Father's heart beating for me, and at the right hand of that Father, I behold my Redeemer with his wounds still bleeding for me. All Heaven looks down upon me with joy, when I am engaged in prayer, or when I have withstood the temptations of the world, and followed the path which my Redeemer has pointed out to me. I am permitted, and I am commanded to look upon the bliss of eternity as my heritage. If I elevate my weeping eyes, with confidence to the Almighty-so surely will he dry those tears, and speak consolation to my heart. Although a mother may forget her child, thou, O my heavenly Father wilt not forget me. Thy grace is everlasting, for thou art the Lord, my father and benefactor. But when I think of thee, O my Redeemer, how unbounded is then my consolation under the afflictions of life. Thou art my hope, by thy side I fear no misfortune, with thee, living or dying, my faith is in thy promises, and I know they will be fulfilled. There is no other salvation but in thee, and there is no other name given to man, by which he may be blessed. The hope inspires me, that through Christ I have a gracious Father in Heaven, and should it be his will, that this night should be my last, I shall die with the blessed consolation that I have an intercessor with my Heavenly Judge, and that through him, I shall be admitted to the enjoyment of the beatitude of everlasting life. Hear me, O Lord-and grant my supplications. JANUARY VI. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. Why seek ye the living amongst the dead? said the angel to the afflicted women who visited the sepulchre of the Lord; he is not here, but is risen. HE IS RISEN! The disciples of Jesus heard the inspiring words. Awe and rapture penetrated their souls fresh courage animated the hearts of the timid and desponding, who since the death of their divine master, had been wandering about like sheep without a shepherd. HE IS RISEN! The persecutors and murderers of the Messiah, heard the intelligence with terror. They could not comprehend the miracle. They wished to look upon it as a bare-faced and impudent falsehood.-The disciples have stolen the corpse-But in vain was their exclamation. The living one appeared to his friends; he appeared in the land of Galilee. HE IS RISEN-loud sang the Heavens their songs of joy, and for ages afterwards on earth sounded the joyous jubilee. - Even my own soul rejoiceth. He is risen-his victory is my victory; his triumph over death and the grave, is my triumph; his life is also my life. The festival of his glorious and splendid flight over dust and corruption, is the symbol also of my future exaltation over the world and death, when corruption, shall have put on incorruption; and mortality, immortality. It was by his resurrection, that Jesus accomplished for us his work on earth; he had lived, taught, and numerous were the good actions which he had performed. The holy seed of God was sown-but the ground was yet sterile, and the growth doubtful. Christ was still by many misconceived, and even by his most confidential friends was the aim of his mission not properly understood. They expected from him the establishment of a terrestrial throne; the restoration of the kingdom of David; deliverance from the government of Rome, and power and dominion given to the Jewish people over all the nations of the world. Such were their hopesstill the Messiah said, " My kingdom is not of this world." He was to suffer and die; the truth of his doctrine was to be sealed with his blood; as a willing sacrifice he was to offer himself up for the sins of the world, and with his death. an end was to be put to the Mosaic sacrifices. He suffered, he died the death of the Saviour of the world. His blood was, as it were to fructify the seed of God, which he had sown on the rugged soil of the human heart. But his work was not yet completed; with his death died also the joy and courage of his followers. Their flattering and splendid dreams of dignity and power had dissolved away-their wishes and prospects were annihilated. His death had obscured whatever he had taught and prophesied. The life of the Messiah had become to all, an enigma. Their minds were envelopped in doubt, when the body of their divine master was wrapped in the night of the grave. Then burst forth the glorious sound, HE IS RISEN! and behold on a sudden, the light shone upon them, the problems of his word were wonderfully solved, his prophecies were comprehended, his divinity understood, death was no more, hell was conquered, God and mankind were reconciled; the Heaven of spirits was founded.-All was accomplished. In Jesus, will I also accomplish all things, for in no other is there salvation. To accomplish all things in him, is to become like him; to think and to act righteously like him; to be like him free from every sin, and to live only in God, and in the Creator of the universe, to see like him, my Father. HE LIVES! HE IS RISEN! O thou disconsolate father! why dost thou wander so oppressed with grief and affliction, and seekest thy favourite, of whom death has deprived thee. O thou broken-hearted mother, why dost thou weep over the grave of thy child, and with thy flowing tears, callest upon its name, and demandest thy beatified one from the grave? Why seek ye the living amongst the dead? That - which ye loved, is not here-it is above in its Father's arms, The festival of the resurrection of Jesus, is the symbol of our accomplishment on earth. O thou father and mother. The resurrection of Jesus proclaims there is no deaththere is no partition between life and eternity; there is no separation from the child whom ye so affectionately loved. Your child lives!-Ye also shall live, for Jesus lives-and the Father of that Jesus lives also. HE LIVES! HE IS RISEN! O thou afflicted husband, why dost thou cast thy look into the darkness of the grave, where |