however much they may have to endure from the unrighteousness of men, who prefer sitting in the seat of judgment over them, to bowing their necks to the yoke of Christ, subjecting themselves to the government of his Spirit, which is a swift witness against all fleshly usurpation, whereby the rebellious are led to deny his authority, setting up their own wills in opposition to the coming of his kingdom, for which the righteous are led to pray.

Many are yet left in the world who dare not bow the knee to Baal, having their trust in the living God, whom they are engaged to worship and to serve, notwithstanding the roarings and twinings of the spirit of cruelty and deceit, which is seeking to alarm or beguile them, and thus to rob them of their crown, to hinder them from cleaving unto God through the exercise of righteousness, by which they are enabled to bring forth its fruits, to his praise and their own peace. The continued evidence of the strivings of the Spirit, and of its power in arresting the work of devastation in the Church, through the subtle workings of the enemy, in order to scatter the flock from the fold of unity, is cause of encouragement and thankfulness; and if we are only made willing, in the day of the Lord's power, to co-operate therewith, in the endeavor to remove all the partition walls which are separating us from him, and one from another, there will yet be witnessed a return of those seasons of tenderness and brokenness, in which the seed was known to triumph and reign in the dominion of life, to the humbling admiration of the exercised followers of the Lamb of God.

We have the same Almighty Power to look to, and rely upon, that wrought such mighty wonders in the days of old, in delivering the children of Israel from the hand of their enemies, and which hath wrought in and through many of later time, enabling them to triumph over all the powers of darkness, and to turn many from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. There is no lack of anything, but a willingness and engagement of heart to let the time past suffice, wherein we have wrought the will of the Gentiles, redeeming that which is left in the service of Truth, according to the profession we are making to the world, and before God. Remove the creaturely will, and

we shall find our way to unity and peace made plain, the cloud which has been hanging over us to be lifted up, and that the Church will again come forth leaning upon her Beloved, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners, so that sinners in Zion shall be afraid, and fearfulness shall surprise the hypocrites, while joy and gladness shall be known in the habitation of the righteous.

The humiliating dispensations through which we are passing, if allowed to deepen us in the wisdom from above, letting patience have its perfect work, will enable us to forget the things that are behind, in seeking to press forward toward those that are before, in the experience which begetteth that hope which maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, whereby we have the witness within ourselves that we are his, feeling and knowing our trust and hope to be in him alone. In order for the perfect experience of this, it is as essential that we should be made to feel what we are without him, as well as what we are with him. Wherefore, he is pleased to exercise us with seasons of desertion, whereby we are led into mourning, and wrestling for the blessing of his living presence, and holy consolation and help; lest we should sit down by the way, under a feeling of complacency and unconcern, deeming ourselves rich, and lacking nothing; forgetting, that from the spiritual warfare into which we are called, there is no discharge; while, as members of the Church militant, we are on our way to the Church triumphant.

The rich and the full feel not their need of continual watchfulness unto prayer, nor the whole their need of a physician, and, being at ease in their professions, are liable to be surprised by the enemy; and, for want of being on their guard against his subtle wiles, find themselves ensnared in his net, to the loss of their souls' peace. If we allow ourselves to become exalted into this false feeling of security, in times of prosperity, not seeking through prayer and faithfulness to lay up a good foundation against the time to come, how can we expect to be able to stand against the assaults of adversity, when the enemy is permitted to come in like a flood, threatening to overwhelm us; as is often, at times, the experience of all, so that it would

appear, at season, as if the Church of Christ was to be destroyed? But, blessed be God, his "foundation standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his;" and no man shall be able to pluck them out of his hand, though “Abraham may be ignorant of them, and Israel acknowledge them not."

It is a great favor to be brought into that holy, humble, and feeling condition of mind, wherein we are enabled to sympathize with those that mourn, as well as with those that rejoice; and the most effectual means whereby this can be obtained, is, through deep and patient suffering, which has ever been the experience of the Church of Christ—of that living body of which Christ is the head-for it is through this alone that we can be redeemed from the world, and brought into the lamblike state of humble obedience to the will of God, desiring nothing more than that this may be done, both in and through us—knowing that it is he that chastens us, whatever or whomsoever may be the instrument of our affliction-patiently submitting thereto, even as the apostle who had learned to be content in whatever situation he might be placed, lest he be found rebelling against God.

And thus it becomes us to suffer patiently under our trials, both from within and without, believing them to be blessings in disguise, designed to prevent us from settling down at ease and in self-confidence; for this has ever been the end for which they have been permitted, even that the Church might be brought to lean upon the Beloved alone, and not upon an arm of flesh; might be brought to cry unto the Lord for help and deliverance in the time of weakness and trouble; for if we seek to deliver ourselves from the trials permitted for our proving and purification, we only involve ourselves in greater difficulties and sufferings, in confusion and sorrow, until we are led to wonder at our separation from Christ, and from his body, or one from another, manifested by a want of that holy sympathy and concern for the body, which ever characterizes the true followers and members of Christ, who have a single eye to his direction, and the glory of God.

Such as these do not seek the praise of men more than the praise of God, or to serve themselves, or any other creature, by

following the devices and dictates of human wisdom, in themselves or others; but, keeping little and lowly in their own estimation, making self of no reputation, that God may be exalted above all, both in and through them, they adorn the doctrine of God, their Saviour, and promote the hastening of the coming and spread of Christ's kingdom in the earth, which shall yet be covered with righteousness as the waters cover the

sea.

In this state of deep humiliation there is known a deliverance from that respect of persons, whereby we are led into partiality and hypocrisy, regarding more the honor and direction of men than the unerring guidance, and holy countenance, of Truth; which is no uncommon error, even with those who regard themselves its followers and friends. But the doctrine of true Christian friendship and faithfulness is plainly set forth by our holy Redeemer, when he declared, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you;" which is entirely opposed to the direction of human wisdom, either in ourselves or others, by which many have been led to violate their honest convictions, turning aside from the simple and plain direction of the living witness within themselves, to follow the leadings of the same evil sprit which led Saul of Tarsus to become a persecutor of the Church of Christ.

Because of the apparent weakness and meanness of the Church, how many of the worldly-wise professors are ready to query, like the self-righteous Jews of old, "Can there any good come out of Nazareth? Is not this Joseph, the carpenter's son?" instead of regarding their "family as poor in Manasseh, and themselves as the least in all their father's house."

Ah, is it not from a disposition like this, that the spirit of persecution has its rise and life in our hearts, even a feeling of scorn and contempt for those whom we are led to esteem as unworthy of our companionship or notice, because of their want of coming up to our own standard of right and wrong, and not standing in the position of honorable lineage? Do we not despise the body of Christ, because of its apparent weakness and meanness; of the want of a manifestation of outward greatness and strength, corresponding with the creaturely desire?

Is not the Church despised and forsaken, because of adversity, of those who should stand as its pillars, bearing the burdens of reproach and suffering, through which it is called to pass, in support of the living Truth; whereby its testimonies are weakened, and the advancement of its cause hindered, to the sorrow of those who are qualified to feel for the afflictions of Christ's suffering body?

If the desire to heal and restore was known to prevail, where the disposition to wound and cast off is so often found, what a different state of things would be witnessed among professing Christians, who claim to be the friends and followers of him who came to redeem and to save that which was, and is lost, through transgression, and not to judge and condemn, according to the wisdom and will of men, who fain would have him call down fire from heaven to consume his enemies, not considering themselves among their number, in their unwillingness to suffer with him, for his and their sakes, in the cause for which he came into the world, as the messenger of glad tidings, and minister of salvation, to the souls of men.

If our enmity against men were to be exchanged for a hatred of, and separation from, the sin and iniquity of our own hearts, how soon would an end be put to the persecution one of another, in the will and wrath of the creature, which has, in all ages of the Church, hindered its advancement in the way of righteousness and peace. We should then be made willing, according to the example and teachings of our holy Redeemer, to forgive, and pray for our enemies, seeking not theirs, but them; not to destroy their hope in the mercy of God, but to win them unto him through the aid of the Holy Spirit, by which he worketh in and through his devoted servants, for the edification of the body in love, unto which all are called, and in which the true. followers of the Lamb are engaged to walk, despising the shame; being made willing to be counted fools for his sake, who hath redeemed them from the power of the enemy, into his everlasting kingdom, where enmity and strife, discord and division, can. never come, but all is everlastingly joy and peace, harmony and love, to the praise of his exalted and adorable name.

If we will be made partakers of the peace and joy of the