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read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshy tables of the heart."

Also, over many of the Thessalonians he was much comforted: "Ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia, for from you sounded out the Word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad, so that we need not to speak any thing."

A character, so opposite in principle and practice, to that which the world admires, is the work of Almighty Power. "If any man among you," saith the Apostle, "seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise; for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."

However much an ungodly world may despise the faithful ambassador of Christ, there is a sanctity of spirit, a purity of purpose, and energy of action displayed in his character, which mark him out as a chosen vessel; as one whom Jesus delights to honour.

How important are the titles which he bears in the Word of God :—a pastor, a teacher, a steward, a watchman, a builder, a labourer. How incessant his care, his wisdom, his fidelity, his vigilance, his exertion. Who can estimate the value of such a man, whose life is thus devoted to the cause of Truth? We should honour him, as the glory of the churches, and the messenger of

Christ. We should esteem him very highly in love for his work's sake.

Well might the holy Apostle exclaim: "Who is sufficient for these things ?" Truly God only can give, what may emphatically be called, a minister's heart. Such a heart of devotedness to Christ was imparted to Paul; and such a heart of faithfulness and love dwells in all who are truly called by his grace to serve Him in the Gospel of his Son.

"O! for that flame of living fire

Which shone so bright in saints of old,
Which bade their souls to heav'n aspire,
Calm in distress, in danger bold.

"Where is that spirit, Lord, which dwelt
In Abram's breast, and seal'd him thine ;
Which made Paul's heart with sorrow melt,
And glow with energy divine.

"That Spirit which from age to age
Proclaim'd thy love, and taught thy ways;

Brighten'd Isaiah's vivid page,

And breath'd in David's hallow'd lays.

"Is not thy grace as mighty now
As when Elijah felt its power;
When glory beam'd from Moses' brow,
Or Job endur'd the trying hour?

"Remember, Lord, the ancient days;
Renew thy work, thy grace restore;
Warm our cold hearts to pray'r and praise,
And teach us how to love thee more."

CHAPTER X.

ON THE CHARACTER OF ST. PAUL, AS A MAN OF PRAYER. HIS UNBENDING INTEGRITY.

PRAYER is the cry of the new-born soul, the sigh of penitence, the language of desire, the breath of faith.

Contrition, humility, faith, and thankfulness, form the essence of acceptable prayer. He who commands us to pray, can alone impart the spirit of prayer. Our blessed Saviour has not only taught and commanded us to pray, but did Himself set us an affecting example of fervent prayer.

At his baptism, while he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him.

Just before he chose his twelve Apostles, he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

At another time, in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

When great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities, he

graciously supplied their spiritual and bodily wants, and then withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

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Taking with him Peter, and John, and James, Jesus went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistening, and a voice out of the overshadowing cloud said: This is my beloved Son, hear him." When his soul was put to grief in the garden of Gethsemane, being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, saying: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done."

Like their Divine Master, all true believers have been, and still are, a praying people. To live without prayer is to live without God in the world. True spiritual prayer is the work of the Holy Ghost. It is the earnest of every promised blessing. A praying soul is a thriving soul; for as all things are possible to him that believeth, so all needful things shall be granted to the prayer of faith.

ST. PAUL WAS A MAN OF PRAYER.With holy fervour he daily poured out his heart to God, in behalf of the churches which he had planted amidst the wilds of heathen superstition.

As the first evidence of his conversion was: "Behold he prayeth;" so this mark of his adoption into the family of God was never obscured.

In the spirit of a child, he approached God, as his Father in Christ Jesus, and felt anxious that

all within the sphere of his influence should enjoy the blessedness of adoption.

How sweetly did he display this privilege of the believer in Jesus to the church at Rome: "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry: Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

And

This exalted privilege of sonship, the Apostle made known also to the Christians of Galatia : "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a son: and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

Happy indeed are they, who are thus admitted into the family of God; each member of which can sweetly sing

"My Father God! how sweet the sound!

How tender and how dear!

Not all the harmony of heav'n,

Could so delight the ear.

"Come, sacred Spirit, seal the name,

On my expanding heart;

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