THE KNOWLEDClE wmoH rs MOST SUPREMELY IMT'ORTANT. 1. Tho knowled_qe of God is the most important knowledge attainable. Many are eager in pursuing the investi- gation of curious questions of human affairs who are quite indifferent to the truth nbout the Being who fills heaven and earth. Others are busily searchina into the mysteries of the works of God, while quite forgetful of the Maker or them~ nut to know God is to know the Highest and Best. 2. 'l'lrn knowledge of the will of God is the most important knowledge of God. (1) It is the highest knowledge of God• for the dis- rosition of the will is the chief characteristic of a spiritual being. (2) It' is the lrnow- Jedge of God with which we have most concern ; for, though there must be glories and wonders in all the great thoughts of God, for 11s it is most needful that we shoulJ. understand wbnt he is purposing to do and what he wishes us to do. (3) It is the most attainable knowledge of God. The abstract ideas of the mind of God are far above our reach. The practical thoughts and la"'s and commandment of his will o.re what he bas most clearly revealed. II. THE KNOWLEDGE OF Goo's WILL llAY BE ACQUIRED TIIIlOUGH SPIRITUAL WISDOM. 1. It may be acquired. This branch of theology is within our reach. In our darkest moments, when we cannot understand the thoughts and plans of God, we may discQvcr what God wills us to do. 2. It is to be got at through spiritual wisdom. We have it not by nature. We cannot reach it by efforts of bare human intelligence. Philosophy will not reveal it. A higher wisdom than the earthly, a purer wisdom than the carnal, heavenly and spiritual wisdom is necessary for this knowledge. 8. This spiritual wisdom is a Divine inspiration. ~t. Paul prays for it. It is not a product of experi- ence like our knowledge of the world. The man of the world learns much about evil by his experience, but little about goodness. Goodness and the will of God with which it is identical are only seen by a spiritual light which little children may have more clearly than learned men and experienced observers. It is an inward light, 11. spiritual inspiration. III. THE KNOWLEDGE OF Goo's WILL IS FRUITFUL IN GREAT 1':I.\OTI0AL RESULTS. This is not a barren knowledge acquired only for the satisfaction uf idle curiosity, nor even merely a worthy object of contemplation. 1. Vv e must know the will of Gou in order that our life may be worthy of Chri.~t. This is an important point not sufficiently considered by those people who slight tbe contemplative side of Christianity. The practical side will be a blundering failure without the due cultivation of the contem- plative. A lame man with good eyes can walk more straightly than a man with sound limbs who is blind. To please God we must first of all know bis will. 2. This know- ledge helps us to be fruitful in good works to men. We can never benefit men so much as by doing God's will. Our duty to God and our duty to men are mutually inclusive. We must study the will of God more carefully in order that our work amongst men mav be more wise and successful. We often fail in our conscientious efforts to benefit men because we do not work according to the method of God's will.-W. F. A.
Ver. 12.-77,e inheritance ef the saints. I. CHBIBTIANS ARE HEIRS OF A RICII Th"HERITANCE. 1. The gospel offers Divine wealth. Its blessings are not confined to bare delive, ance from ruin. They include hidden treasures, pearls of great price, princely feasts, a whole kingdom of glory. 2. This wealth is, for the most part, pro- Hpective. It is an inheritance not yet possessed. 'l'be heir may be in severe straits before he comes into his property. We have foretastes of the future blessedness, but the chief part of this blessedness is yet to come. 3. The possession is to be bad with- QU,t any action of owrs in acquiring it. The heir docs not seize his estate and hold it by right of conquest; be does not purchase it; he does nothing t~ earn th~ worth of it; he simply receives it by bequest from another. We do nothmg to wm or earn our Christian hcritaae. Christ obtains it and bequeaths it, and as bis heirs we simply enter into possession" as the son of a great warrior peaceably takes possession of tho kingdom won by the sword of his father. 4. Still, the inheritance is received by rigltt. 'l'be heir has a right to Lis estate. Laws and documents secure it to him. 'l'he Divine covenant of grace is the Christian's title-deed, giving him no precarious hope, but a certain promise and right to his future blessedness. n. CHRISTI.ANS ARE BEING TRAINED FOR THEm GREAT INHERITAN'0E. The heir of II nobleman m1ll!t be educated so as to be fitted for his position in society. 'l'he heir of a on. L 1-20,J TllE EPl8TLE '1'0 THE COLOSSIANS. 77