beautiful harmony of Christian graces. Let no part of His character be left out of sight. This coat of many colours, and yet these blending into one, which was worn by our Joseph, may be also upon us His brethren. The Spirit of God can reveal to us where we fall short, and then endue us with that which is lacking. Mark how an Apostle calls upon us to put on, not one grace only, but all. "Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly-kindness; and to brotherlykindness charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. i.)

Without this putting on of Christ here on earth, there can be no abiding in His presence hereafter.

A feast is provided. The guests are invited. Not a few are gathered together. Good and bad, the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind, are there assembled. At length, the King comes in. He regards not what may have been their condition or their character in bygone days, but He

does regard what raiment is upon them now. "He saw there a man that had not on a weddinggarment." Upon that one His look is fixed. To him the question is put,-" Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having on a wedding-garment?" "He was speechless." He cannot plead his ignorance; for he knew, as did the other guests, what raiment was befitting such a Presence. He cannot plead his poverty; for the fitting garment, as also the rich provisions of the feast, were granted freely through the royal bounty of the King. Then, shut out for ever from that feast, was the man who thus cast contempt upon Him who spread it.

Within the professing Church of Christ are to be found those, who shall stand in the same position. Apparently they have accepted the gracious call of the Gospel, but in truth they are despising and rejecting it. The solemn enquiry which must one day be met is this, -"Is thy soul clothed with Christ?" Doth the robe of His righteousness cover thine unrighteousness? Dost thou stand evermore before God, relying solely upon His merits, His obedience, His finished work on Calvary? Together with this, dost thou daily, through His Spirit, strive

after conformity to Him? Dost thou pray to be endued with His perfect character, His lowliness, His zeal, His tender love, His purity of heart and life?"

If otherwise, that day will reveal it. Each individual soul, who in this is found wanting, must answer for it to the King. It matters not what other raiment may be upon thee. It may be the fair garment of a virtuous exterior, a life of kindliness and integrity amongst thy fellowmen. It may be the garment of a most devout ritualism,—the unfailing observance of hours and seasons for worship; yet, if it be not Christ, it availeth nothing. He alone is made of God to the sinner,—“Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption."

A CHRISTIAN'S PRAYER.

MY GOD, in me Thy mighty power exert !
Enlighten, comfort, sanctify my heart;
Sweeten my temper, and subdue my will,
Make me like Jesus, with Thy Spirit fill.
I want to live on earth a life of faith,
I want to credit all the Bible saith;
I want to imitate my Saviour's life,
Avoiding lightness, gloom, and sinful strife.
I want to bring poor sinners to Thy throne,
I want to love and honour Christ alone;
I want to feel the Spirit's inward power,
And stand prepared for death's important hour;
I want a meek, a gentle, quiet frame,

A heart that glows with love to Jesu's name;
I want a living sacrifice to be,

To Him who died a sacrifice for me.

I want to do whatever God requires;

I want a heart to burn with pure desires;
I want to be what Christ my Lord commands,
And leave myself, my all, in His dear hands.
O Lord, pour out Thy spirit on my soul !
My will, my temper, and my tongue control;
Lead me through life to glorify Thy grace,
And after death to see Thee face to face.

VIII.

Daily Mork.

There was work in Paradise.

God formed man for labour. He took the man whom He had made, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.

There is work in Heaven. Angels go forth on their errands of mercy. They execute the commands of their Creator. "Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word." We may believe that the rest provided for the people of God will be no state of inactivity, but joyful, grateful service, without weariness, and without cessation.

Man is not born to

There is work on Earth. trifle, but to fulfil his measure of busy toil, according to the will of God. In the 104th Psalm we have described, in their wonderful harmony, the manifold works and ways of God. He stretcheth