the nest had been built upon a rotten bough, and that consequently it had been unable to resist the storm which had broken it off.

As I walked away I thought to myself, How many build their nest upon a rotten bough; and by-and-by they will find all their hopes to fail.

Haman, the counsellor of King Ahasuerus, seemed to have acted in this way He gloried in his high position. He thought to trample Mordecai under his feet. He thought to secure for himself still further dignity and honour. But it all proved to be a rotten bough. He was cast down before the face of the Jew whom he despised, and was hanged on the gallows he had erected for him. You may read an account of this in the Book of Esther.

We have another example in King Belshazzar. He made a great feast, and gloried in his wealth and in his idols. He cast dishonour on the God of Israel, and exalted himself in pride. He remembered not Him in whose hand was his breath and all his ways. Then came sudden destruction. The handwriting was seen on the wall, for he had been weighed in the balances and found wanting. And that night was Belshazzar slain. This history is to be found in the Book of Daniel, chapter v.

A third illustration we may take from the parable of the rich fool. He glories in his prosperity and riches. He will pull down his barns and build greater. He will enjoy the wealth which he has accumulated. He has years of life before him, he imagines, and he will spend them in mirth and self-indulgence. But all his vain hopes are broken off. A sudden call is given, and he must leave all his wealth behind him. Riches cannot profit in the day of death. So he has to go and give account of his misspent life. Turn, for the history of this rich man, to Luke xii. 16-20.

Whatever earthly thing we make our prop, the ground of our chief happiness, the object of our heart's dependence, will prove in the end a rotten bough.

It may be success in business and a store of wealth, or a life of fireside comfort and selfindulgence, or a round of gaiety and dissipation; it may be some deeply-interesting study, or great delight in music, or love for a child, or husband, or wife, or friend; but it will fail some day. It may be taken from us, or we may no longer be able to enjoy it. It may lose all its attraction, or perhaps a change of some kind may make it the source of our bitterest sorrow. At least death must separate

us from it at last for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

But we may look at the illustration in another light.

Every false hope in religion will prove also a rotten bough. Everyone seems to have a hope of some kind, and men endeavour in various ways to pacify conscience.

One says, 'I never do any harm;' and another says, 'I go to church and do my duty;' and others are resting on something they have done, or their superiority to some one else. Others, too, are leaning upon ordinances, and hoping to be saved because they have been baptized, or have been communi

cants.

But these things can never save the soul. They are very well in their right place, but they cannot remove sin, or fit the sinner for heaven. If you rely upon them for salvation they will deceive you, and you will perish in your sins.

But there is a Tree of Life on which you may safely build your nest. There is a Branch of Righteousness which will never fail. Fix all your hopes on Jesus Christ, who is 'the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.' He never deceives and never disappoints those

who trust in Him. He freely forgives all sin, for His sacrifice on the cross is a full atonement for man's transgression. He renews our carnal nature by imparting His Divine Spirit. He comforts and supports in every season of sorrow and adversity. When losses and sufferings and various anxieties weigh upon us, He knows how to draw near to us and succour us. He gives peace which the world cannot disturb. He gives life eternal when earth's trials are over.

Then come to Him by faith. Do not lean upon that which will only deceive you and grieve you. Thankfully enjoy all the blessings which our Father has bestowed, but rise above them to the Giver. Set your affection on things above. Let your treasure be in heaven, and your heart will be there also.

'Lord, draw my heart from earth away,
And make me only hear Thy call:
Speak to my inmost soul and say,

I am thy God, thy strength, thy all.
To feel thy power, to hear Thy voice,
To taste Thy love be all my choice.

Is there a thing beneath the sun

That strives with Thee my heart to share?
Ah! tear it thence, and reign alone,
The Lord of every motion there!

Then shall my heart from earth be free,
When it hath found repose in Thee.'

'NOT THE PLACE FOR ME.'

FRIEND who had been for many years in India was telling me one day a Hindoo fable. A crane was standing near a river, enjoying its repast of the snails that abounded there. By-and-by a swan lighted near the spot. The swan is reckoned amongst the Hindoos a sacred bird, and is said to have come down from above. The crane asked the swan whence he had come. From the upper world,' he replied. The crane then asked him what kind of a world it was. The swan told, in eloquent words, of its beauty and glory, of its hills and valleys, of the flowers and fruits that grew there, of its exquisite music, of its perpetual verdure, of everything that could charm the eye or captivate the imagination. The crane then asked another question: Are there any