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suffer no loss by me, but that I may be an ear well

bowed down with fruit-heavy laden. Father glorified, that I bear much fruit.

Herein is the

Let me gather

up the fragments of time, that nothing may be lost. Every minute of duration carries something on its wing. Before each disappears in the gulf of Eternity, let me send it a rapid messenger, the conveyancer of good. The grain and wheat will not come to perfection without waiting, watching, and care; and no more will my heart be worth gathering into the barn, if neglected. But, above all, let me get it under the sunshine of heaven and the soft influence of the Holy Spirit, else my waiting, and watching, and care will be in vain. So these gentle dews shall fall upon it which will develop its growth, and ripen it for the sickle of the Reaper. O Lord, my soul is Thine, Thou hast purchased it! Thou wilt not forget to confirm unto the end the work which Thou hast begun. He will also hear my prayer and help me, and so arrange my outward circumstances and my inward supplies, that He may afterwards look on what He hath Himself made, and pronounce it "very good."

As showers on meadows newly mown,
Jesus shall shed his blessings down;
Crowned with whose life-infusing drops,
Earth shall renew her blissful crops.

The dews and rains, in all their store, Drenching the pastures o'er and o'er, Are not so copious as that grace Which sanctifies and saves our race.

That heavenly influence let me find
In holy silence of the mind,
While every grace maintains its bloom,
Diffusing wide its rich perfume.

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.

THE COLLECT.

O GOD, whose blessed Son was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil, and make us the sons of God, and heirs of eternal life; Grant us, we beseech Thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves, even as He is pure; that, when He shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto Him in His eternal and glorious kingdom; where with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, He liveth and reigneth, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

THE EPISTLE.

"And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.-1 JOHN iii. 3.

"PURIFIETH himself;" therefore he needeth purifi

cation-amendment. Therefore in promising cases, there may yet be presupposed room for improvement.

I am discouraged by what I have done wrong, foolishly, injudiciously. Well, to have kept clear of folly is the first proof of wisdom; but to gather wisdom from folly, to profit by experience, is no mean advancement therein. "Purifieth himself;" a Christian should make a continual improvement. His business decidedly is to grow; for he is in a transition state. Not what he could not, but what he would not do, are the real grounds for serious apprehension. Even natural sin and moral infirmities, so far as they are retrogressive, and give way to the advancements of holiness-however they may contradict his character as a perfect man-are not at all against the nature and definition of a Christian, whose constant business is, through a hopeful faith in Christ, to purify himself, even as his Lord is pure.

THE GOSPEL.

"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven.”— ΜΑΤΤ. χχίν. 30.

HAT a sight, and how all-absorbing! If thoroughly

WHAT

received into the mind and written therein, it would leave no room for minor cares and petty vexations.

Do I feel and believe that I must, with my own eyes,

see this sight-the wreck of a dying world, and the Lord of Glory descending in power, to settle accounts with His creatures-and that I must meet Him face to face? If these things be so, what can be worthy of serious consideration, but whatever more or less directly affects the issue? If accepted by God, what is left to be feared-if rejected, what remains to be hoped? Can our success or ill success in other particulars alter the decision of this day? And if not-our final happiness depending upon this decision in either eventthey shall be equally indifferent to us. One thing is needful, that we may have reason to rejoice in that day, and "be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man." But how blessed to be among the number of those who will rejoice at His appearing, and whose redemption then draws nigh! Lord! give me the spirit of prayer, watchfulness, and constant supplication, that my faith in Thee may be vigorous; and that even now, beholding Thee afar off, I may love Thine appearing, that when Thou, who art my life, shalt appear, I may also appear with Thee in glory. Amen.

The day of wrath, that dreadful day,

When heaven and earth shall pass away!
What power shall be the sinner's stay?

How shall he meet that dreadful day?

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