(2) If you really belong to the whole family in heaven and earth, count up your privileges, and _learn to be more thankful_. Think what a mercy it is to have something which the world can neither give nor take away,--something which makes you independent of sickness or poverty,--something which is your own for evermore. The old family fireside will soon be cold and tenantless. The old family gatherings will soon be past and gone for ever. The loving faces we now delight to gaze on are rapidly leaving us. The cheerful voices which now welcome us will soon be silent in the grave. But, thank God, if we belong to Christ's family there is a better gathering yet to come. Let us often think of it, and be thankful! The family gathering of all God's people will make amends for all that their religion now costs them. A meeting where none are missing,--a meeting where there are no gaps and empty places,--a meeting where there are no tears,--a meeting where there is no parting,--such a meeting as this is worth a fight and a struggle. And such a meeting is yet to come to "the whole family in heaven and earth." In the meantime let us strive to live worthy of the family to which we belong. Let us labour to do nothing that may cause our Father's house to be spoken against. Let us endeavour to make our Master's name beautiful by our temper, conduct, and conversation. Let us love as brethren, and abhor all quarrels. Let us behave as if the honour of "the family" depended on our behaviour. So living, by the grace of God, we shall make our calling and election sure, both to ourselves and others. So living, we may hope to have an abundant entrance, and to enter harbour in full sail, whenever we change earth for heaven. (2 Peter i. 11.) So living, we shall recommend our Father's family to others, and perhaps by God's blessing incline them to say, "We will go with you." XVII OUR HOME! "_Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations._" Psalm xc. 1. There are two reasons why the text which heads this paper should ring in our hearts with special power. It is the first verse of a deeply solemn Psalm,--the first bar of a wondrous piece of spiritual music. How others feel when they read the ninetieth Psalm I cannot tell. It always makes me lean back in my chair and think.