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I. SPRING AN EMBLEM OF YOUTH. Winter, of age.

1. Spring is the season of hope, the dawn of the year. Looking forward. So youth is the season of bright anticipations.

2. The season of preparation. Ploughing, sowing, etc. So youth. Laying foundations of character and success.

3. The season of activity. So youth.

4. Fleeting. Youth soon merges into manhood, care and trouble comes.

II. SPRING AN EMBLEM OF CONVERSION. Winter, of the unconverted state. Cold, dark, dreary.

1. The season of renewal. "Thou renewest the face of the earth." Conversion is the renewal of the heart. "Renew a right spirit within me."

2. The season of joy and gladness. "Time of the singing of birds is come. Conversion produces joy. Eunuch "went on his way rejoicing."

III. SPRING AN EMBLEM OF REVIVAL. Winter, of declension. Spiritual barrenness. A revival needed both in churches and individuals. "O Lord, revive Thy work."

IV. SPRING AN EMBLEM OF RESURRECTION. Winter, of death.

1. Resurrection of Christ. Then the Winter of the world indeed. The race was filled with hope, joy, gladness.

2. Our resurrection at the last day.

V. SPRING SUGGESTS HEAVEN. "There everlasting Spring abides." May the Winter of our spiritual apathy be past and the Springtide of a new life he ours.

(E. Ashton Jones.)

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KJV: My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

WEB: My beloved spoke, and said to me, "Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.