These words, found twice in the Song of songs," express the perfect satisfaction the heart finds in Christ.

In chap. 2 the spouse is seen sitting in the presence of her "Beloved" enjoying the rich clusters of truth that drop from His lips. He giving, she receiving, the fruit so sweet to her taste. For her it was "a time to keep silence," for Him "a time to speak." Sitting and silent she gives Him the joy of ministering to her. Lovely attitude ! Well may we covet such a place in this day of restlessness.

Love delights to serve as claims are upon us, but ability to serve is acquired while in the quiet of His presence. There we neither see nor are seen by others, save by "Jesus only." The heart undisturbed drinks freely, and treasure is stored. Thus furnished we become channels of blessing to others, as from the store gathered in His presence "things new and old" are brought forth. Such ministry meets the needs of men.

Brought next to the"banqueting house,"the sense of His love overwhelms her. " Sick of love " she now seeks "stay" and "comfort." Her words tell how deeply she had drunk of that full flowing stream; so deeply that only fresh tokens of His love can satisfy her. She is but drawn closer, and there finds rest.

Truth, love, rest are found in Him. Ah, to drink deeply of the "love of Christ!" Love of "this present world " will find no lodgment in a heart thus filled and satisfied. The "reproach of Christ " rather would be esteemed, "greater riches than the treasures of Egypt," whose fairest offers would fail to allure. Alas, that many of those dear to Christ should, Lot-like, seldom lift their eyes higher than the "plain of Jordan," so engrossed are they with the things "seen" and "temporal." "The things which are not seen" and "eternal" are thus obscured. What a loss now and "in that day "!

The second time the words are found in chap. 5. A great change had come over her. She had sadly failed. His voice had been heard telling of suffering passed through to reach her, while tokens assuring her of the constancy of His love were left as He withdrew.

Awaking to a sense of her shameful treatment of Him, and her own loss, she rises and opens to Him only to find that He had withdrawn Himself. Her bowels are stirred for Him-her actions showing the place He had in her heart. She seeks and calls, but He answers not. Sorrow and exercise are hers now, until thoughts of Him and of His love possess her, and she cries once more, "I am sick of love." Occupied with Himself she forgets the " things which are behind," forgets about herself, so enwrapped is she with the beauties she finds in Him.

Her heart has found its rest again; and presently she speaks out of its abundance. Bubbling over it requires no effort to spread before others the beauty that she sees in Him. Her failure has endeared Him the more to her. It is His person rather than His truth or love that is now the theme upon her lips. Rich and wondrous theme for sinners saved by grace to dwell upon!

The time of our confession of Him is drawing near its close. Blessed are the overcomers. Lord, give us the tender and exercised conscience, and truly separated heart! Keep us for Thyself "a spring shut up, a fountain sealed," that we may refresh and gladden Thy heart. The joys of heaven will soon be ours, Thy face seen, Thy praise our eternal employ. W. D.