like Christian mirror the face of God and enjoy a heavenly tranquility. And now, finally, think of the rivers in relation to the sea. Under the mighty influence of the sunshine, vapour in large quantities is drawn u from the bosom of the ocean, formed into cloud, carried through the atmosphere by the air-currents, descends in showers of blessing upon the thirsty earth, and when drained from mountain and moor, forest and field, finds its way to the river, and flows in music back to its birthplace and home in the ocean. 'Unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.' What a marvellous circle of wisdom, beauty and beneficence is this! And whaza charming symbol, too, of the activities and experi ences of a sanctified soul! Under the constraining sunshine of a Saviour's love, the desires of the heart-like vapour-ascend in prayer to God on behalf of himself and others, and when these are divinely heard and answered they return in showers of blessing both on him who prayed and on those for whom his prayers were offered. Under the influence of that same constraining love of Christ, his affections go forth in kind words and helpful deeds, by which-like the falling rain upon the earth-many sad and weary hearts are refreshed and comforted. And what is the blissful personal effect of all such ministry? Sooner or later it will return into the loving bosom from which it emanated-like the river to the sea-with increase of blessing and blessedness. 'It is more blessed to give than to receive,' but both are blessed, and the greatest givers are always the largest receivers, as Miss Adelaide Proctor has very beautifully shown "See the rivers flowing Downwards to the sea, Or, if need be, showers Feed them from the skies! Give thy heart's best treasures-- Give thy love-and ask not, And the more thou spendest From thy little store, With a double bounty, God will give thee more." CHAPTER XII THE CLOUDS AS SYMBOLS THE clouds are wonderful phenomena. They are as varied and changeful, beautiful and useful as the manifold products of the earth. In form and size, colour and movement they are exceedingly diversified, and are continually assumi ng new proportions and appearances. Science has classified them, thus: "The Cirrhus clouds comprise all the feathery species which float hĩ gh in the air in fine weather; the Cumulus consist of the large mountain-like species, generally seen in summer; the Stratus are the horizontal kind, which lie low down on the horizon, and are oftenest seen at sunset; and the Nimbus are the rain-clouds of a dark grey or leaden hue, with sharp, well-marked edges." Some one has spoken of clouds as "the floating landscape of the sky," and the description is appropriate, for oftentimes the scenery of the world below seems to be reflected from the firmament above. Nay, more, an attentive observer of the clouds may frequently see in them such mountains and valleys, hills and far-spreading plains, as he has never gazed upon in any earthly landscape. And their beauties are exquisite. Their varied and ever-varying forms are always graceful, and when illumined by sunshine or moonlight or star-rays they are lovely and charming. Especially in the morning and evening twilights of calm summer days, their tints and hues are often unspeakably beautiful, and ought to uplift every devout mind to Him who ordains and adorns them all. And the uses of the clouds are just as truly beneficent, as their splendours are attractive. They carry rich blessings in their bosoms wherever they go, and but for their blissful ministry the earth would speedily become barren and unfruitful. Clouds are products of both heaven and earth. The sun is the father and the water of the earth the mother of them all. Of what are they the symbols? Let the Word of God tell us. In their relation to the sun they are coverings to his face, to keep back from the earth the blaze of his brightness. Too much sunshine, or sunshine too long continued, is withering and destructive in its influence; hence the need of clouds. They are symbols of the veils which the Divine Love-Sun has always worn, tc moderate the resplendence of His glory. Th e great Infinite Spirit dwells in light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen nor can see, and therefore He needs no veil. But from before creation and for mediatorial ends, the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father became the God-Man. He was the 'image of the invisible God, and the first-born of all creation.' As such, He made the angels and man in His own image and likeness, and was familiarly known by them all. His original humanity, was a cloud. It vei led the glory of His Divinity, and enabled created beings to have immediate and personal fellowship with Him, such as the first of our race enjoyed in Paradise. He frequently appeared to the patriarchs and prophets of the olden time, and spake to them 'face to face as a man with his friend.' It was thus that He communed with Abraham and Jacob, with Moses, Joshua |