and moved amongst men, then it became clear tb11t those who were ignorantly supposed to ho blind were the souls that were se~ing God(" that they who see not might see"), 11n<I equally clear that those who cl111med to know everything had eyes that wero fastened against the light (" that they who see might be made blind"). As ,Jc 8 u8 lived nnd wrought and spoke, the he11rtR of men were revealed-those who were children of wisdom heard his voice (John xviii. 37), while those who loved darkne.~11 ratlJl'r thnn light turned 11wny from the revealing Truth. And to-day tbe gospel is the tonchstone of human character. They who 11re earnest seekers after God, after wisdom, aJter righteousness, gladly sit at the feet of the great Teacher to learn of him; but they who live for pleas~re, for &Bi~, for the honou~ that cometh from man only, fo, this passing world, pass him by, 1nd1fferent or hostile. They who are prepared to come as little children to learn of tbe heavenly Father, receive his Word and enter his kingdom (eh. xviii. 16); while they who consider themselves able to solve the great problems of life and destiny keep their minds closed against the truth. II. A SWORD OF BORROW. It was not only Mary's heart that was pierced by reason of her afl-..ction for Jesus Christ. Loyalty to him proved to that ,1eneratiou, and has proved in every age since then, a sword that has wounded and slain. At many times and in many places it has meant violent persecution-stripes, imprisonment, death. In every land and in every age it has exposed men to hostility, to reproach, to temporal loss, to social disadvantage, to a lower station, to a struggling life, to a wounded spir1~ (eh. ix. 23; John :xvi i. 14; 2 Tim. iii. 12). Our Lord invites us to regard this inevitable accompaniment of spiritual integrity as an honour and a blessi1,g rather than o. stigma and a curse (Matt. v. 10-12). III. A STUMBLING-STONE. That" Child was set for the fall, , . of many." The truth which Jesus spoke, the great "!'Ork of salvation he wrought ont, has proved to many, not only in Israel, but in every land where it has been made known, a rock of offence (see eh. xx. 18; 1 Cor. i. 23). IV. A STEPPING-STONE, Not only for the fall, but for the "rising again," was that Infant "set." By planting their feet on that safe, strong rock, the humiliated and even the degraded rise to honour and esteem, the humble to hopefulness, the weak to strength, the blemished to beauty, the useless to helpfulness, the children of earth to spheres of blessedness and joy in the heavenly world.-C. Vers. 36-38.-The testimony of womanhood. From this interesting episode, without which the beautiful story of the infant Saviour in the temple would hardly be com- plete, we learn- I. THAT THERE IS ROOM IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST FOB THE SERVICE OF WOMA...'i- HOOD, It was well that the aged Simeon should bear his testimony to the birth of the Saviour; it was also well that this aged and honourable prophetess should "like- wise give thanks." Woman as well as man was to utter reverent joy on this supreme occasion. Woman, in the person of Anna, might well rejoice; for in the kingdom of Christ there is " neither male nor female ; " all distinction of sex is unknown. \Voman is as free to enter that kingdom as man; she may reach as high a position, by personal excellency, in it; she is as welcome to render holy service and fruitful testimony; is as certain to reap the reward of fidelity in the kingdom of heaven to which it leads. Women were the most faithful attendants on our Lord during his earthly ministry; they have been, since then, the most regular worshippers and the most devoted workers in his Church (see homily on eh. viii. 2, 3). II, THAT LONG LONELINESS MAY WELL BRING US INTO CLOSE COM.'1UNI0N WITH Goo. Anna had a very long widowhood (ver. 36), and in her loss of human fellowship she waited much on God. She "departed not from the temple, but served GoJ . . . with prayers night and day," When denied one another's society, what can we do better than seek fellowship with our heavenly Father, with our Divine Friend? What, indeed, can we do so well? Communion with the Father of our spirits will bring healing to the wounded soul, will be compauionship for the lonely hour, will promote s:motity and submis:;iveness of will, will remind us of those other children of his who need our sympathy and succour, and will seml us forth blessing and blest on tho errands of love. III. THAT ... VISION FROM Goo SHOULD RESULT IN PRAISE AND TESTUII0NY. Anna 66 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [OR, II, 1-01:,
"gave thanks unto the Lord, and sp11ke of him (the inf11nt Christ] to all" etc. lnspire_<l of G'.•,l, she recogni_zed the long looked-for Messiah, and immediateiy she bwke mto pr111se, R~d- f~rthw1th be~an to comtnnnicate the joyful fact to all whom r;he c,,11IJ rP-ach. 'lh1s 1s the tr11e order and the right procedure. When God reveals him~df or his truth to us, we must first go to him in gratitude and prnise1 and must lo~e no t.ime in passing on to others what be has entrusted to us. IV. THAT _AGE HAS ITS OFFERING TO BRING, as well as youth and prime. It Is pleasant to thmk ot the aged Anna, some we.y pa.,t four score, bent and feeble with the weight of years, s~ing to "all them that looked," etc., and telling them that he whom they had waited for so long had come at last. A fair sight it is in the eves of man,, and surely in his also who e~timates _our service according to our ability (eh. xx1. 3), when those whose st.rength 1s well-mgh gone and who have earned their rest by long and faithful labour will not be persuaded to retire from the field, but la.bou.r on until t.he darkness of death arrests them. V. THAT HOLY EXPECTATION WILL MEET wrrH ITS FULFILMENT. There were many looking (" aU of them," etc.) for redemption (ver. 38); and as they waited for God and upon him, their hearts' desires were granted. God may delay his e.n8wer for a while, even for a long while, but in due time it will come. The seeker will fi.nd • the worker will rcap.-C. '