Joseph Hall, Anglican Bishop -

 THE FAMILY ALTAR

October 24.

"And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to

worship at the feast ; the same came therefore to Philip, which was

of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see

Jesus." John 12:20-21.

Wise Men from the East came to worship at the manger of

Bethlehem. They wanted to see Jesus, the new-born King of the

Jews. Here descendants of wise men from the West, from beautiful

and learned Greece, come to the Passover feast at Jersualem and

want to see Jesus. In a few days they saw Him on the cross,

crowned with thorns, suffering and dying as the King of the Jews'

as the King and Eedeemer of the world. Blessed were they if they

saw Him then with the eyes of faith as the Lamb of God that

atoned also for their sins. But the desire of these Greeks to see

Jesus — does it not again teach us how all the beauty, and art,

and philosophy, and natural religion of the world cannot satisfy

the longing of man's soul for higher and better things, in short,

for communion with the true and living God ? That longing only

Jesus and His love can satisfy. No matter how rich, how fortunate

men may be, how smooth and sunny their pathway through life,

so long as they have not seen Jesus, they have never tasted true

happiness. Blessed the man who, like Philip here, can show Jesus

to inquiring souls. But in order to do that, we must know Jesus

ourselves, live in His blessed communion, as did Philip, and An-

drew, and the other apostles. Is our heart filled with longing love

to see Jesus face to face some day because we have found in Him

the consummation of our soul's deepest wants and desires?

We would see Jesus; for the shadows lengthen

Across this little landscape of our life;

We would see Jesus, our weak faith to strengthen

For the last weariness, the final strife.

We would see Jesus; other lights are paling,

W7hich for long years we have rejoiced to see;

The blessings of our pilgrimage are failing;

We would not mourn them, for we go to Thee.

We would see Jesus; yet the spirit lingers

Round the dear objects it has loved so long,

And earth from earth can scarce unclasp its fingers;

Our love to Thee makes not this love less strong.

We would see Jesus; sense is all too binding,

And heaven appears too dim, too far away;

We would see Thee, Thyself our hearts reminding

What Thou hast suffered our great debt to pay.

We would see Jesus; this is all we're needing;

Strength, joy, and willingness come with the sight;

We would see Jesus, dying, risen, pleading;

Then welcome day, and farewell mortal night.