the dew-drops collected during earth's
night of weeping shall sparkle in its beams; when in one blessed
_moment_ a life-long experience of trial will be effaced and forgotten,
or remembered only by contrast, to enhance the fulness of the joys of
immortality. What a revelation of gladness! The map of time disclosed,
and every little rill of sorrow, every river will be seen to have been
flowing heavenwards,--every rough blast to have been sending the bark
nearer the haven! In that joy, God Himself will participate. In the last
"words of Jesus" to His people when they are standing by the triumphal
archway of Glory, ready to enter on their thrones and crowns, He speaks
of their joy as if it were all _His own_. "Enter ye into the joy _of
your Lord_."

Reader, may this joy be yours! Sit loose to the world's joys. Have a
feeling of chastened gratitude and thankfulness when you have them; but
beware of resting in them, or investing them with a permanency they
cannot have. Jesus had his eye on _heaven_ when he added--

"YOUR JOY NO MAN TAKETH FROM YOU."

23D DAY.

"Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said"--

"Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me
where I am; that they may behold my glory."--John xvii. 24.

The Omnipotent Prayer.

This is not the petition of a suppliant, but the claim of a conqueror.
There was only _one_ request He ever made, or ever _can_ make, that was
refused; it was the prayer wrung forth by the presence and power of
superhuman anguish: "Father, _if it be possible_, let this cup pass from
me!" Had that prayer been answered, never could one consolatory "word of
Jesus" have been ours. "_If it be possible_;"--_but_ for that gracious
parenthesis, we must have been lost for ever! In unmurmuring submission,
the bitter cup _was_ drained; all the dread penalties of the law were
borne, the atonement completed, an all-perfect righteousness wrought
out; and now, as the stipulated reward of His obedience and sufferings,
the Victor claims His trophies. What are they? Those that were given Him
of the Father--the countless multitudes redeemed by His blood. These He
"_wills_" to be with Him "where He is"--the spectators of His glory, and
partakers of His crown. Wondrous word and will of a dying testator! His
last prayer on earth is an importunate pleading for their glorification;
His parting wish is to meet them in heaven: as if these earthly jewels
were need