down at the tempter's feet to win them? Nay, but He spurned the solicitation, because He was not of the world. Mammon, however splendidly attired, and decked with gold and pearls, had no attractions for One who felt that He had a far richer treasure in the Father's love, and to whom it was more than meat and drink to do the Father's will. It is not for the followers of such a Master to imitate the world in its devotedness to earthly things, and so to confirm it in its fatal error of seeking happiness below the skies.

Let none offer any plea for conforming to the world in this particular, which does not satisfy the scrutiny of conscience. We must not try to cover our inherent worldliness by the pretence that we are only seeking the interests of our families, or yielding to a stern necessity imposed by the character of the times. The fact is, that there are no domestic interests to be served by the sacrifice of spirituality and usefulness; and no necessity is ever laid upon any man to lose his soul. That anxiety for worldly things which destroys fervour of spirit, and unfits us for the service of the Lord, is not the diligence in business which St. Paul enjoins, but a snare of Satan. By yielding to the spirit of the age, we may bring a blight over the religious feelings, from which they will never recover their native glow, life, and sweetness. What pitiable and deplorable instances are almost daily occurring! But, while we lament the general devotion to mammon, the question forces itself upon us, How is this foul and grovelling idolatry to be arrested? How, but by Christians becoming in reality what they are by profession. Keeping in view their great Exemplar, and cultivating a purity and spirituality like His, they must overcome the world as He overcame it. In this way may we all contribute to stay the progress of that monster-evil which is now enfeebling the churches, and multiplying the sorrows of our land.

Christians "are not of the world," again, in its thirst for amusement and pleasure. Nothing in Christ's religion is incompatible with true enjoyment. Man was made to be happy. But he often seeks his bliss where it cannot be found. He stays not to inquire whether his aims are in accord with the Divine will, or with the deep requirements of his own capacious nature. The stimulus of appetite he knows full well; there is a transient pleasure, at least, in its indulgence; and he drinks of the poisoned cup. So given up to pleasure is the crowd, that men seem to live to be amused, and not a few (to all appearance) must be amused to live.

Far otherwise with those who are "not of the world." They live a higher life, and for nobler objects. Like Noah, they condemn the world, but only in the things in which it sins against their Lord. Its amusements undoubtedly differ widely in their moral hue and character. There are some, of which we need not stay to prove the sinfulness, or to descant on the ruin to which they surely lead. None of those whose eyes are likely to fail on this page will advocate the race-course, the theatre, or the ballroom. These are, without controversy, "of the world." There are others of questionable character, which, though got up by the world, and for the

world, are in the abstract so innocuous, that it may be hard to prove their unlawfulness, even to the Christian. Here there is no need to dogmatize. Yet there are considerations, which must be submitted to the Christian's calm and prayerful judgment, relating to what are called innocent pastimes and recreations. All who are observant of passing events and popular tendencies will admit, that there is in the present day an earnest disposition to multiply public amusements. There is a liking for them, and the demand has brought an abundant supply. Inventive genius has been set to work; and the consequence is, in our larger towns especially, a variety of entertainments for every night in the week; while, in many lamentable cases, the day chartered for sacred rest is no exception. In the majority of instances, the preparations are of such a kind that instruction or intellectual improvement is not pretended, but simply relaxation. Does it then become those who profess the religion of Christ to follow herein the course of a heedless multitude? The effect of a frequent attendance on any worldly amusement must tend to strengthen the spirit of the world, to enfeeble the spirit of religion, to impair the appetite for devotion, and the reverential love of the word of God. These are matters not to be passed over lightly by any who regard eternity as more than a fable.

Nor may we overlook the danger which is incurred by indiscriminately mixing with the society of the gay and the undecided. It behoves us all to take care lest we come into the condemnation of "the friends of the world," whom an Apostle brands as "the enemies of God." Better by far, in our practice, to err on the side of what is called Puritanical strictness, than to let our liberty degenerate into licentiousness. Many things may be simply lawful, which are not expedient; and no one will be in haste to charge us with being "righteous over-much," who bears in mind that the very spirit of our Lord's religion is that of constant self-denial, and a willingness to take up the daily cross. Imagination and taste may claim to be gratified; but there are limits which they should not pass. Ours is to be a real and spiritual life, rather than a fantastic and sentimental one. Everything salutary becomes tame and dull to the devotee of pleasure; while religious services and holy Sabbaths are rather endured than enjoyed, and felt to be a restraint rather than a joy, a burden rather than a blessing.

Again: The habit of frequenting worldly amusements involves a lamentable waste of precious time and of money. It excludes many opportunities and means of Christian usefulness; while, in the whirl of gaiety, the claims of Christ and of a fallen world are all but sure to be forgotten. A narrow-minded, cold-hearted selfishness springs up, and ignores everything but personal gratification. And, surely, it is not necessary for the happiness of those who are "chosen out of the world," to see every spectacle after which the world wondereth and wandereth, or to hear every sweet voice that it brings to charm its drooping and languid throng. Music has charms, as we all proverbially confess: but, if we sacrifice the gay and worldly concert, it is because we would not peril our hope of hearing the music of the

skies, and joining in the everlasting festival. A passion for anything earthly is sure to mislead. "Let your moderation [your equanimity, or, more closely, that which is seemly, befitting to you] be known unto all men." Shall we, who have tasted that the Lord is good, envy the world its pleasures? Have we not pleasures in religion-pleasures which are high, holy, and satisfying? Do we not drink of fountains which are unknown to others, fountains ever full and overflowing with happiness? Yea, we "rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory." We taste "the joy of the Lord." Ours is the luxury of doing good. We have this testimony, that we please God. "Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have our conversation in the world." Let us then hesitate and pray before we put the world's gilded cup to our lips,-lips which have imbibed the water of life, and partaken the cup of the Lord. Those pleasures are but for a season; these endure unto everlasting life. At the right hand of God, where we hope to dwell, there are “pleasures for evermore."

And again, because Christians are not of the world, they do not conform to it in its love of gaiety and luxury. It has a passion for the costly adorning of the person, and of the dwelling; a delight in the luxuries of life. It minds the things of the flesh in yet briefer phrase, it is carnally minded. But it is not the Christian's model. After every fair allowance made for position in society, and resources of wealth, the follower of Christ is not enviously, or in a spirit of ambitious rivalry, to imitate the world in its splendour and extravagance. No wise man will advocate a neglect of personal appearance, or meanness of furniture, or parsimonious living; but in all these matters an obedient regard is sacredly due to the principles and precepts of the New Testament. External conformity to the world is, undoubtedly, a mark and proof of worldliness of heart, and therefore of unfaithfulness to Christ. A love of dress fosters pride, and leads to public display. Nor is a luxurious habit of living less dangerous, since it readily admits intemperance and a host of other sins.

If everyone ought to live according to the station in life in which Providence has placed him, every Christian is bound to live as a Christian. There is another adorning beside that which the world applauds; the adorning of the soul with lovely graces, which in the sight of God are of great price. Some, whose chief care is to clothe themselves in purple and fine linen, have their souls habited in the filthy rags of sin. But our calling is to put on the beauties of holiness; to mind the vesture of the "hidden man of the heart;" after the example of Israel of old, to arise from the dust, and assume our "beautiful garments" of righteousness and praise.

The costliness of worldly conformity ought not to be kept out of view. It has often involved its votaries in disgrace and poverty. It has wasted many a fortune, and ruined many a character. Where resources are sufficient to support it, no Christian ought to imitate the world in its crimes

and follies. Wealth may be laid out to incomparably greater advantage, so as to yield a far richer return. The steward may be condemned at last for having wasted his Lord's goods. A world full of misery, both material and spiritual, surrounds us. Then let each seek to relieve the double pressure, by scattering blessings of life and salvation among the destitute throng. Institutions of public charity open channels into which the godly may pour their gifts, for the refreshing of the weary in every land. Does the liberality of the church increase equally with its means? Are there not in Christendom many fashionably dressed assemblies whose contributions to the cause of God bear no proportion to their external display? What does He see, whose eye is upon the treasury, when some such congregations are casting in their gifts? On the world's altar the costliest offerings are laid; on Christ's, the smallest which can consist with any show of respectability! The very worship of some people is worldly. Such is the character of the motive which leads them to endure services in which they feel no delight; entire absence from public worship being held a violation of the laws of good society. Next to mammon, respectability is the world's most loved idol; and let conscience witness whether this does not often receive more real homage, even in the solemn meeting, than Jehovah Himself.

In all this matter, are we Methodists free from offence before God? Are we not forsaking that high and holy standard of conformity to Christ, and nonconformity to the world, which was raised a century ago? Are we not apt to set down as obsolete the views so clearly and forcibly presented in Mr. Wesley's sermons on the "Love of Riches," "Friendship with the World," and "Conformity to the World?" Are those teachings regarded as harmonizing with the spirit of Christ's religion, and resting on the basis of scriptural truth, or as human exaggerations? Let the reader test them by the word of God, and, if he do not find them according to the law and testimony, cast them for ever aside: but if they are simple, accurate expositions of unerring truth, there will be peril in neglecting them. Let no one be led away by the popular delusion, that, because these matters are outward and visible, they have no connexion with inward and spiritual religion. They are really just the things which, above many others, indicate the state of the heart-its sinfulness or purity, its worldliness or spirituality; its rebellion against Christ's laws, or its love and loyalty to Him.

Who shall estimate the vast multitudes, of all ages, who have been estranged from Christ, and from His people, by the love of the world? It was this that led Demas to forsake St. Paul, and the cause to which the upright and unyielding Apostle was devoted. Every faithful Minister has had similar experience. What havoc is this enemy daily making in families and in churches! It is blighting the religious enjoyments and hopes of thousands on thousands. Men once happy and useful, and bidding fair to be benefactors to their generation, are become either frivolous or sordid, a blessing to none, but a curse to many.

What the Christian has to fear from the world, is not so much its hate or opposition, as the fascination of its blandishments. Things which are temporal, stealing in with noiseless insinuation, gain ascendency over the heart that is unwatchful. There is first a compliance in trivial things, a concession to mode and prejudice, until the Christian graces rapidly sicken in a tainted atmosphere, and all the old tastes and passions of degenerate nature as rapidly revive. "The world has more effective engines than the rack, and the wheel, and the gibbet; it has pleasures, and riches, and honours. Let young Christians especially be quite sure that it is not the world in arms-it is the world in smiles-which it is the hardest to resist."

But we may overcome. Our Lord and Master bids us fear not, because He overcame. The prince of the world found nothing in Him. He loved not the world, and therefore was neither terrified by its opposition nor allured by its smiles. He shrank not from its poverty, and grasped not at its wealth. He courted not its honours, and cared not for its reproach. His eye and heart were ever toward heaven. The joy which was set before Him animated His invincible hope. His whole soul was fixed upon the great prize-the throne and the crown in glory for He knew that, having overcome the world, He should sit down with the Father on His throne. And He will help His disciples to gain the same victory. But let them resolve to make the surrender of all that is evil or doubtful, and call Him daily to their aid. Let them aspire to show the power of a new nature within. It is only "whatsoever is born of God" that "overcometh the world." The strong man armed must be dislodged by a stronger than he. One object of affection must be exchanged for another, -the world for Christ, and earth for heaven. An earthly master-passion must be displaced by a heavenly one brought into the soul. "Let us take into our hands the telescope of faith; and, when the eye is dazzled by near objects, such as the company, fashions, and blandishments of the world, -direct it to those which are distant, and which shade every other by their brilliancy. Never may we conclude that we are proof against the world's temptations, and may therefore venture into its circles. Better be over strict than not strict enough. Many have perished through what they have thought conciliation; none, we believe, through what the world has thought scrupulousness."

Reader, let you and me stand by Christ on earth, whoever, allured by the love of this present world, may desert Him: He will then stand for ever by us. When the world forsakes, He will succour; yea, and when the world cannot help,-when sickness invades, or bereavement wounds, or death throws the fatal dart. And we shall stand with Him when He comes in glory, and ascend with Him to an everlasting throne. In view of the present life, with its dangers and temptations, He says, "My grace is sufficient for thee; My strength is made perfect in weakness." And, in reference to the future,-" To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My