of sin. We are not hastily to estimate a man's character by his sufferings. "The eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and slew them were not sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem, because they suffered such things." Whether all sufferings be more or less remotely connected with sin, is another question. Some decide this in the affirmative. We are not prepared to do so. May not an innocent being be subject to suffering? He cannot suffer the stings of conscience and the frowns of God, it is certain But may not an innocent being suffer from anxiety about others, and from other causes which are perfectly innocent? Angels rejoice over the repentent sinner. May they not sorrow over the impenitent? Do they feel no grief when God is dishonoured? All this is a very different thing from the agony of remorse resulting from sin. It is not inimical to true happiness; that strange experience may even promote and purify their bliss. We look not for a heaven that would deprive us of the power of feeling even painful sympathy. Sympathy, like mercy, is twice blessed. It blesses him that feels it, as well as him for whom it is felt. "There is a magic in each tear such kindly spirits weep for man." They open fountains of bliss in him who sheds them, as well as in the object over whom they are wept. To suffer in some sort may, perhaps, be a law everywhere, in order to enter into glory.

Treat

Secondly: This shows how such objects as the one mentioned in the text, the blind and the idiot should be treated. them with sympathy, kindness, and respect, as public benefactors. They are sacrifices-unwilling, unconscious sacrifices, it is true,-for your good. It is for you, rather than for themselves, that they are thus. They bear the cross for you; and if God has made them sacrifices, He will amply compensate for it. We know not what He has in store for them. When He Himself places a cross, you may confidently anticipate a crown.

Thirdly: You see the end for which they suffer thus;—that the works of God may be made manifest. Whenever you

meet a blind man or an idiot, let this enter your mind; and think with gratitude of Him by whom you are so fearfully and wonderfully made. Let this fact enter your mind at every sick bed you visit-health is God's gift. Mothers, think of this whenever you see any child borne to the tomb-it is that the works of God, His goodness to you, may clearly manifested.

be more

Stockport.

A. CLARK.

SUBJECT:-Temperamental Discipleship.

"And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests," &c.-Luke ix. 57-62.

Analysis of Homily the Hundred and Fifty-sixth.

JESUS Christ is entitled to be called " a good teacher." He aroused the attention of the most indifferent, and enlightened the understanding of the most illiterate. His words expressed His ideas. They were not shades and clouds, but rays of pure light. All His intercourse with man evidently shewed that "he knew what was in man." He knew the character of every individual of the multitudes that followed Him through His tours in Galilee and Samaria. Though He followed them not from infancy to manhood, one glimpse conveyed to Him a more accurate knowledge of them, than long years of familiar acquaintance would to the keenest of men. We have a striking instance of this in our text. On His return from His last tour in Galilee, through Samaria, "there went great multitudes with him," and among them were the three disciples mentioned in our text. They illustrate three different temperaments :

I. THE HASTY AND ENTHUSIASTIC DISCIPLE.

First: He formed his determination more under the in

fluence of excited feelings, than of an enlightened understanding. The wonderful words of Christ, His mighty deeds, the praises of the multitude, and probably his personal experience of relief from some affliction through Him, electrified and excited his feelings to the uttermost. He pushed forward, and stood face to face with Christ, and said, "Lord, I will follow thee, whithersoever thou goest."

Here is a striking specimen of hundreds in our own day. It is something in the voice that charms the ear, something in the outward man that electrifies the feelings; not the truth that enlightens the understanding, not the love that fascinates the affections, and not the deeds that compel adoration.

Secondly: He depended too much upon his own strength. "I will follow thee," &c. Thou hast many followers now, some I have no doubt will forsake thee; but whoever will return home to their former occupation and religion, "I will follow thee." The same disposition may be seen in Peter, when he said to Christ, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet, will I never be offended." Many have we seen of the same class, undertaking offices for which they had neither competent talent, nor sufficient grace.

Thirdly: He was presumptuous as to future difficulties. Ah! little did he think of the lonely paths which Christ had soon to tread, and the severe sufferings His followers had to undergo. But in his presumption, he was ready to go step by step with Christ. "I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest."

Alas! he is not the last that came to follow Christ without counting the cost. Boastful indeed they were at their first setting out; that they would be as brave as the lion, and firm as the oak, to withstand all opposition; and that the cold of winter, and heat of summer, would be alike to them. But they soon shewed, on approach of the storm, that it was all empty boasting. Christ compares those that have not fully contemplated the sacrifices and self-denial

which his service require, to a man that sets about building a tower, without calculating the expense, and is laughed at when his inability to finish it is manifested. Or to a king, who rashly goes to war with another of superior power. Luke xiv. 28-33.

Fourthly: He was for following Christ from an unworthy motive. This is clearly indicated in Christ's answer to him. He thought, after seeing Christ doing such great wonders, and seeing Him so popular in so short a time, that this was the safest and best way to honor and wealth. How utterly unworthy was his motive! This has been the characteristic of the enthusiastic disciple in every age. Be not disappointed. "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."

II. THE COOL AND DILATORY DISCIPLE. "And He said unto another," &c. Christ kindly asked him to follow Him. "Follow me." But he is not over hasty, like the other; he wants to have more time to consider about it. "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." As if he had said, "Allow me to live with my father till he die: he has been a kind parent to me, in all probability he has not long to live, and I should not like to disturb his peace in his latter days by breaking up his household. After he is dead, I shall be obliged to go somewhere else to live, and I think I should prefer following Thee to any other mode of living. But however, I shall reflect farther upon the subject, and make up my mind when that has happened." Oh! how cool and in

different!

Alas! it represents many of the present day. They do not despise religion as heresy, nor scoff at it as an imposition, nor yet reject it as a thing of no importance; but they have a thousand other things to divert their attention from it at the present-things far more trifling than showing respect to an aged father. Even showing kindness to parents in affliction, and respect for them when dead, are subordinate to the great purpose of following Christ. Hear the answer

Christ gave His cool disciple. "Let the dead bury their dead; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." The language is strong, penetrating, arousing, and fitted to bring him to decide rapidly. "Let those that are dead as to the higher interests of the gospel, attend to the lifeless clay." The interests of the gospel and the soul are of far more importance than any earthly considerations.

III. THE IRRESOLUTE AND PENSIVE DISCIPLE. "And another," &c. He is not over hasty like the first, nor long delaying like the second. He determines to follow Him, but his mind is very pensive, and he answers Him with a downcast look. "Lord I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house." He wished for one last look at his home, and to have an opportunity of bidding adieu to his kind relations, and to obtain their approval.

We need not go from our own congregations to find many of the same class. Some are afraid of hurting the feelings, and incurring the displeasure, of their relations and friends, by embracing religion. Others are afraid of the service and obligations of religion; and others are afraid of the sacri fices and self-denial which religion requires. Such a spirit, is utterly unworthy of the followers of Christ. We must work out our determination through a host of fears. "And Jesus said unto him, no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

H. E. THOMAS.

SUBJECT:-The Unbearable Wound.

"A wounded spirit who can bear?"-Prov. xviii. 14.

Analysis of Homily the Hundred and Fifty-seventh.

THERE are two great classes of evils in the world-natural and moral. These, in all beings, provinces, and worlds, bear the relation of cause and effect. Natural evil arises