A HIDDEN TREASURE.

"Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it. . . . There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not But where shall wisdom be found? and

seen.

be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. . . . The gold and the crystal can not equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. . . . Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."-Job 28:1-28.

But how shall the secret be made known? "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.”—Ps. 25:14. There are mountains that contain rich mines of gold and other precious ore, for which people toil until the vein is exhausted, and ofttimes the yield is so small that no benefit is derived. But the holy mountain of the Lord contains untold wealth, and there is no end to the riches hidden away in the secret of his presence. Every sinner can have access to this mine of heavenly wealth; and thus they become "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ," if they will to do so. Yea, they can become "kings and priests."-Rev. 1:6. While salvation is a hidden treasure, yet, there is a way of knowing just how to find it, and how its riches may be enjoyed.

HOW TO FIND IT.

Although salvation may seem to be a hidden treasure to those who have not found it, nevertheless we have found that no one will fail to find it if diligent search is made according to the instructions given in the Word of God.

It is like searching for the precious metals that are hidden away in the earth; in order to make a success in obtaining them, there must first be some knowledge of the location and wherabouts of the metal, then a calcu lation made as to the cost, or expense of mining, and a full acquaintance with the best methods by which to proceed, then begin the work with a full determination to make a success. Ofttimes there are many things to get ready by way of preparation before the real digging process begins. It is just so with the work of salvation; it is necessary first to find out its direct source, learn from its Author just how to proceed, and what it will cost, then carefully consider the matter as to whether or not you are willing and determined to meet the conditions offered, upon which it can be had, and there will be no failure.

It is God who owns the mine of salvation, and he has sent out an invitation to every one to come and search out the riches. "Whosoever will" may come, and "they that seek shall find." He will help each one to find the treasure. He has given a book of instructions called the New Testament which tells all about how to find

this great treasure, and to those who have not the book or can not read it, and will follow him, he will lead to the place where it is to be found and tell them just what to do. If there are any failures made, it is because the directions given in the Book were not followed.

This wealth can not be had without digging, or searching for it. The rich can not purchase it with money, and the poor are not excluded because they have none. The weak are able to obtain it as well as those who are strong; then "come, buy without money and without price."

THE TWO ROADS.

There are two ways along the journey of life, each leading directly to eternity, but the ends thereof are widely different. "For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."-Matt. 7:13, 14.

Both these ways are easily found, but only one can be traveled at a time, as they lead in opposite directions. The one leads to the regions of the lost-into "everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41)-and those who end their pilgrimage here on earth on this road will reap the reward of

the wicked throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity in the torments of hell. This scene can not be overdrawn. No pen can picture the awfulness of that place; no tongue can express the bitter remorse felt, nor describe the horrors and untold agonies of lost souls who have gone their own ways to the pit of destruction.

The other way leads to a blessed place of inheritance prepared for the righteous (Matt. 25:34): where they shall forever dwell in the realms of peace and glory in the presence of God, to swell the chorus of the redeemed with the angels, where parting will be no

more.

The human heart, before touched by the tender chords of divine love, has a natural inclination towards the things and way that lead from the paths of peace and way of truth. Yet there is also planted within every bosom something which at some time during life, if not always, makes one conscious of the existence of a divine being who has power to deliver from the iniquities of a sinful life.

Even the savage in his wild, ignorant, and uncul tured state, roaming the forests and sweeping over plains, hunting and scouting, acknowledges a higher power, whom he worships according to his understanding.

While it seems natural for people to wander into the ways of sin as soon as they reach the age of accountability, it is also natural among all nations of the earth

to have some form of worship. In heathen lands, where they never have heard of Christ the Lord, they have chosen gods of their own; while some worship the sun, moon, or stars, others make gods out of wood, stone, or metal, or select something else fully as powerless, to which they bow in humble submission, or do penance, and imagine these things possess supernatural power. Many heathen worshipers are led to perform some frightful deeds, and some sad scenes are witnessed among them, even to the sacrificing of human life to appease the wrath of their false, lifeless god. Many sad, but true, stories could be related of their superstitious performances, which only show to us the great need of helping in some manner to point them to a better way.

But we are dealing more directly now with those who have had at least some knowledge of the God of heaven and his Son Jesus Christ, who came into the world as a Savior from sin, to redeem such as were willing to forsake their evil ways. There are millions who have heard of Christ; who believe in Christ, that he has power to forgive sins, yet they are without a knowledge of a real heart experience, only having a head belief, or an inclination of the mind toward the living God; and, to be plain about the matter, they are on the broad way to destruction, going on in the ways of sin. Many of that number are professing to be saved, but are not awakened to their real condition. There are some who try to identify God with nature, and