humble, abased the proud monarch of Babylon, as we read, (ver. 31), "while the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken, the kingdom is departed from thee, and they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will." The wish to be great was the besetting sin of Simon Magus. We read (Acts viii. 9), that "he bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one," and all the people in Samaria gave heed to him, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And even after he believed, and was baptized, this sinful wish had dominion in his heart. His request to Peter (ver. 19), shows it. "Give me also," he said, "this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive

the Holy Ghost." The wish to be great was the besetting sin of Diotrephes; as St. John says (3rd Epis. 9), " Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not." And remember, my dear young friend, that it is not only in worldly things, that you are in danger of wishing to be great. This wish may mix itself up with spiritual things. It is so difficult to overcome sin, that people often change one sin for another. They will lay aside the desire for worldly greatness, and take up in its place the desire for spiritual power. But look at St. Paul, how humble he was. Refer to (Eph. iii. 8,) "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." How lowly in heart was the great Shepherd of the sheep! He was exalted in heaven, and yet made Himself of no reputation. He was a king, yet wore no crown. He stooped so low as to wash the feet of His own disciples.

And to pass to a very different instance: There was a beautiful humility in the prayer of the penitent thief. Did he ask for a high place in heaven? or to sit at the right hand, or the left? Oh! no. "Lord, remember me," he prayed, "when Thou comest in Thy kingdom." He wished for one thing, and one only, "to be remembered by Jesus." Do you wish for this? Is this your prayer, "Lord, remember me."

A missionary in the West Indies was walking out one day, and as he came near a wood, he heard a groan. He went to the spot from which it came, and what do you think he found? An old savage, lying on the ground. He was weak, and seemed to be dying. The missionary spoke to him. At first he gave no answer. At last he said in a sorrowful tone: "This morning early I started, and hoped to reach home, but I lost my way, and it is now almost dark. I am exhausted, and here I must remain, where there are snakes,

and wild beasts, and where my enemies will find and kill me. Oh! my poor wife, my poor children." The missionary felt compassion, and took him home. First he gave him some food, and then made up a bed for him, very near his own, with only a thin curtain between. In the night the missionary was aroused by a noise. What was it? It was the savage getting up. For what? The missionary was afraid, and thought that the savage meant to kill him. He kept quite still, and listened; and what did he hear? A sharp knife drawn to kill him? Oh! no. A prayer ; this prayer-" O God, I thank Thee, that Thou hast caused Thy sun to shine upon me on my way. I thank Thee, that no snake has bitten me, no wild beast attacked me, no enemy met me. I thank Thee, that this kind friend was sent me, and has brought me into his hut. O God, when this stranger, or his friend, or his children, are on a journey, cause Thy sun to shine upon them, take them under Thy protec

tion, and if they wander from their path, and become exhausted, let some one come to their help, and take them into their hut." When the missionary heard this prayer, he prayed also. For what did he pray? For a high place in heaven? No. "Grant me, O God," he said, "a place near this Indian in Thy kingdom.”

Do not, then, my dear young friend, seek great things for yourself. Beware of ambitious wishes, both in worldly and in spiritual things. Pray that you may be like Jesus, meek and lowly in heart, like St. Paul, who felt himself to be "less than the least of all saints," and "the chief of sinners." Ask for an heart that rests on Jesus, and wants nothing more. And whilst you pray for humility, endeavour to practise it in all the little things of life. Do not exalt yourselves above your companions and friends, but willingly for Christ's sake give up the highest place, and the best things to others. It is very difficult for our selfish hearts to act thus;