"For no man taketh this honour to himself, but he that was called of God, as was Aaron." AARON. Heb. v. 4-6. We cannot dwell on the instructive particulars noted concerning the first Jewish high priest. His holy garments for glory and beauty; his golden mitre inscribed with "Holiness to the Lord; "his jewelled breastplate bearing the names of the twelve tribes. But it is said of him, "he was made without an oath," leaving it to be inferred that there was no perpetuity in his office. But Jesus Christ was consecrated with an oath. 66 The Lord sware, Thou art a Priest for ever." He will continue to exercise His priesthood in the sanctuary above, until the number of the elect shall be accomplished, and the last soul be saved. He who And as to the anointing oil, it was to be compounded of most precious spices, according to Divine prescription. Nor might any among the Jews prepare oil like unto it for common use. should presume to do so was to be "cut off." The sacredness of the office could not be more emphatically taught. This anointing oil was very costly. A spoonful was worth several pounds. And its perfume was most fragrant, pointing to the Lord Jesus, who is "Anointed with the oil of joy above His fellows." But now, having placed Aaron in his proper place in the series as an eminent official type of Christ, the reader is referred for further particulars to the lesson for the twenty-third Sunday,-HIGH PRIEST. Observe, however, before we pass on, that while ordinary priests were only sprinkled with the oil, upon the high priest it was literally poured, so that it "went down to the skirts of his garments." Ps. cxxxiii. 2. Here we come upon a practical lesson. Was the aromatic unction thus lavished upon AARON, covering him entirely with its rich perfume? So the Anointing Spirit which was poured without measure on Christ, comes down upon the meanest of His followers; and it cannot be hid-it will surely betray itself. Out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaks, and the actions speak, and the Christian will carry with him the "savour of Christ" wherever he goes. General Burn, when a young man, was ordered to a new station among strange companions, whom he found to be lovers of sin. But, the very first day, he observed one among them very unlike the rest, and on watching him, the "savour of Christ soon made manifest in him, both by words and actions; for he also was a Christian. And so the hearts of these two were drawn to each other by the same Anointing which both had received from Christ; and by that they found each other out, almost as soon as they met. For it cannot be concealed. Like Solomon's "ointment of the right hand," it betrays itself in one way or other. It may be by the lips; or by the behaviour; or even by the aspect. Madame de Krudener sought all her happiness in worldly pleasures, till a profound melancholy seized her, which nothing could relieve. One day a shoemaker waited on her in compliance with her orders. was A single glance at his countenance, as he took her measure, showed her that he was as happy as she was miserable. She could not forbear saying, "My friend, are you happy?" To which he replied, with a face on which peace sat enthroned, "Madame, I am indeed the happiest of men." His looks and his words deeply impressed her; nor could she rest until she had sought him out, and learned from his lips the secret of his joy. He was a devout Moravian, and gladly seized the opportunity of preaching Christ to her. She also received the " Anointing," and to the close of her life served the Lord with gladness, diffusing in her turn the same saving aroma to others,-the rich and the titled, among whom she associated. Oh seek for this anointing! It will be the "oil of joy, whereby thou shalt be made glad." It will be the "unction of the Holy One,” whereby thou shalt know all things, for "this anointing teacheth us all things." It will bring thee health and beauty, and make fat thy bones. It will make you both useful and pleasant; others will take knowledge of you, that you have been with Jesus, and will desire to acquaint themselves with Him who hath "anointed thee with oil, and made thy cup run over." Finally, this Anointing will entitle you to sit with Christ on His throne, as a King for ever. And in the meantime, while you live here on earth, it will fit you to be a Priest, to offer up "spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." For He is that "ALTAR which sanctifieth both the gift and the giver." ALTAR. Heb. xiii. 10. An Altar was that whereon all offerings to God were to be laid. There were two Altars in the temple. The brazen Altar for sacrifices in the outer court: and the golden Altar for incense in the Holy Place before the veil. Both were Types of Christ; the one of His dying for us on earth, the other of His praying for us in heaven. Rev. viii. 3. But now those two Altars are overturned; Solomon's temple is no more; the sacrifices are done away; the priests no longer minister. But there is an ALTAR still; for the apostle says, "We have an ALTAR." Heb. xiii. 10. This ALTAR is Christ. But an Altar must have priests to minister at it, and sacrifices offered on it. And the Bible tells us of a Holy Priesthood, anointed "to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." And who are the Priests? Every Christian is "made a priest unto God." This honour is not confined to ministers. They are not priests in any other sense than their hearers. Yea, the youngest child may have this privilege. "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise." When our Lord rode into Jerusalem, He was accompanied by children of all ages, who rent the air with their hosannas; and their service of song was accepted, however rude and unpolished. And still He loves the prayers and praises presented by youthful priests, whose hearts are tender, and who seek Him early. When you devote your youth to God, 'Tis pleasing in His eyes; A flower when offered in the bud Is no vain sacrifice." And just as there were sacrifices, "according to the pattern" prescribed, offered under the Jewish dispensation, so there are sacrifices commanded and specified in our New Testament directory. What are these? 1. Prayer. David asked God that his prayer might be "set before Him as incense, and the lifting up of his hands as the evening sacrifice." And we are commanded to "pray always with all prayer; prayer for daily bread and all temporal blessings; much more for the Holy Spirit, the pardon of sin, and grace to help in time of need. If any be afflicted, let him pray." 2. Praise is a sacrifice. And this we are to offer continually, "even the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." We should praise Him for everything, and always in the name of Christ. What a delightful sight is a whole assembly, joining together with one accord, to offer this sacrifice! ""Tis like a little heaven below." If all are spiritual priests, worshipping at the true ALTAR, the incense of their praise, "like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrh," goes straight up to heaven, and is most acceptable to God. 66 3. Good Works are sacrifices. Psalm iv. 5. "To do good and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." They are an odour of a sweet smell to God." A life, "holy in all manner of conversation," is an incense most acceptable; while a wicked, idle, quarrelsome life is a noisome vapour,-no incense at all, but an abomination to God. Isa. i. 13. 4. We must offer ourselves on the ALTAR, body and soul. Our bodies are to be "living sacrifices." We read of some who say, "Our lips are our own; who is Lord over us?" But God's priest thinks otherwise. He says, 66 "My hands, my eyes, my ears, my tongue, But now they shall be Thine." And God says, My son, give me thine heart." This must never be wanting. God abhors the sacrifice, if the heart be left behind. But the contrite heart is a sacrifice which He will not despise. And now what inferences should we draw from these our first subjects? From among many, we will name the following: 1. That Jesus Christ must be God. The title ALPHA and OMEGA, so sublime in its simplicity, leads back our thoughts to the awful recesses of eternity, and onward to the hidden abysses of immortality. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God,"-the FIRST and CHIEF of beings. How impossible that such titles as these could ever, by the most extravagant fancy, be appropriated to any but the Living God! We are required therefore to adore the Lord Jesus as the "True God and Eternal Life;" and to yield Him our best affections, our most entire confidence, and our devoted obedience. 2. That sin should be avoided as the most atrocious and destructive evil. The second Title-ADAM, "the figure of Him that was to come "-refers us also to a beginning;" for Adam too was an ALPHA, the first of our race. But what a disastrous commencement he made! How appalling the consequences of a single act of sin! What a destructive ocean of sorrow rushed in at one narrow breach! Ever be afraid of sin; nor dare to say, when you are tempted, "It is but once, and only a little sin;" for all sin is hateful to God, and hurtful to His creatures, and must be inevitably followed by punishment. Resolutely refuse to touch the forbidden fruit, however inviting it may look. 3. That we should pray much for the Holy Spirit, and cherish His benign influences. What an honour to be made "kings and priests unto God!" And how precious that "anointing of the Holy One," which alone can qualify us for so great a vocation! Servants, with this "holy anointing," will "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things;" "not answering again, not purloining, but showing all good fidelity." Children, thus distinguished, will be obedient, modest, docile. Masters and parents will be kind and considerate, and concerned for the best interests of those committed to their charge. And all will "do good," not only by deliberate efforts, but also by involuntary and unconscious influence. They will diffuse a "savour of Christ" wherever they are, just as the subtle perfume of some rare spice betrays where it is deposited. Be 4. That our worship can be accepted only through Christ. careful, therefore, when you worship God, to come in the right way. God formerly told His people, that the Altar was the spot where He would meet with His worshippers; nor would He look at those who pretended to worship Him in ways of their own devising. If you wish that your prayers and praise and offerings should be received, offer them through Christ. "Bind the sacrifice with cords " of love, "even to the horns of the ALTAR." Second Sunday. ARK. AMEN. AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION. AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. WHEN the Patriarch Noah was about five hundred years old, he began to build an enormous vessel "for the saving of his house." He seems to have had one hundred and twenty years allowed him for its preparation. Gen. vi. 3. This vast work could not go on without observation; it would necessarily attract the notice of his neighbours, and they would of course enquire, "What can it be for?" The venerable builder was quite willing to explain the matter, and to "give a reason for the hope that was in him." They listened with incredulity to his statement, laughed at the earnest expostulations with which it was accompanied, and pronounced the whole thing to be the freak of a madman. And as the huge pile grew from year to year, shouts of laughter at the good man's expense would often echo along the highways in the neighbourhood; and scoffs would be heard, mingled with the sound of axes and hammers, among the carpenters and shipwrights employed at the works. "Noah's Folly" would be a byword through all the region round about, and he himself "the song of the drunkard," during all the long period occupied in its construction. But the steadfast man of faith and prayer was not to be turned aside. It was by command of God he had commenced the work; and by the help of God he was enabled to persevere, till at length it was finished within the allotted time, pitched inside and out, and fitted up for its perilous voyage. This extraordinary fabric is calculated to have been half as large as St. Paul's cathedral, and equal in capacity to eighteen first-rate ships of the line. There was room enough, within the compass of its enormous ribs, for twenty thousand men, together with provisions and all needful stores for six months. So that it was abundantly capable of carrying all the passengers God intended it for. But now the hundred and twenty years are over and gone; and portentous signs of coming changes begin to appear. Wonderful processions of animals of all kinds present themselves at the building ground, conducted by some secret influence. These, forgetting their wild habits and mutual antipathies, sociably enter the Ark, and are quickly disposed of in various pens by the busy "eight" with whom they are destined for a season to share the strange home. All this being accomplished, God said to Noah, "Come thou and all thy house into the Ark." So these eight persons entered, and the door was closed after them, for "the Lord shut them in." Gen. vii. 1, 16. Whether these wonderful transactions were witnessed by a tumultuous assemblage, filled with amazement or transported with rage, the record does not state. But it seems probable; and God's "shutting them in" sounds very like snatching them from the murderous intentions of their fellow townsmen; just as the angel delivered Lot from those who threatened his life in Sodom on the last night before its overthrow. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment, to be punished. It is the seventeenth day of the second month, which answers to our third of November. On that fatal day, while men are buying and selling, singing and carousing, suddenly darkness overspreads the earth; the voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thundereth. From the open windows of heaven a cataract |