March 18

Opm to mt. — SOLOMON'S SONG v. 2.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. — REV. iii. 20.

BEHOLD the dignity of man! The heart is a palace barred and bolted, kept by man, and Christ his Maker allows him to hold the key, and will not force a way in. Behold the interest in man! Gracious powers from above gather about him in pity and love, and out of the midst of these Christ knocks and asks admission. No other being is the centre of such interest. Behold the privilege of man! If he hear the entreaty and open the door, the Son of God will come in and dwell with him. Behold the blessedness of man! The soul into which Christ thus enters has Christ sup with him and he with Christ. Note the order: Christ first comes down and sups with him and then takes him up to sup with himself. - Christly communion with Christ as leader, up the ever-higher Christly ranges. Here is the highest bliss, and Christ stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, offering it.

Israel E. Owinell

O Jesus, thou art knocking; And io! that hand is scarred, And thorns thy brow encircle, And tears thy face have marred. O love that passeth knowledge, So patiently to wait! O sin that hath no equal, So fast to bar the gate!

W. W. HOW.