April 10

“‘Die place tchich is called Calvaiij.” — Luke xxiii. 33.

SHE hill of comfort is the hill of Calvary; the house of consolation is built with the wood of the cross; the temple of heavenly blessing is founded upon the riveo rock — riven by the spear which pierced His side. No scene in eacred history ever gladdens the soul like Calvary’s tragedy.

“Is it not strante, the darkest hour
That ever dawned on sinful earth
Should touch the heart with softer power,
For comfort, than an angel’s mirth?
That to the Cross the mourner’s eye should turn,
Sooner than where the stars of Bethlehem burn?”

Light springs from the midday-midnight of Golgotha, and every herb of the field blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the once accursed tree. In that place of thirst, grace hath dug a fountain which ever gushcth with waters pure as crystal, each drop capable of alleviating the woes of mankind. You who have had your seasons of conflict, will confess that it was not at Olivet that you ever found comfort, not on the hill of Sinai, nor on Tabor; but Gethsemaue, Gabbatha, and Golgotha have been a means of comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gcthsemane have often taken away the bitters of your life; the scourge of Gabbatha has often scourged away your cares, and the groans of Calvary have put all other groans to flight. Thus Calvary yields us comfort rare and rich. We never should have known Christ’s love in all ks heights and depths if He had not died; nor could we guess the Father’s deep afi’ectiou if He had not given His Son to die. The common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the sea-shell, when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it came; but if we dcsirQ to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at every-day blessings, but at the transactions of the crucifixion. He who would know love, ie* him retire to Calvary and see the Man of sorrows die.