This little book, for ages the subject of many and various interpretations, has been taken as an allegory of the love of Christ for His Church, an expression of the eternal love with which He regards her who is called the "Bride of the Lamb." The bridegroom of the type is Solomon; the bride, the Shulamite. The bridegroom of the antitype is One greater than Solomon, who in the closing scenes of Revelation is called "the Lamb." Let us remember, then, as we ponder the deep breathing of affection here, that it is but a feeble expression of His who '' loved the Church and gave himself for it … that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, having no spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Oh, beloved! His church. His ecclesia, is not merely a bride, but a blood-bought bride, purchased by the sacrifice of the Bridegroom, redeemed at an infinite cost; and, though in itself poor and unworthy, lifted up to a throne with Him! Who, then, can imagine the deep thrill with which she shall linger on the chord,-feebly touched here,-" I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine ? " In the words of a hymn:

"What a story,
There in glory,
We'll repeat."

"The song of songs, which is Solomon's." We are directly introduced to the author. He is called Solomon, and every one acquainted with Bible history must know him. A king, far more wealthy, and wiser, than any before or after, reigning over a united and prosperous people, he is in every way held up as surpassing in glory. The Lord himself remarks, '' Yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." No statement of this is given in our song. It is enough that he is Solomon, and that it is his song. I have only mentioned it here for us to consider how suitably the writer is adapted to represent our Lord as king upon the throne of a greater kingdom, which too is an absolute monarchy, united and at peace. "The song of songs, which is Solomon's" – how suitable the introduction! We know how the manner of starting a hymn either causes a drag all through, or else wakes the whole being of the singer into animation. So it is with almost everything. There are three things which, to my mind, are absolutely essential for the enjoyment of a song:a good theme, an understanding singer, and a heart singer. Surely the Song of songs has these characteristics from the commencement, or that which will produce them.

The opening verse is simple. People are accustomed to ask, "What's in a name?" Well, at least, simplicity. It is about all of our language the dumb brute understands ; but he does understand that. Here we have a name, Are there any other songs caused by a name, beloved ? What will wake the sweetest music of heaven ? Anything hard to understand, difficult to grasp ? Nay, nay, the stammering tongue, the trembling lip, will not fail to pronounce and the weak intellect to grasp the name of "Jesus." Thank God, it is simple; it is not difficult.

" Jesus! How much that name unfolds
To every opened ear.
The pardoned sinner's memory holds
None other half so dear."

" Solomon" means peaceable; and it may serve to remind us that this is a song of our home, of a time when trouble and sorrow, discord and strife, will be all past. He is now no more One that goes forth to war and to conquer, nor is it the time when He is being trodden under foot of men. It is the long harvest of God, when His toils are ended and He folds in His embrace her of whom He can then say, "Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee." How cheering to think that this falls from the lips of our Savior, concerning such as we are! "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." Beloved, let it comfort us even, now, "No spot," "no wrinkle." "Thou art all fair, my love."

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth ! "

Here another voice breaks in with a rapture of longing ; but there is no mention of the speaker's name. It is a spontaneous outpouring of affection that leaves no room for a formal introduction. Surely this is all in beautiful harmony. We have a precious parallel to it in the triumphant song into which His redeemed ones break at the name "Jesus," introduced in the first of Revelation-" Unto Him that loveth us." Faith's song of triumph is raised gladly before the battle and storm to follow; for is not "the shout of a king among them ?" and is not the name of Jesus a shelter for them ? In the verse of our song we have, instead of battle, communion in a place of rest. Happy scene to look forward to ! Blessed rest!

There may be also another occasion for the omission of an introduction of the bride's name. The conduct of the bridegroom is beautifully one all through these chapters, while we find the bride often
vacillating and wayward. And the name given her portrays this in a striking manner. " Shulamite " means a woman of Shunem; and " Shunem " means uneven. Alas! the bride has, then, too good cause to omit her name; and well and happily for the type has she done so. Have you ever pondered the way in which John speaks of himself when questioned as to who he was? It comes in so beautifully:"I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness." As he thinks of the glory of Him who comes after him, he becomes so absorbed that he leaves self entirely out of sight, lest, on account of man's blindness, it should in some measure attract attention to himself. The principle which he enunciates is ever true, " He must increase, but I must decrease." Is not this also another motive in our Song ? Who art thou, bold one, to speak so intimately to the King of kings ? Ah, nothing in myself whatever. My name I shall not mention. I only venture to speak because of Thy grace, Lord Jesus. Thou hast chosen the poor things and the base things of this world. It is all of grace. It is all of Thee.

"Love so groundless,
Grace so boundless,
Wins ray heart."

Reader, how is it with you and me ? Does Jesus' name always awaken song on the lips and joy in the heart ?

Are we always so close to Him that it touches some beautiful chord of memory, some wondrous association ?

If not, there is surely something wrong, something amiss. The inspired apostle could exhort the Philippians to '' Rejoice in the Lord alway." It is easy, people say, to rejoice when circumstances are favorable. Beloved, do we always do even this ? Take one of what ought to be the happiest moments, when as His ambassadors, we speak of His love to lost sinners, is that name always like a breath of sweet music on the lips, "a song in the night," to our hearts ? Such it surely ought to be. Let us, then, ask ourselves these questions, and pray God to search out the evil that hinders. That is the kind of preaching God delights in, and that which He must bless. Apart from this, how vain it all is! "Though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal "-an empty sound !

" Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth." The kiss in Scripture, as elsewhere, is a sign of affection,- sometimes of obedience and subjection. The New Testament exhorts brethren to " Greet one another with a holy kiss." Peter speaks of "kiss of love." We well know that people of a more demonstrative nature employ this way of greeting after the same manner that we shake hands. It may, therefore, sometimes not imply any great degree of intimacy. Here, however, the expression is an emphatic one, not "Let him kiss me with his mouth," merely, but, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth." The verb means "to touch," and as thus translated, it has a wonderfully sweet ring to it. '' Let him touch me with the kisses of his mouth." We all remember the words of the woman of Mark 5::" If I may but touch the hem of his garment I shall be made whole." What thrill must have passed through that poor sick body as it came in contact with the Lord Jesus ! and I could not help connecting it with this verse, "Let him touch me with the kisses of his mouth." How sweetly the words fall from her lips, while holy memories of His life upon earth flood in and fill the house of God with its fragrance !

"Awake, my soul, in joyful lays,
To sing Thy great Redeemer's praise;
He justly claims a song from thee,
His loving kindness, oh, how free!

"He saw thee ruined in the fall,
Yet loved thee notwithstanding all;
He saved thee from a vile estate-
His loving kindness, oh, how great! "