leads to a more devout love of the Lord, preparing the heart that the Lord may there occupy the supreme place, and that all the affections and thoughts may be directed by Him. This being accomplished, the name of the Lord will be found a strong tower, into which the righteous can enter and be safe.
December Eighth.
THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS.
"Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." "And every one thet heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand."—Matt. vii.. 24, 26.
THERE are two classes of builders, wise and foolish—one digging deep and laying a sure foundation; the other taking little thought about what may ensue after the tower is completed, so long as it appears like a tower, and laying his foundation in sand. One of these may be compared with the man who calculates the cost of erecting his house, and provides, ere he commences, all the necessary means. The other, at once, and without reflection upon future consequences, or without the means of carrying the work to a successful end, or even without securing a proper foundation, enters upon it, and, being unable to complete it, those that behold him begin to cast reflections upon his want of prudence and forethought, saying, "This man began to build, and was not able to finish." The persons who do not calculate the expense of erecting the tower or spiritual house of observation and, defence, are those who enter upon the religious
