your portion in this life, it is a time solemnly appropriate in which to consider "What is your life ?" Surely if the wise man of business deems stock taking of sufficient importance to allow no other duty to interfere with it, the affairs of the soul, the great business of man in relation to eternity, are of higher moment still! You have a large tract of time on which to make your examination; for although the year has passed rapidly it has been in reality a long time; one in which much might have been done, one in which much has been done either pleasing or displeasing to God, either becoming or unbecoming a man who has to face the judgment seat of Christ, and who has to live for ever.

The year was full of holy opportunities of which the most might have been made. Week by week the Lord's day dawned with its healing and invigorating influences; there were opportunities for reading God's Holy Word, for prayer, for meditation, for Christian fellowship and for Christian work. The true riches were daily within our reach, and the true means by which to obtain them. A day did not dawn in which the power of the Saviour's blood, the strengthening and renewing influences of the Holy Spirit, and the efficacy of prayer might not have been realised.

Now comes the grave question, What use has been made of these opportunities? If we have improved them the five talents have grown into ten, and spiritually we are stronger, richer men. But the review has to be honestly taken if it is to be serviceable for the future. Has the Lord's day been sanctified unto its highest end, and become a source of strength for the engagements of the week? Has the Word of God been more precious to us than thousands of gold and silver? Has prayer at any time become formal, or has it been hurried or neglected on account of the world's business? In the midst of life's haste and bustle has there been time made for religious thought and meditation? Have we daily realised our standing as redeemed men in Jesus Christ? As we have had opportunity have we done all the good it was in our power to do?

Perhaps in thus taking stock of our privileges we shall find much to distress and to dishearten. There were days in which prayer seemed to have lost its power. There were days in which duties were neglected; the Bible was left unopened and the realization of the Saviour's merits feebly felt; days in which temptations and besetting sins prevailed against us; days of dark defeat and not of glorious triumph. If so, we close the year poorer and weaker, and not richer and stronger.

There is but one course open to him who has such a year's life to review, if he would be set perfectly right in respect to it. Let him hasten at once to the fountain open for sin and uncleanness in the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanseth from all sin. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." "He is able to save unto the uttermost all those that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for us."

What business man, burdened with debts and difficulties, would carry them into the new year unless he were obliged to do so? Are not these the things which are hampering. his progress, taking hope from his heart, light from his eye, and life from his step? If a friend entered his countinghouse the last day of the year and found him poring over his ledger, and half weeping over one liability and another which he was unable to meet, and that friend were to say to him, "Do not trouble any more about this debt and that debt ; see! here is a receipt in full for your liabilities: everything is paid to the uttermost farthing; I have paid all, and you are a free man, and may begin the year with the joyousness and hope of a free man." How would the burdened man's heart rejoice, and with what delight he would meet the morning of the new year!

Dear reader, it is what the Lord Jesus Christ says, with a love passing knowledge, to every soul that flees to him for forgiveness and help. The ten thousand talents are frankly forgiven through Him who has power to forgive sins. Debts,

shortcomings, sins, are dropped, as into the depths of the ocean, and are no more seen. Should not a fact so wonderful and so merciful encourage all to pray for the Divine forgiveness through the merits of Him who is our ransom and peace?

Go Forward.

"AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, WHEREFORE CRIEST THOU UNTO ME? SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDren of Israel, THAT THEY GO FORWARD."-Exodus xiv. 15.

A

MIGHTY host beside the flood,

A liberated army stood,

While heart and hope beat high;
For now from Egypt's bondage free,
They seek a home beyond the sea,
A promised country nigh.

But hark! what jarring note they hear,
What sounds the fitful breezes bear,
Of onward-pressing foe!

The night gloom cometh on apace;
What terror strikes the ransomed race,
At sounds of battle low!

The cloudy pillar's heavenly light
Now shines upon them, steadfast, bright,
Telling that God is nigh.

But still those coward hearts do fail,
They raise a loud despairing wail,
A God-forgetting cry—

"Would God we had in Egypt stayed;
Would God that we had ne'er essayed
To seek the Promised Land.

"Twere better far, a race of slaves,
To find in Egypt helot graves,

Crushed down by Pharaoh's hand!"

With cries and agonizing prayers,
The man of God to God repairs

For strength to act aright.