The Dying at the Cross. Ar the cross the believer has victory over death. The Christian finds it easy to die when his eyes rest on Calvary. "If I had strength enough to hold a pen," said William 66 Hunter, 'I would write how easy and delightful it is to die." "If this be dying," said the niece of Newton of Olney, "it is a pleasant thing to die;" "the very expression," adds her uncle, "which another friend of mine made use of on her death-bed a few years ago." The same words have been so often uttered under similar circumstances, that we could fill pages with instances which are only varied by the name of the speaker. "If this be dying," said Lady Glenorchy, "it is the easiest thing imaginable." THE SHADOW OF DYING. There are calamities, "There are many shadows of death. bereavements, desolations, which, for the moment, sunder you from earth almost the same as if you were absent from the body. But, if there are shadows of death, on the other hand the believer's dissolution is but the shadow of dying."-A Morning by the Lake of Galilee. Whilst in breathless repose thou art lying, Thy words still breathe forth living breath, To thee but" the shadow of dying," On us rests "the shadow of death." The barrier changed to a portal, The glory on thee through it shined; Thou hast passed from its shadow immortal, And left all the shadows behind. But on us still the shadow is resting, In the mind ever fearlessly moving With the wide-seeing glance of the sages, We count it thy joy to be taken, Thou countedst it ours to be left, Still earth's sleep with the glad news to waken, Nor quite of thy presence bereft. In one church universal abiding, (No narrower home e'en was thine,) On one God and Father confiding, One Lord, ever human, divine. On one mighty arm still relying, Embreathed by one Spirit's life-breath, In the light of Him living whose dying Has made but a shadow of death. AUTHOR OF SCHÖNBERG-COTTA FAMILY. THE HAPPINESS OF A GLORIFIED SPIRIT. Would you know where I am? I am at home in my Father's house, in the mansion prepared for me there. I am where I would be, where I have long and often desired to be ; no longer on a stormy sea, but in a safe and quiet harbor. My working time is done, I am resting; my sowing time is done, I am reaping; my joy is as the joy of harvest. Would you know how it is with me? I am made perfect in holiness; grace is swallowed up in glory; the top-stone of the building is brought forth. Would you know what I am doing? I see God; I see him as he is, not as through a glass darkly, but face to face: and the sight is transforming; it makes me like him. I am in the sweet employment of my blessed Redeemer, my head and husband, whom my soul loved, and for whose sake I was willing to part with all. I am here bathing myself at the spring-head of heavenly pleasures and joys unutterable; and, therefore, weep not for me. I am here keeping a perpetual sabbath; what that is, judge by your short sabbath. I am here singing hallelujahs incessantly to Him who sits upon the throne, and rest not day or night from praising him. Would you know what company I have? Blessed company, better than the best on earth: here are holy angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect. I am set down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God, with blessed Paul and Peter and James and John, and all the saints; and here I meet with many of my old acquaintance that I fasted and prayed with, who got before me hither. And, lastly, would you consider how long this is to continue? It is a garland that never withers, a crown of glory that fades not away. After millions of millions of ages, it will be as fresh as it is now; and, therefore, weep not for me. MATTHEW HENRY. THERE ARE NO TEARS IN HEAVEN. I met a child: his feet were bare, His weak frame shivered with the cold, Said I, "Poor boy, why weepest thou?" Oh, I am lone and friendless now!" |