may have been held, were sufficient to secure the accomplishment of their proposed ends. They were but as glimmering lights, which only served to render the surrounding darkness more visible; or but as feeble restraints, which, being soon overcome, left the world to a deluge of vice, profaneness, and immorality. To this all history bears testimony; and were it possible for us to sketch graphically a picture of the most refined and improved amongst the heathen, it would still more abundantly be confirmed.

The question, then, instantly occurs, and is open before us for solution, What is the ground of moral obligation, and what is the true criterion and test of morality? and to this we think no other answer can possibly be returned, than that it is the revealed will of God, the will of the supreme and righteous Governor of the universe, to whose dominion our world belongs, and in whom we live, and move, and have our being. All other systems are evidently deficient, nor is it within the compass of human powers, which have been taxed and tried for this purpose for now many centuries of years, to discover or originate another. All others fail in some essential point-this alone is complete. And whilst all others have been tried and found wanting, this is beginning to benefit and bless the world, and wherever it is introduced, to spread life, order, and morality around. That the "only wise" and infinitely "good" should best know what is good for man, and in what the true elevation and excellence of his character would consist, we might previously infer; and on opening the record which he hath given, we find in it all that is requisite to

make man virtuous, blest, and hap py. “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." Unto man he said, " Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding." "A good understanding have all they who keep his commands." "Thou shalt love

the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thyself." So simple, so full, so complete, are the requirements of the divine law; and in conformity to its ten great commands, the whole duty of man may be said to consist. Presented to us as it now is, and conjoined with the mediatorial work of the Son of God, it is adapted to our condition, clothed in an authority more venerable and sacred than before, and furnished with motives which none but the depraved and the immoral can resist. Whatever is essential to virtue is laid down therein with the clearness of noon-day; whatever is desirable to embellish her lovely form is there described. It is adapted

to us in all the diversified circumstances of humanity; and is embodied in one perfect living example which it records. So excellent are its precepts, that they cannot be improved, and therefore cannot change. So pure and holy, that none can but admire. Uniform and immutable, it cannot deceive or lead us astray. Emanating from the highest authority, it admits of no other appeal; and attended with motives to which the heart of man is not accessible, it alone is likely to be effectual. Distinguished by these attributes, and pre-eminent

in these excellencies, it is both adapted to and designed for universality, and though now circumscribed in its influence, it shall one day sway its sceptre over a redeemed and renovated world.

Such is the code of morals which the Scripture contains. The will of God its rule; the example of Christ its model; the authority of God its motive; and the glory of God its end. All moral excellence is evidently and necessarily included in it, and therefore (in man) must consist in a conformity to it. There can be no other standard throughout the intelligent creation. There can be no other in our world. In proportion as that divine law is transcribed in human character, and exemplified in human conduct, are these moral, virtuous, or holy. Man is elevated, dignified, ennobled. The elements which form his character are pure, immutable, and immortal. He is then a being fit for both worlds, this and the future, and destined not merely to occupy both, but after he has adorned and blest the present, to flourish in immortal vigour and undecaying fruitfulness when time is no more. "He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

To produce this elevation of character and manners, which must flow from the operation of truth and of the Divine Spirit upon the human soul, is the obvious and avowed design of Christianity. Wherever it comes, it is to breathe the breath of life, to exert a transforming power, and to restore man to his original dignity, which consists in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Wherever it is received in truth, and in love, these hallowed effects follow, and

beneath its celestial influence, the fruits and the fragrance of sanctity are soon diffused. What the Scriptures call "the beauties of holiness," in our degenerate world, appear, and a morality which reason cannot impugn, which philosophy cannot deny, which the most accomplished minds of earth cannot but admire, and which superior intelligences cannot condemn, is displayed. It consists of all the elements of true greatness and goodness infused into the human character and operative there, and though incipient and imperfect here, destined to maturity and perfection hereafter. It is a plant from a better country; that is, the heavenly, set in an earthly soil, but germinant and productive there, and yielding, like the Tree of Life, of which it is a scion, all manner of precious fruits, grateful alike to God and man. A character thus formed is truly good, excellent, and holy. Conformity to the divine will is its constituent quality and distinguishing feature; and in nothing else but this does moral excellence consist. To be like God, to love what he loves, to hate what he hates, and to do what he requires, are its only terms and properties. Nothing else will it admit; nothing else will it own. All besides is evanescent-temporary-perishable. And amidst all that is adventitious to or connected with it, of which we have so much in the world at the present day, let it be remembered by us that this alone is pure, substantial, valuable, bearing the impress of heaven's approbation now, and destined to be recognized there hereafter. The rest is chaff, dross, or, at best, but the leaves which, in autumn, fall. Of this alone-of all the elements of human character, and of all the variety of earthly,

things, can it be said-It endureth for ever!

And how instructive and how refreshing is it amidst all that is transient, changeful, and mortal in this present evil world," to perceive something that is permanent, something that shall endure when all things else shall have passed away. There is that upon which the eye of the mind may rest, with complacency, unlike all by which it is surrounded, and destined to survive it all. The fair form of human greatness, and the distinctions of earthly glory; the mighty projects of human ambition, and the deeds of temporal renown; the most durable monuments of mortal grandeur, and the most substantial and lasting of the works of man, shall all pass away, and "like the baseless fabric of a vision, leave not a wreck behind." The place that knew them once will know them no more. Inquirers may ask, where are they? and no reply shall be given. They were, but they are not. Like the grass of the field, or the flitting cloud of a summer's morning, they have withered or passed away, and no vestige of them remains. But moral excellence shall endure, like its Divine Author and Pattern, the "same to-day and for ever."

There is much in the possession of man, or in connection with him, which we are accustomed to hold in high estimation, perhaps to emulate, almost to covet to enjoy. Who does not admire the stately form of human beauty, animated by the vigour of health, the freshness of youth, the power of manhood, or even when it becomes venerable from the marks and honours of hoary age? Who, that has a mind to perceive, and a heart to feel, but must be impressed with the mighty

energies of human genius, when developed in favourable circumstances, and directed to laudable pursuits; it pours the light of science on its own and successive generations, and enables thousands to explore the earth, or search the treasures of the sea, or controul the operations of air, or travel and make observations among the stars? Who but must be enraptured with the beauties of the canvass, the expression of the silent marble, or the melodies of sound, when touched by the artist's magic wand, or produced by the musician's skill? Who has not witnessed with wonder the vast accumulations of human wealth,—the achievements of commercial enterprize,-the ingenious devices of earthly luxury,—and the soaring heights to which some have attained of worldly fame? But has it not often struck us that there is nothing in all these that is durable, nothing immortal, nothing that will survive the dissolution of our nature, and the ravages of the tomb, or at furthest, the consummation of all things? The fascinations of beauty, the powers of genius, the productions of art, the discoveries of science, are all temporary and evanescent, limited to the present world, and trampled upon by the great Destroyer, in the war with whom there is no discharge. He consigns them all to the silence and darkness of the grave, and there in one undistinguished mass their possessors, and those who were destitute of them, lie. Their boundary is the narrow space of life. Their goal the house appointed for all the living. Of all that is mortal, all that is earthly, all that is enviable in affluence, pleasure, or fame, this is the end. But he "that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

This, then, is the high distinction

and crowning glory of all moral excellence and worth, that it is undecaying and imperishable. Above all the things of time and earth, it rises with this superior eminence and exclusive destiny, that it shall survive them all, and subsist in purity and power in another and a better world. There is a state of being approaching in which it shall find a more congenial soil, and a more favourable atmosphere, and more fostering influences than at present; and there shall it unfold and perpetuate itself, when time and earth are no more. Of that bright and celestial world, moral excellence will be the distinguishing feature, element, and glory. In its essence, and various manifestations, for which it will find ever widening scope and opportunity, it will be improved, elevated, and enlarged. The fit character of heaven is that which holiness forms, and by it are all its blissful inhabitants distinguished and adorned. God is holy; angels are holy; and all the saved from among men, whom redeeming love has brought thither, are beautified with and now perfected in holiness also. On this all the employments of heaven bear, and have a tendency to promote it, whilst by it they are all prosecuted and sustained. Without it none could be fit to engage, or to feel an interest in them, as it is this alone which qualifies intelligent beings to stand and wait in the temple above, or to be occupied in active service for God and the Lamb. With this alone will the society of that better country be desired, or its fellowship enjoyed, for hence flows all capacity to associate with, and to relish the communion of, those who are destined for ever to dwell in the "city of the greatKing," and reflect the glories of his moral character there. Heaven is the holy N. S. NO. 110.

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of holies of the universe, and into it, from no part of the Creation, can any thing enter which is defiled, or that loveth or maketh a lie. On its gates, walls, foundation, and spacious temple, holiness to Jehovah may be seen inscribed, and only that consecration to Him which corresponds to it can be admitted or tolerated there. All else would be strange, intrusive, foreign, and soon frowned away, or must be wretched could it remain. from this one ingredient of moral excellence all the happiness of heaven will flow, partly from it. self, and partly from the capacity it gives for the fruition and immediate presence of God and the Lamb. Holiness and happiness in their own nature identical, or at least so united that they can never be severed asunder, are destined to be inseparable companions, and to minister to each other's plenitude and vigour, throughout the interminable ages of an immortal existence.

There is one other and equally impressive and attractive view of the subject of this paper, in reference to its future perfection and perpetuity, and out of which, perhaps, both these may be considered to arise, which we must notice before we conclude, and that is, that it will constitute the sole object of Divine complacency in all intelligent beings who then shall form the secure and happy family of the living God. From whatever part of the universe they come, and in whichever of the many mansions of the Father's house their destined residence may be, on them all will He look down with ineffable delight, because possessed of his own nature, and reflecting the brightness of his own image. There is nothing else, that we are informed of, throughout all his dominions, that "the King immortal, eternal,

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