y may behold my glory." This prayer must have a
present fulfillment in every one of the Lord's people in this world,
in order that they may have a future realization of it in the world to
come. To be with the Lord is to abide in him and he in us. "Abide in
me, and I in you." This is the crown of all blessedness. This is the
golden altar of sweet incense: the brightly burning lamp that lights
the way through the door into the marriage feast.

"Forever with the Lord:
Amen! so let it be:
Life from the dead is in that word;
'Tis immortality."

To be with Jesus is to be with him in affection and thought; to love
what he loves, and to believe what he teaches. One may be with Jesus
in place, and yet be very far from him in spirit. This was exemplified
by Judas. He sat at the same table with the Lord, but his heart, his
mind and feelings were very far away. At that very time he was
plotting his destruction, for Judas was a devil from the beginning.
Even Peter, just a little while after that, caught by the Lord's eye,
went out and wept bitterly. It is not, therefore, a local or personal
nearness which the Lord has in mind when he prays that all whom the
Father hath given him may be with him, but a nearness of heart, in the
affection of love, and the obedience of faith.

Brethren and friends, let me say to you, that it is the _duty_, and
not only the duty, but the highest attainment of Christian liberty, to
be with Jesus and to give knowledge to all around that one has not
only been, but now is every day with Jesus. True godliness, however,
does not desire to make a display of itself; it seeks no prominence in
the world; neither does it aspire to receive the applauses of men. It
does not ride upon the tempest of religious disputes, nor clothe
itself with the whirlwind of fanatical excitement. But, like the
Divine Spirit from which it springs, it speaks in the still, small
voice of tender compassion and love. Like its Lord, it enters a house,
the house of the humble, contrite heart, and would have no man know
it; but it cannot be hid.

Now, Brethren and friends, I have only touched some of the chords in
the beautiful anthem of my theme. I now leave it with you, hoping that
you may learn every note in it; and by the sweet music of a good life
delight the ears and warm the hearts of all who hear its rich
harmonies. Possibly you may never see my face or hear my voice again.
I am now on my way back to Virginia, not k