sonally concerned, we commonly think and speak of little else: it influences, and in a measure colours, all we do. Then is it not because we fail to be, as we ought, continually looking forward to, and realizing the certainty, greatness, and blessedness of the circumstances attending Christ's Second Coming, that we are not more diligent to stand ready to meet Him at His coming? Are we really looking "for such things" as we are told of? Then must we be anxious to grow in grace, in conformity to His image, and in meetness for His appearance; that so we may "be found of Him in peace," "without spot," being sanctified by His Spirit, and "blameless," having His perfect and finished work of righteousness imputed to us. Were He to come now, would He find us looking, and waiting, and desiring to see Him? Only "in Him" is peace.

MAY XI.

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."-HEB. xii. 14.

JESUS is the Prince of Peace. His people are to follow after, to pursue and seek to promote "peace with all men" to keep it in their view, as an object to aim at daily. Yet must it never be purchased at the expence of principle, the command being twofold, to "follow peace, and holiness." The two must never be separated. A false charity must be conscientiously avoided. But in proportion as true holiness extends, peace will flourish, in the world, and in the heart. We must be made holy, in order to be meet for "the inheritance of the saints in light." Heaven is a holy place, where "the pure in heart see God"; its inhabitants and its occupations are all holy; and unless clad in the perfect righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, we shall neither gain admittance there, nor should we be happy if we could.

MAY XII.

Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled."-HEB. xii. 15.

IN following after peace and holiness, we are required to employ

diligent and prayerful circumspection, keeping a watchful oversight of our steps, lest we be led astray; lest we ourselves, or any other "fail of," be deficient in, or come short of "the grace of God"; lest we provoke Him to withdraw His Spirit. Our hearts, like a garden, must be jealously watched, lest any weed, "any root of bitterness," any known, allowed sin, "spring up and trouble us," hindering us in our race here, and preparing certain bitterness for us hereafter. The smallest leak, unstopped, may sink a vessel. None can calculate the consequences of what seems a small neglect. Nor may we be the only sufferers from our own negligence. "Thereby many" precious souls "may be defiled"; contracting sin from us, and so being made to stumble and ruined. O what need then to "look diligently" lest we "fail of the grace of God"!

MAY XIII.

"He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the King shall be his friend."-PROV. xxii. 11.

THE histories of Joseph and Daniel exemplify this. Pure in heart, and endued with the grace of heavenly wisdom in their conversation, the king did become their friend. But if true in an earthly sense, much more generally and emphatically is it so, in the experience of those whose hearts have been washed in the blood of Jesus, and purified by His Spirit. They cannot but love "pureness of heart"—not of "lips" only, but "of heart." They long to be made perfect in holiness, free from every stain; and being sanctified by the Spirit of all grace, out of the abundance of the heart their mouth speaketh," their "speech is alway with grace"; and they have the King of Kings for their Friend. He whose words were "full of grace" reigns in their hearts; and He will be their ever prevailing Advocate with the Father; their best Friend for ever and ever.

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MAY XIV.

"Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us."-Isa. xxxiii. 17, 22.

HERE below, it is only with the eye of faith that the christian can "look unto Jesus." He sees Him, suffering and dying for his sins; and learns to hate the sin, and to love the Saviour. He so sees Him also, interceding on his behalf, and believes that his prayers are heard for the sake of his Advocate. But his hope is, that soon his “ eyes shall see the King in His beauty," as Lord of all, glorified in His saints. The christian pilgrim longs for the time, when he shall be at home in "the land that is very far off," the heavenly Canaan to which he is journeying, and with Pisgah glimpses of which he is at times cheered. "Far off" from him as is by nature this glorious land, the Kingdom and its King are "made nigh" to him by faith. The distance, once impassable, daily shortens for the Lord of the land is brought into covenant relationship with him. As his King, He rules; as his Lawgiver, He directs; and as his Judge, He will finally save, and that for ever.

MAY XV.

"Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God."MATT. V. 8.

THE pure in heart are those who have more than outward morality. This may and often does exist, while the heart is full of uncleanness. And as by nature none can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin," it implies a new birth, a birth from above. In such the Spirit of Christ dwells, and they are transformed by the renewing of their minds. This is evidenced by purity of life and conversation. It is their one desire to increase in conformity to their Master's image; and

though others should despise and ridicule their precision, they are "blessed;" for they shall see God, the holy Lord, see Him face to face, and dwell with Him for ever. And one source of their blessedness is the knowledge, that thus seeing Him as He is, they shall be like Him. To others, the prospect of seeing God is a terror. Though all shall see Him, they would hide themselves if they could. But "the pure in heart," washed and sanctified, shall see Him with joy unspeakable.

MAY XVI.

"And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads."-REV. xxii. 3, 4.

"No more curse,' ," because no more sin; and God's authority no more disputed; "the throne of God and of the Lamb" being finally set up there. Those who serve Him in heaven are those who served Him on earth, where they were, so to speak, learning the rules of His house, being prepared for it; undergoing the training and discipline requisite for making them faithful servants at home. Here, they, as it were, serve in their Master's absence: there, they shall see His face, and find their highest happiness in being employed in His immediate presence. "And His name shall be on their foreheads.' They are marked with His seal. The High Priest of old was thus distinguished by permission to approach near to God in his service; but above, such will be the distinction and privilege of all His servants: "such honour have all His saints."

MAY XVII.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, [or from above,] he cannot see the kingdom of God."-JOHN iii. 3.

IMPORTANT Words these, and with all the emphasis of a "Verily,

verily," from Jesus, the King of Glory Himself! How can a blind man see the beauties of the kingdom of nature? He may bear and understand something of them from others; but little indeed can he appreciate them. So in the kingdom of grace, that kingdom which must be set up in every man's soul, before he can see the kingdom of God's glory-"the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them; for they are spiritually discerned." He understands them not; for he is dead to them. He must first be born again. New living principles must be implanted within him; and Holy Spirit, the sole Agent in this great work. "born from above"? or are we desiring this new birth?

that by the Are we thus

MAY XVIII.

"Watch ye; stand fast in the faith; quit you like men; be strong."-1 Cor. xvi. 13.

HERE are four important general orders, for the soldiers of Christ's army; standing rules, which they would do well habitually, and prayerfully, to repeat to themselves, as they set forth on their daily march. 1st.-"Watch ye." Your foes are ever on the watch for an unguarded point to attack, or to find you asleep on duty. 2nd-"Stand fast in the faith; "that faith which overcometh the world, by resting on Jesus, realizing all He has done, and drawing from Him constantly new supplies. 3rd.-"Quit you like men"-men of God, who scorn to yield before His as well as their own enemies. And yet, remembering your own weakness, 4th"Be strong;" "strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." That is engaged on your side, and shall never fail you. Greater is He that is with you, than all they that be against you. Remember then these directions. Never separate them one from the other: but in humility and prayer act upon them; and that, "looking unto Jesus;" and victory shall assuredly be yours.