tion, seeing everything around them in a new light, knowing little yet of the depths of Satan and the weak- ness of their own hearts — knowing only that a little time ago they were blind, and now, through mercy, they see — of all people they are in the greatest danger of making mistakes. With the best intentions, they are apt to fall into mistakes about their plans in life, their choices, their mores, their professions. They forget that what we like best is not always best for our souls, and that the seed of grace needs winter as wrell as summer, cold as well as heat, to ripen it for glory.
Let us pray that G-od would guide us in all our ways after conversion, and not allow us to err in our choices, or to make hasty decisions. That place and position is most healthful for us in which we are kept most humble — most taught our own sinfulness — drawn most to the Bible and prayer — led most to live by faith and not by sight. It may not be quite what we like. But if Christ by His providence has placed us in it, let us not be in a hurry to leave it- Let us therein abide with God. The great thing is to have no will of our own, and to be where Jesus would have us be.*
* I cannot help remarking, in connection with our Lord's words in this passage, that it admits of question, whether men do not some- times act unadvisedly in giving up a secular calling, in order to enter the ministry of the Gospel. In plain words, I doubt whether men, who have been suddenly converted to God in the army, the navy, the law, or the merchant's office, do not sometimes forsake their profes- sions with undue precipitation, in order to become clergymen.
It seems to be forgotten that conversion alone is no proof that we are called and qualified to become teachers of others. God may be glorified as really and truly in the secular calling as in the pulpit. Converted men can be eminently useful as landlords, magistrates, soldiers, sailors, barristers or merchants. We want witnesses for Christ