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exercise of deep humility, and longing expectation, and active usefulness.

Of deep HUMILITY,- for how little do we know, as we ought to know, of the reality and extent, and rich fulness of God's holy Word; and how little, therefore, do we realize of our own unfitness for the vision of that glory which shall accrue to our exalted Redeemer, in the day of His espousals, and in the day of the gladness of His heart. Surely our sins help to make up that load for which the Saviour once suffered and under the effects of which the earth still groans. Surely, as we remember Christ's atoning sacrifice, each one ought to strike on his breast and say, God be merciful unto me a sinner. O, that in prospect of the earth's redemption, we might see more of the evil of sin, and that the light reflected upon it from the glory which shall fill the earth, may cause a more salutary dread of remaining for ever under its influence! The experience of Christ's saving grace can alone prepare us for His kingdom of glory.

When once we have sought and found this saving grace, to what feelings of LONGING EXPECTATION should our subject give rise! We are not of the world even as He is not of the world. What excuse, then, can there be for worldly anxiety or worldly conformity? Why should we be anxious to scramble for the poor toys for

which the children of this generation expend their skill and strength, or be fretful if we are not equally successful in attaining them? Why should we be unduly cast down because of disappointments and crosses? We are looking for a better and more enduring inheritance. It is hid with Christ in God, and when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. Such an interest as the saints have in such a kingdom, and with such a Saviour, the wonder is that it can be ever out of their thoughts, or ever cease to fill their hearts to overflowing with joy and gladness. Think, Christian brethren, of the flood of light and glory which will soon burst upon all God's renewed and sanctified people, and of the fulness of joy which will then enlarge their hearts. At the best, in the present state of things, our highest attainments are only as when the bright shining of a candle doth give us light, but we are looking for Him whose countenance is as when the sun shineth in his strength; and when He appeareth, we trust, through His merciful kindness, to be found amongst those who in His light shall see light. And then,

The light that shines on Sion's hill,

Shall shine through every land;
The King who reigns in Sion's towers,
Shall all the world command,

Gracious Saviour, do Thou enable us to rejoice in hope of the glory of God!

Finally, my brethren, is not this the season for Active usefulNESS? The joy of the Lord ought to be our strength. The ingathering of God's elect is not yet completed; there are yet others, as we believe, in all parts of the world, both among Jews and Gentiles, to be gathered. And we who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, are appointed to be the honoured instruments of accomplishing this glorious work. "Therefore, let us not sleep as do others.' It is a time for more than ordinary work. We have more than usual encouragement. The last efforts ought to be vigorous; the last hours of the day we need to work hard; the last charge in the battle field may well be made with energy and determination. It should encourage us that the enemies have but a little time. They must soon leave the field,— for He is coming who will destroy them that have destroyed the earth. Now, then, is the time, if at all, to reap the everlasting laurels which the great Captain of Salvation shall soon bestow to all who have fought a good fight, and finished their course, and kept the faith. "Behold," he says, "I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give unto every man according as his work shall be."

Our work is to labour and pray for the salvation of our fellow-sinners, while yet the day of salvation lasteth. In so doing, our zeal may be condemned by those who think it unnecessary— our motives misconstrued, and our views misrepresented. But the day is coming which will put all things right. Therefore, my beloved brethren, let us be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord.

LECTURE VIII.

THE RESURRECTION TO GLORY.

BY THE REV. T. R. BIRKS, M.A.,

RECTOR OF KELSHALL, HERTS.

1 COR. XV. 53.

"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

It is a bright hope which the word of prophecy sets before us, that the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. When we look back upon the thousands of years in which sin and sorrow have triumphed, or view the awful scenes of misery and crime that are still around us in the present day, and then turn to these promises, we may be ready almost to think the fulfilment of them quite hopeless. Our hearts may repeat in

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