warded according to their works, but they cannot be saved by them; for only "he that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

Many think to be saved by trusting to other mediators. Some have mythic Saviours that exist only in fancy, to whom they commit their souls. Some trust in human priests to do for them and set all right with God. Some make mere ceremonies, rites, and sacrifices their dependence, as if ritual observances, fasts, abnegations, will-worship, and such like compensations for sin are to take them to heaven. Some pray to saints, or the Virgin Mary, or to angels, trusting to their merits and intercessions to save them. But to all this the word of Jesus is, "No man cometh to the Father, but by Me."

And so there be some who hope for salvation through Christ, but give themselves no concern to be conformed to Him in life, temper, or righteous obedience. Good works of ours cannot save us; but we have no right to count ourselves saved, or on the way to salvation, while we live in sin and make no effort to model our hearts and doings to the holy example our Saviour has set us. "Faith without works is dead, being alone." A good tree bringeth forth good fruit; and if faith does not lead to righteous living and doing, it is not yet of sufficient power to put us on the Way to heaven. "Faith must obey the Father's will, as well as trust His grace."

Dear friends, there be many refuges of lies by

which sinners have sought to shelter themselves in hope of escaping the divine condemnation; but there is only one Way to the Father, and that is through Jesus Christ, embraced by faith, and devoutly served. If we ask what is the way to heaven, Jesus answers, "I am the Way." If we ask whether there is any other Way, He answers "None." If we ask whether there be not some exceptions in favor of good and virtuous people whom we may hope to meet in heaven, His answer is No: "no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." Timothy, who knew the Scriptures from a child, and Mary Magdalene possessed by seven. devils, had but one way to salvation. The loving John who leaned upon the Saviour's breast, and the malefactor dying for his crimes, had but one way to Paradise; and that is the way of faith in Christ Jesus. All need expiation for their guilt. All need quickening and renewal of their hearts by His Spirit. All need a Saviour who can give life to the dead. All need a competent and availing intercessor to stand for them before the throne. And in Jesus only can such a Helper be found.

Most people have some idea of going to heaven when they die. They love to hear of that Father's house in which are many mansions. They often think of it, and talk of departed friends as there, and fondly cherish the hope of meeting them where all tears are dried and parting is no more. And it is well that their hearts are so far awake and alive to the heavenly blessedness. But something more is necessary. The question is, have

they betaken themselves to the only Way to heaven? Have they learned to know, confess, and trust in Jesus? Have they joined themselves to Him as their Lord and their salvation? O dear friends, be careful that you do not cheat your souls with hopes of coming to the Father-home without seeking and appropriating the one only Way to it.

24

Blessed Privilege.

Ninth Sunday after Trinity.

And He turned Him unto His disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see; for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.-LUKE IO: 23, 24.

M

JANY people do not know when they are well off. Even the most favored do not half appreciate what they have. This is especially true with regard to spiritual privileges. The Apostles themselves needed to be told and admonished with regard to their favored estate in this respect. And even when their attention was called to it, they did not half understand the character and value of what the good providence of God had vouchsafed to them. When ills and privations come we keenly feel them; but our blessings we take as a matter of course.

But not so would the Saviour have us feel and act. He would have us understand and appreciate His favors, especially those which relate to our spiritual and eternal welfare. This is amply shown in what the text brings to our attention. What then are "the things" to which the

Saviour here refers as being seen and heard by His disciples; John, who was one of them, speaks joyfully of them. "The Word," says he, "was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." And again, "That which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled of the Word of life, that declare we unto you." In other words, they had seen the Christ, the incarnate Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, and heard His words, and beheld His miracles. They were having familiar converse with the very Lord of glory.

To no people on earth had such privileges ever been previously awarded. Some very high favors had been vouchsafed to the patriarchs and prophets. God had made himself known to them by many notable revelations. They had many hopeful ideas of the Saviour to come. Abraham saw His day, and was glad. "The sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow," were foretold by the prophets in terms of happy exultation; but they did not fully understand what the Spirit that was in them did signify. It was through types and partially understood predictions that they had to do with Him. But it was different with the Apostles. They saw the Christ face to face. They were His companions. They were the hearers of His words, and the eyewitnesses of His mighty works. What they did not understand of His public addresses He ex