singing, in open order, very little
discipline, and perfectly confident that you will come to no harm.
Take care! Some day your eyes will be opened, and you will experience
an unpleasant surprise. Then, when your eyes are opened you will see
yourselves surrounded by the enemies of your souls, ready to drag you
to destruction, and no help near. Very unexpected was this case of the
Syrians, that the prophet prayed for them, and that instead of being
put to death they were fed and sent away in peace. That is not what
you must expect. Dives, when his eyes were opened, cried to Abraham,
but got no help, no, not even a drop of water to cool his tongue.

III. No man need go blindly to destruction, for God has given him
guidance, and power of seeing whither he goes. The prophet led these
soldiers of Syria into the midst of their enemies, but God's good
Spirit, which is our guide, will lead us into the Land of Righteousness
if we will listen to His voice, and go where he points the way.

We have no right to plead blindness and ignorance, if hereafter we find
that we have gone astray, and our eyes are opened when we are in the
midst of our enemies, for blindness can not come upon us unless we
wilfully shut our eyes to the light, and with the teaching of Christ
and His Church ever sounding in our ears, we have no right to plead
ignorance.

Moreover, God is so merciful, that He never allows any to go to
destruction unwarned of their danger. As He sent His angel to stand in
the way of Balaam, so will He send some check, and throw some obstacle
in the road you are treading, to bring you to your senses in time, and
will not allow you to perish, unless you wilfully and deliberately
persist in the road of evil, knowing the consequences, and knowing
whither you are going.

CONCLUSION.--Lastly. It was a great surprise to Lazarus when he found
himself in Paradise. He had no doubt hoped and prayed to be admitted
there, but when he found himself there, he was amazed to see how far
its happiness and its peace surpassed his expectations. So with those
of us who are found meet to enter Heaven. However great our
anticipations, they will be surpassed. Eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, to conceive those
good things which God hath prepared for those who love Him.

May He bring us all to that glad surprise.

XXXIX.

_THE HOLY COMMUNION._

2nd Sunday after Trinity.

S. Luk