Be

without solicitation or desire on our part. That He delights to show mercy to such sinners as we are. That He rejoices to glorify his grace in the salvation of every one that is willing to be saved by the sacrifice of his Son. That He is pure, unmixed, tender love, to all who believe in Jesus. Is not this calculated to bring back the heart to Him? He might justly cast us all down to hell, but he will not. might rejoice in our destruction as his enemies, and yet be holy. He might crush us by his terrible power, and leave us no possibility of escaping. But he assures us that he has no delight in punishing us; he kindly invites us to come to him just as we are, and he promises most positively to bestow everlasting life, honour, and happiness, upon us. Is not this enough to melt a sinner's heart, to change a sinner's thoughts of God, and bring every one that believes it as a suppliant at his feet? Ought it not to be? Verily it ought; but so dreadfully hardened are we through the deceitfulness of sin, that without the power of the Holy Spirit it never does so. Still the tendency and design of the gospel are

the same.

Reader, has the design of the gospel

been answered in you? Do you know God? Have you correct and heart-affecting views of his glorious character? Has your heart been brought back again to God? Is he now the object of your love and trust? Do you love to think of him, to worship him, and to obey him? Do you exercise confidence in his word, in his love, and in the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ? If so, you have peace with God, you are devoted to God, and you enjoy at times the gracious presence of God. But if the gospel has no enlightening, softening, sanctifying effect upon you, you are perhaps in the condition of some of whom the apostle wrote; read his solemn words and tremble, for, indeed, you have cause: "If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Cor. iv. 3, 4.)

"The gospel brings a sov'reign balm

To ev'ry wounded soul;

Restores the dying man to life,

And makes the sinner whole."

A WORD FOR SERVANTS.

M

ANY persons professing religion, who find it necessary to employ servants, both in doors and out, think that if they provide for their temporal wants, and regularly pay them their wages, they have discharged their duty. Nothing can be more unscriptural. As we should seek the present and everlasting welfare of all about us, so especially of those who are employed by us, and minister to our comfort. Nor will any believer in Jesus discharge his duty to his domestics and dependents, unless he feels that a deep responsibility rests upon him, to seek the immediate salvation of all within the reach of his influence. Every master and mistress of a family, should feel under a solemn obligation to endeavour to bring every one in their employ to Jesus, and to deepen the spirituality of those who have already believed through grace. But many are exceedingly negligent here. There are deacons of churches who never pray in their families, nor even ask a blessing on their food; who employ both male and female

servants, but who never speak to them about their souls. And it is to be feared that there are many members of churches in just the same state. How can we expect our churches to flourish? How can we expect servants to have correct ideas of religion? How can we expect our houses to be nurseries for the church, while such a state of things exists? Preachers may preach, pastors may complain, but until we have more real religion in our members, there will not be much done.

Reader, do you keep a servant? Or do you employ labourers or assistants? If so, do you realise the value of their immortal souls? Do you feel laid under a solemn obligation to seek their salvation? Does the love of Christ constrain you to travail in birth for their souls? Or can you see them careless about their souls, neglecting the bible, and going direct to hell, without any deep feeling or concern? If you can, where is the evidence of your own interest in Christ, or union to Christ? If you were really one with Christ, would you not sympathise with Christ? But can you sympathise with him who wept over Jerusalem, and died for the vilest transgressors, if you have no pity, or deep concern for the

A WORD FOR SERVANTS.

M

ANY persons professing religion, who find it necessary to employ servants, both in doors and out, think that if they provide for their temporal wants, and regularly pay them their wages, they have discharged their duty. Nothing can be more unscriptural. As we should seek the present and everlasting welfare of all about us, so especially of those who are employed by us, and minister to our comfort. Nor will any believer in Jesus discharge his duty to his domestics and dependents, unless he feels that a deep responsibility rests upon him, to seek the immediate salvation of all within the reach of his influence. Every master and mistress of a family, should feel under a solemn obligation to endeavour to bring every one in their employ to Jesus, and to deepen the spirituality of those who have already believed through grace. But many are exceedingly negligent here. There are dencons of churches who never pray in their

ilies, nor even ask a blessing on their ; who employ both male and female