And what _Hope_ has proved in the history of the Church collectively, it is in the life of every individual believer. By nature he is a "prisoner," but "a prisoner of hope."[42] The gospel is a "gospel of hope." Its message is called "_the good hope through grace_."[43] The God of the gospel is called "_the God of Hope_."[44] The "helmet of salvation" is the helmet of "_hope_."[45] The "anchor of the soul" is the anchor of "_hope_."[46] The believer "_rejoices in hope_,"[47] and "_abounds in hope_."[48] _Christ is in him_ "_the hope of glory_."[49] HOPE peoples to him the battlements of heaven with sainted ones in the spirit-land. He "sorrows not as others, who have no HOPE."[50] When death comes, _Hope_ smoothes his dying pillow, wipes the damps from his brow, and seals his eyes. "_Now, Lord, what wait I for? my HOPE is in Thee._"[51] _Hope_ stands with her torch over his grave, and in the prospect of the dust returning to its dust, he says, "_My flesh shall rest in hope._"[52] _Hope_ is one of three guardian graces that conduct him to the heavenly gate. Now abideth these three, "Faith, HOPE, and Love," and if it be added, "_the greatest of these is Love_," it is because Hope and her companion finish their mission at the celestial portal! They proceed no further, they go back to the world, to the wrestlers in the earthly conflict. Faith returns to her drooping hearts, to undo heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free. _Hope_ goes to her dungeon vaults, her beds of sickness, her chambers of bereavement and sorrow. To take Faith or Hope to heaven, would be to take the Physician to the sound man, or to offer crutches to the strong, or to help to light the meridian sun with a tiny candle; _Faith_ is then changed to sight, and Hope to full fruition. LOVE alone holds on her infinite mission. _Faith_ and _Hope_ are her two soaring pinions. She drops them as she enters the gates of glory. The watcher puts out his beacon when the sun floods the ocean--the miner puts out his lamp when he ascends to the earth. _Hope's_ taper light is unneeded in that world where "the sun shall no more go down, neither for brightness shall the moon withdraw itself, but where the Lord our God shall be an everlasting light, and the days of our mourning shall be ended." [42] Zech. ix. 12. [43] 2 Thess. ii. 16. [44] Rom. xv. 13. [45] 1 Thess. v. 8. [46] Heb. vi. 19. [47] Rom xii. 12. [48] Rom. xv. 13. [49] Col. i. 27. [50] 1 Thess. iv. 13. [51] Ps. xxxix. 7. [52] Ps. xvi. 9. VIII. The Hill Mizar. "All scenes alike engaging prove To souls impress'd with sacred love! Where'er they dwell, they dwell in Thee; In heaven, in earth, or on the sea. "To me remains nor place nor time; My country is in every clime; I can be calm and free from care On any shore, since God is there.