PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD.

THE two greatest festivals of the Christian Church are Christmas and Easter-the former festival being that on which our Saviour was born, the other that on which He rose from the dead. But the Church, before she calls upon us to rejoice on these holydays, sets apart a season in which she would have us look back upon our past life, repent of our sins, and flee to Him for pardon: that so we may be able to rejoice in a proper spirit when the festival day arrives.

The season so set apart before Christmas is called Advent-which means "coming"-and includes the four weeks preceding the celebration of our Saviour's birth. In ancient times, it was usually observed as a period of fasting, prayer, and penitence.

This holy season is the beginning of the Church's year. She "does not number her days or measure her seasons so much by the motion of the sun as by the course of our Saviour: beginning and counting on her year with Him, who, being the true Sun of Righteousness,' began now to rise upon the world, and, as the 'Day-star from on high,' to enlighten them that sat in spiritual darkness."

The Church, at Christmas, keeps a very great and holy feast. And if suddenly, in your every-day frame of mind, without thought or preparation, you

heard. Cry unto God for mercy and forgiveness. Come to Jesus, believing in and trusting in Him for these blessings. And in pursuit of them let no temptation discourage you, nor any delay keep you back. Embrace the present time, repent of your sins. Self-examination and repentance are especially Advent duties. Humble yourself, then, before Him. You never can have too low an opinion of yourself; and you never can think too highly of Him. Believe in Him whose birth you are about to celebrate, seek His grace and salvation, run into the open arms of His mercy.

His mercies are endless. His love is everlasting. Nor will He ever reject or cast away any that come, however sinful. All are welcome. His object in taking our flesh upon Him was to save us from the woe which by our sins we deserve. He came not for His own benefit, but ours. What profit does the sun receive by our looking on him? We are the better for his light, not he for our sight.

The Church, as a kind mother, ever willing to help us, opens her doors, and by means of special services and times of prayer, puts in our way special opportunities of drawing near to God. Such opportunities, if they are rightly used, bring with them an increase of God's grace; but if neglected, they add to our condemnation. Many who were with us last Advent have been called away, and have passed into that world where time is unknown. Yet we are spared. A little longer we remain, and we, too, shall be called away. Some Advent will be our last. Resolve, then, this year, by God's grace. to make a

good beginning. Never say, "I need not go to Church; I can read my Bible and say my prayers at home." You may and ought to do so, but you cannot expect God's blessing, if you forsake the "assembling of yourselves together," and choose your own way instead of that appointed by God Himself.

Avail yourself, then, of every assistance which the Church places within your reach, so that when Christmas comes you will not only be able to enter into the spirit of that festival as the day on which your Saviour came into this world to redeem you, but also that you may be in a fit state to take part in that higher Feast-the Sacrament of His Body and Blood. "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight," that so He may enter in and take possession of your soul.

"Then cleansed be every heart from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,

Where such a mighty guest may come."

One great use of Advent is, that you have opportunities placed before you of preparing for the proper reception of the Holy Eucharist. Suppose you were at your daily employment, and were to be suddenly hurried off, just as you were, to a great feast, would you be in a fit state to go? Would you like to sit down just as you were? Would you not wish that you had had some notice, some time to prepare? However splendid the entertainment, you would not enjoy it. You would be too much con