All things earthly have an end; and Joshua, the man of faith, the true witness for God in the wilderness and the unconquered leader of the people in the land, is about to leave them-going "the way of all the earth." In the land he had been a type of a Greater than himself so completely, that his individuality had been merged into his official character, and we think of the One whom he represents. But he has conquered all, and having held the sword for many years, he lays it aside and with it his leadership, and becomes simply the man of faith, who has got a word to say for that faithful God whom he knew so well.

He appoints no one as his successor, no one who could carry on the work where he had laid it down. In His wondrous wisdom God has guarded against the very thing that the wise men of earth think the proper plan to secure order and good government- the plan of succession. No supervision could have been more complete, no authority more absolute, no care more minute, than that of the apostles. The infant Church was indeed cared for "as a nurse cherisheth her children." But there were no successors to the apostle's-save indeed the "grievous wolves" who would not spare the flock. (Acts 20:29.) The church was thrown on God and the word of His grace:to human eyes it was helpless indeed; but that very helplessness did but compel the saints to lean on God. Would that such dependence had always been realized.

It was with the consciousness that now the people were to be left without a visible head, in the midst of dangers in one sense greater than those which beset them in the field of conflict, that the departing servant spoke for the God he loved so well. With the memory of his course still vividly before them, with the conscience, too, in some measure awakened at the thought of his departure, they doubtless drank in eagerly all his words. And what words they were ! how he spoke for God ; how he pointed out their dangers, gleaning lessons from the past ; how he urged upon them faithfulness for the future.

True it is that to the Old-Testament saint was vouchsafed no such view into the opened heavens, and the world beyond, as it is our happy lot to enjoy; but who, as he listens to the calm and beautiful words of Joshua, can question that for him, as for God's people at all times, a light was shining, which made death but a dark line between this life and eternal brightness. He knew God, and that made all plain; he could speak for Him and then go to Him.

But it is our purpose, beloved brethren, to look a little closely at the words at the head of this paper, and gather from them food for profitable thought, as we draw near again to the close of another year. How swiftly the years pass-bringing us ever nearer to that eternity which, through infinite grace, has no terrors for the people of God. Well may we pause and think-taking a good look at the past ere we turn afresh to the unknown future. We do not observe times and seasons, nor would we by a single line encourage anything like lack of sobriety and circumspection at all times; but we have no sympathy with that indifference to the transiency of all about us, that can contemplate unmoved and unexercised the passing away forever of another portion of our brief life.

Who can prevent thoughts of sadness, alas ! of unavailing regret, if the memory of the past recalls wasted hours, neglected opportunities, that have fled forever. Very sobering is it to take account of how we have used our stewardship, and the close of the year is a fitting time to do this. It puts us into the spirit of that day of review when "every one of us shall give account of himself to God." It is well to live in the light of that day.

But our scripture is concerned chiefly with another and brighter side of things-even the remembrance of God's faithful love and care. In the 105th and 106th Psalms we have the same history gone over from two different points of view. The latter psalm shows the unbelief and disobedience of the people, and is therefore a record of failure :the former, on the contrary, celebrates the acts of God, and is bright with instances of His goodness, love, and care. Let us look, then, at that side, that gratitude, love, and obedience may be stirred in our hearts.

"Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you ; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof."

God had visited them while yet in the bondage and under the guilt of sin in the land of Egypt. He had promised to bring them out from that bondage, to set them free, and give them a place in the "good land and large " which He had spied out for them. Had He kept His word-spite of every obstacle, of all their unbelief? Joshua could appeal to them, with the knowledge that they could give but one answer, "Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls."

Glance back, dear brethren, to the time when we were under the doom of our countless sins, and in the iron grasp of a despot more terrible than Pharaoh. How has the deliverance been effected ? Is it complete ? Oh, as we behold the cross of Christ, and think of His finished work,-as we sec Him risen triumphant from the grave, with sin forever vanquished, the cry of victory bursts forth "unto the Lord who has triumphed gloriously," and we know in our souls that naught has failed of His good word.

Let us pass on by faith into all that He has won for us, remembering that we are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus;" that all things are ours, "whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come ; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's"-in view of the abundant blessing, do we not know in our souls that "not one thing hath failed "? Let it be clearly understood, boldly confessed ; for one of Satan's subtlest wiles is to introduce unbelief under the guise of humility. Nothing can be added to redemption; it is absolutely perfect. Our blessings are entire and complete; we wait for no "second blessing." True, our apprehension of these things is but feeble, but they are not feeble; they are before us as our portion-ours to enjoy even now.

But if we come to look at the mercies that have strewn all our way; patient love and care, temporal needs met as well as spiritual-we are still constrained to say, " Not one thing hath failed." What have we deserved ? but what have we received ?

But it is said by one and another, "My path has not been all blessing ; my past has been one of sorrow and gloom." Could such an one truly use these words ? Who has a better right ? We have never been promised exemption from trial and suffering ; in a world where sin reigns and its fruits are everywhere manifest; where our blessed Lord was " a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief";-who has the right, we might add, who the desire to escape the lot of all ? Those who suffer, who mourn, are but the companions of the great Sufferer. And in that companionship is found the fulfillment of our word. Sorrow and grief shared by the Lord ! who that has had the holy joy of His sympathy, the uplifting of His strength, would exchange it for that which, however bright, bears the stamp of change and decay ? Let the bereaved Christian, the tried saint, testify, and if he has learned his lesson well, he will gladly join with those whose path has been brighter in saying, " Not one thing hath failed."

For indeed unless this lesson has been learned there is doubt of the love of God, discontent, murmuring, and all the restlessness that speaks of an empty heart. The very best medicine for such a state is to learn God in the trial that apparently has produced it,-until the soul can say, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted." How all this is infinitely above the poor consolation that the world has to give of "brighter days to come," or, "others too have suffered." With the apostle we can say, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us; " and "our light affliction which is but for a moment, "worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

Grief-stricken parent, as you look into the grave of your hopes in the child you have laid away; crushed and disappointed man, as you face the ruin of your business and the threatenings of poverty-can you not as you think of the consolations of Christ say these words ?

And so will it be throughout all our days; whatever they may have for us, they cannot rob us of His love, of His promise, of His joy. And when we have reached our rest, our home, these same words will have their place, or be changed for others, as wonder fills our hearts-"the half had not been told."

What shall be the effect of this precious truth upon us? We see how Joshua used it-warning the people against a departure that would bring upon them just as surely the chastening hand of God; urging them to entire obedience, and the putting away of all that would hinder them in that path. So let it be with us. As we think of the eternal faithfulness of our God, let us arise, and, as never before, press forward in the way His holiness and His love have marked out for us.