Page:God Manifest.djvu/223

Rh we can behold our God—not merely picture Him to ourselves vaguely by the contemplation of His works, not merely read descriptions of His character, as uttered in the Word of the Old Covenant,—but that we can, in thought, see Him in full form, standing amongst men, acting, speaking, a living and breathing.

Hear Him, then, speaking; behold Him acting. "Come unto Me," He said, "all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart,—and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." What an exceedingly tender admonition! what a gentle and affectionate call! It were hard, one would think, to resist such an appeal,—especially when we consider that it was solely an appeal to men to do that which would secure their own true happiness. All men are searching after happiness, running after it vehemently, and in every direction in which their fancy pictures it to be—but all in vain: while here stands Jesus, the Creator and the Saviour of the world, meekly uttering that which He does not fancy, but knows with Divine knowledge,—namely, that He has the treasure which they are all seeking, that it is truly in His possession—and if they will but come to Him, they shall receive it. But men blindly pass Him by, and rush on madly in their pursuit of a phantom: "And ye will not come unto Me," He said touchingly,—"ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life." Foolish, infatuated mortals! God stands before them in the flesh, addressing them with meek majesty, and offering them peace and