holy thing," (Heb. x. 29,)-to arraign the justice of God, while it quarrels with that glorious "ministry of reconciliation," (2 Cor. v. 18.) by which all his attributes are beautifully blended together, each preserving its own peculiar colour distinct and unimpaired.

A black and portentous cloud charged with the terror of the Lord, overhangs our fallen world, and when the sinner apprehends the bursting of it, he cannot but be dismayed, for he has no refuge to which he can flee,-no rock in the cleft of which he might hide himself. It is far otherwise with the true believer. He sees the cloud, -he knows that he deserves to perish by the bursting of it,-yet his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. "His heart is established, and he shall not be afraid," (Psa. cxii. 7, 8,) for he knows that there is a bow in the cloud, and that it is a token of " a sure and well ordered covenant," by which not only his safety but also his happiness is secured for evermore. Have you learned what sin is, (not from the opinions which prevail among men who make a mock at it, or who confine their view of it to the temporal evils of which it is ductive, but) from the unerring word of God? Do you really believe what is written in that word, respecting the entrance and prevalence of sin? Do you really believe what you have often declared, that you were "born in sin and the children of wrath," that there is in you a "deceitful and desperately wicked heart," (Jer. xvii. 9.)-and that "except you be born again you cannot see the kingdom of God?" John iii.

3.

pro

Are you persuaded that divine teaching is indispensably necessary in order to understand divine things, -and are you waiting at wisdom's gates, asking counsel from the Most High-seeking his blessing upon your searching of the Holy Scriptures-and knocking, that

the secrets of his treasure-house may be opened to your view and to your possession? There are no riches which can, even for a moment, be compared with the riches of grace. They are not only durable, but everlasting. They not only supply the lack of temporal blessings here, but constitute the portion of the redeemed soul hereafter. Are these treasures yours s? Are you rich in faith-in hopein love to the Saviour? Are you his by purchase-by choice-and by the fixed purpose of a mind renewed by the Holy Ghost ? Deal faithfully with yourselves, and examine closely whether you bear the marks by which the children of God are known and distinguished from others. If you

are his, you will try to redeem your time and will not be seen at the theatre, or the race course, at the card table, or in the ball room. If you are His, you will" love the brethren," you will feel it a privilege to assist in extending the kingdom of our God and Saviour, -and you will study in all things to adorn his doctrine-" hating every evil way."

Amidst the wild and extravagant opinions respecting religion which are afloat in the present day, you have reason to be thankful that you are members of a church which maintains with apostolic simplicity, and purity, the doctrine of God our Saviour, and steers a middle course between self-righteousness on the one hand, and antinomian licentiousness on the other; a church which holds up the Lord Jesus Christ in the fulness of his prophetical, priestly, and kingly offices, presenting him in his first coming as a Saviour dying that he might by 66 one sacrifice, once offered," (Heb. x.) atone for sin-turn aside the flaming sword of divine justice-and present an open way by which the awakened sinner of every nation and colour might have access unto

a holy God: and in his second coming, as completing the bliss of his people-receiving them all unto himself and making even their "bodies like unto his glorious body." Phil. iii. 21. The enemies of our church are twofold-some open, bold, and malignant; others professing attachment, but employing subtle and unwarrantable means by which to draw away her members. Act towards both with "meekness of wisdom," (James iii. 13,) but also with a firmness and decision which will prove that you regard her as the great safeguard and propagator of unadulterated Christianity; the defender, by her articles, of what is sound in doctrine, and by her constitution of what is apostolic in government; the represser, by the simplicity of her ritual, of all extravagance, the encourager, by its fervour, of an ardent piety.* It is the sober, deliberate judgment of my mind, formed after years, of close observation, that the churches of England and Scotland are instrumentally the main stay of pure and undefiled religion, loyalty, and peace in these realms, and I rejoice to see them drawn closer to each other than they ever were, by the bonds of Christian love. May the glory of the divine Redeemer overshadow both, and may their only emulation be, which shall exhibit the greater zeal in making known" his saving health among all nations."

The cause of God claims your cordial and constant support, for if sinners are to be converted, means must be employed. What you have is not your own, it is sent by the Lord, and he will bring you to account for its appropriation. Many and great were the blessings which you received during the past year, but how have they been acknowledged? It is to be feared that in

* See an invaluable Sermon on Rev. ii. 2, preached by the Rev. Henry Melville, B. D. before the University of Cambridge.

too many instances you have resembled the nine lepers who were cleansed, but who forgot the mercy as soon as it was received. Luke xvii. 11, 19. It might be profitable to you to institute an inquiry of this description, what time have I devoted to advance the temporal or spiritual welfare of my fellow creatures? What sacrifices have I made for their relief? What benevolent or Christian society have I aided, and to what extent? Have I not ex'pended ten-fold, yea, perhaps a hundred-fold more in self-indulgence, than I have in clothing the naked, and feeding the hungry, and relieving the distressed; and above all, in instructing the ignorant, and aiding the Bible and Church Missionary Societies, and other valuable institutions which convey to distant lands, as well as my own, the glad tidings of salvation? Consult the following Scriptures, Deut. xv. 7—11; Prov. iii. 9, 28; xi. 24, 25; Eccles. xi. 1, 6; Isaiah xxxii. 8; Matt. v. 14; John xv. 8; Gal. vi. 10; Phil. i, 10, 11, 20, 27; Acts xi. 29, 30; 2 Cor. ix. 6-9; viii. 7-12; 1 John iii. 17, 18; 3 John 5, 6, and rest assured that it is an awful thing to be surprised by death, when the "heart is overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life." Luke xxi. 34. Note down with the greatest possible accuracy, all that you have done, and all that you have given, and the sum total will prove incontestably how little you have been influenced by "the love of Christ," who though he was rich yet for your sakes, he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Cor. viii. 9.

Our most gracious Queen has been crowned during the past year, and it is your duty not only to manifest the loyalty you profess, but also to pray that He by whom kings reign, and princes decree justice,"(Prov. viii. 15.)may crown

6.6

her with his loving kindness and so replenish her with the grace of his Holy Spirit, and so rule her heart in his faith, fear, and love, that she may evermore have affiance in him, and ever seek his honour and glory."

The Marquis of Ormonde and the Earl of Carrick, present in their removal another striking proof that neither rank, nor title, nor virtuous character, can stay the hand of death; but it is consolatory to know, that throughout the period of their sickness, they derived from the Sacred Scriptures all the hope and consolation which their fondest relatives could desire.

The Dowager Countess of Rosse who, though unconnected with this city, yet on different occasions extended her Christian benevolence to some of our charitable institutions, has also been called to participate in the blessedness of those who by grace "knew their master's will" and did it; while upon her tomb and theirs might be placed the inscription which Howard, the Christian philanthropist, directed should be inscribed upon his, My hope is in Christ." *

Major General Tolley, who, many years ago commanded a regiment when quartered in this city, and laboured much to promote the cause of morality and religion as well as good discipline, has fought, under the banner of the cross the good fight, and obtained the victory which is sure to the genuine Christian soldier. His loss will be severely felt by the Naval and Military Bible Society, of which he was a most strenuous and successful supporter. Happy am I to be able to testify that this is only one of many officers of the British army whom I have known to belong to the camp of the true Israel of God, and who have

See a brief but most faithful and affecting memoir of this truly Christian lady, in the Christian Lady's Magazine for March last, p. 257.

proved that allegiance to their heavenly king was in no respect incompatible with their fidelity to au earthly one.

Two eminent ministers of our church, who were placed by providence in stations of great importance and publicity have, not long since, finished their course with joy, the Rev. T. T. Biddulph of Bristol, and the Rev. Samuel Marsden of Sydney, New South Wales. Both were spared beyond the usual limit assigned by divine appointment to the life of man, and truly we may say that their " memory is blessed." The former not only preached the Gospel with great unction, and was an example to the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity," (1 Tim. iv. 12,) but has in various writings explained and defended the doctrine of Christ as set forth by the Reformers, and maintained by our church.* The latter constantly employed in useful labours of various kinds, amidst a very demoralized population, was privileged to introduce the Gospel into New Zealand, where cannibalism, with all its train of horrors, exercised a widely extended sway. There is now in that aceldama, a prosperous mission maintained by the Church Missionary Society, and large numbers of wild untutored savages have been brought to the feet of the Lord Jesus" sitting and clothed, and in their right mind." Mark v.

great comfort may be enjoyed. They were able to testify to the last, that although the outward man perisheth, yet the inward man was renewed day by day." 2 Cor. iv. 16. To these has just been added, Mrs. Denroche, who felt the comforts of religion throughout a tedious and oppressive illness, and to the last bore upon her heart the distresses of the poor. Three who had received scriptural instruction in our Sunday School, have, it is humbly hoped, joined "the spirits of the just made perfect." Marianne Bailie from a very early age, "knew the things which belonged to her peace, walked with great consistency in the ways of the Lord, recommended religion by the faithful discharge of its enjoined duties, and was an instrument of much good in a family where several young persons were placed under her instruction. Sophia Hutchinson, weak in body and timid in disposition, was in a remarkable manner, taught by the spirit of God, and the same Scriptures which she read and prized, afforded her such comfort in the season she most dreaded, that every fear was removed, and she departed in a most peaceful state of mind, to her God and Saviour. Susan Vaughan, always intelligent, attentive, and amiable, was visited by very oppressive illness, and much humbled under the conviction that she had not improved her privileges as she ought to have done, but expressed her full confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour and Mediator. This brief summary of individuals who have, we trust, been called to participate in the joy of their Lord, proves that God is no respecter of persons, but that in every grade and station, grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. v. 21. It is a great blessing that Sunday School instruction in Ireland is not confined

to the poor, but that very generally those of the higher classes of society manifest a most commendable anxiety to secure the attendance of their children. By it a very kindly feeling is generated, productive of acts of benevolence upon the one hand, and gratitude upon the other.

The power of Satan is displayed in a remarkable manner at the present moment, and he seems to be removing every doubt that might have been entertained respecting his existence. A love of change, a disregard of the most solemn oaths, a profanation of the Sabbath, an unwillingness to submit to lawful authority, a contempt for every thing ancient and venerable, a spirit of liberalism which puts upon a level all religious systems, however opposed, or conformable to the revealed will of God, and a desire to propagate every species of knowledge, save that of " the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent," (John xvii. 3,) are in a peculiar manner the signs of the present times. Still there is no cause for despondency. Doubtless we are told of an apostacy which will be characteristic of the last days, "which will deceive, if it were possible, even the elect," and the prophetic word announces, that "when iniquity abounds, the love of many will wax cold," and the awful question is left upon record, "when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke xviii. 8. But the period of darkness and gloominess will be short, while that of the blessedness and glory which is to succeed it, will be eternal. The Lord hath blessed, is blessing, and will bless his own word, and fulfil his own promises, let us then as David did, encourage ourselves in him, (Sam. xxx. 6,) let us strengthen our hands" for the work to which we are called, let the holy determination of Nehemiah be that of every one

66

"THERE is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked, but there is joy and peace in believing. The triumphing of the wicked is short, -his joy is like the crackling of thorns under a pot. The rejoicing of the wicked is evil, but God enables the believer to triumph in Christ; he fills him with joy unspeakable and full of glory and his joy no man taketh from him. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish, but the righteous hath hope in his death. My soul wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him!!”

66

Rejoice evermore," because the object and fountain of all real joy eternally exists,-unlike created objects or sources of enjoyment, which continually change and must finally cease,-joy in God! The cause of all sorrow is sin, and even a godly sorrow would not have been needed, had not sin prevailed. But in a godly sorrow, joy exists, in embryo; for such sorrow, proceeds from love to God, and joy is but the expression of delight received from the object, which we love. There are doubtless different degrees of that joy, the more we know and communicate with the object from which it arises. We should then 66 follow on to know the Lord." Andall we," beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, shall be changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord." When we sin, we turn from God, so no wonder we lose our joy and peace, which

only proceed from Him. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."

Joy exists in its incipient state, in a renewed soul, even under its greatest apparent darkness and desertion, when he mourns over his sin and its consequences. Even greater real joy may be derived from his mourning, than the wicked experience when their corn and their wine increase. An author remarks that the believer should be always rejoicing in God's presence, or mourning his absence. It is cause for joy, that we no longer roll sin as a sweet morsel under our tongue, that we no longer drink up iniquity like water. Sorrow may and does consist with joy, according to the Apostle, "sorrowing, yet alway rejoicing." And thus must it be, in this pilgrimage state. On our knowledge of God in Christ, depends our likeness to Him, and consequent enjoyment of Him; arising of course from a spirit of holiness, for without holiness no man shall see the Lord. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." To speak of the consummation of this happiness, must be reserved for another and a better state, a heavenly one. "For eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him."

C. Y.