August 30

"And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their courts."—Matthew 8:34.

It is said of Cato, who was Cæsar's bitterest enemy, that when he saw Cæsar prevail, rather than fall into his hands, and stand to his mercy, he laid violent hands on himself, which Cæsar hearing of, passionately exclaimed, "O Cato! why didst thou envy me the honor of saving thy life?" Do not sinners, by their rejection of Christ, act as if they grudged him the honor of saving their souls? Let us contemplate

THE MANNER IN WHICH HE SHOULD BE RECEIVED.

Spiritually. Religion has not done much for you, if it has not altered the tone of your mind, and produced a change in your feelings. The law of God must be transcribed in your hearts, and Christ must be received into your souls.

Joyfully. So did Zaccheus: "he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully." How joyfully does the captive receive his liberty, the miser his gold, the merchant his cargo, the heir his estate, and the prince his crown! and should not the reception of Jesus be connected with joy?

Fully. He must be received in all the offices he holds, in all the relations he sustains, in all the ordinances he enjoins, in all the duties he inculcates, and in all the privileges he imparts.

Speedily. How long has he stood knocking at the door of your heart—an attitude that intimates the readiness of his departure if you reject him? Life has been termed the golden seed-time of an immortal year. By receiving Christ, the soil

23 of the heart is softened for the seeds of piety; the germ of grace shall expand till it shall be transplanted into a more congenial clime.

Continually. "To whom coming as unto a living stone." There are new discoveries to be made, and fresh supplies to be received. This reception of Christ is in fact the business and blessedness of the Christian's life.