But God knows our motives, and will take them into account at the Great Day. They lie at the back of all our actions, and determine their moral worth. They will also determine God's judgment of us. What a revolution in the estimate of men and deeds will such a principle produce! Men's motives are usually mixed. There are very few in this world, even among Christians, who are utterly sincere and true. Much that passes

for good Christian work is substantially the outcome of selfishness and vanity and pride. Much that is called Christian zeal is made up largely of party spirit, pride of sect, ambition, rivalry, or even nothing more than physical excitement. Alas, much of the fire that is kindled on our altars is false fire; much of the good work that we do is but wood, hay, stubble, and such-like worthless stuff. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ how great and terrible will be the surprises and disclosures! In the fire of that judgment how the wood, hay, stubble, will burn and crackle and vanish away! Many whose deeds were first in bulk and number and show, but last in real worth, will be last. And many whose deeds were but as the giving of a cup of water out of love to Christ will be first.

III. Then, thirdly, we must not forget that not only will the standard be different in the final judgment, that not only will motives be weighed as well as actions; but in that day much secret good and evil will be disclosed, and so the judgments of time will be reversed.

There is much good purposely done in secret as well as much evil. Many a right hand does not know what the left hand is doing. There is much self-sacrifice and self-denial that is known to God alone. Thousands on thousands of quiet, holy women live in every generation, whose voices are not heard in the streets, but who daily offer themselves up in sacrifice, and render unto God a reasonable and acceptable service. Thousands of men, too, in their homes and at their work manifest a heroism and a patience that is not surpassed in the arena of more public life. Christlike lives and godly deeds are often hidden in this world by the glare of flashy words and flashier deeds. But all these are seen and chronicled by God against the day of reckoning. And in the day when the Books are opened and men are judged by their works, both good and bad, there will be a startling change of places. Many a Lazarus will find himself in Abraham's bosom, while Dives is afar off in his appropriate flames. The fishermen of Galilee will stand at the side of the glorified Redeemer, while the chief priests and rulers are cast out; and from a multitude of hearts like Mary's will the song ascend, in honour of the Judge: “He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted them of low degree." "For many that are first shall be last, and the last first."

What then especially should be the outcome of our meditation Patience! Our text recognises the fact that in this world all men are not in their right places. The last are sometimes first, and the first last. That was the standing puzzle to the Old Testament worthies-the good

fortune of bad men, the bad fortune of good men. Thanks to the influence of Christianity a wonderful improvement has taken place in these respects since then. Character does not so often now go unrewarded; for the kingdom of God is now more widely extended and more deeply rooted in the earth. Still, it must be confessed that very often the false and unscrupulous get the prizes while the true and upright get the blanks of life. But this cannot go on for ever. The time of reckoning and adjustment is approaching. Every reversal of human judgment is a prophecy and a precursor of the Great Day of account. Let us be patient, then, and admire the patience of God. For a long time He bears with men and nations, pleads with them, lavishes His gifts upon them, warns them of their peril. He holds back the avenging hand so long as restoration is possible. But at length there comes a period when He says: “I have long still holden My peace and refrained Myself, now will I destroy ;" and with a crash the blow is struck and one more hoary iniquity perishes. The history of the world is one long illustration of this long patience and of this sudden destruction; and what it behoves us most solemnly to ask ourselves is this: "Do we use aright this patient goodness which is the mark of the present; are we ready for that swift and fiery judgment which is the mark of the future ?" If we do, if we are, we shall bear without a murmur the seeming and the real inequalities in the lot of men. "I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like the green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." "For I say unto you, many which are first shall be last, and the last first.”

GOOD WOMEN OF SCRIPTURE

MISJUDGED.

MISUNDERSTOOD AND

No. V.-MARY OF MAGDALA.

PERHAPS no New Testament saint has had greater discredit cast upon her good name than has Mary Magdalene. Writers and painters have for ages vied with each other in depicting her as one eminently fair and frail. Even in our own Protestant land, homes for reclaiming fallen women are called after her name; and, as if to add insult to injury, the fine Magdalen College at Oxford is commonly spoken of as "Maudlin" * College; as if drunkenness were another vice of this Mary.

There is no Scriptural warrant for all this, nor for any of it. St. Luke (viii. 2), it is true, informs us that, out of Mary called Magdalene, seven devils had been cast, no doubt by our Lord; but what effect these evil spirits had upon her, or how they made their evil presence known, we are

* A nickname abbreviation of "Magdalen."

not informed. Had they made her unfit for chaste company, it is not at all likely that we should immediately read of her as attending upon our Lord and His disciples, in company with "Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance."

A monument of the mercy of Jesus, who came to destroy the works of the Devil, she was; beautiful she may have been, but that she had ever done anything which would cause a blush to rise on the modest cheek of any one who saw her with this company, is utterly improbable.

Grateful for deliverance from Satanic power, and having wealth at command, she devoted herself to the work of ministering to our Lord's necessities, from this, the first year of His public ministry, until the end. How many of the two or three thousand miles, which make the aggregate of our Lord's journeys to and fro, Mary of Magdala travelled, cannot be said; but a large share of them, no doubt; and, certainly, as she was with Jesus in the first year's journeyings, so was she one of those who went up with Him from Galilee on His last journey to Jerusalem. She was one of those women who went with Him weeping, as He bare His Cross to Calvary, and stood near Him when He died; for John says (xix. 25), "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, and Mary Magdalene." So patiently watching and weeping, she would see the soldier pierce His side, and would witness the taking down of His body by Joseph of Arimathæa and Nicodemus; also its hasty interment in a new cave in a garden near at hand. Then, like the rest, she went away to prepare spices and ointments, and to pray and weep, and weep and pray, until the Sabbath came and had passed away,

Then on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre." With her were also “Mary the mother of James" and Joses, Salome the wife of Zebedee, Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and certain others. They found that there had been an earthquake; for the stone was rolled away from the cave's mouth. Mary Magdalene instantly ran back (about half-a-mile) to tell Peter and John that the sepulchre was open, and doubtless, the body taken away. The disciples ran to see, and Mary followed them. Meantime the other women, looking in, beheld the angel who kept guard over the folded linen and the empty cave; who bade them return and tell the dirciples that Jesus was risen from the dead. Soon after came Peter and John, who went into the Sepulchre, and saw only the folded up linen clothes. Then they returned to the city; but Mary Magdalene remained behind, weeping; and, looking into the sepulchre, saw two angels sitting there, one at the head, the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Turning herself, she saw Jesus standing there, but it was not light enough for her to see His features; so she said, "Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus saith unto her, "Mary." She knew the voice, and joyfully exclaimed, "Rabboni!"

Leaving Mary, our Lord appeared to the other women, who probably had returned from the city. Afterwards He showed Himself to Peter, then to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, and the same evening to the apostles, Thomas being absent; and so that first day of the week was ended. The Lord was risen indeed; and the first to see Him was Mary of Magdala, a saint of God.

T. C.

THE WESLEYAN METHODIST LOCAL PREACHERS'
MUTUAL-AID ASSOCIATION.

CHAPTER XI.-ANNUAL MEETING AT LOUTH. 1857.

BROTHER J. B. SHARPLEY, Louth, President.

THE Committee assembled on Saturday afternoon, as usual. Thirty chapels in the Louth, Alford, and Wainfleet Circuits were occupied by the brethren. Preaching in the Eastgate Chapel on Sunday morning at seven, forenoon and evening, and a love-feast in the afternoon. Preaching at six o'clock on the mornings of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, also on Wednesday evening.

The annual sermon to the Association was preached on Monday evening, by the ex-President, Bro. Chamberlain: text, Luke xvi. 31. After the sermon the Lord's Supper was celebrated.

Monday morning, after the report had been read, Bro. J. B. Sharpley was unanimously elected President, James Wild re-elected Treasurer, and Bro. Wade Hon. Secretary.

This being the year for making alterations in the rules, notices of more than a dozen alterations had been sent in ; but with the exception of a few unimportant ones, the brethren resolved to let well alone. The meeting

These,

extended over three days, and considerable discussion took place. together with a report of a public meeting held on Tuesday evening, will be found in "THE LOCAL PREACHERS' MAGAZINE," 1857, pages 206-220. The membership this year consisted of 2,116 benefit and 461 honorary; showing a decrease of 112 benefit members, and 39 honorary; total decrease 151. Subscriptions from benefit members, £1,179; a decrease of £61 9s. 3d. on the preceding year. The investment fund had sunk to £3,099 8s.

The Magazine having been reduced to 2d. monthly at the beginning of the year, and strenuous efforts having been made, its circulation had been doubled. Still the balance-sheet showed a deficiency of £193 14s. on the Magazine account. A very important alteration took place as to the bringing out of the Magazine for the next year, which is thus noticed in the volume for 1857, page 376 :

"THE MAGAZINE.-We have very great pleasure in announcing that measures have been adopted by the Committee with regard to the

Magazine, which will materially enhance its interests, and facilitate the transaction of all business connected with it. Mr. Philip Parker, an active and prudent member of the General Committee, has undertaken to farm and superintend the sale for the year 1858."

IN MEMORIAM.

BROTHER J. B. SHARPLEY.

PRESIDENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1857.

J. B. SHARPLEY was born March 12, 1800, and died June 24, 1872. Hence his life's day contained seventy-two years three months and twelve days.

Brother Sharpley was no ordinary man. His mind and character placed him at the head of his fellow townsmen, for he was thrice elected Mayor, and with the section of the Methodist family where his lot was cast, he was universally acknowledged as the leader. In the erection of chapels he was not only consulted, but became a trustee to most of them. In a tablet erected to his memory in the Free Methodist Chapel, Louth, it is said of him :

"With a mind of great power, he combined earnest piety, Christian catholicity, and a large degree of public spirit; by which he rose to a position of unusual influence both in civil and religious society. He was guardian of the poor, justice of the peace, alderman, and thrice mayor of the borough. For fifty years he sustained with rare efficiency the offices of class-leader, local preacher, and trustee in connection with the Methodist Churches in the Louth Circuit."

One who met in class with him for thirty years, says, "I can bear testimony to his efficiency as a leader. He was regular in his attendance, punctual to a minute, and very seldom, if ever, extended the meeting beyond the hour. He was faithful, judicious, and very kind.”

As a Local Preacher, his ministrations were not only interesting, but very profitable; his earnestness carrying conviction to the sinner's heart. For upwards of thirty years he was secretary to the preachers' meeting. He began to preach when he was about twenty-one years of age, and continued in the work till the Master said, "It is enough," and "his body with his charge laid down."

From the four sketches we have drawn, our readers will see what kind of men came to the front at first; who, if they were honoured by occupying the post of President, did honour to the office to which they were raised.

1858.

CHAPTER XII.-ANNUAL MEETING AT BIRMINGHAM. BRO. JOHN TOWNE, Melton Mowbray, President. THIS was the second annual meeting held at Birmingham. fitting that the Association should hold a second meeting in this town;

It was very