THIS hope of Christ’s coming purifies the heart of him who truly holds it. So it is expressly declared: “We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” I John 3:2, 3. It could not be otherwise than this. We will seek to please those we love unless we love self better. The wife who loves her husband will seek to please her husband. She will endeavor to make home pleasant when he comes. She does this almost involuntarily. So it will be with that Christian who loves his Lord. He will not scoff at His coming, he will rejoice to know that Christ will return. He will search the evidences to know whether that coming is near at hand. As evidences multiply, his heart will rejoice as he sees his redemption draw nigh. Luke 21: 28. He will watch for that coming. He will prepare himself to entertain such a guest. As a loyal subject would renovate, repair, cleanse, and beautify his house, and furnish his best rooms for guest-chambers, if he expected a visit from his prince, so will the Christian prepare his character who looks for his Lord. As he contemplates His coming, his heart will grow purer in his contemplations. The hope of that coming will hallow his joys, and sweeten his cups of trial; and his every fiber will thrill with joy and life at the anticipated meeting. Weary pilgrim in life’s rugged way, let thy heart be cheered, thy Lord is coming. Soldier on the battle-field, fight on, thy King will soon appear. Not “distant hope nor dim” is thine. The rays of coming morn already streak the east; the Sun of Righteousness is about to rise with healing in His beams. Does the world—worse, do worldly church men—laugh at thy faith, and mock thy hope? hold it fast. Believe still, hope on, love on. In “a little while” “thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty,” thy Friend, Redeemer, Lord. Happy those who can say at that time: “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isa. 25: 9.