sublime process. present form, as this exhibits only the results of the What a difference in the two views! This position science, with all its diligence, has not yet reached-it is comparatively but a play upon the surface of creation, while - Oh, what depths still lie beneath! Such a view of creation none but the Son of God-the Infinite Wisdom-has ever enjoyed. Prov. viii. 27-31. Farther still. It is granted that God's manifestations of Himself are not exhausted by any means in that sphere of creation to which we have now referred, but that they extend into still higher regions, and into systems of manifestation still nearer to Himself systems including organisms and organizations of intelligent beings, in which, and by which, He reveals Himself. Suppose we should be admitted also behind this veil, to witness this display of creative power and revealing glory. In addition to this, suppose we could gain a position analogous to what we have just referred to, in reference to the wonderful system of redeeming grace!that we should be permitted and enabled to see, from behind the veil, the movements of the divine love and mercy towards us in the plan of our salvation—that we should be "able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, filled with all the fulness of God;"Oh, this would be to see His glory indeed! This would be to see Him as He is, in a degree, and to an extent, of which we can now scarcely form any conception. This would be a glimpse into the arcana of divine activities, and a view of Him, such as perhaps no created intelligence has ever yet enjoyed. Into these things angels have not yet looked; but havé only desired to look. Such a view into the now secret depths of deity, in a measure at least, we have reason to believe, will in the future life be granted to the saints. Oh, listen! "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To THE INTENT that now unto principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." To the same purpose is the language of the Apostle in 1 Corinthians xiii. He says that "knowledge shall vanish away"; by which he does not mean, certainly, that there shall be no knowledge there; but only that our present mode of knowledge, by empirical induction, shall, to an extent at least, give way to intuition. We shall be brought into such a nearness to God, that we shall know from within out, instead of penetrating by a painful process, and then only as by fragments, from without in. Now "we know in part, and prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly" - that is, things which we see are as enigmas to us, having their true meaning hidden-"but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." Who can fathom the glory and blessedness of that view, when we shall see God as He now sees us, and know Him as He now knows us! When once we are "with Him where He is," then shall we "behold His glory." In this world, we poor pilgrims walk as in a night faintly illumined by the reflected light of a cold moon and of distant stars; but, oh! how bright and genial will be the sun of righteousness, when he shall rise over us, in the future life, and hold his radiant way along the heaven of heavens ! "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." - To see God thus, in the deepest and most inward manifestations of Himself, and to feel at the same time that we love Him supremely, and that He loves us as the apple of His eye this is blessedness! "I look upon the face of a stranger and it moves me not; but upon a friend, and his face presently transforms mine into a lively cheerful aspect. As iron sharpeneth iron, so does the face of man his friend-puts a sharpness and quickness into his looks. The soul that loves God, opens itself to Him, admits His influences and impressions, is easily moulded and wrought to His will, yields to the tranforming power of His appearing glory. There is no resistant principle remaining, when the love of God is perfected in it; and so overcoming is the first sight of His glory upon the awakening soul, that it perfects it." If the view which the disciples on Tabor had of the glory of the manifested God was so satisfying that they were willing to have their portion there-build tabernacles there, and there remain, caring nothing for all the world beside, how much more so must be that vision on the mount on high, only one ray of which illumined the heights of Tabor! We shall be "presented before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy." If our love to Him, and a sense of His love to us, while we "see him not," brings "joy unspeakable and full of glory," oh, what must it be when we shall see Him-see His face- see Him face to face- see Him as He is! Then, though we will retain our own personality, we shall fully live in Him. Then shall we realize the sense of the many expressions in Him'-'He in us,' and 'we in Him.' He will be our other self, into which we shall be able to transfer our life at pleasure. His life will live in us; and then we shall know what it is to be "partakers of the divine nature." To see God! O, my soul, canst thou realize it? To see our adorable Redeemer! The thought of it is bliss. The hope of it is new life to the soul. The promise of it is an "eternal weight of glory." The fulfilment of it!—yes, O believer, this blessedness awaits thee. Meanwhile, let us humbly lie in the dust, and adore! CHAPTER XII. The Worship of Beauea. High in yonder realms of light, 'Mid the chorus of the skies, 'Mid the angelic lyres above, Hark! — their songs melodious rise, Songs of praise to Jesus' love! HERE is nothing for the faithless worldling. He is of the earth, earthy. The organ by which heavenly things are tasted, is not in him. Alas, how blind, how deaf, how dull is the natural man! Seeing, he sees not, hearing, he hears not, and in the midst of knowledge, he does not know. Let him who knows what worship is by sweet experience, read on. When we, with spiritual eyes and ears, and with a believing heart, rove through the rich landscape which divine revelation spreads out before us, we see in all directions glorious openings into the serene realms of the better land. The view of faith penetrates the infinite, pronounces it real and full of promise. The |