Questions for Self-Examination.
1. HAVE I read a portion of God's word to-day? and if so, was it hurriedly and without meditation, or reverently and with a sincere appreciation of its preciousness? 2. How did I pray to-day? Was it formally, without realizing thoughts of God, without sensible nearness to God, or without affection, favor, and confident dependence on Christ's mediation? 3. Have I been sensible of any holy motion of God's Spirit in my soul? or have I encouraged or discouraged his gracious visits? 4. Have I longed after God, panted after his manifestations to my soul, and felt that in his favor and love alone could I be happy? 5. Have I studiously repressed evil thoughts, and desired to be delivered from their intrusion? and have I made any successful assaults on my easily besetting sins? 6. Have I been guilty to-day of envy, jealousy, pride, evil-speaking, or unkind feelings? Have I returned good for evil? Has sin overcome me, or have I overcome sin? 7. Have I realized my nearness to eternity, and encouraged myself to meditate on, and to seek preparation for, death, judgment, and the coming of my Lord? 8. Have I met crosses and disappointments, wrong or slandering, with meekness and patience? 9. Have I been covetous, or have I resisted the tendency of my heart to avarice by the performance of benevolent and charitable deeds? Have I given anything to the poor, or purposed to do good to all men, as I have opportunity? 10. Have my secular avocations absorbed too much of my time and attention to-day? 11. Have I lived to God's glory, or for my own selfish ends to-day? 12. Is it a matter of consciousness with me that religion is my chief concern and the source of my greatest pleasure? 13. Have I been gentle and courteous toward my inferiors and dependents, kindly affectionate toward my equals, and respectful toward my superiors? 14. Have I spoken unadvisedly, or rashly judged others? 15. Has the world been in any way benefited by my living to-day? 16. Have I had opportunities for doing anything for Jesus, and have they been embraced? Have I spoken well of him to any perishing sinner? Have I given away a religious tract, magazine, or book, to any one, with prayer for the Spirit's blessing? 17. Have I prayed for the prosperity of the church, and the conversion of sinners, and considered all I have as given me for the promotion of the Lord's kingdom among men? 18. Have I felt with increased intensity that my only hope is in Christ? 19. Have I avoided all appearance of evil, and set a godly example before those with whom I have come in contact, fearing not man, but God. 20. In a word, have I made any advance in the divine life to-day? Ponder this, O my soul! as in the immediate presence of God.—Sel.