who boa,r the nnme of the Beloved "beo.r writer'a own history. He placed it on the much fruit." 'l'hen tho keepers of the vine- altar of God, no doubt, at a time when it yo.rd will themselves rejoice, not that they represented sincere feelings in his heart, anti ronp a larger harvest of this world's good, not because he was inspired to aee that it wonld "for filthy lucre's sake," but because their be profitnble to the people of God as a mirrrir henrts ore one with his whose vineyard they in which they could behold the reflection ot' keep, and to see the fruit abound is to fill the highest truth. lint though ho himself them with jny. Surely we sboll recognizo fell away from hie high place as a prophet iu such language an anticipalion of the of God, the words which he left behinrl him mauy allusions which are found both in the were still a precious gift to the Church. It prophets and psalms and in the discourses is otherwise with him who is typilled by the of our Lord himself. "The vineyard of the earthly monarch. He who is the heavenly Lord of, hosts is the house of Isroel, and Bridegroom bas himself to lift up the weak- the men of Judah hie pleasant plant" ness and fickleness of hi, bride by fellowship (Isa. v. 7). with her, nntil she is above the reach of Ver. 13.-Thou that dwellest in the gar- temptation, and partaker of his own glory. dens, the companions hearken for thy voice ; A.lid he does so, as this exquisite poem re- cause me to hear it. There cannot be much minds us, by the power of his lorn. It is doubt that these are the words of the bride- the personal influence of the Lord Jesus groom. They are addressed to the bride. Christ which must glorify the Church an,l She is the dweller in the gardens ; that is, restore it to its original simplicity and spirit- one who is at home in the gardens, whose uality. The scene into which we are ltd in beauty blends with the rural loveliness this story of bridal affection typifies a state around her. The king wishes his bride to of the Church when the artificiality of court understand that she is only acceptable in hie life shall be abandoned, the magnificence of sight, and that nll that she asks shall be mere external pomp and ritual shall be left granted. It is delightful to him to hear her behind, and the bride 8hall simply delight voice, as it is delightful to those who have herself in the Bridegroom among the pure been accustomed to that voice from her child- and peacefnl surroundings ofa country home. • hood. "Dcnr country girl, sing to me, and The Church will realize the greatness of her let me revel in the sweetness of thy music. power when she is delivered from that which 'Thy companions hearken for it '-thy fo1·mer bides her Saviolll', when she is simply human associates, the playmates of thy youth. And and yet entirely spiritual ; then the Lord of while they gather round us, and you and I her life, the second Adam, the perfect Man, rejoice in one another, let the sound of thy who is from heaven and in heaven, but still voice mingle with the peaceful beauty of on earth, changing earth to heaven by his this earthly paradise." There is an exquisite love, will fulfil hie promise. "He not merely teudemess iu this conclusion of the poem. concludes the marriage covenont with man- The curtain falls, as it were, upon a scene of kind, but likewise preserves, con.firms, refine~, mutual oonfidence and affection, the simpli- and conducts it step by step to its ideal con- city of the bride's ea1·ly home being lifted summation, which is at the same time the up into the royal splendour of the king's palingenesia and perfection of humanity." prrsence, the companions beholding and Ver. 14.-lllake baste, my beloved, and be praising, while, in the midst of nil that sunny thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the bliBB cmd peaceful content, the voice of the mountains of epioea. This is e. snatch of the bride is heard singing one of the old, familiar old love-songs which the bride used to sing strains of love with which she poured out her when love was fresh and young. She sings heart in the days when her beloved came to it now at the request of her bridegroom him- find her in her home. It is impossible to self, and in the delighted ears of her com- conceive a more perfect conclusion. It leads panions. She goes forth from among them up our thoughts to the land oflight and song, leaning on her beloved, to rejoiee in the where "the Lamb which is in the midst of beautil"ul scenery ond rural pleasures with the throne shall be the Shepherd " of those him whose presence heightens every joy, the who shall "hunger no more, neither thirst life of her life, the soul of her soul, "all her e.ny more; neither shall the sun strike upon salvation, oil her desire." The bridegroom them, nor any heat;" " and be shall guide and tho bride are seen di..sappearing-togethot· them unto fountains of waters of life: and over the flowery hill8; and the music of the God shall wipe away every tear from their Song of Songs dies l\way in tho sweet frn- eyes" (Rev. vii. 16, 17). It is sad to think grance of that closing scene ; the vision of that Solomon himself fell from such an ideal love has, gazelle-like, leapt from point to of human uffeclion,o.nd was unfaithful to such point, and vo.nishes away at ll\st nmoug the o. bride. llut there is no need to trouble the wonntains of spices. It is well to uotico that eleor, trnnsparent beauty of~hi~ typical ~oem what were beforil "mountains of Bcther," that by uny rcl'ereuco to the rno1dente ol the is, of" scvnrnliou," are now " wouutaius ot 186 THE SONG or SOLOMON. [en. vm.1-14,
Beeamin "-balsam mountains. Thore ia poet, with coneummnte e.rt, connects that no more word of separation. Henceforth future with the po.et e.nd the present by tue the only note is one of peaceful enjoymont. voioo of tho bride hoRrd singing the love• " My belot•ed is mine, and I am his." Our song with which she first expressed herlove, borne nod haunt is the same. The conclud- now lifted up into nntioi potion of the ever- ing words, we CRnnot donbt, aro intended to lasting hills of fragrant and joyful life. op<>n a perfect future to the eye. Yet the