We have caught glimpses of St. John in the early days of Christianity, as a light and a pillar, a teacher and a guide.  Sometimes for years together he has been hidden from our view, and then has emerged with a yet brighter halo around his head.  We have watched him on a lonely isle gazing into heaven, beholding glories of which he gives us hints, but which he tells us he cannot fully describe.

Because of his relation to the Lord, the fisher boy unknown beyond the hamlet of Bethsaida two thousand years ago is “spoken of” as truly as Mary of Bethany, whose memory he especially has made sacred and perpetual.  Wherever the Gospel is preached he too is remembered, honored and loved.

Because of his relation to the Lord, towns in lands of which he never knew, bear his name; in which people are taught by his words and inspired by his spirit.  In them many a family is known by the name St. John.  Rivers in their flow bear his name from generation to generation on earth, while he points men to the pure river “proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb,” which was “showed” him in Patmos.  Societies for fraternal fellowship and mutual helpfulness are called after him.  St. John’s day has a sacred place in the calendar.  Many a rural chapel and stately city church are reminders of him.  The richness of his graces, and the yet future of his saintly influence, are symbolized in the yet unfinished temple of surpassing grandeur in the City of New York,—­“The Cathedral of St. John the Divine.”

From all these earthly scenes in which we have beheld him, to which history and tradition have pointed us, and from those things which are memorials of him, we turn to the Heavenly scenes which he bids us behold as they were revealed to him.  Thither we follow him after all his trials and labors and triumphs of earth.  With reverence and gladness for him, we listen to the voice of the Lord saying to him what He had told him to say to the Churches of Asia:—­“Because thou didst overcome I give thee ’to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.’  Thou shalt ‘not be hurt with the second death.’  I give thee ’a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written.’  I give thee ’the morning star.’  ’I will in no wise blot thy name out of the book of life!  I make you a pillar in the temple of My God.’  O John, rememberest thou thy petition and that of thy brother who has long been with Me,—­’Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and one on Thy left hand in Thy glory’?  Thou thoughtest that ‘glory’ was an earthly throne, which thou never sawest.  But thou hast overcome thy pride and ambition, thy jealous and revengeful spirit.  Thou hast triumphed over those who were thine enemies because thou wast My friend.  Thou didst see My agonies and victories in Gethsemane and on Calvary.  Thou didst take up My cry on My cross concerning My work on earth, and sound it forth,—­’It is finished.’  Dost thou remember My final