never nothing but in the mercies of God, and in the cross of the Lord Jesus. Every chain is a ray of light, and every prison is a palace, and every loss is the purchase of a kingdom, and every affront in the cause of God is an eternal honour, and every day of sorrow is a thousand years of comfort, multiplied with a ceasing numeration; days without nights, joys without sorrow, sanctity without sin, charity without stain, possession without fear, society without envying, communication of joys without lessening; and they shall dwell in a blessed country, where an enemy never entered, and from whence a friend never went away.Jeremy Taylor. GOOD RESOLUTIONS. 1. I WILL daily pray in secret. 2. I will daily pray in my family. 3. I will daily read God's Word, with a prayerful desire to learn his will. 4. I will attend all the meetings appointed by the Church, unless the providence of God otherwise direct. 5. I will pray every day that God will bless his truth to the conviction and conversion of sinners. 6. I will do what I can by my pecuniary ability to promote the Redeemer's kingdom. 7. I will do what I can in the Sabbath-school to further the salvation of the rising generation. 8. I will sincerely desire and earnestly pray for the salvation of the children and youth committed to my care. 9. I will strive to be at peace with all who love Christ. 10. I will be as tender of the reputation of a brother or sister as of my own. 11. I will never speak evil of a brother, and if I am displeased with him I will follow the Gospel rule, and tell him my feelings between him and myself alone. 12. I will never visit any place of amusement of social pleasure on which I cannot first ask God's blessing, and where I may not expect his guidance. НАВІТ. "I TRUST everything under God," said Lord Brougham, "to habit, upon which, in all ages, the lawgiver as well as the schoolmaster has mainly placed his reliance habit, which makes everything easy, and casts all difficulties upon the deviation from a wonted course. Make sobriety a habit, and intemperance will be hateful; make prudence a habit, and reckless profligacy will be as contrary to the nature of the child as to any of your lordships. Give a child the habit of sacredly regarding the truth, of scrupulously abstaining from all acts of improvidence which can involve him in distress, he will just as likely think of rushing into an element in which he cannot breathe, as of lying, cheating, or stealing." PRESUMPTION OF HUMAN REASON. WHAT surprises me, what stumbles me, what frightens me, is to see a diminutive creature, a little ray of light glimmering through a few feeble organs, controvert a point with the Supreme Being; oppose the Intelligence that sitteth at the helm of the world; question what he affirms, dispute what he determines, appeal from his decisions, and even, after God has given evidence, reject all doctrines that are beyond his capacity! Enter into thy nothingness, mortal creature! What madness animates thee? darest thou pretend, thou who art but a point, thou whose essence is but an atom, to measure thyself with the Supreme Being, with Him whom the heaven of heavens could not contain? -Saurin. How THE PROMISES OF THE THE promises of the Bible, like the beams of the sun, shine as freely in at the windows of the poor man's cottage as the rich's man's palace. A mountain of gold heaped as high as heaven would be no such treasure as one promise of God our heavenly Father. FLETCHER'S ABLE PROTEST AGAINST POPERY. THE holy Fletcher, of Madeley, as a watchful shepherd, was ever attentive to the spiritual welfare of his flock, always adapting his discourses to their special need, and improving every public occurrence for their eternal welfare. While he loved the souls of men with the ardour and tenderness of a father for his children, he hated and rebuked error with all the fidelity of a Hebrew prophet. An instance of this is well worth recording, evincing, as it does, his vigilance and fidelity as a spiritual watchman, and his great ability as a divine. The Roman Catholics had opened a chapel in Madeley, and drew over to their communion some individuals of his flock. Under these circumstances, he considered it his duty to oppose them. He accordingly preached a sermon in which he ably contrasted the doctrines of the apostles with the errors of the Papists. "The apostles," he observed, "represent the Holy Scriptures as a sufficient rule of faith and practice; but the Papists maintain that tradition is to be received with the same veneration, and that those are accursed who knowingly contemn it. The apostles declare that the one living and true God is the sole object of religious worship; whereas the Papists enjoin the worship of the host, and of angels, saints, images, and relics. The apostles affirm that Christ is the only Mediator between God and man; but the Papists assert that there are many mediators to whom they are wont to have recourse, as the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, and departed saints in general. The apostles teach us that there is no merit, strictly speaking, in us, or in our works or sufferings; that, at the best, we are unprofitable servants; and that all merit is in Christ, His life and death, His atonement and intercession ;that there is no propitiatory sacrifice but that of His cross, and no purgatory but His blood and Spirit; whereas the Church of Rome, by her doctrine of indulgences, penances, and works of supererogation, as well as by that of the sacrifice of the mass and of purgatory, evidently departs from that faith, affirming that the works of justified persons do truly deserve eternal life, and pronouncing him accursed who denies that such works merit an increase of grace here, and eternal life hereafter. The apostles declare that the Holy Spirit is the only source of all inward or outward holiness; but the Papists maintain that the Virgin Mary is also a source of grace to the faithful, they being accustomed to address her in these words, 'Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord be with thee, thy gracewith me!' As to the commandments, he said—the Papists mangle the first; curtail, or openly break the second; and evidently contradict and violate the tenth, the Council of Trent having pronounced them accursed who say that concupiscence is sin. As to prayer, it is perverted by them, being ridiculously addressed to saints and angels, and that by means of beads and strings; as well as frequently offered for the dead; and, when in public, generally uttered in an unknown tongue. The two sacraments, he continued, are corrupted and abused by them ;-that of the Lord's Supper by their doctrine of transubstantiation, by their considering it as a sacrifice for the dead, and also by their denying the cup to the laity. The other sacrament is rendered ridiculous, partly by their baptism of bells, and partly by their joining it with sundry foolish and unscriptural ceremonies. Marriage, he continued, is constituted a sacrament without any authority from Scripture; and yet is forbidden to their clergy." The Romanists, who were previously sufficiently irritated, now openly professed their indignation. A man, who acted as their spokesman, cried out several times to the people, as they were leaving church, that there was not a word of truth in the whole sermon; and then, turning to Mr. Fletcher, assured him, that he would shortly produce a gentleman who would refute it, as G well as a pamphlet which Mr. Fletcher had distributed. These threats, however, they never thought proper to realize, whilst the bold and well-timed remonstrance of the zealous vicar prevented them from making any considerable progress in that neighbourhood. The following is a verbatim outline of the very able discourse which he preached on the occasion: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.-1 TIM, iv. 1—3. INTRODUCTION. 1. "The Spirit speaks expressly !" Where? (Dan. vii. 25, and xi. 36; 2 Thess. ii. 4.) 2. In the latter times. From Christ's first to second coming. 66 3. Some shall depart from the faith" apostolic. 4. "Giving heed to seducing spirits," -Popes and Priests, Jesuits and Friars, seducing from the faith.-(Rom. xvi. 17.) 5. "Doctrines of devils."- Popish doctrines. "Forbidding to marry and to use meats. 6. "Conscience seared with a hot iron." I. What is the apostolic faith? and how have Papists departed from it, and given place to doctrines of devils ? 1. By maintaining that the Holy Scripture is not a sufficient rule of faith. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isa. viii. 20.)-"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Gal. i. 8.)-" And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly fur All nished unto all good works." (2 Tim. iii. 15-17.)-"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." (Rev. xxii. 18.) II. The apostolic faith is-one God. "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.' (Matt. iv. 10.) Whereas the Papists worship (1) The Host. (2) Mary. (3) Angels.-(Col. ii. 18; Rev. xxii. 8, 9.) (4) Saints. III. Christ is the only Saviour, Mediator, and Advocate. (Matt. i. 21; Isa. xlv.)-"For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Tim. ii. 5.)—“If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John ii. 1.) No merit but in Christ. "Unprofitable servants." (Luke xvii. 10.)-Works, grace. (Rom. xi. 6.)— Indulgences, penances, works of supererogation. No purgatory but in his blood and Spirit. "The blood of Christ cleanseth." (1 John i. 7.)-" Blessed are the dead, Robes washed in the Lamb's blood." (Rev. i. 5.) No propitiatory sacrifice but that of the cross. That of the mass an abomination. (Heb. i. 3.) "He hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." (Heb. ix. 26.) By his own blood entered in once, having obtained eternal redemption."-Without shedding of blood, no remission. IV. Holy Ghost. This proposition heretical:-Nothing good, "no certain knowledge of salvation," though the Spirit bear witness, can be done without the grace of Christ, or Holy Ghost.-Bull Unigenitus. V. The first commandment mangled; the second cut off, and openly broken; and the tenth violated. "Cursed who say that concupiscence is sin." (Coun. Trent, 5th Session.) VI. Prayer to God. Perverted, or ridiculously addressed to saints. Prayer made to angels, saints, and Mary. Elijah asks Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for thee before I am taken." (2 Kings ii. 9.)-" Abraham ignorant of us." (Isa. lxiii. 16.) God the searcher of hearts. VII. Two sacraments spoiled or vilified. 1. Transubstantiation.-Door, Rock, Corner Stone. 2. Adoration of the Host. 3. Sacrifice of Christ's body. 4. Withholding the cup from the community. 5. Baptism of Bells.-Marriage a sacrament; forbidden. Pope Liberius subscribed Arianism. John XXII. denied the immateriality of the soul. Council of Arimini was Arian. Helena, A.D. 320. Monks, Anthony. Married POPES, Boniface I., Felix III., Gelasius. BISHOPS, Hilary, Gregory, Nyssa, Nazianzen; the Fathers down to Basil. Gregory, Mass, Virgin, Saints, A.D. 600. First true Pope, Boniface III., A.D. 605. Universal Bishop, Phocas, Mauritius; Boniface IV., Pantheon. Wafer, Priests, Masses, A.D. 700. Images worshipped, A.D. 790.-" If any one doubt whether they are to be worshipped, let him be accursed." Second Coun. of Nice.-"Let him not see Christ's face that will not adore his image." Coun. of Constantinople.Council of Trent confirmed them. "We kiss, salute, prostrate before them." Saints canonized, Adrian, A.D. 880. Bells baptized, John XIV., A.D., 965. Beads, Peter the Hermit, A. D. 1090. Transubstantiation, Article of Faith, Innocent III., Council Lateran, A.D. 1215. Honorius III. worships Gregory IX. bell. Cup withheld, A.D. 1250. Corpus Christi, Urban IV., A.D. 1260. Berengarius, Valdo, John Huss, Jerome of Prague. POPERY AND MOHAMMEDANISM, BRIEFLY COMPARED IN THEIR HISTORY AND THEIR DOOM. AFTER the general corruption of Christianity East and West, by the adoption of heathen or semi-heathen practices, from the imperfectly Christianized multitudes who had flocked into the ranks of the Church, subsequent to her public triumph in the Empire, two powers arose to dominate over the enfeebled Christians. The one retained the Christian doctrines, adhered to the corrupt practices, claimed chiefly spiritual domination, and, placing the Scriptures under the shade of tradition, adopted a system of impressing the senses, holding the conscience by priestly power, and gradually supplanting and overlaying the old truths by adding new dogmas. The other restored, as against both Pagan and Christian idolatry, many of the primitive forms of Christianity; rejected its cardinal doctrines; without disowning, supplanted its Scriptures; based its religious hold on a Book and on the intellect, aided by passion; and aimed at temporal dominion. Both used the sword, but only one the Inquisition; they flourished around the Mediterranean, dividing its shores between them, and thence extending the one North and West, the other South and East. Each took, as its chief seat, one of the capitals of the Roman Empire. Both prepared the way for their social ruin by undermining the Christian family institute, the one adopting the Pagan system of Celibacy, the other that of Polygamy. By the former, Rome has filled Italy in Christian times with the unnatural vice of heathen countries; by the latter, Islam has wasted its settled nations. "Turkey is perishing for want of Turks," Rome for want of Romans; and all Romish nations that would preserve their strength have been obliged so far to learn from Reformed Christianity as to restrain conventual abuses. The decay of these systems has been by opposite causes, as their development was by opposite tendencies. Islam has lost territory, but held fast the opinion of its own people a strong proof that even among Southern and Oriental races a spiritual worship has deeper hold than a sensuous one; that, after all, reason, not imagination, is the imperial faculty in man. Rome lost its strongest races by the revolt of opinion. Both have now long been dependent on foreign support; but, in the case of the Sultan, it is to protect him from the aggression of neighbouring States, or the uprising of conquered races; with the Pope, it is to sustain him against his own. The former holds his capital, and governs within his realm; the latter exists only by force of alien armies bearing down his own people. In Islam the Porte has gone much in advance of the people, in moderating the intolerance of the system, and adopting from Christian nations milder principles and methods, thereby risking its influence and even its existence in Romanism the people have gone much in advance of the Papacy, in adopting from Reformed Christians ideas of civil and religious polity, which have been resisted in theory and practice by Rome till it is imperilled by the conflict. Islam has receded before every form of Christianity; on the North it has lost several provinces to the followers of the Greek Church, on the West Algeria to the quasi Romish French, and on the East the grand Mogul Empire to a Protestant power. Never confronted, until lately, with a non-idolatrous ritual, all its losses have been by arms, its people cherishing a proud persuasion of their superior purity of worship. Rome, on the other hand, has had her frontier nations raised, enlightened, and led forward by the influence of Reformed Christianity correcting and stimulating them; while her central populations, shut in from this influence by Alps and Pyrenees, have steadily gone downwards, till those she directly rules can no longer bear their miseries, and those who would uphold her are decrepit and powerless. A doom overhangs them both. Islam sees all her frontiers falling in, Rome her centre heaving beneath her: humanity, sighing under the feet of both, does not ask, "Will they fall?" but, "When?" Freedom, Education, Virtue, Domestic Comfort, Commerce, Science, and Patriotism, all the forms owned by the common consent of mankind as the good angels, attendants of true Religion, cry aloud for their downfall; and only three forms shrink at the prospect-Tyranny, Ignorance, and Superstition.-Arthur on Italy in Transition. AN INCIDENT IN BELFAST. THERE are scenes of thrilling interest constantly occurring in connexion with our "Revival" in Ireland. Last week two young men, who were companions, met each other in Belfast: one said to the other, "Will you go to the theatre with me to-night?" "No," was the immediate reply; "I am going to a revival meeting this evening with my parents.' He went to the meeting: a word spoken by a servant of God went like an arrow to his heart. He came away under deep conviction. The next morning, on leaving his bed-room, he said to his mother, "Mother, I have neglected my Bible; I am determined this shall not be the case in future. Will you go with me to purchase a Bible with references?" Gladly did she reply, "I will." Oh, how many neglect this precious Word of life, "which is able to make us wise unto salvation!" He went to another meeting that night. There he knelt as a poor lost sinner, crying for mercy through the blood of Jesus; and, blessed be God, he found the Saviour, ready and willing to say unto him, "Thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee!" He went home rejoicing in the pardoning love of Jesus. Oh, how willing is God to pardon, and fill the heart of the poor sinner with "joy unspeakable and full of glory!" Being made happy himself, he thought he should like his young companion to feel the same. The next morning, full of yearning pity for the soul of his friend, he hastened to communicate to him the tidings of his own conversion, and to urge him to flee from the wrath to come. He went to the house, rang the bell, the door opened, and he was bounding up the passage, to the room of his young friend, as he was wont to do. A |