timely end. It is a sad thing to be without piety toward God, for piety toward God is the first and foremost duty of life. All the ways of the world, though they seem so sunny and pleasant, are "vanity and vexation of spirit." They lead down to the chambers of death. Only the paths of religion are pleasantness and peace. If there is not "first the blade," there can never be "the full corn in the ear." There will never be a season again so favorable as the present for you to receive into your hearts the good seed of the kingdom, for as you grow older "the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things, will choke the word, and render it unfruitful." "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth." Give your hearts to him at once. From this time cry unto him, "My Father, thou shalt be the guide of my youth." And then, whatever evil days may come-whether an early tomb or protracted years be your lot-all will be well. For if, on the one hand, you come to an early grave, you will the sooner reach the mansions of everlasting joy; or if, on the other, you are permitted to attain a good old age in this world, your life will be a walk with God under the guidance and fear of His love; and when Death, the Great Reaper, shall at length come, it will be to gather you, as a shock of corn fully ripe, into the Heavenly Garner. Come, and, kneeling before your Heavenly Father's footstool, "join yourself to Him in a perpetual covenant that shall never be forgotten."

THE Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES.

YOUTH.

SUNSET AT NOON.

REV. W. RODWELL.

Her sun is gone down while it was yet day.-JER. 15: 9.

WH

HATEVER may be the literal meaning of these words they suggest a departure in mid-life. Wherever we go, over land or sea, death's ravages are seen, and at whatever season of the year or hour of the day we visit the abodes of men death has preceded us. It has its types in fading flower, in withering grass, in falling leaf and setting sun.

The sun going down at noon is very suggestive of the unexpectedness of death in the meridian of life, and yet

I. The sun goes down by the appointment of God. "He maketh night and day," and ruleth the heavens. Joshua and Hezekiah alone have interfered with the sun's course during a period of nearly 6,000 years. To God belong the issues of even death. He never visits without the Divine appointment.

II. The sun goes down for the benefit of the human

[72]

race, that man may retire and rest and recruit his wasted powers, that other portions of the human family may obtain light and heat, and that man's fund of knowledge may be increased. For darkness shows us worlds by night we never saw by day.

So death works for the world's good, restrains wickedness, solemnises thoughtless ones, through tears and bereavements, shadows earth, attracts to heaven and reveals wondrous things to the dead.

Work

III. The sun often goes down too soon for us. unfinished, Joshua Hezekiah, David, "Spare me," Voltaire, Elizabeth. In spite of life's trials and sorrow, we cling to it; even Moses desired to live longer that he might enjoy more of the beauties, but his sun went down on this side of Jordan.

IV. The sun has his natural time for setting. This setting is expected and prepared for by man: to set before would be startling, perplexing, phenomenal. So with human life. Every one expects the accustomed length of days-three score or four score-to be cut off before or in mid-life seems unnatural, abnormal and mysterious.

V. The sun goes down to rise again. In a brief interval he appears again, climbing the heavens in majesty and strength. So with the departed dead. Those in Christ will appear again in golden splendor. Those out of Christ amid the lurid flames of the lost. A time will come when this orb of day will go down, never more to rise, but the godly shall live on, "unhurt," where the "sun shall no more go down."

VI. Let us be cheered by this light of revelation. God is the Father of Lights, does all things well, and whether the sun of our loved ones depart in the morning, at mid-day, or in the evening, it will have a glorious rising in that perfect day, in which there shall be no night.

THE SLEEPING DAMSEL.

REV. F. WAGSTAFF.

The damsel is not dead but sleepeth.-MARK V: 39. EATH never inquires about age or goodness before he touches with his icy finger. This girl was twelve years of age. She was probably a good, dutiful girl, who obeyed her parents, rejoiced in their company, and basked in their smile; she was doubtless also of an affectionate, obliging disposition, for while we know that her father loved and sought on her behalf the Saviour's saving power, other hearts were attracted towards her and many people came to weep over her at her death. Learn

I. That youth and amiability do not shield from sickness and death. However few the years, amiable the disposition, attractive the person, engaging the manners, the worm of sin is gnawing the vitals and death is approaching with his dart.

II. How valuable are godly parents to their children. Parental affection should prompt at all times to deep interest in the salvation of children, but when danger threatens, sickness pales, weakness, and shows the precursory dissolution, there should be no hesitancy or delay in seeking the aid and presence of Jesus. This child's father sought Jesus. He was his only hope. How great his faith, even when she was dead. "Only lay thy hand upon her and she shall live." Matt. ix: 18.

III. The comforting word with which Jesus clothes the idea of death. "Sleep." He ever sought to impress the people that death is not the end, but only the suspension of activity. Sleep is rest for future activity. Death is rest, and that only of the body, as in sleep, that in the resurrection, soul and body may enter upon re

newed activities. It is in this higher blessed sense that Jesus has used the word. "Asleep in Jesus! Blessed sleep, etc."

IV. Observe Jesus the resurrection. His heart is moved by the father's and mother's grief-tender and loving Himself-the elder brother saw with pity in his eye the little sister in the embrace of death-and having omnipotence at his command. He used these sweet winning, powerful words, "Damsel," or, as Dean Sanley translates the original, “My lamb, my sweet little lamb, I say unto thee, arise." How precious the friendship of Jesus, how ready to aid in distress, how tender in his sympathics, how omnipotent in his power.

V. Note how death quails before the touch and words of Jesus. "He took her by the hand," and said.

How valuable that hand helps, and those words of life and power. How often that maiden must have thought of the time when she came to life again and found her hand held by one so kind and strong. Would she not afterward-knowing that she was raised to life-say, "For me to live is Christ."

VI. Learn the fatality of sin. The importance of faith, the value of pious relatives-the readiness, tenderness and power of Jesus-the sweet name he gives to death. Give Him your hand now, and he will take you by the hand at the resurrection and present you to all blessed and loving ones.

THERE comes the thought of glory,
To which our friends are gone;

The far surpassing glory,

Beyond what earth has known.

Estate of light and gladness,
Where tears are wiped away;

The joy in blessed fullness
Of everlasting day.