thankful that we preach to attentive hearers. But I want more. I want to see sin forsaken-Jesus my Saviour loved and honoured. I want to see you crowding into the narrow way-pressing onward with a firm and joyous step. I want to see a larger number of my beloved flock asking the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, determined by God's help to live as earnest, faithful, and consistent followers of Christ.

and say,

God grant that you may one day—ah, this day-take up the language of our text "Whether I live I will live unto the Lord; and whether I die, I will die unto the Lord, whether living therefore or dying, I will be the Lord's."

72

SERMON V.

THE GREAT Work OF LIFE.

LUKE II. 49.—"Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"

THERE are some few words in the Bible, which we hardly ever meet with in the present day. But if we bear in mind that it was translated into English two hundred and fifty years ago, the wonder is that so few words occur in it which have fallen out of use. There is one of these words in our Text-The word "wist," which means "know." It is used in eleven other verses of the Bible, and in each of them it has the same meaning. Our Lord's words will now be clear to us, "Wist ye not (or know ye not) that I must be about my Father's business?"

There is a peculiar preciousness, brethren, about this verse; for it contains the only words which have come down to us, as having been spoken by our blessed Lord in the time of His childhood. Those early years were spent with His earthly Parents principally at Nazareth. Picture to yourself a Child, much like other children, year by year growing in wisdom and in stature; strictly following the wishes of Joseph and Mary; working at their trade, as "the Carpenter's Son;" a sinless Child, a pattern of holiness, and perfectly pure in heart and life.

At the age of twelve, His Parents took Him with them, to attend the great Feast of the Passover, according to the custom of the Jews. It was usual on those occasions for several families to join together for safety, and to travel in company. Those Passover days must have been happy and solemn seasons; for there was much in them to remind the people of God, of His

past goodness to them, and of mercies yet

to come.

The Feast being ended, the different companies gather together, and leave the city with their faces turned again towards their respective homes. The little party from Nazareth is among the rest. But Jesus is not with them. So great however, was the crowd, that it was not till the close of the first day's journey, that His Parents discovered that he was missing; for they supposed all the while that He was in the company, among their kinsfolk and ac quaintance.

As soon as they found it out, they hastened back to Jerusalem with the greatest anxiety. And there, in the midst of the Temple, to their surprise they beheld Him surrounded by a group of learned men, called Doctors, or Teachers of the Law. There He was, with these venerable Elders hanging upon His lips, and hearing from Him such words as no child had ever uttered before.

His Mother at once addresses Him in language of affectionate remonstrance

Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy Father and I have sought thee sorrowing." As much as to say, Thou hast never before caused us a single pang. The hearts of other parents have been sometimes grieved; but our hearts never experienced a moment's sorrow on thy account. What has called thee away from us now?

This question drew forth the words which I have taken for my Text; "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?"

Then, in the eye of Jesus, there is a higher work than that which concerns this world. There is a Father in heaven, a Master above, who has a stronger claim. upon us even than our earthly Father, or our earthly Master.

How much we may learn from this heavenly Child. We know not what were the words He spoke to those aged Jewish Doc