the shades of evening have gathered round, how have I sought to realize the last day of my time-state and the closing up of my earthly pilgrimage. I have endeavoured to recall some of those bright and blessed emotions with which I was indulged, when first Thou didst pluck me as a brand from the burning, and gave me a little insight into Thy kingdom and glory. I have sought, Lord, in these evening and midnight meditations, to realize somewhat of the fulness and the blessedness of the verities contained in our song of praise:

"WE sing of the realms of the blest,
That country so bright and so fair,
And oft are its glories confessed:
But what must it be to be there?
"We speak of its freedom from sin,

From sorrow, temptation, and care,
From trials without and within:

But what must it be to be there?
"We speak of its service of love,

The robes which the glorified wear,
The church of the first-born above:

But what must it be to be there?"

But, Lord, how soon I find, notwithstanding all my attempts to meditate upon Thee and upon the glorious things which Thou hast gone on to prepare for all those who love Thee, that I am still but

a groveller here-the occupant of the body of this death-a dweller in a clay tabernacle. Hence I have abundant reason still to say, as I did fifty years ago:

"But my heart fails, my tongue complains,
For want of their celestial strains,
And, in such humble notes as these,
Must fall below Thy victories."

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"And when even was come, the ship
was in the midst of the sea, and
He alone on the land."
Mark vi. 47.

LORD, as to feeling and apprehension, this is precisely my position. My poor frail bark is tossed up and down, to and fro; and I am, as Thy disciples were, toiling in rowing," for the wind is contrary. I can make no headway. I am in the condition described by the psalmist, "He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are

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at their wits' end." But what is it I want, Lord? Oh it is THYSELF! THYSELF! I want Thee to come unto me, walking upon this sea of strife and discord, darkness and gloominess. I want Thee to exercise Thine own rightful prerogative, to say, "Peace, be still!" Then I know-but not until then-that "instantly there shall be a great calm.". Oh, yes, Lord, "where the word of a King is, there is power." "Speak the word, then, Lord, and Thy servant shall be healed." Oh, say again, I pray Thee, with renewing and reassuring power, "Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom." Yea, say again to my soul, "I am thy salvation;" "I have redeemed thee; thou art Mine." Oh, to hear Thy welcome, fear-assuaging voice: "Be of good cheer: it is I; Oh, Lord, under the sound of that well-known voice, I would

be not afraid."

sing as of old:

"Cheerful where'er Thy hand shall lead

The darkest paths I'll tread;

And cheerful quit these mortal shores,
To mingle with the dead."

"And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near,

and went with them."
Luke xxiv. 15.

Aн, Lord, that is exactly what I wantthat THOU THYSELF shouldst condescendingly and graciously draw nigh, and go with me. Left to myself, to my own carnal reasoning and subtle conclusions, oh, what sad havoc do Satan and my poor unbelieving heart make, as they conspire together, and lead me to judge from my own passing feelings or present appearances. Oh, help me to remember, I pray Thee, that

"Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan His work in vain :
God is His own Interpreter,

And He will make it plain!"

Blessed Lord, there is one thought that I find to be so precious and satisfactory; it is that Thou didst, in the days of Thy flesh, know, personally and experimentally, what sadness and depression were: Thou didst condescend to cause it to be left upon record that, in the

prospect of what awaited Thee, in the summing up of Thy marvellous mission, Thou didst say, "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened until it be accomplished." Such was Thine anguish that "Thou didst sweat as it were great drops of blood, falling down to the ground." Thou didst cry again and again, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me." Thou didst testify, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." Thou didst stand in need of an angel from heaven to strengthen Thee. Yea, upon Calvary's cross, Thou didst cry, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"

It is, therefore, upon these personal grounds, O Thou blessed Immanuel, we have such abundant proof and evidence, that "we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.'

But, O Lord, after that sweet communing of Thine, and after those blessed manifestations of Thyself, and the glorious insight into Thy person and Thy work, how well mightest Thy