WAI

the burden of the apostle's prayer for the "saints and faithful brethren" at Colosse; and, we may say, his desire for the whole "household of faith". Every Christian has this desire: he would not be entitled to the name of a Christian if it were wanting. Yet, sad to say, the walk of many to-day is as those of whom the apostle spoke, even weeping,-"they are the enemies of the cross of Christ."

In the Epistle to the Colossians we have the subject of the Worthy Walk of the believer fully gone into. With the Lord's help, we will look at it in various aspects for His glory and our soul's profit.

The apostle was delighted when he heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and the love they had for all saints; and did not cease to give thanks to God that such was their present condition.

A living hope also was theirs, which was manifest by the fruit it produced in and by them. We might say-surely nothing more was needed. Yes, something more was needed. Have we not known some to whom the same words could at one time have been applied, and in whose company it was a pleasure to be; but, to-day, where are they? The place in testimony that once knew them, knows them no more. Their name is mentioned with bated breath and an ominous shake of the head. They are not as the one spoken of in the fifteenth Psalm, who walketh uprightly, and "shall never be moved;" for they have been moved. Of their faith, they have made shipwreck. Their love has long since ceased to be spoken of, and, as to their hope, like the hypocrite's, it has perished. Yes; we say again, more is needed in order to our walk being worthy of the Lord; and, because more is needed, this wonderfully sublime prayer of the apostle (9th verse) is here written to instruct all who have an ear to hear and to enable us, as the redeemed of God, to walk worthy of the Lord in this present evil world.

The prayer begins with the desire that they "might be filled with the knowledge of God's will." This is absolutely indispensable to a worthy walk. How otherwise could I know what was well-pleasing in God's sight, or have confidence in my actions meeting His approval? This, however, involves what we require to be

reminded of continually, viz., a constant study of His Word-where alone we have His will expressed. And Christians who are careless on this point will also be careless in their walk; and a careless walk can never be a walk worthy of the Lord.

God's will is also to be known "in all wisdom." This wisdom we have not naturally. But, how like the gracious ways of our God, that which we most require is brought within our reach and may be ours. All that is necessary is to know our lack, and, coming to God, ask; and He giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not. (Jas. i. 5.)

Again, this knowledge of His will is to be "in all spiritual understanding." "What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him." We understand our fellowmen when they express themselves in words to us. But we do not thus arrive at a knowledge of the will of God; and because we often attempt to understand the things of God in this way, we as often fail to apprehend them. "The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." "Now, we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." This to the flesh is humbling; and further on the apostle goes fully into this with warnings-surely not without meaning for us.

The Lord Jesus while on earth taught His disciples a lesson by blessing the little children. He said"Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter therein." There is nothing so helpless as a little child: but, does its helplessness lead us to despise it? Oh, no. Its very helplessness and weakness commends it to the sympathy and care of all. Even so when, as sinners, we took our place, weak and helpless before God, like the child unable to do anything for ourselves, it was then we found his love and sympathy revealed in our salvation. When He would teach His disciples true greatness, He as it were points to the little child in their midst. And shall we forget the word which says: "As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby." We are expected to grow, but let us make sure it is "in Him;" and should we ever become young men or Fathers, it will only be by coming to Him as

little children, acknowledging our weakness, helplessness, ignorance, and inability even to understand what He has said to us in His word, unless His Spirit, which has been given to us, enlightens our darkened understandings and reveals to us His will concerning us. God's will learned and known in this way brings its own assurance that it is from God. And we will surely be enabled to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, and be fruitful in all good works, which, springing from such a source, shall savour of where they come from, and, as of old, power shall be with them.

How from height to height we are led on in this prayer! Such works meriting the name of good in God's sight, because originating with Himself-and we the prepared instruments in His hand for their execution lead up to a knowledge of God Himself. This is not merely knowing His will. It is something far beyond that. A walk worthy of the Lord leads to a knowledge of Him and a walk with Him. When this is enjoyed, it is not then so much the knowledge of His will, as an entering into His purposes, counsels, and plans. Because, doth not the Spirit reveal the deep things of God: and our own obedience then is not so much to His will as to His wish. This power, then is a reality felt by us; because strengthened by it to the accomplishing of his will. Not turned aside should difficulties beset our path, because we shall have learned in some measure to know Him, and thus shall patience and long-suffering characterise us.

The remaining portion of the first chapter is principally taken up with recounting that which alone can form the incentive to a worthy walk, namely, the grace of God as known by us in what He has done for us; the assurance of our perfect salvation in deliverance from the power of darkness; redemption through the blood by which peace has been made, and to a place secured for us in heaven. Being debtors for all we are or will be, He would thus constrain us to walk in His ways, and so be found walking worthy of Him.

The second chapter of this Epistle is devoted to pointing out courses which, if followed, would not be walking worthy of the Lord. And how solemn, as we read it, to find that MAN is the hindrance to this worthy walk. How much the word is needed in this day when a loose rein is given to the natural pride of the human heart, which has risen up in rebellion against God.

Verse 3.-"In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and this he says lest any man

should beguile us with enticing words—enticing us to seek wisdom and knowledge where there are only the "many inventions". Verse 8.-" Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit; after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world --and not after Christ." What dishonour it would be to Him whose name we bear-and, who expects us to walk worthy of Him-should we turn aside after the philosophy and traditions of men-when in Christ, whose we are and who hath given Himself to us, "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily ".

Verses 16-18." Let no man judge you," "let no man beguile you." "Why, as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances after the commandments and doctrines of men ?" Surely in vain is the net spread in sight of the bird. The wicked are as an angel of light. They have many a wile to drag us down from the excellency in which we have been placed, and beguiling us from the simplicity that is in Christ. Should the evil one succeed, there might, indeed, be "a fair show," but it could only be "in the flesh." There would be barrenness and unfruitfulness for God. The wisdom of our day that hesitates not at denying God's word, is not more foul in His sight than the enticing words which, ostensibly for the glory of His name and the triumph of His cause, would sacrifice His truth, ignore His precepts, and treat as non-essential that which He has revealed as His will for His people's acceptance and obedience.

Granted, there is a "Shew of wisdom :" but the apostle says--" Beware," lest ye be beguiled of your reward. This is most solemn, and surely should be taken heed to by us. That which characterised the Man Christ Jesus was his perfect obedience to the will of God His Father. "Lo! I come, to do thy will, O God." My meat is to do His will." "I came not to do mine own will; but the will of Him who sent me. The works that I do are not mine, but those of Him who sent me.' And because this was no idle boast, but a reality, He could say-" Father, I have glorified thee on the earth.” Only as we let this mind abide in us, shall we walk even as He walked. And surely His was a walk well-pleasing to God.

It is impossible that we can increase in the knowledge of God unless we set the blessed example of the Lord always before us. And when we "set the Lord always before our face, our cry will constantly beFather, Thy will be done!" This will surely pre

serve us from the fowler's snare, and guard us against that spirit which has more regard for traditions and doctrines of men, than the precious word of our God.

The object God had in view in leaving His people in this world was, that they might be witnesses for Him. And this we can only truly be by an unquestioning subjection to the will of the Lord, as learned and received in the power of the Holy Ghost. We shall then have no desire for the crooked ways that would minister to the pride of our hearts.

How much there is in the first four verses of the third chapter! The apostle is now about to bring home to them in a practical way how this walk worthy of the Lord is to be manifested. But, before doing so, he would have them remember that it is only as they are one with Christ, that they can have either the desire or power to accomplish it. They must live by the faith. of the Son of God, who loved them and gave Himself for them; nay, more, who would soon appear for them, when they would be glorified together with Him. In a few words, he shows them where they must look for power to help, and sustaining grace to enable them to go on unwearied and also to cheer them on their way with the blessed hope that in a little while all the self-denial, patience, trial, and suffering, involved in seeking to walk worthy of the Lord would find a fitting reward and approval from Him before and to whom it was done. This is needed, as those know who have trodden the path before, and know what is wanted in it.

same.

Verses 5 to 8 show how this walk must begin here. A great mistake is often made, especially by those young in the faith-whose idea of a life pleasing to the Lord, in many cases, seems to be activity in service, such as preaching, tract-distributing, &c. God forbid I should seek to hinder any of these things! But let it be observed that God's way is invariably the Thus in the epistle before us, it is first His will with us; then, what His grace has done for us. When this latter fills the heart and soul, and He would use us for His glory, He always begins by self-discipline. As for example, in Romans xii., He beseeches us by His mercies to present our bodies living sacrifices. Of old His word was first to be in the heart, and then in the mouth. In the heart first, to subdue there all things to Himself, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. The worthy walk, then, begins by the individual Christian conforming his own ways

and words to the will and ways of God; by putting off the old man, and putting on the new man-which is Christ; or, as Timothy was exhorted, if he would be useful to others, to be an example in word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith, purity. Would that this were written as with letters of living fire on our hearts. How much confusion would be saved! and what a power for God in our several places we would be! Deeds have always a louder voice than words. Let the passions be subdued, and the fruit of the Spirit in rich clusters be found growing upon us, then would we have such power with others, that a way would be opened for the word of our God by us.

It must be a grievous thing to God to see any of His children yield their members as servants of unrighteousness, allowing fleshly lusts to run riot, as when they lived in them. Where such a sad condition of soul exists, it can only cause the name and doctrine of God to be blasphemed; and such an one has surely never known, or knowing has forgotten, that he was purged from his old sins. Moreover, the root of all bad testimony by Christians will be found in the fact, that they have ceased to realise that they are dead, and risen with Christ; that they are but children. The pride of their hearts has never been truly humbled by the cross of Christ. As one has said, "There surely is no sword so sharp as the tongue ;" and the only remedy for this "unruly " member is a constant looking unto Christ. In the 39th Psalm we have the experience of one who knew what a world of iniquity was within, requiring the strong hand to subdue and keep it from open manifestation to the dishonour of God. So he purposes that he will not sin with his tongue, he would keep his mouth with a bridle, "whilst the wicked are before him." Like our Lord, he was dumb under provocation; he opened not his mouth: there was a fire within, however. Who that has tried thus in the help of God but knows what a fire it is. Yet it had the desired result; because, whilst thus dumb, he mused; his thoughts went upwards; the spiritual asserted itself; his mouth opened, and his words-instead of angry retort or cutting rebuke-were spoken to the Lord, confessing his own frailty, weakness, and sinfulness. Perseverance in such self-discipline would surely direct our hearts into the patience of Christ, and make us fit witnesses for Him of whom we are exhorted to walk worthy.

Verses 9 to 17 inculcate the worthy walk before

brethren. How plain and pointed the words are! Let us read them slowly, humbly, prayerfully, and with contrition, as we think how far we have come short of walking according to them. Let us not pass from this section, however, without noticing the striking and humbling words, namely, "Lie not one to another ". If the things enumerated in these verses have not found a place in us, and are not in daily exercise, how solemn to think that our lives are a living lie to one another! Because, while we profess to be Christ's, to be a witness for Him, we are found belying our words or profession, by manifesting, not the new man (Christ), but the old man with his deeds.

Verses 18 to 25 tell how to walk worthy in domestic and social relationships, in some of which we all are found. Let it not be forgotten that, if the wife is called upon to submit unto her husband he is also commanded to love his wife, even as Christ loved the Church. And here let me remark what is true of all precept, that it is individual. Husbands sometimes forget what they are commanded, and are occupied in looking unduly for submission from their wives. Wives, on the other hand, forgetting their calling, become querulous and complain of the lack of love on the part of their husbands. Let the husband occupy himself exclusively with seeing that before God he loves his wife, even as Christ loved the Church; and the wife that she submit herself to her own husband as is fit in the Lord; and the result will be such an experience in the married state, as will bring the relation of Christ to His Church so vividly real and near that we shall need no other interpretation.

If it is expected of children that they obey their parents, it is commanded the fathers not to provoke them to anger. Is it not significant that fathers only are warned not to provoke them. Might the omission of the mother from the warning word not mean that God saw no need of speaking thus to her, knowing her great love to them would be an effectual hindrance to the sin. Surely here the husband can learn a lesson from the wife!

To the servants the word is obey. Their work is to be performed not with eye service, but faithfully and heartily, and the guiding principle will be-" as to the Lord." Whenever insubordination finds a place, the service is not to the Lord, but self and from self, and the wages can only be misery, sorrow, and an after remorse. Whereas, when our service to an earthly master

is done as if employed therein by the Lord, there is, in addition to our reward from our earthly master, the reward from our Heavenly Master, "for ye serve the Lord Christ;" and He will not forget to thank us in His own time for the faithfulness we showed to Him in being subject.

As to masters; remember you have also a Master in heaven, who one day will take account from you as to your service to Him on earth-not the least part of which will be how you have acted toward those who, in God's providence, He called to serve you in earthly things.

Such are some of the ways in which this walk worthy of the Lord is to find expression.

One point more. Chap. iv. 5-"Walk in wisdom toward those who are without, redeeming the time." Is there not a beautiful order in all God's arrangements. First, myself; then my brethren; next the close ties of the domestic life-widening out to the place and sphere I occupy in the social relationship- and lastly, the unsaved. He who has begun at the beginning and followed on to know will have prepared himself in God's way how to walk before, and how to speak the gracious seasonable word to him who cares for none of these things; and such a walk God will own and bless to the guiding and help of His saints and the salvation of perishing sinners. P. H.

LUKE IX.

"There be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God."

Yes, even now, our eyes may see
The once rejected Lord,
Adorn'd with brightest majesty,
His high and rich reward.

His kingdom comes! But even here
Its splendour may be seen,
When faith beholds His glorious throne,
Without a cloud between.

The scene around may all be dark,
The Kingdom distant still,
And yet to us a sight be given,
Like that on Tabor's hill.

If seldom are such heavenly views
Permitted to appear,

How, when they come, our hearts exclaim, 'Tis blessed to be here!

Soon, soon, alas! such visions close,
And we must dwell once more,
Amidst the sights and signs of woe,
Which crush'd our souls before.
Yet transient as the gleams may be,
Swift as they pass away,
They fill the soul with joy and praise,
As with the star of day.

Oh, tell us not of poets' dreams,
The lands of fabled bliss,
What earth-born sight can once compare,
With such a joy as this!

M. W.

istic of it, we get a striking and beautiful type of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the first place, it was given in the most wondrous grace; for so far from deserving it, the Children of Israel merited very different treatment at God's hands. (Compare Ex. xvi. 2-4, with Rom. v. 8.) Secondly, it was given by God; that One against whom they sinned, against whom they so frequently murmured, and whom they so often provoked and grieved. (Compare Ex. xvi. 4, with Jno. iii. 16.)

Thirdly, it came down from heaven; "He commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, and rained down manna upon them to eat". (Compare Ps. lxxviii. 23, 24, with Jno. vi. 51.

Fourthly, it came to where they were; there it lay round about the camp on the naked wilderness, a poor, despised, small, down-trodden, nameless thing. (Compare Ps. Ixxviii. 28, Ex. xvi. 14, 15; Num. xxi. 5, with Jno. i 10, 14; Isa. liii. 3.)

Fifthly, it came in the night; when deep sleep was fallen upon men, when all around was shrouded in darkness. (Compare Ex. xvi. 7, with Matt. iv. 16, Jno. i. 5.)

Sixthly, it was to be had for nothing; without money, and without price, as free as the air, the sunshine, or the rain. (Compare Ex. xvi. 16, with Rev. xxii. 17.)

Seventhly, it was given to sustain life. (Compare Ex. xvi. 3, 4, with Jno. vi. 50.)

And lastly, in the manna, preserved in the golden pot within the veil, we see a portion rescued out of the corruption, into which, that lying on the sands of the desert soon turned, as it was being melted by the noon. day sun. (Compare Ex. xvi. 32-34, with Heb. ix. 3, 4, Acts ii. 25-28.)

But it is not to the manna as a type of the Lord Jesus, (full of precious teaching though it be), I want to direct your attention; but rather to the Lord as a contrast to the manna; for that, you will perceive, is the teaching of the Master in this chapter. He declares Himself to be "the true bread," "the living bread," "the bread of life," of which He says, "if a man eat he shall live for ever"; and in this respect the very opposite of the manna; for, says Jesus, " your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and died".

From this, we see that the Lord is putting Himself forth, not as food for His believing children, to sustain, to nourish, and to strengthen them, amid the trials, persecutions, difficulties, and dangers of the wilderness; (this we get abundantly in other precious portions of the Word); but rather as the food provided by God for sinners. He is setting forth the wondrous grace of His Father in providing for His down-coming, His doing, His dying, and His rising again, a great, glorious, present, perfect, effectual, and everlasting salvation, for the hell-deserving, lying under sentence of eternal death. He is Himself declaring "glad tidings of great joy," even "the Gospel of the grace of God".

Let us now consider for a little, some of the weighty sayings that fell from the lips of the Master; and may He bless them to us by His Spirit; and grant us the grace to receive, to believe, to own, and to confess, what He may be pleased to reveal.

Many

Look at that miraculously-fed multitude. amongst them are very anxious to see Jesus; they follow Him; they take pains to find Him; for, they took shipping and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus" (ver. 24.) Why ? Was it because they recognised Him as their long-promised Messiah? Did they know Him as God's sent One; as the One who came to deliver them out of a place of bondage, and condemnation, and death; and bring them into life and liberty, light and glory? Ah no! not for al', or for any of these things did they follow Him; but, because He had ministered to their temporal necessities; He had bountifully supplied their wants by the miraculously-multiplied loaves and fishes.

They saw no beauty in Him; He was but "Jesus the son of Joseph" to them; they knew nothing of the grace that brought Him into their midst; they desired nothing beyond the loaves and fishes; and in pursuit of these perishing things, all their energies are employed, all their powers are engaged.

What a picture of man by nature! No thought about Him; no thought about eternity; but all his time and thoughts taken up with a world that is fast passing away; a world that lies under awful and fearful judgment.

Well they sought for Jesus and found Him; but the Master well knew that they were toiling for a vain thing, labouring for that which was not meat, and for that which satisfieth not; therefore He thus addresses them-"Labour not for the meat which perisheth