in God's sight, realizing that, we must give an account of our stewardship, we counteract it, it will conquer us. What a complaint

"

was that of Paul-" All seek their own, and not the things that are Jesus Christ's!? What a corrective is that which he furnishes "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's welfare.' 66 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." 7. Finally, see how trouble and expense may be saved. We should want no popular ministers at our anniversaries, nor deputations at our missionary meetings, in order to raise funds, if God's rule was carried out. There would be enough, if not to spare. A great part of the costly machinery now in use might be laid aside, and the cause would be carried on, as Christ's cause ought to be, without any appeals to the world, or to those not decided for God.

To conclude, let us review the past, seriously in the sight of God, and ask, Have I acted consistently in reference to this subject? Have I given to His cause as God has prospered me? Have I felt it my duty, sacredly, to dedicate a given portion of my property to the Lord? Have I given from principle or from impulse? Have I given systematically and regularly, or at random, and only occasionally? Does my conscience acquit me of withholding from the cause of God more than is meet? Have I given to

God in any degree proportioned to what I have laid by, or invested, or laid out upon myself? Why, some professors spend more in tobacco than they give to God's cause! And how many, Oh, how many, spend more in wine, spirits, and other strong drinks, than they consecrate to the Lord's service! Many a boy kept to black shoes, and run on errands, costs some Christians double, treble, more than is subscribed for the support of the minister who feeds his soul, and ministers to his spiritual edification. Many a female, who professes Christ, spends more in ribbons, flowers, feathers, and other ornaments, than they give to the Saviour. Yea, they give so little to Him because they spend so much on these. Do we write thus in

anger? No, in grief. Is it for ourselves we thus speak? No, but for the Saviour, and for your own welfare. How will things appear, think you, when viewed from a death-bed, or when you look back upon them from the judgment-seat of Christ? Use your property now, or you will wish you had used it then. Have you kept back from God? Refund it if you can. Make restitution. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was occasioned by the love of money, a desire to withhold unjustly, from God; and then lying to conceal the sin, in the presence of the Holy Ghost. Another opportunity is given us of reviewing the past, and correcting

the wrong. If we have acted selfishly, if we have spent upon our pleasures, our fancies, our appetites, or our lusts, what we ought to have dedicated to God, let us do so no more. But let us carefully consider the claims of Christ upon us, the commands of God to us, the wants of the world and the church around us, and the rewards promised to the liberal and self-denying; and let us lay by in store as God prospers us, that so His poor may be supplied, His ministers supported, His house be freed from debt, His worship be decently conducted, His Gospel spread abroad, and the abodes of ignorance, indifference, and crime, visited through our instrumentality. Oh, Christian, what has God given thee ?His only begotten Son. What has Jesus done for thee?"Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye, through His poverty, might be rich.' What has the Holy Spirit done for you? Has he not quickened, converted, taught, comforted, and revealed Jesus to you? What, then, ought you to give to God? What ought you to do for Jesus? What respect should you pay to the word of the Holy Spirit? What have the ministers of Christ given and done for you? Have they not given their time, their talents, and their labour to you? Have they not travailed in birth for you until Christ was

formed in you? What is the Church to you but your mother? What poor believers, but your brethren, the members of Christ's mystical body, and identified with Himself? How, then, should you feel, act, and communicate to them of what God has given you, perhaps, for the very purpose?

Praise the Saviour, all ye nations,
Praise him, all ye hosts above;
Shout, with joyful acclamations,
His divine victorious love:
Be his kingdom now promoted,
Let the earth her monarch know!

Be my all to him devoted,

To my Lord my all I owe.

See, how beauteous on the mountains
Are thy feet, whose grand design
Is to guide us to the fountains

That o'erflow with bliss divine-
Who proclaim the joyful tidings
Of salvation all around-
Disregard the world's deridings,
And in works of love abound.

With any substance I will honour
My Redeemer and my Lor d;
Were ten thousand worlds my manor,
All were nothing to his word:
While the heralds of salvation
His abounding grace proclaim,
Let his friends of every station
Gladly join to spread his fame.

FREE PARDON.

"GOOD morning, Thomas, I wish you a happy New Year."

66

now.

Thank you, James, I am not very happy

"Indeed, how is that, Thomas ?"

"Well, I have for some considerable time been convinced that I am a sinner in the sight of God, and this makes me very wretched."

"But have you not obtained the pardon of your sins ?"

"That is a question which I cannot answer. I have prayed, read my Bible, attended the means of grace, and at times felt some comfort, but I cannot say that my sins are forgiven."

"You cannot! Don't you think that the knowledge of one's pardon is to be obtained and enjoyed."

"I don't exactly know; sometimes I think not, and sometimes I think some very eminent saints may enjoy that blessing."

"Eminent saints! Why the apostle John speaks of it as the privilege of God's little children, hence he says, I write unto you, little children, because your sins are for