The power of sinful dispositions is certainly and speedily augmented by indulgence.-Physiologists may be able to trace the mischief done to the body by sins of the flesh, and may be utterly incapable of tracing the injury inflicted on the soul by the "filthiness of the spirit; " but the damage is as real in the latter case as in the former. We can scarcely fail to be amazed at the terrible power which envy gained within the heart of Saul, King of Israel, toward David. Towards the close of Saul's life, the malignancy of that evil passion was sadly manifested. David, for the second time, had spared the life of Saul, when he might, without risk or trouble, have taken it away. One blow inflicted, as the monarch lay in the helplessness of sleep, would have bereft him of life. Nay, one moment of silence on the part of David would have encouraged the excited Abishai to the fatal deed. But, notwithstanding all Saul's cruelty, David once more spared him. Soon afterwards we find Saul inquiring where David was, and desiring his destruction. The wickedness of the King's heart would not be subdued, and would not be quiet. Saul ought to have sought its destruction some years before. There was a time when there was much of noble, generous feeling in the heart of Saul, the youthful monarch of Israel. That envy which obtruded its hideous form within that heart, as the women celebrated the overthrow of Goliath, might then have been mastered, if grace had been sought from above. When the sin had become dominant, Saul plunged lower and yet lower.-Ye who would climb, permit no delay. Make no truce with evil. Climb now. Let

your present conduct be right, and the habits formed shall assist your rise.

5. CLIMB NOW; FOR IMMEDIATE SUCCESS WILL PROVE

OF IMMENSE VALUE.

Compound interest is an astonishing process of accumulation, if sufficient time be allowed for its development. We will suppose a case illustrative of this. Alfred the Great was, undoubtedly, a benefactor to his country. He effected much which tended to the advantage and security of England, at that early period of its history. He had much to do with laying the foundation of Britain's future prosperity and glory. Perhaps it is not affirming too much to say that we ourselves owe something to Alfred. Most likely, we have privileges which would not yet have been secured for the people of these lands, but for the ability, and uprightness, and piety of Alfred the Great. Let us suppose that, in addition to all his other endeavours on behalf of England, he had laid by a small portion of gold coin or bullion to the value of a sovereign of the present day. Suppose, also, that he had directed that this money should be invested somewhere, in the name and on behalf of the people of England. The sum to be placed at compound interest until the year 1860, and then the accumulated wealth to be equally divided among the men, women, and children who should then be living in any part of the island. There would, indeed, have been insuperable difficulties. The scheme could not have been carried into effect.

Banking was

neither understood nor practised in England. The

banks of Rome, such as they were, if they had been for a time enriched by Alfred's supposed investment and its accumulation, would only have furnished so much more spoil for successors of the Huns, Goths, and Vandals; and would have been unable to meet our demand in 1860. No modern bank, nor all modern banks collectively, could have employed profitably the accumulating capital, so as to meet the liabilities at the time appointed. We would not be understood as imputing any want of forethought or kindness to Alfred. Suppose, however, for a moment, that all difficulties were overcome, and the one pound safely invested at five per cent. per annum, and now ready for division among the legatees. Each man, woman, and child, throughout the island of Great Britain would receive an ample fortune, not to say a fabulous one. The supposition furnishes a startling illustration of the accumulative power of compound interest, when a lengthened period is allowed for its development; and may serve to fix the attention on the importance of early success, that the longest possible time may be secured.

For an aged man, hitherto illiterate, to succeed in committing to memory, and in understanding, the contents of some Manual of Grammar, would certainly be a wonderful achievement. Most likely, however, the immense painstaking would not result in any great benefit to the patriarchal scholar. If a lad, during the first year of his apprenticeship, employs his leisure moments in a similar task, he will not only accomplish it in a tenth of the time, and with a tenth of the effort, but may find that, in forming the habit of patient

mental application, he has laid the foundation of future success, comfort, and even greatness.

Twenty pounds saved during the last year a labouring man can keep at his work will, no doubt, prove useful. If, however, during the ensuing six months, he is visited with severe illness, and must have expensive support, and pay a heavy bill to the doctor, there will not be much left. Twenty pounds saved by a young man, the first year after his apprenticeship has expired, and rightly employed, may be the means of ensuring future competence. The youthful assistant, or journeyman, has an opportunity which he will not be able, in old age, to recall. "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished."

Good seed may be cast into the ground by one who has not attempted to accomplish this until his hand was enfeebled by age. But very little, comparatively, can be performed by such an individual. Those who have been long engaged in the task scarcely know where to place the man, and he scarcely knows how to proceed about the work. Well is it for him, and matter of thankfulness to others, if there is not a far larger harvest of noxious things springing up from seed which he cast into the ground long ago, than of precious grain, the result of recent effort. Let the good seed be cast everywhere whilst we are yet young. So shall we not merely be able to sow more abundantly, but the good accomplished will be augmenting year by year. Let us at once awake to our high and benevolent mission, as those who, by the grace of God, may alleviate the sorrow,

diminish the darkness, and rebuke the sinfulness of a fallen but redeemed world.

Heavenly treasure is yet within reach of the aged sinner. If he will repent of his transgressions, and flee for mercy to the Saviour, he may still inherit eternal life. But, in order that we may have abundance of wealth in yon upper world, we must be diligent here. We are commanded, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." We are assured that "every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." Those who yield their hearts to God in early life, and, throughout the period of their probation here, continue faithful to the grace Divine, will begin their existence in the New Jerusalem at a vast advantage, as compared with those who unhappily wasted a great portion of their earthly life. Who can estimate the importance of such advantage, when eternity is allowed for its devolopment? May we be thus "rich toward God!"

6. CLIMB NOW; FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITY MAY BE

DENIED.

Those who endeavour, as I have been doing, to remind others concerning the importance of rightly improving our time, ought to see that their own hearts are right with God. They should feel the personal application of the Saviour's declaration made to His disciples, "Be ye therefore ready also; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh." Hence, in concluding this little book, I would talk to my own heart, as well as write to you.