pdid by the Yirgin Mary to her cousin Elisabeth. We are told in a striking manner how the hearts of both these holy womenwere cheered, and their minds lifted up by this interview. Without this visit, Elisabeth might never hare been so filled with the Holy Ghost, as we are here told she was ; and Mary might never have uttered that song of praise which is now known all over the Church of Christ. The words of an old divine are deep and true : "Happiness communicated doubles itself. Grief grows greater by concealing : joy by expression.'*
We should always regard communion with other be- lievers as an eminent means of grace. It is a refreshing break in our journey along the narrow way to exchange experience with our fellow travellers. It helps us in- sensibly and it helps them, and so is a mutual gain. It is the nearest approach that we can make on earth to the joy of heaven. " As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his Mend.'* We need reminding of this. The subject does not receive sufficient attention, and the souls of believers suffer in consequence. There are many who fear the Lord and think upon His name, and yet forget to speak often one to another. (Malachi iii. 16.) First let us seek the face of God. Then let us seek the face of God's friends. If we did this more, and were more careful about the company we keep, we should oftener know what it is to feel "filled with the Holy Ghost.'*
We should observe in this passage, the clear spiritual knowledge which appears in the language of Elisabeth. She uses an expression about the Yirgia Mary which shews that she herself was deeply taught of God. She calls her " the mother of my Lord.'*
62 XXTO^EXGttT THOUOHEB. '
Those words ^'my Lord^' are so faaiiliar to our ^sm, that we miss the fulness of their meaning. At the time they were spoken they implied far more thaft we are apt to suppose. They were nothing less than a distinct de<- elaration that the child who was to be bom of the Yiigin .Mary was the long promised Messiah, the '' Lord " of whom Dayid in spirit had prophecied, the Christ of God. Viewed in this lights the expression is a wonderful example of faith. It is a confession worthy to be placed by the side of that of Peter, when he said to Jesofi^ " Thou art the Christ"
Let us remember the deep meaning of the words, ''the Lord," and beware of usii^ them lightly and carelessly. Let us consider that they rightly apply to none but Him who was crucified for our sins on Calvary. Let the recollection of this fact invest the words with a holy reverence, and make us careful how we let them fall from our lips. There are two texts connected with the expression which should often come to our minds. In one it is written, " ISo man can say that Josus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost." In the other it is writt^i, *' Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (1 Cor. xiL 3. Philipp. ii. 11.)
Finally, we should observe in these verses, the higk praise which JEUsabeth bestows upon the grace of faiths "Blessed," she says, "is she that believed."
We need not wonder that this holy woman should thus commend faith. No doubt she was well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures. She knew the great things that faith had done. What is the whole history