The Nineteenth of May.

THE LIGHT OF LIFE --- John 8:12.>

"I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." --- John 8:12.

". . . Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth." --- John 12:35.

He that is faithful, keeping ever close to Christ, and his light, strictly watching and obeying the motions of his Spirit, will be evermore tender in conscience, and receive so much more light: consequently, he will be from time to time more deeply rooted in repentance, faith, and assurance, so as either to be preserved from many combats and disorders, or at least be carried sooner through the same.

He may meet with dark valleys in his pilgrimage, (for nature is covered with darkness, and grace somtimes only glimmers with a spark,) yet by degrees it will blaze, and at last break through, and enlighten all our darkness.

Is he a Star? He breaks the night,
Piercing the shades with dawning light:
I know his glories from afar,
I know the bright, the morning Star.

Is he a sun? His beams are grace;
His course is joy and righteousness:
Nations rejoice when he appears
To chase their clouds, and dry their tears.

Nor earth, nor seas, nor sun, nor stars,
Nor heaven his full resemblance bears;
His beauties we can never trace,
Till we behold him face to face.

Oh let me climb those higher skies,
When storms and darkness never rise;
There he displays his powers abroad,
And shines and reigns the' incarnate God.