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For this purpose they should read and explain | cometh down from above it will determine us to the bible to their children, and enable them to embrace every opportunity that may be presented, read and understand it for themselves. Other whether in public or private, of inviting the atbranches of knowledge may be useful and even tention of those with whom we associate to the necessary; but what shall these avail in the end things which belong to their peace. if the one thing needful has been neglected? The Few points of character may be more safely work of parental instruction requires much time relied on as an evidence of personal godliness than and great labour; and it must be done not by the desire to converse on religious subjects. It is substitutes, but by parents themselves, in a course truly mournful to think how very seldom matters of diligent and well directed personal efforts. It of a spiritual nature find their way into our ordiis truly said that 'a good man leaveth an inheri-nary conversation. The professing people of God tance to his children.' He may have nothing meet together and converse about many things; else to give, but if he has conferred on them the they talk on the state of the weather, or the news advantages of a religious education, followed up of the day, or on questions of national policy, or by fervent prayer, and illustrated and enforced by the merits of public men, or the defects of private a consistent example, he leaves them an inheri- character, but have not a word to say respecting tance that is more valuable than any thing and the truths of the bible, nor the concerns of their every thing else. But 'children' represent the souls, nor the realities of an eternal world. How rising generation in general, and in this view the different is the course which the authority of inprecept speaks to all without exception. Many spiration has dictated on the subject! "Thou parents care not for the spiritual interests of their shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine families; in such cases it becomes the duty of house, and when thou walkest by the way, and every professing Christian to endeavour, as far as when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.' possible, to supply their lack of service. In no other way can we do so much good at so little expence as by extending the blessings of a religious education to the ignorant and neglected youth. But another mode of communication is by talking, or

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This practice has many advantages to recommend it. It is of comparatively easy observance. Those who cannot produce a regular and well connected discourse upon the truths of God, are yet able to talk about them in familiar conversation. No man feels himself at a loss for something to say Conversation. Thou shalt talk of them.' To when he speaks of subjects that lie near to his talk is to convey our thoughts upon any subject heart, for 'out of the abundance of the heart the in a simple, homely, and familiar style of address, mouth speaketh.' Another recommendation is such as we are accustomed to employ in the com- the probability of usefulness. In this way valuamon intercourse of domestic and social life. With-ble lessons of truth may be communicated, and out being necessarily coarse or undignified it has seasonable warnings administered, and serious imthe recommendation of being universally under-pressions produced, no less extensively and no less stood, and of being calculated to attract and in- effectually than by more public and laborious interest the minds both of the learned and the ig- strumentality. Cast thy bread upon the waters, norant. It is the style which God himself has for thou shalt gather it after many days.' But adopted in the revelation of his will, for the scrip- personal holiness is an essential qualification for tures which contain it are distinguished through- religious usefulness. We must seek to have our out by their extreme plainness and simplicity. own hearts impressed with the truths of the What was the teaching of Christ but a series of bible, and then the work of communicating them conversations in which he talked familiarly with to others will be easy, pleasant, and successful. his disciples or with the Jewish people? S talk on religious subjects evidently for no purpose than to display their own attai but our design should be to instruct an others; and this requires that we should of them with the ut simplicity, and same time with gr obtrude these sub of others, would good. A word fi this as in every d profitable to direct;

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TY-FIRST DAY.-EVENING.

child thou hast known the holy ich are able to make thee wise through faith which is in Christ ii. 15.

le with regard to the early One most important circorded for our instruction.

His father was not a Jew, nor a proselyte to the | firmed than in the words of the apostle, who religion of the Jews, but a Greek, and conse- declares that they are able to make wise unto quently, if not hostile to the Jewish scriptures, salvation.' They do this— yet ignorant of them, and indifferent about them. Timothy had not been circumcised in his infancy; but his religious education had, notwithstanding, been carefully attended to by his grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice, who were not only Jewish by birth, but, which is far better, decidedly pious women. Through the blessing of God upon their labours, young Timothy acquired an early and intimate knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures; and he was by this means prepared to follow the example of his excellent mother by embracing the gospel, and devoting himself to the service of Christ. During the whole of his subsequent life he continued to cherish a grateful sense of the benefit which he had derived from early parental instruction; and Paul, his spiritual father, took occasion to remind him, both as a ground of thankfulness to God, and a motive to perseverance in duty, that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.'

Other writings make men wise, but not 'wise unto salvation.' The wisdom that may be derived from them is valuable in a very high degree, and capable of being applied to many useful purposes, and worthy of being sought after with ardour and diligence; but it is the wisdom of this world, which has to do only with the things of the world, and which, with the world, will at death pass away and be forgotten. What can all the wisdom avail us which the facts of history apply, or which may be derived from a minute acquaintance with the maxims of philosophy, the mysteries of science, or the rules of art, so long as we remain destitute of that wisdom which the Fht of inspiration has revealed? 'Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For ter that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the olishness of preaching to save them that be

Love.'

The arrogant deist who denies the necessity f revelation, labours under a delusion scarcely more palpable and pernicious than the blinded tary of the Church of Rome, who asserts its Sufficiency. We know that the scriptures need wt the help of interpretations to clear up their bscurity; much less do they need the help of raditions to supply their deficiency. The end ir which they were given, and their perfect efficy to the accomplishment of that end, could t have been more clearly and conclusively af

By the discoveries which they afford. The first step towards the attainment of saving wisdom consists in the knowledge or conviction of sin. The scripture hath concluded all under sin, that every mouth may be stopped, and that all the world may become guilty before God.' But a conviction of sin without the hope of forgiveness could only lead to despair. The awakened sinner finds a refuge in the holy scriptures, which assure him of an acceptable atonement offered for the expiation of his guilt, of a perfect righteousness wrought out for the justification of his person, and an effectual influence provided for the sanctification of his nature. Here is a redemption alike honouring to the perfections of God, and suited to the circumstances of man, comprehending everything which we can possibly need, or reasonably desire, or profitably seek after, knowledge for our ignorance, pardon for our guilt, love for our enmity, purity for our corruption, strength for our weakness, hope for our fears, life for our death. The holy scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation by

The influence which they exert. Our Lord said of them, what cannot be affirmed of any other writings, The words that I speak unto you they are spirit, they are life.' Paul had felt this influence in himself, and from experience he could declare, 'I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.' He had witnessed it in others, and he could appeal to thousands when he said, 'For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.'

But the holy scriptures can exert no influence unless they are believed. Articles of food may be wholesome and nutritious, but in order to impart strength to the body they must be received into it. Medicines may be calculated to effect a cure, yet the patient would inevitably perish if he should continue to resist their application. Our unbelief cannot affect the truth of the scriptures, but it will prevent their efficacy. The influence which they exert is not mechanical, but moral: it is the influence of doctrines and precepts, of promises and threatenings, addressed to the understanding and the judgment, the conscience and the heart. But these cannot operate unless they are felt; nor can they be felt until they are believed. Instead of being the savour of life unto life, which they are graciously intended and calculated to be, they become to all who reject

knowledge for thyself; wisdom and knowledge | wisdom of God.' Its doctrines are the word of is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, wisdom;' its precepts are 'the ways of wisdom.’ and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings All who believe and obey it have been made have had that have been before thee, neitherwise unto salvation.' The voice of Christ shall there any after thee have the like.' Thus speaks in every part of it, and in every part it appears that 'godliness is profitable unto all it speaks the language of true wisdom. Obthings, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.'

Wisdom comprehends all that is essential to the spiritual and eternal interests of man. It is another name for real and saving religion. In principle, it is faith; in experience, it is peace; and in character, holiness. It is the pearl of great price; it is the one thing needful. Other things may be desirable, this is indispensable. Other things may be needful to some, but all stand in need of wisdom, whether learned or ignorant, high or low, rich or poor.' 'Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to compared unto her. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and happy is every one that retaineth her.' And as wisdom is necessary to all, so it is attainable by all. 'Wisdom crieth aloud; she uttereth her voice in the streets, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.' But wisdom is God's gift; as he confers the blessing, so he claims the glory. Let us then live in the spirit of dependence and gratitude, daily asking, 'So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.'

'Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.' Amen.

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NINETEENTH DAY.-MORNING.

Wisdom crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors,' Prov. viii.

serve—

The

The publicity of its announcements. heathen oracles uttered their responses in secret, and with studied ambiguity. Error shuns the light; but wisdom 'crieth' that all may hear. She comes forth to the gates of the city, or the streets, and other public places, where all classes of the people usually congregate in the greatest numbers. Thus did Jesus in the course of his personal ministry. In the last day, that great day of the feast, he stood and cried, saying, 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.' To Pilate, who asked him of his disciples and of his doctrine, he could say, 'I spake openly to the world, I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.' He had not one doctrine for the rich, and another for the poor; but addressed to the people without distinction and without exception the word of truth and salvation. That which he did in his own person, he commanded the disciples to do in his name, What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house tops.' It is his will that all men should come to the knowledge of the truth, that they may be saved. Still he cries, Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.' The gospel is recommended by—

The kindness and impartiality of its administration. Wisdom crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city,' in the hearing of a large and promiscuous multitude, comprehending persons of every variety of rank and character. No where is the preaching of the gospel so much needed as in places of public resort, frequented as they worthless of mankind. The master of the feast usually are by the most ignorant, depraved, and commanded his servants, 'Go out into the high ways, and as many as ye shall find bid to the By wisdom Solomon intends the Son of God. His marriage. In him there is enough and to spare; people may be wise, but he is wisdom. He is and as the provision is sufficient for all, so it is the essence, the source, the perfection, the per- offered to all without money and without price.' sonification of wisdom. The term wisdom may, There is no respect of persons with him. He conhowever, be understood to represent that system demned the proud Pharisees who felt no need of of divine truth which was taught by him, and by repentance; but kept company with the publithe apostles in his name. The gospel is emi- cans and sinners, who confessed their guilt, and nently entitled to the appellation of wisdom. 'It desired instruction. The gospel is remarkable is the wisdom of God in a mystery; the manifold for-

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have refused, and the means of grace which they have despised, and the opportunities of improvement which they have neglected, and the capacities of usefulness which they have misapplied, will form so many bitter ingredients in their cup of misery. But now is the accepted time.' Let the cry of wisdom, calling to repentance and promising forgiveness, be responded to in the prayer of the publican, who smiting on his breast, and not daring so much as to lift up his eyes to heaven, cried, God be merciful to me a sinner.' Such a cry will assuredly come up with acceptance into the ears of the Lord God of Sabaoth, who is not only compassionate and merciful, but faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous

Plainness and simplicity. It speaks not only to the multitude promiscuously, but particularly to individuals. All the knowledge of it which is necessary may easily be obtained even by the most illiterate inquirer. Wisdom crieth not only 'at the gates, at the entry of the city,' but also 'at the coming in at the doors.' Thus Christ taught both publicly, and from house to house. Not only has he placed the word of salvation within our reach, he has brought it to our very doors. He has made it not only accessible, but intelligible to all, so that every man may read and can understand it for himself. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.' The gospel is ness.' characterised by

The urgency of its calls and invitations. Accordingly wisdom 'crieth' with an earnest and importunate voice. And she does not wait to be applied to, but goes forth to meet the people 'at the entry of the city,' and there solicits their attention. She perseveres in the attempt, and continues to press upon them with her importunities, following them from 'the gates' of the city even to the coming in at the doors' of their houses. Truly the Lord 'is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.' He not only waiteth to be gracious, but employs positive means in order to persuade sinners to turn and live. He addresses them by his word and ordinances, by his ministers and people, by the remonstrances of conscience and the dispensations of providence. He speaks to them in the language of kindness and terror, of promise and threatening, of expostulation and entreaty. Instead of leaving them to the consequences of their criminal resistance, he bears with their indifference and renews his solicitations; he raises another and a louder cry; has recourse to more urgent importunity and more powerful means to enforce their compliance. With some the means prove successful; and when sinners repent and turn to the Lord, he sees in them the travail of his soul, and is satisfied. Others continue impenitent; and over them he utters the lamentation of unavailing sympathy: If thou hadst known, even thou, at least, in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes!'

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NINETEENTH DAY.-EVENING.

'Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!' Deut. xxxii. 29.

THE Jews were proverbially inconsiderate. Isaiah complained of them saying, 'The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.' Moses had witnessed many sad proofs of their forgetfulness and folly: and at the close of a long and laborious life, spent in their service, his heart's desire and prayer for them was, 'that they would consider their latter end.' The subject was not more important to them than it is to all. It teaches us that to 'consider our latter end' constitutes true wisdom. By our latter end he means death. But it cannot be profitably considered unless it is properly understood. We understand it to be

The end of our present state of being, of its joys and sorrows, its duties and dangers, its possessions and pursuits, its comforts and cares. The hand then forgets its cunning, the tongue is silent, the pulse ceases to beat, and the lungs to breathe; the whole frame becomes a lump of cold and senseless clay. The ties which bind us to our nearest and dearest friends, and to every thing earthly, are then broken asunder; for they that have wives shall be as though they had none; and they that weep as though they wept not, and they that buy as though they possessed not; for How fearful, yet how just, will be the con- the fashion of this world passeth away.' And demnation of those who turn a deaf ear to the the change is final. "There is hope of a tree if it try of heavenly wisdom! They are without ex-be cut down, that it will sprout again. But man case; and the invitations of mercy which they dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the

ghost, and where is he? We understand our lat- | cern. ter end to be

The commencement of a future and eternal state of being. The 'dust shall return to the earth as it was; but the spirit shall return to God who gave it.' After death cometh the judgment, which shall try every man's work; and the sentence of the Judge shall admit of no appeal, nor can the consequences which follow, whether happy or miserable, be ever altered, or reversed. They that are Christ's, made perfect in holiness, shall immediately enter on the full and everlasting enjoyment of God; whilst the enemies of his cross and his cause shall be cast into outer darkness, 'where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.' We understand death to be

The universal destiny of man. The stroke of death cannot be resisted by force, nor evaded by artifice, nor set aside by the influence of rank or wealth. One event happeneth to the righteous and the wicked, to the king and his subjects, to the philosopher and the fool, to the man of wealth and the child of poverty, to the sinner of fourscore and the infant of yesterday. I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.' We understand that the event of death may come

Soon and suddenly upon us. It cannot be far off, and it may be very near at hand. This night thy soul may be required of thee. How often are children carried off before their parents, the scholars before their teacher, the physician before his patients. Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.' We understand death to be

The penalty of guilt. By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death hath passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.' In Adam all die, even those who never sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression. But as death is the wages of sin, so 'the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.' To understand death aright we must view it in

connection with

The remedy which has been provided for it in the sacrifice of Christ, who by dying took away sin, which is the sting of death, and destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage, and who are enabled to say, 'Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.' How awfully momentous is the event of death, when thus understood! How unaccountable, how fatal the infatuation which treats it as a matter of trifling or of distant con

All who are truly wise will consider their latter end. Wisdom requires them to consider it with

Serious attention, as a subject in which they are deeply interested, and with which they must very shortly be brought into personal connection. Fools may altogether exclude the thought of death; but instead of being resisted as a presumptuous intruder, it ought to be welcomed as a friendly monitor, and permitted habitually to influence our feelings and conduct. It is not more calculated to alarm the sinner and bring him to Christ, than it is necessary to humble the believer, and excite him to duty. They who are wise will consider their latter end—

Practically, and in the way of diligent preparation, by cultivating a state of mind and character suitable for meeting death. This includes the exercise of a simple and steady reliance on the work of Christ; connected with the cultivation of exalted spirituality, unfeigned and universal repentance, enlarged and active benevolence. Our lamps must not merely have oil in them, they must be filled with it, and exhibit a bright and vigorous flame. Nothing but the privilege of union to Christ realized by faith, evinced in the purification of the heart, and in the victory which overcometh the world, can prepare us to meet death with safety, or warrant us to meet it with confidence and comfort. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They who are wise will consider their latter end—

Without delay. The Bridegroom may tarry, but the delay cannot be long; and the suddenness of his coming may be such as to take even those who love and long for his appearance by surprise. Then 'whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.' Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel."

TWENTIETH DAY.-MORNING.

Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you,' Prov. i. 23. WISDOM has a word in season for persons of every variety of character and circumstances. For the ignorant, she has a word of instruction; for the sorrowful, a word of consolation; for the

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