(Concluded from page 322.)

It will not be out of place at the close of these papers to follow the Spirit's guidance into,

"Those bright and blessed scenes,
Where sin can never come,
Whose sight our longing spirit weans
From earth where yet we roam."

The faithful servant of Abraham did not rest content with his reception at the home of Rebekah nor with her consent to accompany him across the desert on the way to his master. His work was not completed till he had brought her to him, and given the account of his service which the Lord had crowned with such complete success. So the Spirit's work in reaching and drawing souls to Christ, does not cease till He has led us on in divine companionship, and in progressive stages of knowledge, till He presents the Bride to the Lamb.

Who can speak of the bliss of the "marriage supper of the Lamb;" where the Bride hath made herself ready, arrayed in "raiment of needlework," "fine linen clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints" (Rev. 19:7, 8). What a day will that be-of exceeding joy as He presents us to Himself, before the presence of His glory. There is the blending of the perfection of our standing in Him-clothed with the best robe, "the Lord our righteousness," and the result of faithful service and a righteous life, as noted in the previous quotation. The judgment seat of Christ will have purged away all the dross, leaving only the fruit of the Spirit's work-as what in grace He will own as our righteous acts.

So even at the portals of glory we have the results of faithfulness manifested. It may serve us to dwell briefly on the various promises to the overcomer, in Rev. 2 and 3, as indicating the circumstances and the responsibilities of the Church in view of "that day."

Ephesus, marked by works, labor and patience, and by faithfulness in many ways, is yet reminded of the loss of first love, and called to repent and do the first works. Referring doubtless to the Church in times near the apostles, it has a voice for every one in all the church's history-"He that hath an ear let him hear." Wherever there is overcoming in a day of coldness and apathy- may we not say in these very days in which we live-there is a precious promise:"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God" (Rev. 2:7). Christ is the Tree of Life, and there can be no higher reward than to partake of His fulness in the Home of God. And this is the prize awaiting all who have the fire of first love-a present heartfelt appreciation of His preciousness in this life.

What is Christ to us? What is He to the church of to-day? May we heed His loving call back to Himself. Let us challenge our hearts-are we cold, formal, even restless in activity, but lacking the joy of giving Him joy in seeing our increasing appreciation of His love?

"Fruit of Thy boundless love,
That gave Thyself for us;
Forever we shall with Thee prove
That Thou still lovest us thus."

Smyrna is passing through persecution, even unto death, but the strong words of cheer, "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give Thee a crown of life" are for any who endure hardness for His sake; who bear reproach, scorn, suffering, in the path of obedience. Here still in closing days is there opportunity to suffer for the truth and for Him who is the Truth. To speak of this may well bring the tinge of shame to our cheek. But what will life be and the crown that goes with that! No shadow there-all radiance, freshness, eternal youth, instead of the reproach here. Beloved saints of God, with whatever we are connected, by whatever name called, may thoughts of Himself and His love strengthen us to play the man, while we suffer a little while here.

"For how will recompense His smile,
The sufferings of this little while."

"Our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:17).

Pergamos dwells where Satan has his throne, and in the midst of corruption and Nicolaitanes, but for those who turn away from the dainties of earthly pleasure and worldly conformity there is a feast and a white stone in the home prepared. Are we feeding now and here on the manna, God's perfect provision for a wilderness path? Pilgrims and strangers-are we pilgrims, aloof from the world, hastening on to our home? If so, the garnered experiences of Christ's sufficiency here and now, will give wonderful feasting there. We may be disowned here; our name cast out as unworthy, but how beautiful with its engraving, "like the graving of a signet," will the New Name be! What a call these promises to the overcomer give to the Church, alas, settling down at home where her Lord was rejected.

Thyatira evidently represents the church established as a world power, and its place here instead of where the Lord is. Filled with her own importance and sufficiency, she assumes the role of teacher rather than subjection to the one Teacher, by His word. Corruption follows, spite of varied activities and faithfulness on the part of some. Judgment lingers, but will come. For the overcomer the Morning Star of hope sheds its holy light in the heart, and the coming of the Lord is nigh. Then and not till then will the Church reign, in association with her glorified Lord. Till that time, to seek a place here is but marital unfaithfulness to the true Bridegroom. Application to worldly establishment, Church and State is easy, culminating in the great harlot; but as we look about us today we can see the same spirit working. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

Sardis, with its boasted light has but a name to live. Cold, lifeless formality, and even doctrinal accuracy, cannot take the place of a living heart of affection and devotedness to Christ. How cheering to the few names-for "He calleth His own sheep by name"-is the promise:"They shall walk with Me in white." He will confess their names before the Father and the angels.

"Close to Thy trusted side
In fellowship divine;
No cloud or distance e'er shall hide
Glories that then shall shine."

"With Thee in garments white,
Lord Jesus, we shall walk;
And spotless in that heavenly light,
Of all Thy sufferings talk."

Philadelphia historically brings us to the present time, as also does Laodicea, a contrast to it. Little strength, but true-hearted loyalty to her Lord; "Thou hast kept My word and not denied My name." This is the Lord's voice today. His word is His whole word, of testimony both individual and corporate. A true Philadelphian will not think lightly of any part of that Word, much less of that which has to do with the nature of the church, its government, ministry, and testimony. "The word of My patience," waiting with Him, as well as for Him, till He shall take His rightful place.

Are we sharers in His patience, not looking for great things here, but holding fast what He has given? May the Lord make us true Philadelphians, and keep us from approaching the pride and self-satisfaction of poor, wretched, blind Laodicea.

Soon He will come, and give the crown, "thy crown," to His overcomers. They will not pass through the dread hour of trial, the tribulation that will come as a snare upon the worldly, professing church. What will it be to be a pillar in the temple of God; what an enlargement oi the "little strength" here! "The name of My God"-we are joint heirs with Christ; citizens of the Bride city, the new Jerusalem; and,

"His new name imprinted
On every sinless brow."

These blessed promises give the hints of the holy joys that await the overcomer in these evil days. May we ponder them, and live in the expectation of soon entering that bright home. Let us individually and unitedly pray for the Church which He has purchased with His own blood. May the bridal hopes and affections mark us all increasingly. Difficulties may increase; nothing can stand the test but what is of God. Our whole resource must be Christ alone. May there be a true revival ere He come; not necessarily in numbers, but in soul, in true-hearted devotion to Him who gave us His all.

Let us not be satisfied with "being in the testimony," but only with Himself. If any beloved saints are excusing themselves from seeking to maintain all the truth, because of manifest failure among those who seem to have it, may they take up the standard if it has fallen from nerveless hands, and still hold it aloft, the only center and rallying-point for His people.

"Brethren," so-called, are divided, but Christ is not divided; they have failed, but He has not, and cannot. His word, His truth, His path lie open to faith as fully as when wreck had not come in. Let our beloved fellow-Christians help us, and help with us to seek to carry out the mind of the Lord. Let us not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, but be partakers of the "afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God."