the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

Again, they are made perfect in love. Their clear perception of the evil of sin, and of the depth of misery from which they have been rescued; their ability to comprehend what is the "breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of Christ," in submitting to the degradation and ignominy of the cross; the view they take of the compassion of the Father of mercies in giving up His Son for persons so unworthy as themselves-of His patience in bearing so long with their impenitence and unbelief of his fatherly chastisements, and especially of the free gift of His Holy Spirit in sanctifying those chastisements, and in enabling them to perfect holiness in His fear,—combine to awaken all their feelings of gratitude, and to render the worship and service of God their constant delight. They have no occasion to mourn over the coldness of their hearts, the distraction of their thoughts, or the weariness they so soon felt in their devotions on earth; but an uninterrupted and unwearied life of perfect love is theirs; "for they serve Him day and night in His temple."

They are likewise made perfect in happiness.

This in part results from their perfect knowledge and love; but partly also from their final and complete deliverance from the trials, sorrows, and temptations which were their portion on earth. They have passed from a world of sin and trouble into a state of perfect purity and joy, where nothing that defileth can enter, and are resting from all their conflicts. "I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours." Absent from the body, their spirits are present with Christ, and are conscious of His favour and guardian care; they enjoy also that perfect peace which results from a complete conformity with the Divine will, as well as rejoice in the assured hope of a glorious resurrection. No doubt or fear ever disturbs their happiness, which will be as lasting in duration as it is perfect in degree. "Their sun shall no more go down, neither shall their moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be their everlasting light, and their God their glory." Fallow.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Psalm cxxii. 6.

THE JOYS OF HEAVEN.

LIFE of sound religious principle has its joys. It is not that cold, dreary,

inanimate tract of country which it is so often described to be. Let the picture be drawn with candour and impartiality, and, amidst a few fleeting clouds, there will be much sunshine to gild the scenery. The evening, more particularly, of a religious life must ever be painted in glowing colours. And if the life of a real Christian could be analysed, it would be found to contain more particles of satisfaction than the life of any other man. But make, I entreat you, the experiment for yourselves, and you will find that the "ways of religion are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." And if they be so in this world, what joys will they not lead you to in the world to come! There every cloud will be dispelled, every mist dispersed; the veil will be drawn aside; we shall no longer see through a glass darkly, but shall see God face to face. We shall rest from our labours; all tears will be wiped from all faces, and nothing will be heard but thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Then we shall look back upon the many trials,

temptations, and vicissitudes of this life, as the Israelites, when arrived in the earthly Canaan, looked back upon the bondage of Egypt, the terrors of the wilderness, and the passage of the Red Sea. We shall commune together of those things which have happened. "Did not our hearts burn within us while our great Leader, the Captain of our salvation, talked with us by the way, and opened to us the Scriptures ?" Did not we then anticipate that which we now actually enjoy? Blessed for ever be God the Father who hath given us this glorious inheritance! For ever blessed be God the Son, who hath purchased it with His own blood! Blessed through all eternity be God the Holy Ghost, who hath sanctified us, and made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light! Beachcroft.

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians i. 12.

And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Hebrews ix. 5.

THE HEAVENLY ZION.

2T is a city which hath foundations; an abiding city, a city which the force of

a universe could not shake, nor the rolling ages of eternity impair. Its walls are not lying in ruins, waiting to be rebuilt by the sinners whom sovereign mercy leads to them. Its builder and maker is God. Before the foundation of the world was laid, He prepared and adorned it for his people; and to secure to them its blessedness and honours, His eternal Son has entered it as their representative, and taken possession of it in their behalf; and He will soon come again with glory to take them to Himself, and to lead them to the place He has prepared for them. Then, indeed, shall they obtain joy and gladness; a happiness, which will allow them to shed no tears at the remembrance of the bliss that was lost in paradise, but cause sorrow and sighing to flee, like mists before the radiant beams of the sun, for ever away. Their joy shall be everlasting, without interruption, mixture, or end, for no enemies can come near to disturb the city where they dwell. No changes nor commotions are dreaded, no spectacles of woe are ever seen