June 21

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.—Luke 7:12.

A funeral procession, is a solemn spectacle at any time. To behold a fellow being borne to his long home, to the place of silent darkness, where the inhabitants shall remain undisturbed till the resurrection of the last day. Some funeral scenes are far more affecting than others. In cases of old age, after severe and protracted sickness, death seems a desirable refuge, and we do not wonder, when we see the evening of years, followed by the setting sun of life. But we are struck, when in the midst of health, and maturity, the fatal arrow should be commissioned, and that the sun should go down, while it is yet only noonday. Now this was the case with the funeral procession which arrested the attention of Jesus. He was a young man, and to render the matter still more affecting, it is said, that he was an only son, and the only son of a widow. How mysterious, and incomprehensible are the ways of God to man. The aged, infirm, and dependant widow is spared, while the young man, in all his strength, and vigour, is cut down. How it admonishes us not to reckon on continued life, under any circumstances. Who can tell what a day may bring forth? It is said, that

"much people" followed in the mourning train. No doubt they were astonished, and deeply affected by the death of this young man. And it is not improbable, that he had been an amiable youth, and therefore his loss would be lamented by all. Besides, how befitting that they should manifest their kindest sympathy towards the aged, weeping widowed mother. Let us not forget, that it is written, "Rejoice with those that do rejoice, and weep with those that weep." "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."