They

be roused, all in a moment, by the summons: Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him?' Does it seem as if this could not be? And yet the Bible tells us that it will be so for some. Two men shall be working in the field-two women shall be grinding at the mill-the one shall be taken, the other left. will be doing their every-day work as usual, little thinking perhaps that it is for the last time. And so it may be with you; you may get up in the morning, and the day will seem perhaps like any other day; the sun may be shining as brightly, the birds singing as usual, and yet it may be that that will be the day of His appearing. We cannot say that it will be so for us, but we must all remember that it may be.

But even if Christ does not come thus during your lifetime, He will come to you in death. Are you ready? Perhaps you may have a long illness to give you time to prepare for it, but perhaps, on the other hand, death may may come to you suddenly. We all need to learn the lesson

of the text. We all need to watch, lest, coming suddenly, the Master find us sleeping. Will you not try and live as if each. day might be your last, for then when the Bridegroom cometh you will go forth joyfully to meet Him, with loins girded, and lamps burning, as those who wait for their Lord?

6

PRAYER.

Grant, O Lord, that we may not only pray, Thy Kingdom come,' but prepare for it. Help us to keep our lamps burning, like wise virgins, that when the Bridegroom cometh, we may go in with Him to the marriage.

Help us to watch daily and hourly for Thine appearing, remembering that each day may be the last we shall spend on earth. If Thou shouldst call us away by death, make us prepared for it, and be with us in our last hour, so that we need fear no evil. Keep us always from forget

ting Thee, and after this life is ended, take us to be with Thee for ever. For Jesus

'Gird your loins, and let your lamps be

burning

'Clear and bright.

'For the day and hour of My coming

'None may know;

Saints and angels wait, while you are

watching

'Thus below.'

We will watch for Thee, O dearest Saviour,

And we pray

For the coming of Thy blessed Kingdom

Day by day.

We will watch for Thee until earth's

shadows,

All are past;

Then to Thy dear call make joyful answer :

'Come at last!'

Saturday.

HEAVEN.

TEXT: REV. VII. 16, 17.

'They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.'

We have now thought over some of the helps God gives us in living a Christian life. We have seen how in these many different ways God teaches, and warns us; but in thanking Him for 'the means of grace,' we must not forget to thank Him also for 'the hope of glory.' I think if we look upon it rightly, we may make that too a help to us, for it is a hope that cheers us onwards.