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annihilation. It refers to the soul. The loss of the soul is the loss of its happiness here and hereafter; and what a dreadful doom to the disobedient is this! The lost soul loses pardon, peace, happiness, and heaven. The lost soul. gains everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. Its misery will be deserved, dreadful, and eternal: "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" This doom will be impartial: "Every soul that will not hear." Without exception, and without distinction, every one neglecting and refusing shall perish. This doom includes a separation from the rest of the people by visible judgments. Just now the good and the bad are mixed together like tares among the wheat; but divine judgments will soon make a difference, and, once separated, the wicked will have no after-intercourse with the righteous. The doom shall be everlasting-an endless duration, who can reckon up? a bottomless pit, who can fathom? The disobedient shall suffer punishment as long as sin can deserve it, Christ inflict it, and their immortal souls endure it.

This doom will be certain." It shall come to pass." It shall be, because God says it. Hath he spoken it, and shall he not make it good? Christ has power to carry it into effect. All power is given unto him in heaven and on earth. The doom cannot be resisted. The concentrated power of devils and wicked men has no influence against omnipotence. It cannot be escaped; no vigilance can elude his glance; no cunning can outwit his wisdom; no courage can withstand his frown: "For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him."

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THE GOOD MAN.

NOVEMBER 15.

The Good Man.

"For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."-Acts, xi. 24.

LET us think of the character of Barnabas-and his success as a minister of the gospel.

The character of Barnabas.- "He was a good man.” Before his conversion to Christianity his name was Joses; but the apostles called him Barnabas, which means son of prophecy, son of exhortation, and son of consolation. He was a native of Cyprus, and his parents were Jews. When he was converted he possessed landed property, which he sold, and he generously "laid the money at the apostles' feet" for the use of the church. The expression "good man" may refer to his disposition, which was kind and amiable. It does refer to his piety, for he was a real Christian in heart and life; and it refers also to his desire to do good unto others. How many are ambitious of being great! let us be ambitious of being good. He was "full of the Holy Ghost," he was in possession of the gracious and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit: he sought, he cherished, and he enjoyed these. He was divinely qualified for his work as a minister of the New Testament. Holy Spirit taught him and fitted him to be a teacher of others. He was divinely helped in his work. The Spirit wrought with him; hence the church of Jerusalem sent him on a mission as far as Antioch, that he might help and confirm the infant churches. He was "full of faith." He confided in the saving doctrines of the gospel, and in Christ, in whom they all centre, for his own salvation. He confided in their fitness to benefit others as well as himself, and hence his efforts to teach and preach them for the salvation of souls. He confided in the promises of

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God as true, comforting, and infallible; and he was anxious that all others should enjoy their consolation. He depended on the Holy Spirit to work and labour with him; hence he would seek and enjoy the divine blessing on his efforts.

His success as a minister of the gospel.-" Much people was added unto the Lord." He was instrumental in benefiting many souls. Through his sweet and consolatory instructions, many sinners were converted and brought to the knowledge of the truth; others halting between two opinions, were made decided for Christ; the weak and wavering were confirmed and established in the faith; and the idle and lukewarm were stirred up to pray and labour in the service of Christ. The weight of his Christian character and experience seems to have been felt and appreciated at Antioch. He was instrumental in increasing the church. When Christian members are added to the church, the church acquires more influence in the eyes of the world, and enlarged means, and enlarged responsibility to use them for the salvation of others. All who love Christ should connect themselves with his church; for when so connected, they are in a better position for doing good, and they are in a better position for resisting evil. Thus consolidated, the church's members are better fitted for usefulness. He was instrumental in adding to the glory of Christ. Jesus must have all the honour of successful ministerial labour-all the honour in this world, and all the honour through eternity. Alas! when the instrument looks upon his converts as man-made-and how many do!--he who holds the instrument in his hand can soon bring him to the dust, that no flesh may glory in his presence.

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THE WISE MAN'S INFLUENCE.

NOVEMBER 16.

The Wise Man's Influence.

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament."Dan. xii. 3.

LET us contemplate the wise man-and his influence on others.

The wise man derives his knowledge from the word of God. "The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." "The holy Scriptures are able to make thee wise unto salvation." They inform us of God: his existence, his attributes, his being reconciled to us in Christ Jesus. They inform us of sin: its dreadful nature, its misery here, and its wages hereafter. They inform us of Christ his character, free from sin, his work of atonement and intercession, and his invaluable blessings. They inform us of faith, repentance, prayer, and every other duty; and they inform us of peace, hope, heaven, and eternal life. "Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom," and we cannot fail to be wise for time and for eternity. The wise man is savingly interested in the word of God. He is not satisfied with knowledge acquired, but puts it to a right use, and thus he experiences in his heart the saving power of God's word. This is true wisdom and true religion, and thus "he that is wise is profitable unto himself." The wise man is obedient to all the commands of God. He knows, and he does not know without resolving to practise. He reads and hears only to obey. It influences his conduct, and is full of good fruits, so that he is "wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil." It is not of the earth, but "it is from above, and is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits."

The wise man's influence on others. "He shall shine as the brightness of the firmament." We are not to sup

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pose that the wise man's shining is to be deferred till he reach a better world. He shines in this life, and others see it. "They that love the Lord shall be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might." He shall attract attention. When the firmament is dark and cloudy, none attend to it; but when it is bright and glorious, it attracts every eye, and commands our regard. So the wise man compels the attention of others. He is a city set upon a hill which cannot be hid. He is a light shining in a dark place. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works." He shall inspire admiration. The firmament is the great arch or expanse over our heads, in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen. How beautiful is this azure vault, studded with stars, illuminated by the soft light of the moon, and irradiated by the strange lights of the northern sky! The wise man, like such a firmament, attracts every eye, and excites the admiration of every beholder. O my soul, wilt thou admire earthly greatness, and overlook moral greatness? He shall diffuse comfort. What a comfort to a traveller is a bright firmament, and how widely diffused! In like manner, the truly wise man is a comfort to his family and to all his friends. He diffuses comfort in the church to which he belongs, in the neighbourhood where he dwells, and to the generations that succeed him. "Let him know that he that converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins."

NOVEMBER 17.

The Useful Man's Reward.

"They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever."-Dan. xii. 3.

HERE we have the Christian's labours-and the Christian's reward.