into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of te Lord.'

"More than any one whom we have ever known, had he learned to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amidst all his humility, and it was very deep, he had a prevailing consciousness that he was one of those who belong to Jesus; and it was from Him, his living head, that he sought strength for the discharge of duty, and through Him, his Righteousness, that he sought the acceptance of his performances. The effect was to impart habitual tranquillity and composure to his spirit. He committed his ways to the Lord, and was sure that they would be brought to pass; and though his engagements were often numerous and pressing, he was enabled to go through them without hurry or perturbation. We can discern traces of this uniform self-possession in a matter so minute as his hand-writing. His most rapid notes show no symptoms of haste or bustle, but end in the same neat and regular style in which they began; and this quietness of spirit accompanied him into the most arduous labors. and critical emergencies. His effort was to do all in the Surety; and he proved that promise, Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.'

"To speak with the plainness which such a solemn occasion justifies, or rather to make the confession which this heavy visi tation calls for, it must be owned that, whilst the possession of such a bright and shining light was the Church of Scotland's privilege, the rarity of such is the Church of Scotland's sin. When we consider the ability and orthodoxy of the pious portion of our ministry, it is mournful how little progress the work of God has made. It certainly has not stood still; but taking the labors and success of the seven short and feeble years allotted to this faithful evangelist for our standard, we almost feel as if the work had been going back. If few congregations have witnessed the scenes with which St. Peter's had become happily familiar, one reason is that few ministers preach with the fervor, the Christexalting simplicity, and the prayerful expectancy of Robert M'Cheyne; and few follow out their preaching with the yet more impressive urgency of his gracious intercourse and consistent example. The voice of this loud providence shall not have been uttered in vain if it impart new instancy to the ministers, and new eagerness and solemnity to hearers-if it break up that conventional carnality which would restrain matters of eternal import to pulpits and Sabbath-days, and make it henceforth the business of the gospel ministry to win souls and tend them. Hireling shepherds will not regret the brother who is gone. His life and labors were a reproof to them. But if the many devout men who, now that Stephen has been carried to his burial, are making lamentation over him, would arise and follow him, even as he followed Christ, the present judgment would end in unprecedented

blessing. Coming at this conjuncture, the death of this faithful witness is a striking call to ministerial disinterestedness and devotedness. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.' And while some are crying mournfully, Where is the Lord God of Elijah?' we pray that many may find the answer in a double portion of Elijah's spirit descending on themselves.

"LONDON, April 3, 1343."

Even so, Lord! Amen

LECTURES.

LECTURE I.

THE TEN VIRGINS.-PART I.

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut, Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."-Matt. XXV. 1-13.

But he

THERE is not in the whole Bible a parable that applies more accurately to this congregation than this. Like the ten virgins, you may all be divided into two classes. Some of you are wise, I trust; and some, alas! are foolish. Like the virgins, you all profess a great deal; and yet some have the gift of the Holy Spirit, and some want it. And the day is fast hastening when you will be separated: the truly saved among you will enter in with Christ-the rest will be shut out for eternity. At present I can overtake only three facts.

I. God's children are wise; the rest are foolish.-Verse 2. Those of you who are God's children are truly wise. First, Not worldly-wise. This is denied: "Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise."-1 Cor. i. 26, 27. And: "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."-1 Cor. iii. 19. "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."--Matt. xi. 25. "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength."-Ps. viii. 2. Not many of deep, profound mind are saved-not many men of

learning-not many of your sagacious, worldly men-men wise to drive a bargain. These are often passed by; and God takes some little child that knows nothing of the world, or some peasant from behind his plough, and brings them to glory. Why? Just that no man may boast and say: It was my wit that saved me. Second, Yet God's children are wise-the only wise in this world.

1. They see things as they truly are. You that are mere professors do not see things as they truly are. (1.) Time. You do not see time as it truly is-the threshold of eternity; you do not see how short it is-that threescore and ten years are but a span; you do not see how rapidly it passes-like the swift ships-like the eagle to the prey; you do not see that it cannot be recalled, and that every moment is precious--that it is the time for conversion-the only time; else you could not waste it in mere pretences to godliness. They that are Christ's see time as it really is. (2.) Yourselves. You do not see yourselves as you truly are. You have never seen what it is to be by nature children of wrath; you have never seen the awful mountains of sin that are piled over your soul; you have never seen the lusts that bind your soul-the deep volcano of burning lust that is in your own bosom. They that are Christ's see this somewhat as it truly is. (3.) The favor of God. You have never seen how precious it is. You know the value of the favor of man, and therefore you wear a cloak of profession; but you know not the value of God's favor, or you would fly to Christ. They that are Christ's know this as

it is.

2. God's children do not rest in knowledge. Hypocrites always rest in their knowledge. You never can tell them anything new. They say: I know that. Tell them of sin, of Christ, of judgment to come-they think they shall be saved because they have knowledge; although this knowledge has never led them to rest on Christ-to pray--to leave their sins. You that are Christ's have turned from idols-you are the only wise.

3. A child of God lives for eternity. A hypocrite lives for time. This was all Judas lived for-if he could pass off for a while as a true disciple-if he could keep up appearances for a time-if he could indulge his lusts, and yet be esteemed a believer, and a true apostle. He tried to keep up appearances to the last. So Demas wanted to deceive Paul for this life-to be

thought a brother. Alas, how many of you are thus foolish!living so as to keep up an appearance of being a Christian for a little time, though you know that you are living in positive sin, and that you will be discovered before the world in a short time. You only are truly wise who live for eternity-as you shall wish you had done when you come to die. Live in a manner you will wish you had done millions of ages after this.

4. A child of God is like God. God is the only wise. In him

are all the fountains of divine wisdom. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. To become like him, is to become truly wise. Those of you who have fled to Christ, are becoming like God. You have got his spirit, and you are being changed into his image. You have one will with God. You fall in with God's purposes in this world. His joy is your joy. You that are mere professors have none of God's likeness. You do not seek it, nor desire it.

II. The wise and foolish alike in many things.-Verses 3, 4. The virgins were alike in many things. To the eye of man they appeared the same. All were virgins, dressed probably in white-all their faces probably fair and comely. Each of the ten carried a silver lamp, bright and polished-and every lamp was lighted. Nay, all of them seemed to have one object in view. They went forth to meet the bridegroom. In one thing alone they differed. The foolish took no oil in their lamps; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. So it is with professors and God's children to this day.

You sit under the

In many things man can see no difference. 1. You enjoy the same ordinances. (1.) same pastor-in the same seats. You come up together to the house of God in company. (2.) You sing the same psalms. Your voices blend together, and no ear but that of God can distinguish the voice of the hypocrite from that of the wise virgin. (3.) You stand up at the same prayer-all equally reverent in appearance. (4.) You listen to the same sermons. Sometimes you will be affected together. The feeling of sympathy runs through the midst of you, and none can tell where it is like early dew, or where it is the dew of the Spirit-the sympathy of nature or the sympathy of grace. (5.) You sit down at the same Lord's table, and pass the bread from hand to hand-you pass the cup from one to another. Ah! how affecting it is to think that so many in this congregation are but foolish virgins-that you will be parted in eternity.

2. The same speech. God's children speak the language of Canaan; but professors learn to imitate it, and at last no one can discover the difference. They speak of convictions of sin, awakening, getting light, seeking Christ, finding Christ, closing with Christ, finding peace-when all the time their hearts are far from God, and they are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Ah! how sad it is to think that many a tongue that has spoken much about Christ, and regeneration, and the Holy Spirit, shall yet want a drop of water to cool it in the burning lake.

3. Same prayers. One of the great marks of a child of God is prayer. He loves to pray: "Behold, he prayeth." But even this is imitated by professors, who have a name to live and are dead. Often they will pray in secret with great meltings and