297 RELIGION AND RANK. "Among the chief rulers also many believed on Him."- JOHN xii. 42. "Before the Lamb once slain come bow the knee, First born of all the high-born family." THE grace of God has no preference for the nobility which is the envy and glory of men. "Not many mighty, not many noble are called." The blessings of eternal life have not often attracted the interest of the high-born on earth. Christ came not in the glory of dignity and power, but lowly and poor. They who received him were not the most illustrious among the Jews. Their noblest birth was their regeneration. They were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." No natural dignity, no descent from ancient lineage, no transmitted virtues, proved their spiritual elevation. It was not of the flesh, but of the Spirit,-not of earth, but of heaven. Nevertheless theirs was a dignity of the highest degree, and endowed with honours more lasting than coronets and crowns. They were created anew in Christ Jesus. They were adopted into the family of God. They were made children; " and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;" heirs of an "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away;"-heirs of a kingdom and a crown. To enjoy that filial relation, the highest of all,-to share that dignity, the most glorious of all,-to possess that throne and sceptre, the soul must be born again. But there is no exclusion of the high-born and the noble on earth. Though they must come by the same way as the humble beggar, the blessing is as accessible and as free to them as to the most ignoble. They are as freely invited, as earnestly entreated, as solemnly warned to flee from the wrath to come, to accept a Redeemer's love, to return to their Father in heaven. Some have passed the strait gate. Putting aside their earthly dignity, as penitent sinners they sought the Saviour. Some have rejoiced to confess that, though the word of God says "Not many noble," it does not say, "Not any,” and by faith in Christ have obtained forgiving love and sanctifying grace. Even in the days of the Redeemer's earthly sojourn, when the majority of persons of rank and power were against him, it is said that "of the chief rulers many believed on him." They had their eyes opened and their hearts touched. They trusted the meek and lowly Jesus with the salvation of their souls. It was not easy for *such to acknowledge the Messiah. Few of them had the courage openly to profess their faith. They were afraid of the worldly shame, and of being put out of the synagogue. "They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." A few, however, were more decided. Nicodemus, after a long struggle with the world and the timidity of his own faith, confessed the Lord Jesus; and Joseph of Arimathea acknowledged the Redeemer when the world's reproach had cast him out among the malefactors at Calvary, and of his wealth provided a place where the dead body of Jesus might rest. After the triumph of the cross a Christian profession was more easy among the princes and nobles of earth; but never has the offence of the cross ceased when any one confessed the Saviour in the same humble, self-denying, use ful life as the Master himself exhibited. Many stumbled at this stumbling-stone. Rarely in the past do we find decided, godly, and useful Christians, among the upper classes. There are perhaps more now-and it is one of the most encouraging signs of the times-than in any previous period of Christian history. But those who, amidst general ungodliness, indifference, and worldliness, came out and were separate, lived for the Lord and were occupied in doing good,-exhibited a courage, a devotion, and a perseverance, that all in the same rank now would do well to study and to imitate. Religion can give a lustre to rank, and contribute to the usefulness of the noble. It can sanctify the royal, the princely, and the mighty. They who occupy exalted stations have the most extensive influence, they give a tone to the society in which they move. They have abundant means at their disposal, which they can use for the most worthy ends. When the grace of God takes possession of such a man, his influence for good is extensive. His character is more observed than that of common men; hence he is a more strik ing testimony to the truth. His authority is more obeyed, and can be made to promote good and restrain sin. His words have more listeners, and when baptized with the gospel of Jesus, may convey the story of grace to many hearts. It has been found that when persons of high family, or large property, or of noble or royal blood, were true disciples of the Lord Jesus, they stamped an influence on their generation which left the world better when they entered into their rest. Abraham's piety made his household blessed. Moses' character restrained the sin and encouraged the virtue of ancient Israel. David's piety ran through his policy, and the royal psalmist has touched the hearts of the Universal Church. Hezekiah's godliness was the revival of religion in his kingdom. Deborah's faith and prayer gave her country freedom; and Esther's devotion made Ahasuerus a blessing to one hundred and seven and twenty provinces. Throughout the Christian Church there have been examples of piety and usefulness of persons in exalted stations. Knights, and lords and ladies, kings and queens, whose hearts the Lord had touched, though few in number, have left untold blessings on the Church of Christ. Who has not heard of Elizabeth of Hungary, of Olympia Morata, of the Duchess of Ferrara, of Anne Boleyn, of Lady Jane Grey, and other illustrious ladies, who accepted, illustrated, and commended, the doctrines of the Reformation; and of the Elector of Saxony, the Admiral Coligni, Edward VI., and the Regent Moray, who protected and extended them? With spheres of usefulness more open, there is a special call at present on all who possess influence and rank to devote them to the Lord,—to follow those names whose Christian characters and works were their highest honours. A few such we have sketched, most of whom lived in recent times, and laboured for the Lord as they had opportunity. Should this little work reach any person of rank, it bears the earnest inquiry, "Why do the nobles put not their necks to the work of the Lord?" "WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN TO RECEIVE POWER, AND RICHES, AND WISDOM, AND STRENGTH, AND HONOUR, AND GLORY, AND BLESSING." "Heart! no more delaying! Heart! no more delaying! "Love Jesus Christ receiveth, And joyfully inflameth; To glad the heart that grieveth, |