2:10 "My Beloved spoke, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away."

Who can listen to the voice of Christ without a thrill of joy! The Church here states that His address now reached her ear. He calls to her. He bids her arise and break from delay, and come with Him in holy fellowship to refreshing scenes. The beauties of reviving nature are introduced as alluring to this sweet communion. Let these lovely scenes now pass before our view.

2:11. "See! the winter is past, the rain is over and gone."

Winter is the season of external dreariness. Nature is locked in the cold arms of gloom. Hardness sits supreme on the surface of the soil. The trees present a leafless aspect. The streams are often bound in congealing fetters. The eye surveys, and no verdure gladdens. Pitiless storms affright with frequent visits. They dash with fury along the meadows and through the groves. They drive the flocks and herds to sheltering retreats.

But this winter season is not perpetual. In due course the sun breaks forth in vernal power. The scene is changed. Gladness again assumes its sway, and the happiness is felt that "the winter is past, the rain is over and gone."

2:12. "The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds has come, and the voice of the dove is heard in our land."

The entire prospect is changed. The garden--the fields--the meadows and the valleys, smile in renewed beauty. In rich profusion sweet flowers show their lovely heads. In varied hue they charm the eye--with delightful fragrance they regale the sense. Earth seems again to bloom in Eden's loveliness--and melody is heard throughout the air. The happy songsters warble in the branches. From trees and shrubs around sweet harmony resounds. One note fixes rapt attention. The plaintive dove utters her melting song. Thus universal joy prevails.

2:13. "The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."

At the recurrence of this season, some trees attract especial notice. The fig tree pleases with its luxuriant growth. Promises of rich fruit abound. The tender grape appears in clusters on the wide-spreading branches of the fertile vine. Exquisite is the fragrance, which the young fruit emits. Realizing these charms, we hear with melting effect the call, "Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."

Let us now turn to the anti-type--the believer's heart. There are times when dark and dreary winter freezes the inward feeling. Pitiless storms, also, frequently assail. Temptations come in cruel fury. Shelter from the merciless attacks seems far away. Where is the soul, which has not had experience of such dark and stormy days!

But the Sun of righteousness sends forth reviving rays! The season of gloom is past--the torrents of temptation are over and gone. Sweet grace again revives, and the heart smiles as the well-watered garden--the wilderness rejoices and blossoms like the rose. In the place of dreary desolation, signs of lovely vitality reappear. The heart so dull--so silent, now breaks forth in praise. Songs of adoration mount up to heaven. The fig tree, no longer barren, is laden with luxuriant fruit. Delicious aromas, as from the infant berries of the vine, pervade. It is the resurrection-time of the Spirit's graces!

Jesus now invites to closer fellowship with Himself. He bids the soul to arise--to leave its couch of sloth and indolence, and disconsolation. He calls it to put forth strength and to break from all entangling fetters to join itself to Him in closer fellowship, and to enjoy with Him the beauties of this newborn state.

If such the sweetness of His present call, what will it be when His voice shall bid our bodies arise from the grave's cell, and come away to His eternal presence, and to exult in fullness of joy, and to partake of the pleasures, which are at His right hand forever more! Lord, may we be ever listening for the last trumpet's clang!