tion perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren " (Heb. 2: 10). His relationship to believers is far closer than any earthly relationship. When He was told that His mother and His brethren were without, desiring to see Him, "He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matt. 12: 49). After His resurrection, Jesus met the women who were sent by the angel to tell His disciples that He was risen, and said unto them, "Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me" (Matt. 28: 9). When He revealed Himself to Mary Magdalen, "Jesus saith unto her, Cling not to me (Take not hold on me); for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" (John 20: 17). When Christ is on His throne judging the world, His disciples will be acknowledged before the universe. 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Then any act of kindness done to a disciple will be acknowledged as done unto Him. "And the King shall answer and

say unto them, Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matt. 25: 40). The children of God were predestinated to be brethren of Christ. "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren” (Rom. 8: 29). Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ" (Rom. 8: 16), our elder Brother.

FRIEND.

Jesus also honors His disciples by making them His friends. A friend is one whom we love and esteem above others; to whom we impart our minds more familiarly than to others; and that from a confidence of his integrity and good will towards us; thus Jonathan and David were mutually friends. The Scriptures say, "A friend loveth at all times" (Prov. 17: 17). "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov. 18: 24). "Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Prov. 27: 6). "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel' (Prov. 27: 9). "Jehovah spoke unto Moses face. to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” (Exod. 33: 11). In the Bible Abraham is often

called the "Friend of God." "And the Lord said. Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?" (Gen. 18: 17) "And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God" (James 2: 23; Exod. 33: 11; 2 Chron. 20: 7; Isai. 41: 8). Jesus said, 66 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call ye not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15: 13). This was said, "When Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father," and "knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God" (John 13: 1, 3). As He was about to ascend to the throne of the universe, He assures His disciples that He is their Friend. Child of God! our Father, Brother, Friend, has all power in heaven and earth.

UNION WITH CHRIST.

HUSBAND AND WIFE.

THE union between Christ and His Church is described in the Scriptures by words which are used for the closest, the most intimate, the most confiding and most loving of all human relationships: that of husband and wife. This relationship is frequently spoken of in the Old Testament, as well as the New: "For thy Maker is thine husband: Jehovah of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall He be called" (Isai. 54: 5). "As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee" (Isai. 62: 5). “Turn, O backsliding children, saith Jehovah; for I am married unto you" (Jer. 3: 14; 31: 32). "Son of Man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, and say, Thus saith the Lord God unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother a Hittite. Thou wast cast out in the open field. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live. I have caused thee to multiply

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as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great. * * * I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. I clothed thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and ear rings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil; and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom. And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God. But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot. * * I will judge thee,

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as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged. * And I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot. * * So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee. * * Nevertheless, I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant" (Ezek. 16). "And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know Jehovah " (Hosea 2: 19). Paul writes, "I am jealous over