July 10

He shall come to be glorified in his saints. — 2 THESS. i. 10.

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. — JOHN xiv. 28.

NO wonder the disciples were grieved at the thought of losing the familiar presence of their Lord. But whither was he going? To the Father. And would he return? Assuredly, and soon. In this twofold fact, therefore, they were to rejoice, if their love for the Master was intelligent and true: (1) They would be glad of his ascension to the place of his glory both for his sake and their own, — for his, because the humiliation he was enduring was thus about to be replaced by a corresponding exaltation; for their own, because in this same exaltation the assurance was to be found that the great salvation was at last achieved. (2) The final step is thus about to be taken for his speedy return in the person of another and better Comforter than himself, — that of the Holy Spirit. In all this Christ exults in the superiority of his Father who is now recalling him, — superiority in view of that stupendous method of grace which originated with the Father, and who, having sent his Son to mediate it in his name and as his willing servant, promised to reward so signal a service by peopling heaven with those multitudes of the redeemed who shall forever make that abode of bliss resound with the rapturous acclaim: "Salvation unto our God which sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb."

Joseph R. Wilson.

Hark, those bursts of acclamation!

Hark, those loud triumphant chords!

Jesus takes the highest station;

Oh, what joy the sight affords!

Crown him, crown him,

"King of kings and Lord of lords."

KELLY.