LECTURE V.

ANNA, THE LAST PROPHETESS, AND FIRST

THE

MISSIONARY.

HERE is no telling how much those persons miss, whose attendance on the house of God is marked by irregularity. If God manifests His presence and power in a peculiar way; if the minister preaches as never before; if there are special displays of grace and glory—all this is liable to take place while they are at home, strolling about their premises, or dreaming the happy hours away."

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Sometimes the minister, in his retired study, prepares a discourse with special reference to certain members of his flock; but imagine his disappointment on going to the sanctuary to find that they are not there, kept away by the arrival of some thoughtless visitor, or the appearance of a cloud in the sky "not bigger than a man's hand." Sometimes "an angel unawares comes in the person of a greatly distinguished minister, who delivers himself in such a way that all who hear are thrilled, delighted, and blessed, but the irregular attendant is not there, and loses what he will never regain, the privilege of being a participant in so interesting an occasion. No wonder that the apostle gave the injunction, "Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is." Had

Anna been absent on the occasion referred to in the second chapter of Luke, when "the presentation in the temple" took place, she would have missed the opportunity of her life. But she was there, because it was her rule to be regularly there. It is beautifully said of her that she "departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers, night and day." Whatever took place she must of necessity be a witness to it. There was one event to which she had long looked forward, and she hoped that her days might be prolonged until she could see it. She "waited for the Consolation of Israel"-the advent of the Son of God; and day after day her tottering form might be seen going to the house of God, in the hope of a blessed realization of her highest aspiration.

One day, as she entered the door of the temple, she heard sounds of exultation and joy proceeding from the inner court. She stopped to listen, and heard from the lips of the venerable Simeon the words, "Now, Lord, lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation." What could it mean? On going further she caught a glimpse of the aged priest, his face irradiated with an unearthly joy, as he was in the act of handing a beautiful babe into the arms of a lovely young mother. O rapture! it is revealed to her at once that this infant is none other than the long-looked-for Christ. "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord." She did not stop there, she "spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." We have in this interesting, but brief history, first, a daughter