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See where St. Paul places a "love" of the Second Advent. He was writing as "Paul, the aged," with his own "crown of righteousness" now full in view. But who shall share it? The rest of the college of the apostles? Those who had "fought," his "good fight' — run his "course" — and "kept" his "faith" to the end? He stretches the bond of fellowship far higher. He makes the condition of the attainment very simple; but perfectly definite. All that is required to get the "crown," is to "love" very dearly Him that brings it. There are four attitudes of mind in which we may stand respecting the "appearing" of Christ. By far the worst is "indifference"; and that indifference may be either the dullness of ignorance, or the apathy of the deadness of the moral feelings. The next state is "fear." There is always something very good when there is "fear." It requires faith to "fear." But above "fear" is "hope." "Hope" is expectation with desire; knowledge enough to be able to anticipate, and grace enough to be able to wish it. And here the ladder is generally cut off; but God carries it one step higher — "love." "Love" is as much above "hope" as "hope" is above "fear" — for "hope" may be selfish, "love" cannot be; "hope" may be for what a person gives, "love" must be for the person himself. Therefore a man might deceive himself, by thinking all was right in his soul, because he "hoped" for the Second Advent; but he might, after all, be set upon the pageant; and the rest; and the reward. But to the individual that "loves" it, there must be something infinitely dear in it; and that one dear thing is the Lord Jesus Christ. All Rome "hoped", for the return and the triumph of Caesar — but Caesar's own child "loved" him. Remember no motive concerning anything ever satisfies God, until it is the reflex of His own motive; and God's motive is always "love." Christ will come "lovingly" — therefore He must be met "lovingly." But the "love of Christ's appearing" is, evidently, not a simple idea; but one composed of many parts. I would separate four. which four at least go to make it. The moment of the manifestation — the original word is the epiphany — "epiphany," you know, is the same as "manifestation" the moment of the manifestation of Christ will be the moment of the manifestation of all His followers. Then, perhaps, for the first time in their united strength and beauty — declared, and exhibited, and vindicated, and admired, in the presence of the universe. And, oh! what a subject of "love" is there. Some we shall see selecting and individualising us, as they come, with the well-remembered glances of their loving smiles. But all sunny in their sacred sweetness and their joyous comeliness. Never be afraid to "love" the saints too much. Some speak as if to "love" Christ were one thing — but to "love" the saints were another thing; and they almost place them in rivalry! But the saints are Christ. They are His mystical body, without which Christ Himself is not perfect. Another part of "the appearing" — very pleasant and very loveable to every Christian — will be the exhibition that will then be made of the kingdom and the glory of Jesus. If you are a child of God, every day it is a very happy thought to you, that Christ gains some honour. Only think what it will be to look all around as far as the eye can stretch, and all is His!" On His head are many crowns!" His sceptre supreme over a willing world! Every creature at His feet! His own, all-perfect His name sounded upon every lip! His love perfect in every soul! But there is another thing after which you are always, panting — you are very jealous over it with an exceeding jealousy. You are m the habit of tracing the ebb and flow of it every night, with the intensest interest. I mean, the image of Christ upon your soul. "Why am I not more like Him? Does His like ness increase at all in me? When shall I be entirely conformed — no separate will — no darkening spot upon the little mirror of this poor heart of mine, to prevent His seeing His own perfect mind there?" But now you stand before Him — in His unveiled perfections — and you are like Him — for you "see Him as He is!" And if "His appearing" is to appear in you, is not that cause to love Him? Therefore all His Church love Him — because then they shall be as that "sea of glass" before the throne, wherein God can look and see Him self again in their clear truth, and their holy stillness, and their unsullied brightness! But why speak of the shadows when you will have the substance? We shall look on Him and there will not be a feeling which ever throbbed in a bosom which will not be gratified! There will not be a desire, which ever played before the eye, which will not be surpassed! Another mark of the believer is that he loves the person of Christ. Others may love His work — he loves Him — for His own sake — because He is what He is. He loves Him to be with him — to see him — to know him — to converse with him. This fills his heart. All that is "love," and it is satisfied. But, will not all other "love," that ever was "loved," be as no "love," to the "love" that will then fill the soul?

(J. Vaughan, M. A.)

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KJV: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

WEB: For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.