of grief wherever he is called to witness it. We cannot therefore wonder at the trouble which is experienced by many of those who are the most devout in life, and the most devoted to His service, while so many are hostile, so many paths of sin are chosen, so many forms of error are embraced, and so few, comparatively, are on the Lord's side. We are not surprised, but yet there may be relief, and we would point to the antidote. Is this our trouble? then, in the midst of it we may well rejoice greatly that we have not been left in the way of those whose condition we commiserate that we have been ourselves brought to newness of life, while so many are yet dead in sin-that we have been led to embrace the gospel, while so many are refusing its promises and privileges that we are released from condemnation, while the multitude are exposed to it-that we are made heirs of heaven, while the throng are pushing their way on in the broad road which leads to the gates of destruction. The more we feel that we must grieve over others, the greater reason we must feel for joy that we have been released. Again, while we have to lament the prevalence of sin, we have to rejoice with those who, like ourselves, have been adopted into the family of God. We may be sorrowful when we look abroad, but we must rejoice that there is a song, even in this world, united in by many who are saved by the grace of God, who are our companions in travel to the city of the New Jerusalem, and who, after the earthly hymn is closed, will join with us to sing "the song of Moses and the Lamb." And further, though it is sad to see the power of the enemy so successfully exerted, it is a cheering assurance, that all this rebellion has been foreseen; and that, while God foresaw what this would be, He has declared His promises, before the church and for its establishment, that He will, in His own almightiness, overturn all hostility and "Rear on Sin's demolished throne Wherever we may open the word of inspiration we find it written with the most glorious assurances, that the night is fast spending itself, and that the day approaches, when He shall establish His own power, when He shall sit upon His throne in the midst of the nations, when He shall sway His sceptre over all; then the great hallelujah will burst forth from every lip, in one universal song, because "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." The heavens may pass away, the elements may melt, all that is material may be shaken from its circumference to its centre, but the words of God cannot be reversed. What He has spoken He will fulfil. Idolatry shall soon yield before the sway of the one living and true God; the superstition of all human systems shall be superseded by the glory of the Gospel; the gloom of all infidelity shall pass away; the glory of the millennial sun shall shine out, and bless the world with a pure and hallowed light. Must we then lament the power of Satan? Yet shall we not rejoice in the exercise of faith? We may have to wait for a season, but while we listen to God's words, we hear the approach of His chariot wheels. The Lord is even now at hand; we string our harps, we tune the strings, and shout "O blessed power! O glorious day! What a large victory shall ensue ! CHAPTER V. Troubled by Consciousness of Failures or Backsliding. "O Israel return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord."-HOSEA. "Where is the blessedness I knew, E can conceive of no more |