the efforts of his commissioned servants with triumphant success. The world being his, by possession and by right of disposal, he can lay his hand on any portion of its resources, and appropriate as much as his servants need in prosecuting their work. He may not do it at the time, and in the precise mode, that short sighted mortals might think desirable. But do it he will, in his own time, and manner. And with this assurance, what though he sometimes withhold when his servants are pressed? This may be to try the strength of their faith, and test the permanence of their fidelity; not the better to inform himself. He needs no information secured by such means. It is to give them a more perfect knowledge of their own characters; and thus increase their virtues, for more rigorous toil, and more extensive usefulness. Should he always anticipate their wishes or even supply their wants, as soon as felt, he would enervate their fortitude. He would enfeeble their faith, by plac

ing the objects too near their sight; and incapacitate them, for looking upon the things which are invisible.

Let infidelity mutter her curses at the imbecile Nazarine; let impiety sneer at the efforts of his followers; let cold hearted formalism suffer the truth to evaporate, by turning it into a figure of speech; the Gospel christian who aims to follow his Lord, will do no such thing. He grounds his confidence in the divine promise. He proceeds in his benevolent enterprise, with a firm step; he acts with an unwavering faith, because supported by the Rock of Ages. When he gives into the treasury of the Lord, he does not feel that he is throwing it into a bottomless vault, but into a safety fund, whose Proprietor offers all power in heaven and on earth for security; and who holds, within himself, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge to ensure a profitable investment. He who fairly plants himself upon this foundation, feels as much security, in giving

his substance to spread the Gospel, as he does in giving his heart to the Lord. And it may be added, when he has really done the latter, the former will follow as an inseparable consequence. He feels sure that his course is sustained by an authority which is adequate to fulfil its promises. Human enactments may reduce the value of his possessions; the cunning of men may prove treacherous to his confidence; but, with the Lord, as the keeper of his wealth, he is safe; because with him there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. His laws are not subject to repeal. His promises never fail. Hence the Gospel christian does not withhold his charities until ensnared by some pious fraud (falsely so called) plying his imagination, and appealing to his selfish principles. His heart is open; and this opens his hands, before he is decoyed into decision by flattery, or driven into it by fear of temporal loss. He knows there is suffering to be relieved and happiness to be pro

moted; and in going to this work, he acts by faith in the divine precept and example. Such charity does not require the supports of selfish considerations. It can stand alone, because it has firm ground to stand upon. It can walk alone in the rugged path of duty, because invigorated from the infinite fountain of strength.

4

CHAPTER V.

THE LAST COMMAND;-PERSONAL SACRIFICE
IMPLIED IN.

THE idea of value is intimately connected with that of cost. This relation is so early established in the mind, that we seem, as led by a law of instinct, to consider that as nothing worth, which costs nothing. It is doubtless, on this principle of estimation, that so many pass through life, even to its close, without an experimental knowledge of the Gospel. If the gift could be bought with money, as Simon Magus would obtain the Holy Spirit, many would be the purchasers. But, as it is gratuitous on the part of the donor, it is lightly esteemed by the multitude. Freely offered, the wise ones of the world are disposed to regard it as a foolish thing.