sweet verse: "Of God are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God "I stand upon the mount of God, I see the storms in vales beneath I hear the thunders roll. But I am calm with Thee, my God." It "As Sweet to be out of weakness made strong. thy day so shall thy strength be," softly whispers the voice of my Beloved. How fathomless are the depths of tenderness of our loving Father's heart of love to us in Christ! I have been led again and again to exclaim, "Unutterably precious and sweet is His love-His changeless and quenchless love." "O how He loves! Beloved sister, I am, through grace, sweetly proving-breathing the atmosphere of Love's own presence. Never have I stood in greater need of patience, and gentleness, and wisdom, and fearless trust in the Lord, and this as regards one I dearly love, who is very near and dear to me, and dear to the Lord also, one of His own loved ones. Yesterday morning the words, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength," were of sweet comfort to my soul. It is thus my loving Lord delights to whisper words of sweetest consolation. All fulness dwells in Him; fulness of peace, of love, of joy, of rest; fulness of everything-everything we can need for time and eternity. How rich we are in Him! It is now Thursday; everything is bringing us nearer home. "Soon and for ever we shall be with Jesus. A fond good bye to my much-loved sister. * * * In the course of next week, if it be the Lord's will, I purpose writing to - Pray for me, beloved I know you will pray letter may that my be a Spirit-indited one, and remember before the Lord the dear sorrowful one. My heart yearns over her, and I love her very dearly, poor, poor dear. Her mental life hangs on the slenderest of threads-think then of the misery and fear she must continually be in. The beloved blind one thanks you most warmly, and sends you much dear love, with, "I was sick, and ye visited Me." I have had some precious letters from her. She is much the same, always suffering, but rejoicing in the Lord, rejoicing greatly in Him, Pray for me, beloved. The Lord kiss you with the kisses of His mouth, and richly bless you. Yours in the risen and exalted One. NO FEAR IN LOVE. ESUS! the noon of heaven above, There is no fear in love; its light Knows neither cloud nor shade; Why should I fear? If I am Thine, I shall be dear to Thee: And, precious thought! if Thou art mine, What should I fear? Thy latest breath Of SIN, the only sting of death, Why should Satanic hate alarm, Whom God preserves no man can harm, When duty calls my thoughts abroad Be Thou my harbour, dearest Lord, Thou art my hope of bliss above, St. John, New Brunswick, TIMOTHY HARLEY. "WAITING FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN." Those who are in the THE attitude of holy expectation is most sanctifying in its tendency and effect. attitude of waiting for the expected arrival of One whom they dearly love-" whom, though not having seen they love"-will exercise much patience while doing so. And more than that, they will seek and endeavour to be "ready" when He does come. Now our Jesus has promised to come; and He will come; He has said so; He has said so over and over again. There is "line upon line, precept upon precept," in reference to it, And He has made this pre-intimation of His advent for some wise end and purpose. What is that end and purpose then? What can it be? It cannot be an indifferent matter to us-a thing of no moment. It is intended, doubtless, to have some real and practical influence upon our lives and characters. Yes; we are to be waiting for His Son from heaven.” "He will so come in like manner as He has gone into heaven." day nor the hour knoweth no man; no, not the angels 66 "The in heaven." Yet He will come. He may be " near at hand, and not afar off." He may be but just "behind our wall." Anyhow, we have His exhortation-" Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Let us then be "ready." Let us have our "loins girt about with truth," each with his staff in his hand. Let those who are "separate, and partakers of the heavenly calling, go forth without the camp, bearing His reproach." We are to "occupy till He comes!" Live in Him, and work for Him. The watching is our privilege and our obligation. And "blessed is that servant whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find so doing." Brethren in Jesus, look for Him; "work while it is day." "The night cometh." Perhaps some of its distant shadows are even now being flung across our path! O let us be wise virgins; let us have "oil in our vessels with our lamps." Let us be "looking for Him." New Bexley, S.E. "BETTER DAYS." W. FRITH. BETTER days! Ah! the widow, once well-to-do seen and respectable, now starving in yon garret, has "better days." The orphan, deprived of his mother's care, and Father's protection and guidance, now left friendless in this dark world, has seen better days. The beggar, sitting at the rich man's gate, naked, hungry, and forlorn, has seen better days. The soldier, who, with limbs half-lopped away in battle, "begs bitter bread through realms his valour saved," has seen better days. We, too, have seen better days. Our ancestors lived in Eden. But we have fallen, and lost the inheritance. Yet "better days" are at hand. "There is a GOOD TIME COMING," when Jesus, the Saviour of His people, will restore our lost privileges, and regain the blissful seat. The New Jerusalem, the second Paradise, has been purchased by His own blood for His Church. Oh, yes! There is a good time coming. The eternal spring will soon break forth in unrivalled spendour on this sin-torn, strife-stricken world: all that it contains shall be "dissolved," (though the earth shall not be destroyed,) not one wrack shall be left; but it shall be purified and cleansed; then a city, and far more glorious and beautiful than ancient Paradise, will be prepared for the saints; the tree of life will be laden with celestial fruits; fountains of living waters springing from God's eternal love shall gush down the golden streets; there will be no night then, for the everlasting day will have begun; no candle will be needed, for the Triune Jehovah will be a LIGHT to the redeemed; the longpredicted STAR out of Jacob will send forth His radiant beams, and shine on each son of Zion; yea, look! even now, from yon west, the Sun of Righteousness is rising with healing in His wings! There is truly a good time coming. Let this paltry world attract us no longer; let the love of pleasure enchain no more: let us not play with the gilded toys of peril another moment; but give diligence to make our election sure. We have " no abiding city here :" mournful indeed and sad it would be if this was our home! But no, our home is above; we are journeying to the " BETTER COUNTRY." Earth's grandest scenes shall be remembered no more; earth's noblest names shall be written in the dust, and earth's highest honours shall be forgotten! They are but shadows; we wait substance; we wait treasures no thief can touch; we seek unfading honours and heavenly titles; for our names are written on the walls of Zion, and shall not be erased. Better days are coming! when King Jesus shall have dominion from sea to sea, and shall reign for ever and ever! Reader, hast thou a lot in the covenant of grace; hast thou a part in the Redeemer's kingdom? If not, "yet there is room." Have you ever noticed that there are two whosoevers? One is in Rev. xx. 15; the other in Acts ii. 21. But the last "whosoever" is mentioned three times in God's Word. Rom. x. 13; Joel ii. 32. Both are equally true, the first is a very solemn one— very solemn for the ungodly to remember. "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." But the other is very encouraging, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." May you be led thus to call on the name of Jesus, and you shall be saved. Hast thou done so? Then better days are in store for you. Then the wicked shall cease from troubling, then the weary will be at rest. There will be no devil to tempt you, no Philistines to harass you. Oh, it will be joyful! But don't forget to pray for these "better days," and your voice of prayer"Thy kingdom come," shall, ere long, be changed into the note of praise: "Thy kingdom has come! Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Rotherhithe FREDERICK HARPER. OUR DESTINY. BORN to live for ever, To soar to worlds unknown, Be our's to stem the eurrent, Most furious when withstood, That bears the glittering pageant, Of this world's seeming good! May Christ in mercy scatter, Those earthborn clouds that rise, And every idol shatter, That hides our glorious prize! One grand angelic chorus, One glance at the abyss, With love's bright halo o'er us, 1n token of true bliss, Will disenchant our vision, 'Till heavens bright chariot meets us, And win our heart's desire. J. BURNETT, SIGNS OF THE TIMES. CORRESPONDENT writing from Bridlington, Yorkshire, refers to the increase of Popery, and acknowledges the service rendered by The Voice in the various articles which have appeared on the Signs of the Times. She asks us to insert the following extract from a north country newspaper : "AUDACIOUS ASSUMPTION OF THE POPISH PRIESTHOOD.-A Roman Catholic priest (Father Scarisbrick,) in his discourse at St. Peter's, Seal-street, Liverpool, referred in these remarkable terms to the Christian priesthood. He said the power possessed by the priest was so great, so prodigious, that in his exercise of it he spoke not as a man, but as God, and he took the place of God when he said, "I absolve thee from thy sin." His power was greater than that of the angels. The heavenly spirits, though superior to the priest by the excellence of their nature, had nothing at all in their functions which could compare with the function of the priest-they had to look on from a distance with faces veiled and bowed to the altar. The angels adored what the priest held in his hand. The priest was the agent of God; and he it was who bound and unloosened in God's name. After alluding to the power exercised by Moses and Joshua in prayer, the reverend gentleman said the priest could do still greater things. He could call down from heaven He who was God in part, equal with the Father, and He became incarnate in the hands of that priest, and allowed Himself to be immolated by him; to be placed here or there wherever that man pleased; to be given to whomsover he pleased; and to be done with as he (the priest) liked. Joshua only told the sun to stand still once; but the priest ordered Jesus Christ to come down from heaven to earth every time he pronounced the words of the gospel. That was the power of the priest. What was it that could raise up a man when he had fallen? Call upon the angels and archangels, upon St. Michael himself even, the conqueror of hell: could they say to a man, "I absolve you from your sins?" No, they could not. Call upon the blessed Virgin Mary, the queen of heaven and the terror of hell, she could and she would pray for them, and her prayers would have great power before the throne of God; but she could not absolve from any sin. She could not, but the priest could. The responsibility, and dignity, and position of a priest were far beyond that of a magistrate, an ambassador, a prime minister, or a sovereign, because his duties were far more important; he was the first lord of the treasury of heaven. The preacher then drew attention to the high estimation in which the priesthood was held by pagans and saints, and said all their functions were exercised for the people. It was for the sake of the people that the priests every morning handled the body of Jesus, and stained their lips with the blood of that "man without spot." NOTICES OF BOOKS. "Tears of the Pilgrims in the Sunlight of Heaven." By Willam Frith, Minister of Trinity Chapel, New Bexley, S. E. Preface by the Rev. Hugh Allen, D. D., Rector of St. George the Martyr, Southwark. London: Robert Banks, 30, Ludgate Hill, E. C. Price 8d. This is an admirable little work, well suited to give comfort to the tried and sorrowful believer. We thank our brother and esteemed correspondent for it, and trust the Lord will graciously use it, giving it a wide circulation. William Saunders, the Cricketer. By Rev. James Fleming, Kentish Town. London: Morgan and Chase, 38, Ludgate-hill. This is a deeply-interesting narrative of a case of conversion, the subject becoming afterwards an instrument in God's hands for the bringing in of others. His career was, however, but short. As is often the case, the Lord gave him a busy and earnest course of service, and then took him to be with Himself. Mr. Fleming adds in each chapter, remarks and reflections, which embody the Scripture truth of a full gospel, and a complete and immediate salvation in the exercise of faith. The book cannot fail to be useful. Mr. Fleming's ministry has been such in an eminent degree. When we lived and laboured at Lynton and Lynmouth, he came down there for a few days, The and during his stay he took a Sunday's meetings for us. Christians were greatly edified, and five persons were awakened that day, three at least of whom afterwards found full peace in the precious blood of Jesus. INTELLIGENCE. Swindon, Wilts. We have letters regularly from a Christian brother, Thomas Yarnton, who is labouring here in the Lord's work. He carries on his worldly calling; but devotes all his spare time to the evangelizing work. He prcaches the gospel, visits the poor and sick, distributes tracts, &c. He has eirculated a large number of The Voice, and gives, in his last two letters, interesting statements of the way in which God is blessing to Christians the truths contained in this publication. This brother will thankfully receive tracts for distribution, or any help towards the carrying on of the Lord's work. Address Mr. Thomas Yarnton, 10, Havelock-street, New Swindon, Wilts. Hull, Yorkshire.-During the last three weeks we have had the Wesleyan Conference here, and I sent one each of the proclamation, and "Behold He cometh," to over 500 ministers. During the last two months, I have regularly preached in the market-place, which is generally crowded with an ungodly multitude. Last Lord's day was Drypool feast. It is an annual gathering in August, lasting Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. On the Sunday afternoon I distributed large quantities of tracts, in conjunction with two other brethren. also preached both Sunday and Monday. Many listened very attentively; but there was a sprinkling of sceptics and scoffers. A Testimony from "The Border Land."—" I enclose you five shillings in stamps, two shillings from a friend, and three shillings the produce of my work-almost I expect the last, for I am nearly worn out, longing to depart and be with Him, whose presence even here is my joy unspeakable. Soon it will be full of glory. A poor worthless worm, whom He hath redeemed by HIS OWN BLOOD, and for whom He is now making intercession, and preparing a place. He will soon come again; marvel of marvels! to take me to Himself. Dear brother, I pray daily for His blessing to rest upon your work, in and for Him, and that your soul may be as "a well watered garden,' the blessed fruits soon to be reaped. Your friends here are much as usual; the blessed hope growing daily stronger and stronger, as the darkness thickens around. Soon all will be light, glorious light, even the light of His presence. To Him, through the Comforter, I commend you and all the dear brethren and sisters labouring with you. I shall know them all up there, when we join our dear ones gone before, and waiting for us. Pray for your loving aged sister in Christ, St, Aubin's, Jersey. M. A. LEQUYER. DR. BELL'S CHRISTIAN WORK. We earnestly entreat the attention of our friends to the short article at the commencement of this number. The following contributions are thankfully acknowledged: A Christian brother, who has large nurseries, offers to give £2 or £3 worth of evergreens, or other garden plants, and will send them to any address, on hearing that any such sum has been sent to Dr. Bell's Christian work, a catalogue will be sent on application to Dr. Bell. For the Circulation of the Voice, &c.-S. Darlington, 2s. 6d. J. S., Newcastle, 4s. S. H., Kilburn, £5 183. Od. Per S. S., 2s. 6d. "A Friend," 6d. J. S., Witheredge, Devon, 4s. 8d. "A Friend," Llandudno, 2s. 6d. J. S., Guernsey, 2s. G. R., Finsbury, 1. Mr. C., Islington, 5s. 6d. S. H., Kilburn, £4 14s, 6d. A. T., Kenmare, 17s. J. C. A., Hull, £1. Mrs. M., 2s. 6d. E. W., Plymouth, 2s, 6d. Mrs. A., Rickmansworth, 2s. General Evangelizing.-F. L., Liverpool, 2s. E. W. C., Exeter, 6d. F. G., Liverpool, 2s. 6d. "For Jesus' sake," Darling1, 2s. From Lowestoft, "A mite from two sisters in the rd, towards Dr. Bell's work and labour of love. We are king for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the eat God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." 5s. The Work in Shouldham Street Chapel,-In boxes August 1st, € 63. 10d. 8th, £1 18s. 2d. 15th, 10s. 10d. 22nd, 15s. 74d. S., Gatehouse, Scotland, 15s. By sale of tickets for tea, 16s. Od. (Expenses of ditto, £3 19s. Od.) The Poor.-A. W., for special case, 5s. M. H., Roquettes, ernsey, 5s. "A mite for the Lord's poor, M. S., Cheltenm," 2s. 6d. "A widow's mite," Gatehouse, N. B., 5s. In xes at Shouldham-street, 8s. Hymn books &c., sold - 6s. Od. The Ministry.-W. R., Camberwell, 10s. "A friend, with rnest prayers," 5s. Mrs. M., Crawford-street, 5s. Mrs. M., elsea, 2s. 6d. Put into my hand after meeting, £1. From old friend, with best wishes on this special occasion," 10s. r Mrs. M, Milton-street, and Miss H., a few friends towards rsonal expenses, on the special occasion, £4 15s. Od. A. F. , £50. A. B., 2s. A friend, Essex, 10s. Mr. T., £1. "With ich Christian love," 2s. In boxes, August 1st, £2 13s. 6d. gust 8th, £5 128. 14d. (£3 of this in a paper on which was itten, "for Dr. Bell, from E. S.,-"Thanks be unto God for Is unspeakable gift." R. T., 2s. 6d. "Dear Brother in sus, accept of the enclosed stamps for yourself, from friends Springkell, Dumfriesshire," 7s. J. L., Liverpool, 2s. 6d. In xes August 15th, £1 10s. 3d. August 15th, £1 3s. 10d. With earnest prayers," 10s. "From one whose soul prospers der your teaching, given as a thank-offering to the Lord," 5s. - T., Bath, 2s. 6d. Miscellaneous.-Parcel of tracts per book post, J. C. A. and mily, Hull, parcel of articles for Sale-room. Also from same, large parcel of tracts on the Lord's coming. E. D., Tavistock, rcel of tracts to be sold for the benefit of the work. A. B., rge parcel of tracts. From Glencoe, N. B., a box of game, 8 ace of grouse. Book-post packet of tracts. It Miss Smith's Report.-The Lord's goodness is shewn to day by day, and He continually keeps me calling upon the iends who come to the sale-room to join in praising Him. he sale-room has been a valuable addition to our work. ways has paid all its own rent and expenses, as well as rnished quantities of clothing for the poor. This continues the present time. I met with a poor woman a few days ago Ith two little children, and going to visit her, found the children early naked and without food. Three-pence provided them ith a loaf-they had nothing else all day. After making nquiry about them, I was able to provide food,and also help to othe them. Many such cases I can speak of, and praise the Ord for giving me such a privilege. We have trials; but I nd that, generally, it is the more trial the more blessing. My me is fully occupied, all day long I am either in the sale-room reparing articles for the poor, or out visiting amongst them. We have various meetings in the sale-room. On the Monday venings conference and prayer for those engaged in the work. n the Wednesday afternoons a sewing meeting, when many d people and others gather, generally all our aged widows who et a weekly allowance from us, and work at garments, which e afterwards sold at low prices to the poor, or to ladies for e poor. The Lord gives us very good success in this part of e work. I have just sent away to Lady C-articles for the por to the value of £1 10s. The Lord raises up fresh friends, nd the older ones continue kindly to help us. A short time ago, hen I returned one day from visiting, I found a parcel of oaks for the poor, which had been left by a lady who said she ad accidentally met with a copy of the Voice, and had been uch interested in what she read about the mission, and had me at once to see the sale-room, and leave herself her conibution for the poor. Since my last report I have had various arcels of useful articles and clothing; also parcels for the sale me. room. in Circus room. These were all either given to the poor, or sold, and the proceeds applied for their benefit. I will now acknowledge a few, and if any are omitted I hope ladies will excuse From friends at Torquay, through Miss Parr, a parcel. E. P., a book sold for 3s. 6d., and a box sold for 5s. From Dr. Bell, £2 10s., for the poor, and £3 for self. From a lady, name unknown,parcel of clothes for the poor. From another, parcel of materials. Mrs. M., 2s. 6d. for self. Mrs. H., parcel of materials to make up for sale-room, From the same, 5s., for a special purpose. Mrs. W., parcel of fancy and useful things for saleroom. Mrs. M., 2s. 6d. for self. Mrs. M., parcel of print for sale-room. Miss S., parcel of children's clothes. Misses T., a box of dolls and parcel of children's clothes. Mrs. T., articles for sale-room. Mrs. W., a cloth mat. Mrs. S., a useful dress and cloak for self. Miss H., a pair of gold ear-rings to be sold, and the proceeds to go towards purchase of sewing machine for self. A friend, 5s., for the same. From Dr. Bell, towards the pensioners, 10s., and £1. Miss M., 2s. 6d., towards expenses of tea at Monday evening meetings. Mrs. H., 10s., for materials to make up for the poor, and 5s. for self. Misses H., Gloucester-place, a parcel of children's clothes. Mrs. Hanson, parcel of old clothes for the poor. A friend, two hats, and other old things. Another friend, three pictures to be sold in saleMrs. Mrs. Humphries, various articles for the poor. R., a lady who has done so much for the poor in connection with my work, and who has given me regular weekly pensions for several deserving poor people, has for month's been very ill. We have continually prayed to the Lord for her in our meetings. She has remembered the poor pensioners in the midst of all her illness, and now, again, when I was really not expecting more from that quarter, she very kindly sent me an order for £1 15s., to enable me to pay on her pensioners for twelve weeks longer. Mrs. D. gave me 12s. 6d. for a week's rent of the sale-room; 6s. 6d. towards the poor widow's treat, and Mrs. R. 1s. towards the same. Mrs. D. also sent 13s. 6d. for relief in two special cases. I had the opportunity of three weeks' change into the country, which very much refreshed and invigorated me for a return to my work for the Lord. Friends kindly helped me in the expenses of that change. Lady C. gave £1, and Mrs. D., 10s. Honble. Mrs. G., at Lynmouth, gave me 10s., whilst at Lynmouth. I attended the meetings of Christians there, wherein prayer was made continually for our work in London; so that I felt much of the Lord's goodness in making a united interest for His glory between Lynmouth and London. And it was a very remarkable instance of the Lord's grace in answering prayer, that my return to town was hastened by the obtaining of the Shouldhamstreet Chapel, after many weeks of prayer, in which I had earnestly joined. Shortly after my return to London, I named to a few friends that I was asking the Lord to enable me to take out into the country for a day's fresh air and relaxation, a number of our poor old widows, pensioners, and friends. The Lord at once inclined two kind friends, (Lady C., and her daughter, Miss C..) who have helped the work from time to time, to give me £1 10s. for this purpose, and 10s. for myself. Other friends have continued to help. There are sales continually going on. Parcels of old clothes come in occasionally. This greatly encourages our faith, for we are enabled to speakconfidently of the Lord's presence and help. We are now having special prayer that the Lord may raise up still further help, and enable us to prepare, during the next two months, a stock of clothing for the use of the poor during the next winter. There is very sad distress even now, and most likely there will be again a very sad winter for the poor. The treat on the 26th August gave great pleasure to all the dear aged ones. There were about twenty of them, accompanied by the teachers, friends, and children. The Lord answered prayer in granting a very beautiful day. The private grounds of which the use was given to us-The Priory, Hampstead-were most suitable for the purpose. We had been enabled to provide abundant provisions for all, dinner and tea. There was a short meeting, hymns sung, &c.; and nothing occurred during the whole day, to mar the happy enjoyment of all, both children and friends. Our hearts were filled with praise to the Lord for His great goodness. THE PRESENT STATE OF THE PROFESSEDLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, COMPARED WITH THE STATE OF THE JEWISH CHURCH AT THE FIRST ADVENT OF JESUS CHRIST. ROM the four Gospels we learn the true condition of the Jewish church, its religious and political divisions, and the national expectation of Messiah's advent. From the Book of Daniel, we learn also, that when the Jews were carried captives to Babylon, God gave power and supreme authority over Israel and the earth into the hands of the Gentiles. (Dan. ii. and vii.) First Babylon, then Media and Persia, then Greece, and lastly Rome, ruled over God's elect nation. The Jews were no longer a free and independent people, having Jehovah for their King; and though at the birth of Jesus Christ, Herod, surnamed the great, was reigning as King in Jerusalem (Matt. ii.,) it was only by the sufferance of Rome, and at his death, Judæa became a Roman province. (Luke iii.) Not only had "the sceptre departed from Judah;" but the Word of God had been made of none effect by the additions and traditions of the scribes and elders; so that we find (Acts v. 17) that even the High Priest and his party were of the sect of the Sadducees, the infidel section of the Jews. A glance at the religious and political divisions of the Jews, will enable us to understand how sects, so opposite in their tenets and religious prejudices, were found so frequently uniting together to oppose Christ and His teachings. The Pharisees were doubtless regarded with the deepest reverence by the common people, at the time of our Lord's ministry. Their strict minute observance of the ceremonial ritual, as set forth in the law of Moses, their frequent fastings, their many prayers in the temple, and in the corners of the streets, their ostentatious charity, even their outward garb, distinguishing them from all other Jews, seemed so to raise them in the estimation of men, that they were considered as the most devout and consistent followers and observers of the law of Moses. We may take Paul's account of himself before conversion, (Phil. iii.,) as characteristic of the whole body to which he belonged (Acts xxv. ;) being one of the "most strict of the sect of the Pharisees." On the other hand, the Sadducees refused to receive, yea, utterly rejected, many precious truths held by the Pharisees and others, "as the resurrection of the body," the existence of angels, &c, regarding the five books of Moses as the only revelation from God. find the Sadducees at one time joining the Herodians, or political party, at Jerusalem; at another joining the scribes and Pharisees, in their cry to Pilate, "We have no king but Cæsar.' Thus these three rival sects were found again and again united, in their opposition to Christ and His doctrines. At the time of Christ's birth at Bethlehem, the city of David, there was not only among pious Jews, like Simeon and Anna; but also among the Romans, (as the writings of Virgil, Ovid, and Horace prove,) as well as among eastern nations, (Matt. ii.,) a general expectation that some great We one was about to appear on the earth, who should rule the whole world, and bring in universal peace. Some looked to Augustus Cæsar as this prince of peace, who should bring back to the world the golden age; and it seemed probable that the ideas of the heathen poets, and the mystic utterances of the Sibyl, would be all realized and fulfilled in the person of the Roman Emperor, who had made wars to cease, having brought the whole world under his sceptre. But this expectation of a Deliverer, had been especially held as a sacred and divine revelation, among the Jews; they looked for the promised seed of Abraham--the virgin's Child--David's Heir-and Israel's King, and though this blessed hope of "the coming of the Just One," had degenerated into the hope of the advent of a mere temporal deliverer of Israel from the hands of their enemies, especially the Romans; yet the hearts of many, "who waited for the consolation of Israel," beat strong with the hope, that what the prophets had spoken, God was then about to fulfil, and that He would indeed raise up to them a deliverer, who, whilst "a light to lighten the Gentiles; should be the glory of His people Israel :" so that when Christ was born there were those, at Bethlehem, and at Jerusalem, who acknowledged at once His claim as David's Son, to David's throne (Luke i. and ii.; John i.; Matt. ii.) The homage and presentation of gifts by the wise men from the east, to the Babe of Bethlehem, was an earnest of the glorious accession of the Gentile nations, and their yearly homage to Christ, as Israel's King, when He from David's throne at Jerusalem, shall rule the world in righteousness (Is. xi., lx; Zech. xiv,; Psalm 1xxii.) We know from the writings of the Evangelists, the reception Christ and His teachings met with, from the self-righteous Pharisees, the infidel Sadducees, and the worldly-minded Herodians. How as He laid bare their self-righteousness, their hypocrisy, their unbelief, and their voidance of God's commandments, by their traditions, the enmity of their hearts. was stirred up against Him, and ceased not until they had constrained Pilate most unwillingly to crucify their King, ("The rejected Stone; ""the man by His own nation abhorred," Zech. xi. 8; Psalm exviii. 22.) As a nation, they by their rejection of the testimony of the Holy Ghost, through the lips of Stephen, filled up the measure of their iniquity, and brought upon themselves the sentence of national rejection for a season, the little while" of Christ's absence; during which "their house was to be left unto them desolate," and they themselves were to be scattered among all nations; even until the time of the Gentiles should run out; then will He, who scattered them, gather a portion of them again, to their own land; but still in unbelief, and after a brief season of bitter trial and tribulation (Jer. xxx; Dan. xii.; Matt. xxiv.) at Jerusalem from the personal Antichrist, the man of sin, (Zech. xiv.; Rev. xiii.) all the glorious promises of God, to the seed of Abraham, will be fulfilled; for the vail now upon their hearts shall be taken away, and they looking literally on Him whom their father's had rejected and pierced, shall acknowledge Jesus, standing on the mount of Olives, (Zech. xiv.) in the day of battle, the Conqueror of Antichrist and his hosts, the Binder of Satan with a great |