a mistake or a stumbling-block. The glorious Gospel of the grace of God meets every case. It reveals the love of God to those who are a great way off. It points to the Fountain of living waters to which the thirsty may go and drink. It reminds us that Jesus Christ is an All-sufficient Saviour, ready to receive and bless all who trust in Him. And here is the chief message which I would bring you. In all sincerity, in humble acknowledgment of your sin, flee to Christ and yield yourself up to Him. Let nothing stand in your way. Life is short. The soul is unspeakably precious. Jesus Christ waits to be gracious. Therefore come to Him now. Come to-day. 'Behold, now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.'

ST. MARK'S VICARAGE,

WOLVERHAMPTON.

G. E.

WORDS OF FRIENDLY COUNSEL

AWAKE! AWAKE!

T was a cry of danger.

Near mid

night an old house in Edinburgh

was tottering to its fall. No time.

was to be lost. Nine children were asleep beneath the roof. The father aroused them in haste. He bade them escape and flee. They must not wait a moment. 'Awake! awake!' was his call. And they did awake. Shortly after, to his unspeakable joy, he found them all safe. The house was in ruins, property was sacrificed, but his family were around him, and none were harmed.

I would sound this call in the ear of those who are yet without Christ and without hope. The message is for those who are yet unpardoned and unsaved. Hearken to the cry: Awake! Awake!

A friendly voice is calling you. It was the voice of a loving father which awoke the sleepers in the falling house. It is the voice of a Father in heaven which calls to you. He sees your peril, and would deliver you from it. He willeth not that any should perish. Therefore He bids you awake and arise. He bids you consider your ways. Slumber no more. Refuse not the message. Hearken and obey your Father's voice: Awake! Awake!

Too much time has been wasted already. Think of the months and years that are passed. What profit have they brought you? What has been the fruit of sin but shame and sorrow? What have you been doing but treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath? What true comfort and peace has the world ever given you?

A man was converted to God when about forty years of age. He looked back with bitter regret on the time he had spent in neglect and sin. His frequent prayer was this: O Lord, forgive and forget these forty years of my life.'

If you have been sleeping on in sin and carelessness these twenty, thirty, forty years or more, why will you add to them? These