utter these words with a mclnncholy face and a eigb, as s0 many of ns clu wh0°~ h~c,rt, hanker after the world, and would fain have it for our own. The Jew, tl,c PLilir)p':111 ooloniat, the roving Englishman were and are proud of their nationality, and knew tha~ it was a descent to be naturalized in their places of residence. Let us glory in our belonging to the city which hath the foundations, and not sorrow that we are stranger.,. We have ceased to belong to the present material order, because we have been takeu up into the higher. We rise to be aliens to earth and the race of men whose hrJ1ies and views are limited by it, just as some peasant's son may be educated out of thr, numw surroundings and torpid life of his native village, and come to feel tliat r,e ha, little i;, common with relatives and friends; because a wider horizon expands before bis mental vision. So then a prime duty is to keep separate from the order of things in whicl, we dwell, and to keep vivid the consciousness that we do not belong to it. Think ol the tenacious individuality of the Jewish people, eagerly mingling in the commercicil life of every nation, and often having a large share in its intellectual life, and yet keeping apart, as oil from water. If Christians would learn the lesson, it would he well for them and for the world! Think of Abraham pitching his tent outaide the cities ot· Canaan, mingling on friendly term's with the people, compelling their respect, but yet refusing to enter, and" dwelling in tabernacles, because he looked for the city." Now- adays Christians seem to be trying how far into the city of the CanMnites they can go, and how handsome a house they can build themselves there. It is never well with the Church unless the world describes it, as Haman did the Jews, "a certain people, scattered abroad, and theil· lives are diverse from all people." It is never well with n. Christian soul which does not hear ever sounding in conscience the voice which says, "Come ye out and be separate.n The world has got into the Church, and tbe Church has struck up a friendship with the world; and never was there more need to press upon every Christian that, in the measure in which he belongs to Christ, he is an alien here, and that if he feels quite at home among material things, that is because he has lost hisnationality,andhasstooped to the degradation of being naturalized in bis place ofabode. II. EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN BELONGS TO TRE DISPERSION. Each human heart, even in the closest human love, bas to live alone. But those who love J csus Christ will often have to hear a peculiar solitude which comes from their necessary association with those who do not love him. The loneliness of outward solitude does not pain in comparison with the loneliness of enforced and uncongenial companionship. A Christian is least alone when alone, for then God comes to keep him company. He is most alone when pushed close against those who do not share his faith, for then all the holy thoughts which come to his soul in quiet, as birds will light on the grass, take flight and hide in the trees at the noise of tongues. The isolation is for high purposes. Leaven has to be diffused among the inert mass. Seed stored on a barn floor in heaps is of little use, and likely to rot. It is scattered that it may grow. Salt is rubbed into the meat which is to be preserved. Christians are spread abroad, as brands are carried from a fire, to carry light into dark corners. The same Providence -which sent the Jews of the dispersion as missionaries throughout the Roman world, sends us to bear abroad the Name of Jesus. The more we are surrounded with uncongenial associates, the more imperative the duty, and the more hopeful the opportunity, of our witnessing for our King. We have to represent our country among strangers. Its honour is in our hands. We carry its flag. Wandering Englishmen of doubtful character make the name of England abominable, and men like Gordon o.ncl many an unknown missionary hero make it fragrant, in lands where they are the only known specimens of the race. Men judge of Christianity very largely by the specimens of it which they see. We are each sent among a circle of associates that they may learn what the gospel can do for men by what it bas done for us. Are we such specimens as to inspire onlookers with a respect for the religion which has made us what we are? III. CHRISTIANS ARE BUT PASSING VISITANTS. The colonists will be called to the mother-city. Natin-born Australians think of coming to England as going home, tho11gh they have never touched our shores. 'l'he outlying posts which have been helcl for the king amid swarms of alien enemies will be relieved, and the garrisons welcomed to their true country. We too often speak and think of the transiency of this present and the coming of death, with sadness, or at the best with resignation. But if we rightly understood that our deepest affinities connect us with that other order intc, 24 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF rE'l'ER. [ctt. I. 1~26.
which ,knLh introduces us, and that repose from weary effort, congenial companionship insteaJ of isolation, and all the sweet satisfaction and freedom of home, a.re death's gifts to the Christian soul, we should think of our departure hence with hope. "Wero the happiness of the next world as closely apprehended as the felicities of this, it were a martyrdom to live." It becomes us to be "glad" when they say unto us, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." Two men may embark in one ship-the one full of good cheer as the ropes are loosened and the first.tum of the screw begins to move her from the pier ; the other sad because he leaves all that is familiar and dear. The one is goinu home from exile; the other is being borne into banishment in a. strange land, whos~ speech he does not l.,1ow, whose king he does not serve. Which shall I be when death comes ?-A. M.