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No. VI.

THE GOOD COMMODORE.

"I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, AND KNOW MY SHEEP, AND AM KNOWN OF MINE."-John, x. 14.

A GOOD Commodore is very anxious to bring all his fleet safe into port. If an enemy appears in sight, he places himself between the foe and his convoy, and determines, so long as he floats a gun above water, that not one of his friends shall be captured. For their protection he is ready to fight, and bleed, and die. Having driven off the adversary he rejoices to rejoin his alarmed convoy, and to conduct them on the remainder of the voyage. They, on their parts, cheer him as their best friend and protector: and the more they observe the shot-holes in his sides and canvass, and the knots and splices in his rigging, the more they venerate him, and determine to obey all his orders; not half so much from fear of his authority, which they know to be great, as from downright gratitude and love. He, on the other hand, is constantly noticing the state and situation of every vessel; shorten

ing sail for the dull sailers, assisting the distressed, ordering the strong and fast ships to stay by the smaller, and himself, as necessity requires, taking one or two of the most feeble and crazy ones in tow. He loses none but such as, through obstinacy and disobedience, separate themselves, and quit convoy to pursue their own headstrong course.

Thus our gracious Leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, is anxious to bring safe into his Heavenly Father's kingdom all who put themselves under his guidance, mercy, and protection. He contends with all our spiritual enemies; nor will he allow hell or earth to capture one soul that hangs on, and looks up to him for help. He was well content to suffer, bleed, and die that we might live. And now he has rejoined the hosts of heaven, and taken his seat at the right hand of power, he rejoices to protect, and conduct us throughout. When his humble, loving children contemplate the wounds he received, and the agonies he endured for them, they feel their souls filled with fresh love and gratitude, and determine, through his grace and assistance, to follow and obey him with all their hearts. He, on the other hand, notices all their endeavours to do so. He compassionates the weak and trembling. He smiles encouragement on the timid. He assists and refreshes those in dis

tress; takes the most feeble and desponding, as it were, in tow; carries them in his bosom, and patiently tarries for those who unfortunately drop behind. None will he leave but such as obstinately, and perseveringly, grieve and resist his Holy Spirit, rebel against bis known will, cease to abide in, or with him, and who, in short, determine that he shall not reign over, or rule and conduct them.

Many a soul may be found who has been taught this blessed lesson by happy experience. Let the world run after its idols and its empty bubbles if it pleases; the experienced Christian will follow Christ as his chief good, will esteem him as the pearl of great price,-the good shepherd, the captain of his salvation. Hence,

when such a character falls in with a poor sinburthened fellow-creature, one who, having run far among the shoals of destruction, is at length become sensible of his danger, and begins to cry out, "What must I do to be saved?" the reply is, "Look unto Christ: believe in the Lord Jesus Christ: follow with an eye of faith, and with a spirit of humility and contrition, that Lamb of God, who died to redeem a lost world, and then rose for its justification." With such advice as this the experimental Christian lifts up the mourner's head, and bids him hope, since it is an unquestionable truth that

"The Lord, who once on Calvary bled,
And rose triumphant from the dead,
Pursues in heaven his plan of grace,

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The friend of man's apostate race.

There, as our advocate, he reigns,
Touch'd with the feeling of our pains;
And still remembers in the skies,
His tears, and agonies, and cries.

"In every pang that rends the heart,
This man of sorrow bears a part:
In all our grief, our grief He shares,

And save our souls from satan's snares."

Well might this adorable Saviour say, "if any man loves father, or mother, or house, or land, more than me, he is not worthy of me." Well might he declare, "If any man is ashamed of me, and of my gospel, in this sinful and adulterous generation, of him I will be ashamed, when I come in the glory of my Father, with my holy angels, to gather my children from the four winds of the earth." Indeed, such is the value which all intelligent and spiritually-minded Christians put on Christ, as their leader, their friend, and their sin-atoning Saviour, that

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Though men despise them and revile,

They think the trial small;

Whoever frowns, if Jesus smile,

They gladly welcome all.

"When cheer'd with faith's sublimer joys, They mount on eagle's wings,

And count as dross, and empty toys
The pride and pomp of kings."

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