aptly represented by the cutting and polishing of precious stones with a view to their ultimate setting.

5. Because, as in the case of gems, though all are precious, each has its own peculiarities.

6. Because the sovereignty of God is alike. manifested in both kinds of gems-the natural and the spiritual.

7. Because they shall never perish, even as gems are indestructible.-Thomas A. G. Balfour, M.D., on "God's Jewels."

II. PARALLEL SCRIPTURAL ALLUSIONS. "God has employed jewels not only to represent the ornamental character of His house, but as a separate figure of His Church and its individual members. By twelve precious stones on the breastplate of the high priest, were the twelve tribes of ancient Israel symbolised; and of His spiritual Israel at all times, viewed both collectively and individually, He says, They shall be Mine, said the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up My jewels.' What a beautiful picture does this present of spiritual excellence, and of the interest which God takes in it!"J. Meek, on "Scripture Emblems," pp. 221-2. III.-POINTS OF COMPARISON.

1. As to Origin.

Jewels are but modifications of the earth amid

which they are found. The diamond itself is nothing but crystallised charcoal. So it is with the saints of God, however eminent. The grace of God makes us differ morally and spiritually. 2. As to Value.

"In all ages of the world they have been much prized, and have been reckoned among the costly products of the earth. Indeed, no higher standard for estimating the value than that which they afford can possibly be found; and hence, when Job wishes to express the priceless value of heavenly wisdom, he ransacks earth for all its choicest and most valued treasures, and among these we find the class of gems holding the very foremost place."-Dr. Balfour.

3. As to Process of Perfecting. "And they shall be Mine-when I make up My jewels." Jewels are among a monarch's brightest and costliest things; and God speaks of His believing servants as His "jewels." We are now jewels in the dust-rough diamondsand the great Lapidary is polishing us by the friction of service and suffering, by drill and discipline, every day.

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"We see in a jeweller's shop that, as there are pearls, and diamonds, and other precious stones, there are files, cutting instruments, and many sharp tools for their polishing; and while they are in the workshop, they are continual neighbours to them, and come often under them. The Church is God's jewel,-His workshop, where His jewels are polishing for His palace and house; and those He especially esteems, and

means to make most resplendent, He hath oftenest his tools upon."-Archbishop Leighton.

"I have before me two precious stones. They are both alike in colour; they are of the same water-clear, pure, and clean: yet there is a marked difference in their lustre and brilliancy. One has a dazzling brightness; the other is quite dull. The one is cut but in a few facets; the other has ten times as many. These facets are produced by a very violent operation. They have to be cut, polished, smoothed. That which has suffered little is entirely eclipsed by the other."-Oberlin, 184—.

Precious stones and gems require much workmanship to bring them to their fullest value. By an apparently destructive process the exterior must be cut away, so that the beautiful veins and brilliant colours may be made manifest. The saints undergo a discipline equivalent to that process.

4. As to Preservation.

The

"Were you ever in the crown-room in Edinburgh Castle? You must have been struck with the vigilance with which national honour guards these memorials of national independence. place of its deposit is a strong fortress, and in one of its strongest apartments; it is exhibited within a strong iron railing, through which no ordinary arm can reach it, and a competent guard of armed men protect it night and day. And yet the empty setting of some of its finest pearls shows that it has not always been in safe custody. The crown of England was once upon the point of being stolen from the Tower: the crown jewels of many European kingdoms have often changed masters. But fear not, believer; the least brilliant in the crown of Christ shall never be found a-missing. Even while they remain on earth, they are kept (as in a fortress) by the power of God, through faith unto salvation.' The vigilant eye of Omniscience is upon them, the powerful arm of Omnipotence is around them, and in a little they shall be all laid up in heaven, beyond the reach of injury.”—J. Meek.