neither shadow of turning." How dreary, dark, and wretched would be the condition of men if the sun should withdraw his beams from the world, and never more permit them to shine! It would still augment their misery to be capable of feeling that whilst they are exposed to eternal cold and solitude, other beings like themselves were in full possession of the life-giving, cheering influence of this glorious luminary. God is the sun of the intelligent and immortal world; wherever He shines there is light, and peace, and hope, and joy; but wherever He withdraws His beams all is darkness and desolation. Let it then be our constant care, that while we admire the works of creation, we may enjoy the favour of Him who "in the beginning created the heavens and the earth.”

144

The Sunday called Septuagesima.

EVENING SERVICE.-Second Lesson: 1 Cor. ix.

Verse 24.-" Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

THE apostle Paul, like his great Master, frequently instructed the people through the medium of circumstances which were familiar to themselves. For instance, the Romans being at that time the dictators of the world, and being chiefly engaged in conducting judicial tribunals; in writing to them, he explains how by the Divine law the sinner may be justified before God. The Hebrews priding themselves in their knowledge of the law of Moses, and their observance of the regulations of their priesthood; he directs them to the nature of a better testament, and the superiority of the Great High Priest of our profession, Jesus Christ. When on Mar's Hill he addressed the Athenians who were superstitiously attached to their devotions, he embraced the opportunity of declaring unto them "The unknown God," whose inscription he saw on one of their altars. So, in addressing the Corinthians he explains the duties of Christians by a reference to the Grecian games, with the regulations of which they were intimately acquainted. Those games consisted chiefly in running, leaping, boxing, darting, and wrestling. This is one of the most beautifully appropriate illustrations that can anywhere be found; and is a striking instance of the force with which the most vigorous and self-denying efforts of Christians can be vindicated, and can oe urged by a reference to the conduct of men in the affairs of this life. The games were celebrated with great pomp and splendour in different parts of Greece. They were called the Olympic, the Nemean, the Pythian, and

Isthmian. The latter were observed every fourth year on the Isthmus which joined the Peloponnesus to the mainland, and on a part of which the city of Corinth stood. Hence the reason why the apostle mentions them especially in writing to the Corinthians. By the phrase "know ye not?" Paul intimates that those games to which he alludes were well known to them, and that they must have been familiar with their design, and with the manner in which they were conducted.

From St. Paul's reference we may notice, First, The parallel between the work; and, Secondly, The contrast between the reward of the Grecian competitors, and that of Christians.

I. The parallel between the work of the Grecian competitors and that of Christians.

Their physical exercises have a strong resemblance to our spiritual exercises. Here we notice

1. That their exercises required considerable thought and premeditation. They could not rush into the competition with any prospect of success without great forethought. It was necessary that they should study the regulations of the games, and that they should examine themselves to know whether they were eligible to enter the lists; for without this they could never adapt themselves to the circumstances. We also require much forethought. The race of the Christian life is such that calls upon us to study its nature and to examine our own hearts. For want of this forethought many commit great mistakes in religion. The religion of some is the result of mere accident. It depends upon their early training, or upon their circumstances and connexions in life. Their parents or friends profess a certain form of religion, and so do they. They have never troubled themselves to think upon the subject. Why is this? It is not so in respect to the affairs of this life. The wise man intending to build a house first sits down to count the cost, to ascertain, our Saviour tells us, "whether he have enough to finish it." The king-general going to war with ten thousand men calculates

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his chances of success, before he ventures against another king with twenty thousand men. Men do not generally engage in important enterprises without thinking of their nature. The profit and loss, the advantages and disadvantages connected with the enterprise are carefully turned over in the mind. We find that every great end obtained has been the result of such forethought. Neither would a man engage himself, nor engage another, to accomplish a certain object of consequence, unless he found that both the mind and body were fitted for the task. If such forethought be necessary in the things of this world which concern merely the body, how much more necessary must it be in the things of another world, in which the eternal interests of the soul are involved!

2. Great preparations and self-denial were necessary to secure success in the Grecian games. Not only did the men spend a large portion of their time for months in practising the different exercises that the body might be well trained for the game, but they were also to deny themselves all the luxuries of life. Hence, the apostle says in the following verse, And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things." They were to inure themselves to heat and to cold-to subject the body to endure the greatest hardships, and to abstain from exciting and luxurious living, even from every thing lawful as well as unlawful that was believed to render the body weak and effeminate. Self-indulgence is incompatible with a Christian life. He who would be a consistent follower of the meek and lowly Jesus must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Him. No cross, no crown. If we desire to reign with Christ we must first suffer with Him. We all see the necessity of abstaining from the unlawful practices of life; but the glory of God, the cause of religion, and the welfare of our fellow-men often require that we should also abstain from things in themselves lawful, to enable us to render that aid in we may be called upon to give. is largely treated in this chapter.

passing through life which The subject of self-denial St. Paul sets up himself

for an example: "For," says he, "though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."

3. The Grecian competitors divested themselves of all things that might impede their progress and success. Their clothes were cast aside, and every obstacle removed from the way that they might be free and unshackled in the race, or strife. In running the Christian race, we also must divest ourselves of every thing that may hinder our course to heaven. The pleasures of the world, and the gratification of the appetites and passions, are serious impediments in the way and must be cast off. The over-anxious cares for the affairs of this life, and inordinate desires for the riches of the world, are hindrances and must be laid aside. When friends and relations and even children occupy too much of the heart's affections, they impede our progress and must be removed from the way. Christ expressly says: "He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me."

4. Great efforts and perseverance were necessary to win the prize. There was a long race to run, or a powerful antagonist to encounter. In either case strenuous exertions, unremitting patience, and inflexible perseverance were necessary. There was no flinching in the contest; he that entered the stadium must persevere until he reached the goal. If we hope to enter heaven we must "run with patience the race which is set before us." The strife may be long and severe; for "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." There is no resting-place in the course until the goal be attained, no laying aside the armour in the contest until the victory be won. "He that endureth to the end shall be saved." "Be faithful unto death." There may be obtacless to encounter-there may be rivers to ford—there may be hills to climb-there may be a rough road to travel,