are all dead; there is no fear of our being again enslaved by them; food is provided for our journey; our bread shall be given us, and our water shall be sure; and there is nothing left for us to do but to march leisurely on to the promised land."

But was this their experience? Was it ever the experience of any Christian? Let us look at the history, written for our learning. The 6th and 7th verse of Exodus xvii. tell us of the gift of water; but no sooner was this boon granted, no sooner were they relieved from this fear, than the 8th verse records "THEN CAME AMALEK AND FOUGHT WITH ISRAEL."

BOTH

The Christian life may be compared to a ladder; no sooner is a man up one step than he sees another above him, and he must mount it, or he will never reach the top. His first step is off the earth, on the ladder FEET; for the man who has one foot on the ladder and one on the earth, cannot be said to be on the ladder at all. Professing Christians, think of this. Now this first step, to get on the

ladder, is a hard step to many; I mention it by way of example; for I do not say by any means it is the first known and felt conflict with every saved soul. There are many, the children of pious parents, and others, educated under peculiarly favourable Christian circumstances, who cannot tell you when they first came out from the world, closed with Christ, and put both feet on the ladder. They were always, as far as their knowledge serves them, living godly lives, and they cannot tell you (nor is it needful that they should be able to tell you) the precise time when they were converted; but for all this there has been, I expect, even in the life of the most unchequered Christian, a time when he has seen a step before him difficult and painful to the flesh to take, and as trying to his faith as was the “no bread and no water” to these Israelites; a step that has taxed his Christianity to the utmost, and forced him in much conflict to think-"If this could be got over, then all after would be easy." But I

would ask that Christian if, after he has surmounted the step which looked so difficult, and was so painful,—if he has not found, as did these Israelites, that there was more conflict and more trial before him; that no sooner was the difficulty about the bread and water got over, than "then came Amalek and fought with Israel"?

A Christian never regrets that he took the uphill step; on the contrary, he knows and acknowledges that it has brought its own reward. Still, he is soon made to feel, even the best and holiest amongst us, that one difficulty surmounted, another will succeed it; and that though there may be a succession of triumphs, yet that here it is conflict, not victory.

But if this is a lesson to be learned by those who have sought God early, still more is it so with those who, like the writer of this little book and the great bulk of these Israelites, start long after childhood on the Christian journey. A trial or temptation comes, and

there is not that well-regulated mind and early instilled Christian principle that Christian education alone can give. In us, the “tribulation that worketh patience, and the patience that worketh experience” has yet to do its work. And in us, as in these Israelites newly brought out of the land of Egypt, there is apt to be an impatience under every trial, and a feeling that if only this one could be surmounted, then all would be easy afterwards. But God would teach us that this is not our rest, and if we ever think we have attained rest here, as surely as we are God's people, so surely will God disappoint us.

Every Christian may settle it as a truth in his own mind, that his whole life will be a life of conflict. At one time his faith will be tried. 'No bread, no water: I shall starve in the wilderness." At another, under the influence of fightings within and fears without, he will be tempted to cry-"All these things are against me." And then the bread is given, and the water is made sure the fighting

ceases, and the fears with the fighting; so that the poor soldier of Jesus having nothing more to desire, sits down contented with the thought "I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing." THEN COMES AMALEK, AND FIGHTS WITH ISRAEL!

AMALEK! THE FLESH! These Israelites had come out from Egypt. The Red Sea rolled between them and the land of their captivity. All necessary food was provided for their journey. God gave them bread from heaven. What could they want more? ONE THING :-power against one enemy. Oh God, give it me! Oh reader, pray for it for both of us! Power against an enemy who did not show himself till the hour of ease and comfort -power against Amalek-power against the flesh then, when every other enemy seemed subdued, "then came Amalek, and fought with Israel."

Reader, have you come out from the world. If so, bless God for it, for it was He who brought you out. Now know, and never forget,