_mean_ what you say. It is an insult to God to say words
which you do not believe, or understand. Once in a certain Church,
during Lent, an Easter hymn had been put down by mistake, and was sung
very heartily by the choir. The choirmaster after service spoke to the
singers, regretting that such a mistake should have occurred. And he
was answered, "Oh, it does not matter, we only think of the tune, and
do not trouble about the _words_." I am afraid that too many hymns are
sung in the same careless fashion, but if so, they are not _praise_.
"Sing ye praises with _understanding_."

One word more; we are bidden to render unto Caesar what belongs to him,
and to God what is His. This world has certain claims upon us. Part
of our time and our money must be devoted to our business and our
position in the world. But not _all_ of our time and money must be so
given. God claims His share, and our gratitude for His mercies ought
to make us gladly render unto God the things that are God's. He claims
a certain part of our time for His public worship in Church. If we
stay away from His House, or if, when there, we are careless, and
indifferent, we are robbing God. God claims a certain part of our
money, to be dedicated to the relief of the poor, or the maintenance of
His Church. If we spend all our money on the world we are defrauding
God of His right. May He grant us all more thankful hearts, for Jesus
Christ's sake.

SERMON LX.

GATHERING THE FRAGMENTS.

(Twenty-fifth Sunday after Trinity.)

S. JOHN vi. 12.

"Gather up the fragments that remain."

The fragments that remain! What are they? Something more than the
remnants of that miracle of feeding. We have come to the last Sunday
of the Church's year, only a few more fragments, a few more days,
remain, and then Advent will have come, and we shall begin a new year.
Again we shall hear the warning cry--"Prepare to meet thy God."
Brothers, are we ready to meet Him? We are one year nearer the day
when we must render in our account; one year nearer the time when the
Master will come to reckon with His servants; one year nearer the
return of the Bridegroom. What of our lamps, are they burning? What
of our talents, have they yielded interest? Another year
gone--eternity nearer by twelve months; surely this is a solemn time
for us all. Let us gather up the fragments of time that remain before
Advent. Do not put off making resolutions, or giving up ba