for if charity means love, self was the object loved. Or, if it meant giving of our substance, it was pretty much the same, for all was laid out on self, or laid up for self. Charity did begin at home in that quarter, and staid at home too. If he was urged to contribute, he had another trite reply ready," We must be just before we are generous. Quite right if properly applied. But if the Lord requires us to love our neighbour as ourselves; and like the good Samaritan, show mercy on him; then it is just to give of what we have to help others, instead of hoarding it up for ourselves. True charity manifests itself by endeavouring to make all at home happy, nor only so, it breathes benevolence and good will to all, and is ready to exert its influence, or give its property, for the benefit of any part of the human family, up to the highest point of its ability. tice requires, that we should live for others, as well as for ourselves; and when we cannot find a law to compel us to act, generosity steps in, and constrains us to act from another principle. Jus Covetousness is never at a loss for an excuse. Selfishness can always plead its own cause. Therefore we find selfish and covetous professors always ready to remind us, that we must be just before we are generous;' and informing us, as if we had never heard the important truth before, that charity begins at home." Brethren, our hearts are 66 66 fearfully selfish. Self-denial, though so plainly inculcated in the word, and inculcated for the benefit of others, is but little attended to. Each professor, thinks that his fellow should practice a little more selfdenial, be a little more generous, and "ready to distribute, willing to communicate," but is not prepared to start first, and set the example. We ought to "be up and doing," and not merely talk about it, for the world and the church alike requires activity and devotedness to God. Let us then see to it that our words and deeds go together. us do as we say. Never let us, by our prayers, give those about us, occasion to reflect upon us; or to use the language of our Lord, respecting the Pharisees, when speaking of us, They say and do not." O Lord, there has been too much hypocrisy and pretence about us, correctus, reform us, and make us like thyself, of whom it is written, he "went about doing good." 66 Brethren, let us freely offer; Let "MY FATHER KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT.” A SHORT time ago, three boys were busy discussing some question, as they went along the street, and it appeared to interest and excite them very much. At length one of them, a shrewd sharp little fellow, full of life and fire exclaimed, My father knows all about it!" He was evidently pleased with the idea of his father's knowledge, if he was not proud of it. How much we may learn from children. How much better it would be for us, if we were more childlike. Oh, that we realized more fully, that God is our father, that he is interested in all that concerns us, and that we are interested in, and shall be benefitted by all that is known or possessed by him! How it would calm the mind, soothe the troubled heart, and em, bolden the timid spirit. There is my friend George Hall, he finds the dispensations of divine providence exceedingly trying. One loss succeeds ano ther, until he is ready to conclude that the 129 last will go. penny Business is flat, and dark dense clouds hang over him. In his domestic circle, his house is not with God as he has Sharks and sharpers, prayed and desired. have got hold of him, and he feels confounded, and wonders where the scene will end. He often finds comfort in the means of grace, in the word of God, and in secret prayer; but the clouds return after the rain. At times his heart is ready to burst, his intellect seems to reel, and he cries out, " Lord, why is this ?" There appears to be no bright light in the cloud, or rainbow in the storm, but all is dark, dreary, and depressing. Brother George, "your father knows all about it." It is in all his plan, and forms part of his purpose. If you are taken by surprise, he is not. He has fixed the end, an end worthy of his wisdom, mercy, and love; and has arranged all the steps that lead to that end. If you could but see his entire plan, you would be perfectly satisfied; more, you would be delighted at the wisdom and goodness, displayed in it. Your present trials, are but answers to your prayers, they form a ladder, up which you pass step by step to glory. They weary you, but your weariness will only prepare you for the rest, that remains for the people of God. They wean you from the world, and it is necessary you should be weaned, that you may go home when you are sent for. ordered covenant, strength for be glad to In the well the day is provided, grace sufficient for you is laid up, and an expected end is fixed. Your good is secured. Not only at the end, but by the way. Hence it is written, "We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God; to them that are called according to his purpose.” Courage, then, brother, "father knows all about it;" and having loved us with an everlasting love, having put us among his children, he will not allow anything really to harm us! Samuel Adams, has got meddling with the deep things of God, and is more taken up with philosophy, than with the facts and plain statements of God's most holy word. He is in the whirlpool of mystery, trying to unravel by reason, what is to be simply received by faith. He wants to reconcile man's responsibility, and God's sovereignty. To arrange all the doctrines and duties of Christianity in nice order, and make out a complete system. But he cannot do it. One part will seem to clash with the other, and now he feels inclined to strip God of his adorable sovereignty, and then to reduce man to a mere machine. Friend Samuel, "your father knows all about it," but you do not. The Bible is God's book, it contains all that he has been pleased to reveal. There are in it, things which angels do not fully understand. The most important, is the most plain. The way of salvation is so simple, that the wayfaring man, though a fool, |