1 H. Moorhouse.
510 A PECULIAR TREASURE
process destroys the power of sin in their hearts, and prepares them for heaven.
TJ Lately, I visited a famous pottery. In one room I found a young lady painting a beautiful flower on a vase. I said, " You take a great deal of trouble with that." " Yes, it takes me a long time to do it." " But what is the use ? With my finger I could in a moment spoil the flower. How do you manage to keep the painting on the vase ? " " When I have finished the painting, a man comes and takes the vase to the fire, and after it has passed through the fire no power in the world can take it off." The Lord Jesus Christ would paint on us the likeness of the lovely Rose of Sharon, contact with the world takes it off; but He puts us in the fire and burns it in : then it will not rub off. The lessons learned in the fire of affliction are never forgotten. I suppose we all know that, and every Christian learns at length to thank God that he was afflicted and had passed through the fire.1
4. What is the security ? The word of " the Lord of hosts." No further guarantee is needed. The name comprises all per- fection. His throne is built upon the promise. Two immutable things make it impossible for God to lie. Our cause is His, and all His attributes are interested in our salvation, and all the infinite resources of His empire stand pledged for the future blessedness of every saint. " The Lord of hosts " — no matter how the term is understood, it is fraught with ample assurance for the faithful, and its sound breaks upon the ear like the anthem of the resurrection and the choral greeting of the seraphim. Refer it to the angels, who bear His messages, and minister to the heirs of salvation ; and with such a host on your side how can you fear the future ? Refer it to the human race, whose hearts are all in His hand, whose plans are subject to His providence, whose very wrath and malice are made tributary to the interests of His redeemed people ; and with such agencies in your favour how can you question the result ? Refer it to the saints themselves — the little flock becoming a great multitude that no man can number, marching up from every region of the earth, from every island of the sea, with the chant of joy that wakes the echoes of the morn- ing stars, and makes eternal jubilee in heaven; and with such security for your hope, how can you doubt the consummation ?
1 H. Moorhouse.
MALACHI in. 17 511
God hath so many ships upon the sea!
His are the merchant-men that carry treasure, The men-of-war, all bannered gallantly,
The little fisher-boats and barks of pleasure. On all this sea of time there is not one That sailed without the glorious name thereon.
The winds go up and down upon the sea,
And some they lightly clasp, entreating kindly,
And waft them to the port where they would be; And other ships they buffet long and blindly.
The cloud comes down on the great sinking deep,
And on the shore the watchers stand and weep.
And God hath many wrecks within the sea;
Oh, it is deep ! I look in fear and wonder ; The wisdom throned above is dark to me,
Yet it is sweet to think His care is under; That yet the sunken treasure may be drawn Into His storehouse when the sea is gone.
So I, that sail in peril on the sea,
With my beloved, whom yet the waves may cover, Say: God hath more than angels' care of me,
And larger share than I in friend and lover ! Why weep ye so, ye watchers on the land? This deep is but the hollow of His hand?1
1 Carl Spencer.
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