him the result of his long and varied experience, he replied: "I have just been meditating on the ninety-first Psalm. I have experienced every statement it contains to be true, every promise sure. I have lived in times of pestilence, and I dwelt in the secret place of the Most High, and abode under the shadow of the Almighty. I have passed through times of war and bloodshed: His faithfulness was my shield and buckler: I was in danger of fire: He gave His angels charge over me, to bear me up in their hands. He has honoured me and satisfied me with long life. There remains only one promise unfulfilled, and for this I am waiting now: "I will show him My salvation." II. THE FOUNTAIN. I saw a wonderful fountain. On the one side it received the foulest pollution; sin and uncleanness flowed into it. And yet it remained clear as crystal, and of exquisite beauty, transparency, and life. And while it received the waters of defilement, it sent forth streams of purity, which mirrored forth the blue light of heaven, and refreshed and fertilised the land. Here I beheld an innumerable multitude, with sin as red as scarlet; and they came forth whiter than snow. From that same fount where sin was buried, love was shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost; and out of the heart flowed patience and meekness, self-denial and zeal. And I remembered that Christ is righteousness and sanctification. Whenever He forgives, He gives; for He never forgives without giving Himself, and He never gives Himself without giving all things which pertain unto life and godliness. III. THE LAMB INSTEAD OF THE LION. The sentence of condemnation had gone forth, and the wretched malefactor was waiting for the dread signal of the king. Then the doors were to be opened, and a fierce lion was to be let loose on his trembling prey. The awful moments were fulfilled, the shrill clarion had sounded, the portals were thrown open-when, to the amazement of all spectators, and to the overwhelming joy of the despairing man-not a lion rushed in, but a milk-white gentle lamb softly walked to his side. When the glory of the Lord shone round about them, they were sore afraid, but the angel said: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." "God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." IV. A SUN AND SHIELD. A minister of the Gospel was explaining the truth to a sick, dying man. But the heart of the sick man was full of sorrow and fear. "If I were as good and holy a man as you, I would not be afraid." "Well," said the pastor, "you seem to wish to possess the goodness and holiness of another man. I can tell you of One who is infinitely better than I, who is perfectly good and holy, and who is able to do what no man or angel can do-give His goodness and righteousness to another, so that it serves Him before God as if it were his own. This man is Jesus Christ. Look to Him, and God will look upon you as good and righteous. Jesus is your righteousness." Thou art my Shield, Lord Jesus Christ! A transgressor of God's holy law, a sinner against the just God, I am protected by Thy perfect obedience and all-sufficient atonement. But Thou art a transparent Shield, and through Thee I behold the Father in love and light. Thou art my Sun! Without Thee God dwelleth in light inaccessible, and is a consuming fire: in Thee I can behold the brightness of His glory, and live. Thou shieldest me not from God, but with God; Thy protection is light; Thy light is peace and safety. V. KNOWEST THOU THE WAY? It is free to all, yet the few who find it are a chosen generation; it is narrow, and yet they who walk in it rejoice that God has set them in a large place. The path is old; the fathers knew it, and it was ordained in the ancient days, yea, from everlasting; yet is it ever new, and its beauty is of everlasting youth. It is a way of death; every step in it is crucifixion. It is a way of life; every step in it is breathing life essential and eternal. Upward it goes to the heavenly places; yet he who travels there is constantly descending, and exclaims: "I must decrease." Perfect safety is established there by the King's command, power, and watchfulness; yet the wanderer feareth alway, walketh in the midst of trouble, is surrounded by enemies and dangers, and liveth by faith. The way is a way of labour and activity: "Never at rest" is the motto of its people. It is a way of repose and enjoyment: "Ever at rest" is their continual thanksgiving. The pilgrim is ever moving onwards, and yet he confesses he has reached home; he desires progress; yet gives thanks that he can desire and have no more, and reach no higher and better place. Knowest thou the way? 66 Elizabeth Christina, Queen of Prussia, was speaking one day to the little daughter of her gardener, and was greatly pleased with the wisdom and gentleness of the child. Some time after, as the Queen was about to sit down with her ladies at table, the child was brought in, and the Queen ordered her to sit beside her. The Queen was curious to see what impression the gold and silver and bright ornaments would make on the little girl. She looked round in silence and astonishment; at last she folded her tiny hands, and said with a clear voice: "Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness My beauty are and glorious dress: The ladies were deeply moved. "Oh, the happy child," one of them exclaimed to the Queen, "how high she is above us!" "Father, I'll stay with You." THE `HE_tempest lashed the troubled deep, While like a log our vessel drove Before the hurricane. The waves had drowned the engine fires, And with a noise like thunder's roar One look I cast upon the scene: A maze of rocks and breakers wild, And there the sea and sky were one, Which hid the surface of the deep, Alone, within the cabin shut, But wait and hope, amid despair, As there I lay, still thinking on I found I was not quite alone, A little girl lay opposite, She timid seemed, and shy: I asked her if she felt unwell, 66 'Oh, no!" she made reply. Then seeing her so wan and pale, "It is, indeed, a dreadful storm; "What! of the storm? No, not at all." A smile broke o'er her lip. "I'm not afraid, my father is The captain of the ship. "And he is not afraid; he's been He knows well how to guide the ship Now and again the father came Below to see his child. "Pray, is there danger?" I would ask, "The tempest seems so wild." And always when I asked, he gave The answer uniform: "No, not a bit of danger, ma'am, We'll weather out the storm." Always this answer every time Until for the last time he came. His face looked sad and grave; And there seemed moisture on his cheek He stooped and kissed his child, who placed Her arms about his neck, And cried, "Oh, father, let me go With you upon the deck!" "Upon the deck, amid the storm, My child, you could not stand." She pleaded still, "Take me with you," |