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ourselves, "yet without sin." And the heart seizes hold on this precious truth; it feels it has Jesus himself near then; and that, but for these heavy trials, it would not be in circumstances to appreciate and rejoice over His gracious manifestations.

And, dear brethren, what if the night be dark, and its hours long, if the Lord of glory comes, and comes to stay with us through it? Patmos was not too desolate to John; nor the prison too gloomy unto the Apostles; or the den of lions too terrible to the Prophet; nor the furnace of fire too dreadful unto Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; while in each, they had the visit-the presence of their Divine Redeemer. The darker the cloud, the more beautiful the bow; the darker the night, the brighter the morning star. And what night can be too prolonged that has Jesus abiding? No, it can be neither the one or the other-neither dark or long then; like Paul, we shall glory in our infirmities, that "the power of Christ" may rest upon us; and welcome our afflictions, and call them 'light afflictions," in which we have the sympathy and tenderness of our Great High Priest with us, and shall sing for joy the Psalmist's song-"Thou hast visited me in the night."

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V.—In the night the ATMOSPHERE is CHILLED. Various causes contribute to the warmth of the day's atmosphere, which influences, suspended or checked, render the night chilly and cold.

How happy is the Christian's day, as the light of God's favour, and the warm beams of heaven's love descend on his soul; when he is surrounded with a society contributing to his spiritual enjoyment; and when from within his heart ascend emotions such as glowed in the two disciples, who said one to another, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?" (Luke xxiv. 32.) It was a precious and seasonable visit of the Saviour, in the hours of His followers' dark conjectures, and with their hearts'

hopes chilled by the afflictive occurrences having just transpired in Jerusalem, and at Calvary. So the Christian can say of the gracious and opportune revelations of the Saviour to his soul, "Thou hast visited me in the night"-in my night of perplexity, and of Providences dark and mysterious! "Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib" (Sol. Song vi. 12).

But there are times when he cannot realize the light of God's countenance. Where he can obtain no delight from the Word, nor comfort in ordinances, nor pleasure in society. When his spirit seems lethargic; his views are clouded; his feelings cold; exhalations, earthy and corrupt, rise too, like mists hovering about his mind, and temptations from beneath annoy and terrify his soul. Oh, what a change has occurred! Truly the day is turned to night, and its warmth into winter!

Have you never had occasion to complain of the state of your heart? to mourn its apathy, coldness, and want of energy in divine things? Have you never felt the "heaviness" of temptation? and under the weight of burdening corruptions cried, "O, wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom. vii. 24.) Have you never in vain sought comfort by recurring to former happy seasons, and said with longing, "O that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me: when His candle shined upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness" (Job xxix. 2, 3.) No doubt it has been so. Or, perhaps, you are the subject of temporal reverses; old friends are gone! and in your trouble you are saying, “Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness" (Psalm 1xxxviii. 18.) Or, it may be, instead of that warm greeting which formerly met you, you encounter & changed behaviour, a chilling demea nour, a cold countenance and carriage toward you.

Oh! it is a mercy that faith survives and overcomes all these depressing in

fluences; that when every earthly refuge fails, when the spirit is overwhelmed, and its weeping ejaculation is, "No man careth for my soul” (Psalm cxlii. 4), it may then turn to Him who has promised to be "as a little sanctuary" unto His people (Ezek. xi. 16), "an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa. xxxii. 2.) "Yet the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the NIGHT His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life" (Psalm xlii. 8.) Oh, what cannot humble, earnest, spiritual, wrestling prayer do, in the strength of grace, and name of Jesus! Oh, tried one, cry to Him in the comfortless, cheerless hour! The representation of your griefs will find a response in His loving bosom :

"He knows what sore temptations mean, For He has felt the same."

And as the Psalmist, in the 147th Psalm represents God's operations in Providence to change the aspect of nature, and cause the warm beams of the shining sun to thaw the icy fetters which bind up the fountains and streams, "He sendeth out His word, and melteth them," so will He be unto you, to revive His work in your heart; to cheer you with His light; to melt your soul with His constraining love; and that, deprived of earthly comforters, and comforts, you may testify of His faithfulness-"Thou hast visited me in the night."

Finally. The night anticipates the MORNING. If the night veils the day, and shrouds it in surrounding darkness, we know it cannot prevent the approach of the morning, which, in a few short hours, will give signs of its coming; before which the night must withdraw, and the world will look bright and glorious, just as though no such dark period had at all been in being.

And if sickness prostrates our strength, and the night of death is drawing nigh, faith outsteps the present time, and

looks forward unto a coming period in promise, when the morning of an everlasting day shall appear, and they "that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake"-the righteous unto a glorious immortal life, of which God has "given assurance unto us, in that He hath raised up Christ from the dead, who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom. iv. 25.)

Night is the emblem of weariness, when tired nature seeks repose, that she may awake up refreshed when the day shall come. Thus the night anticipates the morning, as its rest relieves the weariness of the body; sinks its cares into quietude, and prepares it for the new day when it comes.

So the rest of the grave shall be sweet to the believer: "There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary be at rest" (Job. iii. 17.) And when the eternal day arrives, then he shall awake, refreshed from the night of death, to dress in his new apparel of a glorious body fitted for heaven:

"Corruption, earth, and worms,
Shall but refine this flesh,
Till my triumphant spirit comes,
To put it on afresh."

Night therefore reminds us of the sleep of death-the rest of the grave; whilst the morning is the type of the resurrection day; and "them also that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with Him” (1 Thess. iv. 14.) "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection" (Rom. vi. 5.)

Such is the substance of the believer's faith, and matter of his joyful anticipation through the atonement of Christ, of which he has the promise by the Holy Spirit VISITING him, to cheer him "in the night" of his present trials, and to sanctify and prepare him for its realization. Then look for the morning; but who can tell what it may bring to pass? Who can foresee what the day shall produce? What cares it may cause, what afflictions it may bring, what griefs, bereavements, and separations? Many a poor watcher through

the night has longed for the morning light, at evening saying, "O, that it were morning!" but, alas! not to enjoy deliverance from pain, and only to prove its certain sorrow! Blessed is he, who, amid his languishing, can say, "Thou hast visited me in the night." Thou hast given support to my sinking frame; comforted me on my bed, and cheered my spirit with the promise of one day being redeemed from these afflictions in heaven.

And this is what God does in His gracious VISITS to His burdened people. He comes to remind them of heaven; to tell them of that home above; to refresh, and rejoice their souls with its anticipations, and give them antipasts and foretastes of its blessedness" Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended" (Isa. lx. 20.)

Thus even the night itself is happy, however else sad, when we can say of it, "Thou hast visited me in the night," and the view of death is charmed and hailed with joy which shall be succeeded by the morning of the day of eternity—

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Weeping may endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm xxx. 5.)

Oh! let us all adore God for His grace, saying, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm viii. 4.) And if either of my readers is yet without a sense of God's forgiving love, may the Holy Spirit put this petition into your heart:- O when wilt thou come unto me?" (Psalm ci. 2.) Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit ME with thy salvation." (Psalm cvi. 4.)

Heavitree, Exeter.

E.B.

CHRISTIAN LOVE. FAITH works by love. Through faith from God his Saviour a believer's own heart is filled; then, and thereby, through love, he exerts a beneficent influence on

the world. Standing in the midst, be tween God and his neighbour, a Christian-not himself a motive power, but only a receptive vessel-gets on the upper side, and so gives on the lower side. By faith he receives, and by love he labours; thus, his life on earth alternates, like the heart that is beating in his breast, until, with the heart's last throb, the life leaps over into a larger place-a life free, full, eternal. Love's labour consists of two parts-doing and bearing. These two are different but inseparable, like the confluent sources of a river, or the two diverging stems of a bifurcate tree. Still more exactly, perhaps, both in their distinction and their union, they may be compared to the right and left hands of a living man. In the body, sometimes the right hand and sometimes the left bears the chief strain, while the corresponding member is for the moment left comparatively at ease; at other times the weight is distributed equally between them. In like manner, the Christian life is sometimes mainly a laborious activity, sometimes mainly a patient enduring, and sometimes both at the same time and in equal measure. I could not venture to determine whether is the greater Christian, the man who bears injuries patiently in a forgiving spirit, or the man who labours in some department of duty, bearing down by sheer force all the obstacles that stand in his way. The doers, as a general rule, are better known in the Church and the world than the bearers. The results of active love bulk more largely in history than those of passive love; but perhaps in the inherent merits of the case, and in the judgment of the Omniscient, faith has borne as much and as precious fruit in enduring evil as in doing good. Those ancient warriors who were left-handed, and could sling stones at an hair's-breadth and not miss, contributed as much to the prowess of the army in the day of battle as their fellow-soldiers who grasped broadswords in strong right hands. The meek, Christlike bearer of evil is as much needed and as much used in the

work of the kingdom, as the active, Christlike dooer of good. Assuredly those early disciples of the Lord found the duty as difficult as any positive work in which they had ever been engaged. In trying to fulfil it, they speedily reached the bottom of their own resources; finding that they possessed not the sufficient supply for meeting and satisfying this new demand, they said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." If the city were suddenly doubled in size, and consequently a double quantity of water drawn from the ever-increasing multitude of openings in its water-channels, the inhabitants, feeling some faintness and fearing more, would raise a united cry for a larger supply from the fountain-head. It is thus that the disciples of Christ are kept from failing. Their confidence rests not on the sufficiency of their own attainments, but on the fulness and freeness of their Saviour's love. Although it seems paradoxical in form, it is, nevertheless, strictly true in fact, that their security in great emergencies lies not in their fulness, but in their emptiness, according to Paul's sharply defined, experimental antithesis, "When I am weak, then am I strong."-W. Arnot.

RECIPE FOR MAKING PRAYER-
MEETINGS PROFITABLE.

Go with a heart warmed with love to Christ and Christian brethren. Carry a spirit of prayer with you, and then you will be sure to have it when you get there. Be ready and prompt to speak and pray, and if you can, sing. Wait not to be called upon to do these duties. Wait not for others who are disposed to be delinquent. Let the time be so fully occupied in reading a short portion of Scripture, in prayer, singing and remarks; and with such readiness and earnestness, that it may seem as if one could hardly wait for another. Backwardness and waiting throws a deathly chill into the meeting.

Let there be one subject only at each meeting, and that be suggested by the

VOL XXI.

portion of Scripture read; and let all the remarks made have a bearing on that subject; and let ordinary seasons of social prayer not exceed one hour.

Let brevity be observed. Long prayers are apt to abound in vain repetitions; and prolonged remarks are often tedious. The example of prayer given by our Lord and Saviour may be easily repeated in half a minute. The prayer of the publican comprises only six words, and still is very comprehensive. From three to five minutes is as long as is usually profitable for any brother at one time to occupy in remarks and prayer. In the closet one may pray all night if he chooses; but in the social circle, let him be short, specific and fervent Keep the exercises free from all friction of unkind feelings and censorious remarks; and let every mind and heart be so oiled up with the graces of the Spirit that every wheel shall run easy. Let it be manifest that all are of one mind, heart and spirit, and that spirit be the Spirit of Christ. Let attendance on these meetings be regular and constant as possible. Be sure to go if possible. Go and see who are there, for you will not be likely to know if are absent. If your faith is weak, go; if your love is chilled, go; if hope is clouded, go; if joy and peace fail to rise in your soul, go. Every Christian be sure, if possible, to go; that the acti vities of the soul may be stirred up and drawn out in the service of Christ. If you have for a long time staid away, and the Christian armour has got rusty, go. "Prayer makes it bright;" burnishes the shield, the sword, the helmet and the breastplate of righteousness. Go, if you expect only a few to be there, for if you stay away the number will be still less. Go, as did the good deacon to the red school-house, year after year, and often alone, and like him you may, by-and-by, find the house filled with anxious and prayerful worshippers, and see souls converted to Christ.

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Go, expecting the presence and refreshings of the Holy Spirit, and expecting to meet Jesus there agreeably to

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His promise, that where two or three are gathered in His name, He will be in the midst of them. Be sure to go to the prayer-meeting when it is possible, even at the sacrifice of ease, and profit in worldly things; and you will find a rich reward in it to your own soul, and see blessings descend upon the Church of Christ.

Go, all go, and carry out these suggestions, and God's blessing will be with you, sure as His promises. Try faithfully this recipe. Never has it been known to fail. A. W. F.

EVENING QUESTIONS FOR SELFEXAMINATION.

1. HAVE I read a portion of God's Word to-day? and if I have, has it been hurriedly, and without meditation; or reverently, and with a sincere appreciation of its preciousness?

2. How have I prayed to-day? Has it been formally, without realizing thoughts of God; without sensible nearness to God; or with affection, fervour and confident dependence on Christ's mediation?

3. Have I been sensible of any holy motion of God's Spirit in my soul? or have I encouraged or discouraged His gracious visits?

4. Have I longed after God, panted after His manifestations to my soul, and felt that in His favour and love alone could I be happy?

5. Have I studiously repressed evil thoughts and desired to be delivered from their intrusion? and have I made any successful assaults on my easily besetting sins?

6. Have I been guilty to-day of envy, jealousy, pride, evil speaking, or unkind feelings? Have I returned good for evil? Has sin overcome me, or have I overcome sin?

7. Have I realized my nearness to eternity, and encouraged myself to meditate on, and to seek preparation for death, judgment, and the coming of my Lord?

8. Have I met crosses and disappoint

ments, wrong or slandering, with meekness and patience?

9. Have I been covetous? or have I resisted the tendency of my heart to avarice by the performance of benevolent and charitable deeds? Have I given anything to the poor, or purposed to do good unto all men as I have opportunity?

10. Have my secular avocations absorbed too much of my time and attention to-day?

11. Have I lived to God's glory, or for my own selfish ends to-day?

12. Is it a matter of consciousness with me that religion is my chief concern and the source of my greatest pleasure?

13. Have I been gentle and courteous towards my inferiors and dependents, kindly affectionate towards my equals, and respectful towards my superiors?

14. Have I spoken unadvisedly with my tongue, or rashly judged others?

15. Has the world been in any way benefited by my living to-day?

16. Have I had opportunities for doing anything for Jesus? and have they been embraced Have I spoken well of Him to any perishing sinner? Have I given away a religious tract, magazine or book to any one, with prayer for the Spirit's blessing?

17. Have I prayed for the prosperity of the Church and the conversion of sinners, and considered all I have as given me for the promotion of the Lord's kingdom among men?

18. Have I felt with increased intensity that I am a sinner, and that my only hope is in Christ?

19. Have I avoided all appearance of evil, and set a holy example before those with whom I have come in contact, fearing not men, but God?

20. In a word, have I made any advance in the divine life to-day? Ponder this, O my soul! as in the immediate presence of thy God.

CRYING PRAYER.

On the power of crying prayer! "He cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of

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