their enemies were vigilant and determined. Just so we have to fight against Satan, prejudice, and corruption, which would otherwise creep in, and mar and spoil the work. O for grace to work, watch, and fight in God's glorious cause!

The beauty of the sight, in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple, was to see every one at his work, and this would be a pleasant sight now. Every believer should be at work, for each one has some talent, and that talent was given by Jesus to be employed in his service, and for his honour. Every one should be at his proper work, for there is something for each one to do, and every one can do his own work best. Every Christian should feel a deep and growing interest in the conversion of sinners and the enlargement of the Chureh. Each should be concerned to do something for that purpose, and to do all he can. Of old some hewed the stones, some builded, some served, some watched, some gave, all took a part, just as it should be now. Let us examine then, am I at work? Am I at my proper work; that for which my talents qualify me? Am I doing all I can, and doing all as to the Lord, as for Jesus, who has done so much for me? All idlers should be reproved, let us reprove them by our conduct, and at every fitting opportunity put the question, "Why stand ye all the day idle ?" Nor should we fail to exhort and encourage one another, for there

is so much to be done, and there are so many discouragements in the way. Brethren, be constant in your places and at your employment, for in working for Jesus you are safe, but the loiterer and idler are in danger-in the work of Jesus there is pleasure, the sweetest pleasure; we may therefore work and sing. In the work of Jesus there is profit. Now we receive a hundred-fold, and in the world to come we shall receive life everlasting. Let us expect interruptions and hindrances in our work, but let us always return to it again; and let us so work as those who look for the coming of the Master, and wish that at his coming he may find every one at his work.

Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go,
My daily labour to pursue;
Thee, only thee resolv'd to know,
In all I think, or speak, or do.

The task thy wisdom has assign'd,
O let me cheerfully fulfil!

In all my works thy presence find,
And prove thine acceptable will.

Give me to bear the easy yoke,

And every moment watch and pray;

And still to things eternal look,

And hasten to thy glorious day:

For thee delightfully employ,

Whate'er thy bounteous grace hath given;

And run my course with even joy,

And closely walk with thee to heaven.

I WANT TWO THINGS; OR, RE-
PENTANCE AND FAITH.

Ir is no uncommon thing, for many persons to look too much to their feelings, and to judge of their state thereby; such never enjoy settled peace. Such very often set up a standard for God to work by, and except texts of Scripture are applied to the mind, producing sudden joys, they cannot conclude that they are the children of God. Now however profitable these things may be, they are never set forth in God's word, as necessary to salvation, or even as the evidences of it. Men are to be known, like trees, by their fruits; and salvation by its effects. Without faith in Christ, repentance toward God, and love to the brethren, there cannot be salvation; but there may be all these without the impressions, applications, and sensations, which some people talk of, and require as essential to salvation. A minister, some short time ago, was in company with one of his hearers, who had fallen into this mistake. He had experienced a great change in himself, he prayed privately and publicly, his moral conduct was good, and he had regularly sat under the gospel for twenty years; but because he had

no singular manifestations, no striking texts suddenly applied to his soul, which he had been looking for in vain for years, though at times he had a little hope, yet he had no joy in God, no peace in believing, no assurance of salvation. His one great complaint is, "I do not feel, what I want to feel—even in prayer, I do not feel what I say, as I want to feel it. I am afraid after all that I shall be lost. I KNOW," said he, "I WANT TWO THINGS, THAT IS REPENTANCE AND FAITH.

It is a great mercy to be convinced of our need of spiritual things, for when the Lord shows us our need, and gives us the desire to posses them, in his own time, he intends to confer them. Then the promise is ours, and will be fulfilled to us, where it is said, He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him, he also will hear their cry, and will save them." But we often fancy we need, what we have already got, and I have no doubt the friend referred to, has both repentance and faith already; for if he had not, he would neither feel, desire, act, or talk, as he does. But does he understand what repentance and faith are? Or, has he mistaken the nature of things, which he says he needs, and which are indeed necessary to salvation? I apprehend this is the case with many, let us therefore look at these two points a little.

REPENTANCE, is a change of mind. It supposes that we have thought wrongly, and

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have therefore felt, and acted wrongly. When therefore it is said, "Repent and believe the gospel," the meaning is, " Change your minds in reference to God's kingdom, the Messiah, &c., and believe the good news I bring you." So when it is said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." It supposes that they had wrong views, and therefore false expectations, in reference to the kingdom of God; and they are required to change their views, and expect the kingdom of God at once. So when Peter says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you," &c. He means change your minds in referrence to Jesus of Nazareth, and by baptism profess faith in his name. Repentance towards God, is changing the mind in reference to God's nature, purposes, and designs towards us; so that instead of looking upon him as wrathful, purposing to punish us, and intending to sacrifice us to his justice; we believe him to be love, that his purposes are gracious, and that he intends to do us good and bless us. Then we look upon God, in Jesus, as gracious, merciful, and long suffering; we believe that he has no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but would rather he should turn from his wickedness and live, even though it cost him the life of his own dear Son to save him; and we see that he is so desirous of being on good terms with us, that he beseeches us to be reconciled unto him, promising that he will not impute our