was a prayer that showed what was the chief object of his love, and the anticipated source and centre of his heavenly joy. A dying believer of the modern church exclaimed, "I do so long to be with Christ that I could be content to be put to the most exquisite tortures, so I might die and be with Christ." So have believers in all ages felt that to be with Christ would be the answer of their prayers, the fulfilment of their hopes, the end of their faith, and the fulness of their love.

We are told of a mountain of loadstone which could attract ships at a great distance. Nearer and nearer were they brought by an invisible influence and with ever-increasing velocity, until nail after nail was drawn out, when the ship would drop to pieces. So is Christ in heaven ever drawing believers nearer to himself by the powerful magnetism of his love, until, one after another, the cords of their earthly tabernacle shall be loosed, and their freed spirits shall soar aloft to be with "the King in his beauty."

But what gives such edge to these sacred longings to be with Christ? In Christ, God is manifested in a gloried humanity, and a humanity that bears the traces of Calvary's agony.

May, then, the hour of Communion be a time when thy death, O Christ, shall be remembered! While I think of thy life of love, may my reliance for eternal life be upon thine atoning sacrifice! "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!"

O SILENT LAMB! for me thou hast endured, -
Jesus, thou holy, perfect, sinless One!
Thy grief and bitter anguish have secured
My soul's salvation, when this race is run.

Then let me, to thine image true,

Thus meekly suffer, with the crown in view.

The narrow way that leads us up to heaven
Must here through strife and tribulation lie;
Then on the thorny path may strength be given
This sinful flesh, O Lord, to crucify.

Oh, take this feebleness away,

And make me strong to bear each future day!

Here daily crosses come to try our weakness,
Here every member must some burden bear;
But, O my Saviour, if I take with meekness
The cross appointed by thy love and care,
Too great, too long, it will not be,

For it is weighed and measured out by thee.

If thus we journey patiently through sadness,

Each grief will make us dearer to our Lord; But if we flee the cross in search of gladness, We cannot shun his dread avenging sword. Oh, blessed they who hear the call, Who take the cross and follow, leaving all. Hymns from the Land of Luther.

O THOU, the contrite sinner's Friend!
Who, loving, lov'st them to the end,
On this alone my hopes depend,
That thou wilt plead for me.

When, weary in the Christian race,
Far off appears my resting-place,
And, fainting, I mistrust thy grace,
Then, Saviour, plead for me.

When I have erred and gone astray,
Afar from thine and wisdom's way,
And see no glimmering, guiding ray,
Still, Saviour, plead for me.

When Satan, by my sins made bold,
Strives from thy cross to loose my hold,

Then with thy pitying arms enfold,

And plead, oh, plead for me!

And when my dying hour draws near, Darkened with anguish, guilt, and fear, Then to my fainting sight appear, Pleading in heaven for me.

When the full light of heavenly day
Reveals my sins in dread array,
Say thou hast washed them all away;
Oh, say thou plead'st for me!

CHAPTER X.

CHRIST OUR LIFE- THE NATURE AND EFFECTS OF SPIRITUAL LIFE -PRESIDENT EDWARDS AND HIS WIFE THE RELATION OF THE SUPPER TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE-POETRY.

"I am .. the Life.-John 14:6.

C

CHRIST OUR LIFE,- this is the only perfect expression of the fact of spiritual life. However we may attempt to define it, to explain it, to unfold it, to seek other modes of announcing it, we are brought back to the simple inspired statement, feeling that the Christian experience alone can adequately interpret it. The believer's life is "hid with Christ in God." Christ is its hidden spring, whence it issues and derives its perpetual support.

No one Christian has entered into the full comprehension and appropriation of the fact, and there