PREACHERS'

VOL. IV.

ANALYST:

The Leading Homily.

A HOMILY FOR THE NEW YEAR

Analysis of a Sermon by Rev. T. G. CRIPPEN.

Exodus xiv. 15.

ISRAEL lately released from bondage in Egypt, had set out gladly for the land of promise, guided by the cloudy pillar. But now the sea was before them, the mountains on each side, and the Egyptian pursuers behind. Advance, retreat, and movement right or left seemed alike impossible. No wonder they feared; no wonder if some doubted whether God had indeed lead them thither, and some rebelled against his acknowledged leadership; no wonder of the despondent murmurings of many.

Are not such fears, doubts, rebellious murmurings familiar to us all in times of perplexity and danger? Though we be guided as evidently as they were, and cheered by richer promises. At such seasons the Lord simply bids us 'go forward.' There is no retreat in this life; and if we pray standing still, while the pillar-cloud points onward, we need only expect rebuke. Though his way is in the sea, the only commission he gives to the guides of his Israel is, 'speak to them that they go forward:' all the more if the old evil foe presses hard behind. When he so points the way it is waste of time and energy to pray for guidance; find a way or make one.

The halt by the Red Sea was preparatory for a new departure; Israel had seen what God had done for them, now, they should see what he would do amongst them: this was real progress. There are stages in our lifejourney when we are permitted to halt, that we may take a new departure. Such a stage

PRICE TWOPENCE.

is the new year; and its chimes should be to us as the voice of God—' go forward.'

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I.-Some, during the last year, have begun to feel that they are indeed God's children, numbered amongst his spiritual Israel; lately in worse than Egyptian slavery, tied and bound by the chain of sin; the mercy of God has loosed you. Sprinkled with the blood of the very Paschal Lamb, you have left the house of bondage and are marching towards the heavenly Canaan. Christ goes before you, to guide, shelter, and enlighten. But the enemy does not yet despair. Old associations, habits, prejudices, &c., are his pu suing warriors. Their opportunity will be you seem, like Israel, penned in with diffi. culties. Then Satan will exult in his expected triumph; and if you cease to go forward he will overtake. Hearken therefore to the word of your leader-'Speak to the children &c..' In a sense you are children; and if you would become men in Christ you must needs use all available helps to progress. To this end, not only use prayer, meditation, and converse with God, as needful as food and air and nursing to an infant. But if you would grow, not merely live, there must be diligent study of Scripture, due use of the sacraments, the stimulus of Christian fellowship, and some kind of work for the good of others. And the greater progress towards spiritual manhood, the better prospect of triumph if the enemy be permitted to overtake. To be content with a state of spiritual infancy is downright disobedience

II. Some are already rich in Christian experience. To you, also, God says go forward.' Be not satisfied with present attainment, as if already perfect, but press

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toward the mark.' It is instructive that Paul thus advises as many as be perfect.' Few things hinder progress more than comparing ourselves with those behind us; far better study the acts of saints and heroes, and learn that the noblest of them all felt most keenly that they did but follow Jesus afar off. If then our faith is so strong that it cannot be shaken, we may yet seek a deeper insight into the mystery of goodness. If our hope is so bright that it would light us to martyrdom, we may yet more vividly realize the bliss that awaits us. If our heart is burning up with love as was said of St. Francis, we may yet give it more practical manifestations. Whatever we may have achieved, there is much far beyond us. We need be aware of sentimentalism, self-containedness, dead theology, and pattern experiences. We are well on our pilgrimage, but have not reached the rest that remaineth; nor are the enemies yet dead on the shore, they are lively and strong and hate us with a cruel hatred.'

III.-But we are not like solitary palmers in the world. Christian life is social, and progress is the duty of the Church: progress in fervour, mutual helpfulness, evanglistic activity, and general conformity to the mind of Christ. The term 'Revival' is unhappily used for a season of religious excitement, or of unwontedly plenteous ingathering. When the Church is in a permanent state of vigorous health not revivalism, all its members practically preaching the gospel of a holy life, the world will believe its testimony. It is not revival, but the effect of revival, that Zechariah describes in viii. 23. Therefore let the new year witness an earnest effort to bring your church life into accord with the model given in the Acts. Then there will be no need to urge you to look for still greater progress, you cannot help both expecting and attaining it. You will warmfthe cold hearts of those around you; and the world will neither reproach you for inconsistency nor for inefficiency.

And moreover, it becomes us to look for greater glory for the Universal Church, than has yet been seen in it since Pentecost. It cannot be that the present divided state of Christendom, with it secretarian rivalries, represents the mind of Christ. What if each sect owes its vitality to the hold it has on some truth which others have overlooked or rejected? If so, we may see the hand of God in the intellectual unrest of the present age; and are called on to do our part, in our own

section of the Church, to promote reception of truth wherever it may be found; testing all opinions by the Word of God, and seeking the reunion of Christendom, by the cultivation of a large-hearted charity.

IV. As citizens it is our duty to go forward. The world is moving on, guided rather by peoples than by kings; and if we expect and desire the kingdoms of the world to become the Kingdon of the Lord, we ought to do our part to promote it. They who make the fear of injuring their delicate spiritual health an excuse for neglecting the duties of citizenship, practically hand over the conduct of secular politics to the wicked. Such may well remember the doom of Meroz. Surely God can keep unspotted from the world those who try to conduct the worlds affairs for his glory. Already too many make void God's law by excluding religious considerations from practical politics. If we have erred thus, let us begin anew; test every project by the royal law of right; and determine every vote by the principal that He that ruleth over man must be just.' Whatever our party, let us support only such men as will stand for peace and righteousness. This is the truest patriotism. For thus only can we rescue the nation from the dominion of the God of this world. In such endeavours, whether after higher spiritual attainment for ourselves, or after a holier and more fruitful life in the church, or after righteousness and peace among the nations, we may rely on Divine guidance and aid; for he himself bids us 'go forward.'

AN INVITATION

An Analysis of a Sermon by the Rev. BRYAN DALE, M.A.

Rev iii. 18. Buy of Me.

THIS language was addressed to the Church at Laodicea. That city was noted for its commerce and wealth. Its fine wools were famous throughout the world. And it carried on a profitable trade in the precious ointments of the East. In its great prosperity the Christians shared. But their temporal prosperity stood in striking contrast with their spritual poverty, and was doubtless one of the causes of it. The cares of this world &c.' (Matt. xiii. 22.) They were lukewarm, self-righteous and self-deceived.

To them Christ here presents himself as ready to bestow all the blessings they need, and urges them to receive them by the most powerful motives. He even condescends to

address those merchants and factors in their own modes of speech, He places himself in the position of a dealer in the wares with which they are familiar and says:-' you are a people much accustomed to buying and selling. You often ask, where can I get the finest gold? Where can I purchase the best wools? Where can I get the most valuable ointments? Well, I have just what you want-gold tried in the fire-white raimentmost precious ointment-Therefore, come, Buy of Me.'

These things denote generally the Blessings of salvation. And Christ himself now comes into your midst and urges you to make them your own. There are numerous considerations which should lead you to do so.

I.-Your need is urgent.

1. You may not be fully aware of it. In temporal things a man can hardly fail to perceive his destitution; but in spiritual, he may be wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked' and yet know it not, and fancy that he is rich and increased in goods and in need of nothing.'

2. But it is assuredly real and urgent.

3. And that nothing is of greater importance than that you should recognise the fact. The sense of sin is the beginning of salvation. They that are whole need not a physician but they that are sick.'

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II. The provision is adequate. The blessings referred to are fully sufficient to meet your need. What are they?

1. The gold tried in the fire' is the exceeding riches of Divine mercy and grace toward the sinful and unworthy.

The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him' (Rom. x. 12). Or, since faith is the principal means by which mercy and grace are received, it may be so regarded. It is a Divine gift, and through faith ye are saved.'

2. The 'white raiment' is the 'righteousness of saints' (Rev. xix. 8)-i.e., their being set right in their relation to God and in their character before him, forgiveness, renewal of heart, holy and benevolent dispositions. This is the robe of righteousness' promised of old (Isa. xi. 10), the wedding garment' that must be put on for the marriage feast.

1. Men often seek it of others rather than of him. In their search for rest they go to earthly wisdom, good works, priestly rites and ceremonies, but go in vain. 'Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread,' &c. (Isa. lv. 2).

2. But who can doubt the ability of Christ when he reads what he is in the first chapter of this book (Rev i. 13-16)? in the first verses of this Epistle (iii. 14, 15) ?

3. Now he is desirous that you should possess these blessings. He presses them upon you with more urgency than any dealer in the markets of the world displays in inducing others to purchase his commodities; only, in the latter case, the merchant seeks his own advantage, whereas Christ seeks your present and everlasting welfare.

IV. The price is small,

Is it not said, 'without money and without price'? freely?' Why, then, does he say, 'Buy of me'?

1. There is in the word a touch of holy and loving irony; for he would have them consider what they had to give, and to feel their insufficiency and dependence. What could they give who were wretched. and miserable, and poor,' &c.? Nothing. If they obtained the blessings of salvation at all it could only be as a free gift.

2. Yet every one must buy these blessings by giving up some things which prevent their reception-pride and self-sufficiency, selfrighteousness, prejudice, false wisdom, worldly-mindedness, sinful pleasures. You must 'buy the truth' by the sacrifice of whatever hinders its possession.

3. And although you cannot give what is of adequate value, you must give what you can -earnest thought, bumble entreaty, Godly sorrow, personal trust; above all, yourself. Yield yourselves unto the Lord.'

V. The advantage is great.

1. Of the highest kind. What is gold worth. in comparison with the 'unsearchable riches of Christ'? Beautiful raiment in comparison with the garments of salvation"? Precious ointment and good eyesight compared with the excellency of the knowledge of Christ'? 2. Present.

1. His present experience-'I am continually with Thee.'

Every good man is with his God in a way of communion, in a way of affection, in a way of delight, in a way of desire, and in a way of service.

II.-His retrospective testimony—‘Thou hast holden me by my right hand.'

His experience has been realised by God's people in every age; from them, therefore, his acknowledgment is due, and by them it will be readily made.

III. His prospective consolation.
This is two-fold, and respects

1. What God secures to him in this life. How necessary is guidance considering our various difficulties and dangers. And it is proper always, from a consciousness that God alone can guide us, to ask of him the guidance of his Word, of his Spirit, and of his Providence.

2. What God secures to him in the life to come.

Glory is that to which we may look forward as the consummation of our bliss; and in the expectation of this we may rejoice, even as if we were already in possession of it.

Let us, tien, be stirred up to humble inquiry and to devout adoration.

Confer

OUR CAPTIVITIES

An Analysis of a Sermon by Dr. TAYLOR.

Jeremiah xxix, 10, 14,

I. Our experience is often that of captivity -sickness that lays us aside, business reversal, disability, &c.

II.-Moral ends served by our captivity. God's ancient people by theirs cured of all their tendencies to idolatry. So we get cured of our idolatry of reputation, home, fortune, mammon. Shut away from the house of God and its services as Judah was, we are brought directly to God for communion. How rich, then, his Word, read in your own Book at specific passages, and marked for you by signs invisible to other persons.

III.-How to get the good of our captivities.

1. Accept the situation. Acquiescence in your lot the best way out of it.

2. Have confidence in God. You may think him unmerciful and severe, but he seems to soliloquise with himself thus-'You may think so and so, but I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.' Take God's guidance, Build ye houses and dwell in them, and plant gardens and eat the fruit of them,' even in the land of your captivity. Be contented and do not plot treason. Seek the peace of the city' where you dwell, for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.' 3. Pray, as set forth in the text. Confer

C. Simeon, Works 9.183, God will be Found of Sincere Worshippers;' J. Slade, Sermons 5.19, Seeking God with ail the Heart."

A SAINT'S HIGH ATTAINMENTS IN THE DIVINE LIFE Analysis of a Sermon by the Rev. G. LOCK, He maketh my feet like hind's feet.—Psalm xviii. 33. THOUGH the country of Judæa was not much larger than the county of York, it was, in the time of its ancient glory, one of the loveliest spots on the face of the earth. It was possessed of a bright snnny climate, was watered by a noble river and numerous brooks and fountains, and richly diversified by rocks, hills, valleys, and plains, while its gardens, orchards, and corn lands attested its abundant fruitfulness. The 'sweet singer of Israel' lived much of his life in the open air while keeping his father's flocks on the grassy slopes of Bethlehem, doing battle with hostile tribes in the service, of his king and country, and

during the long troublesome years of Saul's persecution, when compelled to wander through its dreary wilds or to hide in its rude fastnesses.

David's heart glowed with a passionate love for the beauty and poetry of Nature, and he had unrivalled power and skill in drawing lessons of piety and wisdom from the familiar objects around him. Among these he could not fail to notice a beautiful animal of the deer kind called the gazelle, and then named the hart and hind, or the roebuck and roc. When he saw this charming little animal, just escaped from the hunters on a hot day after a long chase, covered with sweat, and foam dropping from its open mouth, rushing to drink, he said, 'As the hart panteth after the water brooks,' &c. Or when watching it, fresh as the morning, bounding from rock to rock in the brilliant sunshine, David regarded it as an emblem of his own soul overflowing with the gladness and triumph of reconciliation with God, and exclaimed, Thou makest my feet like hind's feet.'

Let us inquire what lessons we may learn from the natural characteristics of this animal. Solomon calls it the loving hind and pleasant roe,' so that we might use it as an emblem of the affectionateness of the Christian character, and quote such passages asHe that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God,' and 'Be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love,' and shew that the whole character should be encompassed with love as the earth is girdled by the ocean.

But in the text we are specially directed to the feet.

I. The comparison in the text represents

the beauty of the Christian character. The Scriptures speak of the feet as setting. forth both the state of the heart and the action of the life.

The foot of pride.' Keep thy foot when thou goest into the house of the Lord.' Withhold thy foot from evil.' Both the wicked and the righteous speak with their feet.'

and to set his affections on things above,' &c.

It has been truly said that the perfection of the Christian character consists in being, doing, and suffering the will of God. David used these words with special reference to doing great things for God, and in the context he enumerates some of the grand achievements of his life.

Habakkuk employs the same expression with reference to the great afflictions he was ready to suffer if God sent them. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom,' &c. (Hab. iii. 17-19). Eli was greater in suffering than he was in action. Moses, I imagine, could do better than he could suffer. Christ was supremely great in both; therefore the highest exaltation of the Christian character is to be like him.

III. It is an emblem of the joyfulness and freedom of the Christian life.

Picture this beautiful and sprightly creautre bathing in the dew of the morning, basking in the sunshine, swimming the glassy lake, and eoursing swiftly along the green hill slopes, an emblem of jooyus liberty.

Paul, writing to those who were familiar with the social institution of slavery, with all its shame, and cruelty, contrasts the tyranny of sin with the liberty of the followers of Jesus (Rom vii., viii.).

There is a religion that is all slavery, because it arises from dread of the Divine anger and of death, judgment, and hell. But he that has been saved by Christ will obey from. love.

It is said the air extends about forty miles from the earth, that about fifteen tons weight of air presses upon every adult person, and that the reason we are not crushed by such an enormous pressure is that the air is within as well as upon and around us. So if your religion be a mere external performance it will be a burden and a slavery; but the love of God shed abroad in the heart will make your feet feel like hind's feet.

IV. It is an emblem of swift progression

onwards and upwards.

Rev. J. A. James remarks, 'There is an animal in the Zoological world called the sloth, whose habits render him the concrete of all that is lazy, inert, and torpid. He will occupy three days in climbing a tree, and fall asleep in the act. He scarcely ever moves but when compelled by hunger, and then rarely ever travels more than fifty paces in a day. He utters a pitecus cry as if movement were a distress, and is held in such detesta.