needful for His own strengthening, even as the Ministry of the Angels after the

Temptation. Thirdly, it was 'good' for these three disciples to be there: not only for future

witness, but for present help, and also with special reference to Peter's remonstrance

against Christ's death -message. Lastly, the Voice from heaven, in hearing of His

disciples, was of the deepest importance. Coming after the announcement of His Death

and Passion, it sealed that testimony, and, in view of it, proclaimed Him as the Prophet

to Whom Moses had bidden Israel hearken,39 while it repeated the heavenly utterance

concerning Him made at His Baptism.40

But, for us all, the interest of this history lies not only in the past; it is in the present also,

and in the future. To all ages it is like the vision of the bush burning, in which was the

Presence of God. And it points us forward to that transforma tion, of which that of Christ

was the pledge, when 'this corruptible shall put on incorruption.' As of old the beacon-

fires, lighted from hill to hill, announced to them far away from Jerusalem the advent of

solemn feast, so does the glory kindled on the Mount of Transfiguration shine through

the darkness of the world, and tell of the Resurrection-Day.

On Hermon the Lord and His disciples had reached the highest point in this history.

Henceforth it is a descent into the Valley of Humiliation and Death!

IT was the early dawn of another summer's day when the Master and His disciples

turned their steps once more towards the plain. They had seen His Glory; they had had

the most solemn witness which, as Jews, the could have; and they had gained a new

knowledge of the Old Testament. It all bore reference to the Christ, and it spake of His

Decease. Perhaps on that morning better than in the previous night did they realise the

vision, and feel its calm happiness. It was to their souls like the morning -air which they

breathed on that mountain.

It would be only natural, that their thoughts should also wander to the companions and

fellow-disciples whom, on the previous evening, they had left in the valley beneath. How

much they had to tell them, and how glad they would be of the tidings they would hear!

That one night had for ever answered so many questions about that most hard of all His

sayings: concerning His Rejection and violent Death at Jerusalem; it had shed heavenly

light into that terrible gloom! They - at least these three - had formerly simply submi tted

to the saying of Christ because it was His, without understanding it; but now they had