Father's countenance really seemed to have warmed and cheered his heart? Must it not be precious to us to be told that such troubled moods are the best proof of the fact that the Holy Spirit has not deserted us, because He Himself is the author of them? Must it not cheer us to know that wherever the Spirit stirs up deep feeling, and intercedes within us, He does this according to the will of God, and that this godly sorrow for sin, and this straining after purity and peace and pardon, is the very earnest of our compassionate Father's acceptance of us? He willeth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should return from his sin, and be saved.

Oh how

true, as we shall one day know, are those beautiful

lines of a Christian poet―

"Prayer is the burden of a sigh,

The falling of a tear,

The upward glancing of an eye,

When none but God is near.

"Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways:

While angels in their songs rejoice,

And cry-Behold he prays!""

Oh, my brother, in this holy season of retirement from a distracting world, "commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still." Are you possessed by any of the prodigal's desires to return to the blessed fulness of your heavenly Father's love, which you fear, perhaps, you may have alienated

from you by many, many days spent in thoughtless, or in more wilful transgression? Have you, after much secret distress, come to that firm resolution"I will arise and go to my Father, and will say unto Him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son: make me as one of Thy hired servants" "? Have you really wrestled with all in yourself that would keep you from this humility of mind? Is it your impression that you would speak the truth from the heart if you were now to breathe forth to the Holy Comforter that appeal

"Return, Thou Holy Dove, return,

Sweet messenger of rest:

I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,

And drove Thee from my breast!"

You may never have allowed you another opportunity of seeking to be of the returning prodigal's mind. And the heart becomes hardened by the neglect of such occasions as these. Behold, your Heavenly Father waits to receive you with open arms. On your reconciliation with God, the harps of heaven will give forth their joyful hallelujahs. If you distrust yourself, pray the more fervently for that faith which shall make you at once and for ever one with Christ, which shall be the means of transferring to Christ all that troubles you.

The modern Jews are still very fond, it seems, of

receiving instruction by parables. Here is one taken from one of their own books on Ps. xxv. 22., which, I pray, may encourage you :-"A poor man was travelling on a hot day, carrying a heavy load upon his back. A rich man, passing by in his chariot, took pity on him, and invited him to take a seat in his chariot behind. Shortly after, on turning round, the rich man saw the pilgrim still oppressed by the load upon his back, and asked why he did not lay it on the chariot? The poor fellow replied that it was enough that he had consented to carry himself in his chariot, and he could not presume to ask more. 'Oh foolish man,' was the rejoinder-'If I am willing and able to carry you, am I not able also to carry your burden?' Thus it is with God. When he once receives a poor sinner, if He accepts his person, for Christ's sake, He will carry his burden . of cares too."* May He convince you of His love for you, and of His fatherly desire to receive you as His own dear son within the sheltering embrace of that large family-circle in heaven, of which He would fain have you a member.

Prayer.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, who willest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn

"Mission to the Jews," page 514.

from his sins and be saved, grant us true faith, we beseech Thee, that we may ever believe in this Thine infinite lovingkindness towards us. Receive and comfort all who are grieved and wearied with the burden of their sins. We would render unto Thee earnest and hearty thanks for the parable on which we have been meditating. We rejoice to feel that He Who uttered it to the comfort and edification of Thy people everywhere, and to the praise of Thy holy name, is Very God of Very God, equal with Thyself as touching his Godhead, that "He ever liveth" in Thy presence to make intercession for all who believe in Him, and that Thou, oh Father Almighty, savest all for whom He, our great High Priest, intercedes. Graciously receive, we pray Thee, our sick brother. dantly, that he may have Thee his peace, his joy, his home. Reclaim him from all evil ways into which he may have been betrayed by the wiles of Satan, or by the evil heart of unbelief in departing from Thee, the living God, that is so common to us all. Grant, that with fervent longings of heart, he may mourn over the past, and that in humility, and patience, and faith, he may arise and go to Thee, the Father of all who seek Thy face through the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the witness of Thy Holy Spirit convince him henceforth that he is Thy son in that Divine Redeemer. Bear

Give him Thy grace abunit in his heart to seek in

M

with him, oh gracious God, in Thine infinite long

Cause that he may ever

"Abba Father," and

suffering to the end of life. henceforth cry unto Thee receive him at last, whensoever thou willest to take him hence, with the residue of Thy children, Jew and Gentile, into Thy heavenly home. These prayers we humbly ask of Thee, for the alone merit's sake of Thy dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

XXI.

CHRIST THE WAY TO THE PREPARED MANSIONS.

(FOR A BELIEVER AWAITING RELEASE.)

ST. JOHN xiv. 1—6.

Do you find, my brother, that any comfort flows out to your soul from the precious passage just read? If heart is fixed on God, if you know, or, at your

east, have good hope, that you believe in Christ,