"Having occasion recently to take a journey by an early train, on awaking ere it was light enough to see the time by my watch, I could see quite plainly upon the wall opposite a luminous match-safe, at least the word "matches" upon it, vivid and clear. Thinking, "That is just what I need!" I groped my way to it, and felt in both sides of it, but in vain-none were there, and was about returning to bed to await other indications of the hour. Ere doing so, however, 1 took my watch, and holding it close to the window, strained my eyes to discern the figures, but once more the effort was fruitless. Just then I bethought me of a pocket match-safe I had with me, in which I knew there were some, if I could but find it; but as to this, memory gave the answer-it was in a satchel not in the room. All resources alike had failed me; -the luminous one, bearing its testimony brightly enough to itself, but a vain hope as to light for others; the light of day, which because not yet arisen, the approach of it was not sufficient; and the pocket-safe, while with plenty in it, not at hand, and so, equally useless for the time and purpose. Each and all alike had raised my hopes but to fail me and to leave me in the darkness still.

Musing over the connection of these things with lessons of the "light of life" in which the Lord would lead His beloved people, I then awaited the call of "mine host" as promised me, and a little of the result, beloved reader, I now pass on to you:-

As to the first case, have we not what fits in the apostle's word, as showing his testimony to be otherwise?-"We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake " (2 Cor. 4:5), and illustrations of the same beautifully in John the Baptist, when asked, " Who art thou ? " answering," I am not the Christ;" and of Peter, saying, " Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk;" and of Paul and Barnabas, saying, " We also are men of like passions with you" (Jno. 1:; Acts 3:and 14:) The luminous safe, like much, alas! that bears the name of Christ, professed what it possessed not, and proved all confidence in it to be misplaced. As to this, how solemn the words of Scripture-"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof"! "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, . . . unto every good work reprobate." " A name that thou livest, and art dead." " Because thou sayest,' I am rich, … be zealous, therefore, and repent." (2 Tim. 3:; Tit. 1:; Rev. 3:)

Next, as to the second case, how well we know that, both morally and physically, "the dayspring from on high " is " to give light to them that sit in darkness"! and yet in this case it did not, for the haze of the morning caused by the mists of earth came in to hinder. With how many is this the case as to their both receiving and giving out the light to others! The world, with its attractions and distractions, intervenes, and they need to hear in power in their souls that word which alone can make all bright-"Arise! shine! for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. …. The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory" (Is. 60:) " Whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore it saith, ' Awake, thou that sleepest! and arise from the dead! and Christ shall give thee light."

Then, as to the last case:alas, for the record of many, if not most of us! are we not as the match-safe-furnished, but not " ready to every good work," because often not near enough to our blessed Lord and Master, who went about doing good" ? Of how few can it be truly said that they are "scribes instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, who are like unto a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old"! Many of us possess no little stock as to acquaintance with the truths of Scripture, and as so often spoken, a "knowledge of divine principles," but how often only to " minister questions rather than godly edifying, which is in faith".' Oh, beloved, may we, through His grace who loved the Church and gave Himself for it, and still nourishes and cherishes it, seek to be ever " holding forth the word of life "-" ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear"-" READY to distribute, willing to communicate"-" READY to every good work." (i Pet. 3:; i Tim. 6:; Tit. 3:) Thus may we each, constrained by the love of Christ, both "persuade men," "beseech them to be reconciled to God," and as to His own dear people, that " they receive not the grace of God in vain," remembering Him who "came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." B.C.G.