Who brought them to the Heavenly shore, FLAVEL COOK. References.-1 2 Sam. xii. 23. 1, 2. 4 Rev. ii. 13. 21 Thess. ii. 19. 3 Heb. x T will be pleasant to escape beyond the reach of sorrow, pleasant to find our selves free from the touch of temptation, pleasant to wander among the fair flowers and fruits of Paradise, pleasant to meet friends once more after long separation. But what are even these pleasures, compared with the crowning delight of Paradise-the Presence of our King? That Divine Presence is the central joy now of the Christian life. The promise of old was given to Moses and the Israelites; not given once only, but reiterated, and afterwards renewed to the Church of Christ : 66 Certainly I will be with thee." I will dwell among the children of Israel."2 "My Presence shall go with thee."3 "As I was with Moses, so will I be with thee; I will not fail thee nor forsake thee."4 "Fear thou not, for I am with thee."5 "I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you."6 "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."7 "He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."8 We may talk much of doctrines and forms, views and beliefs. But the one real foundation of the Christian life is, and ever must be, no mere doctrine but a living Fact underlying all doctrines and views-that Fact being the actual personal Presence of Christ in the life. Does Jesus Himself abide in your heart? Then you are His, though in knowledge of doctrine you may be defective, and in religious views you may even to some extent have wandered astray. Does He not abide in your heart? Then, though every doctrine found in the Bible be carefully analysed and neatly arranged in your head, you are not His. And that same living Fact is the foundation, not only of all knowledge and all victory in the Christian life, but of all happiness. Will you find your joy in theology, in ordinances, in a correct balance of religious opinions, in doing work for God, in attaining to victory over self? No; though all these things are necessary, they cannot satisfy. Deep and lasting joy must spring from another fount-even from the continual Presence of One whom you love and who loves you. How about earthly joy? Could you be happy if cut off from all who are dear to you, and living in the midst of those to whom you gave, and from whom you received, no affection,—even though your home were a very palace of wealth and luxury? Could you be unhappy, even in the plainest of homes, if surrounded by tender and watchful devotion? Circumstances cannot meet the crying need of the human heart. Love alone is able. If you love Christ, you know that His Presence is sufficient for happiness. The fact of His perpetual presence is the foundation of your Christian life-all other facts and doctrines of the Christian faith being bound up in this. The sense of His perpetual presence brings peace and joy. The sense of His absence therefore necessarily brings shadow and pain. When Jesus smiles, all looks bright; when Jesus turns His face away, all looks dark. But remember, if you are truly His, He never leaves you. Sin may indeed raise a mist between His smile and your heart; the more need then that you should hasten for pardon to His feet. Yet the living Fact of His presence is unchangeable. Then if Jesus is always with us now, what shall we gain by His Presence in Paradise? If we have it now, what can we have of it more? 66 The what " and the how" I cannot explain; but that it will be more, far more, is evident. "Therefore we are always confident, knowing |