ceive. Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, &c., were struck with the gracefulness of the spiritual body. The glorified retain their form and features. It is clear by Moses and Elias that the earthly body is not necessary to the whole man.

III.-Jesus took the disciples to the Mount to be impressed with the Divine presence, and while there God indirectly taught by the heavenly visitors the nearness of the glorified to earth.

The cloud appeared as in ancient days to announce the special presence of God. The presence of Moses and Elias is evidence that the crowned saints are not entirely confined to heaven. Various passages imply that they are familiar with what is passing on earth. We err when we conclude they are shut up in heaven as in a prison. They have no cumbrous frames, so can come as silently as the heat of the sun to the earth. Milton has said

Millions of spiritual beings walk the earth,
Both when we wake, and when we sleep.

It is evident there is nothing to prevent them from discerning our transactions. There is a real bond of fellowship between the two worlds. This thought is sanctioned by the highest antiquity. Cicero endeavoured to comfort a father for the loss of his son by the idea that he might still be engaged in performing kind offices for him. The account of the rich man in hell shows that Abraham was acquainted with the inhabitants on earth. It is said of the glorified, they shall serve Him. They love human nature as never before, and have but one wish for us, that is for our future happiness.

IV. Jesus took the disciples to the Mount in order to know the Almighty, and while there God indirectly taught by the heavenly visitors the recognition of the saints in light.

The companions of Christ seem to have looked to Him for all help. The time had dawned when they were to be fully acquainted with God, that in the future they might be familiar with the Divine Father. The ambassadors of heaven were made known to them by some intuitive discernment. The disciples could not know them by sight, yet by some method the celestial representatives became personally known. The recognition of friends in the other life is possible. How easy to conceive those we know on earth shall be remembered in heaven. But we are taught more than this, the distinguished persons, relations, &c., of past and future ages will be identified by us. good will form new and holier attachments above, while the heart will retain the old relationships. We shall not possess the feeling of having exchanged home for an unsocial country, as the departed meet with the congratulations from those who have passed on before.

The

V.-Jesus took the disciples to the Mount to listen to the testimony

of the Divine voice, and while there God indirectly taught by the heavenly visitors that the glorified converse with those on earth.

The seal of God's approbation was given to His Son, and He acknowledged the relationship to Himself. All this the disciples were privileged to hear, which assured them that their confidence in Jesus Christ was not misplaced. They also heard the celestial representatives talking with Jesus. The language or organ with which they communicated their message is unknown. The progress of the mind naturally improves, so that we can conceive the expressiveness of the language of heaven. Everything has a language of its own; every nation has its peculiar language. The silent language of the eye speaks the feeling of the heart; the dumb talk with their hands. The inhabitants of heaven speak the pure language of God; still voices from the better land continually come. It is possible in some way to hold communion with the dead. It is an unspeakable truth, that as earthly things recede from our sight, voices speak to encourage and bear us up for the future. Surely we have heard of some who, in the stillness of the chamber, in secret worship, in family groups and devotional gatherings, have heard gentle voices more sweet and restful than any on earth, sent by God to quicken us to be more obedient, and feel that our wrongs and weakness are known by those on high. May we earnestly seek to copy the spirit and tone of all the celestial communications, that our language may rise to God in sounds of prayer, and in songs of praise.

Market Drayton.

ALFRED BUCKLEY.

REJECTING CHRIST.

"Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him.”—John xix, 15.

THIS was the cry of the Jews when Christ was at their disposal. They represent myriads in modern life, who when Jesus is proclaimed to them as their Saviour, cry out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him." They may not express themselves thus in words, but they do so in actions. Actions have a voice with God, they speak audibly to Him. Every man who does not accept Christ as his Saviour and Lord is, in effect, saying, "Away with Him," &c.

I. THIS IS COMMON.-Many go in at the wide gate, and travel upon the broad road that leadeth to destruction. The multitude run to do evil. It is a common thing to see men rejecting Christ, the Saviour. II. THIS IS FOOLISH.-Man is sick, Christ is the effectual medicine, and he rejects Him. Man is shipwrecked, and will not accept Christ the lifeboat. Man is drowning, but throws away the rope held out to him as his only hope of deliverance. Man is a condemned criminal,

but will not accept the reprieve offered by the King of Kings. Hence he is foolish.

III. THIS IS UNGRATEFUL.-Think of the great price paid for the ransom of man from the power of sin and the doom of death, and you will discover how aggravated is the guilt of him who will not appreciate the salvation thus put within his reach. "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things," &c.

Sometimes men

IV. THIS IS SUICIDAL.-Often it is literally so. live in sin till they are ashamed to face their fellowmen, and to escape remorse they will by some unlawful means put an end to their earthly existence. But it is always morally so. The rejection of Christ, the true spiritual life of the soul, is soul robbery and soul murder. "O Israel, thou has destroyed thyself."

V. THIS MAY BE DONE ONCE TOO OFTEN.-Whenever Christ is at our disposal we know not that we shall ever have him thus before us again. Therefore, in putting Him aside even for a short season we run great risk. God's spirit may cease to strive. Death may

terminate our opportunities for getting good, and quench every ray of hope. Most sinners are lost by accident. They meant to accept Christ some time, but they put Him away once too often.

J. WILKINSON.

CHRIST AND THE REBELLIOUS SOUL.

"Whereupon as I went to Damascus, &c."-Acts xxvi, 12-18.

THE greatest conversion as to person, character, manner, and issues was that of Saul of Tarsus. The Holy Spirit calls special attention to it by supplying minute details, and by recording it in several places. Paul delighted to relate the story to the glory of his Master. Just glance over the thrilling narrative. There are supplied several valuable propositions.

I. THAT THE LORD CROSSES THE PATH OF THE REBELLIOUS SOUL. The enemies of Christ are not allowed to go on unwarned and unhindered. Balaam's path is crossed by an angel with drawn sword : Pilate's wife warns her husband because of her dreams. Scripture history supplies numerous illustrations.

IMMEDIATE AND

II. THAT THE LORD DEMANDS FROM THE REBELLIOUS SOUL UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.-Such is always the Lord's demand. Pharaoh put off obedience and asked for a modification of terms; but to him the end was disaster. Saul surrendered immediately and unconditionally. We warn and entreat thee, O

rebellious man! to do likewise.

III. THAT THE PERSONAL

APPEAL OF THE CRUCIFIED ONE IS

CALCULATED TO PRODUCE SURRENDER.-No doubt fear has a place in the turning of the rebellious soul. It had in the case of Saul. But the words of injured love and proffered mercy wounded and changed the prostrate penitent's heart, "Why persecutest thou Me?" Rebellious soul, canst thou resist the remonstrant entreaties of the crucified One?

IV. WHEN THE LORD CONVERTS A GREAT REBEL HE MAKES AN EMINENT MISSIONARY (verses 16 to 18).-If the great talents of enemies of the cross who could easily be named were consecrated to Christ, what grand missionaries the men who have them would make. But every soul whom Christ saves is called to "witness" for Christ, and to act as a missionary in a narrower or wider sphere. Rebellious soul, consider; those talents of thine, if but sanctified, would make thee a mighty missionary of the cross.

E. T.

TRUST IN THE LORD.

(OUTLINE SERMON TO CHILDRen.)

"Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."-Psalm lxi, 2.

DEPENDENCIES exist in all the relations of life. Providence provides for us earthly comfort in friends and the general blessings necessary for our convenience. But these sometimes fail when we need them. There is nothing certain and reliable but God and truth. To heaven we must apply for what is indispensable for our highest good here and hereafter. Lead me to that help is the prayer of the text.

1. "The Lord is the rock." "Who is a rock like our God?" "The Israelites drank of the rock that followed them in the wilderness, and that rock was Christ." Our Saviour is compared to a rock because He is a firm foundation. "Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a chief corner-stone." "Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid."

2. As a rock, He is a defence.

by massive walls of stone.

wall."

Cities sometimes have been secured Harbours have strong fortifications of the

same material. "The blast of the terrible ones is a storm against a "But by Christ as a wall of defence, the good who trust in Him are protected."

3. A shade from burning, scorching heat. "As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." In low latitudes, labourers and travellers faint and are about to sink. A great rock affords them a refreshing and invigorating shade. In Christ the weary and sinking find rest and protection.

4. Durability. Stones remain. Storms do not waste them.

His years

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."
"From everlasting to everlasting Thou art God."

fail not.
Saviour is the Christian's portion for ever.

Is He a Rock? How firm He proves,

The rock of age never moves!

The

Consent to be led by God. The Rock that is high as heaven, deep as the depths beneath, broad as the Universe, as permanent and lasting as the throne of God, will be your refuge, safety, and salvation.

MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.

WELLS.-I. Wells of Scripture. (Gen. xvi, 14; xxi, 30, 31; 2 Sam. xxiii, 15; Ex. xv, 27; Deut. vi, 11),—2. Well-side conversations. (John iv, 6; Gen. xxiv, 16, 17; Ex. ii, 15-20; Gen. xxi, 25; xxvi, 21).—3. Weariness and thirst. (John iv, 6; Heb. xii, 3; Gal. vi, 9; Psa. vi, 6; xlii, 1, 2).-4. Wells without water. (Jer. xiv, 3; Zech. ix, 11; Jer. ii, 13; 2 Pet. ii, 17).-5. Wells of living water. (Matt. v, 6; John iv, 10; Isa. xii, 3; John vi, 54-56).—6. Water from the Throne. (Rev. xxii, 1; Ezek, xlvii, 1; Zech. xiv, 8; Psa. xlvi, 4).-7. Words of invitation. (Isa. lv, 1; John vii, 37, 38; Isa. i, 18; Rev. xxi, 6; xxii, 17).

CHRIST OUR MODEL.-I. For Faith. Looking unto Jesus the Author and Completer (proper rendering) of faith.-2. For Brotherly Love. "Walk in love as Christ also loved us." (Eph. v, 2.) 3. For Purity. "And every man that hath this hope (in God) purifieth himself even as He (Christ) is pure.” (1 John iii, 3.)—4. Sufferings (1 Peter ii, 21.) "Because Christ suffered for us," &c.-5. Patient Endurance. (Heb. xii, 3.) "For consider him," &c.-6. Selfsacrifice. (Phil. ii, 5-8.)-Whole Conversation. "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He (i.e., Christ) walked." (1 John ii, 6.)

CHRIST THE ANSWER TO ALL DOUBTS.-John xiv, 6.-Refer to Thomas's questioning and doubts (chap. xx, 24-29).-Christ's answer: 1. "I am the way." Christ is the way to the Father. He became this (1) By His incarnation and life. (2) By His death on the cross. He is the procurer and bestower of salvation and sanctification. There is no other way. Art, literature, and science, with all their usefulness and value, cannot and do not answer my torturing doubts and questions. How can I reach the presence of the Father ?-2. "I am the Truth." If Christ were not the Truth, He would not be the Way. All our dubious questionings, What and where is truth? are answered in Christ or nowhere. (1) He is the fulfilment of the desires of men after truth embodied, living, moving, speaking. (2) He is the medium by