March 25

According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. - 1 Timothy 1:11.

THE glory of the gospel is derived from its Author. It is the “testimony of Christ,” as it is called, “that has digged down the altars;” it is this which has rescued the captives; it is this which has destroyed the works of the devil; it is this which draws all to the side of Christ. What wonder that the angels, who are “proverbial for knowledge, yet make this the theme for study! They pass by the sun, and moon, and stars, to drop round the cross. They are nowhere represented as being philosophers or astronomers, but they are Christian students; they “desire to look into these things,”-“the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.”

Oh! the gospel dignifies every place it enters. Capernaum was a poor despicable fishing-town; but Christ preached in it, and hence he speaks of it as being “exalted to heaven.” When the gospel enters a country, it is said, “Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Wherefore was this earth formed? and why is it perpetuated? Was it only to be a promenade for Satan, a laboratory for the chemist, a counting-house for the merchant, a field of battle and slaughter for the hero, a cabinet for the intrigues of princes, an observatory for the star-gazers? Was it for this that Christ rejoiced in its habitable parts?

No; but because the knowledge of him was to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea; because the mountains were to bring peace to the people, and the little hills by righteousness; because he should come down as rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth; because he should live, and to him should be given of the gold of Sheba; because his name should endure forever,- his name should be continued as long as the sun; men should be blessed in him, and all nations should call him blessed. And blessed be his glorious name forever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.