in all spiritual qualities. All fear of man, all doubting, and all dread of death were effectually cast out. He who denied his Lord when confronted by a maid was now emboldened openly to accuse Sanhedrim and people with the murder of the Christ, and to preach with such heavenly unction that thousands were convicted, turned from their enmity, and at once enrolled under the banner of the crucified One. O for such another Baptism for the Church! What new life it would bring!

And why should we not have it? There are indeed degrees in the manifestations of the Spirit's power. The Holy Ghost does not work in all to the same extent, because all are not called to the same specific service or sphere of action. The first disciples needed more than is needed now, and they got it; but the same Spirit still lives and abides with the Church. The promises concerning Him hold now that held then. Like provision for like necessities still exists, and should be more earnestly sought. God's hand is not shortened that He cannot save, nor His ear heavy that He cannot hear. Responsibility for our deficiencies and defects cannot be charged on Him, nor on any changes or weakening in the economy of His grace. If Christians now are invalid and infirm, it is not because God has withdrawn His gifts and promises. Many only half believe; or compromise with the world; or enslave themselves to their selfish greed and ambition; or give themselves to vanity and folly; and so load themselves with thick clay that they cannot rise, and then

blame God and religion for it, concluding that grace has either lost its virtues, or was never meant to work the same in them as in the saints of old. It is a sad and ruinous mistake. God is the same; Christ is the same; the Holy Ghost is the same; humanity is the same; the promises are the same; but people's hearts are unbelieving, selfish, earthy, and hence their disability and spiritual wretchedness.

How then are we to renew our strength and enter into the full power and blessedness of our religion? The text very plainly tells us. They are the strong ones who "wait upon the Lord."

Important things are included in this simple and beautiful phrase. It implies a deep and pervading sense of our own unfaithfulness, guilt, and need. It implies a firm confidence in the power and grace of God and His willingness to help us. It implies the letting go of what is contrary to Him and earnest seeking unto Him as our only hope and strength. It means a waiting on Him for instruction and guidance, with a heart willing to hear and obey, as the pupil waits upon his teacher, and as a servant waits upon his master. It means a diligent and devout attendance upon His appointments and ordinances by and through which He gives His Spirit and builds up His people in faith and communion with Himself. It means a persevering obedience to His word and patient waiting for the fulfilment of all that He hath spoken.

And in such a disposition of ourselves the prom

ises are great and assuring. All who thus "wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." The doubtful and timid heart will find confirmation, courage, and confidence. Views of truth and duty will become clear and decided. The affections will cease to waver and be more definitely and warmly fixed on things above. The whole purpose of the spiritual man will become more concentrated, vigorous, and determined. Temptations will lessen and lose power. Ability to see and withstand wrong will be increased. And a strength and decision of character will be developed that cannot be swayed or fail to produce steady consistency of life and influence for good and blessedness.

They who thus wait upon the Lord shall also "mount up with wings as eagles." It is the nature of piety to lift and exalt. There is something in it to release the spirit, to give it wings for heavenward ascensions, far above the vexations and attractions of this present world. Christ having ascended into heaven, the minds and hearts of His faithful people ascend with Him, and anticipate the time when they shall reach the same exalted heights. The wings on which they rise are the wings of faith, and love, and blessed hope. Waiting upon the Lord, we realize that we belong to a heavenly kingdom,—that our proper home is above the clouds,—and that presently Our Lord will come to take us thither.

Furthermore, they that wait upon the Lord shall be wonderfully facilitated in their race.

They shall run and not be weary." They will not feel it a hardship to hold on their way as Christians. They will not grow tired of their profession or their faith. There will come an ever-increasing inspiration to animate their souls and lighten their steps. Whatever there may be to weaken or discourage, there is always enough to quicken and exhilarate, and to give courage for ever new attempts till the goal is won. There is no such thing as exhaustion in those who have come into the full spirit of faith and waiting on God. Their heart is in their religion, and the Spirit so helps their infirmities that they never feel fatigue in the work of gaining heaven. They are enabled to run without becoming weary, and to walk without becoming faint. Persuaded and satisfied as to what awaits them in the end, they hold on their way, ever rejoicing, ever growing,

and ever safe.

Let it then, dear friends, be the first, the highest, and the constant aim of our lives to wait upon the Lord. In His house, in His ordinances, in hopeful dutifulness in what pertains to us as Christians, let us wait on Him. This is the way to strengthen our souls. This will elevate us above the turmoil, adversities, and distractions that surround us here. This will bring us into closest fellowship with the heavenly powers and arm us with ability to overcome in the day of trial. And thus, when He upon whom we wait shall come, we shall be found of Him in peace and rest with Him for ever.

The Adorable Godhead.

Trinity Sunday.

For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.-ROM. 11: 36.

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O subject is so overwhelming to the human. understanding as the Being and Nature of God. It is too high, too deep, too unsearchable for the mind of man to compass. Though at the base of all things, all religion, all right thinking, it opens out into boundless realms and depths which will require all eternity to explore.

Yet there are some things which we can know, and which we need to know, and to have ever present to our minds, that we may rightly adjust ourselves to our place in the universe, and so make the best of our lives.

Whether we can fully understand it or not, it is evident to our consciousness, assumed in Revelation, and sustained by all just reason, that there is, and necessarily must be, an original and almighty Being, greater in all directions than the whole created universe. This is so deeply inlaid in the whole framework of our nature, and so accordant with all its instincts and mental activities,