afflicted. By these things they live, and yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness in greater abundance. Though the growth in grace which some persons speak of is a mere dream, there is a true growth. A year's experience in a living heart of the dealings of God in providence and grace cannot have left him where he was at its commencement. The child of God is as a tree planted by the rivers of water; he brings forth fruit in due season, he also grows. Even in the winter he takes root downwards, and there is a preparation going forward for the coming spring and fruit-bearing autumn. As the days of a tree are the days of God's people. In their troubles they sigh and groan, and, at times, pray audibly to God; in their deliverances they praise him; and as they go forward they are still learning more of themselves and more of their God. They discover the vanity of the creature, the stability of the covenant, the dreadful evil and wretchedness of their own hearts, and the sweetness of the work, offices, and love of Jesus; and thus, as years roll by, they grow up into Christ in all things, less in self and more in him; for God leads them about and instructs them as well as keeps them as the apple of his eye.

We have endeavoured to recall the past and examine into the state of our souls as to the present; let us, in conclusion, cast a glance forward into the future. But here we may be met with the question, "Is it right?" Does not Watts say,

"My God, I would not long to see
My fate with curious eyes;
What gloomy lines are writ for me,

Or what bright scenes may rise?”

To this we agree. We would not ask our readers to attempt to look with curious or over-anxious eyes into the future; but there is a wise consideration which may prove very beneficial. Peter tells us that it is well for us to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ in this respect,-to have a preparedness to suffer in the flesh. We know not what troubles may arise during the year now entered upon; but we may assuredly expect troubles, and it is desirable to be prepared even for the worst. If we consider the state of the world generally, we see mighty powers contending for the mastery,-intellectual and social powers. Popery on the one hand, infidelity on the other, are descending, so it appears, into the arena for a mighty conflict; constituted authority is entering upon a tremendous battle with the overturning powers of Communism. We believe that it is not man merely contending against man, but that principalities and powers are veiled behind these human agencies; that spiritual powers are really contending in these matters. Now, whether Popery is the conqueror or infidelity, authority or socialism, we believe God's true people may expect to be the victims. No mercy will be shown to them; they will inevitably be the offscouring of all things. Satan will work in the children of disobedience to their

destruction, were it possible. We see also in these days a rapidity of motion in events which is exceedingly startling. What was accomplished, according to the slower movements of other ages, in twenty or thirty years is now more completely effected in a few days or months. A week lays prostrate one mighty empire; a few months desolate and overthrow another. Who, then, can say what tremendous outward events may take place during this new year? Who can tell what storms may fall from without upon the church of God? Besides, who can possibly foresee what afflictive dispensations may await particular churches and bodies of Christians, or particular individuals? A few days may blight all a man's prospects in this life, and turn all his comforts into desolation. Pain of body, anguish of mind caused by the faults of others, loss of friends, may turn this life into a mere wilderness; so that, though a man retains plenty of this world's goods, his enjoyment of everything may be completely marred. Now we want our readers to reflect upon these things, and see that still fresh tribulations must await them; and we desire this, not that they may be unduly burdened, but properly prepared for what lies before them. Peter says, "The end of all things is at hand;" but he does not therefore conclude, "Be miserable." No. His reasoning is, "Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

Now, the preparation we desire for our readers is not carnal, or that they should have grace to-day sufficient for to-morrow. The promise is of grace sufficient for the day. We would not have them faint because of the children of Anak, or expect power sufficient for the conflict before they enter into it. These things are contrary to the ever-dependent life of faith. But there are some things we would have them seek after, that so they may enter into their trials in a properly-prepared state.

1. We would desire that they should be made and kept spiritually minded. This is a great thing. If a storm of temptation falls upon a man in such a state, he enters it far more safely than if it catches him in a carnally-secure or worldly posture of mind. When tempests are likely to arise, it is proper that the ship should be well handled, the sails in some degree furled, and a good look-out maintained. That child of God will fare but badly in a storm of trials which comes down upon him when he is very carnally minded, unduly caring for the things of this life, or cleaving inordinately to the creature.

2. It is a good thing for a Christian man to be prepared to suffer the loss of all things, even life itself, for the sake of Christ. A martyr's spirit may be in a man who shall never actually suffer martyrdom. Indeed, we believe all God's people, when Christ is fully revealed to them, have this spirit; for they see in him more than in all besides. "Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth I desire beside thee.” "Thy lovingkindness is better than life." "They loved not their lives unto the death." The merchantman sells all for the pearl of great

price; and one of our poets represents this spirit of supreme love to Christ in these words:

"Compared with Christ, in all beside
No comeliness I see;

The one thing needful, dearest Lord,
Is to be one with thee."

This is the martyr's spirit; and Christ says those who are worthy of him must hate all things, yea life itself, for his sake.

3. It is good for God's people to be kept watchful and prayerful. Christ chose to be taken, as it were, upon his knees when he went to his cross on Calvary. O! It is good for God's people to be much on their knees. Wrestling Jacob overcame threatening Esau. Tials will not take us at a disadvantage if they find us in a praverful state of mind; but if they catch us careless and prayerless they will make sad work with our souls. Sometimes, in waiting upon the Lord, we find he will himself give us a sort of warning of what is coming, by sending to our mind some word indicating troubles. Now it is well to beware of neglecting these intimations, and also of putting such words away through shrinking in our hearts from the trials indicated. Bunyan, before going to gaol, had the words in Col. i. 11 continually coming to his mind in prayer; and it is good to attend to these things that we may forecast a trouble by seeking grace for the time of need.

4. God's people should adhere closely to the word of God. His blessed Bible is invaluable. Every word of his lips therein is pure. We cannot too highly prize or too much cleave to his words in the spirit and truth and power of them. "Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdom." If his word abides in us it is a guide to our actions, a direction to our prayers, a spring of consolation in troubles; and when all around seems dark and desolate, God himself withdrawn, and Christ present to no sense, a light shines in the word to faith, and the child of God is exhorted to trust still according to it in the Lord, and stay upon his God.

5. God's people should diligently use all the means God himself has appointed, seek for light, and beg for grace to use it. Beware of idols and undue creature attachments. Sit loosely to the things of this life, and use lawful things as not abusing them. "Let those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who use the world as not abusing it."

This, then, is what we mean by preparation for the future; and we have endeavoured to stir up our readers to seek for these things from God the Giver by calling upon them to properly anticipate the future, expecting in it the tried lot of God's people; for "the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in this world."

A word in conclusion and a word in love. Remember that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, with weak things, but with principalities and powers. Believers, then, are not called

"To sleep or play, but fight."

We need, too, the whole armour of God, and to be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. It will be a blessed thing to withstand in the evil day, and having done and suffered all, to stand. The blessed Spirit helpeth our infirmities; this is our hope. When the life of God seems crushed out of us by sin and Satan, then we need his help, and then he gives it, not always in such a degree as we may think proper; but it is a mercy, when pressed out of measure, to be holpen with a little help. Christ's grace is sufficient, and

"He is our shield in the fierce battle-field;

To his promises faithful and true.”

Hitherto hath he helped us, and may we not say, "He who hath delivered and doth deliver will, we trust, still deliver?" But let us remember that often we have to go forward where at first appears no way, to

"War in weakness, dare in doubt."

May God enable us to follow the smallest glimpses of the eye of Christ, and prize the least communications of his Spirit; for he who despises small things will fall short of great ones.

O ye ministers of God, may the Lord aid you in preaching his word purely, soberly, and wisely. Beware of any teaching which will make your hearers think lightly of sin or negligent in godly obedience. It is a sad state of things when the ministry becomes corrupt, and God permits a generation of self-seeking, unsound, or crafty men to stand upon the walls of Zion. Purity of doctrine and practical godliness must go together, or the form remains, but the vital power has fled from it. God's people have to swim constantly against a swift stream of death and ungodliness, and either are struggling with it or carried back. The principle of divine grace implanted in them is Godward and upward in its tendencies. Its very life is in opposition to all within a man naturally, as well as all that is in this world. The flesh lusteth against the spirit, wars against it, and seeks its death; if the Christian yields to the flesh in any of its forms of sloth or worldliness, of pride or lust, he gives place to that which aims not only against God but his own spiritual life. The new man's proper element is communion with God and obedience to him. The old man hates all this, departs from God, and loves to live in sin. How pure, then, should the ministry be! And how certainly it must be wrong unless harmonizing exactly with Paul's words: "The grace of God which bringeth salvation teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

Children of God, attend to such a ministry, and that only, as leads you into all truth, and insists not only upon the doctrine, but the power, experience, and practice of godliness. Beware of any man who sets you down short of Christ; for He is the only rest

and refreshing. Beware of any man who would rob you of Christ when you have him; substituting anything, however fair, for the Lord Jesus. Beware of any man who would legalize the gospel, substituting the letter of the word for the power of it, and turning the gospel precept into a legal command by putting it in a legal way before you as a condition of life and acceptance and blessing, or as a thing to be kept and obeyed by your own power. Beware of any man who would take away the precept under the pretence of gospel liberty, or make light of any word of Christ under some pretence of spirituality. Christ's word is spirit and it is life. His sheep hear his voice and follow it. They discern between the letter and the spirit, and love that ministry in which the creature is laid low in a conscious self-nothingness, and God, -Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is All and in all.

Ye burdened, heavy-laden souls, may Christ cause you to hear his voice: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Ye thirsty souls, in Christ is the fountain of living waters; for you he died; for you he has all fulness of blessings. Ye sad and sorrowful ones, pressed down by thousands of cares, temporal and spiritual, God, by his Spirit, is the Comforter of those who are cast down. We learn our God in calamities, and amidst earth's bitters taste his inexpressible sweetness. Ye little children, whose sins are forgiven you for Christ's sake, may you be enabled to walk as becometh his Gospel, neither seduced nor discouraged by the vain conversation of professors. What is the chaff to the wheat? Ye young men, who are now daily in the arduous conflict, the Lord is with you, and stronger is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Your enemies are mighty, but they are already beaten foes, and the word of God abiding in you will enable you to gather up the spoils of Christ's victory. Christ is your armour; Christ your strength. He has grace for your necessities, and balm for your wounds; and when the enemy comes in like a flood, will lift up a standard against him. Ye fathers in Israel, may you be examples to those who are younger in God's ways. Your enlarged experience and ripened knowledge should be shown, not in sloth or self-indulgence, not in censoriousness or scorn, not in weakening the efforts against sin, or cooling the ardour of loving obedience in those younger, but in tenderness, loving admonition, and spiritual restoration of those who are fallen. In fact, in a ripeness in every good word and work.

Dear friends, grace, and grace only, is sufficient for us. Christ is an able, willing Saviour; he receives all who truly come to him. May he teach us, feed us, guide us, defend us, be our All in life, our comfort in a dying hour, and our heaven itself to all eternity.

SOME men are as apt to conclude others to be hypocrites, by measuring their hearts by their own, as others are to conclude themselves saints, by comparing their own excellences with other men's corruptions.-Flavel.