sequent eternal unhappiness. This purpose was announced in the very name He took: "His name shall be called Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins"[1] "God was in Christ," says the Apostle, "reconciling the world unto Himself."[2] And what was the final end, for which God appeared in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself? Was it not an end dictated by infinite love,—to gift men with salvation and consequent everlasting happiness in heaven. And to this end, the "reconciling them to Himself" was the necessary means. While man's heart is alienated from God, he can plainly enjoy no true happiness, because he turns away from Him who is the only Source of happiness. As well may the earth enjoy heat and light when it turns itself away from the sun, as man can expect to enjoy happiness when his heart is turned away from his Heavenly Father. The earth, by turning from the sun, makes its own winter and its own night—though the sun shines ever the same; so man, by alienating his spirit from God, the "Sun of Righteousness," casts himself into mental storms and darkness and cold; or if there be heat, it is as the volcanic and destructive fires of Hecla amongst the snows of Iceland. Such was a Byron, and such have been most others who have gone through the world, sad, wretched, complaining of their lot, and exclaiming in despair, that "man was made to mourn." No! man was not made to mourn: he was made to be happy, and so made and intended by a good and loving God. But he makes himself wretched by turning his spirit away from the Source whence all happiness flows, and plunging into the abyss of dissipation, sensuality, pride, and other evil
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GOD APPEARING.
