youth." "They that seek Me
early shall find Me." He who would be a first-class Christian, must
begin betimes. Time lost is lee-way, that cannot be recovered, strive as
we like.

III.--WE MUST BE WELL STEERED.

In the picture parable you can see who is steering. Don't let him come
aboard you! Proverbs iii. 6, tells you whom to trust with the tiller
ropes.

"HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS."

If young men would only let the Bible "coach them," they would be saved
from many a blunder and defeat. It is important to have, as steersman,
one who knows the currents, and just when to alter the course. The
youngster who steers the University boat has been up and down the river
many a time, till he has learned everything he needs to know. Let me ask
you, "Who steers?" If SELF-WILL does, you are undone.

IV.--NEVER CEASE STRIVING TILL YOU HAVE WON.

Your adversary will not. He will pursue you till you have gained the
prize. "He who to the end endures," is the saved man. It is very
instructive to note how many backsliders there are among professors of
mature age. The most grievous cases of falling away are not from the
ranks of young disciples, but from those who ought to have been safe
examples for them! If you have lived to be grey-headed, remember your
silver hair may make a fool's cap yet! There are other lessons, but they
will keep till another year. We will end our Sermon with some lines of
Charles Wesley's, not known to all our readers:--

"But did the great apostle fear
He should not to the end endure,
Should not hold out, and persevere,
And make his own election sure?
Could Paul believe it possible,
When all his toils and griefs were past,
Himself should of salvation fail,
And die a reprobate at last?"

"Who then art thou that dar'st reject
The sacred terms, the humbling awe,
As absolutely saved,--elect,--
And free from an abolished law?
DOST THOU NO SELF-DENIAL NEED,
NO WATCH, OR ABSTINENCE SEVERE;
In one short moment perfected!
An angel--an immortal here?"

XXII. GOOD-FRIDAY.

One wonders how it came to have that name! We cannot help feeling, that
if other titles were as well-deserved, it would be a blessing to the
world. For instance, if Nobleman, Gentleman, Reverend, &c., were as
descriptive as this day's name, there would be many happier people than
there are.

No wonder that it should be called