remover of it, by virtue of that writ, 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord."" When Paul beheld such grace in them, he could not restrain his joy and gracious encouragement. "We ourselves," he said, "glory in you in the churches of God." Such words, from such lips, accompanied as they were with such warm, loving sympathy, not only sweetly sustained them, but mightily stimulated and quickened others. Would that all believers among us were possessed of a Christianity as warm and thorough as theirs. An Irish gentleman, pointing to a young man, once said, "Is he an O. O.?"-" What do you mean by O. O.?"- "I mean," was the reply, "is he out and out for Christ?" This is what all ought to be who bear Christ's name. When all who belong to the Lord," one says, "are willing to speak for him, willing to work for him, willing to die for him, then Christianity will advance, and we shall see the work of the Lord prosper." In nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.-PHIL. i. 28. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.-Matt. v. 10. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.—1 PETER iv. 12, 13. “IF November 21. THE THIRSTING WELCOMED. F any man thirst," said our Lord, "let him come unto me and drink." Were these precious words now made known to us for the first time, apart altogether from their context, we could scarcely fail to see that if they were really words of truth, he could be no mere man that uttered them. Coming even from the greatest of our race, they would have been but a profane egotism, a cruel mockery; for we might as well attempt to illuminate the universe with a taper as to supply a perishing world with the water of life from mere creature sources. The words of this invitation possess such combined simplicity and majesty, that they befit no lips but those of the Master himself, in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. So ample and generous is his invitation, that it is allinclusive. There is not a word in it either about peculiar lineage, or place of birth, or previous worthiness, to make any limitation. Coming is all that is needed: and when we really come, what the Lord mainly considers is, not our demerits, but our pressing wants; and not our guilt, but his own rich grace and promise. When a generous offer is made by men, they are sometimes rather pleased than offended when it finds no acceptance; but it is never so with the Lord. When he brings men to the wells of salvation, it is not merely to look at them, or analyze them, or admire them, but that by drinking from them they may have life and joy everlasting. The evangelist, when referring to the words that follow, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water," says, “This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive." Hence the continuance of their joy. Others have but wells without them, and when these dry up they are helpless; but believers possessing the fulness of the Spirit have a well within whose living waters are ever springing up to refresh and gladden them. Now it is God's design that all who are thus receivers of blessing should also be dispensers of it. The Holy Spirit, one beautifully says, is not like those rivers we read of which flow through barren sand till they sink in the earth and disappear. It is an imperishable stream, and when it flows from Jesus into any barren heart it is never lost there-it appears again, and flows forth to the world in rivers of life and refreshing; for the scripture must be fulfilled: "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." Wherever, therefore, a true Christian dwells, he should be a living well in it—a fountain of blessing to all around. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.-ISA. lv. 1. 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.-REV. xxi. 6. November 22. WE CANNOT SAVE, BUT WE MAY VARIOUSLY HELP. WE HATEVER their wisdom or grace, none can by any means redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him; nevertheless, if only believing and compassionate enough, all may do much for the deliverance of those who are drawn unto death. It is in the power of all to warn. This of itself may have mighty efficacy; indeed, it often needs but a word seasonably and earnestly spoken to make the erring shrink back and regain their hold of truth and righteousness ere the tide of evil has swept them away. Years ago, when a young man on a Sabbath day was hastening to the fields for mere amusement, he was unexpectedly met by a friend, who spoke to him so wisely and lovingly of his sin and danger that he changed his purpose. The result was, that on that very night, in God's house, the intending Sabbathbreaker was savingly converted, and afterwards became one of the most distinguished missionaries of modern times. A word in season, how good is it! yet how many fail to speak it even when opportunity is given. Further: it is in the power of all to supplicate. This is a method of blessing within every one's reach; for the poor can pray as well as the rich, the sickly as well as the strong, the prisoner in his cell as well as the free and unfettered, and with like prevailing efficacy. To forbear so to plead, therefore, is to forbear to deliver. A good man once said, "If you only pray for yourself, you have never yet prayed aright." Again: it is in the power of all to be helpful by heartily supporting the varied Christian agencies around us. Thereby we can not merely aid the poor and needy at our own door, but can also, as it were, stretch out a helping hand even to the outcast and perishing in far-off lands. Thousands and tens of thousands have thereby been savingly gathered into the fold of Christ. Doubtless the first and chief concern of every one must be his own personal salvation, for till this is secured he can do little or nothing effectually for the saving good of others. man who is himself swimming for his life, and struggling hard among the breakers, is little able to rescue others in similar peril. But too often those who are themselves in Christ fail to help others as they might. If ever we are The tempted selfishly to say, like Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" we should call to mind the solemn words: "If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?" "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; 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. We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.-NUM. x. 29. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.-JAMES V. 19, 20. L' November 23. WE MUST NOT LIGHTLY LEAVE OUR SPHERES. IKE many a saint in Scripture times, believers are still occasionally strongly tempted to desert their appropriate sphere or appointed work. Perhaps it is the very one designed for them, and where their usefulness can be greatest; but simply because thorns unexpectedly spring up, and difficulties present themselves, they become hopelessly despondent. Then come the whisperings of the tempter: You have mistaken your calling-you are not in the right place; and therefore, toil as you may, you |