awaiting him-emblem of riches, dignity, authority,-a measure of glory inconceivable, "crown of righteousness"-purchased by the righteousness of the Redeemer -this illustrates its security and value. It is also a public testimony, on the part of God, in honor of his saints. It is bestowed also by a righteous Judge. The reward is unimpeached and unimpeachable.

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This crown is laid up against the day of Christ's appearing." This imports that it is secure to the Christian, as God's covenant faithfulness, and the Mediator's grace and power can make. Other riches may pass away; this is always in safe-keeping, and will be bestowed on "the day of Christ." The full measure of glory will then be awarded. Blessed is the dying Christian who looks behind him and sees the wilderness passed over; who looks before him and is entranced with visions of immortality.

PASSING THROUGH THE VALLEY.

J. R. MACDuff, D.D.

Yea, though 1 pass through the valley, &c.-Ps. xxiii: 4. HERE is no more familiar verse in scripture than

THE

this. No Bible figure has made a more lasting and indelible impression. We do not know what spot suggested to David the world-wide emblem. How many tears has this one verse dried. How many eyes have gazed on this valley, radiant with His presence and companionship. We must soon tread it. Who shall be our guide? Every hour 3000 pilgrims enter it.

I. The valley. Death is a gloomy experience, even to the believer. Death, as the wages of sin, even to the Christian, is an enemy. It is a solemn thing. But while the believer, as a child of our common nature, in

stinctively recoils from say, "I will fear no "shadow" of death. The king of terrors is a vanquished enemy. Christ by dying took the sting from death. In prophecy he exclaimed, "I will redeem thee, &c." He has flooded the valley with light. "Abolished death "-the death of the body is of little account.

death, as a child of God he can evil." It is only to him the The substance is taken away.

II. The Presence. "THOU." Another element of support in passing through the valley. The curse is removed, and a real companionship enjoyed. Thousands have testified as they entered, to the felt nearness of the Saviour. It is a Peniel. Secure His presence in the wilderness and He will be with you in Jordan. "Thou

art with me" now, and will be then. "Thou," "He that goeth before" his sheep. He has trodden the valley before them-He went "alone "-sanctified the valley -left in it the print of his steps and now from the throne says, "Fear not! I am He that liveth and was dead !"

III. The two-fold support. Eastern shepherds have two staves, one for counting the sheep, the other, with a crook for rescuing, &c., them. These denote the rod of Faith, and the staff of Promises. Faith smites the typical Jordan in this valley and the believer passes over. The staff enables us to find sure footing and in safety to reach the opposite bank. God's promises ensure safety. These two props comfort David in life and will in death. "They comfort me." They did not fail him. Hear his last words. "He hath made with me, &c." God is still faithful, who has promised.

Ponder your personal interest in this subject. The infant, child, youth, &c.

Connect the valley with heaven to which it leads. It is "a door of hope." Death, and what is after death.

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FAITHFULNESS AND ITS REWARD.

CHARLES HODGE, D.D.

Well done good and faithful servant, &c.—MATT. xxv : 21.
The person described.

1. The word good is used in manifold senses, but they all fall under two heads-that is good which is what God designed it to be, having the qualities and attributes which it for appointed sphere, but good means also suitable, agrecable, useful or beneficent-thus we say a good tree, &c. That is good which does good. In the absolute sense of the word, God only is good-good in Himself, and the source of all good in others. A man is good who is measurably in himself what he ought to be and who does good to others. He has not self for his object, but sacrifices self for the good of his fellow men. Some are good, Godward rather than manward. They are not centres whence good radiates. Such men be saved, but as by fire.

2. Faithful. This is a word of wide import. He is faithful who exercises faith, is worthy of faith, who manifests fidelity in the discharge of duty. Faithful to the doctrines of God's word-sincerely believing them, openly professing and proclaiming them-faithful to principles, ready to declare them, never forsaking them for any consideration of expediency. Faithful to obligations in the cultivation of talents, employment of time, in the avoidance of all unnecessary expenses, and in the dispensing of charities.

3. Servant. This was the favorite designation of the apostles. Paul called himself habitually the servant of Jesus Christ. He desired to be so regarded, and to live in accordance with the relation indicated by the word in

its strongest sense. He was the servant of Christ, because he was his property-the purchase of his blood. The service of Christ comprehended everything-the homage of the understanding, the subjection of the conscience, the devotion of the heart, and the conduct of the life.

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II. The reward. The souls of believers at their death enter into the joy of the Lord. Presence with the Lord is the believer's heaven.)

1. It is the joy which the Lord Himself possesses. Christ and His people are one. This union is threefold, a federal union, a vital union and a voluntary conscious union by faith. Christ's death is their death, &c. They reign with Him, are glorified together.

2. It is the joy of victory. Victory over death, hell, the grave. It is a victory the glorious consequences of which are to fill immensity and eternity.

3. It is the joy of perfection. This is the completion of the work of redemption for his people. The restoration of God's image in them is complete. The perfection of their whole nature-in perfect knowledge, in perfect holiness, a perfection in reconciliation and communion with God. The soul is filled with his fullness. It is filled with God. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be, &c."

II. It is a joy of dominion.

Christ has been given a name which is above every name. He is exalted above all principalities, &c. Of His dominion there is neither limit nor end. In this dominion His people share, and in the joy of this sovereignty. What this means we do not fully know. But it includes more than tongue can tell or heart conceive,-glory, honor, immortality. It implies the constant beneficent and beatifying exercise of all our powers in the promotion of the highest glory of our Redeemer and the highest good of His Kingdom.

CROSSING THE RIVER.

T. DE WITT TALMAGE, D.D.

And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan.-JOSHUA iii: 17.

WASHINGTON crossed the Delaware by boat;

Xerxes, the Hellespont by an extemporized bridge: and the Israelites the Red Sea by its being divided, in which division the Egyptians were drowned. This crossing differs from all others, and was without the loss of life. The waters piled themselves up in a heap at the touch of the priest's feet. Learn :

I. Obstacles touched vanish. Obstacles that may be tremendous in the distance, depart when we advance upon and touch them with courage. As in life, so at its close. Many are now afraid of the Jordan of death. But when you come to it, when your time has come to cross it, it will disappear. Christ your Priest with bruised feet will go ahead of you. His feet touching the waters will cause them to roll away, and you will go through dry shod.

II. The completeness of everything that God does. The Jordan when it stopped flowing did not flood its banks. It did not leave mud and slime in its bed—it is dry. God gives us everything complete, a complete universe, a complete Bible, a complete Saviour, a complete Jordanic passage.

III. Between us and everything bright, beautiful and useful, there is a river of difficulty that we must cross. The grapes of Eschol and the goodly land were beyond Jordan-these things are always on the other side. We must cross to get them. That which costs nothing is worth nothing. We must struggle for what is valuable. Stewart, Vanderbilt, Franklin, Walter Scott, Mansfield,