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.

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

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 kingdom 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,

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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.

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There is something interesting in this, even as a bare matter of history, but it becomes specially striking and impressive when viewed typically; for all that was true of the type, the city of refuge, is still more true of Christ, our divinely-provided Hiding-place. To him there is not only access for the poor and perishing, but access of the most open, direct, and immediate kind. We need no "go-betweens," no priestly mediation to secure us a welcome, but can go at once and directly to Christ himself, at any time and under any circumstances; for it is from his lips the invitation flows, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This, too, should be remembered, that near as the cities of refuge may have been to those who needed them, Christ to every troubled soul is nearer still-so near, that the cry of faith, wherever uttered, and however faint, instantaneously reaches him and wins his help. We may be at the very ends of the earth, but anywhere and everywhere the Redeemer is near, as "our Refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble;" and so absolutely secure that we shall never need another.

It was once said to the venerable author of the " Sinner's Friend," "You don't mean to say that you have any doubts?" "Well,” he replied, “I have no doubts, because Christ came to save sinners, and I am one. If I get up to the gate of heaven, and any there should object to such a sinner going in, I can fancy another one saying, 'Oh, but you must let him in; he has got a drop of the Master's blood upon him, and that cleanseth from all sin."" His favourite seal expressed his only and habitual confidence— the cross, an anchor, and the words, " Other refuge have I none."

And a man shall be as an hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.-Isa. xxxii. 2.

We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.-EPH. i. 7.

February 21.

WE ARE NEVER SO CHRISTLIKE AS WHEN, WITH LOVING SYMPATHY, WE REMEMBER THE POOR.

WHEN the prophet Agabus stood up at Antioch and

signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world (which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar), there was a remarkable outflow of generous sympathy and help. In its spirit and method it affords a perfect model for imitation; for we are told, "Every man according to his ability determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." How resolute they were!-they "determined;" how unanimous!" every man;" how ungrudging!—each gave "according to his ability;" and how promptly practical!" which also they did," and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

In this case the striking thing is that the contributors were mainly Gentiles, while the recipients were almost wholly Jews; a beautiful evidence of the fulness of grace in them, and the strength of the new affection, and that, in Christ Jesus, Jew and Gentile were becoming one.

The poverty in Judea, which was so generously relieved, naturally suggests to us that word of the Lord, "The poor