Memories of Bethany

Mess

cape the vengeance of the Jews in Jerusalem by a temporary retirement to the place where John first baptized, near Enon, on the wooded banks of the Jordan. It must have been to Him a spot and season of calm and grateful repose; a pleasing transition from the rude hatred and heartless formalism which met Him in

, the region He now traversed must have been full of fragrant memories; there it was that Jesus had been first pointed out to them as the "

riends of His temporary absence. Lazarus was then in his wonted vigour-no shadow of death had yet passed

impending death. His word, they knew, could alone summon lustre to that eye, and bloom to that wan and fading cheek. Fifty long miles intervene between the great Physician and their cottage home. But they cannot hesitate. Some kind and compassionate neighbour is soon found ready to hasten along the Jericho road with the brief but urgent message, "Lord! behold he whom thou lovest is sick." If it only reach in time, they know that no more is needed. They even indulge the expectation that their messenger may be anticipated by the Lord Himself appearing. Others might do

essenger is sent,-the means are employed! They act as though He knew it not; as if that

own appointed method,-His own consecrated medium for obtaining blessings. Jesus may have gone, and probably would have gone to restore His friend, even though no such messenger had reached Him: We dare not limit the grace and dealings of God: He is often (blessed be His name for it!)

and Heaven! More especially in our seasons of trouble, (when "vain is the help of man,") hap

ressed; undertake Thou for me! To Thee I unburden and unbosom my sorrows. I shall be satisfied whether my cup be filled or emptied. Do to me as seemeth good in Thy sight. He whom I love and whom Thou lovest is sick; the Lazarus of my earthly hopes and affections is hovering on the brink of death. That levelling blow, if consummated, will sweep down in a moment all my hopes

ot a word, but it is not said He heard not a word. These two differ much. Christ often heareth when He doth not answer. His not answering is an a

t not in their music, we throw them out money presently that they may be gone. But if the music please us, we forbear to give them money, because we would keep

ive request-all is left to Himself. What a lesson also is there here to confide in His wisdom, to feel that His way and His will must be the best-that our befitting attitude is to lie passive at His feet-to wait

the world, night by night when you return from its soiling contacts, bathe your drooping plumes in this refreshing fountain. Let prayer sweeten prosperity and hallow adversity. Seek to know the unutterable blessedness of habitual filial nearness to your Fathe

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