have turned to that section of his hearers still unconvinced, still hardened and still hardening themselves, as he uttered this prophetic reproach, which they no doubt as little thought they were at that day fulfilling as the scorners of these last days think they are accomplishing God's Word

now.

Yet we cannot doubt that on many a heart that day the Word descended like rain on the mown grass, or as the dew on the tender herb: and that even of those who left that room apparently unconvinced, the Apostle's words had found their way through some opened crevice, and were unconsciously taking root. It was not as with the seed sown on the way-side, which the devourer instantly caught up and destroyed, but it remained with them after they had departed; there was much reasoning among themselves, much inquiry, and we may fain hope the work did not stop there, but that through the grace of God the seed sown that day in Paul's lodging with such untiring love and such unsparing hand did not altogether prove unfruitful even in those that went away unbelieving, and that in the Lord's own time it brought forth fruit, some perhaps it may be only thirty, but some also sixty, and it may be in some "hidden ones," here and there, even an hundred fold.

We now part from the Apostle-with the brief intimation that he remained for two whole years

in his own hired lodging-still a prisoner, but with such little restriction exercised towards him, through the kind agency of Burrhus while he lived, and the real providence of God, that though we know not and never shall know till the great harvest-day the abundant produce gathered into the Lord's garner, still we have every reason to be assured that that period of imprisonment and bonds was in reality as valuable and profitable a portion of the Apostle's ministry as those more active days when from country to country and from continent to continent, or from city to city, or, as in Ephesus, from house to house he laboured more abundantly than all, and had the daily care of all the churches.

Many a servant of the Lord, apparently laid aside from active work by illness, or other providential hindrance, may mourn over the dispensation that bids his hands hang down and his knees be feeble while he sees others pressing onwards, and himself seeming to lag behind, and to have no opening for usefulness, no field of labour in which at least he may plough and sow, even though he do not reap-no sphere of active ministry, in which the strong current of his heart's affections may find an outlet while he testifies of Jesus, no spot on which he may once more take his stand and preach "the kingdom of God"-his voice silent and his heart sorrowing. But let such an one in his sadness and disappointment think of Paul, a prisoner

in his bonds, still doing what he could, and
the Lord prospering and approving his work; let
him imitate the Psalmist in his submission, “be
dumb and open not his mouth, for it is the Lord's
doing," and remember that in His wise and
gracious appointment and arrangement of His
family and household,—

"They also serve who only stand and wait.”

FINIS.

LONDON WERTHEIM, MACINTOSH, and HUNT,
24, Paternoster-row, and 23, Holles-street, Cavendish-square.

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