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There will be no hunger or thirst there. "There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary are at rest. There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. The small and the great are there; and the servant is free from his master." It is a quiet resting-place for the poor body which has finished its work, suffered its Lord's will, and is not at present necessary for the soul's happiness or the Lord's service. "Jesus cometh to the grave." It was to the grave of Lazarus, in company with Martha, Mary, and his disciples. O Saviour, whenever we visit the grave of our friends, or, in thought, visit our own, come thou with us, dissipate the gloom, and surround us with thy glory!

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Why should we fear the grave? Can it injure us? Will it rob us? Is it really an enemy to us? The effect that the cold clay or damp vault has upon our nerves is occasioned by the idea of life or feeling under the circumstances. The clay is not colder than the body which it covers, nor the vault more dreary than the corpse which it conceals. We choose our graves; we fancy the elevated spot from which the waters run, on which the sun brightly shines, where the green sward is kept smooth, where the flowers blossom, and the wind sighs through the trees. We direct the inscription to be placed at our head; it may refer to the sufferings endured, the station filled, the grace that saved, or, which is perhaps best, it may be a pointed appeal to the reader, hoping to benefit his soul. We exercise our thoughts on these subjects, we sigh, the nerves tremble, and an indefinable, but unpleasant sensation is experienced, and a fear of the grave is produced. But again we ask, Why should we fear the grave? What is there in it to fear? I know not that it should be the object of desire; I am sure that it should not be the object of fear. We should turn our thoughts from it, and leave it with the Lord. When, where, and by whom we shall be buried, or where our graves shall be, ought not to trouble us for one moment. There are matters of greater importance to engage our attention and occupy our thoughts. If the grave receive us, it cannot hold us, for Jesus is pledged to destroy every grave. His word is, "Oh, grave, I will be thy destruction." Therefore with the apostle we may demand, "Oh, grave, where is thy victory?"

But being harassed with fears of the grave, how shall we conquer them? Keep the conscience clear of the guilt of sin. As soon as sin is committed, or discovered, lay the hand of faith on Jesus as the great sacrifice for sin, confess it before God, and ask for an immediate pardon for the sake of what Jesus suffered. Ask the Father to honour the blood and obedience of his own Son, by pardoning the sins you have just committed, and to remove the guilt that lies upon your conscience. Guilt is at the root of all slavish fear. You cannot look at death with peace, or into the grave without fear, if there is any guilt upon the conscience. And guilt is like some colours, the longer it lies the deeper it stains, and the more difficult it is to eradicate it. Therefore never allow guilt to lie upon your conscience, but as soon as ever you detect it fly to the precious blood of Christ at once, exercise faith in it while you confess your sins, and expect a free and hearty pardon on the ground of it. Live in the daily realization of your union to Christ, if possible. Never rest until you know that you are one with Christ; and having obtained the witness of the Spirit to this great fact, live daily realizing it. If you dwell in Christ, and Christ dwells in you; if you are a member of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones, what have you to fear from the grave? "If you live, you live in the Lord; or, if you die, you die in the Lord; living or dead, therefore, you are one with Christ." "I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from

henceforth yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." They die under the Lord's blessing, they are buried under the Lord's blessing; what then is there to fear? Death or the grave cannot affect our union to Christ. The body is as much united to Christ when mouldering in the grave, as when animated by the immortal spirit, and employing its senses and powers in the Lord's service, or as it will be on the resurrection morning, when it rises the exact facsimile of his own. Glorious truth this! Unspeakable privilege to be one with Jesus,-one with him in health and sickness, in life and death, on earth and in the grave, in time and eternity! May I daily live realizing that I am one with Jesus, and I shall never fear either death or the grave. Seek to have the fact deeply impressed upon the mind, that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. This is your privilege as a believer in Jesus. The Holy Spirit takes possession of us as the property of Jesus. We become his constant residence, his settled dwelling-place, his consecrated temple. When he has once taken possession he never abandons it. The house may be pulled down, the materials may for a time be laid in the grave; but he claims every dust, and it shall be restored or rebuilt. The materials are the same, but, oh, the change that passes upon them! The temple is the same, but how wonderfully it will be improved! Let us for a moment or two listen to his inspired apostle on this subject. "Some will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? There are celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So, also, is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." This change will be effected by the Holy Spirit when Jesus comes, as we read, "If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Now he stamps the likeness of Jesus on our souls, then he will stamp the likeness of Jesus on our bodies. Now we are made like Christ morally or spiritually, then we shall be made like Christ physically. Body and soul will be like Jesus, perfectly and eternally. If my body is the temple of the blessed Spirit, may I not leave it to him to take care of it? Or, if my body is the Spirit's temple, shall I fear its being laid in the grave, when he will keep possession of it, watch over, and raise it up again? Remember, also, that Jesus has said, "I will ran som them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Oh, death, I will be thy plagues! oh, grave, I will be thy destruction! repen tance shall be hid from mine eyes." He ransomed us once by his blood, he will ransom us by and bye by his power. Though the grave receive us, it will not be able long to hold us. We do but fall asleep, and the grave is the dark chamber where we quietly slumber "until the day dawn, and the shadows flee away." Do we fear our bed-room? Are we alarmed because the shutters are closed and it is dark? No. Why not? Just because we are used to it. Now we have no more cause to fear the grave than we have to fear our chamber. There we shall sleep soundly and sweetly, while the storms rattle over head, and death and destruction ride in triumph around. We shall not be disturbed by the sound of the trumpet or the alarm of war. There are no head-aches or heart-aches there. There are no deep sighs or heavy groans there. There are no briny tears or bitter sorrows there. There are no sleepless nights or longings

for the morning there. All is calm and quiet. All is rest and repose. All is safety and security. Well might the poor afflicted patriarch cry out, "Oh, that thou wouldst hide me in the grave, that thou wouldst keep me secret until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldst appoint me a set time and remember me.' 99 Instead of fearing the grave, one rather wonders that many of the Lord's people do not long for it. As when one goes tired to rest after a long wearisome journey on a cold winter's evening, sleeps soundly all night, and awakes the next morning at broad daylight, with a feeling that the night has been exceedingly short; so will it be with us, when on the morning of the first resurrection we open our eyes, with a feeling that only a short time before, a very short time, we fell asleep in Jesus. Once more, learn to look beyond the grave, to the soul's residence, or the Redeemer's glorious advent. Absent from the body, we shall be present with the Lord. The moment the soul quits the body, "its thinkings and achings are o'er;" and the emancipated spirit, like the bird which has escaped from its narrow wiry prison, ascends to its Redeemer's throne, to enjoy freedom, perfect freedom, and everlasting joy. It is only the casket that is left behind; the jewel sparkles in the Saviour's diadem. It is only the tent that lies prostrate; the inhabitant has arrived at his journey's end, and has finished his pilgrimage through the desert. It is only the outer garment that is laid in that stone wardrobe; the wearer is safe and clothed upon with a covering which is from heaven. Let me think, then, of my happiness which I shall enjoy in my disembodied state. Let me even look forward with pleasure to the time when I shall "depart and be with Christ, which is far better." With Christ! What will it be to be with Jesus? With Christ! Oh, delightful idea! To be with Christ, to be like Christ, to enjoy Christ, and eternally to honour Christ! "Oh, that will be heaven to me!" And suppose the body that has so long shared my sorrows and my joys, with which I have lived in such close and intimate fellowship, is left for a time in the cold, dark grave. It is not for long. Jesus will soon come and call for it; he will raise it, fashion it like unto his own glorious body, and then receive it unto himself. He is coming on purpose to raise the dead bodies of his saints, and to change the living ones. He will have us with him. Body and soul were alike purchased by his blood, and are both destined to share in his glory. He will soon come. The intermediate space between our death and the resurrection of the just is scarcely worth a thought. We shall be fully employed in heaven, as far as our spiritual and immaterial part is concerned; and our poor bodies will be safe and unconscious in the grave.

Blessed be God for his holy word! Blessed be the Lord Jesus for bringing life and immortality to light by the gospel! I will not look at the grave with the naked eye any more, I will look at it through the gospel. Precious gospel, which plants the flowers of Paradise around the graves of the saints, and pours the light of glory into the otherwise dark chamber of the tomb. The Sun of Righteousness was confined in it, and exhaled all its unwholesome damps. When he rose he left his shroud to cover us, and his napkin to wipe away the tears of our weeping friends. Shall I fear to lay where Jesus has lain before me? Shall I object to be wrapped up in the linen which covered his sacred flesh? He assures me I shall rise again. His own resurrection was the pledge of it. The morning cometh, in which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice. Oh, what a morning will that be! How bright, how rosy, how balmy! To what a day will that introduce us! What light will shine on us; what breezes will fan us; what odours will perfume us; what sounds will ravish us; what sights will delight us; what sensations will thrill through

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us; what delightful enjoyments will be realized by us! "The sun shall be no more our light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto us; but Jehovah shall be our everlasting light, and our God our glory. Our sun shall no more go down, neither shall our moon withdraw itself; for Jehovah shall be our everlasting light, and the days of our mourning shall be ended." Must we pass through the valley of the shadow of death? Must our bodies be laid in the grave? It may be Thousands are there before us, and thousands will follow after us; but "the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Let us, then, be willing to be conformed to Jesus in his humiliation, even to the laying of the body in the grave; and live in the sweet expectation of sharing with him in all his glory; for "when Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory."

Cheltenham.

NO STANDING STILL.

"We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you.”—Num" x. 10.

This passage is a very solemn, but a very precious one, one which it would be well for the christian ever to keep before his eyes, and pray God to write upon the tables of his heart. It contains a truth which the best, and those who are least exposed to the temptations of life, are liable occasionally to overlook, while from the conduct of many who profess the name of Christ, it would appear to be entirely hidden from their view. How immersed in secular pursuits, how buried in the world, how absorbed in worldly speculation, and half blinded by love of money, are many who profess to be strangers and pilgrims below. And yet we are journeying on. This is true of them, it is true of us all, at all times, and under all circumstances; from the cradle to the tomb,-by night and by day, sleeping and waking,-at home and abroad, in sickness or health,-poverty or riches,-in the church or the world,-still we are all journeying on to a boundless, endless eternity.

"We are journeying." Then we need not be concerned to learn the manners nor the language of many with whom we may be brought in contact; for we shall speedily have to leave them, and it would be a loss of time, as well as of comfort, and we most of us like comfort.

"We are journeying." Then it will not be wise of us to overload ourselves with too much luggage; many a goodly vehicle has broken down on the road through this folly; we need not be concerned to build too many houses, because we can only live in one, and that, one day, we shall not require; and then as to our gold sacks, many have found them sadly oppressive, when they have come to a hill.

"We are journeying." Then we may expect a little rough usage; travellers do not always meet with the best or kindest fare; we may expect to be misunderstood by some, and to have a few hard blows from others; we may expect contrary winds and rough seas,-night as well as day, storm as well as sunshine,-sickness as well as health,-sorrow as well as joy,-disappointment as well as satisfaction,-hills as well as valleys, and all manner of strange varieties, in body, soul, and circumstances, in ourselves as well as others.

"We are journeying." Then let us keep our eye upon our map; let us talk to our guide; let us lean to his judgment; let us follow and not go before.

"We are journeying." Then let us think of the end; this is the chief thing with travellers. Are we in the valley? let us think of it; are we on the mountain top? let us think of it; in health or sickness, joy or sorrow, poverty or riches? let us think of it; and this may, yea, with the Lord's blessing, will, put sweets into our bitters,-joy into our sor rows, strength into our weakness,-riches into our poverty,-light into our darkness,-let us then think of the end. But " we are journeying" unto the place which the Lord said, "I will give it you." Then we are not travelling on without an object; we are not at sea without a rudder or compass; we are not blind wanderers, orphans in God's universe. Happy the man that can say this! Reader, canst thou, or dost thou desire to do so? Happy the man who has this for a staff to lean upon, who is not left to blunder on through time without hope, or to dance through life without thought, to perish in eternity! Alas, poor worldling, what wilt thou do when the last sand in life's brittle hour glass has fallen, and time shall bid thee an eternal farewell? Canst thou adopt the language of the text, and say, "I am journeying unto the place which the Lord has said he will give it to me"? If thou canst not, and art not concerned to do so, thou art a poor man, whatever thou hast. Canst thou, believer? then thou needest not envy a prince; if thou hast this sweet assurance, the fruit of divine tuition, thou hast a pearl which all the wealth of India cannot buy. Better to have this gem set in thine heart by the finger of God, than a throne among princes. Art thou thus enriched? Oh, what dost thou not owe to thy Lord? travelling to a place which he has said he will give to thee? And art thou to have honour there? surely thou canst bear a little reproach here; a palace there? will not a cottage do here? riches there? wilt thou mind poverty here ? immortal health there? wilt thou mind sickness here? rest there? wilt thou mind toil here ? life there? then wilt thou fear death? Let us think, then, of the place; let us think of the end.

"Which the Lord said, 'I will give it you.” Then it is a matter of divine bestowment; then it is a place worthy of our attention, for the Lord does not speak about trifles; then we are indebted to the Lord for the information,-had he not have lifted the vail, what should we have known? had he not have spoken to us, what should we have cared? where should we have been? Journeying on, it is true, but to where? To where thou art journeying, reader, if unconcerned about thy soul, a despiser of Christ; to the regions of darkness, of misery, and despair; a place which, fearful as it is, God has spoken to us of, but from which, through the grace of God in Christ Jesus, may both reader and writer be eternally preserved. Oh, "Seek," then, "and ye shall find; knock, and the door of heaven's mercy shall be opened to you."

Hammersmith.

W. P. B.

Diss.

PRAYER.

A FRAGMENT.

Can my mortal body live
Without the vital air?

Can my better part survive
Without the breath of prayer!

No, my soul,-thou know'st 'tis good
To seek thy Father's face,
Better than my daily food,

T'attend a throne of grace.

S. S.

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