words, mere words of overstrained feeling, I will really and truly endeavour after a Pastor's loving spirit. Let not my language in conversation or in my preaching be interwoven with soft or fulsome terms, while a dry, hard, repulsive manner and look seem to contradict the reality. Do I not observe our blessed Master readily listening to the tale of distress, the cry of necessity, the prayer of faith? And how shall not my spirit go forth and enter into the hearts and troubles of others, with all the help of genuine sympathy and kindling interest? "Jesus wept "." "Jesus was "moved with compassion ." "Jesus sighed "deeply in His spirit"." "Jesus groaned "within Himself'." Jesus forgat Himself in the coming trials of Jerusalem, and "beheld the city, and wept over it 2." And His merciful soul was moved at the consideration of those who should be with child and giving suck. "Daughters of "Jerusalem, weep not for me; but weep 7 St. John xi. 35. 2 St. Luke xix. 41. 8 8 St. Matt. xiii. 14. I "for yourselves, and for your children 3. May the remembrance of my Lord be ever fresh in my mind, and cure me of my natural selfishness and indifference for the sorrows of those around me. I will not be above giving time patiently to hear what the poor and afflicted have to say. Would not our Saviour have listened to them? And shall I imagine that I have other matters of more importance calling for my time, and abruptly refuse to hearken? I feel assured that my Ministry will never be blessed, until I have attained to some degree of Christ-like sympathy. Whatever other gifts may be mine, they will be useless, until I have learned, as the Lord Jesus in His holy pattern taught me, to "rejoice with them that do re"joice, and to weep with them that weep " 66 Nor let me ever forget that Jesus was lowly of heart. He was "in the form of 3 St. Luke xxiii. 28. Rom. xii. 15. my 66 "God, and thought it not robbery to be "equal with God, yet took on Him the "form of a servant, and was made in the "likeness of man 5." When I am tempted to pride of heart, conceit, or self-importance, as if I were some great one," let mind revert to the lowly and unprovided birth of my Saviour,-His poverty, His circumcision, His submission to Joseph and the blessed Virgin, His waiting upon St. John's Baptism, His tenderness to little children, His graciousness of manner to the Apostles and others, and "learn of "Him." PRAYER. O MOST holy and compassionate Saviour Jesus! our example, our strength, our salvation, teach me to be ever looking unto Thee as "the Author and Finisher of my 66 faith." Endue me with that meekness and lowliness, that kindness and tenderness of spirit, that zeal, and patience, and selfdenial in the service of God, that I may, 5 Phil. ii. 6, 7. in my poor degree, and according to the measure of the Spirit, reflect the graces of Thee, the Head of the Christian body. Let thy goodness be so communicated unto me, as thy messenger of mercy, that while the light of my example shineth forth from Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, the entire glory may be ascribed where alone it is due. Let me never be weary in the great and blessed work of caring for souls, and seeking to save them. Enable me to apply all my diligence to frame and fashion my life according to thy doctrine, and to lead those around me to be helpers in bringing others unto Thee, the great Shepherd of the flock. O Lord! Thou art in heaven, and I upon earth. What can I work, unless Thou first work within me, of thy grace? Hear me, O Lord! supply all my needs, and grant that in the great day I may rejoice to see that in thy might and mercy I have not run in vain, or laboured in vain. Even so, blessed Jesus! Amen. MEDITATION XI. "WILL you reverently obey your Ordinary, "and other chief Ministers of the Church, "and them to whom the charge and go 66 vernment over you is committed, follow"ing with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions?"-"I will endeavour my"self, the Lord being my helper." Whenever, O my soul, there is found in me an unwillingness to submit to just authority, there is reason to fear that I am yet a slave to pride. Soon may the day come, when in our Church there is stricter rule, more godly discipline, and readier obedience! It is of great importance to us to study the Service for Consecration of Bishops, that we may see the heavy burden lying on our spiritual Fathers, and, by dutifully submitting ourselves, lighten their responsibility. To the Bishop it is said, in words not to be forgotten by any, |