patient faith; hence it is added, "Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." They will be fully delivered by the personal return of the Messiah in glory, and be brought into the millennial blessing. Those who are faithful unto death, and lose their earthly inheritance, will have a place in the first resurrection (as we learn from chapter xx. 4), and reign with Christ. The the period we have been contemplating. The king, in self-will and pride, set up a golden image, and commanded all on pain of death to bow down to it. All obeyed. A very, very few were the exceptions. They refused to worship the image, and were faithful to the living and true God; they suffered and overcame, not by sword, but by faith and patience. They were cast into the fiery furnace. God was with them in it, and delivered them out of it. They were brought into greater honour and blessing in the earth than they had ever known before. The infidel king was abased, and their oppressors consumed. So will it be in the days of the beast. Happy those whose citizenship is in heaven, who are partakers of the heavenly calling, and members of the body of Christ; for as is the heavenly such are they also who are heavenly; and as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. In a little while He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. antichrist. But Daniel speaks nothing of the Church; his prophecies are concerning his city and people. He says: "He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High." He also says: "The horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them....and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." (Dan. vii. 21, 22, 25.) There is no mention here of resurrec-time of Nebuchadnezzar is remarkably typical of tion or rapture, and therefore they cannot be the Church. He also intimates that some will be brought through this great tribulation; for he tells us, "At that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that is written in the book." (Dan. xii. 1; Rev. xiii. 7, 8.) The prophet Daniel thus speaks of saints, evidently Jewish, and not of the Church, who are brought through the fire into their own promised blessing in the earth. Jeremiah calls it the time of Jacob's trouble. Our Lord also says, that "for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." If they were not shortened, the oppression of the beast would go on to exterminate all who do not worship him; so that "except those days should be shortened there would no flesh be saved." Israel is called repeatedly in Scripture God's "elect." On comparing Matt. xxiv. 31 with Isa. xxvii. 12, 13, it will be clearly seen that the "elect" there mentioned are not the Church, but the seed of Jacob. Isaiah liv. 4, lv. 9, 22 also shew us that Israel is called God's "elect." Another prophet says, that in all the land two parts shall be cut off and die, and that God will bring a third part of them through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: "they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God." (Zech. xiii. 8, 9.) All, these are clearly people suffering great tribulation on the earth, and brought through it into blessing. Like Noah and his family, carried through the tribulation, and brought into the purged earth. With these prophecies our chapter agrees. We are told, "It was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. ....He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." (v. 7-10.) This shews us that many are cut off, and some are brought through:-they overcome, not by carnal weapons, but by faith and patience. This is the Divine rule, That no flesh shall glory in God's presence. The saints, in the great tribulation, will have to learn, that "by strength shall no man prevail." They will not overcome by their own sword or power; for "he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword," &c. God will then be glorified, as He is now, by THE POWER OF THE CROSS. YES, I was living to myself was dead; Self, with its hopes and dreams, was all I had; I asked I might be meek-He broke my heart! I blindly prayed, not knowing how, nor what, I feared to pray, lest suffering come afresh. Ah! I had only heard of love; but now I love the Cross, I shelter in His side That riven side, from which the glory beams, His name shines out through me-He.dwells within. Unlike all others, lacking what they own; Content to be by all the world despised, READINGS FOR THE YOUNG. Narrative of the Conversion and Death of Emma F., written by her Mother a few days after she "fell asleep." IN December, 1863, little Emma F. became "Dearest Saviour, go not from me, Let Thy presence still abide; I am sheltering at Thy side." Soon afterwards, she said, "Mamma, I have deeply convinced of her need of a Saviour, good news to tell you; I think I am saved." I and, although living at a distance from the said, "Dear Emma, are you not sure you are Merrion Hall, she attended the Lord's Day and saved?" She thought a moment, then said, other services. At one of the Tuesday meetings"Yes, I am saved through the blood of the a Christian young lady spoke to her for a con- Lamb. I was praying all day for the light of siderable time touching the sinfulness of her the Holy Spirit, that I might know I was saved. nature, and the completeness of the sacrifice of Her that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast Christ for sin; in this instance there was a last- out. I believe, for Thou hast said. And oh, ing impression made, and she became awakened Mamma, I am saved through the blood of the to a sense of her state as a sinner. Lamb. If I die to-night, I know I have eternal These were sweet assurances of a Saviour's love to poor perishing sinners, and our dear child had now given unmistakeable evidence that she had been with Jesus, that He had revealed Himself unto her, and had shined into her young heart, by His Spirit bearing witness with hers, that she was a child of God, an heir of heaven, and a young follower of the Lord. A few weeks afterwards, as Mr. S. was show-life." ing how Jesus took our sins on Himself, paid the debt we owed, and thereby satisfied God, he took his Bible, held it up, and, laying his hymn-book down on it, said, "Here is Jesus, there are your sins, see how He bears them away from you." This simple illustration of the great transaction came home to the heart of our dear child; she knew she was a sinner, and now she saw her sins laid on Jesus, and that she had only to believe this and be saved. On her return home, she ́said, “Mamma, I never thought of Jesus loving us when we are bad, but Mr. S. says He does, and now I understand how He took our sins and our place. I never could know what other preachers said, but I understood Mr. S. to-day, when he laid his hymn-book on his Bible, and showed how Jesus took all our sins on Himself, but still I don't feel myself saved." Shortly after this, another young lady spoke to her, urging her to believe for herself on the Lord Jesus, and pointing her to that text, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out;' and, with a view to make it more personal, it was changed to "Her that cometh," &c. . On that day she complained of being ill, and was confined to her bed for some days. During this time I observed her to be much in prayer, and on Friday she sang, with her hands clasped and her eyes looking up to heaven Our dear child's earthly prospects were poor indeed; but this was the second the Lord had adopted into His family, and we knew that our daughters had an inheritance "incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away," and this we knew no changes of this present life could deprive them of. Then with thankful hearts we united in singing— "Glory, honour, praise, and power Ah, no doubt there was joy that moment in the presence of the angels. The joy of her soul overcame her weakness of body. Prayer was now turned into praise, and she continued to sing "Happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away." It is now more than three months, and she never lost her hold on Jesus. There are those that can testify of her anxious desire to sit with the Lord's people at His table, as His acknow ledged disciple, and she had that happy privilege afforded her. Who would pass by one of the youngest lambs of the fold? This was the first and last time she partook of the Lord's Supper, but she is now exalted high above all earthly privileges and enjoyments, sitting in the midst of the circle of loved ones, gone up before her for ever with Jesus. She was very much attached to the hymns, "Times of Refreshing," particularly those commencing "Jesus, I am never weary." "My God, we are stones in Thy temple divine." Sometimes she appeared to be gaining strength, and on Easter Monday last she sat in the gallery behind the platform. During the service she joined in the singing, and solemnly sang that sweet hymn "Death with his arrows may soon lay us low, Little did we think our dear one would so soon fall pierced by that arrow. On April 3rd she attended the Merrion Hall for the last time. The hymns sung were"In the Christian's home in glory," and "Lord Jesus, we pray, soon give Thy glad day," which she sang so fervently, that I asked her, Did she really wish the Lord would come? She answered, "Indeed I do, mamma; I wish He would come to-night." Shortly before this she had given way to some little petulance towards one of her brothers; he had been troublesome to her, and, for the first time since her conversion, she had lost her temper, and made use of a hasty expression. When alone with her, I took occasion to speak on the unseemliness of the disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus being led by any spirit but that of love, as well as the effect which such hasty words might have on her unconverted brother. She was deeply affected, shedding tears for having grieved the Spirit of God. Shortly after this she was heard to sing "I thought that I was strong, Lord, and again, the verse "Oh, Thou hast given me sight, Lord," &c., continuing, with great earnestness, "But I know that I am Thine, Lord, guarding against mistakes about conversion. She had not many words for grown persons, but, on his leaving, she said, "Mamma, I fear Mr. D. thinks I am not saved; what he said would not encourage me a bit; but no matter what anyone thinks, when Jesus knows I believe, then I know I am saved." There is one trait in her Christian character which I am loath to pass over: her associating all she loved, as well as many little passing events of daily life, with the coming glory; indeed, she lived constantly in the sense of it, frequently remarking, "Well, we shan't want this or that in the glory." 66 Once, when looking at a Christian lady whom she loved with great affection, she said, in her simple manner, Oh, mamma, won't she look grand in the glory." At another time, she said, "Mr. S. looked pale to-day, but he'll not look so in the GLORY." loss of her hair, she said, "I don't care about When some regretted the my old hair, I shan't want it in the glory." How sweetly she realized these blessed truths, and how soon was she called to be with Jesus, and how graciously the Lord prepared her young mind for the change that was so shortly to come. Sweet, dear Emma, she was of a most loving and affectionate disposition, and dearly loved the sound of Mr. S.'s name; and, while he was away for some time in London and Paris, she said one day, "Mamma, I did not think I cared so much for Mr. S., but I feel so lonely since he went away: I am counting the days until he comes back." Her mother said, "Emma, dear, you have the Lord, and if you were with Him you would not want Mr. S. to direct you." She said, "Oh, mamma, you know what I mean: he did not die for me, but still I know he will be in the glory, and dear Mrs. T. too; oh, I hope we shall be near each other, quite close to Jesus, saying, 'Thou art worthy.' During the last week she was in health, she constantly read "Pilgrim's Progress," and one day, showing the plate to a younger sister, she said, "I should not mind crossing the river if I could see Jesus and the shining ones on the other side." And then, as though the Lord was preparing her for the strife, she was led to sing the last three verses of the hymn before mentioned, ending with those lines "Ready to go to Thee, Lord, When Thou shalt call away." On the following day (13th May) she complained This was a favourite hymn from that time forth of her head being affected. On Saturday and with her. About this time a friend called on us, Sunday she was unable to sit up, and on Monday when I was telling him, amongst other things, the doctor pronounced her to be in gastric fever. of how the Lord had revealed Himself to two She was quite sensible, and said, "Mamma, I of our children. He seemed glad to hear it; wish I was with Jesus, for I have had a dream." but, in speaking to Emma, laid great stress on | Just then her father entered the room, and she said, “I dreamt I saw the Lord Jesus: He came to me surrounded with crowns, and golden and purple stars, bright and beautiful. He said to me, Emma, I want you to come to Me,' and I answered, 'Even so, Lord Jesus, I come quickly!' I also saw grandmamma, and dear little Shaddy (a younger sister gone before), and they both held out their hands to me, as if they wished to bring me with them." On her father leaving the room, she sent for him to come to her, and said, Papa, I don't think I am good enough to die, but I do know I have believed on the Lord Jesus." He told her to "believe still, to believe on to the end, and not fear; all would yet be well." She seemed to have gained fresh assurance, and said, "I do believe; I know the Lord Jesus died for me." She then sang 66 "Jesus, I am never weary," &c. To Young Men. YOUNG men don't much like reading tractsthey don't care to be bored about religiondon't want to be sermonised. They think that religion has only to do with the heaven and the hell of the future. They live for the present, and say, "We want to be happy here- we want to be free-to enjoy life-to be manly." Have you not often such thoughts as these? I know what young men are; and it is because the very things you want are to be found in Jesus Christ, and in Him alone, that long for you to know Him as your Saviour, and rejoice in His favour and friendship-even now, while in this world. The gospel has not to do with the future alone, it has to do with the living present. The word of God teaches us that it is not only a thing to die by, but a thing to live by as well. And, on seeing an orange on the table, con- The believer in Jesus, it is true, is safe from tinued "Dear ones, bring me fruit and flowers," &c. Soon after, she raised her eyes, as if her faith would pierce the skies, and sang "All my sins were laid upon Thee," to the end, and repeated- "Dearest Saviour! Now I know that I am blest." She was constantly in prayer, and seemed to have much sweet communion, always ending with, "Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen." On Tuesday night she was in great pain, but I sang a verse in a low tone, when she smiled and fell into a doze, and each time she awoke in pain I sang a verse, which never failed to soothe her. At one time she tried to sing "Jesus, the name I love so well," &c. hell—“ shall not come into condemnation," and is sure of heaven-" is passed from death unto life." But that is not all; he has present blessings-the very things your inmost heart can desire. (John v. 24.) YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY! There is true joy in trusting to Jesus. Through faith in Him is proclaimed full pardon and complete justification, and, "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Many young men, seeking pleasure in the world, have told me that they believe true Christians to be happier than they are: and as a young man, one of yourselves, I tell you I never knew what true joy was, till I rested upon Jesus as my Saviour. YOU WANT TO BE FREE! Not to be trammelled with the fetters of religion, as you think them. But you are utterly wrong. The worldling is fettered, bound hand and foot, a slave, After this she asked, "Was it right?" and on while the Christian alone is a free man. God's being told it was, said, "Sing "Sun of my soul, my Saviour dear, It is not night if Thou art near." After this her speech rapidly failed her. She was still quite sensible, and knew us up to almost the last moment, holding our hands and kissing us with the utmost affection. When her speech had nearly failed, we asked her, if she knew us, to press our hands once; she did so; and if she knew Jesus, to press twice; this she did, and continued to do until the morning of the day before her departure. As a last resource, the doctors blistered her head, and she suffered much pain, but with great patience and resignation. Still another day and night she suffered and lingered, till Saturday afternoon, the 21st May, when she gently and peacefully fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, aged eleven years. word describes both; the unconverted as "in the snare of the devil, and taken captive by him at his will;" the child of God as "free." "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John viii, 36.) YOU WANT LIFE! God says, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life," but is "dead in trespasses and sins;" nay, more, "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." You cannot know what true life is till you know Jesus, and are united to Him by faith. YOU WANT TO BE MANLY! You don't like the namby-pambyism of religion, as you call it-good enough for old women, but you want to be a man. Is n't that it? Not so fast, my good fellow. It is Christ you have to do with. Was He namby-pamby? Have you read His life in the days of His flesh, and marked His character, and dare you say that He was not a man, while God, still perfect man- the great mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh-a noble man, a manly man? If you would be a. man, you must be made like Jesus. You must be saved through His blood, have His Spirit dwelling in you, be made a new creature" in Him. 66 ..true Now don't you see that the very things you want-true joy, true liberty, true life, true manliness-are all to be found in Jesus, and they are to be found in Him alone. Have you ever come to Him for them? Oh, don't turn away from Him whom God in His rich, free love, offers to you in the gospel. See, here is the whole matter in the very words of the living God: "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Neither is there salvation in any other." "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." I write this as one young man writing to another, and in true friendship. "I know whom I have believed," and I long that you should share the blessings of God's great salvation. W. P. L. REST FOR THE GUILTY. "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. xi. 28.) H, go to Jesus, weary one, In Him thou shalt have rest; Go and lay down thy weary head For ever on his breast. Thou now art black and sin defiled, A guilty rebel found; Thy heart, which once thou thought'st so pure, Is traitorous and unsound. There is no help for thee in man, Thyself thou canst not save, Nor couldst thou wash thy sins away, The peace thou long hast sought. 66 IT Eternal-for, when once 'tis thine, Then wilt thou never wander more, But, led by Jesus' loving hand, Will you meet me in Heaven ?” AN EXTRACT. T was a bright and beautiful day in the month of August, 18-. The summer sun poured down his genial rays upon the earth, and the perfume of flowers filled the air with fragrant sweetness. The fragile form of a little girl was stretched upon a bed of sickness-soon to become the bed of death. For many long months had she suffered, yet without murmuring. Friends had hoped that she would recover; but on that day the quivering lip and starting tear told that hope had fled. Her parents were about moving to the far west. She had anticipated great joy in the journey, and desired very much to see the broad prairies of Illinois, and to gather the pretty flowers that grew upon them. But now she must give up all these bright hopes. She was told she must die. She called her only brother to her bedside. He was a wayward boy of twelve years. She took his hand, and, in a faint whisper, said, "Brother, I shall soon die, but I do not fear death, because my Saviour has died. I have put my trust in Him, and, though my body shall lie in the cold ground, my spirit shall be with Him. In His bosom I shall be happy; I shall be free from suffering there. There I shall sing praises.. Brother, will you meet me in heaven?" Gently as the summer's breeze she passed away, and now a plain white stone in the churchyard of S- with the insciption of "S. M., aged 10 years," tells where she lies. Years rolled away; but wherever that brother went, whether wandering over the wide prairies of Illinois, the deep groves of North Carolina, or the rugged hills of Vermont, those words, "Will you meet me in heaven?" have sounded in his ears until he has been brought, like her, to trust in the Saviour, and to hope that, through Him, he may at last meet her in that happy place. And at midnight, when the noise of rolling wheels is hushed, and the little songsters have gone to rest, and the stars look out from their hiding-places, he can almost ima. gine that he hears little Sarah's voice lisping in gentle accents, "Will you meet me in heaven?" |