world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Such was the language of this Disciple; such the prevailing thought of his heart. Jesus was to him far beyond the whole world; he was the very life of his soul, and having lived in extreme intimacy with his Saviour, and being acquainted with his secret thoughts, he was peculiarly alive to all those words and actions which emanated from his mercy and love. This feeling is proved in every page of his writings, and in the passage we are now considering, we see how anxious he was to guide us to the tomb of Lazarus, and to let us see him uniting his tears with those of Martha and Mary, awakening peace and joy in their afflicted bosoms. In order to do this, he breaks off the thread of his story, and introduces this affecting episode before he proceeds to detail the last sufferings of his beloved master; and what an introduction to those sufferings is this tale, shewing so forcibly as it does the depth of his love for those he came to save. St. John records the resurrection of Lazarus with peculiar interest; not only as an eye-witness, but as having sympathised in the affliction of this family with all the warmth of his sensitive and affectionate heart, he knew them, and loved them, because they loved his Master. He enters into the most minute details; let us follow him with deep attention. He at once transports us to a peaceful dwelling at Bethany. "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of

H

Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

Bethany was a little village pleasantly situated on the east side of the Mount of Olives only a few miles distant from Jerusalem. Jesus had some friend there whose house and hearts were equally open to receive him; there he frequently passed his hours of rest with his disciples, and in the solace of confidence and friendship, forgot the toils of his wandering life, and the sorrows brought on him by the ingratitude of those whose salvation he came to effect. It was a day of rejoicing to Lazarus and his sisters when Jesus favored their humble dwelling with his presence. They were in truth members of that little flock of true Israelites who were waiting for the Messiah, "*the consolation of Israel." Great was their joy when they were permitted to behold in Jesus Christ the Saviour whom their souls desired, "+as the hart pants after the water brooks." Great was their joy when they saw that Jesus loved them; that he rested under their humble roof, and spake to them of his blessed kingdom.— Dear friends, you who know by experience the joys of that brotherly love of which our Lord in his mercy permits his children on earth should taste; you who have been taught by the Gospel how to feel and how to love, you can understand the gladness felt by Lazarus and his sisters at those sweet, affectionate dis

Luke ii. 25. † Psalms xxxxii. 1,

courses, when Jesus revealed to them the secrets of his heart, and treated them with confidence and love. If you can derive happiness from an intercourse with those you love in Christ, how inexpressible must have been that feeling of peace which our Lord diffused throughout that dwelling, and left abiding in the hearts of its inmates. Now Lazarus and his sisters loved Jesus above all things: we see how they glori ed in his affection, in spite of the reproachful name of Nazarine-in spite of the persecutions which had already been raised against him, and even against those who were known to be his disciples. When the mob at Jerusalem, excited by the Scribes and Pharisees, took up stones to cast at him, Lazarus rejoiced in giving him an asylum; for though he had created worlds he had not where to lay his head. We have reason to believe that Jesus often retired to Bethany, even to the last moment, when he gave his life as a ransom for sinners. Beloved brethren, are your dwellings houses of refuge for the Saviour whose name is still blasphemed in this world? Do you confess him fearlessly and faithfully before a perverse generation? Is his name venerated and invoked in your families? Are your homes what Bethany was to him, when Jerusalem was preparing to crucify the Lord of Glory? Do those who know not yet the love of Christ find in your dwellings an altar dedicated to his glory? Is your home sweetened by the peace which emanates from the presence of Christ? Is it brightened by the light of his truth? Oh my friends, if this be so you will find Jesus in

your hour of trial, what he was to Martha and Mary in their's.

What tender sympathy existed between Lazarus and his sisters, notwithstanding the diversity of their characters! The love of Jesus was the tie that bound them fast together-where that bond is found happiness must follow. Probably they lived in much seclusion from a world, which ever has been at enmity with God, and that Jesus, his Disciples, and a few faithful Israelites, were the only visiters who enlivened the stillness and solitude of Bethany. St. John tells us that Jesus loved Lazarus-he found in him a mind (rare indeed in this world), which having received and understood his word, was alive to the noble and pure influence of sacred friendship. The friend of Jesus, in his obscure retreat was far greater in the eyes of his Lord than the hero renowned for earthly splendour; he was still in the prime of life, for we learn from tradition that he lived thirty years after his resurrection. We may wonder why our Lord did not employ him as an Apostle, and why he left him in his peaceful home, though he called upon Peter to leave his ship and his nets, and Matthew his receipt of custom, that he might appoint them messengers of glad tidings. But our Lord knew the calling best suited to his children, and allots to each his most fitting station. His wisdom or goodness was never doubted by Lazarus, and whether he undersood his Master's

motives or not, he submitted readily to his will."What matters it," he thought "in which way he orders me to manifest my love for him? I submit, even if he called me to no other service, than to offer him my humble residence. Were it his will that I should glorify him only by my sufferings, and worship him upon a bed of sickness, I know he would accept me as kindly as one whom he had sent forth to preach his name before Rulers and Kings. Should the Lord call you to works of Charity and Piety unseen by man, would these be your feelings? Were you only desired to give a cup of cold water in his name, to share your loaf with a hungry beggar, or to whisper comfort to a wretched hut obscure sufferer, would you think yourself equally favored by God, as if you were one of those persons whose names are printed in letters of gold, and proclaimed as benefactors of the human race? Or suppose the Lord called you to serve him by "the work of patience," either by enduring affliction, or bodily suffering, would you think yourself as much honored, as one appointed to spread his truth from the pulpit, surrounded by admiring and crowded congregations? Remember that the Lord looketh on the heart, he doth not regard what man regardeth. How many true followers of Christ, pass unobservedly through the pilgrimage of life, till he who knows the secrets of all hearts, will crown them in the presence of men and angels, "*With an incorruptible crown of glory that fadeth not away."

1 Peter v. 4.