is, as man before God. . . . . And if in Christ, the title and privilege of Christ, is our title and privilege. The man in Christ, has Christ for his title, and is entitled thus to all that Christ enjoys, to joys and glories which mortal apprehension cannot receive, and language formed by mortal thought and ways cannot express, that are not meet to be communicated, in this scene of human capacities-they belong to another sphere of things..

Before God we have the " man in Christ"-blessed position-and which is perfection where we want it; and as to our place before men, besides Christ in us as life, the power of Christ, where we practically want it, in weakness and imperfection down here, resting on us for walk and service before men. The first is the basis of all our walk, but it does not suffice for power. This is had in daily dependence in which we walk, as humbled in ourselves, that Christ may be glorified, and the flesh practically annulled,

J. N. D.

WHO IS A "LEADER"?

WE learn from Hebrews xiii. 17 what a leader is, and how such are to be regarded. "Obey your leaders, and be submissive, for they watch over your souls as those that shall give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with grief," &c. Hence, it is of great importance that we should be able to recognise them. A leader is one who is the chief sufferer, or rather, as ahead of others in the race, the one to suffer first. He is not one assuming authority, a lord over God's heritage; he has not dominion over your faith, but he is a helper of your joy. A leader is one who first surmounts the fence or difficulty, and thus shews the way to the weakest of the flock. He is like a guide in an unknown and perilous journey, he goes first.

Our blessed Lord is the Leader. "When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him for they know his voice."

In Christendom the leader is more the ruler than the servant. In grace the greatest among you is he that serveth. It is really laborious service, not merely preaching, or propounding truth, but as they that "watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofit able for you.' Gideon could 66 say: As I do, so shall ye do;" and Paul could say: "We were ensamples unto you to follow us. The path of a leader in grace is the last thing the natural man would choose. A great man may, for fame, face the cannon's mouth; but the Christian, as he serves, accepts humiliation, contrary to all carnal feelings, and as he does, he leads. As in the case of the two goats who met on the narrow plank across the ravine, the one who lay down for the other to walk over him was the leader; so the real leader is the one who has suffered most to keep the path clear for the sheep and lambs,

The greatest servant is the greatest sufferer. Like Abram, he puts his life in his hand, leaves all his earthly comforts behind him, and goes out by night, a true leader, to rescue his brother Lot. A leader asks no one to do what he has not done himself. He learns from our blessed Lord, who could say: 66 I am among you as he

that serveth."

The Lord grant that there may be an increase of leaders in this day, and thus many of the flock may be helped and cared for more perfectly.

THOUGHTS FOR THIS DAY.
THE MEASURE OF GRACE.

GRACE is the first ray of comfort to the soul, and though it is the subject first known, and most cherished, yet the measure of it, according to God's revelation of it, is little known.

Grace, according to popular teaching, is the undeserved favour of God, in saving everyone who believes in Christ.

The soul's need defines the measure of the grace. Surely, were the grace of God no more than this, it would be marvellously blessed. But it is much more. If the grace were no more than my need required, though it would be sufficient, blessed be God, to rescue me from everlasting misery, it would not, while it saved me from all the consequences of my sins, have ever placed me in nearness to God. Having sinned, I could not restore myself to the position of innocence that Adam held. I could be a forgiven sinner, forgiven up to the last moment of my life here, and thus happy in heaven. Escape from judgment, and an assurance of everlasting happiness, is for the most part the idea which the word grace conveys to many Christians. If grace did not secure to me justification and everlasting happiness, it would not meet my need. Surely God intimated in the garden of Eden, when He clothed Adam and Eve with coats of skins, that He would not only in grace clear them of their sins, but that He would