"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord" (Jas. 5:7).

We cannot settle anything by prayer which God has already settled in His word. He has revealed His whole mind to us there. He has therefore nothing more to say. We may be puzzled, through ignorance of His word or through self-will, about what He has said and we may therefore have plenty of reason to pray and supplicate for light, but we may rest assured that He has nothing more to communicate, no more revelation to make, no new principles to add. When He speaks again it will be to seal forever every word of His holy Book, either by His rewards to them who have been obedient to it, or His judgment upon them who have been disobedient.

Obedient child of God, only be patient. The coming of the Lord is near. Then will the present trials of obedience be turned into the glories of obedience.

"Ye have killed the people of the Lord" (Num. 16:41.)

Such was the low, rebellious state of Israel that they even denied the Lord His right to exercise government among His people. They could eat and drink the good things of His creation; they could enjoy all the sweets of His great redemption; but they could not bear His government; they rebelled at that. How like that is the present state of Christendom!

"Why so dwell on grace?"

While preaching lately at — a young clergyman attended assiduously. At the end of one of the services he remained behind for conversation.

"Why is it," he asked, " that you dwell so much upon what establishes the eternal security of the believer ?"

" Because," we replied," all true communion with God, Christian testimony, fruitfulness and service has its root there. If your child is not sure of being your child how can there be between him and you the true communion of father and child ? If any question as to the final issues can be raised in the heart of the believer, how can he abide in the Father's bosom in perfect peace ? But this is the very secret of holiness without hypocrisy, of obedience without legality, of abounding service without restlessness-indeed of every fruit of the Spirit in the child of God."

The young man, who had realized a good measure of blessing during these services, felt the truth of this, and though it crossed the system of theology under which he had been trained, he owned God's way was better than man's.