EACH ONE RECEIVING CHRIST.

But as many as recieved Him, to them gave He

power to become the sons of God.

Even to them that believe on His name.Jn1v12

Those who received Christ were different from those who did not receive Him, they were as different as white is from black, or light from darkness. They took a distinct step, separated themselves from others, and came out and received Him Whom others would not receive. Have you taken such a step, dear friend? Can you say, " yes, let others do as they will, as for me, Christ is all my salvation, and all my desire, and at all hazards I am quite content to be counted odd, and to stand alone, I have lifted up my hand to heaven, and I cannot draw back. Whatever others may do, I say, Christ for me."

As it was a distinctive act, so it was a personal one, " to as many as recieved Him." They had to receive Christ each one by his own act and deed. " Even to them that believe on His name." Believing is the distinct act of a person. I cannot believe for you any more than you can believe for me, that is clearly impossible. There can be no such thing as sponsorship in receiving Christ or in faith. If you are an unbeliever, your father and your mother may be the most eminent saints, but their faith does not overlap and cover your unbelief. You must believe for yourself. I have had to even remind some that The Holy Ghost Himself cannot believe for them. He works faith in you, but you have to believe. The faith must be your own distinct mental act. Faith is the gift of God, but God does not believe for us, how could He? It is for you to distinctly believe.

Come, dear hearer,have you been trying to put up with the national faith? the national faith is a mere sham. Or have you tried to think that you possess the family religion"oh,we are all christians, you know!" yes, yes, we are all hypocrites, that is what that comes to. Unless each one is a christian for himself, he is a christian in name only, and that is to be a hypocrite. Oh, that we might have the certainty that we have each one laid our sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God! God grant that, if we have never done so before, we may do so this very moment!

EVENING.

When the noise and turmoil of the day are over, it is sweet to commune with God, the cool and calm of eventide agree most delightfully with prayer and praise. The hours of the declining sun are so many quiet alleys in the garden of time wherein man may find his Maker waiting to commune with him, even as of old The Lord God walked with Adam in the garden in the cool of the day. It is meet that we should set apart a peaceful season ere the day has quite departed, a time of thanksgiving for grace abounding, of repentance for follies multiplied and for self examination for evils insinuating. To leap from day to day like a mad hunter scouring the fields, is an omen of being delivered over to destruction, but the solemn pause, the deliberate consideration, these are means of grace, and ensigns of an indwelling life.
The drops of the night come from the same fount as the dew of the morning, He who met Abraham at break of day communed with Isaac in the field at eventide. He who opens the doors of the day with the hand of mercy, draws around His people the curtains of the night, and by His shining presence makes the outgoings of the morning and of the evening to rejoice. A promise at dawn, and a sure word at sunset, crown the brow of the day with light, and sandal it's feet with love. To breakfast with Jesus, and to sup with Him also is to enjoy the days of heaven upon the earth. It is dangerous to fall asleep till the head is leaned on Jesu's bosom. When divine love puts it's finger on the weary eyelids, it is brave sleeping, but that The Lord's beloved may have such given to him, it is needful that he should make a near approach to the throne of grace, and unburthen his soul before the great preserver of mankind.