answer, "Yes; the highest human authority that the world ever had in it." For, first, he had life; and when I speak of life I don't mean mere existence. There is life and life. If there is not, what did that young man mean when he said to his mother, "As soon as I am out of my apprenticeship, I mean to go to London?" And when his mother asked him why he uld not be content to remain where his father and grand..ther had lived, he replied, "I want to see life." He did not mean he wanted to exist-he was existing where he was— he meant there was life and life. And that's what I mean, when I say David had life. First, he had a splendid physical constitution- he was "ruddy." He could meet the lion, or the bear, or the haughty Philistine. He could live in town or country, on the mountaintop or lowly valley. His very language conveys the idea of physical strength. He talks about "running through a troop, and leaping over the wall." This is not therefore the language of some poor dyspeptic, who groans out "Religion is better than life," but that of a robust vigorous man, who could enjoy all the good things the good earth yields. Second, he had a magnificent intellect. He was not merely a splendid animal, he was a splendid man. He was the poet of the ages. We have been singing his songs ever since he wrote them, and we shall go on singing them till the crack of doom, and may be in heaven itself. Then he was "the sweet singer of Israel." He could so touch his harp as to charm the evil spirit from the morose and haughty monarch. Third, he had a warm and loving heart. No man lives who has not this: your men whose lives are a platitude, who have no hills and no valleys, who never wept, because some one else was in trouble, nor rejoiced because some one else was glad to exist. But they do not live. David had the warm and loving heart. Look at his love for Jonathan. It is the model love of man for man. Then look at his love for Absalom. Listen to that heart-broken cry, that comes down the corridor of time, and which has wrung tears from the eyes of millions. "Oh, Absalom, my son Absalom; would God I had died for thee, my son, my son!" The man that uttered that cry had a warm and loving heart. Fourth, he had the highest of earth's honours. He was the mighty and triumphant warrior; and he was the Godappointed king of the most wonderful people the world ever had on it. Now look at him-with the poet's pen, the musician's harp, the warrior's sword, the monarch's crown, and you see a man who enjoyed the whole round of life, and he it is that says, religion is better than that. Thirdly, he had religion. This is not the language of some theorist, speaking the more strongly because he knows so little. about it. And it is not the language of some young man, in the joy of his first love. It is the language of one who had had religion and had enjoyed it long-had enjoyed it in the sunshine, had enjoyed it in the storm, in the palace amid the homage of his people, and on the mountains, where he was like a sparrow on the housetop. Yes, and if I wanted a testimony as to the value of religion, I would not receive the testimony of some young mar who has just obtained religion. I should say, "No, brother, you have a treasure, but it is infinitely more valuable than you imagine." I would let the grey hairs speak, and bid the rest be silent. And as the men stand up to testify, I should say, "We can't hear you all; let the one speak who has had the most trouble since he got religion." For no man knows the value of religion till he has been in trouble; as no man knows the value of a lamp, till he has been in darkness; and no man knows the value of a lifeboat, till he has been in a storm. Here, then, is the witness, and with a brave heart he says, "Religion is better than life." This witness does not stand alone. The martyrs were of his mind, they counted not their lives dear unto them, so that they might win Christ. And an ever-growing multitude are of the same mind; and the number will increase till every soul in heaven and hell shall unite in the declaration, that "religion is better than life." us. Is this treasure ours? If not, why not? It is provided for us, offered to us, pressed upon us. Why should we not receive it now? The nail-printed hand of Christ is stretched out to Let us grasp it, and live for ever. Do we possess it? If so, let us walk worthily. Let us see to it, that our lives be one long, sweet song of praise. If God has given us the best, who should we envy? If He has given us the best why should we murmur? We may not have a few things that we should like to have, but we have heaven within, and heaven beyond. "This world is ours, and worlds to come, KEEP your view of men and things extensive, and, depend upon it, that a mixed knowledge is not a superficial one. As far as it goes, the views that it gives are true; but he who reads deeply in one class of writers only, gets views which are almost sure to be perverted, and which are not only narrow, but false. Adjust your proposed amount of reading to your time and inclination; this is perfectly free to every man; but whether that amount be large or small, let it be varied in its kind, and widely ried. If I have a confident opinion on any one thing connected with the government of the human mind, it is this. -Dr. Arnold. Sermonic Helps. THE PAST AND THE FUTURE. "Ye shall henceforth return no more that way."-DEUT. xvii. 16. Ye have not passed this way heretofore."-JOSHUA iii. 4. HERE are two texts very appropriate to this season of the year. We may take our stand between them, as one standing betore a milestone on his journey. He has gone so many miles; those he will not pass over again: there are so many miles before him, and those he has not yet passed. The way of life is part gone and part to come. That gone, we shall not pass over again. Hence, we shall not pass through its sorrow's; no, nor its pleasures either. We shall not pass through its conflicts, or its victories. We shall not pass that way again, to correct its errors; to attend to its neglected duties; to amend its injuries to others. All is behind, and it must be so. What thoughts and reflections wake up within us as we look on the past! And then the way before us: we have not heretofore passed that. Hence, as we look forward with our experience of the past, let us resolve to be wiser and to do better. Let us have faith in God believe the promises-cherish hope-be faithful in duty -resist temptation-watch and pray-be happy in the love of God-labour to do good in all possible ways-rejoice in the prospect which opens up as we go on the journey. Every step brings us nearer the end-everlasting life. 66 We have not passed this way heretofore:" then we shall have opportunities of living more holily than we have in the past-using God's gifts and graces more diligently, and in every way serving our generation according to the will of God. Life in itself, is like an organ, or any musical instrument, inert and useless; and the music it plays is dependent on the musician. We make our lives what they are good or bad, as the musician makes the instrument to play good or bad music. Let us chase away all forebodings as to the future of the way. If the Ark go before us; or rather, if God go before us, we need have no fear; and He says "My presence shall be with thee; and I will give thee rest;"-rest even in journeying, from all dread, weariness, remorse and dismay. Longfellow in his romance speaks of Paul Fleming entering the little chapel of St. Gilgen. On the tomb above his head was the inscription, "Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again. Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly heart." Thus the Voice Divine speaks to every Christian traveller, as he leaves the past and faces the future. ALPHA. "Our bodies are our gardens; to the which our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce; set hyssop and weed up thyme; supply it with one gender of herbs, or distract it with many; either have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry; why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills." Othello. "What is a man, If his chief good, and market of his time, Sure He hath made us with such large discourse, To rust unused." Hamlet. THE POWER OF CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."-MATT. V. 16. "I AM not the rose," says the Eastern proverb, "but I have been with the rose and therefore I am sweet." The Christian is not Christ, but he has been with Christ, and therefore he partakes of Christ. The sun has no need to say "I shine:" his light shows this. So Christians have no need to say, “We live to God:" their life-work is evidence of their spiritual life, and their real attraction of men. "Let your light," &c. I. CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE: "Your light." That is, the purity of your heart, the sincerity of your actions -the holiness of your life. Let your light— 1. So "shine." a. As the truly pious have done before you: Enoch, Elijah, David, Paul, John, and a host of others. (Heb. xi. 1-40.) b. As you are moved by the Holy Spirit. (John xvii. 13—15.) c. As you are directed by the Word of God. (1 Tim. iv. 12.) 2. "Before men." a. That they may see your holy deportment: "your good works." (Matt. v. 14.) True religion is public-open-in everyday life in the family; in business; in company; cannot be hid any more than sunlight. b. That they may follow your good example: walk in your light learn of you, &c. II. THE POWER OF CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE: "Seeing your good works." The course of the truly pious is not marked by affected singularity supercilious morosities, ostentatious performances -to deter others from embracing the principles of the religion of Jesus Christ; but, on the contrary, their pious conversation, lowliness of heart, meekness of soul, sweetness of disposition, candour and simplicity, gives such a gentle, steady, and bright light to their example that allures men to follow them as they follow Christ. Holy living is 1. Penetrating. It commends itself to the hearts and the consciences of men. (Matt. v. 15.) 2. Convincing. It meets every objection that men may have to a religious life. 3. Most mighty in its influence over men. Inducing them to turn from sin to God. They who have Christ in their hearts will not only themselves be blessed by His love, but the holy influence of their lives will communicate the blessings of His love to others. They cannot live to themselves. III. THE PRINCIPLE OF CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE: works." "Good How rich and full the meaning of the term "good;" "good works." Works of love. "Faith works by love." These works of love relate 1. To ourselves. We first cultivate the true principles of religion before they can show themselves in real good to others. (Matt. v. 3-12.) Good works are the fruits of good living. As there must be a tree before there is fruit, so there must be true righteousness before good works can be produced. (Matt. vii. 16-20.) 2. To others. In the promotion of their temporal and spiritual good. (Matt. v. 43-47.) 3. To God. Loving and serving Him. Fulfilling the whole law. These works quicken the sensibility, soften the heart, arouse the conscience, subdue the will, kindle love, and bring the whole being into captivity. (Matt. v. 48.) CONCLUSION 1. Is your lamp burning and light shining? (Matt. v. 20-23.) 2. Keep your lamp burning and your light constantly bright. (Col. iv. 5.) J. B. HORBERRY. THE MIRACLE OF LOAVES AND FISHES. MATT. xiv. 15—22. But THE miracles of Christ many and various. Not wrought to please fancy or create wonder. They were all beneficent: expressed His Divinity, and proved His Messiahship. they were also symbolical of great principles and truths associated with God, Jesus, man, the Gospel, &c. This miracle |