ELEVENTH DAY. FAMILIAR as we are with the present life, we have found very little in it For to desire for any long continuance. this life, without the renewing influence the Gospel brings, is at best only a poor, selfish, earthly, carnal thing. Nor is there any pleasure that the present world can bestow worth living for. Its gladness, its mirth, its joy, or its rest, are all polluted. For it is not denied that the worldling has his pleasure, such as it is; but, it is not happiness. To be happy, a man must be holy. He must become a "new creature" in Christ Jesus. If he has tested the world he "must have found it hollow-deceitful-capable of disappointing all his reasonable expectations; but never able to assist the soul in any noble aspiration after goodness and truth. No pilgrim through this world should say, as one of old did, “I shall die D in my nest;" for this is a state which can afford him no rest! What then is left for the weary pilgrim ? Just one thing, dear reader-Rest in the Lord Jesus. Look out from a troubled world, and look unto Christ. It is melancholy to think of the infatuated millions who are trusting only to their own hearts. A merchant, of considerable means, was tempted by the "god of this world" to make a wrong choice. He was fully convinced, as he said, that earth and heaven were set before him, and that he could not obtain both, but might have his choice. glanced at heaven's durable riches, and then settled his covetous gaze upon earth's glittering gold. He paused, feeling his choice was for eternity! but strangely, madly said, "Give me my portion here." His prayer was answered-his riches were multiplied; " but," said he, "I know that to gain the world, I have lost my soul!" He XII. The Creator's Rest. "ON the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made."GENESIS ii. 2. "HEAVEN is My throne, and earth is My footstool: what house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of My rest?”—ACTS vii. 49. THIS day God doth His vessels broach, His conduits run with wine; He that loves not this day's approach Scorns Heaven and Saviour's shine. And garlick for their feast, Whilst milk and honey they refuse, And the Almighty's rest! TWELFTH DAY. REVELATION is full of wondrous dis closures. Not the least among these is the fact that God kept a Sabbath of rest. "He rested from all His work." To the mind of a finite being this statement, with respect to the Infinite, is something inconceivable. Were not this a part of His eternal truth how easily this might and would be discredited. If all our ideas of God are correct, we associate the Creator in our minds with thoughts of Almighty Power-Infinite Majesty-Eternal Wisdom-and Divine Omniscience; and for no purposes that we could imagine were it necessary that Jehovah should rest. Yet, beyond the unfolding to our view that glorious picture of calling matter into existence, and creating living forms and intelligences, to people the beautiful world He had made, there seems to have been a necessity for His resting on the seventh day, and sanctifying it. Of that necessity it is not so easy to speak. But might not the design be for an example-an example too of the most lofty kind-to the creatures He had made, and placed upon this newmade world? Might it not be intended to foreshadow that blessed rest which the Omnipotent One purposed should follow the toil and travail of man who was about to inherit the earth? And then, as all the Creator's designs were made to subserve the great scheme of Redemption, was it not meant to show that our strength, to reach the highest point of happiness, would fall immeasurably short, without the grace of Him whose own arm has brought Salvation? Let it be remembered, moreover, that when Jesus had "finished" His work He rested also. When the baptism with which He became baptized was accomplished, when the great work of Saving Love was done, then he said "I ascend |