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Thus I have seen children gradually ceasing to attend the Sunday-school, and finally disappearing altogether. Perhaps it was because they had uneasy consciences. When we are in rebellion against God, we do not like to pray, or read the Bible, or attend the worship of the Lord. If you are not God's children, He will let you rest undisturbed at this distance from Him (and you could not have a more miserable life); but if you are His own, He will send you tempests and great afflictions; He will chasten you and rebuke you, that He may bring you back to Himself.

Jonah wanted to flee from the presence of the Lord. He hastened to the sea-shore. There were two Tarshishes at that time: one on the coast of Judea, to which people went by the Red Sea; the other, some have thought was in Spain; while some have conjectured that it was situated on the coast of Cornwall in England.

So Jonah went down to the sea-coast; and at first all went well, though, as he had not yet the peace of God in his heart, not even the pleasures of travel nor change of scene could make him happy, though he may have appeared to be cheerful. He arrived at Joppa, which was but an indifferent port; there he found a large ship going to Tarshish. He arranged with the captain about the fare for the voyage; the wind is good, all seems favourable. But, unhappy

Jonah! God is about to plunge you into the waves of affliction. He only allows you to succeed for a moment, that He may convince you of what is in your heart. We may prosper for a time in the world, but if we have not God's blessing we can have no true security.

See what becomes of the best of men when God leaves them to themselves to try them; and see how necessary it is that His Spirit should accompany His word. Watch Jonah, in his disobedience, embarking for his long voyage. Soon a great wind will arise out of the sea; a storm will follow; and an imposing and terrible scene will take place on board the ship.

SECOND LESSON.

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