heavens, is he worn with this frequent lapse into low and sensuous ideals and conduct.

We calmly rely on his unwasting ability to make his word the regenerating power by which, at last, "everything that hath breath" shall be inclined to "praise the Lord." DeWitt S. Clark.

THE RIVER OF SALVATION

EZEKIEL 47: 1-12

"And he brought me back unto the door of the house," etc.

This vision of Ezekiel seems a parable. A literal interpretation is impossible. It foretells conditions impossible of fulfilment. It speaks of a fountain that did not exist. No stream or river could make its way across the country unimpeded. Far better than literalism, it is a vivid picture of God dealing with his people. Its sublime imagery seems borrowed by John in his rapt vision in Revelation. The older prophet and the later caught the vision of the river flowing from beneath the throne. Both prophets spoke of trees on the river's banks. The fruit upon the trees in each vision was for the people. Even the leaves were use

ful for the nations.

ness.

The whole vision may well illustrate Ezekiel's prophetic name: "God will strengthen." The prophet's patriotism is deeper than the waters of the river he saw. His firm faith is symbolized in his devotion to the temple. The vision began where God was believed to dwell; it ended among men. His parable took in the city of Zion and the wilderIts limits were the temple on the west and the Dead Sea on the east. The temple represented God; the wilderness expressed the poor estate of Israel. There was nothing but death in the sea. No living creature could swim its waters. Its eastern and western coasts are of limestone, bare and without soil or tree or shrub. Its southern bounds are unfit for habitation likewise, from its marshy deposits. No vegetation can grow in the sultry atmosphere, filled with

the salty effluvia of the stagnant waters. The low basin of the sea and its desolate surroundings are said to be unbroken by wind, wave or animated cry. Marks of volcanic agencies are strewn about, reminding of the destruction of the cities of the plain, Sodom and Gomorrah, whose ruins are popularly believed to lie beneath the waters of the sea. It was a dark picture Ezekiel drew of the people when he likened them to such an environment. The brightness of his vision, however, saw the wondrous change that God would bring upon such a people. The river was a symbol of the divine blessings. The waters of the "river" from beneath the temple would heal the waters of the Dead Sea. Fishes and living creatures should swim the sea. The river of God would make the Dead Sea become a sea of life. The desolate shores would be inhabited. Life would overthrow death. The river from beneath the temple of God should be known as the "River of Salvation." The clearness of the waters would symbolize the heavenly blessings; while the flowing floods would indicate how great is his goodness.

The seer of Patmos, catching in vision this "river," called upon all to avail themselves of its waters. Hear his invitation: "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely." In these words the New Testament fulfils the Old. The sublime imagery means the freeness of salvation. No artificial barriers can restrain the living waters within narrower bounds. The call must be repeated until every man has heard it, and the kingdoms of this world shall have become the kingdoms of the Lord Christ. Wherever there is a spot of earth whose people have not heard of the divine love even towards the vilest, there is a standing blot reminding the Church of duties undone. "How shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, ex

cept they be sent?" This is the "river" whose streams shall make glad the city of our God."

Notice,

I. The meaning of salvation.

It does not mean getting to heaven. It does not mean being saved. Salvation means "saved to save others;" "to minister, not to be ministered unto." Salvation means "working out our own salvation." If souls in glory ever shrink back from the light, it must be when there is no star of another soul's conquest in their crown. How must it seem to such an one redeemed to hear the acclaim of the choirs of heaven rendered to Him who died to save the world, while not even one life can trace its hope to efforts that might easily have been given! One of the great pulpit names in literature bemoaned with his dying breath that he did not know of one life redeemed by his message. It was a sad confession to make on earth, but a sadder one with which to enter heaven. Salvation, therefore, involves a constant witnessing for Christ. Meditation is important, but work in the name of Christ is of far greater final value. The river cannot be stagnant. Christians must not be cold like ice. True faith leads into severe toil. The names upon the "roll-call of faith" in Hebrews all cover hardships into which their faith drove them. The sacred fellowship of the apostles resulted in their being martyred. The whole life and ministry of Paul revealed two opposing, yet consistent facts-his intense earnestness in the work and his weariness in it. His salvation meant getting hundreds and thousands who should be his crown of rejoicing.

II. Salvation has its earthly results.

The whole of Scripture evidence is that it bears fruit here. The soul that becomes ripe for heaven will reveal its virtues on earth. It is not place for which God appoints us, but character. Heaven belongs to those who are fitted for it; and that fitness is surely known by its fruits here.

Where the motive is selfish it will declare itself. Many seek heaven as they seek any other good; but heaven does not belong to those having such a motive. It will never do to prate about our mansions in heaven if we are living in fraudulent houses here. Unless we love purity here it is idle to expect to see God hereafter. Character is greater than heaven; inasmuch as character is the condition of reaching its bliss.

People often speak of hope in the eleventh hour. It is true the penitent thief examples its possibility; but any one who will put off the attainment of a good character farther towards that time declares his gross conception of what God expects. The gospel is for the life that now is, just as truly as for the life to come. The relatively little we are reminded of heaven in the Scriptures against the much that is required for this life indicates how important salvation is for us here. The "river" of which the prophet spoke swept the confines of earth. It pictured the godly spirit upon the hearts of men. The fruits of the Spirit are conspicuous and clear. Even those who are far from the truth can recognize them. The world's judgment is clear and sharp. The one who is a Christian is become the Bible people read oftener than the book the printers bind. Such fruits are helpful to others; and God sends his children out among men to do them good. In this way, Christianity pure and simple compares most favorably with every other system of teaching and thought. Christianity has produced an intelligence infinitely surpassing all else. The revival of true religion demands a revival of learning. The teaching and example of Christ have given a larger and broader conception of personal duty. Christian faith builds hospitals; founds charities; takes the part of the weak and helpless. What Britain's Queen said of the Bible is true of what the Spirit of God always inspires; it is "the secret of England's greatness." This is what Taine critically recognized when