which the minister of the Gospel ought to use. To be a true successor of the apostles, he must give himself to prayer as well as to the ministry of the Word. (Acts vi. 4.) He must not only use the sword of the spirit, but pray always with all prayer and supplication. (Eph. vi. 17, 18.) This is the way to win a blessing on his own ministry; this, above all, is the way to procure helpers to carry on Christ's work.

The second point in our Lord's charge is, the perilous nature of the work in which they were about to be engaged. He does not keep back from them the dangers and trials which are before them. He does not enlist them under false pretences, or prophecy smooth things, or promise them unvarying success. There was no doubt a special reference to the life-time of those to whom these words were spoken; we see their fulfilment in the many persecutions described in the Acts of the Apostles. But so long as the Church stands, believers must expect to be like "lambs among wolves." They must make up their minds to be hated, and persecuted, and ill-treated, by those who have no real religion. "All that will live godly in Jesus Christ," shall suffer persecution."

The third point in our Lord's charge to the seventy disciples is, the thorough devotion to their work which He enjoins upon them. They were to abstain even from the appearance of covetousness, or love of money, or luxury. They were to behave like men who had no time to waste on the empty compliments and conventional courtesies of the world. We may remark on the fourth verse, that when the Apostles went forth (St.

APPOINTMENT OF THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES.

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Mark vi. 9), our Lord commanded them to be “shod with sandals." Among the Jews the sandal and the shoes essentially differed: the sandal only covered the sole of the foot, and was fastened about the foot and ancle with straps. The shoe, on the contrary, was a more luxurious thing, and covered the whole foot t; therefore not so suitable as sandals to men whose only business was to preach the kingdom of God. In the words, "Salute no man by the way," it is probable that our Lord refers to the long and ceremonious salutations which prevail in Eastern countries, and desired His disciples not to waste time in conforming to them.

Another point in our Lord's charge, is the simpleminded and contented spirit which He bade them exhibit. Wherever they tarried in travelling about upon their Master's business, they were to avoid the appearance of being fickle, changeable, delicate livers, or hard to please about food and lodging. Instructions like those in the seventh verse no doubt have a primary and special reference to the ministers of the Gospel: they are the men, above all, who in their style of living ought to be careful to avoid the spirit of the world. The sermon about “ things unseen" will produce little effect when the life preaches the importance of the things that are seen." But our Lord's instructions also speak loudly to the consciences of all believers, of all who are called by the Holy Ghost, and made priests to God. They ought to remind us of the necessity of simplicity and unworldliness in our daily life. We must strive to live like men whose first thoughts are

about the immortal soul. Blessed are they who feel like pilgrims and strangers in this life, and whose best things are all to come!

Chief Shepherd of Thy chosen sheep,

From death and sin set free,

May every under-shepherd keep
His eye intent on Thee.

With plenteous grace their hearts prepare
To execute Thy will;
Compassion, patience, love and care,
And faithfulness, and skill.

Inflame their minds with holy zeal
Their flocks to feed and teach;
And let them live and let them feel
The sacred truths they preach.

Christ Rejoicing.

The Lawyer's Question. The Rule of Faith.

ST. LUKE X. 21-28.

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to

see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

In these verses we should observe, in the first place, the one instance on record of our Lord Jesus Christ's rejoicing. Three times we are told in the Gospels that our Lord wept, once only we are told that He rejoiced.

And what was the cause of our Lord's joy? It was the conversion of souls. The seventy disciples whom He had sent forth, returned from their first mission with joy (as we see in the 17th verse), more particularly at feeling their own power, which our Lord checks in the 20th verse, warning them against pride.

Our Lord rejoiced because of the reception of the Gospel by the weak and lowly among the Jews, when the "wise and prudent" on every side were rejecting it. Our blessed Lord no doubt saw much in this world to grieve Him. He saw the obstinate blindness and unbelief of the vast majority of those among whom He ministered. But when He saw a few poor men and women receiving the glad tidings of salvation, even His heart was refreshed: He saw it and was glad. Let us also learn from our blessed Lord to be more thankful. There is always some blue sky as well as black clouds, if we will only look for it. Though only a few are saved, we should find reason for rejoicing. It is only through free grace and undeserved mercy that any are saved at all.

We should also observe, the sovereignty of God in saving sinners: there are some from whom salvation is "hidden;" there are others to whom salvation is "revealed."

The truth here laid down is deep and mysterious: why some around us are converted, and others remain dead in sins, we cannot possibly explain; we can only acknowledge that the words of our Lord Jesus Christ supply the only answer that mortal man ought to give: "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."

Let us, however, never forget that God's sovereignty does not destroy man's responsibility. That same God who does all things according to the counsel of His own will, always addresses us as accountable creatures, -as beings whose blood will be on their own heads if