to see thee as thou art; and to be made like unto thee; the last sinful motion for ever past; no more opposition; no more weariness, listlessness, dryness, or deadness; but conformed to my blessed Saviour, every way capacitated to serve him, to enjoy him,-this is heaven." And well might her glowing words animate the faith and hope of that devoted missionary of the cross, who was called, when at the foot of Mount Lebanon, to encounter the last enemy. His friends having proposed to pray with him, he replied, "Yes; but first I wish you to read some passages from Mrs. Graham's Provision for Passing over Jordan;"" and on hearing the words, "To be where thou art, to see thee as thou art, to be made like unto thee;"-he anticipated the conclusion, and said, with an expressive emphasis, "That is heaven!"

Yes; to be with Christ, to see him as he is, that indeed is heaven. In our converse with him now by faith, we rejoice with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory; what then will be our emotions when that glory is realized, and his presence is attained?

"Not all things else are half so dear
As converse with the Saviour here;
What must it be in heaven?
"Tis heaven on earth to hear him say,
As now I journey day by day,
Poor sinner, cast thy fears away:
Thy sins are all forgiven.

"But how will his celestial voice
Make my enraptured heart rejoice
When I in glory hear him!
While I before the heavenly gate
For everlasting entrance wait,
And Jesus on his throne of state

Invites me to come near him."

Reader, is this happy, this heart-cheering anticipation yours? What proof can you give of your title to mansions in the skies? Is "Christ in you, the hope of glory?"* Have you "the earnest of the Spirit?" Are you "made meet to be partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light?"‡

Then, rejoice in hope of the glory of God."§ Your warfare will soon be accomplished, your labours ended, your rest begun. Now is your salvation nearer than when you believed. A little while, and you shall tread the golden streets of the holy city; you shall eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God, and drink of the pure crystal river which proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. A crown of glory shall be yours, and the waving palm of victory; you shall hear the voice of harpers harping with their harps, and you shall join in their ever new and triumphant song, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and

• Col. i. 27.

† 2 Cor. v. 5. § Romans v. 2.

Col. i. 12.

wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."* "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."t

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace.‡ "Walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."§ Remember, that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord." And the well-grounded hope of future blessedness necessarily leads to present sanctification. "Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." The "exceeding great and precious promises" are given to us, not only that we may be gladdened and comforted by them, but also that we may be made partakers of the Divine nature, and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust."**"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon the earth."

Weary and sorrowful pilgrim, the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed. Let the radiance of coming joys illumine the clouds of present grief; let the melody of heaven-breathed songs soothe the agitation of

*Rev. v. 12. † Psalm xvi. 11. § 1 Thess. ii. 12. Heb. xii. 14.

**2 Peter i. 4.

2 Peter iii. 14.
¶ 1 John iii. 3.

tt Col. iii. 4, 5.

your troubled spirit. Oh, your "light affliction is but for a moment," and it "worketh for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while you look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."*

Aged Christian, the time of your departure is a hand. The sunset of life and the night of deah usher in the dawn of immortality. The earthly house of your tabernacle is about to be dissolved; but you have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a livey hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the powr of God through faith unto salvation read to be revealed in the last time: wherein ye geatly rejoice." +

Lsten to the words of your ascended and gloried Saviour: "Surely I come quickly!" Wha is your earnest and heartfelt response? "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

1

2 br. iv. 17, 18. † 1 Pet. i. 3-6.

Rev. xxii. 20, 21.

OUR HOME!

LIFE's sun a longer shadow throws,
And all things whisper of repose;
Our toilsome journey soon will close,
And we shall reach our home!

Here we no resting-place have found;
Unnumbered dangers lurk around,
Temptations, snares, and griefs abound-
Earth cannot be our home.

On let us press with cheerful haste,
Nor precious moments idly waste;
For, oh! we long those joys to taste,
Which are reserved at home.

Only a narrow stream doth flow
Between this dreary waste of woe,
And that fair land where richly grow
The lovely flowers of home.

Its peaceful waters softly glide,

And Christ through them our steps will guiė, And land us on the other side

Where we shall be at home.

Some cherished friends have gone before,
Their conflicts and their toils are o'er;
And we shall meet to part no more,

When we have gained our home.