He it is Whom we find waiting for us when our turn comes to pass across the short stage of life on earth. He calls us to Him, calls us by our name, one by one. He bids us take Him to our hearts as the nearest and dearest of our friends, Who alone can stand by us when all others fail. He bids us cultivate His friendship, and try it and prove it. And He promises that we shall find Him what all have found Him who have put their trust in Him--what Martha and Mary, and Paul and Bernard, and Teresa and Margaret Mary have found Him--the “Faithful and True,”[33] “Jesus Christ yesterday, and to-day: and the same for ever.”[34] [26] 2 Kings v. [27] 1 Par. xvii. [28] Isa. xxxvii. [29] John xi. [30] _Ibid._ iv. [31] Rom. viii. [32] Acts i. [33] Apoc. xix. [34] Heb. xiii. VI. VENITE AD ME OMNES. --_Matt._ xi. 28. “Come to Me, heavy-laden ones, come all!” I hear, I rise, I hasten at His call; ’Neath burden bent, across the threshold steal, The curtain lift, and in His Presence kneel: There loose my load--and wide, With none to check nor chide, Scattering, a sorry sight, on every side, They fall--pains, troubles, cares--lying, how meet, About the weary, way-worn, wounded Feet; Under the Eye of yore bedimmed with tears, The Heart Gethsemane oppressed with fears, The Heart that sore afraid Strong supplication made, And with a sweat of blood the Father prayed. Beneath His glance, as snow ’neath sunny ray, Some of my cares dissolve and melt away, And some He takes and smoothes a little space The less to chafe, and lays again in place. ’Tis mystery to me How some He smiles to see, And how on some His tears fall tenderly. One I hold up to Him, and pleading pray, “This, Lord, just this, in pity take away!” And ever comes His word with cheering smile: “A little longer, trust Me yet awhile; Each pang of keen distress, Each prayer, I mark and bless, Each in its hour shall show forth fruitfulness”. _That_, my life’s woe, against a bleeding Side Is pressed, and lo! transfigured, glorified, It glows as crystal flushed with rosy ray. “O gem unprized! Restore it, Lord, I pray; As costly gift from Thee Dear shall it be to me”; And in my heart I hide it lovingly. A lightened load He lays on me, all sweet With words of love--and thus I leave His Feet, With steadier step to plod on day by day, With stouter heart to climb the upward way; And when anew life’s strain Frets me with weary pain, I take my load and go to Him again. VII. THE HIDDEN GOD. Vere Tu es Deus absconditus!--_Isaias_ xlv. 15.