Faithful before him on his journey. He called to him to stop, but Faithful refused, not knowing the voice of his fellow-pilgrim; and so Christian, putting to all his strength, quickly got up with him, and did also overrun him, so the last was first. Then did Christian vaingloriously smile; but, not taking good heed to his feet, he suddenly stumbled and fell, and could not rise again until Faithful came up to help him.

The lesson here is so plain that the youngest pilgrim who reads it may understand. Who has not, many a time, tried to outshine a companion; not from the love of doing well, not for the sake of self-improvement, but urged to competition by the desire of praise, and a wish to throw others into the shade? Pride and vain-glory are so natural to the sinful heart, even of a child, that their effects may be continually perceived. Not in study alone, and serious occupation; but in conversation, in play, in the daily actions of common life, their influence is betrayed. And almost always, as in the case of Christian, when some triumph over another has been gained, it is the forerunner of a sudden fall. Have you not often found it so? Have you not, in the moment of boasting, sometimes lost your self-control, and, by a boastful word or a thoughtless act, brought upon yourself well-merited shame ?

It is not wrong to strive to excel. Far from it you should at all times, and in everything, try to do your best. But your motive must be pure. It must not be the love of praise which incites you. It must not be the wish to be admired at the expense of others. You should

do well, because it is your duty to improve to the utmost the talents which God has given you, that you may be useful already by your example among your little circle of friends, and be preparing for further usefulness if you live to riper years. But in all that you do, now and hereafter, seek for "the honour that cometh from God only;" and not for the empty, fleeting applause of your fellow-creatures. This is a hard lesson; and, before it is thoroughly learned, many of our readers will have to pass again and again through the Valley of Humiliation. There is one way, and only one, by which the grace of humility may be imparted to the proudest heart. The Holy Spirit can give to you new motives, new desires. Pray that he would, for Christ's sake, bestow upon you the gift of a meek and lowly mind; and be assured that, if you are in earnest, the prayer will not be denied.

Christian and Faithful, after this event, went on very lovingly together, their discourse being of all things that had happened to them in their pilgrimage. Each rejoiced to meet with a friend who could understand, and feel a sympathy in, all his joys and sorrows. Such delightful intercourse is often enjoyed by the people of God. Sometimes they meet as strangers in the world; and after a little time, perhaps, a trifling incident, or a few passing words, makes it known to each other that they belong to Christ. Then they no longer feel as strangers; for they know that they are members of one family, and servants of one Master, even of Him who died that they might live. I cannot tell you what a bond of union Christians

feel this to be. I cannot tell you what happiness is glowing in their hearts when they speak together of their Saviour's love, and of the goodness and mercy which follow them all the days of their life. But I know, that if you go on in your pilgrimage, you will certainly ex perience it for yourself, because from the days of old it has been the sign of all true pilgrims, that they love one another. The Saviour himself condescends to bless and sanctify this communion of his saints. You remember how he drew near to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, and explained the Scriptures to them, though "their eyes were holden, that they should not know him." The same kind Saviour is present now when his people meet and talk of him, though he is not seen by the outward eye. Even to you, young reader, if you love him, he will graciously draw near, and bless your intercourse with Christian friends. But beware of giving way to a light and trifling spirit. You must be in earnest, or you have no right to expect either comfort or improvement from any privileges that you may enjoy.

The history of the two pilgrims, Christian and Faithful, was in several particulars different, though both came from the City of Destruction, and both had entered upon the way of salvation through the Wicket Gate. So is it with believers now. The Holy Spirit leads them by different paths: but they are all brought to Christ in the beginning of their pilgrimage, and are all journeying towards the Celestial City. Faithful escaped the Slough of Despond; and although he had perils of other kinds to encounter he had no conflict

with Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation, while through the Valley of the Shadow of Death he had sunshine all the way. As his name imports, he possessed strong confidence in God; and this will support a pilgrim in all dangers, and carry him through all temptations. If he is armed with the shield of faith, he cannot be overcome, but even in the darkest hour will say, "Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.'

Christ and his promises are sure, and he will never leave, never forsake his people. If you rightly believe this, you will seek and find in him strength against every adversary, whether of the outward world, or springing from the inward corruptions of your own sinful heart. It was such an assurance that enabled Faithful to silence the false reasoning of Discontent, and to think so lightly of the displeasure of his former friends, Pride, Arrogancy, Self-conceit, and Worldly-glory. We all have these evil feelings to contend against, and by nature we are inclined to yield to them without a struggle; but if we are Christ's, they will not be able to conquer that holy principle which his Spirit has implanted in our hearts. "And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

Perhaps you desire to possess this precious faith, and feel that you might indeed be strong and of good courage, if you could believe that the Saviour had taken away your sins, and would be your Friend through every trial of your pilgrimage. Dear reader, that faith is the gift of God alone. Ask it of him, and you

shall receive it. Ages ago, the prayer was offered to Christ with tears, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Let it be the language of your heart, in the quietness of your closet, when you kneel before him. He did not reject the petition while on earth, and he will not reject it now that he is at the right hand of God, where he "over liveth to make intercession" for us. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," Rev. ii. 10.

E. W.

HOW TO PRAY.

O LORD, when I kneel down to pray,
Keep from my mind vain thoughts away;
That I may know Thou seest me,

And feel I am alone with Thee.

Let thy good Spirit move my heart,
And holy fear and love impart;
And while with grief my sins I own,
Seek pardoning grace through Christ alone.

Oh may I ever think of thee,

As one most kind and dear to me;
As my best Friend in heaven above,
My God and Father, whom I love.

So teach me, Lord, by grace divine,
To know that I indeed am thine;
And then how great my joy will be
To lift my heart in prayer to thee.