a sermon, or a single verse of Holy Scripture, — a word of rebuke from a Mend, or a casual reHgious re- mark overheard, — a tract given by a stranger, or a trifling act of kindness received from a Christian, — some one of these things is often the starting-point in the life of a soul. — The first actings of the spiritual life are often small in the extreme, — so small, that for a long time they are not known except by him who is the subject of them, and even by him not fully imderstood. A few serious thoughts and prickings of conscience, — a desire to pray really and not formally, — a determination to begin reading the Bible in private, — a gradual drawing towards means of grace, — an increasing interest in the Bobject of religion, — a growing distaste for evil habits and bad companions, — these, or some of them, are often the first symptoms of grace beginning to move the heart of man. They are symptoms which worldly men may not perceive, and ignorant believers may despise, and even old Ghristians may mistake. Yet they are often the first steps in the mighty business of conversion. They are often the "leaven" of grace working in a heart.
The work of grace once begun in the soul will never stand still. It will gradually "leaven the whole lump." Like leaven once introduced, it can never be separated from that with which it is mingled. Little by little it will influence the conscience, the aflections, the mind, and the will, until the whole man is afiected' by its power, and a thorough conversion to God takes place. Li some cases no doubt the progress is far quicker than in others. Li some cases the residt is far more clearly