These are searching questions; but we entreat you not to turn away from them. Be assured it is morally healthful for our souls to be tested faithfully, as in the very presence of God. Our hearts are so terribly treacherous, that when we imagine we are leaning upon God, we are really leaning upon some human prop. Thus God is shut out, and we are left in barrenness and desolation. And yet it is not that God does not use the creature to help and bless us. He does so constantly; and the man of faith will be deeply conscious of this fact, and truly grateful to every human agent that God uses to help him. God comforted Paul by the coming of Titus; but had Paul been looking to Titus, he would have had but little comfort. God used the poor widow to feed Elijah; but Elijah's dependence was not upon the widow, but upon God. Thus it is in every case. What raised the wondrous thought? Or who did it suggest? "That we, the Church, to glory brought, Should WITH the Son be blest." O God, the thought was Thine! (Thine only it could be,) Fruit of the wisdom, love divine, Peculiar unto Thee. For, sure, no other mind, For thoughts so bold, so free, Greatness or strength, could ever find; Thine only it could be. The motives, too, Thine own, The plan, the counsel, Thine!-- Made for Thy Son, bone of His bone, In glory bright to shine. O God, with great delight Thy wondrous thought we see, Upon _His_ throne, in glory bright, The bride of Christ shall be. Sealed with the Holy Ghost, We triumph in that love, Thy wondrous thought has made our boast, "Glory WITH Christ above." PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ELIJAH. _By C. H. M._ NEW, REVISED EDITION. CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 5 SECTION I. THE PROPHET'S FIRST MESSAGE 9 SECTION II. THE PROPHET IN RETIREMENT 21 SECTION III. THE HOUSE OF AHAB 50 SECTION IV. THE PROPHET ON MOUNT CARMEL 60 SECTION V. THE PROPHET ON MOUNT HOREB 81 SECTION VI. THE PROPHET'S RAPTURE 106 CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH 125 PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ELIJAH THE TISHBITE. INTRODUCTION.