clude, that he was employed in manual labour. How are lowliness and labour dignified by the example of Jesus! If you, Christian reader, are called to earn your bread by hard toil, if your lot is cast in lowly circumstances, if what you attempt to do for God is little seen, and less thought of by man; be not cast down nor discouraged. Be still found about your Father's business, in however humble a way; make use of every relationship and duty, as a means of bringing glory to him, and his favour shall be your satisfying portion, and his approbation your rich reward.

At thirty years of age the Saviour left the seclusion of Nazareth, in order to commence his public ministry. Previous to his entering upon this great work he was baptized by John in Jordan-anointed by the Holy Spirit, and acknowledged by a voice from heaven as the beloved Son of God, on whom the divine complacence rested. How full of interest is that scene, and how full of instruction! What a manifestation was there of God; what an unfolding of the Saviour's character; what a pattern for all the brethren of Jesus! Reader, let the following questions be well pondered by you on your natal day.

Those only

Have you received the Holy Ghost? are Christians who have "an unction from the Holy One," for "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." If you have been anointed in

conformity to the Saviour; there will be a similarity between him and you. The same tastes and dispositions will be possessed, and the same ends kept in view. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus as a dove, to denote the tender, loving character of the Redeemer. As a dove "it abode upon him," his very being and character became instinct with love and tenderness; his nature was full of faithful affection. And the fruit of the Spirit in the saints is" love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, meekness, gentleness, kindness," in a word, the Spirit of the dove; the mind of Christ. How much is this spirit needed by us amidst the cares of life, the trials of the family, and the duties connected with the church of God.

If you have reason to believe that you have received the Holy Spirit, have you professed the Saviour and declared yourself publicly on the Lord's side. He was baptized as his people's pattern, and surely it becometh them to imitate him by boldly professing his name, and becoming publicly identified with his cause and professing people. As to how you will do it, I would only say, search diligently the scriptures, seek the Lord's direction, and then act out the convictions of your mind, whatever they may be; only do not, for fear of any consequences, shrink from confessing the Saviour before men. Follow the Lord wholly, and fear not to own his name who bore your sins in his own body on

the tree. If you have made a public profession, if you are associated with his people, have you adorned that profession, and been a blessing to that people? Surely you have not given your name, and withheld yourself. You have not made promises to the Lord, and broken them to his saints. Let your time, talents, energies, property, and influence, be all devoted to that cause, which should be dearer to you than life itself.

Are you realising your interest in God's paternal love? God delighted in the Saviour, and declared it, and he taketh pleasure in his people, and gives them "the spirit of adoption, whereby they cry, Abba Father." Jesus was supported in his arduous self-denying work, by the consciousness of his Father's eye being upon him, and by the assurance of an interest in his Father's love. You will need the same consolation when engaged in following the Saviour. You must expect trial and conflict, sorrow and tribulation, but the love of God shed abroad in your heart will carry you triumphantly through all. Read the Saviour's terms of discipleship, and his promises to those who heartily accept them, and honestly aim to act up to them. "He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."

H

Upon hearing of these requirements, perhaps some professors may point to their circumstances, and tell of a mother's cares, of a father's anxieties, and of the perplexities of business, as an excuse for coldness and remissness, for declension in communion, and shrinking from service. I point you to God's claims, I ask your attention to one solemn word-ETERNITY. Will you dare to weigh the claims of the world against those of the Saviour's, or the interests of time against those of eternity? Ah! little does it signify, whether you are rich or poor, whether your children are accomplished or not; but it does signify, whether you bring glory to God, and whether you seek to train them up for eternity. Now, while you are in the prime of life, give yourself afresh to God, and follow the Saviour closely in loving service, and self-denying labour.

THE ANIMATING SALUTATION.

"Grace and peace be from Jesus Christ, the first begotten of the dead."-Rev. i. 4.

BIRTHDAYS are days of salutation. But it is not usual for persons on their birthdays to send salutations to others; they expect on such occasions to receive, and not to give. But on the day when the Saviour was born at Bethlehem, God sent a most gracious saluta

tion to a guilty world, "Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Yes, Bethlehem is a centre of joy, from it shall blessings emanate in ever widening circles, until heaven and earth are embraced in their glorious circumference.

The Saviour had another birthday, even his glorious resurrection, when "he was declared to be the Son of God with power," when he, who was the image of the invisible God, but who had for a time been hidden in death's dark shades, came forth as a bridegroom from his chamber," the first-begotten of the dead." Oh! Saviour, altogether and ever wonderful! Thou, who wast in the form of God, didst make the lowly manger, a step by which to rise to highest glory, and the dark grave thou didst use as a tiring room, where thou didst put on thy garments of glory. As the incarnate one, thou art divinely gracious, as the resurrection and the life, infinitely glorious, in both, in every thing, altogether lovely.

The friends of Jesus had buried their hopes in their Master's grave; these hopes had a glorious resurrection on that triumphant morning when he burst the bonds of death. But though hope was extinguished, love stronger than death yet survived within their bosoms; and that love was a magnet to attract the Saviour; it was his own work, the results of his toil, the image of his Father. He, therefore, sought out these loving,