moment's consideration. In the visions of Ezekiel and John, the cherubim are presented as living creatures, possessing life, activity, and intelligence in their highest possible forms. In the tabernacle there were only the figures of cherubim, those over the mercy-seat wrought of gold, those on the hangings wrought in needle-work by the hand of man. What were those before the way of the tree of life? Were they living creatures, as seen in the visions of the prophets, or were they merely figures, inanimate representations of such beings? The more natural supposition is, that they had the same appearance of life as in the visions of Ezekiel. The narrative would imply this. Moses was directed to make the figures of cherubim for the tabernacle. They were the work of human art. But Adam had nothing to do with the construction of those in paradise. They were the Divine workmanship; and we can hardly conceive that God would make an inanimate figure, and place under its guardianship the future inheritance of our race with its tree of life. Beside this, the nature and design of the symbol, which we shall hereafter consider, would seem to require in this instance that it should have all the appearance of life in very deed, with such powers as those presented in the vision of the prophet.

Realize, then, in imagination, the fact of the appearance of such wondrous living forms, so strange, and with such transcendent powers, standing within the precincts of paradise, before the way of the tree of life. How would they arrest attention and impress the mind! We have often read the statement of the presence of these cherubim there: yet how little meaning have we given to it! How little have we thought that they were a living reality to the men of those generations? And in the failure to appreciate these facts, to what an amazing extent have we lost a knowledge of the Divine revelations,

by which God instructed those ages of the past, and opened to them the future mysteries of redemption! We have passed this portion of revelation by as an unmeaning myth, which, even if understood, could add little or nothing to the Word of God, and of which we have been content to remain in ignorance. We have conceived, perhaps, that the cherubim were an order of angels, having no relation to us or to our system, never suspecting that they embodied a precious Divine revelation. In the further development of the subject, we may learn how much this ignorance has cost us, and how it has thrown obscurity over a large portion of the work of redemption.

CHAPTER XXII

THE CHERUBIM.

HAVING traced out the history and connections of the cherubim in the Scriptures, we shall now consider

THEIR DESIGN AND MEANING.

Symbols are designed to represent not the same, but analogous objects in another sphere. A lamb, as a symbol, does not represent itself, but an analogous character in a higher system-that is, the human. The inanimate objects of nature, such as the sun, stars, mountains, islands, represent analogous objects in the sphere next above them, the political world. The heavens are the political fabrics of earth, with their orbs and luminaries. The beasts with their heads and horns are the reigning dynasties of the kingdoms. Apply this simple principle to the cherubim. These are creatures, or living ones, in the form of humanity in combination with the highest excellencies and powers selected from all departments of the animal kingdom.

First, they have the godlike human form, the noblest of all the Divine creations. But, added to this, are the grandest features, which can be found in the other creations of God, making a combination which could not be surpassed.

They had four faces, of which the fronting one was human, setting forth the highest idea of intelligence, and fitted for God's noblest service. But this was not enough. A mere human face might not have indicated any thing beyond what we see of humanity in this world. Our conceptions must be carried beyond this. Three others therefore are added. On the right was that of a lion, a beast which has ever been the fitting representative of majesty, power, and dominion, ruling the acknowledged lord of the forest. This is the chosen emblem of Britannia's rule.

The left face was that of an ox, which stands foremost among all the domestic tribes, and has ever been esteemed the most essential to human industry and comfort, and therefore regarded among all the nations of the ancient world as the symbol of creative or productive industry. This was the animal chiefly employed in husbandry, venerated and valued beyond all others, and primarily instrumental in developing the productive powers of the earth. On this account, in the earliest forms of idolatry, God, as the Author of all good, was worshiped with highest honors, under the form of an ox. This was the great Egyptian divinity, the same which the Israelites demanded of Aaron at Sinai, and with whose worship they were so intoxicated-the same, also, which was set up by Jeroboam in Dan and Bethel as rivals to the temple in Jerusalem, and which were deemed so sacred that not even Jehu, with all his zeal to destroy idolatry, presumed to touch them. This has been the divinity of the nations; and, because so patient of labor, and submissive, and

withal so powerful, he ever stands as the acknowledged symbol of the noblest traits of character, unwearied toil, patient endurance, submission to authority, and productive industry.

The last face was that of an eagle, the king of all the feathered tribes, our own chosen national emblem, as well as that of the old Roman empire. The Roman eagles were for many long centuries known everywhere as the emblem of dominion and irresistible might. The range of vision of this proud bird, and the power of his flight, as well as his boldness and courage, are unequalled. He can soar on loftiest pinion, and gaze upon the sun in his unclouded brightness. Such a bird is a fitting symbol of the far-seeing intelligence, and the heavenward tendencies. of the highest forms of created mind. On the loftiest he builds his nest, and looks down upon all earthly

crags

things.

Combining these symbols together, we have the highest possible conceptions of life, with the noblest characteristics which can belong to created intelligence. But these were only the head of this living creature. It had other features equally striking. John represents them, in his vision, as full of eyes before and behind, denoting their ceaseless vigilance and exalted capacities for knowledge. They were clothed, likewise, with numerous wings, the noise of which was like many waters, or a great host. These were designed for rapid, lofty flight, and showed that they were intended for a higher, wider sphere than merely to tread upon this earth, as man now does. They could soar upward on tireless pinions, while their motions were swift as the lightning. In addition to this, they always went straight forward, never turning in their course. With one face alone we must necessarily turn our bodies, but with four faces, the cherubim could go in any direction, and yet always move forward in the direct.

line of vision, never turning to the right or the left. This denoted their superior spiritual natures, and their undeviating integrity in the service of God. Lastly, their appearance was exceedingly glorious, like burning coals of fire, and sparkling as the color of burnished brass.

Where, now, according to the principles of symbolic interpretation, are we to look for the realization of all this? They were living creatures, it will be observed, taken from the departments of human and animal life. Where is the analogous sphere, in which we may find their fulfilment—the sphere next above the present human one? The only answer is, our redeemed humanity, delivered from the curse and restored by the woman's promised seed. These cherubim stood forth before the eyes of men the embodiment of that glory to which our humanity was destined in its resurrection state, when it should realize all the highest, grandest conceptions of life and immortality, with the development of all the noblest excellencies of character. In that redeemed state, there should be found a combination of powers and excellencies such as could now be set forth only by such a wondrous living creature as the cherubim. All nature must be laid under contribution to produce the grand conception. They were emphatically living ones, creatures preëminent for life, which rest not day nor night, but are unceasingly employed without weariness in the high service of Godbeings of ceaseless activity and energy, whose powers never faint or fail. And what powers! what intellect and capacities for fathoming all the deep mysteries of God! On what lofty pinions can they soar! For what dominion and rule are they qualified, as well as submission to all righteous authority! With what mighty productive energy are they endowed! What straightforward integrity of purpose and character, which never turns to the right hand or the left! How boundless is the range