It is singular that the people of Jehovah should need such an invitation, for it seems natural that they should live in him, rejoice in him, and learn of him, seeing he is their own God.

It is a still more singular invitation in that it comes from the nations to the house of Jacob. The word of the Lord goes forth from Jerusalem, converts the nations, and then returns to the people from whom it first came. The parallel is found when the invitation comes to those of us who are believers:

1. From those to whom we have ministered. How it rewards and encourages us to hear such a call from those who once refused the invitations of the gospel! When there is a move among the dry bones, we hope for the best results.
2. From new converts, who in their burning zeal urge on older saints, and thus create joy, and hint a gentle rebuke.
3. From saints bent on mutual edification. "Come ye, and let us." Here are willing brethren calling to others who are equally willing. Would God we had more of this!

• No other light is comparable to it; especially for the Lord's own people. Jehovah should be the light of Jacob.


• No other walking is so safe, so gladsome.


• No other people are so able to walk in the light of God: their eyes are opened, their feet are strengthened,' their hearts are purified, their actions suit the day.

• Reason makes guesses, or confesses that she knows nothing.


• Fanaticism dotes on dreams and superstitions.


• Human authority blunders.


• Revelation alone is sure, infallible, unalterable. All other light darkness when compared with it.

• We see Jesus, his blood, and the perfect pardon which it procures.


• We see his perfect righteousness covering us, and making us comely before God.

• We see sin, love, providence, the future, etc. in their true colors, and know how to act in reference to them.


• We learn to know the right way, and the wise course.


• We discover the hidden snares, and are led to avoid them.

• In the purposes of the Lord. "Predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son."


• In our personal condition in Christ. "Complete in him."


• In the dealings of our Father's hand. "All things work together for good to them that love God," etc.


• In the struggling which goes on within, which as a symptom of grace yields us comfortable hope.


• In the future of death and eternity, which else would distress us.

• We see God, and feel perfect peace.


• We see grace within, and enjoy full assurance.


• We see Jesus, and are in conscious union with him.


• We feel the Spirit of God, and are workers with him.


• We see the saints, and delight in their graces.

• To enter into the light of God.


• To remain in it, walking therein quietly from day to day.


• To make progress in it, walking onward toward perfection.

A weary and discouraged woman, after struggling all day with contrary winds and tides, came to her home, and flinging herself into a chair, said: "Everything looks dark, dark."

The words were a message from on high, and the weary eyes were turned toward him who is the Light and the Life of men, and in whose light alone we see light.

A man who looks toward the light sees no shadow; a man who walks toward the light leaves darkness behind him. People get in darkness by fuming away from the light. They hide in obscure comers; they bury themselves in nooks where the rays of the Sun of Righteousness cannot reach them; they close their blinds and shutters, and wonder that they have no light.

A house may be dark, but it is not the fault of the sun. A soul may be dark, but it is not because the Light of the world does not shed beams abroad. He that followeth Christ "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." But if our deeds are evil, we shall turn away from God, and love darkness rather than light; while if we are willing to be reproved, corrected, and guided in the right way, we shall find that "light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." Walking in the light, as Christ is in the light, we have fellowship with the Father, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. — The Boston "Christian"

It is worth noting how plants and trees turn to the light; how bleached vegetation becomes if it be shut up in darkness. The utter dark is dreadful to men, it may even be felt, so does it press upon the mind. The dimness of a foggy day depresses many spirits more than trouble or pain. The cry of the sick man, "Would God it were morning!" is the groan of all healthy life when gloom surrounds it. What then can be said, if there be light, and we refuse it? He must have ill work on hand who loves the darkness. Only bats, and owls, and unclean and ravenous things are fond of the night. Children of light walk in the light, and reflect the light.

"Where the sun does not enter, the physician must"; so say the Italians, and their witness is true. Sunlight has not only a cheering but a health-giving influence. Along the Riviera, invalids owe everything to the sun; and when it is gone, they shrink into their own rooms. Chambers to which his warmth does not come are at a discount: the light is essential to restoration as well as to enjoyment.

Especially is it a mark of anger for clouds to be overhead, and yet to drop no rain: to have the means of grace, but no grace with the means

This has been the case full often, and may be again with any church or person if sin be tolerated after warning. Is it so in the present assembly, or with any one in it?

The clouds, ordained to rain, are commanded not to do so; commanded by God himself, with whom is the key of the rain; commanded altogether to withhold their refreshing showers. There is no necessary connection between outward ordinances and grace; we may have clouds of the first, and no drops of the second.

1. No conversions, for these are by the Spirit.
2. No restorations of backsliders. Withered plants are not revived when there is no rain.
3. No refreshing of the weary: comfort and strength come not except by the dew of heaven.
4. No spiritual activities. Lukewarmness reigns through routine unto death. The workers move like persons walking in their sleep.
5. No holy joys, delights, triumphs.

It is a horrible thing when that which should be a savor of life unto life becomes a savor of death unto death, when even the clouds refuse to rain.

God's grace can save souls without any preaching: but all the preaching in the world cannot save souls without God's grace. — Benjamin Beddome

The hearer sometimes complains that there is no food for his soul; when the truth is that there is no soul for the food. — Joseph Parker

Every preacher must have felt that in certain places his labor is in vain. For some cause unknown to him, there is no response to his appeals, no fruit of his teaching. I knew a place from which Mr. Whitefield was chased away, and it was said of it that ever since there appeared to be a blight upon it; and indeed it seemed so. I have seen churches acting wrongly, and becoming withered from that time. On the other hand, we feel when there is dew about, and we know when there is a sound of abundance of rain. I have preached at times with the absolute certainty of success because a grace-shower was on saint and sinner, on preacher and people.

"There was an old turnpike-man, on a quiet country road, whose habit was to shut his gate at night, and take his nap. One dark, wet midnight I knocked at his door, calling, 'Gate, gate!' 'Coming,' said the voice of the old man. Then I knocked again, and once more the voice replied, 'Coming.' This went on for some time, till at length I grew quite angry, and jumping off my horse, opened the door, and demanded why he cried 'Coming' for twenty minutes, and never came. 'Who is there?' said the old man, in a quiet, sleepy voice, rubbing his eyes 'What d'ye want, sir?' Then awakening, 'Bless yer, sir, and ax yer pardon, I was asleep; I gets so used to hearing 'em knock, that I answer "coming" in my sleep, and take no more notice about it.'"

Thus may the ministry accomplish nothing because the habitual hearer remains in a deep sleep, out of which the Spirit of God alone can awaken him. When the secret influence from heaven ceases to spear to the heart, the best speaking to the ear avails little.

• The peculiarity of her people.


• The specialty of her teaching.


• The singularity of her claims.


• The greatness of her privileges.

It is so good a thing to have this attention excited, that one should be ever ready to give an answer, for this is the way by which the truth is spread in the earth.

Oh that all nations would send messengers to inquire concerning our King, and his reign! Perhaps they will when we are what we ought to be, and are ready to answer their inquiries.

1. Some from mere contempt. "What do these feeble Jews?" They would see the nakedness of the land. Perhaps when they know more their contempt will evaporate.
2. Some from idle curiosity. Yet many who come to us from that poor motive are led to Christ. Zaccheus comes down from his tree as he did not go up.
3. Some from hearty admiration. They inquire, "What is thy Beloved more than another beloved?" They have seen his star, and are come to worship, asking, "Where is he?"
4. Some from a desire to become citizens How can they be initiated? What is the price of her franchise? What will be required of her burgesses? Is there room for more citizens?

Men can hardly remain indifferent when the true Church of God is near them: for some reason or another they will inquire.

• The answers should be prudently stated to the inquirer.


• They should be clear, bold, truthful, and joyous.


• We should think before we give an answer. "What shall one answer?"


• Our manner in answering should be gracious (1 Pet. 3:15).


• The answer should refer rather to God than to ourselves: it is so in the text now before us.

l. That God is all in all to his church — "The Lord hath."
2. That her origin is from him — "The Lord hath founded Zion?"'
3. That his people are poor in themselves, and rely upon another. It is a city to which the poor flee for refuge, as many fled to the cave of Adullam who were in debt and discontented.
4. That their trust is in the foundation which the Lord hath laid.
5. That we resolve to abide in that trust — "The poor of his people shall trust in it."

If you ungodly ones would only ask the righteous concerning their hope, it would be well.

If you godly ones would tell inquirers your experience, it might do great good. "That we may seek him with thee" (Song of Sol. 6:1).

Visiting a vaulted passage in the palace of Nero, at Rome, we were shown certain frescoes upon the roof. To exhibit these a candle was lifted up upon a telescopic rod, and then moved along from picture to picture. Let the candle stand for the believer, and let him be willing to be so elevated in life as to shine upon those high mysteries of our holy faith which else had never been perceived by other men. Eminent saints in the past have served such a purpose: their lives have cast a light upon priceless truths, which else had been forgotten.

If a man should ask me, after I have recovered from an illness, by what means I had been healed, should I not tell him with pleasure? To monopolize such information would be monstrous. The church of Christ is not a close borough, or a club with exclusive rules. Its walls are for inclusion, not for exclusion; its gates shut out no refugees who would enter. All that we know we are glad to tell, for all that there is to tell is glad tidings to our fellow men.

A young Kaffir, who was brought to England to be educated for mission-work in his own country, when taken to St. Paul's Cathedral, gazed up into the dome for some time as if lost in wonder, and when at length he broke silence, it was to ask, "Did man make this?" Those who obtain a view of the grandeur and glory of the spiritual temple may ask a similar question. We can tell them that its "Builder and Maker is God?"

Enquirers should be answered. It is never well to be dumb to attentive ears. As some one has wisely said, "we shall have to give an account of idle silence, as well as of idle speech?"

Our testimony should be bright and cheerful. The dismal tale some tell of trials and temptations is not likely to fetch home the prodigal from the far country: such lean and discontented followers will never make anybody say, "How many hired servants of my Father have bread enough, and to spare!" — Mark Guy Pearse

To the matter of the safety of the church, through the presence of the Lord, we may apply the following dialogue between a heathen and a Jew: "After the Jews returned from captivity, all nations round about them being enemies to them, a heathen asked a Jew how he and his countrymen could hope for any safety; 'Because,' saith he, 'every one of you is as a silly sheep compassed about with fifty wolves.' 'Ay, but,' saith the Jew, 'we are kept by such a Shepherd as can kill all these wolves when he pleases, and by that means preserve his sheep.'" — Thomas Brooks