SIN has a fatal spirit of delusion belonging to it. It Submission to the Son of God is the only security for Who can estimate the blessedness of the man, who, in shaken trust in Jehovah as his God. And, in a world like ours, where can the soul find any sure resting place -any position from which it never can be dislodged, save with the fatherly love of Jehovah, revealed to it by the divine Spirit, as a reconciled God and Saviour. Happy are the trials that quicken our tardy steps to a throne of grace, and that impart to our prayers a character of determined importunity! In nothing, perhaps, is watchfulness more necessary, than in guarding against an improper use of the tongue. How rich is a man when he knows how to ask, to seek, and to knock at the gate of divine mercy, as he ought, with his tongue, his desires, and his works! Let us ask with confidence and humility; let us seek, with care and application; let us knock with earnestness and perseverance. Grant me, Lord, a faith, which may make me thoroughly sensible of my needs, and humbly ask thy grace: a hope which may excite me to seek thy kingdom only, and the righteousness which leads thereto : and a charity which may urge me to knock incessantly and respectfully at the gate of thy mercy. Reader, whosoever thou art, act in behalf of thy soul as the blind men, mentioned in the 20th chapter of St. Matthew, did in behalf of their sight;-and thy salvation is sure. Apply to the Son of David, "Lord, have mercy on me." Lose not a moment; He is passing by, and thou art passing into eternity, and probably thou wilt never have a more favourable opportunity than the present. The Lord increase thy earnestness and faith! We must build upon the rock, for salvation, which is Jesus Christ, doing that good by charity or love, which we know by faith. True wisdom consists, in working on the building of our salvation, in making it firm by keeping close to the word, and the maxims of the Gospel, and in aiming to conform our lives thereto. And when, in order to this, we lean upon nothing but the grace of Christ, we then build upon a solid rock. In order to profit by the word of God, it is necessary, before we read or hear it, to beg of Him the seeing eye, and the hearing ear; namely, a heart which may understand and love the truth. 1838.] PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. 399 To worship God publicly is the duty of every man: and no man can be guiltless, who neglects it. It is in the heart, and by the religion thereof, that God is honoured. True piety consists of the union of the heart with God: this is what we must labour to accomplish. At the time of death, there is nothing in the world. which a man would not willingly give for salvation. During life and health, he does not so much as think of it. Whilst he is able, he will do nothing at all; and he would fain do all, when he is no longer able to do any thing. What strange delusion is this! Will mankind never recover from it, after so many fatal examples? Sent by G. BONNER. ON THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. THE Parables of our blessed Lord abound in instruction, and are adapted to the circumstances of every rank and condition of human life. That of the rich man and Lazarus is peculiarly interesting, and paints in glowing colours the opposite trials of riches and poverty, with their relative advantages and miseries. We are told that the rich man, clothed in the magnificence of Oriental (Eastern) pride, was feasting on luxuries; while the beggar, covered with rags and afflicted with disease, lay at his gate imploring relief, and asking the fragments of his table. Considering the sad state of want and misery to which he was reduced, we are not surprised" that the beggar died." But we hear that the rich man died also. Riches are no security against sickness and death. Even in this life, they cannot preserve their owners from the evils of human nature. Their use or abuse are matters of the most awful consideration, as regards the eternal happiness or misery of those on whom they have been bestowed. We read that the rich man was in torment: but he is not here pointed out as one, whose character was marked by the commission of great and terrible crimes, or that he denied relief to the beggar. For what, then, was he condemned to the dreadful state of eternal torment? Was it for being a rich man? Certainly not. We read of Abraham's riches; and we are told, in the same parable, that he was in a state of blessedness: we have therefore reason to believe that the condemnation of the rich man was owing to his indulgence in luxury, in loving the good things of this world too well, and in allowing them to draw his thoughts from the love and service of God. It is equally sure that those who are not rich men, may fall into the same condemnation if they indulge in excess of any kind, or if they allow worldly cares to engross the whole of their thoughts and attention. As it was the abuse and not the possession of the good things of this life that condemned the rich man to torment, so it was not the "evil things," that Lazarus suffered, that carried him into a state of blessedness. It was faith in the promises of God, who hath declared in His Word " that through much tribulation we shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;"-and the fruit of this was a patient endurance of the trials to which it had pleased God to subject him. We have seen that both riches and poverty are trials to which God subjects His creatures: we see that the former have no power to prevent the attacks of sickness and adversity, nor to ward off the stroke of death: and the Bible assures us that neither of them will ensure eternal happiness, or entail condemnation on their possessors. Repentance and faith are needful for all, and" without holiness no man shall see the Lord." The parable next points out the rich man as applying to the beggar who had lain at his gate, for relief: "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame." But Abraham said, "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus likewise evil things, but now he is comforted and thou art tormented." This conveys much instruction and comfort to all those who submit with pious resignation to the trials and adversities which God has laid on them. They will do well to reflect how small a proportion the longest term of human life bears 1838.1 PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN. 401 to eternity, and that our "light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" The remaining petition of the rich man shows the danger of riches, or any other worldly pursuit which draws the mind and affections from the remembrance of the "one one thing needful." It appears that he anxiously wished his brethren to "consider their ways," and to avoid the condemnation into which he had fallen; and he, doubtless, remembered that had he been less occupied with the cares and pleasures of the world, he might have saved his own soul, and instructed his brethren in the way of life. The reply made to him proves the necessity of searching the Scriptures, those holy writings given by inspiration of God for our learning, and teaches us that they are all sufficient for our instruction; and that those who will not be persuaded by them would not be persuaded by any miracle. "If they hear not Moses and the prophets neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Let us then turn to the Bible for instruction in our duty in every station, and for support under all our trials whether of riches or poverty. Let us read constantly and with a humble heart:-and may the blessing of God, and the influence of His grace incline us to read, mark, and inwardly digest" the bread of eternal life. The close of Sarum. 66 E. MORNING PRAYER FOR CHILDREN. O MY good and heavenly Father, be merciful to thy child this morning: I am not worthy to lift up my eyes to thee: I am sinful and thou art holy: but my trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer, who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me :" blessed be His name: for His sake forgive all my sin, and take me now into thy favour and care, O Lord. Without thee I am a poor lost creature: I have nothing, and can do nothing; but thou hast promised mercy to them that seek thee, and hast bestowed upon me many |