IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. .•^ 4 e^y^' z 5sf :^ >> *^'«.''>" 'V '>' 1.0 ^U£ 1^ HZH 1^ 1^ |2.2 I.I 1/^ H^ 18 1 l.2f| 1.4 1^ .« 6" - t, Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 ' ^/<' ^M% CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques %^ HI IMM m Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. M Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D n n D Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur6e et/ou pellicul6e Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relid avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ 11 se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 film^es. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; L'Institut a microfilmd le meitleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m6thode normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ D D Pages restaur6es et/ou pelilcul6es Pages discoloured, stained or foxei Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqu6es Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Showthroughy Transparence Quality of prir Quality indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du matdriel suppldmentaire I I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ I I Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une peiure, etc., ont 6t6 film^es d nouveau de faqon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 2 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X riimWW tails I du odifier une mage The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Library of Congress Photoduplicfltion Service The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol ^»> (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grAce d la g6n6rosit6 de: Library of Congress Photoduplication Service Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim6e sont film6s en commenqant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'Impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commen^ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'Impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page q jf comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symboie V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre film6s d des taux de r6duction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, 11 est fllm6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants iliustrent la m6thode. irrata to pelure, in d n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 «MHtaiit«sMi!»' BV L5 188 1 1 ( i I ■ 1 i i ■ ' 1 1 • ■ - ♦ 1 • 1 V ,*' wrnnni* CAPT.W.H BlirSY COR'ii*P OF ENQINEERg.U.g AHMY. ANALYTIC OUTLINE ADDRESSES UPON RELIGIOUS, TEMPERANCE, THRIFT, HEALTH, AND SOCIAL TOPICS, WITH SOME COURSES OF ADDRESSES FOR SPECIAL SEASONS. W^ For the use of busy and over-worked Clergymen, Lay-Readers, Teachers, and Parish-Workers. BY THE ^1^ REV. HENRY W^'^llTTLE, BOHmm iiraoAT uoiubck at OBBiUILE pabwh chdkob. ADTBOB OF "A OOMPAHIOII tO THB TABLE OF THB LOBB," BTO.i BIO. nird Edition. lonlion: SKEFFINGTON AND SON, 163. PICCADILLY. 1887. ■ti iilMi \tz7 Transfer Knsin««rs Sehoei Ubyw ■■■» \tt7 Otontents. PREFACE PAGE vii. I, ON EXTEMPORE SPEAKING AND PREACHING ix. II. ON TRUTH IN PUBLIC SPEAKING .. XI III. LIST OF SUBJECTS AND TEXTS .. ,, xiii. IV. APPENDIX OF FACTS. FIGURES AND ANECDOTES cvii. % ^W mm I'urt'i I ■rfiti preface. TnB aim of the compiler of these puRes is to supply ideas and subjects for short addresus in the smallest compass, and in the simplest form possible. The need of such a publication has been long felt, especially amongst the lay-helpers and licensed renders, who are now coming in increased numbers to the assistance of the parochial clergy in our lar^'a and duns^ly-populateJ town parishes. What the active worlor often wants is an idea, a leading thought, a motif, so to speak, and if this is suRRested, words an I illustrations are readily found to clothe the idea, and to bring it forth in an interesHn':? and profitable speech or sermon. In compiling the "outlines" our great wish has been to s-cure a, -nuch brevity and conciseness as is compatible with usefulness and iniellifiibility. All useless sub-divisions, figures, abbreviations, and complexity of arrange- ment have been rigorously excluded, and the barest hints and sketches are given, so as to avoid all unnecessary words or explanations. Each subject occupies one page only, and is treated generally under four divisions, thus; I. Introductory remarks. . a. Subject stated, expanded. 3. Illustrations. 4. Inferences, deductions. A local colour should always be given to the addresses by a full reference to any facts or matters connected with the immediate neighbourhood in which the user may find hi.-nself. Although designed to occupy about half-an-hour in delivery, the outlmes may be expanded or reduced to suit the convenience of the user, or to meet the circumstances of any particular audience. In the actual delivery of addresses, manuscript or notes should be put aside with a firm hand, or the fewest possible heads jotted down for the purpose of refreshing the memory. This does not imnly by any means that the subject is not to be carefully, and shall I say prayerfully, consider.^d beforehand. But the memory should be trusted and exercised from tno very beginning. Every subject must be carefully divided into brief heads. i n ■MMMMM ' Bene dividit qui bene docet " is especially true of the extempore speaker. To divide well is useful for himself as well as for his hearers. A good teacher is always a perfect master of the art of analysis, presenting to his pupils or hearers just as much matter as they can grasp at one time. Ivlethod is necessary in everything, especially in conveying instruction to the people. Have then a strict habit of conciseness in speech, and clearness and continuity in thought. Be severely self-repressing, by mercilessly cutting off from your style all unnecessary florid ornaments of description or tediously detailed analysis. Let your strokes be deep, firm, bold, and your sentences clear, true, and well expressed. Do not try to say all that is in your mind on the subject at once. Remember there will be, in the Providence of God, another day, and another opportunity. Send home your arrows with a firm thrust. One fixed in the breast is more fatal than thousands hurtling harmlessly in the air. Your power will be in exact proportion to your nearness to the point of the subject you have chosen. If you are to speak about " grace," let your words be about " grace," and not — for that time at least— about any other equally interesting subject, c»., "faith." If yea are to speak about "thrift," keep far away from any cognate topic, e.g., "temperance," no matter how tempted you may feel to leave the track at the time. The experience of the compiler, extending over a period of many years as a Mission preacher and speaker in all parts of the Master's vineyard, both abroad and at home, leads him to hope that to his younger brethr^a in the sacred ministry, and to all those who are constantly expected to be ready with an address on all kinds of topics, to all kinds of people, in all kinds of places, this little book may, by God's blessing, be of service, and help to, answer in some measure the oftentimes very perplexing question, " What shall I say ? " Broadmere, Healey. Fest. S. James, 1884. H. W. L. 41 i .'.fw. i Ui-U j v. Tiiiii ju^iiJ^ of the extempore speaker, s hearers. A good teaclier iresenting to his pupils or at one time. Method is instruction to the people, nd clearness and continuity 3ssly cutting off from your ition or tediously detailed and your sentences clear, at is in your mind on the 'rovidence of God, another arrows with a firm thrust, isands hurtling harmlessly )rtion to your nearness to re to speak about " grace," It time at least — about any f yea are to speak about :, e.g., " temperance," no k at the time. I period of many years as a e Master's vineyard, both s younger brethr^a in the Dtly expected to be ready ; of people, in all kinds of )e of service, and help to. rplexing question, " What H. W. L. . ©n lExtcmpove Spcafeing. I. — Always choose one subject only, and confine yourself to treatment of that alone to the exclusion of all other ideas for the time. 2. — Enforce the chosen subject : make all lead up to that, even at cost of a seeming failure. ' 3. — Beware of going off at a tangent. This is the one rock upon which all young speakers split. Come back to your subject at once if you have strayed for a moment. 4. — Remember that your one object is to enforce your deliberate conviction on others. Therefore never speak unless you have a strong conviction your- self of the truth of what you advance. Insincerity is fatal to all eloquence ; it robs it of its grasping and moving power. 5. — Be concise, have your brain clear, and keep your subject well in hand. 6. — Illustrate from nature, your own experience, and appeal always to the sympathies of your audience. Assume that they agree with you, do not scold them, but say, " You know yourselves," etc. " You agree with me that," etc. " You have long ago been aware of the misery," etc. " yow are with me when I say that," etc. Appeal to the experience of your hearers, " You have often seen," etc. Get good, short, fitting, TRtJS stories upon your subject. Do not invent them. 7. — If you use figures, be careful to get them np beforehand. Do not usu too many. Just a few in one speech, and repeat them two or three times. 8. — Condense. Set a limit and keep to it. to mere talk or words without point. Strongly repress any tendency 9. — Be calm and leisurely when you commence, speak slowly and very d>>liberately, and cofy no one, but be natural and " yourself " above all things. ■■.*! J X. Remember that eloquence is the most profound of arts, on account of the end at which it aims, which is not merely to charm, please, amuse transiently, but to penetrate into the soul, that it may move or change the will, may excite or prevent its action by means of the ideas which it engenders, or as it is expressed in rhetorical treatises, by convincing and persuading. Each discourse, or speech, or lecture, or paper (except narratives), must have an idea, to be kept to, put forth, proved, and persuaded into the minds of the audience. It is therefore all important that the speaker should be impregnated first of all, then, with the idea which he seeks to inject into the minds of his hearers. In many cases, however, a brief but intense study of the '• outline " chosen may be all that is possible on the road, or in the train, or bus, or on the way from business, but this will be sufficient if the user can secure the four points of the " analysis " given in the book, and finds his own views and feelings to be in harmony with the spirit and teaching of the " outline." S- ifr I rts, on account of the tse, amuse transiently, e the will, may excite ingenders, or as it is iuading. ;ept narratives), must laded into the minds e impregnated first of minds of his hearers, le " outline " chosen It bus, or on the way can secure the four 3 his own views and fthe "outline." ©tt mutf) in i^uiJlic ^peaftinfl. I— Be true, for God is true. Let no idea of temporary triumph divert your eye from the truth, and do not make conjecture, or hypothesis, or inductive conclusions serve as truths. Beware of yourself in this. Be e-wctty true: in all you write, si^eak, or think. This habit increases your power over an audience in a really marvellous manner, and strengthens your own confidence, and so gives you a greater freedom in the choice of language and the exercise of the refinements of true eloquence. 2.— The resources of the art are inexhaustible, and are all at the disposal of the man who is scrupulously true, even in gesture. 3.— Bacon said, " Knowledge is power." But the knowledge he spoke of was not speculative knowledge, not the knowledge of mere hypothesis, but objective and real knowledge. 4.— We misuse, we imperil our power, we are in danger of losing our talent if in teaching we do not confine . urselves to this thoroughly legitimate, thoroughly secure, thoroughly unassailable power, "Truthfulness." 5.— There is no greater offence against the pure spirit of all science than to announce and to assume as a demonstrated truth that which is only a probable opinion. This is equally true, no matter what the degree of apparent probability. Books of travel, expositions of texts, etc., etc., constantly reveal the fascinating, as well as the weakening, influence of exaggeration and mere wordiness, or speaking for effect without particular regard being paid to facts. For a distinguished writer, or speaker, or philosopher, to employ his authority in such a manner for the advancement of a favourite view, or for less worthy ends, is either a damaging error of judgment, or it is a betrayal of a magnificent trust. ■* J 1 r ilist Of 3ui)Kct» anil ^m^. f Subject. VIGILANCE. Text. No. Romans xiii. ii. i THE GREAT ASSIZE. (Advent.) .. .. Heb. ix. 27. 2 THE WORLD PASSING AWAY. (Advent.).. i S. John ii. 17. 3 A CALL AT BETHLEHEM. (Christmas.) ,.S. Luke ii. 15. 4 A PRESENT DELIVERY. (Christmas.) .. S. Matt. i. 18. 5 THE LAST TIMES. (Christmas.) .. .. Heb. i. 1, 2. 6 FRAGMENTS. (For the end of the Year.) . . ..S.J0HNVI.5. 7 NUMBERING OUR DAYS. (For New Year.) .. Psalm xc. 12. 8 SPARED FOR ANOTHER YEAR. (For New Year.) S. Luke xiii. 8. 9 THE MAGI. (Epiphany.) .. .. S. Matt. ii. i, 2. 10 THE PREFERENCE OF MOSES. (Lent.) Heb. xi. 24, 25. 11 CHRIST IS NEWNESS OF LIFE. (Lent.) .. 2 Cor. v. 17. 12 GODLY SORROW. (Lent.) .. .. 2 CoR. vn. 11. 13 THE DAY OF VISITATION. (Palm Sunday.) S. Luke xix. 41, 42. 14 A FINISHED WORK. (Good Friday.) .. S. John xix. 30. 15 THE MAN CHRIST JESUS. (Good Friday.) .. i Tim. n. 5. 16 THE EMPTY TOMB. (Easter.).. .. S. Matt, xxviii. 6. 17 KNOWING CHRIST. (Easter.) ., S. Matt. xvii. i, 2. 18 CHRIST'S GIFTS. (Ascension.) .. .. Ephes. iv. 8. 19 THE WAITING APOSTLES. (Whit-Sunday.).. Acts 11. 4. 20 4 -L ^"^j"'- Text. No. SANCTIFICATION, BROTHERLY LOVE.(Missions.) S. John 1.41. 21 LILIES. (Flower Service.) .. .. S. Matt. vi. 28. 22 ANGEL REAPERS. (Harvest.) .. S. Matt. xiii. 39. 23 PROVIDING FOR OUR OWN. (Schools.) .. i Tim. v. 8. 24 CHRIST THE STRENGTH OF THE NEEDY. (Hospital or Charity.) , . Isaiah xxv. 3-6. 25 PATIENCE. .. S. Luke xxi. 19. 26 CHRIST'S WAY. THE SECRET OF SUCCESSFUL WORK, S. Luke v. 5. 27 CHRIST'S PURPOSE. FATAL COMPANIONSHIP. POVERTY AND WEALTH. S. Luke xix. 10. 28 I Kings xxn. 48. 29 S. Lukb XVI. 22, 23. 30 THE RESOURCES OF JESUS, ALL-SUFFICIENT. S. John vi. 5, 6. 31 THE UNPARDONABLE SIN S. Matt. xii. 32. 32 A HIGH STANDARD S. Matt. v. 48. 33 WORKERS WITH HIM 2 Cor. vi. 1. 34 LEST THEY SHOULD BELIEVE. .. S. Luke viii. 12. 35 MOCKERS, WAVERERS, BELIEVERS. Acts xvii. 32, 33. 34. 36 THE UNANSWERED QUESTION. .. S. Mark viii. 36, 37. 3V A FEEBLE SAINT. .. .. .. a Kings xix. 14. 38 LIVINGSTONES. .. * .. .. Ephbs. 11. 19. 20. :!i. 39 THANKSGIVING FOR PAST BLESSING.S. .. Ex.xvii. 15. 40 TRUE LIBERTY. 2 Cor. ili. 17. 41 THE GOSPEL OF MOSES S. John in. i.|. 42 t ■ i nmn 111 mum If. Text. No. ins.) S.John 1.41. 21 5. Matt. vi. 28. 22 Matt. xm. 39. 23 I Tim. v. 8. 24 3AIAH XXV. 3-6. 25 Luke xxi. 19. 26 FUL WORK, S. Luke v. 5. 27 Luke xix. 10. 28 Kings xxii. 48. 29 ;ke XVI. 22, 23. 30 INT. John vi. 5, 6. 31 Matt. xii. 32. 32 . Matt. v. 48. 33 2 Cor. VI. 1. 34 Luke viii. 12. 35 VII. 32. 33. 34- 36 RK VIII. 36, 37. ^ lIngs xix. .14. 38\ 11.19,20,:!!. 39 Ex. XVII. 1 5. 40 Cor. III. 17. 41 John in. i.|. 42 t Svl^ect. LEARNING TO PRAY. .. A WARNING. .. THE LOVE OF CHRIST. HOW TO OVERCOME EVIL. THE DUMB DEVIL. .. Tixt. 8. LUKB XI. I. Gal. VI. 7. S. LuKB VII. a. Rom XII. ai. S. LuKB XI. 14. BLINDNESS (MENTAL AND PHYSICAL) S. Luke xviii. 34. •• SORROW OF THE WORLD." .. .. Hbb, xii. 17. WHAT SHALL I DO WITH JESUS? .. S. Matt xxvii. aa. SONSHIP ROM. VIII. 14. NEAR, BUT UNSAVED S. Matt, xxvii. 3. COMING BY NIGHT • •• S. JOH.v m. a. THE PRECIOUSNESS OF PRAYER. .. R«v. viii. 4. ANTIPAS RKV.11.13. THE SECRET OF SPIRITUAL POWER. S. Matt. xvii. ai. THE OPEN WAY. THE PEACE OF GOD. .. SACRIFICE. .. •• THE SOUL'S DESIRE. •• ABRAHAM'S JOY SATISFIED. COMING TO HIMSELF. .. HOPE FOR BACKSUDERS. GOD HIDING HIMSELF. P'iMAS. •• •• .. HvB. IX. la. CoL. in. 15. ,. Rom. xii. t. Psalm lxxxiv. a. S John viii. 56. .. Psalm xvii. 15. 8. LuKB XV. 17. „ HOSBA XIV. 4. Isaiah xlv. 15. a Tim. iv. 10. No. 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 30 51 sa S3 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 6a 63 64 65 66 xvi. Subject. HOLDING FAST THE PRISONER OF THE LORIX THE EARNEST WORKER. .. THE DEFEAT OF THE WORLD. THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD. WHAT SHALL BE USELESS GRIEF THE LAMP FREE WILL. .. „ SIN CANNOT BE HID MEROZ Text. No. •• S. Matt. iv. i. 67 • • Ephks. IV. I. 63 •• .. S. JOHK IX. 4. 69 • • X S. John v. 4. 70 •• ..S. Luke xi. 2. 71 .. Rev. XXI. 4 7a •• .. Sam. XVI. i. 73 •• Psalm cxix. 105. 74 •• I Kings xviii. 21. 75 .. Josh. vii. 10, 11. 76 • • .. Judges V. 23. 77 THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE RELATIONSHIPS OF LIFE. .. ., ., RoM. XIV. 7. 78 THE UNCHANGING FRIEND Heb. xiii. 8. 79 SAVING FAITH S. Luke vii. 50. 80 SUBJECTS FOR SPECIAL COURSES OF ADDRESSES. .. 81 N, n ■ ' SOCIAL WRECKAGE. (Temperance.) ., YOUTH AND MANHOOD. (Temperanee.) ,. LIGHTHOUSES. (Temperance.) WASTED TALENTS. (Temperance.) HOME, SWEET HOME. (Temperance.) .. SCARCELY SAVED. (Temperance.) .. .. 82 83 .. 84 85 .. 86 87 .. 88 89 .. go I *9 mssmmam I Text. No. . Matt. iv. i. 67 Ephes. IV. 1. 63 S. John ix. 4. 69 ; S. John v. 4. 70 . Luke xi. 2. 71 Rev. XXI. 4 7a Sam. XVI. i. 73 LM cxix. 105. 74 NGS xvni. 21. 75 H. VII. 10, II. 76 [UDGES V. 23. 77 ISHIPS Rom. XIV. 7. 78 Hbb. XIII. 8. 79 Luxe vh. 50. 80 BESSES. .. 81 •• . . 82 •I • • 83 H • . 84 .. 85 •• • • 86 .. 87 • • • • 88 *. 89 • • •• 90 *9 XVll. Subject. PROGRESS IN THE PAST. (Temperance.) THRIFT. .. WHY PAY RENT? (Thrift.) LUNGS AND AIR. (Health.) FOOD AND DRINK. (Health.) WHAT WE ARE, AND WHAT WE MIGHT BE. .. TOBACCO, OPIUM, Etc. (Health.) WOMAN, HER WORK AND PLACE IN LIFE. (Social.) MEN WHO HAVE LEFT THEIR MARK. (Social.) .. COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. (Social.) PURITY. (Social.) SUGGESTED SUBJECTS FOR ADDRESSES. (General) tJo. 91 .. 92 93 .. 94 95 .. 96 97 .. 98 • • 99 100 .. lOI .. 103 MNM ''"' • '."-"'i i iiiti' i r"'' ' i ■p-'''" '•'t"'i"'''^'' ''■''*'"*"i''' i' '■*'■ ..IJ No. 1— Ut'ailnna. Romans xiii. a. {Aav«Q;ti) I.—The supreme danger of the Church, of Christian life, is sleep or indifference, heedlessness of the passage of time, of the approach of eternity, of the coming of tlie Mnster. Many warnings in the New Testament, and especially in the Epistles, as to the peril of a spirit of contentedness, of spiritual slumber, of forgetfulness of the great and solemn questions involved in our relationship to God and the Supernatural. The life which merely " drifts on" without energy of purpose or individuality of aim here condemned. A sin of Christian people to be merely uninterested in religious matters, " neither cold nor hot," without warmth or special interest in any phase of Christian work or religious truth. II. Years but as moments. Life a dream, which comes to an "end as a tale that is told." Christ approaching, the final solution of all the mysterious problems of our present existence, near, and becomin}.' nearer day by day. The responsibility resting upon each of us to work while it is called to-day, to make sure of our salvation, to lay hold upon the promises, to grasp the proffered gifts of grace, to " amend our sinful lives, to decline from sin, and in- cline to virtue." These are subjects which demand all our atten- tion and unceasing vigilance. (2 Cor. vi. 2.) III,_The Indian asleep in his canoe just above the Falls of Niagara : the sailor asleep on the top of a mast : are types of this perilous indifference to what lies before and around us. There is no hour in which temptation does not come to us in some shape or other. No circumstance of life which is not charged with peril as well as blessing. IV.— Let us ask of God the spirit of holy vigilance and watch- fulness, that we may not be indifferent to our best interests, and so miss the blessings of an eternity at rest with God. (i S. Peter iv. 7.) A No. a.— (!rf)r (Sirtiit '&ui\t. Hk.h. IX. 37. (Advent.) I. — No man more thoroughly alive to the responsibilities of life than S. Paul, and yet no man more conipietely filled with the sense of the certainty of death. This constant idea of death, did not, however, jiaralyse his efforts, or restrain his vigour, hut rather in- spired hmi with new energy and fresh devotion. S. I'aul the Apostle of the active life, with all its duties, joys, various developments, the life of the soldier, tlie sailer, the man of trade, the recluse, the strong, the leehic, the lulci, llie senator, the jailor, the fraudulent, the sincere, are all set forth in the various circumstances of those whose lives touched his own He had a word for all, and a le.5son for every one of these classes. They were to prepare to die well by making their lives powerful with heavenly purpose and energy. To die well is the end of man's life. II. — Death an ai)|)ointment of God, not a mere destiny which befalls us, hut an ordained means of grace, and admission to greater and higher si)iritual conditions and privileges. Not falling upon us as a rock, to stim and destroy our faculties, but opening as a gate to a newer and fresher state of existence. Not to he abhorred as a catastrniihe, hut longed for, if it please God, as a release, as an enfranchisement, as a setting at liberty from the bonds of the flesh. III. — " Once," a solemn power in this fact. The opportunity to die only given "once." If we die badly, then there will be no more opjjortunities to die. We should concentrate the whole energy of our faculties, spiritual, physical, and moral, upon the one point of a hapjjy death throughout our future years. Each day, each hour, should be lived with a view to death. IV. — Death leads to further conditions, e.g., the Judgment, the reckoning for the life past. (Rom. xiv. lo; Eccl. xi. g; Acts. xxiv. 25; I Peter iv. 17.) The rewards and the retribution. No in- decision about death as it is " appointed" by God, and we have therefore only to prepare to meet it by a life of purpose and aim. ■ii ii'-Tiir'T - "-■ ■W*i ' No. 3.— C!)t fHorltJ patffil'"?- nto/ip. I s. John ii. 17. (Advcm.) I -Many things very uncertain, <-.,..'., our final perseverance m ihe path to heaven, our own history ten years hence, the extent of our personal influence upon those about us for good or evil. One thing very certam, vi. : that we are surro.mded by a vety beautiful world, full of attractions, of marvels, <.f sights and sounds which charm and overpower all our senses, and lead us captive against our wills, and often against our better reason and knowledge^ But behind the magnificent picture spread out before us there lurk a thousand dangers ever ready to draw us aside from the n.-irrow way that leads to life eternal. Traveller in forest, attra- te.l by some wonderful flower, or bird, or in!;ect, which flits across his path, and which he pursues, only to find that he has lobt the track and cannot get back to it. II —The attractions of the world addressed to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the flesh, and the passions. Refined natures, ai well as the grosser natures, are subject to delusion and destruction by the power of the world. To resist the influences of the world is the test of the Christian's sincerity. Not our home. (.V« i S. Peter ii. II ; Heb. xiii. 14; i S. John xi. iS-) III -The world is transient (a Cor. iv. 18) : even now growing old, not we, but it is passing away. We remain for ever. God re- mains for ever. The unseen hosts of angels and spirits of the just made perfect remain for ever. But all the things that are seen are always under the power of time and decay, and are corrupt. In this thought we have a subject for the exercise of all our faith. IV —That only lasts which is redeemed and allied with God through Jesus (the Word), those who yield themselves up to the power of faith, who turn away from the things of tune to believe m the things of eternity, which never pass away. rt IT Mi No. 4.— 31 Call at J3ftl)IfI)tm. » S. Luke 11. 15. (Christmas.) I._The scene bright and joyous, full of impulse, '.f con- trasts, of ever-changing figures, heaven and earth, angels and men, songs and sighs, the anthems of heaven, the pain of Mary, the rapture of the seraphim, the anxiety of Joseph, the placid con- fidence of the Infant, the pious expectancy of the shepherds on the hill side in the starry night. The cold indifference of Herod, of the priesthood, of the wealth and wisdom and power of the world, the restlessness of the supernatural creation, the setting of the star, the startled joy-cry of the Magi in their distant home, as they saw its beams break out over the world. II. The "hopefulness" of Christmas, infancy the season of weanness, of lowliness, of patience, of dependence, but also the season of hope, youth of training, manhood of action, old age of contemplation. The " hopefulness " of the life of Jesus, far-reach- ing, even to the uttermost limits of time, of the world's area, of the degradation of the race. No age in which He (Jesus) was to be henceforth inefficient, no spot of earth in which He was to be unfelt, no soul which He would be incapable of raising and purify- ing. The reality of the scene. No attempt at display, religion powerless without reality and sincerity, all that is merely human is unreal, counterfeit, God only is very real. Ill.—Christ's poverty real : the manger, the stiaw, the humble garments, the lowly parents of the Incarnate Son very real. Poverty consecrated. The heroism of poverty draws out characters, tries and purifies and deepens the best parts of man's higher nature, clears the film from the eye which wealth, luxury, self-indulgence place there, and reveals God and the verities of hfe. Christ's poverty, something more than accident or caprice or eccentricity, as affected by some wealthy people who affect poverty. He became really poor, He took up Poverty as a higher life of service because a harder life. IV.~ Lessons at Bethlehem, i. Humility: greatness does not consist in outward circumstances. 2. Patience : need of acceptance of God's Will in God's way, />., self-abandonment. See the Patience of the Incarnate Son of God ! Glance back my soul over the circumstances of Bethlehem, and you will have no word of complaint for any physical inconvenience or pain. O Gift of God, so easy to lose, so difficult to attain. 'm, 5 fl)tm. s.) [ of impulse, ' f con- ind earth, angels and van, the pain of Mary, Joseph, the placid con- 3f the shepherds on the lifference of Herod, of ind power of the world, the setting of the star, :ant home, as they saw infancy the season of Dendence, but also the i of action, old age of life of Jesus, far-reach- the world's area, of the He (Jesus) was to be 1 which He was to be le of raising and purify- npt at display, religion that is merely human is the stiaw, the humble ; Son very real. Poverty \s out characters, tries af man's higher nature, luxury, self-indulgence 1 of life. Christ's poverty, • eccentricity, as affected He became really poor, ce because a harder life, lity: greatness does not ice : need of acceptance bandonment. See the lance back my soul over u will have no word of r pain. O Gift of God, No. s-— a PrfJltut iSrtilJfrtr. S. Matt i. i8. (Christmas) I —Isaiah the prophet who grasped most fully the office and work of Christ, the loosing power of Messiah, the dehverance of captives, the opening of prisons, &c., cS:c. : and the great central idea of Christ as giving freedom and liberty. (Isaiah l.vi. i.) Ihe restorative work of Messiah and His redemptive power brought very prominently forward in the book of Isaiah : hence his name : the " evangelical" prophet. II —The name " Jesus" given to the Child, " God the Saviour," by decree of the Father, as expressive of His Work and Misslon- " for He shall save His people from their sins." A practical Mis- sion, and in no way merely speculative or theoretical. An act, not an abstract system of ideas. The name not given out of compli- ment to His philanthropic character, or to the unselfish nature of his life, but as one appropriate to His personality and purpose in hfe. III — " He shall save His people from their sins," not from the future consequences or effects of wrong doing, but from the sins themselves, now in this life, from their power, dominion, and degra- dation. This is the most beneficent feature in the whole range of Christ's efforts for humanity. He gives present power to effect immediate deliverance from the dominion of habits, wrong thoughts, unholy purposes. Not only hope in future, but present hope. In our struggles with the enemy now we are certam of victory, for His Name implies present power. IV -He delivers them from the fears of sin, habits of sin, desires of sin. S. Augustine long had got beyond the enjoy- ment of sin, but could not get free from its power till he was found by Christ. How to be free? the great c^uestion of philoso- phers in old time. Christ makes us free, if we seek H.m m His ordinances, and wait faithfuUy upon Him. (S. John viu. 36, Romans vi. 18.) I I I No. 6.— Cftt iafit SCtmttf. Heb. I. I, 3. (Christmas.) I.— Man's blessings the measure of his responsibility. The dignity of message depends upon the position of the sender, not the re- cipient or the messenger. " God spake," no less than the Divine Creator Himself has addressed Himself to humanity. The Maker speaks to the creature. Wisdom speaks to ignorance, the height of Holiness to the depth of sin, Joy speaks to woe, Hope to despair, Heaven to earth, the Father to the children. Who can but give good heed to such a communication ? If the sovereign addresses the people, or a great statesman in whom we have confidence pro- poses some measure for the good of the coiaimunity, or the amelior- ation of misery, we all attend. How much the rather then should we give heed to the message of God to man. II.— The Messenger, " His Son." The mysterious relationship of the Trinity. (S. John i. i-6.) The Son the "Word," or expres- sion of the mind of the Father, declares the Will and purpose of the Father. The old dispensation of the prophets passed away. They witnessed to God in the midst of great national degradation and apostasy, they spake as they were moved by the Spirit. They could not change man, only teach him. III.— Christ not only brought the message, but also brought power (grace) to enable man to rise up to it, to accept it, to realise it, and to live in accordance with its precepts. (S. John 1. 12.) There could be no doubt about the terms of the message when brought by " the Son," the heir, " They will reverence My Son." (S. Matt. xxi. 37.) No excuse as to completeness of communi- cation now. IV.— No further revelation to be looked for. This is the final sending, the dispensation of the Son. "These last days." (i S. John ii. 18.) No further expectation to be indulged, no delay for a more dignified messenger. The next to come will be God Himself, at the great assize of the world. If we reject this message there is no other. ity. The dignity ider, not the re- than the Divine :y. The Maker ;e, the height of -lope to despair, 10 can but give ereisn addresses confidence pro- ', or the amehor- ther then should ious relationship '^ord," or expres- I and purpose of jts passed away, onal degradation he Spirit. They )ut also brought to accept it, to ). (S. Johni. 12.) le message when erence My Son." ;ss of coramuni- This is the final ist days." (i S. ulged, no delay orae will be God f we reject this No. 7. — iFingnuntji. S. John vi. S' t^"'' '^"'^ °^ ''^" Year.) I -God has created nothing to be lost or lightly cast away or desiroyed. Ml nature is His handiwork, and ruthless destruction of the nunute msect or humble flower is to be condemned. That which God was pleased to call mto being can scarcely be considered of no account by us who r.re but creatures of Ihs Hand. rue we may not see ..Iways the " why and wherefore' of every particle of the created universe, but we may be confident that God '-o-' -^ \^ a purpose for all the offspring of His Divine Mmd and Hand The care if Jesus in the midst of His prodigality teachc. us the value of even " fragments" of things, broken bread the remains of the hill- side banquet. All things have a use, much more has every hvmg soul its place and work in life. (Ezek. xviii. 4-) II - -Gifts of God to be valued even if given in prodigality, as sunshine, rain, health, friends, means, talents, abundance of com- forts, and length of days. That upon which He bestows care and thought can never be thought of no value. Seemingly useless objects may have a purpose unknown to us in the great economy of created life, and should be protected by us out of reverence for Hmi. IIL-Remnants of time, fragments of days or years, remaining to us to be gathered up and used fruitfully. The past to be atoned for by a blessed use of what remains, much good has been done • with Ihe few years of a formerly unblessed life. All that is left us .s to be gleaned up, and put to use for the good ot some one. IV —Waste of hfe, of health, of means, of talents, going on about us, very appalling, especially amongst the classes which have le.sur^ TaTents buried in napkins. (S. Matt. xxv. x8.) Lives which might have produced great and eternal results if properly directed and moved by the Divine Love are wasted for sheer want of purpose. ■I No. 8. — jlumbtving our Ba»U. Psalms xc. la. (For New Year.) I. — Prayer of Moses the man of God, one who roaHzed the personahty and over-ruling Providence of God, a man to whom God was not a principle or set of rules, but a distinct individuality, and a Person as really, or more really, than we are persons. The Psalm refers to the devastation and misery brought upon Israel by their repeated backslidings and abuses of God's mercy and loving- kindnesses, {cf. Deut. xxxiii.) The fear and cowardice of the people were the causes of this weakness and death. They mistrusted the power and wisdom of Him who had brought them out of Egypt "with a mighty hand and stretched out arm," "who had so often given them the victory" in times past, " Go not up, for the Lord is not among you." II. — The Psalm refers (a) To the eternity and unchangeability of God, the solemn grandeur of His impassibility, and sublime in- difference to the passage of years and the flight of time; (*) The mutability and instability of man, a most affecting statement (verses 5, 6) of man's frail condition since the fall ; {c) Complains that so few persons meditate upon their condition, "Who knoweth (desireth to know) the power of Thy wrath." III. — The text contains a prayer for grace to meditate aright upon the rapid and certain lapse of time. The heart by nature takes no note of this. It is lost in the present enjoyment of life. It is the work of grace to show to the soul the real importance of each day and hour of human life, and how much of future peace and joy really depends upon a right use of our time. The devout soul makes this a subject of earnest supplication at all times, but especially at the opening of another period of probation, another season of fresh opportunities, etc £V. "To number our days," to note them one by one, and make each day the period of some fresh enterprise for God some new act of self-denial, some fresh desire after holiness. X who realized the a man to whom inct individuality, ire persons. The ;ht ui)on Israel by mercy and loving- cowardice of the . They mistrusted ;hem out of Egypt who had so often ip, for the Lord is unchangeability of and sublime in- of time ; {l>) The ; statement (verses c) Complains that , "Who knoweth meditate aright e heart by nature enjoyment of life. X real importance of h of future peace :ime. The devout at all times, but probation, another one by one, and ise for God some liness. No. 9.— dpartB for Snotljtr ^tar. S. LutK XUT. 8. (For the New Year.) I -One of the briefest and simplest of our Lord's Parables. The sense very clear. Brevity in Holy Scripture always suggestive of great sincerity, and directness of teaching. The group stands out before us very vividly, sketched by the pen of "the beloved physician: the barren tree, the stern and disappointed face of the Lord of the vineyard at the remembrance of care, pains, money, labour, all bestowed in vain upon the offending and fruitless tree. II —The miseradU failure of the tree, its drooping branches, and barren trunk, occupying precious space, drinking in the dews of heaven, and waving its emptiness in the sunshine day by day. Three years of emptiness, the patience of the owner exhausted, the repeated visits, each time without reward. A faithful picture of thousands of lives to-day, being lived out amongst us thus vainly, fruitlessly, and without return or satisfaction. III -The upturned face of the drezw: His individual know- ledge of the circumstances of each particular plant. His nursing care his tender solicitude worthy o^ note. He appeals for one more year. He acknowledges the justice of the masters cori- demnaU but asks, as a favour to himself, for a further triaU Christ thus pleads for the souls yet barren and profitless. Fhe New Year the Gift of God in response to the appeal of the Lord, the keeper of souls, the dresser of the vineyard. IV —Even He implies that there is a possibility of that year being still profitless. "If fwt then thou shalt cut it down." Shall this year then thus granted be fruitless also: shall we take as a natural right what is only ours by a special act of mercy and for- bearance ? Shall it be that after all we shall be cut down as cum- berers of the ground, and this year, our last, be wasted also .' i No. lo.— Cl)t fHagi S. Matt. ii. i, a- (Epiphany.) I. — Tlie Church lingers around Bethlehem. She goes back again and again to it in her Lessons and Scripture readmgs. The Infant at Bethlehem, the source and spring of her life, the foundation of her hope, and the strength of her spiritual existence. Besides, great lessons are to be learnt, great thoughts are suggested by the manger and the house at Bethlehem. It is there that good men in every age have learned how to be good and great and really at peace, by emptying their hearts of self, by being born again as children, as Christ Jesus was born a little child. ' II. — How real is everything we see. The sufferings of the babe, the solicitude of the mother, the calm patience and holy joy of ine foster-father, the indifference of the great world, of the Jewish Church, the blank ignorance of the Scribes who knew the Scriptures, and yet knew not Him of whom their Scriptures spake. How real the humiliation. The Incarnate Son assumed our humanity, with- out any affectation, but really, and in every particular. No mere expression of sympathy, but He became one of us Himself. I'he secret of Christ's success is that He has been real, true, and without dissimulation from Bethlehem even till noiv. III. — The faith of the wise men led on to aaion. We believe in an otiose manner without action. They rose up in the power of their faith, they forsook friends and home, and started upon an unknown path, led along by God. So Abraham, so tiie Christian. So all who believe must rise up, and endure, and forsake. There must be with us all a rising up, and forsaking of the present joy, and a going out if we would find Jesus. . Not an ideal going out, but an actual physical separation of ourselves from the world. " In it," not "of it." Mountain, valley, flood were crossed, no one on the look cut at Jerusalem, all cold where perhaps they expected sympathy, etc. Still on. They were tried last of all by the seeming failure of the veiy star which had led them on. The reward. Jesus I at hist IV.~The Christian life a seeking of Christ. Disappointment, fatigue, failure of those th.ngs in which we have trusted ; yet onward, and Jesus will be found at last (Phil. iii. 13, 14-) I ♦ Lii],J*t. She goeb back re readings. The life, the foundation istence. Besides, ! sugt^ested by the ;re that good men great and really at ng born again as arin£;s of the babe, ind holy joy of uie Id, of the Jewish new the Scriptures, spake. How real jr humanity, with- ticular. No mere us Himself I'he 1, true, and without ction. We believe I up in the power nd started upon an , so tiie Christian. id forsake. There )f the present joy, m ideal going out, m the world. " In ssed, no one on the jxpected sympathy, seeming failure of d. Jesus ! at last Disappointment, lave trusted ; yet iii. 13, 1 4-) It No. II.— Cl)t ^rtftrtntt of HAoiti. Heb. XI. 24, 35. (Lent.) I — lent speaks to us of sacrifice, conflict, danger, watchfulness, hopefulness. It bids us not so much to contemplate Christ in placid ecstasy, as to rise up to higher ideas of ChriFtian act and deed. To t/o and dan for Him who died for us. To testify our faith in Him by daily acts of sacrifice, by voluntary conflict, by ready acceptance of danger, by increased watchfulness, by greater exercise of hope. Christianity is a life, not a mere system of moral philosophy or abstract ideas. It is a life, lived out in the world on a fixed principle of responsibility to Gcd, by the power of Jesus Christ implanted m us by the Sacraments, and renewed by the Spirit of (.od, by the exercise of prayer, holy meditation, and sincere communions. II —The Life of the Christian is not of a day, a paroxysm of the heart, an ecstasy of joy, a season of remorse, an ejaculation of praise, a mere attendance at services or sacraments but a pains- taking, protracted, definite turniug from the world to God in motive, in desire, m fear. The Life of the Christian is a 'Life of Faith" lived in God, of glorious self-abnegation, of yieldmg up pleasant and beautiful things for His sake, for the future tor the sake of the life which is to come. HI -Scripture full of examples of souls thus tummg from the attractions of the world, entering into the gloom of the religious life of God. willingly putting aside this world for the joy that is yet before them in the life eternal. Moses no mythical person His history interwoven with the history of the world The glory of Pharaoh's house no attraction for him. Youth a time of weakness^ Faith stronger than mere fleshly desire. The trial severe. Faith m God triumphant He left the palace and cast m his lot with the people of God. IV -In critical periods of life, we each have to make the same choice-the world or the suffering people of God. Moses m his choice our sjlorious example. —J, It No. i2.—€\)xiit ii "Stbtntii of life. a Cor. v. 17. (Lent.) J The keynote of the prayers of the anxious and the penitent during l,ent is contained in the beautiful Collect for Ash Wednesday, "newness of life," contrition essential to newness, newness the effect of contrition. Conflict a feature of religion, but " newness" the one necessary mark of Christ's influence in the soul. " If any man," etc. Christ the Author of this " newness." His work as Creator of the world unmistakeably glorious, bat His work as the renewer of the soul more glorious than all His works. To bend, to break, to melt, to enlighten, to enliven, to re-create the dead or unconscious soul, to quicken the dead in trespasses and sin to righteousness and true holiness, these are the most glorious of His ever-glorious prerogatives. II._We turn from the beautiful creation around us to the recreation of a soul. A tremendous theme for meditation. The old creation very lovely, but the new creation of a soul transcends all created things in lovelmess and attractiveness. To this work Christ bends all His mighty energies. " The travail of His soul " is for this exercise of His power. Not a furbishing up of the old chamber in which Satan has dwelt so long, but the reconstruction of the heart. (Ps. li. 10.) A new birth, in fact. (S. John iii. 3.) III.—" Newness " signifies a change of character, of hope, of motive, of desire, not a cleansing or rectifying of the former ideas and thoughts, but a substitution of another man in the place of the old man, the resurrection life taking the place of the buried life of the past. (Gal. vi. 15). IV.— Christ not only demands "newness," but supplies the necessary power to effect it. (Rev. xxi. 5.) The renewal of the soul the object of the Lord's Passion, work, death, burial. Resurrection, Intercession, and present ministry in the courts of Heaven. Paul at the Damascus gate, " the wolf lying down with the lamb." The Apostle speaks to us in the text from personal experience of the renewing power of Christ. Old things had passed away, all had "become new" to him. Are we living the old life still, or are we conscious of a new affection, of a new centre of hope and desire, of a new unearthly joy ? i mamm Etfe. lous and the penitent It for Ash Wednesday, [ewness, newness the [ion, but " newness " the soul, " If any rness." His worlc as but His woric as the works. To bend, to e-create the dead or respasses and sin to most glorious of His n around us to the for meditation. The of a soul transcends ^ness. To this work travail of His soul " bishing up of the old ut tiie reconstruction :t (S. John iii. 3.) haracter, of hope, of g of the former ideas in in the place of the i of the buried life of s," but supplies the le renewal of the soul burial, Resurrection, ts of Heaven. Paul rith the Iamb." The lal experience of the passed away, all had i life still, or are we f hope and desire, of *3 No. 13.— ffloUlp JSorrois. a. Cor. vii. ii. (Lent.) I, — The season calls away the thoughts from the more general range of Cliristian Truth, the vast field of doctrine, and the mani- fold mysteries of the religious life, away from the infinite beauties of the incarnation, the Divinity, the Personality of the Son, and the awful comprehensiveness of the Trinity, to the consideration of more persona/ questions which touch our own spiritual individual- ities. Two great desires should possess us at the beginning of Lent, (a) To know more of God, {6) to know more of our own sins. We should desire to see His awful holiness, and then to trace with tears of sorrow the effects of sin in our own souls, and upon our past, present, and future lives. Sin, even if forgiven and repented of, will mark the life. We should desire to see more clearly the need of cleansing, and of being made whole by the free and full grace of Christ. A blessed anxiety should disturb us, lest our repentances hitherto have been superficial, worldly, rather than godly. {See verse 10, also Address A'o. 49.) II. — " Godly sorrow " produces newness, not a temporary cessa- tion from sin, but a change of desire. The soul no longer centres about self, but about God. We have in Lent to acknowledge the existence of Satan as a personality, and sin as his work. We have to endeavour to estimate the power and the area of the kingdom of darkness, and to realize somewhat the strength of the forces antagon- istic to God, defying Him, struggling with Him for our souls. III. — ^We have to deal with our sins as well as confess them. We cannot atone for them, but still we must deal with them in holy penitence. What is penitence for sin ? — regret, sentiment, words ? (e.g. some popular phases of modern religion.) Whac was the character of the penitence of David, Peter, Paul, of the Corinthian Church, of S. Augustine? IV. — Laborious, lengthy, long-life carefulness — in future, painful care as to old sins, temptations, companions, places, occasions. Clearing — old lurking seeds of evil, searching for leaven. Indig- nation — for the outrage against God. (Ps. li. 4.) Fear — of future relapses into old sins, (i Cor. x. 12.) Desire — hunger and thirst after righteousness. Zeal — the box of ointment. (S. John xii. 3.) Revenue — by making good use of time, " redeeming the time." I »4 No. 14.— Cl)t Baj) of Visitation. ; S. Luke xix. 41, 4a. (Palm Sunday.) I. — In the, to us, unfathomable providence of God all things have an end. This great Life about to end. The last visit to Jerusalem had at length lo be made. It was no longer in silence and reserve, however, that Christ came, but with a dignity full of significance. The seeming powerlessness of Christ in the face of the faitiilcsiicss of Jerusalem. The scene presents many peculiar features which will never again be combined in one single cani-ass. The crowds, the priests of religion, the supercilious Piiarisees, and one figure it the midst of all, capaijle of besiowing every blessing, but unknown even in the city of God by His own peculiar people. After a lapse of 18 centuries that figure still the centre of attraction to all classes, some despising, scorning, some trusting and accepting Him as their present and eternal peace, n.— The failure of the Love of Christ (" How often would I have gathered thee," etc.) in the face of the determined opposition, self- complacency, want of spiritual insight. Sold by one, denied by another, condemned in the halls of justice (?). Barabbas chosen in preference The ministers of religion opposed to Him. All these facts reveal a terrible picture of the perversity of human nature in its unregenerate condition. III.— Privileges cannot save. Knowledge of Scripture (Scribes), ability to refine, and elucidate, and explain (Pharisee) ministerial authority (the Chief Priests), regal power (Herod). '«They knew not the time of their visitation." Misuse of talents, misconception of the Divine will, all terribly possible. Religion abused, God's name invoked for the persecution of His people in modern as well as in apostolic times. The sin of Judaism was narrowness. This blights and withers much Christian life in our own day. Party spirit opposed to Christ's Spirit. Sects, divisions, bitterness in religion to be avoided, not encouraged. Self elevated into the place of Christ by party spiri.. IV. — The suretms of Christ's words. Where is Jerusalem to-day ? Christ not a dead memory, but a hving power. If His words were true ia respect to Jerusalem, they will be true in every eventuality. T mmmmam .^o; i,%l -juitrxu^ tton. k lay.) i of God all things The last visit to 10 longer in silence ith a dignity full of ]hrisl in the face of sonts many peculiar I one single cani-ass. lious Piiaiisees, and iving every blessing, jwn peculiar people. : centre of attraction isting and accepting V often would I have led opposition, self- by one, denied by Barabbas chosen in to Him. All these jf human nature in Scripture (Scribes), larisee' ) ministerial rod). "They knew ents, misconception gion abused, God's i in modern as well narrowness. This n day. Party spirit emess in religion to the place of Christ here is Jerusalem ing power. If His vill be true in every T No. 15.— 21 iFtttitfl)rt OTorfe. S. John XIX. 30. (Good Friday.) 1, — (a) Great minds demand great opportunities, e.^. discoverers, coiKiuerors, these grapple with great questions and difticulties with an audacity and confidence which is a token of i)ower, their designs are all-embracing, almost God-like in their comprehensive- ness. (*) Narrowness a sign of mere common-place mind. Wiilth and breadth and depth signs of ■ that largeness of heart, which only comes of fear and reverence of God, and confidence in His power. (Isaiah Ix. 5.) II.— Christ's Mind of the first order. He aimed at nothing sliort of the restoration of humanity, the whole race, every soul, not one particular clan or division, but His design was bounded only by the needs of mankind. In this He revealed His Divine Nature and Power. A mere carpenter could never have evolved such a scheme from his own mental powers. III. — The desire of iAoroui;/i/tas also mark of a great mind, of a superior capacity. The sculptor, artist, or author, delight to give us the very best work they can accomplish. Haste and carelessness the weakness of small minds. The " finish" which is given to the work shews the artist. Others may often assist the arti.st in the early stages of his work, but he trusts no hand but his own to finish it, so important is his view of the necessity of a perfect completion of his task. (S. John xvii. 4.) IV. — Christ finished His work at a marvellous cost, even His own death. He completed His Mission in every detail, >^' jn to ihe final agonies, and denials by the world He came to bless. The life purpose, so full of suffering and pain, and absence of immediate results, was completed. Let us then learn from this finished Work of Christ to finish what we take in hand for God. Some lives strewn over with imperfect work, unfinished tasks, unfulfilled resolutions, broken purposes. Christ's work has stood the test of centuries, because it was carefully finished and completed. (Heb. xii. 2.) i MX iii a m il M l ^ m w No. i6.— CJ)t ifl.111 Cf)n-'_'«q' .; f- ■■i.J^.-i^i.n^— n^-rt,-;ii.<,.a.^ . 19 No. 19.— Cl)ri«t'jJ ©iftt. Ephes. IV. 8. (Ascension.) I.— All the great and glorious gifts of God are within the reach of humanity now. Christ has entered the great treasury of God, His Father, and dispenses to each man severally according to his desires and his needs. (S. John xiv. 13, 14 J S. Matt. vii. 7.) Contrast freedom of access in Christ with difficulties and qualifica- tions under Mosaic law. Christ has ascended for the purpose of showering gifts upon man. All things are now within our reach, if we believe. (S. Mark ix. 23.) Therefore those things which are out of reach outside Christ can to-day be had through Him in complete iu)-.ess, e.g., rest in God, greater knowledge of Him, nearness to Him, greater forgetlulness of the creature, and power to reject the advances of the world, greater control of the senses, greater self- sacrifice, and humility of thought and word, all these precious gifts are now ours if we will seek them where they are to be found. II,_Whatsoever ordinances and appointments, e.g., the Sacra- ments, the Ministry, the Holy Scripture, private prayer, alms, and fasting are set in the Church, are the tAantu/s through which these gifts are bestowed, no matter how superficial, insignificant, or trifling these channels may appear to mere human reason. The Church is " an extension of the incarnation to us as individuals." Her unique position, with her defined organization, her stewardship of God's Word, her treasures of grace in the sacramental forms, her apostolic orders, her mystical and supernatural gifts, and her unparalleled history will always be a trial to the world, but to the believer she is the fountain of "every good and perfect gift," the Bethesda of the Saints, the Bethlehem of the redeemed. in.— The ascension of Christ to power, the /tope of humanity. The entrance of Christ into the presence of God, clothed in our flesh, the great promise of our eternal redemption "in the flesh." IV.— Christ ascended as a man, to receive gifts on behalf of man, and then to bestow them upon men, not mystically, b-t actually and perfectly. I ao Na 20. — Wlft QHaiting; 9ipoitlt4. Acts ii. 4. (Whitsunday.) I. — The Apostles sitting in silent obedience waiting for the promised gift. Patience and silence not necessarily signs of spiritual indifference. The soul thus abides in God and is taught of God. Out of the noise and tumult of life, not exercised by personal effort, but waiting for the power from on high. Our personal powers of intellect, or nature not sufficient, or feeble at the best, unless backed by the supernatural power of the grace of God. II. — To be in a position to receive this grace we must be in a state of eager expectation, not critical in our judgment as to what shape or form the endowment of God will take. Content to leave this in the hands of the Giver. Lifted above the world, with hearts chastened by former losses, and a deep sense of personal inability to rise up to the requirements of God. We are content to be ignorant of the form of the expected blessing, but the heart must be full of faith and hope. III. — The coming of the gift not wealth, or honour, or earthly power, but the pure Spirit of God — fire to enlighten, to warm, to purify, to burn up the evil, to cleanse tongues, to heal, to edify. This was the gift spoken of of old, and waited for with so much zeal and contentment. The greatest gifts of God to man always spiritual, not exactly what we should expect or desire, but abun- dantly sufficient and wonderfully appropriate to our circumstances and our needs. IV. — Christ gave (Sermon on Mount) a lofty standard of life and conduct to His disciples. He now gives the power to live up to that standard. Despair, doubt, fear, all flee before the power of the Holy Ghost, and the Apostles went forth in its strength to win souls to the Lord. All earthly inefficiency disappears when the Pentecostal gift becomes ours by faith and prayer. .m ti. •e waiting for the lly signs of spiritual is taught of God. by personal effort, personal powers of t the best, unless f God. :e we must be in a dgnient as to what Content to leave e the world, with sense of personal We are content sing, but the heart honour, or earthly ;hten, to warm, to i, to heal, to edify. 1 for with so much jod to man always desire, but abun- our circumstances andard of life and iwer to live up to fore the power of its strength to win appears when the No. 21.— i&anctifitation of Srotljtiljj Itobt. S. J«:hn 1. 41. (Missions.) I.— The Old Testament reveals the incapacity of humanity to rise and return to God. The Mosaic ritual and its complex system of religious worship speaks of the weakness of human nature in eveiy rule and observance. The thoughtful Jew saw by it the need of spiritual power to undo the work of Adam, and bring back man into relationship (sonship) with God. The law was our body slave (paidagogos), to lead us by the hand, as it were, to Christ, the true Strength of man. (Gal. iii. 24.) s II,_The New Testament reveals the capacity of man in Christ to return to God, to do His will, to live for Him in the midst of a world of sense, and feebleness, and unspirituality. We also see in the New Testament the exalted destiny of the race in Christ Jesus, united to Him by the supernatural life of the Church in her ordi- nances and sacraments. Christianity not only proclaims our fall, but places in our hands the means and power to rise again. III.— S. Andrew, the great missionary apostle. He first found Jesus Himself. He abode with Christ for a season (an essential for missionary success), we cannot teach that which we have not our- selves learnt. Then he went forth and brought his own brother Peter to Christ. He also brought the Greeks. (S. John xii. 20, 22.) His recognized gift, to encourage the timid, to bridge over the gulf between the soul and its Redeemer. The real yearning of the race is not for power, wealth, or the vast and variefl and true treasures expressed in the word "civilization," but for reconciliation with God in Christ Jesus. IV.— This bringing souls to Jesus the glorious prerogative of the missionary. His message of " pardon through the Precious Blood " the only message that will ioiiify the heart of man, to still its fears, to calm its anxieties. All our work and influence should be God- ward, Christ-ward. We should use our gifts to bring souls to Him who died to reconcile us to God, to break down the middle wall of partition, and make us both one. 33 ^ ii ' No. 33— "ltlw<." & Matt. vi. aa (Flower S«nioe.) I.— The figures of Scripture chiefly taken from country life, it is fragrant with the breath of the air of hills and valleys, and musical with the murmur of streamlets and the song of birds. The strong mountains, the great deep, the everiasting hills, the silent wilder- ness, all appear in turn in the sacred pages. The gentle stream, the bursting clouds, the lightning flash, the thunder peal, the roaring waves, all take their places in the pages of the Bible, in the records of God's dealing with man. Trees used as emblems of grace, power, and vitality. (Psalm i. 3 ; cxliv. 12.) Christ compared to Cedar which was unequalled for its nobility of appearance, loftiness, strength, wide expansion, growing rapidly and living long. He was also the Rose of Sharon. (S. of Sol. ii. i.) 11- — The " Lily " common enough in Palestine, especially in the Plain of Genesaret. Luxuriant, growing in every soil and every situation, evidently unaffected by changes of climate or soil. Christ taught much from nature, which is the poor and unlearned man's book, as well as the child's first book of religion. In it are spread out the great mysteries of the faith, the order, patience, providence, beauty, unselfishness of God. III.— The "lily " to be consideied for its dependence upon God. No effort of its own preserves it or gives it its beauty, but God takes care of it, and adorns it as it pleases Him. It flourishes everywhere, it keeps close to the ground, it is seen from afar, its beauty very agreeable. IV.— So the Christian child should trust to God, lean on Him, God, who cares for the "lilies," cares also for it. The Christian child should take care to cultivate a spirit of dependence, to accept the place God ordains for it, to live as confidently oi> Him as does the flower of the field, which " toils not nor spins," but lives only in the love and favour of God. The graces of humility, truthfulness, simplicity of character the bloom upon the young life, as there is a bloom of freshness upon the petal of the flower in • the early morning. r Mk '■>- i=ii 1 n country lile, it is illeys, and musical irds. The strong the silent wilder- he gentle stream, thunder peal, the f the Bible, in the d as emblems of Christ compared :y of appearance, ipidly and living )ol. ii. I.) ;, especially in the •y soil and every te or soil. Christ unlearned man's In it are spread ience, providence, dence upon God. beauty, but God m. It flourishes :en from afar, its d, lean on Him, The Christian idence, to accept ' 02} Him as does s," but lives only ility, truthfulness, life, as there is a irer in • the early H No. 23.— Slngel Heaptrtf. S. Matt. xiii. 39. (Harvest) I. — The merciful provisions of God in nature for the sustenance of His t matures an evidence of His existence. The earth in earliest age, when Adam walked in the light of God, brought forth all that was needed for man. Sowing, and planting, and watering, and reaping, some results of the Fall. Man fell, and all things fell with him, and a necessity was laid upon the race to force from the earth by sheer labour that which before it gladly yielded for the support of the creatures. (Gen. iii. 17, 18, 19.) The sacrifice of Noah, and the gracious promise of God as to the certainty of the supply of food being continued (Gen. viii. 22) while the earth remaineth. That promise has so far been fulfilled, and thus we praise God for the Harvest. The wave sheaf. (Lev. xxiii. n-20.) The first-fruits. (Deut. xxvi. 1-15.; Nature not a principle (as worshipped by heathen Rome, Greece), but the instrument of God for the working out of His Will. II. — The gathering in of the harvest a time of joy for the replenishing of our garners, and the supply of our bodily needs. The gift not capricious, but general rain on just and unjust, the benignity of God in thus providing for good and evil alike. The clouds and sunshine not partial or arbitrary in the bestowal of their rich- ness and fulness, so boundless is the Providence of God, and His loving provision for His people. . III. — The season also one full of solemnity, — as we thrust in the sickle, so will God one day, by the ministry of His holy angels, gather together the souls of men. A striking metaphor this of the helplessness of souls in the grasp of Omnipotency. Text (Rev. xiv. 1419.) « The great harvest a separation of tares from wheat (S. Matt. xiii. 24.) A harvesting of the righteous souls. A casting out of the unworthy, the chaff, as useless and vain. The world hasting on towards its harvest, the empty fields, the ripe grain, the full bams, the coming shadows of the autumn, the voices of God speaking to us of the things which shall soon come upon the earth. IV. — May we then grasp the full teaching of these seasons as they come and go. May we not be content to harvest our earthly store, and ourselves be unharvested at the last. May we be as sheaves fully ripened by the showers of God's love and the sun- shine of His grace, ready for the angel-reapers' hands. *4 No. 34.— ^robiUtng for' our ofain. z Tim. v. 8. (Schools.) I. — Heathenism induced selfishness, narrowness, exchisiveness, indifference to the feelings or thoughts of others, disregard of res- ponsibilities and the claims of the poor, the feeble, or the suffering. Christianity is wide in its sympathies, all-embracing in its love, universal in its effects, and always solicitous of the prosperity and comfort and progress of the community, as opposed to mere indi- viduality. The apostle insists upon a faithful discharge o^ the domestic responsibilities in this epistle (text). There is to be fore- sight, and provision is to be made for all the necessities of each household, in fact, a neglect of these primary obligations is held to constitute a denial of the faith, a rejection of the claims of Christ, and in its effect reduces the offender to a worse condition than that of a heathen man or infidel (unbeliever). A very great reproach implied in this expression. The lines very marked between the two classes, light and darkness, etc., etc. II. — This .leglect o* the primary responsibilities very great in our large towns. Vast masses of the people neglected and untaught by so-called Chnstian parents, and by a Christian legislature. The duty is national as well as personal. The state is as a parent to the feeble, the poor, the helpless, and the ignorant. III. — Christian education and secular instruction very important provisions for every member of the community. They secure his success in life, or their absence hinders, and perhaps destroys, his usefulness. The mass of the criminal classes uneducated. Education not everything, but a very great blessing. The first duty of a parent, a State to provide for " its own " little ones. Sorrow and ultimate disintegration will follow the family or country where ignorance and vice are allowed to go unchecked. " My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hos. iv. 6.) IV. — Mere natural cunning or aptitude without Christian teach- ing and moral restraint, the cleverness of the savage or. the wild beast, cleverness must be sanctified by the grace of Christian instruction and training. s, exch'siveness, disregard of res- or the suffering, ing in its love, ; prosperity and :d to mere indi- ischarge o^ the are is to be fore- :essities of each ations is held to laims of Christ, ndition than that Y great reproach :ed between the js very great in ced and untaught egislature. The IS a parent to the 1 very important rhey secure his ps destroys, his ated. Education first duty of a IS. Sorrow and country where " My people are Christian teach- age or. the wild :e of Christian mmmmfmmmmpm'^^-m''^r^f^'r^'^j!i^:,^i]ji - r 35 No. as.—