October 22

PART III.—Zechariah 13:1.

SEVERAL momentous questions may be addressed to us in respect of this fountain. Have we credited the gospel testimony concerning it? Have we had experimental access to it? Do we enjoy the happy results of its pardoning and purifying influences?

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Have we heard, and washed, — and returned cleansed? If so, then God demands our grateful affection in return. He expects us to make redeeming love the burden of our songs. And when Jesus has shed his love abroad in the heart, it will constrain the soul to cry out “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases.” Should we not also recommend this fountain to others? How many spiritually sick and wretched there are around us. The gospel enjoins that we love our neighbours as ourselves. How can we exhibit that affection more sincerely, than by using all our instrumentality to bring them to the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. Oh! yes, every christian is bound to exhibit Christ! To tell the sinner of the only Saviour—to tell the weary of the only rest—to tell the dying of the only life—and the perishing and lost, of the only way to everlasting salvation. Dwelling upon this theme will make ourselves holier and happier, and may prove of everlasting benefit to our fellow men. O yes, let us tell to all around us,—

“This fountain unseal’d, stands open for all,

Who long to be heal’d, the great and the small,

Here’s strength for the weakly that hither are led,

Here’s health to the sickly, and life for the dead.

This fountain, though rich, from charge is quite clear The poorer the wretch, the welcomer here.

Come needy, and guilty, come loathsome and bare, Though lep'rous and filthy, come just as you are."