XXIX. Treasures in Heaven. "THEY that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.DANIEL Xii. 3. "LAY not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Where you treasure is, there will your heart be also."-MATTHEW vi. 19-21. ALL things are ours: the gift of God; I would not change my blest estate TWENTY-NINTH DAY. MANY ANY as the blessings are which the Believer can now look upon and claim as his own, what are they all in comparison with the eternal riches of grace, the treasures laid up in heaven? These are now enjoyed, it is true, but only for a moment. But when once we are in the possession of those-the true riches -who shall separate us from them? Not death, nor time, nor heaven, nor hell! How many a widowed heart has cast a glance around upon a circle of dear ones, who have been spared to her yet a little longer, and perhaps in the fulness of her heart has exclaimed-" These are my treasures now." Ah! fond mother, these are the loans of Providence, to succour thee before thy evening sun shall fully set; but with all such there must be mingled plenty of earth's trials. Thy brightest and most pleasant prospects have become dimmed already; but it may be that thy faith and patience are yet to become far more severely tested. Hopes that once appeared of the most exalted kind have faded, the clouds have "returned after the rain." Friends have, one after another, been torn from thy side; and whatever was once thy earthly good has become, like a broken pitcher, of no use. No wonder if thy very heart has drooped within thee. But think of treasures more precious; cannot they be looked upon as thine? It may be; nay, it must be, that some of the hearts torn from thee are now sweetly at rest. That is to say, they are with Christ. Are these no longer thy treasures? Is it so sad because they cannot return to you? Will it not be infinitely greater joy to go to them? To that hour, which of us is looking forward with most longing? Have not our warmest ties of affection gone up with the blessed spirits, who are only removed from time and us by a litt . space? Our Father in heaven saw, perhaps, that this was wise. Let us view it SO. He would have all our hearts. And if we are taught of His Spirit, we shall truly say, And He shall have them! That was a beautiful reply of a Scotch minister who, on being asked by a friend, during his last illness, whether he thought himself dying, answered, "Really, friend, I care not whether I am or not, for if I die I shall be with God; if I live, He will be with me." What a work will that be for us in glory, when we get there; to tell how God loved us in Christ-how He sought us out when wandering far from His fold; and how He brought us through the desolate land to the blessed home He had prepared! THE wings of angels never dimm'd by time, Gleam with a thousand splendours in that clime, XXX. Waiting for the End. “THEREFORE turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually."- HOSEA xii. 6. "BE ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." CORINTHIANS XV. 58. ONLY waiting till the reapers Have the last sheaf gathered home; For the summer time has faded, And the autumn winds have come. Quickly reapers! gather quickly, |