in Enoch were like two familiar friends, who walked company without dispute. He was so taken up with God, that God took him from all acquaintance with man, by translating him that he should not taste of death. He was before translated from nature to grace, and proved so great a proficient in that school, that he was translated from grace to glory. But above all, remember how the Saviour walked, leaving you an example that you should tread in his steps. Are you a child? Do you love your mother? If not, go and learn it at the cross. The excruciating pains of such a death could not make him forget his mother. She was a poor woman, and love prompted him to leave her in charge of his beloved disciple, who, he knew, would take care of her. Woman, said he, behold thy Son; and to John, Son, behold thy mother: and from that time the disciple took her to his own home. O, children, love your mothers! I have hardly ever known child who did not love his parents. prosper Let the same humble mind be in which was a you also in Christ Jesus, who made himself of no reputation. Employ your time, and talents, and property, as he did, in healing the broken hearted, visiting the sick, and relieving the fatherless and widow. Regulate your temper by his, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not. In all things set your life, as a watch by the dial, in agreement with the Sun of Righteousness, and it shall never be wrong. Those who thus honour God, he will honour; they shall not only be walkers, but workers together with God; the greatest helpers of his cause in the world. No big words of ready talkers, For, saith he, "If a man love me he will keep my words;" and what shall be the consequence? 66 'My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." CHAPTER V. THE BEST SEASON FOR COMMENCING ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD. "PROCRASTINATION is the thief of time." Delays are always dangerous, and in soul affairs cruel, and productive of the greatest mischief. And yet Satan has not a more powerful temptation, to young or old, than procrastination; persuading us that we shall be in a better condition, and a happier frame, and more decided for God, to-morrow than to-day, next year than this. Alas! how often has he cheated you with a may-be for a certainty, and made you put off a present season, a golden opportunity of profit and advantage, for some uncertain and unlikely gain. Beloved, the intention of this blessed advice is to move you, by the consideration of the value of the present moment, to seek, and to seek immediately, a more intimate acquaintance with God, which shall prove fatal to Satan's power over you, and open a source of unspeakable blessedness to your spirit. Take these thoughts for your guide. COMMENCE ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD NOW, FOR THESE ARE THE VERY BEST DAYS FOR THE PURPOSE YOU EVER WILL SEE. Youth is the most valuable and suitable time for gaining an acquaintance with God. It is the very prime of life. Now your memory is strong, your health good, your mind vigorous. This then is the time when God claims, and ought to have your acquaintance. The morning of your days, and the first-born of your strength, are surely his, by every tie of duty and of love. And this is the particular time he asks you to begin this acquaintance: "Remember now thy Creator, in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." No time is ours but the present. The future is wisely concealed from our view, that we may improve every moment as we have it. The scripture, therefore, uses but one word, "Now," or its equivalent, "To-day," when speaking of the time of mercy: "Now is the accepted time, to-day is the day of salvation." All its invitations are for the present moment. "Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Come, for all things are now ready. Son, go work to-day in my vineyard. Choose you this day whom you will serve." All its promises are made for the same period, as well as for the future. "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth. To-day do I declare that I will render double unto thee. From this day will I bless you. That he may establish thee to-day for a people to himself, and that he may be a God to thee, as he said unto thee." Its prayers lead to the same period. "Give us this day our daily |