in such a lovely form before. It won the affections, and man paid homage to the great moral Teacher sent from heaven. In a word, there was every thing so grand in doctrine and so delightful in manner, that the people might well exclaim, 'Never man spake like this man!'

III. The moral light of Jesus is inexhaustible. Though our earth were crowded with inhabitants, there would be natural light enough for them all. The sun was designed for the whole of our globe, and it shines alike upon the palace of the rich, and the humble cottage of the poor. So God designed this moral Light for all, and all will ultimately enjoy its beams. As the morning flower turns to receive the rays of the sun, so will the mind, in due time, turn to Jesus as the Light of the world.

He has

IV. Jesus, as a moral Light, is impartial. no favorites: all are alike objects of his grace. God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, not to condemn the world, but that the world. through him might be saved.' 'It is a light thing,' said Jehovah, speaking through the medium of his prophet, 'to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the preserved of Israel; I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation to the ends of the earth.' Can such language mean any thing less than the happiness of the whole world? It would be derogatory both to the character of Jehovah and his Son, to suppose that any thing short of the salvation of the world was intended in the Gospel plan. Indeed, the comparison would be lost, which Jesus designed to draw between himself and the natural light of day. As well contend that the sun

was not made for all, as to assert that Jesus was not sent to be the Saviour of the world.

But let us turn to the great moral truth connected with our subject by Jesus himself: 'He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.' A more beautiful and delicate expression was never dropped before. It seems to contain a world of meaning. It presents a truth that should be engraven on every heart. Jesus is the true 'Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.' Yet many seem to love darkness rather than light. Thousands follow their own devices in preference to the precepts of the great Redeemer. By following Jesus, we may understand walking according to his example.

There are many other interesting traits in Jesus; but we must leave them, as this number already exceeds the limits which we designed. We trust the reader will be guided by this Light sent from heaven, and if so, he will find himself in the true path to happiness, and will have the light of life.'

L. LION.

'And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.'

Rev. v. 5.

THIS word is applied in various ways in the Scriptures; not only to the king of beasts, but to tyrants and violent oppressors, 2 Tim. iv. 17; to enemies and evils of every kind, Psa. xci. 13; and to some pretended difficulties and hinderances to divert one from his duty, Prov. xxii. 13. It is applied comparatively to the devil, 1 Pet. v. 8. Nebuchadnezzar is compared to a lion from the swelling of the Jordan.' It was seeing a lion which furnished Samson with his famous riddle. Isaiah, describing the happy time of the Messiah, says, 'The calf, the young lion, and the fatling shall lie down together, and a little child shall lead them,' xi. 8. In one instance, God is compared to a lion, Isa. xxxi. 4. The motto is the only place where the Redeemer is thus called; and it is worthy of remark, that in this very connection he is also styled a Lamb! And I beheld, and lo! in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain.'***

6

But why is Jesus called a Lion? It is the very last title we should have expected to find applied to

one who is represented as having been 'moved with compassion' in the days of his flesh. How singular, when we turn to the various incidents connected with the life of the Son of God! At one time, he is seen restoring the sick; then taking up little children in his arms and blessing them; then, in the act of dying, praying, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And yet he is called a Lion! Indeed, what seeming contrarieties meet in the Redeemer. He was born in a manger, yet destined to be the Conqueror of the world! In his obedience to his parents he appears as a Lamb; in disputing with the doctors as a Lion! There was the purity of infancy with the full development of maturity. He was a Son, yet was called 'the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father!' He was subject to man while on earth, and yet could have had 'more than twelve legions of angels.' He was in the house of mourning, and in the house of feasting, and the heart reverenced and blessed him in them both. How many contrarieties and diverse excellencies appear in the character of the Son of God, and yet all are blended in perfect harmony! The world never saw such a model before. Such a character must be divine, for it bears the impress of a God!

A very excellent minister of the old school thus speaks on this subject:

'There do meet in the person of Christ such really diverse excellencies which otherwise would have been thought utterly incompatible in the same subject; such as are conjoined in no other person whatever, either divine, human, or angelical; and such as neither men nor angels would ever have imagined

could have met together in the same person, had it not been seen in the person of Christ.'*

But why is Jesus called a Lion?

I. Because of his descent:-' For it is evident,' says the Apostle, that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.' It is supposed that this tribe used the lion as an emblem upon their ensign. It will be remembered that Jacob, in his dying benedictions upon his sons, spake of Judah as a lion: 'Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old - lion who shall rouse him up?' Judah was thus called to denote the dignity and superiority of that tribe above the rest.

II. Jesus is called a Lion on account of his kingly power and strength; his nobleness of spirit, and his vigilancy and watchfulness, his heroism and invincibleness. These are the well-known properties of the lion. He is also called king of beasts: so the Lion of the tribe of Judah is called 'King of Kings and Lord of Lords.'

But what is the Lion of the tribe of Judah to accomplish? This may be gathered from the Scripture connected with our motto: And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals.

* See a valuable Discourse in the works of President EDWARDS, vol. vii. ser. v., entitled 'The Excellency of Christ,' wherein the author has shown in a very interesting manner the Saviour in the character of a Lion and a Lamb.

Heb. vii. 14.

Gen. xlix. 9.