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cloud; but behind its frownings faith beholds the smiling face of Him who is a friend, and who doeth all things well, and exclaims, "It is the Lord: let him do whatsoever seemeth him good." Such has been the experience of God's people in all ages. Look at the afflictions of Job, and there see "the end of the Lord;" or at those of the patriarch Jacob, and see how he causeth the wrath of man to praise him, and delivers his people out of all their troubles. The venerable patriarch is well-nigh overwhelmed with his afflictions, and seems ready to yield to despondency: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me." But, in the final issue, he sees "the beauty of the Lord," as did Joseph, also, when he said to his guilty, but penitent brethren, “Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good." And such has been the experience of many modern Christians. Who, that has read the narrative of "Patient Joe," has not been led to say, "Verily, there is a God, that judgeth in the earth!" Joe was a poor collier, whose trust was in the God of Jacob, whom he served. Working from home through the day, he was in the practice of taking with him, in the morning, his dinner, which was, one day, near dinner hour, carried off by a dog, that had entered the pit. Joe pursued the animal out of the mine some distance, till he found it was in vain to try to recover his meal. But when he returned what amazement! The pit, in his absence, had fallen, and those within had been hurried into eternity. Seeing in his escape "the beauty of the Lord," he exclaimed, "How could it appear to a short-sighted sinner, that my life should be saved by the loss of my dinner!" Thus do the interpositions of Providence appear to the pious. The mysterious visitations of his hand are so many links in the chain, by which we shall at last be brought safe to the land of rest.

But more clearly will this appear, when we gain the

upper sanctuary. Here we see through a glass, darkly; but there we shall see face to face. Here we know but in part; but there we shall know even as we are known. Yes, what we know not now, we shall know hereafter. Then shall we realize that our light afflictions, which were but for a moment, have worked out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, and understand more perfectly why the Lord permitted us to be tried and tossed on the voyage of life. Then shall we, indeed, see the beauty of the Lord, and, with adoring wonder and gratitude, acknowledge that he hath done all things well.

"The beauty of the Lord" is, also, to be seen in the redemption of the world through Christ. Here are lengths and breadths, heights and depths of infinite love, which enrapture and captivate the pious heart. Here the beauty of the Lord appears most conspicuous. All his perfections unite in sweet harmony-" mercy and truth have met together-righteousness and peace have embraced each

other."

"Here the whole Deity is known;

Nor dares a creature guess

Which of the glories brightest shone,
The justice or the grace."

Here we see the hatred of God against sin, and his love for the sinner. While the cross guards his holy and immutable law, it encourages the sinner to hope in his mercy. On this theme the child of God delights to dwell:

"Sweet the moments-rich in blessing,

Which thus before the cross he spends;

Life, and health, and peace possessing,
From the sinner's dying friend."

If the "beauty of the Lord" is thus seen in his house, is it not a most desirable place? Well might one of old exclaim, "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign-aloes

which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters."

2. Another reason why David desired to dwell in the house of the Lord was, that he might "inquire in his temple." It is here, in his holy temple, that God is to be sought; and here he will not be sought in vain. When beset with difficulties, so that our way may appear to be hedged up, we may ask of God, and he will direct us in the way. Let us ask, and we shall not be left in darkness. It is our duty and our interest to ask direction of the only wise God, in all the steps we take, and in all the plans and enterprises upon which we enter. Do we not esteem it a privilege, to have a wise earthly friend, to whom, on all important matters, we can repair and receive advice? Solomon says, that in the multitude of counselors there is safety; but who so able to give direction as the Ancient of days? and (what cause of encouragement!) none more willing. He giveth wisdom; and he giveth liberally, and upbraideth not. How happy are they who enjoy his instructions and guidance! Look at the benefit which David realized from access to God, when his thoughts troubled him, as he saw the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous! He tells us that his feet had wellnigh slipped, until he went to the sanctuary, and inquired in the temple, when he saw their end. The Lord opened his eyes to see beyond this present life, and his mind resumed its former peace. If, in all the important affairs of life, we were to avail ourselves of this privilege, we should, no doubt, be more successful, and our days be more peaceful, prosperous, and happy. But let us remember we must be sincere, spiritual worshipers; for if we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear us when we call. III. DAVID'S PURPOSE TO SEEK WHAT HE SO MUCH DESIRED: "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after."

It is necessary, in order to success in any undertaking of importance, that we give it our undivided attention. How much more is this necessary, in order to secure the great blessing presented in the text! What is all earthly good in comparison to this? What is wealth, honor, learning, and pleasure, compared with the riches of grace, the wisdom from above, the honor that comes from God, and the pleasures that are at his right hand for evermore? On this object the mind of David was fixed. He regarded it as the "one thing needful"—" the pearl of great price." And this desire of God's favor was not a cold, formal feeling, which led to no effort-not like that of some, who tell us they desire to serve God, and secure a rest in heaven, but whose desire is not sufficiently strong to take them one step in the way toward heaven. Their desire is like that of the sluggard, who will not plough, by reason of the cold, and, therefore, begs in harvest, and has nothing. Not so the desire of heart which the Lord will satisfy. It is like the husbandman who patiently labors to obtain the fruits of his field: "That will I seek after." Yes, seek after it, as the merchantman seeketh goodly pearls, and as the panting hart seeks for the cooling stream-waiting upon God in the use of all the means of grace-in the public ordinances of his house, and in social and private prayer. "Evening, and morning, and at noon," said the Psalmist, "will I pray, and cry aloud," yea, "I will call upon him as long as I live." Thus let us seek, and we shall find. Look at the case of Jacob! All night he wrestled with the angel of the Lord-until the day began to dawn; and when the angel said, "Let me go; for the day breaketh," his language was, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Such efforts will not be in vain-they shall succeed. Then go and do likewise; and the Lord will grant you that which you so much desire-a place in his house, and with his people here on earth; and when you fail on earth-when

your relation to the Church below shall cease-your seat be vacant in the lower sanctuary, then, O then, "an entrance shall be administered unto you, abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," "Where the saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Savior and brethren transported to greet— Where the anthems of glory unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul."

SERMON XXXIII.

BY REV. LEONARD B. GURLEY.

CHRISTIAN LIBERALITY.

"Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace, also," 2 Cor. viii, 7.

IF, after much thought and consideration, you had labored to erect a noble edifice, beautiful in its architectural proportions, costly in materials, and designed to endure for ages, what would be your feelings if, on inspection, a capital defect was apparent-one which, while it marred its beauty, would, also, endanger the safety and stability of the whole structure? How deep would be your mortification, and how heart-sickening your regret at an oversight so unexpected! But if the error were traceable to your own carelessness or indifference, regret would be deepened into remorse. But if, in the superstructure of piety which the Christian is endeavoring to erect, he should discover a similar error-if, after years of toil, he should find it defective in an important and essential particular-that it is not according to the pattern shown in the mount-and if this discovery should not be made until the moment which places it beyond all change and all remedy, how great,