a missionary church, and we are at present collecting money to build a second church, viz. a mission one for the mission station which we have been fostering for years. God is at present granting showers of the Spirit to territorial churches, showing that if we labour to promote the spiritual benefit of the sunken classes, He is near to help us. Let those who act as visitors in mission districts be remarkable for faith and prayer. Those who wrestle with believing importunity resemble the hills of majestic grandeur which attract the vapours that float in the sky, and which, after being drenched with copious showers, pour down many brooks and rivulets to the plains below, conferring on them exuberant fertility. But for a system of mountains Egypt would be without its Nile, a barren and uninhabited desert; and it has been remarked by an eminent philosopher that if the dewless desert of the Sahara in Africa had its Chimborazo, that wide tract, whose soil is essentially the same as a wellcultured county in England, would become productive. Let our visiting agents be like Paul, Brainerd, Swartz, and others, who were such mountains. Their souls were watered and beautified by streams from on high, and they distributed the stores of living water discharged on them to the world around. Miscellaneous Papers. MERLE D'AUBIGNE ON CALVIN. ceeded from Geneva. Calvin, besides his work in our city, received from God a Ar the recent meeting of the Evan- universal one. His essential work was gelical Alliance, at Geneva, the Cathe- the new development of the Reformation, dral of St. Pierre was filled, on Friday, characterised by a tendency to the union to hear Merle D'Aubigné, the histo- of all evangelical Christians. Luther was rian of the Reformation, upon Calvin the first to fire the cannon of alarm. the Reformer. The following outline of his address is long, but we are tempted to give it entire. The address was listened to with profound attention by the 3,000 persons present; and, though contrary to Continental fashion, murmurs of applause often became so loud as to fill the cathedral : Farel and Zuingle had done the same. At their cry men were awakened from a sleep of several centuries; they had recourse to arms, but many took bad ones. Some seized the Bible; others lighted stakes: some drew the sword. There was a great tumult. Then appeared Calvin, calm in the midst of the agitation, "None will be astonished that the advancing firm and intrepid in the midst Evangelical Christians of all countries, of balls which hissed at the right hand assembled at Geneva, should wish to and at the left. He took the word of remember the character of the Reformer God. None changed the steadfastness of and of the Reformation of Geneva. The his regard. Called to put things in order, Alliance counts in its members brothers he sought in the crowd his friends and who do not fully hold the opinions of enemies. He understood that it was Calvin. This thought was the cause of necessary to combat, not only the real uneasiness to me at first, because I did not wish to wound the convictions of any one; but I was soon reassured, in thinking that in the rich developments of the doctrine of Calvin are found points common to all Christians. I will not speak of Geneva in the eighteenth century, scarcely of Geneva in the sixteenth: I will speak of the Reformation which pro adversaries, who were ultramontane, but adversaries hidden in the bosom of the Reformation. The real combatants did not give him less to do: it was necessary to make them agree as to doctrines, to ask of all obedience to Christ, establish discipline after the great Luther, the intrepid Zuingle, the indefatigable Farel. Calvin was necessary;-he builds up,— case. the others stand by the sword. Calvin, thing to examine, said Calvin, is the humble and poor, wields the sceptre: Scripture; it is the touch-stone. A the others perform the functions of gene- diversity of opinion, sometimes dangerral; Calvin is legislator. Such is the ous, was the result of these studies, for character of our Reformer. What would such contests risked the overthrow of have become of the Church?-what the faith of the weak. If there a remedy would have become of the Reformation- had not been sought, the world would without this preserving influence? The have turned its back on the Reformation. Church would have been lost by the dis- Calvin saw the evil in all its magnitude. putes of its members. Everywhere there His noble soul was troubled,—affrighted. were unsettled spirits who endeavoured He raised a cry of grief. If in his oppoto wreck the vessel of the Church. Calvin sition he went too far, at least he had was the skilful and brave pilot who con- always before his eyes this thought,ducted them over the quicksands. Gen- Evangelical Christianity, ought it to live tlemen, this brings me to the Evangelical or perish! Calvin has not been exempt Alliance. If it was a new institution, it from errors or faults. We cannot take would not be the less excellent. If it him as a guide in all things. But, more dated as far back as the Reformation, than the others, he possessed the right what do I say?—as far back as the Gos- qualifications for establishing unity. Let pel, it would only be the more powerful. us suppose that a Conference is held Such will be perhaps the judgment of between the three great Reformers, this assembly after I have exposed the Luther, Calvin, Zuingle, and their disYes, gentlemen, the idea of the ciples. You will not be astonished at 'Alliance' existed in the mind of Calvin. the choice of place. We are, gentlemen, He did not wish, any more than you do, in the Church of Calvin. From this a formal, visible Alliance; he wished to pulpit which you see he raised his voice save the Church by an interior union. against those marmosets which put Two elements were to constitute this ridicule upon the Gospel. From these Alliance, the unity of faith and Chris- he exalted the confessors of the faith, tian love. Before beginning the develop- who suffered martyrdom. From this ment of my subject, allow me to make a place, where was the holy table, he said simple observation. Calvin was one of to the Libertines, I will suffer death those natures-rich, profound, mysteri- rather than give the holy things to the ous-who do not unfold themselves dogs.' We open, then, our Conference. to the world,-who commune mysteri. On the left stands a man of vigorous ously with God. In order to know him, aspect, of lively and firm countenance. you must plough deeply into his soul,- This is Luther. On the right I see apinto his works, and into his life,-which proach a person of energetic bearing; the is a work too arduous for modern frivolity. whole exterior of the man carries the imDo not take for his likeness those coarse print of one of the sons of our mountains. portraits which circulate in Roman It is Zuingle. At last in the middle Catholic pamphlets. The distinguishing comes slowly forward a man with a pale features of the Reformation of Calvin face, brilliant eyes, and firm step. You were quite the contrary to what is gene- know him. It is Calvin. These three rally believed. It is thought that it was doctors advance; let us interrogate an exaggerated, intolerant Reform, whilst them. We ask them first, What is the it was moderate and conciliating. Do relation between faith and Scripture? not mistake me; the Alliance will never Luther replies first, turning towards admit of compromise. It holds all the heaven's light, sick of Rationalism, 'I same fundamental doctrines of faith. It am a fool; I cannot comprehend anywill never give any of them up. Calvin thing. But because God has spoken to also thought the same. He wished no me, I desire to believe him. We must union with Rationalists and Papists; but believe what God has said to us in beyond these, he sought to reconcile Scripture.' At these words Zuingle, opinions and unite all Christians. A nourished on the philosophy of the sages philosopher whom I respect, M. Ernest of Greece, frowns. That,' says he, Renan, has said with truth, the indi-which it is necessary to believe, ought it vidual right to choose each one his own not to have the appearance of truth? Is symbol was not contravened by the six-it necessary to sacrifice the rights of the teenth century.' But there lay the understanding? If I have any strength foundation of the new method. The in Christ, Christ becomes my faith What need have I of an exterior work was equally balanced; the equiauthority?' Calvin unites the two librium of force gives strength. In reformers. He says to Luther, 'It is order to make steel, the fire is not necessary to hold by the Scriptures; they are the Word of God.' He says to Zuingle,The faith does not consist in ignorance, but in a knowledge of the Word of God." enough, the iron is not enough; they are combined, and you obtain a solid blade, which gains the victory. Calvin forged a Damascus sword: it will cause the Reformation to triumph to the ends of the earth. Calvin brought doctrines together, it was a great work; he brought Christians together by their common union with Christ. Christ communicates the truth, but He gives Dr. D'Aubigné next went on to show how the doctrine of Calvin on the subject of original sin formed the mean betwixt the rather extreme view of Luther on the one side and Zuingle on the other, and how here also he united himself also. If all possess the same the two reformers ;-that, as regarded Christ, why should they not be all the subject of the atonement, Luther united by Christ in Christ? Calvin was disposed to make the expiation the loved his brothers; this was the means main thing, and Zuingle faith in Christ. he took to unite Christians. He began Calvin showed that we have both in by his neighbours. His two principal Christ, and that in Him we have a colleagues were Farel and Viret. What double grace-reconciliation by his fraternal affection united these three death, sanctification by his Spirit. On men! This tenderness of Calvin for his the great question of election and pre- brothers, this affectionate disposition of destination, the speaker next showed his heart, is a feature that is misunderthat Calvin held here also the golden stood in the character of Calvin; and I mean, teaching both the sovereign will wish to bring it into notice. When the of God and the free will of man. It first circle had been gained, Calvin is an exaggeration to say that the re- looked further upon German Switzerdemption loses its signification in the land, not perhaps without trembling. A doctrine of Calvin, and that man dis- great discussion rends the churches: appears in the great drama of the world. Zurich will hear none but Zuingle; Above all, in the discussion on the Berne is for Luther; Basle repulses Sacrament of the Supper appeared the Luther and Zuingle to follow Ecolammoderation of Calvin. Luther holds in padius. There is a complete division; the Supper the real presence; Zuingle Calvin sets himself to work with courage. viewed the sacrament as a memorial; Zuingle is dead, but Bullinger succeeds Calvin unites the two, by holding both him in his influence. I clasp you to that it is a memorial and that Christ is my heart,' wrote Calvin, with a singular present. gracefulness. 'Our churches must be united: have we not the same Christ?' But his efforts are useless: these dissensions, like a terrible pestilence, spread desolation over Switzerland; it is overwhelmed with grief. He makes a "The Conference is finished. I mean the Conference of Luther, Zuingle, and Calvin. We, who are the jury, pronounce the sentence. Calvin stands between the two; his grandeur is to unite in one the two tendencies of the first journey into Switzerland, and nothing Reformation, tendencies which are succeeds. He returns to Geneva, his found at the base of all religions, for soul depressed with grief. At this religion is a fact at once human and solemn period of his life, Calvin was divine. Luther seizes on the divine side tried by God, who chastened him of religion; Zuingle attaches himself to in order to fit him the more for his the human; Calvin is at the same time arduous work. God bereaved him of human and divine. Luther and Zuingle his only surviving child: this was the are united by Calvin. Calvin digs until beginning of his trials. Soon afterhe has found the solid rock upon which wards he lost his wife, whom he loved all can unite and stand upon a common most tenderly. 'I have lost her!' basis. 'Calvin united,' said a philo-wrote he to Viret. I have lost her!sopher, because he was the most she who would never have deserted me; Christian man of his age.' This is another quotation from M. Renan. Calvin's work was of very great importance. In order to be strong, his neither in exile, poverty, nor death. You understand my grief, oh! my friend.' I should never have been able to bear it,' wrote he to Farel, if God had not sustained me.' But how did God sustain him? A faint glimmering of concord showed itself at Zurich. At this sight Calvin set out after the funeral of his wife; he crosses Switzerland; conferences are held at Zurich; they grope at first in darkness. Calvin prays, and all at once light breaks upon the obscurity. 'We agree,' cried Calvin; we are the living faith of the same Christ.' In all the churches of the Confederation, in France, in England, it is repeated that the Church has found in living communication with Christ its chief inner unity." THE SOUND OF THE CHURCH- BY THE REV. DR. STEEL, CHELTENHAM. "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."-PSALM CXxii. 1. 2. The House of the Lord is a place for the praise of God. service of song, in the house of the In some religious systems public worship is almost entirely confined to devotion-to the exercises of prayer and praise. It is the general tendency of Liturgical service to enhance prayer at the expense of preaching; but the public instruction of the people is as necessary as common prayer. In the service of the Jews wè read of attempts to give the meaning of the Sacred Word; and in their synagogues it was permitted to expound the Scriptures. Our Lord, when He stood up to read, seems to have always followed with discourse. This was the custom of the apostles. Preaching has ever been a marked feature of the service in the house of the Lord in the Christian Church. According to the strain of preaching, rather than the expressions of prayer, has piety been influenced. The prayers of the Liturgy were the same in the eighteenth century as they are now, but godliness was in a sad decline. The reason is, that the preaching was not evangelical; there was not Gospel instruction imparted to the people. The prayers are the same in two parishes; but in one there is little apparent spiritual life, while in the other there is much. This is only explained by the varied character of the preaching. How important then to keep up public instruction according to the Word of God in the house of the Lord. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." The word is by the preacher sent according to the will of God. The Spirit of God blesseth the preaching of the Word for the conversion and edification of souls. In the upper sanctuary this is the unvarying exercise of the beatified. In the sanctuaries on earth it is the becoming tribute of all men. We owe all to the loving-kindness and tender mercies of our Father in heaven. We have been sustained, provided for, and blessed by God in all the past. Each day we experience new tokens of his love. "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praise unto thy name, O thou Most High! to show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night," is the language of the inspired Psalmist. Throughout the Book of Psalms the calls to praise God for his goodness and mercy are very frequent. The Church is the concert-room for the grateful children of God to sing their songs of thanksgiving. This is a portion Intelligent devotion is ever according of public worship, and in which each to spiritual knowledge; and the object of can and ought to bear an intelligent and the pulpit in the Christian Church is to audible part. It is a delightful exercise, impart this instruction, as well as to and creates a thrill of rapt emotion in guide the devotion of the assembled the earnest worshipper. It is an edify- people. The modern minister is not a ing service, and tends to fix upon the priest, but a preacher. He is to unfold soul the expressions of the praise. It is the Gospel, and apply it to the conthe only part in which our congregations science. He is rightly to divide the can really share, and should be culti- Word of Truth; to speak according to vated and discharged with conscientious the oracles of God, according to the diligence and devotional spirit. If you possess a thankful spirit for the great salvation and renewing grace, you will even make your chamber ring with praise, as did Robert M'Cheyne; and in the wisdom of God. It must be his aim to instruct the ignorant in the grand and essential truths of salvation; to feed the flock of Christ with the pasture suited to their condition; to build them who have not so learned Christ as to be taught of Him as the truth is in Jesus. My dear friends, as a preacher over you in the Lord, this is the object of my continuous discourse. Have I never yet gained your attention, or secured your reconciliation to God? Have you never received the truth in the love of it? Then let me strive to make known the way of God more plainly, to press it upon you more earnestly, and above all to pray that the Divine Spirit may breathe upon your souls while the word is preached. And oh, my hearers! as you value eternal happiness, give good heed to the word I preach, that you may have reason to bless God for the instruction I give you, and the meetings we have had together in the house of the Lord. up in the faith. In the pastoral epistles this is very strongly set forth. (See epistles to Timothy and Titus.) It is amazing to observe how little Christian intelligence exists among professing worshippers generally; how appalling the ignorance of the saving doctrines of the Word of God! This ought not so to be. A great object of our Sabbath assembly is that instruction may be gained. It is clearly the duty of the preacher to adapt his discourse to the people under his care, so that he may carry their intelligence and conviction along with his own; and he has the blood of souls upon his skirts if he do not tell faithfully the truth of God.. But it is clearly the duty of the people to seek instruction and edification acoording to the mind of God. Our Lord gave two counsels on this Consider now, in the second place, the matter of great importance :-"Take believer's delight in the House of the Lord. heed what ye hear." Let your public The inspired writer of this psalm was instruction be scriptural; test it by the David, the man after God's own heart. Word of God, as the Bereans did. Again, He wrote his own experience in this song "Take heed how ye hear." Let your of Zion, as indeed in all he was led to pen. manner of hearing be such as makes full He had a very high regard for the house use of the public instruction. Let there of the Lord. In his day it had not noble be attention, judgment, and application architecture, or massive masonry, or a as the preacher proceeds with his great building which could stand the influence and blessed theme. He stands in the of a generation of time. It was a simple house of the Lord with a very high tabernacle that could be moved about. commission. "Now then," he can say, But it had the presence of God, and a "we are ambassadors for Christ, as Divine ministry and ritual. To him it though God did beseech you by us, we pray was the house of God. He could say, you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled" How amiable are thy tabernacles, O to God." His theme is God's reconciling Lord God of Hosts." "I was glad when the world, his aim is to bring sinners to they said unto me, Let us go into the accept that reconciliation, and his man-house of the Lord." ner is the earnestness of persuasion from He attended their services. He felt the a heart touched with the saving grace of obligation and sought to discharge it. God to hearts of a kindred nature with Though the place was lowly, it had none his own. This circumstance invests the the less hold upon his conscience. He house of the Lord with additional im- longed for the opportunity of being there. portance, and your presence in it one of "My soul longeth, yea even fainteth for great responsibility. God has blessed the courts of the Lord." "O send out this means by accompanying the preach- thy light and thy truth; let them lead er's words with the power of the Holy me, let them bring me unto thy holy Ghost, and making them the seed of life hill, and to thy tabernacles." eternal to many souls. Here, doubtless, many have realised this blessing, and have tasted of the good word of God. Here they were made alive for eternal glory. Here many have been edified by the truth, and have often fed upon the bread of life as the words fell from the lips of a pastor highly esteemed for his work's sake. Some of you may have felt this place to be the house of God in similar experience, and who have many grateful hallelujahs for the privileges enjoyed. There are, doubtless, those He enjoyed their services. “I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise." His soul was so much filled with delight in the sacred courts that he said, "A day in thy courts is better than a thousand; I had rather be a doorkeeper (or sit at the threshold) in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." The text expresses his gladness when he went into the house of the Lord, and indicates how highly he enjoyed the spiritual services of the sanc |