Vera, 11-13.-" His angels." The mention of them is introduced here in order to show how the blessed promise of ver. 10 is fulfilled. The angels are continually spoken of in Scripture, First of all, we read of them in connection with the story of Hagar, and from thence onward the pages of Holy Scripture make perpetual references to them. It, therefore, cannot but be important to us that we should understand, so far as we may, what is written concerning them. For we cannot think that their work and ministry are finished, and that now they have nothing to do with us, nor we with them. We feel sure that the reverse is the truth. True, there has been much of mere imagination in the representations that, have been given of angels by poets, painters, and preachers alike. They have been tho makers of men's common ideas concerning the angels, and have caused not a little misunrlerstanding and loss thereby. But a careful study of the Scriptures will show that truth on this confessedly mysterious and difficult theme is both attainable and full of profit. Consider- !. 'l'HE REALITY OF THE 1'.NGELIO WORLD. 1. This the Scriptures plainly assert. They are spoken of there in clear and positive manner, as to their high dignity, their sanctity, power, blessedness, their heavenly home, their employments, vast numbers, end immortality. .All this is told of the holy angels. But there are evil ones likewise, who are represented as serving under their prince, Satan, as the holy angels under God, 'l'hey are evil, wretched, full of malignity, and reserved for everlasting punish- ment. 2. .And this teaching is to be regarded as literally true. It is not, as some have said, an accommodation to the popular beliefs of the day. 3 . .Analogy also confirms this. Is not all life, from the lowest zoophyte up to the most gifted of the sons of men, one continual ascent? But why should the progression bait with man? Why should there not be an ascent beyond, as there is np to, ourselves? All analogy leads us to think there is, and to be on the look out and expectation for orders of beings that may span the vest distance that separates man from God. And the Bible confirms this. II. THEm NATURE. 1. Who and what are they 1 Much has been assumed concern- ing them; as that they existed long before the creation of man; that they are altogether different in nature from man; that some of them kept not their first estate, etc. 2. But may it not bo that angels are perfected men P The po<lt Young thus writes- "Why doubt we, then, the glorious truth to sing? Angels are men of a superior kind ; Angels are men in lighter habit clad, High o'er celestial mountains winged in flight, And men are angels loaded for an hour, Who wade this miry vale, and climb with pain And slippery step the bottom of the steep." Why may not this be true? For there is no being higher in nature than man, except God himself. If angels be different from men, why, then, were men created at all? If, without all mo.n's toil and pain, beings existed who could render to God the love, worship, and service be desired, wherefore man's much sorrow and misery? But if, on the other hand, it be true that there is no other entmnce on tho angelic state than by this weary life of ours, the mournful mystery of life has some light shed upon it. And angels are often called men, and appeared as such. Aud our Lord said that in the resurrection we shall be as angels; and in the Epistlo to the Hebrews (xii.) we are said to have come to myriads of angels, and the following sentence shows that they are the same o.s "the Church of the First born, und the spirits of just men made perfect." And the quotation by the writers of 2 Peter and Jude, from the same passage in the apocryphal and unauthoritative Book of Enoch, need not steed in the way of the reasonable and helpful belief we have been maictaiuing. Milton-that mighty manufacturer of !IO much mischievous mistake-is the real author 01 men's commoll beliefs about the angelic world. And they who hold such beliefa loso much, 276 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. x01. 1-10.
III. THEIR OFFlCE, They are said, in these verses: 1. To hav6 chai·ge of the people of God. ".Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth," etc.? 2. They keep God's seriiants in all their_ ways. Perhllps by ~uggesting thoughts, purposes, and resolves. But. we do not certmnly know. If we could see them at their work we should be in peril of worshipping them, as St. John was. 3. They sustain the,;, upbellr them, so thllt not alone by great ills, but by little ones, they shall be unhurt. 4. They give 'Victorious power over all kinds of spiritual foes (ver. 13). IV. THE HELP THAT THESE TRUTHS RENDER. I. The heavenly world and its employ- ments become more real to us. We know that our work shall not be perpetual singing, but high, holy, blessed service. 2. The mystery of life is lightened. Wo see whither we are going, and wherefore here we have to suffer. 3. One chief pain of death is lesse11ed. For we are not debarred from rendering service to those we leave behind, The thought that we can no more help our loved ones is one of the pains of death. But by this blessed teaching it is taken a\vay.-S. C.