death so very sure, ought we not to be prepared to meet our God,' so that whenever He sees fit to send for us we may be found watching, and ready for our great and solemn call ?

Again, we learn that Jesus is able and willing to comfort us, under all kinds of affliction. Doubtless, some of those who followed that procession had, as kind neighbours or loving relations, watched beside the sick bed of that young man, and had witnessed the strength giving way day by day, the feebleness increasing, the breathing more and more laboured, and then becoming soft and low, until it ceased altogether. And that poor, afflicted, widowed mother would cry out, doubtless, with 'an exceeding great and bitter cry, "He is gone." I shall go to him; but he will not return to me.'

Christian mothers, have you ever passed through scenes like these? Have you stood hour by hour at the sick-bed, watching the drooping, wearied head, the cheek fading, the eye becoming dim, of one who is dear to you as life itself, and felt that your earnest prayer that the precious one may be spared to you will not be granted, for that the Lord hath called the child?'

Have you had to bear this agony without him that is dearest to you, to aid you in sharing this overwhelming sorrow; no husband by your side to wipe the scalding tear from your eye, and to whisper gently to you when all is over, and the

spirit hath returned to God who gave it, 'He is not dead, but sleepeth?' If this sorrow has been yours, then, indeed, you can somewhat imagine the grief of the widowed mother of Nain. Yes, and you may faintly picture her unutterable gladness when the joy of her heart was restored to her. We can just get some faint glimmering of her rapturous gratitude, for many of us have received our little ones from the very brink of the grave, in answer to our earnest and fervent supplication for their restoration to us.

Not only was this young man raised to life, but Jesus made him strong and well, and able to walk and to talk as before his death. So kind, so tender, so thoughtful, so compassionate, was Jesus to this poor widow!

And He is all this still to us. Hath He not said, 'Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me ?’* David speaks of God as 'a Father of the fatherless, and a Judge of the widows.'t

At the grave of Lazarus 'Jesus wept.' What a wonderful record of His Divine compassion is contained in these two short words! How comforting is it for the bereaved people of God, in all ages, to think over those two thrilling words, and remember that 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.'

Again, let us all remember, that the same voice † Ps. lxiii. 5.

* Jer. xlix. II.

which raised Lazarus from the grave, the daughter of Jairus from her sick bed, the son of the widow of Nain from his bier, will one day wake all the dead. It will raise them from the sleep of death in all countries of the world. Every grave, and every resting-place, by land, and by sea-shore, and ocean, 'shall yield up its dead.'

What a solemn day will that be: 'The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the Resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of damnation.'

We are told that the 'dead in Christ shall rise first.' Oh! what happy, blessed reunions will then take place! Parents and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, ministers and people, long parted on earth, in sorrow, tears, and weeping, meeting again 'in joy unspeakable,' never more to part; to be for 'ever with the Lord,' in 'glory everlasting!'

Do we, one and all, my sisters, hope and expect to take part in this 'First Resurrection?' Are we now earnestly seeking Salvation, pardon, peace? If we are thus 'turning to God with all our hearts,' then let us remember, that He is very pitiful and of tender mercy, full of compassion, and will ' never leave or forsake us.'

And whether He sees fit to send upon us prosperity or adversity, joy or sorrow, let us trust Him. Let us trust Him in the time of our

L

wealth,' being assured that He will deliver us from presumption, and too great love of the world. In time of trial, let us trust Him, knowing that He careth for us; that He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men; that He 'healeth them that are broken in heart.' We shall find Him to be a 'very present help in time of trouble,' here, and He will point our sorrowful eyes to that blest kingdom above, 'where the Lord God shall wipe away all tears from off all faces.'

147

DORCAS.

COLLECT.

O Lord, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; send Thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before Thee grant this for Thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

Acts, ix. 36-42.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died; whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come,