We were talking about the King
And our Elder Brother,

As we were used often to speak
One to another.

'I think, in a little while,' I said at length,

'We shall see His Face in the City Of everlasting strength.

'And sit down under the shadow

Of His smile,

With great delight and thanksgiving,

To rest a while.'

'But the river-the awful river,

In the dying light'

And, even as he spoke, the murmur
Of a river rose on the night!

And One came up through the meadow

Where the mists lay dim,

Till He stood by my friend in the starlight, And spake to him :

'I have come to call thee home,' Said our veiled Guest ;

'The terrible journey of life is done,I will take thee into rest.

'Arise, thou shalt come to the palace To rest thee for ever;'

And He pointed across the dark meadow, And down to the River.

And my friend rose up in the shadow,

And turned to me,

Be of good cheer,' I said, faintly,

'For He calleth thee.'

For I knew by His loving Voice,

His kingly Word,

The veiled Guest in the starlight dim,

Was Christ, the Lord.

So we three went slowly down

To the river-side,

Till we stood in the heavy shadows,

By the black, wild tide.

I could hear that the Lord was speaking
Deep words of grace,

I could see their blessed reflection
On my friend's pale face.

The strong and desolate tide

Was hurrying wildly past,

As he turned to take my hand once more, And say farewell, at last.

'Farewell-I cannot fear,

Oh, seest thou His grace ?'
And even as He spoke He turned
Again to the Master's face.

So they two went closer down
To the river-side,

And stood in the heavy shadows,
By the black, wild tide.

But when the feet of the Lord
Were come to the waters dim,
They rose to stand, on either hand,
And left a path for Him;

So they two passed over quickly

Towards the Goal,

But the wistful longing gaze
Of the passing soul

Grew only more rapt and joyful
As he clasped the Master's hand;

| I think, or ever he was aware,

They were come to the Holy Land.

Now I sit alone in the door of my tent
In the cool of the day,

Towards the quiet meadow
Where misty shadows play.

The great and terrible land
Of wilderness and drought
Lies in the shadows behind me,

For the Lord hath brought me out ;

The great and terrible River

I stood that night to view,

Lies in the shadows before me

But the Lord will bear me through.

W. HOWELS.

GOD

OD will take His child to Himself at his full growth. He knows when that is.

HIS GOD is our God for ever and ever, He

THIS

will be our guide even unto death.

Ps. xlviii. 14.

THIRTIETH DAY.

The Rest of Paradise.

THE souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt-offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.