The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 37

at the to.hie of the Lord not to II discern the Lord's body," that is to make tbe service worse than useless I it le to iocur his judgment and condemnation. Let us never come to this or to any season of communion without invoking his presence. III. AND ARE MANIFESTED BY THEIR EFFECTS. "While , .. my spikenard eendeth forth," etc. "It is in season5 of communion with the Lord that the graces of the Spirit are called forth in most lively exercise." A holy fragrance, a II sweet smell," well-pleasing and acceptable, is yielded at such seasons by 'the heart of the Lord's servants. And: 1. To the Lord himself. Our prayers rise up before him "as incense, and the lifting up of our hands as the evening sacrifice." He is well pleased. He told Nathanael," When thou wast under the fig tree I saw thee;" there, where be bad poured forth his fervent prayer. And in our assemblies for worship, where that worship is real, the Lord loveth such "gates of Zion." Of such worshippers it is written, "The Lord hearkened and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him." And of them he says, "They shall be mine in that day when I make up my jewels." And at his table, if we do indeed commune with him, the faith and hope and love, the contrition and humility and self-surrender, all which the soul then and there offers to him, these are fragrant indeed, sweet and precious as were the anointings of his sacred body by the penitent Magdalen and by Mary of Bethany. 2. And many others are conscious of, and share in that fragrance. Our fellow-guests. What a source of true blessing and manifold help to any Church is the presence of those who live in constant communion with their Lord! Wbat a hallowed influence such exert! what real good they do! Like their Lord's, in their measure and degree, the name of such is "as ointment poured forth." And all those with whom such persons have to do-their children, servants, neighbours, associates, and the world generally-will, as it was with the apostles, "take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus." 3. And they themselves are blessed. For is it not good to have all tbat is pure and holy and Christ-like in us quickened, confirmed, strengthened, as is the case through communion with our Lord? Moses' face shone after he had been in the presence of the Lord. The spiritual help which comes to the real worshipper is so great, and has always been so recognized, that for the sake of having opportunity for such communion Christ's people have risked everything. If they would only have kept their religion to themselves no one would have said anything; but they would not. They would come together for worship and for communion; and hence, all over the world, they have been led "as sheep to the slaughter," and for Christ's sake they "have been slain all the day long." What proof and evidence this is of the real blessedness of communion with Christ I May he help us to add each one our testimony to this same sure truth 1-S. C. Vers. 13, 14.-What Christ is to his people. He is here so.id to be as- I. "A BUNDLE OF MYRRH." See Exposition for explnnstion of ancient customs alluded to by this "bundle," or small box, or other such receptacle for perfumes. Its religious teachings are such as arise from the fact that: 1. Myrrh was used in the "anointing oil" with which Aaron and the priests were anointed. It was " the oil of gladness" with which Christ was anointed above his fellows (cf. Ps. cxxiii. 2). The teaching, therefore, is that Christ is the Joy of his people. Cf. "Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding Joy" (Ps. xliii. 4). Then: 2. Myrrh was largely used /or incense. Cf. in the Revelation the vision of the angel to whom "was given much incense." It represented the ncceptableness of the prayers of God's s.'lints. And it is Christ's Name that gives worth and validity to our poor prayers. We join them on to his all-availing intercession, and we find ourselves "accepted in the Beloved." 3. 1.l:fyrrh was used/or embalming, so as to prevent corruption and decay. And this is just what Christ is to us. He prevents the moral corruption which would destroy our souls having power over them. It would fasten upon them as it does on those in whom Christ is not; but he arrests its power, and preserves our souls in life. And he will, he does, stay the corruption of the grave. 'l'hat does, indeed, fasten on the poor cast-off garment of the soul; but on the soul itself Christ suffers corruption to have no power, for he clothes it with the spiritual body, so that "mortality is swallowed up of life;• and "this corruptible puts on incorruption." But note: 4. In order to be all this to us, he must eve,· abide in our hearts. (Cf. "He shall lie always on my bosom.") So  26 THE SONG OF SOLOMON. [err. 1. 1-17.