,,parish ,,papers ,,by ,,norman ,,macleod1 ,d4,d41 ,one of ,her ,majesty's ,chaplains for ,scotland2 ,,author ,,of ,,wee ,,davie1 ,,the ,,gold ,,thread1 ,,etc4 #ahfc ,,dedicated1 ,,with ,,much ,,affection1 ,,to ,,the ,,parishioners ,,of ,,loudoun1 ,,dalkeith ,,and ,,the ,,barony1 ,,to ,,whom ,i ,,have ,,ministered ,as ,their ,pastor4 ,,contents4 ,,thoughts ,,on ,,christianity #a4 ,what is ,christianity8 #b4 ,who was ,jesus ,christ8 #c4 ,what can we ,believe if we do not thus ,believe in ,jesus8 #d4 ,what if ,christianity is not ,true8 ,,thoughts ,,upon ,,the ,,final ,,judgment #a4 ,the ,judge #b4 ,who are to be ,judged8 #c4 ,the ,books shall be ,opened1 #d4 ,results of ,judgment ,,thoughts ,,upon ,,future ,,life #a4 ,our ,physical ,life in ,heaven #b4 ,our ,intellectual ,life #c4 ,our ,devotional ,life #d4 ,our ,social ,life #f4 ,our ,active ,life ,,future ,,punishment ,,what ,,after ,,death8 ,,moments ,,in ,,life ,,labourers ,,together ,,with ,,god1 ,,revivals-- #a4 ,their ,need #b4 ,objections to ,revivals ,,the ,,christian ,,congregation ,,the ,,cure ,,for ,,schism ,,the ,,union ,,of ,,man ,,with ,,man ,,progress ,,of ,,missions ,,the ,,mystery ,,of ,,sorrow ,,the ,,beginning ,,of ,a ,,year ,advices on ,entering a ,new ,year ,,the ,,close ,,of ,a ,,year ,,thoughts ,,on ,,christianity4 ,i4 ,,what ,,is ,,christianity8 ,this question refers to a matter of fact4 ,i do not ask whether the ,christian religion is true1 but only1 ,what is the ,christian religion8 ,what is that religion which has existed for eighteen centuries2 which is professed by ,christendom2 and which has been more precious than life itself to millions who have died in its faith1 and is so still to millions who possess it as their peace and joy8 ,but how are we to obtain a satisfactory reply to this question8 ,are we to examine the opinions of all the various churches1 sects1 or bodies1 professing ,christianity1 in order to determine what it is they profess8 ,if we adopted such a process of investigation as this1 ,i believe we would reach1 by a longer road1 the very same point which may be reached by a shorter and more satisfactory process4 ,for ,i suppose it will be admitted that the ,christian religion is what ,jesus ,christ and ,his apostles taught1 and that we may rely upon the information conveyed to us in the ,new ,testament as to the sum and substance of that teaching4 ,i do not even insist1 as essential to my argument1 upon the inspiration of ,scripture1 according to any theory whatever of that doctrine2 but assume only that we have in the ,new ,testament a true account of the teaching of ,jesus ,christ and ,his apostles1 and that we are able1 therefore1 to ascertain from its pages what their ,christianity was as an historical fact1 with as much certainty1 surely1 as we can learn from the ,koran what ,mohammedanism was as taught by ,mohammed1 or from any work of philosophy what were the opinions of its author4 ,now1 if we read the ,new ,testament with ordinary attention1 we must1 ,i think1 be struck by one feature which is repeated in almost every page1 and is manifestly the all-pervading spirit and life of its teaching1--that is1 the peculiar place which ,christ occupies in relation to all other persons mentioned there4 ,this person1 ,jesus ,christ1 whoever ,he was1 stands out prominently before every other teacher of ,christian truth4 ,the apostles speak of ,him1 point to ,him1 plead for ,him1 labour for ,him4 ,he is not the greatest ,teacher merely among themselves1 but the only ,teacher1 and they but ,his scholars1 who glory in having nothing of their own to impart1 and in being ministers1 stewards1 only of what they have received from ,him their ,master4 ,the subject of all their preaching is this ,person--not a system of morality1 or doctrines1 or truths1 apart from1 but embodied in ,him who was the ,truth and the ,life--,jesus ,christ4 ,the text of all their teaching is1 ,god forbid that we should know anything among you save ,jesus ,christ4 ,in order to see this1 take up any epistle1 and mark how often the name of ,jesus ,christ appears as the ever-present thought1 the centre of every idea4 ,again1 consider how this ,person is inseparably connected with every motive1 every duty1 every joy and hope of the ,christian as he is described in the ,new ,testament4 ,christian love is there1 not love merely in the abstract1 7if such is in any case possible17 but love to ,jesus ,christ1 and to all men because in ,christ ,the grand question proposed is1 ,lovest thou ,,me8 ,christian obedience is not obedience merely to a code of moral precepts1 but to ,jesus ,christ and ,his commandments4 ,christian faith is not faith in mysteries1 or things unseen1 or truths revealed1 though such faith may be ,christian1 but its essence is faith in ,jesus ,christ the living ,person2 the supreme command being1 ,believe in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,christian's hope is hope in ,christ2 his joy1 joy in ,christ2 his peace1 peace in ,christ2 his labour1 labour in ,christ2 his strength1 strength in ,christ2 his life1 life in ,christ2 his death1 death in ,christ2 his immortality1 rising in ,christ2 his salvation1 salvation through ,christ2 and his heaven1 to be with ,christ6 ,on the other hand1 all that is evil and disastrous to the soul is summed up in being without ,christ4 ,to reject ,christ1 not to believe in ,christ1 to be enemies of ,christ1 to despise ,christ1 to be ignorant of ,christ1 to lose ,christ1 to be commanded at the last to depart from ,christ--these are the characteristics of the wicked and lost3 for there is no other name given among men whereby man can be saved than the name of ,jesus ,christ4 ,you will observe that ,i am not at present discussing what ,christ has done for us1 but what1 as a matter of fact1 ,jesus ,christ claimed from us and from all men1 and recognised to be the religion which ,he came to establish upon earth4 ,i repeat it1 therefore1 that whether these claims were founded on fact or fiction1 whether the religion which ,he taught was true or false1 in accordance with1 or opposed to1 the will of ,god1 that nevertheless its sum and substance is supreme love to ,jesus ,christ4 ,now1 if this1 or anything even approaching to this1 is true1 my reader will1 ,i am sure1 acknowledge that it is not possible to separate ,christ from the ,christianity of the ,new ,testament4 ,the person and the religion become1 in fact1 identical--so far at least that both must be received or rejected4 ,that a code of morals may be extracted from the ,new ,testament1 and ,jesus himself1 as its centre1 be put aside1 is quite possible2 or that the character of ,jesus may be recognised as a perfect example of what ,he taught1 a living embodiment of ,his beautiful precepts1 is also possible1 without recognising ,his claim to the supreme love and unlimited obedience of every human being2 but the question still remains1 whether this philosophic or rational system--this ,christianity is really the ,christianity taught by ,christ1 or by ,peter1 ,paul1 and ,john8 ,i do not argue as to which religion1 system1 or ,christianity is the best1 but ask only a question of fact1 ,which do you candidly believe to be the ,christianity of the ,new ,testament8 ,if you hesitate ere you reply to this question of historical fact1 open again the ,new ,testament1 with a manly resolution to examine it1 and obtain information1 and ask its pages1 ,what is ,christianity8 ,read even such passages as the following3--,john x41 xiv41 and xv42 ,acts4 first four chapters2 the ,epistles to the ,ephesians and ,philippians--portions of ,scripture which may be read almost in an hour or two4 ,you do not require to master the whole world of truth which is there revealed1 but only to notice the ,sun of that world2 and say1 is it not faith in ,jesus1 love to ,jesus1 obedience to ,jesus as to no one else in the universe except to ,god ,almighty8 ,i at once frankly express my earnest conviction that this1 if true1 involves the truth of what are recognised to be the other peculiar doctrines or facts of ,christianity--such as the divine1 as well as holy and perfect character of the ,person so loved2--,his atoning work1 as the grandest expression of ,his love to us1 and that which most of all kindles love in us to ,him2--the teaching of the ,holy ,spirit1 through whom alone we1 who are spiritually blind1 can so perceive the spiritual character and glory of ,jesus as to admire and love ,him2--and prayer1 by which we can hold actual1 personal intercourse with1 and thus come to know and love ,jesus more and more from experience3 these1 ,i say1 and other doctrines appear to me to be involved in the very idea that ,christianity is supreme love to ,jesus ,christ4 ,but ,i shall not consider any of them except one1 the first and all-important1 the very pillar and ground of the truth--viz41 the divinity of ,christ's ,person4 ,let us therefore inquire-- ,,ii4 ,,who ,,was ,,jesus ,,christ8 ,a more important question cannot be proposed for our consideration6 ,who is this1 ,i ask with absorbing interest1 whom ,i am commanded to honour as ,i honour the living ,god8 ,who is this who claims my unreserved faith1 my unlimited obedience1 my devoted love8 ,who is this who promises to pardon my sins through faith in ,his blood2 to purify and perfect my nature through faith in ,his power8 ,who is this in whom ,i am to abide in life2 into whose hands ,i am to commit my spirit1 and the spirits of all who are dear to me1 in the hour of death2 whose voice is to call me forth from the grave when ,he comes again1 and who is finally to judge me1 and to determine my eternal condition8 ,that ,jesus ,christ does make those claims upon us1 and those promises to us1 is certain2 and it is equally certain that they have been1 and are1 joyfully acquiesced in by the ,christian ,church4 ,the question1 then1 which ,i have proposed for your consideration1 is confessedly one of equal importance with the truth of ,christianity4 ,we cannot1 with sincerity and intelligence1 profess a willingness to examine into the nature of the ,christian religion1 much less profess faith in it1 and yet reject the consideration of the question regarding the ,person of ,jesus ,christ as being unimportant or unnecessary4 ,but before proceeding further in this inquiry1 let me remind you1 and be myself reminded1 of the moral importance of truthfulness4 ,i do not allude to the truthfulness which despises all hypocrisy in word1 and seeks to maintain with sacred care an exact harmony between what is believed in the heart1 and confessed with the lip2 or which boasts1 perhaps1 of the honesty that never conceals a creed1 however offensive its doctrines may be to others4 ,let us not undervalue this kind of honesty when real4 ,but1 alas6 how often is it only apparent1 while the real feeling is selfish vanity craving notoriety1 or moral indifference which is insensible to the pain of either the existence or confession of unbelief4 ,and thus where that truthfulness of character exists1 which cannot give to others a false impression of what is really believed1 how often is there wanting the kind of truthfulness1 so much rarer and more difficult to attain1 so much nobler and more important to possess1 which seeks to harmonise not only profession with belief1 but belief with truth itself4 ,for it is in the innermost sanctuary of the spirit1 into which no human eye can penetrate1 and where truth1 as a holy messenger sent from ,god1 presents herself1 seeking for admission to dwell there1 and take possession of the soul's temple for ever1--it is there that the reality of a man's truthfulness1 sincerity1 and honesty must be tried and decided upon by the all-seeing ,judge1 who can alone search the heart4 ,how do we deal there with what claims to be truth8 ,with what spirit do we listen to her voice8 ,with what care do we examine her credentials8 ,these are questions settled in the secret of our own personal experience2 and just as the process of investigation is conducted before the eye of conscience1 can it be determined whether or not we are really honest4 ,but as sure as there is in us a genuine truthfulness of spirit1 it will1 by a divine instinct1 recognise truth when revealed4 ,like a string rightly tuned by ,god1 the truthful soul will strike an harmonious chord with the note of truth wherever it sounds4 ,the single eye will perceive the light from whatever quarter it shines4 ,when1 therefore1 ,i ask my readers to consider1 with sincerity and honesty1 the teaching of the ,scriptures regarding the ,person of ,jesus ,christ1 ,i crave from them that kind of honesty which is evidenced by the whole tone and spirit with which they deal with what professes to come from ,god1 and what1 therefore1 claims their faith because it is true1 and their love because it is good4 ,i4 ,consider this question in the light of ,his own teaching4 ,by this ,i mean1 read the ,gospels1 and from all ,jesus said regarding ,himself1 say what impression did ,he intend to convey as to ,his own person4 ,remember ,i am not asserting the truth of ,his claims1 but proposing merely to inquire into what ,his claims as a matter of fact were1 in so far as we may fairly gather these from ,his own words4 ,nor do ,i dispute the possibility of giving a different meaning to ,his words1 for ,i know1 and most gladly acquiesce in the righteousness of the fact1 that revelation is not demonstration1 which necessarily overcomes even the truth-hater1 but such evidence as by its nature may satisfy the truth-seeker4 ,the criticism which is essential for our inquiry is that which will receive1 and not give a meaning4 ,with such a principle1 let the readers peruse any one ,gospel--especially the ,gospel of ,st ,john--and in the presence of ,god say1 ,was it the intention of ,jesus himself to teach that ,he was human only1 or that ,he was divine also8 ,now1 to illustrate what ,i mean1 and to aid the reader to follow out this first branch of ,scripture evidence for himself1 let us look1 for example1 at the ,sermon on the ,mount4 ,this wonderful portion of our ,lord's teaching is most frequently referred to by those who profess to admire the precepts of the gospel1 but not its doctrines1 and to accept of ,jesus as a teacher of morality1 though rejecting ,himself as divine4 ,yet is it possible to hear that sermon even without perceiving a consciousness on the part of the speaker of an authority1 a power1 a dignity1 which1 belonged to no mere creature8 ,this is not so much brought forward in distinct doctrinal statements1 but is assumed by ,him1 as that which gave to fact and doctrine all the additional authority which could be afforded by the lips of one who had come from ,god4 ,consider such words1 for instance1 as the following3--,not every one that saith unto me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven2 but he that doeth the will of my ,father which is in heaven4 ,many will say to me in that day1 ,lord1 ,lord1 have we not prophesied in thy name8 and in thy name have cast out devils8 and in thy name done many wonderful works8 ,and then will ,i profess unto them1 ,i never knew you3 depart from me1 ye that work iniquity4 ,marvellous words indeed6 ,who is this1 we naturally ask after hearing them1 who at the general judgment is to be addressed by many8 ,how should ,he be thought of at all amidst the awful solemnities of that day1 and be singled out and appealed to as one of such authority and power8 ,who is this that is addressed as ,lord1 ,lord8 ,what name is this in which many prophesied1 and by which many were able to cast out devils1 and to do marvellous works8 ,who is this that utters the sentence1 ,depart from me8 and who is ,he that such a sentence should be an object of dread1 yea1 the very climax of human woe8 ,he who uttered these words was a poor man indeed1 a ,jewish artisan1 at that moment seated on a grassy hill surrounded by many as poor and unknown as ,himself6 ,but did ,he wish to give the impression that ,he was nothing more8 ,the people were astonished at ,his doctrine1 for ,he taught as one having authority1 and not as the scribes4 ,no wonder6 ,for what scribe--what teacher--what apostle--what mere man who ever lived had authority to utter such words as those we have just read6 7,read also in connexion with this1 ,matt4 xxv4 #ca-df47 ,almost every chapter in the ,gospels contains similar assumptions1 on the part of ,jesus1 of a dignity which was divine4 ,think of the following assertions from the ,gospel of ,john1 every portion of which is irradiated by the glory of ,his person3--,the ,father loveth the ,son1 and hath given all things into his hand4 ,he that believeth on the ,son hath everlasting life3 and he that believeth not the ,son shall not see life2 but the wrath of ,god abideth on him4 ,for as the ,father raiseth up the dead1 and quickeneth them2 even so the ,son quickeneth whom he will4 ,for the ,father judgeth no man1 but hath committed all judgment unto the ,son3 that all men should honour the ,son1 even as they honour the ,father4 ,he that honoureth not the ,son honoureth not the ,father which hath sent him4 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,he that heareth my word1 and believeth on him that sent me1 hath everlasting life1 and shall not come into condemnation2 but is passed from death unto life4 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,the hour is coming1 and now is1 when the dead shall hear the voice of the ,son of ,god2 and they that hear shall live4 ,philip saith unto him1 ,lord1 shew us the ,father1 and it sufficeth us4 ,jesus saith unto him1 ,have ,i been so long time with you1 and yet hast thou not known me1 ,philip8 he that hath seen me hath seen the ,father2 and how sayest thou then1 ,shew us the ,father8 ,believest thou not that ,i am in the ,father1 and the ,father in me8 the words that ,i speak unto you ,i speak not of myself3 but the ,father that dwelleth in me1 he doeth the works4 ,howbeit1 when he1 the ,spirit of truth1 is come1 he will guide you into all truth3 for he shall not speak of himself2 but whatsoever he shall hear1 that shall he speak3 and he will shew you things to come4 ,he shall glorify me2 for he shall receive of mine1 and shall shew it unto you4 ,all things that the ,father hath are mine2 therefore said ,i1 that he shall take of mine1 and shall shew it unto you4 ,these words spake ,jesus1 and lifted up his eyes to heaven1 and said1 ,father1 the hour is come2 glorify thy ,son1 that thy ,son also may glorify thee3 as thou hast given him power over all flesh1 that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him4 ,and this is life eternal1 that they might know thee the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ1 whom thou hast sent4 ,again ,i ask1 ,what impression regarding ,his own dignity were such words as these intended to convey ,consider them1 and give an answer to ,god4 #b4 ,consider ,christ's ,person as it was seen by ,his enemies and friends4 ,now1 ,i bid you observe how both received from ,his words the very impression which ,i assume ,he intended to convey by them4 ,his enemies did so1 and alleged that ,he claimed to be ,divine in the strictest sense of that word2 accordingly they attempted to stone ,him1 and in the end put ,him to death on the very ground that ,he was a blasphemer4 ,then said the ,jews unto him1 ,thou art not yet fifty years old1 and hast thou seen ,abraham8 ,jesus said unto them1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,before ,abraham was1 ,i ,,am4 ,i and my ,father are one4 ,then the ,jews took up stones again to stone him4 ,jesus answered them4 ,many good works have ,i shewed you from my ,father2 for which of those works do ye stone me8 ,the ,jews answered him1 saying1 ,for a good work we stone thee not1 but for blasphemy2 and because that thou1 being a man1 makest thyself ,god4 ,if ,i do not the works of my ,father1 believe me not4 ,but if ,i do1 though ye believe not me1 believe the works2 that ye may know and believe that the ,father is in me1 and ,i in him4 ,therefore they sought again to take him3 but he escaped out of their hand4 ,the ,jews answered him1 ,we have a law1 and by our law he ought to die1,a because he made himself the ,son of ,god4 ,and the high priest arose1 and said unto him1 ,answerest thou nothing8 what is it which these witness against thee8 ,but ,jesus held his peace4 ,and the high priest answered and said unto him1 ,i adjure thee by the living ,god1 that thou tell us whether thou be the ,christ1 the ,son of ,god4 ,jesus saith unto him1 ,thou hast said3 nevertheless1 ,i say unto you1 ,hereafter shall ye see the ,son of man sitting on the right hand of power1 and coming in the clouds of heaven4 ,then the high priest rent his clothes1 saying4 ,he hath spoken blasphemy2 what further need have we of witnesses8 behold1 now ye have heard his blasphemy4 ,what think ye8 ,they answered and said1 ,he is guilty of death4 ,then did they spit in his face1 and buffeted him2 and others smote him with the palms of their hands4 ,footnote ,a3 ,and he that blasphemeth the name of the ,lord1 he shall surely be put1 to death1 and all the congregation shall certainly stone him3 as well the stranger1 as he that is born in the land1 when he blasphemeth the name of the ,lord1 shall be put to death4--,,lev4 xxiv4 #af4 ,nor did the friends of ,jesus endeavour to undeceive ,his accusers4 ,they did not say1 ,you have misunderstood ,his meaning6 ,he is not guilty of such blasphemy6 ,he is a man like us1 and does not claim to be one with ,god1 as you understand ,him to do4 ,instead of this1 they too recognised ,his claims as divine1 and worshipped1 loved1 served1 and preached ,him accordingly4 ,i will return to this part of the subject afterwards4 ,i remind only the reader of it in passing4 ,but before the force of such teaching as this of our ,lord's can in any degree be appreciated1 two things should be borne in mind3 one is1 the previous training of the ,jewish nation with reference to the being and character of ,god2 and the other is1 the moral character of ,jesus4 ,as to the first of those points1 remember only how1 from the very beginning1 ,god had revealed ,himself--that men might know the ,one living and true ,god2 and worship and serve ,him alone with heart1 soul1 and strength4 ,this was the lesson of all lessons4 ,this was the mighty theme of all ,god's teaching and training of ,his people1 from ,adam to ,christ1 by patriarchs1 kings1 and prophets2 by national blessings and national judgments2 by captivities and restorations4 ,on the other hand1 the sin of all sins was idolatry2 rot the bowing down to stocks or stones merely1 but the giving1 in any degree1 that glory to another which belonged exclusively to the ,one living and true ,god4 ,had not their whole history been determined by their adherence to ,god1 or their falling away to idolatry8 ,enter1 then1 into the ,jewish mind with reference to this training1 think how hallowed ,god's name was above every other name--how enshrined it was in the very holy of holies of the national faith1 and how it had become so only after a discipline of much suffering1 prolonged through many centuries1 until at last idolatry had been banished on the return from ,babylon2--think6 of this while you read those utterances ,i have quoted of a ,jew to ,jews4 ,do you wonder that they called ,him a blasphemer8 for so1 indeed1 ,he certainly was unless ,he was ,divine4 ,but could such a one have been a blasphemer8 ,was it morally possible that ,he could have uttered what ,he did about ,himself1 unless it was true8 ,to establish ,his high claims1 it might be sufficient to appeal to ,his miracles1 and assert that no such works of power and love could have been done but by one who verily had ,god with him2 as ,he himself said1--,believe me for the very works' sake4 ,if ,i do not the works of my ,father1 believe me not4 ,or ,i might appeal to the witness ,god gave to ,his ,son at ,his baptism1 on the ,mount of ,transfiguration1 and1 above all1 when ,he raised ,him from the dead1 and thereby declared ,him to be the ,son of ,god with power4 ,but1 putting aside all this evidence1 ,i ask you to contemplate the moral character of ,jesus1 and say1 ,is it not as impossible that such a person could have spoken untruly or blasphemously regarding ,god1 as that ,god himself can be aught else than true and holy8 ,do not let us evade this awful question of ,christ's character--,he was an impostor unless he was ,divine6 ,either ,christ never uttered those things regarding ,himself which are here recorded1 and so the history which we have assumed as true is false in fact2 or1 having uttered them1 ,he spoke falsehood1 and was a blasphemer1 or spoke the truth1 and was ,divine4 ,to deny the ,divinity of ,his ,person is to deny the truth of ,his character4 ,if any man replies that those sayings of ,christ may be interpreted differently1 then ,i ask1 ,what impression did ,christ intend to give8 ,if ,he was a mere creature1 how could ,he have used language to which it was possible to give such an interpretation as would imply ,divinity8 ,only imagine any other man on earth daring so to speak that his language could1 with difficulty be interpreted as not necessarily implying his assumption of ,divine attributes6 ,but ,jesus certainly did so speak1 and did give this impression to friend and foe2 and ,he has left the same impression1 in the form of a living faith1 more indelibly on the mind of the ,church than if it were engraven with a pen of iron on the rock for ever4 ,if this impression is blasphemy4 ,he himself1 and none else1 is to blame for having given it to the world4 #c4 ,consider ,christ's ,person as it was seen by the apostles4 ,what did they believe regarding ,him8 ,yea or nay1 did they recognise ,him as ,divine8 ,while quoting from their writings1 ,i beg my readers to keep in mind the previous education of these remarkable men1 in what may be termed the grand fundamental principle of the ,mosaic legislation1--viz41 the worship of the one living and true ,god4 ,but1 remembering this1 let us hear some of the things said by the apostles about ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,we shall begin with ,paul4 ,his education was1 if ,i may so speak1 intensely ,jewish4 ,he was a ,hebrew of the ,hebrews4 ,after the strictest sect of his religion1 he lived a ,pharisee4 ,so devoted was he to the religion of his fathers1 so entirely one in his views of ,christianity with the priesthood and men of authority1 both civil and ecclesiastical1 in ,judea1 that he thus describes his feelings with reference to ,jesus3-- ,i verily thought with myself1 that ,i ought to do many things contrary to the name of ,jesus of ,nazareth4 ,which thing ,i also did in ,jerusalem3 and many of the saints did ,i shut up in prison1 having received authority from the chief priests2 and when they were put to death1 ,i gave my voice against them4 ,and ,i punished them oft in every synagogue1 and compelled them to blaspheme2 and1 being exceedingly mad against them1 ,i persecuted them even unto strange cities1 7,acts xxvi4 #i-aa47 ,paul had never seen ,jesus while ,he lived on earth2 yet suddenly1 and to the utter astonishment of friends and foes1 he becomes a believer in ,his name1 and ever after1 for thirty years1 until his death1 preaches that name as the only one given whereby men can be saved4 ,now1 what did ,paul say of the dignity of this ,person8 ,a full reply to this question can be given only by reading his epistles1 and there seeing how saturated they are with the ,divine ,presence of ,jesus in every thought1 every doctrine1 every command1 and every hope2 and how ,his name occupies a place which that of no mere creature could occupy without manifest blasphemy2 and how his own past1 present1 and future were seen by him in the light of ,christ1 without whom he would have been most miserable4 ,but a very few passages1 out of many1 may be selected from two or three of his shortest letters1 to illustrate his teaching4 ,in writing to the ,philippians1 he says3-- ,who1 being in the form of ,god1 thought it not robbery to be equal with ,god2 but made himself of no reputation1 and took upon him the form of a servant1 and was made in the likeness of men3 and being found in fashion as a man1 he humbled himself1 and became obedient unto death1 even the death of the cross4 ,wherefore ,god also hath highly exalted him1 and given him a name which is above every name3 that at the name of ,jesus every knee should bow1 of things in heaven1 and things in earth1 and things under the earth2 and that every tongue should confess that ,jesus ,christ is ,lord1 to the glory of ,god the ,father1 7,phil4 ii4 #f-aa47 ,to the ,colossians he writes3-- ,giving thanks unto the ,father1 which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light3 who hath1 delivered us from the power of darkness1 and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear ,son2 in whom we have redemption through his blood1 even the forgiveness of sins3 who is the image of the invisible ,god1 the first-born of every creature3 for by him were all things created that are in heaven1 and that are in earth1 visible and invisible1 whether they be thrones1 or dominions1 or principalities1 or powers2 all things were created by him1 and for him3 and he is before all things1 and by him all things consist3 and he is the head of the body1 the church2 who is the beginning1 the first-born from the dead2 that in all things he might have the pre-eminence3 for it pleased the ,father1 that in him should all fulness dwell3 and 7having made peace through the blood of his cross7 by him to reconcile all things unto himself2 by him1 ,i say1 whether they be things in earth1 or things in heaven4 ,and you1 that were sometime alienated1 and enemies in your minds by wicked works1 yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death1 to present you holy1 and unblameable1 and unreproveable in his sight1 7,col4 i4 #ab-bb47 ,once more1 when addressing ,hebrews1 he says3-- ,god1 who at sundry times1 and in divers manners1 spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets1 hath in these last days spoken unto us by his ,son1 whom he hath appointed heir of all things1 by whom also he made the worlds2 who1 being the brightness of his glory1 and the express image of his person1 and upholding all things by the word of his power1 when he had by himself purged our sins1 sat down on the right hand of the ,majesty on high2 being made so much better than the angels1 as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they1 7,heb4 i4 #a-d47 ,could ,paul1 ,i ask1 have written in such language as this1 or anything approaching to this1 unless he believed ,christ to have been divine1 in the fullest sense of that word8 ,but believing this with all his heart1 his whole life and preaching were consistent with such a belief4 ,he preached ,jesus as the ,person whom all men were to love and obey as ,god1 confide and rejoice in as in ,god1 and to whom they were to commit themselves1 both soul and body1 for time and for eternity1 as to ,god4 ,what he wished others to do1 he himself did4 ,for what was the source and strength of his life8 ,the life ,i live in the flesh1 ,i live by faith in the ,son of ,god1 who loved me1 and gave himself for me4 ,i live2 yet not ,i1 ,christ lives in me4 ,i can do all things through ,christ that strengtheneth me4 ,what was the one object of his holy ambition8 ,that ,i may win ,christ4 ,what was his heaven8 ,to be with ,christ4 ,and after thirty years passed in ,his service1 and after having endured such sufferings as never fell to the lot of one man1 so far from uttering the language of disappointment or regret1 as of one whose early convictions had not stood the test of experience1 but had failed to sustain him when most needed1 he thus writes1 with calm confidence and perfect peace1 in his old age1 and from a prison1 to his dear friend and follower ,timothy3-- ,for the which cause ,i also suffer these things3 nevertheless ,i am not ashamed2 for ,i know whom ,i have believed1 and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which ,i have committed unto him against that day4 ,thou therefore1 my son1 be strong in the grace that is in ,christ ,jesus4 ,and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses1 the same commit thou to faithful men1 who shall be able to teach others also4 ,thou therefore endure hardness1 as a good soldier of ,jesus ,christ4 ,but watch thou in all things1 endure afflictions1 do the work of an evangelist1 make full proof of thy ministry4 ,for ,i am now ready to be offered1 and the time of my departure is at hand4 ,i have fought a good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith3 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness1 which the ,lord1 the righteous ,judge1 shall give me at that day2 and not to me only1 but unto all them also that love his appearing4 ,at my first answer no man stood with me1 but all men forsook me3 ,i pray ,god that it may not be laid to their charge4 ,notwithstanding the ,lord stood with me1 and strengthened me2 that by me the preaching might be fully known1 and that all the ,gentiles might hear3 and ,i was delivered out of the mouth of the lion4 ,and the ,lord shall deliver me from every evil work1 and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom3 to whom be glory for ever and ever4 ,amen1 7#b ,tim4 i4 #ab1 ii4 #a-c1 iv4 #e-h1 #af-ah47 ,was that man an idolater and blasphemer1--the dupe of his own fancy1--deceived in his faith and hopes1--or was he the ignorant deceiver of others8 ,moreover1 let it be remembered that with this mighty truth1 as with a hammer1 ,paul went forth to destroy the idolatries of the world1 and gave them such blows1 that in ,europe they finally tottered and fell4 ,but did he then only substitute one idolatry for another8--did he preach to ,greece and ,rome love and obedience to a man1 a better man1 possibly1 than any of the persons whom they worshipped1 but still a mere creature like themselves8 ,hear ,paul's memorable and glorious words to the ,athenians1 and believe this if you can2-- ,then ,paul stood in the midst of ,mars-hill1 and said1 ,ye men of ,athens1 ,i perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious4 ,for as ,i passed by1 and beheld your devotions1 ,i found an altar with this inscription1 ,,to ,,the ,,unknown ,,god4 ,whom therefore ye ignorantly worship1 him declare ,i unto you4 ,god1 that made the world1 and all things therein1 seeing that he is ,lord of heaven and earth1 dwelleth not in temples made with hands2 neither is worshipped with men's hands1 as though he needed anything1 seeing he giveth to all life1 and breath1 and all things2 and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth1 and hath determined the times before appointed1 and the bounds of their habitation2 that they should seek the ,lord1 if haply they might feel after him1 and find him1 though he be not far from every one of us3 for in him we live1 and move1 and have our being2 as certain also of your own poets have said1 ,for we are also his offspring4 ,forasmuch then as we are the offspring of ,god1 we ought not to think that the ,godhead is like unto gold1 or silver1 or stone1 graven by art and man's device4 ,and the times of this ignorance ,god winked at2 but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent3 because he hath appointed a day1 in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained2 whereof he hath given assurance unto all men1 in that he hath raised him from the dead1 7,acts xvii4 #bb-ca47 ,if from ,paul we turn to the other apostles1 we shall recognise in them the same convictions regarding the person of ,jesus4 ,let us hear1 for example1 some of the declarations of the apostle ,john3-- ,in the beginning was the ,word1 and the ,word was with ,god1 and the ,word was ,god4 ,the same was in the beginning with ,god4 ,all things were made by him2 and without him was not anything made that was made4 ,in him was life2 and the life was the light of men4 ,and the light shineth in darkness2 and the darkness comprehended it not4 ,there was a man sent from ,god1 whose name was ,john4 ,the same came for a witness1 to bear witness of the ,light1 that all men through him might believe4 ,he was not that ,light1 but was sent to bear witness of that ,light4 ,that was the true ,light1 which lighteth every man that cometh into the world4 ,he was in the world1 and the world was made by him1 and the world knew him not4 ,he came unto his own1 and his own received him not4 ,but as many as received him1 to them gave he power to become the sons of ,god1 even to them that believe on his name3 which were born1 not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god4 ,and the ,word was made flesh1 and dwelt among us1 7and we beheld his glory1 the glory as of the only-begotten of the ,father17 full of grace and truth1 7,john i4 #a-ad47 ,but these are written1 that ye might believe that ,jesus is the ,christ1 the ,son of ,god2 and that believing ye might have life through his name1 7,john xx4 #ca47 ,and we know that the ,son of ,god is come1 and hath given us an understanding1 that we may know him that is true2 and we are in him that is true1 even in his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is the true ,god1 and eternal life1 7#a ,john v4 #bj47 ,jesus ,christ1 who is the faithful ,witness1 and the first-begotten of the dead1 and the ,prince of the kings of the earth4 ,unto him that loved us1 and washed us from our sins in his own blood1 and hath made us kings and priests unto ,god and his ,father2 to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,behold1 he cometh with clouds2 and every eye shall see him1 and they also which pierced him3 and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him4 ,even so1 ,amen4 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the ending1 saith the ,lord1 which is1 and which was1 and which is to come1 the ,almighty4 ,i was in the ,spirit on the ,lord's day1 and heard behind me a great voice1 as of a trumpet1 saying1 ,i am ,alpha and ,omega1 the first and the last4 ,and ,i turned to see the voice that spake with me4 ,and1 being turned1 ,i saw seven golden candlesticks2 and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the ,son of man1 clothed with a garment down to the foot1 and girt about the paps with a golden girdle4 ,his head and his hairs were white like wool1 as white as snow2 and his eyes were as a flame of fire2 and his feet like unto fine brass1 as if they burned in a furnace2 and his voice as the sound of many waters4 ,and he had in his right hand seven stars2 and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword2 and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength4 ,and when ,i saw him1 ,i fell at his feet as dead4 ,and he laid his right hand upon me1 saying unto me1 ,fear not2 ,i am the first and the last3 ,i am he that liveth1 and was dead2 and1 behold1 ,i am alive for evermore1 ,amen2 and have the keys of hell and of death1 7,rev4 i4 #e-h1 #aj1 #ab-ah47 ,could ,john have written such things of a mere man8 ,could a pious ,jew have done so without conscious blasphemy8 ,it is in vain to reply that ,i have quoted much of this from a vision4 ,but would he have dared to record such a vision1 unless he believed ,jesus to have been ,divine8 ,i am compelled1 therefore1 to admit that the apostles believed ,jesus of ,nazareth to have been a ,divine ,person4 ,i am not asserting1 at present1 that what they believed was true in fact1 but only that they in fact believed this to be true4 ,and here ,i might inquire1 whether there was anything in their personal knowledge of ,christ which could have suggested such a thought to those men4 ,we have seen that the grand lesson of their education as ,jews was1 ,hear1 ,o ,israel3 the ,lord our ,god is one ,lord2 and thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thine heart1 with all thy soul1 and with all thy might4 ,whatever other faith or worship did not harmonise with this was deadly idolatry4 ,it is true that1 with the exception of ,paul1 all the apostles had seen ,jesus in the flesh1 and ,john specially pleads for ,his humanity1 and presses it home with every form of expression4 ,that1 says he1 which we have heard1 which we have seen with our eyes1 which we have looked upon1 and our hands have handled1 of the ,word of life4 ,but if we lay aside all supernatural and miraculous evidences of our ,lord's person1 what was there in ,his life which could have produced this impression1 or awakened this strange conviction of ,his divinity8 ,not surely ,his lowly birth1 nor the long years in which ,he was known only as the carpenter's son2 not the sorrow and grief with which ,he was familiar1 or the real though sinless infirmities to which ,he was subject2 not the reception ,he met with from ,his countrymen1 or the death by which ,his short earthly career was ended6 ,what was there in an earthly life so intensely human1 to convince such true1 thoughtful1 godly men as the apostles that this man was one with the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 the ,almighty ,creator of the heavens and the earth8 ,yet such was the conviction of ,john1 who leant upon ,his bosom at the ,last ,supper1 watched ,him in ,gethsemane1 beheld ,him in the judgment-hall1 and stood by ,him at the cross6 ,such was the faith of ,paul also who never saw ,him in the flesh1 or ever heard ,his voice while ,he tabernacled among men4 ,if1 however1 the alleged supernatural facts in the ,bible are true1--including the gift of the ,spirit who was to glorify ,jesus1--we can easily account for those convictions1 but not otherwise4 ,and let me here notice in passing1 how beautifully harmonious the facts of this ,person's life were as a man1 yet also as ,emmanuel1 ,god with us6 ,these1 when called to remembrance1 were such as must have confirmed and established the faith of the apostles4 ,if there were evidences of a humility belonging to ,him as the ,son of man1 there were equal evidences of a dignity which belonged to ,him as the ,son of ,god4 ,he was born of the ,virgin ,mary1 yet by ,divine power4 ,the ,holy ,ghost1 said the angel ,gabriel to ,his mother1 shall come upon thee1 and the power of the ,highest shall overshadow thee3 therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the ,son of ,god4 ,he was brought forth in a stable1 and laid in a manger1 but wise men from the ,east1 guided by a star1 came to worship ,him1 and to present ,him with kingly offerings1 while the hosts of heaven announced ,his birth with songs of rejoicing4 ,he was baptized of ,john1 yet a voice from heaven said1 ,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased4 ,during ,his life1 while ,he submitted to every trial and temptation to which1 humanity was liable1 that in all things ,he might be like ,his brethren1 yet never was evidence wanting of a dignity and glory which were divine4 ,he was hungry1 but fed thousands2 wearied and asleep amidst the storm1 but ,he rebuked the winds and waves1 so that there was a great calm2 ,he was tempted of the devil for forty days1 but ,satan did homage to ,his dignity1 by offering ,him as a bribe the kingdoms of the world1 while ,his grandeur was revealed in the command1 ,get thee behind me1 ,satan4 ,he was so poor that pious women ministered to ,him of their substance1 and so sorrowful that ,he often wept2 yet ,he dried the tears of thousands1 healed all who came to ,him of every disease1 and by a word of power raised the dead1 from their bed1 from their bier1 and even when corruption had begun to do its loathsome work4 ,he had ,his days of darkness1 when ,he could say1 ,now is my soul troubled2 yet a voice from heaven even then witnessed to ,his glory4 ,he washed the feet of ,his disciples1 yet it was at the very moment when1 knowing that ,god had given all things into his hands1 that he came from ,god1 and went to ,god4 ,he died and was buried1 but though1 during all the hours which marked that saddest of all tragedies1 there were signs of human woe and weakness1 as if ,himself ,he could not save1 yet what signs of dignity and superhuman majesty6 ,for ,he was addressed on the cross as a ,king by a dying criminal1 and as a ,king ,he promised to save him2 while the darkened sky1 the rending rocks1 and all the august circumstances which attended ,his humiliation1 proclaimed1 with the centurion1 ,truly this was the ,son of ,god6 ,he lay in the grave1 and ,his body received the tears and affectionate ministrations of attached friends2 but an angel descended and rolled away the stone2 the ,roman guard became as dead men2 the ,lord was risen indeed6 and ,he appeared to ,his disciples1 and so overcame the unbelief of ,thomas by ,his very presence1 bearing the marks of ,his human sufferings1 that the doubter fell down and worshipped ,him1 saying1 ,my ,lord1 and my ,god6 ,jesus remained on earth for forty days1 and we still behold the man4 ,he conversed familiarly with ,his apostles1 ate and drank with them1 and instructed them in the things pertaining to ,his kingdom3 but ,he ascended to heaven before their eyes1 while angels announced ,his second coming2 and soon the descent of the ,holy ,ghost1 with the great ingathering to the ,church which followed1 testified to the truth of the apostolic preaching1 that ,jesus was the ,son of ,god1 and that all power was given to ,him in heaven and on earth6 ,now1 in all this eventful history1 there was that very combination of earth and heaven1 of the human and superhuman1 which received an interpretation from the fact only of ,christ's divine and human nature1 and which1 along with ,christ's own words1 and the teaching of ,his ,spirit1 made the apostles accept the doctrine with profound conviction and deep joy2 although1 without some such overwhelming evidence1 the very thought must have been to them a blasphemous idolatry4 ,they believed1 because they had sufficient grounds1 from facts1 for their belief4 ,we cannot1 therefore1 think that those who rejected the claims of ,jesus1 and executed ,him as a blasphemer1 were right1 and that the apostles1 who acknowledged ,him as one with ,god1 were wrong1 or that their faith will ever be put to shame6 ,we have thus considered the ,person of ,jesus in the light of ,his own teaching1 as that too was understood at the time1 both by enemies and friends1 and also in the light of the faith and teaching of ,his apostles4 #d4 ,but there is yet another aspect in which we may view this question--viz41 the faith and views of the ,christian ,church4 ,as to the faith of the ,church1 using that word as expressing its creed1 it is historically certain that since the days of the apostles till the present time1 this doctrine has formed a sine qua non of the creed of the whole ,church1 whether called ,popish1 ,protestant1 ,greek1 ,armenian1 ,nestorian1 c4--of every branch1 in short1 with the exception of the ,unitarians4 ,amidst all differences1 the millions of professing ,christians have agreed from age to age in this article4 ,no theological strifes or angry passions1 no dissents or reformations1 have disturbed this truth as the foundation-stone of the ,temple4 ,now1 if ,christ is not a divine person1 it follows that the ,christian ,church is one huge institution of idolatry4 ,we do not1 observe1 attempt as ,christians to conceal our faith in ,christ's divinity1 or to modify it so as to escape1 if possible1 such an imputation4 ,we necessarily accept this conclusion1 unless our faith is grounded on fact4 ,we boldly declare that we believe in ,jesus of ,nazareth2 love ,him1 trust ,him1 obey ,him1 as we do ,god ,almighty1 and with the same degree of faith and reverence4 ,in the one name of the ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1 we have been baptized1 and that name we honour as ,one1 ascribing equal glory to each ,person in the ,godhead4 ,such a creed as this may startle some and offend others1 but it is nevertheless the creed which is and has been the faith of universal ,christendom1 which millions with ourselves believe unhesitatingly1 and confess as boldly as they do their faith in the being of ,god4 ,now what we assert is1 that if ,jesus was a mere man1 or was not ,god manifest in the flesh1 we and all ,christians so believing are idolaters in the strictest sense of that word4 ,our churches are idol temples where a dead man is worshipped2 our ministers idol priests1 who ever preach and commemorate this man1 pray to him1 sing praises to him1 and consecrate generation after generation to his service2 our people commit their souls and bodies to the keeping of this man for time and eternity1 and all their hopes are inseparably connected with him as their ,lord2--while amidst this universal defection of the human race1 this wide-spread idolatry which has taken possession of the most cultivated and intellectual nations1 and threatens to overrun the world and absorb all other idolatries into itself1 there appears but a trifling number who maintain the pure light of theism1 and preserve the truth of ,god unsullied for the coming1 and it is to be hoped1 therefore1 for better1 ages of the world4 ,and who are these8 ,jews1 ,deists1 and ,unitarians4 ,on these depend the world's hopes of its ever becoming regenerated by a theology of truth regarding ,god4 ,now1 does it seem probable1 we ask1 under the government of ,god1 that these have discovered the truth on such a fundamental fact in religion1 while universal ,christendom for eighteen centuries has believed a lie8--and such a lie6 ,as a question of probability1 what weight can we attach to this testimony1 balanced not against numbers merely1 but numbers along with the intellect1 culture1 and character of those who have believed in1 derived their soul's good from1 and perilled their soul's existence upon1 ,christ's divinity8,a ,footnote ,a3 ,mr ,greg in his ,essays1 which at first appeared in the ,edinburgh ,review1 admits this alternative4 ,his language is1 ,to a philosophic inquirer there will appeal little doubt that ,trinitarianism and idolatry--the worship of ,christ as ,god1 the worship of saints1 the worship of the golden calf1 have one common origin1 the weakness of human imagination and the unspirituality of human intellect4--,vol4 i41 p4 #fa4 ,mr ,greg also says1 in a note to the above--,to accept the orthodox view of the ,christian ,revelation1 7i4e41 ,christ's divinity17 is to our apprehension to deny the divine origin of the ,jewish religion4 ,but was not the view of ,jesus himself and ,his apostles the orthodox one8 ,and did they deny the divine origin of the ,jewish religion8 ,who is right--,mr ,greg or----8 ,consider also1 as ,i have suggested1 the effect produced by such a faith when real upon the religious ideas regarding ,god of all who really hold it4 ,on the supposition1 for example1 that the ,christian's faith in ,jesus is vain--that he is worshipping1 loving1 serving a creature1 or a mere creation of his own mind1 instead of the only living and true ,god1--how can we account for the actual results of a faith so false and blasphemous upon his ideas regarding ,god8 ,it is not denied that a vast body of men and women in every age have had sincere faith in ,jesus as ,god1 and loved ,him with their whole soul4 ,now1 what effect has such faith upon their views of ,god1 and their feelings towards the ,supreme ,creator and ,upholder of all things whom pure ,theists profess alone to worship8 ,has this faith in ,jesus as divine had the effect of producing false impressions of ,god on the ,christian's heart2 of exciting low and degrading views of ,his being and attributes1 lowering as it were the ,majesty of the heavens from ,his throne1 bringing ,him to the level of our every-day humanity1 and presenting ,him to the mind and imagination in an aspect which inspires no reverence8 ,or has it not had the very opposite effect1 and that1 too1 just in proportion as the worshipper has apprehended the oneness1 in ,his divine nature1 of the ,son with the ,father8 ,has not ,god1 then1 appeared more glorious and majestic than ever2 ,his throne more elevated above every other throne2 ,his glory more visible in heaven and earth8 ,can any ,jew1 we ask1 however devout1 appreciate more fully than a ,christian the ,old ,testament descriptions of the unity and perfections of ,jehovah1 or prostrate himself with a more simple1 undivided1 and confiding heart before the ,god of ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob8 ,can the synagogue sing ,david's psalms with more truth than the church8 or does ,unitarianism withdraw any veil which conceals the perfections of ,god as ,creator1 ,ruler1 or ,father1 from the eyes of him who has intense and undying faith in ,jesus as the ,eternal ,son8 ,oh6 where on earth can we find more exalted and pure thoughts of the one living and true ,god1 as revealed in nature and in the ,old ,testament1 profounder admiration of ,his character1 or deeper reverence for ,his will1 than among ,christians who love and honour the ,son even as they love and honour the ,father8 ,but how is this to be accounted for if they believe a lie8 ,how has an idolatry1 a baseless and profane hero-worship1 had this remarkable moral power of producing such true and spiritual views of ,god1 as all men must admit to be most worthy8 and producing1 too1 we dare to add1 such strong faith and affectionate reverence towards this ,god1 as exist in no other human bosoms8 ,is it possible that the true ,god can be thus apprehended and loved through a medium so false as idolatry8 ,on the supposition1 however1 but on no other1 that ,jesus is really one with ,god1 the knowledge and love of the ,son must necessarily lead to this very knowledge and love of the ,father4 ,he that seeth me1 seeth the ,father also4 ,if ye had known me1 ye should have known my ,father also4 ,ye believe in ,god1 believe also in me4 #e4 ,consider1 again1 the ,person of ,christ1 not only in the light of ,christian character generally1 but with the addition of ,christian knowledge as to its cause4 ,it will surely be admitted that1 to whatever extent the term ,christian has been misapplied as indicating character1 and in however many cases it has been unworthily or only formally assumed1 yet it includes within its widest embrace the best men and women this earth possesses1 or has ever possessed4 ,there is a certain kind of character which all men whose moral sense is not blunted recognise as the culminating point and perfection of humanity4 ,they may not themselves attempt to realise it1 or they may deem it unattainable1 but nevertheless the idea of what constitutes a good or perfect man is no sooner presented to their minds than conscience accepts it as that which ought to be4 ,now1 it is admitted even by the atheist that such an idea is embodied in the historical character of ,jesus ,christ1 and in the life1 consequently1 of every man just in proportion as he possesses ,his ,spirit1 obeys ,his precepts1 and walks in ,his steps4 ,but there are1 and have been in every age1 persons who have done this1 if not in a perfect1 yet in a more perfect degree than by any others among mankind4 ,or supposing it were admitted1 for the sake of argument1 that1 so far as we had the means of judging1 there has occasionally appeared1 without faith in ,christ1 a certain product of character1 apparently as pure1 lofty1 self-denying1 loving1 and devoted to ,god as any which ever professed to owe its origin to ,jesus ,christ2 yet1 where has there been on earth such a body of living persons as those ,christians who1 within the bosom of the universal ,church1 during eighteen centuries1 have manifested that kind of character which all men profess to admire and reverence8 ,in vain one tries to conceive the flowers of moral beauty and glory that have sprung up within the garden of ,christendom6 ,being rooted in the earth1 they may have been soiled1 indeed1 by its dust1 but they yet expanded in loveliness to the sky1 and sent forth a fragrance to the air1 peculiar to the plants raised by the ,great ,husbandman4 ,number1 if you can1 the saints of the ,christian ,church2 the young and old1 the poor and rich1 who in every age and clime have been truthful1 simple1 sincere1 patient1 forgiving1 and compassionate2 who have enjoyed an inward life of peace with ,god1 maintained an outward conduct1 and possessed a reality of abiding love to their ,father in heaven and to their brethren on earth peculiar to themselves4 ,their lives have been a blessing to the world1 and a happiness to their own hearts2 their deathbed has been freed from the fears of a dark future1 and brightened by the pure prospect of continued life and joy4 ,the ,christian ,church1 and the ,christian ,church alone1 contains such characters2 and these are the lights of our homes1 the salt of the earth1 and the only security of the world's progress4 ,now1 to what is this great result owing8 ,how is this product of character1 which is affecting the world's history1 and gradually leavening the whole lump of humanity1 to be accounted for8 ,what power has originated it1 or by what has it been sustained8 ,who are more entitled to give a reply to such questions than ,christians themselves8 ,they alone can know by what motives1 they have been actuated1 by what strength supported1 and by what hopes animated4 ,ask them1 then1 and what will be their reply8 ,each and all will but echo the words of ,paul1 as expressing the secret of their life3 ,i live1 yet not ,i1 but ,christ liveth in me2 and the life ,i live in the flesh ,i live through faith in the ,son of ,god1 who loved me1 and gave himself for me4 ,the love of ,christ constraineth us1 ,i thank ,christ ,jesus1 our ,lord1 who hath enabled me4 ,the ,lord stood with me1 and strengthened me4 ,the ,lord shall deliver me from every evil work1 and preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom1 to whom be glory for ever and ever6 ,i can do all things through ,christ1 which strengtheneth me4 ,this is the experience of the living ,church of ,christ1 of all lands1 and of all time1--the creed of each genuine believer2 of the early martyr and mediaeval saint2 of the pious ,protestant and ,papist2 of the cultivated ,christian philosopher and the half-taught ,christian negro2 of the young man who has overcome the wicked one1 and of the old patriarch who departs in peace1 because his eyes have seen salvation2 of the ,christian ,greenlander who died yesterday1 and of the sweet ,christian girl who died to-day1 leaving the bosom of her mother for the bosom of her ,god2 of each and all the ten thousand times ten thousand who have so lived and died1 with one conviction of truth the strongest in their minds2 that whatever strength1 peace1 or good they possess as true life1 they owe all to the ,one source of life1--the ,lord ,jesus ,christ6 ,what are we to conclude from these unparalleled facts1 which can no more be denied than the realities of human history or of human experience8 ,have all ,christians been deceived8 ,have they been believing a lie1 and has this great life of life in them been sustained by a delusion8 ,is there no such person as ,jesus ,christ1 the ,lord of life1 the living ,saviour of sinners8 ,is this not a fact but a fiction8 ,can it be that the moral government of ,god exists1 and yet that it admits of such a moral anomaly as this1--the regeneration of human character by a falsehood6 ,impossible6 ,i say it with deepest reverence1--as sure as there is a ,god of truth1 impossible6 ,the ,christian ,church has not been deceived4 ,unbelievers in ,jesus have not had the light of truth given them1 while those who have loved and served ,him have been permitted to walk in the darkness of intellectual untruth and in the vain belief of an idol6 ,jesus is ,divine as well as human4 ,he was1 and is1 and liveth for evermore6 ,,iii4 ,,what ,,can ,,we ,,believe ,,if ,,we ,,do ,,not ,,thus ,,believe ,,in ,,jesus8 ,if all this evidence is insufficient to prove the ,divine nature of ,jesus ,christ1 it may be well to consider on what religious fact or truth we can fall back1 as being based upon surer evidence1 and affording1 therefore1 a surer ground of faith and hope4 #a4 ,on what part of ,christ's work on earth can we fall back8 ,we can no more recognise ,god the ,father as truly revealing ,himself in ,jesus as his co-eternal ,son2 and the whole light and life of such a revelation in ,christ1 as hitherto seen and received by the apostles and the ,christian ,church1 is for ever extinguished and destroyed4 ,we can no more believe ,jesus as our ,prophet1 when we do not accept the very truths to which ,he gave most prominence3 nor can we trust ,him as our ,king1 when we believe ,him to have been a mere man only1 who neither possesses nor could wield power adequate to govern the world3 nor can we trust ,him as our ,priest1 for in ,him is no longer manifested the love of ,god in sending ,his own ,son to be a propitiation for the sins of the world4 ,and who1 we may add1 will believe in a ,holy ,spirit as a ,divine ,person1 whose very work is represented by ,jesus to be that of convincing the world of sin because it believes not in ,him1 as glorifying ,him1 and taking of ,his things to shew them to the spirits of men8 #b4 ,can we1 then1 accept of ,christ as a perfect example8 ,how is this possible8 ,for remember1 it was the example of one who is assumed to be a man like ourselves1 but yet a man who never1 by one act of contrition or confession1 acknowledged the existence of personal sin or defect of any kind2 a man rarely endowed1 and yet who never once expressed gratitude to ,god for ,his rich and varied gifts2 a man who prayed indeed to ,god1 yet as one who was ,his equal1 and who in ,his last hours uttered such words as these--,all mine are thine1 and thine are mine6 ,father1 ,i will that they also whom thou hast given me1 may be with me where ,i am1 that they may behold my glory6 ,can we1 sinners1 follow this example1 as that of our model man1 in everything8 ,dare we closely follow a life like this1 and then end it by voluntarily giving ourselves up as a ransom for the remission of the sins of many8 #c4 ,can we even retain the character of ,jesus8 ,the atheist admits that ,jesus was the greatest man who ever lived on earth4 ,a worshipper of heroes says of ,him in his ,hero ,worship1--,the greatest of all heroes is one whom ,i do not name here4 ,the character of this wonderful ,being has indeed been generally recognised as a bright spot amidst the world's darkness2 as the only perfect model of goodness ever seen on earth--yea1 as moral beauty itself6 ,but unless the history we possess of ,jesus is untrue1 and ,he was1 therefore1 no historical but a mere ideal person1--or if ,he was a real person1 as represented in the gospel1 yet not divine1--we cannot defend ,his character without losing our own4 ,for we have seen how ,he certainly represented ,himself as one with ,god1--as one who alone knew ,god and truly revealed ,him1--as one who demanded the same honour and love from man as were due to ,god1--who required men to be willing to part with their dearest friends1 even life itself1 rather than with ,him1--who asserted ,his right to assign to mankind their eternal destinies according to the relationship in which each man stood to ,him1--who1 when standing before an earthly judge1 crowned with thorns1 insulted by the rabble1 with every sign of weakness1 and as if literally forsaken by ,god and man1 did not abate one jot or tittle of ,his claims1 but asserted them in all their magnitude1 announcing ,his return to the world in glory as its mighty ,judge2 and much more to the same effect4 ,now1 can any man1 we ask1 of common honesty defend such a character as this from the charge of wilful imposition and daring blasphemy1 unless what ,he asserted was true8 ,with reference to all the good words or deeds which ,his professed friends may claim for ,him1 yet so long as ,he falsely claims to be divine1 we are constrained to reject ,him1 as the ,jews did1 and to say with them1 ,for a good work we stone thee not1 but because thou1 being a man1 makest thyself ,god6 ,it is not possible1 therefore1 to fall back on ,christ's character1 if we reject ,christ's divinity2 for ,his character was manifest untruth1 and ,his claims an unprincipled deception6 #d4 ,can we preserve the character of the apostles8 ,that1 too1 has hitherto been considered worthy of our respect and regard4 ,never did men leave such a record of moral teaching1 and such an impress of a holy life behind them1 a life so pure1 wise1 loving1 so suited1 in every respect1 to bless mankind1 and to make a heaven below in proportion as it is received4 ,in these men we can detect no trace of avarice1 ambition1 or selfish aims of any kind4 ,they lived1 laboured1 and died1 that the world should become better and happier1 and they have so far succeeded that civilisation can never more be separated from their names4 ,but what was the substance of their teaching1 and the one grand object of their existence8 ,i again reply1 without fear of contradiction1 it was to persuade mankind to trust and love ,jesus ,christ as ,god6 ,the first ,christian teacher who died a martyr's death resigned his spirit into the hands of this ,jesus1 as his ,lord in glory2 and the last and oldest apostle who first knew ,him as his friend1 represented ,him as the ,alpha and the ,omega1 the ,king of kings and ,lord of lords4 ,but if ,he was not this1 how can the character of those teachers be defended8 ,as ,jews they could not be ignorant of the being and attributes of ,god1 nor as men of the earthly life and history of ,jesus2 yet they professed to preach ,jesus as divine1 and to work miracles in ,his name6 ,they could not possibly have been themselves deceived1 and must therefore1 if their faith was vain1 have attempted to deceive others4 ,common sense rejects every other explanation4 ,anyhow1 they were the successful heralds of an idolatry which1 we may boldly affirm1 will never leave the world1 and of a blasphemy whose praises will never be silent on earth4 ,their character must perish with that of their ,master6 #e4 ,what1 then1 have we left us8 ,the morality of the ,new ,testament8 ,no6 for all that is peculiar to its morality are the duties which spring out of the assumed relationship of ,jesus to mankind4 ,the gospel morality of supreme love to ,jesus becomes immorality1 if ,jesus is not one with ,god4 ,prayer to ,christ1 personal communion with ,christ1 personal attachment to ,christ1 hymns of praise to ,christ1 abiding through faith in ,christ1 advancing the kingdom of ,christ1 labouring for ,christ and keeping ,his commandments--in one word1 that whole life of the ,christian towards ,god and man1 every portion of which is permeated by ,christ as the sunlight fills the atmosphere1 can never be separated from the morality of the ,new ,testament4 ,nor can we any longer rely upon ,old ,testament facts1 or on anything there revealed regarding ,god1 as distinct from what could have been discovered without such a revelation1 if our faith has been shaken in the facts and the characters of the ,new ,testament4 ,he who can reject the ,christ of the ,new ,testament1 must necessarily reject the ,god of the ,old2 and he who cannot rely on the apostles1 cannot possibly rely upon the prophets4 ,all must be given up1 and the ,bible become a mere curious record of falsehood4 #f4 ,is this all8 ,enough one would think6 ,but can we even fall back on ,god8 ,what evidence has any man of the existence of a living personal ,god1 stronger than what he possesses of a living personal ,saviour8 ,can any revelation of ,god during the past1 and recorded in history1 be received as worthy of credit1 if this alleged history of ,jesus is rejected as unworthy8 ,if the ,god and ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ is not the only living and true ,god1 where is the true ,god to be found8 ,if ,jesus neither knew ,him truly1 nor truly revealed ,him1 who can do either8 ,and when1 moreover1 we have thus lost faith in the character of ,jesus and of ,his apostles1 from what better evidence of moral character or moral design on earth can we henceforth reason upwards as to the moral character of a ,divine ,being8 ,in what position do we thus find ourselves8 ,the ,church of ,christ must be given up as a great falsehood1 a huge idolatry1 a society of weak1 deluded1 or bad men4 ,the character of its early founders1 and the ,person to whom it owes its name1 must1 for the same reason1 be abandoned4 ,the ,old ,testament can form but a feeble barrier to the flood which has thus swept away the ,new1 with all which has arisen out of the assumed truth of its history4 ,and thus each man1 cut off from the past1 is left to discover a ,god for himself1 from evidence which1 to satisfy him1 must necessarily be more overwhelming than that which he rejects1 and on which the faith of the ,christian ,church has rested for eighteen centuries4 ,can any man be satisfied with such a basis of religion as this8 ,having rejected ,god as revealed in ,jesus1 can he peril his soul in peace on the ,god discovered by himself8 ,having fled from ,christianity as a religion whose foundations are insecure1 can he repose with confidence in the building which he himself has reared8 ,or1 if he moves at all1 must he not gradually slide into universal scepticism1 and conclude that1 since he cannot believe in ,jesus1 he can believe in no one else1--that if deceived by ,him he may be deceived by all1--that if there is no such ,person as the ,divine ,son1 there is no such ,person as the ,divine ,father1--that if he must be without ,christ1 he must necessarily be without ,god6 ,he may1 indeed1 in such a case1 profess to believe in a ,god2 but is ,he the living and true ,god1 or one who is but the product of his own mind1 the shadow cast by his own human spirit8 ,oh6 hear the words of ,him who is truth itself3 ,ye believe in ,god1 believe also in me2 ,all things are delivered unto me of my ,father3 and no man knoweth the ,son but the ,father2 neither knoweth any man the ,father save the ,son1 and he to whom the ,son will reveal him2 ,come unto me1 all ye that labour and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest6 ,may the ,lord's last prayer be answered in us3 ,father1 glorify thy ,son1 that thy ,son also may glorify thee3 as thou hast given him power over all flesh1 that he may give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him4 ,and this is life eternal1 that they might know thee the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ1 whom thou hast sent4 ,,iv4 ,,what ,,if ,,christianity ,,is ,,not ,,true8 ,now to prove the ,christian religion untrue1 or to prove that the evidences on which it rests are insufficient1 is a more difficult task than some of its opponents appear to imagine1 if we may judge from the boastful language in which they record their supposed achievements4 ,let it never be forgotten1 that the ,christian religion is founded upon certain alleged historical facts that must be disposed of before it falls4,a ,the holy temple of a loving soul filled with the glory of ,christ is spiritual1 but it is nevertheless based upon facts as on foundation-stones1 the chief corner-stone being ,jesus ,christ the personal ,saviour1 who was dead and is alive1 and liveth for evermore6 ,without these facts ,christianity could not exist4 ,the duty1 for example1 of supremely loving and devotedly serving ,jesus ,christ1 implies the truth of other facts1 such as the fulfilment of prophecies1 miracles1 the life and character of ,jesus1 ,his atoning death1 resurrection1 c41 all of which establish ,his claims to our faith4 ,but in addition to these1 and as their evidence also and result1 there is the experience of the whole living ,church1 derived from faith in ,jesus as the resurrection and the life4 ,footnote ,a3 ,neander1 in his preface to his ,life of ,christ1 quotes from ,niebuhr what he calls the golden words of one of the greatest minds of modern times4 ,the man1 says ,niebuhr1 who does not hold ,christ's earthly life1 with all its miracles1 to be as properly and really historical as any event in the sphere of history1 and who does not receive all points in the ,apostles' ,creed with the fullest conviction1 ,i do not conceive to be a ,protestant ,christian4 ,as for that ,christianity which is such according to the fashion of the modern philosophers and pantheists1--without a personal ,god1 without immortality1 without an individuality of man1 without historical faith1--it may be a very subtle philosophy1 but it is no ,christianity at all4 ,again and again have ,i said that ,i know not what to do with a metaphysical ,god1 and that ,i will have no other but the ,god of the ,bible1 who is heart to heart4 ,but before ,christianity can be destroyed1 it is absolutely necessary to destroy the evidences of those historical facts on which it rests4 ,this1 as ,i have said1 is no easy task4 ,there are many high walls1 many encircling lines of defence around the old fortress1 each and all of which must be taken1 ere the citadel itself can be reached and laid in ruins4 ,now this has never yet been done4 ,the enemy has made many attacks during the last eighteen centuries1 and on several occasions the last grand assault which was to decide the long campaign has been threatened4 ,every method has been adopted which critical skill could apply1 which the most subtle genius could invent1 and the most untiring perseverance execute2 but1 in spite of all1 the strong city1 with salvation for walls and bulwarks1 still remains strong as ever4 ,for1 to drop all metaphor1 in whatever way we may account for it1 the fact is undeniable1 that ,christianity1 in the form of supreme love to ,jesus ,christ as the ,son of ,god1 not only survives1 but in no age of the world's past history has it been so strongly rooted in the convictions and affections of so many men1 nor has it ever been given such promise of filling the whole earth4 ,let us suppose1 however1 for the sake of argument1 that by some process hitherto undiscovered1 ,christianity1 as the religion of supreme love to this living ,person1 ,jesus ,christ1 is at last proved to be a fiction2 that the millennium of infidelity has arrived2 that the religion taught by ,christ and ,his apostles has become as dead to the world as that of ,buddh or ,confucius is now to the mind of ,europe2 that our ,christian churches1 like the heathen temples of ,greece or ,rome1 remain but as monuments of a superstition long ago exploded by the light of science and philosophy2 that all those supernatural ,christian facts and truths1 which like a mighty firmament of stars1 now cluster around the name of ,jesus1 have departed as lights from the visible universe2 that ,christian truth is as silent before the world as ,christ himself was when ,he stood before ,herod1 and answered him nothing2 until even the wailing cry has ceased of the last desponding and disconsolate believer on earth1 ,they have taken away my ,lord1 and ,i know not where to find him6 ,well1 then1 the work is done6 ,the energetic teachers of the propaganda of unbelief have accomplished their long-cherished purpose1 and the professors of an earnest and devoted faith in ,christ have perished1 leaving no memorial behind them except their curious books1 or their hoary tombstones1 which record their old faith in ,him as the resurrection and the life4 ,when such a crisis as this has at last arrived1 the world will surely pause1 and count the fruits of victory4 ,wise men will then doubtless consider with an earnest spirit what has been gained to humanity by this tremendous revolution in all those opinions and ideas cherished during so many ages2 and the well-wishers of mankind will examine the spoils which the conquerors have ready for enriching the poor and needy as the result of this triumph over a religion that was clung to by the best and noblest men with a tenacity overcome only when earth was old1 and time was well-nigh ending4 ,but may we not now anticipate such a solemn review1 by asking those who are wishful to destroy ,christianity1 what they intend to put in its place when their object is accomplished4 ,if they have anything else to give us1 let us know what it is1 that we may see and judge if it is better than the old religion2 if it is better suited to meet the wants of man in every period and condition of his varied life2 if it is likely to do better work on earth1 and produce better fruit2 if its truth rests on better evidence1 and if1 in short1 it is such a gift from heaven that angels with songs of joy might announce this new gospel of peace on earth1 and this new message of good-will to man4 ,strange to say1 such questions1 though often asked1 have hitherto remained unanswered4 ,if there be a something better in store for us than what we profess1 the blissful secret has not yet been revealed4 ,infidelity1 often so loud in attacking ,christianity1 is silent as a god of iron or brass when we ask at its shrine4 ,if ,i give up faith in ,christ1 what wouldest thou have me be and do1 and how live and rejoice as an immortal being8 ,what1 then1 ,i again ask1 would be lost and gained on both sides after the war1 in the event of ,christianity being destroyed8 ,we ,christians know full well what we would gain and lose2--we know that we would gain nothing1 and lose everything6 ,we would lose all which we most love in the universe of ,god1--all which makes us rejoice in existence1--all which enables us to look at the past1 present1 and future with perfect peace2 and of all men we would be most miserable6 ,it is true that in regard to many an object of affection1 it may be said-- ,better to have loved and lost1 than never to have loved at all6 ,but not so in regard to our love of ,jesus ,christ4 ,better never to have seen that glory filling the heavens and earth1 and making life a constant thanksgiving and praise1 than1 after having seen it1 to be persuaded by any witchery that it was all a dream--a fiction of the imagination--a ghostly superstition--which it is wisdom to banish from the memory4 ,for once we have lost ,jesus ,christ as our ever-living1 ever-present1 all-sufficient ,friend and ,saviour1 what are we to do8 ,can we contentedly fall back upon our own being1 or upon any other person1 and live on without ,christ in the world6 ,or are we in those circumstances to be told that we may still have comfort in religion without the supernatural1 and rejoice in the eternal and essential verities of morality6 ,only think of it1 ,christians6 ,the living man1 the light and hope of the family1 is murdered2 but a disciple of pure science and calm philosophy enters it1 and tells its agonised members that it is folly and ignorance to indulge in such grief1 for science has analysed their friend1 and preserved in a series of neat phials1 which they may easily carry about with them1 all his constituent elements1 his essentials1 his carbon1 his silica1 this and that gas--everything1 in short1 which made up the substance of him whom they were accustomed to call their beloved2 therefore they may comfort one another with these words6 ,and thus would the enemy of ,christianity presume to comfort us with his essentials1 when our living ,lord is gone6 ,comfort indeed6 ,comfort8 comfort scorn'd by devils6 this is truth the poet sings1 ,that a sorrow's crown of sorrow is remembering happier things6 ,but what can the unbeliever himself expect to gain by its destruction8 ,i have nothing to do with consequences1 may be his reply1 but with truth only2 let every lie be tested and exposed1 whatever may be the real or imaginary gain or loss to myself or others4 ,brave words6 with which we have the deepest sympathy2 for if they are the utterance of a truly sincere heart1 they evidence belief1 and not unbelief2 they assume that there is an order and government in the universe1 which is on the side of truth1 and that we may therefore1 at all hazards1 discover what is true1 and cling to it in the full assurance of faith1--that ultimately the right and true are in harmony with all that is worth loving and worth living for4 ,amen6 we say from our heart4 ,at the same time1 it is well to look at some of the consequences which the destruction of ,christianity would involve even to him who destroys it4 ,it is obvious1 for example1 that should it cease to exist to us as a reality1 other realities would remain irrespective of our belief4 ,existence would remain1 and it may be one as eternal as the life of ,god2 sorrow and suffering would remain1 to gnaw the heart1 darken the world1 and cast deep shadows over a life which must end with that dread event1 death1 and the passing away of ourselves and of all we have from the memories of mankind as if we had never been--and whither ,i ,worst of all1 sin would remain--dark1 mysterious1 and terrible sin6 ,and obstinate questionings would remain to disturb and perplex the mind in moments of earnest and silent thought4 ,men would still ask1 ,what if we are responsible to ,god for this whole inner and outer life of ours1 with its beliefs1 purposes1 and actions8 ,what if sin and its consequences continue beyond the grave1 with no remedy there unless found here8 ,what if there is no possible happiness but in fellowship of spirit and character with ,god2 and what if this is morally impossible for us to attain without a ,saviour and ,sanctifier ,what1 in short1 if all the evils which ,christianity professes to deliver us from remain as facts in our history1 just as diseases remain though the aid of the physician1 who reveals their nature1 and who offers to cure them1 is rejected8 or1 as a vessel remains a wreck in the midst of the breakers after the life-boat which comes to save the crew is dismissed8 or1 as the lion remains after the telescope is flung aside which revealed his coming1 and revealed also the only place of safety from his attack8 ,for it is obvious that ,christianity does not create the evils and dangers from which it offers to deliver us1 and that these must remain as facts should it be proved a fiction4 ,so far1 then1 the infidel has gained nothing by the overthrow of our religion4 ,except truth6 does he exclaim8 ,yet1 ,i again repeat it1 truth in its negative form only1 as destroying supposed falsehoods1 but not in its positive form as establishing something to rest upon4 ,is there any other conceivable gain1 then1 which would accrue to the unbeliever by his supposed success8 ,does he wish1 for example1 to relieve oppressed souls of some great burden which crushes them8 ,but what alleged truths or doctrine of ,christianity1 if blotted out to-morrow from the circle of belief1 would ease a single soul1 while it would unquestionably be an irreparable loss to millions8 ,would a ,god be more acceptable1 and appear with greater moral beauty1 who was different from the ,god and ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ8 ,would ,he be more attractive to our hearts if ,he did not forgive our sins fully and freely1 or if forgiveness was not offered through such ,divine self-sacrifice8 ,would it be a relief to our moral being to be freed from the privilege or duty of supremely loving ,jesus ,christ8 ,would it lighten our hearts to be freed from the burden of having communion with ,him in prayer8 ,would we have more security for light1 life1 strength1 holiness1 peace1 or comfort1 if there was no such ,person revealed as the ,spirit of ,god1 who freely imparts ,his aid to all8 ,would it be glad tidings to hear that men were not to be born again1 nor to repent1 nor to deny themselves1 nor to do ,god's will1 but their own8 ,what is there which a good man would gain by the destruction of the ,christian religion6 ,i have one question more to suggest with reference to the duty of an unbeliever towards us as ,christians1 and it is this1 ,why should he disturb our faith1 or1 as he might term it1 our superstition8 ,if he retorts by asking why we should disturb his unbelief1 our answer is ready--because we wish with our whole soul to share with him the blessings which ,god our common ,father has for him as well as for us2 because we truly lament the loss to our brother who refuses the eternal good which he may now enjoy with the whole family of ,god2 because we love our ,god1 and his ,god and ,saviour1 and desire our brother to know and to love them too2 because it is so unjust1 so selfish1 so hateful1 not to love and obey such a glorious ,person as ,jesus ,christ1 who knows us1 loves us1 and has died to gain our hearts6 ,these are some of the reasons1 rudely and roughly stated1 why we desire1 with all our heart1 that every man should believe in ,jesus ,christ4 ,but if any man1 for any reason which may be beyond our understanding or sympathy1 desires to destroy this faith in all that is most precious to us1 then ,i ask1 not in ,christ's name1--for it is unnecessary to appeal to ,him1--but in the name of common sense and common philanthropy1 why he should not only labour to do this1 but to do it without apparently any apprehension of the untold misery which he must occasion if he succeeds in his attempt8 ,do not tell us1 with a boast1 that the truth must be spoken1 come what may6 ,be it so2 but surely the kind of truth which must be spoken must ever regulate the manner in which it is spoken8 ,again1 ,i bid you picture to yourselves a person entering a family whose members were rejoicing in the thought of a father's return1 and announcing the intelligence of that father's death1 with a smile of pity or a sneer of contempt at their ignorant happiness6 ,imagine such a one professing to be actuated by a mere love of truth6 ,oh6 if the terrible duty has been laid upon any one with a human heart1 of announcing to others intelligence which1 if true1 must leave a blank to them in the world that can never be filled up1 what tender sympathy1 what genuine sorrow becomes him who breaks the heavy tidings6 ,and such ought to be the feelings of every man who1 from whatever cause1 feels called upon to announce that the ,christian religion is false4 ,if he must make known that terrible fact to believers in ,jesus2 if he must tell them that the supposed ,source of all their life and joy has no existence1 and that their faith in ,him is vain1 let this be done with the solemnity and the sorrow which a true brotherly sympathy would necessarily dictate4 ,if the missionaries of ,christianity are warranted in preaching their gospel with joy1 the missionaries of an infidelity which professes only to destroy and not to build up1 should go forth on their dreadful vocation with the feeling of martyrs1 and with no other notes of triumph than sounds of lamentation and woe6 ,for if ,christianity is false1 we are yet in our sins1 all who have fallen asleep in ,christ have perished1 and we are of all men most miserable6 ,,thoughts ,,upon ,,the ,,final ,,judgment4 ,there is no fact of the future more clearly revealed in ,scripture1 or more certainly believed in by the ,christian ,church1 than that ,god hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained2 whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead4 ,no doubt this fact is denied or explained away by many modern critics4 ,but it would be difficult to say what revealed fact1 from ,genesis to ,revelation1 is admitted by them1 or what things may now be most surely believed among us4 ,we retain our first faith in the future judgment1 and shall endeavour to look at it in a practical rather than in a speculative light4 ,there is1 indeed1 among mankind a general anticipation of a coming time when the mystery of ,god's providence will be cleared up1 and ,his righteousness displayed in the final judgment to be then passed on the evil and on the good4 ,what the human race are led to anticipate1 as likely to occur hereafter1 from the many unsettled questions here between man and his brother1 and between man and his ,god1 ,scripture reveals to us as certain4 ,while1 however1 every ,christian believes in the coming of ,jesus to judge the world as firmly as he does in the fact of ,his having risen from the dead1 there seems to us to be very inadequate conceptions in the minds of many as to the designs of this day1 or the ends which it is fitted to accomplish in the kingdom of ,god4 ,it is hastily assumed1 for example1 that the day of judgment will be short as the period included between an earthly sunrise and sunset2 and that1 during this brief interval1 the dead shall rise1 and be judged before the throne of ,jesus ,christ1 along with fallen angels4 ,it is accordingly asked1 with doubt and wonder1 what good can be gained1 or what purpose served1 by this summoning those whose doom has long been sealed to appear at the bar of ,jesus1 and there to receive a formal sentence8 ,if ,judas goes to his own place1 and ,stephen to the arms of his ,redeemer2 if the wicked rich man departs to the burning flame1 and ,lazarus to the bosom of ,abraham2 if ,satan and his angels have long ago experienced the horrors of a state which they know to be unchangeable1 because they are themselves unchanged2 what conceivable reason can there be for appointing a day in which all the wicked and the righteous are to be assembled1 only to receive their respective sentences of condemnation or acquittal8 ,i know not how such questions can be answered by those who suppose the day of judgment to be nothing more than one on which ,jesus ,christ will publicly declare what the eternal fate of ,his creatures is to be for ever2 without any trial beyond that which has already taken place in the court of each man's conscience1 and in the presence of the living ,god4 ,we at once admit that the difficulty1 or impossibility even1 of answering such questions1 is no adequate reason for our denying any fact clearly revealed in ,scripture which may suggest them4 ,but if these belong1 not to the fact itself1 but to what appears to us to be a wrong interpretation of it2 if a different view is freed from such difficulties1 without others1 more numerous and serious1 being evolved2 if the information afforded by ,scripture is to be received as authentic2 and if1 moreover1 while keeping strictly to the letter of ,scripture1 it is more in harmony with the grand ends to be accomplished by the kingdom of ,christ1 and discloses more of the glory of the great ,king1 surely a presumption is thereby afforded in favour of its truth1 though1 perhaps1 at first sight it may interfere with preconceived opinions4 ,instead1 then1 of the day of judgment being a day of twenty-four hours merely for the passing of a righteous sentence upon the good or bad1 it seems to us to be clearly revealed in ,scripture that it will be a period of time long enough for the peaceful and orderly ongoing of all its august proceedings2--when ,jesus ,christ will summon to ,his immediate presence all who have been the subjects of ,his mediatorial kingdom1 or have been placed under ,his authority for accomplishing the purposes of ,his reign2--when each person will be tried in the presence of the assembled universe1 and his true relationship to his ,king must be proved upon evidence minute1 sifting1 and unquestionable2--in one word1 when the whole government of the ,mediator1 from the beginning till the end of time1 over men1 angels1 and devils1 shall be fully disclosed1 and its excellence manifested to the confusion of the wicked1 the joy of the righteous1 and the glory of the ,triune ,god6 ,difficulties will1 no doubt1 be suggested by the view we have thus so briefly stated1 as well as by the others ,i have been obliged to discard4 ,but instead of attempting to remove these1 ,i shall at present pass them by1 leaving them to be tacitly and satisfactorily answered by the positive truth regarding the judgment1 which ,i shall now endeavour to establish4 ,,the ,,judge4 ,the ,judge will be ,jesus ,christ3-- ,we must all appear before the judgment-seat of ,christ4 ,jesus ,christ1 who shall judge the living and the dead1 at his appearing and kingdom4 ,the day when ,god will judge the secrets of men by ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,father judgeth no man1 but hath committed all judgment unto the ,son4 ,now1 there are several reasons discernible by us why ,jesus ,christ should thus be appointed to judge the world4 #a4 ,from the constitution of ,his person4 ,as ,god1 ,he is possessed of omniscience to discern every thought and intent of the heart2 unerring wisdom and unsullied righteousness to try every case2 with omnipotent power and sovereign authority to execute every sentence4 ,on the other hand1 as the ,son of man1 ,he will appear in ,his human nature1 for every eye shall see ,him4 ,this same ,jesus said the angels at ,his ascension1 who is taken up from you into heaven1 shall so come in like manner as ye have seen ,him go into heaven4 ,men will be judged by one who is their ,brother1 who1 in all points1 was tried like one of us2 who in all things was made like ,his brethren4 #b4 ,another reason why ,jesus ,christ will direct all the proceedings of the day of judgment1 arises from the peculiar relationship in which1 as the only ,mediator between ,god and man1 ,he stands to the human race4 ,let us dwell for a moment upon this point4 ,we are informed in ,scripture1 that ,jesus ,christ is the ,creator of this world3-- ,all things were made by him4 ,he was in the world1 and the world was made by him4 ,god who created all things by ,jesus ,christ4 ,all things were created by him and for him4 ,he is also ,governor of the world3-- ,god raised him from the dead1 and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places1 far above all principality1 and power1 and might1 and dominion1 and every name that is named1 not only in this world1 but also in that which is to come2 and hath put all things under his feet1 and gave him to be the head over all things to the church which is his body1 the fulness of him that filleth all in all4 ,to accomplish the various ends of this glorious government1 ,he is ,king of nature2 all the elements of nature which can in any way affect the history or destiny of the human race being directed and controlled by ,him4 ,the winds and the seas obey ,him2 pestilence and famine1 the volcano and the hurricane1 are ministers of ,his1 that do ,his pleasure4 ,he is the ,king of providence2 armies and fleets1 conquests and invasions1 discoveries and inventions1 migrations and settlements1--all are under the government of ,his wise and omnipotent sceptre4 ,he is the ,king of grace2 the gifts and graces of the ,holy ,spirit are dispensed to the persons and in the measure which seem best to ,him4 ,finally1 ,he is the ,king of angels and devils2 so that their power and agency1 in relation to the human family1 are either controlled or guided by ,him4 ,now1 this kingdom of ,jesus ,christ1 which began with the history of the world at least1 will one day be resigned into the hands of ,god4 ,then cometh the end1 says the apostle1 when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to ,god the ,father1 that ,god may be all in all4 ,but ere that end comes1 the ,mediator himself will1 as we suppose2 disclose the history of ,his kingdom to the assembled universe4 ,he will make known ,his ways and acts towards the children of men4 ,he will meet friend and foe1 and disclose the real history of each person who ever lived1 from the first moment of his birth to the moment of his trial2 and of each family1 and city1 and kingdom1 from their rise till their final extinction in the dust2 and thus the universe shall know how ,his government over human affairs1 in all ages and climes1 has been conducted2 and in what manner ,his authority and power over all things for ,his ,church has been exercised2 that it may be known on evidence1 whether ,he is indeed worthy to have received such honour and power in the great and universal kingdom of ,jehovah6 #c4 ,but there seems also a fitness in ,jesus being the ,judge1 from ,his peculiar relationship to the ,church4 ,he created all things1 that unto principalities and powers might be known by the ,church the manifold wisdom of ,god4 ,and ,he is now1 in virtue of what ,he has done as a ,priest1 the ,head over all things for the ,church as a ,king4 ,because he humbled himself1 ,god hath highly exalted him4 ,the grand end of ,his whole mediatorial reign is1 that unto ,god might be glory in the ,church by ,christ ,jesus4 ,but the work of ,jesus ,christ as ,mediator will not have terminated1 nor will ,he have received ,his full joy and reward1 until ,he raises ,his people from their graves1 and gathers ,his elect from the four winds of heaven2 and opens the ,book of ,life1 and from this biographical record adduces evidence of the reality of their loyalty1 and of their love to the ,king2 and reveals the glory of all ,his dealings towards them in every age3--until1 in one word1 the living ,church1 of which ,he is the ,head1 which ,he loved and purchased with ,his own blood1 and sanctified and cleansed with the washing of the water of ,his word1 shall be presented to ,himself1 not having spot1 or wrinkle1 or any such thing1 but holy and without blemish4 ,his judgment of the ,church will be the consummation of ,his mediatorial glory1 and the fulness of ,his reward4 ,as to the time when ,jesus ,christ shall judge the world1 we are ignorant4 ,of that day knoweth no man1 not even the angels4 ,we know only that it will come suddenly--as a thief in the night--upon the whole world2 and that we shall not all sleep1 but we shall all be changed1 in a moment1 in the twinkling of an eye1 at the last trump2 for the trumpet shall sound1 and the dead shall be raised incorruptible1 and we shall be changed4 ,no words of man can venture upon any description of the appearance of the ,judge1 or the accompaniments of that great and terrible day of the ,lord4 ,but here are a few ,scripture statements descriptive of this solemn scene3-- ,for the ,son of man shall come in the glory of his ,father with his angels2 and then he shall reward every man according to his works1 7,matt4 xvi4 #bg47 ,and then shall appear the sign of the ,son of man in heaven2 and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn1 and they shall see the ,son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory4 ,and he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet1 and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds1 from one end of heaven to the other1 7,matt4 xxiv4 #cj1 #ca47 ,for this we say unto you by the word of the ,lord1 that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the ,lord shall not prevent them which are asleep4 ,for the ,lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout1 with the voice of the archangel1 and with the trump of ,god3 and the dead in ,christ shall rise first3 then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds1 to meet the ,lord in the air3 and so shall we ever be with the ,lord1 7#a ,thess4 iv4 #ae-ag47 ,and to you who are troubled rest with us1 when the ,lord ,jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels1 in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not ,god1 and that obey not the gospel of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 7#b ,thess4 i4 #g1 #h47 ,but the day of the ,lord will come as a thief in the night2 in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise1 and the elements shall melt with fervent heat1 the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up1 7#b ,pet4 iii4 #aj47 ,and ,i saw a great white throne1 and him that sat on it1 from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away2 and there was found no place for them4 ,and ,i saw the dead1 small and great1 stand before ,god2 and the books were opened3 and another book was opened1 which is the book of life3 and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books1 according to their works4 ,and the sea gave up the dead which were in it2 and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them3 and they were judged every man according to their works1 7,rev4 xx4 #aa-ac47 ,,who ,,are ,,to ,,be ,,judged8 ,we reply1 men and fallen angels4 ,we must all stand before the judgment-seat of ,christ4 ,if the government of ,jesus ,christ over men is to be revealed on that day1 it is clear that all men1 without exception1 must be judged4 ,so linked1 indeed1 is the history of each man with that of others1--as1 for instance1 the tempter with the tempted1 the oppressed with the oppressor1 the teacher with the taught1 the child with the parent2--so necessarily is each man's condition and character affected by that of all who have gone before him1 up to his first parents2--so truly do all human beings make up one race1 one family1 from the life of each being more or less connected with that of all1 that the knowledge of the real history of even one man1 almost implies an examination into the real history of the whole human race4 ,and we shall possess1 for the first time1 a true history of the whole world1 when we truly understand the history of each person1 family1 and kingdom in it2 and so also shall we possess the true history of each individual part1 only when we know its relationship to the great whole2 and the history of events1 when we perceive what bearing they have had on the kingdom of ,jesus ,christ1 whose history is that of the world4 ,it has been questioned how far the sins of the people of ,god1 which have been for ever pardoned1 are to be revealed at judgment4 ,but we see no reason whatever why this should not be the case1 and every reason why it should4 ,we might1 beforehand1 have thought it more likely that ,god would not have recorded in the ,bible1 and exposed in the light of all coming ages1 the sins of ,his most eminent servants1 as those of ,abraham1 ,moses1 ,david1 of ,peter1 or of ,paul4 ,but ,he has told the whole truth regarding them for our warning and instruction2 and so will the whole truth be told regarding every saint at judgment1 that no flesh may glory in ,his presence2 and that the reality of the wickedness of the old man may be proven1 as well as the reality of the holiness of the new man created in ,christ ,jesus unto good works4 ,and what saint can be unwilling to have revealed what he was1 that so the glorious love of ,god's ,spirit may be made the more manifest1 as the sole cause of what he has become1 and will continue to be for ever and ever8 ,fallen angels shall also be judged upon that day3 ,for ,god spared not the angels that sinned1 but cast them1 down to hell1 and delivered them into chains of darkness1 to be reserved unto judgment1 ,and the angels which kept not their first estate1 but left their own habitation1 he hath reserved in everlasting chains1 under darkness1 unto the judgment of the great day4 ,under what dispensation those beings first sinned against ,god1 we cannot tell4 ,all we know from the information given us by ,god is1 that they have been permitted to exercise their power in this world1 on the side of evil1 ever since the creation of man4 ,satan1 the adversary1 the tempter1 the enemy1 who is the head of these principalities and powers1 has been a liar and murderer from the beginning2 and in every age and clime1 he and his wicked spirits have advanced the kingdom of darkness with indomitable perseverance1 untiring energy1 ceaseless hate1 and all deceivableness and unrighteousness in them that perish4 ,fallen angels having thus taken so dreadful a part in the history of ,christ's kingdom1 and being responsible for all they do1 shall be tried at judgment2 and what a revelation must their trial be of the character1 the hellish plots and machinations of those enemies of ,jesus ,christ and ,his ,church6 ,we have already alluded to the individuality of the examination at the last day1--how every one of us must give an account of himself to ,god2 and receive the things done in his body1 according to what he hath done1 whether good or evil2 and also1 how each fact must be brought to light upon evidence whose truth cannot be questioned4 ,upon that day1 mere assertions will not be sufficient to establish the right or the wrong condition of any one before the judgment-seat4 ,the universe must know the truth6 ,evidence must1 therefore1 be adduced which will convince all2 and that evidence1 too1 will be sifted4 ,before sentence is passed1 overwhelming proof will demonstrate the righteous ground on which each individual must take his place among those on the left hand or on the right4 ,let us see if we can discover any sources of evidence for the detection and discrimination of character4 ,,the ,,books ,,shall ,,be ,,opened4 #a4 ,the ,book of ,providence will be opened4--,in this book has been recorded1 and from its pages can be shewn1 by ,jesus ,christ1 everything which has been done to us1 and for us1 by ,himself1 since the hour of our birth till that of our death4 ,every temporal mercy or spiritual blessing--every advice given by ministers1 relations1 or friends--every ,sabbath which dawned upon us--every stirring of conscience within us--every visitation of sickness or domestic affliction--every item1 in short1 of that immense sum of things which1 in ,his providence or by ,his grace1 was given us each successive hour of life1 and which was intended to mould our characters according to the will of ,god2--all shall be revealed at judgment1 that the universe may know what ,jesus ,christ1 the ,king1 has really done for each one of ,his subjects1 and what each subject has been1 and done1 in relation to ,him4 #b4 ,the ,book of ,memory shall be opened4--,an awful volume6 ,it seems almost certain that anything once known to us must for ever abide in memory1 and can never be absolutely and for ever lost4 ,out of sight it may be1 but never really out of mind4 ,it may appear to be dead1 though it only sleeps1 ready to start into vigorous life when touched by some hand which can reach it in the dim mysterious recess where it lies concealed4 ,it is thus1 before returning1 after a long absence1 to the home of our early life1 we are unable to discover any page in the volume of our memory inscribed with more than a few incidents which filled up those early years of gladness4 ,every page seems a blank1 or its records1 if not obliterated1 can hardly be traced4 ,but when we do return1 what a magic influence is exercised by every tree1 rock1 and stream1 and by the old home itself with which these were once inseparably associated6 ,the history of days and years now glow with the vividness of first impressions1 where1 until now1 all was so indistinct and illegible4 ,old familiar voices ring in our ears1 beloved faces of the old dead gaze upon us as of yore1 and their forms flit before our moist eyes4 ,but were not these things all the while in our memory1 although unnoticed by us until called forth by fitting circumstances8 ,and have we not seen evidence of the same mysterious life of the past within us1 when in extreme old age a second childhood awakens all the incidents of the first2 when memory1 like a flash of lightning1 irradiates the sky1 otherwise dark and wintry1 revealing the scenes of early days1 which were before quite forgotten8 ,more wonderful still--it is certain that things once known1 which in health were as lost to memory as if they had never been1 are suddenly recalled1 and appear in all their former life and freshness1 when fever touches the brain with her delirious hand4 ,the sick man1 in his ravings1 speaks perhaps a language known only in his infancy1 and recalls incidents belonging to a period which was a total blank in his recollections during days of robust health4 ,and what does all this prove but the momentous truth1 that anything which once was done1--anything which we have ever thought1 uttered1 or known1 or was ever inscribed in the book of memory1--remains there engraven in characters more permanent than those which1 cut deep in the hoary monuments of ,egypt1 have outlived teeming centuries of human history8 ,darkness may cover the page1 but by a vivid and mysterious flash every letter is illuminated4 ,that flash may be only some trifle1 such as a note of music--the tone of some voice-- ,the subtle smell which spring unbends1 ,dread pause abrupt of midnight winds1-- ,an echo or a dream6 ,and thus may it be at judgment2 by the extension of the same kind of power1 may our whole life1 in its minutest details1 pass before our eyes1--each minute of it delivering its own history of word or deed1 of things done or things received1--and each recognised as true by the possessor of them all4 ,accordingly1 every man is now1 whether he wills it or not1 unconsciously writing or daguerreotyping his own biography2--his whole life forming a work of more importance1 to himself at least1 than any other in the universe1--each volume a year1 each chapter a month1 each day or hour a page4 ,at judgment memory will read the whole1 and be compelled to feel that every word is true4 ,it is strange1 too1 how rapid--reasoning from analogy--such a review may be1 without diminishing from its distinctness4 ,states of being1 or successive acts1 which occupied long periods of time1 may very rapidly be recalled in all their minute features4 ,in moments of sudden peril1 when death seemed approaching1 how frequently have men told us that they beheld1 in a twinkling of an eye1 the great features of their whole life like a panorama passing before their mind's eye6 ,and thus at judgment1 clear1 yet rapid--intensely real and vivid1 yet sudden as light--may the life of the boy1 and the man1 and the patriarch1 from1 the first till the last moment of conscious and responsible existence upon earth1 be presented to the mind with a self-evidencing power of truth1 which cannot1 which dare not1 be denied or resisted6 ,jesus ,christ will speak to the man from within the man1 and1 with irresistible power1 say to him1 ,son1 remember6 #c4 ,the ,book of ,conscience shall be opened4--,this will afford abundant evidence1 when read along with the books of memory and providence1 of the witness in every man's soul for the moral government of ,god1 and that ever accused or excused his life4 ,that tremendous power which has dogged the murderer in his flight1 following him across the seas1 tracking him to his refuge in some solitary island or savage wilderness1--that presence which1 like an evil spirit from another world1 has disturbed the guilty in the midst of his festivities1 or sat heavily on his soul1 brooding over him in his slumbers as a horrible nightmare1 until he has started up in the agony of despair1--that judge which has made kings tremble on their thrones1 and ruffians shiver in their silent cells1--that awful voice will be allowed then to speak out with the power1 as well as with the authority1 that belong to it4 ,it will pass judgment upon all the facts in each man's life1 which shall then1 for the first time1 be fully and fairly submitted to its inspection2 and each page in memory's book will find a corresponding page in the book of conscience1 on that day when ,god shall judge the secrets of men by ,jesus ,christ1 ,a thousand excuses will be silenced by it1 and false hopes crushed1 and a fiery law go forth to destroy all the coverings which the deceitful heart now draws over its own wilful and desperate wickedness4 #d4 ,another book will be opened1 which is the ,book of ,life--,in that book are inscribed the characters of all ,god's people1 and the evidence of the reality of their faith in ,christ and obedience to ,him4 ,blessed are the dead who die in the ,lord3 ,yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labours2 and their works do follow them6 ,these works1 which are the evidence1 results1 and rewards of faith1 are recorded by that same ,spirit through whose power alone the soul has lived1 believed1 and been enabled to bring forth such fruit to the praise of the glory of ,god by ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the book of life will be found recorded by the omniscient ,holy ,spirit of ,truth1 that secret life of every saint which was hid with ,christ in ,god4 ,then shall be revealed the reality of their repentance and inward renewal of soul2 the sincerity of their love to ,god and to ,his people2 their secret prayers1 thanksgivings1 confessions1 intercessions1 and holy communion with ,god2 their plans1 longings1 and sacrifices for the spread of the gospel1 and for the glory of ,god upon earth2 their deeds of charity for ,christ1--every prison they entered1 every naked one they clothed2 the hungry they fed1 or the offences forgiven by them from love to ,him who forgave them2--that whole character1 in short1 which is the result of union with ,christ1 will be evidenced to the universe from what is recorded of it in the ,lamb's ,book of ,life4 ,and is there not another book1 even the ,book1 which may also be opened at judgment as a witness for the ,triune ,god in ,his dealings with mankind8 ,how many millions of men have possessed the ,bible1 and acknowledged it as the word of ,god6 ,who1 therefore1 among them1 will be able to plead ignorance of any truth--any duty--any danger--any promise--the knowledge of which could essentially affect their eternal salvation8 ,true1 they may never have opened the ,bible1 or have refused to believe it1 or have despised and rejected its warnings1 counsels1 and reproofs2 but the ,bible was nevertheless given them1 and their very ignorance may be their crime4 ,or1 if not ignorant1 but only hating knowledge1 and not choosing the fear of the ,lord1--their condemnation is1 that they preferred the darkness to the light1 because their deeds were evil8 ,oh1 what a witness will that ,book be against the slothful1 the wilfully ignorant and unbelieving6 ,are these sources of evidence not sufficient wherewith to determine1 to the conviction of the universe1 each man's character at the judgment of the great day8 ,should more be required1 many other witnesses may be summoned1 if necessary1 before the white throne4 ,satan and wicked spirits are ready to accuse the sinner1 and to prove how he yielded to temptation1 became habit and repute in sin1 and a willing and active instrument for destroying others4 ,true1 ,satan is a liar2 but is this testimony a lie8 ,can these accusations1 if false1 be disproved8 ,can ,christ be appealed to either as to their falsehood1 or for exculpatory evidences of genuine repentance or new life8 ,and holy angels1 too1 are there1 who will be able to testify as to whether this man ever gave them joy as a true penitent1 was the object of their ministrations as an heir of salvation1 or known to them as a fellow-worker in ,christ's kingdom upon earth4 ,relations1 friends1 neighbours1 church-members1 are also there to tell1 at ,christ's bidding1 what was the manner of his life in the family1 in society1 or in the household of ,god4 ,what has this man as a father1 husband1 or child1 done8 ,what example did he set8 ,what temper and conduct did he manifest at home8 ,what was his influence as a companion8 ,did he lead to hell or heaven8 ,what did ,christians find him to be as a fellow-,christian8 ,was he cruel and covetous1 slothful and indifferent1 uncharitable and censorious2 or loving1 zealous1 and self-denying1 the author of peace and lover of concord1 a friend and brother8 ,oh6 surely1 even now we can easily see how there can be no want of means at the great day of judgment1 by which1 without any revelation from the unerring and all-seeing ,judge himself1 each man's character may be searched and known to its inmost depths1 and in all its minute details be revealed4 ,and now1 reader1 before we proceed1 let us here entreat of you to examine your present life4 ,we ask1 whether you think it possible that it can afford any evidence upon that day of sincere love to ,jesus ,christ8--anything which can warrant the ,judge to say to you1 ,well done1 good and faithful servant8--anything in your aims1 wishes1 purposes1 pursuits1 endeavours1 which evidence the existence in the least degree of that kind of life which is the result of being born and sanctified by ,god's ,spirit1 and cannot otherwise be accounted for8 ,how many shrink from that examination now1 which must take place then6 ,but is it not wiser to know your sins1 and see your danger now1 when the one can be pardoned1 and the other averted1 than1 for the first time1 to awake to a sense of both1 when your sins can never more1 as far as man can discover1 be removed1 and your danger1 if real1 must end in ruin8 ,we have many foreshadowings of judgment revealed to us by ,christ2 and we have the unavailing pleadings of those who desire to be recognised as among ,his friends4 ,lord1 ,lord6 cry some1 open to us6 ,these are not infidels1 but professed believers in ,christ's supreme authority4 ,lord1 hast thou not taught in our streets8--open to us6 is the plea of those who heard the truth spoken1 it may be by ,jesus personally2 of those1 at least1 who had the privilege1 and did not neglect it1 of hearing the word preached4 ,lord1 have we not eaten and drunk in thy presence8--open to us6 appears to others sufficient evidence of friendship for the ,redeemer1 and such as might be urged by those who followed ,him in ,judea1 and saw ,his person1 heard ,his words1 yea1 sat at meat with ,him as ,his familiar friends4 ,lord1 have we not prophesied in thy name1 and in thy name cast out devils1 and done many wonderful works8--open to us6 ,thus could ,judas have pleaded2 and many a man1 perhaps1 who had the gift of miracles without the grace of ,god2 or many more who have had rare gifts of talent1 genius1 eloquence1 which have done good to others1 in spite of their own selfish motives2 and who1 by many wonderful works1 have cast out evil possessions of wicked principles and practices from others1 while evil1 nevertheless1 possessed themselves4 ,and with as imposing claims many too may seek admittance to ,god's kingdom1 because they gave their goods to feed the poor1 or their bodies to be burned4 ,yet1 to each and all such pleadings1 ,jesus represents himself as saying1 ,i know you not6 ,depart from me1 all ye workers of iniquity6 ,but if so1 we ask you1 reader1 what evidence of ,christian life can you adduce better or more satisfactory than all this8 ,nothing1 be assured1 will be accepted which does not prove a right spirit1 or1 in other words1 the existence in the soul of love to ,jesus ,christ in some form or other4 ,,lovest ,,thou ,,me8 will be the grand question1 the truthful reply to which will determine our real state on that great day4 ,hence1 while the evidence of doing wonderful works1 or of giving our body to be burned1 is rejected as worthless1 inasmuch as the one proves only the existence of power1 and the other of what may be but a sacrifice to self1 and not to the ,saviour1--yet the gift of a cup of cold water to a disciple for the sake of the ,master1 will suffice to open the doors of heaven1 because affording evidence of the heart which loves ,jesus1 and for which heaven has been prepared4 ,come1 ye blessed of my ,father6 ,inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of my disciples1 ye have done it unto me6 ,if any man love not the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 let him be accursed6 ,we need not add that we have assumed that the persons thus judged have had full opportunities of knowing and serving ,jesus as their ,lord4 ,,results ,,of ,,judgment4 ,what shall the results be of such a searching1 impartial1 and conclusive investigation into the history of mankind8 ,some of these we may1 perhaps1 be permitted to anticipate4 ,the proceedings of the day of judgment will answer all the accusations of ,christ's enemies4 ,the government of ,jesus ,christ is hated and opposed here4 ,this fact1 alas6 in human history1 cannot be denied4 ,we do not speak of ,satan and his angels1 who war against the ,lord1 nor even of ,his unconscious foes among the heathen2 but only of those men who possess the ,bible1 and all the means of knowing the will of their ,divine ,king4 ,yet how many among them are ,his open and avowed enemies4 ,there is not one feature of ,his character which men do not blaspheme1--not one act of ,his government at which they do not cavil4 ,he is alleged to be unrighteous in ,his commands2 unfair in ,his treatment of mankind2 unwise in ,his arrangements2 unfaithful in ,his words2 and even vindictive1 unmerciful1 implacable in ,his judgments1 and in no respect worthy of man's love and obedience4 ,jesus of ,nazareth--believed in by the ,church1 known and loved by all its living members--is still despised and rejected of men4 ,nor are ,his enemies ashamed to speak out their thoughts1 and openly to scorn and ridicule ,him2 asserting that ,he has no right to govern them or the world1--and thus denying the ,lord that bought them4 ,now1 as on the day of ,his crucifixion1 a rabble of all ranks1 talents1 and professions1 cry1 ,away with this fellow2 while they demand in ,his stead some ,barabbas hero of their own to worship4 ,there is often manifested an opposition to ,christianity which assumes the aspect of personal hatred4 ,we do not at all allude in these pages to the sincere1 reverential man1 who doubts1 questions1 argues1 opposes1 sifts1 denies1 rejects1 while endeavouring1 with an honest mind1 to discover and believe the truth1 whatever that may be2 nor to the sadness of spirit of one who wishes the glad tidings to be true1 but cannot arrive at a conclusion so desirable for his own good and peace1 as well as for that of society2 nor to the effects of a peculiar constitutional temperament which has a tendency first to doubt and invest everything with darkness1 and then endeavours in vain to dispel what itself creates4 ,but when we speak of infidels and unbelievers1 we speak of ungodly men who dislike the truth of ,god1 and who manifest this dislike in their triumph when any supposed error in the life or the doctrines of ,jesus ,christ is detected1 or any evil 7for which ,he is held responsible7 is exposed in ,his followers1 and who keep an ample mantle of charity for those who disbelieve1 but none for those who believe in ,jesus ,christ as their only ,saviour4 ,this opposition to the government of ,god through ,jesus ,christ has not been a temporary outburst by a few only4 ,the kingdom of ,satan has existed here since the fall of man1 side by side with ,christ's kingdom1 and opposed it in every age and clime4 ,the kingdom of holiness and peace has never entered the soul of any living man1 without first meeting1 and then overcoming1 enmity and ill-will by the power of truth and love4 ,it has never entered a single country on the surface of the globe without terrible combats being fought again and again1 in which the best soldiers and noblest subjects of the ,great ,king have had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings1 yea1 moreover1 of bonds and imprisonments4 ,we will not have the ,lord to reign over us6 has been everywhere the awful battle-cry2 and the conflict rages now as fiercely as it did in any age of the world6 ,nor1 moreover1 has this opposition been given by uncivilised savages2 but men of knowledge and of genius have dedicated all the powers of their mind to the dread task of ridding the world of the ,redeemer's sceptre4 ,what they have thought1 they have spoken2 what they have spoken1 they have written and recorded in books1 that their influence might extend beyond their own immediate circle and their own time1 and that other nations and other generations might know what they thought of the ,saviour1--how sincerely they themselves despised and rejected ,him1 and desired all others to do the same4 ,what is every infidel publication but an accusation against ,jesus ,christ1 a protest against ,his government1 and an attempt to rouse the world to join in the rebellion8 ,they take counsel together against the ,lord and his ,anointed1 saying1 ,let us break their bands asunder1 and cast away their cords from us6 ,and this hatred to ,christ will continue till the end of the world3 for we read1 that in the last days will come scoffers4 ,nay1 it is quite possible that accusations against ,him are1 and shall be1 maintained by the wicked up till the very hour of judgment4 ,for1 even as the criminal before his trial will feed his pride1 and soothe his conscience1 by denying every charge alleged against him1 or by blaming every one but himself2 so it may be that the wicked1 after death1 will continue to cast the blame upon the ,saviour1 for all they are and have been1 even when they can no longer doubt the reality of ,his existence or government4 ,and will ,jesus ever answer those accusations8 ,why should ,he8 you perhaps exclaim4 ,his character1 you say1 cannot be affected in the estimation of the good by anything which the enemies of all righteousness can urge against it4 ,his throne can no more be shaken by the puny attacks of men or devils than the everlasting mountains can be disturbed by the storm-blasts which howl around them4 ,what more1 then1 is needed1 than to shut up the wicked in a prison-house1 through whose adamantine walls the accusing cry can never pierce1 and whose doors are for ever barred by the holy decree of the ,almighty8 ,ah6 were it so1 even this thought might possibly gratify pride and enmity1 could a condemned1 though not judged spirit for ever carry with it a conviction of having waged a war in which power alone had conquered weakness1 and might trampled upon right2 and that all its charges remained unanswered and unanswerable6 ,but let no one presume upon this4 ,it is true that ,jesus ,christ now1 as when on earth ,he stood before ,his enemies1 answers nothing4 ,do not misunderstand this awful silence6 ,you marvel greatly that ,he works no miracle to satisfy your doubts1 or you deny ,his power of doing so1 and therefore you imagine1 that because ,he replies not to your accusations1 ,he either hears them not1 cares not for them1 or cannot meet them4 ,but be assured1 a day is appointed when the question between you and ,him will be fairly tried4 ,unbelievers of all ranks1 and whatever be their ability1 will have an opportunity of re-stating their case1 and of proving the truth of their accusations--if they can4 ,let none suppose that ,jesus will shrink from such an investigation4 ,every utterance is reported for review at judgment2 every book is kept for that day4 ,it is not the method of the divine government to put down its enemies by mere physical power1 as if the question between ,god and man was indeed one of strength and weakness1 and not rather of right and wrong4 ,the ,lord will indeed answer his enemies2 but ,he will do so by the irresistible power of truth1 and the omnipotent force of righteousness4 ,he will crush and overwhelm them2 but it will be in their own conscience1 and in their own estimation4 ,he will expel them from whatever refuge of lies they may vainly attempt to seek for shelter1 and expose them to the full blaze of principle1 until their inmost souls echo the dread sentence of ,,guilty1 which must be pronounced upon them1 while they stand speechless amidst the assembled universe1 and before the omniscient and holy ,judge of all the earth4 ,he is coming with ten thousand of ,his saints1 to execute judgment upon all1 and to ,,convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed1 and of all their ,,hard ,,speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against ,him6 ,do we address one who is a professed unbeliever in the truth1 or rather1 who believes a lie1--that there is no ,saviour8 ,we ask such a one to consider what the certain1 or even probable consequences will be to him1 if all we have said is nevertheless true8 ,what if you shall see ,jesus ,christ face to face1 and have your whole outer and inner history1 as it is known to ,god1 minutely revealed to your own mind1 and to the assembled jury of the universe8 ,will your thinking1 or saying1 that the whole is a fiction1 make it so8 ,will your scoff at ,god's revelation of the future prevent the dead from rising1 or the ,judge from appearing8 ,will a foolish jest1 or a proud callousness1 or a subtle argument1 or a brave indifference to what others fear1 enable you1 on the resurrection morning1 to shut your ears against the sound of the last trump1 or to disobey the summons of the ,son of ,god to rise from the tomb1 and to appear before ,him8 ,and if no unbelief can change the will of ,god1 or make that false which ,he proclaims to be true1 nor alter ,his prescribed order in things to come1 no more than it can do ,his present order in the starry heavens1--what can you say to ,jesus ,christ in your own defence8 ,how can you1 in consistency with ,his ,word1 so justify your own opinions and conduct1 as to make it possible for ,him to say to you1 ,well done1 good and faithful servant1 enter into the joy of thy ,lord8 ,but1 blessed be ,god6 the same ,word of truth which condemns the sinner1 and shuts out all hope of safety to him1 while in his state of unbelief and ungodliness1 invites him1 and commands him1 to come out of that state1 and to share the life which is in ,christ for every man4 ,we cannot repeat it too often that ,jesus offers immediate pardon and life through faith in ,his blood1 to the chief of sinners--to the oldest and most bitter enemy which ,he has upon earth6 ,jesus offers ,his ,spirit to every man1 to enlighten his understanding1 renew his will1 and spiritualise his taste and affections1 and shed abroad the love of ,god in his heart2 so that even thou1 whoever thou art1 mayest yet love1 and be loved by1 ,jesus ,christ and ,his saints for ever and ever6 ,believe in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and ,,thou shalt be saved6 ,but should ,his long-suffering patience1 and abundant mercy1 and rich love1 fail to gain your heart1--should you prefer darkness to light1 and remain in unbelief1 and live and die without ,him1--how can you escape8 ,is it not righteous that you should walk in the darkness which you love1 and be separated from your ,saviour and ,his people1 whom you dislike1 and be permitted to eat of the fruit of your own way1 and be filled with your own devices8 ,on the great and terrible day of the ,lord1 you will1 alas6 be convinced that the sentence pronounced upon you by the ,saviour1 of ,depart from me6 is but an echo of what your own heart is now saying to ,him6 ,hear1 ,i beseech you1 the words of warning which ,god now addresses to you1 in order that you may1 in time1 flee from the wrath to come6 ,for if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth1 there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins1 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation1 which shall devour the adversaries4 ,he that despised ,moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses3 of how much sorer punishment1 suppose ye1 shall he be thought worthy1 who hath trodden under foot the ,son of ,god1 and hath counted the blood of the covenant1 wherewith he was sanctified1 an unholy thing1 and hath done despite unto the ,spirit of grace8 ,for we know him that hath said1 ,vengeance belongeth unto me1 ,i will recompense1 saith the ,lord4 ,and again1 ,the ,lord shall judge his people4 ,it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living ,god1 7,heb4 x4 #bf-ca47 ,but let us further inquire1 ,what shall be its results with reference to the righteous8 #a4 ,the righteous will then fully understand the excellence of ,christ's government over themselves4 ,how profoundly mysterious1 as yet1 to ourselves1 is our own individual history6 ,if we attempt to gather up the past1 and to trace the whole way along which we have journeyed1 with the innumerable windings of the path1 and all the dark valleys through which it has led1 the rugged places it has passed over1 or the many lofty hills up which it has ascended1--how endless1 how perplexing does it appear6 ,if1 again1 we try to measure the various powers which have helped to make us what we are1 or to weigh the number and relative importance of all the things which have combined to produce the present result of character within1 and of circumstances without us1--how soon are we lost amidst the mass of the infinite items which make up the sum of even our little history4 ,how inadequate are all our attempts to solve the problems without number which every year suggests4 ,why1 for example1 has this or that happened8 ,wherefore this sorrow or that joy8--why such changes of place or of fortune8--why the loss of old friends or the gift of new ones8--why--,but the questions are endless1 and never can be answered till judgment4 ,it is true1 that we are often privileged to see very clearly the reason of many of ,christ's dealings with us here4 ,he shews us ,his ways as well as ,his acts--treating us as friends who know what their ,lord doeth4 ,the wheel of ,providence often makes its revolutions in so short a period that we see the whole movement4 ,it was thus in the case of ,abraham4 ,the mystery of ,god's command was resolved after three days on ,mount ,moriah4 ,thus1 too1 the darkness of family grief and of a distant ,saviour1 which brooded over the household of ,bethany1 was dispelled1 and vanished before bright sunshine1 at the cry1 ,lazarus1 come forth6 ,but it is not always thus2 and though it would be so more frequently if we waited more patiently upon ,god and considered ,his ways1 yet1 at best1 but a small fraction of our life is understood here4 ,moreover1 our own history is so interlaced with the history of others1 that what is more properly theirs1 in some degree is ours also4 ,can ,moses1 for instance1 yet fully comprehend his own life in its relation to the ,jewish nation1 whose fate is still involved in darkness8 ,can any one of the saints of old1 whose deeds and words are recorded in ,god's ,book1 and are telling every day and hour upon the history of mankind1 and must continue to do so till time shall be no more1 comprehend what they really have done on earth8 ,must not the end of all things come before they understand the place and the work their ,lord assigned to them8 ,and so is it with the humblest believer4 ,he is a part of a great whole2 and to understand how ,jesus has governed ,himself as a part1 he must be able to see his own life in relation to the great whole4 ,but each ,christian who has walked by faith1 and held fast his confidence in ,christ1 will then also have revealed how the ,lord has governed him1 and all that ,he has done to him and for him1 and what ,he has enabled him to be and to do on earth4 ,the sackcloth and ashes of every patient ,job will be turned into garments of praise2 and the lamentations of every mourning ,jeremiah into songs of gladness3 and in adoring wonder and unutterable joy1 every head will be bowed down1 every crown cast at ,christ's feet1 and every heart will feel1 and mouth confess1 ,he hath done all things well6 ,what an amazing disclosure will this be of the wisdom and love with which our gracious ,lord has assigned to each servant his lot1--given to each his work1 and so prepared all things for him in the world1 and so made all things work together for his good1 that the fruit has been holiness1 and the end everlasting life6 #b4 ,but the ,christian will also behold at judgment the excellence of ,christ's government over others1 and over the whole world4 ,if we are such mysteries to ourselves1 and if we cannot as yet truly write our own biographies1 how much more perplexing to us is the personal history of any other in his relation to the ,redeemer6 ,how impossible to discover the reasons of all1 or of any1 of ,christ's providential dealings with him1 or to read aright any one day in his life6 ,was it possible for ,job's friends to interpret1 at the time1 ,job's sufferings8 ,god alone could have corrected ,jacob when1 in the dark night of his sorrow1 yet just before the daybreak of his joy in ,egypt1 he cried1 ,joseph is not1 ,simeon is not1 and will ye take ,benjamin away8--all these things are against me6 ,daniel in the lions' den1 or the three young men in the furnace1 with a wicked king in peace upon the throne2 ,john the ,baptist in the dungeon1 with ,herod in the banquet hall2 ,stephen falling asleep beneath the shower of cruel stones1 and ,saul gazing complacently at the murderers' clothes laid at his feet3--these1 and a thousand other such incidents in human history1 are1 to beholders1 involved in a portion of that darkness which hung over the cross of ,christ itself1 at the time1 a mystery of mysteries to all who witnessed its agonies6 ,but when1 from the history of persons1 we rise to the contemplation of the history of cities1 countries1 and nations2 or ascend to a still higher region in order to take in1 if possible1 the history of the human race from age to age2 and to comprehend what ,jesus ,christ has done for it1 and how ,he has governed it1--how much more profound is the darkness6 ,if1 for instance1 we endeavour to form any estimate of the effect which has been produced upon the character and destiny of mankind by the present structure of the physical earth1 with its mountains1 seas1 rivers1 winds1 and climate--the house which ,jesus ,christ has built and furnished for ,his creatures2 by the famines and pestilences1 wars and conquests1 migrations and settlements1 arising out of circumstances more or less controlling man1 and beyond his will2 as well as by all that has come1 as it were1 directly from ,jesus1 through ,his ,church1 from ,eden till this present hour2--how infinite to us is the field of observation6 ,o the depth of the riches both of the knowledge and wisdom of ,god6 ,how unsearchable are his judgments1 and his ways past finding out6 ,we gaze upon those majestic wheels of ,his providence1 some of which take whole cycles to revolve1 and their wings are so high1 that they are dreadful6 ,it is so1 for example1 with the history of ,israel1 which1 commencing with ,abraham1 when earth was young1 four thousand years ago1 is still moving on as a distinct stream flowing amidst the waters of the great ocean1 yet never mingling with them1 though nearing the unfathomable gulf where all is still4 ,but what we know not now1 we shall know hereafter1 upon the great day of the revelation of ,jesus ,christ1 when1 in the light of unerring truth1 the history of each man1 and of the whole race1 will be seen1 and for the first time understood4 ,now we know in part1 but then we shall know even as we are known4 ,every question which here perplexes or pains the thoughtful and conscientious inquirer1 will be fully answered4 ,the secret and hitherto hidden springs of actions will be laid bare1 and their remotest results disclosed4 ,we shall apprehend the real life--the true philosophy--of history4 ,then will the government of ,jesus ,christ over the whole family of man1 and every individual member of it1 be seen--what it has always by ,his ,church believed--to have been one of righteousness1 wisdom1 and love4 #c4 ,need ,i add1 as the last grand result of judgment1 that the ,triune ,god will be glorified8 ,god the ,father will be glorified6 ,the prayer of ,christ shall then be fulfilled3 ,father1 glorify thy ,son1 that thy ,son also may glorify thee6 ,the doxology of the apostle will be realised3 ,to him be glory by the ,church through ,christ ,jesus throughout all ages6 ,that glory will be seen in ,his having committed the government of the world to ,jesus ,christ4 ,then will be understood1 as it never was before1 how ,god so loved the world in giving ,his only-begotten ,son to be its ,creator and ,governor1 and the ,prophet1 ,priest1 and ,king of ,his ,church4 ,god the ,son will be glorified6 ,every event and act in ,his great mediatorial kingdom will shew the grandeur of ,his character4 ,the whole world's history will be as a mirror1 full of the light of this ,sun of ,righteousness1--reflecting the greatness of ,his power1 the depths of ,his wisdom1 the beauty of ,his holiness1 and the riches of ,his grace4 ,he will be glorified1 too1 in ,his saints4 ,each believer will not only be a living monument of what ,christ has done1 but1 as a child of ,god1 will also be in his character an image of what ,christ the first-born is6 ,god the ,spirit will be glorified when the results are made manifest of all ,he has done for and in the ,church1 and of all which men have received from this ,teacher1 ,sanctifier1 and ,comforter6 ,if many will have cause to mourn upon that day because they have resisted and grieved ,him by their wilful impenitency and wickedness1 what a multitude1 greater than any man can number1 will adore ,him for the spiritual ignorance in the ways of ,god which ,he dispelled1--the all-sufficient strength for duty and trial1 for life and death1 which ,he imparted1--the holy love which ,he shed abroad upon their hearts1--the good fruit which by ,his aid they produced in their lives1--the calm peace which ,he gave to their consciences1--the prayers heard and answered by ,god which ,he prompted1--and the joy unspeakable to which ,he often raised their souls6 ,thus will the proceedings of the great day of judgment1 without one single exception1 reveal to the intelligent universe the glory of ,god1--,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1--as displayed in the government of the world through ,jesus ,christ4 ,oh1 how can we form an adequate conception of the overpowering effect which the revelations of this eventful period in the history of the universe must necessarily produce upon the saints and just men made perfect1 and upon the innumerable company of angels1 who1 with intense interest and profound intelligence1 watch the proceedings before the immaculate throne of the ,son of man6 ,as age after age passes in solemn review1 and as each succeeding era1 beneath the light of investigation1 emerges out of the darkness in which it had hitherto been wrapped1--as city after city1 and kingdom after kingdom1 from their early beginnings1 onwards through centuries of advancement in power and influence1 till their final silence in the dust1 are all reproduced in their living reality1--we may conceive how the awful interest in the world's trial must deepen itself in every bosom1 and intelligent eyes must gleam with a brighter intelligence1 and admiring souls burn with a profounder and holier admiration1 as they are enabled to perceive how1 over all this earth1 to them hitherto so dark and cloudy1 ,jesus had ever reigned with unclouded splendour1 as the sun reigns in the calm heavens1 and pours down his beams of light from a region far above the tempestuous sky4 ,and we can1 in some degree1 conceive how their lips should ever and anon give birth to accents of heartfelt praise1 as a deep moral order and beauty are seen growing up1 evolving out of the chaos of history1 even as a holy temple might rear itself from what seemed to the eye of sense to be the very lines of confusion1 and stones of emptiness4 ,we can imagine1 too1 when this long day of wondrous disclosures is about to terminate1 and its sun to set for ever over the old order of things1 how the joy of this great assemblage should reach at last its climax1 and have a fulness of glory in it never before experienced2 until1 as judgment ended1 and the whole government of their blessed ,lord was disclosed1 their sense of the grandeur and infinite majesty of ,his character and ways should be such as to call forth from ten thousand times ten thousand ecstatic souls1 as the grand verdict of the universe1 those bursts of praise3 ,worthy is the ,lamb that was slain to receive power1 and riches1 and wisdom1 and strength1 and honour1 and glory1 and blessing4 ,great and marvellous are thy works1 ,lord ,god ,almighty2 just and true are thy ways1 thou ,king of saints4 ,who shall not fear thee1 ,o ,lord1 and glorify thy name8 for thou only art holy3 for all nations shall come and worship before thee2 for thy judgments are made manifest4 ,such are a few of the more obvious results of a day of judgment4 ,but who will dare to deny that these may possibly be extended to other worlds and other orders of beings1 and be made influential for the good and happiness of the universe throughout limitless ages1 and be the means of impressing unfallen yet peaceable creatures1 with a more profound sense of the glory of ,god and the unchangeableness of ,his government8 ,we ourselves possess an experience somewhat analogous to this1 in the fact of ,god's righteous dealings with another order of beings--the fallen angels--having been revealed to us for our instruction and warning2 and thus1 for aught we know1 the transactions of the coming day of judgment may1 in whole or in part1 form such a living record of ,god's government by ,jesus ,christ1 as may be revealed to millions1 of whose existence and circumstances we are as yet ignorant1 and be to them for ever as a great ,bible1 for their warning1 comfort1 and instruction in righteousness4 ,we have now brought our thoughts upon judgment to a conclusion4 ,may they suggest others more worthy of the theme to all who may peruse them6 ,we have tried to view it in the light of ,scripture statement2 yet feeling deeply conscious of how dimly and inadequately we perceive and judge of the awful future2 of ,god's relationship to the human family2 and of the manner in which the only wise and merciful ,god will apply the eternal principles of justice 7which is but love dealing with sin7 to the infinite varieties of human character1 or to the circumstances of each human being4 ,questions innumerable suggest themselves1 which we cannot answer now1 but which will be answered then1 regarding the heathen1 and regarding millions who have lived and died without knowing or loving ,jesus ,christ2 doubtless we shall all then be amazed at our own ignorance and sin1 and overwhelmed by the majestic glory and excellence of ,god in ,christ4 ,but whatever the results of that day may be1 one thing is certain1 that they will afford satisfaction and joy unutterable to just and good men1 yea1 to every human being who has any real sympathy with ,him whose name is ,love6 ,but let us never forget that every day of our lives is a day of judgment1 in which ,christ is searching our hearts and judging our lives1 condemning the evil and blessing the good1 and seeking to separate the one from the other4 ,if we are able to welcome ,him as our judge and deliverer in our present day1 we shall be able to do so also on the last day4 ,i conclude with these words3-- ,for we must all appear before the judgment-seat of ,christ2 that every one may receive the things done in his body1 according to that he hath done1 whether it be good or bad4 ,knowing therefore the terror of the ,lord1 we persuade men4 ,and we have seen and do testify that the ,father sent the ,son to be the ,saviour of the world4 ,whosoever shall confess that ,jesus is the ,son of ,god1 ,god dwelleth in him1 and he in ,god4 ,and we have known and believed the love that ,god hath to us4 ,god is love2 and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in ,god1 and ,god in him4 ,herein is our love made perfect1 that we may have boldness in the day of judgment3 because as he is1 so are we in this world4 ,there is no fear in love2 but perfect love casteth out fear3 because fear hath torment4 ,he that feareth is not made perfect in love4 ,we love him because he first loved us4 ,but ye1 brethren1 are not in darkness1 that that day should overtake you as a thief4 ,ye are all the children of light1 and the children of the day3 we are not of the night1 nor of darkness4 ,therefore let us not sleep1 as do others2 but let us watch and be sober4 ,for they that sleep sleep in the night2 and they that be drunken are drunken in the night4 ,but let us1 who are of the day1 be sober1 putting on the breastplate of faith and love2 and for an helmet1 the hope of salvation4 ,for ,god hath not appointed us to wrath1 but to obtain salvation by our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who died for us1 that1 whether we wake or sleep1 we should live together with him4 ,wherefore comfort yourselves together1 and edify one another1 even as also ye do4 ,let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter3 ,fear ,god1 and keep his commandments3 for this is the whole duty of man4 ,for ,god shall bring every work into judgment1 with every secret thing1 whether it be good1 or whether it be evil4 ,,thoughts ,,upon ,,future ,,life4 ,it is obviously impossible to treat a subject so vast and so profoundly interesting as this within the limits of a ,parish ,paper1 except in the most cursory and superficial manner4 ,yet ,i am induced to make the attempt1 in order1 if possible1 to impress my readers with such ideas of our life in heaven as are more in accordance with the nature of man and the ,word of ,god1 than1 ,i am inclined to think1 obtain among many sincere ,christians1 who accordingly are deprived of encouragements in duty1 comforts in sorrow1 and bright hopes to cheer them amid the world's darkness1 which they might otherwise possess4 ,let us inquire1 then1 in what shall consist the believer's happiness in ,god's presence4 ,now1 it will greatly aid us in answering this question regarding our true life in eternity1 if we first consider what constitutes our true life in time1 or what would constitute our perfect happiness now1 if in the full enjoyment of all our mental and bodily powers1 and if1 in the best possible circumstances1 we perfectly fulfilled upon earth ,god's purpose in our creation4 ,in endeavouring to solve this question1 ,i remark that our perfection consists in the gratification of every part of our many-sided nature4 ,thus1 for instance1 enjoyment might be derived through our senses1 though the intellect was comparatively weak1 and our moral being depraved2 or from the exercise of our intellectual or spiritual nature1 while the body suffered from pain3 or delight might be poured through all those channels1 but yet if we were doomed to be solitary beings1 without any companion or friend with whom to communicate or share our gladness1 or were prevented from expressing our thoughts and desires by action1 the result in either of these supposed cases would not be perfect happiness4 ,but1 on the other hand1 if we can imagine a man with his whole nature in a state of perfect health1 each portion demanding and obtaining its appropriate nourishment1 and with all his powers beautifully balanced and in perfect harmony with the plan of ,god1 according to the effectual working of the measure in every part1--the senses ministering to the most refined tastes1--the intellect full of light in the apprehension of truth1 and strong in its discovery1--the moral being possessing perfect holiness and unerring subjection to the will of ,god1--the love of society able to rest upon fitting objects1 and to find a fall return for its sympathies in suitable companionships1 while ample scope was afforded for activity by congenial labour2--then would such a state be perfection or fulness of joy in ,god's presence here below4 ,i do not1 of course1 allege that every part of our being has the same capacity to afford us joy1 or that the flood can pour itself into the soul with the same fulness through each of these channels1 as if1 for instance1 we depended in the same degree for enjoyment upon our sentient as we do upon our intellectual or moral nature4 ,all ,i mean to assert is1 that whatever proportion may come through each1 ,god has so made us1 that perfect joy is derived only through all4 ,such is man's actual constitution as he came from the hands of his ,maker2 and such would have been his happiness had he remained unfallen4 ,placed1 as ,adam was1 in a material world so rich in sources of physical happiness1 with an intellect capable of unlocking the countless treasures of science1--with a nature pure and spotless1 delighting in the excellent ,god1--with society begun with woman as a helpmeet for him1 and with the active labour required to dress and keep his earthly paradise1--he possessed1 in such perfect adaptations1 a heaven upon earth4 ,and had perfect man been translated to another region1 we cannot conceive his joy thereby to become essentially different in kind1 though different in degree1 supposing him to remain the same being1 and to possess the same human nature4 ,now1 man's fall has not altered this principle4 ,sin is a perversion of human nature1 not its annihilation2 a disorder of its powers1 not their destruction4 ,nor is restoration by ,jesus ,christ the gift of a different constitution1 as if ,he made us something else than human beings1 but the renovation of the old constitution after its original type4 ,it is making the old man1 diseased1 bent down1 paralysed1 deaf1 blind1 the new man1 with frame erect1 limbs strong1 eyes and ears open1 and all his powers fresh and vigorous for immortality2 and1 therefore1 that which would constitute the happiness of man were he perfect on earth1 will be his happiness1 though in a higher degree1 when he is made perfect in heaven4 ,this supposition1 ,i repeat1 only assumes the fact that we shall be the same persons for ever2 that human nature will never cease to be human nature1 or be changed into a different species of existence1 no more than ,jesus ,christ1 the ,head of ,his ,church1 will ever cease to be what ,he is--the man ,christ ,jesus1 with a human body and a human soul1 the same yesterday1 to-day1 and for ever4 ,there is another way in which ,i might describe the nature of our future life1 although ,i shall base my remarks on the principles now stated4 ,we must admit that the perfection of our being is fellowship with ,god the ,father in the possession of that spirit of son-ship which was revealed in ,jesus ,christ the ,son of ,god and the ,son of man4 ,this1 and this alone1 must insure fellowship with ,him in ,his character and joy4 ,we shall consequently rejoice in all that ,he rejoices in--as far as this is possible for creatures4 ,thus1 if ,he rejoices in the glory of ,his own ,being1 as ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1 so shall we2 if ,he rejoices in all ,his works1 so shall we2 if ,he rejoices in what ,he does1 in what ,he knows1 in what ,he purposes1 so shall we2 if ,he rejoices in the communion of holy and happy men and angels1 so shall we4 ,in one word1 if our chief end is to glorify ,god1 when that end is fulfilled1 we shall enjoy ,him for ever4 ,and this was our ,saviour's prayer when ,he said1 ,the glory ,thou hast given me ,i have given them1 that we may be one6 ,but as those two lines of thought would lead practically to the same conclusion1 it seems to me that the nature of our future life will be best understood by most of my readers if ,i endeavour to shew what we shall be1 according to the arrangement already proposed4 ,let us1 then1 meditate on the glorious supply which ,god has provided for filling up every part of this our complex nature in heaven4 ,i4 ,,our ,,physical ,,life ,,in ,,heaven4 ,speaking of the materialism of heaven1 ,dr ,chalmers truly says3--,the common imagination that many have of paradise on the other side of death1 is that of a lofty1 aerial region where the inmates float on ether1 or are mysteriously suspended upon nothing2 where all the warm and felt accompaniments which give such an expression of strength1 and life1 and colour to our present habitation1 are attenuated into a sort of spiritual element1 that is meagre1 and imperceptible1 and wholly uninviting to the eye of mortals here below2 where every vestige of materialism is done away with1 and nothing left but certain unearthly scenes that have no power of allurement1 and certain unearthly ecstasies with which it is impossible to sympathise1 ,the sensitiveness with which many thus shrink from almost alluding to the physical element of enjoyment in heaven1 because it is unworthy to be compared with the spiritual glory that is to be revealed1 arises1 no doubt1 from the half suspicion that there is some necessary connexion between materialism and sin2 thus forgetting that the body1 and the outward world which ministers to it1 are ,god's handiworks as well as the soul2 and that it is ,he himself who has adjusted their relative workings4 ,and surely it is quite unnecessary to remind you at any length how exquisitely ,god has fashioned our physical frame1 as the medium of communication with the outer material world4 ,the nostrils inhale the sweet perfumes which scent the breezy air1 and rise as incense from the flowers that cover the earth4 ,by the eye the soul perceives the glories of the summer sky1 and searches for its midnight stars2 recognises splendour of colour1 and beauty of form2 gazes on the outspread landscape of fertile field and hoary mountain1 of stream1 forest1 ocean1 and island2 and contemplates that world of profounder interest still1 the human countenance1 of beloved parent1 child1 or friend1 strong with the power of elevated thought1 sublime with the grandeur of moral character1 or bright with all the sunshine of winning emotion4 ,the ear1 too1 is the magic instrument which conveys to the soul all the varied harmonies of sound1 from the choirs of spring1 and the other innumerable minstrelsies of nature1 as well as from the higher art of man1 that soothe1 elevate1 and solemnise4 ,it is true1 indeed1 that there are grosser appetites of the body which many pervert so as to enslave the spirit2 thus abusing by gluttony1 drunkenness1 and every form of sensuality1 what ,god the merciful and wise has intrusted to man to be used for wise and merciful ends4 ,but even here there is already perceptible a marked difference between those appetites and the more refined tastes alluded to2 inasmuch as the former are found in their abuse to be1 strictly speaking1 unnatural1 and destructive of man's happiness2 and even in their legitimate use they decay with advancing years1 thus proving that the stamp of time is upon them as on things belonging to a temporary economy2 whereas such tastes as those that enjoy the beautiful in nature or in art1 for example1 abide in old age with a youthful freshness1 and more than a youthful niceness of discernment2 and so afford a presumption that they are destined for immortality4 ,to the aged saint the trees clap their hands1 the little hills rejoice1 and the mountains break forth into singing2 and when the earth is empty of every other sentient pleasure1 it is in the beauty of its sights and sounds1 still full to him of the glory of his ,god4 ,and so must it be for ever6 ,the glorified saint is not unclothed1 but clothed upon4 ,he inhabits a house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,the future body is called a spiritual body to express1 ,i presume1 its pure and immortal essence2 for though it will be somehow related to the present body1--as the risen is related to the sown grain which has perished through corruption1--it must be changed into a new and higher form4 ,flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of ,god4 ,we shall all be changed4 ,he shall change our vile bodies1 and fashion them like to ,his own glorious body4 ,it is in this new body1 once sown in weakness1 corruption1 and mortality1 but raised at length in power1 incorruption1 and immortality1 no more to suffer1 and no more to die1 that we shall tread upon the new earth1 gaze on the new heavens1 and walk in the paradise of our ,god4 ,and who can tell what sources of refined enjoyment1 through the medium of the spiritual body1 are in store for us in ,god's great palace of art1 with its endless mansions and endless displays of glory6 ,well may we say of such anticipated pleasures what good ,izaak ,walton says of the singing of birds3 ,lord1 if ,thou hast provided such music for sinners on earth1 what hast ,thou in store for ,thy saints in heaven6 ,for if this little spot of earth is full of scenes of loveliness to us inexhaustible2 if1 contemplating these in a body buoyant with health and strength1 we feel it is joy even to live and breathe2 and if when1 seeing ,god in them all1 the expression of praise rises to the lips1 ,lord1 how manifold are thy works6 in wisdom hast ,thou made them all3 the earth is full of ,thy riches6--oh1 what visions of glory may be spread before the wondering eye throughout the vast extent of the material universe1 comprehending those immense worlds which twinkle only in the field of the largest telescope1 and vanish into the far distance in endless succession2 and what sounds may greet the ear from the as yet unheard music of those spheres2 while1 for aught we know1 other means of communication may be opened up to us1 with objects ministering delight to new tastes2 and sources of sentient enjoyment discovered which do not exist here1 or elude the perception of our present senses4 ,add to all this our deliverance from those physical evils and defects which are now the causes of so much pain1 and clog so terribly the aspiring soul4 ,for how affected are we by the slightest disorganisation of our bodily frame6 ,a disturbance in some of the finer parts of its machinery1 which no science can discover or rectify2 a delicate fibre shadowed by a cloud passing over the sun2 or a nerve chilled by a lowering of the temperature of the atmosphere1 will tell on the most genial temper1 relax the strongest intellect1 and dim the brightest imagination2 while other physical causes1 quite as mysterious1 can make reason reel and lunacy become ascendant4 ,the very infirmities of old age2 the constant toil required to satisfy our cravings for food and raiment2 the wounds and bruises the body receives1 and which agonise it1 and the deformity which so often disfigures it1 cramping the spirit within a narrow and iron prison-house--these form a terrible deduction from that joy which we are capable of deriving even now through the medium of our physical organisation4 ,such evils cannot here be rectified4 ,they are the immediate1 or more remote consequences of man's iniquity2 and under ,christ belong to that education by which bodily suffering is made the means of disciplining the soul for immortality4 ,but in the new heavens and the new earth the body will no longer experience fatigue in labour1 or be subject to hurtful influences from the elements1 nor ever grow old2 but be glorious and beautiful as the risen body of ,jesus ,christ6 ,and ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes2 and there shall be no more death1 neither sorrow1 nor crying1 neither shall there be any more pain3 for the former things are passed away4 ,i wonder not1 indeed1 that ,paul should exclaim along with those who had the first-fruits of the ,spirit1 ,even we ourselves groan within ourselves1 waiting for the adoption1 that is1 the redemption of our body4 ,with these bright hopes let us who are now alive seek to glorify ,god in the body which is to be glorified together with ,christ4 ,the body is for the ,lord1 and the ,lord for the body4 ,know ye not that your bodies are the members of ,christ8 ,know ye not that your bodies are temples of the ,holy ,ghost8 ,if any man defile that temple1 him will ,god destroy4 ,when ,christ who is our life shall appear1 then shall ye also appear with him in glory4 ,mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth4 ,let us honour the body as a holy thing2 and beware how we put the chains of slavery upon it1 or from our selfishness expose it to hunger and nakedness4 ,let us endeavour even to make art1 that ministers to our sense of the beautiful1 minister also to our sense of the true and good2 and ever speak to us of ,god as seen in ,his works2 or in ,his ways among the children of men4 ,and finally1 as we contemplate the body of a departed saint1 let us behold it in the light of this revelation4 ,let the grave in which it lies no longer be associated in our thoughts with the worm and corruption only1 and with all the sad memorials and revolting symbols of mortality4 ,let the voice of ,him who is the resurrection and the life be heard in the breeze that bends the grass which waves over it1 and ,his quickening energy be seen in the beauteous sun which shines upon it2 and while we hear the cry1 ,dust to dust1 let us remember that the very dust to ,him is dear2 and that when ,he appears in ,his glory1 ,he will repair and rebuild that ruined temple1 and fashion it in glory and in beauty like ,his own6 ,,ii4 ,,our ,,intellectual ,,life4 ,let us consider the joy which ,god has provided for our intellects during our immortal life in heaven4 ,there are many dear saints of ,god who have little sympathy with those who associate happiness with the pursuit or possession of intellectual truth4 ,these persons1 perhaps1 have had themselves such weak intellectual capacities1 as made the acquisition of knowledge impossible for them beyond its simplest elements2 or their minds have been stunted in early years from want of education2 or in the providence of ,god they have been made hewers of wood and drawers of water1 rather than intellectual princes among the people4 ,yet let none of us who are so ignorant1 and who as yet think and speak like children1 be discouraged by a conscious sense of our weak intellectual grasp and scanty information2 but rather rejoice with ,christ in the dispensation by which ,god reveals ,himself not to talent but to goodness2 not to the giant intellect but to the babe-like spirit3 ,i thank thee1 ,o ,father1 that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent1 and hast revealed them unto babes6 ,god has1 nevertheless1 made the acquisition of truth by the intellect a source of supreme delight4 ,you well know how every field in nature has been searched1 and every quarter of the globe ransacked1 and many days and nights of patient intellectual toil consumed by men who have endured incredible labour1 supported by no other motive than their love of knowledge4 ,the immediate joy which is experienced by a great discoverer when a new fact or truth flashes on his mind is to others almost inconceivable4 ,we read that when ,newton1 after years of difficulty1 was just about to step on the summit of that mountain from which he knew he was to hear such intellectual music as never before had sounded in the mind of man1 and to catch a glimpse of the hitherto unseen glory of that new ocean of truth which he alone had reached1--for ,he was the first that ever burst ,into that silent sea6-- his joy was so great that he was overcome by his emotions1 and wept6 ,this passion of acquiring knowledge is not the least remarkable fact recorded of ,solomon4 ,we are told that he spake of trees1 and of beasts1 and of creeping things4 ,he himself says of ,god1 ,he hath made things beautiful in time3 also ,he hath put it into man's heart to survey the world1 and to find out the work that ,god maketh from the beginning to the end4 ,when ,i applied mine heart to know wisdom1 and to see the business that is done upon the earth3 7for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes37 then ,i beheld all the work of ,god1 that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun2 because though a man labour to seek it out1 yet he shall not find it2 yea1 though a wise man think to know it1 yet shall he not be able to find it4 ,there was in all this no doubt vanity and vexation of spirit1 for the attempt was vain to find satisfaction for the soul in the knowledge of things themselves apart from the knowledge of a personal ,god1 or in any truth rather than in ,him who is true4 ,and therefore many1 perceiving how intellect is often allied to ungodliness1 and fails of itself to insure either goodness or happiness1 are disposed to refuse to it the high place which ,god has assigned to it in the soul1 and to suspect the reality of the exalted delight which ,he has designed ,his saints and angels to enjoy in its exercise4 ,but while the deifiers of mere intellect are ever reminded that it alone cannot deify1 but may be abused so as to demonise man1 yet let those who slight it remember also that it is the head without whose inventive genius or directing skill the strong arms of labour would be idle4 ,let the man of material wealth or material power recollect that it is the wealth of science and the power of mind1 possessed perhaps by unknown and lonely students who have all their lifetime been struggling to obtain their daily bread1 and to snatch the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table1 which have created our manufactures1 filled our warehouses1 crossed our oceans1 healed our diseases1 and reared the fabric of law and government4 ,and ,god1 who has made the intellect the source of delight to the individual1 and of good to society here1 will surely perfect it hereafter4 ,whatever its capacity may be1 it shall then be filled to its utmost limit2 and be characterised by a clearness1 vigour1 and precision1 unknown here to the greatest thinkers4 ,all barriers to its progress shall be removed1 which were occasioned here by the mortal body1 the poor culture1 the little time1 the few opportunities1 the weak or sinful prejudices2 so that the poorest saint will shine there as the sun in its strength6 ,and with this increased power of knowing1 how inconceivably increased must be our sources of knowledge2 how boundless is the field which supplies them2 how inexhaustible the treasures it contains2 how unlimited the time for gathering them2 how helpful the society that will sympathise with and join in our pursuits6 ,no one surely imagines that on entering heaven we can at once obtain perfect knowledge--perfect1 ,i mean1 not in the sense of accuracy1 but of fully possessing all that can be known4 ,this is possible for ,deity only4 ,for it may be asserted with confidence that ,gabriel knows more to-day than he knew yesterday4 ,nor is it difficult for us to conceive how1 throughout eternity1 and revelling with freedom throughout ,god's universe1 we may be occupied by the contemplation of new and endless displays of the inexhaustible wisdom and power of ,god in ,his works2 and see more and more into the life of all things2 and continually read new volumes of that great book of nature and of truth1 whose first letters we are now learning with difficulty to spell4 ,and could we ever succeed in gathering together the present treasures of all worlds1 why may not new and varied creations for ever renew the universe1 and grander displays be made of the glory and majesty of the ,creator8 ,besides all this1 must not the ways of ,god1 as well as ,his works1 and the wonders of ,his moral government1 extending over all ,his creatures1 and over all worlds1 and throughout all ages1 afford inexhaustible subjects wherewith to exercise the intellect of man8 ,is not every truth1 too1 with which we are already acquainted linked to another and a higher truth8 ,and if so1 when shall we reach the end of that awful chain which is in the hand of ,god8 ,but though for ever we shall thus dive deeper and deeper into the divine mind1 never1 never can we sound its unfathomable depths4 ,though we shall ascend for ever from one intellectual height to another in the eternal range of thought1 we shall approach1 yet never reach1 that unseen throne on which is seated the ,i ,am1 the ,comprehender of all truth1 the ,solver of all mysteries1 but who ,himself1 though known1 because revealed to us in ,his eternal ,son and loved as our ,father1 must ever1 as the absolute ,one1 be the mystery incomprehensible6 ,from the few glimpses which we obtain in ,scripture of angelic life1 we may infer that the understanding of the works and ways of ,god forms no small part of its joy4 ,we read of the sons of ,god crowding round the earth1 and we hear those morning stars singing for joy1 as they behold the commencement of this new theatre of wonders added to those with which they were already acquainted4 ,i doubt not that these high intelligences watched with intensest interest the progress of the world's formation1 and beheld order and beauty growing out of chaotic darkness and confusion1 and during the incalculable ages of the past1 before man himself appeared upon the scene1 gazed with wonder on the successive creations of animal and vegetable life1 whose remains we now see buried in their rocky sepulchres4 ,we know1 too1 the deeper interest which the angelic host have taken in this world since it became the abode of man4 ,they are acquainted with all its inhabitants1 and have seen the mystery of ,god's providence here unfolding itself from age to age4 ,a great multitude of them hovered over the hills of ,bethlehem at that great era when unto us a ,child was born1 and unto us a ,saviour was given1 who was ,christ the ,lord2 and in sympathy with ,god and man they ascribed glory to ,god in the highest1 because of the peace which was proclaimed to earth1 and of the good-will which was expressed towards man4 ,we know also how they have taken an active share under ,jesus the ,king1 in advancing the affairs of ,his kingdom1 both by punishing the wicked1 and ministering to the heirs of salvation4 ,and to put it beyond a doubt that scope is given even here for the exercise of the intellect of the angels1 we are distinctly informed that all the marvellous history now proceeding in this world had a direct reference in its original design to their progressive education3 ,for ,god created all things by ,jesus ,christ1 to the intent that now unto principalities and powers might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of ,god4 ,there are indeed things even here which angels desire to look into6 ,and though the redeemed from earth are not yet revealed to us as being engaged in intellectual pursuits1 nevertheless two of them have revisited the earth and appeared in the old land of their sojourning in visible form1 and bearing the names of ,moses and ,elias1 so familiar to the ,church of ,god1 and have spoken in language intelligible to the children of men1 and upon a subject of all the most absorbing in its interest to the ,church above and below--the decease which ,christ was to accomplish at ,jerusalem6 ,but ,i dare not enlarge on this part of my subject1 however inviting it may be4 ,let me only implore of you to consecrate your intellects to ,god's service2 and glorify ,him in soul and spirit as well as in body4 ,reverence ,truth in every department1 as it is the expression of the mind and will of ,god1 and seek it in humility1 and with a deep sense of your responsibility as to how you search and what you believe4 ,and surely it is an elevating and comforting thing to know1 with reference to those who on earth were adorned by ,god with high intellects1 cultivated with care1 and sanctified for their ,master's service2 who thirsted for truth1 and relished its acquisition with peculiar delight1 and the more so when it led them directly to ,him who is ,truth itself1 and enabled them the better to behold ,his glory1 that their powers are now finding ample field for their exercise1 and can orb themselves around without a limit4 ,not therefore with sadness but with joy we can turn from beholding the dead unmeaning eye of the lifeless body1 through which the noble mind once shone with mild intellectual lustre1 and contemplate the same mind rising over the everlasting hills1 amidst the fresh unsullied brightness of a new-born day1 and advancing for ever without a cloud amidst the endless glories of the upper sky4 ,one other suggestion as to duty in connexion with this part of our subject3 take a peculiarly tender1 sympathising1 and thoughtful care of those who are deprived of the noble gift of intellect1 and who in ,god's providence may be cast on your mercy4 ,walk by faith towards them4 ,see them not as they are1 but as they shall be4 ,act as you would wish to have done when you meet them in that world of light where we shall no longer see through a glass darkly1 and where even he who seems exceeding fierce shall sit at the feet of ,jesus1 meek as a child1 and in his right mind4 ,thank ,god1 there shall be no night there6 ,,iii4 ,,our ,,devotional ,,life4 ,our joy in heaven will1 above all1 be derived from the perfection of our moral being4 ,we shall be without fault before the throne of ,god4 ,he shall present us to ,himself without spot1 or blemish1 or wrinkle1 or any such thing4 ,truly and beautifully has ,sir ,thomas ,browne said1--,there is no felicity in what the world adores3 that wherein ,god himself is happy1 the holy angels are happy1 and in whose defect the devils are unhappy--that dare ,i call happiness2 whatsoever else the world terms happiness1 is to me an apparition or neat delusion1 wherein there is no more of happiness than the name4 ,following out this thought1 let us reverently inquire in what chiefly consists the joy of ,god1 or what especially constitutes ,his glory4 ,now1 ,he is glorious in that creative mind by which things are made so wisely with reference to the end which each has to serve2 and made so beautiful and grand in their sculptured forms and harmonious colours4 ,he surveys all ,his works1 and rejoices in them as very good4 ,he is glorious also in that miracle of a wondrous providence by which without a miracle the wants of all the endless worlds of ,his creatures are supplied2 and by which responsible persons also are created and trained to glorify and enjoy ,himself for ever4 ,but while perfection beams in every feature of the ,divine mind1 ,his glory1 ,his joy1 is in ,his character4 ,not ,his power1 but the character which wields the power2 not ,his wisdom1 but that which ,his character accomplishes by it2 not ,his majestic sovereignty1 but that majestic character which stamps ,his reign as one of right and therefore of might1 commanding1 irresistible4 ,this is the glory which ,he made to pass before the eyes of ,moses when upon the mount2 which shone in the face of ,jesus ,christ the ,holy ,one of ,god2 and which fills the souls of the rapt seraphim when they cry1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 is the ,lord ,god of hosts3 the whole earth is full of ,his glory6 ,thus ,god is happy and most blessed because ,he is glorious in holiness1 or1 in one word1 because ,his name is ,love4 ,and in what1 moreover1 does the happiness of the angels consist1 but in sharing this life of ,god8 ,these bright ones1 indeed1 experience joy in contemplating ,his works of creation and redemption1 and have been glad in acquiring truth throughout many ages2 but the atmosphere which they breathe1 the light in which they dwell1 is love4 ,they are happy not merely in what they hear1 or see1 or know of the things of ,god1 but chiefly in what they are towards ,god himself4 ,they know ,him1 and this is life eternal4 ,and1 finally1 it is in the defect of this in which devils are unhappy4 ,for ,satan1 as he goes to and fro in the earth1 and in walking up and down in it1 may hear those sounds of loveliness which delight our ears1 but they are no music to his jarring and discordant spirit2 and he may behold those sights of loveliness which delight our eye1 but he does so as the prowling lion who perceives no grandeur in the glorious mountains which echo to his savage roar4 ,nor does the exercise of his subtle intellect afford him joy1 because it is not in harmony with truth1 nor with the ,god of truth2 but is as a wandering star1 to which is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever4 ,and therefore1 though he is a king1 he is king of darkness1 and carries hell in his own bosom1 whether he moves among the beauteous bowers of ,eden1 or dwells for days upon earth1 in the wilderness1 in the holy temple1 or on the high mountain1 with even ,god manifest in the flesh beside him4 ,he has no holiness1 no love1 and therefore no peace or joy4 ,and thus does our joy depend on our fellowship with ,god in character4 ,other things may be1 this must be1 if we are to be happy4 ,other things are required to give our joy fulness2 this is essential to give it existence4 ,for the body may be deprived of all pleasurable sensation1 and the intellect unable to grapple with the simplest problem1 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble1 and those that look out at the windows are darkened1 and the daughters of music are brought low1--yet the light of joy may still shine in the soul1 so long as the mind can discern that ,god is1 and the heart feel that ,god is love4 ,not1 therefore1 in the gratification of his sentient tastes2 nor in the certainties of pure intellect2 nor in science1 which can put forth its hand and feel from star to star2 nor even in the exercise of that genius--so like ,his own creative power6--whose contrivances change the aspect of the world1 and whose glorious flights can speed to airy regions which no fowl knoweth nor the vulture's eye hath seen3 not in those outer courts of ,god's great temple has the ,father willed that ,his immortal children shall find their true life1 but in the holy of holies only of ,his own immediate presence1 and in the possession of the spirit of life and of love which is in ,his first-born ,son1 ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,and this was the glory and joy which ,jesus himself manifested on earth1 when ,he had no place to lay his head2 and was despised and rejected of men2 and ,his countenance was marred like no man's2 when ,he carried ,his cross2 and revealed to us that true life which ,he died to obtain1 and rose from the dead to impart to us by ,his ,spirit4 ,he did not come to teach us to become artists1 orators1 or men of mere intellectual cultivation1 capable of creating a hero-worship4 ,the race who built ,nineveh and ,thebes1 or produced the artists1 orators1 poets1 historians1 or the world--conquerors of ,greece and ,rome1 needed no such teaching as this4 ,but ,he came to reveal to men--who1 whatever else they knew1 did not know their ,maker1 but changed the truth of ,god into a lie--that eternal life of love which was with the ,father1 so that in its possession they might have fellowship with the ,father1 with the ,son1 and with one another1 and in this way only have ,his own joy fulfilled in themselves4 ,he taught us to follow ,him1 with all lowliness and meekness1 and thus to walk worthy of ,god who hath called us to ,his kingdom and glory6 ,i have dwelt1 perhaps1 at unnecessary length upon this part of my subject1 yet ,i am anxious to quicken in you the conviction of what you cannot doubt1 that our moral nature can be satisfied only with ,god's likeness4 ,so is it now2 so will it be for ever4 ,the sweet peace which the believer enjoys in ,god here2 the elevating delight he experiences from contemplating ,his character1 and saying1 ,my ,father1 let ,thy name be hallowed6 let ,thy kingdom come6 let ,thy will be done6--his joy in the possession of the graces of the ,christian life1 are not foretastes only1 but earnests also1 and pledges of the coming fulness1 the first-fruits of the approaching harvest4 ,we shall be like ,him6 ,oh blessed consummation1 before which everything else vanishes in comparison6 ,our souls cleansed from every stain of guilt1 and made white in the blood of the ,lamb2 and washed1 too1 from all the pollution of sin with the waters of regeneration and the renewing of the ,holy ,ghost1 shall be faultless1 not having spot1 or wrinkle1 or any such thing4 ,the pure and holy ,god resting on us as ,his own work through ,his ,son and ,spirit1 shall rejoice in that work as perfect2 and every redeemed soul will be as a mirror in whose transparent depths the ,divine glory is seen reflected4 ,oh comforting and exalting thought6 that the weakest and most imperfect1 yet true child of ,god1 who possessed any real faith or real love1 is thus at last glorified together with ,christ--their confessions of sin for ever over2 their sense of their own emptiness lost in a sense of ,christ's fulness2 their ardent longings for unsullied holiness gratified as no faith or foretaste here realised1 even feebly1 in their hours of most pious fervour6 ,should it not delight us to think of even one whom we have known and loved really possessing such joy as this2 and ought we not to give united thanks to ,god for their happiness with ,god1 even while we sorrow for their loss to ourselves during our earthly pilgrimage8 ,,iv4 ,,our ,,social ,,life4 ,man is a social as well as a sentient1 intellectual1 and moral being2 and as such he will have joy in the presence of ,god in heaven4 ,we are made for brotherhood4 ,it was in reference to this original craving of the heart for society that ,god said of man when he came perfect from ,his hands1 ,it is not good for him to be alone4 ,the fact of solitariness is1 indeed1 unknown in ,god's intelligent and moral universe4 ,with reverence1 ,i remark1 that ,god has existed as ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1 three ,persons in the unity of the ,godhead4 ,we cannot1 indeed1 conceive of ,god1 whose name is love1 existing from eternity without a person like ,himself as an object of ,his love4 ,certain it is1 however1 that for the creature to have joy in himself alone1 is impossible4 ,isolation would1 in time1 produce insanity4 ,the heart will lavish its affection upon the lowest forms of animal creation1 or upon ideal beings1 rather than feed upon itself4 ,but there can be no solitude to him who knows there is a ,god1 nor who possesses any religion2 for religion is love to ,god4 ,and even where the society of men is shunned1 and solitude fled to by the weary1 this is often1 after all1 but an unconscious protest in favour of brotherhood2 the bitterness of one who1 having sought it from men in vain1 feels as if robbed of his brother's affections1 which he had a right to possess as a portion of his inheritance4 ,but while ,god has planted in every breast this passion for congenial society1 and has supplied to so great an extent its want by the family institution into which we are born in our early years1 and by the troops of friends who accompany us during our pilgrimage1 and by the fellowship of the ,christian ,church1 in proportion as that fellowship is not a mere name1 but expresses the intention of ,christ in gathering ,his people into a society1--there are1 nevertheless1 innumerable drawbacks here to anything like its full gratification4 ,take away the time consumed in the necessary and often absorbing labour of life1 and during the unavoidable separations and partings from those we know and love1 how little is left for the cultivation here of the truest friendships4 ,we are1 moreover1 severed as yet by death from all congenial minds among past generations1 and from those who are yet to come4 ,of the many now alive whose hearts would beat to ours1 could we only meet and know them1 how few can stand together on the small space allotted to us on the earth's surface4 ,then1 again1 of those whom we know best and love best on earth1 and who know and love us best too1 oh1 what mutual ignorance must necessarily exist of innumerable thoughts and feelings lying deep clown in our inner man1 half hidden1 half revealed1 even to ourselves1 but altogether incommunicable and unutterable by word or sign to others6 ,we may at times be conscious that we stand with them on the same lofty summit1 and gaze on the same prospect1 but the atmosphere is too rare to permit of any heard communication between us4 ,and thus in no case can there be1 not the meeting1 but that blending of soul with soul by which one being1 without losing his individuality1 seems completed in the being of another4 ,add to all this the granite walls that rise up between us during our wanderings in this desert--the differences1 not only from intellect1 pursuits1 rank1 education1 but also from character1 and those sins and infirmities of which all more or less partake1 such as pride1 vanity1 prejudice1 envy1--one and all making sad drawbacks from the fulness of joy which we are capable of deriving even now from intelligent and holy society4 ,we are made to realise this fact in reading the history of the holiest society that ever was on earth1 that of ,jesus ,christ and ,his apostles4 ,only three years together1 often separated during this brief period by dark nights1 stormy seas1 long journeys1 and the sin and ignorance ,,or their part which made ,him exclaim1 ,nevertheless ,i am not alone1 for the ,father is with me1 intimating that1 without this ,divine sympathy1 ,he was indeed alone in ,his joys and in ,his sorrows amidst ,his brethren4 ,after ,his departure1 how soon were the apostles scattered1 and how seldom did they meet6 ,for years ,paul was not acquainted with any of them1 and possibly never met them all1 while he was quite unknown by face to many of those ,christian churches who read his letters1 and revered his name4 ,the apostle ,john complains that he could not communicate to his friends the many things he had to say by pen and ink1 and longs for personal intercourse4 ,i trust1 he says1 to come unto you and speak face to face1 that our joy might be full4 ,ah1 there is no tabernacling here with ,jesus1 nor yet with ,moses or ,elias6 ,but such a dispensation is no doubt wise4 ,it marks the condition of those who have no continuing city here1 but who look for one to come4 ,it also greatly helps to weaken1 on the one hand1 our tendency to idolise the creature1 and to strengthen1 on the other1 our faith in ,god1 who abideth for ever1 and thus to unite us to one another1 both now and in the end1 more truly than we ourselves as yet understand4 ,but1 nevertheless1 the joy from ,christian intercourse experienced here is among the most precious gifts of ,god1 and its value is enhanced by the prophecy which it contains of the glorious future4 ,union is the gospel watchword2 it is the grand result of redemption2 for holy union is holy love1 the drawing of heart to heart1 because all are drawn by one ,spirit1 through one ,saviour1 to one ,god1 a union which is to be perfectly realised in our future social state1 when we shall be fellow-citizens with the saints in the heavenly ,jerusalem4 ,now1 consider what ample resources heaven affords for the cultivation of the social affections among those of the highest intellect1 taste1 and moral worth in ,god's universe1 ,but ye are come unto ,mount ,sion1 and unto the city of the living ,god1 the heavenly ,jerusalem1 and to an innumerable company of angels1 to the general assembly and church of the first-born1 which are written in heaven1 and to ,god the ,judge of all1 and to the spirits of just men made perfect1 and to ,jesus the mediator of the new covenant4 ,here we have summed up the society in our future home4 ,we shall there enjoy the society of the angels4 ,we know about those holy beings1 but we do not know themselves as yet4 ,but how often does it happen to us in regard to our earthly friends1 that those who are unknown to us in our early years even by name1 become in our latter years indissolubly bound up with our history and our joy8 ,and thus the angels1 whom on earth we have never seen1 will1 nevertheless1 when the manhood of our being is reached1 become our intimate friends and dear companions for ever4 ,let us not forget1 however1 that the angels know each saint on earth more intimately than the saints themselves are known by their nearest friends4 ,for are they not all ministering spirits1 sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation8 ,but this fact suggests another analogy between our social relationships with men and angels1--viz41 that as earthly friends who have been acquainted with ourselves and our family history during the forgotten days of infancy1 are met by us1 in after-years1 not as strangers1 but with feelings of sympathy and intimacy akin to those awakened by old kindred2 even so will the saint1 on reaching heaven1 find ,god's angels to be1 not strangers1 but old friends who have known all about him from the day of his birth until the hour of his death4 ,it is true that these high and holy ones belong to a different order of beings from ourselves1 and this1 we might be disposed to think1 must prevent the possibility of their sympathising with us4 ,but let us remember1 that while in material forms there is no one common abiding type1 by which1 for example1 the vegetable1 beast1 bird1 or fish are formed2 yet that it is quite otherwise with intellectual and moral beings1 who are all necessarily made like ,god1 and therefore like one another4 ,and1 finally1 though we might conjecture that beings possessed of such vast stores of knowledge1 the accumulated wealth of ages1 and of such high and glorious intellects1 would necessarily repel our approaches by the awe they would inspire in a child of earth when with all his ignorance he enters heaven1 yet let our confidence be restored by remembering the fact1 that in them1 as in the great ,jehovah1 all majesty and wisdom become attractive when combined with1 and directed by love4 ,the love which enables us to cling to the ,almighty and love ,him as a ,father1 will enable us to meet the angels in peace1 and to love them as brethren4 ,and thus ,i am persuaded that a saint on earth1 compassed about as he is with his many infirmities1 would even now feel more at home1 so to speak1 with angels1 because of their perfect sympathising love1 than with most of his fellow-men1 because of their remaining pride and selfishness4 ,but just men made perfect also form apart of the society above4 ,their number is daily increasing4 ,day by day unbroken columns are passing through the golden gates of the city1 and ,god's elect are gathering from the four winds of heaven4 ,there are no dead saints2 all are alive unto ,god1 and we live together with them4 ,but ,i further remark in reference to all this glorious society1 that there shall be perfect union among its members4 ,that union will not be one of sameness2 for there can be no sameness either in the past history1 or in the intellectual capacity of any of its members4 ,how vast must be the difference for ever between the history of ,gabriel1 the thief on the cross1 the apostle ,paul1 and the child who died on its first birthday6 ,there is1 moreover1 every reason to believe that each person must retain his own individual features of mind and peculiarities of character1 there as well as here4 ,all the stars will shine in brilliancy1 and sweep in orbits more or less wide around the great centre1 but each star differeth from another star in glory4 ,yet this want of sameness is what will produce the deepest harmony1 such as one sees in the blending of different colours1 or hears in the mingling of different notes4 ,and ,i repeat it1 the bond of this perfectness must be the same in heaven as on earth--love4 ,for it is love which unites exalted rank to lowly place1 knowledge to ignorance1 and strength to weakness2 thus bringing things opposite into an harmonious whole4 ,see accordingly how the love which dwelt in ,god manifest in the flesh1 poured itself into the lowest depths of humanity1 and met men far down to lift them high up2 so that at the very moment1 for instance1 when ,jesus was intensely conscious of ,his dignity1 knowing that he came from ,god and went to ,god1 ,he even then shewed how inseparable was true love from true grandeur1 for we read that knowing this1 ,he rose from supper and girded ,himself with a towel1 and washed ,his disciples' feet6 ,and as ,jesus in the might of the same ,divine affection bridged over the gulf which separated man from ,himself and ,his ,father1 drawing the impure to ,him the ,holy ,one1 that they might become holy2 and the ignorant to ,him the ,all-knowing1 that they might become truly wise2--so shall the same ,divine love include within its vast embrace all in heaven1 from ,god seated on the throne down through the burning ranks of cherubim and seraphim till it reaches the once weeping ,magdalene1 and the once sore-stricken ,lazarus1 and the infant who has but the hour before left the bosom of its weeping mother6 ,,how glorious1 again1 is the thought that the poorest saint here--the most ignorant1 the most despised1 the most solitary and unknown--shall not only admire and love1 but be himself the object of admiration and of love on the part of the highest spirit there4 ,for the ,king who is not ashamed to call the poorest brethren1 will1 in ,his adornments of their mind and heart1 as well as of outward form1 bestowed according to ,his riches1 make them in all things like ,himself1 and fit to move in regal grandeur with all saints and angels in the royal palace of his ,god4 ,fear not1 little flock2 it is your ,father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom4 ,after what has been said1 it is unnecessary to prove what ,i have assumed as so evidently true2 ,i mean the future recognition of our ,christian friends4 ,it is almost as unreasonable to ask for proofs of this as for the probable recognition of friends in a different part of the country after having been separated from one another during a brief interval of time4 ,what6 shall memory be obliterated1 and shall we forget our own past histories1 and therefore lose the sense of our personal identity1 and be ignorant of all we have been and done as sinners1 and of all we have received and done as redeemed men8 or1 knowing all this1 shall we be prevented from communicating our histories to others8 ,shall beloved friends be there whom we have known and loved in ,christ here2 with whom we have held holy communion2 with whom we have laboured and prayed for the advancement of ,christ's kingdom2 and with whom we have eagerly watched for ,his second coming1--and shall we be unable throughout eternity1 either to discover their existence or associate with them in the ,new ,jerusalem8 ,are the apostles now ignorant of each other8 ,did ,moses and ,elias issue out of a darkness which mutually concealed them in heaven1 and recognising one another for the first time amidst the light on ,tabor's hill1 did they then return into darkness again8 ,oh1 what is there in the whole ,word of ,god1--what argument derived from1 our experience of the blessings of ,christian fellowship1--what in the character of ,god or ,his dealings with man1--what in ,his promises of things to come laid up for those who love ,him1 that could have suggested such strange1 unworthy1 false1 and dreary thoughts of the union1 or rather disunion1 of friends in their ,father's home6 ,tell me not that special affection to ,christian brethren1 from whatever causes it may arise1 is inconsistent with unfeigned love to all1 and with absorbing love to ,jesus4 ,it is not so here1 and never can be so from the nature of holy love1 and was not so in ,christ's own case when ,he the ,perfect ,one lived amongst us4 ,with supreme love to ,god1 ,he loved ,his church and gave ,himself for it2 with love to ,his church ,he yet loved the disciples as ,his own2 while again within this circle one of these was specially the loved one2 and beyond it ,he loved ,martha and ,mary and ,lazarus6 ,tell me not that it is enough to know that our friends are in glory4 ,i know this now in regard to some of them1 as surely as ,i know anything beyond the grave2 yet my heart yearns to meet them with the ,lord1 and ,i bless ,him that ,he permits me to comfort myself with the hope of doing so4 ,nor let it be alleged as an insuperable objection to all this anticipated happiness1 that knowledge of the saved would imply knowledge of the lost1 and that this would balance the pleasure we hope for1 by the great pain by which we1 it is assumed1 must thus be compelled to endure4 ,for even admitting that such knowledge would be possessed at all1 which is very doubtful2 yet surely1 at the worst1 this is a strange way of escaping pain from the knowledge that some are lost1 by taking refuge in the ignorance of any being saved6 ,i shall not prove this further1 but express my joy in heartily believing that we shall resume our intercourse with every ,christian friend2 that remembering all the past1 and reading it for the first time aright1 because reading in the full light of revealed truth1 we shall know and love as we never knew and loved here2 and shall sit down at that glorious intellectual1 moral1 and social feast1 not with ideal persons and strangers1 but with ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob1 with ,peter1 ,paul1 and ,john1 and with every saint of ,god6 ,but ,i have not as yet spoken of one friend there who will be the centre of that bright society--,jesus the ,mediator of the new covenant6 ,i will take you to ,myself1 is the blessed promise4 ,we shall see ,him as ,he is1 is the longed-for-vision4 ,we shall be like ,him1 is the hoped-for perfection4 ,to know1 to love1 to be in all things like ,jesus1 and to hold communion with ,him for ever--what an exceeding weight of glory6 ,jesus will never be separated personally from ,his people2 nor can they ever possibly separate their character1 their joy1 or their safety from ,his atoning death for them on earth1 or from ,his constant life for them in heaven4 ,it is the ,lamb who shall lead them to living fountains of waters2 and the ,lamb upon the throne who shall still preside over them4 ,the ,lamb shall be the everlasting light of the ,new ,jerusalem2 and ,worthy is the ,lamb6 will be its ceaseless song of praise4 ,beyond this ,i cannot go4 ,in vain ,i endeavour to ascend in thought higher than ,god manifest in the flesh1 even to the ,triune ,jehovah who dwelleth in the unapproachable light of ,his own unchangeable perfections2 and seek to catch a glimpse of that beatific vision which1 though begun here in communion with ,god1 is there enjoyed by the spirits of just men made perfect1 according to ,his fulness1 and therefore in a measure which to us passeth all understanding4 ,but if any real spiritual intercourse with ,jehovah is now joy unspeakable2 if the hunger of the soul to possess more1 fails often from its intensity to find utterance for its wants in words1 what must it be to dwell in ,his presence in the full enjoyment of ,himself for ever6 ,there are saints who have experienced this blessedness upon earth to a degree which was almost too much for them to bear2 and there are some who have had glories flashed upon them as if snatched from the light beyond1 just as the soul was loosening from the ligaments of the body1 and preparing itself for flight from the prison-house to its own home--strange moments when things beyond were seen by the eye closing on the weary world1 and overpowering bliss was experienced by the chilling heart4 ,and if men1 sinful men1 yea1 dying men1 can behold such visions of joy even while dwelling in tabernacles of clay that are crumbling around them1 what is the measure of that bliss which fills the souls of those redeemed ones at this moment in the temple above1 in perfectly knowing and enjoying ,god1 ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost6 ,may the ,lord give us all grace to love on earth such as we may hope to meet in heaven2 and if we cannot as yet enjoy the communion of angels1 may we seek for1 and enjoy1 the communion of saints6 ,v4 ,,our ,,active ,,life4 ,it is unnecessary to do more than remind you how labour is essential here to our happiness4 ,rest from fatigue is indeed enjoyment2 but idleness from want of occupation is punishment4 ,nor is this fact a part of our inheritance as sinners4 ,fatigue and pain of body from exertion may be so1 but not exertion itself4 ,perfect and unfallen man1 as ,i have already reminded you1 was placed in the garden of ,eden to dress and to keep it4 ,and this is what we would expect as the very appointment for a creature made after the image of ,him who is ever working1 and who has imbued every portion of the universe with the spirit of activity4 ,for nothing in the world of nature lives for itself alone1 but contributes its portion of good to the welfare of the whole4 ,and man1 as he becomes more godlike1 rejoices more and more in the dispensation by which he is enabled to be a fellow-worker with his ,father1 and is glad in being able to give expression by word or deed to what he knows and admires4 ,and if all this holds true of man now1 what reason have we for doubting that it shall hold true of man for ever8 ,why should this inherent love of action1 and delightful source of enjoyment1 so refined and elevated1 be annihilated8 and what shadow even of probability have we for supposing that the heaven revealed in ,scripture is a world the occupations of whose inhabitants must for ever be confined to mere ecstatic contemplation8 ,this cannot be6 ,such a heaven has not been prepared for man4 ,arguing from analogy1 the presumption is that those mental and moral habits which have been acquired with so much difficulty1 and at so much expense in this present world1 will not be cast away as useless in the next1 but find there such scope for their exercise as cannot possibly be afforded to them within their present limited sphere of action4 ,but this presumption is immensely strengthened by what we know of the life of the angels1 to which ,i have more than once alluded1 as it bears so much upon the several topics discussed by us4 ,these angels excel in strength2 and they do ,his commandments1 and hearken to the voice of ,his word4 ,as ministers of ,his1 they do ,his pleasure4 ,they are represented to us as ever actively employed as messengers of peace or of woe4 ,they have destroyed armies and cities2 delivered captives2 comforted the disconsolate2 and are represented as the future reapers of the earth's harvest4 ,all this proves1 at least1 that the sinless perfection and happiness of heaven are not inconsistent with a life of busy labour2 and that though ,god can dispense with the services of either men or angels1 yet1 as they cannot be happy without rendering such services to ,him1 ,he1 in accordance with ,his untiring1 ungrudging benevolence1 satisfies this desire of their nature as created by ,himself4 ,let it be remembered also1 that men have acquired a wider experience than even angels1 by reason of that very sin which might be supposed to render them less fit for the exalted services of heaven4 ,for the very storms and vicissitudes of earth have given a form and a strength to those trees of righteousness1 the planting of the ,lord1 that could not have been acquired amidst the sunny skies and balmy air of the heavenly paradise4 ,the saints of ,god have learned lessons here of patience1 endurance1 self-denial1 and faith1 that could not have been learned there4 ,like old soldiers1 they have been trained by long campaigns and terrible combats with the enemy4 ,on earth and not in heaven are ,marthas and ,maries with whom we can weep2 and prodigals whom we can receive back2 and saints in sickness1 in prison1 or in nakedness1 whom we can visit1 soothe1 and clothe4 ,and therefore is earth a noble school by reason of its very sins and sorrows4 ,it is asked1 indeed1 in triumph1 ,what employments can there be in heaven for saints8 ,this question ,i cannot answer4 ,the how employed1 and where1 must be as yet mere conjecture4 ,but who will be so bold as to deny1 that in the new heavens and in the new earth1 there may be employment for even those powers--such as inventive genius--which might seem to be necessarily confined to this our temporary scene8 ,if we are through a bodily organisation to be for ever united to matter1 why may not science and art be called into exercise then as well as now1 in order to make it minister to our wants or desires8 ,and even as regards the noble creations of artistic genius1 why should the supposition be deemed as unworthy of the most exalted and spiritual views of heaven1 that man may for ever be a fellow-worker with the ,divine ,artist who fills the universe with ,his own endless creations of beauty and magnificence8 ,and can it be that our moral habits and ,christian graces shall never be called into exercise in works and labours of love among orders of beings of whom as yet we know nothing8 ,countless worlds may be teeming with immense populations1 and who knows but such worlds may be continually added to the great family of ,god4 ,and if throughout the endless ages of eternity1 or in any province of ,god's boundless empire1 there should ever be found some responsible beings who are tempted to depart from ,god by the machinations of wicked men or evil spirits1--permitted1 then1 it may be1 as well as now1 to use all their powers in the service of sin and against the kingdom of ,god1--and who being thus tempted shall require warning or support to retain them in their allegiance2--or if there be found others who are struggling in an existence1 which1 however glorious1 demands patience1 fortitude1 and faith in ,jehovah2 if there are now in other worlds1 or ever shall appear any persons who need such ministrations as can be afforded only by those educated in the wonderful school of ,christ's ,church2--then can ,i imagine how ,god's saints from earth may have glorious labours given them throughout eternity1 which they alone1 of all the creatures of ,god1 will be able to accomplish1 when every holy habit acquired here can be put to noble uses there4 ,i can conceive patience needed to overcome difficulties2 and faith to trust the living ,god amidst evolutions of ,his providence that baffle the understanding2 and indomitable courage1 untiring zeal1 gentle love1 heavenly serenity and intense sympathy1 yea1 even the peculiar gifts and characteristics of each individual2--all having their appropriate and fitting work given them4 ,now abideth faith1 hope1 and charity1 these three2 but the greatest of these is charity4 ,and what immense joy will be experienced in each saint thus finding an outlet for his love1 and exercise for his knowledge1 and full play for his every faculty1 in that house of many mansions1 with all ,god's universe around and eternity before him6 ,i borrow the language of the great and good ,isaac ,taylor1 who has written so eloquently and convincingly on this subject3--,there labour shall be without fatigue1 ceaseless activity without the necessity of repose1 high enterprise without disappointment1 and mighty achievements which leave behind no weariness or decay2--where 'they that wait upon the ,lord shall renew their strength2 they shall mount up with wings as eagles2 they shall run1 and not be weary2 shall walk1 and not faint4' ,let this thought teach us to labour in harmony with the will of ,god2 so that we may never run counter to ,his wishes or ,his laws1 but1 both in the material and spiritual world1 ever seek to be fellow-workers with ,himself4 ,let it also comfort us when we see such a one as ,paul the aged fall asleep after his day of toil3 and strengthen us to bow our heads in meekness when we hear of the young man full of zeal and ardour1 apparently fully equipped for ,god's service1 suddenly cut down2 or the self-sacrificing missionary1 who seems to have spent his strength in vain1 perish with no one in the wilderness to give him burial4 ,oh1 think not that the work of the old saint who loved it so well1 till the last hour of his existence1 is ended for ever2 or that the labours of younger brethren so unfinished here1 shall never be resumed hereafter1 and that all this preparation of years has been a mere abortion1 a mockery and delusion6 ,believe it not6 ,no day of conscientious study for ,christ's sake has been spent in vain2 no habit of industry or self-denial acquired for ,christ's sake has been acquired in vain2 nor will the burning zeal to do something for ,him who died for them be ever lost in darkness or put to shame4 ,soul1 spirit1 and body1 will yet do their work for which they have been so exquisitely adapted1 and so carefully trained4 ,he who has been faithful over a few things will be made ruler over many things2 and he who has been faithful in a very little1 shall have authority over ten cities6 ,finally1 this future life in heaven will be expressed in praise4 ,what are the ordinary ideas entertained by many excellent ,christians of this heavenly work1 or the manner in which it is to be performed1 would be painful to describe4 ,but perhaps it is not too much to say that the heaven of many is little more than a grand1 eternal act of worship by singing psalms of praise4 ,no doubt the chief work of heaven is praise2 for praise is but the necessary expression of love1 admiration1 joy4 ,in what way this praise is to be expressed ,i know not3 whether in the spontaneous exercise of individual souls1 singing as they shine with hymned voice1 and fashioned instrument of golden harp or angelic trump2 or only by the rapt gaze of a spirit absorbed in still communion2--and whether in heaven as on earth there may be great days of the ,lord on which the sons of ,god1 gathered from afar1 will come specially before the exalted ,redeemer1 when their joy1 uttered by outbursts of harmony1 shall wake the amphitheatre of the skies with impassioned hallelujahs1--who can as yet tell6 ,but it must be that each soul in heaven being for ever full of love1 will for ever be full of praise4 ,every new sight of grandeur or of beauty1 and every new contrivance of the ,creator's wisdom or power1 will but prompt the beholder to praise the wondrous ,creator4 ,every intellectual height reached in the infinite progress of the soul1 onward and upward1 must awe it into a profounder sense of the glory of the great ,intelligence4 ,every active pursuit will swell the tide of gratitude and praise to ,him the ceaseless worker1 in whom all persons and things live1 move1 and have their being2--while the loving and holy soul1 ever consciously dwelling in ,him who is everywhere present1 must derive from increasing knowledge of1 and communion with the infinite and glorious ,one1 a source of exulting1 endless praise--praise which will be intensified by the sympathy and song of the great minds and great hearts of the innumerable company of angels1 and of just men made perfect6 ,but if in that voiceful temple any one song of praise will1 more than any other1 issue from a deeper love1 or express a deeper joy1 that must be the song of the redeemed6 ,for that is a new song never heard before by the angels in the amplitudes of creation1 and which the strange race of mankind alone can sing2 for there are peculiar notes of joy in that song which they alone can utter2 and in their memories alone can echo old notes of sadness that have died away in the far distance4 ,and what shall be their feelings1 what their song1 as they gaze backwards on the horrible kingdom of darkness1 from whose chains and dungeons they have been delivered2 and trace all the mysterious steps by which their merciful and wise ,saviour led them safely through danger1 temptation1 and trial1 and through the valley of death1 until ,he bid them welcome with exceeding joy6 ,what their feelings1 what their song1 as they look around and contemplate the new scene and the exalted society into which ,he has brought them1 and meet the responsive gaze of radiant saints and of old familiar friends6 ,what their feelings1 and what their song1 as they gaze forward1 and with far-stretching views into eternity see no limit to their fulness of joy2 knowing that nothing can lessen it1 but that everything must increase it through eternal ages2--that the body can never more suffer pain1 or be weakened by decay2--that the intellect can never more be dimmed by age1 nor marred by ignorance2--that the spirit can never more be darkened by even a passing shadow from the body of sin2--that the will can never for a moment be mastered1 nor even biased by temptation2--that the heart can never be chilled by unreturned kindness2--that the blessed society can never be diminished by death1 nor divided in spirit1 but that1 along with saints and angels1 all ,god's works shall be seen1 all ,his ways known1 all ,his plans and purposes fulfilled1 all ,his commands perfectly obeyed1 and ,himself perfectly enjoyed for ever and ever6 ,and then1 at what might seem to be the very climax of their joy1 to behold ,jesus6 ,and1 seeing ,him1 to remember the lowly home in ,bethlehem2 the once humble artisan of ,nazareth2 and the sufferer1 who was despised and rejected of men1 the man of sorrows1 who was acquainted with grief2 and the tempted one1 who for forty days was with the devil in the wilderness2--seeing ,him1 to remember ,gethsemane with its trembling hand and cup of agony2 the judgment-hall and ,calvary with their horrors of blood1 of blasphemy1 and mystery of woe2--seeing ,him1 to see all this history of immeasurable love not only recorded in the glory of every saint above1 but embodied in the very person of that ,saviour1 and in that human form which was wounded and bruised for our iniquities1 and in that human soul that was sorrowful unto death1 in order that ,he might be able to pour into the hearts of lost and ruined men all the fulness of ,his own blessedness and joy6 ,what shall be the feelings1 what the song of the redeemed1 as all this bursts on their enraptured gaze6 ,oh1 blind discoursers are we of such ineffable glory6 ,children-dreamers are we about this as yet unrevealed vision6 ,what are all our thoughts but fallings from us1 vanishings from creatures walking among worlds not realised6 ,but let us pray more and more that the ,god of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,father of glory1 may give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of ,him2 the eyes of our understanding being enlightened2 that we may know what is the hope of ,his calling1 and what the riches of the glory of ,his inheritance in the saints2 for though eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither hath it entered into the heart of man1 the things which ,god hath prepared for them that love ,him1 yet ,god hath revealed them unto us by ,his ,spirit6 ,,future ,,punishment4 ,the subject of future punishment is one the consideration of which gives mental pain4 ,we naturally shrink from it1 would prefer to leave it alone1 and to think1 as we say1 of something else4 ,but the question won't leave us alone1 and we must think about it4 ,it forces itself on our notice1 and that1 too1 in our most thoughtful and sober moments4 ,we cannot read the ,scriptures without the dark vision passing before our eyes with more or less gloom4 ,conscience whispers to us about it4 ,it recurs to our thoughts amidst the penitential confessions and earnest prayers of public worship4 ,the theme is constantly discussed in works and periodicals widely read1 and not even professedly theological4 ,there are few1 we presume1 who will assert that every man1 whatever his character may be when he leaves the world1 shall after death immediately pass into glory1 and be received into fellowship with ,god and ,his saints4 ,with such a belief earnestly entertained1 suicide would cease to be an evidence of insanity1 and murder would become philanthropy4 ,most men are prepared rather to believe1 apart altogether from any ,scripture statements on this momentous subject1 that punishment of some kind or other must be awarded to crime at last1 and in some degree proportionate to the character of the criminal1--that somewhere or other1 by some means or other1 not yet discovered or revealed1 reformation if at all possible must necessarily be effected in order that peace and happiness may be secured4 ,man's undying sense of righteousness1 and what ought to be1 is not satisfied by the prosperity which1 in spite of every drawback1 so frequently attends the most selfish and unprincipled villain to his grave4 ,like the ,psalmist1 we all are disposed to exclaim when contemplating such histories1 ,as for me1 my feet were almost gone2 my steps had well-nigh slipped4 ,for ,i was envious at the foolish1 when ,i saw the prosperity of the wicked4 ,for there are no bands in their death1 and their strength is firm2 neither are they plagued like other men4444 ,their eyes stand out with fatness2 they have more than their heart can wish4444 ,and they say1 ,how doth ,god know8 and is there knowledge with the ,most ,high8 ,but when we open the ,word of ,god1 it is impossible for any honest man to deny1 that whether its teaching be true or false1 the fact of future punishment is an essential portion of what is taught4 ,by no conceivable perversion of the words of ,christ1 so often repeated on this subject1 and by no interpretation of ,his parables1 can it be denied that it was ,his intention to give the very impression which the universal ,church has received1 that there is a wrath to come1 and a state of being which to some is cursed1 and so very dreadful that1 with reference to one of ,his own disciples1 who is called the son of perdition1 the ,saviour said that it would have been good for that man had he never been born4 ,i must presume that this general statement regarding the teaching of ,christ himself1 not to speak of that of ,his apostles1 requires no proof to any one who has ever read the ,gospels4 ,punishment of some kind awaits the wicked after death4 ,yet if this much is admitted1 we have surely already reached a conclusion which ought to fill with the most solemn awe the mind of every man who has any reverence for the ,divine authority of ,jesus ,christ2 or who even believes that ,he who represented ,himself as saying1 ,depart from me1 ye cursed1 into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels1--,depart from me1 ,i know you not1 all ye workers of iniquity1 and who narrated such a parable as that of the rich man and ,lazarus1 was one incapable of all exaggeration or evil passion1 and one who possessed the only perfect love which was ever manifested in humanity4 ,the apostles1 who express in language as strong and unhesitating the certainty and dread nature of future punishment1 were men also who1 more than any who have ever lived1 loved their fellow-men1 wept like their ,divine ,master for their sins1 and devoted their lives1 with untiring unselfishness1 to rescue them from present evil and future woe4 ,now1 if this be so far a true1 if not a full1 representation of the teaching of ,christ and ,his apostles on this momentous theme1 ,i may be permitted to put two questions of a practical and personal kind to my reader4 ,one is1--,whether the knowledge of the character1 apart from the authority1 of ,jesus and ,his apostles1 who spoke in such language of the future history of some men in another world1 ought not to make us pause with becoming self-distrust and reverence1 if disposed to exclaim against the possibility of so terrible an ending as a thing unjust1 revengeful1 and revolting to benevolence8 ,who are we1 what have we been1 or what have we done for our fellow-men1 that we should thus presume to have a more tender regard for their well-being than the ,lord ,jesus ,christ or ,his apostles had1 and to be incapable of entertaining or of uttering such harsh thoughts as they did about their future state8 ,the other question which ,i would humbly suggest for consideration is this3--,what is your real belief in reference to man's future state8 ,have you any faith in our ,lord's teaching8 ,any firm practical conviction in the fact of future punishment8 ,after you have made every possible deduction from the weight of ,scripture testimony1 and explained away every metaphor1 parable1 and dogmatic statement to the lowest possible point short of absolute denial of their truth in any fair sense of their meaning1--may ,i beg of you to consider what1 or how much1 remains to be firmly believed as the truth of ,god8 ,for it does appear to me that there exists a wide-spread callousness and indifference1 an ease of mind1 with reference to the fate hereafter of ungodly men1 which cannot be accounted for except on the supposition that all earnest faith is lost in either the dread possibilities of future sin or of its future punishment4 ,men seem to have made up their minds that they have nothing to fear in the next world1 whatever they believe1 whatever they are1 or whatever they do in this4 ,we are1 verily1 not incapable of experiencing fear1 but in a vast number of cases we are great cowards1 in spite of all our bravery1--cowards when there is nothing actually present to alarm us2 and each one of us seeks to his very utmost to keep danger or suffering far away from himself or from those he loves4 ,accordingly1 the possible or near approach of mere bodily pain1 or of domestic sorrow1 or the anticipated loss of money--not to speak of such horrors as public disgrace from loss of character1 imprisonment1 transportation as a felon1 or execution as a criminal--would induce thoughtfulness1 anxiety1 wretchedness4 ,yet1 strange to say1 the very same persons who would tremble for such calamities as these1 treat with indifference a coming punishment1 which cannot1 even in their own estimation1 be less terrible1 and which1 as sure as ,christ's words are true1 they may themselves1 because of their present character1 be liable at any hour to enter upon and endure4 ,but many of those readers1 who1 up to this point1 may heartily sympathise with me in my feeble efforts to quicken a more earnest thoughtfulness on this subject1 will be disposed to avoid its further consideration4 ,i would not blame them for so feeling4 ,god knoweth ,i have no wish to dogmatise on this subject1 but to approach it with real sympathy for the difficulties1 the pains1 the perplexities1 which the noblest1 the truest1 and the most reverential have experienced when they have attempted really to believe in it ,what chiefly induces me to submit a few thoughts upon a theme so solemn1 is the dogmatism and unworthy views of ,god which are attributed to all of us who cannot discover sunrise beyond the gloom2 and the conviction also that a more thorough belief in the clanger of sin1 as well as its inherent vileness1 and a wholesome terror of the ,lord1 would tend to persuade men to entertain with more earnestness the deliverance promised in the gospel4 ,the idea which many have formed of punishment is that of a mere arbitrary annexation of a certain amount of suffering in the next world to a certain amount of crime committed in this--so many stripes for so many sins2 and1 as if obvious injustice were inflicted on men1 by threatening them with coming woe for present wickedness1 they exclaim1 ,surely such sins as these do not deserve such punishment as that6 ,but if sin itself1 by an eternal moral necessity1 carries with it its own punishment1 even as the shadow accompanies the substance1 then the real question in regard to the possible ending of future suffering is merged in the deeper one of the possible ending of future sin4 ,and if so1 what evidence have we from any one source to inspire the hope1 that the man who enters the next world loving sin1 and therefore suffering punishment as its necessary result1 will ever cease to sin1 and thereby cease to suffer8 ,it must1 remember1 be admitted as an indisputable fact1 that life eternal can only co-exist with a right state of the soul4 ,this is life eternal1 to know thee and ,jesus ,christ whom thou hast sent4 ,up to the moment in which the spirit turns with filial confidence and obedience to ,god1 there cannot be a cessation either in the curse that must rest upon enmity and disobedience1 or in the pain which must be produced by so terrible a malady4 ,some time or other1 be it near or remote1 in one year or in a million1 there must be repentance in the sinner1 a turning away from sin and to ,god1 as the only possible means of bridging over the otherwise impassable gulf that separates the bad from the good1 or hell from heaven4 ,there is no salvation for man but from sin2 there is no restoration for him but to love4 ,but if this change in the sinner is not accomplished in this world1 what evidence have we that it can be accomplished in any place of even limited punishment8 ,in what conceivable way1 we ask with deepest awe1 is a moral and responsible being1 who ends this life and begins another at enmity to ,god1 rejecting ,christ1 disbelieving the gospel1 dead in trespasses and in sins1 hateful and hating1 selfish and vile1--in what way is he to be made holy after death1 and before entering heaven1 by a temporary discipline of mere suffering8 ,we are here considering the possible future of one only who knows the gospel of the grace of ,god1 and we ask1 what advantages will such an one possess elsewhere for the attainment of piety that are denied him here8 ,if all that ,god has done to gain his heart has so far failed up till the hour of his death1 that he is morally unfit by his habits or even desires for the society of ,god and ,his people1 what appliances can we conceive of more likely to influence the will and gain the affections in a prison-house set apart for the reformation of the impenitent8 ,can the sinner expect to meet1 in this supposed place of punishment and consequent reformation1 more loving friends to win him by such solemn counsels and tender ministrations as earth did not afford8 ,does he anticipate daily returning mercies and sources of enjoyment more rich and varied than those possessed here1 in order to bring him back to ,god8 ,will he possess a healthier body1 a happier home1 holier society1 a more beauteous world with fairer skies and brighter landscapes1 or any of those innumerable blessings which have such a tendency to tame and soften the rudest nature8 ,shall means of grace be afforded more powerfully calculated to enlighten the mind1 convince the understanding1 influence the will1 or draw the affections of the heart towards ,god8 ,shall ,sabbaths of more peaceful rest dawn upon the troubled heart1 or sacraments of more healing virtue be administered8 ,can retreats be secured where ,god's ,word may be read and prayer enjoyed with more undisturbed repose8 ,will the gospel be preached more faithfully1 and a people be found more loving and pious to assemble for public or private worship8 ,can a ,saviour be offered more able or willing to save1 and the ,spirit of ,god be poured down upon the burning soil in more plenteous or life-giving pentecostal showers8 ,is this how men picture to themselves the place in which they expect to atone for past sins by limited suffering8 ,impossible6 ,they are thinking of a world better and more glorious than the present2--not of a hell1 but of a heaven6 ,even if such a place were prepared for the impenitent and wicked1 what conceivable security is there that a new mind and spirit would be the necessary result of those new and enlarged benefactions8 ,we must assume that the power of sinning remains1 otherwise man's responsibility would cease1 and punishment thereby become mere cruelty4 ,if sin is thus possible1 then why may not the sinner indulge there in the same selfishness1 disobedience1 and rebellion which characterised him here8 ,why may it not be with him as with many a man who loves sin in the low haunts of profligacy and crime1 but loves it not the less when brought into circumstances of greater comfort and among society of greater godliness8 ,but should it be otherwise1 and the supposed place of future punishment have none of those advantages1--and we are forced by the necessity of the case to assume their absence1 at least for a limited period1 and to admit1 in some form or other1 the presence of a dread and mysterious sorrow1--we ask again1 on what grounds is it concluded that this anticipated punishment shall itself possess a healing virtue to produce1 some time or other1 that love to ,god which1 up till the hour of death1 has never been produced in the sinner8 ,men attach1 perhaps1 some omnipotent power to mere suffering1 and imagine that if hatred to sin and love to ,god are all that is needed1 then a short experience of the terrific consequences of a godless past must insure a godly future4 ,why do they think so8 ,this is not the effect which mere punishment generally produces on human character4 ,its tendency is not to soften1 but to harden the heart1--to fill it not with love1 but with enmity4 ,it cannot fail1 indeed1 to make the sufferer long for deliverance from the pain2 but it does not follow that he thereby longs for deliverance from the sin which causes the pain1 and for the possession of the good which alone can remove it4 ,it is certainly not the case in this world1 that bad men are always disposed to repent and turn to ,god in proportion as they suffer from their own wilfulness1 and become poor from idleness1 broken in health from dissipation1 alienated from human hearts by their selfishness1 or pass1 with a constantly increasing anguish1 through all the stages of outcasts from the family2 dwellers among the profligate2 companions in crime2 occupiers of prisons2 members of convict gangs1 till the scaffold with its beam and drop ends the dreadful history4 ,such punishment as this1 constantly dogging the crime which at first created it and ever preserves it1 only makes the heart harder1 fans the passions into a more volcanic fire1 and possesses the soul with a more daring recklessness and wilder desperation4 ,and arguing from this experience1 to which men appeal1 as if it was truer than the ,word of ,god1 what more special virtue will punishment have in the next world than in this8 ,what tendency will there be in that long night of misery to inspire a man with the love of ,god1 whose very character1 and whose holy and righteous will1 have annexed the suffering to the sin8 ,if the sinner's character is not thereby reformed1 and all the while he retains his responsibility1--as he must do on the assumption that reformation is possible1--and if he continues to choose sin with more diabolical hatred to the good1 is it imagined that such a process as this1 of continued sin accompanied by continued mental suffering1 will at any period render him mere meet to enjoy the holiness of heaven than when he first departed from the world to enter upon his new and strange probation8 ,oh1 the more we think of it1 the darker does the history grow1--the faster does the descent of the evil spirit become1 clown that pit which1 from its very nature1 seems to be bottomless6 ,if means are discoverable there more suited to gain the end of moral regeneration than any which exist here1 let them be pointed out4 ,we have searched in vain to find them in the ,word of ,god1 or in the mind and history of man4 ,making every allowance for the real difficulties which beset this question1 and for the peculiar feelings1 partly allowable1 and largely the reverse1 with which it is entertained1 we have no doubt that many have been driven to the extreme of utter disbelief in the existence of any punishment by the bold and presumptuous manner in which they may have heard men consign all the heathen1 and all ,christendom1 with the exception of a very few1 to this awful doom4 ,infants even have not escaped the condemnation of some who1 professing to have more orthodox faith than their neighbours1 have really little or any faith at all in ,god1 but utter mere words to which--in this case1 fortunately for themselves--they attach no meaning4 ,for if they did1 what would life be to them1 believing that it was possible for their babe1 because of ,adam's sin1 to be cast for all eternity into literal fire8 ,but while we have perfect confidence in the salvation of infants1 and of many more1 we dare not condemn any4 ,the living ,god1 who alone knows each man1 may be dealing in ways beyond our comprehension with the most lonely savage1 whose inmost spirit ,he ever sees1 and who is of more awful value in ,his sight than all the stars of the sky4 ,how the living and omniscient ,spirit of ,god has access to the inner spirit of man1 ,i neither know nor could perhaps understand if it were revealed2 nor how ,he can teach that spirit without the gospel or the ordinary means of grace1 so as to bring it under law to ,god4 ,but when ,i saw a child 7,laura ,bridgman7 who was born deaf1 dumb1 and blind1 marvellously educated by the genius and wisdom of her remarkable instructor1 ,i could not but feel how grand ends might be accomplished in the human soul by means which before this experience ,i would have pronounced as impossible2--and it suggested also to me how a poor heathen even1 like that blind girl1 might be really taught by another person1 and be receiving light within1 though for a time utterly ignorant of either the name1 the character1 or the purposes of the unseen and unheard teacher1 who yet in his own way gradually was training his scholar for fellowship with ,god and man4,a ,we ignorant and sinful men must confine our judgments as regards others to what is right or wrong in their actions1 and that solely to guide ourselves in our personal duties towards ,god and one another4 ,but as to deciding the eternal fate of any man1 that1 thank ,god6 can be done only by ,him to whom all men belong4 ,when disposed to occupy the throne of the judge1 and to scrutinise human character with a jealous regard for the righteousness of ,god1 let us at once do so by summoning ourselves to the bar6 ,footnote ,a3 ,as an illustration of this1 see a remarkable account of a ,north ,american ,indian1 narrated by ,brainerd in his ,diary1 date ,september #ba1 #agde4 ,this1 however1 amidst all perplexities we may certainly rely upon with perfect confidence1 that whatever is finally decided1 and whatever punishment is finally awarded to any1 will be in accordance with the perfect will of ,god1 whose name is love2 so that all the true and just1 the good and loving in the universe1 will1 when they know all the grounds of ,his judgment1 sympathise with their whole soul in ,his decisions1 and see ,his glory revealed in them4 ,we also know that there will be a multitude greater than any man can number in ,god's family2 that they will be gathered out of every nation1 kindred1 and tongue2 and this we may hope for1 that the number of the lost may be to those who are saved fewer far than the number of those in penal settlements and prisons are to the inhabitants of a well-ordered and ,christian kingdom4 ,but not only are our thoughts of future punishment naturally darkened into deepest gloom by the assumed multitudes of those who will suffer1 but also by the nature of those sufferings which we also assume are to be assigned to them4 ,we literally interpret all those images of unquenchable fire and the undying worm1 borrowed from the constant conflagrations and corruptions of the offal and carcases of dead animals in the valley of ,hinnom1 7or ,gaienna17 near ,jerusalem1 and also the obviously metaphorical language used in the parable of the rich man and ,lazarus1 as if necessarily teaching that worms or fire would be employed to torture for all eternity the immortal bodies of the lost4 ,but what if there is to be no such bodily pain8 though possibly there may be some kind of physical suffering immediately produced by sin there as well as here4 ,what if the wicked shall be punished only by permitting them to eat the fruit of their own way1 and to be filled with their own devices8 ,what if1 instead of the wrath of ,god being poured upon them to the utmost1 it will be inflicted in the least possible measure1 and only in the way of natural consequence8 ,what if the sin which makes the hell hereafter1 is1 in spite of all its suffering1 loved1 clung to1 even as the sin is which makes the hell now8 ,nay1 what if every gift of ,god1 and every capacity for perverting ,his gifts1 are retained2 and if the sinner shall suffer only from that which he himself chooses for ever1 and for ever determines to possess8 ,i do not say that it must be so2 but if it is so1 then might a hell of unbridled self-indulgence be preferred then1 as it is by many now1 to a heaven whose blessedness consisted in perfect holiness1 and the possession of the love of ,god in ,christ1 for ever and ever4 ,let1 then1 the fairest star be selected1 like a beauteous island in the vast and shoreless sea of the azure heavens1 as the future home of the criminals from the earth2 and let them possess in this material paradise whatever they most love1 and all that it is possible for ,god to bestow2 let them be endowed with undying bodies1 and with minds which shall for ever retain their intellectual powers2 let them no more be plagued with religion2 let no ,saviour ever intrude ,his claims upon them1 no ,holy ,spirit disturb them1 no ,god reveal ,himself supernaturally to them2 let no ,sabbath ever dawn upon them1 no saint ever live among them1 no prayer ever be heard within their borders2 but let human beings exist there for ever1 smitten only by the leprosy of hatred to ,god1 and with utter selfishness as its all-prevailing and eternal purpose2 then1 as sure as the law of righteousness exists1 on which rests the throne of ,god and the government of the universe1 a society so constituted must work out for itself a hell of solitary and bitter suffering1 to which no limit can be assigned except the capacity of a finite nature4 ,alas6 the spirit that is without love to its ,god or to its neighbour is already possessed by a power which must at last create for its own self-torment a worm1 that will never die1 and a flame that can never more be quenched6 99 99 99 99 99 ,and yet1 when forced to come to this conclusion1 especially after reading the ,scriptures1 which in our judgment but confirm it1 and give it the sanction of ,divine authority1 who can1 even then1 with his human heart silence a timid voice which asks in whispers many questions suggestive of what would appear to be the brighter hope8 ,who can limit 7in some such form might those questionings be put7 the resources of ,god's infinite love and wisdom8 ,may there not be found means1 though yet to us unknown1 and as yet unrevealed1 by which the good shall ultimately triumph over the evil1--when every being whom ,god has originally made capable of love and joy will at last fulfil ,his glorious purpose1--when every sheep lost to the ,shepherd will be found1 and brought with rejoicing back to the fold1--when every lost piece of money with the ,king's image1 defaced1 yet not destroyed1 will be recovered from the dust and restored to the ,king's treasury1--and when every prodigal1 weary of his wanderings1 convinced at last1 through self-inflicted misery1 of his folly1 and remembering a ,father1 will return to that bosom which never can reject a child seeking there his rest and refuge1--until1 finally1 there shall not be throughout creation even one sinner1 but a mighty family of immortal beings1 who1 after their terrible experience of the reign of self1 shall freely and joyfully accept of the reign of the blessed and loving ,god8 ,if it is possible1 must it not be so8 ,may we not1 in our darkness and difficulty1 rely upon ,one who1 knowing man's fallen condition1 yet said1 ,increase1 and multiply1 and replenish the earth8 upon ,one who declared it to be a legitimate source of joy to every mother that a child was born to the world8 upon ,one whose love to all whom ,he has made is to our love as the light of the mighty sun to a fire-fly's spark wandering in darkness8 ,oh1 yet we trust that somehow good ,will be the final goal of ill1 ,to pangs of nature1 sins of will1 ,defects of doubt1 and taints of blood ,that nothing walks with aimless feet2 ,that not one life shall be destroy'd1 ,or cast as rubbish to the void1 ,when ,god hath made the pile complete3 ,that not a worm is chosen in vain2 ,that not a moth with vain desire ,is shrivell'd in a pent-up fire1 ,or but subserves another's gain4 99 99 99 99 99 ,so runs my dream3 but what am ,i8 ,an infant crying in the night3 ,an infant crying for the light3 ,and with no language but a cry4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i falter where ,i firmly trod2 ,and falling with my weight of cares ,upon the great world's altar stairs1 ,that slope through darkness up to ,god1 ,i stretch lame hands of faith1 and grope ,and gather dust and chaff1 and call ,to what ,i feel is ,lord of all1 ,and faintly trust the larger hope4 ,with deep sympathy for all who thus feel the weight and pain of the subject1 and who hope against hope1 we ourselves are compelled to abide in our first faith4 ,we cannot forget that ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god and the ,son of man1 who was perfect love1 truth1 and life1 has neither ,himself1 nor through ,his apostles1 given us by one word the slightest ground for hoping that any man who leaves this world an enemy to ,god will ever repent and become a friend of ,god in the next4 ,the whole teaching of ,scripture is one with what prudence and principle would dictate3--,believe in ,jesus2 now or never6 ,hear1 in conclusion1 ,god's ,word3--,for ,god so loved the world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life4444 ,he that believeth on him is not condemned2 but he that believeth not is condemned already1 because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten ,son of ,god4 ,and this is the condemnation1 that light is come into the world1 and men loved darkness rather than light1 because their deeds were evil4444 ,he that believeth on the ,son hath everlasting life2 and he that believeth not the ,son shall not see life2 but the wrath of ,god abideth on him4 ,hebrews ii4 #a1 #c3--,therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard1 lest at any time we should let them slip4444 ,how shall we escape1 if we neglect so great salvation2 which at the first began to be spoken by the ,lord1 and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him4 ,,what ,,after ,,death8 ,it would be very difficult1 ,i think1 to put a more serious question to ourselves than this1 ,what is to become of its after death8 ,all of us1 ,i daresay1 know from experience what is meant by thoughtlessness or indifference about our state for ever4 ,there are1 no doubt1 some who1 from having had a godly upbringing in their youth1 or at least religious instruction1 have always thought more or less about what would become of their souls4 ,perhaps these thoughts made them uneasy1 afraid1 or anxious2 but still they were often in their mind1 especially in times of sickness1 or when death came near their doors1 or any event occurred which obliged them to think of eternity1 and of what might happen to themselves if they were to die suddenly1 and appear before ,god4 ,but there are others1 again1 who seem never at any time to have had a serious thought about their life after death4 ,they have1 perhaps1 not had the same advantage with those ,i have been speaking of1 but from infancy have lived among worldly-minded people1 who gave the impression1 by their conversation and general conduct1 on week-days and ,sundays1 that this world was everything1 and the next world nothing2 that this world alone was real2 and that man's chief end was to labour in it1 and for it alone1 to make money in it1 be happy in it1 get everything for self out of it1 and1 as a matter of hard necessity1 at last die in it1 and go from it--,whither8 ,ah6 who could tell that8--who ever thought of that8 ,to them it seemed that death ended all that was reality1 and began all that was visionary4 ,but whether early education is to blame1 certain it is that many people do come to this state4 ,they seem stoneblind to the future4 ,not one ray of light gets an entrance into their spirits from the great and eternal world1 on whose confines they every moment live4 ,they think1 fear1 hope1 rejoice1 plan1 and purpose2 but always about this world1--never about the other6 ,to rise in the morning2 to be occupied during the day2 to buy and sell1 and get gain2 to talk on politics or trade2 to gossip about people1 and all they speak or do2 to marry or give in marriage2 to have this meeting or that parting2 to give a feast or partake of one2 to fear sickness1 and to keep it off2 or to be sick1 and to try and get better3--all this sort of life1 down to its veriest trifles1 they understand and sympathise with1 and busy themselves about4 ,but what of ,god and ,christ8--of eternal joy or sorrow8--of how a man should live to ,god1 please ,him1 enjoy ,him1 love ,him1 and walk daily in fellowship with ,him8 ,what of such questions as1--,what shall become of us in eternity8 ,what shall we do to be saved8 ,how shall we obtain life eternal8 ,how shall we fulfil the end of our being8 ,all this--oh1 strange mystery6--has no interest to them4 ,these thoughts1 or any like these1 never cross their mind1 perhaps1 from morning till night1 or from the first till the last day of the year4 ,they may1 perhaps1 have heard these words1 read them in books1 or heard ministers speak them from the pulpit on ,sunday1 and they know that the words have to do with what they call religion1 but never think they have to do with what awfully concerns themselves6 ,they are words1 but not about realities2 or if they express realities1 yet realities which belong to some world of mist1 and cloud1 and darkness1 far1 far away--one not nearly so real as this world of their own1 made up of fields and barns1 streets and shops1 sea and ships1 friends and action6 ,but what1 let me ask1 separates us from that world which we think to be so very far off--so very unreal8 ,the thin coat of an artery6 ,no more6 ,let the thin pipe burst through which our life-blood is now coursing in the full play of health1 and where then will our present world1 now so very real1 be to us8 ,in a single second it will have vanished for ever from our grasp1 like something we clutch at in the visions of the night4 ,and where then will that other world be which to many is now so dim and unreal as not to be worth thinking about8 ,we1 the same living persons1 will be in it--in the midst of all its realities2 and with these we shall have to do1 and with these only1 for ever and ever4 ,but many people do not wish to think about the unseen future4 ,it is not so much that no thoughts about it intrude themselves upon their minds1 as that all such thoughts are deliberately banished4 ,it is with the eternal future as with anything which here gives them pain1--they hate to think about it4 ,this1 of course1 arises from the suspicion1 or rather the conviction1 that it cannot be a good future to them4 ,they have read enough about it from the ,bible to make it alarming4 ,at all events1 they have no security for its being to them as happy as the present2 and so1 whether from a fearful looking for of judgment1 because of their sins1 or from ignorance of the means of salvation1 or from unbelief in the good-will of ,god as ready to save them1 the result is1 that they voluntarily shut their eyes to1 and banish all thought of1 eternity4 ,it pains them--it agonises them--to put the question1 ,what is to become of me when ,i die8 ,and the more pain the question gives them1 the more they fly to the world1 and occupy their minds with its society1 its amusements1 and even its dissipation and debaucheries1 in order to banish care and snatch a fleeting joy4 ,o my brother1 if you so act1 from my soul ,i feel for you and pity you6 ,for the sick-bed is coming1 and you may be compelled to think there2 and if so1 you are treasuring up tenfold agony for yourself1 by your present off-putting apathy and wilful thoughtlessness4 ,and should you manage1 even in the time of sickness1 and up to the very hour of death1 to shut out the future from your mind2 should long and inveterate habit enable you to succeed in the terrible1 suicidal experiment1 so that you shall die as you have lived--fearing nothing1 because believing nothing1--can you avoid entering the other world8 ,can you prevent a meeting between yourself and your ,god2 or silence an accusing conscience for ever2 or hinder ,christ from coming to judge the world2 or fly from the judgment-seat1 and by any possibility delay or prevent a minute examination of your life2 or stay the sentence which the omniscient and holy ,judge shall pronounce upon you8 ,and if you cannot do this1--and if1 rather1 every power1 faculty1 and emotion of your heart and soul must one day be roused to the intensest pitch of earnestness about your eternal destiny1--do you not think it wise1 my brother1 to think about all this now8--now1 when there is a remedy1 rather than then1 when there is none8 ,this suggests another reason why possibly you hate to think about the future4 ,not only are you conscious of want of any preparedness for it1 but you do not see how it can be much better with you4 ,you have1 in a word1 lost confidence in ,god--have no faith in ,his good-will to you4 ,you think of ,him--if you think of ,him at all--as one who watches you with a jealous or angry eye2 who has no wish that you should be better or happier than you are2 or who1 if ,he can save you1 will not2 or who1 if ,he will1 offers to do so only on such hard and impossible terms as to make it practically the same as if there was no salvation for you4 ,in one word1 you suspect ,god hates you1 or at least is indifferent to you--if1 indeed1 ,he knows anything at all about you1 which you are not quite sure of6 ,it is very shocking to write such things3 but it is much more shocking that any one should think or believe such things2 for he who so thinks and believes is as yet profoundly ignorant of ,god4 ,what is called ,god1 is as unlike ,him who is the living and true ,god as is any hideous idol in a heathen temple4 ,but this ignorance breeds fear--and fear1 hate--and hate increases the fear1 until the future1 in which this ,god must be met1 is put away as a horrible thing1 or never thought of at all4 ,but1 my brother1 why should you thus think of ,god1 and so fear to think of the future8 ,read only what the ,bible says of ,him1 and learn what true ,christians know of ,him1 and listen honestly to how your own conscience responds to all you hear about ,him1 and then consider whether you can conceive of one more glorious in his character1 or more worthy of your love4 ,peruse the history of ,jesus ,christ1 and tell me anything ,he ever said or did calculated to fill your heart with fear or hate towards ,him1--and remember1 that he who sees ,him sees the ,father4 ,think of all ,jesus suffered as our atoning ,saviour1 and all to bring us to ,god4 ,think of all ,god has promised to those who will only trust ,him through ,jesus1--the pardon of all sin1 and the gift of a new heart2 with everything which can do them good1 or make them happy2 and say1 ,how can this make you dislike ,god8 ,think of all ,he has given you since you were born1--friends and relations1 health of body1 powers of mind1 much time1 many happy days1 innumerable mercies and sources of enjoyment2 think how liberally1 ungrudgingly1 ,he has opened ,his hand2 think what patience1 forbearance1 kindness1 ,he has shewn1 and what the eternal future has in store for all who love ,him2 and tell me1 ,what has ,he done to make you dislike ,him8 ,reflect on what ,he could have done and could do1 if ,he disliked you as you dislike ,him1 and say1 ,how can you continue in your enmity8 ,o my brother1 ,only believe6 ,believe that ,god is love4 ,believe that in this is manifested the love of ,god1 that ,he gave ,his ,son to be a propitiation for our sins4 ,believe that ,he willeth not that any should perish1--that ,he has no pleasure in the death of sinners1--that ,he is ready to forgive1--that this is the record1 that ,god hath given eternal life4 ,believe--trust in ,god for the good1 the whole good1 the most perfect good1 that of a child's heart and sincere love towards ,him1 which ,he seeks in you--trust ,god for this through faith in ,christ1 and in the mighty power of that ,spirit who is love2 and depend upon it1 when you know ,god1 and see how excellent ,he is1 and understand ,his love to you1 and what ,he is willing to make you1 and to give you1 and1 above all1 when you know what ,he himself will be to you for ever1 you surely cannot choose but ,him6 and there is no fear in love2 because fear hath torment6 ,,moments ,,in ,,life4 ,by moments in life1 ,i mean certain periods which occur more or less frequently in our history1--when the spirit in which we then live1 the step we then take1 the word we then utter1 or what we at that moment think1 resolve1 accept1 reject1 do1 or do not1 may give a complexion to our whole future being both here and hereafter4 ,let me notice one or two features which characterise those moments4 ,they may1 for example1 be very brief4 ,napoleon once remarked1 that there was a crisis in every battle1 when ten minutes generally determined the victory on one side or other4 ,yet on the transactions of those few minutes the fate of empires may hang1 and on the single word of command1 rapidly spoken amidst the roar of cannon and the crash of arms1 the destinies of the human race be affected4 ,men in public life1 who are compelled every day to decide on matters of importance1 appreciate the value of minutes1 and estimate the necessity of snatching them as they pass with promptness and decision2--of taking advantage of the chance1 as they say1 knowing well that if that moment is allowed to pass1 the chance it brings is gone for ever2 that whatever their hand finds to do must be done then or never4 ,the results to them of what they decide at that moment may be incalculable4 ,what is then done may never be undone2 yet not another second is added to the time given them for action4 ,within the germ of that brief moment of life is contained the future tree of many branches and of much fruit4 ,what a brief moment1 indeed1 in our endless life is the whole period even of the longest life on earth6 ,it is compared to a vapour1 which appeareth for a short time1 and then vanisheth away2 to a watch in the night1--a tale that is told4 ,and if we but consider how nearly a third portion of our threescore years and ten is necessarily spent in sleep2 and add to this the years spent during infancy while preparing for labour2 during old age1 when our labours are well-nigh past2 and many more consumed in adorning and supporting or giving rest to the body2 and then if1 after summing up those years1 we deduct what remains of time at the disposal of the oldest man for the formation of active thought and the improvement of his spiritual being1 oh6 how brief is the whole period of our mortal life1 when longest1 though its transactions are to us fraught with endless and awful consequences6 ,another characteristic of those moments in life is the silence with which they may come and pass away4 ,no sign may be given to indicate their importance to us4 ,they do not announce their approach with the sound of a trumpet1 nor demand with a voice of thunder our immediate and solemn attention to their interests2 but stealthily1 quietly1 with noiseless tread like spirits from another world1 they come to us1 put their question1 speak the word1 and vanish to heaven with our reply4 ,in after years1 possibly1 with the long results of time to guide us upward as by a stream to the tiny threads of this fountain of life and action1 we may be able in a greater degree to realise of what tremendous importance they were to us4 ,had we only known this at the time6 we exclaim1 as we revolve those memories1 and think of all we would have said or done2--had we only known6 ,but it is not ,god's will that we should know how much of the future is involved in the present1 or how all we shall be is determined by what we may resolve to be or do at any particular moment4 ,such a revelation would paralyse all effort1 and destroy the mainspring of all right action4 ,sight would thus be substituted for faith2 the fear of evil consequences for the fear of evil2 and the love of future benefits for the love of present duty4 ,god will have us rather cultivate habitually a right spirit at each moment1 so as to be able to act rightly when the all-important moment comes1 whether we then discover its importance or not4 ,let us not be surprised1 then1 if ,god comes to us1 not in the strong wind1 the earthquake1 or the fire1 but only in the still small voice which speaks to the heart or to the conscience1 demanding the conduct which becomes us as responsible beings and as obedient children4 ,but let me illustrate these remarks by a few examples of moments in life1 and such as must come to us all4 ,it is a solemn moment in life when the glad tidings of the love of ,god in ,christ ,jesus are heard and understood4 ,remember that we are saved by the truth2 born again of the ,word2 sanctified by the truth4 ,to receive the truth of ,god1 then1 as a living power into the mind and conscience1 is of infinite importance to us4 ,now1 while ,god's truth comes to us at various times and in diverse manners1 there are moments in life when we cannot choose but feel as if it was addressing our inner spirit as it never did before1 and earnestly knocking for admission4 ,the circumstances in which this appeal is made may be what are called commonplace2 such as when hearing a sermon preached from the pulpit1 when reading a book by the fireside1 or when conversing for a few minutes with an acquaintance2 yet at such times truth expressed in a single sentence1 or in a few words1 may search our spirits1 and gaze on us with a solemn look1 saying1 ,thou art the man ,i am in search of6 ,but1 as it sometimes happens1 the circumstances in which we are thus arrested by the truth1 and are compelled to listen to it for weal or woe1 may be peculiarly impressive2 as when we are ourselves in sickness or danger1 or when addressed by a parent or dear friend on their dying bed1 or when in deep family distress1 or when standing beside the grave that conceals our best earthly treasure from our sight4 ,at such moments the voice of ,god's ,spirit is awfully solemn as ,he cries1 ,now is the day of salvation2 ,to-day1 if ye will hear ,his voice1 harden not your hearts2 ,believe and live4 ,these moments may be very brief4 ,the crisis of the battle between ,god and self1 right and wrong1 truth and falsehood1 may be concentrated into a few minutes4 ,but time sufficient is1 nevertheless1 given wherein to test our truthfulness1 the soil in which truth grows1 the mirror that reflects its beams2 time sufficient is given to say ,yes or ,no to that ,god who claims our faith and love4 ,truth comes with authority and majesty as an ambassador from the living ,god1 and with clear voice1 pure eye1 and an arm omnipotent to save1 offers to give light1 life1 and liberty to the captive spirit4 ,but we may evade his bright glance1 and close our ears to his voice1 and refuse to consider his claims1 and deal falsely with his arguments2 we may reject his offers1 and1 shrinking back from his touch and his helping hand1 retire into the gloom of self-satisfied pride1 preferring the darkness to the light2 or we may make merry with ,heaven's ambassador1 and mock him as they did the prophet of old2 or cry out1 ,away with him6 as the world cried to the ,lord of light and life4 ,and what if the second ambassador never comes again with such pressing earnestness1 but passes by the door once so rudely closed against him1 and will knock no more8 ,or1 though he may in mercy return again and again1 what if the eye gets blinded by the very light which it rejects8 and the ear becomes so familiar with the voice1 that it attracts attention no more than the winds that beat upon the wall2 and the heart becomes so hardened as to be unimpressible1 until the dread sentence is at last passed1--,because ,i have called1 and ye refused2 ,i have stretched out my hand1 and no man regarded2 but ye have set at nought all my counsel1 and would none of my reproof3 ,i also will laugh at your calamity2 ,i will mock when your fear cometh2 when your fear cometh as desolation1 and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind2 when distress and anguish cometh upon you4 ,then shall they call upon me1 but ,i will not answer2 they shall seek me early1 but they shall not find me3 for that they hated knowledge1 and did not choose the fear of the ,lord3 they would none of my counsel3 they despised all my reproof4 ,therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way1 and be filled with their own devices4 ,a young man came to ,jesus seeking eternal life4 ,jesus1 looking on him1 loved him1 and answered his prayers by teaching him how eternal life could alone be attained4 ,but the young man went away sorrowful1 because he had much riches4 ,what a history was contained in that brief moment of his life6 ,again1 young ,king ,agrippa1 along with the young ,bernice1 hear a sermon from ,paul the prisoner4 ,the outward picture presented to the eye on that day had nothing more remarkable or peculiar about it than has been witnessed a thousand times before and since4 ,those royal personages entered the place of hearing with great pomp1 accompanied by the chief captains and principal men of the city4 ,and before them appeared an almost unknown prisoner1 upon whom his own nation1 including the chief priests and elders from ,jerusalem1 demanded the judgment of death to be passed4 ,that prisoner1 in bodily presence weak and contemptible1 was however permitted to speak for himself2 and verily he did speak6 ,he spoke of ,god and ,christ2 of repentance and the new life2 and of his own glorious commission to open the eyes of men1 to turn them from darkness to light1 from the power of ,satan unto ,god1 that they might receive the forgiveness of sins1 and inheritance among them that are sanctified through faith in ,jesus4 ,what a revelation was this from ,god to man6 ,the voice which spoke from ,sinai and through the prophets1 the voice of ,him who is truth and love1 spoke at that moment of life through ,paul to those royal hearers1 and to the captains and principal men4 ,but ,agrippa1 with a sneer or with some conviction of the truth1 replied1 ,almost thou persuadest me to be a ,christian4 ,unlike ,st ,paul himself1 when the ,lord spoke to him on his way to ,damascus1 ,agrippa was disobedient to the heavenly vision4 ,and so the sermon ended2 the gay multitude dispersed2 the place of hearing was left in silence1 and echoed only the midnight winds or the beat of the sea-wave on the neighbouring shore4 ,st ,paul retired to his cell2 ,agrippa1 ,festus1 and ,bernice1 to their chambers of rest1 to sleep and dream by night1 as they slept and dreamt by day4 ,but they never heard the apostle preach again6 ,it was their first and last sermon2 that moment in their life came and passed1 but never returned4 ,like two ships which meet at midnight on a moonlit sea1 those two persons1 the prisoner and the king1 spoke1 then each passed into the darkness1 and onward on their voyage to their several ports1 but never met again6 ,oh1 how awful are such moments when truth reveals herself to the responsible spirit of man6 ,and so1 my reader1 does it ofttimes happen between thee and ,god's ,spirit4 ,let me beseech of thee to redeem the time1 to know this the day of thy visitation1 and to hear and believe the word of the ,lord4 ,another moment in life which may be specially noticed1 is that in which we are tempted to evil4 ,temptations are no doubt common to man4 ,our whole life in a sense is a temptation1 for whatever makes a demand upon our choice as moral beings1 involves a trial of character1 and tests the spirit we are of4 ,but nevertheless there do occur periods in our lives when such trials are peculiarly testing2 when large bribes are offered to the sin that doth so easily beset us1 tempting us to betray conscience1 give up principle1 lose faith in the right and in ,god1 and to serve the devil1 the world1 or the flesh4 ,such moments may be very brief1 yet decisive of our future life4 ,they may come suddenly upon us1 though possibly many notes of warning have announced their approach4 ,for they are often but the apex of the pyramid to which many previous steps have gradually and almost imperceptibly led2 the beginning of a battle1 which must at last be fought1 and very shortly decided1 but yet the ending of many previous skirmishings4 ,be this as it may1 that moment of life does come to us all1 when evil like the enemy appears to concentrate against us its whole force1 and when we must fight1 conquer1 or die2 when like a thief it resolves to break into our home and take possession2 when as a deceiver it promises happiness1 and demands immediate acceptance or rejection of the splendid offer1--,all these will ,i give thee1 if thou wilt fall down and worship me6 ,what a moment is this in the life of many a young person4 ,how unutterably solemn is the first deliberate act which opposes conscience1 rebels against the authority of ,god and of ,his law1 shuts out the light1 and prefers darkness4 ,future character1 and the life and happiness of years1 may be determined by it4 ,the step taken in that brief moment1 the lie uttered1 the dishonesty perpetrated1 the drunkenness or debauchery indulged in1 the prayers for the first time given up1 and the father's home left for the far country4 ,who can realise the consequences of those first acts1 or estimate the many links of evil1 and the endless chain itself1 that may connect themselves with the one link of sin fashioned in that moment of life6 ,who can foresee the streams ever increasing in breadth and depth which may flow from this letting in of water6 ,would ,god that my readers1 young men especially1 would but believe in the possibility even of the choice they make at such a time determining their future destiny4 ,the thought of this might at least make them pause and consider4 ,there is no exaggeration in this language4 ,to realise the danger1 all we need assume is the law of habit2 for1 according to that law1 we know that any act of the will1 good or bad1 has a tendency to repeat itself with increasing ease and decreasing consciousness1 until it becomes a second nature4 ,hence the first resistance of evil is much less difficult than any subsequent attempt2 and he who in one moment of life could by a manly effort become a conqueror1 and enter on a life of principle and peace1 may1 by yielding1 very soon sink down into a degraded slave1 who is held fast by the iron chain of habit1 each link of which he has himself forged by his own self-will4 ,what a moment was that in the life of ,herod when he permitted evil desire for ,herodias to enter his soul4 ,that desire conceived sin1 and sin when finished brought forth death4 ,acts passed into habits1 and habits into a life of abandoned passion4 ,then came the festive birthday1 and the dancing before him of the daughter of his paramour2 and then the foul murder1 with the spectacle of the bloody head1 closed eyes1 and sealed lips of the greatest and noblest man of his time2 and then followed the hour when ,jesus ,himself was brought before the murderer1 when the ,lord spoke not one word of warning1 rebuke1 or mercy to him1 but smote the wretch with the terrible wrath and righteous judgment of silence6 ,what a moment in life was that1 too1 when ,judas welcomed covetousness into his heart as a most profitable guest4 ,then one day ,covetousness offered him thirty pieces of silver if he would betray his ,lord2 and ,judas agreed to the proposal4 ,a whole eternity of misery was involved in that moment of his life3 for the night soon arrived when the bargain was to be kept4 ,a few moments more1 and the history will end here to begin elsewhere4 ,yet there is not a sign on earth or heaven to indicate the importance of that brief hour to ,judas6 ,he forms one among the most distinguished company that ever sat at the same table since the earth began2 and never did mortal ears listen to such words uttered by human lips1 nor did mortal eyes ever contemplate such a scene of peace and love as was witnessed in that upper room in ,jerusalem4 ,but the hour has struck1 and ,judas rises to depart4 ,the deed of darkness must now be done4 ,it is late1 and he has made a most important appointment2 unless he keeps it1 he may lose his money2 and what a loss to the poor follower of a man who had nowhere to lay ,his head6 ,judas leaves that company2 and what was there in things visible to make him suspect even that an awful moment of life--his last--had come8 ,all was calm within that upper room1--all was peace in the world without4 ,the naked heavens shone in the calm brilliancy of an ,eastern night ,the streets of ,jerusalem1 along which the traitor passed on his dreadful errand1 echoed his footsteps in their silence4 ,yet ,judas1 the son of perdition1 was at that moment on his way to his own place6 ,and thus it is with many a man in the hour of temptation4 ,the voice of sin speaks not loudly1 but whispers to his inner spirit4 ,he pursues his path of evil without alarm being given by sight or sound from heaven or earth4 ,there is nothing in the world without to disturb the thoughts and purposes of the world within his false and unprincipled soul4 ,the moment of his life brings the temptation1 and he yields his soul to its power1 and the moment passes with as noiseless a step2 and soon the last moment comes1 and passes away2 but he too has noiselessly passed away with it to his own place6 ,the moment in life when we are called upon to perform some positive duty1 is one which is often very critical and full of solemn consequences to us4 ,the duty may appear to be a very trifling one1--such as writing a letter1 visiting a friend1 warning some brother against evil1 aiding another1 or sympathising with a sufferer in his sorrow4 ,but whatever the work may be1 and in whatever way it is to be performed1 whether by word or deed1 by silence or by speech1 yet there is a time given us for doing it1 very brief perhaps1 and unaccompanied by any sign to mark its significance1--a time1 nevertheless1 when whatever has to be done must be done quickly1 now or never4 ,such a moment in life was that in the history of the three apostles who accompanied our ,lord1 at ,his own request1 in order to watch with ,him in ,his last agony4 ,as a man1 ,he deserved their thoughtful presence1 their watchful sympathy1 when enduring the dread sorrow which filled ,his cup1 from realising by anticipation all that was before ,him4 ,thrice ,he came to them from the spot1 not far off1 where ,he wrestled in prayer with ,his terrible agony4 ,thrice ,he found them asleep4 ,what6 he asked1 could ye not watch with me one hour8 ,ah6 they knew not what an hour that was6--what it was to ,him--what it was and might have been to them6 ,they might have had the joy1 the exalted privilege1 which for ever would have been as a very heaven of glory in their memory1 of sharing1 through the power of sympathising love1 the burden of their ,lord's anguish4 ,but they yielded to the flesh1 and permitted that moment of time to pass2 and when they at last roused themselves from their slumber1 it was too late4 ,that moment in life had come and gone1 and could return no more4 ,sleep on1 and take your rest2 behold1 he who betrayeth me is at hand6 ,and thus it often happens in the life of us all4 ,an hour is given us when something may be done for our ,lord or our brethren1 which cannot possibly be done if that hour is permitted to pass away unimproved4 ,then we may teach an ignorant soul1 or rouse a slothful one to action2 we may alarm one who is lethargic1 worldly1 sensual1 without ,god or ,christ in the world1 so as to win him to both2 or we may comfort the feeble-minded1 and support the weak4 ,circumstances may give us the opportunity1 and the moment in life1 when such works may be done4 ,the persons to be helped are perhaps inmates of our dwelling2 they are our relations3 they are sick or dying2 or they have cast themselves upon our aid4 ,but we let the moment pass4 ,the work given us is not done4 ,we have neglected it from sloth1 procrastination1 thoughtlessness1 or selfishness4 ,and we may become awake to our culpable negligence1 and rouse ourselves to duty4 ,but1 alas6 those whom we could have aided are past help4 ,they are dead1 or are removed from our influence1 or in some way past remedy4 ,and so the moment in life given us is gone1 and gone for ever1 except to meet us and to accuse us before the bar of ,god4 ,and thus it is with duty in countless forms4 ,what our hands find to do must be done quickly1 if done at all1 and in the time given us4 ,if not1 a night comes1 and may come soon and come suddenly1 in which either we ourselves cannot work1 or in which1 though at last willing to do it1 it is no longer given us to do4 ,but there is one moment in life--and ,i conclude by suggesting it to your thoughts--which must come to every man1 and which generally comes with signs sufficiently significant of its importance1--,i mean the last moment which closes our life on earth4 ,come it must4 ,and1 as an old writer remarks1 the day we die1 though of no importance to the world1 is to ourselves of more importance than is all the world4 ,that moment in life ends time to us1 and begins eternity2 it ends our day of grace and begins the day of judgment2 it separates us from the world in which we have lived since we were born1 and introduces us to the unseen1 unknown world of things and persons in which we must live for ever during the life of ,god4 ,what a moment is this6 ,it may come in the quiet of our own chamber1 or amidst the confusion and excitement of some dread accident by land or sea2 it may be heralded by long sickness or old age1 and accompanied by much weakness and bodily suffering4 ,but if that moment1 when it comes1 is to bring us peace1 let our present moments1 as they come1 find us watchful1 conscientious1 believing1 and prayerful4 ,and should these words of mine be read by chance by one who has begun his last moment without having begun the work for which he was created1 preserved1 and redeemed1 let me beseech of him to improve it by repentance towards ,god1 and faith in ,jesus ,christ1 who will pardon his sins1 give him a new heart1 and save him as he did the thief on the cross4 ,if every hour of his day of grace has been misimproved1 let not this last be added to the number4 ,if he has stood all the day idle1 let him in the eleventh hour accept his ,master's work of faith alone in his own soul1 and do what he can for the good of others4 ,but let this moment in life pass1 then shall the next moment after death bring only fear and anguish2 for1 be warned and also encouraged by the words of the truthful and loving ,jesus1 uttered with many tears1 over lost souls1--,if thou hadst known1 even thou1 at least in this thy day1 the things that belong unto thy peace2 but now they are for ever hid from thine eyes6 ,,labourers ,,together ,,with ,,god4 ,these words seem to me to express the idea of true labour1 such as ,god calls us to1 and in the doing of which there is a great reward4 ,they imply that the living ,god has a work to do on earth1 in men and by men2 that in this work ,he has--if ,i may so express it--a deep personal interest1 because it is one worthy of ,himself1 and for the advancement of ,his own glory1 and the good and happiness of man4 ,now1 ,god wishes us to know this work1 and to sympathise with ,him in it4 ,he does not conceal from us what ,he wishes done1 or what ,he himself is doing2 nor obliges us to remain for ever blind as to ,his will and purposes regarding ourselves or others2 so that1 if we work at all1 we must work according to our own wills only1 and for our own purposes4 ,instead of this1 ,he reveals in ,his ,word1 by ,his ,son1 through ,his ,spirit1 and in the conscience1 what ,his will is--what ,he wishes us to be and do4 ,nor does ,he say to us1 ,learn my commands1 and obey them2 but seek not to know why ,i have so commanded4 ,were it impossible1 indeed1 to know why any command was given1 the mere fact of its injunction would itself demand instant compliance2 but1 says our ,lord1 ,i have not called you servants1 but friends1 for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth4 ,the servant or slave does not occupy the place which the friend does4 ,the one hears only what is commanded2 but the other1 through personal acquaintance with the master1 is enabled to sympathise with the righteousness and love in the command4 ,the friend not only knows what1 as a servant1 he must do1 but sees how right and beautiful it is that he should be commanded so to do4 ,in like manner1 we read that ,god made known ,his ways to ,moses1 but only ,his acts to the children of ,israel4 ,this revelation1 of principle and plan to ,his servant was indeed a speaking with him face to face2 and thus does ,god speak to us now in these latter days by the grace and truth revealed in ,his ,son4 ,and it is only when we thus know ,god's work on earth1 and when1 from a will and character brought into harmony with ,his1 we see how excellent the work is1 that we can be1 not labourers only1 but fellow-labourers with ,god2--not workers only1 but workers together with ,him4 ,consider1 for instance1 the work of ,god in our own souls4 ,this is1 as far as we ourselves are concerned1 the most important work in the universe4 ,upon it depends whether the universe shall be to us a heaven or a hell4 ,what will a man give in exchange for his soul8 is a question which assumes that to the man himself nothing can be so valuable4 ,but has ,god any work to do in our souls8 ,has ,he ever expressed any wish as to what ,he would have us believe1 become1 or enjoy1 or revealed for what end or purpose ,he made our spirits8 ,is there no wrong state or condition in us with which ,he is angry and grieved1 and no right state with which ,he is delighted1 and over which ,he rejoices8 ,has ,he laid no command upon us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling8 and has ,he given no intimation of ,his working in us to will and do8 ,or is it to ,him the same whether we are wrong or right8 ,surely we can have no difficulty in replying to such all-important questions6 ,if a man loses faith in the reality and sincerity of ,god's wish1 that he personally should have his guilty soul freely pardoned1 and his unholy soul sanctified1 and his whole being renewed after ,god's own image1--that he himself should be a good1 a great1 a happy man1 by knowing and loving his ,god2 and if a man brings himself to such a state of practical atheism as to doubt whether ,god knows or cares anything about him2--then it is impossible for such a man to be a fellow-labourer1 a worker together with ,god in his own soul2 for he does not know and has never heard of any work of ,god required there4 ,but if he believes that ,god is indeed his ,father in heaven2--that ,he has goodwill to him1 and therefore desires his good by desiring him to be good2--that1 for the accomplishment of this end1 all has been done which is recorded in the ,bible1 from ,genesis to ,revelation2--that ,god has been working in him1 through agencies innumerable1 since his childhood1 by parents and friends1 by tender mercies and bitter chastisements1 by ,sabbath ordinances and pulpit ministrations1 by the constant witness of conscience and the ,word of ,god1 in order that he should know and love ,god his ,father1--then1 seeing this1 will he see also how he may be a fellow-labourer with ,god4 ,and have not you1 my reader1 been conscious of this work8 ,you cannot get quit of the conviction that there is ,one higher than yourself with whom you have to do1--,one who is ever with you1 seeking to deliver you from evil1 from your own evil self1--,one whose voice is never silent1 and who is righteously judging your daily life4 ,and have you never been conscious1 too1 of fighting against what you certainly knew was not self1 but a holy1 winning1 mysterious power or ,person1 who opposed self1 and for that very reason was resisted by self8 ,and therefore your sin has not been the ignorance of good1 but opposing the good1--not the absence1 but the resisting of a good work in you4 ,it is on this very principle men will be condemned1 for ,this is the condemnation1 that light hath come into the world1 and men prefer darkness to light1 because their deeds are evil4 ,and if this has been your sin1 so has it been your misery4 ,in exact proportion as you thus hated knowledge1 and did not choose the fear of the ,lord1 you become wretched and unsatisfied4 ,no wonder6 for with whom does the man work when he works in opposition to the will of ,god8 ,in refusing to serve ,god1 he serves ,satan1 and becomes a worker together with the spirit who now worketh in the children of disobedience6 ,well1 then1 what are you to do8 ,i reply3 ,yield yourselves to ,god2 be subject to the ,father of your spirit1 and live4 ,wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread8 and your labour for that which satisfieth not8 ,hearken diligently unto me1 and eat ye that which is good1 and let your soul delight itself in fatness4 ,incline your ear1 and come unto me3 hear1 and your soul shall live4 ,instead of being workers against1 seek to be workers together with ,god in your own souls2 to have ,his work of faith and love1 and everything beautiful and holy1 perfected in you4 ,believe in ,jesus ,christ as the living ,person who alone can and will save you1 by pardoning your sins1 and giving you ,his ,spirit to make you like ,himself4 ,begin your work by assuming that ,god is working in you to will and do2 and because you have ,him1 through ,his omnipotent ,spirit1 working in you1 do not be as one who beats the air in aimless and profitless warfare1 nor strive against nor grieve that ,spirit1 but through ,him work out your own salvation4 ,in thus pleading with you1 ,i feel that ,i myself am but working with ,god2 for ,i can say with the apostle1 ,now then we are ambassadors for ,christ1 as though ,god did beseech you by us3 we pray you in ,christ's stead1 be ye reconciled to ,god4 ,for ,he hath made ,him to be sin for us1 who knew no sin2 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in ,him4 ,we then1 as workers together with ,him1 beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of ,god in vain4 ,put this question in another way3 ,suppose you had met ,jesus ,christ when ,he was on earth2 that you had listened to one of ,his appeals when ,he preached the gospel from city to city1 and felt ,his eye looking at you as ,he spoke in ,his own name1 and in the name of ,his ,father1 saying1 ,come unto me1 all ye who are weary and heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest--,the ,son of man hath come to seek that which is lost1 and the like2 that you had witnessed the delight it gave ,him to do good1 and to find any one willing to receive ,his overflowing love1 and the sorrow ,he endured when men would not believe in ,him or trust ,him1 but preferred remaining without the blessing2 and that you had accompanied ,him during ,his ministry on earth1 and studied ,his character from all you saw and heard1--could the impression made upon you in such circumstances be thus expressed1 ,i believe that ,thou carest not for me2 that my well-doing or ill-doing are equally matters of indifference to ,thee2 and that there is no faith or love that ,thou desirest to see accomplished in my soul8 ,would you have dared to speak in anything like this strain of blasphemy to the holy ,saviour had you met ,him8 ,or would you not have been overwhelmed by the conviction1 that whether you yielded to ,his wishes or not1 these wishes were clear and unquestionable--that from ,his character as a man having fellowship with ,god1 ,his work as the ,saviour of sinners1 ,his revealed will as ,lord1 nothing could be more certain than that ,he wished you personally to be holy and happy through faith in ,his name2 and accordingly1 that if you accepted ,his call1 and ,his offer of power to be so1 you were but working with ,him2 and that if you neglected both1 you were certainly working against ,him8 ,but with this personal ,saviour you have to do just as really and truly now as any of ,his disciples who had followed ,him when on earth2 and so ,i beseech you to be fellow-labourers with ,him in ,his own holy and living work within your own soul4 ,let your prayer then be3 ,thy will be done6 ,let ,thy holy and loving will1 my ,father1 be done in me6 ,i believe in ,thy forgiveness1 and am at peace with ,thee1 according to that will1 through the redemption that is in ,christ ,jesus4 ,and as this is also ,thy will1 even my sanctification1 and ,thy revealed purpose1 that ,i should be made conformable to the image of ,thy ,son1 so let ,thy grace1 which is sufficient for the chief of sinners1 daily bring this salvation into me1 by teaching me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts1 and to live soberly1 righteously1 and godly in this present world2 that so learning ,christ1 taking up ,his cross daily1 following ,him and being disciplined by ,him1 ,i may be taught to put off the old man1 which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts1 and to be renewed in the spirit of my mind2 and1 as ,thine own workmanship1 be created anew in ,christ ,jesus unto good works4 ,amen6 ,let us consider for a little longer ,god's work in us1 by ,his providential dealings towards us4 ,a moment's reflection will suffice to remind you that ,god1 in ,his providence1 is constantly working with you4 ,he is1 for instance1 a wonderful ,giver4 ,he gives us all things richly to enjoy4 ,he openeth ,his hand liberally4 ,his mercies are more than can be numbered2 though as a father ,he also chastises ,his children4 ,the ,lord gives1 and the ,lord takes away4 ,now1 in whatever way ,god deals with us1 whether ,he gives or takes1 there is a purpose which ,he wishes accomplished4 ,he has a work to do in us by every joy and every sorrow4 ,there is a voice for us in the rod of darkness1 and in the ray of sunshine2 and it is our duty1 our strength1 our peace1 to hear that voice1 and to know that work of providence so as to be fellow-labourers with ,god in it4 ,perhaps you are disposed to excuse yourselves for want of sober inquiry into ,god's dealings with you1 by saying1 that it is very hard to know1 and often impossible to discover1 what object or purpose ,he has in view when sending to us this gift or that grief4 ,in some cases it may be so2 but it is much to know and to remember what ,god's purpose is not1 and what ,he can never wish to have accomplished1 either by what ,he gives to us or takes from us4 ,never can it be the purpose of ,god1 in any case1 to advance the work of ,satan in our souls1 or to retard within us the coming of ,his own glorious kingdom of righteousness1 peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,never can ,he send us a gift to make us proud1 vain1 indolent1 covetous1 earthly-minded1 sensual1 devilish1 or in any degree to alienate us from ,himself as our chief good4 ,for whatever purpose ,he fashioned our body with such exquisite care1 providing so rich a supply for all its senses1 it was not1 assuredly1 that we should make that body the instrument of degrading and ruining the immortal soul1 and of sinking our whole being down to a level with the beasts that perish6 ,he never gave beauty of form to make us vain or sensuous2 nor poured wine into our cup that we should become drunkards2 nor spread food on our table merely to pamper our self-indulgence and feed our passions4 ,he never gave us dominion over the earth that we should be ,satan's slaves4 ,he never awoke from silence the glorious harmonies of music for our ear1 nor revealed to our eye the beauties of nature and of art1 nor fired our soul with the magnificent creations of poetry1 that we might be so enraptured by these as to forget and despise ,himself4 ,he never gifted us with a high intellect1 refined taste1 or brilliant wit1 to nourish ambition1 worship genius1 and to become profane1 irreverent1 and devil-like1 by turning those godlike powers against their ,maker and ,sustainer4 ,we cannot think1 that if money has been poured at our feet1 ,he thereby intended to infect us with the curse of selfishness1 or to tempt us to become cruel or covetous men1 who would let the beggar stand at our gate1 and ourselves remain so poor as to have no inheritance in the kingdom of ,god2 or to make us such fools as to survey our broad acres and teeming barns with self-love and worldliness1 exclaiming1 ,soul1 take thine ease2 thou hast much goods laid up for many years2 eat1 drink1 and be merry2 or to tempt us to refuse the cross1 and to depart sorrowful from ,christ1 because we had great possessions2 or to choke the seed of the ,word as with thorns1 so that it should bring forth no fruit to perfection6 ,can it be possible that ,he has spared our family1 and enriched us with so many friends1 in order that1 being so happy with them1 we should never wish to know ,god as our ,father1 ,christ as our ,brother1 or have any desire to become members of the family of ,god8 ,has ,he given us so much pleasant1 useful1 or necessary labour in the world1 that we should forget the one thing needful1 and leave undone the work for which we were created8 ,has ,he given us the ,church1 the ministry1 the ,sabbath1 the sacrament1 that we should make these ends instead of means--instruments for concealing1 rather than revealing our ,god and ,saviour8 ,and if the ,lord has taken away1 and visited us with sharp sorrows and sore bereavements1 was this strange work done by ,him who does not willingly afflict ,his children1 in order that we should have the pain without the profit1 faint under or despise the chastisement1 or become more set upon the world and the creature1 more shut up in heart against our ,father1 more dead to eternal things1 or fall into despair1 and curse ,god and die8 ,without prolonging such inquiries1 enough has been said1 ,i hope1 to enable you to apprehend what ,i mean by our being fellow-workers with ,god in all ,his works of providence that concern ourselves4 ,we believe that these things1 whether of joy or sorrow1 do not come by chance1 nor through the agency of dead mechanical laws1 but that a living ,person is dealing with us wisely1 lovingly1 righteously1--that1 in truth1 the ,lord giveth1 and the ,lord taketh away1 and that1 accordingly1 there must be a design or purpose to serve in what ,he gives or withholds1--that this never can be an evil purpose1 but must1 in every case1 be good1 and that we may derive good and a blessing from it4 ,let us1 then1 be fellow-workers with ,him in seeking1 through faith and love1 to have this purpose realised1 and to have the end designed by ,god fulfilled in us or by us1 so that every joy and sorrow may bring us nearer the glorious ,god1 and make us know ,him better1 and love ,him more1 and thus possess life more abundantly1 even life eternal6 ,but not only is there a work to be done in us1 but also by us1 in the doing of which we are to be labourers together with ,god4 ,this kind of labouring with others is illustrated by ,saint ,paul when he says1 what ,i have already quoted1 ,now then we are ambassadors for ,christ1 as though ,god did beseech you by us3 we pray you in ,christ's stead1 be ye reconciled to ,god4 ,for ,he hath made ,him to be sin for us1 who knew no sin2 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in ,him4 ,we then1 as workers together with ,him1 beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of ,god in vain4 ,he is here1 you perceive1 addressing those who were enemies to ,god1 and beseeching such to be reconciled4 ,but in what spirit does he plead with them8 ,in labouring to bring them into reconciliation with their ,father1 and to save their souls1 he does not feel himself alone and solitary in his work and labour of love2 as one prompted by his own goodwill to lost sinners1 and his own wishes to redeem them from evil1 yet in doubt or in ignorance as to what ,god's wishes or feelings were in regard to them4 ,he does not proclaim the gospel to one or to many sinners with such thoughts as these3 ,it is no doubt my duty to preach to them1 and to plead with them1 and from my heart ,i pity them1 love them1 and could die to save them2 but whether ,god pities them or not1 or truly wishes to save them1 ,i do not know1 for ,i am totally ignorant of ,his will or purpose4 ,surely such were not the apostle's convictions6 ,did he not rather engage in this work of seeking to save souls with intense earnestness1 because he knew that however great his love1 it was but a reflection1 however dim1 of the infinite love of ,god to them1 and his desire to save them but a feeble expression of the desire of ,god8 ,was he not persuaded1 that in beseeching them to be reconciled1 he could speak as though ,god did beseech them by him1 as one in ,christ's stead2 and that in beseeching them not to receive the grace of ,god in vain1 he was but a worker together with ,god8 ,in this same spirit may we1 and must we seek to do good to others4 ,we dare not look upon our brother as one belonging exclusively to ourselves1 or one dear to ourselves only1 but as one belonging to ,god his ,creator1 and dear to ,god his ,father4 ,we must ever keep before us the fact1 that there is a work which ,god wishes to have accomplished in his soul1 as well as in our own2 and that our brother is given to us in order that we should be workers together with ,god in helping on that good work4 ,and if so1 this will very clearly teach us at least what we ought not to do to our brother4 ,we should never1 by word or by example1 by silence or by speech1 strengthen in his spirit the work of evil3 for that is not ,god's work4 ,for when we flatter his vanity1 feed his pride1 shake his convictions of the truth1 or when1 in any way whatever1 we lay stumbling blocks in his path1 or tempt him to evil1 we are surely not workers together with ,god4 ,in our conduct to our brother1 let us ask ourselves1 ,is this how ,christ would have acted to any one with whom ,he came in contact when on earth8 ,is this helping on ,his work now8 ,but1 on the other hand1 when our brother's soul is dear to us1--when1 at all hazards1 we seek first1 and above all1 his good1--when our love is such that we are willing to have its existence suspected1 and ourselves despised and rejected by him1 even as our loving ,lord was by ,his own whom ,he loved1 rather than that we should selfishly save ourselves1 and lose our brother2 then indeed we are labourers together with ,god1 and possess the spirit of ,jesus6 ,oh1 little does the world understand the deep working of this kind of love1 which1 however imperfect it may be1 yet burns in the heart of ,christians only1 because they only partake of that love which is possessed in perfection by ,him who loved us1 and gave ,himself for us6 ,let us1 then1 remember that we are not to concern ourselves about another's good as if we were alone in our labours1 our wishes1 and our sympathies2 as if we really cared more than ,god does about the well-being of this relation or of that friend4 ,let our love flow out with all its force1 and express itself with holiest longings and tenderest sympathies2 yet infinitely above all this love is the love of our ,god and their ,god6 ,in our truest and holiest working be assured that we are but a worker together with ,him1 the true and holy ,one1 otherwise our labours could not be right2 for they would not be in harmony with ,god's will1 or such as ,he could command or bless4 ,the same principle applies to our more extensive labours for the good of the whole world1 and is the very life and soul of home and foreign missions4 ,we can enter the abodes of ignorance and crime at home1 and ply with offers of mercy the inhabitants of the foulest den1 and plead with every prodigal to return to his ,father1 because we believe that in all this we are in ,christ's stead1 and are warranted to beseech in ,god's name1 and with the full assurance that we are not working alone1 but together with ,god4 ,we can visit any spot in heathendom1 cheered and borne up by the same assurance amidst every difficulty1 discouragement1 and danger4 ,whatever else is doubtful1 this1 at least1 is certain1 that in every endeavour to save sinners1 we are but expressing our sympathy with ,jesus in ,his love to them1 in ,his longing to see of the travail of ,his soul1 and to be satisfied in their salvation2 and that when experiencing the deepest sorrow because men will not believe1 we are only sharing the sufferings of ,him who mourned on account of unbelief1 and wept over lost ,jerusalem because it would not know the things of its peace4 ,all this is as certain as that there is such a living person as the ,saviour1 unchanged in character1 everywhere present1 seeing the evil and the good1 hating the one and loving the other1 whose labour and whose joy is that ,god's name should be hallowed1 ,his kingdom come1 and ,his will be done on earth as it is done in heaven4 ,oh1 how depressing1 how deadening1 to have any doubts as to this reality of the interest which our ,god and ,saviour takes in the good of human souls6 ,how must the dread thought silence the tongue1 wither the heart1 and paralyse the hand1 that however ardent the wish influencing us to be good ourselves1 or to do good to others1 ,god is indifferent to both1 and has no real interest in either--as if we had more love1 more holiness1 and more desire that the kingdom of righteousness should advance1 than the loving and holy ,god6 ,nay1 how is it possible for us to have any true love at all to human friends unless it is first kindled by ,him1 and is in sympathy with ,him1 who loved ,his neighbour as ,himself8 ,let me here remind you of the only other alternative set before you1--it is the awful one of being a labourer together with ,satan4 ,our ,lord rejects neutrality2 for such is really impossible4 ,he recognises the no real friend as a positive enemy4 ,he that is not with me is against me2 ,he who gathereth not scattereth2 ,ye cannot serve ,god and mammon1 but must serve either4 ,now1 ,satan has a work on earth4 ,it is this spirit which worketh in the children of disobedience4 ,will we1 then1 work with him in his desire to destroy our own souls8 ,will we have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness1 and take part with that wicked one in his dread work of opposing the kingdom of light1 and advancing the kingdom of darkness in the world8 ,will we assist him in tempting others to evil1--in entangling souls more and more in the meshes of sin1--in propagating error and opposing truth8 ,and will we1 by our words and example1 by our coldness or open opposition1 help to keep any man back from ,christ1 or to drag down to hell a neighbour or friend1 a brother1 sister1 or child8 ,a labourer together with ,satan6 ,oh1 consider the possibility of this being the record at judgment of our history1 that we may start1 as from a nightmare1 from so hideous an imputation6 ,instead of anything so inconceivably dreadful being true of us1 may we know and love the ,father1 through the ,son1 and by ,his ,spirit1 and thus realise more and more in all our labours the strength and blessedness of being labourers together with ,god6 ,the more we reflect upon this principle which ,i have been illustrating1 the more we shall see that it is the life of all true work1 and can be applied to any work in which a ,christian can engage4 ,the true artist1 for example1 ought to occupy the elevated position of being a labourer with ,god in faithfully1 industriously1 and conscientiously working in harmony with ,nature1 which is the ,art of ,god4 ,he ought to study1 therefore1 the sculpture1 the paintings1 the music1 of the ,great ,artist1 and understand the principles on which ,he produces the beautiful in form1 in colour1 or in sound4 ,the humblest mason who plies his chisel on the highest pinnacle of a great building1 or who fashions the lowliest hut1 should have an eye to ,him who makes all things very good1 and for conscience' sake1 ay1 for ,god's sake1 he should1 to the very best of his ability1 work in the spirit of the ,great ,architect1 who bestows the same care in building up the mountains1 moulding the valleys1 fashioning the crystal1 making a home to shelter the tiny insect1 or a nest where the bird may rear her young4 ,without loving our work1 and doing it to the best of our ability1 as in the sight of ,god1 we cannot be fellow-workers with ,him who hath made our bodies so wonderfully1 and cultivated our souls so carefully2 for ye are ,god's building--ye are ,god's husbandry4 ,,revivals4 ,i4 ,,their ,,need4 ,an awakening expresses better than the stereotyped phrase revival1 the idea of a wide-spread interest in religious truth4 ,this is the response to the righteous demand1 ,awake1 thou that sleepest1 and arise from the dead1 and ,christ shall give thee light1 for at such a time men but awake to the reality of truth1 which was previously dim and shadowy to them as things seen in dreams2 or formerly the awful facts of ,god's revelation had been as pictures hung up on the wall1 which now suddenly become alive4 ,before entering on the discussion of this rather delicate subject1 there is one question which we would respectfully press upon the attention of the reader1 and that is1 ,whether he would like a revival of genuine religion8 ,we do not question him regarding his sympathy with any particular form in which the supposed revival might come1 far less with any of those peculiarities which are supposed by some to be necessarily characteristic of a revival2 but supposing that such an awakening or revival occurred by means of any agency1 or any process1 that it was accompanied by such outward signs of calm and peace as he himself would select1 and that its results were unquestionable2--supposing that society was unusually pervaded by a spirit of truth and holiness1 that no countenance could be given to evil by word1 look1 or sentiment1 but only to all that was pure1 lovely1 and of good report1--would such a heaven upon earth be readily rejoiced in by him8 ,if this question is fairly and honestly put to the heart and conscience1 the manner in which we entertain the thought of the mere possibility of a revival becomes a trial of our own spirit1 a test of our sincerity when we pray1 ,thy kingdom come2 ,thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven4 ,the weakest ,christian has but one answer to give to such a question4 ,he may be pained by anticipating the contrast which he thinks is not unlikely to be presented between himself and others more holy2 or he may fear that what is false and fleeting1 but more attractive1 may1 in a time of excitement1 usurp the place of what is real and permanent1 though less obtrusive2 but he cannot but desire with his whole heart that he himself and all men may become more and more awake to the realities of truth1 and be revived as by the breath of a new spring1 so as to grow more in grace1 and bring forth more fruit to the glory of ,god4 ,for1 given that a revival is possible1--that a wide-spread interest in the will of ,god towards men1 with a corresponding power vouchsafed to know it and do it1 may be suddenly produced and permanently sustained in the minds of men1--we ask1 ,is not this the one grand blessing from ,god which we require8 ,to the question1 ,what wilt thou that ,i should do unto thee8 which we may conceive our loving ,lord putting to ,his blind1 deaf1 lame1 even dead brethren of mankind1 does not the response come from individuals and congregations1 from solitary mourners1 and from unhappy hearts1 from the weary1 the hopeless1 the despairing1 the labourers at home and abroad--,life1 ,lord6 ,we need life in our souls1 life in our duties1 life in our minds1 life in our families1 life in our teaching and hearing1 in our working and praying1 life in all and for all6 ,all our clergy constantly need a revival of genuine life1--life which no parishioner might be able to define1 but which1 if there1 every one would soon perceive4 ,it would be felt in every home like the breath of spring1 experienced beside every sick-bed like a touch of healing1 and be heard in every sermon like a voice from heaven4 ,oh1 what a heavenly gift to himself and others would this be1 and what a time of refreshing from the ,lord6 ,and how many would share the blessing1 now hindered1 perhaps1 by his own unbelief and satisfaction with indifference4 ,for though dead ministers may in some rare cases have succeeded in saving souls1 we never heard of living ones who had in every case failed4 ,god has ordained that a living ministry--the preaching of those who utter what they themselves know from personal experience to be true--shall be ,his most powerful instrumentality for converting the world4 ,we believe1 accordingly1 that every minister1 whose own soul became alive1 would soon find that his life was contagious1 and that his living spirit would tell upon other spirits in a way never before realised by him4 ,that indescribable impression made by a genuine ,christian character1 which never can be successfully imitated1 would exercise a marvellous influence upon all with whom he came in contact2 and if he had one sorrow for life1 it would be the remembrance of the dark and horrible time when he was a mere formalist1 dead to the eternal interests of his own soul and the souls of others4 ,again1 ,what parish does not stand in need of such a quickening8 ,few ministers are encouraged and stimulated to aim at and attain higher measures of good1 from the abounding evidences of ,christian life among their parishioners4 ,many more are tempted1 by all they see around them1 to wax cold in love1 and to lower their standard of personal and ministerial life1--to become quite satisfied with the every-day1 stereotyped formalism of things around them1 or to submit to it as if it were a doom4 ,the very smile of incredulity with which the account of alleged revivals is received1--the wonder which good men express1 if told of many being awakened by the mere preaching of the ,word in some congregation or district1--only indicates how all hope has perished of our people over becoming what the preacher in words urges them to become1 or of their ever being delivered from the torpor1 the indifference1 the death1 which in words he tells them are the preludes of coming death eternal4 ,is not our hope well-nigh lost regarding many a parish2 and what but the quickening and reviving power of ,god's ,spirit can restore it8 ,and is there no revival needed in our most living congregations8 ,we may1 indeed1 have cause to thank ,god for many signs of genuine life within them1 and for such good works as indicate a living spirit in the body4 ,but in the most encouraging cases we have more cause to deplore the vast extent of the ground where the seed sown has been carried away1 withered1 or choked with thorns1 rather than to rejoice in the small patches which may be bringing forth fruit4 ,let any minister1 as he surveys his congregation1 and as he visits them from house to house1 ask himself the question1 ,how many of these really care about ,christ1 and ever pray to ,him1 or try to serve ,him8 and making every allowance for our ignorance of other men's condition1 for the life that may be hidden from the eye1 yet will there not be innumerable evidences1 forcing upon him the conviction1 that if the doctrines he preaches are true1 death reigns to a very awful extent even among members of the ,church8 ,we do not wish to exaggerate1 or make out a case against pastors or their flocks1 but we leave it to every candid man who will dare to look the truth in the face1 to deny the existence among us of a1 mighty want--the want of a revival of spiritual religion among both4 ,once more1 let us look at our missions1 and consider whether there is any need of a revival in this department of ,church life4 ,we confess that a mingled feeling of shame and sorrow swells our hearts as we think of the contributions1 whether of men or of money1 furnished by all ,christendom for the conversion of heathendom4 ,it is not that ,protestantism is behind ,romanism even in the number of its missionaries1 while in quality1 and even permanent and holy results1 we never will compare these two sections of the ,christian ,church4 ,but how can we hope to possess such missions as shall be worthy of the ,protestant ,church1 without a revival of spiritual religion throughout the parishes1 families1 theological halls1 and congregations of ,europe and ,america8 ,is it too much to expect1 for example1 that ,christian parents1 who would now rejoice if their sons received an excellent civil appointment in ,india1 or a commission without purchase1 or a partnership in a first-rate house1 shall also rejoice in the prospect of one of their children becoming a missionary of the ,cross8 ,is it too much to expect that those licensed to preach the gospel shall love the work for the work's sake1 and that some years at least of health and strength may be given to the foreign field8 ,what is needed more than a revival among our preachers1 before we can look with hope for a revival in our missions8 ,and1 finally1 is not a revival much required to banish the estrangement1 coldness1 envy1 which exist between the clergy of different ,churches8 ,there are delightful exceptions1 where genuine ,christian goodwill and love exist4 ,but1 alas6 we sadly miss the want of that manly1 truthful maintenance of what appears to us to warrant our own church organisation1 with that just appreciation of the sense1 principle1 and judgment of those who have no sympathy with our views4 ,surely every great branch of the ,church has at this time of day proved to every honest and fair man1 that enough can be said in its favour to justify a man in belonging to it without his belying his ,christian profession1 or being either a fool or a hypocrite4 ,yet1 what an inward chuckling is often manifested at each other's blunders1 failures1 or even sins1--what a straining for the masteries between the rival sects1--what an utter absence1 in innumerable cases1 of the slightest sign or symptom of that ,christian love and forbearance which is the very proof of being children of ,god--nay1 how little of the good breeding and kindness which are universal among gentlemen6 ,and all this evil1 and more than we have described1 is often glossed over with such an evangelical phraseology1 that what is of the earth earthy is made to appear as if it were heavenly2 and the coarsest product of the coarsest and most vulgar vanity1 self-seeking1 and pride is so painted and misrepresented as to look like love of principle or love of truth4 ,what will put an end to the proud antagonism1 the ,popery1 the ,church idolatry of ,protestantism8 ,can it ever be that we shall carry one another's burdens1 and so fulfil the law of ,christ1 and so love the ,church and its ,head as to love ourselves and our sections of the ,church less1--that we shall so love our brethren of every name1 that their sins shall be our grief1 and their well being our blessing1--that we shall be willing to decrease1 if ,christ only increases1 by whatever means ,he may in ,his sovereign wisdom select8 ,in one word1 can it be that ,christian ministers and people of every church shall1 in any town or district1 come to love one another with a pure heart fervently1 because loving the ,lord8 ,who would not long for such a blessed consummation6 ,but1 behold1 if the ,lord could make windows in heaven1 might this thing be6 ,so we exclaim in our unbelief4 ,but1 unless we have lost all faith in the power of ,god's ,spirit1 why should we not believe that ,god can open the windows of heaven1 and pour forth such showers of ,his grace that ministers shall believe what they know1 and act as they teach1 and be what they profess1 and that thus the parched places shall rejoice and blossom as the rose4 ,then1 indeed1 would be fulfilled the gracious promise made to a renewed ,church3--,for ye shall go out with joy1 and be led forth with peace3 the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing1 and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands4 ,instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree1 and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree3 and it shall be to the ,lord for a name1 for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off4 ,,ii4 ,,objections ,,to ,,revivals4 ,it cannot be denied that very strong prejudices are entertained by many of our most intelligent1 sober-minded1 and sincere ,christians against revivals4 ,it is both unjust and untruthful to allege that their real objection is against all vital godliness and genuine ,christianity4 ,such persons as those we allude to love both1 and desire the advance of truth as truly and sincerely as any revivalist in the land1 and much more so than many who bear the name4 ,but from their education1 their temperament1 their views of truth1 and from what they have seen or heard regarding the revival movements1 they have been led to question the reality of sudden conversions1 the evidence of the instrumentalities and means ordinarily employed to effect them1 and the correctness of the teaching imparted1 either to awaken or build up2 while other things which appeared always to accompany a revival1 as if essential to it1--such as the extravagant and exaggerated coarse addresses of some1 the impudence1 conceit1 and spiritual pride of others1 the thrusting aside1 as if of no value1 all that was quiet1 sober1 and truthful1 and the bringing forward all that was noisy1 demonstrative1 talkative1 and excited1--has had such an effect on their minds that the very name of a revival meeting produces a feeling of repulsion and aversion as against a falsehood4 ,now1 we do not profess by any means to defend whatever has presented itself to public notice in any village or district as a revival4 ,a good name1 whether assumed by men1 meetings1 or movements1 does not necessarily make either of them good or worthy of their name4,a ,footnote ,a3 ,it is very unfair to represent those clergy as opposed to revivals who may not have attended revival meetings4 ,these meetings were often summoned and managed by self-appointed committees of laymen1 whose names were unknown to the clergy1 and no guarantee whatever was afforded as to who would address them1 or how they would be conducted4 ,clergymen1 therefore1 were unwilling either to attend as mere spectators1 or to appear on the platform1 where they might be placed in the unpleasant position of either opposing or acquiescing in what was said or done4 ,they1 therefore1 confined their labours to their own flock1 thankfully acknowledging the good which may have been done by others in the way which seemed best to them2 and also themselves finding1 when sought1 a portion of the blessing for their people4 ,on the other hand1 whatever form revivals may take1 or have taken1 in any country or district1 whatever mistakes have been made1 or whatever evils have accompanied them or been occasioned by them1 yet we cannot admit that any objections can be valid which would hinder us from hoping for such wide-spread and rapid extension of the gospel as we have never yet seen1 nor from believing that a very real and genuine revival has to a remarkable extent taken place1 and is yet going on1 throughout our country and the world4 ,but let us briefly state the ordinary objections against revivals3-- #a4 ,we have no great faith in sudden conversions1 is a form of expression in which we hear revivals objected to1 when the subject happens to be the topic of conversation in ordinary society4 ,alas6 how many have little faith in the necessity of any conversion6 ,a want of hearty conviction regarding human sinfulness and guilt1 and a tendency rather to flatter man's character1 worship his genius1 and almost deify his powers1 lies too much at the root of many of the views and feelings of our day about religion2 and hence there is a corresponding want of faith in the necessity of that new life which some time or other every one must possess1 or in the supernatural means required either for the removal of man's guilt and his restoration to the ,divine favour1 or for the renewal of man's nature and his restoration to the ,divine image4 ,there are1 in short very inadequate convictions--if these are brought to a ,scripture test--either as to the state out of which or into which every man must be brought before he can be saved4 ,but1 nevertheless1 there are moral necessities grounded on the character of ,god as it is1 and the character of man as it is and ought to be1 which remain the same in every age and clime4 ,some of these necessities are expressed by such declarations as--,ye must be born again4 ,except ye be converted1 and become as little children1 ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven4 ,if any man is in ,christ ,jesus1 he is a new creature4 ,yet while conversion is absolutely necessary for every man1 we by no means assert that its inner history must1 in each step1 be necessarily the same1 though the results must be essentially the same in every case4 ,the ,spirit of ,god1 who works when and how ,he pleases1 may1 in some cases1 so work in the soul from its earliest years1 that the time when the seed of a new life entered it1 and the process by which it has gradually increased there1 until it now brings forth fruit1 are both unknown4 ,not unknown is the fact that life is there1 for it is recognised and evidenced by its fruit1 but when it began may be unknown2 and the rate or successive stages of its increase may be equally unknown1 or at least unmarked4 ,this is true in some cases--or1 let it be admitted1 in many cases1 chiefly among those favoured ones who have been reared from childhood within the paradise of a truly ,christian home1--still1 why should we deny the reality of many conversions on the mere ground of their suddenness8 ,we shall not appeal to authentic historical facts to refute the objection1 but simply remind our readers of such sudden conversions as those of ,paul the apostle1 the jailer at ,philippi1 or the thousands on the day of ,pentecost at ,jerusalem4 ,would we be warranted in rejecting those1 because a few days or hours only marked a transition from death to life1 from darkness to light1 from their serving ,satan to serving ,god1 from being enemies to their being friends of ,jesus8 ,but apart from this evidence1 what1 we would ask1 is there in the nature of conversion inconsistent with its alleged suddenness8 ,there may indeed be a preparedness for it that may occupy much time1 as dawn ushers in the sunrise1 or as months of travail precede the child born into the world2 and there maybe results whose character may require time to determine4 ,nevertheless1 why should not conversion itself1 apart from its antecedents or consequents1 be sudden8 ,let us consider briefly what conversion is4 ,it is not1 for example1 the attainment of good habits nor even the doing of good works1 though it leads to and must end in this1 if genuine4 ,these are the results of conversion4 ,nor1 again1 does it imply anything like a full or accurate knowledge of the ,christian scheme1 far less of its evidences2 for how little could have been thus known by the converted jailer of ,philippi1 who was one day a heathen1 and the next day a baptized ,christian--or by the converted thief on the cross--or by the three thousand converts on the day of ,pentecost6 ,but in conversions there must be thorough earnestness about the salvation of the soul1 or of our relationship to ,god4 ,and why should not this feeling be suddenly kindled8 ,men can be easily roused to sudden earnestness1 in order to save their bodies1 when they realise present danger2 and why not to save their souls8 ,if1 indeed1 the soul can never be in such danger1 or if a man can never be ignorant or forgetful of the fact1 or if in no circumstances or by any means he can be roused to a sense of his danger1 then may such sudden earnestness be impossible2 but if his danger is real1 and deliverance near1 surely all this is possible1 and even probable1 and of infinite importance1 seeing that the day of grace ends with life1 and life may end in any moment4 ,if this night a man's soul may be required to give its account1 surely on this day conversion is required to make that account one of joy1 and not of sorrow4 ,conversion implies also faith in what ,god has revealed to us4 ,and why should we not at once believe ,god8 ,do we think it necessary to hesitate for months and years ere we believe the word of an honourable1 truthful man1 in matters of fact about which he cannot possibly be mistaken8 ,and shall we think it strange to believe ,god's ,word the moment we hear it8 ,now1 that ,word tells us many things which1 if true1 cannot be believed without producing immediate results4 ,it tells us that we are lost sinners condemned already2 that ,god1 in love1 has had pity on us1 and sent ,his ,son to save us2 that ,he died on the cross for sinners1 so that whosoever believeth in ,him shall never perish2 that ,he lives to quicken and sanctify through ,his ,spirit all who will receive ,him2 that there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man can be saved2 and that he who believeth not shall be damned4 ,now1 is it really impossible for a man at once to believe all this1 or even thus far to understand his danger1 and believe the gospel as the only deliverance8 ,does it seem strange that men should have at once believed ,christ1 or any of ,his apostles1 when they preached8 ,or1 does it not seem more strange that some were fools1 and slow of heart to believe8 ,and why should it seem incredible that a sincere and earnest man should now believe the moment he hears the same gospel1 and say1 ,i have been a great sinner in hitherto treating this message with so much neglect6 ,by my disbelief ,i have made ,god a liar2 ,i shall do so no more3 ,thy ,word is truth4 ,lord1 ,i believe2 help mine unbelief6 ,conversion implies a yielding ourselves to ,god1 because thus believing in ,his love manifested through ,jesus ,christ and ,him crucified4 ,such a state of mind might be thus expressed3 ,lord1 ,i shall fight against ,thee no more6 ,i believe in ,thee1 and yield myself to ,thee for time and eternity1 to have the good pleasure of ,thy righteous will done in me and by me2 to be pardoned1 sanctified1 and governed wholly by ,thyself1 and in ,thine own way4 ,i am ,thine--save me6 ,surely this attitude of soul may be assumed at once towards ,god the very moment the gospel of ,his goodwill to us1 and of ,his desire to possess our hearts1 is heard4 ,conversion implies some degree at least of peace with ,god4 ,many seem to think it almost presumptuous to look for peace or to expect joy in ,god4 ,it betokens1 they say1 a want of humility4 ,love and humility are one4 ,both are a going out of ourselves1 and finding our good1 strength1 peace--all in ,god4 ,it is surely a poor compliment to pay a friend1 if we rebuke those who dare to be happy in his presence or to find peace in his society4 ,what hard thoughts have men of ,god when they do not see how ,he must ever rejoice in the good and peace of ,his children6 ,oh1 shame upon us that we do not rejoice in the ,lord always1 and possess the love which casteth out fear1 for fear hath torment4 ,why1 then1 should it seem impossible for a man to have peace1 the moment he can say with the apostle ,john1 ,we have known and believed the love that ,god hath to us8 ,cannot that love be seen in its own light when revealed8 ,and if so1 why should the possession of immediate peace1 in a degree corresponding to faith in ,god1 seem to be so wonderful8 ,would not its absence be more so8 ,the very hope1 methinks1 of pardon1 when first entertained by the condemned criminal--or of deliverance and return to home1 when first realised by the shipwrecked sailor--or of life and health1 when first deemed probable even1 by the hitherto despairing invalid--or of meeting his long-injured1 but still patient and loving father1 by the miserable prodigal--may well kindle sudden joy and peace4 ,much1 no doubt1 may have been done before any hope could dawn to the captive1 to the shipwrecked1 to the invalid1 or the prodigal2 yet the hope itself may suddenly flash on each1 as the message enters the cell to assure the criminal of his safety1 or the signal is seen on the distant horizon that promises succour to the mariner1 or the smile plays on the countenance of the physician1 telling that the dread crisis is over and that progress towards recovery has begun1 or the remembrance of a father's love is rekindled in the heart of the wanderer4 ,and thus a man who has been roused to see his moral guilt1 as well as moral depravity--to see his dread and terrible danger--may well find unutterable peace the very moment he believes that there is for him deliverance from the evil1 and forgiveness with ,god1 that ,he may be feared--or even when the maybe dawns upon him that he1 the hitherto dead1 careless1 presumptuous sinner1 has not been so shut out of his ,father's heart and home1 but that there is yet grace omnipotent to save him1 to take away his sins1 renew his whole being1 and make him and keep him a child of ,god4 ,when the prodigal in the far country was planning only his return1 he resolved to say to his father1 ,make me one of thy hired servants6 ,to be for a time a very slave in his father's house1 seemed in prospect as a very paradise when compared with his present wretchedness2 but to be received at once as a son--that he would not be so presumptuous as to dream of4 ,ah6 he had forgot his father's character in the far country4 ,unbelief had done its work1 and cut off his hope4 ,but however dark and dim his views were1 he nevertheless returned1 was met afar off1 and was at last received in his father's arms4 ,there he poured forth the confession which relieved his choking heart1 ,i am no more worthy to be called thy son6 ,true4 ,but did he add1 ,make me a hired servant8 ,no1 he could not1 for he had already been received as a son4 ,our ,lord tells us how some hearers may receive the ,word immediately with joy1 and yet give up when it is the occasion of their being brought into outward perils or difficulties4 ,paul complained that ,demas had forsaken him1 and ,john of many who1 he says1 went out from us4 ,we must not think it strange1 moreover1 if the visible ,church should ever and anon disclose to us how much evil as well as good it contains4 ,our ,lord never contemplated a ,church on earth as possible--owing to the sinful offences which must needs come--which should be otherwise than a mixture of good and bad4 ,there was one in twelve of ,his own pure apostolic ,church a traitor4 ,among the members of the pentecostal ,church1 two were struck down dead for falsehood of the blackest kind4 ,among the earliest professed converts in ,samaria was ,simon ,magus1 in the bonds of iniquity4 ,and so it will ever be4 ,the field will contain tares as well as wheat1 and both must grow together till the harvest2 the net must gather into it bad fish as well as good1 until the great day of final separation comes at the end of the world4 ,but1 nevertheless1 the field may now contain a glorious crop of wheat1 and the net1 after a night of toil1 be sometimes full of good fish1 so as to excite the wonder and praise of the fishers of men4 ,those converts who fall away have probably misunderstood the true idea of the redemption which is in ,christ ,jesus4 ,they looked for safety from punishment apart from salvation from sin2 upon ,jesus as a deliverer from guilt and hell only1 and not also a deliverer from sin1 by giving that life which is heaven2 they looked for that life hereafter1 and not now2 or they imagined faith as an act done once for all--a coming to ,christ once only for what was required1 instead of as a state which receives at once pardon and acceptance through the merits of ,christ1 and abides in ,christ for ever as the only source of life4 ,we have dwelt upon this point longer than we had at first intended2 for the doubt so often expressed1 of the possibility of one who is lost finding immediate peace when he finds his ,god--and so has found himself--betrays great unbelief or great ignorance of ,god4 ,pride is at its root2--a desire to find something wherewith to commend ourselves to ,god--some evidence of a good character first--some work done as a hired servant1 in order to entitle us with any hope to call ,god father and be at peace with ,him2 instead of our beginning all work by first being at peace--by our being reconciled at once to ,god through faith in ,his love to us1 revealed in the atonement of ,jesus ,christ4 ,we may just add1 what every true man knows1 and rejoices to know1 that the hour which begins his peace with ,god necessarily begins also war with all sin in his own heart4 ,his friendship with ,god implies enmity to all in himself which is opposed to ,god4 #b4 ,but the whole tendency of revivals1 and of this theory of sudden conversions by means of any man's preaching1 is to disparage ,god's appointments of the ,church and the family for accomplishing genuine conversion4 ,if by this is meant that ,god ordinarily blesses for the saving of souls what are termed the means of grace1 or the truth as it is in ,jesus1 whether inculcated by the parent1 the teacher1 or the minister1 and presented to the mind1 and impressed upon it patiently and laboriously during a course of years1--then we also believe this1 and cordially admit it4 ,nay1 we would have all friends of revivals keenly alive to the danger of so expressing themselves as to seem even to disparage such earnest painstaking1 and we would have them to avoid seeking to attain by a summary process what thousands strive to attain1 and actually do attain1 only by a prayerful diligence1 which begins with sowing the seed in childhood1 and never ceases until there is the blade and the full ear ending in the golden harvest4 ,we feel assured that the faithful minister who has seen many souls born to ,god under his teaching1 will acknowledge that these results were connected not so much1 or probably not at all1 with any sudden change1 from some striking sermon he had preached1 but from a series of impressions made by pious parents in their home-training1 or by himself in his congregational class1 or by the whole tone and tenor of his public ministrations1 c4 ,how often has it thus happened that others have laboured1 and that he has but entered into their labours6 ,the conversion of his hearers has been the culminating point of a thousand appliances1 and1 in the vast majority of cases1 it has been reached by degrees4 ,the glorious summit has been attained1 not by a leap from the valley1 but after many preparatory steps4 ,the light of life has not flashed out of darkness1 but has dawned by imperceptible degrees1 until the glory of ,god was seen in the face of ,christ ,jesus4 ,if the new life itself has been suddenly experienced1 yet let us not overlook the preparatory work of the shaking of the dry bones1 then of the bone coming to its bone1 and1 finally1 the flesh and skin covering the skeleton1 and so preparing a home in which the living spirit could dwell and act4 ,we cannot use language strong enough to express our conviction of the blessing which1 as an ordinary rule1 is sure to follow from the ,lord on the faithful and prayerful labour of a pious parent1 ,sabbath-school teacher1 or pastor4 ,let nothing be said in favour of wide-spread and sudden revivals to discourage these hopes6 ,a true revival1 we believe1 shall ever1 in ,god's own time1 attend such labours4 ,this is emphatically true regarding the work of the ministry4 ,we believe that the ministry is of ,god as much as the ,bible is--one of the most precious gifts obtained for the ,church by the risen ,saviour2 and that now1 as ever1 the preaching of the ,word by ministers duly prepared and regularly called and ordained by the ,christian ,church1 is the grand means for converting sinners2 that this power never grows old or loses its adaptation to the wants of man amidst the constant changes of society1 any more than a lens does in transmitting the rays of the sun from age to age4 ,yet1 with all these admissions1 and with profound veneration for the ordinary calm and methodical means of grace1 we can nevertheless believe in wide-spread sudden conversions1 and that too through other instrumentalities1 and in circumstances which leave no doubt of their being caused by what has been termed an extraordinary outpouring of ,god's ,spirit4 ,for let us beware of dogmatising irreverently as to when and how that living ,spirit shall operate on the souls of men1 who worketh according to ,his own counsel of unerring and inscrutable wisdom4 ,who hath known the mind of the ,lord1 and who hath been his counsellor1 that he should instruct him8 ,as a ,person1 ,he acts as ,he wills1 and in every case with perfect wisdom and perfect love4 ,and it is in keeping with this truth1 or rather a necessary consequence from it1 that ,god's ,spirit should teach and educate individuals and churches differently1 or at least in accordance with their respective and specific wants4 ,if ,his outward dispensations towards the same person constantly vary1 yet all work towards one end1 the soul's good1--even as the combinations of the elements vary day by day1 yet all help on the earth's fruitfulness1--we might expect that ,his dealings with the inner life of persons should also vary1 while one glorious scheme of education for heaven is carried on in all and by all4 ,and if so1 why do we think it strange that an individual should have his times of comparative spiritual darkness and light1 strength and weakness8 or that churches should also experience different kinds of treatment1 so to speak1 from the same wise ,spirit1 yet all suited to advance more and more in the end1 both in us and by us1 that kingdom which is righteousness1 peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost8 ,then1 again1 as to the instrumentalities which ,god's ,spirit employs1 these may be often exceptional to ,his general rule4 ,for it is surely a great mercy when the regular ministry1 or any other ordinance of ,his1 becomes inefficient through sinful indifference or unbelief1 that ,he should raise up in such an emergency1 and that too from the most unexpected quarters1 those who will do the work which others ought to have done4 ,the grand end of saving lost souls1 and bringing many sons and daughters unto ,god1 cannot be sacrificed to any organisation ordained for that purpose when it fails either to seek it or accomplish it4 ,thus ,god fulfils ,himself in many ways1 ,lest one good custom should corrupt the world4 ,if1 therefore1 we find1 as a matter of fact1 that some one who follows not us--why he does not follow with us we may not be able to understand--is yet confessing ,christ's name1 and so doing ,christ's work that devils are cast out by him1 we dare not say1 ,forbid him4 ,our ,lord does not command us to forbid him1 any more than ,he commands him to follow us4 ,he says only1 ,forbid him not4 ,he who is not against us is for us4 ,we all need humbly to act on such a principle4 ,but should we in our pride and ignorance condemn a sincere and faithful labourer for ,christ1 our ,lord will not confirm our judgment4 ,on the other hand1 he who does not follow the ministers of ,christ's ,church1 whom he finds already engaged in the ,master's work1 must answer to the ,lord for incurring so solemn and serious a responsibility4 ,but we must pass rapidly and more briefly to the consideration of one other objection to revivals4 #c4 ,we object entirely to revivals because of the great excitement which attends them4 ,to this we reply-- ,we admit the possibility of great excitement connected with religious truth1 in spite of the total absence of religious character4 ,there is no more interesting or remarkable chapter in history than that which records the manias that have spread like epidemics at different periods 7especially during the middle ages7 over ,europe4 ,they are cases of hysteria upon a great scale2 and that these should take a religious form as well as any other is no way impossible4 ,it has happened a hundred times before1 and will happen often again4 ,we have seen cases of revival which were purely physical1 with little religious knowledge and no religious character1 in those who were most under the influence of the preacher1 but with much ignorance and great nervous susceptibility4 ,preachers as ignorant as these people have been deceived by such appearances1 which1 not being able to account for by any natural cause1 they at once attribute to supernatural agency4 ,but1 putting aside those illustrations of very common physical phenomena1 we admit-- ,that excitement is by no means to be desired4 ,its tendency is to produce reaction1 and1 when the fire passes1 to leave nothing but ashes behind4 ,we may receive the ,word with joy1 and yet it may soon wither2 and also give our bodies to be burned1 and yet be nothing4 ,mere excitement is next door to grossness and licentiousness4 ,both have the same sensuous elements in them4 ,had we our choice1 we would prefer a revival without any excitement4 ,it is1 therefore1 not only possible1 but it has frequently happened1 that hundreds have been powerfully moved by a revival1 have professed faith in ,christ1 found peace with ,god1 and been assured by enthusiasts and fanatics that they were now actually saved1 who soon gave token that they never had been saved from either gross ignorance or gross sin1 but destroyed rather by want of sense in themselves1 and in those who1 from ignorance or vanity1 excited their feelings1 and worked on their mere animal sensibilities4 ,but we have not our choice in such matters4 ,we cannot change the laws of the human mind1 and as long as these remain1 it may not in every case be possible to prevent some degree of excitement by what so powerfully appeals to every feeling and affection in the soul of man4 ,given only that the facts of ,christianity are true regarding man's condition without a ,saviour1 and all that has been done for him1 and must be done in him1 before salvation is possible1 with the tremendous consequences throughout eternity attached to his faith and repentance in time1--and excitement is very natural1 and not altogether unbecoming1 in him who sees and believes1 and1 as it generally happens where excitement exists1 who hears1 these truths for the first time in his life4 ,would not calm self-possession1 in such circumstances1 if more reasonable1 be more wonderful than excitement among those1 especially without culture8 ,it is quite true also that excitement will much less frequently occur among strongminded educated people1 who are accustomed to keep their emotions under control2 while many1 with a1 comparatively speaking1 weak emotional nature1 but with sound head and sound sense1 and wakeful conscience1 seldom1 in any case whatever1 betray much feeling4 ,violent excitements1 as a rule1 are found only among northern nations1 among the ignorant masses1 or those who have more feeling than judgment4 ,but why may not a wide-spread excitement about religious truths1 though in some persons a mere physical condition of the nervous system1 be the very means1 under ,god1 of arresting their mind or the minds of others1 and disposing them to consider and receive the truth itself8 ,what is it which we have most to complain of as an obstacle to the gospel8 ,not infidelity1 nor active opposition1 nor ignorance1 but indifference1--cold1 heartless indifference in those who may go to church1 stand up at prayer1 hear or sleep1 read or dream1 agree with everything the minister says1 yet verily believe nothing1 and are therefore neither roused by fear nor gladdened by hope1 but live on1 day by day1 buying and selling1 eating and drinking1 respectable1 it may be1 and respected1 as good farmers1 decent tradesmen1 honest shopkeepers1 but to spiritual things in their living reality and momentous importance--indifferent6 ,could any one but read the thoughts1 hear the conversation1 or watch the effects on the great mass of the hearers1 one day or one hour1 after hearing the most impressive and earnest sermon1 in which the minister before ,god sought to save their souls1 what a fearful vision of the mystery of indifference would be revealed6 ,whatever1 then1 breaks this up is a blessing4 ,no excitement can be so dangerous1 so deadly1 as this indifference4 ,better a thousand times the wild hurricane than the calm miasma4 ,better the stream which rushes impetuously over its banks1 carrying with it devastation for a time1 than the dead and foetid marsh4 ,the one may be turned into a new channel1 and made available as a power for advancing the interests of man1 but the other is evil1 and only evil continually1 ,whatever1 therefore1 we repeat it1 tends in providence to destroy indifference1 and induces people to listen with earnestness and attention to the truth1--be it the excitement of a storm or earthquake1 of a great religious revival1 or of domestic bereavement and sorrow1--whatever it be1 yet is it a blessing if it prepares the soul to receive the seed of the gospel1 by inducing men even to think seriously1 as the first condition for their ultimately believing seriously4 ,but this excitement which alarms so many sober-minded people was not1 after all1 an element which vitiated the religious movements in the early ages of ,christianity4 ,there were rational ,sadducees1 learned scribes1 and formal ,pharisees1 who were much displeased at the excitement of the multitude when ,jesus made ,his triumphant entry into ,jerusalem4 ,but when our ,lord was asked to rebuke them1 ,he replied that the very stones would cry out if these were silent4 ,was there no excitement on the day of ,pentecost when thousands were crying out1 ,what shall we do to be saved8 ,the preaching of the gospel was everywhere accompanied by such awakenings as arrested the attention of cities and nations4 ,would ,god it were so now6 ,but1 in once more meeting this objection1 we cannot help noticing the character of the persons who most generally urge it4 ,how often does one hear from the lips of the intensely worldly-minded fears expressed at the danger of religious excitement6 ,and if the symptoms of such a terrible state of mind manifest themselves in son or daughter1 even in the form of thoughtfulness in regard to their duty to ,god1 or of fear about their state1 or doubts with reference to the manner in which they have been accustomed to spend their time and talents1 how often does the very mother who bore them become herself thoughtful and concerned about her child6 ,she so much dislikes religious excitement4 ,she likes cheerful ,christians1--religious people now-a-days are so sad and gloomy1--she is really anxious about her poor daughter1 c4 ,and all this from persons who live in a constant whirl of excitement1 to whose daily life excitement is essential1 not as a means of temporary relief from severe thought and action1 but as the very end of existence4 ,and whence is their excitement derived8 ,from the most contemptible and silly frivolities1 from balls1 parties1 visits1 and gossip without end--excitements utterly selfish1 which materialise the soul1 debase its tastes1 enervate its powers1 rendering it incapable of all earnest labours or self-denial1 and which incapacitate it from apprehending the purity1 the majesty1 and the surpassing wonder of spiritual realities4 ,these are the persons who1 forsooth6 are so much alarmed lest their dear children should become excited about the things which arrest the attention and engage the thoughts of the mighty angels1 yea1 of ,jesus ,christ himself4 ,believe it1 that whatever excitement may possibly accompany the commencement of the ,christian life in one who has never been trained to think seriously or act conscientiously1 the only persons in the world who are habitually free from all excitement1 or violent emotions of any kind1 are true ,christians1 because they have the love which casteth out fear1 and enjoy the peace of ,god which passeth all understanding4 ,we must here conclude these brief and very imperfect remarks upon a great subject4 ,we end1 as we began1 by expressing our profound conviction that the want of all our wants is this1 and this only1 a ,revival of ,spiritual ,religion2 or1 in other words1 genuine1 simple1 truthful1 honest love to ,jesus ,christ1 to ,his people1 to ,his cause1 and to the whole world6 ,this1 and this alone1 will fulfil the longing of many a weary1 thirsty soul for better things than at present seem probable or possible4 ,who will shew us any good8 is the despairing cry of many a thoughtful man1 as he passes in review before his anxious eye the dark side of things1 such as careless living students of divinity1 who are to be the future teachers of this great nation2 ministers and congregations apparently dead as stones2 churches becoming idols1 claiming the reverence and love of their members1 and jealous of any other idol usurping their throne2 scoffing infidelity among the ignorant2 philosophic scepticism among the intelligent2 indifference among thousands2 while abroad heathen nations1 with countless millions1 are opened up to the ,protestant ,church1 which can only send driblets of two or three missionaries here and there1 many of whom go in tears to live in comfort as well-paid gentlemen1 while thousands of common soldiers pour out their life's blood for their country4 ,who will shew us any good8 ,our hope1 ,o ,lord1 is in ,thee6 ,lord1 lift ,thou up the light of ,thy countenance upon us6 ,pour ,thy ,spirit upon the thirsty ground6 ,our strength is gone2 arise1 ,o ,lord1 and revive ,thy work among us all4 ,come ,thou and help us1 for ,thy great name's sake4 ,the cause of righteousness is ,thine own4 ,do ,thou hear and help us1 then shall death be changed to life1 and truth shall banish error1 and disunion be lost in love1 and out of this valley of dry bones1 and from all sects and parties1 a great army will arise1 strong and united through the power of the ,spirit who will dwell in each and all1 and be mighty to pull down all the strongholds of ,satan1 and to advance the kingdom of our blessed ,lord at home and abroad1 to the joy of men and angels6 ,,the ,,christian ,,congregation4 ,a ,christian congregation professes to be a congregation of ,christians1 and to represent the same kind of body which1 in the apostolic epistles1 is termed a church--saints and faithful brethren-- faithful in ,christ ,jesus--holy brethren4 ,it is not1 therefore1 a number of people meeting only to hear a sermon1 or even to unite in public worship1 but without any visible coherence1 social life1 or united action1 but a body1 an organised whole2 the ,lord's ,supper being the grand symbol of the unity of its members with one another1 and with the whole society of the ,christian ,church on earth and in heaven4,a ,footnote ,a3 ,the social character of the ,lord's ,supper1 and its being a constant witness to the oneness of the whole body of ,christ and the communion of saints1 has been often so perverted as to have become in the minds of many the grand test and evidence of sectarian division1 while hearing a sermon is the utmost latitude which is given to the believer who wishes to testify his love to all who love the ,lord ,jesus in sincerity4 ,i would hear him preach1 but ,i would not join with him1 7i4e41 ,i would not remember ,christ with him17 is the strange view of many a professing ,christian1 in ,scotland at least4 ,now1 the congregation1 as an organised ,christian society1 has a twofold work to perform4 ,the first is within itself1 and includes whatever is done by the members of the congregation for their mutual good2 the second is beyond itself1 and includes the good done by the whole body to the world without4 ,it is thus with the living body of the ,church as with the dead machinery of a steam-engine1 which first feeds itself with coals and water1 and then turns the wheels of the whole factory4 ,the inner and outer work of the congregation as a body may be briefly indicated in a few sentences1 though volumes might be profitably filled with its details4 #a4 ,the inner work is accomplished within the soul of each member through the preaching and reading of the ,word of ,god1 public prayer1 and partaking of the sacrament4 ,by these means chiefly comes that kingdom of ,god which is within us1 and is righteousness1 peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost1 ,every other work will be done efficiently by the whole body just as this inner work begins and progresses among its individual members4 ,but the fellowship and mutual aid of the members of the ,church in considering one another1 and provoking to love and good works1 and in contributing their share of ,god's gifts and grace bestowed upon themselves for the comfort and edification of their brethren1 also belongs to the inner work of the ,church4 ,this will express itself and be strengthened by meetings for social prayer and ,christian intercourse1 and by those works and labours of love for which the congregation itself has the first claim4 ,these labours of love include the religious instruction of its young members the baptized children2 the visitation of sick2 its support of the poor and destitute brethren4 ,in these and other forms of well-being and well-doing which will suggest themselves1 abundant scope will1 in most cases1 be afforded for exercising the energies1 and calling forth the love of the members of the congregation within the limits of their own society4 #b4 ,the work external to itself to be performed by the congregation1 as a body1 consists generally in its doing good unto all as ,god giveth it an opportunity4 ,the home mission within the district or city in which it is placed will engage its first efforts2 and after that1 or along with that1 the aiding by its contributions and prayers to evangelise the world4 ,but the point which ,i would specially insist upon in this paper is1 the vast importance of developing1 combining1 and directing the gifts of all the members of the congregation for accomplishing both its inner and outer work4 ,if we read the apostolic epistles1 7see ,i ,cor4 xii4 #ad-bg17 the impression which1 as ,i have already said1 they give us of a ,christian congregation is that of a body so organised as that each and every member is made useful to the whole body1 and the particular gift which ,god bestows upon the weakest and most insignificant 7for ,he hath set the members in the body as it hath pleased ,him7 is so appreciated and applied1 that the head or the eye--the most intelligent or most discerning--cannot say to that weak member1 ,i have no need of thee4 ,it may be alleged that the congregations of the primitive ,church are not intended to be models in their peculiar organisation for modern times4 ,but is not the primitive ,church system of union and mutual co-operation essential to the very idea of a ,christian society8 ,and what authority is there for its assembling together to hear sermons1 to pray1 or to partake of the sacraments1 which is not equally binding for its performing of all the other duties and enjoying all the other privileges described by the apostles as pertaining to church-members8 ,now1 in most cases1 everything is left to the minister or his official assistants4 ,the calculation is never soberly made as to his bodily or mental powers to do all which is expected of him4 ,there is an immense faith in both4 ,it is assumed that he1 and not the congregation1 is the body2 that he alone1 therefore1 possesses the eye1 the tongue1 the ear1 and the hand2--and some ministers seem so pleased with their elevated position as to be unwilling that any should share it with them4 ,but when the minister is alive to the responsibility of his position1 and when he is so fortunate as to have in his congregation men and women who share his convictions1 and are willing to share the labour which these entail1 even then there is still the tendency on the part of the great bulk of the members to have their work done by proxy4 ,they have no objection that visiting1 teaching1 almsgiving1 and the like1 should be done by the committee1--while the committee1 perhaps1 are inclined1 in their turn1 to leave it to ,mr ,a41 or ,miss ,b41 who are active members of it4 ,it is true we must labour1 in the meantime1 with whatever instrumentality ,god furnishes1 and make the most of it1 but we must not cease to aim at realising the noble end of making each member1 according to his gifts and abilities1 manifest the spirit of ,him whose saying it was1--,it is more blessed to give than to receive6 ,no doubt1 much wisdom is required upon the part of office-bearers to whom the government of the congregation is intrusted1 to discern gifts1 and to apply them4 ,but the one thing chiefly needed is love in the ,spirit6 ,it is for this we should chiefly labour2 for1 let love to ,jesus be once kindled by the ,spirit of ,god through faith in ,his love to us1 and love1 which unites us to ,him1 will unite us to one another4 ,but admitting all we have said to be true regarding the congregations of the primitive ,church1 and acknowledging1 moreover1 that it would be highly desirable could such ,christian congregations reappear in our day1 it may be reasonably questioned whether this is possible in the present state of society1 or whether any attempt to realise it is not a pious imagination1 which would lead to extravagances and fanatical disorders such as have often characterised minor sects1 who1 in seeking to rise up as perfect churches1 have sunk down into perfect nuisances8 ,it may be said1 ,only look at the elements you have to work upon6 ,deal with the actual flesh-and-blood men and women who necessarily form the bulk of our congregations1 and not with ideal persons4 ,look at this farmer or shopkeeper--that servant or master2 enter the houses of those hearers or parishioners in town or country1 from the labourer to the proprietor2--is there the intelligence1 the heart1 the principle1 the common sense--any one element which could unite those members into a body for any high or noble end8 ,they provoke each other to love and good works1 or help to convert the world6 ,would it were so6 but it is impracticable4 ,such thoughts we have ourselves experienced with feelings of despair4 ,but there are others that make us hope that ,christian congregations throughout our land may yet rise out of their ashes1 living bodies imbued with life and love from their living and loving ,head4 ,are not all the difficulties1 for example1 connected with the proper organisation of the congregation those only that pertain to the existence of a living ,christianity among its members8 ,given1 that church-members individually were what they profess to be--believers--disciples--brethren--woul d they not1 as a necessary result of this character1 act collectively1 as we suppose a ,christian congregation ought to act8 ,and1 therefore1 when we assume that it is vain to think of congregations becoming1 as a whole1 and in spite of many exceptions1 living bodies of ,christians--men united for mutual good and for the good of the world--do we not thereby assume that it is vain to expect professing ,christians to become constrained by the love of ,christ not to live to themselves1 but to ,him who died for them and rose again8 ,must we confess it to be utterly hopeless to look for such manifestations now of the power of the ,spirit as will produce1 in our cities and parishes1 such congregations1 ay1 and far better ones1 as once existed in ,jerusalem1 ,ephesus1 or ,philippi8 ,there is another thought which encourages us1 and makes us hope that these same elements we have to work upon1 and which appear to make our congregations incapable of accomplishing the high and holy destinies in the world to which we think they are called4 ,it is this3 that just as there are in nature hidden forces--in a quiet and apparently harmless cask of gunpowder1 or electric battery1 for instance--which lie concealed until the right spark calls forth their latent power into action1 so there are1 in many more individuals than we suspect1 hidden forces of some kind or other capable of doing greater things than we could ever have anticipated1 and which require only the right spark of spiritual life and energy to excite them also into vigorous action4 ,it is thus that heroic bravery and sublime self-sacrifice have been manifested in the hour of sudden and appalling danger1 or during seasons of long and dreadful suffering1 by those who were never until then suspected of possessing so great a spirit1 and who1 but for such an occasion occurring for its manifestation1 might have been doomed for ever to remain helplessly among the most commonplace incapables4 ,had a ,grace ,darling or a ,florence ,nightingale been known only as a sitter or pewholder in a congregation1 they might have been deemed unfit for any work requiring courage1 self-sacrifice1 or perseverance4 ,but these noble qualities were all the while in them4 ,in like manner1 have we never seen among our working classes a man excited by some religious enthusiast or fanatical ,mormonite1 who all at once seemed inspired with new powers1 braved the sneers of companions1 consented to be dipped in the next river1 turned his small stock of supposed knowledge into immediate use1 exhorted1 warned1 proselytised among his neighbours1 spoke in the lanes and streets unabashed1 and gathered his knot of disciples from among the crowd of his old comrades1 thus giving token of a force having been lying hid in one who seemed capable only of work on week-days and of sleep on ,sundays4 ,there is not a ,hindu fakir1 who swings from a hook in the muscles of his back1 or measures with his body a long pilgrimage to ,juggernaut2 not a ,popish devotee1 who braves the opinion of society with naked feet1 comical garment1 and self-imposed bodily exercise1 but demonstrates what a man can and will do1 if the mainspring of his being is touched4 ,there is not a sailor or soldier who does not1 at sea or in battle1 shew a greatness which he seems incapable of when seen in ordinary circumstances4 ,it is thus1 we repeat it1 that most undoubtedly there are1 in every congregation1 men and women who have in them great powers of some kind1 which have been given them by ,god1 and which1 though lying dormant1 are capable of being brought out1 in a greater or less degree1 by fitting causes4 ,nay1 every man is enriched with some talent or gift--if we would only discover it and bring it into action--which1 if educated and properly directed1 is capable of enriching others to a far greater extent than he himself is the least aware of4 ,but what power will develop this force8 ,what power1 we reply1 in the universe is so fitted to do so1 and to bring out of a man all that is in him1 and to direct all the force of his being to worthy and ennobling objects1 as the power of a living ,christianity8 ,if the love of ,jesus ,christ and ,him crucified1 understood1 believed1 felt1 does not kindle all the love in a man's heart1 and fire it with all the enthusiasm1 and inspire it with all the bravery of self-sacrifice1 and nerve it with all the indomitable perseverance of which it is capable1 then we know nothing else which can do this1 or anything like this4 ,christianity has not become effete6 ,it is still the power of ,god and the wisdom of ,god4 ,it is still mighty in pulling down strongholds4 ,it can still convert the elements we have to work upon into instruments of righteousness1 and make the foolish things of the world to confound the wise2 and the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty2 and the base things of the world1 and things that are despised1 and things that are not1 to bring to nought the things that are4 ,but we must have real1 living1 and undying faith in ,christ's life and power to do this1 and be earnest in personal and social prayer2 and then only will we be able to judge as to the capabilities of the elements we have to work upon4 ,there is no department of congregational work in which the personal ministration of the individual members is more required than in its ,home ,mission4 ,the sphere of this mission must necessarily be a district in which the members of the congregation can labour4 ,we may assume that there is no district even in this ,christian land in which are not to be found a number who require to be instructed in the gospel1 and brought into the fellowship of the ,christian ,church1 as well as a number who require to be ministered to in private owing to the infirmities of their bodies1 the bereavements in their households1 or other necessity of supplying their temporal or spiritual wants4 ,in large cities not only does each district inhabited by the poorer classes abound in what has been termed a home heathenism2 but this population is so fluctuating from month to month1 that a more extended and vigorous agency is required to make use of the brief opportunity given us for doing it any good4 ,now1 one thing we hold as settled by the whole design of ,christianity1 and amply confirmed by daily experience and observation of human nature1 and that is1 that to seek and save the lost1 a living agency is absolutely necessary4 ,religious tracts alone won't do4 ,far be it from us to write in an apparently slighting manner of what we so greatly value as good tracts1 when we can find them4 ,but1 on the other hand1 let us beware of exaggerating the power of such an agency1 or demanding impossibilities from it4 ,a great number in our large cities and manufacturing districts who require to be reclaimed from ignorance and vice cannot read at all4 ,those who can do so are yet so imperfectly instructed in the art as to be utterly unable to comprehend a continuous narrative of facts1 far less any exposition of doctrine or duty2 while those best able are not always willing to read anything of a religious character4 ,the most efficient method1 in our opinion1 of making use of tracts in all such cases1 is to read them1 when possible1 to others1 and1 if necessary1 explain them1 and then distribute them4 ,but what is a dead tract to a living person8--what is any description of ,christianity on paper1 as compared to the living epistle1 which all men can read8 ,we want ,christian men and women2 not their books or their money only1 but themselves4 ,the poor and needy ones who1 in this great turmoil of life1 have found no helper among their fellows2 the wicked and outcast1 whose hand is against every man's1 because they have found1 by dire experience of the world's selfishness1 how every man's hand is against them2 the prodigal and broken-hearted children of the human family1 who have the bitterest thoughts of ,god and man1 if they have any thoughts at all beyond their own busy contrivances how to live and to indulge their craving passions1--all these1 by the mesmerism of the heart1 and by means of that great witness1 conscience1 which ,god1 in mercy1 leaves as a light from heaven in the most abject dwelling on earth1 can1 to some extent1 read the living epistle of a renewed soul1 written in the divine characters of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,they can see and feel1 as they never did anything else in this world1 the love which calmly shines in that eye1 telling of inward light and peace possessed1 and of a place of rest found and enjoyed by the weary heart6 ,they can understand and appreciate the unselfishness--to them a thing hitherto hardly dreamt of--which prompted this visit from a home of comfort or refinement1 to an unknown abode of squalor or disease1 and which expresses itself in those kind words and looks that accompany the visit4 ,they can perceive the reality of the piety1 which also reads to them1 in touching tones1 the glory of ,him who came to seek and save the lost2 and their souls cannot refuse some amen1 however faint1 echoed by their very misery1 and from their yearnings for a good they have never known1 to that earnest prayer of faith uttered1 in the bonds of a common brotherhood1 to one who is addressed as a common ,father1 through a common ,lord4 ,if ever society is to be regenerated1 it is by the agency of living brothers and sisters in the ,lord2 and every plan1 however apparently wise1 for recovering mankind from their degradation1 and which does not make the personal ministrations of ,christian men and women an essential part of it1 its very life1 is doomed1 we think1 to perish4 ,it is thus that our ,father has ever dealt with ,his lost children4 ,he has in every age of the world spoken to men by living men2 and ,god1 who at sundry times1 and in divers manners1 spake unto our fathers by the prophets1 has in these latter days spoken to us by his ,son6 ,but are there any willing to labour8 ,yes2 many are labouring1 and thousands in this land are prepared in spirit to join them2 for every ,christian has a longing to do something for ,god's kingdom on earth1 and to employ usefully time and talents which he feels are running to waste4 ,why1 then1 with so much to do through a living agency1 and with a great army of living agents yet unemployed1 is there so little done8 ,we reply again1 from want of congregational organisation4 ,our congregations want order1 method1 arrangement4 ,there is not yet a sufficiently clear apprehension of what their calling is in the world1 or of the work given them to do2 nor is there found that wise and authoritative congregational or church direction and government1 which could at least suggest1 if not assign1 fitting work for each member1 and a fitting member for each work4 ,hence little1 comparatively1 is accomplished4 ,the most willing church-member gazes over a great city1 and asks in despair1 ,what am ,i to do here8 ,and what would the bravest soldiers accomplish in the day of battle1 if they asked the same question in vain8 ,what would a thousand of our best workmen do in a large factory1 if they entered it with willing hands1 yet having no place or work assigned to them8 ,and thus it is with many really self-denying ,christians2 because a practicable and definite field of labour is not pointed out1 the necessary result is idleness--unwilling idleness2 or self-organised and self-governed associations1 committees1 societies1 spring up to accomplish what the ,christian society itself was designed to1 and could accomplish in a much more efficient and orderly manner2 or1 as it more frequently happens1 those energies and ardent feelings1 and love of excitement even1 which could have found sufficient scope for healthy exercise in such practical labours of faith and love as we have alluded to1 are soon engrossed by merely speculative questions about the church1 or about religion1 and the stream which1 had it been directed into a right channel1 and to a right point1 would have been made a power for immense good1 soon rushes over the land a wide-spread1 muddy1 devastating flood1 oozes out into stagnant marshes1 full of miasma and fever1 or evaporates into thin air6 ,,the ,,cure ,,for ,,schism4 ,schisms are not peculiar to the ,church of the present day1 nor are they the result of ,protestantism1 as some allege1 unless ,protestantism is understood to represent that doctrine which is termed the right of private judgment1 but which might be described rather as the absolute necessity for each man to believe the truth for himself1 and not to be satisfied that another man should see and believe it for him4 ,this doctrine1 which is essential to the reception of any truth whatever1 must necessarily open the way to error2 just as the possession of reason1 which is essential to a man's thinking at all1 must1 in every case1 involve the risk of his thinking wrong4 ,but we know something of a ,church founded by an apostle1 presided over for a time by an apostle1 which was full of schisms4 ,this was the ,church of ,corinth4 7,see ,first ,epistle to the ,corinthians1 first three chapters47 ,these schisms were marked by differences of mind and judgment2 and by envying1 strife1 and divisions4 ,its ,protestantism may1 no doubt1 have occasioned this4 ,but along with these divisions1 and partly their cause1 partly their effect1 there was not only a warm attachment to particular ministers1 but positive antagonism to others professing the same faith1 and doing the same work4 ,from the sameness of human nature in every age1 we can quite understand how each party would defend their sectarianism4 ,we are of ,apollos1 some might have thus said4 ,we do not admire ,peter4 ,he is too much of a ,jew for us2 besides1 he denied his ,lord1 and dissembled along with ,barnabas at ,antioch4 ,we prefer our own minister even to ,paul4 ,he is a much more eloquent man2 of a much more commanding figure and appearance2 and how profound he is in his knowledge of the ,scriptures6 ,we are of ,paul1 others might have cried2 for he was chosen specially by ,christ2 and he has been honoured by ,him more than all2 and does not the ,church of ,corinth1 moreover1 owe its very existence to his preaching and labours8 ,it is a shame to belong to any other6 ,we cling to ,peter1 a third party might have said2 he lived with ,christ when ,he was on earth1 saw ,his miracles1 heard ,his words1 was treated after the resurrection with special love1 and received from ,him a special commission to feed ,his sheep4 ,apollos is no apostle2 and as for ,paul1 he persecuted the ,church1 and confesses himself that he is not meet to be called an apostle4 ,apollos is good1 ,paul better1 but ,peter is best6 ,we belong to neither1 others could have boasted3 your divisions are so many1 your differences so great1 that we have retired from all your meetings in weariness2 and each of us are of ,christ only1 and call no man master but ,him2 you should all join us1 the ,christians3--thus making use of the very name of ,christ to characterise a sect4 ,such were some of the schisms2 and to the schismatics ,st ,paul said1 ,ye are yet carnal3 for whereas there is among you envying1 and strife1 and divisions1 are ye not carnal1 and walk as men8 ,for while one saith1 ,i am of ,paul2 and another1 ,i of ,apollos2 are ye not carnal8 ,the apostle desired to heal those schisms1 and to bring the members of the ,church into one mind4 ,how did he endeavour to effect this8 ,had he been a ,papist1 he might have said--,why thus divided8 ,because you are not building on the one true foundation1 which is ,peter6 ,do you not understand the meaning of the name1 ,cephas1 or the ,rock1 given to him1 and intended to teach all ,christians that the temple of the ,church was to be built upon this rock1 and this only2 against which the gates of hell cannot prevail8 ,therefore1 you who say1 ',i am of ,cephas1' are right2 all others are schismatics4 ,never1 apparently1 had a man a better opportunity of revealing to the world this great secret of unity than ,st4 ,paul had1 if such was his faith1 especially when he compares the ,church to a building1 and speaks of a foundation-stone4 ,as a wise master-builder1 he says1 ,i have laid the foundation1 and another buildeth thereon4444 ,for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid1 which is--,cephas1 or the rock8 ,no6 but ,jesus ,christ4 ,not one word of ,cephas as the centre of unity4 ,strange silence for a ,roman ,catholic6 ,had ,paul been a ,high ,churchman1 viewing with deep awe the mystery of sacramental grace1 we can understand how he would have spoken to the schismatic ,corinthians of the vast importance of their submitting to absolute apostolic authority1 and of the awful powers with which ,god's ministers had been vested1 of regenerating souls by the waters of baptism2 and how such a clergy should command unqualified obedience4 ,if these1 or anything like these1 were ,paul's sentiments1 and such as we are every day familiar with1 it is not easy1 to say the least of it1 to account for his language to the ,corinthians4 ,what does he say of the exalted privilege of being able to baptize8 ,i thank ,god ,i baptized none of you1 but ,crispus and ,gaius3 strange words from a ,high ,churchman6 or a ,high ,baptist6 ,i baptized also the household of ,stephanas3 besides1 ,i know not whether ,i baptized any other3 strange forgetfulness on such a supposed centre point of ,church unity6 ,for ,christ sent me not to baptize1 but to preach the gospel3 strange idea of the relative importance of preaching and baptizing for a ,high ,churchman to hold6 ,and as to the commanding authority of the apostles1 merely because they were apostles1 apart from1 the commanding authority of the eternal truth which they commended to the conscience and judgment of their hearers1 ,paul asks1 ,who then is ,paul1 and who is ,apollos8 ,methinks we hear some exclaim3 ,oh1 these men were the greatest1 the most remarkable1 the--,we will not1 however1 take up space by repeating the laudations with which some would exalt their authority1 with the view of magnifying the mere official authority of the clergy4 ,but what says the apostle himself8 ,he says they were only ministers by whom ye believed4 ,it was not the minister who did good1 but the truth which he ministered1 and which he had received from another4 ,it was not the man who sowed the seed1 or the basket which held it1 that gave the crop2 but the living seed itself4 ,hence he adds3 ,so then neither is he that planteth anything1 nor he that watereth6 ,what8 ,neither presbyter nor bishop1 neither ,paul nor ,apollos1 anything8 ,strange words1 again we say1 from a ,high ,churchman1 whether ,episcopalian1 ,presbyterian1 or any other denomination2 for ,high ,churchmen are common to all ,churches4 ,yet not strange from ,st ,paul1 who knew how true his words were1 and that not man1 but ,god1 who gave the increase1 was everything4 ,what1 then1 was the apostle's method of curing schism1 and of making men truly one who had been divided8 ,he directed every eye1 and every heart1 and every spirit1 to one object--,,jesus ,,christ1 the personal ,saviour1 the centre and source of unity2 in fellowship with whom all men would find their fellowship with each other4 ,we preach ,christ crucified4 ,i determined not to know anything among you1 save ,jesus ,christ1 and ,him crucified4 ,for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid1 which is ,jesus ,christ4 ,these are his declarations4 ,and his conclusion from this great and blessed principle is just what we might expect3 ,he that glorieth1 let him glory in the ,lord4 ,let no man glory in men3 for all things are yours2 whether ,paul1 or ,apollos1 or ,cephas1 or the world1 or life1 or death1 or things present1 or things to come3 all are yours2 and ye are ,christ's1 and ,christ is ,god's4 ,professing ,christians would do well to weigh the apostle's cure of schism4 ,our divisions of heart and alienation of spirit are unworthy of educated men1 and of the citizens of a free state1 while they are in spirit utterly subversive of the whole principles of ,protestantism4 ,what6 not able to hear the gospel preached from the lips of a minister of another church1 nor to remember ,jesus with him or his people8 ,not willing even to be on kind1 or perhaps on speaking terms with a brother minister8 ,such things not only have been1 but are2 and while1 thank ,god1 they are repudiated and detested by men of all ,churches1 they are common1 we fear1 among too many4 ,no wonder ,roman ,catholics point at our frequent boasting of ,protestant oneness in all essentials1 and ask with triumph1 how it happens1 then1 that we are such enemies on mere non-essentials8 ,how it is that we pretend to be one when attacking ,papists1 and then turn our backs on each other when left alone8 ,no wonder the ,high ,churchman of ,england asks the ,presbyterians in ,scotland to forgive him if he never enters our ,presbyterian churches1 hears our clergy1 partakes of our sacraments1 when so very many among ourselves practically excommunicate each other4 ,no wonder the infidel lecturer describes to crowds of intelligent mechanics1 in vivid and powerful language1 the spectacle presented by many among our ,christian clergy and people1 and asks1 with a smile of derision1 ,if ithis is a religion of love which they see around them--if these men believe the gospel--and if ,christians have really more kindness and courtesy than publicans and sinners8 ,worse than all1 no wonder our churches languish1 and men are asking with pain1 why the ministry is not producing more true spiritual fruit1 which is love to ,god and man8 ,the ,churches are1 no doubt1 doing much4 ,we have meetings1 associations1 and organisations1 with no end of committees1 resolutions1 and motions2 we raise large sums of money2 we have large congregations2--yet all this1 and much more1 we can do from pride1 vanity1 love of party1 love of power1 the spirit of proselytism1 and the like4 ,we may possess many gifts1 understand mysteries and all knowledge2 we may bestow our goods to feed the poor1 in zeal for ,church or party we may be willing to give our bodies to be burned2 but before ,god it profiteth us nothing1 unless we have the love that suffereth long1 and is kind1 that envieth not1 that vaunteth not itself1 is not puffed up1 doth not behave itself unseemly1 seeketh not her own1 is not easily provoked1 thinketh no evil2 rejoiceth not in iniquity1 but rejoiceth in the truth2 beareth all things1 believeth all things1 hopeth all things1 endureth all things1 ,surely our schisms may be healed if there be a ,saviour thus to heal them6 ,one word in conclusion4 ,neither the letter nor the spirit of the apostle's teaching condemn a warm and firm attachment to our own ,church1 but antagonism only to other ,churches4 ,a soldier may love1 and ought to love his own regiment with peculiar affection1 more especially if he has been born in it1 and brought up from childhood1 as it were1 in its ranks4 ,and it should be his honest pride to see that it is one of the best drilled1 most orderly1 most efficient1 and bravest in the whole army4 ,but that is no reason why he should go about with a drum to recruit from1 weaken1 or break up other regiments2 or why he should deny that there are other regiments which equally belong to the grand army1 and may be even more efficient than his own1 though they do not wear the exact pattern of uniform1 or may charge on horseback while his marches on foot1 or possess cannon while his own have but small arms4 ,why should he be jealous of their achievements8 ,why should he be disposed to fight against them instead of against the common enemy8 ,and1 worse than all1 why assert and boast that this one regiment of his is the army1 while all others are mere unauthorised volunteers1 or enemies in disguise8 ,it is full time for sensible men to give up this vain boasting1 proud antagonism1 and irritating ambitious proselytism4 ,instead1 therefore1 of any man attempting1 what is impossible during a lifetime1 to understand the distinctive principles of each of the many sections of the ,christian ,church1 so as to join that one which seems most pure and scriptural1 he is much better1 as a rule1 to remain1 if it is at all possible for him1 in the ,church of his fathers1 in which he was baptized and reared1 and to do all in his power1 by his example1 his prayers1 and his steady1 manly1 firm attachment1 to make his own ,church more efficient1 and to permit others1 without interference1 to do the same4 ,thus may a man be a good ,presbyterian in ,scotland1 and also a good ,episcopalian in ,england1 or possibly a ,nonconformist in both1 unless he believes in the ,divine origin and authority of some one ecclesiastical system1 and the mundane origin of all others4 ,with perfect consistency and sincerity he may dearly love his ,church1 but yet love ,christians more1 because he loves ,christ best of all4 ,these sentiments may be considered by many good ,christians as sinfully latitudinarian2 but to all who think so we would suggest the following simple experiment4 ,when they have perused with care and reflection those portions of the ,epistles of ,st ,paul1 and those incidents in his missionary journeys1 which reveal most clearly what we might term his church views1 let them conceive of this same holy apostle suddenly awaking from his grave and visiting the different churches in our country1 and then honestly say1 from what they know of his character and teaching1 whether they think it improbable or impossible that he would countenance all our churches in so far as they sincerely desired to do ,god's will and advance ,his kingdom4 ,would he not as of old say1 ,grace be with all who love the ,lord ,jesus ,christ in sincerity6 ,pray for the peace of ,jerusalem3 they shall prosper that love thee4 ,for my brethren and companions' sakes1 ,i will now say1 ,peace be within thee4 ,because of the house of the ,lord our ,god ,i will seek thy good4 ,,the ,,union ,,of ,,man ,,with ,,man4 ,the mutual dependence of material things is perceived on a moment's reflection4 ,not one atom in creation1 for example1 exists by itself or for itself alone1 but1 directly or indirectly1 influences and is influenced by every other atom4 ,the movements of the tiniest wave which rises slowly over the dry pebble on the beach1 marking the progress of the advancing tide in the inland bay1 is determined by the majestic movements of the great ocean1 with all its tides which sweep and circulate from pole to pole4 ,the rain-drop which falls into the heart of a wild-flower1 and rests there with its pure and sparkling diamond-lustre1 owes its birth to the giant mountains of the old earth1 to the great sea1 to the all-encompassing atmosphere1 to the mighty sun2 and is thus1 by a chain of forces1 united in its existence1 its figure1 its motion1 and its rest1 to the most distant planet1 which1 beyond the ken of the telescope1 whirls along its path on the mysterious outskirts of space4 ,thus1 too1 the needle of the electric telegraph trembles beneath the influence of hidden powers which pervade the earth1 which flash in the thunder-storm1 awaken the hurricane1 or burst in those bright and brilliant coruscations that shoot across the midnight of our northern sky4 ,and so ,the whole round earth is every way ,bound by gold chains about the feet of ,god4 ,but the unity which exists among intelligent and responsible persons1 their mutual dependence and relationship1 is just as real as that which obtains among material things1 and is far more wonderful1 more solemn and important in its nature1 causes1 and consequences4 ,the human race is an organic whole4 ,the individual man is more intimately united to every other man1 and to all past and coming generations1 than the leaf which flutters on the twig of a great tree is connected with the tree itself1 and with every other leaf that swells its foliage1 or with the seed which was ages ago planted in the soil1 and from which the noble plant has issued4 ,that organic unity of the ,church1 springing chiefly out of a common life1 derived from ,christ and maintained by ,his indwelling ,spirit1 and which the apostle ,paul so fully illustrates by the union of the members of the human frame1 holds equally true of the whole family of man4 ,and what is true in this respect of the human race1 is as true of all spiritual intelligences in the universe of ,god4 ,we are all members one of another4 ,we form a part of a mighty whole that finds its unity in ,god4 ,subtle links from within and from without in ,god's infinite network1 bind us for good or evil1 for weal or woe1 to spirits of light and of darkness2 to principalities and powers in other spheres and systems of being1 from the lowest outcast in the unseen world of criminals1 up to ,gabriel before the throne of ,god2 while over all1 comprehending all1 sustaining and harmonising all1 is the great ,i ,,am--,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit4 ,consider1 for example1 how1 according to the arrangements of the ,divine government1 man is linked to man from the mere necessities of his physical and social being4 ,in this aspect of our life it is evident that its whole history is one of mutual dependence1 and one in which we are compelled to receive and to give1 to partake and to share4 ,we enter upon life as weak1 unconscious infants1 depending every moment on other eyes to watch for us1 and other hands to minister to us1 while we kindle in their hearts the most powerful emotions1 and unconsciously react upon them for joy or sorrow4 ,but we are not less dependent on our fellow-creatures for our continuance in life from the cradle to the grave4 ,there is not a thread of clothing which covers our body1 not a luxury which is placed on our table1 not an article which supplies the means of labour1 not one thing which is required by us as civilised beings1 but involves the labours and the sacrifices of others in our behalf2 while by the same law we cannot choose but contribute to their well-being4 ,the cotton which the artisan weaves or wears has been cultivated by brothers beneath a tropical sun1 and possibly beneath a tyrant's lash4 ,the tea he drinks has been gathered for him by brothers on the unknown hill-sides of distant ,china4 ,the oil which lights his lamp has been fetched for him out of the depths of the ,arctic seas by his sailor brothers2 and the coal that feeds his fire has been dug out by swarthy brethren who have been picking and heaving for him amidst the darkness and dangers of the mine4 ,if the poorest mother writes a letter to her son in some distant spot in ,india and puts it into the window-slit of a village post-office1 without a word being spoken1 how much is done for her before that letter reaches its destination6 ,the hands of unknown brethren will receive it1 and transmit it2 rapid trains will hurry it over leagues of railways2 splendid steamships will sail with it1 and hundreds of busy hands will pass it from port to port1 from land to land4 ,it is watched day and night1 through calm and hurricane1 and precious lives are risked to keep it in security1 until in silence and in safety1 after months of travel1 it is delivered from the mother's hand into the hand of her child4 ,and thus it is that1 whether we choose it or not1 we are placed by ,god as members one of another1 so that we cannot1 if we would1 separate ourselves from our brother4 ,for good or evil1 prosperity or adversity1 we are bound up with him in the bundle of this all-pervading and mysterious life4 ,if one member suffers or rejoices1 all are compelled in some degree to share his burden of joy or sorrow4 ,let disease1 for example1 break out in one district or kingdom1 and1 like a fire1 it will rush onward1 passing away from the original spot of outbreak1 and involving families and cities far away in its desolating ruin4 ,let war arise in one portion of the globe1 it smites another4 ,the passion or the pride of some rude chief of a barbarous tribe in ,africa or ,new ,zealand1 or the covetousness and selfish policy of some party in ,america1 tell upon a poor widow in her lonely garret in the darkest corner of a great city2 and she may thus be deprived of her labour through the state of commerce1 as really as if the hand of the foreigner directly took her only handful of meal out of the barrel1 or extinguished the cruise of oil1 leaving her in poverty and darkness to watch over her dying child4 ,now all this system of dependence1 as we have said1 is beyond our will4 ,we do not choose it1 but are compelled to accept of it4 ,it is a fact or power1 like birth or death1 with which we have to do in spite of us4 ,no questions are asked by the great ,king as to whether we will have it so or not2 yet of what infinite importance to us for good or evil is this great law of ,god's government4 ,we are thus made to feel that a will higher than ours reigns1 and that by that supreme will we are so united to one another1 that no man can live for himself or die for himself alone2 that we are our brothers keeper1 and he ours2 that we cannot be indifferent to his social well-being without suffering in our own2 that our selfishness1 which would injure him1 must return in some form to punish ourselves2 and that such is the ordained constitution of humanity1 that though love and a consistent selfishness start from different points1 they necessarily lead to the same point1 and make it our interest1 as it is our duty1 to love our neighbour as ourselves4 ,but here we may just notice1 that some of those evils which afflict one portion of the human family are nevertheless the occasion of good1 when they remind us of our common humanity4 ,such painful events1 for example1 as the famine in the ,highlands of ,scotland1 which called forth the sympathies of kindreds and tongues1 unknown by name1 to the sufferers1 and was relieved by the inhabitants of ,china1 and ,hindostan2 or the like famine in ,ireland1 which the ,mohammedan sultan was among the first to help to alleviate2 or the ,syrian massacres1 or ,indian famine1 that united ,jew and ,gentile1 ,protestant and ,catholic1 in the bonds of pity2--these wounds of humanity are surely not without their good2 when they afford an opportunity to the ,samaritan of shewing mercy to the ,jew1 and cause the things which separate and the differences that alienate man from man1 to be for a time forgotten in the presence of their common brotherhood4 ,and thus1 too1 the shutting of the ,southern ports of ,america1 which entails temporary distress upon many in our manufacturing districts1 reminds us how the sufferings of others must be shared by ourselves1 calls forth the benevolent sympathies of the rich to alleviate the wants of the needy1 and bridges over with love and gratitude the gulf which too often separates classes2 while1 on the other hand1 it may form the indirect means of developing the growth of cotton1 and the consequent industry of thousands in ,africa and ,india1 who will thus be brought into closer and more fraternal relationships with civilised nations4 ,but there is another link1 and one more spiritual1 which binds man to man for good or evil1 and that is moral character4 ,this influence is partly beyond and partly within the region of our will4 ,that which is beyond the will is the fact of the necessary influence of character2 while within the will is the character1 good or bad1 which we may choose to possess4 ,now1 it cannot be questioned that character tells for good or evil beyond its possessor4 ,that which a man is--that sum total made up of the items of his beliefs1 purposes1 affections1 tastes1 and habits1 manifested in all he does and does not--is contagious in its tendency1 and is ever photographing itself on other spirits4 ,he himself may be as unconscious of this emanation of good or evil from his spirit1 as he is of the contagion of disease from his body1 or--if that were equally possible--of the contagion of good health4 ,but the fact1 nevertheless1 is certain4 ,if the light is in him1 it must shine2 if darkness reigns1 it must shade4 ,if he glows with love1 its warmth will radiate2 if he is frozen with selfishness1 the cold will chill the atmosphere around him2 and if he is corrupt and vile1 he will poison it4 ,nor is it possible for any one to occupy a neutral or indifferent position4 ,in some form or other he must affect others4 ,were he to banish himself to a distant island1 or even enter the gates of death1 he still exercises a positive influence1 for he is a loss to his brothers2 the loss of that most blessed gift of ,god1 even that of a living man to living men--of a being who ought to have loved and to have been beloved4 ,no man liveth to himself1 or dieth to himself2--he must in some form1 for their good or evil1 their gladness or sadness1 influence others4 ,the influence of individual character extends from one generation to another4 ,the world is moulded by it4 ,does not history turn on the influence exercised by the first and second ,adam8 ,no one questions the reality of the influence of a bad character upon others4 ,the existence of evil persons here or elsewhere1 and their power to infect other persons through the foul malaria of the evil in which they live1 may be unaccountably mysterious when seen in the light of ,god's infinite love2 but they are1 nevertheless1 the most certain facts within the field of our own observation and experience4 ,this malign influence is of every degree--from the undesigned yet real injury which is done to others by the merely slothful or indifferent man1 who never1 as he says1 intended to injure any one1 and never thought he was doing so1 but who1 nevertheless1 injures many a cause1 and freezes and discourages many a heart1 by his selfishness in not thinking and not doing2--up to the injury which is done by the cool1 designing villain1 who1 in his plots and plans to sacrifice others to himself1 has reached the utmost limit which distinguishes the bad man from the demon4 ,the evil influence exercised by wicked parents on their families2 by wicked companions upon their fellows2 by wicked books upon their readers2 by wicked persecutors and tyrants upon the world--needs neither proof nor illustration4 ,yet let us remember1 for our strength and comfort1 that because we are not things but persons1 it is impossible to compel any man1 from whatever influence1 to prefer the darkness to light1 or to choose the evil instead of the good4 ,hence the power which was designed to lead us into evil may be converted by ourselves into a power for good1 while it strengthens our moral principles1 demands a firmer faith in ,god1 and prompts more earnest desires and efforts to overcome the evil by the good4 ,it is thus too1 in the wonderful providence of ,god1 that while evil remains evil1 it has nevertheless been the indirect means of calling forth the noblest efforts on the part of man1 and on ,god's part the most glorious revelations of ,his character in conquering it1 and such as1 without evil in the universe1 could not1 as far as we can see1 have been possible4 ,but no less real is the influence upon others of a holy character4 ,the evil men do lives after them2 but we do not believe that the good is oft interred with their bones4 ,no1 it is as immortal as the ,divine ,being in whom it originates4 ,the good must ever live1 and walk up and down the earth1 like a living spirit guided by the living ,god1 to convey blessings to the children of men1 and is more powerful1 diffusive1 and eternal than the power of evil4 ,it lives in humanity1 in some form or other1 like the subtile substance of material things1 which though ever changing never perishes1 but adds to the stability1 the beauty1 and the grandeur of the universe4 ,the influence of the holy character passes even beyond the stars1 giving joy to our angel brothers1 and to our elder brother ,jesus ,christ1 who1 in seeing reflected in ,his people ,his own love to ,his ,god and our ,god1 to ,his neighbour and ours1 beholds the grand result of the travail of ,his soul1 and is satisfied4 ,the grand practical lesson1 therefore1 which is impressed upon us by this fact of the union of man with man1 is for each of us to be right1 and to do light4 ,each man is responsible for himself1 and for himself only1 for what he himself is and does4 ,the secret1 then1 is a very simple one1 by which we can at once receive all the good that can possibly be derived from whatever influences are brought to bear upon ourselves1 and do all the good which can possibly be conferred by whatever influence we can exercise upon others2 and it is this--to be good ourselves6 ,this is the one centre point of light in the soul1 its one germ of immortal life1 which must be possessed in order that all light and life may come to us1 and emanate from us4 ,let us only possess the right state of spirit to ,god and man1 and we have the divine chemistry which will convert all we receive and all we give into what will surely bless ourselves and others4 ,and if it is asked how this secret can be ours1 we have but one reply1 and it is the old one--,believe in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 live1 and love6 ,jesus ,christ is the living ,head of the human family4 ,the ,head of every man is ,christ4 ,as the eternal ,son1 ,he dwelt among us1 and revealed to us the ,father and ,himself1 the elder brother4 ,he is the propitiation for our sins2 and not for our sins only1 but also for the sins of the whole world4 ,he has ascended up on high1 and ever liveth for us as ,mediator1 to bring many sons and daughters unto ,god4 ,he has sent ,his ,holy ,spirit to be with us1 and to abide in us for ever4 ,that ,spirit reveals to all who will receive ,his teaching1 the glory of ,god our ,father in ,christ ,jesus the ,son1 our ,brother4 ,just in proportion as men know ,god as their ,father in ,christ1 and become true sons to ,him1 will they become united to each other as true brethren2 and thus the real and highest unity of man with man will be realised as the ,church of ,christ possesses the earth1 and her prayer is answered1 ,thy kingdom come4 ,thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven6 ,,progress ,,of ,,missions4 ,the beginning of the nineteenth century marks an epoch of revival in the ,protestant ,church4 ,it would be going beyond the limits prescribed by our subject to consider the causes of that remarkable reaction into indifference of life1 or of positive error in doctrine1 which followed more or less rapidly the stirring period of the ,reformation4 ,such tides1 indeed1 in the affairs of men1--now rushing with irresistible waves to the utmost limit of the land2 then receding and leaving behind but a few pools to mark where the waters once had been2 and again1 after a longer or a shorter interval1 advancing with a deep flood over the old ground1--are among the most striking phenomena in history4 ,the last century witnessed the ,protestant ,church at its lowest ebb4 ,we thankfully acknowledge that ,god did not leave ,himself without holy men as living witnesses in every branch of that ,church4 ,and we record1 with deepest gratitude1 how1 more than in any other country1 ,he preserved in our own country both individual and congregational life1 with orthodox standards of faith4 ,still1 taken as a whole1 the ,protestant ,church was in a dead state throughout the world2 while1 during the same period1 infidelity was never more rampant1 and never more allied with philosophy1 politics1 science1 and literature4 ,it was the age of the acute ,hume and learned ,gibbon2 of the ribald ,paine1 and of the master of ,europe1 ,voltaire2 with a host of literati who were beginning to make merry1 in the hope that ,god's prophets were at last to be destroyed from the earth4 ,rationalism triumphed in all the ,continental ,churches4 ,puritanism in ,england became deeply tainted with ,unitarianism4 ,the descendants of the ,pilgrim ,fathers had1 to a large extent1 embraced the same creed in ,america4 ,the ,established ,churches in ,england and ,scotland1 though preserving their ,confessions1 and having very many living men in the ministry1 suffered1 nevertheless1 from that wintry cold which had frozen the waves of the great ,reformation sea1 and which was adding chill to chill4 ,the ,french ,revolution marked the darkest hour of this time2 yet it was the hour which preceded the dawn4 ,it was the culminating point of the infidelity of kings1 priests1 and people2 the visible expression and embodiment of the mind of ,france1 long tutored by falsehood and impiety2 the letting loose of ,satan on earth1 that all might see and wonder at the ,beast6 ,that ,revolution inscribed lessons in letters of blood for the ,church and for the nations of the world to learn4 ,christians accordingly clung nearer to their ,saviour amidst the dreadful storm which shook and destroyed every other resting-place1 and were drawn to the throne of mercy and grace1 thereby becoming stronger in faith and more zealous in life4 ,the indifferent were roused to earnest thought by the solemn events which were taking place around them4 ,speculative infidels even1 became alarmed at the practical results of their theories4 ,mere worldly politicians trembled at the spectacle of unprincipled millions wielding power that affected the destinies of ,europe1 and recognised the necessity of religion to save the ,state at least1 if not to save the soul4 ,men of property1 from the owner of a few acres to the merchant prince1 and from no higher motive than the love of their possessions1 acknowledged that religion was the best guarantee for their preservation4 ,in countless ways did this upheaving of society operate in the same direction with those deeper forces which were beginning to stir the ,churches of ,britain1 and to quicken them into new life4 ,the history of ,europe during the first part of the present century1 is a history written in blood4 ,it is one of war in all its desolating horrors1 and also in all its glorious achievements and victories in the cause of ,european liberty and national independence4 ,never was war so universal4 ,it raged in every part of the earth4 ,for years1 the ,peninsula was a great battlefield4 ,belgium and the plains of ,germany were saturated with blood4 ,allied hosts conquered ,france4 ,armies crossed the ,alps and ravaged ,italy1 and were buried beneath the snows of ,russia4 ,the contest was waged from the ,baltic to the ,bosphorus4 ,the old battle-fields of ,greece1 ,egypt1 ,palestine1 ,asia ,minor1 ,persia1 and the ,crimea1 were again disturbed4 ,war swept the peninsula of ,india to the confines of ,cashmere4 ,it penetrated beyond the walls of ,china1 and visited the islands of the ,eastern ,archipelago2 touched the coasts of ,arabia1 and swept round ,africa1 from the ,cape to ,algiers4 ,it marched through the length and breadth of the great ,western ,continent1 from the ,st ,lawrence to the ,mississippi1 and from ,central to ,southern ,america4 ,every kingdom experienced its horrors but our own2 every capital was entered by the enemy but our own6 ,during all this terrible period1 our ,sabbath services were never broken by the cry of battle4 ,the dreadful hurricane raged without1 but never for a single hour disturbed the peace of our beloved island-home4 ,no revolution from within destroyed our institutions1 and no power from without prevented us from improving them4 ,the builders of our spiritual temples did not require to hold the sword4 ,our victories1 with their days of national thanksgiving1 and our anxieties1 with their days of national fasting1 tended to deepen a sense of religion in every heart4 ,men of ,god1 in rapid succession1 rose in all the ,churches4 ,a pious laity began to take the lead in advancing the cause of evangelism4 ,in ,parliament there was one man1 who1 by the purity of his private life1 the noble consistency1 uncompromising honesty1 and unwearied philanthropy of his public career1 along with his faithful published testimony for the truth as it is in ,christ1 did more1 directly and indirectly1 than any other of his day for the revival of true religion1 especially among the influential classes of our land3 that man was ,william ,wilberforce4 ,but without dwelling upon the fact of the great revival which has occurred in the ,protestant ,church during the present century1 let us notice one of its more prominent results4 ,we mean the increased activity manifested by all its branches in advancing the ,redeemer's kingdom4 ,at the commencement of this century1 the whole ,protestant missionary staff throughout the world amounted to ten societies only4 ,of these1 however1 two only had really entered the mission-field with any degree of vigour--viz41 the ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel in ,foreign ,parts2 and1 above all1 the ,society of the ,moravian ,brethren4 ,the ,wesleyan1 ,baptist1 ,london1 and ,church ,missionary ,societies1 though nominally in existence1 had hardly commenced their operations4 ,there were1 besides the above1 two small societies on the ,continent2 two in ,scotland2 and not one in all ,america6 ,how stands the case now8 ,the ,protestant ,church1 instead of ten1 has fifty-one societies2 the great majority of which have each more labourers1 and a greater income1 than all the societies together of the ,protestant ,church previous to #ahjj6 ,if the last sixty years be divided into three equal periods1 nine societies belong to the first1 fifteen to the second1 and twenty-four to the third4 ,the following facts1 collected from statistics of the great missionary societies up to #ahfa1 will afford--as far as mere dry figures can do--a general idea of the present strength of the mission army of the ,protestant ,church1 with some of its results3-- ,there are now #bb missionary societies in ,great ,britain1 #ad in ,north ,america1 and #ae on the ,continent of ,europe2 in all1 #ea4 ,these employ1 in round numbers1 #ab1jjj agents1 including ordained missionaries1 7probably #bjjj17 teachers1 catechists1 c42 occupy #abjj stations2 have #cce1jjj communicants from heathendom2 #beb1jjj scholars2 #dfj students training for the ministry2 and are supported by an income of #hfj1jjj per annum4 ,the greatest results have been attained by ,england4 ,connected with her great societies1 there are nearly #gjjj agents1 #fcj stations1 #baj1jjj communicants1 #bjh1jjj scholars1 with an annual income of #eaj1jjj4;,a ,footnote ,a3 ,one or two facts in connexion with missionary effort may interest our readers3-- ,mr ,mller of ,bristol supports1 in connexion with his famous ,orphanage1 #bb foreign and #hj home missionaries4 ,the ,moravian ,missionary ,society has sent1 since #agcb1 #bjjj missionaries1 of whom #fdc have died in mission service2 #i on mission journeys2 #ac on the voyage out or home2 #bb by shipwreck2 and #ab were murdered4 ,gossner of ,berlin alone originated and conducted a mission which has sent out #ada missionaries4 ,pastor ,harms of ,hermannsburg has also1 by his own efforts1 built a mission ship1 and has sent out #aej missionaries1 of whom #ajj are colonists1 and proposes to send #bd every two years4 ,ten years ago there was little or no fruit among the ,kohls of ,india4 ,there are now #cj1jjj receiving ,christ4 ,in ,india there are #ejj missionaries2 in ,tinnevelly1 above #gj1jjj ,christians4 ,the ,american ,board alone has sent out in fifty years #ijj missionaries 7#ejj being native7 and #djj teachers2 #ee1jjj have been received into church--membership1 and #age1jjj children passed through their schools4 ,america contributes #ahj1jjj to foreign missions1 and #bjjj agents4 ,the ,presbyterian ,churches of the world have come late into the field1 but they contribute about #ijj agents1 and #bcj ordained missionaries1 with an income of about #aaj1jjj4 ,one of the oldest ,protestant missionary societies in existence 7though now confined to home operations7 is the ,society in connexion with the ,church of ,scotland for ,promoting ,christian ,knowledge4 ,it supported ,brainerd and the ,elliots more than a century ago4 ,but in order to enable our readers still more clearly to realise the advance which the ,church has made during the last half century1 let us consider the progress of one of those societies1 and take as an illustration the ,church ,missionary ,society4 ,it was founded a few months before #ahjj4 ,its income in #ahjb was #cef4 ,it now amounts to #ajd1bgc4 ,in #ahjd1 it had one station abroad1 two ordained ,european missionaries1 but no native assistants4 ,it has now #adh stations1 #beh ordained clergymen1 7many of whom have studied in the ,english ,universities17 a large staff of native clergy1 with #bjcd other agents1 most of whom are natives4 ,in #ahaj1 it had #ce male and #ac female scholars in its schools2 it has now #ca1jjj scholars4 ,in #ahaf1 the good ,mr ,bickersteth had the privilege of receiving its first converts1 amounting to six only1 into the communion of the ,church4 ,its communicants now number about #ba1jjj4 99 99 99 99 99 ,let us1 however1 examine the missionary labours of the ,protestant ,church during this century from another point of view4 ,take the map of the world1 look over its continents and islands1 and contrast their condition1 as to the means of grace1 in #ahjj and #ahfb4 ,in #ahjj2 the only missions east of the ,cape of ,good ,hope were in ,india4 ,these were confined to the ,baptist ,mission1 protected in the ,danish settlement of ,serampore2 and the missions in ,tanjore1 in ,southern ,india4 ,the former was begun by ,carey and ,thomas1 7in #agic17 who were joined by a few brethren in #agii4 ,the first convert they made was in #ahjj4 ,the latter mission had existed since #agje1 and numbered about nine labourers at the commencement of the century4,a ,footnote ,a3 ,the first ,protestant missionary who visited ,india was ,ziegenbalg1 who was sent out by the ,halle-,danish ,missionary ,society in #agje1 to ,tranquebar4 ,he was joined by ,plutschow in #agai4 ,the mission was then adopted by the ,society for the ,propagation of the ,gospel4 ,grundler followed in #agbj1 and ,schultze in #agbg4 ,the mission1 in #agcf1 had four stations1 one being in ,madras2 #bd native assistants2 and #ceag baptized members6 ,the great ,schwartz laboured in1 and extended the mission from #agdi till #agih4 ,according to ,dr ,carey1 #dj1jjj had been converted to ,christianity during the last century through this mission4 ,dr ,claudius ,buchanan reckons the number as high as #hj1jjj6 ,of the ,east ,india ,company's chaplains1 ,claudius ,buchanan alone had the courage to advocate in ,india the missionary cause2 and his sermon preached upon the subject in #ahjj1 in ,calcutta1 was then generally deemed a bold and daring step4 ,hindustan was closed by the ,east ,india ,company against the missionaries of the ,christian ,church4 ,china1 too1 seemed hermetically sealed against the gospel4 ,the ,jesuit mission had failed4 ,christianity was proscribed by an imperial edict4 ,protestant missions had not commenced4 ,the language of the nation1 like its walls1 seemed to forbid all access to the missionary4 ,in ,africa there were but few missionaries1 and these had lately arrived at the ,cape4,a ,in the black midnight which brooded over that miserable land1 the cry of tortured slaves alone was heard4 ,new ,zealand1 ,australia1 and the scattered islands of the ,southern ,seas had not yet been visited by one herald of the gospel4 ,a solitary beacon gleaming on the ocean from the missionary ship ,duff had indeed been seen1 but not yet welcomed by the savages of ,tahiti4 ,the mission was abandoned in #ahji1 and not a convert left behind6 ,no ,protestant missionary had preached to those ,indian tribes beyond the ,colonies1 who wandered over the interminable plains which stretch from ,behring's ,straits to ,cape ,horn4 ,mohammedan ,states were all shut up against the gospel2 and to forsake the ,crescent for the ,cross1 was to die4 ,in this thick darkness which covered heathendom1 the only light to be seen--except in ,india--was in the far north1 shed by the self-denying ,moravians1--a light which streamed like a beautiful aurora over the wintry snow and ice-bound coasts of ,greenland4 ,to this gloomy picture we must add the indifference of the ,protestant ,church to ,god's ancient people4 ,no society then existed for their conversion2 and of them it might indeed be said1 ,this is ,israel1 whom no man seeketh after6 ,footnote ,a3 ,the first missionary to ,south ,africa was ,george ,schmidt1 sent by the ,moravian ,brethren in #agcf4 ,he laboured alone with some success till #agdc1 when he was compelled by the ,dutch ,east ,india ,company to return to ,europe4 ,the mission was resumed in #agib1 when three additional missionaries sailed for the ,cape4 ,a few others joined them in #agih4 ,at the beginning of the century1 the converts amounted to #cjd4 ,the illustrious ,dr ,vanderkemp1 along with three other missionaries1 were sent to ,south ,africa by the ,london ,missionary ,society in #agii4 ,the only attempts made to ,christianise ,western ,africa previous to #ahjj were by the ,moravians in ,guinea1 in #agcg2 but all the missionaries1 eleven in number1 dying1 the attempt was abandoned2 and by the ,scottish ,missionary ,society1 in #agig1 who sent thither six missionaries4 ,one 7,greig7 was murdered1 another 7,brunton7 returned1 and went to ,tartary2 the rest1 we believe1 went to oilier spheres of labour4 ,the ,church ,missionary ,society entered upon this field in #ahja4 ,how changed is the aspect of the world now6 ,there is hardly a spot upon earth 7if we except those enslaved by ,popery7 where the ,protestant missionary may not preach the gospel without the fear of persecution4 ,the door of the world has been thrown open1 and the world's ,lord and ,master commands and invites ,his servants to enter1 and1 in ,his name1 to take possession of the nations4 ,since #ahab1 ,india1 chiefly through the exertions of ,mr ,wilberforce1,a has been made accessible to the missionaries of every ,church4 ,christian schools and chapels have been multiplied2 colleges have been instituted2 thousands have been converted to ,christ2 and tens of thousands instructed in ,christianity4 ,the cruelties of heathenism have been immensely lessened2 infanticide prohibited2 ,sutteeism abolished2 all ,government support withdrawn from idolatry2 and the ,hindu law of inheritance has been altered to protect the native converts2 while a new era seems to be heralded by the fact that a native ,christian rajah has himself established a mission among his people4 ,footnote ,a3 ,in #ahab1 we find from ,mr ,wilberforce's ,life 7vol4 iv41 p4 #aj7 how he was busily engaged in reading1 thinking1 consulting1 and persuading1 on the renewal of the ,east ,india ,company's charter4 ,he was fully alive to the importance of the crisis with reference to the interests of ,christianity4 ,he thus writes to his friend ,mr ,butterworth3--,i have been long looking forward to the period of the renewal of the ,east ,india ,company's charter as to a great era1 when ,i hoped that it would please ,god to enable the friends of ,christianity to be the instruments of wiping away what ,i have long thought1 next to the slave-trade1 the foulest blot on the moral character of our countrymen--the suffering our fellow-subjects 7nay1 they even stand toward us in the closer relation of our tenants7 in the ,east ,indies to remain1 without any effort on our part to enlighten and inform them1 under the grossest1 the darkest1 and most depraving system of idolatrous superstition that almost ever existed on earth4 ,the deepest anxiety was felt by all ,christians for the issue of the debate4 ,i heard afterwards1 he writes1 that many good men were praying for us all night4 ,these prayers and efforts were crowned with success2 and ,mr ,wilberforce1 when communicating the joyful news to his wife1 writes--,blessed be ,god6 we carried our question triumphantly1 about three1 or later1 this morning6 ,all the islands in the ,eastern ,archipelago are now accessible to the missionary2 most of them have been visited4 ,ceylon has flourishing congregations and schools2 ,madagascar has had her martyrs1 and has still her indomitable confessors4 ,china1 with its teeming millions1 has also been opened to the gospel4 ,the way had been marvellously prepared by ,dr ,morrison1 who as early as #ahjg had commenced the study of the language which he lived to master4 ,accordingly1 when the conquests of ,britain had obtained admission for1 and secured protection to the missionaries as well as to the merchants of all nations1 the previous indefatigable labours of ,morrison had provided1 for the immediate use of the ,church of ,christ1 a dictionary of the language1 and a translation of the ,word of ,god4 ,the ,christian religion is tolerated by law since #ahdd1 and may be professed freely by the natives4 ,the gospel is now advancing in that thickly-peopled land of patience and industry1 and native preachers are already proclaiming to their countrymen the tidings of salvation4 ,africa has witnessed changes still more wonderful4 ,the abolition of the ,british slave-trade in #ahjg1 and of slavery in the ,british dominions in #ahcd1 has removed immense barriers in the way of the gospel4 ,the whole coasts of ,africa are being girdled with the light of truth4 ,it has penetrated throughout the south1 where the ,french,a and ,german ,protestant ,churches labour side by side with those of ,britain to civilise the degraded ,bushman1 the low ,hottentot1 and warlike ,kaffir4 ,the chapel in ,sierra ,leone1 built from the planks of condemned slavers1 and containing #ajjj worshippers1 is a type of the blessings brought through ,christianity to injured ,africa4 ,footnote ,a3 ,the missions of the ,french ,protestant ,church are situated inland from ,port ,natal1 and along the river ,caledon from its junction with the ,orange ,river4 ,it has gathered upwards of #bjjj ,bechuanas into regular church-fellowship4 ,abyssinia has also been visited with every prospect of success4 ,and how glorious has been the triumph of the gospel throughout the whole ,pacific6 ,in #ahcg1 ,williams was able to address royalty in these noble words--,it must impart joy to every benevolent mind to know1 that by the efforts of ,british ,christians upwards of three hundred thousand of deplorably ignorant and savage barbarians1 inhabiting the beautiful islands of the ,pacific1 have been delivered from a dark1 debasing1 and sanguinary idolatry1 and are now enjoying the civilising influence1 the domestic happiness1 and the spiritual blessings which ,christianity imparts4 ,in the island of ,raratonga1 which ,i discovered in #ahbc1 there are upwards of #cjjj children under ,christian instruction daily2 not a vestige of idolatry remains2,a their language has been reduced to a system1 and the ,scriptures1 with other books1 have been translated4 ,but this is only one of nearly a hundred islands to which similar blessings have been conveyed4 ,tens of thousands of souls more have been added to this number since these words were written6 ,in no part of heathendom has the gospel produced1 in so short a time1 such wonderful fruit as in ,polynesia4 ,the labours and sacrifices of the converted natives are more striking than in any other missions4 ,many islands have been converted solely by means of a native agency1 and are superintended by native preachers only4 ,let us take the ,sandwich ,islands as illustrating what has been accomplished for the natives1 and by them4 ,the ,american ,mission was commenced in #ahbd4 ,these islands have been converted long ago to ,christianity1 so that not a vestige of idolatry remains1 and not only do they support their own clergy and schools1 but have their own ,bible and ,foreign ,missionary ,society4 ,they raise for these objects about #djjj per annum1 and support six missionaries to the heathen islands around them4 ,the communicants in the islands amount to upwards of #be1jjj1 and the children who attend the common schools to a still greater number4 ,footnote ,a3 ,the first idol which1 a catechist from ,raratonga1 who visited ,london in #ahdh1 ever beheld1 was in the ,museum of the ,london ,missionary ,society4 ,if we turn our eye to the great ,western ,continent1 we see the gospel preached to its wandering ,indian tribes2 while the condition of ,mexico and of ,california affords every prospect of the rapid extension of truth through kingdoms long benighted4 ,mohammedan countries have also been opened to the missionary4 ,through the influence of ,lord ,aberdeen and ,sir ,stratford ,canning1 the ,sultan was induced in #ahdd to give religious toleration to his subjects2 so that now1 for the first time1 a ,mussulman may change his faith without incurring punishment4 ,several societies labour in ,algiers1 ,egypt1 ,palestine1 ,asia ,minor1 ,greece1 and ,constantinople4 ,the ,euphrates is being dried up4 ,the ,mohammedan power is tottering1 and ready to fall6 ,when it dies and is buried1 who will wear mourning at its funeral8 ,and how strange is the meeting between the distant ,east and ,west1 the distant past and near present1 visible in the fact1 that it is missionaries from ,america who now unveil to the dwellers in the land of the ,chaldees1 and to the wanderers among the mountains which shadow the birth-place of the human race1 that blessed faith and hope which dwelt in ,abram1 as he journeyed at the dawn of history from that old land1 and which has returned thither again in ,christian men embued with ,abram's faith1 after having accompanied civilisation around the globe8 ,god's blessing has signally attended the ,american mission among the ,nestorians4 ,the revival of religion in their schools and churches has been great and glorious4 ,may we not exclaim1 ,what hath ,god wrought6 ,yet how can any statistics carry to our hearts a sense of what has been done for immortal souls by the gospel during this eventful period8 ,what homes have been made happy by it2 what families united in the bonds of love2 what sick-beds soothed2 what dying beds cheered2 what minds illumined1 and what hearts filled with joy unspeakable1 and full of glory6 99 99 99 99 99 ,in close connexion with mission work1 we may state the progress made during the present century in leavening the world with the ,word of ,god4 ,previous to the formation of the ,british and ,foreign ,bible ,society in #ahjd1 there was not one society in existence whose sole object was the distribution of the ,bible in all lands4 ,there are now upwards of #ej principal1 and #ijjj auxiliary ,bible societies4 ,in #ahjd1 the ,bible was accessible to only #bjj millions of men4 ,now it exists in tongues spoken by #fjj millions4 ,the ,london ,bible ,society alone sends forth annually upwards of #a1ghg1jjj copies4 ,during the last sixty years it has issued #ci1cae1bbf ,bibles1 in #afc different languages1 and in #adc translations never before printed4 ,its receipts for #ahfb amount to #afh1ddc4;,a ,footnote ,a3 ,the ,american ,bible ,society circulates upwards of #fjj1jjj copies of the ,word of ,god annually1 at home and abroad4 ,besides assisting in publishing translations issued by other societies1 it has been at the sole expense of publishing the ,armeno-,turkish1 and ,modern ,syriac ,new ,testament2 the entire ,bible for the ,burmese1 and also for the ,sandwich ,islands2 the ,ojibbeway ,new ,testament2 the ,gospels1 or some portion of the ,bible1 into the languages of the ,sioux1 ,mohawks1 ,seneca1 and ,cherokee ,indians4 ,it surely cannot fail to fill the heart of every ,christian with deepest thankfulness1 to contemplate these glorious achievements4 ,the ,church1 like the angel seen in prophetic vision1 has been flying with the everlasting gospel to every nation1 and kindred1 and tongue1 and people4 ,it has given the ,bible to the inhabitants of the old lands of ,egypt1 ,ethiopia1 ,arabia1 ,palestine1 ,asia ,minor1 and ,persia2 to the indomitable ,circassian2 to the mountaineers of ,affghanistan2 to tribes of ,india speaking thirty-two different languages or dialects2 to the inhabitants of ,burmah1 ,assam1 and ,siam2 to the islanders of ,madagascar and ,ceylon2 to the ,malays and ,javanese of the ,eastern seas2 to the millions of ,china1 and the wandering ,kalmuck beyond her great wall2 to the brave ,new ,zealander2 to the teeming inhabitants of the island groups which are scattered over the ,southern ,pacific2 to the ,african races1 from the ,cape to ,sierra ,leone2 to the ,esquimaux and ,greenlander1 within the ,arctic circle2 and to the ,indian tribes of ,north ,america4 ,all are now furnished with a translation of that wonderful volume1 which1 with the light of the universal living ,spirit of ,god1 at once reveals to man1 in every age and clime1 his lost and miserable condition1 and tells him of a remedy that is adapted to meet every want of his being--to redeem him1 by a moral power it alone can afford1 from all sin and misery1 and to bring him into the glorious fellowship of the holiness1 the blessedness1 and joy of ,jesus ,christ1 and all the family of ,god in earth and heaven6,a ,footnote ,a3 ,the following facts regarding tract societies may be here stated3--,the ,religious ,tract ,society of ,london was formed in #agii4 ,during the first year of its operations1 ending in ,may #ahjj1 it had issued #bjj1jjj tracts4 ,what is its present working power8 ,its annual income from sales and benevolent contributions 7#ab1ejj7 is #ie1jjj4 ,its annual distribution of tracts1 including handbills1 from the ,london ,depository is--in ,english1 #bj1hgj1jgd1 and in foreign languages1 #ecg1gbi1 making an annual total of #ba1djg1hjc4 ,it publishes tracts in #aag different languages4 ,taking into account the number of affiliated societies1 the total probable annual distribution of tracts1 ,british and foreign1 in connexion with the ,london ,tract ,society1 amounts to #bh1ejj1jjj4 ,several religious bodies in the ,united ,states maintain ,tract or ,publication ,societies4 ,but the ,american ,tract ,society 7founded #ahbe7 is the largest and most influential in the ,united ,states1 and has a catholic constitution similar to our own ,tract ,society4 ,it is supported by more than #gjj auxiliary societies--those in ,boston1 ,philadelphia1 and ,new ,york being large and efficient4 ,we may add that its circulation is not confined to the ,united ,states1 but extends to ,mexico1 ,central and ,south ,america1 and to those districts in the ,east and ,asia ,minor where the ,american missionaries are labouring4 ,it has issued upwards of #bjj1jjj1jjj of publications since its commencement4 ,and now let us ask1 ,what shall be the history of the ,church during the rest of this century8 ,without attempting with a vain or profane hand to uncover what ,god has concealed1 it is surely a comfort to be able to take our stand on the immovable rock of ,his promises to ,christ1 and to rejoice in the assurance1 that1 sooner or later1 ,his name must be glorious in all the earth6 ,but when8 ,is it too much to assert1 that before the end of the present century1 the gospel shall have been preached to all nations1 the ,bible translated into all tongues1 and the last visible idol on earth cast down amidst the triumphant songs of the ,church of ,christ8 ,we might expect this blessing judging only from the past1 and the constantly-increasing ratio with which society advances4 ,yet1 as revolutions in the physical world anticipate in a single night the slow progress of ordinary causes1 so1 for aught we know1 may ,god1 by some evolution of ,his providence1 make one year do the work of many4 ,but while we do anticipate the most glorious results ever attained by the human race during this century1 we anticipate1 also1 from the signs of the time1 a desperate conflict of opposing systems1 both of truth and error4 ,it is not a little remarkable1 that never before was there such a life and strength in every system as at this moment4 ,protestantism1 ,popery1 ,infidelity1 and even ,judaism1,a were never so alive2 and never were alive together before4 ,does this not look like a coming struggle8,b ,but what may appear suddenly and unexpectedly1 may nevertheless be the necessary results of long preparation2 like the water or the gas1 which suddenly enter a thousand city houses to refresh and illuminate them1 but which are the results of years of labour in digging trenches1 laying pipes1 and erecting reservoirs1 during all which time no streams of water or of gas were ever present to the senses4 ,footnote ,a3 ,it is only within twenty-five years that preaching has become common in all their synagogues1 while1 during the same period1 ten periodicals have been started by the ,jews1 in different parts of the world1 in defence of ,judaism1 in some form or other4 ,footnote ,b3 ,in a conversation which we had with ,neander in #ahdh1 7immediately before the continental revolutions17 he said1 ,i believe we are entering a period of unprecedented warfare1 which will issue in the increased glory and purity of the ,church4 ,the light and darkness will every year be more and more separated2 the one becoming more bright the other more densely dark4 ,but we know from the testimony of ,god's ,word1 strengthened by the experience of past ages1 how certain victory is in the end1 however long and apparently doubtful the campaign may be between ,his kingdom and every form of evil4 ,the day has been when the ,church was in the wilderness1 and when within that ,church four men only held fast their confidence in ,god1 believed ,his word1 and exhorted that ,church to take possession of the land of promise1 saying1 ,rebel not ye against the ,lord1 neither fear ye the people of the land3 their defence is departed from them1 and the ,lord is with us3 fear them not4 ,and how was that missionary sermon received8 ,all the congregation bade stone them with stones6 ,and had they done so1 the world's only true lights were extinguished and lost in universal unbelief and heathenism4 ,it was in such desperate circumstances as these that the ,lord himself came to the rescue of the world1 and it was then these marvellous words of promise were littered1 ,as truly as ,i live my glory will fill the earth6 ,the day has been1 too1 when the ,church met in an upper room with shut doors1 for fear of the ,jews2 but it was even then that its ,lord said1 ,all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth3 go ye therefore1 and teach all nations1 baptizing them in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost3 and1 lo1 ,i am with you alway1 even to the end of the world4 ,never more can the glory of ,god appear to the eyes of the weakest faith to be so dim1 or the cause of ,christ to be so hopeless1 as it hath been in those days of old6 ,the glory of ,god is filling the earth1 and the gospel is being preached to all nations4 ,mere rays of light1 which we see breaking over the mountain tops in heathen lands1 are beautiful in themselves2 but far more beautiful to the eye of faith are the first beams of that sun which is yet to stream into every valley now lying in darkness1 and steep in its glory all the habitations of men4 ,those notes of joy and thanksgiving1 too1 are beautiful which ascend from many a heart in ,kedar's wilderness afar2 but they are still more beautiful to the ear of faith as echoes from the ,rock of ages1 and the prophetic song uttered by great voices in heaven1 saying1 ,the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our ,lord and of ,his ,christ1 and ,he shall reign for ever and ever6 ,,the ,,mystery ,,of ,,sorrow4 ,the patriarch ,job experienced the darkness and mystery of sorrow when he thus spoke3--,know now that ,god hath overthrown me1 and hath compassed me with his net4 ,behold1 ,i cry out of wrong1 but ,i am not heard3 ,i cry aloud1 but there is no judgment4 ,he hath fenced up my way that ,i cannot pass1 and he hath set darkness in my paths4 ,he hath stripped me of my glory1 and taken the crown from my head4 ,he hath destroyed me on every side1 and ,i am gone2 and mine hope hath he removed like a tree4 ,even to-day is my complaint bitter2 my stroke is heavier than my groaning4 ,o that ,i knew where ,i might find him6 that ,i might come even to his seat6 ,behold1 ,i go forward1 but he is not there2 and backward1 but ,i cannot perceive him3 on the left hand1 where he doth work1 but ,i cannot behold him3 he hideth himself on the right hand1 that ,i cannot see him4 ,but he knoweth the way that ,i take3 when he hath tried me1 ,i shall come forth as gold4 ,the sweet singer of ,israel sung in darkness when he said3--,my heart is sore pained within me2 and the terrors of death are fallen upon me4 ,fearfulness and trembling are come upon me1 and horror hath overwhelmed me4 ,and ,i said1 ,o that ,i had wings like a dove6 for then would ,i fly away1 and be at rest4 ,thou hast laid me in the lowest pit1 in darkness1 in the deeps4 ,thy wrath lieth hard upon me1 and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves4 ,thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me2 thou hast made me an abomination unto them3 ,i am shut up1 and ,i cannot come forth4 ,the prophet ,jeremiah cried out of the depths of mysterious sorrow when he poured forth these lamentations3--,i am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath4 ,he hath led me1 and brought me into darkness1 but not into light4 ,surely against me is he turned2 he turneth his hand against me all the day4 ,he hath set me in dark places1 as they that be dead of old4 ,he hath hedged me about1 that ,i cannot get out2 he hath made my chain heavy4 ,and thou hast removed my soul far off from peace3 ,i forgat prosperity4 ,and ,i said1 ,my strength and my hope is perished from the ,lord3 remembering mine affliction and my misery1 the wormwood and the gall4 ,my soul hath them still in remembrance1 and is humbled in me4 ,and did not our blessed ,lord himself experience1 as a man1 the mystery of sorrow when he cried in ,gethsemane1 ,if it be possible1 let this cup pass from me2 and when1 during that hour and power of darkness on the cross1 ,he exclaimed1 ,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast ,thou forsaken me8 ,if1 then1 our ,father visits us with any sorrow which is to us dark and mysterious1 let us not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try us1 as if some strange thing happened to us4 ,let us rather gratefully remember1 that ever since our ,lord has ascended up on high1 and given us ,his ,spirit to teach us and to abide with us for ever1 and for our profit has recorded in ,his holy ,word not only ,his acts1 but also ,his ways towards the children of men1 we are enabled to see much1 light piercing our greatest darkness and sorrow1 and so to know ,god as to strengthen our faith in ,his wisdom and love4 ,i do not know any narrative in the whole ,word of ,god which at once reveals so much of this darkness and light--of the mystery of sorrow for a time1 and the solution of the mystery afterwards--as that of the sickness1 death1 and resurrection of ,lazarus4 ,that family in ,bethany1 we know1 consisted of ,lazarus and his sisters1 ,martha and ,mary4 ,they were poor1 and unknown to the great and busy world2 but their riches and rank in the sight of the ministering angels were great indeed1 for ,jesus loved them4 ,this was the charter of the grandest inheritance4 ,but though loved by ,jesus1 that love did not hinder them from being visited by a sudden affliction1 and plunged for a while into deepest gloom4 ,we are able in spirit to cross their lowly threshold1 and to understand all that took place in that humble home3 for human hearts and human sorrows are the same in every age4 ,lazarus1 the head of the house1 is laid on a bed of sickness4 ,we need no details to enable all who have watched the progress of disease in the beloved member of a family--and who has been exempted from this anxiety8--to realise how the symptoms of illness1 treated at first perhaps lightly1 would become more serious1 then alarming1 until foreboding thoughts of death pained every tender affection2 and we can understand how advice would be asked from kind neighbours1 and every possible remedy applied4 ,but in vain6 ,the sufferer gets worse1 and the signs of approaching dissolution rapidly succeed in delirium1 prostration of strength1 or altered features1 until the chill of hopelessness creeps over the hearts of the sisters1 and hot tears fill their watching eyes1 and prayers tremble upon their pale lips1 as in silence they wait for the dread hour of death to their dear one6 ,we see it all6 ,but ere this last moment was reached by ,martha and ,mary1 they are full of hope that it may be averted1 for they have a secret source of relief in a ,physician of body and soul4 ,so long as they have ,jesus with them1 they cannot despair4 ,he is not1 however1 in ,bethany1 but at ,bethabara beyond the ,jordan1 a day's journey off4 ,yet they can send for ,him2 and they accordingly do so1 with this simple message1 ,lazarus1 whom thou lovest1 is sick4 ,it is enough4 ,there is not a word of their love1 or of the love of ,lazarus to ,him4 ,the appeal is to ,his own heart4 ,no request is proffered4 ,everything is left to ,himself4 ,did they not1 however1 feel assured that ,jesus would manifest ,his love to them in the way which seemed to them the best way1--nay1 the one way only by which they could receive comfort1 and be relieved from their anxiety and sorrow1--and that was by delivering ,lazarus from sickness and death8 ,for they could not but recall at that moment the many instances in which ,jesus had displayed ,his power and love during the three years ,he had lived amidst the sorrowing and suffering in ,judea2 how unwearied ,his goodness had ever been2 how multitudes had come to ,him1 and ,he healed them all2 how health had flowed from ,his hands and ,his lips1 and from ,his very garments2 how ,he had showered down ,his blessings upon ,gentile as well as ,jew1 upon those who were aliens from the commonwealth of ,israel1 and were accounted as dogs2 how ,he had healed by merely speaking a word at a distance1 and even anticipated prayer1 by restoring a dead son to his widowed mother1 who had never asked or expected such a blessing4 ,and now6 will ,he refuse to help ,his own beloved friend8 ,shall strangers1 heathen1 publicans and sinners1 be promptly heard and answered1 and ,lazarus whom ,he loved forgotten8 ,impossible6 ,the healing word must be spoken1 or ,jesus himself will come and manifest ,himself as mighty to save6 ,who can doubt but that such were the anticipations of ,martha and ,mary1 when they sent in their distress the message to their ,lord and ,friend--,lazarus1 whom thou lovest1 is sick8 ,the messenger has departed4 ,with what anxiety must they have measured out the time within which it was possible for ,jesus to receive the intelligence4 ,they who have sent far away for a physician in a critical case1 when every minute was precious1 can sympathise with their anxiety4 ,time passes3 has the ,saviour yet received the tidings of their grief8 ,probably not1 for there is no improvement in ,lazarus4 ,the healing word has not been spoken4 ,time passes3 now ,he must have heard6 ,yet ,lazarus is no better4 ,time passes3 and the messenger has returned1 but without ,jesus6 ,yet surely not without some message of consolation8 some hope held out of relief8 ,he brings neither6 ,jesus had said1 indeed1 that this sickness was not unto death1 or rather1 was unto death only for the glory of ,god1 that the ,son of ,god might be glorified thereby4 ,but what means this8 ,does it mean that ,lazarus was to die8 ,has ,jesus1 then1 actually refused to aid them8 ,though ,he did not promise to come1 or had not spoken the word of healing1 ,he must surely do either ,i ,it cannot be1 no it cannot be1 that ,he will desert them1 or leave them alone in this trial6 ,jesus1 tarry not6 might have been their wailing cry3 ,lazarus whom thou lovedst is sinking fast1 and soon all will be over with him4 ,friends1 neighbours1 look along the road1 watch the brow of that distant hill1 look along that valley1 and see if there are any signs of ,his coming8 ,alas6 'tis all in vain ,lazarus is dead6 ,and beside that silent body the two sisters are breaking their hearts4 ,life and death1 faith and unbelief1 are struggling terribly for the mastery1 and strange thoughts of ,christ flit across their minds like storm-clouds athwart the sun4 ,one brother is gone1 the other has not come4 ,the one dearly loved them2 the other6--they had believed in ,jesus as the ,messiah3 they had loved ,him with reverent and deep affection1 they had worshipped--and now6--,god of ,abraham1 forsake us not utterly6 ,our fathers trusted ,thee1 and were not put to shame6 ,oh1 deliver our feet from falling1 and our souls from going down to the pit6 ,lord1 help our unbelief6 ,in some such form as this the storm of doubt and anguish must have torn the minds of those mourners4 ,but the storm is not yet over2 the deepest darkness has not yet come4 ,their brother is dead4 ,death with his marks1 which once seen can never be mistaken1 stamps every lineament of that well-known countenance4 ,it is death's colour on the cheek2 death's cold stiffness in the limbs2 and no hand but his could so close those eyes and make rigid those lips4 ,there is no swoon here6 ,swathe him then in the garments of the grave2 make ready for the funeral2 let him be buried for ever out of sight2 follow him to the ancestral tomb1 and let the other household dead be remembered1 and the other sad processions from the home of the living to the home of the lost and gone be recalled1 and think that as they never returned1 so never can he4 ,lay the body gently down beside those who have been long sleeping there2 look at it2 remember the past since childhood2 weep and say farewell2 return1 ,martha and ,mary1 with wrung hearts to your home1 and see the empty room and listen for a voice that is no more1 and experience a second death in the emptiness1 the silence of this changed abode1 and let the heaviest burden of all be borne1 the deepest sorrow of all be endured--the doubt of a ,saviour's love6 ,yes1 that terrible agony of doubt was there4 ,other friends came to sympathise with them1 and to be present with them at the funeral2 but this ,friend was absent1 and did not send even one comforting message6 ,of what avail is ,his coming now8 for ,lazarus has been dead four days1 and corruption is already doing its foul work on his body4 ,here is darkness that might be felt6 ,would that we could feel how real all this mysterious sorrow must have been to those sisters--our sisters1 with our hearts1 affections1 and sympathies--that so we may be the more prepared to receive the blessed teaching which this narrative is designed to afford1 and have our faith strengthened by seeing how the darkness and perplexity which belong so often to ,god's providential dealings towards us1 may be caused by the deepest workings of that very love which we do not for a time see1 and therefore may in our blindness and weakness for a time doubt4 ,but we must now look at the other portion of this history1 which interprets the one we have been considering1 and reveals the mind and ways of ,jesus1 now1 as then1 to ,his sorrowing friends4 ,we read that when ,jesus heard that ,lazarus was sick1 he abode two days still in the same place where he then was4 ,but ,his thoughts and ,his heart were all the while in ,bethany4 ,he saw all that was taking place there4 ,he was cognisant of every groan and tear2 yet ,he did nothing to prevent the progress of the disease1 or to lessen the intensity of the sorrow4 ,at the very moment when the sisters watch their brother's last breath1 ,jesus said unto them plainly1 ,lazarus is dead1 ,let us inquire1 then1 whether we can discover any reasons which could have induced our ,lord thus to prolong ,his stay at ,bethabara1 and to absent ,himself from ,bethany4 ,what means this deep calm and quiet at such a time beside the troubled waters of the ,jordan8 ,now1 we must ever remember that the grand end of all our ,lord did1 was that ,god might be glorified thereby1--that the character of the ,father might be revealed in the fullest possible manner in and by ,jesus the ,son4 ,but in order that this1 in the circumstances in which ,he was then placed1 might be accomplished1 ,he had many things to consider2 many complex interests pertaining to the kingdom of ,god to weigh and to reconcile1 so as to bring out of them all glory to ,god in the highest1 with good-will to man4 7a47 ,jesus had in the first place to consider the good of ,his beloved friends in ,bethany4 ,they were thinking probably of their own comfort only1 and of that too as coming but in one way1 by the deliverance of ,lazarus from sickness or death4 ,but there is something of more importance to immortal beings than mere comfort4 ,love to souls is a very different sentiment1 and manifested in a very different manner1 than love to mere animals4 ,to get quit of grief2 to have tears dried up and smiles restored2 to be delivered from all anxiety1 and relieved from the heavy burden of sorrow1 never mind how1--this is surely not the highest end which one who1 wisely and truly loved1 would seek for his brother in adversity8 ,the highest1 the best1 the enduring and eternal interests of the sufferer must first be considered4 ,his comfort1 doubtless1 cannot be overlooked1 but then it must be such comfort as ,god can sympathise with and rejoice in2 a comfort1 therefore1 which is in harmony with true spiritual life1 and which will strengthen that life unto life eternal4 ,every other comfort is a delusion1 a cheating of the soul1 a laughter that must end at last in the experience of a deeper sorrow than before4 ,he who bids us seek first the kingdom of ,god and ,his righteousness1 cannot discipline us or aid us to seek any lower good first1 because ,he loves our true and highest good most4 ,jesus had therefore to consider how ,he could bring true good1 and therefore true comfort in the end1 out of this sickness and death1 to ,martha1 ,mary1 and also to ,lazarus4 ,to restore the brother to his sisters--was this best for them1 taking into account every circumstance of their history within and without8 ,to restore ,lazarus to life--to a world of sin and temptation1 again to die--was this the best for him8 ,these were solemn questions1 which ,divine love and wisdom alone could answer4 7b47 ,but ,jesus had to consider the good of ,his disciples4 ,for years these simple-minded men had followed ,him1 and had been educating by ,him to become the teachers of the world4 ,,how then shall this event be best turned to account for the strengthening of their faith1 for the enlarging of their spiritual vision of ,god's glory1 as revealed by ,his ,son8 ,but ,jesus remembered them also3 ,i am glad1 ,he said1 for your sakes that ,i was not there1 to the intent that ye may believe4 7c47 ,beyond the inner circle of ,his friends in ,bethany and ,his more immediate followers1 there was the multitude of poor1 ignorant1 fanatical1 and unbelieving ,jews--the wandering sheep1 many of whom1 had to be gathered into the fold of this the ,good ,shepherd4 ,jesus had their interests also at heart1 as is evident from ,his prayer subsequently at the tomb of ,lazarus3 ,because of the people which stand by ,i said it1 that they may believe that thou hast sent me4 7d47 ,nor must we1 in contemplating the many objects of love which occupied the thoughts of the ,saviour1 forget how intimately connected the raising of ,lazarus was with ,his own death4 ,that last great miracle of ,divine power and love--almost1 if not ,his last on earth--was to mark the beginning of ,his own deepest humiliation and sorrow4 ,the hatred of the ,jews was at this time so intense1 that ,thomas was amazed that ,he should hazard a journey to a place so near ,jerusalem as was ,bethany4 ,the ,jews of late sought to stone thee2 and goest thou thither again8 ,and so dangerous did this journey seem1 that while bravely resolving to accompany ,him1 ,thomas said1 ,let us also go1 that we may die with him4 ,but this hatred was to be intensified by the display of ,christ's glory at the tomb of ,lazarus2 for we read that from that day forth they took counsel to put ,him to death4 ,the opening of the tomb to bring ,lazarus forth was thus the opening of ,his own to descend thither as crucified1 dead1 and buried4 ,the gratitude of ,mary for having her brother restored was soon to be unconsciously expressed by her anointing his mighty ,restorer for ,his own burial4 ,no wonder that ,jesus paused ere ,he took this last step which intervened between ,himself and the death which should end ,his work and mission upon earth4 7e47 ,and1 as including all these considerations and many more1 ,his own glory as the ,divine ,son of ,god was involved in what was to take place at ,bethany4 ,and this1 again1 involved the destinies of the human race1 and the good and comfort of the ,church throughout coming ages4 ,whatever became of ,martha or ,mary or ,lazarus1--though the sisters should weep out their little day of life1 and though their brother's sleep should be unbroken till the resurrection morning1--what was all this to the revealing of ,jesus as the ,saviour of men1 and as the resurrection and the life of human bodies and of human souls8 ,inconceivably less in proportion than are the interests of one person to those of the whole universe6 ,and thus you see that while those humble mourners1 in the weakness of the flesh1 and in their earthly short-sightedness1 were thinking only of themselves1 ,jesus the ,saviour of mankind had to think of many persons and of many things1 so that every interest might be attended to1 and the good of the whole kingdom of ,god be remembered1 while not a hair on the head of ,martha1 ,mary1 or ,lazarus was forgotten4 ,oh1 blessed ,saviour and glorious ,king6 who can thus govern worlds and mould the ages of human history1 while ,his ear is open to the prayers1 and ,his thoughts occupied with the concerns1 of the humblest mourners1 as if they alone existed in the mighty universe of ,god6 ,before shewing the blessed teaching which sufferers may gather from this twofold picture of mysterious sorrow and of thoughtful love1 let us study for a moment the circumstances attending the meeting of ,jesus with ,martha and ,mary4 ,many of these are deeply interesting and full of instruction2 but ,i confine myself to one point only1 the evidence which ,i cannot but think they afford of the shaken faith of the sisters for a time in the love of ,jesus4 ,martha was the first to meet ,him outside of the town1 where in quiet1 and undisturbed by the noisy mourners from ,jerusalem1 and by their sympathising friends1 ,jesus desired1 with ,his considerate kindness1 to probe and heal those sorely wounded hearts4 ,and what was her salutation8 ,lord1 if thou hadst been here1 my brother had not died6 ,what means this8 ,is it an expression of confidence only in ,his power8 ,is it a confession of faith8 ,or does it not rather evidence unbelief8 ,does it not imply a sorrowing complaint1 uttered1 indeed1 with reverence1 and in such gentle language as was compatible with sincere faith1 but still a complaint from a wondering and disappointed because wrung spirit1 expressed in language which suggested the additional question asked only in the heart1 ,and why wert ,thou not here8 ,jesus reasoned with her4 ,she believes1 yet still doubts and questions why ,he had not come2 she trusts ,him1 yet sees no light with reference to ,his dealings towards themselves4 ,one thing she will do1 however1 amidst the darkness--she will cling to ,christ as her only hope and refuge6 ,mary remains in the house4 ,why8 ,was it that she had not heard of the arrival of ,jesus1 or of ,martha having gone to meet ,him8 ,or is her heart so torn by distracting thoughts1 that for a moment she knows not what to do8 ,she dare not say to ,him all she feels4 ,her keen and sensitive heart is agonised by entertaining for a moment even the bare suspicion of unkindness on ,his part4 ,she fights against the horrid thought1 which1 like a demon1 torments her1 yet she cannot yet quite banish it1 and meet ,him with the full1 unreserved1 gushing love which something tells her is ,his due4 ,but however this may have been1 a message from ,himself rouses her3 ,the ,master is come1 and calleth for thee2 and as soon as she heard that1 she arose quickly and came unto him4 ,but how did she meet ,him6 ,ah6 ,martha and she have surely been together pondering over the mystery of ,his absence1 and they have inwardly come to the same conclusion2 and so she too fell at the ,master's feet1 with the same wailing cry from her full heart1 ,lord1 if thou hadst been here1 my brother had not died6 ,as she uttered these words1 ,jesus wept6 ,there are expressions and single words in ,scripture which reveal a whole heaven of glory--like the opening in the telescope1 which1 though but as a pin-point of light1 reveals the glory of sun1 moon1 and stars4 ,what a revelation of love is this--,jesus wept6 ,but what mean these tears8 ,they are visibly significant of much sorrow4 ,the cup of the ,man of sorrows was always full2 what caused it thus to run over8 ,only twice in ,his life do we read of the ,saviour's weeping1--now1 when at ,bethany1 and in a few days afterwards1 when entering ,jerusalem during the week of ,his crucifixion4 ,did ,jesus now weep from mere human sympathy with sisters mourning for a dead brother8 or did ,he weep because ,he mourned their own lost faith in ,his love to them8 ,we are well aware of the tenacity with which most people cling to the former method of accounting for the ,saviour's tears1 and what pain it seems to give when the latter view is pressed upon them1 as if they were thereby robbed of some special source of comfort in affliction1 and left without any other declaration in the ,word of ,god--at all events1 without any other incident in the life of ,jesus--fitted to inspire confidence in ,his sympathy4 ,it is not difficult to account for this feeling on our part4 ,for it is much easier to understand tears shed for mere human suffering1 than tears shed for human sin4 ,the one kind of sorrow is common1 the other is rare4 ,the one is almost instinctive1 and necessarily springs from that benevolence which belongs to us as men1 but the other can only spring from that love of souls which belongs to us as partakers of the sufferings of ,christ1 and from possessing1 therefore1 a realising sense of the infinite importance of a right or wrong state of being towards ,god1 and from beholding the darkness of evil casting its dread shadows over a dear one's spirit4 ,hence an atheist can mourn over our loss of friends by death1 while the man of ,god alone can mourn over our loss of ,god himself by unbelief4 ,then1 again1 every person welcomes the sympathy of another in his sorrows2 while he might at the same time have no sympathy with the grief experienced by another for his sins4 ,the one might be gladly welcomed as most loving1 but the other be proudly rejected as most offensive4 ,why therefore should true ,christians cling with such fondness to the idea of ,christ weeping with ,martha and ,mary1 because they lost their brother1 and not rather see a far deeper love and a source of far deeper comfort in his tears1 because they had1 for a moment even1 lost their faith8 ,surely those who know ,christ do not depend solely on such a proof as this of the reality of ,his humanity1 and of ,his sympathy with the affliction of ,his brethren2 nor can that kind of sympathy be the highest which can be afforded by all men whose hearts are not utterly steeled by selfish indifference4 ,besides1 however real ,christ's sympathy was with sorrow of every kind1 why did ,he express it on this occasion more than on any other8 ,nay1 why did ,he weep at the very moment when ,he purposed1 by a miracle of power1 to restore the dead brother to his sisters1 and in a few minutes to turn their sorrow into joy8 ,why weep with those whose tears were shed in ignorance only of the coming event which was so soon to dry them8 ,but the ,saviour's tears came from a different and a profounder source6 ,they welled out of a heart whose deep and tender love was not trusted in1 but doubted even by those whom ,he loved most deeply and tenderly1 and at the very moment too when ,he was about to pour forth upon them the richest treasure of ,his love1 and to do exceeding abundantly above all they could ask or think4 ,remember only how ,he of all men loved2 how as a man ,he longed for ,his brother's sympathy1 and how as a holy ,saviour ,he longed for ,his brother's good4 ,remember how earnestly ,he sought for the one grand result1 that of hearty confidence in ,his goodwill1 as the only restorative of humanity fallen and in ruins through the curse of unbelief4 ,remember1 too1 how lonely ,he was in the world2 how few understood ,him in any degree1 or responded even feebly to the constant1 boundless outpouring of ,his affection2 and how many returned ,his good with evil1 ,his love with bitterest hate2--remember all this1 and conceive if you can what ,his feelings must have been when returning to this home of ,his heart1 to this green spot amidst the wilderness of hateful distrust1 with ,his whole soul full of such glorious purposes of love and self-sacrifice1 and then at such a time to find his best and dearest friends smitten with the universal blight1 fallen to the earth and prostrate in the dust under the crushing burden of unbelief6 ,he does not weep1 at first1 when ,martha addresses him2 but when ,mary1 the loving and confiding--she of all on earth--complains2 when faith has failed in even her6--oh1 it is too much for ,his heart6 ,and thou too6--,jesus wept6 ,ah6 that shadow of death in such a soul as this was infinitely sadder to ,him than the dead body of her brother1 nay1 than the contents of all the festering graveyards of the world6 ,for what is death to sin8 and what is the power which can restore by a word the dead body to life1 in comparison with that which is required to restore an unbelieving soul to ,god8 ,it was this unbelief1 the most terrible spectacle which earth presents to the eye of a holy and loving ,saviour1 that made ,him weep as ,he beheld it for a moment1 like a demon-power taking possession of ,his own best beloved4 ,and it was this same essential evil1 and this alone1 which made ,him weep once again as ,he entered ,jerusalem1 when ,he cried1 ,how often would ,i have gathered you1 but ye would not6 ,in perfect accordance with this view1 we read that when some of the ,jews said1 as ,he walked towards the tomb of ,lazarus1 ,could not this man1 which opened the eyes of the blind1 have caused that even this man had not died8 ,jesus therefore again groaning in himself1 cometh to the grave4 ,for again the words expressed lost faith in ,his power1 or in ,his love to this man4 ,in like manner1 when ,martha1 as if to persuade ,him not to attempt impossibilities1 reminded ,him of the long time in which ,lazarus had lain in the grave1 saying1 ,lord1 by this time he stinketh1 ,jesus sternly rebukes her1 ,said ,i not unto thee1 that if thou wouldest believe1 thou shouldest see the glory of ,god8 ,and tell me1 is there not inexpressible comfort in this love which mourns over sin as the greatest loss and the greatest sorrow8 ,i can get many1 as ,i have said1 in the world to understand and to feel with me in all my sufferings from loss of wealth1 of health1 of friends1 or of any earthly blessing4 ,relations1 acquaintances1 strangers1 even enemies1 could be found who would do so4 ,but who will so love me as to carry my crushing burden of sin8 ,who can fully understand its exceeding sinfulness ,i ,who can fathom the depths into which ,i have fallen1 or enter the body of death which imprisons my spirit4 ,one only1 the truest1 the best1 the most loving of all1 my ,saviour6 ,and ,his hatred of my sin1 and ,his sorrow for it1 is just the measure of ,his love to me1 and of ,his desire to deliver me1 and to make me a partaker of ,his own blessed rest and peace1 through faith and love in ,his ,father and my ,father1 in ,his ,god and my ,god6 ,i shall pass by the remaining facts in this narrative1 the raising of ,lazarus1 and the memorable scene when ,jesus sat as a guest with the family of ,bethany1 again restored to one another1 and to ,himself in love2 and when ,mary with unutterable thoughts anointed ,his feet with ointment1 and wiped them with the hair of her head4 ,i would rather occupy the space which remains1 in gathering from what has been said a few general lessons of importance chiefly to mourners4 ,my suffering brother or sister6 permit me to address you as if personally present with you1 seeing your distress1 and sharing it as those cannot choose but do who have themselves experienced the darkness of sorrow4 ,such darkness and perplexity ,i have known1 and ,i so remember with deepest gratitude the strength and comfort which were then afforded by the revelation of the ways of ,christ1 as illustrated by this narrative1 that ,i desire to help others as ,i have been myself helped4 ,the one grand lesson which it teaches us is1 never1 in our darkest hour1 to lose confidence in the love of ,christ towards us1 as if ,he had forgotten to be gracious1 and either could not or would not help us4 ,banish the sinful thought6 ,beware lest there should be in any of you the evil heart of unbelief4 ,for such unbelief is the greatest calamity which can befall us4 ,it is1 verily1 sorrow's crown of sorrow1 ,let us rather hold fast our confidence1 which hath a great reward4 ,like the family in ,bethany1 you too1 ,i shall suppose1 are visited with a sudden and mysterious bereavement4 ,like them you may pray to ,christ1 and ask a specific blessing2 and like them you may think ,he has not heard your prayer1 nor ever will answer it1 because ,he does not do this at the time or in the manner you wished or anticipated4 ,his thoughts and ways with reference to you may thus be utterly dark--darker than blackest night4 ,yet the servant of the ,lord1 though he walks in darkness1 and has no light1 must trust in the ,lord1 and stay himself upon his ,god4 ,for the ways of ,christ to ,his suffering friends in ,bethany1 when absent from them beyond the ,jordan1 are a revelation of ,his ways to us now1 when ,he is in glory beyond the tomb4 ,now1 as then1 ,he never forgets us1 never overlooks the least circumstance in our history1 and never ceases for one moment to have that interest in us which is possible only for such a ,brother or ,saviour to possess4 ,but now1 as then1 ,he has manifold interests to consider2 ten thousand times ten thousand complex and crossing consequences to weigh4 ,while we1 perhaps1 have our thoughts wholly occupied with but one desire1 our own individual comfort1 our own deliverance from this or that trial1 the wise and all-loving ,jesus has to provide for much more than this4 ,our own good and growth in grace--the good of those in sickness--the good of children1 relations1 friends1 yea1 it may be of generations yet unborn1 who may be affected at this crisis in our family history by what ,jesus does or does not1--all this must be considered by ,him who loves all1 and seeks the good of all1 and who alone can trace out the marvellous and endless network of influence by which man is bound to man from place to place and from age to age4 ,no one1 therefore1 but the ,lord of all can decide what is best to be done in the circumstances of each case1 in order that most good may be done1 and that ,god may be glorified thereby4 ,he alone knows how this link of sickness unto death is connected with other links in the mysterious chain of human history4 ,and if so1 then surely it becomes us1 poor1 ignorant1 blind1 selfish creatures1 to bow before ,his throne with holy reverence2 to yield ourselves and all our concerns meekly and lovingly into ,his hands1 in the full assurance of faith that our interests are there in best and safest keeping2 to feel that it is our first duty and noblest privilege to trust ,him when we cannot trace ,him1 being persuaded that ,he does all things well1 and that what we know not now we shall know hereafter4 ,amidst all darkness1 perplexity1 and apparent confusion1 remember the certainties which abide unmoved1 and shine aloft as stars4 ,it is certain that all things work together for the good of those who love ,god2 that thou wilt keep him in perfect peace1 whose soul is stayed on thee1 because he trusteth in thee2 and that nothing can separate us from the love of ,christ1 7,his love to us47 ,it is certain that our ,christian dead are in ,his presence2 and that no one knows them or loves them as that ,saviour does1 who made them with ,his own hands1 and redeemed them with ,his own blood4 ,it is certain that if we are believers in ,christ1 we are still united to those departed ones1 in labour1 in worship1 in love1 in hope1 and in joy2 for1 whether we wake or sleep1 we live together with ,him4 ,it is certain1 that if we are ,christ's1 all things are ours1 whether life or death1 things present or things to come6 ,hold fast1 then1 ,o mourner1 thy confidence in thy ,lord6 ,have patience1 fret not1 despair not1 and a day shall come to thee like that which came at last to the mourners in ,bethany--it may be here1 it may not be until we meet ,him beyond the bounds of time1 yet come it must--when all this earthly history1 and all ,his doings towards us1 shall be read in the clear and full light of perfect knowledge2 when out of this seeming chaos and confusion the most perfect order will be evolved before our wondering eyes2 and when we shall joyfully acknowledge with what majestic grandeur the world has ever been governed by its glorious ,king6 ,then1 when we hear how ,he has governed ourselves1 and trace the path along which ,he has led us since childhood1 and understand the reasons which induced ,him at such a time and in such a way to afflict us2--then1 when the ways and thoughts of that mind and heart are laid bare2--and then1 too1 when we recall our fears1 our doubts1 our rebellions1 our want of confidence in ,him1 what shall our thoughts and feelings be8 ,when ,his love and ours1 ,his wisdom and ours1 ,his plans and ours1 are thus contrasted1 as we sit down at the great supper with our own ,martha1 ,mary1 and ,lazarus1 and every one worthy of our love restored to us for ever1 beholding the unveiled face of our ,lord in glory2 oh1 then1 it might seem almost essential to our peace to be able to weep bitterly1 and repent heartily1 for our unworthy suspicions and ungenerous treatment of such a ,friend and ,saviour6 ,but1 blessed be ,his name6 we shall then be able to give ,him all ,he asks1 our whole hearts1 and1 like ,mary1 kneel at ,his feet1 and there pour forth the sweet fragrance of our gratitude1 love1 and joy1 as we too hear from ,his lips such words as these uttered amidst the light and glory of the upper sanctuary3 ,said ,i not unto thee1 that if thou wouldest believe1 thou shouldest see the glory of ,god6 ,,the ,,beginning ,,of ,a ,,year4 ,what will happen during this year to ourselves and to those whom we love8 ,life or death--health or sickness--joy or sorrow--good or evil8 ,what will the coming twelve months bring to me and mine8 ,what may be--what must be--what ought to be8 ,such questions1 multiplied a hundredfold1 or broken up into every variety of anxious inquiry1 often fill the heart and mind on the first day of a new year4 ,now1 is it possible for us to find rest and peace for our spirits as we steadily contemplate the future1 with its darkness and light1 with all the duties and trials which it contains1 and with all that it may and must bring forth8 ,is there any secret of strength and comfort by which we can with courage and hope encounter all the possibilities of the future8 ,there is4 ,let us only trust ,god1 and we need not fear anything1 but welcome everything6 ,let us consider this2 and1 first of all1 understand what is meant by trusting ,god4 ,to trust ,god1 remember1 is to trust ,himself--a living1 personal ,god4 ,it is not to trust to any means whatever whereby ,he makes ,himself known2 but to look through them1 all1 or to go by them all1 to the living ,god himself4 ,this is more than trusting to any truth even revealed in the ,bible1 for it is trusting the ,person who spoke the truth1 or of whom the truth is spoken4 ,to trust ,god is to trust ,him as ,he is revealed in all the fulness of ,his glorious character4 ,it is to trust ,him as true1 and therefore as faithful in keeping every promise1 and in fulfilling every threat2 as wise1 and therefore as never erring in any arrangement made for the well-being of ,his creatures2 as righteous1 and therefore as doing right to each and all2 as holy1 and therefore as hating evil1 and loving good2 as merciful and therefore as pardoning the guilty through a ,redeemer2--it is1 in one word1 to trust ,him whose name is ,love6--love which shines in every attribute1 and is the security for every blessing6 ,trust and obedience are therefore1 from their nature1 inseparable4 ,this trust in ,god is not common4 ,nothing1 indeed1 so common in men's mouths as the phrases1 ,i trust in ,god1 ,i have all my dependence on ,god1 ,we have none else to look to but ,him1 and the like4 ,but1 alas6 how meaningless often to men's hearts are those sayings in men's mouths6 ,they frequently express confidence only in ,god's doing what ,he has never promised to do2--as when a slothful1 idle1 dissipated man continues in his wickedness1 yet trusts ,god will ward off poverty from him1 or provide for his family whom he is all the while robbing4 ,or the words express confidence in what ,god has positively declared ,he never will nor can do2--as when an impenitent man1 who has no faith in ,christ or love to ,him1 trusts ,god will forgive him1 or make him happy1 or not punish him1 should he die as he is4 ,all this1 and such like trust1 is vain confidence1 trusting a lie1 and believing a delusion4 ,others1 again1 professing to trust ,god's word1 manifest a total want of trust in ,his ways1 and do not walk in ,his commandments1 nor submit to ,his corrections1 believing neither to be the will of a holy and loving ,father4 ,and thus1 men who in theory say they trust ,god1 practically have no trust in ,him1 whatever they may have in themselves1 in the world1 or in things seen and temporal4 ,but oh the blessedness and the peace of him whose trust is in the ,lord6 ,read a few declarations from ,god's ,word upon the crime of want of trust1 and the peace enjoyed when possessing it3-- ,thus saith the ,lord1 ,cursed be the man that trusteth in man1 and maketh flesh his arm1 and whose heart departeth from the ,lord3 for he shall be like the heath in the desert1 and shall not see when good cometh2 but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness1 in a salt land and not inhabited4 ,the ,lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed1 a refuge in times of trouble4 ,and they that know thy name will put their trust in thee3 for thou1 ,lord1 hast not forsaken them that seek thee4 ,many sorrows shall be to the wicked3 but he that trusteth in the ,lord1 mercy shall compass him about4 ,be glad in the ,lord1 and rejoice1 ye righteous3 and shout for joy1 all ye that are upright in heart4 ,what time ,i am afraid1 ,i will trust in thee4 ,in ,god ,i will praise his word1 in ,god ,i have put my trust2 ,i will not fear what flesh can do unto me4444,in ,god have ,i put my trust3 ,i will not be afraid what man can do unto me4 ,trust in the ,lord with all thine heart2 and lean not unto thine own understanding4 ,in all thy ways acknowledge him1 and he shall direct thy paths4 ,thou wilt keep him in perfect peace1 whose mind is stayed on thee3 because he trusteth in thee4 ,trust ye in the ,lord for ever3 for in the ,lord ,jehovah is everlasting strength4 ,now1 this trust in ,god has been the character of all ,god's people in every age1 and under every dispensation4 ,we who live in these latter days may say of all our spiritual ancestry1 ,our fathers trusted thee4 ,they all had faith in the living ,god1 and believed ,his word to be true1 and ,his ways to be excellent4 ,abraham did so1 when he went forth into the wide world1 not knowing whither he went1 having but ,god's word as a staff to lean on2 and when he offered up his only son1 believing that ,god was able even to raise him from the dead4 ,moses did so1 when by faith he forsook ,egypt1 and preferred the reproach of ,christ1 and endured1 as seeing ,him who is invisible1 ,job did so1 when deprived of everything but ,god himself2 when he sat in sackcloth and ashes1 and bore the glorious testimony in the presence of men and devils1 ,though ,he slay me1 yet will ,i trust in ,him1 ,david did so during his whole life1 and his sacred songs are anthems of joyful trust1 which the ,church of ,god can never cease to sing till faith is lost in sight4 ,and ,jehoshaphat did so1 when in the presence of the great invading army he addressed his small band with the noble words1 ,trust in the ,lord your ,god1 so shall ye be established4 ,and ,daniel did so1 when he entered the den of lions1 and came out unscathed1 because he believed in the ,lord his ,god4 ,and ,paul did so1 when he ended his triumphant life1 which he lived by faith in the ,son of ,god1 with the shout of victory1 saying1 ,i know whom ,i have trusted1 and ,i am persuaded ,he can keep what ,i have committed to ,him until that day4 ,all the children of ,god have known1 loved1 and trusted their ,father1 and have reflected that holy light which shone with unclouded and faultless lustre in the ,firstborn of all the brethren2 for ,jesus ever held fast ,his confidence in ,god until ,his last cry of faith1 ,father1 into ,thy hands ,i commit my spirit6 ,begin the year and spend it in this frame of mind4 ,know ,god1 trust ,him1 and go on thy way rejoicing1 whatever that way may be4 ,heaven and earth may pass away1 but thou art safe1 because right4 ,do you1 for example1 fear the future because it is unknown8 ,trust ,god1 and fear not6 ,this ignorance of coming events which are to affect our own happiness for time or for eternity is very remarkable1 especially when contrasted with our minute and accurate knowledge of other things2 such as the future movements of the moon and stars1--events which1 though revealing the history of immense worlds1 are yet to us of far less importance than the malady which may enter our home to-morrow1 and close for ever the eyelids of a babe6 ,in proportion1 indeed1 as the things of each day are to affect us1 ,god has so concealed them1 that we know not what one day is to bring forth4 ,and this ignorance is surely intended to accomplish at least one blessed end--that of making us fly to ,god himself1 and look up to ,himself for guidance1 for protection1 and for peace4 ,the feeblest child thereby becomes filled with such assurance of faith1 that1 whatever is before him1 he can say1 ,nevertheless ,i am continually with thee3 thou hast holden me by my right hand4 ,thou shalt guide me with thy counsel1 and afterward receive me into glory1 ,how grand1 then1 is this thought1 that whatever may come to the believer out of the mysterious womb of time1 or out of the vast recesses of an unknown and immense eternity1 nothing can possibly destroy his soul's peace2 for nothing can separate him from the love of the ever-present1 unchangeable1 omnipotent ,god4 ,the stars of heaven may fall1 and the heavens depart as a scroll1 and every mountain and island be moved out of its place2 but the meekest child of ,god will be kept in perfect peace on the bosom of his ,father1 and there rest1 untouched by the revolutions of coming ages1 as the rainbow reposes on the bosom of the sky1 unmoved by the strong wind which rends the mountains1 and breaks in pieces the rocks before the ,lord4 ,whether1 therefore1 the year is to bring life or death1 poverty or riches1 health or sickness to us or to our friends1--all is beyond our knowledge or our will4 ,but1 thank ,god1 it is nevertheless within the province of our will to secure to ourselves perfect peace and rest4 ,this sure hope is based on the glorious fact that there is a ,god--a living ,god who verily governs the universe2 whose kingdom is one of righteousness2 whose omnipotence is directed by love2 and who1 consequently1 so administers the affairs of ,his blessed kingdom1 as that all its complex machinery of events move in harmony with the safety and peace of every true child4 ,again1 ,do you fear because of coming duties or trials which you cannot but anticipate8 ,trust ,god1 and fear not6 ,cast thy burden--however great--the ,lord1 and ,he will sustain thee4 ,experience tells us that the evils which we once most feared never came1 but were purely imaginary1 while the things really appointed to us were never anticipated4 ,let this help us to appreciate ,god's goodness and wisdom more in commanding us to take no anxious thought about the morrow1 because sufficient for the day is the evil thereof4 ,still you are certain of some duties or trials before you4 ,this sickness1 you say1 must end in death2 or this journey must1 if you are in life1 be taken to a foreign shore1 and last farewells be spoken2 or this year you must enter upon this new profession so arduous and so full of risks4 ,and thus each one1 with more or less degree of certainty1 chalks an imaginary outline of his future course4 ,but supposing all your anticipations to be well-founded1 yet1 oh6 believe that when your day of trial or of duty comes1 a ,father1 if you know ,him and trust ,him1 will come with it4 ,you will have on that dark day a ,father's unerring wisdom to guide you1 a ,father's omnipotent arm to uphold you1 a ,father's infinite love to soothe you1 comfort you1 and fully satisfy you4 ,hear these precious commands and promises3--fast your confidence1 which hath a great reward6 ,be careful for nothing1 but in everything1 by prayer and supplication1 with thanksgiving1 let your requests be made known to ,god2 and the peace of ,god1 which passeth understanding1 will keep your mind and heart through ,christ ,jesus6 ,once more1 ,do you fear the future1 lest you should sin and depart from ,god as you have done in the past8 ,trust ,god1 and fear not6 ,for how did you depart from ,god before8 ,from want of trust4 ,you lost confidence in your ,father's teaching1 and leant on your own understanding1 or listened to the voice of strangers2 you first lost confidence in your ,father's love and goodwill to you1 and in ,his power to satisfy all your wants1 and to give whatever was best for you out of ,his rich and inexhaustible treasures1 and then you demanded the portion of your goods1 and departed from ,him1 and ceased to pray to ,him or to think of ,him at all1 but gave your heart1 soul1 and strength to the creature4 ,but you had no peace4 ,you left the cistern of living waters2 but the cisterns hewn out by yourselves held no water to assuage your soul's thirst4 ,you found it to be an evil and a bitter thing to forsake ,god4 ,hear1 then1 ,his invitation on the first day of a new year3 ,return to the ,lord thy ,god6 ,arise1 and go to thy ,father2 abide with ,him2 and never more lose thy confidence in ,him as thy strength1 thy peace1 thy life6 ,trust ,his mercy to pardon the past2 ,his grace to help in the present2 and ,his love to fill up thy being at all times4 ,fear not3 ,i am with thee3 ,i will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness6 ,your only strength and safety are in ,god4 ,daily seek ,him1 daily trust ,him1 and you will daily serve ,him4 ,but perhaps you fear the future lest you should not redeem the time as you ought to do to the glory of ,god8 ,trust ,god1 and fear not6 ,lost time is a sad and oppressive thought to the child of ,god4 ,what might he have done6 ,what might he have been6 ,how might he have improved his talents1 and cultivated his spirit1 and done good to relations1 friends1 neighbours1 and to the world1 had he only redeemed days1 hours1 minutes1 which have been spent in sloth or folly6 ,and not one second can be restored4 ,shall the future be a similar record to the past8 ,you fear to think of it6 ,but be assured that till the last hour of the best spent life1 you will need the atoning blood of ,jesus for your innumerable shortcomings as a miserable sinner4 ,the very light of life which enables you to know and rejoice in ,jesus1 will enable you also1 in proportion as it burns brightly1 to know and to mourn over yourselves4 ,but while there is cause for earnest thoughtfulness about coming time1 as a talent to be improved for your own good and ,god's glory1 there is no cause for unbelieving fear1 for such fear hath torment4 ,god does not give you a year to spend2 ,he gives you but a day2 nay1 not even that1 but only the present moment4 ,he divides the talent of time into minutes1 fractions1 and says to you1 ,employ this one for me4 ,therefore do not concern yourself with what is not yours2 but as each day or hour comes1 trust ,god6 ,he is not a hard master1 reaping where ,he does not sow2 but is a ,father sowing in you1 and by you1 in order that you1 as well as ,himself1 might reap so that both sower and reaper might rejoice together4 ,trust ,him for always pointing out to you the path of duty1 so that1 as a wayfarer1 you will never err4 ,be assured1 that when the moment comes in which you must take any step1 ,he will1 by some voice in ,his ,word or providence1 say to you1 ,this is the way1 walk ye in it6 ,be assured1 also1 that amidst many things undone1 or ill done by you1 ,he will still so help you1 if sincere1 to labour in ,his cause here1 and to improve your time and talents1 as to be able hereafter to say1 even to you1 ,well done1 good and faithful servant6 enter thou into the joy of thy ,lord4 ,in the name of the ,lord1 then1 let us lift up our banners6 ,enter upon the labours and duties of the year with joy ,i ,art thou not a fellow labourer with thy brother saints and angels1 yea1 even with thy ,god8 ,doth not that omnipotent ,spirit of light and love1 who uniteth all in one1 and who hath led the ,church of ,christ from grace to glory1 dwell in thee8 ,wherefore1 then1 dost thou dishonour ,god and ,his word by unbelieving fear8 ,finally1 the experience of the past may strengthen your faith in ,god for the future4 ,you have never trusted ,him in vain4 ,he has never failed you in time of need4 ,you have always found ,his strength sufficient to uphold you1 and ,his wisdom able to arrange for you1 and ,his love inexhaustible in supplying your manifold wants4 ,ah6 had you foreseen1 years ago1 all the past journey1 so often dark and perplexing1 which you have since pursued2 and also all the duties which have successively claimed your energies for their performance2 and all the trials1 so many1 so varied1 which you have had to endure2 would you not have sunk down in despair before the spectacle8 ,but you did not foresee what is now past4 ,god in mercy concealed it from you1 as ,he does what is now future4 ,and therefore you did not then1 as you cannot now1 despair4 ,the ,lord has hitherto helped you1 and led you through the wilderness1 and held you up1 and kept you from falling2 and so it is that both in your inward and outward state1 you are this day a monument of ,his power1 mercy1 patience1 grace6 ,and now1 in peace of heart1 say with ,paul1 ,i am persuaded that neither death1 nor life1 nor angels1 nor principalities1 nor powers1 nor things present1 nor things to come1 shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god1 which is in ,christ ,jesus our ,lord6 ,lord1 it is enough6 ,never separated from ,thyself for one moment in our existence1 here or anywhere1 we can never be separated from the chief object of our affections1 from ,him who is the fulness of our whole being1 the never-failing source of our blessedness and joy4 ,believing in ,thee our ,father1 we enter another year1 and advance along our endless journey1 not knowing what a day or an hour may bring forth2 but knowing this1 as all we care to know1 that during every day and hour we are continually with ,thee4 ,a long life on earth may be ours1 but neither its labours nor its cares1 its temptations nor its trials1 shall be able to destroy our peace1 because unable to separate us from ,thy love4 ,thy love will give life to every duty1 deliverance from every temptation1 guidance in every perplexity1 and comfort in every trial4 ,death may come1 in what form or in what circumstances1 how soon or how late1 we cannot tell2 but we fear no evil1 however dark its shadow1 for ,thou art with us4 ,eternity must come1 and may come to us ere the year ends4 ,but whatever things beyond the grave are hidden from us1 ,thou ,thyself1 our ,father1 art revealed6 ,we know ,thee1 and this is life eternal6 ,,advices ,,on ,,entering ,a ,,new ,,year4 #a4 ,let a short portion of time be spent each day this year in private prayer1 in reading ,god's ,word1 and1 if possible1 some devotional book4 #b4 ,let it be the great work of the year to become better acquainted personally with ,jesus ,christ as the living and ever-present ,friend1 ,brother1 and ,saviour4 #c4 ,endeavour to concentrate your efforts to do good upon some definite unselfish work in your family or out of it1 which may help others1 as it certainly must help yourself4 #d4 ,in all things try to live more towards ,god1 seeking ,his approval of your inner and outer life4 ,the less you talk about yourself or your doings before men1 the better for yourself and for them4 #e4 ,aim this year at being a peacemaker between professing ,christians2 to allay disputes1 and to heal breaches among friends and relations2 and to make men respect and esteem each other more4 #f4 ,do not leave behind you in the old year guilt unpardoned1 but believe in ,jesus for the remission of sins2 nor enter a new year with sin loved and cherished1 but accept of and rely upon ,his ,spirit to sanctify you4 ,begin the year without enmity to any man on earth1 forgiving one another1 if any man have a quarrel against any3 even as ,christ forgave you1 even so do ye4 #g4 ,if you are the head of the house1 resolve to read a portion of ,god's ,word once a-day at least to the family2 and either read or offer up1 always with them1 a short but hearty prayer4 #h4 ,endeavour to keep an account of your income and expenditure1 that you may be able to live justly and generously4 ,give what you can to assist poor relatives1 and poor ,christians1 and the ,church of ,christ4 ,try this one year to tax yourself ten per cent1 on your free income for such purposes4 ,learn to do these things1 and many more will the ,lord teach thee to know and do2 and may the ,god of love and peace be with thee6 ,,the ,,close ,,of ,a ,,year4 ,remember all the way the ,lord hath led thee during the past year4 ,,remember ,,his ,,mercies4--,calmly review1 as far as you can1 what ,god has given you these bygone months4 ,have you been blessed with bodily health8 ,if so1 consider what a gift it is to be spared the tortures some endure3 the restless1 feverish nights2 the long weary days2 the unceasing pain2 the no-hope of relief in this world4 ,have you been blessed with mental health8 ,if so1 think of the mercy of not having been visited with insanity1 or of having been freed from the suffering of even mental depression1 so touchingly described by the poet as ,a grief without a sigh1 void1 dark1 and drear1 ,a stifled1 drowsy1 unimpassion'd grief1 ,that finds no natural outlet1 no relief1 ,to word1 or sigh1 or tear2 ,think of the mercy of having been able to enjoy ,god's beautiful world1 and to feel the life in its scenery1 its music1 and its blue sky1 during the summer that has passed1 as you walked along the sea-shore1 among the woods1 across the green fields1 up the glen1 over the moorlands1 or gazed on the glorious landscape from the windy summits of the old hills4 ,health of body and of mind6--,oh1 common1 most blessed1 yet1 alas6 how often unnoticed1 gifts of ,god6 ,have you received other mercies connected with your temporal well-being8 ,perhaps at the beginning of the year 7as at the beginning1 maybe1 of many a year before7 things looked very dark for you and yours4 ,yet hitherto ,god has helped you4 ,you may never have had more light on your path than what enabled you to take the next step with safety1 but that light has never failed you4 ,god has been pleased thus to discipline many of ,his people4 ,you may1 possibly1 remember also peculiar deliverances3--from sickness2 from money difficulties2 from bodily dangers2 with unexpected additions to your means of comfort and of usefulness4 ,again1 call to remembrance your social mercies1 which have come more indirectly through others4 ,think of the relations and friends who have been spared to you6 ,begin with your dearest1 and pass on from those to others less closely allied1 but still most valued1 and number them all1 if you can4 ,do any remain whom death threatened to remove during the past year8 ,have any1 have many1 been a comfort to you8 ,have your anxieties regarding the temporal or spiritual well-being of others been lessened8 ,have beloved ones been given to you during the year--such as a wife1 a husband1 or a child8 ,if ,god hath led you in this way during the past year1 it ought indeed to be remembered6 ,and if any of those ,christian friends have fallen asleep in ,jesus1 then it is a great mercy to know most certainly that they are your friends still1 and your best friends too2 and you should thank ,god for the happiness which they now enjoy1 and which you hope to share with them4 ,but you have other mercies to remember besides these4 ,surely much has been done for your spiritual good by your ,father in heaven4 ,he has shewn patience1 forbearance1 and long-suffering towards you2 and has been teaching you during these past months by faithful ministers or faithful friends2 and has been striving within you to bring you to ,himself1 and to keep you there4 ,have you enjoyed no peace in believing1 nor gained any victories over self and sin8 ,have you possessed no more calm and habitual fellowship with ,god8 ,have you done no good8 ,has prayer neither been offered in truth1 nor answered in love8 ,has all been fruitless and dead8 ,oh1 let us beware of the falsehood of denying spiritual mercies bestowed on us by ,god6 ,if ,i should say ,i know ,him not1 ,i should be a liar like unto you1 said our ,lord4 ,the graces of the ,spirit1 the least of them1 are the earnests of eternal good1 the assurances of enjoying the whole fulness of ,god4 ,,but ,,you ,,have ,,sorrows ,,to ,,remember4 ,alas6 we are in little danger of forgetting these4 ,the sunny days may come and go unheeded1 but the dark ones are all registered4 ,we cannot forget that the ,lord taketh away2 but why do we not as vividly remember that the same ,lord giveth and that in both cases we have equal cause1 did we only see it1 to exclaim1 ,blessed be the name of the ,lord6 ,i ask not what these sorrows have been4 ,enough that they are very real to you1 or to those who are bound up with you in the bundle of life4 ,it was a weary time to you in the wilderness1 and it is well to remember that portion of the way in which you have been led1 which was as a dark valley and shadow of death4 ,,and ,,what ,,of ,,sin8 ,that is what makes it so hard for us to remember the past journey4 ,the backslidings and falls in the way2 the careless straggling behind2 the lazy resting-places2 the slow progress2 the careless devotions2 the misspent days of the ,lord2 the opportunities lost of doing good to others1 or of receiving good ourselves1 through procrastination1 sloth1 and indifference2 the manifestation of our unloving and selfish spirit towards our brother1 in envy1 bad temper1 backbiting1 jealousy1 or unguarded speech2 the little done or given for ,god's work on earth1 in charity to the poor1 or to our own flesh who required assistance2--the everything1 in short1 which deters memory from looking steadily at what it would if it could blot out for ever from its records6 ,yet it is of great importance that this portion of the journey should be remembered2 although it is not the way in which ,god led us1 but which we chose for ourselves in our ignorance and self-will4 ,ponder it well6 ,recall what your conduct has been in avoiding temptation2 how you have made use of the means of grace2 the days in which you may have lived without ,god1 or if you prayed to ,him1 when you did so as a form1 without any real faith or love2 the days in which you have been so presumptuous as to live without faith in the ,son of ,god1 and to meet trials1 temptations1 and duties1 without seeking strength from the ,holy ,spirit2 the ,sundays that have come and gone without having been improved1 and sermons heard in vain1 and public worship joined in outwardly only1 without reality2 the little help1 or possibly great discouragement given to ,christian ministers and ,christian members by your very coldness2 the time lost never to be recalled1 and of all that could have been done for the ignorant1 the afflicted1 the wicked1 the sick and dying1 for friends and relations1 which has been left undone1 and never can be done in the other world4 ,think of what your ,master has said1 who is to judge you--that herein is my ,father glorified1 that ye bring forth much fruit--that if any man will be my disciple1 let him take up his cross daily1 and follow me--that many will say in that day1 ,lord1 ,lord1 have we not eaten and drunk in thy presence8 hast thou not taught in our streets8 have we not done many wonderful works in thy name8 and ,i will say unto them1 ,i know you not2 depart from me1 all ye workers of iniquity3--think of this now1 for think of it one day you must3 and if you do so with any degree of truthfulness1 ,i am sure you cannot enter another year without pouring out your heart in humble confession1 and laying down your burthen at the foot of the cross1 crying out1 ,god be merciful to me a sinner6 ,have mercy upon me1 ,o ,god1 according to thy loving-kindness1 and according to thy tender mercies blot out all my transgressions6 ,allow me now to put what ,i have to say in a practical form3-- #a4 ,when you review your mercies1 consider how you are affected by them4 ,it is easy1 ,i know1 to say1 and to say so far truly1 ,thank ,god for them6 ,yet the whole spirit in which they are possessed may be intensely selfish4 ,we may have been seeking our life in them to the very exclusion of ,god from our hearts1 forgetting that a man's life1 says our ,lord1 consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth4 ,what things8 ,any creature things whatever6 ,to make these our life1 that is1 our happiness1 or to esteem them as essential to our happiness1 is1 as our ,lord adds1 for a man to lay up treasures for himself1 and not to be rich towards ,god4 ,this is that covetousness which is idolatry1--the worship of ,self1 through what ministers to ,self4 #b4 ,as you remember your sorrows1 remember not only how you were sustained and comforted under them1 but1 what is of incomparably more importance1 consider how far you have been realising ,god's purpose in sending them4 ,that purpose may have been to perfect you by trial2 or to prove your loyalty to ,him2 or to prevent evil in yourselves and others4 ,but never forget that the lesson of all lessons is1 that we or others should find life1 and life eternal--that is1 as ,i have said1 life in the knowledge and in the love of ,god1 which will satisfy and endure for ever2 or1 if this is already found by us1 that we should possess it more abundantly4 ,now1 whatever tends to make us realise that what we often call and think to be our life is yet no life--that money1 friends1 or earthly enjoyments cannot fill the immortal soul1 or be its portion for ever2--whatever awakes us from this dream and dispels the delusion1 and makes us know the excellence and reality of true life in ,god1 must be a blessing of the highest and richest kind4 ,yet what has such a tendency to do all this as sorrow1 and the very trials which we so much deplore8 ,the pain is no doubt great--often agony--a very cutting off a right hand1 or plucking out a right eye2 but the gain intended by the operation is incalculable and endless4 ,yet1 what if all the good is lost through our blindness1 ignorance1 hardness of heart1 pride1 self-will1 and unbelief8 ,alas6 alas6 if we too go away sorrowful from ,christ when ,he threatens to take away our much riches1 though ,he does so in order only through this very discipline to induce us to follow ,himself1 and by the cross to gain life eternal6 ,alas6 when it can be said of us1 ,yet the ,lord hath not given you an heart to perceive1 and eyes to see1 and ears to hear1 unto this day2 that ye might know that ,i am the ,lord your ,god4 ,and what is their punishment8 ,they have forsaken the ,lord1 they have provoked the ,holy ,one of ,israel to anger1 they are gone away backward4 ,why should ye be stricken any more8 ,ye will revolt more and more6 ,what a real loss of friends would this be6 ,for by separating ourselves through unbelief from ,christ1 we thereby for ever separate ourselves from our friends in ,christ1 if they are with ,him6 ,ye who have experienced comfort from good in affliction1 bless ,god6 ,o ,lord1 my strength1 my fortress1 and my refuge in the day of affliction6 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul2 and all that is within me1 bless ,his holy name4 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and forget not all ,his benefits4 ,let the remembrance of the past1 also1 strengthen your faith for the future4 ,as you let your requests be made known to ,god with prayers and supplication1 do not forget the thanksgiving for this will help you henceforth to be careful for nothing4 ,he who has led you out of ,egypt1 through the depths1 and across the desert1 will never leave you nor forsake you4 #c4 ,as you remember your sins1 consider how very ignorant you are of their number or their heinousness4 ,but if you could enumerate each sinful thought1 word1 and action committed during the past year and during your past life1 there is something in you worse than sins1 and that is sin itself1 the evil heart1 the wrong mind1 out of which sins proceed2 for the corrupt tree is worse than any definite quantity of fruit which it has produced2 the ever-flowing bitter fountain is worse than any definite quantity of water which has come from it4 ,but whatever you have been or done in time past1 what do you intend to be and to do now8 ,is it your intention to continue in sin8 ,however dreadful the thought is1 yet many1 if such is your real intention1 will sympathise with you4 ,for many do continue in sin1 and resolve to do so1 for the present at least4 ,will you1 then1 permit the year to close1 and with an unconcerned eye behold all its sin and sins added to those of other impenitent years1 finally sealed up for judgment8 ,how will you then stand the reading of your autobiography8 ,read over any page now1 peruse the life of any day1 and ask1 ,has this been the life of one who believes there is a ,god to whom he is responsible8 ,point out one solitary proof1 and such as you think ,christ will accept1 in all these twelve chapters of the past year1 of a heart which loved ,god1 or had one mark of a sincere though an imperfect follower of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and if you cannot do so1 will you permit the volume to close for ever without a cry for mercy1 without imploring ,god to wipe out or destroy in the atoning blood of ,jesus these pages1 which cry ,guilty in every line8 ,will you not resolve rather1 through the grace given to every honest man who wishes it1 to begin and write a new volume1 which shall witness to a changed life1 and be inscribed no longer with all that is selfish1 and of the earth earthy--without ,god or ,christ in the world4 ,let it be so1 ,i beseech of you1 my reader4 ,have done1 now and for ever1 with this shocking mutiny against your ,god4 ,end the weary1 shameful strife4 ,be1 then1 at peace with ,god1 and remember that for you1 if you believe in ,jesus1 there is free pardon1 restoration to favour1 a new heart1 a new life1 which is now life eternal4 ,and for you who have long given up sin as a master--who know that while the flesh wars against the spirit1 the spirit wars against the flesh1 thank ,god and take courage6 ,sin shall not have dominion over you2 for ye are not under the law1 but under grace4 ,hear the words of our invincible ,leader1 ,be of good cheer2 ,i have overcome the world2 ,greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world4 ,this year we may die4 ,let this mere possibility lead us to redeem with greater earnestness what remains of life to the service of our ,god2 so that when the next year dawns upon this world it will find us1 if we are in the other world1 remembering our mercies before ,god's throne1 our sorrows for ever vanished1 and our sins for ever blotted out2 but that if we are still here1 it will see us living more worthy of our mercies1 finding true good in our sorrows1 and obtaining the victory over our sins6