rect and overcome our own. Jesus had allusion to this very failing when he said; "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye, and behold a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

It is not improper to mark the faults of others, so that we profit by them. But then we are not to stay away from home continually in search of other men's follies. We are not to employ all our time in taking the noxious weeds from their gardens, while our own, like that of the slothful mentioned by Solomon, is all grown over with thorns and nettles, and the wall thereof is broken down. Let us then bring home the examination to our own hearts.

AM I A PRACTICAL BELIEVER IN THE GOSPEL? This is the question for every reader to settle with his own conscience; and, throughout these pages, we wish this question to be kept constantly before him. In order to arrive at satisfactory conclusions on this subject, certain inquiries should be proposed, and answered in that fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom, and with that reverence for his holy word, which every humble believer in Christ will feel. We desire not only to have the name and profession of Christians, but the Christian's heart and life, - living, practical, invigorating faith. Why shall not we, who live under the present light of gospel truth, speak with as much confidence as did good men of old? Paul could say, "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that

which I have committed unto him." Other apostolic testimony informs us of the practice of self-knowledge and examination of Christian hearts, in former days. "And we desire, that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. Beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God. He that believeth on the Son hath the witness in himself. — The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the sons of God." As we behold our faces in a mirror, so should we behold the image of Christ, when we look into our own hearts. In this way we shall understand the witness of the Spirit, and shall know that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us then propose certain questions, which will lead us into the work of self-examination. We are seeking practical faith, -the operative faith of the Gospel and in order that we fail not in our search, let the inquiry be made,

1. How do I view God as a Father? I have professed to the world, that I believe in him as that Being who "hath made of one blood all nations of men, that dwell on all the face of the earth;" who "is good unto all, and whose tender mercies are over all his works; whose truth and kindness endure forever; who "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." I find such representations in the Scriptures, and I believe them. But do I feel them as

I ought? or is my belief a mere assent of the understanding? Do I realize, that God is indeed and in truth my Father? Do I think of him as a parent? Whenever I look around on his ample creation, do I read him in all things, so that my heart, inspired with the truth, can say,

"My Father made them all "?

Do I remember his goodness in giving me existence, in providing for me in helpless infancy, and in extending his mercy continually over me? Am I thankful for my existence, believing it was given me for a blessing and not a curse? And do I prove that I am thus thankful, by abstaining from every practice that will injure my physical or moral constitution? Do I behold in all the good and ills of life; in all sore trials, and adversities, and afflictions, the hand of a wise and good parent; and can I say in all things, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good; clouds and darkness are round about thee; justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne"? Am I influenced by that fear of the Lord, which is to hate evil? Do I fear to break his commandments because I realize his goodness and compassion? Am I really ashamed to sin, as I should be in view of the divine beneficence? Do I strive to keep my heart clean, so that I may enjoy God in his works, in his word, and in all his dealings with me, knowing that the pure in heart see God? Do I remember him when sunshine and prosperity are around me, or do I then forget that he is my father, and that from him cometh down every good and perfect gift? Do I derive comfort in my sorrows and affliction by flying to him as my refuge, my rock, my protection? Have I the true spirit of adoption,

which leads me in spirit to say, "Abba, Father"? Can I, in the fulness of my soul, in spirit and in truth, exclaim, "Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none on earth that I desire beside thee: My heart and my flesh fail; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever"?

2. Do I believe in the moral government of God? He has told me in his word, that his eye is "in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Do I realize this? I am told, that "he will by no means clear the guilty;" that "the soul that sinneth it shall die;" that "though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished;" that "the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner." I frequently bring forward these expressions of Scripture to show that punishment follows directly after sin, and cannot be evaded. But do I really understand and feel the force of them? Do they come upon me in secret places, when evil intentions are in my heart; and do they drive these intentions away?

Furthermore. Do I believe the truth of God in relation to his dealings with those, who "deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly"? The Scriptures inform me, that "in every nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him;" that the man whose delight is the law of the Lord, shall be like "a tree planted by the rivers of water, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper;" that true wisdom's "ways are pleasantness, and all her paths peace." Do I conduct as though I believed this? Am I determined to seek the direction of that wisdom which is from above, which is "first pure, then peaceable, gen

tle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy"? Do I believe, that in keeping the commandments there is great reward? And am I led to seek this reward, not from the mere love of the reward itself, but from a supreme love of righteousness and truth? Do I desire that happiness which is to be found only in well-doing? And is it my prayer, my aim, my strife, that I resist temptation, and live "a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty "?

And do I truly believe, that God will do as he has said; that to the wicked and perverse he will measure out just punishment, while all those who serve him he will bless with the true light of the sun of righteousness? That he has said it, and will do it; for "he is not man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent"? Are these things believed and realized by me?

3. Do I believe in Jesus Christ? Do I believe in him as the greatest moral teacher the world has ever seen? Do I believe, that he is the Son of God? that he was commissioned by the Father of all to come into this world and declare the truth to mankind? Do I believe, that he was divinely inspired as no other man ever was? that he was the "brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person"? That "in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;" that is, all that fulness necessary to the accomplishment of a world's salvation? Do I believe in him as the Saviour of the world, who will " see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied"? who will "finish sin, make an end of transgression, and bring in everlasting righteousness"? Do I believe, that "all power is given him in heaven and on earth"? that