world, looked on with patient hope to the glory of the everlasting world to come. To forego that love

of fame, which has been so justly styled, "the last infirmity of noble minds," to sacrifice worldly reputation to unworldly interests, this is the greatest trial of all, in this path, beyond all others, is set the stumbling-block of the cross. It is overgrown and concealed by the rank and gay weeds of this world. Against this grand incitement to carnal action our Saviour especially warns us. It never can prompt real spiritual action; as well may mortality beget immortality, and sin be father to innocence. To the man who looks forward to everlasting life in Christ Jesus, all between sinks into a gulf. The day of the Son of man is before his eyes. What therefore recks he of the day of man 1?

11 Cor. iv. 3.

Q

ST. PETER.

A. D. 68.

Or all the disciples of our Lord, Peter presents to us a life the most instructive. Its detail is ample, his character is thrown prominently forward, and is distinctly marked. Simplicity of mind and ardour of temper are its chief features. Hence resulted both his devotion to his Master, and his abandonment of him; his retention of Jewish prejudices, and his casting them off; an abundance of courage of the heart, but a deficiency of that of the mind. His unsuspecting impetuosity hurried him into professions which he could not keep, and his frankness and good feeling prompted a ready and sincere repentance. His is a character the very frailties of which win us over. They excite our sympathy, while his virtues command our respect. Even in his regenerate state its main features are seen, and immediately start forth when he comes into contact with the zealous and influential Paul.

He was brought up in an occupation better suited to innocence of life than most. He was a fisherman in the waters of the beautiful sea of Gennesareth, and must have had his courage sometimes put to the proof by the violent storms which suddenly plunge down from the encircling mountains upon the

lake. Bethsaida, on its western shore, was his native place. While thus employed with Andrew his brother, the fame of the preaching of John the Baptist reached him. The two brothers joined the immense crowds which flocked to hear him, and listen to the proclamation of the kingdom of the Messiah. Andrew enrolled himself among his disciples, and was honoured by him with the revelation of the Messiah in Jesus. He and his brother Peter immediately attached themselves to Jesus, and were chosen among his apostles. Among these his name is ever placed first, however the order of the others may vary, and on all occasions he appears as the foreman and spokesman of the body. When Jesus, rejected at Nazareth, had determined to make the neighbourhood of the sea of Gennesareth the chief scene of his preaching, he took up his abode in the house of Peter, which was now at Capernaum, a considerable town on the northern shore. Hence he oftentimes crossed the lake to the other shore. It was on one of these occasions that Peter exhibited a very lively mark of his character. Jesus had despatched his disciples forward in the ship on their return to Capernaum. Himself staid the evening and night on a lonely mountain, engaged in prayer. In the fourth watch of the night, which would be between three and six in the morning, he followed them walking on the sea. The disciples were affrighted at the supernatural sight, especially as the sea was now exceedingly rough. They cried out through fear. Jesus cried to them, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Peter, whose courage was high, and faith in his Master unbounded, answered and said, "Lord

if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." The Lord bade him, and he walked a little way. But shortly the roughness of the waves and boisterousness of the wind frightened him. He lost his resolution and his faith, and beginning to sink cried, "Lord save me." Jesus gently rebuking his want of faith, caught him and took him into the boat. This incident is quite a foreshadowing of his denial, and should have taught him how weak he was, and deterred him from those rash professions into which his ardent temper was hurrying him. But in this point Peter has left many successors. We are every day making professions to Jesus, which we are unable to maintain in the hour of trial. In our overweening confidence, which we mistake for a steady faith, we will plunge into the venture of perilous experiment, we will, in the heat of the moment, overlook or despise all lets and hindrances. We will set at nought the persuasion and dissuasion of friends, the intrusions on our comfort, the jeopardy of our person, our fortune, our rank, our reputation. We will look boldly on this stormy sea, and confidently proclaim that we go to meet Jesus. But when our feet touch this rolling sea, when our garments are wet with its furious spray, when its billows begin to curl over our head, then our confidence, and with it, our faith, is fled. We begin to sink, and cry out, "Lord, save me." Happy we, if we have him near at hand, as having ever followed him like Peter, so that we may be taken up again into the ship of his blessed apostles.

But the generous apostle very shortly nobly redeemed this momentary frailty, and took his station

at the head of his brethren in devotion to his Master. Well did he realize the omen of the name Cephas, or Peter, which that Master had given him. A large defection of his disciples took place. They had been offended at the words of Jesus, which were too spiritual for their carnal comprehension. Then he said to the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" Simon Peter answered him and said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." The same profession he made on a second occasion, and received in return a charge of such dignity as never before was given to man. Jesus had been preaching throughout Galilee, and was now in Judea. His miracles and his doctrine persuaded all men that he was a great prophet at least, and since the Messiah was now anxiously looked for, they supposed that he was his harbinger. In order to try his disciples, Jesus put the question to them, "Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?" and they said, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." He said unto them. "But whom say ye that I am?" And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but

my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee that thou art Peter: and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt