signify the ministries of the Church; simply, because the face is a part of the head, which invariably stands in Scripture, as well as by the universal consent of mankind, as the place of dignity and rule: and if we take the head itself to signify Christ as the only Head of His Church, then we must conclude that the four faces are intended to emblematize a fourfold aspect, through which Christ, as the Head, looks forth upon the Church and, through her, upon the world.

Assuming, therefore, that these four faces in the cherubim denote four distinct and separate aspects through which Christ, as the Head, looks out upon the Church and the world through His ministries, we are driven to the conclusion that the faces themselves must carry upon their front some palpable and unmistakeable indications of their respective character; and, upon such a supposition, we shall now proceed to ascertain what peculiar ministry in the Church the face of an eagle pourtrays; which, if we can satisfactorily determine, will be found materially to assist us in forming a correct opinion of the ministerial aspect of the Church, during her sojourn in the symbolic wilderness for three years and a half, immediately consequent upon the appearance of Christ in the air and the translation of the living saints.

No interpreter can possibly make any satisfactory progress in the exposition of a symbolic prophecy, without making himself first acquainted with the nature and character of the symbol itself. But, independently and apart from all considerations of the expedient observance of this sound principle of interpretation, in the present instance there is no other alternative than that of extracting the truth from the symbol itself; because, as far as we have been able to ascertain, the Scriptures are wholly silent as to the emblematical and typical import of these faces upon the heads of the cherubim.

The eagle, or indeed any of the fowls of the air, when used as a symbol, without any reference to its peculiar characteristics, naturally draws the attention to the air or heavens; and, when applied to any distinct ministry in the Church, suggests the idea of its being of a more purely spiritual character than others whose border is supposed to be more limited to the bounds of the earth. But if the reader will refer to that admirable work, "Cruden's Concordance," under the head "eagle," he will find a succinct account of the natural history and peculiar instincts of that bird, of which it will be scarcely necessary to observe that he is classed by common consent as the head of the feathered tribe; just as all the other

faces in the cherubim are heads of their respective tribes thus, the lion stands as head of the untamed beasts of the forest, the ox or calf as the head of all tame and domesticated animals, and the man as head of all the intelligent and visible creation.

In order to attach proper weight to Cruden's account of this bird, it must be recollected that his description is not so much derived, either from the records of natural history or personal knowledge as from the testimony of Scripture; and, therefore, his observations are the more valuable when any spiritual truths are sought to be extracted from his representation of the true character of the symbol.

The eagle soars highest of all the fowls of the air, and loves to build its nest on the tops of the rocks, accordingly as it is written in Job (xxxix. 27, 30)" Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh her prey, and her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she." It is said that she has not only a quicker sight, but that she is the only one among the feathered tribe who can gaze upon the meridian sun in all its splendour with

the

an open and unflinching eye. The eagle shuns company of other birds and soars alone, or rests in solitary exclusiveness upon the tops of the highest rocks. She does not always devour the flesh of her victims, but oftentimes leaves the half-consumed carcase for birds of an inferior note, whilst she herself breaks the bones of her prey, and devours the marrow which they contain. She not only shuns the company of other birds, but the presence of man is so obnoxious to her that Cruden records that "it goeth forth to prey about noon, when men have gone home out of the fields."

Now, what is that ministry of God towards man, which, moving highest in the heavenly region, first discerns things from afar, and whose spiritual altitude enables it to detect objects which are not within the range of the eye of ordinary men ?—surely the seer or the prophet. What is that ministry, which, by coming in close communion with God in the way of revelation, is most accustomed to look upon God in His spiritual glory?-surely the prophet. Who are those who are keen of eye and quick of scent in the knowledge of God's purposes?surely the prophet. Who are those who extract the marrow-the spiritual substance from all truth and leave the dead carcass of the letter,

as it were, to ignobler birds to feed on ?-surely the prophet. Who are those who love to dwell alone, and seek the mountain height or the solitary places of the wilderness, shunning the common haunts of man, and holding sweet converse with God alone, and yet never less alone? -surely the prophet. And who, when he descends to the general society of his fellow men, is avoided by most and regarded with suspicion by all?surely the prophet.

To cite examples in justification of this interpretation of the symbol, would be to point to every prophet whose history and habits are recorded in either the Old or New Testament Scriptures. If the mountains, and the solitary rocks, and the desolate wilderness of that land of prophets, indeed, had tongues to tell the tale, we would appeal to them as witnesses in corroboration of its truth. Was there a recess in all the land which echoed not back the lonely tread, and witnessed not the silent eloquence and deep communion of heart, which the Son of God Himself held with His Father who was in heaven? It may be that such notions may expose us to the suspicion of possessing a heated and frenzied brain; still we cannot refrain from the expression of a feeling, that, if the Church inclosed within her bosom a few more such soli