Versonal Beligion. FOLLOWING AFAR OFF. SUCH persons have a general impression of the truth of Christianity.— They have had the advantage of religious instruction. They know something of the history of the Jews, especially the chief events in the lives of Abraham, Moses, David, and a few others of note among them. They can tell the number of the apostles, and that they were sent out to instruct the people. Some of the miracles performed by the Saviour they remember very distinctly, and believe much that the evangelists have written concerning him. Besides, they have heard of many eminent men, such as Milton, Newton, and others, who professed their belief in Christianity; and they know many distinguished individuals who are its earnest advocates. Some of their own relatives have died rejoicing in its truths. They have a vague and indefinite view of Christianity; but the beauties and harmonies of Bible truth are obscurely seen, as travellers by a moonlight train receive but an indistinct and shadowy impression of a beautiful country through which they rapidly whirl. They like to think independently.-They do not wish to be tied down to any particular opinions. Mind, they tell us, was made to be free; and boldly exclaim: "For faith and creeds let senseless bigots fight, He can't be wrong whose life is in the right;" forgetting that, "touching the law," Paul was "blameless," when he was a blind persecuting Pharisee. But they are above the vulgar notion that settled opinions concerning the important truths of Christianity are required from intelligent (men. They are among the noble band of inquirers, the pioneers of the world! They are so liberal in their views, that they would not like to be decided in their belief of anything that God requires us to believe. It is true they are very decided on political questions, that have perplexed the mightiest intellects in this and other lands; but these matters are clear, because they have studied them. But on the momentous questions relating to our eternal happiness or misery, they do not like to form any decided views! Has God, who loves us, and delights in our salvation, given us a book full of obscurity and difficulty, in order to bewilder and mislead? The thought were blasphemy! From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." What such persons mean by thinking independently is, not that they have discovered truth, and firmly retain it, but that they have such a loose hold of the doctrines of the Bible, that they are always ready to relinquish them. When God requires sinners to repent of their sins and believe the Gospel, they should at once obey. They should have a settled conviction that if they refuse, they shall perish. It is a convenient way, however, to evade this law, by taking refuge among "inquirers." There are some people ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." They will not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. Their inquiries have not led them to Christ. They follow afar off. They would willingly assist in defending the truths of the Bible."They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." Love of sect or party will often induce irreligious men to compass sea and land to make a proselyte. Thus did the Pharisees. Saul, in his blind zeal, would persecute even unto strange cities. In the beginning of the twelfth century, vast multitudes of the people of Europe were persuaded to engage in a crusade or holy war against the Turks, who had possession of the Holy Land. In these wars upwards of two millions of people perished! When Jerusalem was taken, the victors "marched over heaps of dead bodies toward the Holy Sepulchre, and while their hands were polluted with the blood of so many innocent persons, sung anthems to the common Saviour of mankind!" Such is blind zeal. "I thought," said Paul, "I should have done many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, which things also I did." Peter, who followed afar off, would draw his sword in defence of his Master. Obedience is better proof of love. They have an indistinct perception of the character and work of Christ. Some thought he was a good man; others said, “Nay, but he deceiveth the people." Many thought he was a teacher sent from God, and not a few were for stoning him, because he made himself equal with God. When the Saviour spoke of suffering death at Jerusalem, Peter rebuked him, saying, "Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee." No wonder Peter followed afar off. No wonder the apostles forsook the Saviour and fled. They had very imperfect views of the mission and work of Christ. Even after his resurrection they did not fully understand that it was he which should have redeemed Israel. Many now follow the Saviour afar off, because their perceptions of his character and work are indistinct. They know that he died upon the cross to save sinners, and that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but there are clouds and mists before their eyes. Some think Jesus died to set us an example of patience, so that by our imperfect imitation of him we may be admitted to heaven, thus overlooking the necessity of a change of heart. Others suppose that he died in order that he might be able to help us to save ourselves. Vain delusion! When he bowed his head he said it was "finished!" It is by grace we are saved. Spectators there will be among those who do not believe in a free salvation: they will follow afar off. They have considerable interest in the affairs of Christ.—There was some risk in following Jesus to the palace of the high-priest; but Peter was impelled by curiosity to see the end." Many now feel an interest in the affairs of Christ. We wish they were multiplied a thousand-fold. They are willing to promote the circulation of the Scriptures; they are the friends of the Bible Society; they are favourable toward Sunday and day-schools, and are liberal in their support. They approve of the efforts of the Religious Tract and kindred associations; they think the operations of Home and Foreign Missionary Societies have been very useful in civilizing savages, reclaiming the heathen from idolatry, and ignorant people from wickedness. They follow these various societies with good wishes for their prosperity, and they occasionally patronize them by a contribution. But no one ever saw them at the head of a class of ignorant children in a Sunday-school, urging decision for Christ. No one ever found them in the abodes of ignorance and vice, with the Bible or religious tract in their hand, endeavouring to shed their light upon the minds of the benighted inmates. They may have assisted the funds of missions, and yet the great object of missions, the salvation of the souls of men, may not have been accomplished in their own experience. They may not have given their hearts to God, nor bowed their knee in earnest prayer. They may not have repented of their sins, nor accepted the free salvation. These things they should have done, and not leave the others undone. They are unwilling to be recognised as the disciples of Christ.They have such convictions of the truth of Christianity as prevent them from joining the ranks of those who oppose it; their consciences are too enlightened to permit them to be comfortable in avowed infidelity; but their convictions are not so strong as to force them to identify themselves with the people of God, and to give themselves heartily to promote his kingdom. They are undecided in their convictions, and therefore undecided in their conduct. They mingle with the ungodly for the sake of the pleasures which are found among them, as Peter would warm himself with the officers in the hall of the high-priest. They know that they are commanded to come out from the world, and to be separate; but they love their sins, and procrastinate for a more convenient season. God says, "To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts;" "Now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation;" "I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me." They follow the Saviour, but it is afar off; they have not yet melted down at his feet. They would deny all knowledge of the Saviour rather than suffer for his sake.-He describes such persons when speaking of the stony ground hearers. "They endure for awhile, but when persecution ariseth, immediately they are offended;" "They withered away, because they had no root." "Though all men forsake thee," said Peter, "yet will not I." He then knew little of his own weakness, or what severe trials awaited him. He trembled when a little maid accused him of being one of the disciples of Christ, and thrice denied he knew the man. To escape the sneers and derisions of the ungodly, how many suppress their convictions! They are satisfied with following afar off. Let such remember the words of the Lord Jesus: "Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." Pendlebury. A. B. THE EASY YOKE. THE figure here employed by the a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" The false teachers wanted to impose on the Gentile converts the yoke of Jewish observances, for which the apostle reproves them. The finished work of Christ has set us free from these. The shadows have passed away now we have the substance. The Saviour compares his service to a yoke. A yoke is an instrument put upon the necks of cattle to couple them for drawing. Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you." There are other yokes which will be imposed upon you unless you are watchful, prayerful, decided for Christ. The Papist would like to impose upon you the yoke of Popery; the Jews, the yoke of Judaism; the infidel, the yoke of infidelity; the Mohammedan, the yoke of Mohammedanism; the Devil, the yoke of sin; the man of pleasure, the yoke of the world. But turn away from all these, and listen to the loving voice of Jesus. He says, "Take my yoke upon you." Now in true conversion to God, we obey his voice. Then we throw off the yoke of Satan, and put on the yoke of Jesus. Then we change masters. Happy exchange! The Holy Spirit gives us the power, the disposition, the wisdom to do this. He shows us the misery of our state by nature, and disposes us to seek the salva-, tion in Jesus. All men by nature are the servants of sin, and all by grace are the servants of righteous ness. "Whoso committeth sin is |