behold, the Lord Jesus again appears. At the voice of the archangel the grave of the believer opens, and he or she who slept therein comes forth, the soul reunited to its body, and for ever an inhabitant of bliss. But what of its neighbour? Alas! there it continues until that awful day arrives when the 'dead, small and great, shall stand before God, and be judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.' (Rev. xx. 12.) Knowing the certainty of these great truths, my dear friends," continued Mr. C- "makes me deeply anxious to impress the importance of them on your minds. I long to see by your daily life and conversation that you place beyond all doubt the assurance of your safety; that 'whether you live, you live unto the Lord, or whether you die, you die unto the Lord: in short, whether living or dying you are his,' washed in his blood, sanctified by his Spirit, and clothed in his righteousness; so shall ye be meet partakers of the joys of heaven.

"If there are any here to whom these things are new, I charge you for your soul's sake to search the Scriptures with prayer, and no longer to remain in ignorance on a subject of such vast importance. He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry,' and I warn you to prepare to meet him. But how? you ask. By being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ your willing Saviour. By nature you are at enmity with him, and under the curse. Jesus came to reconcile you to your offended Father, and to bear the punishment you have deserved. Believe, therefore, on him, and be saved, and then you will rejoice in the anticipation of that day when he shall come again in the clouds of heaven, and all his saints with him; and when the believer on earth shall be changed and caught up together with the newly risen, to meet the Lord in the air, and thus to be with him for ever and ever."

K. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.

THE

NEW TESTAMENT HISTORIES.

THE appointed day for the gentry to meet at the Court found our old friend Hyford going thither likewise. He always set out early, that he might take his time, meditate upon what he heard when last he was there, and puzzle himself about the subject his loved pastor would next bring forward. His whole interest was excited. Called, as he often said, at the eleventh hour, he felt a constant desire for instruction. "Let me learn more of my Saviour and his wonderful dealings towards me before go to him," was his constant exclamation; "then my mind will be enlarged, and I shall enjoy a greater portion of happiness still, for I believe that the more we know here, the greater will be our joy hereafter."

I

Thus the old man argued; whether right or not it is difficult perhaps to say, though with him I am inclined to believe there are gradations of happiness even in heaven, and that each will be filled according to his capability and fitness for his glorified state. The ascension of the Divine Redeemer had given him much to ponder upon, and the stress laid by Mr. C upon his speedy return to earth in that same body wherein he entered the abodes of light, opened a large field for thoughtfulness and meditation. Hyford's was no common mind; he thoroughly examined all he was taught, and until he understood it he did not care to receive it. He brought everything to the test of the Bible, and when once he found it there all was right, and he never let it escape his grasp. He saw and entered into the whole beautiful scheme of redemption, and while rejoicing in a risen Saviour as the means whereby was sealed and confirmed the completion of his wonderful mission, he fully entered into the fact of his ascension as the proof of his princely dignity, and fulfilment of the

promises of sending his Holy Spirit to guide and instruct his infant Church.

All these various subjects were crowding into the good man's brain when his neighbours Smith and Hill overtook him and it was beautiful to see these three persons, linked by the closest bonds of Christian fellowship, slowly walking together, and conversing on the various histories recorded in the Bible. They were fully competent to speak on the subject, for each could truly say, "Oh, how I love thy law ! it is my meditation all the day;" and they estimated its value as far beyond the silver and gold of this perishable globe.

Just as you joined me, neighbours," said the old man, standing to take breath, "I was thinking how beautifully and properly our great Redeemer finished his work on earth: that he should slowly rise from the mount whereon he stood, in the very same body in which he was crucified, and in the sight of his disciples enter that bright cloud which at last hid him from their view; and then I was thinking what joy must have been in heaven, when he again appeared among them, and sat down upon his throne of glory. Yes, I wonder what grand earthly throne could be compared to his. I have heard that some kings have very grand thrones; but then, when I reflect what it is that after all alone can make them so, it seems to amount to nothing."

"That is true, Master Hyford," said Mr. Hill; "I have heard poor Robert often speak of the fine things he used to see abroad. He described to us the palace of the Queen of Spain, glittering in gold and precious stones, and enriched with the most beautiful marbles, costly statues and rich furniture; but after all, it seems, as you say, to amount to nothing, for the moth destroys the velvet, and the beauty of the gold is tarnished by age; but the throne of our great King is for ever and ever, while his garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they make him glad.'

Aye, neighbour," replied Hyford, "to my mind that is far more beautiful; but what do you mean by his clothes smelling of the myrrh, aloes, and cassia?"

"I conclude,” replied Hill, "that this refers to those divine graces of the Holy Spirit which were the ornament of our blessed Lord; but of this I am not sure, I only think so; let us ask our dear teacher.”

"Yes," replied Hyford; "and may we ever thank God

that he has been as good as his word, and that 'our eyes see our teacher,' one whose meat and drink it is to do his Master's work."

I

Thus the friends conversed, and at length entered the room; many more were assembled, but not all. As the time of meeting drew on, the numbers increased, and the usual party being collected, Mr. C―― took his seat. Hyford was fidgety: good man, he always was when he had anything on his mind, and Mr. C, who was now thoroughly used to all his peculiarities, saw that he must hear what he had to say before he began.

"Well, Mr. Hyford," he said; "have you thought much upon the subject of our last lecture,- -our Lord's ascension ?"

"Thought about it!" replied the old man ; “indeed, sir, I have thought of it very often, and before you begin to-day, sir, I want to ask you the meaning of the myrrh, aloes, and cassia, wherewith the garments of God the Redeemer are said to smell." (Psalm xlv. 8.)

"The psalm you have alluded to," replied Mr. C "is a glorious prophecy of Jesus as the king and bridegroom of his Church, ruling and governing it according to his gracious will, and piercing the hearts of those who naturally are his enemies with the arrows of conviction, and causing them to fall under him as his willing and subdued captives. When he ascended up on high, and entered the realms of glory, he appeared in his full character of Mediator and Redeemer. His 'garments' are said by the Spirit to have smelt of 'myrrh,' an emblem of his bitter sufferings, yet mingled with those divine graces which ever cause his name to be as ointment poured forth,' and are to the believer as a savour sweet, fragrant, and full of odours, while on his head are many crowns,' all of which are connected with, and bear reference to his cross; for truly there was not an instance wherein he triumphed over the malice of Satan, that produced not a corresponding cause of glory, or a variety in creation that does not bespeak his power and love. Seated on his heavenly throne, the Lord Jesus beholds his kingdom and inheritance here below, and rules over it as it best pleaseth him, and with unerring wisdom. As Lord of the harvest he watches with unwearied diligence over his domain. He says, 'I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.' (Isaiah xxvii. 3.) And this promise he repeated to his