Coming ages will testify to his triumph and to the completeness of his work. On earth it was for the most part viewed not only with indifference, but even with unbelief and scorn. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy, and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." "He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God." "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." "If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him." But now a mighty multitude swell the song, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth for ever and ever." "Ten thousand times ten thousand sung Loud anthems round the throne, When lo! one solitary tongue Began a song unknown-- A song unknown to angel ears-- A song that told of banished fears, Of pardoned sins and dried up tears. "Not one of all the heavenly host Could these high notes attain, But spirits from a distant coast United in the strain; Till he who first began the song, To sing alone not suffered long, Was mingled with a countless throng. "And still, as hours are fleeting by, The angels ever bear Some newly-ransomed soul on high To join the chorus there: And so the song will louder grow, Till all redeemed by Christ below To that fair world of rapture go. "Oh give me, Lord, my golden harp, And tune my broken voice, That I may sing of troubles sharp Exchanged for endless joys: The song that ne'er was heard before-- A sinner reached the heavenly shore-- But now shall sound for evermore." [Illustration] [Illustration] V. _The Chastening._ "My meditation of him shall be sweet" _when I consider his chastenings_, for "blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord."