December 11

veil from the heart of the Jews, and induce them to look upon him whom they have pierced, and to mourn for him—able to root up in his churches every plant which his heavenly Father hath not planted—able to increase a thousand fold all the excellences and usefulness of his people. “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron.” “Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be seven-fold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.”

DECEMBER 11.—“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and SHALL BE SATISFIED.”—Isaiah lnn. 11.

NOTHING is more trying and mortifying than to labour without success, especially when great difficulties are encountered, and great sacrifices incurred. But how pleasing is it to the husbandman after manuring, and plowing, and sowing, to go forth and see, first the blade, then the ear, and after that the full corn in the ear; and when he has borne the burden and heat of the day in harvest to behold the precious grain safely housed in the garner! How delightful must it be to the warrior after his marchings, and privations, and all the perils of the field, to return home in peace, and enjoy the spoils and rewards of victory! Or take the image to which Isaiah refers. How is the mother recompensed for her pain when she sees—a living child—her own—the pledge of mutual affection—the wearer of the father’s name and image—an endeared creature depending upon herself—to be fed at her bosom—to be dandled on her knee—to be aided by her in all his attempts to walk and speak—a rational being unfolding new powers—and preparing for usefulness in the community—and who, unless he be a wretch, will pronounce no word through life with half the feeling he will say, “My mother!” But there have been days wherein it was said, “Blessed is the womb that bare not, and the paps that never gave suck.” Many a “Rachel is weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are not.” Many an early grave is inscribed with, “Childhood and youth are vanity.” But the pleasure of the Lord Jesus is liable to no such disappointment—“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be SATISFIED.”

Let us dwell for a moment on this satisfaction. What can be so animating and improving? Paul says to the Thessalonians, “Ye are our glory and joy.” Yet he and his brethren were only ministers by whom they believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. But if converts are the glory and joy of those who are only the instruments of their salvation, in how much higher a degree must they be so to him who is the sole author of it! When the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them, “He spake this parable unto them. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” We need not say, that this shepherd who instead of complaining of his wearisome and painful search,

only exults in his success, is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. When he came to the well he was not only thirsty, but hungry, and therefore his disciples went away into the city to buy meat. When they returned they spread it before him, saying, "Master, eat"—But he said unto them, "I have meat to eat that ye know not of." Upon which, looking at each other and wondering, they said, "Hath any man brought him aught to eat?" He then said, "My disciples, since you left me I have had an opportunity to enlighten and convert, by my grace, a poor sinful wretch who came here to draw water; and she has left her vessel for my use; and has gone into the city to tell her neighbours; and is, as you see yonder, returning over the plain with a large number, who will receive my doctrine and become my followers. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. Ah! my disciples, this is food! There is no repast like the satisfaction of doing good—My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."

And when he sees the travail of his soul, is he SATISFIED? Then behold his benevolence. The world knew him not: his own received ed him not. They persecuted him through life, and at length hung him on a tree. But God raised him from the dead, and he had the means to revenge himself—and it is said revenge is sweet. And it is sweet to a brute. It is sweet to a devil. But it is not sweet to a Christian mind. But it is sweet to exercise mercy, to pass by a transgression, to overcome evil with good. So Jesus derived his satisfaction not from the punishment of his enemies, but from their pardon, and deemed their happiness a recompence for all his sufferings.

Then we see the worth and importance of the salvation of the soul. We cannot alway infer the value of a thing from the pleasure it yields. Little things please little minds. We read of some who rejoice in a thing of nought. We know how men make gold their hope, and fine gold their confidence: and yet a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth. When therefore a work is performed we wish to know the opinion of one who is a perfect judge—Is he satisfied with it? It is a strong proof of the importance of salvation that the angels of God rejoice over one sinner that repenteth: for we cannot imagine that a mere trifle would throw into ecstasy those beings who are proverbial for their knowledge. But it is a stronger proof still that it is the satisfaction of our Divine Redeemer himself. O that we estimated our souls as he estimates them! Every thing else would appear less than nothing and vanity compared with their salvation.

Then we may enlarge our notions of the number of the saved. True benevolence is the most encroaching thing in the world. A generous heart is never satisfied; it is always planning, always desiring to do something more. And would his soul, which is compassion itself, be satisfied with a few that should be saved? How many must be made partakers of the benefit before he stays the process of mercy, and says, It is enough! If no more are called I am satisfied! But it is in reference to his claim and his disposi-

tion, that he is told by promise that his seed shall be as the stars of heaven, as the sand on the sea shore, and as drops of dew.

Then here is encouragement for faith and hope. Under a sense of unworthiness and guilt persons often fear whether he will receive them. But does he not invite them to come, and command them to come; and does he not complain that they will not come—yea, does he not assure them that it would yield him pleasure? We can therefore plead with you his interest as well as your own. You have offended him enough, grieved him enough: and surely if there be any thing by which you can yield him satisfaction you are bound to do it. Let him then see you at his feet, and hear you crying, Lord, save, I perish—This will charm him as much as the songs of angels—It is the travail of his soul, and when he sees it he is satisfied.

Then we have here a noble example to follow. Let the same mind be in us. Let his joy be fulfilled in ourselves. Let us spare no pains; let us grudge no sacrifices in order to be useful. And let the satisfaction arising from it be our reward—"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

DECEMBER 12.—"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."—Jeremiah 10:23.

JEREMIAH knew this. It was not with him a matter of opinion or conjecture, but of certainty; and therefore he could address his conviction to God himself. "But he was a prophet, and might have derived his confidence from an immediate inspiration." But we have no reason to believe this. He derived his persuasion from five sources, which lie open to ourselves.

First, dependence. We are not our own, and therefore the right of direction does not belong to us, but to another, in whom we live, and move, and have our being; and who has an absolute claim to us.

Secondly, ignorance. Vain man would be wise, but he is born like a wild ass's colt. His powers are exceedingly limited; he is liable to a thousand prejudices and delusions; and cannot be safely trusted to discern and distinguish between good and evil, appearances and realities.

Thirdly, observation. Read all history. See the consequences of Lot's choosing the vale of Sodom, "because it was well watered." See the sin and embarrassment to which David was reduced, when he went to Gath; yet he was so convinced of the propriety of this fatal step, as to say, "there is nothing better for me to do." Look around you. What are you continually meeting with, not only in the conduct of men, but in the mistakes even of good men!

Fourthly, experience. Can any one look back upon life, and attentively review the events that have befallen him; the enterprizes in which he has been engaged; the anxieties, and hopes, and fears, and joys, and sorrows, which have excited and influenced him; and not be compelled to say, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."