opened, and the fountains of the great deep broken up, when there is no escape for them. Oh, how must their mirth have been turned into wailing then! what grief, when grief was too late! It was vain to fly to the mountains, for these mighty waters covered the highest mountains, and all flesh died-all in whose nostrils was the breath of life; and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. Just think of that world, that was so lately so busy, so merry, and so careless-thinking of anything but judgment or swift destruction-thinking of anything but of God, or of his interfering with them and their ways. "To-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." And is not that what men are saying still? But, oh, let us remember that old world, where all in whom was the breath of life died, save Noah and those who were with him in the ark ;-and so shall the coming of the Son of man be. That all-compassionate Saviour who died for us has given us this warning, that He may not come to our destruction, but that we may love His appearing, and rejoice in the hope of it.

But what was the difference between Noah and the rest of the men of his day, that he, and his family, and all with him, escaped, while they were destroyed. Noah walked with God, He was a righteous man, because he walked with

God. We may think we are righteous, because nobody can accuse us of dishonesty, because we are respectable in the eyes of our fellow-men; but do we walk with God? God has, in His great love and mercy, told us that He is in Christ reconciling us unto Himself, not imputing unto us our trespasses. But are we reconciled to God? or are we still His enemies, refusing to be reconciled to Him? Have you ever seen a loving mother with a naughty and rebellious child—have you seen her persuading her child with kind words, ready to kiss him and be friends with him, if he will only do what he is bid? There is nothing but love in her heart; but how often do we see such a child repel all her caresses, and only more violently and passionately determine to have his own way. She would have won him back by love; but if that cannot be, then, if she be a wise mother, punishment, severe punishment, must come. So it is with God. He tells us of His love, that love which gave His Son to die for us-tells us that, through the death of His Son, He is reconciled to us; but still the question is, Are we reconciled to God? Are we willing to walk with God, to forsake our own evil ways, and learn His ways? Are we, like the prodigal, saying, I will arise and go to my Father; and not only saying, but doing it?

to give, even he that has least, he is not passed by or excused because he has only one talent. After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them." After a long time so long, perhaps, that the unfaithful and careless among them were thinking the day of reckoning would never come, that their Lord had forgotten what he had committed to them: but it was not so. We are told concerning the evil servant, (chap. xxiv. 48-50), who "shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming," that "the Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites." Let us take heed, then, of saying in our hearts,

My Lord delayeth his coming." But is it not wonderful that men should desire that their Lord would delay His coming, when we know that the world shall never be delivered from its sin and misery till He comes? If we loved him as His apostles loved Him, who watched Him going up into heaven, and could not cease to gaze after Him, would it not be our greatest joy to hear, as they heard from the angels, that He should come again? But, are we afraid of the account we shall have to give? Do we know that we have been very unfaithful servants, that we have used His goods as if they had been our own; and

that He will require them at our hands; or that we have hid our Lord's money, and made no use of it at all? It is no light thing this to think of, nor should we seek to cover or make light of our sin in this matter. Let not any of us say we have received nothing, or that we have nothing to account for. Remember, the servant who had but one talent was condemned; and it is not said that he stole it or misused it, but only that he made no use of it for his Lord at all. We have all many talents, the least and poorest of us. As Christians, how many talents are committed to us? Have we not been baptized into Christ? But have we lived as those who belong to Him, who are one with Him? How are we using the means of grace which He has given us, to prepare us to be with Himself? Are we diligently using them, or are we neglecting them? If even the unrighteousness of the heathen, who know not God, shall be without excuse, how much less excuse shall we have. Then, our time, our money, how are we employing them? As good stewards? Alas, when we are rich, are we not often only thinking of our own gratification and selfish enjoyment; and when we are poor, how often are we making ourselves still poorer by spending our hardly earned money on what is our own destruction, on the intoxicating cup which brings so many families to ruin. How much good might

even many a poor man or woman do, were they careful of their money as has committed to them.

that which the Lord And so also of their

time: how often would a father find time to instruct his children, who now thinks he has no time for it; how often would he find time to study God's word himself, to go to His house, to learn His ways; all which time is now wasted and lost; and, oh! let us remember that each hour that is lost is gone for ever, we cannot get back one

moment.

Now, are we willing to acknowledge that we have been very unfaithful servants? Are we willing to examine ourselves, and see each one what we have received, and what we have wasted, and to confess it before the Lord; then He Himself gives us a picture of his own mercifulness, which may fill us with trust and confidence in turning to Him with true repentance. See Matt. xviii. 23-27, where He tells us that a certain king found one of his servants who owed him ten thousand talents, but, at the servant's entreaty, he was moved with compassion, and forgave him the debt. Let us not say, then, like the evil servant in the parable, "Thou art an hard man,” but, believing in the goodness and mercy of that Master whom we serve, let us earnestly seek henceforth to turn to a good use everything that he has given to us; let us seek each day to