ties you have of intercourse with Jesus. Never grieve him by coldness or unfaithfulness. Prove yourself his friend by your deference to his authority and your zeal in his cause. Reflect much on his great condescension in acknowledging you as standing in such intimacy with himself. And patiently wait for the hour when you shall see him as he is, and enter on a state of unbroken fellowship with him. Here fix my roving heart! Here wait my warmest love! MARCH 13. "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God." 1 PETER iii. 22. YES, he who humbled himself to become man, and sojourn on earth, has gone back to the place whence he came. All the hosts of heaven rose up to welcome him, and shouted "Come in, thou King of glory, O Christ ?" But how is he engaged at his father's right hand? He is there as a conqueror over his enemies. He triumphed over principalities and powers-vanquished all his foes-bruised the head of the serpent-and ascended with the spoils of his victory. All things are now made subject to him. He is there as the advocate of his people. He undertakes to plead their cause-to present their prayers—to secure for them an audience with the Great King. He is there to dispense all spiritual blessings. He is heaven's almoner to the needy. Out of his fulness we all receive and grace for grace. He is the channel through whom all the blessings of the new covenant flow. He is there as governor of his church. He receives the homage of his subjects-defends them from their enemies-secures the enjoyment of their privileges-and rules all things for their safety and peace. Once more Christ will vacate his throne and descend from the skies. Not to humble himself as at his first advent; but to gather his elect together and lead them back with him to glory. May I be numbered among his jewels in that day, and serve to increase his renown! Saviour, hasten thine appearing; Bring, O bring the glorious day! MARCH 14. "Pulling them out of the fire." JUDE 23. HE celebrated Charles Simeon was on one oc casion summoned to the dying bed of a brother. On entering the room, his brother put out his hand to him, and with the deepest feeling said, "I am dying; and you never warned me of the state I was in, and of the danger to which I was exposed by neglecting the salvation of my soul!" Nay, my brother," replied Mr. Simeon, "I have taken every reasonable opportunity of bringing the subject of religion before your mind, and have frequently alluded to it in my letters." "Yes," exclaimed the dying man, "it is true you have done that; but that was not enough. You never came to me, closed the door, and took me by the collar of my coat, and told me that I was unconverted, and that, if I died in that state, I should be lost. And now I am dying; and but for God's grace I might have been for ever undone." This circumstance it is said made an impression on Mr. Simeon's mind which was never erased. Impress on my heart, O God, the value of perishing souls, and the dreadful danger to which they are exposed; and make me more earnest and devoted in seeking their salvation! Lord! may I feel the mournful scene; And snatch the fire-brands from the flame. MARCH 15. "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast." HEB. vi. 19. N one of the terrific gales which sometimes Her anchors were gone, and she refused to obey her helm. A few moments more and she would strike. All on board except one man were in the greatest consternation; expecting nothing but immediate death. This one man was calm. He had exerted himself to the utmost while there was any chance of saving the ship; but now that the wreck was inevitable, he quietly composed himself, and awaited his end. A friend who noticed his calmness, asked how it was he appeared so indifferent to his fate. "Do you not know," said the friend, "that the anchor is gone, and we are drifting upon the coast ?" " Certainly, I do," was the reply, "but I have an anchor to the soul." Happy are we, if we have this anchor! If we are in Christ we are safe. The anchorage is good. The anchor and cable are strong. The bark will ride out every storm. We may look with composure on all the clouds which lower over our heads, and the billows which rage around us. We may have the most violent tempests of adversity and temptation. We may quietly wait death itself. Nothing can drive us from our moorings; for our anchor "entereth into that within the veil." Loud let the howling tempest yell, And foaming waves to mountains swell, Since hope hath fixed its anchor there. MARCH 16. "And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation." PSAL. cvii. 7. 6 He has a general regard for all his creatures, OD appoints a way for his people on earth. and embraces all in his providential care. But he exercises a special superintendence over his saints. They may not always deem the path he marks out for them a pleasant one. His arrangements may not agree with their anticipations or desires; and may seem at variance with all the perfections of his character and promises of his word. A cloud of mystery may envelop his government. His way may be in the sea. Yet it is the right way. It is that which shall lead to safety and blessedness. The experience of the people of God in every age is uniform here. However much they are perplexed and baffled for a timewhatever temporary distress they feel-yet at the last they see all has ended well. Blessed be God! he has engaged to conduct us in this right way. By the intimations of his providence-by the teachings of his word-by the secret guidance of his Spirit-by all these he will lead us home. city of habitation" is yonder. A glorious city 66 The it is! Faith discerns its gates of pearl and streets of pure gold-hears its shouts of triumph and the music of its harps. Lord! submissive may we go, MARCH 17. "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righte ousness which is of God by faith." PHIL. iii. 9. CELEBRATED heathen once said, "I clothe myself with my own virtue." Multitudes make this empty boast in our day. They rely on their honesty their benevolence and alms-deeds -their prayers and observances of the outward duties of religion, for acceptance with God. They reject the sacrifice of Christ, and, ignorant of God's righteousness, go about to establish their own. My friend! art thou clothed with thine own virtue, or with the righteousness which is of God by faith? If thou hast no other covering than the former, thou art exposed to all the storms of the Divine displeasure. Unless clothed in the robe which Jesus has wrought, the shame of thy nakedness will appear at the last day, and thou wilt be refused admission into the palace of the King. Glory be to God, for the righteousness of Christ! Jesus, thy blood and righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress; |