October 7

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him. — PSALM xxxiv. 7.

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. — MATT. xviii. 10.

"LITTLE ones," — the children of God; the saved; the heirs of salvation. "In heaven their angels always behold the face," — here an allusion is had to Oriental monarchs, who in their accustomed seclusion received into their presence only the favored courtiers of their realm. The seven princes of the court of Ahasuerus are said in the Book of Esther "to behold the king's face." But the New Testament contains a revelation of the kingdom of God on earth, as set up by our blessed Lord, and accordingly sets forth the agencies by which its affairs are administered and its subjects are protected. Hence, angels are represented as "ministering spirits sent forth" to each individual member of this spiritual kingdom for his guidance, comfort, and aid (Heb. ii. 14).

I think Christ meant to confirm that vague conception of the many of almost every age and clime, that "in heaven," the angelic host have an abiding interest in the welfare of each child of God on earth, and minister to their wants.

While Christ's "little ones," in their earth-life, cannot approach the celestial throne, their angels do; therefore already they have an interest in heaven.

Ezekiel B. Kephart,

The hosts of God encamp around

The dwellings of the just;

Deliverance he affords to all

Who on his succor trust.

TATE.