was lost. For this, He assumed the form of a servant, and endured the toil of earth; for this, He became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; for this, He died an agonizing and ignominious death; and, though now all anguish is past, and the cross of shame is exchanged for the throne of glory; though now the greeting of cherubim and seraphim have succeeded to the insults of the soldiers, and the reviling of the priests, yet His heart is the same. His purpose has never changed. At God's right hand He sits, expecting till his enemies be made His footstool.

He hath set us an example, that we should tread in His steps; in His pure life, we see the model of our piety; in His self-devotedness, the measure of our exertions and sacrifices; in the prayers He offered, the fervency with which we must seek assistance from on high; and in the singleness of aim with which He pursued the great object of His life, we sce the spirit that must ever animate our hearts.

"I know thy works." His eye is upon us; nothing is con-cealed from Him; we may deceive others, we may deceive ourselves, but can in no wise hide anything from Him whose "eyes are as a flame of fire," and "who searcheth the reins and the heart."

He knows all the hindrances to our success in His work. We may not; we may believe ourselves sincere, and our motives pure; we may perhaps look on our zealous efforts and our many prayers, and be surprised at the smallness of our success. There may appear to us an unaccountable discrepancy between such multiplied labours and such feeble results; and we may wonder why it is, and search in vain for the cause, attributing it, perhaps, to the peculiarity of our position, and to the difficulties of the field in which we labour; or deeming that the Lord's arm is shortened, and that it is because of His sovereign will that such small results are given us, being blind to those hindrances that are in ourselves, to the bosom sin yet retained, or the idol cherished in our hearts. But we cannot so deceive Him. He knows our works, and clearly sees the real causethe worm at the root of our piety, that strikes it with disease and death. He knows whether our motives be pure, whether we be really seeking His glory in all our labours. If pride, or the love of praise, or zeal for party, inspires us, our works please not Him; He requires that love be the animating principle of all our actions.

He knows all; not one word spoken for him is ever neglected; the alms given in secret, the cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, the widow's mite, the prayer of a humble, contrite heart, are all remembered by Him, and shall in no wise fail of their reward.

He is the great Judge, and the day of His coming draws nigh;

to that day all things tend. The progress of time hastens it forward. Yet a little while, and He that shall come, will come, and call all of us to His bar. Then, when He cometh to judge the earth in righteousness, when all nations are gathered together before Him, and the last great separation made; then—

1.The negligent servant shall be condemned.-"Thou wicked and slothful servant." This is not the charge of outward enmity—it is not for those who cried out, "We will not have this man to rule over us"-but of neglect; he had hid his talent, buried it in the earth, Matt. xxv. 25; he served not his Lord, and he is cast out into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The faithful servant shall be rewarded. Christ will not judge as man judges. He will not look at those things that have a great appearance with man, but at the heart. And O! how abundant and glorious will be the reward he bestows-"Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." How infinite the value of these words spoken by Christ! Here is true glory! immortality! fame! Contrasted with this, how feeble and puerile is the applause of men ! Granted that you can rise in the estimation of those around you, granted that you can become famous, and enstamp your name on the age in which you live, and fill your country and the world with applauding wonder; that your fellow-men promise you immortal honour, and future ages raise you a constant tribute of admiration;-can their praise be compared with the praise of Him who upholdeth all things by the word of His power? How in that great day will you regard it? Will it not appear passing strange, that ever you were so blinded as to follow such a delusive light when the sun of God's glory was around you? O! it is better, far better, to be poor, mean, despised, but faithful to Christ, and receive at that day his approbation; than laden with all the honours of earth, to be condemned by Him, and sunk down to everlasting despair. When he appears, may we be found faithful.

In the application of this subject, we say—

1. Let these words be a warning against all false standards in religion. Nothing is more common than comparison with those around us; members of churches, or any with whom we have intercourse; and drawing from their conduct, favourable inferences as to our own. This is, perhaps, one of the most fertile sources of backsliding; it makes us satisfied with ourselves, it retards our onward progress, and makes us at ease in Zion, when there is cause for anxiety and lamentation; for we seldom compare ourselves with those greatly above us, more often with those below us, and whose example gives us a favourable view of ourselves.

We have ONE great standard of piety to which we all should

be conformed; and it will be a glorious day for the church, when her members shall each one compare himself alone with CHRIST. Be it yours to do this. Commence and examine yourself, as if you stood alone, and were, for the first time, to make a profession of Christianity; as if you were the only one who believed in Jesus; and that in the sight of God and of angels, and surrounded by a world at enmity to Him, you were to declare yourself a living example of true religion- a follower of the Son of God. What would be your feelings?-how circumspect your conduct-how closely would you cleave to him -how earnestly seek His help- how diligently copy His example? Aim to do this. Remember it is what He wants.

He knows your works.

II. Let this subject warn us against declension in religion.We may unthinkingly become lukewarm, or leave our first love. All declension is dangerous; we know not its issues—its tendency is death. Our life here is a struggle. We are those but half-awakened; there is a tendency still to slumber, and a need of unceasing watchfulness. Only thus can we be safe. Our Lord's injuration to us and to all is, "Watch!" "He knows our works."

III. Let it warn us against neglecting opportunities of usefulness.—Whenever we have an opportunity of speaking a word for Christ-of warning, exhorting, or rebuking, of doing good, of relieving distress, of seeking the salvation of souls, Christ gives us, in that opportunity, a talent, for which He will require an account. We cannot suffer it to pass unimproved and remain guiltless. A lady, who had been remarkable for her thoughtlessness, once requested a professedly pious lady to accompany her that day to visit another lady, who was also professedly pious. The afternoon passed away, and the subject of religion was not mentioned, probably for fear of offending the gay friend who proposed the visit. As the two neighbours walked towards home, the first-mentioned remarked that she had lost the afternoon; for nothing would have induced her to leave home but the expectation of hearing something about religion; but, she added, "I came to the conclusion that there is nothing in religion, or that my neighbours do not possess it; for if they did, they would speak to me about my soul." She said she had been greatly alarmed about herself for several days; but had concluded that afternoon, that if religion was not worth talking about, it was not worth thinking of. Never," said that pious neighbour, "shall I forget that look of despair and reproach. I felt that I had murdered a soul by my neglect."

Alas! how many such opportunities have we suffered to pass unimproved? How many souls have we murdered? Who can say, "I am clear from the blood of all men"? Has not our neglect been a murderer of souls-our trifling, our evil examples

-our backsliding? Have we not abundant cause to offer the penitential prayer-" Deliver me from. bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness?"

IV. Let it arouse us to earnest endeavour to realize the purpose of God in our conversion.-We must remember the dignity of our high vocation. We are the servants of God-His witnesses, and must set before ourselves more prominently the purpose for which he has called us. It is not that we may enjoy life, that we may amass its treasures, or pursue the trifles of time; we are to show forth His praise; to spend our time in mere harmlessness, is no longer innocent. We have to do good, to labour, to pray; the time for rest is not yet. This is the day of toil and exertion; but a glorious reward awaits us. Let us awake and put on our strength, for the work of God demands strong hearts and devoted lives.

Dear Brother,

MEMOIRS OF THREE FRIENDS.

To the Editor.

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Could we but take up a position at the portals of glory as spectators, to mark the multitude of redeemed spirits that are constantly leaving the militant church for the church triumphant, and entering into the rest and glory prepared for them that are sanctified, how should we be led to adore the love and grace of God! While we stood and marked the progress of those who were children of wrath" and slaves of sin; but now redeemed, forgiven, sanctified, and properly characterised in God's word as, "children of God," "Heirs of God," and "Saints of the Most High;" having run their race, finished their work, subdued their foes, and standing complete in the " Righteousness which is of God by faith," now coming up to take their places with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and confessors of every age, our souls would be filled with ecstacy. We should, perhaps, gain a more correct idea of the number of God's elect, and we should see clearly that there are other views of the christian's removal from earth besides those which sorrowing friends are apt to indulge in below.

Death has recently visited our ranks in this circuit, and removed three of our friends from our midst, whose memory we wish to preserve in the short records which follow, by placing them, by your permission, in the Bible Christian Magazine.

'Friend after friend departs,

Who has not lost a friend?'

J. HINKS.

I. MRS. ELIZABETH EDGCOMBE.

MRS. ELIZABETH EDGCOMBE, widow of MR. RICHARD EDGCOMBE, departed this life at Kingsbridge, in the County of Devon, on the 19th of August, 1855.

Her christian course was commenced late in life, but through mercy there was light at even tide." Oh! how great the forbearance and love of God towards erring and sinful man : About fifteen of the last years of her life were devoted to God. During this time the servants of God who preach the word have more or less had access to her house, and intercourse with her and the family, there being during this time other members of the family converted to God, who still continued to walk in the way to heaven. confine our remarks to these latter years of our sister's life.

We shall

Sister Edgcombe possessed a sweetness of disposition, and manifested an evenness of temper not often exceeded. One who knew her best says, "I never knew her murmur at the providence of God towards her. If afflictions and stripes were laid upon her, she acknowledged it was all in mercy, and less than she deserved."

Our sister possessed a most remarkable taste for reading, and being much confined to her own habitation, she had much leisure time, or time not necessarily occupied with temporal matters. This taste for reading not only served to lessen the tedium of those numerous hours, which under other circumstances would be monotonous and painful, but afforded her the sweetest entertainment, and the highest enjoyment. Not being able to attend the public means of grace but very seldom, for some years past, her Bible, with other useful and good books, served her in some good measure in their stead. Reading was to her under those circumstances, to all intents and purposes, a means of grace. What a blessing to be able to commune with God in his word! Thanks be to His holy name for that invaluable gift! It reveals Deity to man. It points out with unerring certainty the pathway to bliss. It sets before the pilgrim that never-fading crown and the never failing inheritance reserved in heaven for the faithful.

As our sister was so far advanced in life before her conversion to God, and as for many years she was greatly disabled and crippled in her physical system, her position and circumstances afforded greater scope for the passive, than for the active moral virtues. These displayed themselves; and the more intimately you were acquainted with her, the more extensive did their developement

appear.

At Michaelmas, 1854, she left Aveton Gifford, where she and her family had resided a great many years, and went to Kingsbridge. In the winter which followed, the cold being intense, though not exposed, she seemed to feel it much. A cough came on, and from that time nature appeared to be giving way. She became weaker and weaker, till she was wholly confined to her room and her bed, where she continued about three months.

Having had many opportunities of conversing with her on matters relative to the soul both before and after her confinement to her bed, I always found her trusting in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. She was ever ready to converse about spiritual things, and though she would not generally express herself so confidently as some, as regarded her present acceptance with God, yet she never expressed a doubt that when she should be removed from earth she should take her place among the redeemed of the Lord at the right