the support of the weak, the confidence of the humble, the refuge of the miserable, the relief of the distressed; at the same time that it is not less interesting to the greatest, the most powerful, and most exalted among men,-being adapted to all ranks and all situations in life, to all times, places, ages, and nations;-a religion whose spirit disengages its votaries from all terrestrial objects, and fills their minds with the prospects of immortality; which purifies, refines, exalts, and ennobles their thoughts and affections, inspiring them with a sense of the dignity of their nature, and of the great end of their designation; which associates them with the spirits of heaven, and teaches them to look forward to eternity as their inheritance; -"a religion so majestic in its simplicity, so sublime in its doctrine, so magnificent in its object, and so astonishing in its effects, that its very nature, to all who duly reflect upon it, demonstrates its divine and heavenly origin." This religion, with all it comprises, rests on the fact of the Saviour's resurrection, and remained problematical till that fact was ascertained.

Undoubtedly some of the disciples recollected the hints which he had given, that he should rise again on the third day, but none of them seem to have expected it. His enemies also remembered these hints, and therefore they set a watch over the sepulchre, to prevent his disciples from stealing

him away by night, and not from any apprehension that he would actually rise. Of this they had little fear, and his disciples as little hope. The minds of the latter were so possessed with the general prejudice of their nation, that the Messiah "should abide forever," that when he was dead, they gave up all for lost. Humbled, mortified, covered with confusion, and sinking under the prostration of all their hopes, how exquisitely wretched must have been their feelings! On the morning of the third day, however, they were suddenly surprised with the report of some female friends, who had made an early visit to the sepulchre. At first, no doubt, a gleam of hope darted in upon their minds; but the gloom soon returned. On further reflection, the greater part of the Apostles were inclined to attribute the report of the women to some illusion on their senses, or to consider it as the mere vision of their disturbed imaginations. On the whole, their words were regarded as "idle tales ;" and as the day advanced, the important fact, so far from being ascertained, remained in the most anxious suspense at the time when Cleopas and another disciple set out on their journey to Emmaus, a village between seven and eight miles distant from Jerusalem.

In the character of a stranger going the same way, Jesus joined company with these travellers,

and having noticed the concern of their minds, so strongly depicted in their countenances, inquired the cause of their trouble, and the topic of their discourse. "What communications are these which ye have as ye walk by the way, and are sad?" But though he entered with such admirable facility into the subject of all their doubts, clearing them up, and showing the propriety and necessity of the things which had happened, by quotations from Moses and all the Prophets, -expounding and applying these prophecies to the present events, and pointing out their agreement with each other; yet all this while, these disciples had not the least suspicion that it was their Lord himself who was conversing with them. They were, notwithstanding, so agreeably entertained, edified, and comforted by his discourse, that they would take no refusal of their invitation to him to spend the night with them at their lodgings. When supper was ready, as they came to the table, the stranger, to the wonder of all present, acted as head of the family; took bread, blessed, then brake and distributed it to the company. As Jesus performed this act in the same manner in which he had been accustomed while he was yet with them, it was a circumstance which could not fail to open the eyes of the disciples, and effect the discovery which he had hitherto avoided. It led them to fix their eyes upon him more intently

;

than they had done before; when, to their unutterable astonishment and joy, they instantly knew him, and saw plainly and infallibly that it was their beloved master himself.

Being now known, he instantly withdrew from their sight, before they could acknowledge or embrace him. Their satisfaction and joy, however, were complete, and too important and transporting to be confined to their own bosoms. They hastened to make the communication to their still

mourning brethren. Late as it was, they set out that very hour of the night on a speedy return to the city. They found the Apostles and others with them assembled together, and before they had time to begin their story, were saluted with the annunciation, "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." Then the two travellers went on and "told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread." Thus it pleased him who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, in compassion to his weeping followers, by discovering himself to them on the very day of his resurrection, to turn their darkness into light, their deepest sorrows into joy ineffable. What a transition from the depths of dejection and despondeney to the utmost elevation of hope, and exultation the most triumphant !

With respect to ourselves, my christian brethren, though we are not, in the present state, to expect a similar corporeal vision of Christ; though we may not hope, while here on earth, to see him with our bodily eyes; yet it is certain that in a spiritual sense he is seen by true believers while here on earth. To them he comes, and to them he makes the most gracious discoveries of his perfections and glory. They know him with a knowledge of which others are destitute. In attending upon his ordinances, especially in the "breaking of bread" in remembrance of him, he is sometimes made known unto their souls, in a manner which fills them with joy and peace in believing.

As this kind of knowledge essentially consists in discerning, admiring, and adoring the moral beauty, excellence, and glory of Christ; so its tendency is to assimilate us into the same image, and fashion us into a resemblance to him who is the object of our love and devotion. Some of the principal lineaments and features of his character are indelibly stamped upon all who possess a saving knowledge of him. They have the same mind in them which was in him, and are led by his spirit. The ends sought by him, the great and elevated views by which he was governed, have an influence upon them. They are anxious to conform to the model which he has set them-to