attered them. At any rate, our pity is misplaced if the sight of a blind man does not remind us of that darker and more terrible blindness which has fallen upon us on account of our sin. But to what does sin blind us ? Ah! my friends, it argues but poorly for our knowledge of sin if we have not long ere now found out that it constantly blinds us to the defects and inconsistencies of our own characters—to the condemnation which awaits and is even now hanging over all who believe not in Jesus—to the beauties, and joys, and blessedness of a religious life, and to the holiness and purity of our Father's character. We understand none of these aright until the scales have been removed from our eyes by Jesus. And, what is more than this, though we are thus blind, sin blinds us to our blind. ness, so that we say we see. Whenever, then, you read this story of Bartimeus, recollect that in his disease he is a type of you.

2. In his Privilege.-Once in the man's lifetime, Jesus of Nazareth passed close to the place where he sat begging. It may be that, up to that time he had only heard about Christ. Perhaps some fellow-suflerer had told him that Jesus had cured him. And it may be that the blind man tried to hope that one day he might have the opportunity of crying, “ Jesus, have mercy on me.” With that privilege he was now favoured. No one would have pitied him if the blind man had allowed this opportunity to pass away unembraced. It would have been his own fault, his own folly, if he had not cried out as Jesus passed on, “Have mercy on me !" You say it was a blessed privilege with which he was favoured; yet, surely, it was not more so than that is which you now have. I care not what may have been your past opportunities, or whether you have been in total ignorance of the Gospel, “Behold, I bring unto you glad tidings of great joy.” I assure you that, though unseen by you, the Saviour is so near to you that he can hear the feeblest cry you can utter. The Saviour is within hearing; he is not far from any one of you. It will be your fault and folly if you do not pray for his mercy, now that he is so near. Whenever, then, you read of the privilege which Bartimeus enjoyed, recollect that in that respect be is a type of you.

3. In his Difficulties.--As soon as the blind man began to make use of his privilege, there were some that objected to his doing so. “ They were many who charged him that he should hold his peace.” Hard-hearted, cruel creatures that they were, they cared not for the blind man, for they knew nothing of his disease and suffering; they would have him neglect the only opportunity he might ever have of getting cured; they charged him to hold his peace. I never read the account of his difliculties without thinking of the difficulties which every anxious inquirer will pass through before his entrance into the kingdom of heaven. We cannot become Christians easily. As soon as we begin to shake off the drowsiness and sloth of sin, and become anxious about our souls, we shall make enemies by so doing. Our friends will become our foes, and our foes will become more bitter than they formerly were. The multitude around you will tell you to hold your peace, that your disease is incurable, that the Master is engaged more worthily, that there is time enough for

you. Whenever, then, you think of the difficulty the blind man experienced in getting his blindness removed, recollect that in that respect he is a type of you.

I think, then, I was right when I gpoke of blind Bartimeus as a type, for we have found that his disease, his privilege, and his difficulty are all representations of our own.

II. BLIND BARTIMIUS AS AN EXAMPLE.--I can imagine that some may fancy it very indiscreet to put them under the guidance of a blind man, and may remind me of the old proverb, “If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” I confess, however, I would rather follow the guidance of this blind man than I would follow that of many a man who prides himself upon having bis eyes wide open. But before you condemn for looking at Bartimeus as an example, let me ask you to consider the following three particulars, in which I believe you would do well to follow him :

1. In his Earnestness. He would not be put down. Who can wonder at it? He had felt the losses, the privations, the sorrows that only a blind man can understand. We need not wonder that when they charged him to hold his peace he cried the more a great deal. There was an earnestness which would not be defeated. Seeker after salvation, what more appropriate example could yon imitate? The more they told him to be quiet, the louder he shouted. The men who have succeeded in the world have always done the same. Everything that has succeeded seems easy of accomplish. ment. The wonder is, that when men were denounced as imprac. tical, and their calculations looked on as ridiculous, they still bore up. They succeeded by laughing at and scorning difficulties. Do you the same. You are not worthy of eternal life if you will allow the opposition of friends or foes to deter you from seeking after it. No man on earth has more right to be earnest than he who has heard the cry, “Flee from the wrath to come!” With that cry still in your ears, how can you be easy till, by acquaintance with God, you have found peace ? . Let opposition only stimulate you. Be sure of this, that if you allow yourself to be put down you lose the only opportunity of being saved. As often, then, as you think of the blind man's earnestness, recollect that in that respect he is an example for you.

2. In his Eagerness. The blind man was eager to be cured. As soon as Jesus took notice of him, he cast away his garments and rose and came to him. He might have come to Jesus without doing so, if he could quietly and patiently have wended his way through the crowd. He was not content to travel slowly, so he cast away everything that was likely to be an impediment. Where could you find a better example? The reason why we do not get saved quicker--why we do not sooner get an assurance of being saved--is, that we do not imitate the blind man. We are trying to be saved with as little trouble and sacrifice as possible. There are worldly friendships that we maintain, unconquered passions that still rule, sinful habits that we still cherish. If we would but cast them off all at once, all would be well. Let us treat these things as the blind man did his garments, and rise and come to Jesus. As often, then,

as we think of the eagerness of this blind man, let us recollect that in this respect he is a fitting example for us.

3. In his Petition. The blind man went to the root of the matter. There was no attempt to make light of his disease. He was blind, and he called things by their right names, and did not try to make out that he was suffering from some slight infirmity. Have you erer noticed his two prayers: “Have mercy on me;” “Lord, that I may receive my sight”? These two prayers seem to me to contain all that is necessary for the sinner to ask. If we know no other prayers, these two, if offered aright, will lead to our salvation. Mercy and sight are all that we want. Inquirer after salvation, you cannot ask more than this; see that you do not ask less. As often, then, as you think of the petitions of the blind man, recollect that he was an example for you.

I think, then, that I was right when I spoke of the blind man as an example; for we have found that in his earnestness, his eagerness, and his petition, we cannot do better than follow him.

III. BLIND BARTIMEUS AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT.-I cannot conceive that any one will object to taking comfort from this narrative. One wonders sometimes that God should have felt it necessary to tell his servant to comfort his people. Why, if the prophet bad forgotten it, the people would soon have reminded him of his duty. There is nothing people are more anxious for than comfort, and he who will speak pleasant things to people may make sure of a large audience. We all, then, are willing to be encouraged. But let us consider the following three particulars, in which the blind man is an encouragement to us :-

1. In the Notice he received.-"Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.” Not only 80,--when he came, Jesus actually asked him what he wanted. It is not often that beggars become choosers; we send our servants to them, and would deem it unworthy of us to admit them to our presence; we give them what we have no need of, and would never think of asking them to select from our possessions. Jesus is better and kinder than we are. He called the blind man and asked him what he wanted. Here is encouragement. Jesus is the same now as he was then. You may be poor and despised, and others more worthy may be seeking him at the same time; but Jesus will call you and will consult your wishes if you will but cry after him. Whenever, then, you think of the notice the blind man received, be encouraged, for Jesus will bestow the same upon you.

2. In the Reverse he experienced. They cried him down as long as he was unnoticed ; they extolled him as soon as Jesus regarded him. It was “Hold thy peace" before, it was “Be of good cou. rage” now. Oh, that fawning, hypocritical world! They tried to keep him unknown till he pushed himself into notice. They offered him their aid gratuitously when he could dispense with it altogether. Let us not be too hard upon the world. There is a bright side even to this. They keep us down now; by-and-by they will help us. Make yourself something. Be worthy of them; by-and-by you shall not lack friends. Do not be afraid of the opposition that now

assails you. When you have got piety, those who condemn you for a periods seeking it will commend you for obtaining it. Whenever, then, you think of the reverse the blind man found, be encouraged to believe that it will be the same with you.

3. In the Cure he found. As soon as the blind man believed, he received his sight immediately. Faith removed his physical disease as soon as it sprang up. And whatever may be your spiritual discase, faith will cure you if you do but get it. That is all you want. Tout pont It is not the Saviour's power, or love, or mercy, that you have need to strengthen and increase; it is only your faith in these things that needs to be deepened. Only believe, and all things are possible to him that believeth. It all rests with yourself. The blind man saw as soon as he believed; you shall be saved as soon as you do the same. Be encouraged, then, for your cure shall be the same as his, when your faith is equal to his,

I think I was right when I spoke of Bartimeus as an encourage. ment; for the notice he received, the reverse he experienced, and the cure he found, are all rich in comfort to the seeker after Christ.

Thus, then, we have considered blind Bartimeus as a type, an example, and an encouragement. And now, in conclusion, let me notice one thing that the evangelist tells us of the blind man: “ Immediately he received his eight, he followed Jesus in the way.” The first proof the prodigal gave that he was come to himself was, that he returned to his father. The blind man made use of his sight first of all in following his benefactor. The same is still true. All who have received their sight follow Jesus; all who do not follow Jesus are still blind. Some of you are following Jesus. Well, let us rejoice that you are no longer blind. Recollect you are not to and choose the way in which you will follow him. Though the path be hard, and rough, and trying, you must keep on. The glorified above follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Do you the same; and if you follow him be sure that at last where lio is there you shall be also.

But some of you do not follow Jesus. No, I heard fierce oaths, and unkind words, and uncharitable remarks fall from your lips, and I know you cannot be disciples of Jesus. Painful though it be to do so, I can only come to one conclusion about you, and that is, that you are still blind. But surely you would not wish to remain 80 when there is one near you who can remove it. I cannot tell where Jesus may be to-morrow, or how he may feel toward you then. I know he is near you now, and that he is waiting to be merciful. He is passing on, and as he passes methinks I catch his footfalls as he goes, and hear the accents of the words he speaks to you. Listen, sinner, for in your heart of hearts you may hear his words if you will but listen. Some of you, I know, are weary and heavy laden. He says, “ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Others of you are thirsting for purer and more refreshing waters than earth can give. To you he says, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink;" and others of you are doubting whether it is not too good, too blessed for you. To you he says, "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And in

let him that heareth say, Conie. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Sinner, he means it for you. Oh, go to him, and as you go let your language be

“ Just as I am, without one plea,
Sure that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come.” May God grant unto you and unto me that at last we may meet where there will be no more darkness, but where all will be light in the Lord !

Harlow.

CHRISTIAN MANLINESS.
A WORD TO OUR YOUNG MEN WITH THE NEW YEAR.

BY THE REV. J. T. WIGNER.
“ Quit you like men, be strong."-1 Cor. xvi. 13.

“Be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.”—2 Tim. ii. 1. ONE requirement of the present age is manliness ; the wide-spread competition and busy activities of commercial life,-the duties to which the present times summon us,-the large number of the young on the surface of society, who have thus far on spent their time in one or other of the extremes of paralysing penury or effeminate luxury,-above all, the loud, pressing claims of a dying world,-call on all who profess the name of Christ to be manly. May the call be heard, and right heartily responded to! Not many weeks since, and the cry was heard, “Arm and drill for the defence of your country ;" and from the metropolis to the most distant portions of our island, “Rifle Corps” have sprung up as if by magic. And shall the Christian youth of our land, the early manhood of our churches, be less active, less manly, in the holiest of causes the best of objects ? Assuredly not. That healthy vigour, that careful observation, that mental acumen, that laborious earnestness, that joy in service, that noble courage, which difficulties cannot daunt,-all, all these features of manliness are summoned to service in the day in which we live. The New Year asks it at our hands. The crouching sycophant and the vain boaster, assuming ignorance and self-inflated pride, are “ weighed in the balance, and found wanting.” No testimonials can avail in the stead of manliness. The article may be labelled “Gold," and in large letters, too ; but if it be but dross, the cheat will be discovered, the dross cast out, for-'tis worthless!

Now,-yes, now is the time when those who in the vigour of youth have yielded themselves to Christ must be manly, if they would be useful. God is pouring out his Spirit ; a great awakening is taking place ; many forms of error and sin, hoary with age, are in their death-struggle. We have to claim the world for Christ, and claim it in tones which shall be heard and understood. “Arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield !” “Put on the whole armour of God.” is Stand in the evil day, and having done all, stand.”