MAECH 29. " And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." GAL. V. 24. ELIEVERS are Christ's by gift. God the Father has given us to him in covenant. We are his also by redemption. He loved us and gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people. We are his by the attractions of his grace. We have been drawn by a believing view of the glories of his person and work to himself. Faith has united us to him in a union that cannot be dissolved. We are his by our profession of attachment to his cause. We have enlisted under his banner. We have placed ourselves under his rule. We have acknowledged him as our only Lord. The proof of our union to Christ is to be found in our crucifixion of the flesh-our self-mortification-our death to sin. To crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts, is no easy or speedy work. It is a painful and prolonged process. Nothing but the grace we derive from Christ can enable us to accomplish it. Let us seek to give this evidence of our fellowship with Christ every day. If we are thus crucified with him, we may be certain that we shall live with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth. Reckon ye yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Counting gain and glory loss, May I tread the path he trod, MARCH 30. "Head over all things to the church.” EPH. i. 22. ม AUL speaks here of the Son of God. He was once despised and neglected and crucified. But he rose from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Majesty on high, and is placed over all things as Supreme Ruler. All departments of creation-all events in providence-all movements in nations-all discoveries in science-all advancements in commerce-all changes in the churchall the shifting scenes of history and human life -all are under the government of Christ. And he rules all for the stability, success, and peace of his church. He has a kingdom within a kingdom; and the affairs of the outward kingdom are subordinate to the interests of that which he has founded in his precious blood. What a significancy this gives to all passing events! How safe is the church of Christ amid all storms! Her Lord is the Universal King; and nothing can happen but by his permission. Whatever transpires he controls for her good. All other kingdoms shall perish, but this shall endure for ever. Reader, art thou a subject of this kingdom? If so, thou art safe for ever. Adore and bless the name of thy glorious Lord. Daily delight to do his will. Wait patiently for his appearing. His kingdom cannot fail; He rules o'er earth and heaven; Lift up the heart, lift up the voice: MARCH 31. "Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death." PSAL. ix. 13. GOD often brings his people low, and raises them up again. He sometimes suddenly reduces their strength, and as suddenly recruits it. He brings them face to face with eternity, and then sends them back to spend a few more years in time. Hast thou thus been lifted up from the gates of death? Then bless the sparing compassion of thy God. Seek to devote the life prolonged with double earnestness and diligence to his service. Lord! I'm restored at thy command, What wilt thou have me do? Oh, let me wholly live to thee, Fain would I dedicate to Thee Lord, with my life renew my heart, APRIL 1. "Serving the Lord." ROM. xii. 11. TRADESMAN once told the celebrated John Newton, Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, that he was about to retire from business, as he had gained enough for himself and his family to live in respectability and affluence. "Why then," said Mr. Newton, "if that is the case, now be the Lord's journeyman, and carry on business for him." This is counsel, suitable not only to rich tradesmen who contemplate retirement from business; but to all Christians, under all circumstances of life. Whether rich or poor, high or low, we can carry on business for God. He gives us opportunities-he furnishes us with means-he promises us constant assistance-and he presents before us, for our encouragement, a glorious reward. O Lord! grant me grace daily to serve thee in all things; and amid the claims of the world may I always remember the superiorclaim s of my Saviour and God! Descend, celestial fire, My grateful love inflame; So I shall daily serve and bless APRIL 2. "Having a good conscience." iii. 16. 1 PETER VERY man has a conscience; but it is of the utmost importance that we possess a good conscience. A good conscience has been sprinkled with the blood of Christ. It has been cleansed from guilt. It is free from condemnation. It is an instructed conscience. The Word of God is its rule, and the Spirit of God its guide. It is a sensitive conscience. It is alive and tender, and seeks to be void of offence toward God and toward men. How numerous and great are the blessings of such a conscience! Amid the many dangers of life how safe is its possessor! Under the heavy trials and troubles of life how strong he is! When misunderstood and slandered, how sweet is the inward approval! When wickedness requires reproof how faithful are the words of him whose conscience is clear! Lord! let this precious treasure be mine. Purge my conscience from defilement. Instruct it by thy Spirit, that I may act according to thy will. Make it tender that it may condemn all impurity, and be susceptible of every holy impression. When storms rage without, may I still feel sweet peace within. When called to reprove the sinner, may a consciousness of innocence give fidelity and force to my rebukes. Whatever else I lose, may I ever keep "a good conscience!" O for a heart to praise my God, A heart from sin set free ! A conscience sprinkled with the blood APRIL 3. "Ye shine as lights in the world." PHIL. ii. 15. SEVERAL years ago there lived a widow in an isolated cottage on the sea-coast. She was frequently distressed in tempestuous weather by the sight of the stranded fishing-boats and coasting vessels, and the pitiful cries of the drowning sailors. As her cottage was situated on an elevated spot, and her window looked out upon the sea, she resolved one dark and stormy night to |