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taught to worship at its altars, and to rejoice in the music of its hymns. You have subscribed to the statutes of its government, and sworn by the name of its God. Have you then been faithful to your vows and loyal to your King?

Others, perhaps, have long been hearing of this heavenly City, but never pledged allegiance to its authorities. The River of free grace that runs through our sanctuaries has been running by their doors and into their very homes, and lodged many a drop of its waters upon their hearts; but they have not been softened to penitence, nor moved to seek the salvation it carries. Sometimes there may have come a spell of serious thinking, when they were almost persuaded, and perhaps made solemn promises; but other influences interfered, and their names have not yet found place upon the roll-books of the sacred community. Many are willing to go far and spend much, to drink of earthly springs, to bathe in earthly waters, to breathe the atmosphere of rocky heights and scented hills, for bodily invigoration, health, and pleasure; but when it comes to dealing with the City of God and the life-waters which alone can give health and salvation to the soul, there is often no heart for it, and many turn away in cold indifference.

I see people sick, and ailing, and sad, and full of soul-aches and discomforts. I see them trying varied expedients for relief and consolation. And I wonder, Have they tried the waters that make glad the City of God?

I see people who are growing old, feeble with years, bending toward the nearing grave. Most of the friends of their youth are gone. One after another of their cherished possessions has receded from them. The bubbles they once so eagerly pursued have vanished. They have run their race. Nothing more remains to them in this world. but a coffin and a tomb. And I wonder, Have they accepted place in the Commonwealth of the redeemed? Have they partaken of the reviving waters that strengthen for ascensions beyond the reach of feebleness and death?

I see young men and maidens, full of the ardor, gayety, and hilarity of youth, eager in the pursuit of earthly pleasures, gains, and honors, and at whose hearts the subtle archer is aiming his arrow, presently to lay them with the dead. And I wonder, Are their names in the book of life?

I think what a lofty inspiration dwelt in the souls of those men of old who could walk forth amid the populations of the earth and proudly say, I am a Roman citizen! But how paltry was that short-lived honor compared with the immunity and glory of citizenship in the sacred Commonwealth of the saints,-in the eternal City of our God! Rome and its empire have fallen and passed away; but this City stands, and must. stand forever, with all its sons and daughters destined to a blessed immortality. Come what changes and convulsions may, amid the worst desolations of death and hell these shall survive,

and chant their Halleluias by the crystal sea, when this vain world shall be no more.

O that all who hear me this day may be duly awake and alive to the sublimity of our privileges, and find the inspiration and the peace that come by this River, the streams whereof make glad the City of God!

Brief life is here our portion:
Brief sorrow, short-lived care;
That Life that knows no ending,
The tearless life is there.

The Perishing Spendthrift.

Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger.

LUKE 15: 17.

HESE words call up the old, old story, so familiar to all,-the story of the prodigal son. But while that story is old, it

is ever new, ever displaying some new beauty, some fresh light. Many a careless and disobedient heart is still being touched by it, and tears in the eyes of many an awakened sinner still testify to its melting power. It is a story which also makes its appeal to us, as to all wanIderers from the Father's house who have been wasting His gifts and trying to satisfy immortal natures with this world's husks.

This was a case in which young man grew tired of his father's house, and impatient under its restraints. He longed to have his own way, and to be free to indulge his own likes and vanities. Virtuous obedience became irksome to him, and he took what he could, turned his back upon his parents, and went away into a far country, to live according to his fancy. How accurately this

describes multitudes of highly favored people! Born and reared in the Church, and blessed with all the tender care of fond and faithful parents, they have suffered their love of home and duty to die out; and though living beneath the shadows of God's house, are now morally in a far-off country, prostituting a kind Father's gifts, and wasting their faculties and powers in reckless follies and degrading guilt.

But this young man's selfish and evil ways soon brought him into unexpected griefs. His first downward steps were easy and flattering. The ways of sin and self-pleasing seem strewed with flowers, and for a while may fill with laughter and delight. But the joy soon palls; the pleasure fades; and life becomes flat, and stale, and wretched at the last. Sin always humiliates and brings to want and distress. Like the relentless Shylock, it will have its pound of flesh, and reduces to utter helplessness when the need is greatest. Famine soon comes to the land of the profligate, and with it comes want with nothing to satisfy it.

This prodigal soon found himself destitute, forsaken, and starving. Instead of the comforts of home and the society of equals, he is with herds of swine, and worse fed than they. Sin is a denuding robber. It robs of good name, right feeling, and self-respect. A convict is known only by his number, and the sinner loses his name as a child of God and heir of heaven. He is in disgrace; his whole being is reduced to dishonor and wretchedness.

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