64

MATTHEW XVIII., 23-26.

The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, whịch would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all."

Ten thousand talents, Lord, I owe,

Ten thousand mercies round me flow,
A vast and still increasing store,
Daily I owe ten thousand more.

Each hour that wings its way to hear's,
Swells the account of blessings giv'n;
Each minute, as it steals away,

·

Demands, and what hast thou to pay ?'
The sands that stem the ocean-tide,-
The drops that fill those waters wide,--
On bush and heath each sparkling ge.
la morning's dewy diadem;

These have a limit-but thy love
Transcends the highest heav'n above'
Deeper than lowest depths beneath,
It knows no end-too strong for death!

My Saviour! can it ever be

That I should pay my debt to Thee?
Low at thy feet 1 trembling fall,

For, Lord, I cannot pay Thee all.

Say to my fainting spirit live,
Freely as Thou hast giv'n, forgive;
On thee let all my sins be laid,

By Thee let all that debt' be paid.

Peace, doubting soul! the word is giv'n,—

As East from West,'-as earth from heav'n ;'

So far doth He thy sins remove,'

Behold, accept, rejoice, and love.

J.

Rev. H. A. Simcoe, (Penheale-Press) Cornwall.

"WARS, rumours of wars, distress of nations, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth”— these are circumstances mentioned by our blessed Lord as signs marking out the approaching nearness of His kingdom-signs of the times, which call for our serious attention now. We have to praise God, that as to wars, and rumours of wars, our own country has been thus far preserved from them; but the rest of the earth, especially that quarter in which we dwell, has been, and now is, full enough of these signs; (though even here we have seen enough of bloodshed and riot to teach us to rejoice with trembling); while more than once has the rising of nation against nation threatened us with a share in that awful Scourge. "Distress of nations with perplexity." Every government in Europe feels the truth of this; none more so than our own. The heads of Govern

E

ment are at their wits end to devise a remedy for the pressing evils and dangers which hang over us. "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth.” An astonishing fear seems to possess the minds of all people, high and low, rich and poor, wise and ignorant; a fear produced by the sight of the unquiet and confused state of the world, arising from an unaccountable dread of some great event about to take place-some secret heaven-sent impression perhaps of a mighty change which must take place before the tide of human affairs, fast ebbing from bad to worse, can flow again in its rightful channel. As these things fore-ran the destruction of the Jews as a nation, and the first entrance of Christ's kingdom upon earth; so were signs like these to fore-run that greater day when Christ shall come the second time without sin unto salvation to them that look for him-when the destruction of every opposing Antichrist shall make way for the full establishment of his everlasting dominion, and the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

These things thus speak the language of wrath and consolation. As then they were signs of coming wrath upon the Jewish nation, of coming glory to the remnant of God's people, amongst them; so now the same wars and fears which signify to the world at large (and especially to every Gospel-professing nation as thou art, O England) the coming of the wrath of that God who is not mocked, do also signify to the little flock of the Saints of the Most High God, the nearer approach of that blessed fulness of salvation, which, though through much tribulation, their God has

appointed them to obtain. Oh when will the men of this world see this! when shall that blind be removed, and men discover that if there be a God, whose neverfailing providence orders all things in heaven and earth -if he hath power to make his counsel stand, and his kingdom come-then every nation, government, individual, that stands in the way of his everlasting purpose must, sooner or later, like Dagon before the ark, fall never to be raised again. Well, then, may the heart of an unbelieving world fail for fear, at the sight of such awful things as the present state of the world, and of our nation sets before them, inasmuch as knowing neither the hand that sends them, nor why they are sent, they can see nothing but gloom and darkness in them. But the believing subjects of Christ's kingdom, what have they to fear? The kingdom to which they belong is one, which shall " not be destroyed"-the saints shall possess it though now the Antichrists of the world be permitted to wear them out. The times shall change. Their Lord reigneth, amid the whirlwind and the storm the chariot wheels of his government roll right on. The knee that boweth not must break-their King is the "King of kings and Lord of lords"-they that are his shall reign with him for ever and ever! Now say with which of these parties you would cast your lot! O that this our visit might be the means of bringing one soul from the ranks of an unbelieving world, to the despised, but blessed, company of Christ's believing subjects! Cornish friends, what say you? "Come with us, we will do you good." The sentence is gone forth, Babylon is fallen;" the exhortation is, "Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins,

66

and

and that ye receive not of her plagues." While the gulf is yet passable; ere God's in-gathering day be closed; before the ranks of the Redeemer's army be filled up; whilst it is near at the doors, and has not yet entered the house; escape for thy life; it may be now or never; Jesus, the Prince of that kingdom, has opened it to all believers; every happy subject already there will welcome you with open arms, and rejoicing heart; your heart" fainting with fear" shall give way to a heart" rejoicing in hope;" and the wars, confusions, and miseries that precede an unbelieving world's destruction shall usher you into the full enjoyment of that blessed kingdom of "righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."(To be continued)

Exceeding great and precious promises. 2 Peter i. 4.

"The voice that rolls the stars along

Spake all the promises."-WATTS.

THE Promises! An expression upon the lips of many a barren professor-a consolation to the heart of every simple believer. How many of those who use it are totally ignorant of the way in which a sinner may claim an interest in blessings so incalculable!