But our

of Thee,' and hesitate to obey. Divine Master came to this world as the Son of man, not only to die for man, but to show how man ought to live. He, therefore, would be baptized, not as a sign that He had any of His own sins to turn away from, but to teach us that repentance is necessary, and that baptism is a public acknowledgment that we really do cast aside our sins, and wish to be washed from their pollution. 'It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness,' said our Lord and Master. The Holy Spirit descending upon Him, and the voice of God the Father, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,' tells us that a heavenly blessing attends those who follow in the Saviour's steps. This chapter teaches us, in the former verses, that the mere outward observance of the rite of baptism can never profit; there must be repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, or our baptism will prove a mockery.

It was because we could not repent and believe when we were infants, that our godfathers and godmothers promised for us,

and thus we were early brought into covenant with God, and, having made the profession of a Christian, we became a sharer in the blessings of Christianity.

But suppose, now we are old enough to understand the requirements of a Christian, we fail to fulfil them, then what must we expect, but that judgments, instead of blessings, will be our portion? If, instead of repentance of sin, we follow sin, if, instead of believing in Christ, we deny Him by a careless life, how can we expect that the mere name of Christian can avail us anything but to condemn? Our Saviour may well inquire, 'Why call ye me Lord, Lord, but do not the things which I say?' and St. Paul confirms the same teaching, when he says, 'Neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but the keeping the commandments of God.' Thus we learn that, though it is right to be baptized, yet that if baptism is to profit, we must not only be called Christians, but we must be Christ-like. We must not only be Christians in name, but in deed and in truth. If the Gospel of Christ is to save us, it must rule us.

We must not keep commands that we like, and neglect those that we do not like. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will descend upon us, as He did on our blessed Saviour that He may take up His abode within us, and in all things direct and rule our hearts, then we shall hate sin, and turn from it. Whenever we are tempted by Satan, the Spirit of God will lift up His standard against him, and enabling us to resist him, he will flee from us.

Let the thought of God being with us to help us, urge us onward in our Christian course, and let us beware of having only the form of godliness, denying the power thereof.

If the Holy Spirit really dwells in us, we are made one with Christ, and all His blessings are ours. As He was strengthened for duty and trial, when He became man and lived below, so shall we be strengthened for duty, and armed for conflict. Strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, we shall be ready to fight against sin; the Holy Spirit, which dwelt without measure in the Lord Jesus, and visibly descended

upon Him at His baptism, will enter every soul that earnestly prays for Him. Our Saviour's own words assure us of this, for He promises, 'If ye being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him?' The gift of the Holy Spirit was implored for each child when baptized, we ought not then to doubt that grace was vouchsafed. We may have felt its influence when inclined to listen to good advice; we may have experienced its power when urged to pray, and what condemnation will be ours if we quench the Spirit, if we refuse to pray, if we despise warnings. Baptism will then show us blessings forfeited, privileges abused, and favours lost.

Tuesday Evening.

THE

JOHN, i. 29–42.

HE next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own