hearts, they had examined their own souls, and those splendid utterances respecting a future state were the result.

own reason. In this night, the truth is made

But Jacob was not left to grope after this knowledge by the light of his magnificent vision of the known to him in all its imposing details, is revealed to him with marvellous clearness and emphatic precision. Though he himself is upon earth he perceives that there is another and a brighter world beyond the skies, which is the peculiar dwelling-place of Jehovah, which is the home of those ministering spirits who do Jehovah's will.

This then, my friends, is the truth which I wish to press upon your attention, which I desire you to hold in remembrance-the same truth as forced itself upon Jacob's mind on that memorable nightthat you possess a twofold nature, that you are citizens of two worlds, that you have an interest, not only in time, but also in eternity. This truth is taught unto you, not by the uncertain voice of your constitution, as it was to ancient sages; not by supernatural visions, as it was to Jacob; but by the explicit and authoritative teaching of God's word. It was a part of Christ's mission, when He assumed our nature, to teach us this truth; for He brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

He came to elevate us, by setting us free from the tyranny of sense, and directing our thoughts to things invisible. Hence the words which He spoke: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you."

II. THE UNITY OF EXISTENCE.

We know that we possess both a material and a spiritual nature, but the point at which they come in contact it is impossible to ascertain. Philosophy has spent its strength for nought and in vain, in endeavouring to solve the difficulty. But suppose we carry this enquiry still further, suppose we ask if there be any connection between the seen and the unseen world, between the material and the spiritual universe. You have a definite reply in the text. Heaven above and earth below are connected by one great ladder. They are, therefore, not two, but

one.

And, behold, the Lord stood above it." The Lord of heaven is also the Lord of earth; heaven and earth are therefore united into one realm. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland con

tains different countries; all separate, yet all united; owing allegiance to the same sovereign. The universe is a vast united kingdom, embracing different provinces, different principalities, different powers; but all alike subject to the central government. Above all is the great white throne, and upon the throne sits He, "who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting."

"And, behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it." The spirit-world is very near to us, we are but one step removed from it, were our eyes opened we should perceive that its stands round about us. Indeed, we are sometimes inclined to believe that material forms are but symbolical representations of spiritual realities, that the things which are seen are but outward manifestations of

the things which are not seen.

Underneath the

lies the eternal

manifold appearances of nature spirit, struggling as it were by means of those developments of the beautiful, the magnificent, the sublime, to reveal its grandeur to mortal sense. But the text teaches something more; that there is a constant communication between heaven and earth. This communication has been esta

blished by the incarnation and sufferings of the Son

r

of God. We have His own word for it-" Verily, verily, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." When man fell, and set at defiance the will of God, we might have expected that God would have left him to himself, to reap the consequences of his disobedience. But no; rather than such a calamity should occur, God preferred to sacrifice His only-begotten Son. Through His agony and atoning death, the way which sin had shut up has been reopened. God can have mercy upon us, can hold communion with us, can send His angels down to comfort us in our troubles, to strengthen us in our conflicts, and at last to bear our ransomed souls to glory.

The unity of existence ! It is a wonderful, and yet a solemn fact. All being is but one vast territory, broken up into innumerable separate parts, but all united under one sceptre. Dream not then that when you quit this world, you will become the subject of a different government, or become amenable to different laws. Nay, when you cross the threshold of eternity, you will enter on a state of existence, where God's presence-a presence but dimly perceptible in this world-will be a living reality, filling all space with light ineffable. Well did the Psalmist ask-" Whither shall I go from thy

spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? If I ascend up into heaven thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." To the true Christian this thought is a source of joy; he is a member of the Church of the first-born; and though that Church be broken into two great divisions, one on earth and the other in heaven, still the two divisions are but one vast whole, united in Christ their living head; so whenever he may be called to pass through the valley of death, it will be to join the countless host that have passed before him, that "have come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." On the other hand, this thought must be to the ungodly a source of terror. He belongs to God's enemies here, he is under condemnation here, he is a doomed man here, and should death overtake him in that state, it must lead him to a world where ungodliness reaps its necessary consequences, a world of darkness, terror, and despair. Oh! my friends, hear now the voice of mercy, obey now the call of the Gospel, believe now on Christ your Saviour, so that in the great hereafter your portion may not be suffering, but gladness-so that in the world to come your lot may not be death, but life everlasting.