lived to a very advanced age, outliving all the other apostles, and he was thus fitted, by his great age and heavenly endowments, to write of the things which then were, and the things which were to be hereafter.

In imitation of his heavenly and exalted Master, he says little about the temporal affairs of this evil world. He seems to rest satisfied with the predictions of the old prophets concerning the fate of empires, states and kingdoms. He scarcely mentions the afflictions which he endured, though they must have been many. But in one place he affectingly remarks, "I, John, who am your brother in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ."-Rev. 1: 9.

The gospel of John, and his epistolary writings, are of a pure and spiritual nature. His prophetic pieces are interwoven with the grandest representations of nature. The language is peculiar, and a clear knowledge of it is necessary to unfold the prophet's meaning. This book embodies what may be called a Christian science-different from all other sciences; and when time, numbers and descriptions are given, it is with such accuracy, as to convince at once that the words of the prophecy are true and inspired. sid

In the first chapter, he calls this book the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him. The intention of it was to show unto his servants things that must shortly come to pass. And he sent and signified it by his angel, or by divine influence, to his servant John, the writer. John directs us to the seven churches, which were then in Asia. He then remarks upon the character of God, the great First Cause of all things. Next, of the Redeemer, the supreme Head over the churches-to whom was committed power and judgment. top of grow usi

In the second and third chapters are contained the charges to the Asiatic churches where errors appeared, severe reproofs are Iministauad, and all are exhorted to perseverence and steadiness

in the truth which they received -an eternal reward is prom for their encouragement.

In the fourth chapter, the eternal Jehovah is represented as over all, and seated on his throne of universal nature. He car be described otherwise than by the four great attributes and per tions, which constitute his essence. Around the throne was a r bow, emblematic of his covenant with man. Also around throne were twenty-four seats, and on these seats were twenty-1 elders, figurative of the twelve tribes of Israel, who received law, and of the twelve apostles, who received the gospel.

The fifth chapter presents the manner in which God's revelat will come to man by the Lord Jesus Christ, under the emblem book in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. This b was sealed with seven seals, and no man could open them but who was ordained of God for man's redemption. The Redee is represented as a Lamb that had been slain, figurative of the s rifice made for man's salvation. He stood in the midst of throne, and of the four beasts, by which we may learn that power, mercy, wisdom and providence of God were made mani in him for man's deliverence.

In the sixth chapter, the Redeemer commences his import mission. On opening the first seal, he shows that purity of pri ple whereby the children of God are enabled by his grace to forth conquering and to conquer. On opening the second seal, spirit of ambition and conquest, and all the evils pertaining t military life, were revealed. The third seal showed that covetousn hypocrisy, and evils of this nature, would appear under the tence of justice, if not restricted by human laws. On opening fourth seal, intemperance, with its train of ghastly evils, was se by which men were hurried on the way to death and hell. opening the fifth seal persecution was revealed - abhorred o holy and just God. On opening the sixth seal, the fatal effects popery were discovered.

The tenth chapter gives us a beautiful history of the Reformation, under the metaphorical appearance of a rainbow, with seven colors, or sects, its seven thunders, or doctrines, and its little book of instructions. But holy John could not be permitted to write, or approve of them; and the book, when eaten, or its contents reflected upon, was bitter. He was informed that he must prophesy again, showing that the defective doctrines of the Reformation much finally give way to pure gospel truth.

In the eleventh chapter, under the measuring of the temple, the altar, and those who worship therein, are shown the distinguishing marks between those who worship God in spirit and in truth, and

1. danonded on the merits of their works and the power of

the church for salvation. It also contains the prophesying, de and resurrection of the two witnesses, or that providential prese ation of the law and gospel, by the reformers, with other circu stances relative to that memorable event.

By considering the twelfth chapter, we shall discover the beau purity and heavenly attire of the primitive church. The chap also shows the conflicts between the church and its enemies, a the afflictions it endured - the flight of the woman or true chur into the wilderness, for twelve hundred and sixty years - the v between the Arian and Athanasian sects, the first headed by 1 angel Michael, and the second by Satan- the defeat of Sat and his schemes afterwards to seduce the woman the protect of the woman by the Greek emperors, from the still raging ire the dragon.

The thirteenth chapter gives us a history of Rome from foundation of it to the wounding to death of its seventh head, the year 475, and the healing of that wound by the eighth or pa head. It declares that the eighth head is a blasphemer of G and a persecutor of the saints, and that he was to continue for two months. It states that the number of the beast, or the bish who supported the pope, was six hundred and sixty-six.

The fourteenth chapter exhibits the true church on Mount Zi founded by the Lord Jesus Christ. The members of this chur are represented as having their Father's name written on their fo heads. Then follows the foundation of the Gentile churches the apostles, with their doctrines. The fall of the Romish chur from the faith first delivered to the saints, and the severe conde nation pronounced against it by the Eastern church in con quence. The rise and progress of the Lutheran, the Calvinist and the Presbyterian churches, and the manner in which prela was banished out of Scotland.

The fifteenth chapter prresents us with a great sign in heaven, among the heavenly-minded, by which we may observe the hap