But what is the "glory" spoken of in our text? Two thoughts must guide us to its meaning--first, the Father had given it to His Son; secondly, Jesus had given it to His disciples.
Christ is G.o.d, and, as G.o.d, is, and ever must be, glorious. But this glory was _not given_ Him; it was _His own_. Christ is the one Mediator between G.o.d and men--the only Way to heaven and happiness--the all-sufficient and only Saviour of sinners, who redeemed them by His blood, and saves them by His life. But His glory, as Mediator and Saviour, He will not give to another. He received it, and is crowned with it, _alone_.
Yet He says, "I have given My disciples"--"the men Thou gavest out of the world"--"the glory Thou hast given Me." He is the Truth. His words were always divinely full of heavenly meaning. Let us try by other Scriptures to understand this one.
In Isaiah xl. 10, we read, "Behold, the Lord G.o.d will come with strong hand"--or will come as a Mighty One--"behold, His reward is with Him, and the recompense of His work [see margin] is before Him." In Hebrews xii. 2, we are told that, "for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down," now and for ever, "at the right hand of G.o.d." This recompense, this joy, is Christ"s glory. And what is it? In one word, it is _salvation_--the satisfaction, the honour, and delight, of rescuing, and eternally enriching, the people whom He loved from eternity, and will for ever love. As Cowper sweetly sings--
"Of all the crowns Jehovah wears, Salvation is His dearest claim; That gracious sound well-pleased He hears, And owns Emmanuel for His name."
In this--His joy, His glory--He makes His people share here in this world, and in this present time--
"Before they reach the heavenly fields, Or tread the golden streets."
They are interested in His salvation, and on this word we may reflect a little, for "interest" has a two-fold meaning. It means, benefit or profit; and it also means, friendly, loving concern for a person or an object. If I am interested in a paying business, I share in its profits, and am benefited by it; but I am interested in many things that bring me no money, and I gladly give them all the help I can, because I long for their success and prosperity.
And in this double way believers are interested in Christ"s salvation.
They are for ever benefited by it. His death secures their endless life; His sorrow yields them joy and peace; and His poverty has made them rich for evermore. "Thanks be unto G.o.d for His unspeakable gift," is the glad cry of all who know that this precious salvation is their own.
Then comes the other form of interest--loving, prayerful desire that Christ may be glorified; that "the kingdom of G.o.d may come"; that sinners may be brought to the Saviour. The burdened heart, longing for peace, may be too full of its own sorrows to think much of others; but the forgiven child of G.o.d, rejoicing in Jesus as his own dear, almighty Friend, says, or desires to say--
"Now will I tell to sinners round What a dear Saviour I have found; I"ll point to His redeeming blood, And say, "Behold the way to G.o.d!""
Thus the apostles laboured to carry the Gospel wherever they could travel, though, by so doing, they were exposed to persecution, suffering, and death. But they longed to spread the joyful news abroad, and to be the means of leading their hearers to Jesus; and when they "saw the grace of G.o.d," they were glad with an unspeakable joy. And, so far as we are animated with Christ"s spirit, we, too, shall seek after the same blessed results.
And Jesus has given His glory to His people that they may all be united together, even as He and His Father are One--one in heart, and mind, and aims.
We hear a great deal just now about the "unity of Christendom," or the "Christian world," and some would like to blend the Greek and Roman with the English Church. Now, what sort of union would that be? Others do not go quite so far, and yet they would unite together a variety of creeds and people by dropping every important difference, and giving up whatever was not generally acceptable. But let us never forget that there can be no Christian union without Christ; no holy unity unless founded on G.o.d"s Word. Gas jets affixed in a certain way to our ceilings are called "sun-lights." They are only artificial lights, after all; and whatever name it may a.s.sume, unless Christ is the Centre of unity, the union is not Christian, for "if any one have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." But union to and in Christ is very real and true even now, and those who follow Jesus can hold sweet intercourse together in this world. "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."
We are, at best, imperfect in the present state. We know but in part.
Our love is often cold, and sin still dwells in the heart; but in the glory that is yet to come, we, if we are His, shall know, even as we have been known of Him. Perfect love will cast out all distance and coldness, and perfect holiness will possess every saved one.
"Beloved," wrote the same Apostle who recorded the Saviour"s prayer, "now are we the sons of G.o.d, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." May this glorious prospect be ours, through His grace.
Our next subject will be, Matthew vi. 22, 23--_Mental Eyes: Darkened and Illuminated_.
Yours affectionately, H. S. L.
A WORD TO SELF-SEEKERS.
I would not lead the selfish life That never seeks to throw A pleasant ray of happiness On other people"s woe.
I scorn the folks who will not strive To lessen want and care; Nor lend a helping hand to those Who have so much to bear.
Is there not misery enough On this terrestrial ball To spring some sympathetic chord Within the hearts of all?
Oh, ye who only seek your own-- Who hold yourselves so dear That ye can never give the sad One simple word of cheer--
Believe me, if ye wish to spend A life of happy ease, Seek not your own, but how ye may Your weary brothers please.
And He who marks each gentle deed Of loving sympathy, May whisper His approving word-- "Ye did it unto Me."
CARRIE LIGHT.
_Brighton._
PRIZE ESSAY.
SELF-HELP.
There are six important heads which this subject may be placed under, viz., Industry, Patience, Perseverance, Cheerfulness, Courage, and Prudence.
_Industry._--This is a very important thing in life, and you will never be any good to the world without you possess it. There have been men who, by their patient industry, have done their country a great deal of good by inventing engines and machines to mitigate the labours of men; and some of these men have been mobbed and nearly killed by their townsmen, who thought their work would be taken away instead of enlarged, and very often their inventions have been broken to pieces.
Solomon, in the Book of Ecclesiastes ix. 10, says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might"; and in Proverbs vi. 6--"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise."
_Patience._--Patience is a very needful thing to self-help, for without it you will not be able to do anything that requires time and trouble.
You have need of patience when you are waiting for a thing which you are in great haste to obtain.
David says, in Psalm x.x.xvii. 7, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."
_Perseverance._--There are some people who, if they start a certain thing, have not the necessary perseverance to finish it; while others, who persevere, succeed. Great men you read of in history would never have been so distinguished had it not been for their perseverance.
Bernard Palissy, who discovered the white enamel for pottery, had a great many trials to bear, and was years before he perfected it; but he persevered, and at last succeeded.[8]
[8] For a fuller account of Palissy, see LITTLE GLEANER for July, 1879.
Oh, that we may be taught to trust in Christ, and pray, with the poet--
"Lord, hast Thou made me know Thy ways?
Conduct me in Thy fear; And grant me such supplies of grace That I may persevere."
_Cheerfulness._--This is a very essential thing to self-help. If you have a task, and you have somebody to cheer you up, your task feels lighter, and the time pa.s.ses better. People who are dull, and not cheerful, find the time pa.s.s slower, and the work seems heavier. There have been men who have been cheerful even when they have been in great difficulties.
Christ said to the man sick of the palsy, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."
_Courage._--Moral courage is one of the most important features in this subject. You will be more likely to succeed if you are bold and courageous. It is right to be courageous in a good cause, but not in a wrong one. It is real courage, when wicked persons try to entice you to drinking, gambling, and other vices, if you boldly answer, "No."
Solomon says, in the Book of Proverbs xxviii. 1--"The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
_Prudence, or Foresight._--It is wise to consider what the consequences of your actions will be. Some people do not stop to do so, and thus run needlessly into danger. You cannot rightly practise self-help without you are prudent. It is very imprudent to risk life or anything unnecessarily, or to leave things to the last minute or two. If you are imprudent, you will regret it in after life.