shower, the formation of the Christian church, the establishment of the Christian ministry, and all the means of grace. Oh, believer, such was the immense preparation for the union of thy soul with the Lord Jesus; but for these, thou wouldst still have been afar off by reason of wicked works; but, blessed be God, it is not so: "Ye, who once were afar off, are now brought nigh, and are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God."

It was an exceedingly fine day when the wedding took place.

It was one of the Queen's own days. No clouds curtained the horizon; the sky overhead was clear; the sun shone out brilliantly. So when the heavenly Bridegroom came into the world, the darkness passed away, and the true Light shined. John, like the morning star, appeared, quickly followed by Jesus, the great Sun of Righteousness. Oh, it was a glorious day for the world when Christ came into it! a day we are still permitted to behold. And we ask you, Christian, was it not an uncommonly fine day when Christ first revealed himself to thee? What terrible darkness preceded! It was like entering upon a new world. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for thou canst now sing," Once we were darkness, but now are we light in the Lord." It will never become dark with thee again; henceforth thy path will be "as the shining light, shining more and more unto perfect day."

The bridal attire was exceedingly beautiful.

Such was the opinion of the few who saw it, and of the many who read about it. But beautiful as it undoubtedly was, it is not to be compared with thy appearance, believer, on the day of thy espousals, when "thou wast clothed with the garments of salvation, and covered with the robe of righteousness; as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Think of two of thy splendid garments-the robe of righteousness, which Christ has presented to thee, and the garment of sanctification, the work of the Holy Spirit. Thus arrayed, thou mayest well sing :"How far these heavenly robes exceed

What earthly princes wear!
These ornaments, how bright they shine!
How white these garments are!"

It was celebrated with great rejoicings.

The young Princess smiled through her tears. It was a day of gladness to all about her. The immense crowd of spectators showed the greatest enthusiasm. Trumpets sounded, martial music was played, a nuptial song was prepared by the poet-laureate, salvoes of artillery were fired, and the bells rang in all parts of merry England throughout that day. So, believer, when thou wast united to Christ, it was just such a day of light and gladness, and to none more than thyself. If there were tears of sorrow over the sins of the past, there were also tears of joy in the assurance_that they were forgiven and forgotten. Jesus rejoiced, as he saw in you the travail of his soul, and was satisfied. "As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so did thy Saviour rejoice over thee." The saints, thy present companions, felt glad.` There was joy also among the servants in the palace of the great King. To use the words of Bunyan, all the bells of the celestial city rang again in honour of that day.

The West-end of London was particularly brilliant. Nor is it difficult to trace the parallel here. We simply ask you, believer, has not thy spiritual wedding-day been followed by a great illumination? Have not the eyes of thine understanding been enlightened? Has not a flood of light been poured into thy soul? Though ignorant on many subjects, the Spirit of God has given thee an experimental knowledge of these two things at least-thou knowest thyself to be a great sinner, and Christ to be to thee a great Saviour; and to know these is worth more to thee than all the world besides. Your illumination is becoming more brilliant as the night of time advances. One lamp after another is blazing forth, only to end in eternal day, in that world where "they have no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

It has ended in a departure for a far distant land.

The young Princess has crossed the water; entered her adopted country amidst much splendour and rejoicing, to settle down for a permanence in her new home. Such, believer, will be the

end of thy spiritual marriage. Christ would not be happy for you always to live away from him. Nor is he content to pay you visits of love, however pleasant and delightful they may be. He means not only to come and sup with you, but that you should return and sup with him. He has made great preparation, and will not be satisfied till he has you home. "Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory." Cheer up, thou fair one, mourning at times the absence of him whom thy soul loveth. Think of the day when he will come, and take thee to his bosom, to be separated no more. Nor is that day distant; soon thou shalt take ship, cross the water of death, and enter thy adopted country amid the sounding of trumpets, and the songs of angels, and the bells ringing through all the celestial country: With gladness and rejoicing shalt thou be brought. Thou shalt enter into the King's palace;" and "so be for ever with the Lord."

It will be fraught with consequences which the shrewdest intellects cannot now possibly foresee.

It is hoped by many that the union will be for the benefit of the two great kingdoms of England and Prussia, that it will strengthen the interests of Protestantism, that it will add to the probabilities of continued European tranquillity, that it will exercise a powerful political influence on the surrounding nations, and that it will do something towards bringing about the triumphs of civil and religious freedom. God grant that it may be so; it may, however, be just the reverse. Who can say what a single year may bring forth? This, however, is our consolation: "The shields of the earth belong to the Lord.” He reigneth, and by him kings reign. He is ordering all things after the counsel of his own will, and sooner or later all must end in the promotion of his glory, and in the regeneration and renovation of our fallen world. Of the spiritual marriage we can speak with more certainty and more satisfaction. Your union to Christ, dear reader, is unquestionably fraught with consequences which the highest intellect of man can only dimly foresee. These consequences we know must be of the most beneficial kind, both as it regards yourself and others. As it regards yourself, we have already shown; as it regards others, we cannot entertain a doubt.

Having come into possession of spiritual life, the probability is, you will be instrumental in imparting it to others. In a subordinate sense, because you live, others will most likely live also; being blessed, you will prove a blessing. Many around you will be the better for your spiritual marriage. The cause of righteousness, and peace, and freedom will be advanced by you; and not a few, perhaps, in eternity will be able to point to you as the instrument of introducing them into the new world of the redeemed. The consequences are most momentous, and eternity shall never hear the last of it.

Such are some of the thoughts suggested by the passing events of the day. If any apology were needed for so illustrating Divine truth, the example of the Master may be cited, who, in the days of his ministry, likened the kingdom of heaven to a king who made a marriage for his son, Matt. xxii. 2. See to it that you, reader, are married to the King's Son, or you will be excluded from heaven's palaces, and doomed to eternal celibacy. In outer darkness you will lie desolate and forlorn, with no one to love you, and no one whom you can love. It need not be so. Union to Christ is effected by an act of faith: "The life we live in the flesh is a life of faith upon the Son of God." Exercise it, and the promise is yours: "He that believeth shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life;" Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb." R. E. F. Royston.

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HOW TO WAGE A GOOD WAR. "That thou by them mightest war a good warfare."-1 TIM. i. 18.

LATTERLY we have thought and felt, heard and spoken much about war. Our minds are almost entirely engrossed with it, and well they may be; for scarcely has the country ceased from doing battle with Russia, before she is constrained to sally forth and attack multitudes of warriors in India who had sworn allegiance to her Queen and Government. Without saying a word for or against the present outbreak, we shall, like the Lord Jesus, take occasion from the passing afflictive event to speak of the spiritual contest going on between the powers of darkness and the hosts of light, hoping that what may be advanced will thereby be more indelibly impressed

upon the fleshy tablets of your hearts, and lead you to "fight the good fight of faith."

I. All below is tending to a glorious consummation.

Progression is stamped on the whole of Jehovah's works, and that progression is towards the highest perfection. The heavens and the earth are hastening onward to a period when they shall be so changed as to be rendered truly new, and the befitting abode of righteousness. Every revolution through which they have passed has tended in that direction. Each fresh stage of their existence has been a decided improvement on the preceding one. Not a gigantic step have they taken but has been progressive; yea, and they shall move on and on until they become meet to be numbered among the many mansions of our heavenly Father. Nor is fallen humanity behind. Degraded and sunken as is the family of man, it is not so base and low as in bygone days. The human race is rising in the scale of being, and shall rise till there be an innumerable company, fitted to enjoy the distinguished rank and eternal inheritance of the sons of God. Though there is much in the condition of mankind to deplore, there is much to rejoice over as an unquestionable improvement Between the past and the present world it is hardly possible to institute a comparison; the former is so far ahead of the latter in intelligence, morals, and spirituality. Just as the waves of the incoming tide, which advance and then seem to recede to their original position, gain on the shore, so the struggles of individuals and of nations, although they appear to secure but a temporary advantage, ensure a permanent advancement until the restitution of all things. Rise the sons of Adam will till they attain unto their noble destiny. Ground may be apparently no sooner gained than lost; yet they are undoubtedly progressing. Low as humanity is brought by sin, it is so closely united to Divinity through Christ taking our nature upon him, that it is sure to be drawn upward and upward until it shall be exalted to a most distinguished place in the kingdom of glory.

II. The tendency of everything here to a glorious consummation involves struggle.

a

The great globe itself had to pass through many dreadful revolutions before it attained to its present staterevolutions which shook it to the very

centre-revolutions that overturned and overturned until all on its surface was buried in ruins-revolutions which have caused death to reign over the whole of it for a season. In passing from one

stage to another, its bosom has heaved heavily; its beauty has faded away; it has reeled to and fro like the drunkard; wrapped itself in the habiliments of mourning; and sunk into the arms of the king of terrors. Yes; and before it can be reckoned among the many mansions in our Father's house, it has yet to undergo a most affecting mutation. "The heavens," that is, as they are now fashioned, "shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." Then nations and individuals, to obtain the precious liberties, the equitable laws, the Christian virtues, the pure religion they possess, have had to endure conflicts. The wars against oppressors and plunderers, and the struggles with corruption and temptation within and without, are but the efforts of fallen man to rise, and must be until he has risen. Satan will in no case peacefully yield his sway. Not a post does he vacate till obliged. If there be a people or a person from whom he flees, resistance is the cause. Ere the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, or a countless number from amongst sinful men can stand before the Lamb with white robes and palms in their hands, there will be many a desperate engagement with spiritual foes.

III. Each must take part in the conflict.

None can be mere lookers on or complete neutrals. Everybody must be either against or for the "restitution of all things." If averse to it opposition will be provoked. Those set on doing mischief cannot proceed far without having to resist conscience and Providence, pious friends and religious teachers, the sacred Word and Holy Spirit, magistrates and judges. With these they must continually contend, would they persist in their bad ways. Oh, it is not all smooth with the wicked. Much have they to encounter in their downward course. Not a few rebuffs do they meet with. Often is their path exceedingly rough and thorny. "The way of transgressors is hard." If in favour of it, a stand must be taken against evil. Whoever is desirous to

attain unto perfect conformity to the Divine image, and to finally rank among the shining ones, will undoubtedly have to face many an enemy. The world, the flesh, and the devil are sure to try their hardest to defeat every attempt after holiness. A depraved creature exposed to corrupting influences is not likely to acquire purity without the most constant, self-denying effort. He who thinks otherwise will find out his mistake directly he enters upon the Christian life. "Whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple." "Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life." "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

IV. The contest will not terminate alike advantageous to all parties.

Some shall fall, never to rise-be foiled and perish. Others will make inroads upon sin and finally triumph. All who continue in league with the powers of darkness are sure to be defeated and ruined. For a time they may seem victorious, but they will in the end be overthrown. "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins." "He that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death." Be he who he may that shall fight against_Christ, he will surely be beaten. The Lord of hosts must prevail in every instance. "He is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered?" "He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet." The King of kings goes forth conquering and to conquer, and woe be to him that attempts to stay his progress. He will be dashed in pieces as a potter's vessel. All on the other hand who join the ranks of the Captain of salvation and prove faithful, will assuredly be victors. The battle shall be theirs. Long and hard they may have to fight, but they will undoubtedly put to flight the armies of the aliens..

"The weakest saint shall win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way." None really on the Lord's side shall be vanquished. Some may fall; but they shall not be utterly cast down. They may receive many a wound, and even carry the scar with them into eternity; but they shall come off more than conquerors through him that hath loved

them and given himself for them. The feeblest of them shall gain the white robe, the palm, the crown, the throne, the kingdom.

V. Any to have the struggle terminate favourably to themselves must observe certain things.

The arms of rebellion against the sovereign Ruler of the skies must be laid down. "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments." "If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die." Godly sorrow must be manifested on account of past opposition to the rightful authority of the Most High. "God hath commanded all men everywhere to repent." "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Implicit confidence must be exercised in Christ crucified for pardon. "Without shedding of blood is no remission." "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." The enemies' ranks must be left. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." The Lord's side must be taken. that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." The Christian panoply must be worn. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." The great Captain's strength and skill must be depended on. "Without me ye can do nothing." "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Vigilance and prayer must be carefully observed. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." Faithfulness to Christ's colours must be maintained. "He that endureth to the end shall be saved." "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

"He

Finally. Reader, whose side are you

on? Are you fighting under Satan's banner or under Christ's? If doing the former, count the cost; and, if not prepared for them, at once comply with the directions given above. If doing the latter, persevere, and you shall subdue every adversary, and sit down with Christ in his throne, even as he overcame, and is set down with his Father in his throne. Witheridge. J. S.

A FIRST-RATE HEARER. I HAD heard much, very much, said about a "first-rate preacher," and was much interested in the picture drawn by my informant. But as one blade of a pair of scissors sadly lacks the other, and is in a very pitiful state of bereavement without it, so a first-rate preacher must have the counterpart, and I propose to complete the picture by setting forth a first-rate hearer.

1. He is prompt in attendance.-He not only means to be at public worship, -lots of lazy people have very good purposes, but he will be on hand in time. The preacher counts upon him always being in his place when the service begins. Nobody can think it is him as the late-lifted latch, the untimely creaking door, sends an unwelcome sound through the sanctuary.

2. He is an unfailing attendant.There are now and then hearers, halfday hearers, once a month hearers; but not a soul of them gets him on to their books. He is not a bird of their feather. He thinks that if public worship is worth being established at all, it is worthy of having a whole-hearted and unfailing support. He thinks" Reverence my sanctuary" means something more than an intermittent attendance; that such a precept presses not a half, but a whole day worship-not merely a now and then visit, but visits that shall know no intermission but what Providence compels. He goes for the whole Sabbath, and all the Sabbaths of the year; and if that does not make him a first-rate hearer, we will look up another element of his character to help to fill out the picture.

3. He gives eyes, ears, and thought to the preacher.-Eyes, because it helps him to hear, and the speaker to address him; ears, because his ears were made to be thus used, and he came for the purpose of hearing; and thought, because eyes and ears too might be on the

preacher, and yet imagination, in its antics, might make eyes and ears utterly useless, as it sailed away with the hearer to the ends of the earth. Eyes, ears, and attention of mind make one, soul and body, a hearer; and we venture to call that a first-rate sort of hearing, though there remains one characteristic more to complete the picture.

4. He profits by what he hears.-He gives the truth a cordial, hearty welcome. He takes truth, that heavenly dove, into the ark, and does not compel it to fly away upon the cold and cheerless waters. He muses on what he hears-beseeches holy influence to incorporate it into the spiritual structure of his soul-and not being a forgetful hearer, becomes a doer of the word. And if that is not first-rate hearing, we should be thankful to look on the picture of some other painter.

In view of all this we may say,

1. That a first-rate hearer is an honour to the sanctuary.-That sacred place was made for him, and he fits it well; and was made to make others like him, and do a most noble and honourable work, so far as it succeeds in such a work.

2. A first-rate hearer is not only an honourable character, but a very useful one. He does much to get the people first-rate preaching. His devout character in the sanctuary and elsewhere greatly comforts and animates the preacher. He is the better preacher for having such a hearer, and a whole congregation of such hearers would make him a first-rate preacher, if he is not one now. Let them try it.

3. A first-rate hearer is a stirring rebuke to divers other classes of hearers, as second-rate and third-rate hearers, and sleepy hearers, and all who will not hear at any rate. He is a burning and shining light in the sight of them all, and the admonition given by his excellent example ought to shame them out of their folly and sin.

Therefore, though we are not unwilling to hear about first-rate preachers, we should be glad to hear more about firstrate hearers, and should be better pleased still to see more of them. There is room for a large number of each in the church where we worship; and, so far as we can learn, there are not a few churches about us but would be very much resigned in view of the change into such a state of what hearers they now have.