February 7

"We will remember thy love." — Cant. 1. 4.

WHAT a wonderful faculty is the memory! It produces in the mind a kind of resurrection of past scenes and circumstances. We do well to cultivate the exercise of it, with regard to the things of God. Note here

THE SUBJECT OF REMEMBRANCE. It is one of the deepest interest and highest importance to which we can refer. Let us remember

Its antiquity. It is from everlasting; before the creation of the world, or the music of the spheres.

Its freeness. It is shown to those who neither deserved nor desired it, nor could make any adequate return.

Its development. The love that consists in words does not deserve the name. We see its designs in the Divine purposes, and its displays in the Divine proceedings. The love of Christ was manifested in his own person when he was on earth, and by his Spirit now he is in heaven. Its duration is eternal.

THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE SUBJECT. It must be

With feelings of gratitude and joy. This will especially be the case in our devotional exercises, when the mind is softened by meditation; in prayer, reading the Scriptures, and at the sacramental table.

It must be continual. We must live, and act, and suffer, and die, in the remembrance of it. It will be an ingredient to sweeten the bitter waters of affliction, give a relish to the streams of comfort, and bear us up in the swellings of Jordan.

It must be practical. It will lead to a steady adherence to the cause of Christ, the conscientious performance of duty, and the patient endurance of trials; it will moderate our attachment to earthly objects, and draw our souls to God, the great centre of attraction.