on the part of Ohrist's people whether or not the promises of God will be fulfilled. they have already been fulfilled in such measure as to justify our hope concemfog th; future. Ours is a hope which "maketh not ashamed," which will not disappoint those who cleave to it. III. THE FRUITS OF THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE. 1. Orilmnua a.na eonfi,dence of d-u- position. In this, hope is as "an anchor unto the soul;" for whilst fear disturbs hope pac_ifies, 2. Oheerfulness and joy. They are bright an~ glad who have something to which they can look forward, even when the present 1s cheerless and discouragin"'. Such is the case with Christians, who "rejoice in hope." "Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord his God." 3. Spi,rituality and pwrity of Ma/rt and life. The purifying power of hope is especially described by St. John; it is by its influence that Christians are meetened for their inheritance. 4. Patience and endurance. In this respect hope is as a helmet to the soul. "If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." The Thessalonians were commended by St. Paul for their "patience of hope." 5. Salvation. This is the ultimate aim, issue, and end. The hope of the Christian shall at last be realized. when he shall be delivered from the bondage of the body, the harassing of temptation, the wounds of sorrow, the preasnre of sin. Ver. 28.-0'IJerruling providence. Perplexity and mystery a.re pa.rt of the experience to be shared by all reflecting men. The world, and especially human life, furnish enigmas which the understanding cannot solve, which can only be dealt with by the higher :principle of faith. The groans of creation mingle with the groans of men, and the discerning mind detects also the groaning of the Spirit. But, above all, is a harmony which overcomes and silences earth's discords. The apostle heard this harmony, and summoned his disciples to recognize the operations of that providence which constrains all things to work together for good. I. THE PRINCIPLE PROPOUNDED. 1. There is purpose in all things. Modem teleo- logy lays less stress upon the traces of intention and design in individual instances, in organs and organisms, than upon the striking evidence of purpose manifest upon the largest sea.le, in the vast arrangements and adaptatious, in the wonderful chemical and mathematical laws which pervade the whole universe. The more the universe, as accessible to our observation, is studied, the more will it appear a system. Signs of order, of adaptation, of prearrangement, are obvious to every ca.refnl student. There is nothing too great, nothing too small, to illustrate the presence of mind. Human life is not exempt from the tokens of Divine foresight and adaptation. "There's a Divinity that shapes our ends, Bough-hew them how we will" It is a mistake to suppose that the establishment of the reign of law, of physical cau- sation, conflicts with the operation of purpose; that evolution and design are in any way opposed. 2. The purpose which may be detected in all things is a good purpose. A moral aim is discoverable thronghout the universe, and emphatically in human life. All things work together, not indeed for the promotion of pleasure, but for moral good -the highest and worthiest of o.11 aims. This conviction is the key to many difficulties by which observant and reflecting minds have been distressed. 3. This moral purpose is seoured so far as spiritual beings voluntarily conform to God's will. As a m,\tter of fact, the order of things does not actunlly secure the good of all beings; mauy will not receive the benefits which nature nnd life are intended to convey. But Christians who love God, and who respond to his call in Christ's gospel, do really reap advantages to which others nro strangers. These are the obedient, who a.re atteutive to the Divine summons and accomplish the Divine purpose. For these all circumstances are ordained nnd overruled, that they may minister to the true well-being of God's people. II. THE WORKmG OF THE PRINCIPLE ILLUSTRATED. 1. Men's circumstancss may contribute to their true well-being. 'l'hus poverty may be 115 spiritually servic-ca.b\e to those who oxporililnce it as competence or wealth; obscurity as houour, etc. ~- Men's own more personal experience is Riso overruled by God's providence for their highest good. 'l'hus oven doubts of intolloct, mid sorrows of heart-two of the m::st painful forms of moral discipline-are both, as a matter of fact, caused to subserve !'..ir~ )f supremo value in the development of character and in the acquisition of induancG. BOMAN~ Q THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [OR, vm.1-39..-
III. l"BACTIOAL T,ES!lONS DRAWN FROM & CONSIDERATION OP TRII! PRINOI1'LB, 1, The Christian may lea.rn t-0 avoid m11rmuring, when he remembers that even untoward circumstances are intended to work out his highest good. Suoh & oonviotion cMtB 1\'' new light upon daily experiences; and what otherwise might be regarded as annoy-' anoes, <.'.alling forth resentment, are now looked upon as ministrations of Divine love and mercy. 2. The Christian may seek to profit by all God's ptovidential dealings. It is the spirit in whioh these are received which determines whether or not they shall' be means of blessing; and the proper spirit is one of submission and teaohe.bleness. 8. The Christian will cherish the expectation that the day will come' when, looking back npon the path by which he hM been led, and the discipline through which he has J'&-"-"M. he shall be able gratefully to acknowledge that God "hath done all things, well"