Practical Observations.

1. Often our sorrows are big with blessings. They that sow in tears, reap in joy. The sorrow of the heart-broken disciples was soon turned into joy.

2. Often we do not know what is best. The disciples thought it a great misfortune for Christ to die. But it behooved him to die and to rise again from the dead. His rising was the burst of sunrise on a world dark with the shadow of death.

3. It would be a delightful thought that by going to Palestine we could look upon the face of Christ. It is a far sweeter thought that he is with us, wherever we are; “abides” with us. It was needful that he go away that all in every land might have his presence by the Spirit.

4. The Spirit is not only a Comforter, but a Conqueror. The Sword, by which he subdues, convicts and conquers to Christ, is “the Word of God.” Every preacher, teacher and Christian should pray for the presence of the Spirit and that he may speak through him with power, as he tries to impart the word to sinners. Paul may plant, Apollos water, but God gives the increase. The words of the preacher need to be “in the Spirit” to have power.

5. “Resist not the Spirit.” He who does, fights against God. The Spirit is resisted when idle and rebellious ears are turned to the words of the Spirit. When the preacher pleads with you to accept the Redeemer, it is the Spirit's voice, for he impelled him to speak. The Holy Spirit still by the word and testimony “convicts of sin, and righteousness, and judgment.”

6. As the body without the spirit is dead, so a church, or a professor of religion, without the Spirit is dead. The prayer should ascend, all over the land, from the inert, lifeless churches and Christians, that they may be endued with power from on high. Then, and then only, can they have power to convert men to Christ.

7. Death is often the travail from whence victory is born. Arnold Winkelreid swept ten spears within grasp at the battle of Sempach and as he died made a breach by which victory was won. Christ on the cross received into his bosom the weapons of the world's hate and won a victory for us. 249The victory is won. The blows of death and hell fall upon him in vain. In spite of all he overcame death in the grave and rose triumphant. He fought the battle for all in him, and for all such the victory is won. “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”