promote and perpetuate polemical strife; but, by a friendly discussion of subjects confessedly of interest and importance to the church of God, to elicit the truth as it is in Jesus,' and to confirm the household of faith in the doctrine and practice of the Apostles of our Lord. Conducted in the spirit of the Gospel, controversy is frequently attended with beneficial results; and such, we trust, have followed the contributions of our friends during the past year. In maintaining the distinctive principles of our section of the Denomination, the Editor will be glad to receive the aid and encouragement of the correspondents and friends of the work. While, in certain quarters, questions are being mooted in relation to the alleged antiquated errors and stereotyped usages of the Nonconformist body; and while Pedobaptists are venturing to assail and demolish unscriptural practices in Dissenting Churches, imperatively demanding 'By what authority doest thou these things?' surely it is required of us more decidedly than ever to assert, vindicate, and contend for the ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH, and to test the sincerity of those professed adherents of Scripture authority, by demanding of them to show 'by what authority' they establish the practice of Infant Baptism! Relying on the continued and kind assistance of his correspondents, the Editor again expresses his hope that the future numbers of this work may prove acceptable to his readers. Acknowledging his responsibility, he engages, if his life and health be preserved, to renew his efforts to render the work increasingly useful; while it is earnestly solicited of the Pastor and Deacons of the Churches, to use their influence to extend its circulation. November 27th, 1852. GOSPEL THE HERALD; OR, POOR CHRISTIAN'S MAGAZINE. HOLDING THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH IN A PURE CONSCIENCE.'-1 TIM. iii, 9. 'ART THOU THE KING OF THE JEWS?'-MATT. xxvii. 11. THE kingly character of Christ is in praise, and the sinner's lips a theme much dilated upon in the would be oftener sealed from utterScriptures of God. He is not only ances dishonouring to God and King of Saints, and King of Glory, man;-and both saint and sinner but he is Governor of the world. would be led to think more highly This truth, if thought upon more of their mercies. The best of men repeatedly by the saints and the are thoughtless, at the best; year world, would have a very salutary after year adds myriads of mercies result a very important effect upon to the past, still the gratitude of the the lives of both the saint would human breast increases not by the become more humble in the sight of same ratio. Is this true? If true, God, and the sinner (considered should it be so? Surely accumusimply as such) would reverence lated mercies, blessings, and Jesus as the King and Lord of all gracious providences, should instil creation. The first would evince in the bosom thankfulness, gratigreater thankfulness would be tude, and praise. All that is good, found more frequently in closet- we have as a gift; and all good communion with his God; and the gifts come from above. What have latter would have a reasonable we that we have not received? If check, and a wholesome restraint, so, a humbleness of mind should be upon the apparently unbridled oppo- engendered, and we should willingly sition to his Maker;-the saint's yield allegiance and obedience to voice would be heard much oftener our King. The Psalmist says:-The May we acknowledge God in all things, and say, in the New Year, that God reigns over all! (1 Chron. xxix, 12.) Lord reigneth.' Christian, let your memory recall the acts of mercy passed-think how he reigned in the year for ever lost in the ocean of eternity. Think again of it in The past year has had its the year just springing into ex- sorrows, its sacrifices, its pains, and istence. In the year that is gone, its pleasures, and so will this our life, condition, aud circum- year. Life is mixed; but God's stances, have been at his disposal; mercies have preponderated. Every and can there be one sigh of dis- mercy in the past year is a display content-one symptom of ingrati- of God's gracious intentions in the tude? What God doeth, is done for present one; every favour in the his children's welfare, and what he past is a promise for the future; will do, will be found to be most and every display of goodness, is a for our good and his honour. How demonstration of Christ's reign on cheerful should the Christian be; earth on behalf of his saints. He what comfort should he draw from has all power to rule and control. the fact, that our God and Saviour This he expressly said after his reigns. Every indication on the resurrection :-All power is given dial of time of a passing year, unto me, both in heaven and on earth.' should invite to prayer, thankful- All that has breath, and all that ness, and praise. He that watcheth has not breath-all intelligences God's hand, will never have to wait and everything inanimate—are subfor occasions to praise. Restless-ject to Christ's control and reignness under God's reign robs the ing influence. The raging devil, soul of much spiritual support and delight; and God, to soften the troubled breast, often sends a severe and poignant stroke. Prayer is the best antidote for such a frame of mind-it produces patience, and perseverance, which result in praise. The greatest men are at fault sometimes; for even the great Luther had to be reminded by Melancthon, that God was the Rector or Governor of the world. the rising lust, the roaming heart and eye, and the opposing world, are alike dependent upon his reigning power. Acts of disobedience are the want of true allegiance to the government of our King. Varied are the acts of rejection and unbelief in this life—many are the inducements which surround us, and tempt us to rebellion—but God is faithful, and he should be acknowledged in all our ways. God should ART THOU THE KING OF THE JEWS?' 3 be exalted and honoured in every and King of glory; Governor of state and condition; and happy all worlds, whether Satanic, angelic, should we be if we always thought or human. He whose heart hath as David did. (1 Chron. xxix, 10, been touched by the sceptre of &c.) Zion's King, will readily appreciate the Psalmist's declaration, when he said, My heart is inditing a good matter touching the King.' There never was a king so worthy, and yet so maligned; so good, and yet so accused of evil; and even when his reigning influence and power were exerted in casting out devils, he was accused of doing so through. the power of the prince of the devils; when he was carrying out the deep purposes of God in forming a kingdom, a spiritual kingdom, he was accused as being a seditious character; and even Pilate was accused, when the Jews thought he was desirous of releasing Jesus, that he was not Cæsar's friend. There is no true plenty, peace, and prosperity, with individuals, or in a nation, unless God's reign is acknowledged; the language of the world is, that they will not have this man to reign over us, and the actions of saints would often appear to lead to the same conclusion. Righteousness exalteth a nation, as it does an individual; without it anarchy, confusion, and death reign. That nation and that individual prospers best, when God is acknowledged. Christ is to reign over all, till all his enemies are subdued under him. (1 Cor. xv. 24, 25.) Christ is King; and the saint may tread the untrodden future, with confidence and sure hope; dark afflictions and providences may overtake us, but they are all under the sceptre of King Jesus, and he has said he will not leave us comfortless. But God will be enquired after; he has wisely ordained that the weakness of prayer shall be the means for the display of his great power and reigning influence. There is much to delight the saint when perusing the narrative of the life and death of our Lord, especially when viewed as the King of the whole earth-King of saints The words thou sayest,' are doubtless an affirmation of the truth of the enquiry of Pilate; for when Judas enquired of our Lord, 'Is it I?' Christ answered him, 'Thou hast said,' (Matt. xxvi, 25;) and so, when the high priest asked Our Lord whether he was the Christ, he answered, Thou hast said,' (Matt. xxvi, 64.) And it is still more clear, from the account of our Lord's reply, (John xviii, 37,) 'Thou sayest that I am a King; for this end was I born, and for this purpose came I into the world;' but Christ, at the same time, clearly | thoughts and the actions. If Chrissays, that his kingdom was not of tians thought more of this, they would be more wary, they would take more heed to their ways. There is one incident relating to the tragic event of our Lord's death, which is very peculiar and astounding; it is that inscription which was placed over the head of Jesus, "This is the King of the Jews.' The Jews wished Pilate to state, that he said he was King of the Jews. "What I have written I have written,' was the extraordinary reply. Pilate was the penman, but he wrote under the power and purpose of God; he was the hand by which God, in his inscrutable Providence, wrote; and it is the more singular, when we remember that Pilate was most anxious to conci this world. His kingdom is a spiritual one; he reigns not over men as so many heads of people, but he reigns in the heart, over the minds, affections, and sympathies. Such a kingdom as this, was wholly unintelligible to the Jews, who lived in forms and ceremonies, and wholly inexplicable to the heathen Roman governor, whose gods were made by hands. Earthly kings can only exact outward obedience. Christ's subjects are inwardly obedient, they obey from the heart. Earthly kings cannot reign over their subjects after death-death dissolves all such relationship; but death, with the Christian, only amplifies the relationship and privileges of the king-liate the Jews; and, may be, this dom. Here we worship with but partial purity, but hereafter with perfection of holiness. Earthly kings have their laws, and so has the King in Zion; his statute book applies to both the Camden Town. inscription which Pilate wrote, and which he positively refused to alter, was made the ground (with others), of his accusation at Cæsar's bar, when he was disgraced. Saint, think well of your King. Amen. E. W. L. CHRIST JESUS; OR, A GRACIOUS TITLE AND A GREAT NAME. GRACE and greatness, in their highest degree, are combined in the illustrious person of the Son of God. As Christ,' he is full of grace; as 'Jesus,' he is characterized by greatness. The grace was given to him, that the greatness might be acquired by him and the savour of Christ,' with the splendour of 'Jesus,' is blended in ; every title that denotes his dignity and dominion. By the Holy Ghost he was graciously qualified for those high functions, by the performance of which, he practically became, and permanently continues 'Jesus;' and, as Christ Jesus,' he is the Saviourfriend, and 'merciful and faithful High Priest,' of all those guilty sons |