he ever dreamed of the place which he was afterwards to fill in the history of the church and the world to the end of time.

It would appear that Andrew, Peter's brother, was one of the disciples of John the Baptist, and that he first introduced Peter to Christ. The introduction was brought about in the following way :-Andrew and another disciple were present on one occasion with John, when the Saviour was walking by, and John said, "Behold the Lamb of God." These two disciples, having heard these words, immediately followed Jesus. "Jesus turned and saw them following, and said unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour." But, as it would seem, before accepting this invitation to remain for the night with Christ, Andrew set off in quest of his brother Simon. He was so deeply impressed with the character, conversation, and claims of Christ, that he could not be satisfied until his brother Simon had made the acquaintance of this singularly interesting personage, and been brought to share in his views and feelings. Having met with his brother, he said to him, "We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." This is a fine illustration of the concern we should feel for, and the efforts we should make to promote, the spiritual interests of our

near relations. We cannot prove our love to husband or wife, to father or mother, to son or daughter, to sister or brother, better than by bringing them to Christ. He is the Great Teacher, the Divine Saviour, the Sovereign Lord, the Judge of all. Bring your friends and relatives to him, that they may receive at his hand wisdom and salvation, happiness and heaven. Bring them to him by invitation, prayer, and faith. Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. "And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon, the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a stone," or Peter. This occurred at Capernaum, perhaps some twelve months before Peter was called to immediate attendance upon Christ. It is probable that during this period he had several interviews with Christ, and that, before he was hailed from the shore, he had become fully convinced of the truth of the Saviour's claim to be the Messiah. As yet, however, the Redeemer had not entered upon his public ministry, and Peter continues to follow his calling as a fisherman of Galilee.

We can imagine him leaving his humble home in the morning of the day to which the text refers, accompanied by Andrew, his brother. We can see him taking his usual place in the boat, arranging his nets, and preparing for the labours of the day. They put off from the beach, -they bend upon their oars, and gradually the net is dropped as they stretch out on the lake. Are the brothers engaged in conversation? If so, of what, and of whom, do they converse? Or are they silent and meditative?

With what, then, are the thoughts of Peter occupied ? Are they with his wife and family on the shore ?—are they taken up with the prospects of the day, the weather, and the take of fish? or are they of him to whom public attention is so largely turning, as the long-expected Messiah? We may very well suppose that the incidents of his several recent interviews with Christ were fresh in his recollection. New light had broken in upon his mind, and strange influences are at work upon his heart. And now that he leaves the din of the shore, and perhaps catches sight of Capernaum, where the Saviour had chosen to dwell, his thoughts would be busy with him. Was he indeed the Christ of God? "Have I seen and conversed with him who is the desire of all nations?' Have I been familiarly in the company of him of whom Moses and the Prophets wrote and spoke? Have I spent an evening with the Lord's Anointed, of whose coming enraptured seers have sung in loftiest verse? How happy am I how greatly favoured!" Happy, indeed, he was, and favoured of God! Kings, and Prophets, and righteous men, had desired to see the day of Christ, but had not seen it, to hear the things that Peter heard, but they had not been permitted.

The sky above is clear. The lake is calm; and its unrippled surface, like a brilliant and beautiful mirror, reflects the surrounding scenery, or the passing shadow of a fleecy cloud. All around is still; and only the dip of the oar is heard. But, hark! What voice is that?

They are hailed from the shore. They listen; and the words, "Follow me," thrill them with emotion. There is a majesty and power in this singular call from the shore, to which they bow without a moment's hesitation. They cannot mistake the voice. Its tones have become familiar to them; and their hearts respond with strange and delighted feeling.

"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," said the voice from the shore. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him." Their obedience to the singular call thus addressed to them, was prompt and cheerful. They did not think it unreasonable. They were not unprepared for it. They were not indisposed to it. Whatever it might involve, they were content. Whatever might hold them back, or stand in their way, they were resolved. And, without either delay or reluctance, they forsook every thing at the Saviour's bidding, and followed him.

With them the authority of Christ was paramount; his claims upon them were unquestioned: their love to him overpowered every consideration of business, family, and home. For him all was at once and willingly sacrificed : "They straightway left their nets, and followed him.”

But we are told that it was little, after all, that Peter left for Christ,-only his boat and his nets. Only these! And what had he beside? Can a man leave more than his all? And is the "all" of one man more to him than the "all" of another man is to him? The "all" of

Peter, though including only his boat and his nets, was as nuch to him as the "all" of Herod, in yonder sumptuous palace. It was on this principle our Lord estimated the comparative value of what was cast into the treasury by rich persons and by the poor widow. She cast in two mites, which make one farthing; and the Redeemer said, "She hath cast in more than they all; for they have cast in of their abundance, but she of her penury hath cast in all her living,”—all that she possessed. God looks at the heart; and the principle and motive determine the quality of the action. When a man sacrifices his all for Christ, whether that all be much or little, it matters not, the principle of sacrifice has been perfectly developed.

Come and be my "Follow me" to the My work is to do the

"Follow me," said the voice from the shore. "Follow me," that is to say, Become my disciples. Place yourselves under my teaching, and learn my doctrine. Identify yourselves with me and my cause. immediate personal attendants. work which I have come to fulfil. will of Him that sent me. My mission is to teach mankind; to make God known; to bring life and immortality to light; to establish the kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. I am come to seek and to save that which is lost. My sheep have been scattered without a shepherd. They wander on the mountains, or stray in the wilderness. I go to seek for them. "Follow me;" break away from the ordinary duties of your calling, ---from the attractions of home,-from familiar scenes and