to make out any thing different from this, must be revolting to the simple reader, who seeks merely to understand what the writer meant.

His

Plain as all this seems to my mind, yet I see many, and some very sensible persons too, greatly agitated about the end of the world, which, as many predict at the present day, is to come in 1843. I do not say, it will not; for I do not know this. But I do say, that it would be well for the public to call to mind the many predictions of the like nature which have already been wrecked, and which were maintained with as much learning, and as much confidence too, as present theories are. Specially would they do well to call to mind the notable case of John Albert Bengel, one of the best Greek scholars and sacred expositors of the last age, and the editor of the famous critical edition of the New Testament which bears his name. piety and talents are beyond fair question; and sobriety, on all other subjects except the Apocalypse, was a prominent trait of his character. He spent the flower of his life in pursuit of the secret meanings of the Revelation. He came to a full persuasion, at last, that he had discovered them. He announced them to the world; and in so doing, he says, with much modesty, that the only reason he has to doubt the disclosure of these secrets is, that it was made to so unworthy a person as himself. Yet, in the full confidence that the occult matters of the Apocalypse had actually been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, he published his book. Most devoutly does he thank God for the wonderful disclosures which it is designed to make. The grand period as to all the leading parts of the great drama, according to his book, was to be consummated in A. D. 1836. If the face of the world should not be entirely changed at that period, then, he says, the church must believe that he has been mistaken. But that the change

expected would take place, he entertained not a shadow of doubt.

So far, this great and good man. And we-we have lived to see 1836, and the world is still moving round the sun, and its busy inhabitants going on much as in days of yore. We never once thought, at that period, of the Bengelian revelations; and cannot now discover the record of them on the page of history.

Many a confident prediction, uttered by other romancers in prophecy, has met with the same fate, and been wrecked on the rocks whither the mighty stream of time hath borne them. Such is doubtless the destiny of many others also; and yet, all this does not seem to diminish the confidence of those who write theological romances! Be it so. If there must needs be enthusiasts and visionaries, (and so it would seem), why may not this department of exegetical theology exhibit its due proportion?

Once for all, however, we may beseech such interpreters to listen to a word of caution. I will not reproach them with the presumption of undertaking to expound a book, which, of all others in the Bible, demands the deepest knowledge of the original Scriptures, and of the prophetic idiom, when they have not well studied either. But may I not ask, how it came about, that when Jerusalem was to be destroyed, the exact time was so carefully kept back, until the very eve of its accomplishment, from the disciples of Christ? Mark tells us (13: 3), that the three favourite disciples went to him and asked him the question respecting the time of its desolation. He tells us, also, that Jesus declared this time (v. 32) to be unknown, not only to men, but to the angels in heaven, yea to the Son himself." It was only after the Roman army was in Palestine and had begun their task, that the time was declared to John, Rev. 11: 2.

But we may appeal to a passage still more applicable to the present case, and which comprises more within its grasp. The anxious disciples asked of the risen Saviour, when he would restore the kingdom to Israel? It matters not what particular thing they had in mind, i. e. whether it was purely the spiritual kingdom of Christ, or the ecclesiastico-political kingdom which they had once been expecting. The answer is one which should be engraven on a frontispiece and put upon the study door of every writer on the prophecies, who indulges the expectation of being able to point out the day and the hour of fulfilment. was this: IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW THE TIMES OR THE SEASONS, WHICH THE FATHER HAS PUT IN HIS OWN POWER. Acts 1: 6, 7.

It

If now it was not for even apostles to know these secrets, is it for every curious and speculating mind, that knows little indeed either of history or exegetical science, to tell us all about such matters ? Is it not presumption to engage in such an undertaking? God has undoubtedly determined upon the times and seasons, when all events that respect his church will take place. But it does not follow, that he has revealed this matter to us. We are satisfied that he has not. Why not leave to him the secret things which he claims as his own prerogative? Why assume to ourselves a position, which he does not allow us to assume?

But alas! all the disappointments of writers teeming with fancy and filled with confidence, in days that are past, seem to have made no serious impression on the like class of writers at the present period. As soon as ruthless time mows down one parterre of flowers with his scythe, another is planted on its ruins, with the hope of having a more permanent crop. And so it will still be. When 1843 passes away, and the world still moves on without being

jostled from its orbit; the Pope still issues his decrees from

the Vatican; the Sultan still haughtily points to his peering minarets and the banners of Islam; and faithful and humble Christians are still labouring and suffering as before; then some more fortunate adventurer will perhaps discover latent error in former calculations, (as recently has been the case in respect to those of Bengel), and we shall then have a new period fixed upon as the consummation-period of all. But this will in all probability be far enough in advance to be out of the reach of the generation who are addressed, and therefore beyond their power of absolute denial or of decisive correction. When this is once done with some good degree of ingenuity, then a new tune will be played upon the old instrument; and it will be listened to and applauded because it is new. Thus we go on, amusing ourselves from one decennium to another, ever pursuing in fact the same phantoms, although we give chase to them in different directions. When such chases will be over, it would be as difficult to say, as to fix upon the specific period of the Millennium.

It may not be improper here to say, that while the exact time cannot be discovered by us, and is not (as I believe) revealed in the Scriptures, yet something may be said in respect to the probable period, when the general diffusion of Christianity will take place. My answer to the ques

tion respecting this would be, that it will speedily take place, when all Christians, or at least the great body of them, come up to the standard of duty, or come very near to this standard, in their efforts to diffuse among the nations of the earth the knowledge of salvation. The divinely appointed means will secure the end, because God will bless them. Every Christian, then, and every Society for propagating the knowledge of Christianity, is helping to usher in the millennial day, when they ply this work to the best of their ability. On such a ground, the strongest

encouragement is held out to all faithful disciples. They may rest assured, that "their work and labor in the Lord are not in vain."

But let us, on the other hand, suppose that a definite time has been disclosed in the Apocalypse, or elsewhere in the Scripture, before which it is impossible that the Millennium should commence; what encouragement could Christians have to engage in efforts to christianize the world before that period arrives? They must take every step with the assurance that the end is unattainable. Divine decree has fixed the time, and disclosed it to them, before which all means and all efforts to convert the nations must be unavailing. The consequence of course would naturally be, a total remission, on the part of true believers in the divine word, of all efforts to evangelize the world. And can it be thought credible, that the same voice which has proclaimed: "Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature," has also proclaimed, (and so we may rest assured), that before the middle or close of the 19th century the nations will not hearken to it? This is not the manner in which the great Head of the church is wont to deal with his servants. He has told them, that the times and the seasons the Father keeps in his own power. For the rest, they have only to obey his commands as to proclaiming the gospel, and leave the event with him.

One thing more I feel constrained to say, before I quit this theme of the latter day of glory. Whether we have respect to the Millennium, usually so named, or to a more prosperous period still, near the close of time, the extravagant apprehensions so often entertained and avowed respecting this season of prosperity, seem quite unworthy of credit. The prophets have indeed employed most glowing language, in describing the future season of prosperity; and all they have said, will doubtless prove to be true, in