THE SYNOD OF ULSTER AND THE CHURCH. moboi stal on 910 OF GENEVA or hobbs 11301 700Y 706 es ad now is by SI TO V70 10090 bots punye ads an TO THE MODERATOR OF THE SYNOD OF LLYAL HISTER ib.1938 "Geneva, June 22, 1835 1

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"Rev. and much honoured Brother in Jesus Christ our Lord, The Church of Geneva, in resolving to celebrate the third centenary jubilee of her blessed reformation, on the 23d day of August in the present year, has anxiously wished to see the foreign Protestant Churches associated with her in this becoming festivity. It was for this purpose that the Company of Pastors, some time ago, addressed to the heads of these various Churches a fraternal letter, in which they entreated the communion of their prayers on this great occasion, and also if it were possible, the sending of Deputies, who might come here to share their religious joy, and to unite in the praises which they are preparing to send up to the Throne of the Supreme Author of every excellent grace, and of every perfect gift, for the gospel light which he condescended to cause to shine upon his Church in former days, and of which he still preserves to her the divine torch. In addressing this invitation to one of the Presbyterian Synods of Ireland, the Company supposed that they had addressed it to all the Synods of these respectable bodies, and they expressed themselves to this effect at the time. Being informed, however, at length by private letters, that the several Synods are independent of each other, the Company have resolved that each of them shall be invited by name to the fete of the Reformation. They have, therefore, instructed me, Mr. Moderator, to entreat you and the Synod over which you preside to ac cept of this Christian and hearty invitation, which is tardy only in appearance, and the delay of which, on being thus explained, will doubtless be excused by

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Contestend to accept, Mr. Moderator, my Rev. and muchhonoured Brother, the assurance of the high consideration and fraternal attachment with which I have the honour to be, your very humble servant and Brother in Christ Jesus,

SPH. BASSET,

Pr. Ancien. Mod. President du Comite du Jubile.“ "PS.You are requested to let me know the number and the names of the Deputies of your Church, in order that the necessary direction may be forwarded to them in time respecting the day on which they will* be expected in Geneva, and the place at which they will be received on their arrival."

profess and maintain all the doctrines of the original catechism and confession of the Helvetic churches. Our hopes of so hearing from you are the greater, because we have had the melancholy experience in our own church of a relaxed discipline and consequent departure from our original confession and catechisms, while by the good hand of the Lord upon us, we have obtained a little revival, and have returned to inquire after the good old ways.' It is, therefore, not only our hope, but oor earnest prayer to Almighty God, that if in any similar manner, your ancient church has departed from the first principles and her first love, she may speedily return to them, and 'revive as the corn, and cast forth her roots as Lebanon.'

"Two circumstances, you will thus perceive, preclude us from availing ourselves of your kind and hospitable invitation. The one, our ignorance of the doctrines at present professed and inculcated by your Venerable Company; the other, the danger of being understood as sanctioning doctrines which we'reject. Our Synod believe that there are differences between Protestant and Protestant, as great and as fundamental as between Protestant and Romanist; and that whatever love of truth warranted our fathers to withdraw from the authority of the one, compels their posterity to avoid symbolizing with the other.

So far, however, as your proposed festival may tend to awaken the spirit by which the Reformers were inspired, and to spread abroad among Protestants the saving truths which they taught, as well as to restore the discipline, and order, and purity which once adorned their churches; so far we cordially bid you 'God speed;' and pray that He who walketh in the midst of the golden candlesticks,' may preside in your assembly, and that the Spirit of truth and love may be poured out upon you with power.

"Having thus, reverend and respected brethren, faithfully, but affectionately, replied to the invitation with which you have honoured us, permit us, in conclusion, to express our earnest and best wishes for your personal welfare and happiness; while we offer up to God our humble prayers, that He would adorn your churches with the light of truth, the garment of righteousness, and the beauty of holiness; and that He may revive among Protestants, extend among Romanists, and establish among all, the glorious and unchanging principles of the great and blessed Reformation!

"In the name and by the order of the General Synod of Ulster. "JOHN BARNETT,

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JUDGMENT is a term conveying very solemn ideas to the mind of man. Even when it relates to the things of time, and is conducted by the creatures of time, it is felt to pos

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Bible Instruction.

all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." Rev. xv. 3, 4.

2. It will close the gospel dispensation. It is this which from the beginning has occupied the attention of God and men. It was planned in eternity-it has been revealed in time-all things were directed in subserviency to it-for its sake men have lived and died, empires have risen and fallen. It is right and becoming therefore, that it should be terminated with a degree of solemnity suited to its nature and importance. And so it shall be, for then shall those transactions take place described by the apostle-then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son, also, himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.” 1 Cor. xv. 24,

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3 It will consummate the misery and happiness of the wicked and the righteous. For although the destiny of both is invariably fixed at death, yet their state admits of an increase of pain or happiness. The resurrection of the body, in which the soul shall be again clothed, will open fresh avenues of joy or sorrow. The declaration of their sentence, also, before an assembled world, will powerfully contribute either to the one or the other. “In that day God will judge the secrets of men." "There is nothing

hid that shall not be manifested." And then, at the bidding of the judge, the wicked shall go to everlasting punishment, and the righteous to life eternal."

4. It will glorify Christ. It is called emphatically "the day of the Lord." It will, indeed, be the day of Christ's glorification. He will come in the glory of the Father, with bis holy angels, and be admired in them that believe. Then. will he glorify his justice-revealing the abominable nature of sin,that it deserves the wrath of God, that men have voluntarily subjected themselves to its curse, and that he is just in punishing. He will glorify his love, while the whole church, with rapture and astonishment, shall sing aloud ** unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto our God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." He will glorify his omniscience, causing

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