privilege to make known the fact, and lovingly urge an immediate application to him.

Through the grace of the Lord this has been largely done in late years, for with many there has been a peculiar yearning for souls, and much prayerful effort. Mothers, in particular, have wrestled for their children, friends for their friends, and brothers for their brethren, as if feeling that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, and it might be now or never with them. The result in numerous cases has been, that what was before but a temporary relationship of nature, has become a blessed and enduring relationship of grace.

In awakening times, many a golden opportunity for such soul-winning has been found in the after-meeting. "The Bible," says Dr. Mackay," is the sword of the Spirit; and we should not merely talk of its sharp edge and glittering metal, but in love pierce the sinner's heart with it." Once, at the close of a meeting in Dr. Bonar's church, a sceptic said to me, " Sir, I do not believe there is a God." It was 10 P.M., and no time for argument. I cast the burden on the Lord in prayer, and looked so happy that he said, "You are laughing at me." "No; but I was thinking if all the grasshoppers on earth were to say, 'There is no sun,' it would not alter the matter. The Bible declares, The fool says in his heart, There is no God." "Well, that is so," he said. I then showed him that God calls every man who does not believe in him a liar. The man went home, seemingly much impressed; and when, some months after, I happened to meet him, referring to our former conversation, he said, "I found out that I was a fool and a liar, and I have now come to Christ." Had we more faith in the Word, and more reliance on the Spirit to apply it, such blessed results would not be so rare.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.-GAL. vi. 10.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.-ECCLES. ix. 10.

February 18.

PRAYER HAS FULNESS OF POWER ONLY WHEN IT HAS BELIEVING PERSISTENCY.

PRAYER may not be needed in heaven, but on earth

it is a life-time duty and privilege; and it is ever found that as soon as true life enters the soul, true prayer comes from the lips. It is the express teaching of our Lord in the parable, "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" and to every disciple it is emphatically said, "Pray without ceasing."

This, it need scarcely be said, does not mean that men are to be ever in their closets and on their knees, and so continuous in supplication as to leave neither time nor place for other engagements. We are not "to stain one duty with the blood of another," which we would be doing were we so constant in daily devotions as to neglect daily business and the needed oversight of family and household. Besides, to be always in prayer would be in reality to be never in prayer; it would be mere vain repetition. But though not to be always in the very act and exercise of prayer, we should be ever in the spirit of it. As one puts it, "If there is not always iron in the furnace, yet let there always be the fire to melt it. If not always shooting the arrow up to heaven, yet always keep the bow well stringed; so shall you always be archers,

though not always shooting, and always be men of prayer, though not always praying."

In spite of all the contempt often thrown upon it, believing prayer still remains the mightiest of agencies. It can still, as of old, bring down from opened heavens showers of blessing; and, if need be, scatter foes and remove mountains. In order to this, however, there must be importunity-seeking and knocking as well as asking; and a patient, trustful waiting, whatever the delay. "The method appointed for the attainment of the blessing," says John Newton, "is the most simple imaginable. It is only, 'Ask, and ye shall receive;' but then we are not to give a runaway knock at Wisdom's gate, but humbly and patiently wait till it is opened."

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.-COL. iv. 2. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.— ROM. xii. 12.

We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.-COL. i. 3.

February 19.

THINGS ABOVE SHOULD EVER HAVE THE FIRST PLACE

WITH US.

ITH many, this world is avowedly all in all. Their

WIT

every thought is centred in it, and their every affection; but as they know nothing higher, and possess nothing better, we are more saddened than surprised at their acting. Very different, however, is our feeling when those who bear the name of Christ and profess discipleship cherish such a spirit, and instead of cleaving to the

Lord, begin to look down only and cleave to the dust. This awakens the fear that in the end they are about to prefer the red pottage to the birth-right, and the land and the oxen to the divinely royal feast.

In this matter, what is required at our hands is nothing extreme-not any transcendental contempt of the world, nor any hermit-like separation from it, but simply that the heart be not injuriously set upon it. The Christian pilgrim is not to despise the comforts he may meet with on the way—this would be ingratitude for helpful kindness; but he is not to tarry among them, or leave them with regret when the Master calls.

Nor should this be deemed a hard thing, for, at the best, earthly things have no sufficiency; for "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth," and it not unfrequently happens that those who possess most of this world are the very persons who most feel its utter emptiness. What seemed to be substance at a distance, is found to be only shadow when near. But even if earthly things had some sufficiency, they have no permanency. They are constantly changing places; they come to-day, and depart to-morrow. It is a good old rule, "Set not your heart on anything on which one could write, Passing away."

Things above have a totally different character. Though meanwhile unseen, they are not shadowy, but real, glorious, and abiding; and the more vividly our faith realizes this, the brighter and happier will our experience be. All our highest and most enduring relationships are above, for the Redeemer and the redeemed are there; and there, too, are our richest possessions-the place prepared for us, the home, the inheritance, and the glory.

On one occasion, when the sailor- preacher, Father Taylor, found that his sentences were getting tangled and confused, he quaintly remarked, "My nominative has lost its verb, and knows not how to find it; but I am bound for the kingdom all the same." He sought the king

dom first, and so should we.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.-COL. iii. 1, 2.

Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.-PHIL. iii. 20, 21.

February 20.

THE NEEDED SHELTER.

N ancient times, the cities of refuge, being Levitical,

IN

were not only sacred in character and quiet in aspect, but were so arranged as to be conveniently near when their shelter was needed. Three were on the east and three on the west side of Jordan; and their very names had more or less of sweet significance, as if for the very purpose of encouraging a trustful and speedy entrance into them. But still further to increase their accessibility, the roads to them were not only good, but in summer and winter alike were kept in thorough repair. Moreover, Jewish writers tell us that, to prevent all uncertainty as to the way, posts were erected in conspicuous places, with these words visibly inscribed on them— "Refuge, Refuge." Thus everything was done to direct and facilitate the flight of the unhappy homicide.