who by vanity and lies deceived the mother of mankind, and was "a murderer from the beginning"? How long ere thou wilt come to a decision? Hast thou centuries to waste, that time is thus cast away? Has an existence measured by setting suns any right to be prodigal? Answer the question of the majestic prophet, "How long?" Till the mists of evening gather—till thou art swept away, like a forgotten flower? Oh, no—no! Now let the things that belong to your everlasting peace be secured; let this "day be your accepted time, your great day of salvation."
III.
"I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men."—1 Timothy ii. 1.
Is this injunction of the eloquent apostle often fully obeyed? We resort to prayer as a privilege, when sorrow oppresses us. In that bitterness of heart which exposes the vanity of earthly helpers, we flee to the Throne of Mercy; and if the burden is not taken away, strength comes to bear it. Yet is there not sometimes an exclusiveness—I had almost said a selfishness—in our devotions? We seek medicine for ourselves: do we always remember to bring the diseases of others to the
