Galatians, and Hebrews; and who preached the sermon on Mars Hill:-"I reckon that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For all things work together for good to them that love God. Most gladly will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessity, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong. I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

THE SCHOOL OF ADVERSITY.

PART SECOND.

"Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement; I will not offend any more; that which I see not teach thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more."-ELIHU.

"My son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary of His correction; for whom the Lord loveth He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.""-SOLOMON.

"Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their pleasure: but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness."-PAUL.

In the last chapter I endeavoured to point out some of the teachings of the Holy Scriptures concerning the School of Adversity. The names of some of the most distinguished men "of old time" were mentioned, and their history briefly sketched. It was endeavoured to be shown that the painful and afflictive dispensations of Divine Providence had much to do in making them what they were; the training and maturing of their characters, the perfecting of these saints, rendering them "meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." The remarks there offered may, perhaps, have suggested useful thoughts to some minds

tous.

reminding them of many others whose history exemplifies the useful bearing of the same principle. The subject is far-very far-from being exhausted. I regard it as a subject involving the most solemn consequences; indeed, anything that has a bearing on the education of a soul is important. However trivial a matter may be in itself, if it tells favourably, or otherwise, on an immortal mind, it is momenThat mind is of infinite importance. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of right training to that which shall for ever be—which may perform, in the service of God, work of the highest worth and importance dwell in the highest regions —participate in the highest happiness—its education can never be held in too great estimation. Man does not sufficiently prize and reverence the nature with which his Maker has endowed him. While the redeeming work of Christ should impress us with our own sinfulness, it ought to raise, infinitely to raise, our views and feelings of the immense worth of our souls. It is not 66 a light matter" that " we should be called the sons of God." It is not a light matter that we should be "made partakers of the Divine nature." It is not a light matter that our eyes should be brought to "see the King in His beauty, and to behold the land that is a very far off." It is not a light matter that persons so unworthy, so fallen, so sinful, so depraved as we are, should be made "worthy to walk" with "the Lamb in white." Final salva

H

tion is a matter of infinite interest and adoring wonder.

:

"How can it be Thou Heavenly King,

That Thou shouldst us to glory bring;

Make slaves the partners of Thy throne,
Deck'd with a never-fading crown?"

"Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God! "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." But as it "became Him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through suffering;" so, also, it is a part of the great scheme of human regeneration, and the complete education of the soul of man, to render him, by "much tribulation," meet to enter into the joy of his Lord." And it is a proof as much of the love as the wisdom of God, that He will cause "all things to work together for good to them that love Him." "Who is He"—or, what is it-- “that shall harm you so long as ye are followers of that which is good?" Nay, those hostile influences— those painful trials-those "manifold temptations" shall all contribute to the high, the holy, and the glorious work of preparing you for sitting down "with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven."

"Our glorious leader claims our praise,
For His own pattern given;

While the long cloud of witnesses

Show the same path to heaven."

But this will not be by magic. It will not follow as "a matter of course." It will not come "by observation." God wills our eternal glorification. "This is the will of God, even your sanctification." Nothing is so pleasing to Him as the multiplication of copies of the likeness of His own Son. For this all the arrangements of Providence are conducted For this "Jesus died and rose again." For this He "ever liveth to make intercession." For this the Holy Spirit is given. This is the end of the Gospel. But this work is not carried on by Jehovah independent of human co-operation. We must become workers with God. He "worketh in us to will and to do of His own good pleasure." But we must "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." By obedience to His command, by co-working with His Spirit, by a wise improvement of our opportunities, by making it "the business of our lives," we may, and we infallibly shall, secure "glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life." We, then, should ever feel the force of the thought, that we have a work to do. We have a part, a most important part, to act. We must use the means by

which the most apparently adverse and unpropitious events and influences may become the most useful means of spiritual edification. So that we