A little longer we follow where the furnace and the lamp lead the way; but when we arrive at yonder world the furnace will be left behind. No cloud and smoke there to obstruct our vision; but the lamp of fire alone remains. It is God's unvailed glory illuminating the realms of bliss. Oh, weary pilgrim, keep close to the furnace as it moves before you like the pillar with which Jehovah led the twelve tribes in the desert, and it will guide you home. And then it will smoke no more; but the lamp of fire will never go out, for in its exhaustless splendor you shall spend an eternity of joy. Our subject thus presented, furnishes materials for a few profitable reflections. 1. In this blending of mystery and light which characterizes God's present manifestations, he has in view the promotion of _his own glory_. For the pure and unfallen inhabitants of heaven, it may be proper for him to unvail himself and his doings, and allow them to contemplate him in cloudless majesty; but when he turns himself to sinful creatures like us, it is becoming in him whom we have offended not to allow us to approach too near. A jealous reticence marks his revelations. His infinite glory and majesty impress our minds as deeply by what he hides from us, as by what he shows us. His silence is sometimes as awfully eloquent as his speech. The dim, smoking furnace often conveys to us ideas of his incomprehensible might and majesty and greatness as deeply as does the burning lamp. 2. The Most High has designed this obscure and mixed economy of his to be a source of _moral discipline_ to us all. It serves to check our arrogance and presumption, and promotes true humility. It teaches us that he has ways that are past our finding out, and that all our boasted wisdom is folly when compared with his. It tells vain man that he cannot tread in the Almighty's footsteps, nor fathom his deep designs. Our entire dependence too is thrust upon our convictions by this mode of the Almighty's working. Often we are forced to feel that we cannot rely upon our own forecast and prudence. Our own will is not strong enough to shape events and make them subserve our wishes. God's unseen hand is ever interfering, and reminding us that without his blessing we can do nothing. And how too is faith _tried and encouraged_ by this economy: _tried_ when all we can see of God, many times, is like a smoking furnace, dark and obscure, when reason asks and gets no answers; and anon encouraged, when through the mystery there shines the burning lamp. This present life is the great school of Christian faith. Where reason's eyesight fails, faith can see the way. It can see but in part, it is true, for our earthly state answers well to the prophet Zechariah's description: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear nor dark. But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord: not day, nor night; but it shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light."