The righteousness. It is an altogether just demand. Gospel of grace is a Gospel of morality. It preaches repentance in the name of Christ-the change of mind, heart, will; and that change must bear fruit in a new life. Let sinners mark the result. Let them see that the reformation of conduct must also appear. What is it that you need to do? What has been your bosom sin? Where must you specially cease to do evil, and learn to do right? Do you swear? do you take the name of God in vain? has the use of by-words become a habit with you? Or is drunkenness your failing? is the appetite for strong drink a raging thirst in your veins, so now by long indulgence, or, alas! inherited as a taint in the blood? Have you been dishonest in trade, or betrayed the trusts of others? Is your temper a fiery one, and has your tongue dropped wrath? Does selfishness beset you, perhaps coarse, perhaps amiable and æsthetic, so that it would be a very revolution in your life to think of others and do them good? Have you been unthankful? discontented? disagreeable? Do these words sound too pointed, too severe, for the children present? Do the questions sum up more sins and crimes than their young lives have known? And yet there is a repentance even for children. The Gospel has a message also for them. A young boy lay upon his sick-bed, convalescing, after the long battle with fever, weak, pale, thoughtful. One day he called his devoted mother to his side, and asked her to bend down; he had something to tell her. And with his thin arms around her neck, he spoke from the heart-"Mamma, I am so glad that I am going to get well; I was not always a good boy when I was well; I used to say naughty words when I played with the person, other boys; but I have asked God to forgive me, and I am going to be a better boy when I get up again." Do we doubt there was joy in Heaven over that child's repentance as he found his way back to duty, believing in the goodness and grace of God? Yes, the young heart may have its simple sorrow, and may repent in the light of a Saviour's love, and may begin building a spiritual character. These are some of the needs of the hour-one of this person, another of that and so on. Let them be duly emphasized, without any slurring whatever. Let each one think of himself, not of his neighbor. As the grace of God brings us salvation, let us hear its doctrine, its discipline, that we are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, godly in this present world. Joining the Church—making a profession of religion— being baptized, what is the good of it unless the heart is in it, and a new life comes from it? Tears are idle, feelings are worse than wasted, and leave you harder than ever, if the will energized by the strength of the might of God, does not directly and persistently aim to break off sins by righteousness. While you sorrow, pray, repent, and receive the promises of the Gospel, it ought all to be a purpose and a joy that tell on your conduct before the world, in your family, wherever you are seen and known, so that you could say in all good. conscience-“I know that I am a better man." That is the life worthy of your repentance. But let us, let us, I beg you, keep all the truths of the Gospel before us-the new life, and the motive for it; the intense morality of Christian character, and its health and inspiration from repentance in the name of Christ. Do not agonize in remorse over your sins. Do not close your eyes in blind sorrow as you feel your guilt. Certainly not. And do not expect to cure every fault you have the hour you are forgiven, nor be surprised if the fact confronts you that you have a conflict with evil yet to be endured. You do not repent once for all. is a daily duty. The deepest feeling of sorrow for sin is yet to come. It will come, as your old faults harass you, and perhaps bring you to the dust. It will come especially as you better understand your own heart-the evil ever lurking there: that experience of humility, prayer, self-renouncement, which is known. fully only as one sees the highest good, and sees more and more that he can attain it only in the grace and strength of God. Expect to repent every day-every day fresh purposes, fresh resolutions, a new will to do right, as you aspire, "All my springs are in thee." Begin this very hour. If there is godly sorrow for sin, if there is the hunger to be forgiven, if there is a desire to be better, that is the auspicious beginning. Let the goodness of God lead you to repentance. Repentance is a life-long duty. It |