March 23

1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love.

6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand does embrace me.

7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roses, and by the hands of the held, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

8 ¶ The voice of my beloved: behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.

10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

15 Take us the loves, the little foxes, that spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes.

16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lines.

17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.

"Banner usually signifies a standard or ensign, a declaration by an army of ability to defend themselves against the enemy (Sol. Song vi. 4; Psa. xx. 5). It is a sign of authority. 1. But here (ver. 4) it means a beckoning welcome to Christ's love and sheltering care. Conquered by His love, His banner over us is the pledge of Omnipotent protection; the forces and resources of His love are ours. Hence, beneath His banner, life becomes a banquet of bliss and conscious safety.

"2. His banner of love also indicates the country to which our loyalty is henceforth pledged, to which we are going, the eternal abode of love. Under it, the unseen forces of God are our sworn defenders. Hence our banquet triumphs (Rom. viii. 37)."—Rev. John Parker.

Beneath our nation's flag the feeblest child is safe. So am I beneath His banner and cross.

"My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away" (ver. 10). What a loving call!

"Rise up and come away from all that pollutes and separates you from Him." "Shake thyself from the dust, and arise!" "Arise, shine, for thy Light is come!"

Closet Promise.—The Lord God is my strength.—Hab. iii. 19.

"The Lord my strength!" Yes, day by day I prove this changeless word of Thine; And ever, with more childlike trust, I rest upon the Arts Divine. And every prayer hath deeper faith As upward wings its flight to Thee— My soul upon "The Lord thus saith," Builds sure as Thine eternity.

"The Lord my strength!" Earth brings her load Of crowding cares my heart to press, And often find the hurrying round Of human duty, do I bless Thee, O my King, that Thou hast given A promise like Thyself so sure— A bond which never may be riven As long as life and time endure. —Mrs. Lizzie Fenner Baker.