prepared. Of late years the cry has
been "Believe! Believe!" But what must we believe? "Believe on Jesus,"
say they. Yes, but have they believed what the Bible says about sin?
Those who do not believe in the guiltiness of sin, cannot believe on
Christ. Till men see they have been in the wrong, they will not
understand the "righteousness which is by faith."

Let the ploughshare of repentance make the land ready for the seed, and
then there will be some hope of lasting success. Some other time we may
have something to say about the birds, which pick up the seed; but for
the present let it suffice that we insist upon the ploughman doing his
work before the sower comes to do his. We have a notion that it would be
well if the seed-basket were left at home for a while, and some one were
to take hold of the plough. Before to-day we have found, when we have
gone to begin a Mission, that it was of little use to preach Christ as a
Saviour. Men and women who are not convinced of the sins of their life,
need to be told of the punishment which awaits those who die with their
sins unpardoned. We have been too mealy-mouthed, and have feared to
offend our hearers; and so the seed has fallen on hard ground, and the
birds only have a successful Mission!

THE BIBLE OUGHT TO BE THE
KING OF YOUR BOOKS. IF IT
IS NOT THEY ARE NOT WORTH
HOUSE ROOM.

XLVIII. EIGHT EASTER LESSONS LEARNED AT EMMAUS.
LUKE xxiv. 13-35.

I.--When friends speak of good things, Jesus draws near.

"These things" which concern Jesus. Even if men speak sorrowfully, if it
is of Jesus they speak, He is nigh. If He were the subject of
conversation more, His friends would have more of His company. If you
are shy of Him, He will be shy of you.

II.--Unbelief manufactures sorrow for the godly.

Jesus said they looked "sad." It is a pity to employ unbelief; he does
not know how to make a smile. When he tries it is a misfit. If the
disciples had believed Jesus, they would have been dancing for joy, for
they would have been round the tomb to see Him rise. We have lost that
picture, because no one believed the Lord enough to expect His words to
be fulfilled.--Mark viii. 31.

III.--Never expect infidels to be converted while saints are sceptical.

Certain women had told them, but they were "slow of heart to believe." Is
not this tardiness of faith the secret of popular infidelity? If
Christians shewed their faith by works, Bra