But this same Jesus will raise the bodies of his faithful followers, at the last day, from the grave of death, that they may be exalted to the life immortal. Then they shall be completely freed from the power of the last enemy that shall be destroyed. In no sense shall he any more have dominion over them; for "the Lord Jesus Christ shall change their vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself;" and thenceforth" shall they be ever with the Lord." At that day, indeed, "all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth." But an awful discrimination will then be made for while " they that have done good" shall come forth" unto the resurrection of life: they that have done evil" shall come forth unto the resurrection of damnation." Oh! my beloved brethren,-as we would attain the happiness of the former, as we would escape the wretched doom of the latter,-let us pray that the life which we live in the flesh, we may live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us; then whenever the appointed moment of our dissolution shall arrive, being absent from the body we shall be present with the Lord: and our bodies themselves He will raise up at the last day, and transform them by his mighty power, that we may have our perfect consummation and bliss both in body and soul, in His eternal and everlasting glory.

4. Finally-As the rumour of this extraordinary event was extensively diffused,-chiefly we may sup

pose by those who had witnessed it,-so should we be ready to make known to others the experience we have had of the power and grace of the Saviour. If indeed he has raised us from the death of sin to a life of righteousness, let us evince our gratitude, and exercise our Christian love, in labouring to bring others to a spiritual acquaintance with Him as the Resurrection and the Life. Then may we encourage the animating hope, that through the Divine blessing attending our efforts, some at least may be led to rejoice in his great salvation, and with sincerity of heart to glorify God in their body and in their spirit, --which will then be His, both by virtue of His effectual grace, and by their own voluntary dedication of themselves to His service. May He grant that such may be the case, to the praise and glory of his holy name !

DISCOURSE XIX.

JAIRUS'S DAUGHTER RAISED.

LUKE VIII. 54-56.

And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

THE contemplation of benevolence and compassion, when connected with the possession of power and judgment adequate to their practical developement in communicating seasonable relief to the afflicted, cannot but be highly interesting to a mind which is under the influence of right principles. The disposition, however, to alleviate distress not unfrequently exists where a corresponding ability is wanting. Too commonly, on the other hand, where the power is possessed, the disposition is absent. And sometimes where these are united, there is not combined with them that discriminating wisdom which is of great importance in regulating their exercise.

Now all the qualifications which we have enumerated were possessed by our Lord in the greatest perfection; and were exercised by him with persevering diligence. Death itself could not interpose an insuperable barrier between Him and the purposes of his compassion. Of this we have contemplated one remarkable instance; and we now proceed to the consideration of a second, well-deserving our close and serious attention. May the blessing of God accompany us while we notice,

I. THE GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CASE PRESENTED TO OUR LORD:

II. THE DETAILED ACCOUNT WHICH IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS:

III. THE INSTRUCTION WHICH WE MAY DEDUCE FROM THE WHOLE.

I. We notice in the first place, THE GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CASE PRESENTED TO OUR LORD. And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying."

The person here represented as making application to our Lord demands our first attention. The Evangelist does not hesitate to mention him by name; which shews that he was under no apprehension that the statement he was about to make would, or could, be controverted. It is to be observed, moreover, that the man so distinctly mentioned was no obscure

individual, but one who must have been well known from the situation which he occupied as the presiding officer in a neighbouring synagogue. This circumstance would render his application to Jesus the more remarkable, and would probably give greater notoriety to the extraordinary event which was the result of that application.

The earnestness with which this supplicant accosted our Lord, while it betokened the respect which he had for his character, and the confidence which he placed in his power, indicated also the urgency of his own case. "He fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:" as St. Mark has it, "He fell at his feet, and besought him greatly." And oh, my beloved hearers, if we were deeply affected with the urgency of our case as guilty sinners, exposed to the everlasting wrath of God, and in a state of imminent danger;-if, in connection with such feelings, we were convinced of the merciful character and almighty power of Jesus as the Saviour of sinners; we too should be earnest -we should be importunate in beseeching him to visit us, in calling upon him to help and bless us without delay. May God grant that there may be such a heart in us that we may sincerely apply to Him who alone is mighty to save, and who at the same time is ready to hear the petitions of those who humbly seek him!

It was no light affliction which brought this ruler of the synagogue to our Lord: "For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay