together Let there be lf 
 only once again, that awful 'silence in heaven about the
 
 3O2 The Four Last Things. 
 
 space of half-an-hour ' for preparation : then strike the golden 
 key : let every voice uplifted ring through all the arches of 
 heaven's compass to shout one glorious acclaim of Alleluia. 
 Yet all the universe could yield but feeble utterance of 
 praise, thanksgiving, and adoration, due to the eternal Three 
 in One. 
 
 7. Music of Angels in Heaven. 
 
 WE go far to hear a musical festival with mny instruments 
 and voices, and think it grand. What did St. John hear and 
 see in his visions ? ' I beheld, and I heard the voice [uni- 
 versal, harmonious voice] of many angels round about the 
 throne . . . and the number of them was ten thousand times ten 
 thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud 
 voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, 
 and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory 
 and blessing' (Rev. v. 1 1, 12). We are permitted to join those 
 choruses in a humble spirit of adoration before their God and 
 our God, the one only object of worship. Is not this a joy ? 
 Can aught of earth be compared to it ? See, then, to what 
 height we may ascend in communion with heaven. And 
 there, at the right hand of God the Father, is Christ in all 
 His beauty as the Lamb slain ; and the Eternal Spirit the 
 Comforter, one God in the ever-blessed Trinity. O that 
 this hard heart might thaw and dissolve itself in admiration 
 of my God ! But, alas ! endeavour to describe to another 
 man the sublimity of thought that sometimes fills your mind 
 in contemplation of these wonders, and you would seem to 
 speak in an unknown tongue. Nevertheless, abide in faith ; 
 for what says Isaiah ? ' Thine ears shall hear a word behind 
 thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn 
 to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.' And 
 again : ' Ye shall have a song as in the night when a holy 
 solemnity is kept ; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth
 
 Heaven. 303 
 
 with a pipe, to come into the mountain of the Lord, the 
 Mighty One of Israel' (Isa. xxx. 21, 29). 
 
 8. Glories in Heaven. 
 
 WHO shall declare what he has never seen ? or who can 
 realise what surpasses human imagination and thought? 
 God Almighty dwelleth in transcendent light that dazzles 
 not, midst thunderings that shake not His throne, nor 
 interrupt angelic harmonies in heaven, sung through 
 celestial spheres, round about, above, below, in His out- 
 spreading glory. Those hierarchies and principalities have 
 no name on earth, familiar only in heaven of heavens ; and 
 beautiful creatures that have no form for language to express. 
 There are seven stars in the right hand of the Son of Man ; 
 emblems of angels, or messengers presiding over His Christian 
 Churches ; and seven golden candlesticks, emblems of those 
 Churches, illuminated by sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, 
 comfort, life, and celestial fire of love, light of grace divine, 
 peace, and faith : these, ' through ages all along,' shall be 
 ' our endless song ' of praise to the Eternal Trinity, Three in 
 One. No longer patience nor forbearance will be required 
 in heaven, nor other Christian virtues ; for faith and hope 
 will be perfected before Jehovah's throne. There faith will 
 be absorbed in glorious realities of light, God seen face to 
 face ; charity fulfilled in universal love, with all its affections, 
 shall live eternally. Where all are rich, the suffering poor will 
 no longer mourn, but eternally rejoice, assembled in 'Jerusalem 
 the golden.' Admiration of highest human learning, strength 
 of intellect, all accomplishments, skill, science, will vanish 
 in lustre of Divine Wisdom. In heaven love will animate 
 glorious spirits redeemed, ethereal; mortality will put on 
 immortality ; all physical senses will be refined, adapted to 
 the Almighty's gracious purposes of love towards His children 
 in Christ, beholding Deity Supreme, all joining in seraphic
 
 304 The Four Last Things. 
 
 melodies of praise and adoration. All earthly fragrance wil 
 be forgotten in delicious odours of grateful incense on the 
 golden altar. There will be assembled a concourse of 
 beloved ones, parents, brothers and sisters, children and 
 friends, fellow-worshippers and labourers on earth, with 
 whom we took sweet counsel and walked to the House of 
 God in company. With them we shall sing high Alleluias, 
 in ' Glory to God, eternal King.' In Paradise, on our way 
 to heaven of heavens, we shall wait in joyous hope of that 
 great day of resurrection, when soul and bodyy reunited, will 
 stand around the throne, with dear angels who ministered 
 to our necessities on earth, and will rejoice in heaven on 
 our behalf. Still remains the question, ' How shall I get to 
 Paradise?' Live on earth in constant view of its reality, in 
 contrite sorrow for many past transgressions, in earnest 
 humble prayer, testifying your gratitude and love to the 
 Almighty Giver of every blessing you enjoy or hope for, by 
 your charity, poured out bountifully to His creatures, whom 
 He loves, and commits to your trust. At every turn His 
 grace will be afforded, that you may resist the least approach 
 of evil. That will be stronger, if you cherish the precious 
 talisman, than all your spiritual temptations ; it will give you 
 peace and comfort under every trial, consolation in the midst 
 of sorrows ; and in your departing hour a guardian angel 
 will lead your emancipated soul through the dark valley of 
 separation to eternal joys in Paradise. 
 
 c*. 
 
 9. Heaven of Heavens* 
 
 READ some of St. John's beautiful chapters in his Book 
 of Revelation. What glorious images of realms in heaven ! 
 Saints crowned before the throne, and with their golden 
 harps; angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, ten 
 thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 
 singing ' the song of the Lamb,' hymns of Alleluia to glorify
 
 Heaven. 305 
 
 their eternal Lord. Contrast those scenes of joy with strife 
 
 and tumults through this earth amongst a thousand millions 
 
 of insensate men and women, created in God's Divine Image, 
 
 horn to inheritance of eternal life, if only they would keep 
 
 His covenant of mercy. What if there were no hereafter ? 
 
 Cold, dark, and cheerless our souls would be, shut out from 
 
 spiritual regions of heaven, realities of joy in presence of our 
 
 Eternal Father, our Lord and Saviour, and our Comforter 
 
 the Holy Ghost. All praise to God ! we know distinctly 
 
 from His Wohi of Truth that we have a sure inheritance of 
 
 hereafter, to sing with saints and cherubim their joyous 
 
 Alleluias. If a man had an angelic pen he could proclaim 
 
 no message a thousandth part so rich and clear, so precious 
 
 and exhilarating, as the Gospel of our dear Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 It opens to our view the brilliancy of His new Jerusalem, 
 
 'Jerusalem the golden/ with its walls of jasper, gates of 
 
 pearl, a city garnished with all manner of precious stones, 
 
 her foundations of sapphire, emerald, topaz, amethyst, and 
 
 other jewels we have never seen. How anxious for our 
 
 eternal happiness must our heavenly Father be, when He 
 
 declares, ' Behold, I make all things new .... these words 
 
 are faithful and true .... I am Alpha and Omega, the 
 
 Beginning and the End. I will give unto him that is athirst 
 
 of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that over- 
 
 cometh shall inherit all things : and I will be his God, and 
 
 he shall be my son !' (Rev. xxi.) Who, then, shall thrust me 
 
 back from my path to Him whom I adore? Who shall 
 
 undermine my rock of taith ? Let floods arise ; let tempests 
 
 blow ; Divine Grace will keep me firm to deep foundations 
 
 in my God, that I may serve Him in love, and travel on 
 
 through every obstacle to His heavenly mansions in company 
 
 with dear believers in Jesus, mighty Saviour of sinners. 
 
 In heaven of heavens 'God shall wipe away all tears 
 from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither 
 sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain 
 
 x
 
 306 The Four Last Things. 
 
 .... but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in 
 it ; and His servants shall serve Him : and they shall see 
 His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads.' Can 
 anything of earth or heaven be more glorious, wonderful, 
 mysterious? Shall we, now worms of earth, then with 
 angels and saints, and spirits of God, sing in perpetual 
 hymns to His glory ; saying with a loud voice, ' Worthy is 
 the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and 
 wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing?' 
 Such are their hymns in His celestial world. *^ress forward, 
 therefore, to the prize of your high calling of God in Christ 
 Jesus ; living in sorrowful abiding remembrance of all past 
 transgressions, rejoicing in pardon, earnest and steadfast in 
 amendment of life, abounding in deeds of benevolence. 
 Nor hesitate in resolution to do all this ; reach on towards 
 a higher state of holiness ; for He that sitteth on His throne 
 hath declared, ' There shall in no wise enter into it anything 
 that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or 
 maketh a lie : but they which are written in the Lamb's 
 book of life ' (Rev. xxi. 27). 
 
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