and struggle, if it falls to them mainly to open new paths, not without peril and pain, to win by earnest and patient effort strength and wisdom, and to take the leader’s place in the battle-field of life, don’t moan over it if it has fallen to you, but again I say bless God for it. The nobler, the richer, the lordlier inheritance, is yours. Pity, do not despise, but pity the elders who sit clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day. It would be a strange history if it were fairly written out, the history of younger sons, with a just estimate of what they have done in comparison with the elder for the service and progress of mankind. The eldest born, the heirs, with the inheritance which the past has lazily left to them; the younger sons, with the domain of wisdom, strength, and influence, which their own right hand, God helping them, has won. If Jacob seems to you the petted child of fortune, the chosen favourite of heaven, and Esau the wretched reprobate outcast, spurned alike of man and of God, then take Jacob’s inheritance; take it, it is fairly yours. Spurn Esau’s, which the devil is putting into your hand. Be your choice the pilgrim’s toils and struggles, the name of renown, the everlasting portion; and with the words of the pilgrim’s hymn upon your lips pass on your way. “Contented now upon my thigh I halt, till life’s short journey end; All helplessness, all weakness, I On Thee alone for strength depend; Nor have I power from Thee to move; Thy nature and Thy name is Love. Lame as I am, I take the prey; Hell, earth, and sin, with ease o’ercome; I leap for joy, pursue my way, And, as a bounding hart, fly home; Through all eternity to prove Thy nature and Thy name is Love.” VI. NO PLACE OF REPENTANCE. “He found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”—HEB. xii. 17.