Lord," etc. Here we have―(1) His relationship to us. (2) His greatness, Jehovah. But IV. He who declares these things Himself brings them to pass. None but God can help such. In conclusion-Are you in any trouble or affliction? Seek God. Are you happy, delivered, free? It is through the power of God; give Him the glory.

Or-In troubles and afflictions let us remember: I. They will not continue always. II. We have access to One who has power to remove them. III. He in whose hands they are, loves us with deep and undying love. IV. There are many gracious promises given to us.

Or-Consider: I. Our sad state and helpless condition. Spiritually we are all such as the text describes. II. The almighty power, deep interest, and gracious promises of God.

Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.Acts xii. 5.

I. PETER'S position (a) imminently dangerous, (b) humanly speaking, utterly hopeless. II. The causes which brought about this position. (a) The hatred and (b) the desire of praise in a bad man, III. The church's re"therefore." source. It was not without resource. The church's legitimate arms were used to the uttermost. They fled to prayer. This prayer was (a) earnest. The same word is here used as of Christ's prayer in Gethsemane. (b) Continuous; persevering, so some.

Or-I. Dangers beset and hindrances impede the greatest and best; II. These dangers may arise from various sources, be of different kinds and degrees. III. There is one resource open to us in all. IV. Great dangers are the occasions for the manifestation of great power. V. God has a purpose to fulfil in all our trials.

Or-I. Prayer is ever available. II. It is all powerful. III. It may be made for our friends as well as ourselves. IV. The greater the danger the greater the need of prayer. V. If at first you do not receive an answer, still continue praying. It may tarry, but it will come. VI. When you pray, look for an answer. Do not dishonour God by being surprised when the

answer comes.

Or-See (1) the weakness and (2) the strength of the Christian. Weak in himself, omnipotent in God,

See on this subjectFARINGDON, A. Peter's passion and the church's compassion. Ser. 4, 41. ROMAINE, W. The duty of praying for others. Works 6, 187.

SIMEON, C. Peter's deliverance. Works 14, 402.

WORSHIP AND SERVICE.

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. -Mat. xv. 8.

I. The service God requires. II. The service many render.

Or-Let us render unto God our hearts and our hearts' best service, for: I. It is only such He will accept II. He never fails to distinguish between that and all other kinds of service, though men may. III. That is the only service which will enable us to overcome sin, bring peace to our hearts, make us useful in life and restful in death. IV. It is the only service which will be recognized at, the judgment seat, and be rewarded in eternity. In conclusion, God is worthy of this service. You cannot render it of yourselves. Seek the help of the Divine Spirit. Luke xi. 11-13.

Or-Consider: I. The poor returns many make to God for the great benefits they receive from God, "This people." II. God values not the form, but the motive of our worship and service. III. He is never deceived, but ever distinguishes between the sincere and the formal worshipper.

See also

MASSILLON, J. B. Du véritable culte. Carême 2, 352. ZOLLIKOFFER, G. J.

Contrariety between our sentiments and conduct, etc. Errors and Vices 1, 401; and also 1, 423.

GERMAN PREACHERS:

THE HELP OF THE LORD.
Matt. ix, 18-26.

THE peculiarity of to-day's gospel is that it presents Jesus not only as the Helper and Sa. viour at the death of a human life, but presents Him in the need of sickness. The extremities of sickness and death are the greatest for man, because in them he is weakest.

I. The condition of this help is faith, so the Lord here declares (v. 22; see also Luke viii. 50, Mark ix, 23, Matt. xv. 28, etc.); unbelief hinders His work; xiii. 58 and xvii. 20. The constituents of this faith-(a) that we are conscious of the utter weakness of all human power and skill, not in despair and murmuring, but in humility ("fell down to worship," v. 18; came behind him," v, 20); (b) that we must have an unlimited confidence in the Lord's power; that we confide in Him, that He can help even in such cases in which hitherto no man could help (v. 18), and that with the smallest means He can accomplish the most unlikely thing (v. 21).. Why is the help of the Lord possible only under this condition? Only a trusting soul is emptied of proud reliance on human power, and only into empty vessels can the Lord pour the fulness of

His healing power. The Lord can work only for good in the case of a reasonable and free human soul, where He finds susceptibility, or, at least, no resistance! Unbelief is not only unsusceptibility, but also resistance against Divine influences. Here the Lord can work only in judgment or righteous punishment.

II. The mode of such help. (a) The Lord helps freely (v. 19); apply to Him, therefore, nothing doubting! (b) But with wisdom, which, of course, to us here on earth frequently remains unsearchable. Jairus, who had come sooner and was following the Lord, received his daughter later than the woman received health, who had come later to Him and had touched only the hem of His garment. So it is frequently nowadays. In all cures He thinks most of the cure of the soul. Jairus, e. g., had to be cured firs of a certain hurry and impatience. (c) Also, indeed, with almighty power. Health flows out from Him in all directions, whenever He is touched with a believing heart (v. 19); He cures the soul of the individual mingling with the people in a community, congregation, family; yea, also, when He wills, the diseased body. Furthermore, there is not the difference for Him, as there is for us, between sickness and death. Both are consequences of sin, and He has appeared, to remove all consequences of sin. It is one and the same power in Him which heals the sick and awakens the dead (comp. John v. 5). He approaches death (1) with His Word, which comforts and shows the true nature of death (v. 24), which of course is ridiculed by the world; (2) with an act (v. 25), which assures us that he has despoiled Death of his might, and that He will in the last day raise the dead.

Rev. GEHLER, Deacon in Wittenberg.

THE PRAYING CHRISTIAN.

Col. i. 9-14.

1. For what does he pray? (a) That he may believe the truth; (b) live a Christian life; (c) suffer patiently.

II. For what is he thankful? (a) For all things; (b) especially for the unspeakable beneRev. WM. ZIETHE, fits of redemption. Preacher in Berlin.

WHAT WE SHOULD IMPLORE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR CONGREGATIONS.

Col. i. 9-14.

In looking at our congregations we see many things to lament, but we have, notwithstanding, cause for thanks and joy, and, like Paul, we will be constrained to mutual admonition and intercession.

Our text teaches us to pray:-I. That we may be filled more and more with spiritual

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Then

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For the Work of the Ministry: A Manual of Homiletical and Pastoral Theology. W. G. BLAIKIE, D.D., L.L.D. (Daldy, Isbister & Co.) The contents of this volume are arranged under the following heads:-1. The Christian Ministry a Ministry of the word; 2. The Call to the Ministry; 3. Preaching a Chief Function of the Ministry; 4. The History of the Christian Pulpit; 5. Qualities of Effective Preaching: Character of the Discourse; 6. Qualities of Effective Preaching: Spirit of the Preacher; 7. Preparation for Preaching; 8. Pulpit Style; 9. Text, Plan, and Structure of Sermon ; 10. Introduction, Division, and Conclusion; 11. Expository Lectures; 12. Modes of Delivery; 13. Pulpit Elocution and Manner; 14. Devotional Services; 15. Pastoral Intercourse; 16. Pastoral Care of the Young; 17. Pastoral Engage. ments and Meetings; 18. Organisation of Work; 19. Relation of the Minister to Public Interests; 20. Influence of Character. Appendix A. contains chapters on-1. Style; 2 Visiting the Sick; 3, Conducting Bible-classes; 4. Spiritual Counsel; 5. Home Mission Work; 6. Evangelistic Movements. Appendix B. contains a full list of writers on homiletical and pastoral literature, together with the names, etc., of their works and a brief note as to value, quality, character, etc., of their writings. The author's aim in this work is to make it the most complete manual on pastoral and homiletical theology. That the public have passed a favourable judgement upon it may be seen from the fact that this is the second edition. Price, we believe, 5s.

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Lesson read, Psalm lxxii.

Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.John iv. 35.

THE Saviour was sitting beside Jacob's well in Samaria. The disciples, having returned from the city with meat, prayed Him to take and eat. Said He: "I have meat to eat that ye know not of," etc. Then followed the words of the text. The whole of the connection is interesting. That well was one that Jacob had dug. From thence Jacob drew the waters that quench physical thirst, and thence Christ caused streams of living water to flow.

The garments worn in those days were white, and as Christ and His disciples were seated on that slight elevation, they could observe the coming of the crowds of people thus arrayed. Christ looked upon the crowd and said: Lift up your eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." It was spring time. The grain was but slightly advanced in growth. The fields were green. The harvest was four months off. But Christ said: (6 Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest?" There are times, seasons for the physical harvest, but all seasons are harvest time in the moral world. This morning, I shall not direct your thoughts so much to the immediate fields about you as to those farther away.

There are two thoughts which, no doubt, have often come into your minds. First, why is it that Christianity has been so long conquering the world? Second, will the Gospel speedily conquer the world? If the Gospel has been 1800 years conquering imperfectly but one-third of the earth, how long will it be before it completes the conquest? I would answer that God is working with all His wisdom and power most earnestly. God has done everything on His part for the ingathering of this harvest. The only reason why the whole world to-day is not

PRICE TWOPENCE.

Christian is your fault and mine-the fault of Christians. The fault is in the sin of unfaithfulness on the part of Christians. God has done all and is waiting for us. The harvest is ready. God is ready. You and I, the Christian Church, is not ready. Let us look at some of the evidence that the world is ripe for the harvest.

We

1. The civilised nations have pierced into all parts of the world, or have access to all. A century ago how much of the world was unknown, covered with a shadow Have you never remarked what an impulse has seized the heart of men to find out every foot of land? The explorations of the Arctic Ocean-the Upper Amazon-interior of Africa. The de. struction of one expedition gives no discouragement; others are pushed forward. Russia is letting light into the interior of Asia, etc. now know something of every tribe, etc. Why this impulse for discovery? It is that we may send the Gospel, that we may obey the injunction, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." Then, have you not observed how geography is being taught in all our schools? How different from what it was when we were children! Providence is thus acquainting the rising generation with the condition of the different nations of the world.

2. The wonderful facilities for access to all parts of the world. What progress has been made in understanding the forces of nature and making them carry us hither and thither. Where commerce can go the missionary and the Bible can go, etc.

3. The church is now able to gain intelligence from almost every region hourly. An advancing army finds it important to keep intact its line of communication with the base of supplies as it advances. So the church. Now, if a missionary is in danger, needs assistance, help can be sent him on the wings of lightning.

4. Then all parts of the earth are being brought into neighbourhood. Space is being conquered. The nations are realising that they are one, that there is a universal brother

hood. This is marvellously helping thechurch.

5. Then comes help in the necessity laid upon commerce to keep in constant communication with all parts of the earth. England controls the world's money market. Other nations have commercial interests everywhere. This necessitates travel. And this broadens the experience of nations and individuals. Every new discovery of a force, every new discovery in the experience of men, makes us stronger and fits us better for our work as educators of all mankind.

6. The Bible has been translated into all the principal languages and in over two hundred dialects. Some time since, the rationalists of Germany began to study the languages of all nations and tribes, partly in order that they might better trace the history of nations, and partly in hope of gaining an advantage over Christianity. What has been the result? They made grammars and lexicons of these various languages and dialects, and their labours have been the principal means by which we have been enabled to translate the Bible into these very dialects. Verily the wrath of man has been made to praise God. He that sitteth in the heavens laughs, and has his enemies in derision. As on the day of Pentecost, all nations and tribes are saying, "And now hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born." There is power in the simple word of God. It carries life as does the seed. Each word in the Bible is a vitalised seed. The foundation of the Christian work in Mexico was laid during the European invasion, by the soldiers dropping Bibles or fragments of Bibles, which were picked up by the natives. Up on one of the heights I found, in a kind of amphitheatre, a large number of Christians, who would assemble from time to time to hear this Bible read. In many of our colleges young men are studying the languages of heathen nations, that they may go forward when called. There is not a call that comes from any part of the world but God puts it in the heart of some one of these educated young men or women to respond.

7. The safety of the missionary everywhere indicates the ripeness of the harvest. God has given power over the earth into the hands of the great Protestant nations. The flag of England guarantees protection to the citizen of England everywhere. The flag of America, from whose folds are reflected the stars of the skies, is respected in the darkest corners of the world. Germany is a mighty nation. The power of earth is Christian. And in these great nations the controlling power is Christianity The cross is above the flag. So the greatest earthly power to-day is the cross of Jesus Christ.

8. The wealth of the earth is in the hands of the nations which are spreading the Gospel. Look at England. The little isles on the west

of Europe with their thirty millions of people are but a small fragment of England's power. There in Asia are two hundred and fifty millions of her subjects, and all South Africa is coming beneath her control. And Australia, a continent in itself, is England's. Germany is no longer a cluster of tribes, but an organised, stupendous people. America stretches across the continent, and is rapidly extending its area. Then what vast wealth has God poured into the laps of England and America! All the world is tributary. Then what vast mines of precious ore on the Pacific slope and in Australia, etc. The wealth of the world is to-day in the hands of the Gospel nations. This wealth is an influence, a vast power, which God has wrested from the Evil One and is giving it to His

church.

We see how ripe is the harvest of the world to our own hands. God has made abundant provision for the harvest. Already we see results. How the islands of the sea are being brought from out of darkness! Russia is rushing down upon and crippling the Mahommedan power. While this nation of the North has not the same form of Protestantism as we have, yet she gives the Bible to the people, etc. There is Japan, throwing wide open her doors and receiving teachers from America. And what innovations of thought do we see there! China is beginning to move slowly, but she moves. She is learning what Christianity means. is learning the ways of Christians. The world is opening up everywhere. I say to you this morning, "Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to the harvest."

She

Shall we hinder the harvest by our indifference and neglect? What are we to do? We are to give our means. We have hesitated. God has a strange way of managing things. There is that that withholds and it tendeth to poverty. We have sought to save our money and give none of it. We have put money in savings banks, bought stocks and real-estate, and what is the result? Savings banks are failing, and stocks and real-estate are depreciating. That which we denied God we are losing.

The time is coming when the only thought we will deem of value will be, what have we done to help Christ conquer the world? The memory that will be precious will not be houses we owned, our bank accounts, etc., but the labour wrought in the name of Christ. When the shout of victory will be heard (it will be heard), those alone will have part in that shout who have helped achieve that victory. In this work we are co-labourers with God. This will cheer the heart for ever that we worked with Him, etc.

Beyond any temporal blessing we should seek this triumph of God's cause. We are taught to