Wild and tumultuous is the throng in which I now go forth to mingle. But in that throng, angels of thine walk about in disguise. Oh, that it may be my lot to meet with some of them! Lord, I beseech thee, from my inmost heart, that on my way through life I may not journey alone. Nevertheless, should thy wisdom deem it better for me to want a friend, and live solitary on earth, then open to me all the more freely and fully the invisible treasures of thy friendship; and, in the strength I derive from secret fellowship with thyself, teach me to walk to thy praise before the children of the world. "Evil communications corrupt good manners,"* is a precept of Gentile wisdom. To the danger of which it warns let me never be insensible. In journeying through the world, we walk upon ice and in the midst of thorns. Give me a discriminating mind, that I may discover of what spirit they are, with whom I shall have to do. It is impossible to pass safely through life, without possessing somewhat of the wisdom of the serpent, as well as of the simplicity of the dove. Thou expressly requirest of the children of light, to be not merely wise, but prudent, like the children of this world. We are to "walk circum. spectly."+ "Look well before thee and behind, This is an admonition which I need to take home. I am too lavish of my confidence. It is an easy matter to give the hand; but the hand once given, cannot so quickly be withdrawn. Beyond all doubt, however, the worst of our enemies are those we carry about with us in our own hearts. Adam fell in paradise, Lucifer in heaven, while Lot continued righteous among the inhabitants of Sodom. Indifference to little sins and mistakes the self-flattering voice of the heart, ever ready to sing its lullaby the moment conscience is rousedthe subtle question of the serpent, "Hath God, indeed, said ?”—these are unquestionably the adversaries we have most to fear. There never was a fire but it began with smoke. I beseech thee, therefore, dear Master, to give me a sensitive conscience, that I may take alarm at even small sins. Oh, it is not merely great transgressions that can bring a man to ruin. Little and imperceptible ones are, perhaps, even more deadly; according to the beautiful figure of Tauler, who says, "The stag when attacked tosses from him the great dogs, and dashes them to pieces upon the trees, but the little ones seize him below, and tear the entrails from his belly." Let me never forget that, among all the avocations allotted to me, the principal is to be thy champion and soldier. To this, accordingly, I must give my chief attention; for "no man that warreth," saith the Apostle, "entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."§ My hands and feet shall perform my daily task, but my heart shall soar above it. The thorns that choked the seed of the word, were the cares of this world. worldly cares can so wind about a man, as to make to extricate himself; and if once they wax rank and the growth and increase of the seed is for ever gone. stand, and the ears appear, but for the ripe grain in vain. Men begin with seeking to divert the mind, and they end with subverting it. Chase away the fowls that devour the corn. The fowls it And true it is, that impossible for him multiply, all hope of The stalk may still the ears we look in Eph. v. 15. T Matt. xiii. 4. are amusements; and they come with such haste, and so take us by surprise, that, ere we are aware, many a precious seed is snatched from the heart. And, alas, that the weapons thou thyself puttest into our hands, even the precious means of grace, should be allowed to rust disused! For me, should the time ever come when I cannot take up the sentiment of David, and say with truth, "The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver;"* should the time ever come when, exhausted with the labours of the day, I feel no desire to drink in fresh strength from the fountain of thy Word, good reason shall I have for beginning to tremble at the state of my heart. Thy holy Word is the magnet by whose attraction the mind ought again to be raised aloft, when carnal sloth weighs it down to the earth. A little text daily taken from the Word, and laid up in the heart, is like a corn of spice. Touch and rub it, and every time it will emit new strength. Nor is the right observance of the Sabbath less a spiritual weapon, which we do not sufficiently use. The christian, who has to toil the live-long week, should esteem it one of the high privileges vouchsafed him by his Lord, to be allowed to rest on the Sabbath, and live that day to his Lord alone. On the Sabbath, therefore, I will endeavour to disencumber my heart of the disquietudes of the by-past week, and to recruit it with God and his word. I will attend the preaching of his Word in the sanctuary, and will not there seek after oratory and eloquence, but content myself with the simple gospel, whenever delivered genuine and pure. Whether the pipe that conveys it be of gold or lead, the stream of thy Word is still mingled with water of life. It is right, too, that the body and the weary bones should rejoice upon the Sabbath; but this, before thy face, dear Master, not behind thy back. The joy we taste before thy face, and no other, leaves after it a sweet and lasting relish. Beside, the Sabbath is the proper day for performing many an act of charity, for which no opportunity could be found during the week; and in works like these, the spirit often experiences a rest so delightful, that the body sympathetically enjoys a share. Nor shall I count it a small thing, dear Master, that on Sabbath thou often presidest at thy table, inviting hungry souls to come, and be nourished with thy body and blood. If denied the happiness of meeting with many of thy children in the wicked world, I will all the oftener frequent thy own company, and imbibe strength from fellowship with thyself. On no day of the week, however, after having given twelve hours to labour, will I consent to be defrauded of the privilege of dedicating at least one evening hour exclusively to thee. Nor will I ever desist from prayer, because at the time I may feel no pleasure in it. No. For that very reason, will I press all the more closely to thy heart, until my own again has caught the warmth. I consider it one of the most dangerous of Satan's temptations, when he tries to persuade a man, who can only pray feebly, rather not to pray at all. Whereas, oh, gracious Master, thou regardest the heart alone, and if we have but the will to pray aright, even that will itself is an acceptable prayer to thee. What should we do with the coal, in which only a faint and glimmering spark still lives, but bring it into thy presence, that with the breath of thy mouth thou mayst blow the spark into a flame? Hast thou not promised not to quench the smoking flax, but, in answer to earnest prayer, to pour oil upon it, and make it blaze afresh? And even though the utmost we can do is but to come before thee, and shew, with sorrow, the coldness of our hearts, Ps. cxix. 72. saying, "Lord, if it be thy will that I should be, as at this moment I am, even so let thy will be done;" though this be all we can do, even this shall not be done in vain. Never does man present himself before the uncreated Light, with a heart humble and weaned of all self-will, without at least reaping one advantage. He becomes more assimilated to that light, and it is so true that "The noblest prayer a suppliant ever pours, Is to resemble that which he adores." Well do I know the hypocrisy of my own heart. Often and bitterly does it complain of wanting strength, and yet, in seeking to obtain it, builds its only hopes on such things as change of outward position, and all manner of extraordinary helps and expedients, whereas there can be no doubt that, in the very commonest means of grace, thou hast laid up an inexhaustible treasure of counsel, strength, and consolation, for those who truly desire them. Man, however, is like the patient in a fever, who, as if the heat were without him and not within, fancies all would be well, could he but change his clothes, or get into another bed. Or, he is like one who goes a searching on every side for the philosopher's stone with which to manufacture gold, and yet, at the very moment, the mine is beneath his feet, and all he wants is industry to use the spade. Without industry, however, as we cannot obtain food for the body, so just as little can we obtain food for the soul. In all cases, by Divine appointment, bread must be paid for by the sweat of the brow; and he who would enjoy the fire, must first endure the smoke. Lord, thou art "a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress."* Fulfil to me thy promise, and may I feel in my warfare, that I war in thy strength. I desire to be strong in no other strength but thine; and if thou take sword and buckler to fight my battles, who is he that shall prevail against me? My loins I will gird about with sincerity and truth, that I may learn to walk with certain step. I will put on the breast-plate of righteousness, of that righteousness which is of grace and not of works, that I may be of good courage, even in the evil day. I will cover my head with the helmet of salvation, that salvation which has been purchased for me, but with no endeavours of mine, and is reserved in heaven. I will keep before me the shield of faith, which quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and my right hand shall wield the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, which strikes even Satan dumb. Many are my adversaries, but my armour is complete; arduous is the conflict, but abundant the strength; hard the toil, but glorious the reward. Oh, thou, who, by thy mighty power, wert able to keep a Lot righteous even among the citizens of Sodom, a Joseph chaste in the house of Potiphar, and a David pious at the court of Saul, forsake not me, thy child, when walking through the great and tumultuous crowd, who know not thy name. Wide is the sea, through which I have to steer my course, and high its swelling waves; but grace is the breeze that fills the sails, my compass is faith, and my pilot, Christ. Of whom shall I be afraid? THE LIBERTY OF MARRIAGE. "She is at liberty to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord."-1 Cor. vii. 39. "Marriage is honourable in all;" but the christian should marry, may marry, only in the Lord. This is the law of Jesus Christ. He is our Master, how shall we dare to break his commands? * Isaiah xxv. 4. If you marry in the Lord, you secure the counsel and guidance of your Heavenly Father. If in any thing whatever you need wise advice, surely it is when you select the partner of your life. Your happiness depends upon your choice. Mark the promises of God which are suitable to your case. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy path.' "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." How sweet to feel that in your choice you are guided by God, and in your union are blessed with his approbation! What a comfort in any trouble that may arise, to feel, this is the Lord's dealing; He will deliver me. But how could you ask God to bless you in marrying an unbeliever,—to bless you in breaking His law? Surely even an impious man would not venture to offer such a prayer! How painful to know, even on your wedding-day, that Jesus turns from you wounded and displeased! And whatever trials may overtake you in after life, you cannot ask your Saviour to pity you. You violated his law,-you must expect trouble; it is the fruit of your sin. Your comfort is destroyed. If you marry an unbeliever, you slight Christ your saviour. If you are, indeed, a christian, God is your best friend, and Christ the object of your supreme regard. You love him with all your heart and strength, for he loved you, and gave himself for you. How, then, can you love one averse from or indifferent to your Saviour? How can you press to your heart one that loves not your God? If Jesus could say to his friends, "He that receiveth you receiveth me," would he not also say, he that loveth my despisers and neglecters cannot love me? If you marry an unbeliever, there can be no christian sympathy between you. True, you will feel one with each other in the things of this life, but not in the things that make for your eternal peace. You will blend your joys, and divide your sorrows, that rise from this world; but in relation to the world that is infinitely more important than this, you will not have a single feeling in common. Your mind may be darkened by clouds of doubt, but you cannot tell him of your fears. You may rejoice in the Lord, but you cannot tell your partner of your gladness. He lives for this world, you live for Christ. His portion is in this life, your inheritance is in heaven. You love to speak of that Saviour who bought you with his blood, and with whom you will dwell in heaven, but your husband will not listen. "What communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an unbeliever ?" An unbeliever cannot comfort you in trial and sickness. He may perform every kind office with fondest attention, and hang over you with a bleeding heart, but these are not all you will need in that hour. You will ask for an affectionate prayer, and words of sweet consolation. From no one would these spiritual aids be so comforting, as from him who is dearest to your heart. But, alas, he cannot pray! He has no God upon whom to call for even you; and the precious promises of the Bible, even if he were to whisper them for your solace, would freeze upon his lips. Your last hour draws nigh. No hope of meeting him in heaven supports you, as your lips quiver the last farewell. Your last moments are disturbed by the thought, "We part for ever." You wing your way to bliss, but you leave him. How Think of the difficulty, if God should bless you with children. will you train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, when the head of the house gives no weight to your pious example, and the father cannot pray with his child? And, think, if you should be called home, your children will be left without any one to train them up in the way they should go, and having no one to care for their souls, they may perish in sin. If you neglect the command of Christ to marry "only in the Lord," you will greatly injure your own soul. "Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners." Companionship with the ungodly, under any circumstances, taints the feelings and weakens the spirituality of the mind; but when you constantly associate with unbelievers, and love them too, as is the case in the conjugal state, the effect must be doubly mischievous. We so rapidly assimilate to those whom we love, that we soon change from the beauty and lustre of piety to dulness and deformity. Solomon, the wisest of men, became a gross idolator through the influence of wicked wives. Thousands who once "walked with God," have departed from the way of holiness, where the sunshine of God's favour fills every heart with joy, and have wandered in darkness and perplexity, and died in doubt, through the influence of an ungodly partner. Rely upon it, the path of obedience is the path of peace. "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He in whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord." Newport, Monmouthshire. A. THE CHRISTIAN'S DAILY PRAYER. "O Lord, remember me, and visit me."-Jer. xv. 15. The prophet was in great trouble. Life was almost a burden. Yet the Lord had promised to shew him special favour. He had promised to be with him, and that it should be well with his remnant. But the promises which support us do not always cheer us. We have always more wealth in our possession than we turn to account. But he falls upon his knees, he looks up to his God. Oh, what a relief is prayer! We never value it as we do in deep affliction, when the heart must find vent or burst. He cries, "O Lord, thou knowest" my sincerity and deep suffering. He had sincerely sought the people's good, and done the Lord's will. But sincerity often exposes to suffering, but while it does so it soothes the spirit. "Lord," he says, "remember, and visit me." How beautifully simple! How expressive! How suited to us! Let us look at this prayer, and make it our own. It is a time of trouble. Most are suffer ing from one cause or another. Oh, that the Lord would sanctify the sorrows of his people, and make the sufferings of his foes the means of their conversion! "O Lord, remember me." Who can bear to be forgotten? Especially by a kind, wealthy, and powerful friend. How could we bear to be forgot ten of the Lord? But though he never will forget us, yet we may plead for a special remembrance. Lord, I am tried, troubled, and cast down; remember that I am thy child. Thou hast put me among thy children. I have called thee, Abba, Father. Thou hast owned me at thy throne of grace, and I cannot live contented without thy smile and thy blessing. I am thy weeping child. The sorrows of my heart are enlarged; oh, bring thou me out of my distresses! Remember, I am thy friend. I have been reconciled to thee by the death of thy Son. I have committed my all unto thee. I have been familiar with thee. I have poured out all my heart before thee. I cannot be happy except thou think of me, send to me, and shew me friendship. Remember, I am thy soldier, engaged in thy cause and quarrel. I wear thine armour. I fight under thy banner. I am jealous of thine honour. But I am wounded in the field. I find |