LINES ON CHRISTMAS.

By some it is said, Christ was born in December.

A stable so lowly, but each one remember,

The Shepherds rejoiced at the sight of their Saviour.

In their arms they embraced him as he lay in the manger.

We hear from the lips of those that are vain,

I wish you merry Christmas, (it is almost profane,)
How little they think on our Saviour's birth day,
Who came to redeem us, while in ruin we lay.

Some give of their substance, both silver and gold,
And many fine treasures that cannot be told,
But nothing on earth, will compare with the sum,
That the Lord bestowed on us, like the gift of his Son.

He was here like a stranger, and pilgrim below,
To accomplish his mission, and his love to us show;
Though rejected by many, he ascended on high,
He now lives forever, though once he did die.

We soon shall behold him in yonder bright cloud,

With great power and glory, with trump long and loud,
The wicked will call for the mountain to fall
On them because they, had rejected his call.

The saints will rejoice, at the sight of their king,
All heaven will echo the sweet notes they'll sing,
While the wicked will gnaw their tongues in sharp pain,
With cursing and swearing his name they'll blaspheme.

The eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard,
What is laid up for those that love him indeed,
Let us still wait for his coming, the time we don't know.
Whether evening or morning, or at the cock crow.

PSALMS, CXXV, 2.

"As the mountains are around about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth even forever."

From this we see God's care over his church as those he loves; his church which represents Jerusalem: which is builded as a city, that is compact together, the only representation of the gospel church, that trusts in their head and leader, for they must be of one heart, and one judgment; and then the rod of the wicked will not rest upon the righteous, nor the rightous put forth their hands unto iniquity; but the Lord is as a mountain, to guard his people from danger, and will do good unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

Our outward walk may be moral so that no sceptic can find aught against us; yet if our hearts are not right in God's sight, the Lord will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. But peace shall be upon those that are of a clean heart. What a distinction through the whole channel of scripture, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth and forever. How wonderfully the Lord manifested his love to his chosen people, the Jews, His love remains the same at the present day towards his church. He changeth not, Thy law is the truth. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold. The idols of the heathen, are silver and gold, and they that make them, are like unto them; so is ev ery one that trusteth in them. Let them all be confounded, and turned back that hate Zion Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord, that walketh in his ways, for thou shalt eat the labor of thine own hands, and it shall be well with thee. This is my rest forever: here will I dwell, for I have desired it.

Let thy priests be clothed with righteonsness, and let thy saints shout for joy, for his mercy endureth forever!

ON ACTS, XX, 28.

"Take heed, therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

It appears that Paul called the disciples to him and embraced them, and departed for Macedonia, and there accompanied him certain brethren from divers places. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech until midnight. He then brought to life a young man that had fallen asleep, and fell from the window. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church, and then declared how he had served the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations which befell him, and how he kept back nothing that was profitable for them, he had taught them publicly from house to house, testifying both to Jews and Greeks repentance and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. He was pressed in spirit as he went to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that should befall him there.

But none of those things moved him; neither counted he his life dear unto himself, so that he might finish his course with joy. He was assured that those who had had the opportunity of hearing him preach the kingdom of God, should see his face no more; but he testified that he was pure from the blood of all men, for he had not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God; then he says,-Take heed, etc. He had full knowledge of what should befall the dear people of God on his departure, which was: that grievous wolves should enter in among them not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. He tells them to watch, and remember how he had warned them night and day, with tears. He concludes by saying: And now

G

brethren I commend you to God, and the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. He declares he had not sought their silver, nor gold, nor apparel; for they knew how he had labored with his own hands and that was not all, he had supplied those that were with him; for he said it was more blessed to give than to receive. And when he had thus spoken he kneeled down and prayed with them all. And all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more.

How much instruction there is to be learned from this chapter, of the way in which God deals with his faithful children and the care he had over them. How he appoints those, the pastors, to have special care and charge over them, and how he teaches them by his holy spirit what shall befall them under such and such circumstances, and further how when he calls any to pass through extreme sufferings he will be with such, and above all to see their great attachment and love one to another, and in heart willing to lay down their lives for each others sake. How little resemblance is there now to the ancients, who made it their business to serve God in all his holy ordinances :-such were the ones that God owned and blessed, such will he own and bless in all ages until he shall come to take home his bride, where there shall be no more sorrow but where they will partake more and more of his nature by seeing him as he is. Let the word dwell in us richly, that we may grow thereby. May our minds be quickened at the sweet remembrance of Christ's dying love, and may our fellowship be increased towards one another as the time draweth nigh that our faith shall be tried so as by fire! May our lamps be trimmed and burning waiting for the coming of our Lord.

ON ISAIAH, xxv, 1.

"O Lord, thou art my God, I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name for thou hast done wonderful things, thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."

The prophet discovers the goodness and faithfulness of God; he is ready also to acknowledge his strength, for he saith thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat. But the terrible ones are to be brought low. He will destroy the veil that is spread over all nations. He bringeth down them that dwell on high, the lofty city, he layeth it low! What confusion when the judgments of heaven are abroad on the earth; pain and sorrow, wailing and gnashing of teeth, when God frowns! O that we were wise to understand our true condition. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust! for behold the Lord cometh out of his place, to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. But there is perfect safety, to those that trust in God. O Lord thou art my God: who is able to call the Lord their God, but such as see his beauty, and can say, who is a God like unto our God, that pardoneth iniquity? One who feels his need of a Saviour and one whose sins are a burden, and one who casteth his cares upon the righteousness of Christ; and entereth into the door, and that door is Christ: blessed and happy are all such as do the commandments and live: for the righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein forever. But we have seen the wicked in great power, and God rejecteth him, he layeth him low! But mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. Let us be stimulated to good works that our end may be peace likewise; for what profit is there in gaining the whole world, and yet losing our souls. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation!