be refreshed by it, and even some dying life my be Thus it is that consequences of infinite moment met SARENG DE what we call little things, so that there is no safety he is even in having all our little things as well as great onee Loger the care of our heavenly Father. We must put them at be posal, seek his guidance in all things, seek tim in o netaut prope and never be without God in the world. We must have EL ME single to his approbation, and whether we eat or drink, or worse soever we do, endeavor so to arrange all things as kial de fer 1.6 glory. This is truly the only sate way, for Goole providence acts in little things as well as great; and if we are cutsere with him, he will cause all things to turn out was made guiding our successions of little things into a great and newe whole, he will often invest single little thing, wilt heroes aus attend them with consequences of great glory.

DE

It is by little and little that in such a word se til ve do the greater part of the good that we ever accomp mu that is faithful in great things, is faithful also is the least: and f he be not faithful in small things, God will not give on the opportunity to be so in large ones. Indeed, it is on yoY THE CE cipline of faithfulness in small things that a mau est de proe pared to do good on a great scale. If a man with for goat opportunities, or a great occasion, or a great por jo se org beginning to do good with all his might, before og mange men his influence in all things for God and truth and righteousness, then, when the occasion conAN, OF THE 16 is offered, the man himself will certainly be boss wasteg spirit of the man can be trained for great ocZÁSA S ually, and by a discipline and habit of integrity, toward faithfulness in minor emergencies, and in regers to coax É calls of duty. It is as if a man, contemps gained, should say, I will not take a step op

go from top to bottom at a bound. We.., you geveg w there in that way. You must go up step by step, SOME KIN It is not given to man to spring at once to gros v great usefulness, or great infience.

He c

over intervening obstacles, but must grapes wis overcome them, one by one. The quater qurma i

himself take this into consideration. No men du som vy other way, in any sphere whatever, forges anyon any other arrangement.

What is surer than God's greet promise in reggis do e breg, that if you train them up faithfully for *

them, and bless them, and make toess sa 7

good character and heavenly haba wr, firm seg s

daily, familiar, minute, but every og gens para weselna, them, and influences brought to best upon vete

sions that form their characters from the outset are as little drops falling on the rock, and wearing it, never at once, but by perseverance, repetition, continuance. What can one drop do? It falls, and is gone, and leaves no traces. The most perfect microscope or measuring instrument that ever could be made would not be able to detect the impression made by one drop. And yet the permanence, the incessant repetition, of this feeble, trifling agency, so small as to be entirely imperceptible, may at length furrow and disintegrate the very granite. That is but a symbol of what may be done with souls.

But I say God's providence takes care of single little things also, and oftentimes makes much out of them, or hangs much upon them. I think it was Hannah More who once recorded an instance of a gay lady returning from a midnight party at cards, and finding her maid-servant reading a religious book. "Poor melancholy thing," said she, "what pleasure can you find in poring over such a book?" But even in her own careless glance upon it, there was one word that met her eye, and followed her to her retirement, and at length filled her with so much distress, that her maid came to her in anxiety to know what it was that troubled her. She burst into a flood of tears, exclaiming, "Oh! it was one word in your book that has taken hold upon me, and that word is ETERNITY!" And by God's grace it led to an earnest preparation for Eternity.

"I can never

But this is by no means a solitary instance. forget," said a pious man once to a friend, "that one word which was whispered to me once in a meeting for religious inquiry." "What word was it ?" "It was the word ETERNITY. A young Christian friend, who was yearning for my salvation, came up to me as I sat in my pew, and simply whispered Eternity in my ear, with great solemnity and tenderness, and then left me. That word made me think, and I found no peace till I came to the cross."

It is said that Harlan Page once went through his Sabbathschool to get some spiritual census in regard to its condition. Coming to one of the teachers, he said, "Shall I put you down as having a hope in Christ ?" The teacher replied no." Then," said Mr. Page very tenderly, "I will put you down as having no hope." He closed his little book and left him; but that single remark was blessed of God, and therefore was enough to distress the young man so deeply, that he could find no peace till he gained a hope in Christ's saving mercy. Take another instance. A female member of a Christian church not long since overtook a lady on her way to the prayer-meeting. She asked the young person if she never thought of her own salvation? The lady thus addressed replied that during all her life she had never had one word spoken to her before concerning the salvation of her

soul. But this one affectionate question had God's blessing. Within a few weeks from that time she became a devoted member of the fold of Christ.

Thus God works. It is said to have been a single remark of Rev. Charles Simeon, in regard to the blessings which had resulted from the labors of Dr. Carey in India, that first arrested the attention of Henry Martyn to the cause of missions. His mind began to stir under the new thought, and a perusal of the Life of Brainerd fixed him in his resolution to give himself to his Redeemer in the service of preaching the gospel to the dying heathen.

A great many such cases might be cited; and the recurrence of such instances should teach us never to be discouraged in trying to do good. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not which shall prosper, nor whether they may not both alike have God's blessing. Blessed are they that sow beside all waters, that are ready for all opportunities. None can tell what God may do with a single word, a single remark, a single question. Even when the case seems most hopeless, the seed may be taking root. The arrow, though feebly shot, may be lodged in the conscience. The heavenly minister in Scotland, Mr. McCheyne, was once riding past a coal quarry, and stopped to look in at the fire-room of the engine-house. The fireman had just opened the door to feed the furnace with fresh fuel. Mr. McCheyne observed it for a moment in solemn meditation, and then, pointing to the bright glowing flame, said in a gentle tone to the man, but full of meaning, "Does that fire remind you of any thing?" If I remember right, he afterwards stated the impression made upon his own soul by the recall, in lively power, of the Scripture imagery of perdition, the worm that never dieth, the fire that never shall be quenched. But he just simply asked, "Does that fire remind you of any thing?" The question, from such a devout and praying heart, was not left with the man merely; it was left with God, and God's blessing accompanied it. It proved an effectual arrow of conviction, roused his conscience as with the power of guilt and hell, led him to the house of God, and may have been to him the gate of heaven. Thus it is that God can make little means divinely powerful. Therefore despise not the day of small things, for none can tell what God may do. Be not weary in well doing, for in due season thou shalt reap, if thou faint not. It is one characteristic of the righteous, that whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Nothing can be lost that is done for God. you do not see the glory of it now, nor the success of it, you shall see the reward of it hereafter. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

If

But if we are thus taught the duty of perseverance in well doing, and if we thus gain great encouragement for faithfulness in little things, and small spheres of usefulness, we likewise see how much may depend, and of how great moment, upon actions apparently the most trifling; and therefore how watchful we should be to walk with God; in all our ways to acknowledge hin, and in all things be sure of his approbation. Indeed, we can never be too vigilant on our way to the eternal world; the atmosphere of prayer and of God's Word is the only safe one to walk in. How can any man leave his house in the morning without committing his way to the Lord God in prayer! How can any man lie down to sleep at night without invoking the pardoning mercy and parental care of the great Being into whose eternal presence he may perhaps pass without ever waking again, in a world of probation, to the possibility of prayer! Who can tell, when he goeth forth in the morning to this world's activities and cares, what may befall him unless God hold him as in the hollow of his hand? Who can tell what evil, if not guarded and guided of God, he may be the means of bringing even upon others? Who can tell in what lurking-places the adversary of God and man may meet him; what temptations may be thrust upon him from a thought, a book, a bargain, a word, a window! What a work it will sometimes be to read in eternity the history of one day! Watch, therefore, and pray lest ye enter into temptation. Try to gain a little for God, a little for heaven, a little more of grace, every day. If you do this in little things, you will accomplish great things. Here a little and there a little will carry you on from step to step, from grace to glory, till you stand in light and peace and freedom ineffable, where there will be no more need of conflict, anxiety, or watchfulness; but where, holy as God is holy, you may fly upon angelic wings throughout the universe, secure and happy in the great deep of God's infinite perfections.

From that post of observation, that region of heavenly peace and glory, what a scene to look back upon the years of this our mortal pilgrimage! Oh that we might come to them now, and pass through them now, with something of that watchfulness, prayerfulness, diligence, and deep sense of responsibility, that we shall then feel ought to have accompanied us in every step!

BY REV. CHARLES ADAM SMITH,

FASTOR OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH, EASTON, PA.

CHRISTIANS THE SALT OF THE EARTH-THE LIGHT OF THE

WORLD.

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”—MATT. v.

13-16.

IN these words, believers are denominated the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. The use of salt in connection with the temple sacrifices in the worship of the Jews, was not without significance. It was emblematic of the covenant into which God had entered with his people; of the grace that existed in the souls of the pious; of the purity of heart which God required of those who presented their oblations to Him; and of the influence of their conduct and conversation upon an ungodly world. In comparing his disciples to salt, therefore, the Saviour evidently means that the influence of their holy principles is essential to the moral health and progress of mankind-to the advancement and permanency of all the best interests of the race. The conversation, prayers, and labors of the people of God have an agency in morals corresponding to that which salt has in the kingdom of nature. They arrest the progress of iniquity, and keep the world from that extreme corruption which would bring sure destruction upon it.

Believers are also "the light of the world;" they are like a city that is set upon a hill and cannot be hid. In other words, they stand on a moral eminence. They make pretensions to principles which others do not possess. They are the children of God, and by the position they occupy, invite the world around them to examine the evidence of the fellowship they have with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. They are said to be meek and lowly, self-denying, benevolent, and forgiving, patient in tribulation, and rejoicing in persecution. They profess to be honest, pure, temperate, and virtuous. All who belong to the