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and finds he has gone far out of his way. 'The way man is not in himself, &c." This consideration had much weight with Old Testament saints. Their choices were constantly influenced by a regard to the spiritual part of the promise. They went here or there, made or refused this alliance according as they believed it brought them nearer within the reach of the Divine promises. We see in Abraham especially, a practical recognition of his pilgrim state-an acknowledgment that he was but a stranger, having God's hand and eye to direct him. And for safety, peace and happiness this will be found to be our safest course too.

3. The duty of exercising in all things a holy moderation and sobriety.

The patriarchs might have lived in tents in Chaldea or in palaces in Canaan, but they would do neither, for the tents were designed by God to be a standing memorial, and protest against a worldly spirit, even as Canaan itself was to be an emblem of the spiritual and eternal state. They kept their tents because they would testify to the simplicity of patriarchal character, and witness against the pride, covetousness and ostentation too often. found to accompany a season of prosperity. Thus we are to "let our moderation be known unto all men," live within such bounds as shall be consistent with a character of Christian simplicity and a protest against the worldliness of the times. We must be sober," sober in our joys, griefs, gains, and in all the pursuits of life. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are but pilgrims and strangers, dwelling as under a perishable gourd, which may wither in a night and leave the head which had foolishly rejoiced in its shadow uncovered before the wrath of God.

4. Having no continuing city here, we should seek one to come. The patriarchs had no home in Canaan,

yet they loved it, because an emblem of the heavenly city. It was not because of the fertility of its valleys or the beauty of its hills, but because it was typical of the rest of the covenant, where God had promised to honor, meet and bless his people, and associated with all their most lofty anticipations of the life of the world to come.

In like manner, while we are in the world we are not to be of it. Hallowed as this world is, as the sphere of our probation, the battle-field of victorious saints and the temporary home of God's Son, it is yet to be regarded as our passage to another and a better country. "Arise and depart, this is not your rest," for it is marked by vicissitude, disappointment, uncertainty, polluted by wickedness, injustice, impiety, because your heart troubles you, makes this world a scene of constant disquietude, and draws away from better thoughts and hopes. Seek a better country. Let the spirit aspire after a brighter, better home. These patriarchs were persuaded there was such a home. They looked for it, rejoiced in it, lived in anticipation of it, and even had, while here, a blessed foretaste of the country they were seeking.

They looked for a city-its builder was Christ. They looked for a country-its Lord was Christ. They looked for a cleansing from all their pilgrim stains and they found it in Christ. They looked for rest from all their pilgrim toils and they found it in Christ-the tired pilgrim's home, the saint's everlasting rest.

Let me grow by sun and shower,

Every moment water me;

Make me really hour by hour

More and more conformed to Thee,

That Thy loving eye may trace,

Day by day, my growth in grace.

-F. R. Havergal.

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES.

OLD AGE.

FAITHFULNESS CROWNED.

ROSWELL D. HITCHCOCK, D.D.

Be thou faithful unto death and 1 will give thee a crown of life. -REV. ii: 10.

THE age of martyrdom has gone, but this call has a voice for all ages and comes to us man by man.

thou, etc."

I. The duty enjoined.

"Be

All men have not faith. Some have little, but no one enough. Many things tempt our fidelity-comfort, aggrandizement, pleasure, position, property. The eye of faith sees a higher world. Nothing should be so much dreaded as wrong.

Faith recognizes the ministry of sorrow. The great Psalm of life has deeper tones than those of joy. Our path grows more solitary as we advance. In the ranks are fewer and the line grows slenderer. Violent diseases lie in ambush at every turn and disappointments meet us at every step. In all we must be faithful. Faith recognizes the solemnity and sturdiness of DUTY. That is a great, a granite word. Life is charged with great

dutics. To be diligent in saving own's own self, and in saving others is the great work of life.

Faith looks without alarm and continuously toward death which terminates all. It is coming to all, we know not how, we know not when. It will come surely. The call is, be faithful to death. The duty is to be discharged not by fits and starts, but continuously until the call is heard. Steadiness is indispensable to success.

II. The reward.

The figure is taken from the laurel crown given at the Grecian games. Paul prefered death to life, though he was willing to remain. Even the Pagan said that the day of death was the birthday into eternal life. The Thracians gave tears to the birth couch, but triumph to the grave. Cicero spake of the glorious day when he should depart and join the multitude beyond. Christ brought to light these truths, conquered death, and said, "This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise."

THE HEAVENLY HOPE.

REV. JAMES PARSONS.

The hope which is laid up for you in heaven.-COL. i: 5.

A PRIME question is, whither is my being tending,

and what shall be its close?

I. There is given to man the prospect of future good. The apostle speaks about a hope-the expectation of future good-of universal operation among inen both as regards this life and the life to come. God has opened a beautiful vista before us, corresponding to our views and wishes-mansions, a kingdom, an inheritance, &c.abodes of purity, knowledge, triumph, companionship, life and immortality! We can hope for all this!

II. Certain requisites are necessary for participating in that prospects. Hope is founded on faith, and we must believe before we can hope for the enjoyment of heaven.

1. Faith in the declaration of God by which the nature of these prospects is disclosed. Whatever God has revealed must be believed, received and cherished.

2. Faith in the method of mercy revealed by God as the only way by which a participation in these prospects can be enjoyed. The apostle speaks of "your faith in Christ," ver. 3. This is the way in which the prospects of futurity can be brought home to our comfort. that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life."

"He

III. The prospect of future good, when trusted in, rests on the most firm and inviolable security. It is "laid up," same word in 27 ver. rendered "appointed." It rests,

1. On the authority of the word of God. It is "the hope of eternal life" which God who cannot lie has promised. Heb. vi: 18.

2. The word of God is ratified by the work of the Redeemer. "All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus." His death as a sacrifice, his resurrection as a testimony, and his present residence where he is preparing for us, each ratifies God's word.

IV. These prospects must produce powerful influence on the heart,

1. The hope excites to holiness of life-"Everyone that has this hope, &c."

2. Produces calmness and peace, amid the trials of life. "I reckon, &c."

3. Gives confidence in the approaches of decay and dissolution. Martyrs have rejoiced in the flames-this light lightens the gloom. It is a good, a lovely, a sweet -a hope that maketh not ashamed. Is it my property?