fresh supplies of oil, to be kept in store for time to come. And so Holy Baptism was called of old the Christian's "Illumination," or giving of light to him; and baptized persons were said to be "illuminated," or filled with light. Filled with light-for then the child who was "conceived and born in sin," shut out from "the marvellous light "'2 of GOD's Countenance, then, the child, such is GOD's tender mercy towards him, is "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of His dear SON;" he was he was "sometimes darkness, but now" is he "light in the LORD;" and he is to walk as one of the "children of light." The soul is, as it were, the lamp of the Christian. But as a lamp, however brightly it may burn at the first, must needs be fed, and renewed, and cherished, from time to time, with fresh supplies of oil, so the soul of each Christian must needs be fed, and renewed, and cherished, continually, with constant supplies of God's grace, through the operation of the HOLY GHOST; even of HIM 1 Heb. x. 32. 2 1 S. Peter ii. 9. 4 1 Thess. v. 5. WHO gives HIMSELF: HIMSELF shining down upon us; enlightening that which was dark; kindling that which was extinguished; cherishing what was failing; restoring what was decayed; quickening that which was dead. It is to HIM we have to look, that we may be " renewed, day by day;" it is HE That must feed, and supply our languishing souls: : "THOU the Anointing SPIRIT art, Is comfort, life, and fire of Love."2 And oh how wise are they who foresee the darkness, before it comes, and take oil in their vessels with their lamps. foolish they who neglect to do so! And how "While the Bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept." "While the Bridegroom tarried." So long as death is not present, life seems long: but how short when life is declining, and the gates of the grave are opening! How long, when looked forward to: when looked back upon, how, "as it were, a span long:""so soon passeth it away, 1.2 Cor. iv. 16. 2 From the Hymn in the Ordination Service. and we are gone!" When the way seems stretched out long in the distance, and the evening shades of life have not as yet begun to close in upon us, and while, as yet, through the din and turmoil, and noise and bustle of this lower world, we catch not so much as the far-off sounds of the Coming of the Bridegroom, how easily can we half persuade ourselves that we shall be ready for His Coming: nay, more, how can we almost venture to "desire the Day of the LORD," when some bright hope has waned away, and we feel this world to be chill and dreary. Then we are well-nigh tempted to say in our hearts, "why is His Chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of HIS Chariots ?" But as soon as we catch the sounds of HIS Approach, and when HE "standeth before the door;" when this world is closing upon us, and the next world fast opening, who, even of those who have reached unto the "threescore years and ten," yea, or be " come to fourscore years," who glanceth not back, and thinketh not of his life as "passed away like a shadow, and as a post that hasted by ?"3 1 Amos v. 18. 2 Judges v. 28. 3 Wisdom v. 9. 2 Who but, even then, is tempted more or less to cry out, "O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, before I go hence, and be no more seen?" How short, at longest, does our life appear, when compared with the Existence of HIM WHO is "from Everlasting to Everlasting!" How short to those who are zealously preparing to meet the Bridegroom !-short, for indeed great and difficult is the work. How short to those who live for this world only!—short, for when this world is past and gone for ever, they have nothing further in store; "they in their life-time have received their good things." Truly to the wise and to the foolish life is "as a dream when one awaketh.""As soon as THOU scatterest them they are even as a sleep!" And so we read that "while the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." All: not the foolish virgins only, but the wise also; " they all slumbered and slept." "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." "In many things we offend all." With all his care and diligence, with all his 2 Eccl. vii. 20. 1 S. Luke xvi. 25. struggling and earnestness, even the holiest of Christians will, at times, in some degree, feel faint and weary in his walk towards Heaven. And he may be tempted to think of himself that he is indeed "faint," but he is not "pursuing;" that his wariness and his watchfulness are all of no avail; and he is, in his own eyes, " counted as one of them that go down into the pit, and even as a man that hath no strength." But let such an one take comfort; only let him do his part, and leave the event to his Heavenly FATHER; only let such an one, as far as in him lieth, "watch," and, if he be "overtaken in a fault," let him seek his GOD, "with a true penitent heart, and lively faith," and, kneeling at His Holy Footstool, hear from God's Holy Word that "they all slumbered and slept." "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the Bridegroom cometh." There is no reason why we should not believe, there is every reason why we should believe that, at that last great Day, this will be in very literal truth fulfilled. Doubtless, it is with these tongues, which we now have, although then glorified, that we shall, if found worthy, sing 1 Judges viii. 4. 2 Gal. vi. 1. |