August 2

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." — Psalms 126:5.

HAVING considered the seed-time of the believer, as a period of sorrow, let us now contemplate

THE BELIEVER'S HARVEST. It is a season of joy. We may ask, when, where, and in what manner shall he reap?

On earth the first fruits are gathered. The harvest is actually commenced here. There is a rest above, but we who believe do enter into rest. There is a river of water of life, in the heavenly paradise, but some of its streams flow in the Zion below. There is an inheritance beyond the skies, but the earnest of it is enjoyed here. There is a glory to be revealed, but

"The men of grace have found Glory begun below."

There is a general harvest that shall be gathered on the celestial plains, but a few sheaves are taken even here, and waved before the Lord.

In heaven the harvest will be complete. The time of the gathering-in of the harvest is one of mirth and hilarity; then the cares and anxieties of the husbandman cease for a time, but he must soon begin to prepare for the succeeding year's crop. But with regard to the believer, we must drop the

20* metaphor; when he arrives in heaven, and shouts the harvest home, there shall be no more sowing, no more weeping. Oh! what joy and triumph shall be felt on the fields of the heavenly Canaan, when the laborers are all called home, and invited to an immortal rest!

"The harvest shall by far exceed What we have sown in hope."