breaking His laws, to the final rejection altogether of the amazing gift of His pardoning mercy? And who is blameless in these things? Who is continuously mindful of the Divine presence? Who is never false in his allegiance to the truth? Whose steps follow in undeviating loyalty the narrow path of the Great Exemplar? Is there one that swerveth not, and in no point is constrained to confess his own insufficiency?

"Lord! is it I" who spoke the hasty word that wounded the gentle heart of my brother? Is it I who harboured the revengeful thought that, if pursued, had led to dark misdeeds? Is it I who, when profane lips have taken His blessed name in vain, held back in cowardly shame from uttering the just reproof? Is it I who, when overtaken by calamity, sat still in stupid wonderment and restrained prayer before God? Is it I who squandered by turns money, time, and talents in frivolous pursuits-dress, idle conversation, and vain amusement? Is it I who spread the slanderous report to my neighbour's wrong and injury ? Is it I who refused the petition of the destitute? Is it I who, under a special deliverance from trouble, turned not back to give God the glory? Is it I, in short, who have not offended times and ways without number? And were I at this moment seated with the Master at His own table and heard Him speak the very words, "One of you shall betray Me," might I not feel impelled to change the doubting question into a veritable affirmative, and to cry out in deepest humility, "Lord! it is I!"

"Lord, is it I?"

Small need, alas! to ask "Lord, is it I?"
Since my own heart condemns me day by day;
In words professing what my deeds belie,
I say and do not-this is to betray.

I tremble as my years I calm review,

Remembering that I live not as I pray;
I call Thee Father, loving, strong, and true,
Yet I mistrust Thee-this is to betray.

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FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN.

I walk the common round of daily care,

A thousand flowers up-springing on my way;
But if at times a thorn falls to my share,
Straightway I murmur-this is to betray.

I know the soul to Godhead is allied,
Man's noblest end to love Thee and obey;
But though heaven's gate was opened when Christ died,
I cleave to earth-and this is to betray.

Inconstant, weak, a thing of doubts and fears,
Breaking to-morrow vows I make to-day;
Lord! grant the baptism of repentant tears,
The new, clean heart will break ere it betray.

J. C. S.

"For me to Live is Christ, and to Die
is Gain."

IN order that life should not be a scene of mere
enjoyment, a higher element must enter into it
than that of existence merely, and other motives

than those which actuate the earth-bound spirits who imagine that man's life consisteth in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Happy-oh, how happy and blessed!-are those who can say, "For me to live is Christ:" Christ in every event of that life which is "hid with Christ in God." To outward seeming that life differs not from those of its fellow-men; it has its share of the cares and sorrows which fall to the lot of each; but the worst sting is taken away, for earthly losses are met with no rebellious murmurs, and bereavement does not bring sorrow without hope. It is not that the Christian is less capable of enjoyment than others, nor that his affections are less fervent; but, should poverty assail him, he knows that all his need shall be supplied through the riches which are in Christ Jesus; and if left alone on

66 FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN."

the earth, he yet is not alone, for his Saviour whispers, "Lo, I am with you always."

The springs of earthly happiness may be dried, and the Christian's wounded heart may be weary and athirst, but his Saviour is at hand-he asks of Him, and He gives him fresh springs of living water. During his earthly pilgrimage he may often require rest and refreshment, but he drinks of that stream which follows him in every turn and winding of his onward journey.

But the journey ends; the Christian's pilgrimage is over; yet he shrinks not, although the last steps of life's journey must lead him through the dark valley; for, from the deepening gloom, he looks "up steadfastly into heaven," and seeing" on the right hand of God" Him who has safely brought him thus far, he knows that He will not forsake him now, but will bring him to the promised rest. The fleeting spirit casts one backward glance on the past, and in the blessed remembrance that for him to live was Christ, sees an earnest that to die will be gain.

Oh, gain beyond compare! to be of the number who "shall obtain joy and gladness," from whose eyes God shall wipe away every tear; and though the burden of life's sorrows once compelled him to exclaim, "All Thy waves and billows have gone over me," those waves are now at rest, and he dwells beside the "still waters." It is no temporary lull, to be succeeded by fierce tempests; but he is at the Haven where he would be, and he is there FOR EVER. The shadows of earth have passed away; the dawn of an eternal day has beamed upon his soul-the beams of that sun which never sets, for there is "no night there." Happy spirit! no longer "a stranger and pilgrim" upon earth, but safely sheltered in one of the " many mansions" of his Father's house. The last conflict may have been bitter, but "to die is gain ;" the strife is ended, and the victor has received a crown of glory which fadeth not away."

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66

Precious Gems from the Gospel Mine.

I. 'Faith is the substance of things hoped for.”—Heb. xi. I. 2. "Have faith in God."-Mark xi. 22.

3. "Lord, increase our faith."-Luke xvii. 5.

4. "Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."-Acts xx. 21. 5. “Faith which worketh by love.”—Gal. v. 6.

6. "Faith is counted for righteousness."-Rom. iv. 5.

7. "Hast thou faith ?"-Rom. xiv. 22.

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8. Without faith it is impossible to please Him."-Heb. xi. 6. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, faith."-Gal. v. 22.

9.

...

10.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith."—Ephes. vi. 16. II. "Fight the good fight of faith.”—1 Tim. vi. 12.

12.

13.

"Draw near in full assurance of faith."-Heb. x. 22. "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith."-Heb. x. 23. 14. "Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith."--Heb. xii. 2. 15. "The prayer of faith shall save the sick."-James v. 15. 16. Precious faith."'-2 Pet. i. I.

17.

"Hast not denied My faith."-Rev. ii. 13.

IS. "I know thy works,

and faith."-Rev. ii. 19.

19. "The just shall live by faith."-Rom. i. 17.

20. "Which are sanctified by faith."—Acts xxvi. 18.

21. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God."-Rom. v. I. 22. "We walk by faith."-2 Cor. v. 7.

23. "I live by the faith of the Son of God."-Gal. ii. 20.

24. "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith."—Ephes. iii. 17. 25. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.”—2 Cor. xiii. 5. 26. "For by grace are ye saved through faith."—Ephes. ii. 8.

27. "Who through faith inherit the promises."-Heb. vi. 12. 28. "Believest thou this?"-John xi. 26.

29. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

Acts xvi. 31.

30. "Ye believe in God, believe also in Me."-John xiv. 1.

31. “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.”—Mark ix. 24.

L

ORD, I believe what Thou hast said
Within Thy gracious Word;
My mind in peace on this is stayed,-
Thou art my God and Lord.

Lord, I believe that Thou hast paid
The debt of sin for me-

That Thou hast full atonement made,
And set the captive free.

Lord, I believe Thy blood alone
Is all the sinner's plea ;

That Thou art Christ, the only One,
And Jesus died for me!

Oh, Lord! increase my faith, that I

May live by faith alone,

Complete in Him who came to die,

And raise me to His throne !