should have kept me at home. But then it was not an unmixed feeling of love to souls, and a desire for my Redeemer's glory, which were the pure springs of this energy. Here again the waters were polluted! My active mind loved the employment, and often found there was as much in that school to please my natural taste as my spiritual. Still, good was done, whilst here and there the Lord blessed the seed thus sown, and of such and such a dear child it may be written that they were born (anew of the Spirit) there." When removed by the directing hand of God from my long-endeared occupation, I felt the Sabbath a strange day, and my morning stimulus was fled. It was then that the text which heads this paper fixed upon my mind. It seemed to say that, "Whereas I had so long laboured and fagged for others, I was now to seek more of the Saviour's presence immediately for myself."

"Ye have the poor with you always." Few can plead the excuse, that they have no opportunity of exerting their talent of usefulness. If we cannot serve our fellow-creatures in the way we desire, yet, if we look upwards with that prayer, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" work will be given us of another kind. Even though we are shut out of the vineyard for a season, and denied active labour, yet surely we can pray for success on the labours of others. Thus, like Moses, at a distance from the field of battle, we may watch the movements of the enemy, mourn over the defeats of the Israel of God, but draw down blessings of victory and peace, whilst societies, ministers, and congregations, by whom we are unnoticed, and perhaps unknown, may be wafted onwards in their blessed objects by the gale of the Spirit, through our prayers.

There is one plain reason why our heavenly Master sees good to withdraw his servants from active employment, and hedge up their way from his vineyard-that they may have more leisure for attending to their own souls. These do not always thrive the best, when the body and mind are busily engaged for others. Though the promise is, "He that watereth others, shall be watered himself," still there is such a thing as being "keepers of the vine. yards of others" whilst we neglect our own. O how often do we see the roots of bitterness, angry tempers, hasty expressions, and other evils springing up in the hearts of professors of religion, till we are led to tremble for their state; and though they may be fearfully aware of their rapid growth, still Satan presents the ex

cuse, that "their engagements for the good of others are of such a nature as to excuse their giving up so much time to secret devotion." Thus guilt accumulates, and is unrepented of till the conscience gets seared, and the hour of sickness or death needs faith to act, indeed, as a mighty lever, before it can wield the load from the burdened soul to the foot of the cross. Oh! then, seeing that our very duties may become snares, let us seek every opportunity for imploring the presence of our Master in our work. It is true Christ told his disciples, "me ye have not always;" and as they were to miss his bodily presence, so, alas! do we too often miss his spiritual; and yet he promised his followers this " to the end of the world."

Some old writer says, "It is good to give God our time from the top of the heap;" by which means it follows, that he MUST be served first. Yes, one half hour's prayer for our dear absent friends; one interview with the King of kings on their behalf, will effect more for their real good than all our conversation and instructions. Then let us seize opportunities, and hail them when clearly sent to us, by infinite wisdom, for our own soul's benefit. And may that Saviour who plans and guides every step of his people through the wilderness, give us to enjoy his presence, to depend upon his care, to grow in grace under all his dispensations; so that, if called upon again for active employment, we may come out afresh, stablished, strengthened, and settled.

I remain yours, &c.

THE DISCOURAGEMENTS OF GOD'S PEOPLE.

M.

O Lord, how various are the discouragements of thy people as they journey onward to the heavenly Canaan. Sometimes the reproaches and opposition of ungodly men cause them to go heavily; sometimes the fears and mistrust of friends weigh down their spirits; sometimes they mourn because of their own afflictions, and often because of the afflictions of the Church; sometimes they are in sorrow through the weakness of their faith, and often do they weep in secret places over the defiling power of sin. But under all their discouragements, they are not without hope: though afflicted, they are not forsaken. Thou art with them in all their trials; and this is their confidence, that thou, Lord, hast chosen them to be thy people, and hast engaged to be their God-that

thou hast made with them a covenant, ordered in all things and sure that all the promises of this covenant are suited to their wants and sorrows, their weakness and their sins-that because of this thy covenant thou wilt never leave them nor forsake themthat thou wilt perfect thy strength in their weakness-that thou wilt mercifully regard their prayers-that thou wilt destroy the power of every adversary, and redeem them with a stretched out arm and with great judgments-that for thine own name's sake thou wilt bring them to their heavenly heritage, and wilt be their God for ever. Thus has thy love been manifested to thy saints in all ages. Thus when Israel fainted in Egypt for anguish of spirit and for cruel bondage, a deliverer was sent unto them, even Moses thy servant, to redeem them out of their bondage, and to bring them unto the good land promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And though Pharaoh hardened his heart, and Israel believed not, thy promise was fulfilled, and the oath which thou swarest to Abraham: "To thee will I give it, and to thy seed after thee, for an everlasting possession."

Grant, O Lord, that it may be our lot to be numbered among thy chosen few, to share their privileges, their mercies, their blessings, and, if need be, their afflictions; and if we have no record on earth, may our names be written in heaven.

[NOTE-The above is taken from an excellent little work, entitled, "Reflections on Exodus," which, as well as "The Reflections on Gene sis," the Editor strongly recommends to his readers. They are sold by Seeley, price 1s. 6d. each.]

EXTRACT FROM JOHN GADSBY'S MEMOIR OF HIMSELF.

During our stay at Hull, with regard to temporal things, we were very much straitened. Sometimes we had but little fire; coals being so dear, that we were much starved; and many times we experienced the sharp thorn of hunger. I remember, one morning we had nothing but a small bit of bread that we had reserved for our dear little boy, and we had no money. My wife went to a meal shop close by, to see if they would trust us one shilling's worth of flour, until I got some money. This the woman refused, except she would bring a gown to pledge for it. My wife knew not what the woman meant by the term "pledge." She returned home in tears, and said she was so ashamed, that she had

left the pot behind her in the shop, and could not bear to return for it; so it remained until we could raise a shilling for some flour: yet I could say that the Lord was both my meat and my drink, for I found myself so happy in him, that I seemed to forget the things of time, or look through them into eternity. I could say my confidence was strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might: the word of his promise comforted me in our distress. Let us "trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." "I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread." Let us hearken to God's promise to his Church universally, for it stands good to each true member of the same individually. "Therefore let us take no inordinate thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? for our heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of all these things," and has taught us to "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," and all other necessary good shall be added unto us.

I think for about three weeks, during our short stay at Hull, I felt so happy, and enjoyed so much of that sweet union and communion with my God, that I hardly ever perceived a cloud to intervene, but all seemed peace and joy. I enjoyed a little heaven in my own breast, and was ready to say with the Psalmist, that my mountain was so strong, that I should never be moved. But soon the Lord gave me to see my own weakness in thus trusting in my frames and feelings for the evidence of my acceptance with him; and, with the genuine Christian, in some measure to know-and I hope this knowledge is still increasing in me—that he derives his satisfaction and comfort from what he believes, and not from what he feels; that as a sinner, he looks only to the righteousness of Jesus; and being justified by faith in that righteousness, we have peace with God; and the truth believed is the source of all our joy. This was the apostle's advice to the Philippian gaoler, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." May the Lord remove the bar of unbelief from all our hearts!

[NOTE. The Editor strongly recommends the "Memoir of John Gadsby;" first a pious soldier, and then a faithful servant. It is sold by Seeley, price 18. 6d.]

EXTRACT FROM GERARD TERSTEEGEN.

When we conduct or shew ourselves before men, in conversation, action, gesture, otherwise than we mean, or different to what we are in reality or wish to be, however secretly or subtilely this may take place, we do not walk in simplicity; it is falsehood, and not truth; or at least it is something assumed and dissembled: a shadow, and not a substance; an abomination in the sight of God. It is not only wrong to shew ourselves better than we are, but it is an improper affectation, nay, often a vain desire of being better thought of, when we represent ourselves, whether in words or otherwise, to be poorer, more miserable, and worse than we believe and feel ourselves to be. Our conduct, walk, words, and gestures, as well as the thoughts and dispositions of the heart, must be judged and weighed, not by men, who only see the outside, but by the purest light of God. We must not seek to appear holy, but to be holy, and that in the eyes of God alone, who searcheth the heart and the reins. We must keep our inmost souls constantly naked and open to the rays of this Eternal Sun, that we may walk in simplicity and purity, in truth and righteousness. (2 Cor. 1. 12.) God is a God of truth; we must therefore walk in the truth, and in simplicity of heart, if we are desirous of having fellowship with so pure a Being. O my God, how much does hypocrisy, formality, and dissimulation pervade fallen and perverted man! and how little are we aware of this abomination in ourselves, since by reason of the thick darkness and confusion which fill our minds, we do not perceive what is in them, because we remain so little with ourselves, and abide still less with thee! Teach me, O God, who art so inexpressibly near me, both outwardly and inwardly; teach me to walk under the observation of thine eye, in the pure light of thy truth, that I may practise simplicity in all my actions and deport

ment.

CLAIMS OF SIX HUNDRED MILLIONS.

How comprehensive and rational is that petition in the Lord's prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." What more could the most exalted piety ask; What more could the most enlarged benevolence desire? It includes the glory of God and the best good of all men. For, when God shall reign on earth as he does in heaven, then will he appear in his glory, and then will there be peace on earth and good-will among