down from one to another with less difficulty than it could be now. And as there was no Bible, no written word of God, in those days, this was of the greatest importance.

Now, of all these long-lived patriarchs, I am going to mention one, who is remarkable for having spent the longest period upon earth of any of its inhabitants. This was Methuselah. He was the son of Enoch. He lived nearly three times as long as Enoch did, but not a word is said about his having Enoch's faith, and Enoch's holiness, or of his being now with Enoch's God.

Methuselah's life, however, will call up many thoughts in our minds.

A long life is not always a blessing. If it is spent in God's service, then the longer the better-the more opportunity to glorify Him, and to serve His cause.

But if

it is a useless and wasted life, then what a fearful account must be rendered to Him for all our buried talents, and all our misspent time! And still more so, if it is a life of actual sin; for, in this case, every day that it is

lengthened out will only raise higher and higher the vast heap of our unpardoned guilt.

Do we not very often see that God's dearest servants the most earnest and devoted followers of Christ-have been taken away the soonest from this world of sin and sorrow? It is as if God was anxious to release them from their earthly prison, and to take them early into the paradise above. It is as if He was anxious to answer that prayer of Jesus, even before it was uttered, "Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am." The fruit that ripens earliest is usually the first plucked from the tree. The flowers which blow the sweetest and the loveliest are oftentimes the soonest withered. The stars that shine the brightest are frequently the first to set.

We naturally wish to live: we cling to life. And this is a feeling planted in us by God; for if it was not so, how few would desire to stay in this world of sorrow. Our language would be, "Oh that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away, and

be at rest; I would hasten my escape from

Most men

the stormy wind and tempest.' But it is just the reverse. desire life, and shun death. Suppose any one had discovered a remedy by which life. could be extended ten or twenty years, would not thousands flock to him to learn the precious secret? Yes, and even the unhappiest among us (strange to say)-those even who feel that life is a burden and a wearinesseven they too cling to it, as a thing too dear to give up willingly.

And yet it would be bad news to most of us, if we were told that this weary life of ours was never to come to an end. Should we not exclaim, as Job did, "I would not live alway"?

Or if, when we had reached the age of sixty-nine years, we were to be told that we were to remain here nine hundred years longer which was just Methuselah's time -should we not receive the tidings with a sigh? Would not the prospect of such a lengthened stay on earth be most unwelcome? And especially if we had a bright hope beyond the grave, would

not the years pass very slowly, whilst we were waiting for, and groaning for, our deliverance?

Then, I think, we may come to this conclusion that mere length of days is not in itself a blessing. We may live long, and yet live unhappily. We may live long, and yet be treasuring up for ourselves "wrath against the day of wrath." St. Paul's feeling was the right one-perfect willingness to stay here as long as God had a work for him to do, but a desire rather "to depart and be with Christ, which is far better."

Now let me put before you a second thought suggested by Methuselah's great age. The longest life is but a little while when compared with eternity. Oh! it is but as a tiny drop in the vast ocean; but as a grain of sand on the boundless shore. Ask the oldest man, and he will tell you that it seems but yesterday that he was a boy-so soon passeth away our life, and it is gone. And when we look forward, how soon shall we be in our graves! A few more days, and we shall come to the end of our span; and

then "the silver cord " will be loosenedthe knot will be undone-it will hold together no longer.

Ah! what need have we to live, whilst we live-to "work while it is called to-day," for "the night cometh when no man can work.” We have not a single hour to waste. There is much to be done by us all, and but a few passing moments to do it in.

Perhaps the eye of some Young Reader is upon this page. Then let me say a word to you. Life is before you; and do you wish it to be a happy life? Give it then to God. Say to Him-"Thou, Lord, shalt have my days, even the best and freshest of them. Jesus gave His life for me; and He shall have my strength, my heart, my affectionsall that I can offer Him." Strive to live as a child of God, desiring in everything to do your Father's will. Serve Him with all your heart. And then, whether your life here is long or short, it matters not-you will be His for ever.

Or, perhaps, the reader of this tract may be one Advanced in years. Your days are