"The power that gave it still supplies The gracious light and heat; Its truth upon the nations rise; They rise but never set!" In the beginning was the Word. _Christ is the Word._ It giveth light. Read His power in the Gospel. Notice the connection between natural light and spiritual faith in Christ. "And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed Christ. And behold two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold their peace; but they cried out the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on us thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I should do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. And Jesus being moved with compassion touched their eyes, and straightway they received their sight and followed him." 2. The infinite superiority of the Divine Word to that of all earthly traditions, and the best literary productions is best judged by results. The works of Plato, Lycurgus, Demosthenes, Homer, Virgil, Dante, Milton, Scott, Burns, Bryant, and Longfellow are not for one moment to be compared to the Bible. When Scott, the great writer, was departing life, he turned to his son-in-law, Lockhart, and said: "Bring me the Book." "What book?" asked Lockhart. "There is but one Book--the Bible!" was the reply. What spiritual and spontaneous enthusiasm in Divine things are stirred within us when we read the sacred pages. Now turn to the picture painted by her who is now with the redeemed on high; she says: "_After receiving the Bible they were greatly changed, and attended our place of worship on the Sabbath._ They gave evidence of being now deeply impressed." What impressed them? Two things worthy of notice: 1. The Word. 2. The Worship. Now, there are some people who imagine that they can go to heaven if they stay at home and read the Bible. This is all very well in its place, but we must not forget the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is. Some try to live a Christian life outside of the Church. This is a sad mistake. CHAPTER XVI. STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS. Oh! land of the blessed, thy shadowless skies Sometimes in my dreaming I see: I hear the glad songs that the glorified sing Steal over eternity's sea. Though dark are the shadows that gather between, I know that thy morning is fair; I catch but a glimpse of thy glory and light, And whisper. Would God I were there! O Saviour, prepare my spirit to share Forever with thee those mansions fair.