and promises shall be fulfilled, is the largest encouragement of man's efforts to do God's will, and of man's hope to secure God's blessing. Mordecai looks for deliverance through an appropriate instrumentality.

3d. But there is a third important principle set forth for our instruction in these words of Mordecai, "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” The words seem to refer to the nice adjustment in the providence of God of our opportunities and our agencies. There is generally indeed a greater or less obscurity in our efforts to apply the principles of our duty to the providential changes which are constantly occurring around us. There is therefore a peradventure in the exhortation of Mordecai; and we ever need to feel our dependence upon divine guidance and support. "Who knoweth?" is the position we must ever hold; and thus faith may have its fears. But faith must also have its hopes and its ventures. Mordecai here teaches us, that a providential opportunity for doing or receiving good should be regarded by us as a providential call; and we should humbly and firmly go forward, that our obedience to the beckonings of Providence may be the connecting link in the chain of occurrences which is to secure His purposes. The post occupied by Esther was not one of her seeking; the orderings of God's providence had placed her in that palace. Beyond the foresight of all who had brought about this eleva

tion, a critical juncture had now occurred in the history of her people; and the very afforded opportunity of bringing relief to God's people, seemed to single her out as the proper actor in the case; and might justly encourage the belief that God designed through her to accomplish his purposes. So Mordecai looked at it; so Esther learned to see it; and the result proved that their duty and the designs of the Most High had been rightly interpreted.

But God has never changed any of the principles of his providential government; and here is a lesson of far wider application. We, who have the same God to serve, the same Providence to watch, may look upon this scene in the life of Esther, and learn the duty that belongs to us. By faithfully discerning the duty which Providence sets before us, and fully consecrating ourselves to its discharge, we may properly look for Divine protection and deliverance in danger, and for success in our aims. There is an important sense in which our lot and exact position in the church and in the world are as truly through the orderings of God's providence, as the elevation of Esther to that queenly throne. It is true of every one of us, that the circumstances about us are not entirely of our choosing, and that we are not living as we expected to live. The same Providence that ordered Esther's lot has ordered ours; and the same reasoning that influenced her, may be applied to us. The doctrine of providence, as taught in the Scriptures, applies not

alone to queens and their stations-to nations and their exigencies-to the entire church of God and the dangers that threaten her; but the affairs of every man—especially of every believer in Christ— in every position in life, and at every moment of duty or pleasure, are ordered by Providence. No larger or more minute control can even be imagined, than that claimed by the Scriptural doctrine upon this subject. The sparrow cannot fall unregarded by His care; the lily cannot bloom without the colouring of his unrivalled pencil; not even a hair can fall from man's head that the eye of the Father sees not. The orderings of God have settled the age, the land, and the family, where each of us should be born; and our civil and religious advantages and opportunities. God's providence settles each pastor over a Christian church; determines who shall be his regular, and even who his occasional hearers; and the particular topic of discourse and the peculiar trains of thought in it, have often a providential adaptation to the necessities of the hearers far beyond the knowledge of the preacher. We are as truly a part of the Divine plan of providence as Esther was. Our voluntary agency may change our place. in life; and we may disobey the providential calls of duty, as we shall see presently. But with all that we can do to order our own affairs, so much of things within us and around us, is ordered for us and beyond our control, that we may adopt for ourselves the principle Mordecai here suggests. Every op

portunity of doing and getting good is to be carefully improved; and Providence calls us to embrace the advantages and to do the duties, which Providence sets before us.

Many important duties of the Christian life illustrate this great principle. God has given us our birth in an age, when we can do much to spread abroad his gospel. If we had been born one or two hundred years ago, our opportunities would have been far less favourable for sending the gospel to India or China. There were no Missionary Societies; no translated Bible; no awakened interest in the church upon the subject. The ability now to do this work, which God has promised shall be done, is a providential call to engage earnestly in it; and faith may believe that we are "brought to the kingdom for such a time as this." Let Christians make zealous efforts to save souls around them. The faithful presentation of truth to the heart and conscience, is God's appointed means of leading sinners to Christ. The efficacy is of God; but the means we Let us see to our duty. We are weak; therefore like Esther let us draw near to God in preparatory devotion, and rely upon his power. We are ignorant, and know not whom God will lead to salvation. But we know that the Redeemer shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; Isa. liii. 11; and that all whom the Father hath given him shall come to him. The result is certain and our duty plain. Who knoweth but that a few kind,

are to use.

faithful words from your lips may form the connecting link of that chain of Providence-that chain of saving grace with which Providence coöperateswhich shall draw upward an immortal soul to an everlasting salvation? Let faith watch for providential opportunities; for he that winneth souls is wise; and "they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever.”

And Mordecai's principle applies equally to our opportunities for getting good. You have an immortal soul, whose interests you are too prone to neglect. God gives you precious opportunities to secure its salvation. His providence has ordered your lot in this land. Here the sanctuary unfolds its inviting doors; here the Bible opens its instructive pages; here you have clear teachings of your sinfulness and exposure to wrath; and here the methods of his recovering grace are set before you. He calls and warns and invites and urges you to secure salvation. These very opportunities are providential indications of duty-providential encouragements of faith and effort. God gives you these opportunities. He has led you to hear these present teachings; he calls you now by the preacher's voice, to submit to Christ. Lift up your heart now to him; he calls you to be saved. You are better off than Esther; for the promise comes to you without a peradventure. "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!" Rom. x. 13. Oh, important crisis in the history of an immortal