with Him." Blessed be God, his mercy is not limited by name or nation; nor is it confined to any kindred, tongue or people; but is free for all human beings, wherever scattered over this habitable globe. Yea, throughout the universe, wherever the glorious light of the sun shines, there is God. Wherever his rational creatures exist, there is the light of his presence shining into their hearts; and if they are only willing to receive this light in the way of his designing, in the measure of grace given unto them, they shall know the way in which He would have them go, and knowing it, they will walk therein.

I am fully convinced that there is a vast body of people up and down the land, who are not satisfied with the practices, the ceremonies and the teaching of religion in many of the churches. No, they are not satisfied, and it was not intended that these things should satisfy the cravings of the soul. The law which came by Moses was not intended to make the comers thereunto perfect, but it was to be unto them as a schoolmaster to bring them on; and just so it is to-day. God's ways are as they ever have been; there is nothing new, there is no other way given whereby we may come to a knowledge of Divine Truth. There is one way open to all, and of this way it is said, "The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." But, as it is with everything else, we must apply our hearts to it. We cannot expect to become learned in matters pertaining to God, if we pass away our time, from day to day, from week to week, from month to month, and from year to year, unconcerned with regard to things of a religious character. No, not at all. And yet how common it is for a man to feel that it is time enough for him to enter upon a life of religion. This is one reason why there are so

many people in the world devoid of it.

Another reason

why the subject is so little understood by many is that they leave others to do the work for them-at least in a measure -and rest satisfied with the feeling, I will pay a learned man to do this work; he may examine the matter, and then come and tell me what to do, and I will do it.

Is such religion in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ? Listen to Him, beloved friends, and hear his declaration," If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me." Is this in accordance with much of what we hear at the present day? Are men taught that they must do this work themselves— that no one else can do it for them? That they must work out their own soul's salvation with fear and trembling? Are they taught that, if they would attain the end, they must start at the beginning? We know that it was necessary for every one of us, when we were children, to learn our A B C's, and, my friends, it is to-day just as necessary for us to learn the A B C of religion, if we would ever come into the knowledge of the Truth" as the truth is in Jesus."

And what is the A B C of religion? It is obedience. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

This is the first commandment with promise, and it is as necessary to-day as it was when given through Moses, that all should understand and obey this injunction, if ever they would advance in the way of holiness. While the children should honor and obey their parents, we, who are fathers and mothers, should exercise ourselves in training up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

This is a duty, for the discharge of which God, our Creator, will hold us responsible. We can make no excuse for any neglect in this particular, for the cares of the world are of secondary importance to this great duty. When we are entrusted with the keeping of an immortal soul that God has formed and that He desires should live with Him throughout the boundless ages of eternity, can we satisfy ourselves that anything else that we can do for that being is of as much importance as to train him up in the way he should go?

God gives to every one who cometh to Him in Christ grace and strength to do his will. Every mother and every father now present, by applying to the Source of all goodness, may be taught how to fulfill the trust committed to her and to him.

Do you remember how, in olden times, God commanded. the Israelites that they should write the law on the doorposts of their houses, teaching it unto their children? "And ye shall teach them diligently unto your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thine house, and upon thy gates." And, today, this is binding on the Lord's Israel. Oh! is it any wonder that the young grow up in ignorance, when there is no care given to them in the instruction that is necessary for them?

Ah, my friends, what a solemn feeling comes with the thought, "Where are those lambs that were entrusted to thy keeping?" Do I see them walking in the way they should go? Or do I see that they have strayed from my ways, and that they are wandering on the barren mountains

and over the desolate plains? Fathers and mothers here assembled! I would that every one of us who occupies the position of parent should be awakened to a solemn sense of the responsibility that attaches to fatherhood and to motherhood, so that when we come to lie upon a death-bed, and to feel that our life is going out, we may have the consciousness that we have endeavored, yea, have labored, to discharge these duties in the sight of God. Far better than the possession of wealth will it be for us in that solemn hourthough we may have less of worldly store to leave our children to feel that we have led them, not to court earthly treasure, but to seek the riches which are incorruptible, and which fade not away.

Now, the indebtedness and the obedience of children to their parents are strikingly typical of what we owe to our Heavenly Father. I desire that we should consider this, and then look on the other side, and see how far our care and oversight of them has been typical of the Good Father's watchfulness over us. Oh! that we could feel our responsibility as parents, and our dependence upon the Great Parent, that we would obey his voice, and thus learn to do those things which belong unto our peace. I stand not here, this morning, as the advocate of any sect or people, or in the name of any party. Far from it. But I feel my heart moved by the love of Christ to invite all to come to Him, the fountain and source of all Truth. I desire that the young may begin aright, and may join in this blessed work, for I feel moved to invite you to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. And now let me say to you, beloved young people, that He is not a hard Master. Do not for a moment think that He is. But, on the contrary, that He is a rich rewarder of all that

seek Him, if they seek aright. The wise king said of wisdom, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.' And so you will find it with the ways of religion and the paths of obedience. I have trodden in these paths in my early life, and have found them to lead to happiness. I stand before you a witness of this, for, before I had reached the age of my majority I found His cords drawing me, and they drew me into ways of pleasantness and into paths of peace. Therefore, my ardent desire for you is,

that your feet may be turned into the narrow way; that you may this day choose whom you will serve, and that your choice may be that of Joshua of old, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Oh, never, never will you regret this choice, for He will make you to lie down in green pastures, He will lead you beside the still waters, and his presence will prove to you a joy far exceeding all things else. Then you will rejoice in God your Saviour and be prepared to raise your voices in praise and thanksgiving to his great name.

Look around and see the fields of labor. The sickle is being extended over the land, and the fields are white unto the harvest, but how few are the laborers. Oh, I feel within me this morning the drawing cords of Divine love, and I would to God I could awaken in you the desire to go hand in hand with Him. The command of our Saviour is preceded by an invitation and followed by a promise, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Oh, that you may have more of a sober and wise mind, that you may learn the things of God, believe in the Divine Teacher, and