it, " If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me." (Matt. xix. 21.) It is therefore a sign and effect of God's love to a person when He invites him to renounce all things, and follow Christ by embracing poverty. Examine what God requires of you on this point, and endeavor to be poor at least in affection, in order that you may the more easily follow your Master, "who, being rich, became poor for your sakes, that through His poverty you might be made rich." (2 Cor. viii. 9.)
FRIDAY.
Call of the Rich Young Man.— II.
I. " When the young man heard this word [" Go sell all thou hast "], he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." (Matt. xix. 22.) It frequently happens with us that we make resolutions of doing great things for God, and wish for occasions of suffering for Him, but when the occasion offers, we fail and feel a melancholy apathy. Remark that this young man refused to obey Christ's call because he was rich. If God had not bestowed riches upon him, he would probably have been a favorite disciple. If, therefore, God have removed this impediment from you, be grateful for the favor: for otherwise, being entangled with the cares of this world and hindered by them from obeying the call of God, you might have been lost.
II. Consider the observation which Christ made after the young man's departure: " How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle,
