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on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city.' 'Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow forth. Let the Beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.'

Heaven shall come at last. In its full-orbed glory the light of earth's pale stars shall die. 'No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.'

But whence all this? If Love shall ascend the imperial throne, and rule the nations of the saved-what-who is Love?

Strange are the workings of the human spirit. It craves subjection to imperial power, as well as possession of highest liberty. The nations which most covet freedom must have a king, in some shape or other, to rule over them. All would rule, if there were no ruler; and if all were rulers, there would be no rule. If the subjects of an empire are to sympathize with one another, there must be one of regal sway, round whom the sympathies of all shall gather. The world's glorious revolutions have all demanded the presence and rule of a central man. The reformation of religion, in several countries, would have presented another appearance, and been followed by other results, if, as in sister countries, they had had a hero to lead them forth to battle, and urge them on to victory. | The father of a household is husband, houseband, bolt and binder of the whole, controlling, distributing, and regulating the power and love of all the members. Alas when he is gone!

tion to one another. The different ranks and
employments there will demand subordination.
There will be those who have two and those
who have ten talents; those who rule over
two and those who rule over ten cities. Room,
therefore, there would be, if there were the
pos-
sibility of envy, jealousy, and discontent. But
there shall be none. 'Perfect love shall cast
out fear.' 'Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and
Judah shall not vex Ephraim.' The difference
of rank between themselves will be as nothing
to the difference of rank between the loftiest
of them all and their common King. Each 'a
king and priest unto God,' each intensely con-
scious that by the grace of God he is what he
is, they will all combine to cast their crowns
'There the
at the feet of the only Potentate.'
glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad
rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley
with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our
Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save
And there shall be no more curse; but
us.'
the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in
it; and his servants shall serve Him and they
shall see his face; and his name shall be in
their foreheads. And there shall be no night
there; and they need no candle, neither light
of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:
and they shall reign for ever and ever.'

But while harmony shall mark the different nations of the saved, with what spirit shall their exaltation to the highest honours be contemplated by universal creation,-the worlds that lie far off in the infinity of space, and the principalities and powers that guard the throne of the Majesty on high? Will creation's ancient princes, who excel in strength, and shine in untarnished purity and untainted loyalty, readily On the throne of heaven shall sit the King, accord to a race, once in open rebellion, the the Father, the Husband, the Saviour of the place of highest glory in the heavens? With ransomed world. If the throne transcend concep- what feelings shall Gabriel, who stands beside tion, what must the King himself be? Alleluia! | the throne, behold beings of yesterday-of an'Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises other and at one time degraded world-clothed unto our King, sing praises.' Thy throne, O with a costlier robe than he, and wearing a God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy brighter diadem? And how shall man himself kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest right- carry this excelling dignity? cousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made Thee glad.'

He is Love. On himself He shall concentrate the love and loyalty of all, and thus bind all together, and blend all into one. All loving Him with undivided heart, shall love one another with a pure heart fervently.' All in loyal subjection to Him, shall be in loving subordina

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The King on the throne shall gather the universe into one. In the doctrine of the human and divine nature of Christ,' says a great thinker, we have an effective principle of sociality among unequal orders.' As Lamb of God slain for man from the foundation of the world, in man's enthronement Immanuel shall see, and all creation shall see, of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied. When into one united empire Messiah, God's Son and man's Brother, shall have gathered the whole loyal universe, in the poor of earth, exalted to sit above creation's

potentates, shall be raade known unto the principalities and powers the manifold wisdom of God. Into these things the loftiest angels will desire to look. From the family of Bethany, cherubim and seraphim will not disdain to learn God's gracious plan of providence, nor Gabriel to hear from the lips of the dying thief, the story of redeeming love.

IV. Perpetuity. According to geologists, this globe had to travel through countless ages, before entering on its Sabbath of rest at the creation of man. Since then, its Sabbath has not been altogether unbroken; and the baptism of fire yet awaits itself. But take the race of man. It has been on the globe only a few thousand years, and already may it be nearing the everlasting rest that remaineth for the people of God,'-a rest to be followed by no week of toil, to be interrupted by no night of sorrow.

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If from the race you single out an individual subject of Christ's kingdom, threescore years and ten complete his discipline and warfare. There is an old tradition that Lazarus, after his resurrection, asked Christ whether it was necessary he should die a second time, and that being told it was, he never again smiled. Supposing the tradition true, one could understand Lazarus. And yet, at the same time, had the present life been to the Christian but the first of a series of probationary states for final and unchanging bliss, how heartily, even then, we might have rejoiced over a brother, when through the gates of death he had safely passed from the first state to the second; and how well the rejoicing might have swelled into jubilee as he approached the

final goal! With what joy, then, may we pronounce over a good man's first and last grave, 'Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them!' 'In thine infancy, thou art "more than conqueror." At dawn, hast thou triumphed gloriously: "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter, even now for ever, into the joy of thy Lord."'

'Ever.' Unable though we are to grasp eternity, we are perfectly able to grasp the idea of its necessity for final blessedness. 'Eternal'while the saddest word that can be joined to what is sorrowful, is the most joyous word that can be joined to what is jubilant. Fair, but fading,' falls heavily on the heart. 'Evergreen' decks the beauteous flower with brighter loveliness. 'Farewell' is the last and deepest sigh of the deathbed. For ever with one another'-for ever with the Lord,' is the first and loudest shout of the resurrection morn.

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BESSIE BARTON'S TEST.

I WISH I knew just what to do about it,' were the words that again and again fell from Dr. Barton's lips, for the matter to be decided was a weighty one.

Each time they were uttered, the soft, dark eyes of a young girl, who sat sewing near by, were lifted wistfully towards the gentleman, till at last he noticed the earnest expression, and asked, 'What is it, Pussy? What do you think about it?' I should go by papa's rule,' she replied, the crimson creeping into her fair cheek.

And what may papa's rule be, little Bessie?' asked her uncle.

'Never to do anything, or say anything, or to go anywhere, when we cannot ask God's blessing to rest upon us. He says it saves a world of

trouble, and is always a sure test.' Dr. Barton was a worldly man, who sometimes scoffed at the simple confidence of pious souls; but no such feeling tempted him now, and silently kissing the fair forehead of his niece, he

left the room.

Uttered in weakness as it was, Bessie's lesson of trust proved the 'word fitly spoken ;' and not many months passed before he too claimed this test as his rule in life's duties and trials.

What

When our journey through life seems a tangled pathway, have we as sure a rule to guide our weak steps? Not all the wisdom of philosophy can yield so perfect a test. Do nothing but what you can ask God's blessing to rest upon. a safeguard against the wiles of the tempter, be the lure ever so seductive! What a beacon in the darkest hour of doubt! To feel that God will bless our efforts, is a stronger staff to uphold our trembling steps than the most powerful of earthly helpers.

'Nothing but what God will bless.' Write it on your heart; have it graven as a breastplate; it will never fail you: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. So He has promised, and He never fails to fulfil.

A. M. L.

The Treasury Hymnal.

COME, MIGHTY SPIRIT.

Words by HORATIUS BONAR, D.D.

Music from ZEUNER.

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H

A PASTOR'S STORY.

E was known as a faithful and conscientious labourer in the vineyard of the Lord; his ministerial services were well attended, and his person and work held in high estimation, Especially was there a pleasant understanding between himself and the children of his charge, whom he greatly loved.

Among the latter were three brothers, Robert, Henry, and James. They were bright boys, all of them. Their father was not a professor of religion, though holding its services and its ministers in great esteem. His wife was a shining example of its purity and power. Both her husband and sons looked upon her with admiring love and reverence. While she lived, her influence was potent to order her household aright. Though she longed for and constantly sought the salvation of her family, she never made religion repulsive, or chilled the atmosphere of home by complaints of their refusal to become Christians.

Nor did her serenity give way when death came suddenly to claim her, and she must leave those dear ones behind with no apparent evidence that they were prepared to follow her to heaven. 'I leave them in my heavenly Father's hands with perfect confidence,' she said to her pastor. I can trust his promise, "I will be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee;" and I can leave to his wisdom the time and means of its fulfilment. Only I have one request to make of you, my dear sir; grant me that, and I shall die in peace.'

'What is it, dear sister? I will do anything I can for you, surely.'

Thank you for the promise; may God help you to keep it faithfully! What I ask is, that you will take up the charge which I must now lay down, of daily prayer for my children's souls. There is no one else of whom I can properly ask this favour; and I know of no one whom I could so trust to perform such a pledge.' The pastor felt that he was assuming a great and solemn responsibility. He would have declined it, had he dared to do so; but his word was given, and he must not draw back; so, with an inward prayer for help from on high, he confirmed the promise to his departing friend, and saw her dying features brighten with grateful love and holy joy. Thank God!' she said; I have nothing more to ask. All will be well -for ever well. We will talk of this when we meet above. And so she closed her eyes on earth, to waken in heaven.

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After the pastor had buried the mortal remains of this beloved Christian, his thoughts turned yearningly to the bereaved husband. She did not ask me to promise prayer and effort for him, but only for her boys,' said the wondering clergyman to his deacon.

'I can

hardly understand the omission.' Perhaps, was the reply, perhaps she felt that her death would be the means of his salvation; and I should not wonder if it proved so. He seemed

to me wonderfully sustained during the funeral. I could not help thinking that he had obtained strong consolation somehow.'

The pastor found the above supposition a true one. The husband had long been almost persuaded' to be a Christian; and when he saw his wife's godly living crowned by such dying grace as made her chamber the very gate of heaven, he could no longer refuse to give his heart to Jesus. So he buried her precious dust not only in the full assurance of a glorious resurrection morn for her, but with a new and sweet hope of his own personal interest in her Saviour. 'I think,' he said to the good minister, 'I think she saw that I was not far from the kingdom; she smiled so sweetly upon me at the last, as if all concern for my salvation was taken away; and her last words to me were, "Praise God that we shall meet in heaven." And I do indeed praise Him; for though He has taken her who was the light of my life, He has given me himself-a Light that can never fade away. I shall soon go to be for ever, I trust, with her and the Lord."

Sooner, much sooner than he or any one anticipated, was this expectation fulfilled. A sudden accident cut off the strong man in his prime, and his boys were left to orphanage. It was while the pastor was weeping with them in their sorrow that he told them of his promise to their dead mother. Their hearts seemed very tender, and he fondly hoped soon to welcome them into the fold of the good Shepherd.

But weeks, months, and even years rolled by without realizing those warm desires for the conversion of the orphans. They had found a home with their father's brother; and so far as worldly comforts and prospects were concerned, they had nothing more to desire. Their uncle and aunt had no children, and the boys were warmly welcomed to all the privileges of the household. But no family altar shed its hallowed light in their new home; no Christian example was there; no sacred benediction stood between them and a tempting world.

Yet daily the pastor remembered his solemn covenant with their mother, and bore them on his heart at the mercy-seat. And so long as their places were punctually filled in the sanctuary and the Sabbath school, he waited in hope of their conversion to God. But at length a dark cloud rose in the horizon. Robert, the eldest of the boys, celebrated his eighteenth birth-day, and inaugurated his independence by proclaiming himself too old for longer attendance at the Sabbath school. Henry, who was only two years younger, insisted upon following Robert's example; and James began to think that what had failed to interest his brothers could have no claims upon him. The pastor felt this deeply, and resolved to exert all his influence to bring them back. His kind persuasion easily prevailed with the youngest. James promised readily that he would not again leave his class.

But Henry steadily refused to return, unless

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