May 11

"the foundation of God standeth sure." The most remarkable structures for permanence are the pyramids of Egypt; but though it is probable they may reach the last day, they must then fall in the wreck of all things. But from the ruins of sin he has made his people an eternal excellency, the joy of many generations.

And how glorious to himself is the manner in which he carries it forward to its completion! Difficulties insuperable to man attend every part of the work. It is opposed by all the powers of darkness. But their attempts only serve to display the Saviour's wisdom and power. Nothing is too hard for him. He is not driven from his post, he is not compelled to pause. He will accomplish the plan precisely according to the design, and to a moment of the time appointed. The angels will not pass by the partially erected edifice and say, He began to build, but was not able to finish—"The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of the house; his hands shall also finish it. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the head stone thereof with shouting—Grace, grace unto it!"

Such is the determination of God—"even he shall build the temple of the Lord, and—he shall bear the glory." Every thing in the economy of salvation therefore is so arranged, that he who glories must glory in the Lord. Therefore every sentiment incompatible with this, is an erroneous sentiment; and every disposition adverse to this, is an unrighteous disposition. And in the minds of his people, the proud looks are humbled, and the lofty looks laid low; and the Lord alone is exalted. They now readily exclaim, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy Name give glory, for thy mercy and thy truth's sake." How much more will this be the case, when he will come to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe!—when they will cast their crowns before the Throne; and it will be their business and their delight to exclaim, "To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

"O may I bear some humble part In that immortal song; Wonder and joy shall tune my heart, And love command my tongue."

MAY 11.—"I have learned by experience."—Genesis 30:27.

THERE is no spiritual meaning in these words. They are only the language of Laban acknowledging the benefit he had derived under God—for even he could talk piously, from his son-in-law Jacob; "The Lord hath blessed me for thy sake." But the way in which he says he had learned this—"I have learned by experience," will apply to a Christian in speaking of his acquaintance with divine things; and afford us an occasion to notice a very interesting subject. Experiments are processes of trial to determine some thing not sufficiently known or admitted. Experience is the knowledge derived from the trial; and this knowledge is very distinguishable from mere report or opinion. A medicine is announced as a specific for some malady; but when I have taken it, and have been cured by

VOL. I.

it, I have learned the excellency and efficacy of it by experience. Much of the philosophy of former times was little better than learned affectation. The vouchers of it were not willing to own their ignorance, and place themselves upon a level with the vulgar, and so they conjectured and theorized; but their hypotheses could not abide the test. Of late years, a wiser course, recommended by Bacon, has been pursued, and people have been taught to found science on fact, to reason from inductions, and to take nothing for truth without trial.

Now this is what we wish with regard to the noblest of all subjects. Why cannot religion be tried? Why cannot prophecy be compared with events? Why cannot miracles be examined by any given standard of evidence? Why cannot we take what the Scripture says of the state of human nature, and go into the world and see whether it is borne out by history and observation? Yes, says the Christian, the wickedness and deceitfulness of the heart is not a notion with me—I have learned it by experience in my unthankfulness under mercies, incorrigibleness under corrections, unprofitableness under ordinances, and failures and treachery under vows and professions. I know that there is such a Saviour as the gospel proclaims, for I have made application to him, and I have proof of his ability, suitableness, and willingness to save, in my own salvation—"He that believeth hath the witness in himself." The Word says, "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely," and I have learned this by experience. I have always suffered when I have turned aside to crooked and selfish policy; but I never had reason to repent when I have acted in simplicity and godly sincerity, and been willing to deny myself for the Lord's sake. In the same way I can attest the influence and usefulness of prayer—It has calmed my fears—it has revived me in the midst of trouble—I have learned by experience that it is good for me to draw near to God.

And verily this is the best way in which we can become acquainted with divine truth. Our knowledge of it without this will be mere speculation. We read of "a form of knowledge" as well as "a form of godliness," and what is the value of the one more than of the other, without "the power thereof?" The knowledge of some things is injurious rather than useful without it. When persons take up the sovereignty of God from a mere doctrinal system, we commonly find them heady, and contentious, and censorious: but when they learn it from experience, and are constrained to own that by his grace they are what they are, he having begun with them, instead of their beginning with him; it makes them humble, and grateful, and candid, and tender.

It is "a good thing for the heart to be established with grace;" and this mode of learning confirms the judgment, and renders a man safe against error. He is not to be ridiculed or reasoned out of his conviction. In vain would any one tell you, if you have tasted them, that gall is not bitter, or honey sweet.

The heart also, as Solomon remarks, teacheth the lips, and we derive a great advantage from experience in dealing with others. We shall be able to speak with more confidence, and more earnestness, and more feeling; because we do not deal in untried advantages, but declare that which we have seen, and heard, and handled