[51ST SUNDAY. "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."-REV. xxii. 17. CAN it be that heaven is offered to every one? Yes, whosoever will, may come and take the water of life freely. The gates of heaven are open, and all you have to do is to accept the offer of free pardon and grace now, and glory hereafter. Do you say, "But I cannot thirst after salvation; I cannot make myself willing to accept the offered salvation"? Look only unto Jesus for the desire and for the will, and you shall receive it. Consider the freeness of the salvation offered, and doubt no more. Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely, without anything given in return or in exchange. It is a free gift from Jesus. He has it to bestow; He has paid a rich price for it, even his precious blood. Oh, then, doubt no more, but accept a free salvation, M Believe the closing words of the book of this prophecy of your gracious, glorified Saviour. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." A year of Sabbaths has nearly passed away. Another year of your sojourn in this vale of tears is nearly ended, and the gracious invitation sounds in your ears, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." This is your title to heaven -a free invitation from Him who has paid the price for you. With this title in your hand, you cannot be denied admittance into the heavenly city. "I came to Jesus on earth; He promised that him that came, He would in no wise cast out. I am his, and He is mine 'He'll not stay in heaven, and leave me behind.' I am his, and He is mine to all eternity." Oh, for such a simple, unwavering faith in the blood of the Lamb! With this, we may calmly face death and judgment, "Ah! I shall soon be dying! Time swiftly flies away; But, on my Lord relying, I hail the happy day— The day when I must enter Upon the world unknown; My helpless soul I venture On Jesus Christ alone. " [52D SUNDAY 'Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."-REV, XXIL 20. How long, how long shall we be seeking our rest here, forming one plan after another, and expecting happiness from each! Disappointed in one, and finding it a broken cistern that can hold no water, shall we still seek out another and another? This has failed, but we shall be happy at such or such a period. Oh! let us cease from these vain expectations, and learn at once and for ever the lesson which God would teach us, and which would make us truly happy. "I shall be satisfied when I awake up after thy likeness." Yes, then, and not till then, shall we be truly satisfied; then, and not till then, may we expect perfect rest, and perfect bliss. Let us look to the coming of Jesus for happiness, and expect it not before. Then will our hearts sweetly respond to the tidings of his approach, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Then shall we welcome death, and truly love the appearing of Christ. He says, "Surely I come quickly." But a very little while have we to be in this state of conflict and unrest; quickly the day of our redemption draws near— the longed-for day, the expected, the welcome day. Can we say sincerely, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly : either by death or by judgment, welcome to me will be thy coming, I shall be satisfied when I awake up after thy likeness""? 86 Rise, my soul, and stretch thy wings, Towards heaven, thy native place. Sun, and moon, and stars decay, Time shall soon this earth remove; Rise, my soul, and haste away |