h a patch on his clothes. One of his
schoolmates singled him out for ridicule and insult; and the boy
answered--"do you suppose I am ashamed of my patch? I am thankful to a
good mother for keeping me out of rags, and I honour my patch for her
sake."

All the noble army of martyrs, of every rank and kind, learnt the
secret of their courage in the school of Christ, and have left us an
example to follow.

"By all the martyrs, and the dear dead Christ;
By the long bright roll of those whom joy enticed
With her myriad blandishments, but could not win,
Who would fight for victory, but would not sin;
By these our elder brothers, who have gone before
And have left their trail of light upon our shore,
We can see the glory of a seeming shame,
We can feel the fulness of an empty name."

My brothers, it may be there are some here now who have not so learned
Christ. Who have been in the world's school from the beginning, and
have grown weary of its selfishness, and its hollow maxims. If it be
so, pray now that Jesus, the Great Teacher, may give you a new heart,
and a new mind, bow the proud head, and bend the unwilling knee, say to
the Lord--"Lord Jesu, make me as a little child, let me come to school
to-night."

SERMON LV.

WARY WALKING.

(Twentieth Sunday after Trinity.)

EPHESIANS v. 15.

"See then that ye walk circumspectly."

Some people tell us that salvation is the easiest thing in the world.
We have only to _feel_ that we believe in Jesus Christ, and all is
done. Now neither Jesus Christ Himself, nor the Apostles whom He sent
to teach, tell us anything of the kind. On the contrary, our Saviour,
whilst He dwells on the fulness and freedom of salvation, offered to
all without money, and without price, tells us that many are called,
but few chosen. He warns us in to-day's Gospel that when the King
makes His Great Wedding Feast of salvation numbers make light of it,
and go their way to their farm, and their merchandise. He shows us
how, when the Bridegroom cometh suddenly. He finds half of the virgins
in darkness, their lamps gone out, and He commands us to watch, because
we know not the day nor the hour of the Lord's coming. He tells us
also that the way of life eternal is a narrow way, and the gate of
salvation a strait gate, whilst the road to eternal ruin is broad, and
easy. Our Lord bids us _strive_ to enter in at the narrow gate, and
assures us that few there be who find