October 22

doing service. God is never more pleased than when we deny ourselves, and show that we love him above all, and are willing to leave all, and lose all, for his sake. As the exercise of the passive graces is the most difficult, so perhaps it is the most impressive. We peculiarly glorify God in the fires. We are witnesses for him; and testify to the excellency of the principles, and to the power of the resources of the religion we profess. We show that his grace can support us when every other dependance fails, and his comforts cheer us when all other springs of refreshment are dried up. When by accident or sickness we are led in from active scenes, we fear we are going to possess months of vanity, while perhaps we are entering some of the most useful parts of our life. If we endure as Christians, the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon us; and by our patience, submission, peace, and joy, some around us are instructed, some convinced, some encouraged—while perhaps superior beings are excited to glorify God in us—for we are a spectacle to angels as well as unto men.

But what is the nature of the service in which we shall be engaged in the heavenly world? when we shall have dropped all our infirmities? and our powers will be equal to our work and our wishes?—“Therefore are they before his throne, and serve him day and night in his temple.” “His servants shall serve him, and they shall see his face.”

OCTOBER 22.—“There stood by me this night the angel of God.”—Acts 27:23.

How Paul was now engaged we know not. Perhaps he was praying. This is the resource of the Christian in every storm; and to this the promise is made, “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee.” Nor can we determine where he was. Considering that he was a prisoner, and so many on board, it is not likely that he had a cabin to himself. Yet he seems to have been alone: at least the privilege was personal and individual. There were near three hundred in the ship, but none of them was aware of what was passing with Paul. The Lord, in the same assembly, and in the same seat, can hold communion with one, and not with another. “Lord, how is it,” said one of the disciples, “that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” The question implies wonder; but our Saviour had promised the distinction. Luke was in the ship, but Paul only has the vision. All the partakers of Divine grace are not allowed the same indulgences. All the apostles were not to witness the raising of the ruler’s daughter, and our Lord’s transfiguration and passion; but only Peter, James, and John; and though he loved them all, John is called the disciple whom Jesus loved. It was not Luke, but Paul, that was to appear before Nero—Paul was the sufferer; and Divine comforts correspond with our trials, for “as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so the consolation aboundeth by Christ.”

Two things are observable. First, the messenger: the angel of the Lord. We know little of angels. The name is expressive of their office, rather than of their nature. They seem to have been the first beings created; they are proverbial for wisdom; and excel in