me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God." May the Holy Ghost be with you, my brother. May He raise your hopes and aspirations to heaven above your present affliction as He raised those of St. Stephen far far above the fierce anger, and the cruel stones, of his murderers. May yours be the realization of that loving promise of the Lord of Sabaoth-" As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you." I know not why you should not enjoy with St. Stephen the comforting presence of the Holy Ghost, for He Whose name is faithful and true has said—“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him." So ask that you may obtain :-and be enabled to say with heartfelt thankfulness— "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation."

And how eloquently, how truthfully, these dying experiences of St. Stephen prove to us the glorious realities of the eternal world that are in store for the believer, after his conflicts are over for ever. Jesus Christ (blessed truth!) is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; though there are very many seasons

of darkness in this life, when, for a time, His face is hidden from His people altogether. They present themselves again and again at the throne of grace; but His answer ofttimes tarries long. They look forward longingly to the end of their griefs, when they shall be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. Despite however the uncertainty of this life, to those in deep trouble, the desired consummation of their hopes and prayers seems far distant. But the end of the trouble will come; it will not tarry. And then will be everlasting rest, everlasting joy, everlasting life, in the presence of God. And, like St. Stephen, many, very many believers have in ancient and modern times, beheld glimpses of the glory of Christ, and of the heavenly mansions, even before they have left the body. 66 Mother, I do see Christ." "Such (says a writer in the Family Treasury for January, 1863) was the language of a child six years of age, while in the agonies of death, after a long illness, during which he was the incarnation of lovely resignation. It was his farewell to earth. Why not see Jesus then? Stephen beheld Him, while dying a martyr at Jerusalem. Thousands, since his day, have had the same open vision of the Redeemer. We believe it is more common than the announcement of it. Saints do see Him with a cohort of angels, it may be, waiting for His messenger, Death, to

strike off the last fetter from the ransomed spirit. Courage, then, child of Christ, while it is your's to say, 'Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!' But what will they do who now reject Him, when no other friend can smile amid the gloom of a darkening world?"

It is not because those who watch by the bedside. of the dying saint can see nothing, and hear nothing, out of the region of sense, and beyond the boundary of time, that therefore the powers of the departing spirit should be thus limited. Stephen's murderers saw not heaven opened. The vision was for his eyes only. And it is a matter of fact, a circumstance witnessed again and again, and therefore no proper object of attack to the sceptic, that believers in their dying moments have seen, and have heard, that which was impervious to the eyes and ears of those around them. Let me give you one more proof of this precious truth: "The Rev. Robert Bruce, having lived to a venerable old age, one morning, after breakfasting with his family, reclined awhile in his chair, silently meditating. Suddenly he spoke: 'Daughter, hark! doth not my Master call me?' Asking for his Bible, he perceived that his eyes were dim, and that he could no longer read its precious words. Find for me,' said he, the eighth chapter of Romans, and lay my finger on the passage: ‘I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels,

nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Now, is my finger placed upon those blessed words? Being assured that it was, he said, 'Then God bless you, God bless you all, dear children: I have refreshed myself with you this morning, and shall be at the banquet of my Saviour ere it is night.’ And thus he died."*

"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

Prayer.

Он ever-blessed Lord Jesus, Who didst fill Thy first Gentile martyr Stephen with the Holy Ghost, and didst mightily strengthen his faith, and reveal to him, when under the tyranny of his murderers, Thine omnipotent power to save, mercifully give to us, we beseech Thee, the same holy boldness, zeal, and devotedness in Thy service. Give to all those now kneeling before Thee, a spirit of preparedness for meek and patient suffering. And especially, we pray Thee, animate the heart of our sick brother, whensoever it droops, with a sense of entire reliance

The Rev. P. B. Power's "The 'I wills' of the Psalms."

on Thee. As the darkness thickens around him, give him, by Thy blessed Spirit, to feel, that within his soul all is heavenly light. Whensoever his spirit is overwhelmed within him, scatter by the brightness of Thy glorious spiritual presence with him the dark clouds away. When sore pressed by pain and weariness, help him to look up steadfastly into heaven, there to see by faith the glory of God, and Thyself standing as his Advocate with the Father, on the right hand of the throne. Living and dying, may he commit his spirit to Thy gracious care and keeping. Living and dying, make him anxious to forgive all injuries, and intent on loving all members of the household of faith as brethren. Under all adversities sustain his heart with glimpses of Thy glory, in which Thou hast promised that all shall partake, who contentedly bear their crosses here below. Cause him to live as one loving Thine appearing, and eagerly awaiting it. Hear us, oh Lord, we pray Thee, for Thy tender mercies' sake: and to Thee with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.