April 15

E will open your grabes. — EZEK. xxxvii. 12.

Lazarus, come forth. — JOHN xi. 43.

THIS is the sublime conclusion of the touching story of the raising of Lazarus. It presents the estimate the Saviour had of prayer. He knew his power and how all things were subject to him; yet when he was about to perform this mighty work for the glory of God and the comfort of weeping hearts, he first prayed, and that prayer is full of confidence and trust. What a lesson to us to do everything with the same confident appeal to God (Phil. iv. 6)!

The text again shows the mighty power of Jesus. The greatest, the mightiest conqueror of man is death. The most mysterious and irrevocable state is that of the dead. None can conquer in that war. None ever attempt to revoke the decree that bids all to enter the grave. We may sorrow over the outward tomb, and weep at our own losses; but none dream of changing the result. Now the mighty power of Jesus is manifest, in that, standing at the dark door of this dread mystery and these helpless sleepers, he says, "Come forth;" and there is nothing can resist his call. Death, the grave, the unknown sleep, all respond; and he that was dead and buried stands again a living man, a loving brother. What joy and hope for those who trust in Jesus, not only for their loved ones gone before, but for their own glorious life beyond the death? "He has the keys of death and of hell."

J. M. Morrall

Asleep in Jesus! peaceful rest,

Whose waking is supremely blest.

No fear, no woe, shall dim that hour

That manifests the Saviour's power.

MRS MARGARET MACKAY.