likewise cross-bearers? That cross is the distinguishing mark of Christ's soldiers; He Himself carried it constantly while on earth; and if His people shrink from imitating Him in this respect, there must be some division of heart which causes the unwillingness, some secret cleaving to earthly things beyond what is lawful.

But many people will argue that it is difficult to draw a line between lawful and unlawful recreations, between innocent and worldly amusements, and ask how far they may mingle with the world, without treading on forbidden ground? God has not, it is true, given in His Word any express directions as to every mode of amusement, it would be unreasonable to expect this; but if the Bible be made the study of the Christian, God's Word the test by which every doubtful amusement or pleasure is tried, these difficulties will daily diminish, and decision in following the steps of his blessed Master, will deliver him from innumerable perplexities, which beset and often overcome the wavering professor. If the believer "is not his own, but bought with a price," if he is to "redeem the time, because the days are evil," to "be transformed by the renewing of his mind," to "put off the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts," to "be renewed in the spirit of his mind, and to put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness;" then, surely, there need be no precise rules laid down concerning particular pleasures in which he may or may not take part. Let the Christian but allow conscience to speak truthfully, and seek fearlessly to obey its dictates, and he will soon discover which are lawful recreations, which forbidden, or which doubtful; and, altogether turning his back upon forbidden pleasures, he will forego the doubtful ones, which are at all events an approach to forbidden ground, exposing the soldier of Christ to great and unnecessary danger. The Christian feels that it is better to avoid all such occupations of time, especially when he reflects that by joining in doubtful amusements he may become a stumbling block in a brother's way, and have to give solemn account at the great day of judgment of the talent of influence committed to his care which he cannot hide, but must use while on earth, for or against his God. "He that is not with Me is against Me, and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad." Reproach, too, is often called down upon the religion of Christ by the inconsistencies of His followers, who thus lose the privilege of winning glory for their Master, and conquests for their King. One thing is certain, that as men grow in grace and vital godliness, they will rather avoid than follow after such things as doubtful amusements. Their time will be better occupied, and the constant, close communion of the soul with Jesus, will give a distaste for the pleasures of this world in which (were Jesus visibly pre

sent) He would be seen to take no part, and their tastes will move in a higher, even in a heavenly element.

Surely then, those who have specially devoted themselves to the Lord's work, who are seeking to win souls for their Saviour, to gather in many out of the "highways" to the "marriage supper of the Lamb," should fight nobly, in the foremost ranks of the Lord's army, against this bitter foe, even the world, giving it no vantage ground, but rather making it retreat step by step from that of which it holds possession; and the Lord Himself having provided tried armour and weapons for His soldiers, the enemy may be encountered, and the battle fought with unwearied zeal and unflinching courage; for though the warriors be weak, the Captain of their salvation who is with them is strong, and He has promised that they "shall be more than conquerors" if with watchfulness and prayer, they seek to fight the good fight of faith."

But, perhaps, while thus urging upon professors of religion entire separation from the world, a word of caution may not be out of place, lest some who are anxious to be devoted to God should stumble through any mistaken inferences. While the Word of God distinctly commands a hearty renunciation of the world, and forbids the disciple of the Lord to be conformed to it, this does not imply that he should be neglectful of the active duties of life; the Christian is rather to evidence that practical religion fits a man "for that station of life unto which it pleases God to call him," because it gives him a contented mind, and teaches him in all his duties, small as well as great, to have a single eye to the glory of his Lord and Master, charging him, whatsoever his hand findeth to do, to do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men; to be "not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;" and looking to Him whether in prosperity or adversity, in temptation or trial, in joy or in sorrow, in fear or perplexity, the Christian will find that stronger is He that is with him, than he that is against him, and that the Lord can and will "keep" all who put their trust in Him, "unspotted from the world."

May.

FRIENDSHIPS.

FEW circumstances, especially in our early years, so materially influence the formation of our character, or the course of our future lives, as the friendships we form. We all know how insensibly the home affections mould our thoughts and feelings, how our tastes and wishes become assimilated to those of the loved ones who are ever with us; and, to a great extent, the same effect is produced by those whom we admit into the circle of our friends. It has been said that "every friend is to the other a sun and a sunflower also-he attracts and follows ;" and thus, while the true friend is a magnet drawing us towards that which is good, and directing us to the onward and upward path of light and truth, the false one "is like the ivy which decays and ruins the wall it embraces."

That which Cicero said of friendship, that "it improves happiness and abates misery by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief," is especially true, and only really so, of the Christian friend. Of such an one only can it be said that he "loveth at all times," the same in adversity as in prosperity; in sickness ready to console you, as well as to share your joy in health; in trouble to weep with you, as well as in prosperity to partake of your gladness; in times of false reproach to defend you, as in the hour of triumph to offer his congratulations; to reprove you for your errors, as well as to commend your good actions; and one who you feel will remember you in long years of absence with that warmth and tenderness, mingled with sadness, which has been compared to the effects of the mellow rays of the departing sun. Such friendships are not evanescent, but are like the shadows of the evening which strengthen with the setting sun of life; for, as Robert Hall has said, "the friendship of high and sanctified spirits loses nothing by death but its alloy; failings disappear; and the virtues of those whose faces we shall behold no more, appear greater and more sacred, when beheld through the shades of the sepulchre." The grave does not destroy the tie, but only parts us from such loved ones for awhile :

"All are friends in heaven-all faithful friends-
And many friendships, in the days of time
Begun, are lasting here, and growing still."

POLLOK.

Yet, just in proportion to the power which such social ties exercise over us, should be our care in the selection of our intimate

H

companions. Bishop Butler has said, that "there is such a natural principle of attraction in man towards man, that having trod the same tract of land, having breathed the same climate, becomes the occasion of contracting acquaintance;" but we shall do well to pause and consider before we allow such accidental circumstances to incline us to form associations which may affect, for good or evil, our whole future course. The poet Young has given us some good advice on this point,

"First on thy friend deliberate with thyself;

Pause, ponder, sift, not eager in the choice,
Nor jealous of the chosen; fixing, fix ;—

Judge before friendship, then confide till death."

As years roll on we are able to trace the influence of our friendships upon our individual lives, and, as we look back, to observe in the past the effects of long communication with those who have thus helped to form our own personal character. Such a retrospect has been recently forced upon me by the loss of one who, for more than twenty years, was my intimate associate, and who, being older than myself, and endowed with a highly educated mind, as well as strict Christian principles, was able to guide and counsel me in the beginning of my own course. Our tastes were assimilated on most points, yet whenever we differed, each openly and frankly stated his reasons for objecting to the opinions or the feelings expressed by the other. In the main we felt it to be a mutual pleasure and advantage to discuss together (in that confidence of friendship and agreement of spirit which combine to change the converse of friends into thinking aloud), sometimes the solemn subjects of Divine truth and spiritual life, at others the various branches of human knowledge, and the events of every-day life. Our happy intercourse was abruptly terminated; for, in God's mysterious Providence, my friend was seized suddenly with fatal illness, losing all consciousness, so that no word of recognition could be uttered ere he entered on his rest. Such a friend is not to be replaced; but his influence upon my past life has not been lost, and will not be in the future; and, when we meet again in the world of light, we shall find that there are bonds of sympathy still unbroken, by which our spirits hereafter will be able to renew their communion in eternity.

Although, perhaps, only one such friendship will take a prominent place in the case of each one of us, yet there are few who are not blessed with many social advantages and opportunities of obtaining the sympathy of those among whom they are placed. Companionship in occupation frequently leads to the kindling of this feeling, for in pursuing a common purpose, and in following the same

employment, we find an opening for a more intimate acquaintance. This is especially true of Christian work; there we feel that our fellow-labourers are brethren in the Lord; He who is dearest to us is no less precious to them; the work is His in which we are both engaged; His blessing must prosper it; His smile reward us; we know that His people are all the children, by adoption through Him, of the same loving Father; that our home is prepared by Him in the same celestial mansions, and that hereafter we shall all meet in His presence to sing the same song of praise. Such companions are likely to be true friends-not enticing us into sin, or leading us into folly or idleness, but helping us to increase in the knowledge of that which is pure and true, strengthening us to pursue the narrow way which leadeth unto life, and cheering us in the difficulties which may beset us on the road. "As iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

In the Sunday school especially, such associations are often formed. I can recall several such in my own experience, for I still enjoy the friendship of many who have been separated from me in the work for years, by absence from London or other circumstances, and I know of many similar instances which have come under my observation. Teachers who have at first met as strangers, engaged in the same work of making known the truth of God to the young ones committed to their charge, have found a sympathy of thought and feeling, an agreement in their tastes and pursuits, which have attracted them to each other; and being heirs of the same hope, sharers of the teaching of the same Spirit, and believers in, and followers of, the same Lord, they have been able to realize personally His prayer on behalf of His people that "they all may be one." Numerous are the instances in which these Sunday school associations have saved both scholars and teachers from the snare of evil company; for friends all desire to have, and it is a cause of thankfulness when God places us among those who will be true and faithful, not false and deceitful ones. Such companions will support us in our resolutions to resist temptation to evil, and will make our lives happier and more useful, by inciting us to continued perseverance in every good word and work.

Thus, among the many reflex blessings to ourselves, which we may derive by our work as Sunday school teachers, not one of the least is the opportunity it affords us of becoming acquainted with those who may worthily be admitted into the inner circle of our friends, with whom we may walk in fellowship, and take sweet counsel, mutually strengthening each other in fulfilling our resolvo to dedicate ourselves to the service of the Lord.

W. S.