his succour for the distressed; his sympathy for the sorrowful; his aid for the helpless; his instruction for the ignorant; his pardon for the sinful; his grace for the undeserving. You can plead with him on behalf of the heathen at home and the heathen abroad. You can supplicate his blessing both for the queen upon her throne and the peasant in his cottage. You can beseech him to guide into the way of truth those who have erred and are deceived, and to have mercy upon all men. Abraham interceded for Sodom; Job for his children; Moses for the Israelites; Jacob for his grandsons; the disciples for their persecuted brethren; the apostle for his beloved converts. Catch their spirit; follow in their steps; add to their success. "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."* It is impossible to tell how richly the healthful dew of God's grace may rest upon parched and barren hearts; or how appropriately the gifts of his providence may be vouchsafed to the abodes of penury and want through the instrumentality of those heartfelt petitions which you offer at the throne of grace. Eternity alone will fully disclose the blessings which have been linked with intercessory prayer. Aged Christian! mourn not that your opportuni * James v. 16. ties of usefulness are so few; rather rejoice that you are still permitted to have a place among the labourers in Christ's vineyard. Your department is a retired one; your employment is easy; but your path is marked out for you by the Master whom you serve. In wise considerateness he appoints to each labourer his position and his duties; and to all who honestly perform the work which he assigns—be it great or be it small-he will address those gracious words of commendation, "Well done, good and faithful servant:-enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."* Yet you cannot but sigh sometimes when you reflect how little you are really able to do for the honour of God and the good of your fellow-men; your best services are so imperfect, your holiest efforts are so defiled. As life advances you grow better acquainted with your own motives, and more enlightened respecting God's character and will; and the inevitable result is that you are humbled under the increasing consciousness of your sinfulness and your failures. Oh if you could but serve God as you desire to do! How unwearied, how unselfish, how unlimited would be your joyful obedience! Wait awhile, and your longings shall be satisfied. In heaven there will be no feebleness to retard your * Matt xxv. 23. efforts, no imperfection to sully your actions. "His servants shall serve him."* Without one difficulty or defect they shall fulfil his varied behests and do his will. And as angels are now ministering spirits for the heirs of salvation, it is not improbable that glorified Christians will be frequently engaged on some errand of love to God's intelligent creatures. How welcome is this idea to those who feel half sorry when they consider that their work on earth is so near its close! * Rev. xxii. 3. Old Age. JOHN WALTON.. THE seas are quiet when the winds give o'er ; Clouds of affection from our younger eyes Stronger by weakness, wiser men become As they draw near to their eternal home; That stand upon the threshold of the New. 350 Fully Ripe. ANONYMOUS. "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season."-Job v. 26. LONG standing in the Master's field, Fed daily by his sun and dew, Eager its best return to yield, To perfect symmetry it grew: The storm swept over it in vain, Nor frost could blight its noonday heat, It stood in perfectness complete, Fully ripe. Men saw, and gave to God the praise, Who smiled well pleased, and passed it by, Till in these later autumn days Its garner was prepared on high ; Then came the Reaper down at morn, To gather in the golden corn, And bear the precious harvest home, Fully ripe. |