ut, for if he calls for the axe, there is no hope.
Justice may call, and when the woodman answers and takes up his axe,
prayer may cause the axe to fall from his hand; but when Mercy says, "Cut
it down," all the men in the world may cry, but nothing can save him from
the fire.

NONE CAN STAND BEFORE THE WRATH OF THE LAMB?

WHEN FILIAL LOVE PICKS
UP THE OAR,
THE ALL-WISE FATHER PUTS
HIS HAND ON THE HELM!

XXXII. JESUS AT THE WELL.
A WORD TO PREACHERS.

Jesus Christ travelled three years in a very poor circuit. There were no
stewards to provide for His wants, and at times, we are told, He had not
where to lay His head. But all the three years He was a perfect example
to us, whether we are Locals or Itinerants, and, perhaps, never more than
when talking to the woman at the well of Samaria. From His conduct there
we may learn--

I.--Never be daunted by a small congregation.

It is very nice to have a crowd, but then that is not the lot of us all,
and we must not keep our best sermons for large audiences. It may be
that the few are able to appreciate our best efforts. Jesus Christ said
some of His best things to individuals. John iii. 16 was not said to a
crowd, but to one. Indeed, if we were to take out of the gospels what
Jesus said to small audiences, we should rob them of their choicest
portions. So, if, when we get to the chapel we find that there are more
pews than people, let us preach to those who are there. Why grumble at
the few who have come, perhaps a long way? Let us feed these with the
choicest of the wheat. It may be an historic time for anything you know.
There may be someone there whom your sermon may lead to Jesus, and who
himself may become a preacher.

II.--Interest your Audience.

How skilfully Jesus went to work to lay hold of this giddy woman! He
spoke of what to a native of the East must have been a surprise, and a
delightful idea. He goes on to tell of being delivered from that plague
of those hot climates, thirst, and excites her wonder by speaking of a
well of water springing up in a man!

To our younger brethren, let us say that it is not easy to succeed if we
do not make what we say interesting. We do not love sensationalism, but
we do love savouryness. Let all your sermons be seasoned with salt. Not
a few of us fail because we forget to make what we say savoury. Let us
excite the imagination of those who listen to us, and then we may pour
into