November 3

dwell in dust." They that "sleep in the dust of the earth shall arise."—And believers will awake with his likeness. We know, says the apostle John, that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And this likeness is corporeal as well as spiritual. As we have, in our infirmities, diseases, and dissolution, borne the image of the earthly, so we shall bear the image of the heavenly, when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality. Our conversation is in heaven, says the Apostle, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, "who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." A prospect hailed ages before by Job, as the ultimate and complete solace and relief of his sufferings—"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."

"This life's a dream, and empty show; But the bright world to which I go Hath joys substantial and sincere; When shall I wake, and find me there?

"O glorious hour! O blest abode! I shall be near and like my God! And flesh and sin no more control The sacred pleasures of the soul.

"My flesh shall slumber in the ground, Till the last trumpet's joyful sound; Then burst the chains with sweet surprise, And in my Saviour's image rise."

NOVEMBER 3—"But withal prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you."—Philemon 22.

THAT is, he trusted that though he was now a prisoner he should be set at liberty, so as to be able to fulfil his ministry again for their furtherance and joy of faith. Had his confidence been inspired by the Holy Ghost he would have expressed himself without hesitation; but he had only a hope in his own mind arising from what he deemed probability. Whether this hope was accomplished we are unable to determine; and the learned are divided in their opinion. But he intimated no more than he felt at the time; and his language shows another instance of the Apostle's address in enforcing his plea on the behalf of his object; for if, as he trusted he should, soon visit Philemon, how could his friend see his face in peace, or at least with pleasure, had he refused his request on behalf of Onesimus?

Paul was warm, but there was nothing in him enthusiastical: he feared God, but he was not superstitious: he lived above the world, but he was not a recluse—He never affected to condemn the feelings of humanity. He therefore desired that a lodging might be prepared for him against his arrival. Yet he was not fond of indulgence and show; and therefore a little would content him. He did not require the enlarged and various accommodations of a home, but only the needful conveniences of an inn; not a mansion, but an

apartment: such as the Shunamite made for Elisha; "Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither."

And we may rest assured that Philemon would not only readily provide for him, but in his own dwelling; knowing that a man so well educated would not be finical and troublesome; and that one so Christian would be sure to be instructive and useful, and draw down the regards of Heaven. So the house of Obed-edom was blessed for the sake of the ark. So now is the Saviour's promise; "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."

Paul viewed his restored freedom as a privilege and a favour: "I shall be given unto you." In another place he speaks of ministers as "the gifts of Christ." And this is true of their commission, endowments, success, and all opportunities of exertion. It is he that gives them not only a door of utterance, but a door of entrance. It is easy to see what a hinderance of usefulness the confinement of such a man as Paul was. God is able indeed by his almighty power to overrule evil for good; but we must judge of things by their proper and natural tendency: and thus persecution involves the heaviest guilt. It is said of Herod, after the enumeration of his crimes, that "he added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison." This was taking the light from the candlestick, and putting it under a bushel. It was rendering him a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Hence, says Paul to the Thessalonians: "Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified." What Christian then ought to be indifferent to the progress of civil liberty, which, justly considered, always includes religious, and affords opportunity for exertion and co-operation in extending the cause of knowledge, truth, righteousness, and peace.

But see the importance and efficiency of prayer. The prayer of Abraham prevailed for the healing of Abimelech. Joshua by prayer lengthened the day for Israel to complete their victory. By prayer fifteen years were added to the life of Hezekiah. The church at Jerusalem prayed for Peter's enlargement, and he was delivered by an angel before the prayer-meeting broke up. And what says Paul to the Philippians? "I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." Here also he says; "I trust that through your prayers I shall be given to you." Sometimes prayer succeeds in obtaining the very blessing itself which is implored: at other times the answer brings a substitute for it; as when Paul besought the Lord to remove the thorn in the flesh, and received the assurance of all-sufficient grace while under it. But the prayer of the righteous shall be granted: and the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, not only when it is offered for himself, but also for others. Here also is a proof that the usefulness of prayer is not confined to the influence of the performance, but includes also success and acquisition. The prayers we offer for ourselves really affect us