fact of Lazarus being dead in language of singular beauty and gentleness : " Our friend Lazarus sleepeth."
Every true Christian has a Friend in heaven, of almighty power and boundless love. He is thought of, cared for, provided for, defended by God's eternal Son. He has an unfailing Protector, who never slumbers or sleeps, and watches continually over his interests. The world may despise him, but he has no cause to be ashamed. Father and mother even may cast him out, but Christ having once taken him up will never let him go. He is the "friend of Christ " even after he is dead ! The friendships of this world are often fair-weather friendships, and fail us like summer-dried fountains, when our need is the sorest ; but the friendship of the Son of God is stronger than death, and goes beyond the grave. The Friend of sinners is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
The death of true Christians is " sleep," and not annihi- lation. It is a solemn and miraculous change, no doubt, but not a change to be regarded with alarm. They have nothing to fear for their souls in the change, for their sins are washed away in Christ's blood. The sharpest sting of death is the sense of unpardoned sin. Christians have nothing to fear for their bodies in the change ; they will rise again by and b}7, refreshed and renewed, after the image of the Lord. The grave itself is a conquered enenry. It must render back its tenants safe and sound, the very moment that Christ calls for them at the last clay.
Let us remember these things when those whom we love fall asleep in Christ, or when we ourselves receive our no- tice to quit this world. Let us call to mind, in such an hour, that our great Friend takes thought for our bodies as well as for our souls, and that He will not allow one hair of our heads to perish. Let us never forget that the grave is the place where the Lord Himself lay, and that as He rose again triumphant from that cold bed, so also shall all