7. Our good apostle St. Paul, turning this Emblem into a metaphor, tells us what we should do that we may never be like SILVER DROSS, but always like pure and virgin SILVER. He says, we are to "examine or try ourselves, whether we be in the faith; and prove our own selves," and then we shall know our own selves, as God knows by trying us, whether we are real Christians. "Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate." 2 Cor. xiii. 5. 8. In case there is any one who has this fear, here are four lines of a hymn to remember, which may prove, by his blessing, an antidote. 1. Here we have an emblem taken from the common operation of baking bread in an oven. The usual way of baking bread is familiar; but it is not exactly the same in all countries, or in all parts of this country. Here, in Wales, for instance, bread is not usually made into loaves, but into cakes, which are baked in such a way as to require constant superintendence. Upon the fire, which is made of a kind of coal that yields no smoke, is placed a round, flat, thick piece of iron, called a plank, which soon becomes very hot. The flat cake of dough is put on this plank, and covered with an iron pan. It needs frequent turning, or when taken up, it will be found to be burnt on one side and doughy on the other, and not fit for food. Such a cake properly attended to is the sweetest and pleasantest bread that can be eaten. 2. The lesson we learn from this Emblem is, first, that we must always be in God's hands till we get to heaven. (a) Young people put themselves into God's hands, or rather, (as St. Paul would say,) God graciously takes them into his hands when they really dedicate themselves to God, at confirmation, and go on trying to walk in his ways. Sinners of a longer standing in the world, may perhaps put themselves into God's hands by "breaking off their sins by righteousness," (Dan. iv. 27,) and waiting upon God with much patience, in the use of every means of grace. In all cases it is absolutely necessary to be in God's hands, or like a cake not placed in the oven, we shall never be prepared to be useful or happy. (b) Christians keep themselves in God's hands by true obedience— that is to say by following up the exercise, promptings, dutiful diligence, and patient enduring of faith. So St. Jude teaches us (verse 20) "but ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, keep yourselves in the love of God." 3. We are reminded, further, by it, that when we are in God's hands, He will be sure to carry on in us the "work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope," till the day of Christ's appearing. This is always the way with God, therefore He is called "faithful" to those that love him. "God is faithful," says St. Paul, “who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." 1 Cor. x. 13. Nor will He leave those that "hope in his mercy," to fall away, and lose ground, and at length become sapless; for it is written, "He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." And again, "He that hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. i. 6.) But then that is "if we continue in the faith grounded and settled." Col. i. 23. Otherwise we have no claim upon his faithfulness. In the 3rd of Philippians among other places, we see how anxious St. Paul was always to be "growing in grace," and to find God "working in him, both to will and to do," that to the last he might be "found in Christ." 4. But there are some who after they have been enlightened by the Gospel, and have tasted the good word of God, think little or nothing about progress, but consider themselves secure. By and bye they fall into sin, committed, perhaps, deliberately; then their hearts grow harder, for sin will harden the heart very suddenly, especially if conscience has remonstrated first, and sin is repeated. And when persons cease to repent, and to seek after God, they take themselves out of God's hands, and then the work of their salvation ceases, unless they find grace to "do their first works" Rev. ii, 5. So these are like a CAKE NOT TURNED." Perhaps our Lord meant such where He describes some who " for a while believe, but in time of temptation fall away," Luke viii. 13. Let us thank God, then, dear children, and you my dear fellowteachers too, if we may reasonably and scripturally conclude we are at this time in his forming hands, and our salvation his constant care, we may then say with the Apostle, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day." 2 Tim. i. 12. G. N. S. LAY FOR A PILGRIM. Hope on, bright saint, the end is near, Thy pilgrim-walk may now be sad; Thy pilgrim-walk may now be free; For earth is but the desert wild, Then let thy soul be fixed above; R. H. D. The Teacher in his School. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS OF OUR LORD'S III. THE TEN POUNDS.-Luke xix. 12-27. 12. "He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom and to return." Our Lord Jesus Christ is here intended. He is a man because He took our nature upon Him-a noble man in the highest sense, because He is the Son of God. "He took on Him the seed of Abraham." Heb. ii. 16. "Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power." Rom. i. 3, 4. It was a practice among the Romans to require those appointed to the government of conquered provinces, to attend at Rome for invest ment. So Christ is gone into heaven to receive of his Father and glory everlasting. ' power "Again I leave the world and go to the Father." John xvi. 28. "Ask of Me and I shall give Thee the heathen for thine inheritance," &c. When due homage had been rendered to the emperor, the governor returned to his province. Christ in like manner will by-and-bye again appear. 13. "This same Jesus, which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner," &c. Acts i. 11. "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you." John xiv. 28. "When He shall come to be glorified in his saints," &c. 2 Thess. i. 10. “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till E come.' Christ has given to each, some talent to improve. "When He ascended on high-and gave gifts to men—and He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists," &c. Eph. iv. 8, 11. "For to one is given by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge," &c. 1 Cor. xii. 8. Our talents are to be employed, and turned to good account. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith," &c. Rom. xii. 6. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same, one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1Pet. iv. 10. 14. But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” While comparatively few are the servants of Christ, all are under his sway. "And had put all things under his feet." Eph. i. 22. "That He might be Lord both of the dead and the living." Rom. xiv. 9. "He is Lord of all." Acts x. 36. The vast bulk of mankind hate the Saviour and refuse to acknowledge Him as their Lord. “The carnal mind is enmity against God." Rom. viii. 7. "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me, before it hated you." John xv. 18. "Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways." Job xxi. 14. 15. "And it came to pass, when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading." Christ will come a second time, in spite of the unwillingness of sinners to receive Him. "For yet a little while and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Heb. x. 37. "Behold He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him." &c. Rev. i. 7. "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout." &c. 1 Thes. iv. 16. At the second appearing of Christ, all will have to stand before his judgment scat. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body," &c. 2 Cor. v. 10. "So then, every one of us shall give an account of Himself to God.' Rom. xiv. 12. 16. "Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.” The true Christian acknowledges that his talents come from God and is zealous in employing them in his service. “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly of this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of thine own have we given Thee." 1 Chron. xxix. 14. "But by the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain," &c. 1 Cor. xv. 10. 17. "And he said, Well, thou good servant; because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Those who thus honour the Saviour will be honoured by him at his second coming. "And when the chief shepherd shall appear, he shall receive a crown "Whose praise is not of men but of God." Rom. ii. 29. 18. “And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.”—19. “And He said likewise to him, Be thou over five cities." We are here taught that our rewards in heaven will be in proportion to our faithfulness in improving our talents on earth. |