"Pray remember my poor friend, the bible-woman, who is still greatly and painfully afflicted, of whom I have written before; I fear she will be obliged to give up her work; she has no home, no means, no friend, but what the Lord sends. She said to me, They will all tire of me, too, and then what shall I do?' Dear brother, I beg your special prayer on her behalf,"

"I lost all that I had when the bank stopped payment. It was to me a most trying providence, for which I was not prepared. The result, however, is good, if painful. Painful it has been indeed; but I am compelled to justify the Lord in His dealings. It was entirely my own fault; I withdrew my money from a safe quarter, and bought in shares to get a greater interest. Had I only been content! But I see the Lord's goodness, spiritual blessing came through deep perplexity, and even comparative poverty. May the Lord reward you for all your help, and especially for the delicate and truly Christian way in which you have rendered it."

"I thank you with deep gratitude for the post-Office order for £2. It is a great help to me in this particular trying time. It enabled me to remove from -- where I had so long sought in vain for employment, and now I am back to my native place, with my wife and two children. I have many who know me here. Like Naomi, I went out full, and have come back empty; and yet not empty either, for I know so much more of the love of my Father in heaven. I have got no employment yet; but I feel much more hopeful; but my trust must be in the Lord."

"I thank you for your kind Christian sympathy towards me, and for the help you sent. May God enable you thus to help His poor. I thank you for your kind remembrance of me at the throne of grace, and hope you will not forget naming my case; only think of us, ten in family, and suffering great privation— my poor wife sickly, and wearing-apparel greatly needed. The children are obliged to be kept from day and Sunday-school, for want of clothing. The last fortnight only one pound came in-work is quite at a stand-still. I fear the shop-keeper, who has let me have some provisions, may seize on my few things. I bless God He keeps me in faith, in the midst of all my want. The coming of the Lord draweth near; then all our troubles will cease."

"It is very true that out of our deepest want, there comes the opportunity for God to grant the richest proof of His love. The five pound note you sent, was worth five hundred, in the full burst of joy at the Lord's goodness, and wisdom too. It was really so unexpected."

"Your desire to be ministering to the necessity of saints,' would be helped on I think by statements of actual occurrences in the life of labourers in the Lord's vineyard. I would ask you to insert the following from my own life. Having many years ago found peace in Christ in a very striking way, I felt constrained, like Paul, to give up what was gain to me, and go with the gospel into spiritually destitute country districts. I gave up several hundreds a year in a rising profession. My first journey was into The parish clergyman was half deranged, and the place as dark as any heathen land. Many were brought to Christ; in several cases they were soon taken to be with Christ. Christians helped in measure with lodging, &c.; but not with money. The change was great, from a life of luxury in London. I had often, after visiting all day, and preaching in the evening, to sit up half the night, and work at my art, in the hope of making enough to support me. In spite of all my labours, my trials increased. It was with great difficulty I could earn bread, and often I had not enough. Often have I preached the love of God in Christ, whilst suffering the knawings of bodily hunger, and I have wept to contrast my own bodily weakness, through insufficient support, and the fulness of that love which I was proclaiming. On one occasion I had not the means to buy a little tea, so I got some peppermint out of a garden, and infused it; but it made me quite ill. On more than one occasion it came to be no bread at all, having gone a

whole day without food. Once when it was so, and I had no prospect of a breakfast, the Lord inclined the heart of a poor widow living on parish relief, to come and spread out her own breakfast for me; she said, 'I had no sleep, for I thought you were starving.' She had come softly into my cottage, and spread the table, placing bread, butter, and an egg, with tea, and a fire nicely blazing. Then she called, Your breakfast is ready, sir!' What breakfast?' thought I; but there it was, and the Lord gave me to enjoy it. The poor widow's reward was resurrection life in Christ, and now her happy spirit is with the Lord. For ten years my course has been full of thorns. Often weary with journeying, I have laid me down on stones by the road-side. Often cold, wet and hungry, the Lord has come in and helped me on. Thus I have passed through deep trials; yet souls have been saved, and the Lord's people cheered."

[Such accounts may seem incredible; but we know the name and address of the writer, and he has been commended to us by those who know him well. Surely the Lord will stir up His people to consider their responsibilities towards their brethren; and especially those who are entirely devoted to the Lord's service.]

"You have made my family to join with me in songs of praise to the Lord for His goodness. It seems remarkable that you should have been led to write to me when you did, and make the enquiries. If I had departed ten years ago, when I had a severe illness, I would have left abundant provision for my wife, and £10,000 to each of my children. Now I have nothing but the few articles in my house, and some, nay many old family relics, I have had to sell from time to time, in order to get bread for my children. The difficulty is very great now to gain a livelihood; I have tried many things; but no one has succeeded for any length of time, trade is everywhere in so bad a state. I trust the Lord will help you on in this effort, that you may help many others."

The offerings for this fund sent in during the month, will be found, with the other lists, at the end of the number. Further help is earnestly sought.

T. GEORGE BELL.

10, Harley Road, St. John's Wood, London, N.W.

NOTES & QUERIES.

"What application has 'Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers,' to the alliance in business and professions of believers and the unconverted?" T. P.

The command is plain and distinct, and its operation wide There is nothing in the expression, "Yoked together," to limit it to the marriage union, as it is often considered. Everything which entangles the believer with the bondage of a tie with any worldling, is contrary to the spirit of the command. This is evident from a common-sense view of the passage; and much more evident if we consider the teaching of God's Word respecting separation-the separation of His own people from the world. The subject is of such deep importance, that we are asking God to enable us to prepare an article on Separation and the Heavenly Calling, which shall appear (D. v.) in our next number.-EDITOR.

In the Voice upon the Mountains of April 1st, there is a valuable paper from the Rev. S. V. Edwards, on the subject of which I should be glad to get further information.

Quite agreeing with him in the simple truth of 1 Thess. iv. 13-16, Zechariah xiv. 4, 5, and Rev. xix. 11-16, I am unable to see, as he does, that "the church must assuredly be removed from the earth before the great tribulation shall commence;" and my reason for differing rests on such texts as our Lord's words in Matt. xxiv. 9, 21, 22 and 24," the very elect." Mark xiii. 11-13, 20-22, 29; Luke xxi. 12-17, 31; 1 Pet. iv. 17-19, and others similar. At the time of the end, there is to be a a people upon earth who shall be hated of all nations, and persecuted for the name of Jesus. Who can this people be but Christians; not Loadicean professors of religiousness? I am aware that there are some who tell us that this last persecution or tribulation is intended for the Jews. But how can the Jews, Mahomedans, or any material idolators, be persecuted for a Name they do not bear; but are ready to persecute with bitter hatred?

My impression of that time foretold by Moses, Daniel, and all the prophets, by our blessed Lord, His apostles, and evangelists, is, that the day of "the great tribulation " is that in which the church of Christ shall be tried as by fire, and the gold and the silver come out purified. (Malachi iv.) That it will be the searching and the sifting time, when all who are the Lord's people will suffer persecution, to try and prove them in the face of an atheistic world (2 Thess. ii.); the time of universal rebellion, ŋáπootaσía, and not merely "a falling away;" that this will be in the beginning of those dreadful events symbolised by "blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke; the sun turned into darkness, the moon into blood, and the stars falling from heaven;" and from out of it the church, then truly distinct, and by martyrdom proved to have separated from an ungodly world, will be taken up to meet the Lord in the air. Amos ix. 11, 12, appears to me a very noteworthy passage of prophetic scripture, wherein the Holy Spirit repudiates "heathen the false professors "upon whom His name is named." Who can they be but such as are called Christians? and whom the Lord has forewarned that" in that day He will say, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not."

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99

"The Gospel Advocate, for Promoting Spiritual Unity." A monthly magazine, price 2d, post-free, 3d. London: Houlston and Wright, 65, Paternoster-row. This serial commenced with the present year. The January and February numbers were sent us, and interested us much. We will not be expected to agree with every sentiment; but we can really strongly recommend it as containing sound scriptural truth, and truth very needful to be presented in such times as these.

"Light at Eventide." Large print Readings for the Sick and Aged. London: Hatchards, 187, Piccadilly; William Macintosh, 24, Paternoster-row; Norwich: Fletcher and Son. This is a very neat volume, the type is excellent, and the matter is, on the whole, good. We have, however, to regret the want of clearness in setting forth the discriminating truth of God, as it respects the total degeneracy of human nature. This is not more observable in this volume than in many other books now issuing from the press. One of the readings is on the Lord's Prayer. Various expressions, such as-Little innocent child-We may all use these words, Our

Father-may be greatly misunderstood; and the statemen (p. 9,) "Those who have thus become the 'children of Go by faith in Christ Jesus,' will best understand these sacre words," does not clear up the indistinctness. No one ca prope ly use the words OUR Father, but the man who is BOR again.

"The Labyrinth of the Soul." By the Rev P. B. Power, M.A., formerly Incumbent of Christ Church Worthing, Author of the "I Wills' of the Psalms," &c London: William Macintosh, 24, Paternoster-row. This work which is exclusively meant for believers, is a very needful and valuable one. The writer touches in a very practical manner on various experiences of the soul, and evils that assail the believer as he passes on in the divine life. He refers to a very common evil, when he says that it is Satan's work to over-drive us; thus, in "ill-judged attempts to live for God, we have been forgetting to live with God; our action exceeded our vitality." There are remarks well deserving the consideration of all thoughtful Christians, on temptations to think that we are not getting on fast enough, that we do not love enough, and that we do not work enough. The two parts on spiritual selfishness are of special importance. We strongly recommend the book to our readers.

"Jesuitism, or the Devil's Travesty of the Son of the Kingdom." By Robert Brown, Author of "Babylonianism," &c. London: Morgan and Chase, 38, Ludgate-hill. This one shilling pamphlet should be extensively read; it contains an able and faithful, but judicious and temporate statement, and exposure of enormous iniquity carried on under the name of Christianity.

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DR. BELL'S CHRISTIAN WORK.

Dr. Bell thankfully acknowledges the receipt of the following offerings since the last lists:For the Poor.-Miss W., for Susan Letherby, 1s. 6d. Omega," for poor widows, 10s. "For some of the Lord's poor, who are crying for bread," Charity S," 1s. "A mite for poor saints, 2s. S. G. "A cup of tea for Susan Letherby." The oil painting of the Lake of Como, painted and given by Mrs. Meyer, sold at the sale-room for £5 5s. Put into my hand after a meeting, 10s. C. R., Ventnor, Isle of Wight, 10s. "A widow's mite," 2s. 6d. With earnest prayer for your work amongst the poor, 2s. 6d. For the poor of the flock, 3s, A. F. T., Grosvenor-square, £25. For the poor, London, N. E., 10s. Part of the Lord's money, from J. G., £1. For the Lord's poor, M. H., 10s. "The poor saints' fund, with earnest prayer," 5s. W. G. 2s. 6d. "A cup of tea for poor Susan," 6d. A. R., 2s. 6d. Put into my hand after a meeting, 2s. "From Devonshire, for poor Christians," 2s. 6d. "I have a few articles which I cannot wear, after reading in your Voice of the fearful poverty in London; can you dispose of them in your sale-room? They are two pairs of gold ear-drops, and two rings. I pray that God may greatly bless you in your work, and stir up many to help you." [These articles were duly received, and we praise God for such a practical testimony to a true devotedness. May the Lord richly bless this young Christian lady.] Miss D., Weston-superMare, for special case, £3. Mrs. M. W., for special case, £1. "A friend," per Miss M., Pontypool, 5s. Major General B., Norfolk, £1. R. M., Dromore, Kenmare, £2. J. M. B., Penzance, 5s. T. W., Stockton-on-Tees, 2s. Captain I., Cheltenham, for special case, £1. C. C., for special case, £2. From Bideford, without name, for special case, 2s. 6d. "For poor Susan," 6d. For the poor of the Lord's flock," 5s. S. W., Bolton, 2s. Three shillings and eleven pence in postages, a mite for the Lord's poor. And he saw them toiling in rowing, for the wind was contrary,' Lady H., 10s. J. W., 5s. For the Lord's poor," 2s. 6d. C. F., 2s. 6d. From the Mitspa meeting of believers, Jersey, for destitute Christians, £2. Mrs. O., Queenstown, for special case, £8. E. M., Killarney

2s. 6d. L. W., York, 28. "A thank-offering to the Lord, part of His own returned to His poor saints, £1. K. T., Harewood-square, 1s. 6d. N. S., Islington, 2s. 6d. Mrs. B., Tottenham, 5s. C. M., Manchester, 2s. 6d. E. P., Peckham, S.E., 2s: "A brother in. Christ," Guernsey, 5s. "I have sold a few useless ornaments, and send the proceeds for the Lord's poor ones. I pray God to lead many to do the same, R. F., Liverpool, 15s. 6d. [By the same post which brought the last, there came another letter, from which the following is extracted:"Many here feel a deep interest in your work. May the Lord bless you richly. This morning I gave to the dear children a motto for to-day, in connection with your need, 'I can do without it,' and I asked them if they had some superfluities they could do without; one replied, 'Suppose they were presents?' I replied, 'What greater honour could you put upon a present, than give it to Jesus?' So this afternoon they have been diligently turning out what they could contribute for the sale-room.] W. B., London, £1. C. M., Regent's-park, 5s. S. W., Norwich, 2s. 6d. "For Jesus' sake," 10s. "Poor Susan's cup of tea," 6d. "From my parish allowance," 61. "With Ezra i. 4, 5, 6," £2. "For Jesus' sake," £2. Mrs. O., Queenstown, Ireland, for special case, £3. D. H., Glasgow, 5s. "A friend," Barnstaple, 10s. J. H. S., Guernsey, 2s. H. A, T., Cheltenham, 5s. Mrs. S., 1s. 6d.

For the General Evangelizing.-"For the Lord's sake," Newport, Monmouthshire, 5s. A. J. H., Maidenhead, Berks, 2s. Mr. S. D., Wellington, 2s. 6d. Mr. and Mrs. G., Wellington, 2s. 6d. H. S., Shrewsbury, 5s. "4s. worth of stamps to be used as most needed." E. P., Balham, "For the county evangelizing," 2s. 6d. A friend in Cheltenham, through Mrs. Fairfield, Pimlico, £2. 10's. M. A. M., St. Aubin's, Jersey, 103. "A steward of the Lord's money," £1. H. R., London, S. W., 5s. [We earnestly entreat the prayers of the Lord's people, that he may be pleased to stir up the hearts of many to help in this part of the work. It is a most important part, and in the past has been richly blest in the conversion of many souls. There are increasing opportunities, and a great willingness to come to meetings. Dr. Bell visited Redburn a short time ago, and had a large room filled to excess; he has meetings in and around London almost every night; but the cry is to go to more distant places, and the means for expenses are wanting. Other brethren are also engaged in this part of the work. One of them has been labouring in and about Lynmouth for the past month.] D. H., Hamilton, N. B., £1.

For the Ministry." For the Lord's sake," £1. Mrs. M., 1s. Mrs. W., £1. Mrs. C., 2s. "For Dr. Bell, with kind Christian regards, from the parents (now on their way to India,) of the dear baby present at the little service on Monday," £1. "In the Lord's name, with praise to Him for helping you so much," £1. In boxes March 28th, for ministry, £2. 1s. 7d., for expenses £1, 3s. 04d. C. H. B., Brixham, 10s. Miss W., 2s. 6d. Put into my hand after a meeting, £1. The same 2s. 6d. J. R., Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 5s. C. R., Ventnor, Isle of Wight, £1. "From an old friend, 10s. Mrs. C., 2s. Miss M., 2s. Mrs. M., 1s. Mrs. T., 1s. Another Mrs. T., 1s. Miss T., 1s. A thank-offering for a blessing received in your meeting, from one who came in when visiting London," 5s. Put into my hand after a meeting, 2s.; the same 4s.; the same, 18. With grateful love, as the Lord uses you for blessing to my soul; I never knew what Christian liberty was until I came under your teaching," £1. In boxes, April 4th, for ministry, £3. 10s. 4d. For expenses, £1. 1s. 6d, "A thank-offering for much blessing received at Circus-room," 10s. "A friend," per Miss M., Pontypool, 5s. "A steward of the Lord's money," £1. In boxes, April 11th, for ministry £1. 15. 14, for expenses, £1. 2s. 2d. J. W., 5s. T. R., 2s. 6d. In boxes, April 18th, for ministry, £3 0s. 14d., for expenses, £1 3s. 4d. "For your own personal expenses, with much Christian love," £5.

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Gratuitous Distribution of " Voices," and tracts on the Lord's Coming." From one who looks for the Lord." 10s. Mrs. Y., Maldon, 1s. A constant reader," 2s. 6d. E. J., Durham, 2s. 6d. Mrs. A., per W. T. R., Lynmouth, 2s. 6d. J. L., Lincoln, 5s. "A steward of the Lord's money," £1.

Miscellaneous.-A parcel of tracts sent anonymously. Mrs. H., a quantity of useful articles for the sale-room. Christians

in the Island of Jersey, per Mr. O., a large chest of old clothes for the poor. Three book post parcels of tracts. T. P. S., St. Saviour's, Jersey, a parcel of work for the sale rooms. Misses W., ditto. "A friend," 2,000 tracts. A parcel of little books. From three friends 5,000 tracts, chiefly Dublin. F. J. B., Brighton, articles for sale-room. Sent anonymously parcel of books and tracts.

Miss Smith's Report.-I desire again to praise the Lord for His continued help in the work He has put into my hands. The work increases in interest, and though we must not expect ever to be without trial, I can truly say there is much encouragement for all those who put their trust in the Lord. We have had much spiritual blessing; and I trace it all up to the spirit of prayer which prevails. We have had many direct and immediate answers to prayer, so that I can say not one of His promises fail. The Lord helps me to visit regularly. I have had the advantage of being down in Devonshire for a week; with that exception each day has been filled with the usual work; and even whilst there I was really in the work, for we had prayer for it among the Christians there, who are much interested in it. The weekly meeting of those engaged in the work, held in the sale-room, continues, and the opportunity for Christian fellowship and prayer is very precious. Tea is provided for all who come each Monday evening, and after tea there is conference and prayer. I have another tea-meeting each week. This is on the Wednesday evening, and is of the poor saints (women,) many of them widows, who come together early in the afternoon and sew for the work clothing for the poor, &c. Dr. Bell, or another of the brethren, always attends at or after tea, and there is reading and prayer. The Lord never allows me to come short; the provisions necessary are always provided, and besides that the money for my weekly pensioners. I would just name a few offerings received-Mrs. S., 5s. for the poor. Mr. C., 10s. Mrs. D., 7s. 6d. Mrs. C., "an offering to the Lord." Mrs. M., a parcel of tea for the weekly teas of the Lord's people. A parcel of cast of clothes. Miss A., 1s., for yourself. Miss P., 2s. 9d. Mrs. H.. 2s. 6d. and a large parcel of clothing. She said, "I wish you to take anything you may yourself require, and the rest add to the stock for the poor." There was much in this parcel that was immediately necessary, and there was special blessing in receiving the parcel, for it came the morning after several brethren at the meeting had been led to pray earnestly that all my own need might be supplied. At another time I felt the need of a little carpet for my room, and I asked the Lord to send it to me; a lady gave me, quite unasked, a larger quantity than served to cover the whole On another occasion, after I had ordered half a ton of coals for the sale-room, I had the money given me to pay for them. Mrs. R., a parcel of coal and bread tickets. Mrs. T., 8s., for different parts of the work. Mrs. M., 2s. 6d. "for yourself." Miss M., "accept those stamps for your work," 28. Miss P., 5s. to buy materials with. "A friend," £1, "for yourself." Mrs. D., 5s. Dr. Bell, £5. Mrs. R., "for yourself," £1. 10s., for the poor, £4. Mr. R., parcel of clothing for the poor. Mr. S., 5s., for poor. Miss S., 2s. 6d. Mrs. K., parcel of tea for the poor. Mrs. S., 1s. for self. Mrs. M., 18. Mr. C., 25. for poor. Miss T., a dress and jacket for self; for the poor pensioners, 8s. The same, 10s. Last Monday as I was very busy with a sewing class, working for the intended sale, and making clothing for poor women and children, one present proposed that prayer should be made to the Lord for a sewing machine. It was thought that it would save much time, and be very helpful to the work amongst the poor. Next morning a lady gave me 5s., and in the afternoon, a Christian brother brought me another 5s, towards the sewing machine. Thus the Lord helps us on; but we could never praise Him enough for the spiritual blessing He gives us amongst the poor. We find the sale-room a great help to the work. Many are now making articles for the sale, intended to be in Bryanston-hall in the last week of May. The chief part of the articles preparing is clothing for the poor. I ask the prayers of all our friends, and of any other Christians who may be interested

room.

in the work.

97, Crawford-street, Bryanston-square, W.

SUSAN SMITH.

THE CITIES OF THE NATIONS.

W

HEN an artizan returned from a visit to London, he was asked what he thought of it; he replied, "It is a vast fold of houses." That was what the eye saw. The moralist might answer somewhat after this fashion : "It is a vast fold of wealth and poverty, splendour and squalor, pleasure and pain, virtue and vice; and he might conceive a plan which should reduce the anomalies, converting the desert places into blooming parterres, and the various antagonisms into one great brotherhood. "Alas," would the man say whose eyes are open, alas, man cannot cure man, for the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint.' What! is there no cure, no help, no palliation? Indeed, no; none from the hand of man; but "with God all things are possible."

"The cities of the nations "are vast folds of immortal souls; our care is for these. We admire the signs of wealth, of enterprise, of success; the monuments of design, of skill; the architectural adornments, the achievements of science, the products of industry; the conveniences, the supply of need, the luxuries-yea, whatever tells of the power of man, for this, to our mind, speaks impressively of the power of God, for "in Him we live, and move, and have our being." We admire the great things of man; but we tremble for the man himself. The very greatness and beauty of man's works are marred by his pride; and so "the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.'

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God has been always interested in "the cities of the nations." Nineveh stands pre-eminent in this regard. God would destroy it; for," said He, "their wickedness is come up before Me.' Why not then at once? was it not an easy work for Omnipotence to sweep Nineveh from the face of the earth? Surely; but God is not all wrath. He is enduring now, as always, with much longsuffering. He sends Jonah to that great city; "for should not I spare Nineveh," says God, "that great city wherein are more than six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also much cattle?" "Doth God take care for men?" Oh, see and love our God! "His tender mercies are over all His works."

Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah; but a greater than Jonah is now preaching to "the cities of the nations." Mark well the word of Jonah: "Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed." Not a word of mercy; there is no hope of reprieve held out; no alternative of escape is hinted. Is not the word gone forth in righteousness? Yes; and "the people of Nineveh believed God." In Nineveh then was fulfilled that word: "When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive." We fear the contrast of Nineveh with the present "cities of the nations," would be damaging to the latter.

Should another Jonah arise and traverse the gorgeous highways of any of our great cities, and cry, "Behold,

the Bridegroom cometh!" would the people thereof believe-would they repent? Would they give up their revellings, their business, their feuds, their diplomacy, their cruelties, their lusts, and sit in sackcloth and ashes? or would they not mock God's messenger, and say again," What doth this babbler say? he seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods." Whether they will hear or whether they will forebear, testimony should be borne by those whom God has endowed with the voice and the office of the herald. Happily, mercy may be combined with judgment. If our testimony is, "He cometh to judge the earth"-"to take vengeance on all that know not God, and obey not His gospel; we also urge with ardent hearts: Why will ye die ?" "As I live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." We pretend not to say when Jesus will come; we know neither the day nor the hour. "When shall we repent?" said some disciples to their Rabbi. "The day before you die,' replied he. "But," said they, that may be." "Therefore," He answered, "repent

at once.

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66 we know not when

London, Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Madrid, Constantinople, what a list we might blazon forth, Now does God say anything of these in His Scriptures. Fearful things are said of the cities of the nations in the Apocalypse" and the cities of the nations fell." Such is the record of things shortly about to come to pass. The judgment of Nineveh was deferred; for 260 years more she was spared; there was a lengthening out of her tranquillity, because of the repentance of the king and all the inhabitants; yea, the very beasts fasted and wore sackcloth.

"The cities of the nations fell." Where is the full testimony of this eventful period. There are faithful men; our land, amidst all its religious foolery, its rampant infidelity, its conceited rationalism, has yet good men and true, who fear not the frown of man nor court his smiles, but who seek to please God. Let them add this to their message, that God will give to every one according to his works, that "He will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth," that "the cities of the nations" will fall because of the wickedness thereof. The press is at work for good as well as evil; though, indeed, the devil has more workmen at it than Christ. Let that also proclaim the solemn word; whilst others are pointing at the great works of men, let the press tell out what God says about His "strange work."

"The god of this world" has his agents, who are doing his work with unsparing energy. What is the reward of their toil? "They shall lie down in sorrow." How little in earnest are the servants of the living God? Yet, what is their reward? "Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads."

"The cities of the nations fell." Yes, a terrible earthquake has lately alarmed the world with its gaping terrors. But a more terrible one is yet to shake the earth; and shall we be silent? Shall the sneers, and the ribaldry, and the contempt of men shame us? Then

we do not half believe our own testimony. It is said that in the late railway conflagration, the poor charred victims would not escape when they could, and could not when they would. Oh, how terribly is this dilemma to be realized yet.

Shall Time shame us, hastening on with his account, his success, and his failure? How many methods are devised to "kill time" by those who would afterwards give, if in their power, a world for a day. O giddy voluptuary! O demented thorough business man!" O gloomy infidel! But more than all-O unwise Christian what is the world to you? And yet that seems to engross your heart and your time. Do you believe that the "broad arrow "of Satan is stamped on all the world's good? No. Do you believe "moth and rust do corrupt, and thieves break through and steal?" No. Do you believe that if you sow the wind you shall reap the wirlwind?" No. Do you believe that you must "stand before the judgment-seat of Christ? No. Do you believe the words of Jesus, "Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his works shall be ?" No. No, poor nondescript, you believe none of these things. You have shut your eyes, and are become blind; and now your friends do not know you, and your enemies, or who should be so, despise you. They know you once made a profession, perhaps you do still, and yet are as keen after the world as themselves; and why? Because you do not believe what you profess to believe. "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he?" And what does the poor worldly Christian think in his heart? "He will be rich," and so he "falleth into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

6

Soon "the night cometh in which no man can work." Ere the dawn of that "morning without clouds," will be "a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness." The stirring truth of the Lord's coming is denied, or misrepresented, or defiled by some other doctrine held by those who look for God's Son from heaven. So many ways has Satan of blinding the eyes. This great truth is denied by many who are considered teachers of the Lord's people: "O my soul, come not thou into their secret! It is misrepresented by some who, we fear, prefer sensational iterature that finds a ready sale, to the sober warning, Watch, for ye know neither the day nor the hour." And thirdly, there are those who, though good men and rue, hold some doctrine that attaches its reproach to the blessed hope." We say that justification by faith vas not less precious because Luther, along with it, held he doctrine, or something like it, of " the real presence." "The cities of the nations fell.' Oh that will be ensational enough when it comes: stranger than fiction adeed will that be. But cannot the certainty of this vent we know not when, how distant, or how nearannot it produce some healthy sensation now? he pit yawning for the poor victims; and is no one orror-stricken? Must they be engulphed to prove the read reality?

Is