have set before us in life? It is a solemn, an important question; the truth of the answer is of tremendous importance. Are we indeed living for this world or the next? Are we indeed "pressing towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ?” * In giving this answer, remember that "the heart is deceitful above all things," and that it is quite possible you may give an affirmative answer in all sincerity, and yet deceive that person towards whom deceit is most dangerous and most easy-yourself. Be not content, then, with the answer your own heart gives, but seek for one more certain in the involuntary emotions of that heart during the day's discipline. Keep the question vividly before you, when the pressure of the daily cross is felt; your conscience will give the answer. Are we pressing towards the mark for

* Philippians, iv. 3.

the prize of our high calling? This is the question: let us consider it more particularly. St. Paul's allusion to prizes to be gained, races to be run, crowns to be obtained, are singularly impressive when viewed in connexion with the long training and diligent preparation required for "gaining the mastery" in those ancient games to which he makes allusion.

The

victor's wreath was no reward of temporary effort, however strenuous; of temporary conflict, however violent. A persevering course of exertion and watchfulness, of self-control and self-denial was the necessary preliminary to final success. In hours of business, in hours of labour, at the social board or the domestic hearth, the object of the candidate for "a corruptible crown" was ever kept in view. Worldly or social pleasures, intellectual or active exertions might not always interfere with the training of the candidate.

There were many things that he might do besides preparing for the race he was about to run, but this race was the grand object ever kept in view; all others, as soon as they were found to interfere with that, were instantly sacrificed. Under these circumstances, the test of every employment, of every pleasure by the candidate for "a corruptible crown," was simply this, how would it affect him in the coming conflict? He could not lose a sense of the utility of some occupations, of the enjoyment conferred by others, but these were all secondary considerations. The one next his heart, the one always acted upon, was, whether or not it would assist or hinder him in "pressing towards the mark."

At the present time I call your attention to this illustration less as an example for action, than as an interpretation to the answer you ought to give to the question

"am I pressing towards the mark for the prize of my high calling?" Before an hour is past you may be made to feel the pressure of the daily cross by apprehending, with greater keenness than usual, that you are more deficient than others in the advantages of position or of fortune, in natural or acquired powers of intellect, in graces of person or of manner; you may experience, with more than ordinary acuteness, the inconveniences of a weak constitution of want of spirit, of want of energy. It is not intended to assert that all these, under various circumstances, are not really trials, often severe ones; that they should give pain is inevitable. Stoicism is not Christianity, but rather more unlike it than other forms of intellectual heathenism. The depressing and wearying effect of these trials upon the spirits and temper will, however, be escaped by viewing them as

I

the candidate for "a corruptible crown viewed all circumstances of his daily life,that is to say, with reference to their tendency to forward his obtaining that crown. You, the candidate for "an incorruptible crown," shall your preparations for that unfading glory be less anxious, less vigilant? Shall you consider only in a secondary light the tendency of your circumstances to promote your everlasting welfare? Shall you look upon it as comparatively unimportant whether, by the discipline of life, spirituality is increased, love to the world deadened, anticipations of heavenly blessedness rendered more vivid; while the first instinctive inquiry of your heart respecting every occurrence is, will it gratify earthly desires, will it add to my temporal happiness, will it bring me glory before men, will it remove the necessity of depending upon "our Father

* 1 Cor. ix. 25.