II. 'fmi: ffilJHEST RELIGIOUS PRIVILEOES WILL NOT PROFIT UNLESS USED ABJt;HT. Jn spite of thoil· advantages, the Jews were found wanting, B1\d, like unfruitful br;inches, were broken off. Before the exile they fell into idolatry, and BOUght to nullify their glory by equalling the abominations of the heathen. Could a stronger proof be furnished of the seductiveness of sinful practices and the blindness of man? And the coming of Christ was a further testing season. Their " zeal of God" was shown to be unintelligent, depending upon external rather than spiritual views of religious grandeur and service. It behoves us not only to enjoy but to improve our privileges. Attendance at the sanctuary, the public prayers and reading, unless they exert a li9ing influence upon us, increase our condemnation, as the presence Bild works of Christ multiplied woea upon the oities of the eea. The tendency is strong that would lull our souls into comfortable dreams of security, from which there could only be a terrible awakening. The religious pride of the Jews hardened into fossilism-an unreceptive soil for new truth. Instead of guiding their steps by the Law, they looked at it till they were dazzled by its glare, and could not recognize the coming of the "Light of the world." Ill. TBE ADVANTAGES ENJOYED BY NATIONS OB. INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT co=ERRED FOB THEm OWN EXCLUSIVE BENE!Tr. The Israelites were stewards of the mysteries for the world around and the times to follow. Very important functions they discharged, keeping the lamp of truth alight, preventing the world from lapsing into barbaric atheism. Especially in relation to Christianity do we discern these advantages as preparatory. The "sacrifices" had respect to the offering of Christ, and in part explain its meaning. The "Law " acted as a pedagogue to bring 1lll to the school of Christ. The temple "service " illustrates the obedience of the Christian priests, and the promises fulfilled confirm our faith. Israel was a nursery where choicest plants were reared with which to stock the wilderness till it should blossom as the rose. And the same principle holds good of every advantage the goodness of our God bestows. 'fhe Christian Church is to be as a city set on a hill; its members are lights in the world, pilitrim-soldiers, ambassadors for Christ. It is ours to guard the gift entrusted, to transmit to others the revelation received, the spiritual heirlooms of liberty and intelligence, lest we fail to deliver up a proper account of our stewardship.-S. R. A.. Ver. 21.-The sovereign right of God. Some aspects of the Deity may be less pleasing to contemplate than others, The pride of man rejoices not at first in the thought of the majesty which overawes his littleness and compels him to submission. Yet as a hard flint forcibly struck emits a bright spark, and as a rough husk often covers a sweet kernel, so these stem views of the Almighty may, if reverently f&.-cd and meditated upon, yield salutary, ennobling, and even comforting reflections. J. THE POTTER CLAIMS A..BSOLUTE RIGHT TO DEAL WITH THE CLAY AS HE THn'XS FIT. His arbitrary power does not signify the absence of proper reasollll for his selection. Ag in the calling of Israel to peculiar service e.nd responsibility and honour, so even·- where can an election be discerned. '\Ve do not start in the race of life with exact!, similar equipment, though we live in tabernacles of clay. If the physical and spirit11,;l powers are the same in esseuce, like the partioles of" the same lump," yet the faculties of some have been well trained from the beginning, and their natures have de,.-eloped under favourable conditions. Here is a lesson of resigwition. He is happiest who nccepts the will of God as revcl\led in his lot, assured thl\t God's decisiun has ample justific1Ltion. Even the Stoio philosophy could declare that if man knew the plans of the Superintendent of the universe, and so.w them in their completeness, he would. at once acquiesce in the determinntions of the Arbiter of his destiuy. This is the truth which mingles with the error of Mohammedl\n fatalism. We have to do all that lws within our power, l\nd leave the rosult with him who is wise and merciful. For tho Potter is our Father in heaven. How mUQ.h of the vexation and worry of lif.i is duo to a conoeit of our cape.city, and perh1\ps to a jealousy of the position and att.a.inments of our neighbours! Be content to fill n lowly place. And the time is at hand when "the pots in tho Lord's house shall ho like the bowls before the altar." II. 'l'm~ PO'l'TF.U JIAS NO DESIRE FOR THI': DESTRUCTION OF ms WORKMANSHIP. Hu CIHOH not to w:ist(I his cloy, nor to employ it in a mnnner tu sccuro it:i spc'edy utinction. It is n p11in to God to seo hie gifts abused, bf1S image degn\ded, his wurlt 28! THE EP'LSTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. tdll, 1x. 1-98,
mll.l'l'E'd. He is said in ver. 22 to " endure with muob long-suffering the vessels of wrath." A 16SSOR of hopefulne,ss is here. The Most High will not break his vessels in pie<'eS as long as they are fit for any use, for any post, though humble and insignificant. •• Potter and clay endure," howe'er the wheel or life may tum and fashion the material into altered shapes. If the light of God shines in a vaouum no brightness is observable. An empty heaven were a dreary home for a God of lov'e, a silent temple for him who glories in the praises of his people and his works, ill. Tim l'OT'l'ER PREFERS TO 00:S-STRUOT THE OHOIOEST VESSELS, The noblest ware pays him best, and be lonngly exerts his skill on specimens of highest art. Deny not to God the delight which every artist feels in the finest productions of his genius I The most polished mirrors best reflect his glory. A lesson of aspiration therefore. "Covet earnestly the best gifts." God has made bis olay instinct with will and energy; he takes pleasure in the improvement of the vessels, that they may be brought into his sanctuary. It will mightily assist our struggles to be sure that the Captain longs "to bring many sons unto glory."-S. R. A.