would call them to lament with him over his loss. Now, we are told in the Bible about the wicked one, the devil, who "goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."* Just as the Good Shepherd is watching His flock, that He may keep them from wandering, and bring them to everlasting life; so this roaring lion is watching the flock, watching to get any foolish sheep away from the Shepherd; and if it is away, hindering it from getting back, that he may devour it. Jesus is watching and caring for every one of you. The devil is also watching every one of you, remember that; he is watching you; if he can only keep you away from Jesus, then he knows he can destroy you. If the silly wandering sheep, when it hears the lion roar, and is frightened, hastens back to the shepherd, then he will defend it, and it will be saved from the paw of the lion; but if it run ou in its own way, the lion is sure to get it; for a poor little feeble sheep cannot defend itself from a strong lion, and you cannot defend yourself against the devil. When any one seeks to tempt you to what is evil, remember he is speaking for the devil-he is trying to get you into the paw of that roaring lion; and, oh! how it grieves the heart of the Good Shepherd when you listen to such evil words. Remember that you belong to Him-you are not your own; you are bought with

* 1 Pet. v. 8.

a price, and the price that was paid for you was the blood of the Good Shepherd,—He gave His life for the sheep. (John x. 11.) "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Think of His goodness and His love, who " was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities.” (See Isa. liii.)

But do you know what will one day happen? Where we shall one day see this Good Shepherd who has been so kind and so patient, and borne with our evil ways so long. We shall see Him on the throne of His glory-you and I shall see Him, shall stand before Him, just as surely as we see one another now, and all the holy angels shall be with Him; and before him shall stand all nations, and He shall separate them as a shepherd divideth his sheep from his goats, and the sheep he shall set on His right hand and the goats on His left; and to those on His right hand the King will say (for He will be a King then), " Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” Oh! would you not wish to hear Him say that to you; you shall hear Him say it to some. Will it not be terrible not to be of the number? To those on His left hand He shall say, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

(Matt.xxv.) How terrible to hear the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep, saying these words to us; and to think that He gave His life for us, and that we might have been on His right hand, and have heard Him call us blessed. Well, remember there is joy in the presence of the angels of God now over one sinner that repenteth, over one sheep which the Good Shepherd brings back in his arms.

But perhaps you will say, How shall we know whether we are wandering from Him or not. We cannot see Him now, we cannot hear His voice? Tell me then-who are you seeking most to please? Is it to please Him? Do you love to read and to hear His Word, that you may know about Him? Do you desire that His ministers should teach you of His ways? Are your companions those who love him? When the Lord's day comes, where does the Good Shepherd see you? In His house? Obeying his command, that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together? Are you praying earnestly to Him to lead you in the right way? Or is the contrary of all this true? His eye is on you. He knows, and you should know, whether you are wandering from Him or not. If you. are hearing His voice, and following Him, then may you say," The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green

pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

III.

Che Prodigal Son.

LUKE xv. 11–24.—And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me