and
sometimes in pulpits, makes us think there must be either a want of
intellect or a lack of faith. If these people believe there is a God,
how limited their power to conceive what He is like! But, knowing many
of them to be shrewd in business or personal matters, we are led to think
there is often more infidelity in places of worship than is thought for.
The conduct of the Seraphims makes us blush for many services we have
attended. If the thoughts of our hearts were spoken during our prayers,
what a revelation there would be! Let us not forget that they are taken
down, and are already in print, ready for the day of trial, when the
books shall be opened!

III. A LESSON IN MORALS.--Words defile us! "I am a man of unclean
lips." And it is a question if even swearing defiles a man's mouth more
than words of prayer which are not meant. Would not any one of us rather
be abused than cajoled? Who likes to think that men are lying when they
praise us? Must we not pray for a watch to be set on our lips? If there
could be a physical effect caused, as there is a moral, would not there
be a sad disfigurement? Men and women with lips blacker than coal! It
is a wise prayer, "Let the words of my mouth be acceptable in Thy sight,
O Lord." Deceit, flattery, formalism in prayer are abominable to God. It
would be well if, when in church or chapel, we could see it in plain
letters, "The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in
vain."

IV.--A LESSON IN GRACE.--Sin may be forgiven and guilt removed, and this
to the certain knowledge of the penitent. One of the devil's lies is
that either you are too wicked to be saved, or, if saved, you cannot hope
to know it in this life; the one drives men to despair, the other
prevents enjoyment of salvation. Isaiah knew that his sins were
forgiven, and we have yet to learn that the cross of Jesus has made it
less possible for us. It was from the altar the coal came that touched
the lips. It is still true that it is sacrifice that takes away guilt.
We have an altar, a sacrifice, a benediction such as Isaiah never knew
for himself; we understand his sayings as he could not. "By His stripes
we are healed." Reader, do you long for pardon, for conscious
forgiveness? Wait on the Lord! Think of what He suffered, and why He
suffered, and you shall sing with joyous lips--

My pardon I claim,
For a sinner I am,
A sinner believing in Jesu's name.