“The Reward of Obedience.”  Here is an Eastern story which illustrates this point of our subject.  The story says there was once an enchanted hill.  On the top of this hill a great treasure was hidden.  This treasure was put there to be the reward of any one who should reach the top of the hill without looking behind him.  The command and the promise given to every young person who set out to climb that hill, were—­do not look behind you, and that treasure shall be yours.  But there was a threat added to the command and promise.  The threat was, if you look behind, you will be turned into a stone.  Many young persons started, to try and gain the prize.  But the way to the top of the hill led them through beautiful groves, which covered the side of the hill.  In these groves were birds singing sweetly, and sounds of music were heard, and melodious voices inviting those who passed by to stop and rest awhile.  One after another of those who set out for the prize at the top of the hill would stop, and look round to see where the voices came from; and immediately they were turned into stones.  “Hence,” says the story, “in a little while the hillside was covered with stones, into which those had been turned who neglected the command given them when they started.”

Of course there never was such a hill as this.  But the story gives us a good illustration.  Our life may well be compared to such a hill.  The treasure, on the top of it, represents the reward that awaits us in heaven, if we serve God faithfully.  The songs, and the voices, from the groves, on the hillside, represent the temptations that surround us in our daily paths.  The lesson of duty that comes to us from the Transfiguration scene—­“Hear him”—­is the only thing that can preserve us from these temptations.  If we hear Jesus when he says to us—­“follow me;” if we give him our hearts and walk in his way, he will carry us through all temptations; he will bring us safely to the top of the hill; and the reward laid up there will be ours.  Let us learn this lesson of duty, because there is safety in it; there is success in it; there is profit in it.

And so we have spoken of two things in connection with the Transfiguration; these are the wonders that attended it, and the lessons taught by it.  The wonders are three—­the wonderful change—­the wonderful company—­and the wonderful conversation; and the lessons are three—­the lesson of hope—­the lesson of instruction—­and the lesson of duty.

In leaving this subject, let us lift up our hearts to Jesus, and say, in the beautiful language of the Te Deum: 

    “Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ! 
    Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. 
    When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death
    Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. 
    Thou sittest at the right hand of God,
    In the glory of the Father. 
    We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge. 
    We therefore pray thee, help thy servants
    Whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. 
    Make them to be numbered with thy saints,
    In glory everlasting.  Amen.”