companions of Dives we have been waiting in terror for the moment when the sentence which the soul has pronounced upon itself shall be irrevocably confirmed by the mouth of the Great Judge Himself, and the torments which it has suffered in anticipation shall become awful and eternal realities. And at last the Day for which we have so long waited in hope or in dread has come. The trumpet voice of the Archangel has sounded. The prison doors are thrown open, and willingly or unwillingly the souls burst forth to be reunited to the bodies which they have so long forsaken. It is a day of terror and of joy. Everywhere the earth is pouring forth its countless hosts of dead. In the distant Heavens the sounds of an advancing Army of Triumph are heard. Already the Banner of the Great King, the Sign of the Son of Man is seen advancing in the Heavens, and following close upon it surrounded by countless myriads of adoring angels is seen the Person of the once despised and Crucified One.

The Throne is set. On it is seated One whose Name is Terrible. Circling round the Throne and reaching far away in the distance as far as eye can see are the forms of cherubim and seraphim, angels and archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities and powers, witnesses of the coming shame and the coming triumph. And now all is ready. The

Books are opened. stands by, to bear his accursed witness against those whom by his arts he has ruined, and to claim for his own all who shall fail to pass through the fearful ordeal. What wonder if amongst that innumerable multitude of all nations, tongues, and languages we see thousands upon thousands wringing their hands with fear at the thought of the shameful exposure which awaits them! not daring to look upon the face of Him whom in time past they have so cruelly mocked-crying aloud in the madness of their despair to the rocks and the mountains to fall on them, and show them that mercy which they dare not hope for otherwise seeking to hide themselves amongst the multitude from the piercing gaze of that Eye from which there is no escape.

The accuser of our brethren

On the other hand there are those whose faces are already lit up with joy in the anticipation of their approaching glory. There is nothing terrible to them in the appearance of Him who sits on the Throne, for is He not their Saviour? Do they not see in those glorious scars in His Hands and Feet and Side proofs of His love, compassion and mercy? Have they not long loved Him with a love surpassing all things? Is not this the Day they have looked for and prayed for through many weary years of waiting? they await the coming ordeal with calm confidence, knowing

in whom they have trusted, that He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him— knowing that their peace is made and their salvation

secure.

And many there are besides across whose faces we may see the dark shade of fear chasing the bright light of hope in rapid alternations. Their fate is yet in the balance. Poor weak souls! On Earth their repentance was so late or so imperfect, their faith so weak, their love so poor, that they feel that if they are saved it will be "so as by fire," and only by the exercise of that mercy which they have no right to claim even whilst they venture to hope for it.

And now the Judgment begins. One by one each is summoned to take his place before the Throne and to receive the verdict of acquittal," Well done, good and faithful servant"- or the sentence of condemnation, "Depart, thou cursed." One by one, as the sentence is pronounced, each takes his place on the right hand or the left of the Great Judge. At last our turn comes. There is no escape, no chance of concealment. We must obey the call, must stand trembling before the Throne. The book of our life is unfolded. what a record it is! Day after day, page after page tells its fearful tale. Our faithless to recall now that awful list of sins

be revealed with such distinctness.

And

memories refuse which will then

Words which

have been forgotten as soon as uttered, thoughts which have left no permanent impression on the mind, deeds which have been done in darkness and in secret, the light of eternal truth will make all as clear as the day. Men and angels know us for what we really have been. Not one single sin, not one single weakness, not one single act of forgetfulness will be omitted by the great accuser. Can we dare to realise our feelings?

1. First there is unutterable Shame. We value the opinion of our fellowmen now. We like to be thought well of-like to be praised even when we deserve it not-we like especially to be well thought of by good and holy men. What then must it be when the darkest secrets of our lives which we have kept hidden in the furthest recesses of our hearts are proclaimed aloud before God and angels and men? When our former companions and friends shudder at the sight of our newly revealed vileness? When the pure in heart hide their faces at the sight of our uncleanness-the meek spirited tremble at our daring pride-the humble gaze with astonishment at our vainglorious self-exaltation? We dare not look up. If we venture to cast a glance around our gaze is quickly withdrawn as we see the Face of Jesus clouded with grief-angels veiling their faces as if unable to look on one who had so deeply sinned;

the blessed despairing of our salvation as they hear the fearful record-the lost already claiming us as belonging to their cursed band: devils alone rejoicing as they think of one more soul wrenched from the arms of Jesus, to be given over unto them. Oh! the unutterable shame of that awful hour!

2. Secondly, there is Fear, scathing, soul-devouring fear. Every accusation is true, we cannot deny it— we are speechless-for we are guilty. We realise now as we never realized before what a fearful thing it is to fall into the Hands of the living God! Formerly we found it easy to drown the thought of an eternal future in the employments or pleasures of the passing hour. Now sin is revealed in all its hideousness and all its folly, as we look upon the Face of Him whom we have aggrieved and insulted by our sins-as we think of His rejected love, as we dwell upon our lost opportunities, and look upon the mouth of hell yawning to receive us. Oh what fools we were to account the life of the righteous madness and his end without honour! what would we not give if we could but recall the past, if we could but once more have time within our grasp and put off that eternity which we so much dread. But uo! it cannot be. It is too late. We cannot live our life over again. We must receive the sentence which is the appointed reward of our deeds. And yet, stay one moment. Is there