How deeply affecting are the compassions of our God: "Return ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." How all-constraining is the power of redeeming grace: "Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God."

The cloud which is now gathering around us is dark and portentous; yet let us not despond. On this darkened cloud, shines the bow of mercy. The faithful servants of Christ are feeling a new and divine impulse, which strengthens as the storm approaches the Jews are beginning to enquire, and listen to the Christian advocate.-Gospel light is spreading in Heathen lands; the power of Truth is felt by savage tribes,-and Ethiopia is stretching out her hands unto God. Then let us rejoice, The Lord reigneth. His mercy endureth for ever. Of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end.

Does stillness reign in the enemy's camp? Satan, knowing that his time is short, has come down with great wrath. This adversary to God and man is mustering his forces against Christ and His Truth. The spiritual contest is again renewed, a contest between light and darkness ;between the true Church and the world. The Holy Bible is the object of attack. Popery, with its unchanged principles, is striving to withhold from perishing millions the LAMP OF LIFE; while infidelity, with floods of blasphemy, is labouring to extinguish the sacred fire. These enemies to the Truth oppose its progress; and shun the light by which their sophistries and supersti tions are discovered and condemned.

The worldly-minded professor is alike inimical to the Word of God, however orthodox may be his creed, or pure the Church to which he belongs. Thus Satan, working upon the darkness of the mind, and the corruption of the heart, raises up a host of foes against the truth of the Gospel. By his power and subtlety, he may be permitted to create a storm; but, though severe the conflict: TRUTH IS GREAT, AND SHALL PREVAIL.

A period then seems fast to be approaching, when Gospel principles shall be tried ;—when the chaff shall be separated from the wheat;—when mere profession will vanish like the morning cloud;-and false brethren fall like withered leaves in Autumn.

Nothing will then abide the fiery trial, but the grace of God;-nothing will withstand the fury of the storm, but faith in Jesus.

Blessed are they who range themselves on the Lord's side, and who openly declare with Joshua : “If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve, but as for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord." Ye friends of Jesus, be not afraid. While men's hearts are failing them for fear, your Saviour bids you to lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh. However violent may be the storm, he will hide you in his pavilion. However overwhelming to the wicked, you, like Noah, shall ride in safety over the boisterous waves.

The weapons of the world are carnal; but those of the true Church of Christ are spiritual. Faith and patience, prayers and tears, were the

only weapons which the persecuted saints of old wielded against their enemies, and with these they came off more than conquerors through Him who loved them, and gave himself for them. May we, like them, exhibit the strength of our principles, by patient endurance, and by an unshaken allegiance to Christ.

Under every opposition from the world, may our language be that of David to Saul: "The Lord be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand." However great the oppression, may we imbibe the spirit of St. Paul's exhortation : "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written; vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." Whatever be the tribulation, may we follow the command, and rejoice in the triumph and consolation of Jesus: "In your patience possess ye your souls." "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, In my Father's house are many mansions: I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, fear not, neither be dismayed. Look within the veil, into the temple above, and rejoice at the glory presented to thy view. There Jesus reigns; and there, thou shalt join the heavenly host, and with all the redeemed Church, shall swell the chorus of adoring praise.

Confiding in the Saviour's love and care, the

weakest saint shall overcome, and bear the palm of victory. We may be called to suffer for Jesus' sake, but if we are his, our souls shall never perish, for none can pluck us out of his hand. By his judgments, the Lord may purify, but he will not destroy his Church. He may permit the boar of the wood to waste it, but the choice vine which his own right-hand hath planted, he will not suffer to be rooted up. "Return, we beseech thee, O God of Hosts; look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; so will not we go back from thee quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, O Lord God of Hosts, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.”

How gracious is the answer of God to the believing, self-abasing supplications of his people: "In that day sing ye unto her, a vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day."

With holy Paul then be encouraged to persevere. His heart, under every trial, was stedfast, trusting in the Lord. Think on his sufferings— his supports his final salvation. Meditate upon Jesus the Author and Finisher of his faith; and who, if you look to him, will be the Author and Finisher of yours. Through the power and grace of Christ, you, like the blessed Apostle, shall assuredly prevail. Then rejoice in the Lord, yea, sing for joy, while you mingle in spirit with the beloved disciple, who, when in the Isle of Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ, was favoured with these visions of

heavenly glory: "I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven, and immediately I was in the spirit, and behold a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne; and he that sat, was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

say

"And I heard the voices of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands: ing, with a loud voice; Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying: Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

"After this, I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

"And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders, and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen; Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and