mitting care they require prevents their anxious friends from pouring out their hearts in long petitions. It is not, however, the length, it is the faith, the sincerity of prayer, that makes it effectual: "God be merciful to me a sinner:" "Lord, save, or I perish:" "Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Each of these short prayers, and many others which might be named, have received most gracious answers. Yes, my dear friends, if I could only persuade every unconverted person here present, to offer up this prayer morning and eveningand oh, that the Lord would thus incline. their hearts!" O God, for the sake of Jesus Christ thine only begotten Son, and my only Lord and Saviour, grant me thy Holy Spirit," that prayer would not be offered in vain. The Holy Spirit would be granted; He would perform his various gracious offices, especially those " of convincing of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, of glorifying the Lord Jesus, and of guiding into all truth."

Next let us notice the confidence in our Lord, which is implied in this message. "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."

They do not solicit his immediate presence: they do not even ask him to heal their brother: they only, so to speak, place him before his eyes. ""Behold, Lord, he

whom thou lovest is sick.' Mark his languid eye, his faltering breath, his fainting spirit see the sufferings he is enduringthis is all that we now ask. We have that confidence in your sympathy, and tender love, as well as in your power, your wisdom, and goodness, that we leave all in your hands. Only, hehold him whom thou lovest in his present distress, and it will suffice." Let us also notice the humility of the message. They do not send to our Lord with any panegyric upon their brother, or mention any quality of his that might interest' the Lord in his favour. They do not say, "He who loves thee,"-but, "Behold, he whom THOU LOVEST is sick. He has a death-like malady, on whom, though by nature a child of wrath as others, you have graciously set your love." This is the message these pious sisters send. Surely we may learn

from them the ground on which to build our

faith, and how to shape our prayers -not upon our love to the Lord Jesus-for this, alas! will be at best but cold and faint, selfish and variable-but upon his love to us; a love as free as it is strong—a love that many waters cannot quench"-a love of which it is said, "Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." Think then, my beloved friends, of the different marks of his love to you. I might mention his taking your nature upon him ; his dying for your sins; his placing your lot in a Christian land; his giving you friends, who, when you were but an infant, brought you into his visible church. But I do not dwell so much upon these marks; although these are all strong proofs of his love. The proofs to which I would more particularly refer, are his " calling you by his grace;" bringing you "out of darkness into his marvellous light;" preserving you from sin by the inward strivings of his Spirit; or correcting you when you did not attend to these strivings, and then restoring you; answering your prayers, and amidst all your errors and infir

mities still preserving you; so that, though faint, you are yet pursuing," and can use the Apostle's words, "Having received help from God, I continue unto this day." Think of these marks of his love to you; and having thought of them-having also considered the shortness and the confidence of this message, like these pious sisters send to Jesus, and like them say, "Lord, behold, one whom thou lovest is sick.' I acknowledge myself unworthy of such a high and blessed privilege; but as thou hast, of thine own most free and sovereign grace and mercy, set thy love upon me, grant me that relief for which my present trial calls. I am sick of sin; I am sick of an evil, unbelieving heart; I am sick of the temptations of a wicked world, and of a still more wicked Spirit: Lord, 'look upon mine affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins.'" My beloved friends, this is the way to derive practical benefit from these pious and affectionate sisters. Like them, I say, send to Jesus-make known your case to him; yes, not only your own case, but the cases of your friends. Mary

and Martha were interceding for their brother. It was not for themselves but for Lazarus that they sent the message," Behold, Lord, he whom thou lovest is sick." There is scarcely a greater proof of real union with the Saviour, than this conformity to Him. He ever lives to make intercession for us. Though seated at the right hand of God, angels and powers and authorities being made subject unto him, he does not forget his suffering members upon earth. His words are, "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not. rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." Like him, remember your afflicted brethren. Bring them before the mercy seat, I could mention special instances, when the prayers of brothers and sisters for their family, yea of children for their parents, have been answered; and this not only for their recovery from sickness, but for the healing of their souls.

Oh then, my beloved friends, let me