THE heart of every good man in our Zion trembles for the Ark of the Lord. Troublous times have come upon us. Popish errors, both doctrinal and practical, supposed to be long since dead, never to be revived again, have "become rampant, while truth languishes in our midst, and the Spirit of God withholds his refreshing influences. All complain of the little fruits of their preaching; a deadness seems to have come over the whole Church; while here and there a voice is heard to protest against the fatal errors, openly but most often covertly attempted to be spread through our borders. The enemy shows himself in the pulpit, in the Sunday-school, in the periodical press. Hence the universal alarm and distrust, and in very many cases, despair of better things.

Who does not see that such a state of things must embarrass our Missionary and all other benevolent operations, prevent the extension of our church, which has grown so much till recently, and ere long cause too many of our best members to quit us in despondency. These evils have already been painfully manifested, and they will soon, it is to be feared, so thicken about us that even the most blind and unconcerned cannot remain insensible to them.

What has produced this state of things? Whence have these calamities come upon us? But a short time +ཊ{3¢! xf

ago none made such strong claims to true Protestant character as we; none made more encouraging advances in enlightened piety, and none more largely extended their borders. But what a disastrous change has come over us!

Is there no hope for us? Must we ever sit by the ruins of Babylon? And never again take our harps from the willows? There is hope, mercy is not clean gone for ever! Let us only be faithful to ourselves, and we shall find a very present help in this our time of need.

But what is to be done? Yes, what is to be done? Let every friend of Christ and his Church among us, think deeply upon this question, and pray much in view of our evils, and he will assuredly get eyes to see, a heart to feel, and a spirit strong to do-what is to be done?

When the faithful physician has a case committed to him, he first endeavours to find out the cause of the disease, with the strongest confidence that if he can get light here, he can scarcely fail of bringing relief to his patient. This is wise, all experience confirms it. Let us then imitate it. Is the whole head sick? and the whole heart faint? And is there not a cause? And what hope can we have of a restoration to spiritual health till this cause be thoroughly searched out and faithfully exposed?

AUGUST-1847.

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"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."-1 JOHN iii. 2.

THE assimilating character of every creed is visible in its practical results; and it has often been remarked, that "a small error in doctrine will produce a great one in practice." How watchful, then, and prayerful should we be, that the standard of Truth may be our guide, and that the spirit of Truth may regulate our steps by its precepts! But as our knowledge whilst on earth can only be partial, our conduct will also be full of imperfections. There will also be another cause for our sinfulness, in the rebellion of the heart; it can only be, when this corruptible "will (in every sense,) have put on incorruption," that our knowledge of God will be perfect, and our assimilation to his likeness will be as complete as it was when man was made in the image of God. (Gen. i. 26.) "We shall then be like him, for we shall see him as he is."

"Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them."--PROV. V. 6. The many characteristics which Solomon gives of the "strange woman' are equally descriptive of that world of sin and temptation, by which every stranger and pilgrim is daily assaulted. Whilst the former acts through the thoughtlessness of youth, it is the object of the latter, to keep its votaries from that consideration which would be so instrumental in leading to “the path of life." The experience of David is that of many others: “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies." (Psalm cxix. 59.) And the charge which God brought against his professed people, was this want of consideration. (Is. i. 3.) The world is Satan's agent, and it is one of his marks, that, as a "crooked serpent," (Is. xxvii. 1.) he coils himself into any form which will suit his purpose.

"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."EPHES. iv. 16.

Christians are too apt to think that God's work can only be well done by such instrumentality as their own peculiarities would dictate. This false notion is well met by the figure here used, and especially by the expression, "that which every joint supplieth." In the natural, as in the spiritual body, there is a fitness of every joint for its position and use, to the whole system. As the Christian advances in experience and observation, he feels the great importance of supporting others in God's work, whilst he leaves the mode of its performance to their own mental qualifications; and to that degree and species of grace which is so well described as "the measure of the gift of Christ." (Ephes. iv. 7.)

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." -ROM. viii. 28.

This truth is one which all who believe in God's particular providence, and covenant engagements for his people, profess to believe. But daily experience, and a deeper insight into Scripture truth, greatly strengthens our faith. Every Scripture fact involves a principle, which, by meditation and prayer, we should do well to trace out. When Abraham was so much tried by Hagar, that it is said, "the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight, because of his son," (Gen. xxi. 11.) how little he thought that the natural and sinful affections which induced Sarah's request were only forwarding the promises of his faithful God! This very trial was the means God had chosen to carry out his promise: "in Isaac shall thy seed be called." (Genesis xxi. 12.)

"O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people."-Ps. cv. i. When the Christian is only enabled to fulfil these three duties, no trial, however severe, will unfit him for running the race that is set before him, without weariness or fainting. He cannot experience any trial which is not connected with many mercies, for which his praise is justly due, and for which he ought not to "give thanks." He may always find some "name" or attribute of God, which will meet his peculiar case, and to which he may appeal for aid. Whilst nothing is so calculated to soothe a distressed mind as making known God's deeds amongst the people."

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"But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us."LUKE xix. 14.

How truly does this text describe the feelings of the natural and partially renewed heart of man! It has been

well observed, that " every affection which strays after carnal objects, is an affection robbed from Christ; every anxious doubt and unbelieving fear which agitates the mind, betrays an unwillingness to trust in him, and a reluctance to stay ourselves upon our God: every moment which is not one of faith, of a living faith, reposing in the finished work of Christ, is a moment of rebellion against God, and during its continuance we are practically declaring our unwillingness to let him reign over us."

"Not holding the Head."-COL. ii. 19. How often is the spiritually-minded Christian of the present day led to feel, that this clause expresses the want of vitality which many religious books and sermons exhibit! When the Head is removed, what unity can exist in the body? What energy can be shewn by its parts? "The danger of men's souls lieth not in a disability to attain a comprehension of larger or more subtle confessions of faith, but in embracing things contrary to, or inconsistent with, this foundation. Whatever it be whereby men cease to hold the Head, how small soever it seem, that alone is pernicious," nay it is fatal.

"It is the spirit that quickeneth." JOHN vi. 63.

When truly awakened by the Spirit of God, we are painfully sensitive of every scheme which is complete, without His influence. It is this feeling which makes the modern system of forms and ceremonies so uncongenial with the Christian's feelings. In it the work of Christ and of the Spirit are either evaded by silence, or superseded by superstitions; but the theology of our Bible teaches us, that Jesus is the Head, and the Holy Ghost is the Heart of the Church, from whence the vital spirits of grace and holiness are issued out for the quickening of the mystical body."

"Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth

forth fruit unto himself."-HOSEA X. 1. How many declarations of Scripture prove the assertion that God "judgeth not as man judgeth," because "he seeth not as man seeth." God's glory must be the end and aim of all we do. Whatever has not reference to his command, but is only done because agreeable to ourselves, is a "disobedient obedience." When the secrets of all hearts shall be made manifest, we shall see that "self has been the measure of a world of seemingly religious actions. Whilst God appeared to be the motive, self was really the rule and end." (Zech. vii. 5.) What a searching subject for self-examination!

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Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away."-Ps. lxv. 3.

When the child of God is first led to the cross of Christ, his " transgressions," or gross violations of God's commands, are often the source of his greatest fear and dread. But as he advances in the divine life, he sees so much more clearly the multitude of his daily deviations from God's requirements, that these sins of omission, these "iniquities of words," seem to prevail against even the gracious promises of his God and Saviour. When in such a state of mind, our blessed Redeemer's striking illustration (John xiii. 8-10,) is felt to be truly precious.

MAN is a compound being, an anomaly in creation. In bodily organization scarcely more than equal to the lower animals, he is yet by some mysterious internal principle raised far above them. By his orignal formation, then, he partakes of two natures; being linked to heaven by his mind, to earth by his body. Before the fall, we may presume, the spiritual part predominated; the body was but the instrument of a holy will. But since that awful event, the two component parts of his being-flesh and spirit-have been at variance : and (except in some favoured individuals, chosen out by God to be the objects of his special favour,) the corporeal part has generally obtained the pre-eminence. Yet amid this dark state of things have occasionally glittered sparks of supernatural light. The soul had not quite forgotten its origin separated from its close connexion with God, it may, indeed, be compared to a lyre on which its owner has ceased to play: yet still some breath from heaven, now and then, swept across its strings, awakening music which told of other days, and a purer state. And of these indications of Divine things poetry has, among heathen nations, often been the interpreter.

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In no age of the world did God leave himself without witness. Though man had withdrawn from his allegi

ance, and the first pair in a fond attempt to be "as gods" had, as it were, passed over into a territory over which another than God was king, yet the Most High withdrew not from his creatures many of the visible emblems of his love: though man had become a rebel, God still "did good." A Mediator had interposed: and for his sake divine vengeance was appeased or deferred. The sun was still seen coming forth in insufferable glory to run the circuit of the heavens, and then sinking, amid golden curtains, to his repose: the moon still displayed her gentler countenance, looking down with the sad, yet tender glance of a mother on an erring child: the stars still peeped forth from the veil of darkness, arranged in groups of unknown significance; and on earth's bosom were still scattered flowers, engraved with many a device not without meaning to a heedful eye. Ye mountains, lifting your mighty barriers towards the sky, as if to fix the utmost limits of the world-the abodes of mystery. - the fancied thrones of the immortals; ye vallies, through which move streams with gradual pace, loitering, as it seems, to commune with the verdure and

flowers; ye groves, with your musical tenantry and holy gloom-the orchestras of melody-the nurseries of thought;

they thus knew God, they had, universally, glorified him as God: and had "liked to retain God in their knowledge"! These ideas of Divine truth which in others were only floating conceptions, were by the poet reduced into words.

"It is the nature of poetry," says the amiable Mr. James Montgomery, "and the office of the poet, from things that are seen to disclose things that are not seen. And hence, to every subject that can be the theme