courses. to his own relatives, and the inhabitants of his native village, many of whom he had either led into sin, or confirmed in their evil With this view he visited them, spoke to them, told them his own happy experience, and fully expected they would believe and live. But some laughed at him, some made sport of what he said, some avoided him, some thought he was going mad, while some heard all he said, but felt nothing. Among the latter was his brother William, a good-natured, good-tempered sort of fellow, who would assent to anything that was good, and yet continue to go on in his old course. At length, when Thomas was about to leave, as he bade his friends farewell, he took his brother William by the hand, and with deep emotion said, "William, let us prepare to meet God!" William appeared touched, and as he squeezed the hand of his brother said, "There is nothing like it." He returned to his house, thought for a little while of what Thomas had said, and the change there appeared in him, and then sank down into his former state. In that state he still remains, careless, indifferent, and unconcerned. any one talks to him religiously, he never opposes, but assents to all that is said, exciting hope only to disappoint it. He professes to approve the good, but evidently prefers the bad. Thus he lives without prayer, though he occasionally attends public worship, and now and then reads a chapter in the Bible; If But as to repentance toward God, or faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, he remains an entire stranger to them. Thomas writes to him, sends him religious tracts, and sometimes encourages a hope of him; but "hope deferred maketh the heart sick." Oh, how many there are like William Ford! Go where we will we find them. They will not openly reject the gospel, nor do they heartily receive it. They do not controvert the truth, nor sincerely embrace it. They assent to everything, but are not savingly affected by anything. These seem to be some of the most hopeless characters, for you can make no impression on them. Reader, do you not know some such? If you are an observer of human nature, I have no doubt you do. Are you one yourself? Do you, like William Ford, seem to approve of the gospel, acquiesce in all that is said to you by the Lord's people, and yet remain without deep, heartfelt sorrow for sin? If so, let me besecch you to consider the words of our blessed Lord, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Many had perished then, and many were still in danger of perishing. How many have perished since, and what multitudes are in danger of perishing now! What is it for a soul to perish? Is it not to be cut off from God, to be banished into eternal torments, and to be deprived of hope for ever? Yes, yes it is. Oh, if your soul should perish! But it will, except you re pent. Jesus has twice affirmed it in one chapter, and if you live and die impenitent, you will prove the truth of it. Do you hear of Christ, and yet live without faith in Christ? If so, salvation to you is an impossibility, for Jesus has said, "HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. Can these words be more positive ? "Shall be damned," Can words be more plain?" He that believeth not shall be damned." What can be more awful? and yet what is more true? Oh beware of the easy, unconcerned, unimpressible state into which William Ford has sunk! There are multitudes in that state besides him, and to such the words of our Lord and Saviour are applicable, "Verily, I say unto you, publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of heaven before these." You have a little space left, a little more time is given you, and given you for what? flee from the wrath to come. enter in at the strait gate. receive God's unspeakable gift. may labour for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man That you may That you may That you may That you will give unto you. But if you trifle with God's mercy, if you despise your own soul, if you allow the time of your visitation to pass unimproved, how will you face death? How will you meet God? What will you say when he shall punish you? Let me affectionately beseech you, at parting, to consider seriously one scriptural question. Oh, that God would apply it to your soul; "How SHALL WE ESCAPE, IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION ?" How, oh, how will ye escape? Ye cannnot, ye cannot; you will be lost for ever! Run, then, to the Lord at once; seek mercy while mercy is to be found; nor ever rest, until you realize that you are saved in the Lord, with an everlasting salvation." 66 'COME now,' ye sinners, said the Lord, I give the new, the feeling heart, The guiltless shame, the sweet distress, The wonder, 'Why such love to me ?' I give, with every saving grace, The right to heaven, enthroned with God. O rich bequests! and are they free? 66 THE FRIEND I HAVE ABOVE." THE Sweets of friendship are pleasant, and our need of friendship is great. We cannot do without a friend. It never was intended that we should. Earthly friends are useful, but a heavenly friend is absolutely necessary. Jesus is the sinner's friend. Jesus is emphatically the believer's friend. He is my friend. Reader, is He yours? Do you know His name? Do you trust His blood? Do you rely on His promises? Do you walk by His precepts? Do you copy His example? Do you breathe His spirit? Do you look, long, and wait for His appearing? By these things His friends are known, and where these are there is no doubt about friendship with Jesus. Jesus was above, but friendship brought Him to our world. Having accomplished His work, friendship influenced Him to depart and go unto His Father. He is in heaven this day as my friend. sents me. He pleads for me. over me. He sends to me. He repre He watches He rejoices to He is will He has all I need. do me good. ing to give it. He bids me ask it. He pro |