sparrows, and the lilies? Shall we trifle with his injunction, that we should take no anxious thought for the morrow? While we have before us an extraordinary method of relief, yet I doubt not but that many here could join me, and declare, if it were proper, "In our own particular cases, we could mention extraordinary instances of the interference of the hand of God in the greatest difficulties; so that we have reason to say, 'In the mount of difficulty his hand shall be seen.""

You may remark also, in this history, that the Child of Providence is under a peculiar teaching; and that it is the common education of the children of God, that where he gives faith he tries it. You here see a woman brought into the most dependent state; and, at the same time, independent of all but God. We have toiled all night, says the Apostle, and have caught nothing. No matter!-cast again!-if Christ bid, you shall not cast in vain. We have here five barley loaves and two small fishes; but what are they among so many?-Nothing!-Yet they are more than sufficient, if God please to employ them: they shall feed five thousand, and there shall be gathered up twelve baskets full of the fragments.

II. Having spoken of the Child of Providence in the text, let us now think of ourselves; and consider what we should LEARN from this history.

1. We are taught thereby, TO SEEK A SAVING

ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE GOD OF ELIJAH.

Many persons talk of God; and say that they trust in God, and hang all their hope upon him: but, when I have heard many speak thus, I have marked that they have talked of trusting a God, whom they knew not,-a God out of Christ. They consider not that he is only to be found as a friend-helper-preserver-and exceeding great reward, in the way which he has himself declared: -dwelling in the midst of the bush, to teach us, that we must find him in Christ, or we cannot find him!

Oh, that every man before me might learn, whatever his plans, his projects, and his hopes may be, that he is wholly out of the way, and folly and vanity are written on his schemes, if he does not obtain the good will of him that dwelt in the bush.

I see here Parents who are toiling night and day. What are you doing? "I have a large family of children: and I am endeavouring to lay up a portion for them." Why, then, do you not in truth, lay up a portion for them? What! will you lay up a little dust, and call that a portion? Is that a portion for an immortal soul? You are rather hanging a millstone about the necks of your children, which may sink them deeper into ruin. You may thereby tempt them to plunge

into the world and there they may scatter what you have treasured up, and called a portion! The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, is the declaration of David; and, till you lead your children to this portion, you are making no real provision for them.

Here are Schemers before me,-persons fond of speculation! Oh, that such would remember what God says, by the prophet Haggai, on this subject:Ye looked for much: and lo! it came to little: and, when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it! as if it were mere chaff, that he could blow away in a moment. And why? Because, saith the Lord of Hosts, of my house that is waste : and ye run every man to his own house. As though he had said, "You do not consider, that there is a better part, which cannot be taken away: and I mean to pour contempt on such a miserable scheme as this, and to shew the vanity and vexation of spirit of every thing under the sun, unless you enjoy it by faith, and under the favonr of God."

He says again, in the second Chapter, Since those days were, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the press-fat, for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty: I smote you with blasting, and with mildew, and with hail, in all the labours of your hands: yet ye turned not to me,

saith the Lord. But he tells them, soon after, that, in returning to him, they should find the vine, and the fig-tree, and the pomegranate, and the olivetree bring forth; and that from that day he would bless them. They are all his creatures, and shall do what he commands.

One thing, therefore, the Schemer lacks :—one thing, which he would find needful, if he understood its value-a saving acquaintance with God! Abraham felt his need of God, and therefore gave up even Isaac at his bidding. Let us learn to seek his favour, and to take his word as our best security.

2. Let us, if we would be wise as the Children of Providence, STUDY GOD'S METHOD WITH HIS

CHILDREN.

Lawyers look into Reports of Cases in order to become well acquainted with points on which they are consulted. In arts and sciences, cases and facts are studied. Wise men pay especial regard to facts. Let us, therefore, as Children of Providence, do the same. Thou meetest those, says the prophet, that remember thee in thy ways. You will then find that God, in educating his child, makes him feel his need-that he can do nothing of himself—that he cannot even think a good thought, without his own aid. He will teach his children their resources: he will make them witnesses to others: he will teach them to pray,

"Give us this day our daily bread. Feed me with food convenient for me. Thou canst make the barrel of meal not to fail, and the cruse of oil still to supply my wants: therefore leave me not to carnal contrivances."

3. You, who are POOR in this world, learn, from this history, to obtain A MORE INTIMATE AC

QUAINTANCE WITH ONE THAT WAS ONCE A VERY POOR MAN, AND HAD NOT WHERE TO LAY HIS HEAD.

He will teach you, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is perfected in your weakness. I can bring you into no situation, in which I cannot sustain you." This will sweeten your barrel of meal, and sanctify your cruse of oil. This will give you true content with your lot; and you shall be able to see, that, as was the case with this widow, God, who knows your wants, will supply them all out of his riches in glory.

4. As WE WOULD WISH FOR GOD TO HONOUR OUR FAITH, SO WE MUST HONOUR DIVINE DIRECTION.

You must go to God's word, not walk by your own fancy, nor consult your own impressions. Too many religious persons forget this. They say, "I had an impression on my mind, that I ought to do such a thing; therefore I do it." But do they know whence these impressions come? They may spring from the vanity of their own