"One thing is needful.”

THIS is the language of the True and Faithful Witness, who cannot lie, cannot exaggerate, but who was the Truth itself. Jesus, who died to redeem man's soul, thus assures us that the salvation of the soul is the "one one thing needful." We must confess it is strong language. The Saviour throws into comparative insignificance all other claims or pursuits; He seems to say that whatever else man is, whatever else he does, is of little consequence; but to secure his salvation is absolutely essential—the one thing needful. A man may be rich, or poor; he may become learned, or remain uncultivated and ignorant; he may succeed in life, or meet with reverses; he may have health, or be afflicted with perpetual pain; he may be surrounded by friends, or stand in the world friendless and alone:-and it is of little consequence, for life is short, and will soon be over; but not so with the salvation of the soul. If a man secure not that, all his other circumstances are as nothing;

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"ONE THING IS NEEDFUL."

that is the one thing needful. The general of an army may be a clever draughtsman, or not; a politician, or not; he may write poetry, or not have the "gift divine;" he may shine in literature, or be in books a name unknown; but to fulfil his mission, to carry out his destiny, he must understand military tactics. So a lawyer may be a man of science, or not; he may be a good linguist, or not; he may have a turn for mechanical invention, or not; but as far as success in his profession is concerned, he must understand law. So the pilot of a vessel: he may be acquainted with all countries, and have sailed in all seas; but unless he know how to steer his barque safely amid the rocks and shoals of the particular waters he has undertaken to navigate, his knowledge of other subjects and other seas will be in vain. So with the salvation of the soul. God has sent us each one into the world to secure our salvation, and to obey his will in first securing our salvation. This is our mission.` This is the first great claim. Other things are to be made subordinate. This is the great end of being. "Life is before us as a trial-time of uncertain length, but short at

the longest, in which we may fit ourselves, if we will, for an eternal life beyond it. This is life to each of us, and this is our proper business; all the rest that we do, or can do, however splendid, however useful, is or should be done only subordinately." The design of the Bible is to teach us how best to effect this important object. The design of Jesus Christ's coming into the world was the same. He came to be our "way to the Father." He came to teach us how to secure that better life beyond the present. He came to arouse our careless minds to see the importance of the one thing needful, and to show us how we may make it ours. And, dear reader, he is now sounding in the inner chambers of your being the injunction, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added to you."

"That good part!"

So Jesus calls the salvation of the soulthat enduring and perfect bliss which is to be found in Him only, and which shall "never be taken away," So precious does this appear in the view of Jesus, that he calls it elsewhere the "pearl of great price," and entreats men to "seek it first."

But how different are the maxims of the world, and the common practices of men! The first question is, How may we get. wealth; how may we make business flourish? How may we rise in the world? How may we lay by for old age? "What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed ?" But the question, What must I do to be saved? or, Where shall I spend my long eternity? or, How can I escape eternal death? is treated as secondary, or of no moment whatever. Now I do not, dear reader, condemn diligence in worldly business; it.

"THAT GOOD PART!"

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is a duty in its time and place. But a greater than man has said, on purpose to check our too eager pursuit of worldly things, and to impress the higher importance of the soul's salvation, "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul; or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" "One thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away."

And there is a spirit in a man which says "Amen!" to all this. (Does not the thought come over you as you go about your daily business, that while it is your duty to discharge diligently the duties of your worldly calling, and to be faithful in all things, yet that you were created for a higher end than mere worldly employment? I am sure the thought must sometimes rush into your mind, as you are at your duties, working in the fields, or shop, or office, or household, "I was made for a higher end than this. I was not created merely to do this work. God brought me into this world for something nobler than to drive this plough, or wield this hammer, or cast up these accounts, or sew this garment, or enjoy these pleasures, or