Those who are in close personal relations with ue we call by their Christian names; we even give them a new pet name; and they love that name, because it is a sign to them of the close connection in which they stand to us. God tried to keep this sense of personal relation ever before the people of Israel, and so to keep them assured of the living interest be had in all their concerns. Wherever they might be and whatever might be their surroundings, this might give them perfect peace-they ~ere his. And when Jesus Christ would make a great impression on his disciples of his personal regard for them, he said, " Henceforth 1 call you not servants . . . but I have called you friends." 1. Such relations are indeed involved in the fact that we are the creatures of God. "He made us, and not we ourselves." He has the interest in us which we feel-in measure-in the work of our bands. He hae great thoughts and purposes con- cerning us, and he is graciously concerned in their realization. 2. Such relations arc further seen in bis entering into covenant with a particular people. He drew them into a special inti°:1acy; committed_ to them a1:1 unusual trust; made them depositaries, and by-and-by witnesses, of certain foundation-truths; and for generations guarded them while they guarded these truths. The closeness of relations between God and Israel is the basis of Hosea's exquisitely tender pleadings, the dearest and nearest human relations, of husband and wife, of parent and child, being used to bring home God's appeals (see Hos. ii., etc.). We direct attention to the practical side of this subject. If we are the Lord's, we- I. ENJOY ms FRIE:t."'DSRIP. Illustrate from Abraham, the friend of God, El-Khalil; or from Enoch, who " walked with God." 'l'o friendship is necessary: 1. Community of sentiment. "How can two walk t-Ogether except they be agreed?" 2. Mutual trust. The grace unspeakable is that God should trust us. Our failure and sin is that we so half-heartedly trust him. 3. Frequent intercourse. Nothiug blights friendship like separation. Keeping friendly means keeping together. 4. Jealousy of each other's honour. Here we come short, sadly short, in our friendship with God. II. RENDER HIM SERVICE. Friends love to serve one another. In this friendship with God we should not forget that we have to take a dependent place. His is a condescend- ing friendship, and our response to it finds best expression in loving obedience, All harduess is taken out of service when it is the expression of such near and loving rela- tions as those unto which God has brought us.-R. T.
Ver. 2.-Safety jCR" the soul in times of trouble. The first figure in this verse is a very familiar one; the second needs such explanations as are given by writers on Eastern customs. It seems that the setting of the grass and undergrowth on fire, in the East, was commonly practised to annoy enemies, and it sometimes occasioned great terror and distress. Hawkeswortb relates that the wild inhabitants of New South Wales endea- voured to destroy some tents and stores belonging to Captain Cook's ship, when he was repairing it, by setting fire to the long grass of that country. This passage has been treasured up by suflering people in all ages, as a hymn is treasured which has suggestive firures (e.g. "Rock of ages, deft for rue"). 'l'be strength, the almost extravagance, of the poetical figures, are foWld specially helpful in meditative moods. From this assurance we note three things. . I. GoD DOES NOT REMOVE OUR TBOU11LES. If the providences bring round to us a "passing through tbe waters," or a " walki~g through the ~res," special grace will not prevent us or change our allotment or our circumstances. 1hrough the waters and the fires we have to go. There were such reasons for the captivity of Israel, that special grace would not interfere with the chastisement. St. Paul may pray to have bis affliction removed, but the prayer could not be answered. 11. GoD A.SSUBEB HIS PRESENCE IN THE TROUBLE. .And it is easier to bear when two are under the load, and One has "everlasting strength." God's presence in the fires may be illustrated by the fourth form which stood beside the Hebrew youths in the fiery furnace. God's presence in the waters, by the following incident. When the steam- sbi p Massachusetts was wrecked in Long Island Sound, there were t'_'l'o mothers, each with a child who were noticeable for their respectful calmness durrng the hours of greatest peril and anxiety, when it seemed as if the vessel must shortly go to pieces. A passenger from Philadelphia says that his attention was first called to them by their voices in singing. Going towards them, he found a little boy standing there with his 011. x:r,m. 1-28.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHE'l' ISAIAH. 15J