_Lord_, _how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us_, _and not unto the world_. ON the festival of the Epiphany, and on several Sundays afterwards, we commemorate what are called manifestations of CHRIST; revelations and exhibitions of Him, in His nature, His person, His might, His wisdom, His various offices. In one sense, CHRIST’S whole life, from the manger in Bethlehem to the Mount of the Ascension, was a manifestation. It was not possible to see or hear Him, without becoming convinced—if open to conviction—that He was different from all other men, and superior to them. His every deed, His every word, His every look, designedly or undesignedly proclaimed “This is GOD manifest in the flesh!” Still, there were some particular exhibitions of Himself, which, from the special circumstances attending them, the preparation made for them, their peculiar importance, their wonderful effects, or their relations to certain classes or individuals, are entitled to be distinguished from the rest of that life-long Epiphany, and to be called _par excellence_ the manifestations of CHRIST. Of this kind, was the exhibition to the shepherds, and again, that to the wise men of the East—prefiguring, commencing the manifestation to the Gentiles; the declaration that He must be about His Father’s business, the baptism by John, the show of His power in converting water into wine, in cleansing the leper, in calming the troubled sea, in casting out devils; the unfolding of His wisdom in speaking parables, the preaching of judgment by the Son of Man—all of which are in turn commemorated at this season. Of this kind, again, were the teaching on the Mount, all the miracles, the Transfiguration, the appearances after the Resurrection, the Ascension, the wonders of Pentecost, the light that shone from heaven on Saul journeying to Damascus, and the voice that said “I am JESUS whom thou persecutest.” These were all pre-eminent manifestations, as being designedly full of significance, making special revelations to special persons; displaying, so to speak, the chief features of CHRIST, and teaching most important lessons. Nevertheless, they were rather preludes and signs of CHRIST’S truest manifestation, than that manifestation itself—faint glimmers of coming light, rustlings, warning movements, scarcely upliftings of the curtain that hung between things spiritual and the would-be spectators of them—parables, and prophecies. They left not those who saw them where they were, but they carried them not whither they would be or should be. They bade them look and listen; but they revealed not the sight, nor spake the word. Strange as it may seem, CHRIST was not truly manifested till the clouds of heaven hid Him, and, in the flesh, He ceased to appear and speak till judgment-time. The truth was, as yet, not taught, but only hinted at, and men were not yet ready for it, and could not receive it. It is not