energies to turn the glass, and once more the sand is seen in motion-not the same 'tis true, though similar in many ways. Christ is raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, the Head of a new race, the firstborn of the new creation, and from Him flows out, as formerly there came from Adam, the stream of life that widens out into the countless masses of the heavenly family. The source of the first race was corrupt and tainted, and, therefore, to every one that took their origin from it, the taint was conveyed, and consequent corruption was their state.

.

The Headspring of the new stream is infinitely pure, and therefore all who draw from it their source of life are like it pure and holy and without the chance of decay. The first life was liable to fail, and before it came to us had failed; the new existence, placed within the reach of all, can never fail-it comes from an incorruptible source, it is preserved in One who is Himself the incorruptible. Christ is the source of this new stream of life, and all who receive Him (John i. 12, 13) have part in it, and swell the waters that are fast rising to their proper level. The first to have their part in it were those on whom the risen Saviour breathed (John xx. 22), though centuries before God had a people spared amid the universal ruin, from Adam down to Christ, and from that day to this the stream has still been swelling on, and by the power of God souls "lost" through Adam's fall have turned their eye to Christ, and thus, through faith in Him, exchanged their place in Adam for a place in Him, stepped out of the ruin of the first creation to stand before God in all the liberty and blessedness of the

new race that He now sees in Christ, His own beloved Son.

This was the truth that He Himself explained to Nicodemus (John iii.), this was the truth the Jewish teacher found so hard to understand, "Ye must be born again." "That which is born of the flesh is

As

flesh -the first creation; "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit"-the new race. But here He did not stop. He further said, "The Son of Man must be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life." And thus before the astonished ruler's eyes was unfolded the way in which he was to be transferred from the low level of the first creation to the high platform of the new creation. And, as we judge from chaps. vii. and xix., He believed on Jesus, renounced himself in Adam, and became possessor of eternal life in Christ the Son of God. to the wondrous privileges and blessings inseparable from this life the scripture is not silent, as a careful study of John xiv. to xx. will show clearly. His "life" is ours as we have seen, His "Father” thus becomes our Father, His "God" our God, His "peace" is ours, His "joy," His "love," His "words," refresh our hearts, His "word" directs our pathway, until His "glory" becomes ours, and we become like Him, and, far more, live with Him for ever. I do not dwell on these, but I would rather pause and ask you, dear whether it is not sadly true that you with all the human race are on an equal footing in the sight of God, and therefore need like I did "conversion." This is freely offered to you now. Do not refuse it, but like me confess your lost, dread condition, and

believe on the Lord Jesus unto everlasting life. (1 John v. 13.) Believe me, ever yours affectionately,

THE PRAYING WIFE.

A POOR Woman at B., in Wiltshire, the wif of a day labourer, being called by the grace of God, her husband became a bitter persecutor; and because his wife would not relinquish the service of God, he frequently turned her out of doors in the night, and during the winter season. The wife, being a prudent woman, did not expose this cruelty to her neighbours, but, on the contrary, to avoid their observation, she went into the adjacent fields, and betook herself to prayer. Greatly distressed, but not in despair, her only encouragement was that with God all things are possible. She therefore resolved to set apart one hour every day to pray for the conversion of her persecuting husband. This she was enabled to do without missing one day for a whole year. Seeing no change in her husband, she formed a second resolution to persevere for six months longer, which she did up to the last day, when she retired at about twelve o'clock as usual, and as she thought for the last time. Fearing that her wishes in this instance might be contrary to the will of God, she resolved to call no more on Him; her desire not being granted, her expectation appeared to be cut off. That same day her husband returned from his labour in a state of deep dejection; and instead of sitting down as usual to his dinner, he proceeded directly to his chamber. His wife followed, and heard, to her grateful astonishment, that he who used to mock had returned to pray.

He came down stairs, but refused to eat, and returned again to his labour till the evening. When he came home his wife affectionately asked him, “What is the matter?" "Matter enough," said he; "I am a lost sinner. About twelve o'clock this morning," continued he, “I was at my work, and a passage of Scripture was deeply impressed on my mind, which I cannot get rid of, and I am sure I am lost." His wife encouraged him to call upon the Lord, but he replied, "Oh, wife, it is of no use; there is no forgiveness for me." Smitten with remorse at the recollection of his former conduct, he said to her, "Will you forgive me?" She replied, "Oh! yes." you pray for me?" “Oh! yes, that I will.” you pray for me now?" "That I will with all my heart." They instantly fell on their knees, and wept and made supplication. His tears of penitence mingled with her tears of gratitude and joy. He became very decidedly pious, and afterwards greatly exerted himself to make his neighbours acquainted with the way of salvation by Christ Jesus.

"Will

"Will

How many Christian wives who read these pages will be ready to exclaim, "I also have an unsaved husband!" While enjoying peace with God in their own souls, how bitterly they feel the sorrow of having husbands who, if not persecutors, yet know not the Lord Jesus. Some of them may be both moral and kind; as they say, "not interfering with their wives in religious matters;" still the thought of being linked with one whose whole heart and moral being is without Christ, and that unless born again must be shut out from the presence of God and the Lamb for ever, and shut into

on;

everlasting darkness, is such a burden and sorrow that the loving heart cannot but most keenly feel. To say nothing of the present distress of being linked with one in the closest natural ties, to whom the heart cannot unburden itself in matters of deepest interest; yet painful as this is, it sinks into comparative nothingness when compared with the vital and eternal view of the matter. How many wives feel this! And where can the heart of the loving, praying wife find repose but in pouring out its deep yearning into the listening ear of her prayer-answering God and Father? "Long have I done this," says one dear wife, "but the answer has not yet come." Well, dear soul, pray "continue in prayer;" and see to it that there is no idol carried in your bosom, no sin excused, no evil tolerated by you. If you knew the Lord before your marriage, own the deep sin of being unequally yoked; make solemn confession to God; judge yourself about it in His presence; for "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1 Cor. xi. 31); and again, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." (1 John i. 9.) With self-judgment, self-abasement, and deeply-felt weakness, plead with God your Father in the name of His beloved Son, and He will assuredly answer you. Doubt not; for Jesus said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John xiv. 13.) Rely on the allprevailing plea of the name of God's only-begotten Son.

We have long said, from what we have seen of the work of the Lord, that He seems to delight to answer the