pressed in His countenance, instead of disgust and horror, was touching beyond the reach of

tears.

Let the moon, looking full in upon the group of evil-doers, at once rebuking, softening, and spiritualizing the scene, so at Simon's table shone on the sinners around, the shaded orb of the Redeemer's face, and it seemed as if heaven were dimly dawning upon the unholy company.

It

And yet, with this mildness, there was blended a certain "Ineffable Dignity." The dignity of a child approaches the sublime. is higher than the dignity of a king-higher, because less conspicuous. This dignity blending purity with unconsciousness, was united in Christ to that which attends knowledge and power. It was this which made the people exclaim, that "He taught with authority;" that wrung from the Roman officers sent to apprehend Him the testimony that, "Never man spake like this man."

A dignity this which deserted Him not, even when He wore the scarlet robe, and carried the reed for a sceptre, and the thorns for a crown; nay, which transfigured these into glorious em

blems in the blaze of spirit which shone around Him.

Again." Superiority of knowledge and power was a distinguishing feature of Jesus of Nazareth." Pride cannot, indeed, co-exist with perfect knowledge and power, for it implies as certainly something above, as well as something below it.

The proud man looks up as well as down, measuring himself with what is beyond, as well as what is beneath him.

But this superiority in our Blessed Lord was only a part of that unconsciousness which so signally characterized Him.

He seemed conscious of God only. He overflowed with God, and could say without a tremor, "I and My Father are One. He that hath seen me hath seen the Father."

This is

all that we ca.. conceive of absorption into the Deity. This Jesus of Nazareth spoke as God, and His matchless voice gave no uncertain sound.

Many of the sayings of Jesus would have been sheer presumption, if uttered by a man devoid. of all consciousness of indwelling divinity. Yes, more! It would have been arrogance, in

consistent with either humility or holiness, for any mere human being to assume such prerogatives as Jesus took to Himself.

Divine, indeed! for if any man doubt His claim to the title, let him pass from Christ's pictures of earth to His aspirations after heaven; let him hear the musical voice amid the storm as He drew near to the shores of eternity and His Father's house.

The last words of Jesus are surcharged with feeling for His disciples, forgiveness to His enemies, and desire after renewed communion with His Father. His soul springs up as He sees His Father's throne in view. A smile of triumph rests, as by anticipation, upon His lips. "Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." His last command is, "That ye love one another; "His last legacy is, "Peace." He is going to the Father, but leaving the Comforter, and promising to return again; and, ere going, He breaks out into a prayer which, ere it closes, seems to bind in one chain of glory earth and heaven, Himself, His father, and His people. "That glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are One. Father, I will that they also whom

Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory."

This prayer seems to be the conscious link of the spiritual world--the living bond between the Father and His children.

The Father can never on earth come nearer to us than through His Son; we can never get nearer to the Father than through the Son.

Jesus has passed up every step of the ladder, from the child to the deity, from the manger to the throne. He looked into the dim eyes of the poor, and saw therein the image of the Father.

Herod became grave in His presence. Pilate washed his hands from the shadow of the blood. Peter wept when he saw the face of his Master, and Judas went out and destroyed himself when he thought of his Lord. Angels ministered to him, the grave was ashamed to hide His body; the earth opened its doors and gave up its dead; and heaven sent forth all its guards, and opened all its gates to receive Him into its bosom, to be exalted, glorified, and worshipped by all the hosts of heaven.

Thus faintly have we sought to depict the character and the grandeur of the Man of Naz

areth. Scripture writers did not, nor need we do it. They never say in so many words that Christ was eloquent, nor very wise, nor very humble, nor very holy.

But they record His sermon on the Mount; they register His tears at the tomb of Lazarus, and they tell of His washing His disciples' feet. We have no new facts to record of Him, but only to say of that life so marvellous, yet humane, "It is finished." "It is finished." It is unique! It is glorious!