Observe, it was not merely temporal death. His death was equal to the eternal death of sinners. He died under the wrath of God: "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts"-"All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." -Isa. liii. 6. He himself "bare our sins in his own body, on the tree." He was made a curse for us. "As Observe, he did it freely: "I lay down my life"-" No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself."-Verse 18. Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us."-Eph. "Who gave himself for us."-Tit. ii. 14. "Who gave v. 2. Herein consists the goodness of the shepherd. He was such an one as to lay down his life freely. There will be much in Jesus to admire when we shall see him as he is. But that which will draw out the loudest notes of the new song will be the sight of the prints of the nails, and of the wound in his side: "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood."-Rev. v. 9. This makes Christ the most attractive of all objects now: "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."-John xii. 32. Ah! brethren, what are you made of, that you are not drawn to give up all for Jesus? 2. In knowing his sheep: "I know my sheep." Christ knows the sheep, as the Father knows him. The Father knew the Son from all eternity: "Then I was by him as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him."Prov. viii. 30. He was in the bosom of the Father. So did this good shepherd know his sheep from all eternity: "Chosen before the foundation of the world." The Father knew the Son with a knowledge of most perfect delight and love: "I was daily his delight." At his baptism, a voice from heaven was heard saying: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."--Matt. iii. 17. So does Christ know his sheep: "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee"-" The King is held in the galleries"-"How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!" "Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me." The Father knew the Son through all his sufferings. So Christ knows his sheep: "I know their sorrows"-" In all their afflictions, he was afflicted." He knows their decays: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot." The Father will know the Son to all eternity; and so the Son will know his sheep for ever and ever. They shall soon" hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat."Rev. vii. 16. 3. I am known of mine. Christ knows the Father perfectly: "No man knoweth the Father but the Son"-" O righteous Father. the world hath not known thee; but I have known thee." So do Christ's sheep know Christ. He gives them "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." He manifesteth himself to them in another way than he doth to the world. He gives them an understanding to know him that is true. This is the perfection of our shepherd, that he reveals himself to us-that he lets out his fragrance, and draws us after him: "I am known of mine." Brethren, do you know the Lord Jesus Christ? Has he opened up his unsearchable riches to you, and drawn you to leave all for him? FAMILIAR LETTERS. LETTER I. TO HIS FAMILY. MY DEAR FATHER, MOTHER, AND SISTER, MARCH 29, 1839, 8 o'clock, A.M. I BEGIN this letter in the steamboat, that I may be able to put it in the post-office to-night. If this were not the middle of the sea, ten miles off the Nore, I would say that I ought to raise an Ebenezer, or stone of help, for "hitherto hath the Lord helped me." The day we left you was a very pleasant one indeed. The evening was quite beautiful, and scarcely a ripple on the Forth. I enjoyed the sight of the Bass Rock very much, and thought of the holy men who had found there a prison-house and a home. What a different voyage I and my brethren are going; not to be imprisoned for the truth, but to try and bring it within reach of the prisoners of Israel. You would be quite thankful, mamma, if you saw that lonely rock, that your son is free, and not a prisoner there. We dined at 4, and then walked on the deck till 8. The moon gave light all the night. The sea continued perfectly calm, and I went to rest in my crib about 10. Yesterday morning I arose at 7, and found that we were opposite Whitby. It seemed a nice-looking old town, with its castle or cathedral frowning over the deep. The morning was dull, but soon cleared up into a most beautiful day. The sea was perfectly calm, like a mill-pond, the whole day and night. Nobody on board has been the least sick. The coast is not very interesting, and we were some time out of sight of land all round. This is the first time in my life I ever was so, and I thought upon the world of waters. I occupied myself in watching the sea-gulls. Two followed the ship a long way: they did not fly straight, but hither and thither, still following. I thought on the way a believing soul follows the Saviourhovering, yet following. We had some heavy showers, but a perfect calm. The company on board are very pleasant people. The Misses C. I find exceedingly agreeable, especially the youngest, who seems a very devoted Christian. But the most interesting person to me is a young Jew, Mr. T. I observed him opposite to me at dinner the first day, and by his beautiful features at once recognized a son of Abraham. Next morning, before breakfast, he happened to sit near to me. I said, "Do you know the Hebrew language?" He looked very surprised, and said, "O yes." I asked him if he were not of the Hebrews; he said "Yes," and wondered how I knew. He said many people would not believe he was a Jew, even when he told them. I asked if he would like to return to Jerusalem. He scoffed, and said "No." He cared nothing about it. He had been strictly brought up by his parents till 18 years old. Being then at liberty, he had gone to America, and learned to cast off Moses and the Prophets. He is a complete infidel-a fashionable-looking youth. He says a great many Jews are of his way of thinking. He was a little interested to hear of our expedition, and has paid marked attention to me ever since, sitting next me at table. He ate ham this morning, telling me at the same time with a leer, " Now, this is wrong." I told him I saw no harm in that; but I blamed him for not reading the Bible. He gave me the address of the two London synagogues and the Jewish bookseller, and a good deal of information. I hope to have another talk with him more seriously still before we part. He told me he could not sleep last night, and asked me if I thought it was because of a troubled conscience. We had beautiful moonlight last night. I watched the different light-houses till dark, and then, when at Cromer Point, committing myself, and you, and all, into the hand of Him who holds the winds in his fist, and the waters in the hollow of his hand, I went to sleep. Slept very comfortably till 7. A drizzling rain this morning opposite Harwich. We are now entering the Nore. 11 O'clock. We are now sailing rapidly up the Thames. We have had truly a merciful passage; not a wave the whole way. I feel a great deal the better of the voyage. The palpitation has quite left me. I will finish this in London. I am glad to see the trees again, on the coast of Kent and Surrey. I have had another interesting conversation with the Jew, which has made him a little more serious. Is it not curious that I should be brought into contact with an Israelite so early in my pilgrimage? I rather think my maps are left behind; at least I cannot find them in my large portmanteau. Perhaps you will send them by Andrew. hope you will take good care of one another while I am away, not forgetting the soul, which is of eternal importance. O to have a healthy soul, forgiving and sanctified! This is durable riches. Give Andrew my kindest regards. I shall long anxiously for his arrival, and that of our Fathers; I know not how I am to get on in London without them. I pray God to direct my way. If he has something for us to do for his Israel, I am persuaded he will. Hampstead Heath, 5 O'clock.-I safely arrived here half-anhour ago, am quite well, and have been received by Mrs. Tate, as if I were her eldest son returning from India. This is a delightful place; and her kindness makes me feel quite happy. Surely the Lord has been preparing the way. He that loves Israel is opening a way for his poor servants. I add no more, as old ministers say, except to pray that God may watch over you night and day. Your affectionate son, ROBT. MURRAY M'CHEYNE. LETTER II. TO THE SAME. HAMPSTEAD HEATH, 9th April, 1839. MY DEAR FATHER, MOTHER, AND SISTER, I HAVE received your kind letters, and only grieve at their being so short. I am thankful to perceive that you are all well. I heard of you also to-day from Andrew Bonar and my compagnons de voyage. I am wonderfully well in spite of all the toils of a London life, which are neither few nor small. Inever was in a place like London before; and were it not for the great kindness and considerate watchfulness of the kind lady with whom I stay, I believe I would have been fairly knocked up by this time. On the 30th March I made my first entry into London with Mrs. Tate. We drove through Regent's Park, and I admired its seeming palaces, which also reminded me of the whited sepulchres. I called on Sir George Sinclair, but he was out. Surveyed St. James's Palace, which you know is a grave-looking building, like some of our Canongate palaces. Walked through Burlington Arcade and the Quadrant-called on Mr. Nisbet, the bookseller, and Mr. Hamilton, a Scottish elder, who has been the kindest person in London (out of this house) to me. We returned late, and I heartily tired. Sabbath, March, 31.-Being a little fatigued, I went to the Hampstead churches-first to the chapel. Mr. H. preached, evidently a very good man, though needing much to be roused up into life and energy. Afternoon, went to the parish church. Heard one of the curates. Saw the Baptismal Service-far too long-too many kneelings, and the absurd signing with the cross on the forehead of the child. The sponsors, too, seemed ignorant clowns. I fear there is a sore evil here. Evening spent quietly. Monday, 1st April.-Into the City by 2. Went with Mr. Hamilton to Mr. Waghorn, a singular blunt Englishman. He called our expedition a trip-pointed out the easiest route in a trice, and was done. I could fix nothing till I knew the resolve of my Fathers. Called on Mr. Andrew Bonar, one of the merchant princes of this great city. Very kind; invited us to dine on Saturday. Riding some miles further, called on Dr. Crombie, Scotch |