December 31

Eben so, come, Lord Jesus. — REV. xxii. 20.

Behold, I come quickly. — REV. iii. 11.

"QUICKLY." The little church at Jerusalem fixed her eye upon that "blessed hope," the visible appearing of her Lord. It was a reality present to her heart, projected full on the vision of her faith. Ever since, she has journeyed on as one journeys toward a high mountain, the way being long, rough, and sometimes weary. At times the end seemed farther off than at the beginning, but at last the stretch is well-nigh complete, and she lifts up her head and rejoices in the Lord.

The sun of the gospel is to-day penetrating to the heart of old continents in the East. Its light has come to the very western edge of this most western land, having encircled the whole earth.

In arts men are now working with the subtlest forces, like electricity. In science they are studying the origin of life. Everywhere the human mind is busying itself with the last analysis of things. All things are pushing themselves to extremes. Good men seem to be growing better and bad men growing worse. Missions, charities, love, longings for unity and a godly fear, anarchy, greed, blasphemy, hate! The tares and the wheat manifestly "grow together." As the Lord said: "The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie. Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

Five! and the tapers now

In rosy morning dimly burn!

Stand, and be girded thou;

Thy Lord will yet return.

Hark! 't is the matin-call;

Oh, when our Lord shall come again,

At prime or even-fall,

Blest are the wakeful men!

ARTHUR CLEVELAND COXE.