Ver. 13.-...4/terwards. "No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness." Concerning any course we take the question how it affects us now is not so important as is the question to what it leads, or, in the words of the text, "to what it tnms." And while that which is very pleasant often "turns to" much that is painful and bitter, or even shameful (see Rev. x. 10), on the other band, that which is very trying and even saddening at the time often" turns to" an issue that is full of honour and of joy. The context suggests that- I. PEBSEOU'l'ION TURNS TO TESTIMONY-to a most valuable proof of sincerity and faithfulness. When a man endures the blows and buffetings of the cruel hand of the persecutor, "we know the proof of him;" we write him down a true, loyal, noble servant of Christ. 'l'o how many men, not of the earliest age only but of all ages, has this steadfastness in the hour of trial been accepted by us as a " testimony" of the very greatest worth, so that their names are treasured by us as those of men that have done highest honour to their race I And their martyr-sufferings have turned to a testimony in the heavenly country; they have gained for them there the commenda- tion of their Lord and the greeting of their glorified brethren. When, from " wandering in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth," the persecuted Christians of Madagascar came forth to be welcomed by those who were then living under e. kindly rule, they were greeted as such faithful and heroic men deserved to be; their persecution had turned into e. testimony. In a similar way we may say that- II. TOIL TURNS INTO ACHIEVEMENT. The toil of the desk, of the field, of the shop, of the factory, may be hard and wearisome; our back may bend beneath our burden; our mind may be strained to its utmost capacity of continuance; but let us take couraga and work on at our task; further on is the precious goal of achievement; after a while we shall look with unspeakable satisfaction on the work that has been done, the result that has been reached. III. PRIVATION TURNS INTO ENRICHMENT. Sad and serious indeed are the privations, thti losses, which are suffered when men are suddenly reduced in their temporal posses- sions, or when they are bereaved of near relatives or most intimate friends. Yet is there something more than compensation when the loss of the one leads, as it has often led, to the enrichment of the soul, by its finding refuge in God and in his service ; or when the loss of the other has brought to the soil the fulness of the ijympathy and friendship of Jesus Christ; privation 3as turned to enrichment. IV. SERVICE TURNS INTO RULE. The soldier in the ranks becomes an officer of the army; the apprentice becomes the master; by long and faithful service in any one of the fields of human activity we prepare to rule. Thus is it in the spiritual realm. Obedience to Divine law turns into a perfect self-command, which is another n11me THE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO 8'1'. LUKE. [err. xxr. 1-38.
for libPrty. .And a lifelong senico of JcRus Christ will turn to an occupancy or that hean•nly sphere for which our fidelity shall have fitted us; the "faithful and wise servant" his Lord will" make ruler over all his goods" (Matt. xxiv. 45-47). Faithrul ser.ice here "turns to" happy and helpful rule hereafter. Y. PATIENT WAITlNG TURKS TO DLISSFUL PARTICIPATION. Some souls have much waiting for the hour of deliverance, for" the redemption of our body·" it is a weary and a trying time. 'l'o "learn to wait" is the hardest of all lessons. '.But though the night seem very long, the morning will come in time; and if the steadfast soul wait I'.a~ien~ly t~e holy will uf God, the long endurance shall ~urn ~o a full and joyous par- t1c1pat10n m the glory that 1s to be revealed-the "glorious liberty of the children of God."-C.