"So run that ye may obtain."-1 Cor. ix. 24. Behold! the race-courfe here before us lies; In his exhortations to Chriftians, the great apoftle of the Gentiles very often alludes to the Olympic games. Thefe games were celebrated in different parts of Greece, particularly on the ifthmus which joined the Morea to the main land; hence called the Ifthmian exercises. They were held on the banks of the river Alpheus, near Olympia, a city of Elis. They were con fidered of fo much importance that, from the period of their firft regular establishment, a new era of reckoning time was conftituted, juft as we reckon from the birth of Jefus Chrift. Each Olympiad confifted of four years; hence they dated events from the firft, fecond, third, or fourth year of any particular Olympiad. The firft Olympiad commenced 776 years before the Christian era. These exercises confifted of five different kinds, viz. boxing, wrestling, leaping, the quoit, and racing. We confine ourselves to the illuftration of the latter. The celebration of the running match excited great interest. Hence the preparation for these festivals was very great. No man could become a candidate for the prize unless he bore a good character, and regularly exercised himself ten months previously, according to the rules prescribed. The rules were very fevere; a strict regimen. had to be obferved, unpalateable food to be eaten, abftinence from all luxuries, exercises were to be continued through all weathers, and we know not what befides. And now the grand day has arrived; the judge is appointed, having been previously fworn to deal impartially-the racecourfe is cleared, the place of starting fixed; the judge takes his feat at the goal, or end of the raceground, and holds in his hand the crown of olive, or of laurel, destined to grace the victor's brow; officers are appointed to keep order. The city is emptied of its inhabitants, all the principal men are there. The candidates make their appearance; every eye is fixed upon them; every heart is in motion. Divested of all needlefs clothing, fometimes naked, they await the fignal,-'tis givenoff they start. Not a whisper is heard among all that multitude; with intense interest they watch the runners as they pafs along. A fhout is heard. The victor returns, like a triumphant conqueror, drawn in a chariot of four, wearing the crown of victory, and is everywhere greeted with the acclamations of the people. Religion is compared to a race. The stadium, or race-ground, is the path of piety leading through this world to the next; the runners are those who profess religion; the officers appointed to keep order, the ministers of the gospel; the fpectators, men and angels; the judge, the Lord Jefus Chrift; the reward, a crown of righteouf nefs. Let us imagine a company a company of young perfons juft commencing the Chriftian race. They fet off together. The directions are given to all; they are four in number: 1. Be sure to lay afide every weight; 2. Relinquish the besetting fin; 3. Exercise patience; 4. Look to Jefus. They go along pretty well for awhile. Soon one is feen lagging behind. What is the matter? He has too much weight about him. Another drops off; his besetting fin has prevailed. A third is miffing; what ails him? O, he is out of patience -with God, himself, and everybody befides. Some follow the directions, perfevere to the end, and obtain the prize. But mark of those who run in the Grecian games, one only could receive the prize. In the Christian race, all may run fo as to obtain. The judge there was fometimes partial; the Chriftian's umpire is the "Righteous Judge." The fucceffful candidate, after all his labours, obtained only a garland of withering flowers; the Chriftian receives a glorious crown of righteousness that fadeth not away." "In God is my falvation and my glory; the rock of my ftrength, and my refuge, is in God."-Ps. lxii. 7. SALVATION. Lo! where amid appalling dangers dread, In drowning plight, ftunn'd by the wave's rude shock, So when mankind were wreck'd on Eden's fhore, |