Think of human blindness:-there was Israel to whom God had given great and multiplying flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, crops of corn, and oil, and wine. The continuation of this in the future was also in His own hands. They were therefore indebted to Him for all they had, and dependent on Him for all they were to have. To test their recognition and appreciation of this He had imposed tithes upon them. Yet, they grudged Him the tithes; they made them up with the lame and refuse of their substance that they might still appear as paying them:then they held them back altogether; then they sacrificed to idols-beyond anything God had ever asked of them for Himself. Is it a wonder that He has forsaken them, and that under His righteous government they are now reaping the fruits of their doing ?

Is not this a lesson for us Christians ? We, too, have a debt of love to pay-a far greater one than Israel's, for He gave them only Canaan, but He has given us heaven:He gave them only sheep and cattle, but He has given us eternal life and forgiveness of sins:He gave them but corn, and oil, and wine, but He has given us the Bread of heaven, and the Holy Spirit, and eternal glory. He but called them to be His own peculiar nation among all the nations of the earth, but He has called us to be His bride-the Church which is His body-the Lamb's wife.

He has therefore a greater claim upon us-a claim which begins with our heart's deepest affection. He must have that first, and have it in truth, or everything else is of little value to Him. Then follows all the rest -body, soul, spirit-and our substance.

Brethren, do we value Him enough to respond to His claims ? Do we appreciate His gifts for eternity enough to sacrifice something to Him during the little time we are here ? If so, we will lack no power for spiritual growth, and service, and testimony.

But if we are indifferent to His claims, unthankful "for His great love wherewith He loved us," need we wonder if we grow poorer and poorer in soul, and have to cry, "My leanness, my leanness."

O beloved brethren, "the night is far spent; " the morning is dawning; let us not drop asleep at such a time, but watch while we wait for our "blessed hope." It is at the end of the race that men are liable to be overcome. But those who keep the prize in view have their strength renewed as they go. Sweet will be the goal, glad the meeting with Him who is our Hope.

'' The night is now far spent,
The day is drawing nigh,
Soon will the morning break
In radiance through the sky:
Oh let the thought our spirits cheer,
The Lord Himself will soon appear."