are distinctly told that before Christ came, "the times of this ignorance, God winked at,"-(knew that not much was to be expected from them)-" but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." Acts xvii., 30.

Mankind we learn, in the next verse, in our Saviour's days, had no conception of a resurrection or a future life. "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked." The idea of such a thing belonged to the new dispensation, and so accustomed were they to the old system and notions, that many "mocked,"-though numbers afterwards became Believers, and joined the early Christians. Thus, the young Christian,-in our day, should look forward, not to mere earthly glory-such as the youth Joseph was called to, but to a future, prepared for him,-if he proves faithful,-infinitely higher, and more glorious!

Meantime, although outward miracles are not reasonably to be expected, or, indeed, desired, in a day in which Belief,-Faith,-not sight,-is everything,-still miracles are, continually taking place, in answer to prayer; miracles of grace. Angels do not now actually appear, and lead Christ's good servants out of prison and danger.

me.

And the Angel said unto Peter. "Cast thy garment about thee and follow

And he wist not that it was true which was done by the Angel, but thought he saw a vision. And they came unto the iron Gate that leadeth unto the City, which opened unto them of his own accord, and forthwith the Angel departed from him."

Pious Daniels are not now rescued from the Lions, or the Fiery Furnace.

Then the King rose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of Lions. "My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the Lions' mouth that they have hurt me not." So Daniel was taken up out of the Den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed on his God.

The dead are not now raised,-but surely even more miraculously,-dead souls are brought from death into life; and if the perverse, carnal, and sinful, are continually being changed,-in our day,-into humble, penitent, happy, useful Christians, we may well be encouraged to ask for anything.

"With God all things are possible,"-let the young Christian be encouraged to hope for, and to ask for, anything. "With God all things are possible." By all means let the young Christian be perfectly certain of that, and apply confidently, throughout his life, under all conceivable circumstances and wants, to the Great Source from "whence all blessings flow." In danger and in storm,in joy and sunshine,-in success or failure, in youth, in age, in life or death, prayer is everything. Why? Because it produces saving Faith. "But Christians do not always get what they pray for." No, indeed! it is well that they do not.

The Believer asks for many things "with bated breath," -and only if consistent with the Divine, unfathomable, will and wisdom. Yet he does ask notwithstanding. But there are many things, such as love to God, the Father,to Christ, and to God, the Holy Spirit,-openings for a useful Christian life,-guidance, and Divine instruction,increase of faith, &c.,-which are so consistent with the Divine will, that we may, at all times, apply confidently for them. It is of these most precious things, rather than for the fleeting things of time and sense, that we are exhorted "to pray always" for, and in reference to which, Jesus assures us,-"Ask and ye shall receive,knock and it shall be opened unto you." For everyone

that asketh receiveth."

Let the young Christian adhere to this habit of prayer and he will find that having "first sought the Kingdom of God, all things needful will be added" unto him. "For all things are yours." "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." 'Son! thou art ever with Me, and all that I have is thine!" "Neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."

JACOB'S WELL.

One thousand seven hundred years after Jacob, and his good son Joseph, were gathered to their rest, our Saviour sat by "Jacob's Well."

'Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the Well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water?" "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst."-John iv., 11-15.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE BOY ISAAC.

ABRAHAM'S FAITH.-HOW WE MAY SHARE IT.-MODERN SUBSTITUTES FOR CHRIST.-VAIN HOPE, A FERRYMAN. THE "PASSOVER."-THE PRECIOUS BLOOD.THE WEDDING GARMENT.

"And, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son ;" and Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind them. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, for Abraham and Sarah were old, and well stricken in age. And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?' And Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age, and he called the name of his son Isaac."-Genesis xviii.

ISAAC IS OFFERED UP.

And God said unto Abraham. "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and offer him for a burnt offering upon one of the Mountains which I will tell thee of." And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son, and a knife; and they went up together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said. "My father: behold the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide Himself a lamb fot a burnt offering." And

they came to the place which God had told him of: and Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, for now I know that thou fearest God. By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son,-thine only son, that in blessing I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed because thou hast obeyed My voice."Genesis xxii.