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10 THE EARNEST CHKISTIAN.of the world, therefore the world. hateth you." Those who are of theworld are companions of the wicked,are actuated by the same principles,and are governed by the samemaxims ; but when grace intervenes,the ties which once bound the nowregenerated man to sinners are broken." He renounces the hiddenthings of dishonesty, and has nofellowship with the unfruitful worksof darkness."Although Christ does not forbidevery kind of intercourse with thewicked, yet he teaches bis subjectsthe evU and danger of making themconstant companions or intimatefriends. " Be not unequally yokedtogether, with unbelievers." " Whosoever,therefore, will be a friend ofthe world, is the enemy of God."Hence like Moses, Christ's followerschoose to suffer iaffliction with thepeople of God; like David, theybecome companions of them thatfear the Lord, and their delight iswith the excellent of the earth.n. "And followed thee." Not onlydid the apostles forsake all, but theyfoUowed Jesus. The Word tells usthat as we have received Christ, sowe are to walk in him. There aremany who make a start toward thekingdom of heaven, and at firstforsake all, but by failing to followChrist, they are overtaken and fall a,prey to the enemy of souls. Theapostlesnot only forsook their fishingnets, and the seat at the receiptof custom, but they followed Christboth to prison and to death. So weare to follow him. "All haU reproachand sorrow, if Jesus leads methere," is the language of everychild of God.His disciples follow him as theirteacher. " He speaks as ne'ver manspake." " His word is spirit andlife, and is able to save the soul."His disciples listen to his voice byperusing his Word, and by obeyingthe dictates of the Spirit, " Hearye him."ni. "What shall we have, therefore?"Whatever motive in Peter'sheart prompted this question, Christkindly gave an expUcit answer, andin the context we read, "Every onethat hath forsaken houses, or brethren,or sisters, or father, or mother,or wife, or children, or lands, formy sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlastingHfe." Hence, we see Christ amplyrewards his followers for all the servicethey bestow. May the Lordhelp those who are doubting, andmurmuring over their trials, to lookup and by faith grasp this promise.As I think of this it causes my soulto "mount up with wings as eagles,"and causes me. to feel that I shaUrun and not be weary, and walk andnot faint, and I would proclaim toall, " In my Father's house are manymansions." "I go to prepare a placefor yon."Mansions, crowns, robes, palms, aseat with him upon his throne, thepromise of having part in the firstresurrection, and best of all, eternallife promised to those who forsakeall and follow Christ. Can we notafford to accept of this offer, andclose the contact with the world ?" Will ye also be his disciples ?"This promise being made to thosewho forsake all, implies that onlythose shall receive the fulfillment ofit; consequently those who do not"tear the dearest idol from theirhearts, and worship only him," shallinherit eternal deatb.The question which ought to concernus most is, " Have we forsakenaU ?" Have we renounced the world,,with all covetous desires of the same?or does a love of the dollar dampenour zeal for God, or lessen our lovfefor Christ and soule ? K the propertyof Christians was wholly consecratedto God, would his cause gobeggingas it now does ? Andwould not the ministry receive a-more comfortable support? If theministryhad greater confidence in.the promises of God, and wouldlook to him instead of the church1