And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matt. vi: 13. SEE where the tree its richest foliage wears, The tree rich in foliage, and rich i fruit, spreads out its delicious produce to the passer-by. See also the subtile serpent, as if aware of the powerful attractions that the tree affords, conceals itself underneath its branches, ready to spring upon the unwary traveler. That little boy has been in great danger; he left the Fills him with rapture and complete surprise; house, and wandered on till he came in sight of the tree; the fruit attracted his attention; he stopped, he was delighted with its appearance. Thoughtless of danger, he was just going to pluck and eat, when the voice of his father alarmed him; he had seen his danger. In another moment he was on the spot, and seizing him by the hand, pointed out to him the serpent, | looked till the fire of lust was in his and led him from the place of danger. soul, and his will determined upon This is an emblem of Temptation; possession. Lust, when it hath conof the danger to which youth espe- ceived, bringeth forth sin; sin, when cially are exposed. The tree, with its it is finished, bringeth forth death. rich foliage and golden fruit, repre- This was to David the beginning of sents those things that are objects of sorrows. temptation. The serpent shows the danger that invariably attends those objects that entice to sin. The artless boy represents the simplicity of youth, who, attracted by the outside appearance of things, consider not the evil of sinful gratification. The anxious father exhibits the ever-watchful care of our Father who is in heaven over his children, whom, as long as they confide in him, he will deliver from evil. This emblem sets forth also somewhat of the nature of temptation. Thus the object is presented to the eye; the mind takes pleasure in beholding it; then the will consents to embrace it. "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." The youthful Joseph, when in the house of Potiphar the Egyptian, was assailed by temptation. The object was presented to him in its most attractive form; while master of himself, he fled from it, and escaped. His memory is blessed. David, king of Israel, when walking upon the battlements, beheld a similar object of temptation. He Temptation, at the commencement, is "like the thread of the spider's web; afterward, it is like a cart-rope." The poor slave, Joseph, broke the thread, and became a king, nay, more than a king; while the king, David, was fast bound by the cartrope, and became a slave. The theater, the card-table, the intoxicating cup, the painted harlot, are all so many objects of powerful temptation, under which lurks the serpent with its sting of death. Fleeing to God, in Christ, by earnest prayer, is the only way of escape therefrom. "How vain are all things here below! "The brightest things below the sky, PRUDENCE AND FORESIGHT. See that ye walk circumspectly. Eph. v: 15.-A prudent man foreseeth the evil. Prov. xxii: 3. WBERE some would thoughtless rush, with skip and dance, See Prudence there with cautious steps advance: Prudence is here seen proceeding with slow and cautious steps. She has in her right hand a telescope, by means of which she is enabled to bring things that are far off nigh to view; thus she sees things that would otherwise be hidden entirely from her sight; while other things are magnified in their proportions, so that she can discern their nature more truly, | How many things will shortly come to pass; That pleasures oft with fatal snares may grow. and thus adapt her conduct to the circumstances of the case. In this manner she applies her wisdom to practice. She carries also, in her left, a mirror, by which she is enabled to detect objects that are behind her. A lion is discovered descending from the mountains, hungry, and ravening for its prey. Nor in her attention to remoter objects is she regardless of those nigh at hand, | Like the mariner, who, when sailing she espies concealed behind a rose-in windy latitudes, sweeps the hori bush a serpent; it is of the danger-zon with his telescope to see if there ous kind. By her timely discovery, are signs of squalls; toward evening, she saves herself from its poisonous he shortens sail, sets his watch, and fangs keeps a good look-out. This is an emblem of Prudence; for what is prudence but wisdom applied to practice? Wisdom enables us to determine what are the best ends, likewise what are the best means to be used in order to attain those ends. But prudence applies all this to practice, suiting words and actions to time, place, circumstance, and manner. O how necessary is prudence for the purposes of the present life. Without prudence, the mighty become enfeebled, the wise become foolish, and the wealthy, inhabitants of the poor-house. Now, if prudence is so necessary and profitable when applied to the things of this life, it is much more so when applied to the life which is to come, because the soul is of more value than the body, and eternity of more importance than time. Events not contingent but certain will come upon us, against which, if we are prudent, we shall provide-events solemn, momentous, and deeply interesting. What more solemn than death? What more momentous than the judgment to come? What more interest ing to an immortal spirit than the There are duties to be done, pleas-final issues of that judgment? Shall ures to be enjoyed, dangers to be I my everlasting days with fiends or guarded against, all of which can angels spend? "The prudent man not be effected unless prudence guides foreseeth the evil, and hideth_himthe helm. Pleasures and dangers are self. The simple pass on, and are so artfully mingled together, as the punished." serpent among the roses, that the prudent only can possibly detect the snare. The youth can not be rich in experience; still, he can cultivate prudence, which will beget an habitual presence of mind, ever-watchful and awake. Misfortunes are common to all; the prudent, considering that he is not exempt from the common lot of mortals will guard against them; and, as if they were sure to come, he will prepare himself to endure them. "O may thy Spirit guide my feet To make my soul their prey. "Lord, crush the serpent in the dust, FORTITUDE AND CONSTANCY. The righteous shall never be removed. Prov. x: 30.-Behold, we count them happy who endure. James, v: 11. As stands the pillar on the solid ground, Behold here the emblems of Fortitude and Constancy. The pillar stands upright amidst the storm, and upright in the midst of sunshine, bearing the summer's heat and winter's cold, by night and by day; still it stands, regardless of passing events, and answering at the same time the end of its erection. Thus Constancy continues at the post of duty. For But when the storms of evil tongues prevail, titude is seen standing by the pillar of Constancy. See how she braves the fury of the tempest! Winds whistle, thunders roll, and night seems gathering together a magazine of storms to let loose upon her head; yet she continues at the post of pa tient endurance; with her shield she is enabled to protect herself against all the storms which beat around. |