Again, it is a crown that never fades. In ancient times crowns were frequently given as rewards to those who excelled in racing or wrestling; and they were prized so nighly, that there was scarcely anything men would not do or endure to obtain them. Yet, at the best, they were nothing more than mere fading wreaths of laurel or of pine. But the crown the Lord holds out in promise never fades; for, being a crown of life, it is as imperishable in its nature as in the end will be the redeemed who wear it.

Nor can they ever be despoiled of it. In a world of change like ours, we can count securely on nothing; even crowns and kingdoms here are often lost just like other things. But, happily, come what may, believers can never lose their crown, for it is to be worn where enemies never enter, and revolutions are unknown, and love and joy unutterable glow in every heart. Verily, then, what manner of persons ought believers now to be in all holy conversation and godliness? "Oh, thrice fools are we," said one, "who, like new-born princes in the cradle, know not that there is a kingdom before them!"

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.-2 TIM. iv. 7, 8.

When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.-1 PETER V. 4.

W

January 30.

SHALL WE KNOW EACH OTHER IN HEAVEN!

HATEVER doubts some may have as to saints knowing each other in heaven, Paul seemingly had none; for had he not confidently expected in the future a full and

mutual recognition, it is hard to see how he could reasonably have said to the Thessalonians, "What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" He knew them well on earth, and loved them warmly, for they were his own spiritual children, and it would be strange beyond measure if this gladdening knowledge were to be limited exclusively to time; and all the more, as in the nature of things a lessened knowledge in the future would lead to a lessened interest and lessened delight and joy now. "I am fully persuaded," said Richard Baxter, “that I shall love my friends, and therefore know them. And this principally binds me to them on earth. And if I thought that I should never know them more, nor therefore love them, after death, I should love them comparatively little, as I do all other transitory things. But I now delight in conversing with them, as believing I shall commune with them for ever."

Being social in our nature, if we did not know each other in heaven, some of the great elements of perfect happiness would be entirely wanting. It would imply an unnatural isolation, wholly foreign to all that is revealed of the blessedness of our eternal home. Indeed, our whole being craves for such recognition; and on this account, when a beloved relative is seriously ill, there are few things more trying to our feelings than his inability, through failing powers, to recognize us, or to make it manifest that he does so.

Besides, as the Redeemer expressly says, "I know my sheep, and am known of mine;" and as this knowledge is mutual and loving, and will ever be growing intenser and fuller through all eternity, we may reasonably infer that

what is true in their case will be true of the whole family of the redeemed, and that, instead of knowing each other less in heaven, they will know and love each other immeasurably more. In truth, it seems next to inconceivable that Peter, James, and John, who knew Moses and Elias on the Mount of Transfiguration, should yet fail to know each other in the city of the Great King, or that Paul and Timothy, so lovingly united on earth, should be wholly unknown to each other in heaven.

Just before his death, Dr. Emmons said: "I want to go to heaven; I want to see the old prophets, Isaiah, Daniel, Elijah, and also the apostles; but I want to see Paul more than any other man I can think of." "There are others of us," says Dr. Cuyler, "who will go far to get a glimpse of the author of the eighth chapter of the Romans." And he adds: "What a thrill will the meetings and the greetings in the world of glory send through our souls, when we shall rush toward each other in the glow of heavenly love!" Coming forth

"From this dark world of tears,
From earthly bonds and fears,'

each believer may say,—

"I go to see His glory

Whom we have loved below;

I go the blessed angels,

The holy saints to know.

Our lovely ones departed

I go to find again;

And wait for you to join us:
Good-night till then."

Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.-1 COR. xiii. 12.

I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are

asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.-1 THESS. iv. 13, 14, 18.

W

January 31.

THE BIBLE OF OUR LORD.

HATEVER may be the world's thoughts regarding Christ, all true Christians, on grounds that cannot be shaken, believe him to be the Son of God, and therefore so infinitely wise and holy that he can neither sin nor err. Doubtless it is utter mockery to ascribe infallibility to any man, however exalted, or to any Church on earth, however pure; but it cannot be so to ascribe it to Him in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. In his case it is an absolutely essential attribute of his divine nature, and Scripture uniformly speaks of it as such. It is thus written: "He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." And our Lord himself said: "As my Father hath taught me, I speak these things;" and, "I do always those things that please him." His every utterance, therefore, is divinely true, because ever in complete harmony with the mind of the Father, and with his own exalted claim, "I am the Light of the world." On this account believing men rely with absolute confidence, not on his power only, but also on the certainty of his every word and testimony, and would deem themselves guilty of God-dishonouring unbelief if they did otherwise. Indeed, the very thought of charging their divine Lord and Saviour-who is dearer to them than

life, in whom their every hope centres, and before whose judgment-seat all must appear-with jot or tittle of sin or error is utterly abhorrent to them.

On this account, in spite of the intensified scepticism of modern times, the simple fact of our Lord's testimony to the truth of the sacred record gives them an assuredness of trust in the Book of books which nothing can disturb. If he, the Son of God, believed the Bible, how can they doubt it?-all the more as their Bible was also their Lord's Bible the very Bible which he himself used and expounded and ever appealed to as a decisive authority. Whether quoting from the law or from the prophets, "It is written" was ever final with him. Indeed, the absolute and enduring certainty he ascribed to his own words he invariably ascribed also to the words of Scripture, and declared them to be all-sufficient. "If they believe not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead."

Many now begin to speak as if the varied narratives in the Pentateuch-of the Fall, the Deluge, the call of Abraham, the brazen serpent, the smitten rock, the manna in the desert were opposed to the ascertained facts of science and historic probability, and must therefore be mere myths and fables. Such statements in no degree influence believers, not merely because even on scientific and historic grounds they deem them wholly unwarranted, as perfected investigation, they doubt not, will clearly show, but specially because the Son of God, the Truth, the Life, who cannot err and cannot lie, expressly and emphatically authenticates them all by ever referring to them as undeniable historic facts. Speaking of the Deluge, he says: "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of