such a conquest. But
the more closely we look at the picture, the more we feel that it is
not altogether a pleasant and satisfying sight. The kind of conquest
which the Rider on the White Horse represents is, after all, not a
blessing, but a judgment which God sends on the world. It is the
victory of strength over weakness. If it brings glory to some nations,
it brings destruction to others, and humiliation to others still. It
means the loss of countless lives, and the wrecking of numberless
homes. It is followed by unspeakable sufferings and bitter sorrows.
It knows nothing of pity or mercy. Its garlands of triumph are stained
with blood and tears.

And so we gladly turn away from this picture to think of another
Conqueror of whom the Bible tells us, and who is described in these
words: _Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having
salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass.... And the battle-bow shall
be cut off: and He shall speak peace unto the nations: and His dominion
shall be from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the
earth_.[1] This conquering King is the Lord Jesus Christ. He took
these words of the prophet to Himself when He rode into Jerusalem to
die. His conquest is of a far nobler kind than that of war and force.
It is the victory of right over wrong. Its motive is not ambition, but
love. He is not stern and pitiless, but tender and gracious. He rides
in majesty _because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness_.[2] He
is the Prince of Peace. His triumphs bring no sorrow or hurt or death
in their train. He blesses those whom He overcomes. His Empire is the
only one that we can be truly proud to belong to, the only one that
will conquer the whole world and last for ever.

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

Blessings abound where'er He reigns:
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains;
The weary find eternal rest;
And all the sons of want are blest.

[1] Zech. ix. 9, 10.

[2] Ps. xlv. 4.

THE MAN WITH THE MUCK-RAKE

BY THE LATE SIR J. NOEL PATON, R.S.A.

[Illustration: THE MAN WITH THE MUCK-RAKE. By permission of Mr. Haydon
Hare.]

THE MAN WITH THE MUCK-RAKE

_Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth_.--COL.
iii. 2.

In the second part of the _Pilgrim's Progress_, Bunyan tells us how