we are sure, that thou knowest all things, and needest not, that any man should ask thee by this we believe, that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Truly when the time came, when it was expedient for the Son of God to leave his disciples a little while, they were exceedingly sorrowful, and the three Marys were seen pouring down those tears, which were excited by hopes to all appearance blasted. The disciples began to despair, when they perceived, that the breath had departed from the victim, and to imagine, that they had indulged expectations not to be realized-although at the crucifixion the rocks were shaken, although darkness was spread over the earth, and the veil of the temple was rent

in twain, still many disbelieved, that he was the Christ-" If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

"He

saved others," said they jeeringly, "himself he cannot save." But it was for a little while only :-the prophets had foretold that he should rise on the third day; and he thus arose, and appeared unto many. After a little while they saw him again conquering the grave: he left the earthy prison-house, and their sorrow was turned into joy, when they knew their Lord and their God.

During that little while, which the disciples were unable to understand, the world was redeemed from trespasses and sinsthe Father was reconciled-the victory was gained, and from children of wrath we rose into children of grace. The Adamite nature was beaten down, sin, Satan, and death were all conquered; the standard of Christianity was set up for men to flock around it in safety. The kingdom of heaven was opened to all believers, and Jesus Christ became fully the way, the truth, and the life. Yes! in that little while a work was performed, which sur

passed the creation-a work of love! redemption! From being dead in Adam, we became alive in Christ-from being heirs of perdition, we became heirs of immortality—the gates of heaven were thrown open to all believers; the sun of righteousness arose emitting those bright rays, which lighted up men's paths to eternity. There was a sign, which pointed to bliss, and that sign was the Son of God. In this little while was man placed in a state of salvation -the gloom was dispersed, clouds and darkness were chased away by the breaking forth of that glorious splendour, which came from the Father; with whom is neither variableness nor shadow of turning. storm, which hung over our heads, drew in its awful threatenings. The gates of hell were barred against the children of God, and man rose from the absolute nothingness, into which he was thrown by the fall of the forefather, into the redeemed creature, the spiritual man—the inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.

The

Much, my brethren, was done for us during that little while; but what is there,

that the Father cannot do? Look at the beginning of all things. In a little while, from the rude chaos, the beautiful works of creation arose-in a little while animals of every kind were formed, yea every thing, which would conduce to joy or promote their happiness, was brought into existence. The paradise, in which man was placed, was rendered perfect in bliss by the last, but best of God's gifts. It was the study of the Deity to make man happy—all around breathed forth perfect happiness; there were no clouds of darkness, no threatening storms, no canker-worm to tear the brow, no sin to prey on the souls; but all was peace and joy and calm. A little while produced it all. But we must not draw a veil over the tarnish which Adam cast upon his happiness, and the degradation and nothingness, which he fixed upon himself and posterity through sin, in a little while. Alas! happiness was blighted, the storm in a little while began to gather-sin to show its effects, misery to fix upon the creature -and death with all its terrors to march forth, dragging his victims to the grave, and

the wrath of God to bring punishment and perdition. All this was done in a little while. But God's love for the creature was not extinguished, even for rebellious man he felt compassion, and showed forth his mercy by sending his Son to redeem men from trespasses and sin. But since "without shedding of blood there is no remission," the blood of Christ was freely shed, when he accomplished his work upon the earth; and in a little while life and immortality were brought to light.

But there is another great work, which is worthy of our consideration, which manifests the Father's love. When our Saviour left the world, and ascended to his Father, he sent the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, to cheer and support his followers. Though he was (as to their visual powers) absent, yet was he always invisibly present. "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!" In a little while the Spirit descended and sat upon each of the Apostles; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. This was the extraordinary power, which enabled them to work mira