TEMPERANCE, SOBRIETY, EXEMPLARY CONDUCT REQUIRED OF ALL CHRISTIANS. DRUNKENNESS IS ANTI-CHRISTIAN.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.-Romans xii. 1, 2.

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.-1 Corinthians vii. 29-31.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.—1 Cor. ix. 24, 25.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit ; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.-Ephesians v. 15-19.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.— I Thessalonians v. 5-8.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.—— Titus ii. II, 12.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.-1 Peter v. 7, 8.

TEMPTATIONS TO EVIL ARE TO BE PRAYERFULLY AND FAITHFULLY RESISTED. WATCHFULNESS REQUIRED.

And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.-Genesis iii. 13.

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; there is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?-Genesis xxxix. 8, 9.

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.—Proverbs i. 10.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.-Matthew iv. 10.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. -Matthew vi. 13.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.—Matthew xxvi. 41.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.—Luke viii. 13.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.—1 Cor. x. 12, 13.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.—I Timothy vi. 9, 10.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.--Revelation iii. 2, 3.

THANKS AND GLORY ARE DUE TO GOD FOR ALL OUR BENEFITS, TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL.

When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day.-Deuteronomy viii. 10, II.

Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.-1 Chronicles xvi. 7-10.

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.-1 Chronicles xxix. 13, 14.

The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.- Psalm xvi. 5-7.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.—Psalm xcii. 1, 2.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.-Psalm c. 4, 5.

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me.-Psalm cxvi. 12.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.—Psalm cxxxvi. 1, 2.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.-Proverbs iii. 5, 6.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.-Dan. vi. 10.

THANKS AND GLORY ARE DUE TO GOD FOR ALL OUR BENEFITS, TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL.

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.-Matthew xi. 25, 26.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.-Matthew xxvi. 26, 27.

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.—John vi. 11.

And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all : and when he had broken it, he began Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.-Acts xxvii. 35-37.

to eat.

And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Áppii Forum, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.—Acts xxviii. 15.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.-1 Corinthians x. 31.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.-1 Corinthians xv. 55-57.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.—2 Corinthians ix. 15.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.-Colossians iii. 17.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.-1 Thessalonians v. 18.

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.—1 Tim. iv. 3-5.

Y

TIME IS GOD'S PRECIOUS GIFT, AND SHOULD BE WISELY OCCUPIED FOR ETERNITY.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.—Eccles. iii. 1, 2.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.--Ecclesiastes ix. 10.

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.-Ecclesiastes xii. I.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.-Mark xiii. 35-37.

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.-Luke xix. 12, 13.

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand : let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.— Romans xiii. 11, 12.

For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.-2 Corinthians vi. 2.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.-Ephesians V. 15-17.

Go to now, ye that say, To day, or to morrow, we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.—James iv. 13-15.