nature, and eclipsed in Calvary, break forth and overlay every dwelling-place, and make it a tabernacle of the Most High; every temple and make it the "Holy of Holies;" every mountain and valley, and deck them with heavenly beauty; every wilderness, and every dark and subterraneous cavern where the wickedness of man has been secreted, and make them glitter for that day in which he shall make up his jewels.

How obvious is it, on a summary review of these observations, that the Holy Spirit is the hope of the world! The promise of the Spirit was Christ's promise; and it was like him, worthy of him, and the fruits of it are the matured fruits of this Tree of Life. Ages, and places, and men on whom this blessing most effectually descends, are the marked ages in the history of the church, distinguished spots on the face of our favored globe, the favored individuals of our fallen race. The Apostles were scoffed at, until the descent of the Holy Ghost. The ministers of Christ, in every age, have spoken, and now speak to no better purpose, until the Spirit be poured from on high. Look over the world, and the land in which we live, and even on these favored churches where God's power and glory have been seen in the Sanctuary. What have they been when the Spirit of God was in the midst of us? what have they been, what are they now that the Spirit descends so sparingly? This

is the influence we want. We have Bibles, we have Sabbaths, and sanctuaries, and ministers; our great want is more and greater outpouring of the Spirit from on high. The Holy Spirit is the hope of the church, and the hope of the world. The external machinery of God's church is complete; we want now the sacred fire to set it in motion, Nothing but God's omnipotent Spirit can safely direct its course, and give it the impulse that shall carry it through the earth. Never will another beam of light dawn, unless he bids it shine. Never more will there be an awakened thought, nor a pang of conviction, nor a penitential tear, nor a peaceful hope in Christ, nor an emotion of spiritual comfort and joy, nor a successful effort for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, unless he gives it. "All these worketh that self-same Spirit."

Yes, he is employed in this holy work still. He is now working in men to will and to do. And this is your hope. This gracious Reformer and Comforter meets the sinner in his deepest and most dire necessity. He gives him what he needs, because he makes him willing to receive the great salvation. He cannot come to Christ without the power of the Holy Spirit; but he can ask, he can seek, he can humbly knock at the door of heavenly grace, and will not be sent away empty. God gives his Holy Spirit to them that ask him. The

"Then shall ye

promise is sure, find me when ye search for me with your whole heart."

Let this truth be appreciated. It is no easy task for the sinner to resist the tenderness and

importunity of the Spirit of truth and grace. To all the dispensations of God's providence, all the truths of his word, all the checks of conscience, the ascended Redeemer is adding the appeals of his own Spirit. Wait not for them; for they are with you. Long has the Spirit of God been striving with you. From earliest childhood, he has been repeating his invitations, his remonstrances, his convictions. You have no such friend. Only do not grieve him. "Beware of him, and obey his voice; provoke him not, for the name of the Lord is in him," and he has come to show you his great glory.

CHAPTER XII.

THE GLORY OF CHRIST IN THE CHARACTER OF HIS

FOLLOWERS.

THE time was when the human nature, like the angelic, bore the impress of its divine original. The perfect production of the artist indicated his excellence and skill. The stream was clear, and discovered the purity of the fountain. But man is no more what he then was. His "carnal mind is enmity against God;" nor is it until he "puts on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness," that he "shows forth the praises of him who hath called him out of darkness into his marvellous light."

This is the high privilege of all the followers of Christ. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature." His highest honor is to honor Christ. That the Son of God should be glorious in himself and in all that he has done, is a thought that commends itself to reason, to conscience, to piety; but that he should be glorious in the character of his followers, welcome as the thought is, is one which does not find so ready access to

our minds. It is a wondrous manifestation of the divine condescension, that a creature of yesterday, born in sin, should be allowed to cherish so lofty a purpose. "Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man that is a worm, and the son of man which is a worm!" Yet nothing short of this fulfils man's spiritual and im mortal destiny. This affecting truth bursts upon us from every utterance of the divine oracle, from the progressive developments of divine providence, and from the inward teachings of the divine Spirit. It is among the perpetually-augmenting glories of Christ, that he "is glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe." He is glorious in the character of his followers, in that they give him the throne, and cheerfully acknowledge his authority over them; in that their character is but the reflection of his own; in that they are his witnesses in this ungodly world; and in that they live to advance the interests of his kingdom and promote his glory. Let us dwell a few moments on each of these four thoughts.

Christ is glorious in the character of his followers in that they give him the throne, and cheerfully acknowledge his authority over them. Every creature in the universe needs to be governed; not excepting the "angels who excel in strength." Nothing would be more unstable than this world