The"happy school-days of childhood" are remembered with delight by nearly every one; but comparatively few Christians realize the joy and blessing that may be found in God's school. They forget that, even now, they are students for a higher profession, with prospects far higher than this world can offer, and of an enduring character.

What earnestness marks the diligent student; what solicitude to master the lesson, and what keen satisfaction is experienced as each advance is made! There is real pleasure in making conquests in fields of human knowledge; but it is trifling compared to the joy of making progress in God's school. If the former be of temporary value and pecuniary profit to us, the latter is eternal gain.

Let us, then, consider our privileges as students in God's school, and use them to advantage. The

The Schoolhouse. First, we are at school as long as we are in the world. Our Lord said,"I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world."Why ?Because the needs and vicissitudes of this life are used to display God's grace and character in a way that would be impossible in glory. The Master would not have His disciples lose a single experience which would teach them more of God.

This world, then, is God's schoolhouse. Its colossal proportions, its marvelous construction, and its brilliant canopy, declare the glory of its Architect. In this schoolhouse can be seen the work of students that have gone before :some are ruins which warn us to avoid their errors, and others are noble monuments which encourage us to imitate their faith.

The Teacher. There is one Teacher:none other is needed(1 John 2:27). He is personally interested in every pupil in the school, and tutors each one individually (Rom. 8:9). Not a. point of profit escapes His notice, and He teaches "all things" (John 14:26).

What wonderful advantages are these! What high and holy lessons may be learned under the teaching of the Holy Ghost!

The Text Book. There is one text-book:suited to the simplest beginner (i Peter 2:2); and, withal, sufficient for the thorough education of the ablest scholar (2 Tim. 3:17). This book, moreover, contains an answer to every question of importance (Prov. 22:20, 21).

There is no tedium in the pages of this volume, but never-failing delight in their perusal; and besides its pleasant reading, it is wonderfully effectual in giving wisdom. Listen to the testimony of a faithful student:he had only the earliest chapters of our text-book, but had learned to love them:" O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou, through Thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies:for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers:for Thy testimonies are my meditation " (Psa. 119:97-99).

The Scriptures, therefore, are to us the oracles of God for wisdom and instruction, and a never-failing source of joy and comfort to our souls.

The Lessons. There are many lessons-lessons for all ages; for babes and for children, for young men and for fathers (i John 2:)-lessons for all relations in life; for husbands and wives, for parents and children, for servants and masters, for kings and for their subjects.

A somewhat different course of instruction is given to every pupil, exactly adapted to his strength and character. Some must "study to be quiet and do their own business;" others, to "stir up the gift that is in them; " each according to his need.

The lessons are also of a progressive character, leading on to an active and useful life. "Giving all diligence, add to your faith courage; and to courage, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:5-8).

The Manner of Teaching. There are two methods that God uses in teaching His own. Of the first He says, " I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:I will guide thee with Mine eye." How blessed to be in such communion with God, and so understand His mind, that a look from His eye will teach us the right way! The second method in which God teaches is used only when the wayward pupil refuses to be instructed by the first. " Be not horse, or as the mule which have no understanding:whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle" (Psa. 32:9).

Can we not, dear brethren, explain many of the sad Circumstances in which the people of God are found as the bit and bridle, turning them in the way which God's eye had indicated long before? Obedience had been refused, and had to be enforced, leading to much pain and sorrow. May we earnestly seek the spirituality necessary to know God's mind, and the faithfulness to carry it out.

Discipline. How good is discipline at the Father's hands!. His love is perfect, His knowledge absolute, His power supreme! We are prone to be either harsh or lax with our brethren, but God's government is infallibly for our good. His dealings are most considerate:every faithful service is remembered, and shall be rewarded; all that is good fully recognized. On the other hand, no sin is so small that it may pass unnoticed. God's balances are true; His justice unwavering.

We are not to suppose that discipline is only for punishment, however:it is often to check our natural disposition; but all is corrective, and it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those exercised thereby. Let us not seek to build a wall about us to shut out God's governmental dealings, for we will find Him stronger than our wall, and reap sorrow for our rebellion. Let us rather humbly apply our hearts to learn the needed lesson, that we may rejoice in its rich fruition.

The Students. The students in God's school, manifestly, are God's children. No child can escape the training:his very relationship places him under the Father's instruction and discipline. On the other hand, only those born of God are taught of God, or can understand His things. The mere professor is a counterfeit student, "ever learning, and never coming to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7).

Real students, however, are far from being alike in their qualities and character. There are diligent
students, and slothful students; they may be apt, or dull; willing, or rebellious. The delinquent ones have a sorry time in this life, as did Lot, and not much treasure laid up for the life hereafter. The good students gain fitness to be used of God, as did Moses in the backside of the desert, David with his sheep, or Peter with the Master. These had much joy in serving God; they learned, too, how to wait for Him, and to suffer the sorrows of the way; high honor was given to them, and great is their reward in heaven.

Let us each consider, in God's presence, what kind of students we have been, and are. Have we obtained "a good report" through faith? And let us seek grace to so apply ourselves that we may be much used in God's service.

Advancement. Advancement is the fruit of diligent or patient study, and the result, besides the actual knowledge gained, is a change in the student-a ripened judgment, an increased power, and an enlarged capacity. So it is in God's school:as we be-come acquainted with Him, our capacity is enlarged, and we are increasingly able to take in and enjoy His blessed fulness.

Reward. Some have wondered what will be the difference in heaven, between the man whose earth-ly walk with God has been long and faithful, and another whose acquaintance had scarce begun, when taken from this scene. Doubtless the difference will be vast; similar, perhaps, to the contrast between a great cask filled to the brim, and a tiny vial likewise full. We know that every soul in that blessed place will be fully satisfied, but we also know that there will be peculiar and individual joys for those who have been in special ways faithful to their Lord. " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."

The reward of every loyal heart is God Himself. "To win Christ" is the supremest joy of the heart who has experienced something of His matchless love down here.

Dear brethren, let us be good students in God's school! Let us get all the lessons and blessings that are intended for us.

Let us make the most of the wilderness. Rest is sweet after a desert journey.

Let us get acquainted with our God, and learn of Him in His Word and in all His dealings with us. Let us use this life, not for itself, but for the one ahead of us.

"There, no stranger;-God shall meet thee;
Stranger thou in courts above.
He who to His rest shall greet thee,
Greets thee with a well-known love."

A. S. L.