18 HOW FAR IS IT TO CANAAN? journey. The Lord whom thou seekest, hath a special care and pity for his desolate ones. Take these words with thee, and may they refresh thy spirit. For even though they be desolate "The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away," Isa. li. 11. "How far is it to Canaan?" asks the dying Christian; "for the swellings of Jordan are risen about my soul. come upon me, Fearfulness and trembling are and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.' Alas! I sink in deep waters: I shall not see the land that flows with milk and honey." Look up, poor dying Christian; for yonder is the bright and morning Star: thy night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Is thine arm too feeble to be put forth for the book of God? Then I must even hold it up before thine eyes. Look on these words, and let neither flood nor flame affright thee; be of good courage, for they are the words of IIim who has promised, when flesh and heart fail, to be the strength of thy heart, and thy portion for ever :— "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall HOW FAR IS IT TO CANAAN? 19 not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour," Isa. xliii. 2, 3. THE RAIL-ROAD STATION. If we I HAVE but just returned from the rail-road station, where every one I saw seemed to have ardour in his heart, and hurry in his eye. were half as much in earnest in preparing for heaven as we are for our jaunts of pleasure, and our journeys of business, it would be something! What a bustle pervaded the whole station! loading and unloading, running backwards and forwards, some going into the carriages, and others coming out, while the rattling vehicles set off and arrived by turns. In the midst of all this bustle, I noticed a man walking coolly along with a tin pan in his hand, greasing the wheels of the carriages. He took no notice of the fine folk or the bustle; whoever and whatever the people might be, did not appear at all to trouble his head; whither they came or went, was no business of his ; on he went with his employment; it was his duty to grease the wheels, and grease the wheels he did. Thinks I to myself, "Here's a lesson for me. 66 THE RAIL-ROAD STATION. 21 This man is but a picture of what I should be." Oh that I had humility and godly integrity enough in my heart to go straight on with my work! greasing the wheels," if needs be! patiently and cheerfully occupying the lowest station assigned me by duty, until it should be said unto me, "Friend, go up higher," Luke xiv. 10. NOTHING AND SOMETHING. LISTEN to an old man, who, among the multiplicity of his words, may drop a few not undeserving your attention. Listen to an old man. There is no way of passing through this world in safety, without having the word of God before our eyes, and the grace of God in our hearts. If this be true, and undoubtedly it is, then the word of God and the grace of God ought to be our daily delight. Now, the word of God and the grace of God both inform us, that we value many things very highly here below, which are of no value and estimation at all in His eyes who trieth the hearts and the reins of the children of men. Many things which we consider as SOMETHING, are with Him as NOTHING. Among men, it is considered a great and glorious thing to lay up riches, and to increase in treasures abundantly; but the word of God says, "Labour not to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that |