(Rev. 21:4.)

Blessed promise! "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Rev. 21:3). And this too for eternity, in a "new heaven and a new earth," with "the Son" also, as a "Subject"-preeminent "among many brethren," "His brethren." God as close to us as "the Son" can bring Him; and we as close to God as "the Son" can bring us:when the God of all comfort will Himself "wipe away all tears from our eyes."

Oh, the fountains of tears that have been shed:the sorrows that have been borne:the anguish of crying that has been wrung from so many hearts; and the pangs of suffering that have been felt; and the groanings that seem never to cease! When He says, "Peace, be still," the angry winds are suddenly stayed, and the storm-tossed waves, that but a moment before seemed to toss their furious, hoary crests at us, as if to swallow us up completely, fall back, and all is quiet, and "a great calm" stills our feverish minds into "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding," like a mighty garrison, shutting out the foe so effectually that not a fear remains, for God is with us.

I had a great sorrow. I prayed earnestly for relief:I received an answer in the negative. I could but cry, "Thy will be done," and then threw myself on my bed and sobbed like a child when in great trouble. I saw no vision, beheld no Form; but it seemed, in my mind's eye, that I could see the "Good Shepherd" come to my side, my spirit sensed His Presence, while with His own hand He wiped away my tears, and such "a great calm," such a deep peace came into my spirit, that I said:"I would not have missed this great sorrow for all the world."

But this is nothing in comparison with what it will be when all our sorrows will have passed away forever, and GOD HIMSELF will draw so near as to "wipe away all tears from our eyes."

SYMPATHY

Are you so much a man that you cannot cry? Do you steel your heart against the expected ridicule of a cold world until you have persuaded yourself to think it is a weakness? We may put on a bold face to the world while our hearts are heavy with grief.

He knows:go hide yourself in the "secret of His Presence" and let your heart burst, and open the floodgates of your tears, and weep them into His Bosom, and you will find Him near to you-so near that you will never want to forget the moments thus spent with Him. Try Him and see. S. A. White