"Where are thy former mercies?"*-Ps. lxxxix. 49.

ORMER.-There are many things connected with the past, that have been allowed to sink gradually into oblivion, without our giving them more than a passing thought. Many corrupt practices and vicious habits, once so flourishing, are left to moulder in the dust, with

out the least desire on our part for their revivalwithout a single inquiry being instituted concerning them. There are others again, the loss of which affect us deeply, and to the memory of which our hearts will cling with a tenderness that time cannot lessen, and with a tenacity of grasp which nought but death can sever. We grieve to see many of the simple religious practices of our forefathers put aside to make room for others of more modern times. We mourn the loss out of our Hymn Books of many of those simple songs of Zion, which were wont to be sung to many sweet and soul-stirring melody, now no longer heard.

*Welsh version.

VOL. XXVII.

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But of all the things of the past, those which interest us most, whose loss we can the least afford, and whose discontinuance we most fear, are the former mercies. Mercies.Correctly speaking, we should not say mercies, but mercy; because mercy, which may be defined as that tendency in the Divine mind to extend goodness to-to confer benefits upon-a miserable creature, is not compound, but singular, as an attribute of the Divine Being. We are in the habit of calling health a mercy, and of designating the gifts of Providence and of Grace as mercies, while in reality they are but the effects of mercy. In a manner of speaking, we have been taught, out of respect for Mercy, to call by its name the many benefits it confers upon us. And, though her gifts are many and varied, mercy is singular; there is but one source, though its streams are numerous-the root is single, while the branches are innumerable.

The active operations of Mercy are confined to this world and to this alone; it is here that she acts, and her work will be accomplished here. We are often reminded of three great days: the day of Justice the day of Mereyand the day of Wrath. The day of Justice is past; its demands were settled on Calvary; the day of Wrath is yet to come; while this present time is the day of Mercy. And it is of the utmost importance to seek Mercy in its day; myriads who now despise it will frantically implore for a moment's time to turn to Mercy in the day of wrath, but it will then be too late.

Though its work will be accomplished in this world, Mercy will be in Heaven; there its trophies will be displayed, to be admired and to be wondered at. What a mournful interest do parents take in exhibiting the handiwork of their departed children! "This," says the father, "this is the work of my dear boy; the hands that formed it are now powerless, but I love to look at it for his sake." How reverently does the mother point to the needlework of her

darling, carefully framed and suspended in the best room, out of regard for the memory of that dear one, who is now no more! In a manner of speaking, such a best room will Heaven be, in which will be kept and exhibited the work of Mercy; the saints will be brought into "the presence of the King, in raiments of needlework" of Mercy's doing; while God-who is the Father of Mercy-delights in pointing out and contemplating her work to eternity,

It is probable that the Psalmist here refers to some special manifestation of God's mercy, vouchsafed him in a season of past dangers and troubles, which being brought to his recollection in this, his present calamity, he is encouraged to pray for a like deliverance. It comforted him to remember God" from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill of Misar." The recollection of former deliverances is a great help in praying for a rescue from present evils. Or, it may be that he was inquiring for those mercies which God had promised him; and this was a still greater source of confidence. "Which thou swearest unto David in thy truth."

The Christian Church may with propriety adopt the inquiry, "Lord, where are Thy former mercies ?" Let us

consider

I. THE CONTENTS OF THE INQUIRY.-First: It implies a former acquaintance.—The fact of such an inquiry being made argues an acquaintance, either personal, or by report, between the inquirer and the object sought for. And in the words of our text there is that sound of old, sweet intercourse, as if one were inquiring for an old friend, “Where is he?" Can Zion claim any acquaintance with these former mercies? Ah yes! she remembers a season when she was powerful to accomplish great things, when the “right hand of the Lord was exalted, when the right hand of the Lord did valiantly," causing the "voice of rejoic

ing and salvation to be heard in the tabernacles of the righteous." Then was she a "joyful mother of children," singing as she nursed them-her experience flourishing, "peace within her walls, and prosperity within her palaces." Then did the Lord perform marvellous things in Zion, and terrible things in the sight of sinners. At that time, the streams of the river which make glad the city of God overflowed their banks, while the peace of Zion was as a river, and its righteousness as the waves of the sea. Then indeed was Zion the "joy of the whole earth." "Where are Thy former mercies ?"

Secondly: It implies an imagined temporary cessation of intercourse. There is no need of seeking for that which is in sight, neither do we inquire for one who is with us. But Zion, in many places, seems as if unable to see Mercy, and is ready to exclaim, "The Lord hath forsaken me, my Lord hath forgotten me." "I will "I will say unto God my rock, Why hast Thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? as with a sword in my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?" Zion remembers a time when none of her enemies could thus reproach her; her God was then so manifest as that she could exclaim exultingly, "Behold my God!" Nothing grieves her so much as that her enemies should contemptuously cry, "Where is He?" while she is unable to answer; at those times the inquiry pierces her heart as a sharp pointed sword. When the Lord speaks to us-and we cannot be insensible to the fact that He does speak-He is addressing us as it were out of the deep obscurity, He keeps himself veiled from our sight. But He was at one time so manifest as that nought but mercy met our view; mercy alone was in the front, while all else had withdrawn into the back-ground.

Thirdly: It exhibits an ardent desire for a renewal of the intercourse. Is not this the complaint of many, "I have

considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night, I commune with mine own heart, and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever, and will He be favourable no more? Is His mercy clean gone for ever? Doth His promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies? How long, Lord? Wilt thou hide Thyself for ever? Shall Thy wrath burn like fire? I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God: with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday." An intense longing for the time when the Lord's presence was with His people fills his heart; his soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord as they then were. "Wilt Thou be angry with us for ever? Wilt Thou draw out Thine anger to all generations? Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in thee? Show us thy mercy, O Lord."

Fourthly: It breathes a spirit of sincerity.-There are many that complain to men; but there is little ground to hope for the sincerity of the feeling which does not lead one to confide his sorrows to God. The conduct of some men betrays rather a spirit of repining than a sincere longing; they are unceasingly complaining, murmuring, and disaffected a state of feeling that is an abomination to the Lord. He takes it unkind that men should be continually murmuring amongst themselves against Him. As a rule, those who speak most to men of the ill success of God's work, and the degeneracy of the times, have the least to say to God on the subject. Many are influenced by a spirit far from being that of "wisdom" in saying, "What is the cause that the former days were better than these ?" It is to God that we should carry these feelings; and he who confides most to God complains least to men; for when the Lord recognises a real solicitude for the welfare