promote the objects he has in view, yet he does not wish to restrict the pages altogether to the promulgation of suggestions which approve themselves entirely to his judgment, or of opinions which coincide entirely with his own. Well-written pieces on doctrinal and practical subjects, are among those which have been most difficult to procure. By the contribution of short articles of this kind, some brethren might render a very acceptable service; and such communications would be welcomed. Intelligence relating to the Denomination generally, the Editor has been solicitous to obtain; and for increased facilities in this department, he confidently depends on all those friends who feel interested in the usefulness and success of the work. In the last number will be found intelligence of a cheering character from SOUTH AUSTRALIA, in which some of the churches among which the HERALD circulates, will feel a peculiar interest. He hopes occasionally to be able to report the advancement of the cause of Christ in the other hemisphere, and to detail the proceedings of those of our friends who, having quitted the land of their birth, are gone to the uttermost parts of the earth, carrying with them the great principles of the gospel of distinguishing

grace.

Finally: the Editor begs to remind his brethren, and readers in general, that his labours have been carried on with no small discouragement, arising from the too-circumscribed circulation of the work. In some places, indeed, chiefly at a distance, successful efforts are gratefully acknowledged to have been made to extend its sale; but among many churches, for whose special advantage the work was originally undertaken, a lamentable apathy and indifference exist, in reference to the importance of maintaining and defending the distinctive features of our faith. The practical importance of those principles is becoming increasingly apparent, and he hazards a charge of egotism in affirming, that decided support should, therefore, be given to that periodical which embodies and maintains those views of truth which distinguish our section of the Denomination. Earnestly soliciting the efforts of his friends to increase the sale of the HERALD in their different localities, the Editor hopefully addresses himself to his labours, with a renewed determination thereby to render the work worthy of their kind support.

November 28th, 1851.

THE

GOSPEL HERALD;

OR,

POOR CHRISTIAN'S MAGAZINE.

'HOLDING THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH IN A PURE CONSCIENCE.'-1 TIM. iii. 9. 'ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM.'-EPH. iv. 5.

JANUARY, 1851.

Address to our Readers.

BELOVED IN THE LORD.

IN commencing another year, we are induced to ask, 'Is it well with you? Is it well with the church with which you are severally and particularly identified? Is it well with that section of the cause of the great Redeemer wherein our HERALD of Gospel tidings meets with acceptance, and by whom we trust it is prized and welcomed?' In prosecuting our labours, there is nothing in connexion with the declarative glory of the great Head of the church that we are more earnestly concerned to promote and secure, than your spiritual profit, advancement, and consolation. The hope that our little work has ministered to the comfort and joy of many of the children of Zion-yea, the assurance that this, in many instances, has been the case, has not unfrequently cheered us in seasons of more than ordinary depressión and gloom. Personal affliction, domestic bereavements, and the tribulations of the world, have been our lot to experience, and these have been sweetened by the sanctifying mercies of our God-the God of all comfort, 'who comforteth us in all our tribulations. . . And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.'2 Cor. i. 4-6.

VOL. XIX.

1

Now, brethren, let us forget the things that are behind, and let us press onward in the race. The stadia, or ground, is marked out for us; the crown is secured; the goal is before us; 'let us so run that we may obtain.'

Of many things we may be observant, but by nothing must we be diverted or drawn aside. 'Here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come; a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.' God is our father, and is not ashamed to be called our God. Forward then, brethren! Jesus is gone before us; the spirit is our guide; the throne of grace is our asylum. The world is but a temporary residence, but heaven is the place of our final home. Permit us to remind you of two of

three things as you journey thither.

You have experienced the world's tribulations. And they are not all passed away. The former are fled, never more to return. But the future are unknown to you; whatever they may prove to be, the antidote will prove effectual:-' In me ye shall have peace.' May the HERALD be to you a frequent messenger of peace, proclaiming and bringing the news of the swift approach of Him whose glorious title as 'PRINCE OF PEACE' imports to your unfading dignity, and inspires you with a hope of final dominion over the world's tribulations.

'The children of

You have heard of the World's Exhibition!' this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light.' Conformity to the world is dangerous, and therefore is forbidden; but it will be well for us to imitate and imbibe their enthusiastic

zeal and indomitable perseverance. The industrial wonders, riches, and possessions of the world are this year to be exhibited to the world's gaze, as a collosal monument of the world's greatness and glory. It will be an unprecedented spectacle! It were well if the spiritual world could take the hint, adopt the idea, and carry it out in its fullest design! What an 'exhibition' might be presented of the industrial treasury of the church, if the importance of the object could once be realized! What a glory would attend the practical exhibition of heavenly science, celestial arts, labours of love, works of faith and patience of hope, if the spirit of godly enterprise and zeal possessed the multitudes redeemed from among men! What an exhibition' would it be, if the wonderful works of God were unitedly, practically, and faithfully declared by those

JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, ETC.

3.

whose business it should be to seek them out, and manifest them to the world! Oh! for union, organization, and concentration among us, that the wonders of the Lord Jehovah may be seen and praised. May the HERALD, in some humble measure, contribute to that glorious end.

You have read of the glory of the kingdoms of this world, (Matt. iv. 8.) Our dear Lord had that 'exhibition' presented to him, but he was not captivated with the sight! Satan could find nothing in him! The Captain of our salvation came off a conqueror, and thereby taught us how and with what weapons to fight:-' It is written'-'It is written!' Let us beware of Satan's devices. May the Sword of the Spirit ever be at hand! and the HERALD be helpful to the humble and unwary.

The world's commotions are around you. Like the troubled sea it cannot rest. The Church of Christ is safe on the billows-but let us take heed the waters don't get in the vessel! There is the danger! Let the nations roar, and conflicting worldly hierarchies contend for sovereignity and dominion-we have our port in view our kingdom on high-our city secured! May the HERALD still bring us tidings from the King. AMEN.

Essays.

JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, TO DAY, AND FOR EVER.-HEB. XIII, 8.

THAT there should be a sameness | repetition of one kind of thing is not always a recommendation. may create nausea or insipidity; God, in his providence, has sent but not the sameness spoken of in an endless variety for the supply the above blessed truth. Ask the of man; thus evidencing, that to venerable servant of God, who live upon the same thing is not feels the pins of his tabernacle to good. God pronounced all that he be loosening, whether, with years, had created as 'good.' A same- his joys and attachments to his ness of food does not afford that Lord are more or less. His eyes amount of nutrition, at least, it is will sparkle, his hands clasp with so believed, as a variety: a variety fervent emotion, and his tongue, is both pleasant and profitable. A give expression, in a most un

equivocal manner, to his increased of Days, the Man of Sorrows, and relish for Divine things, and in- the God-Man triumphant. 1st. creased desires for more com- the Ancient of Days-beyond or munion with his Lord.

What we say of earthly things, we do not say of persons. If we wish to convey the idea that a person may be safely relied on, we say he is always the same; you can depend upon him: and such equality is a virtue. But if so in man, how much more so in our adorable Jesus, whose sameness is not a mere excellence, but is a principle untainted with any alloy, and which existed before time, and will last long after time shall be no more; yea, it abideth ever.

The perpetuity of the sameness of Christ's character is the glory of the saints, and is the solace and security of the bereaved and sorrowful child of God.

before days. The man whose existence was not limited by days; without beginning of days, our Great Melchizedek. One who was created before days were known, and therefore without beginning of days. 2nd. The man who had beginning of days, and necessarily end of years; at least, such was the Divine appointment

emphatically the Man; the Man of Men; the Man of Sorrows; the Man made strong for God's purpose; the Man made strong to propitiate for men; the only Man who could bruise the serpent's head, and dying, could raise myriads of his adopted nature to life. 3rd. The God-Man; complexity and unity; heaven and The expression 'yesterday, to earth; eternity and time; immenday, and for ever,' may signify sity and infinity, with finite existthe eternity before time; the pre-ence; Godhead and Manhood in sent state; and the eternity after one mysterious existence; the time; though such an expression Triumphant Saviour; the Redeemcan hardly with propriety be used ing Judge. Great is the mystery -eternity always existed; there- of godliness, God was manifest in fore degrees of continuation, dura- the flesh;' and this mystery has tion, division, or cessation, cannot been the medium of communicabe properly used when speaking of tion between God and man, and eternity. Time is but a period will be for ever. carved out or created for a given purpose, which, when attained, the necessity of its duration will cease, and it will be no longer. We behold Christ as the Ancient

1st. Yesterday,'-the Ancient of Days. As respects our Lord's existence before the creation of the world, not much is revealed; but there is sufficient to show that