that thy brother lives and shall rise again—that he lives now in the spirit, and that he shall rise again in the body! The consolation I give is more effectual and complete by far. He lives in ME. He shall rise with ME. And what is the life which I continue, even after death, to sustain? It is the very life which I impart now-life before God; life in God; the life of a soul pardoned, justified, reconciled to God, renewed after the image of God, sanctified and made meet for the fellowhip of God for ever. And what is the resurrection which I give? Is it not a resurrection to glorywhen these vile bodies shall be changed and fashioned like unto my glorious body? It is my own life that I impart to the believer now, and continue to him without interruption beyond the grave: it is of my own resurrection that I am to make him a partaker when I come again.

These, or such as these, are the only words which, spoken by one who has authority, can shed light on the dark tomb of a lost and buried brother,—or on the darker sorrow of a surviving sister's heart. So the apostle felt when he said, "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" (1 Thess. iv. 13, 14).

When Mary, on the other hand, draws near in the anguish of silent woe, Jesus is differently affected, and

his sympathy is shown in a different way. He is much more profoundly moved. He does not reply to her in words, for her own words were few. Sorrow has choked her utterance, and overmastered her soul. But the sight of one so dear to him, lying in such helpless grief at his feet, is an appeal to him far stronger than any supplication. And his own responsive sigh is an answer more comforting than any promise. "When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her," for it was a melting scene, "he groaned in spirit, and was troubled." And when he had asked of the bystanders, "Where have ye laid him?" and received the reply, "Come and see"-like Joseph, he could not refrain himself "Jesus wept" (ver. 33-35).

O most blessed mourner, with whose tears thy Saviour mingles his own! O sympathy most unparalleled! To each of the two stricken and afflicted ones the Lord addressed the very consolation that was most congenial. To Martha he gave exceeding great and precious assurances, in words such as never man spake. To Mary he communicated the groanings of his spirit, in language more expressive to the heart than any spoken words. could be. With Martha, Jesus discoursed and reasoned. With Mary, Jesus wept.

What a friend is this! What a brother! yea, and far more than a brother! And how confidently may you come to him, ye Christian mourners, in every season of trial! For, surely, he will give you the very

cordial, the very refreshment, of which you stand in need. He is a patient hearer if you have anything to say to him; and he will speak to you as you are able to bear it. Your complaints, your regrets, your expostu lations, your very remonstrances and upbraidings, may all be expressed to him. He will pity. He will comfort. His Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance what Christ has said suitable to your case. He will recall to you the Saviour's gracious words of eternal life, and suggest to you considerations fitted to dissipate your gloom, and put a new song in your mouth. And even if you cannot collect your thoughts, and order your words aright—if you are dumb with silence when your sorrow is stirred, and as you muse your heart is hot within you-oh remember, that with these very groanings which cannot be uttered, the Spirit maketh intercession for you! And they are not hid from him who, when he saw Mary weeping, groaned, and was troubled, and wept. There is indeed enough of all varied consolation in that blessed book, which all throughout testifies of Jesus! For the sorrow that seeks vent in words, and desires by words also to be soothed,—there is the Saviour's open ear-there are the Saviour's lips into which grace was poured. For the grief that is dumb and silent, there are the Saviour's tears.

CANDLISH.

SCRIPTURAL SELECTIONS.

(Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off.) And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him but Mary sat still in the house.

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.John, xi. 18-28.

Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They say unto him, Lord,

come and see.

Jesus wept.

Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!-John, xi. 32-36.

CHRIST'S WORDS TO THE SORROWING.

BROKEN-HEARTED, weep no more!

Hear what comfort He hath spoken:
Smoking flax who ne'er hath quenched,

Bruised reed who ne'er hath broken.

"Ye who wander here below,

Heavy laden as you go,

Come with grief, with sin oppressed,
Come to me and be at rest!"

Lamb of Jesus' blood-bought flock,
Brought again from sin and straying,

Hear the Shepherd's gentle voice

'Tis a true and faithful saying-
"Greater love how can there be,
Than to yield up life for thee?
Bought with pang, and tear, and sigh,
Turn and live!-Why will ye die?"

Broken-hearted, weep no more,

Far from consolation flying:

He who calls hath felt thy wound,

Seen thy weeping, heard thy sighing;

"Bring thy broken heart to me,

Welcome offering it shall be;

Streaming tears and bursting sighs

Mine accepted sacrifice."

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