ing, and determined, set themselves to terrify and drive us back, or to allure us from the way. And worst of all, in our own natures, we have a determined foe. Ever present. Ever vigilant. Ever powerful. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit. We find a law in our members warring against the law of our minds. The world, the flesh, and the devil, combine to oppose our progress, hinder us in our march, and, if possible, to destroy us in the wilderness. Then there are so many dangers. The towering rocks of presumption, and the quagmires of doubt and fear; the pitfalls of error, and the ravines of wilful sin; the fiery-flying serpent of temptation, and the scorpion of indulged lust; the sunshine and the shade; the barren sands, and the verdant vales; the granite rocks, and the flowing streams; have all of them dangers concealed in them; nor can we be trusted alone for one moment if we are to be safe. Worst of all, there are our distrustful and misgiving hearts. Faith is next to im possible without the constant renewings of the Holy Spirit. We doubt the promise; we distrust the promiser. Sometimes we question whether we have ever left Egypt, and at other times we are ready to conclude, that for mischief he has brought us out to slay us in the wilderness. Thus, distrusting God is the sin that doth so easily beset us. With so long a journey, so strange a path, such numerous foes, so many dangers, and such unbelieving hearts, can we ever reach the promised land? Can we? Not if left to ourselves. Not if led only by Moses. Not if we have merely an angel for our guide. We must have a guide who well knows the road; who can conquer our many foes; who can lead us safely through all our dangers, and bear with our hearts and lives. Whose wisdom is perfect, whose power is almighty, whose care is constant, whose patience is immutable, and whose mercy endureth for ever. And we have such an one, for the Most High, who ruleth over the kingdoms of men hath said to us, "I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye." And so sweetly has he assured us of his love, won our confidence, and revealed his character and qualifications, that we have right heartily said, "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." Israel's God was Israel's guide; and this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death," through death, and beyond it. He "went before Israel by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them on their way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, to go by day and by night." This leads us to notice,

Secondly,-THE LORD'S MERCY. He provided just what they needed. A guide to lead them by day and night. He went just before them; thus pointing out the road, clearing it of insurmountable difficulties, and conducting them in it. This is just what our good and gracious God does for

us.

He is really present with us, though unseen by us. He is never far from any one of us. Just before, within call, if not within sight. He marks out our road, he removes every real impediment out of our way, and conducts us step by step in the path to the promised land. Naturally we do not know it; and when we do, our nature always dislikes it. We should choose the short cut, the smooth path, the well-frequented road; but he leads us in a zig-zag way, by a rough and uneven road, where there are but few fellow-travellers. His choice is best. The way he points out is the only right one. It is to humble us, and prove us, and show us what is in our hearts. It is that we may walk by faith, and not by sight. It is to teach us our need of himself, and to lead us to cleave unto him. hind them. When the Egyptians drew near, the pillar of fire removed, and fell down as a fiery partition, as an impassable barrier between the two companies. The Lord went before them, and the God of Israel was

He came be

their rearward. Just so our wise and watchful guide becomes our shield; he interposes between us and danger. Often, very often, would the Egyptians have come upon us from behind, and injured, if not destroyed us, but our God was there, he protected and preserved us. We shall never know until we get to glory, how often, and in how many ways, the Lord has interposed for us and preserved us. He adapted himself to all their circumstances. By day, when the sun was pouring down its streams of glar. ing light and scorching heat, it was a cooling and refreshing cloud, spreading like a large umbrella, over the entire company. By night, when the cold dews were falling, and the chilling winds were blowing, it was a warming, cheering fire. It was shade or light; shadow or warmth, just as they needed. And oh, beloved, how has our God adapted himself to all our circumstances these many years in the wilderness! He has warmed us with his love, and cooled us with his mercy. He has sheltered us with his broad hand, and cheered us with his loving word. In looking back, we can see that we have had the cloud by day, and the fire by night, that we might go by day and night. He fully provided for them that they might go by day and night. If they had to strike their tents and pack up for a march at noon-day, the cloud shadowed them; and if they had to prepare for a removal at midnight, the fire gave them light to work by. If they travelled on scorching sands, and under a burning sky, they were sheltered; and if they journeyed under the gloom of midnight, they were illumined and cheered. Blessed be God for the provision he has made for us, for we have found his grace sufficient for us, and his strength perfected in our weakness. Our shoes have been iron and brass; and as our day, so has our strength been. We have gone by day and night. Ah, some of us have travelled much by night! But we have ever found the truth of the testimony, "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” He continued his kindness to them unto the end. "He took not away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." The symbol of the divine presence continued with them until Moses died. When Joshua became leader, the ark opened the way through the Jordan, and conducted them into the promised land. Providence will care for us, comfort us, lead us, and supply us, until we come to the Jordan; and then Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, Jesus, the ark of the everlasting covenant, will lead us across the river, make the way plain and easy, and introduce us to the promised land. He that began with us will go on, nor will he leave us nor forsake us, until he hath done all that he hath spoken to us of. Every jot and tittle of his word must be fulfilled, for the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake; because it hath pleased the Lord to make them his people. "We are confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Beloved, are you travelling from Egypt to Canaan,-from earth to heaven? If so, you need a guide. No creature will be found sufficient. It must be the Lord himself. He guides all his people by his providence, for his eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show himself strong in behalf of all them whose hearts are perfect towards him. He guides them by his grace. His word is our directory,—the map of our journey. On that he shines by his Holy Spirit, and in us he works by the same divine agent. He convinces, he inclines, he leads, he sustains, and at length introduces us to the rest prepared for the people of God. If God is your guide he will adapt his manifestations to your circumstances. There will be no visible cloud or fire, but he will make your way plain before your face. He will not guide you as a horse or male with bit and bridle, but as a rational being,—as a beloved child. He will

take you by the hand, gradually and graciously clear your way, and comfort and encourage you as you go on. Under his guidance you will make progress both by day and night. In prosperity and adversity, in joy and sorrow, in light and darkness, in summer and winter, you will still make way. The true christian can travel by day or night. He is not dependent on circumstances. He often rises beyond the region of second causes. He makes progress because the Lord is with him. God begin to lead you, he will go through the whole journey with you. He will not leave you in the middle. He will not forsake you toward the end. Aged pilgrim, cheer up; the Lord who led you when young, who guided you in life's meridian, will not leave you now.

"Even down to old age all his people shall prove,

His sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in his bosom be borne."

If

Young christian, take courage. You have a long journey, it may be, before you. You have to cross a waste-howling wilderness. You will have to contend with Og, king of Bashan, and Sihon, king of the Amorites. The Amalakites may come out against you. Moab may hire soothsayers against you. But fear not,-press on. Keep the eye on the cloud by day, and expect the fire at night. He that hath mercy on you will lead you, even by the springs of water will he guide you. You may

at times be brought to a stand, and wonder which is the right path, when you come where two ways meet; but even then you shall hear a voice be hind you, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." Doubts may beset you, fears may assault you, Satan and the world may conspire against you, but your God says,—

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake."

Cheltenham.

CHRISTIAN ANOMALIES.

No. 2.

BY THE REV. C. ELVEN.

"In which are some things hard to be understood."-2 Peter iii. 16.

The writer of the article under this head, in last month's number, thought he had ended his task; but it brought upon him so many suggestions, from known and unknown correspondents, all of whom seemed to think the threshing floor wanted a little more gifting, that in order to meet their wishes, and with the hope, under the divine blessing, of benefiting the readers of "The Church," he has ventured to point out a few more anomalies "9 among those who bear the christian name; notwithstanding the process may painfully remind us, that the professors of Christianity are too much like Gideon's army, which though it numbered two-and-thirty thousands, yet when the true and faithful were separated, was reduced to three hundred. "What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord." At the same time, it has not been overlooked, that an unskilful handling of the flail might bruise the wheat, in attempting to separate the chaff. If, therefore, any sincere christian should feel the rod, and say, while enduring its smart, "Who art thou that judgest another?" it is hoped maturer reflection will induce the feeling of the Psalmist, "Let the righteous smite me: it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me: it shall be an excellent oil, which shall

not break my head." Inasmuch as loving reproof to a gracious soul is like a sword anointed with the balm of Gilead, it woundeth and healeth at the same time.

But to resume our anomalies. Again we say, where shall we begin, and where shall we end? For as that good old divine, Thomas Adams, wrote two hundred years ago (and, oh, what mines of sanctified thought there are in such writings), the christian man is himself an anomaly, "a man environed with fire, and not burning; floating on the sea, and not drowning; dealing with dunghills, and not defiled; contemned, and honoured; made rich, by being impoverished. If I should propound a riddle, and ask, What is the highest and the lowest, the fairest and the foulest, the strongest and the weakest, the richest and the poorest, the happiest and the unhappiest, the safest and the most endangered being in the world? the solution is so plain, that I dare not promise with Sampson new suits of apparel to those that could expound it, for all would say, It is the christian.

First, then, in continuing our series, we ask our readers what they think of IDLE CHRISTIANS? Are not they anomalies? That is, we mean, idle as christians. For these same good folks are earnest and industrious enough in all other matters. Keen lawyers, clever accountants, wise merchants, plodding tradesmen, downright hard-working people, earning their bread by the sweat of their brain, or the sweat of their brow. So were the inhabitants of Sodom, for "in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they sold, they planted, they builded." But how many professors there are who give all their energies to the world, and none to the church. The Sabbath is emphatically their rest. Their pew their dormitory. Their membership a sinecure.

It

If we understand the matter rightly, the very name of a christian implies a follower of Christ. Was Christ an idler? No! "He went about doing good." His meat and his drink was to do the will of his Father, and he rested not till he could say, "It is finished." Happily, there are many in our churches who are "working while it is day," fellow-labourers with their pastors in every good word and work: nevertheless, there are too many of the family of the Do-nothings. may be, that some such are laying the flattering unction to their souls, that they are doing no harm! It is true the sick may be pining unvisited, the Sabbath school may need teachers,-the ragged and wretched of our towns and cities may be uncared for,-the missionary, the Bible, the tract societies, may all languish for want of aid, but what then? The idle christian says nothing against any of these. He only passes by on the other side, like the Priest and the Levite; and all that Christ can say of such is, "I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat," &c. (Matt. xxv. 42). But is that all? No, it is not all, for it is added, "These shall go away into everlasting punishment." It is not all; there is another word for the idle professor, and with that we will leave him, "Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty" (Judges v. 23).

But what shall we say to the anomaly of a DISHONEST CHRISTIAN? Ought two such words ever to be conjoined? Yet in one of the letters received on this subject, the writer says, "You have set forth very ably the inconsistencies of many professing christians, but there is one class you have omitted. They are those who get deeply into debt, without a fair prospect of paying." And some, this correspondent says he has known, who continue year after year adding to the score, without scarcely mentioning it to their creditors. To this we are tempted to apply the

trite but righteous adage, "There may be morality without religion, but there cannot be religion without morality." The greater includes the less; yet it seems some professors need to be reminded, that there are not only doctrines, but duties, in the Bible; we should like to have such in a bible-class, and we would commence a course of instruction by enjoining. upon them to "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest," such passages as the following: "Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Rom. xii. 17). "Study to be quiet, to do your own business, to work with your own hands, that ye may walk honestly towards them that are without" (1 Thes. iv. 11). "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise (anything praise-worthy), think on these things." To which may be added, as a concluding lesson, the declaration of the Psalmist, “The wicked borroweth (or getteth into debt) and payeth not again." Now, then, as we have thus shown the dishonest professor his face in the glass of God's Word, we beseech him not to go away and forget what manner of man he is, but straightway to cease to do evil, and learn to do well." Oh, how has Christianity thus been "wounded in the house of its friends!" We hear the prayers of these professors, we hear them talk, and we see the appearances they keep up; but what should we think of them if we could see the arrears of their accounts in the ledgers of their creditors? The books of the miller, the baker, the grocer, the shoemaker,-or higher up, of the tailor, the milliner, the upholsterer, the butcher, or even the wine and liquor merchant? Nevertheless, that we do not break the "bruised reed," nor make those sad whom God has not made sad, be it remembered, and kindly considered, there may be thoroughly honest christians in debt, and their heavenly Father knows, by their daily struggles and cries for deliverance, how great their burden is,-sometimes more than they are able to bear. We have often read, with deep emotion, the affecting narrative, 2 Kings iv. 1: "Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord : and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons for bonds-men." Here, then, was a God-fearing man,-yea, a prophet, a poor minister, (and some such may read this article), and yet he was in debt, and unable to pay, with no fault of his,-though if the facts could be known, they might reflect everlasting shame upon those to whom he ministered. But here is the good man, with this thorn in his dying pillow. He must die in debt! and as for the poor widow, she must get further into debt for a coffin and a grave, and not a friend of her husband's or her own to keep the bailiffs out of the house. Now, do not our readers feel, as the writer does, that they could, yea, that they cannot help weeping, with that poor widow, with nothing in the house but "a pot of oil;" the little furniture they had, by little and little, was pledged or sold; and now even her sons are seized, according to the laws of that time and place, to be dragged away and sold into captivity! Oh, thou heartless creditor! Oh, ye unfeeling friends and neighbours! And is there no help? Yes, in the widow's God! Ye suffering saints, ye honest poor, ye oppressed widows, if the worldly creditor is inexorable, if the church is unsympathising, look up, yes, look up to Him who is the Husband of the widow, and the Father of the fatherless, in his holy habitation. But to you, who are recklessly incurring debts, and careless about discharging them, we say, "Go to, turn out of the ranks of Christianity. Wipe the name of christian from your forehead. The church repudiates you. The world