December 14

We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as He is. - 1 John 3:2.

THIS knowledge of appropriation is most desirable. It has been possessed by ordinary Christians without number. And cannot we too say, with John, “We know that we have passed from death into life, because we love the brethren”? The grand inquiry, therefore, is, whether this will be our blessedness; whether this destination will be our own. We have often been told that we should exercise candour in religion, because we all hope for the same heaven, which thing indeed is very false.

All hope for a heaven, but all do not hope for the same heaven. No; the heaven that many are hoping for is not the heaven here referred to by the Apostle John,-a heaven arising from the likeness, vision, and presence of the blessed Saviour. We should not fail to observe the words which immediately follow our motto:-“And every man that hath this hope purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Alas, there are many who will not find this blessed state and abode of the righteous.

Of all the passions, none are so soothing as hope; and nothing is so dreadful as the disappointment of it, especially when confidence has been great, and the object to be realized is great also. Solomon says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Therefore, let us ever remember the words of our Saviour, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” We cannot have treasure in heaven unless our hearts are there also. Those, therefore, who have this hope, should highly prize it, make use of it and employ it continually. Let us call to mind the words of Watts:-

“A hope so much divine

May trials well endure;

May purge our souls from sense and sin,

As Christ our Lord is pure;”

How supporting is this assurance of hope! Oh, how it can sweeten the bitter cup of life, and soothe the mind under the heaviest trials and disappointments! How it can illuminate the gloom and light up the valley of the shadow of death! It was fabulously said by one of old, that “if a man walked by a myrtle walking-staff, he would never be weary.” Let us take the staff of the gospel in our hand and hold it fast, and we shall not grow weary in our journey to heaven. Yea, “we shall run and not be weary, and walk and not faint.” But if the valley be unattractive, and if even Jordan rolls between, let us ever remember that there-

“Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood

Stand, dressed in living green;

“There everlasting spring abides,

And never-withering flowers.”

Oh, may we, when we come to die, realize this, and then we shall say, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” Time flies, life diminishes, and we shall soon be in the condition of the mariner who leaves his native land,-as the vessel advances, the land disappears; but our condition in this respect is infinitely more important. Time is rapidly passing away, and we shall soon leap into the stream that will bear us away to the tribunal of Jehovah. Oh to have a well-grounded hope of interest in that dear Saviour, a hope full of immortality!-to have the full assurance of hope, and to be enabled to say, with David, as we look forward, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness;” and with John, “We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”