From the very first, the passions, the prejudices, the interests, and the ancient and cherished superstitions of man were all opposed to the success of the gospel; but in vain. It was first proclaimed in the face of powerful, determined, and organized opposition. But it gained a foothold in society, notwithstanding, and spread its influence, and it has held on its way, onward, onward ever since. The Grecian philosophers mocked when they heard Paul expounding the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of the dead!

The Roman magistrate, surrounded by all the pomp of office, as the gorgeous procession in his train swept onwards to celebrate some splendid rite in the temples of their idolatry, might have cast a look of contemptuous pity at the little group of obscure Christians met for worship, and whose hymns in honor of the crucified Nazarene, caught his ear as he passed along. If at all aware of the exclusive character of the religion there taught, he might have smiled in derision at the extravagance of the simple fanatics (as he would probably deem them,) and, glancing his eye proudly at the pageantry around him, and the popularity of the gay mythology he advocated, he might deem it perfectly secure against the influence of a system so obscure, so abhorrent to the prejudices, and so adverse to the cherished indulgences of the powerful people he governed; and yet, ere long, those splendid superstitions tottered and fell be fore the influence of this new religion, simple as it appeared-unobtrusive as were its movements! So true it is, as an apostle once declared, "God hath chosen foolish things to confound the wise, and weak things to confound the mighty." If he would overthrow the monuments of human industry or power, no boisterous convulsions of nature are needed; the workings of little insects, the silent progress of decay, will be enough. If he would punish a rebellious nation, no powerful armies, no formidable fleets, are needed; luxury and pride within itself will accomplish it. There is, then, with these facts in view, something awful in the communication, "I will be to Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness !"

In the operation of the great laws of nature-in the production of striking phenonomena aud desolating convulsions of the elements -in the ceaseless production of the vast submarine structures, on which rest the lovely isles of ocean-in the momentous movements of Providence, controlling the affairs of men, and determining the destiny of empires-in the amazing event which rendered this world a theatre of guilt and woe-in the still more astonishing work of redeeming a ruined world, and opening heaven itself to the hopes of mankind-in the ordinary dispensations of Providence towards men individually-in the dispensation of celestial grace through the Son of God-everywhere and in all things we find the truth broadly illustrated, "Great results flow from little causes." The glorious Ruler of the universe accomplishes the results most amazing by means silent, nnobtrusive, and seemingly inadequate; truly, then, "there is no searching his understanding!"

From the array of facts now before us, I infer 1st. is concerned in all events, however minute.

God's agency

Some persons deem it derogatory to God to suppose that his at

tention is occupied by little things. In affairs of magnitude he may be interested, but surely not in every little trifle. But, now, this thought is unworthy of God. His mind is so vast and so capacious that it grasps every object with perfect distinctness. His plans are perfect, embracing all events without exception. He is competent to direct all. Not a sparrow falls without Him, and even the very hairs of our heads are all rumbered. His plans must embrace all events, for, otherwise, his purposes might be frustrated by some event overlooked as too small for notice, but of which the consequences, (like the circles spreading around the point where a falling pebble meets the surface of the lake,) should continually extend and grow in power as increasing ages move on!'

We may infer, again, no event is, properly speaking, insignificant. To us it may appear so, but in reality it is not. The direction taken by a fly may cost the life of the most powerful monarch or the ablest statesmen, and plunge whole nations into the horrors of tedious, bloody warfare! The turn we take in a walk, the selection of a book, the direction we give to a conversation, the merest trifle imaginable may throw us into circumstances that will modify our opinions, give a new impulse to our desires, make for us a powerful friend or an implacable enemy, and give an entirely different tone for good or for evil to our own character, and our whole destiny hereafter. Once more: we discern our need of constant guidance from the Most High. He alone fully understands our position, clearly discerns every danger that threatens us, and appreciates our necessities. He alone has power adequate to protect, and wisdom to guide us aright. If He guard us, no danger can overwhelm us; if He sustain, no force can crush us; if He graciously accord his guidance, we are secure-so, at least, thought the royal bard of Israel: "Uphold me, O Lord, and I shall be safe !"

But, further: it certainly is not irrelative to the subject discussed, and I trust it will not be deemed inappropriate to the occasion if Í add : "We hence discern also the propriety and value of prayer !" How foolish we should deem the mariner, who, when approaching a coast dangerous from its numerous shoals and reefs and varying currents, around which, moreover, the vessels of a daring foe are hovering: and the gathering tempest is blackening, should persist in refusing the services of an able and experienced and faithful pilot, ready and eager to conduct him safely through the devious channels. How foolish the military officer, who, hemmed in by a superior force-a force flushed with victory, vigilant, active, and eager for his destruction, while his own supplies were exhausted, and famine stared him in the face, should refuse to avail himself of trusty guides, offering to conduct his harassed bands by retired passes across the hills to join the distant troops hastening to his relief!

Equally foolish, unreasonable, and disastrous it is, for a frail mortal, a child of sin and sorrow, to refuse applying to the Father of mercies for that aid, that support, that guidance, so appropriate to his exigencies-a guidance that may be obtained, and obtained by all through prayer; and without which, events that any hour may bring forth, shall prove deeply disastrous, nay, irremediably fatal !

Do you need pardon? It is obtained in prayer. Do you need consolation in affliction? Prayer yields it. Do you need tranquility of mind and firmness to resist temptation? Prayer, and prayer alone, brings it within your reach. How great a matter a little fire kindleth.

"ONE THING THOU LACKEST."

BY REV. J. M. SHERWOOD.

THIS was said to an inquiring sinner by one that knew. The character of the inquirer, and of him who pronounced the judgment, and all the circumstances of the case, make it a most impressive and instructive record of human experience in the matter of eternal salvation.

Never was the momentous question, "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" asked under more favorable circumstances--never did an inquirer seem nearer to the kingdom of heavennever were hope and promise more suddenly and utterly blightednever was there a sadder and more appalling sequel to a sinner's period of conviction and seeking after the kingdom of God.

He came to Christ, not with a question of curiosity or casuistry, or strife, but with the one all-embracing and infinitely momento us question, which related to his personal salvation. There was very much in his person and character-very much in his manner of seeking to warrant hope in his case-almost enough to justify one in pronouncing with certainty upon his salvation. He came with a serious question, and did proper reverence to Jesus Christ. He began to seek religion in early life, for he was yet a young man. He was not above seeking the salvation of his soul, though he was rich-" had great possessions." He was not ashamed to kneel to Christ, and that in the public highway, notwithstanding he was a "ruler." He felt in some in measure the insufficiency of his righteousness, and his need of something more and better to save him, although he was a very moral, and as a Jew, a strictly religious man, and had kept all the commandments of Moses from his youth up. His mind was penetrated with the spirit of humility, and with a profound respect for Christ and serious things, as his manner and whole conduct on this occasion abundantly show. He was, beyond a doubt, an honest seeker after the truth. He came burdened with a most weighty and appropriate question, and was anxious to have it answered; he sought the test of this new teacher who came forth from God; he wanted to know the truth and the whole truth in this case, and he shrunk not from the revelation. And, finally, he was manifestly an earnest seeker after life. For he came "running" to Jesus as if in haste-as if he feared the favorable moment might be lost--as if his mind was wrought up to a high and noble resolve, and his heart impelled by deep conviction. No shame or fear, or sense of guilt could deter him. The spirit of God was no doubt at work in his soul. It was an hour of intense interest and responsibility to that sinner. Behold him prostrate at the feet of Jesus! Hear the anxious inquiry that falls from his lips! Listen to the kind and gracious words of Jesus, directing a lost and inquir. ing sinner into the way of life everlasting.

And is such an one wanting? Shall he at last come short, and perish with the silly and stupid multitude? Having reached the very entrance-gate of salvation, will he turn back and give over seeking? O, the poverty of creature happiness! the insufficiency of creature goodness! the weakness of creature resolves! the uncertainty of creature promise and hope in their best estate! ONE THING THOU LACKEST. Not yet perfect. One important step still to be taken. One test more to be applied. Ah, and that one thing was everything to him; to make him perfect he needed the righteousness of Christ, of which he was entirely destitute; the step to be taken involved the chief sacrifice in his following Christ; the test to be applied would show his utter insufficiency, and blast in death his high-raised hopes, and all his prospects of eternal life.

"Go thy way; sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow me." Jesus knew what constituted that man's IDOL--the real and main difficulty to be met by him in the prosecution of his great inquiry--and he laid his hand upon that idol, and pointed to the required preliminary sacrifice. With a master-hand he laid bare the secrets of that youthful, hoping, and self-confident heart--discovered to him the strength of its love of the world, and the weakness of its outpourings after eternal life with God; and in a moment his radical deficiency of character comes out-he cannot endure the light and demands of that higher revelation which he sought-his resolution fails him-and all is lost. "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved; for he had great possessions." His "great possessions" were his ruin. He loved them more than he loved God, or eternal life, and he knew it not till now. The requirement of Jesus Christ was more than he could perform. He came to Jesus, but he followed not after him. He inquired to know the way of life, and being tought it, turned his back upon it. He began early to seek the kingdom of God, and when he was just ready to enter it, he suddenly and forever abandoned the pursuit. We hear no more of him. Such a season of conviction and solicitude and blessed opportunity never returned. He perished, probably, with his much-loved wealth.

This melancholy case flashes a light of warning full in our face. Let every man test his religion, test his love to God, test his hope of heaven by the broad rules and the severe principles of the gospel. Above all, having come to Christ with the great question of salvation, let us open our hearts to his searching scrutiny--meet his demands by a full surrender--and neither turn away from him, nor disobey his word, for the wealth and crown of the world.