Year: 1879

nant, delivered an able sermon last
Sunday morning, taking for his text the
words: 81 pray not that thou shouldst
take them out of the world, but that
tholi shouldst keep them from evil. ~
The speaker said that it was the view
of death as seen by Jesus in his imme
diate presence that he is concerned for
the welfare of his followers. The infin-
ite mind of Christ was ever looking in.
to futurity. He saw the work OF re
demption completed on the cross. He
saw all of his earthly engagements
brought to a close. He saw what would
have been the disastrous tate of his
followers if beacon light were not
raised to ward them off from the
shoals and quicksands. "Having low
ed his own who were in the world he
loved them to the end" He had given
innumerable proofs of the tenderness,
and the greatness of his love, and he
now lifts up his eyes to Heaven and
bearing them in his priestly arms, pre-.
sents unto the father the microscopy
prayer of this chapter beginning at The
eighth verse. 1t is not the will of Chris,
that his disciples should be removed
out of the world.


God never designed that Christians
should retire into solitude, and be shu,
out from all society. There are many
who are deluded into the idea that this
is the only positive way of being tru
ly pious; hence the Hermit seeks the
dismal forest, or the rock to escape the
inquity that is broadcast in the world
The monk will keep himself secluded
from all observation from the outside
world, and spend his days in penance
and prayers. 1t must be remarked
that We cannot withdraw ourselves
from the evil of this sinful world as
Christ himself was exposed to shafts of
the temper while in the desert. Where
shall we go to get out of reach of our
own sinful hearts3 Sin began in the
lonely paradise when only Adam and
Eve were present. A life of solitude
will not bring us into state of purity.
Besides this if we were to retire into
solitude our fellow-man would be ne.
elected and he is our neighbor, and we
are commanded to love our neig hbor as
ouraelf. Where would we have field
for usefulness in solitary region' How
could we come in contact with the world
and perform works of benevolence, and
mercy.


He would not have them abandon the
useful avocations of life. When the
Lord formed man with such wonderful
it was that he might use them
and be actively engaged in his vine
yard. Incidence is not only sin, but
it is the source of innumerable evils.
In paradise Adam was given charge of
every creeping thing that creepeth
upon the earth together with the fowls
of the air and the fish of the sea. To
him was given the care and keeping of
the beautiful garden of Eden. ALra
ham was patriarch and a husband
man; Moses lead the sheep over hills
and through valleys and beside the
flowing streams; David assisted his
father Jesse in keeping the fold; Saul
the author of so many strong letters.
and man who surpassed in culture
those of his day, worked with his own
hands as a tent maker to supply his
own needs. 1t is probable that Christ
our blessed master assisted his father
at the carpenters bench. Christ does
not wish his people to have pharisa-
cal aversion to the society of the world.
The pharisees would not have inter-
course with the publican and sinners.
For this they censured the blessed Sa-
viour, saying "this man receiveth sim
ners and eateth with them"


If christians could be disabused of the
notion that they are not to associate
with wicked men more good would be
in the world. Our aim
n mingling with these men it must not
% to form close compacts, or to make
hem confidents or companions. In our
heart and spirit we must be separate
with them. A minister of the gospel
who labored in the city of Brooklyn,
when in New York would ride upon the
.op of the coaches in order to talk with
he driver upon the subject of Christ;
Superintendent of Sunday School
.-joiced when he was called to leave a
shop in which he was working among
Christians and placed in room of un-
,odly men. Christ does not wish his
people to be removed by death, when
t might sometimes appear desirable.


We read in Gods word how under
lark dispensations his people have de-
sired death. Thus did Elijah when he
led from Jezebel into the wilderness
ind said at is enough. now, o Lord
AXE away my lifel Why did not God
lnswer the prayer of Elijah' 1t was
because he would not have him die
When there was so much work to be
lone. When Job was surrounded with
lespair and blackness he said "Oh
hat God would grant me the thing |
ong for even that it would please God
o destroy me-" But God had many
'ears for Job to live, and many bless
ngs for him to enjoy. The prosecuted
PAUL had desire to depart and to be
With Christ, which was far better, yet
t was the will of God that he should
emain longer in scene of strife, to be


comfort to the churches, and bless
ne to the world.


The Christian is spiritual stream
owing through desert and thirsty
and, making the wilderness and soli-
ary places glad thereof. Are we a
lessing to the world, and who has
cen benefited by our labors ? The
me of our removal out of the world
ill come soon enough, the desert will
oon be crossed, the race run, the day
Lded and the victory wen. Let us
ork and wait with patience when
le Master shall call us out of the
orld.


lee for the orphans. {


The Walton Brothers with that COM s
lendable liberality for which they have