continuance in this world, and the certainty of their removal from it; but not as to their disposition-They mind earthly things: and would be glad to live here always. But the child of God is, in principle, what he is in fact; and in experience, what he is in destination. He is also born from above, and bound for glory. And though he is detained here in a foreign land for awhile, for the discharge and the management of certain duties and interests; yet he thinks, even while thus engaged, of leaving it, in due time, for his own country-where his best relations residewhere lies his inheritance-and where he is to dwell for ever.

"There is my house, my portion fair;

Am I a stranger and a sojourner with God? Let me realize, let me exemplify, the condition. Let me look for the treatment such characters commonly meet with. Like widows and orphans, they are often imposed upon, and wronged, and injured. They are turned into ridicule and reproach, because of their speech, their dress, their manner, and usages. And Christians are a peculiar people. They are

men

wondered at. The Saviour tells them not to marvel if the world hates them; for they are not of the world even as he is not of the world. This treatment is, in reality, a privilege, rather than a matter of complaint. It is when I am admired and caressed, and I find every thing agreeable in my circumstances; it is then I feel something of the settler. But the disadvantages of my state make me think of home. These induce me to arise, and depart hence, because this is not my rest.

And surely if any of my own nation be near me, I shall be intimate with them. We all know

the heart of strangers. We all feel the same preferences. The same hope inspires us. The same end unites us. We shall speak often one to another. We shall contrast our present with our future condition. We shall inquire when we heard from home, and when we think of departing for it-and thus beguile the hours, and relieve the absence.

And let me not be entangled in the affairs of this life. Let me keep myself as detached as possible from things which do not concern me. Let me not embarrass myself, as an intermeddler and busy-body, in other men's matters. But let me study to be quiet, and to do my own business. Let me pray for the peace of the country through which I am passing. And be thankful for every advantage I enjoy in my temporary exile.

And let my affection be set on things that are above, and my conversation be always in heaven. Let me be-not impatient for home; but prizing it; and longing for it; and judging of myself by my relation to it. Who has not joined in the proverbial sentiment "Home is home, however homely?" We read of some Swiss soldiers on foreign service, who were so affected with a song that vividly recalled to mind their native valleys, and the houses in which they were born, that the officers were obliged to forbid the use of it.-But, oh! my Father's house! Here, toil; there, rest. Here, trouble; there, joy and gladness. Here, darkness; there, light. Here, sin; there, spotless purity. Here, the tents of Meshech and Kedar; there, the spirits of just men made perfect, and the innumerable company of angels, and the Lord of all. "With such views," says Dr. Goodwin, "let who will be miserable, I will not-I cannot."

OCT. 7.-" I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God." Ezek. xxxiv. 15.

THIS is spoken of the subjects of Divine grace.

Individually considered, they are called sheep, to remind us of their personal qualities; their weakness, meekness, gentleness, harmlessness, patience, and submission. Some, in their afflictions, toss like a wild bull in a net. Lay hold of a swine, and the neighbourhood is alarmed. But observe the fleecy sufferer. She indeed palpitates. And the Christian may palpitate-and tremble-and be ready to faint; but his very manner silently says, I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me-Let thy lovingkindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

Distinctively considered, they are not all sheep. Many of them are lambs. But these are sheep in nature and degree; and are equally dear to the Shepherd, with the older parts of his chargeYea, he gathers the lambs with his arm, and carries them in his bosom; and gently leads those that are with young;-or have young, as the margin is; and leads them thus-because of the lambs. Lowth renders it, "The nursing ewes he will gently lead." And we are persuaded that the force of this tender image applies to the lambs, and not to the mothers. If the latter were driven on fast, the former could not keep up with them, especially in rough ground; and thus losing their maternal supplies, would droop and perish.

Collectively, they are a flock. And one flock only according to our Saviour's words, "One fold, and one Shepherd." Whatever differences there are among them, they are only the differences of sheep, and of lambs. What difficulty is there in believing this? Essential sameness is not destroyed by circumstantial distinction. Unity is is not incom

patible with variety. Many branches make but one tree; many members but one body. Bigots would banish harmony from the Church of God; for there can be no harmony where all the sounds are the same. God promised that he would give his people one heart and one way. And our Lord prayed that his followers might be one. Have this prayer and this promise been fulfilled? We dare not suppose the contrary: but if they have, we may see what kind of oneness was intended-Not a oneness of opinion; not a sameness in forms of worship, and modes of discipline: for these never have been found: but a oneness, a sameness consistent with the variations that have obtained among them. A unity of spirit. A community of principles. A fellowship of privileges-all being redeemed by the same blood; justified by the same righteousness; renewed by the same grace; and joint heirs of the same glory. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

And is this flock ever forsaken, or forgotten, by Him? "I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God." But tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest; where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon. For why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

"Fain would I feed among thy sheep;
"Among them rest, among them sleep."

What says David?

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters."

This is grace. What is glory? What said the angel to John? "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst

of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

There is another flock in the world. This consists of goats. They also have a shepherd. It is the Devil: and they are taken captive by him at his will. He also has under shepherds to do his work; and to him they are amenable; and what a reward will he render them! But his flock, his direful flock-what food! what repose have they! What in time! What in eternity! The way of transgressors is hard. The end of these things is death-the second death. And if any of them should be intermixed with the flock of Christ, and escape detection here--" before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

OCT. 8.-" But in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."

Phil. iv. 6.

THIS is a simple and pleasing account of prayer-It is the making of our requests known unto God. He indeed knows them perfectly before we express them. But he will know them from us, that we may be properly affected with our own wants, and prepared for the displays of his goodness and grace. And the Apostle reminds us of three things very worthy of our attention, with regard to prayer.

First. It is the prevention and cure of care. "Be careful for nothing-but in every thing, by