E. I remember, Mamma, that some of these people came to hear John the Baptist preach.

M. And you may recollect that he said to them, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you." From this, and other passages, which we shall perhaps have occasion to mention by and bye, we perceive what the common conduct of the publicans was, and that it was not without cause that they were so odious in the eyes of the people. Yet even from this despised class of men our Lord condescends to choose one of His apostles'; so free is His grace, so unbounded His love and compassion, in calling to Himself many and many a sinner, who is not, perhaps, thinking at all of Him, and whose outward circumstances seem to have placed him out of the reach of all spiritual blessings.

E. Then do you think, Mamma, that Matthew was as wicked as other publicans?

M. I cannot say, my love; for the Bible is silent on the subject. It is often supposed that he was like the rest, unjust, covetous, and oppressive; but we cannot assert it, lest we should form an uncharitable conclusion. True it is, Matthew is dead; but death does not close the views of the Christian. Those who have died in the Lord we hope to be united to, in another world, in a closer and dearer society than that which binds us to our earthly neighbours; and surely we should not like to think, on meeting such persons in heaven, especially if they had been eminent servants of Christ, that we had brought false accusations against them here below. No: we should tread with reverence on the graves of the departed, and hold their reputations dear; nor on any account

bestow on them a single word of blame beyond the strict and clear line of truth.

But whether Matthew had disgraced himself with the same sins which were common to most publicans, or whether he had been just and upright in the midst of temptations to the contrary, it is impossible for us to say. One would hardly think that a really honest man would have liked so hateful an office, or that any one would have willingly placed himself in such company, if he had not at least been greedy of gain. But little at any rate was he likely to have been thinking of leaving his occupation for the sake of Christ, when our Lord passed by and commanded him to follow Him. He was sitting at the time at the receipt of custom, collecting the taxes which were paid, probably, by the fishermen and others on the traffic of the lake. Little did he expect, I dare say, to have so great an honour conferred upon him, as to be chosen before so many others, to become not merely a disciple, but a constant companion of Christ. Much must he have been surprised when he saw the eyes of the blessed Jesus fixed upon him, and heard those gracious words addressed to him, "Follow

me."

E. Oh! I do hope he did not prefer his riches to Christ. I do hope, Mamma, that he felt what an honour Christ did him, and that he was rejoiced to leave his disgraceful business and become our Lord's disciple.

M. I am happy to tell you that he did for Christ not only said to him, "Follow me;" but He caused these words to touch his heart. He spoke there by His Spirit, so that his soul immediately obeyed, and none of the temptations of the world could keep him

back. No, he heard his Saviour's voice, and immediately arose and followed Him.

We have seen what power our Lord possessed over evil spirits and bodily disease; we have here an instance of His complete power also over the hearts of men. We see that He can order at His pleasure even the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, and give a power to one word of His which shall throw down every hindrance, make all that the world can offer appear as vanity, and lead the heart to give up every thing for His sake.

Yet Matthew had great sacrifices to make for Christ; for he was a rich man, as we see by his making for our Lord a great feast; and he was probably growing richer every day; yet he rose up at once and left all that he had to follow Christ.

He

gave up that occupation in which he had grown rich, to become a constant attendant upon One, who did not possess Himself, nor promise to His followers, any riches or even comforts of this world; but who told them plainly that they must expect not only poverty, but persecution.

E. That was very strange, Mamma; particularly as he knew nothing of our Lord before.

M. It shows, my love, as I said before, how powerful the grace of Christ is to change the heart of man. But I do not think we should be right in supposing that Matthew knew nothing of our Lord before.

When we remember how great the fame of Jesus had been, especially in the neighbourhood of Capernaum, it seems probable that Matthew must not only have heard of Him before, but have seen some of His miracles, and listened to His teaching; and in the proofs which He there gave of His divine wisdom and

power, there could be nothing wanting in the way of outward evidence to convince all, that He was "the Son of God, the King of Israel." But at the same time we know well that outward evidence is not enough to make a sincere Christian; for if it were, there would be a far greater number in the world than there really are. Christ Himself has taught us that without Him we can do nothing that is good. He has told us again that "No man can come unto him except the Father draw him." It was under the influence of the Spirit of God no doubt, that Matthew obeyed the command of Christ, and at His bidding left all his worldly possessions and prospects, in order to become His servant. Happy those who can as readily now resign whatever Christ in His word commands them to renounce! Happy those who, for the sake of being His disciples, can give up their own wills; struggle continually against their own corruptions; mortify their evil tempers and passions; and willingly renounce the riches and honours of the world, whenever they at all interfere with their love to Christ, or would lead them to offend their Saviour! We are not now called upon indeed to follow Christ personally as the Apostles did through poverty and persecution; but a disposition like theirs is necessary at all times; and if we only look into our own hearts, and then into the world around us, we shall soon see that there is enough still to be given up for Christ's sake. Many a hard struggle to be made; many a thing very dear to us, which must be parted with, if we would, though not as personal attendants, yet as obedient disciples, obey that gracious call, "Follow Me."

I told you that Matthew made a great feast for our

blessed Lord: this he did probably to show his thankfulness to Christ, and to do Him honour in the best manner that he could. This proof of his love and gratitude was kindly received by his gracious Lord; for we are told that Jesus sat at meat at his house. We are also told, as a further proof of His amazing condescension and compassion, that there sat, at the same table with Jesus and His disciples, "a great company of publicans and sinners." That publicans should be found at Matthew's table we are not surprised. It was natural that he should invite those to whose number he himself belonged, and with whom he had been accustomed to associate: it was also Christian-like that he should desire to bring his companions near to Christ, the Saviour of the world. Nor do we wonder

that where publicans are we should see sinners too; that is, men who had been open and grievous offenders against God; for such were too many of them. But we may be surprised, we may be inclined to wonder, as many who were at that feast did wonder, to see the pure and holy Jesus sit down there. To see one so holy, one who came to teach men the way of holiness, mixing thus intimately with unholy and openly wicked men, so as to sit and eat at the same table with them! and yet it is clear that our Lord did this very calmly and deliberately. For when the Scribes and Pharisees could not contain their surprise, and asked His disciples "How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?" our Lord explained to them that he was only doing that, which He came into the world for the express purpose of doing. When Jesus heard it, He saith unto them: "They that are whole need