MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS.

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Scriptures were originally written, had ceased to be spoken before the coming of Christ. No stronger evidence of their antiquity could be alleged, than what is indisputably true; and if it were to be questioned, every other truth of ancient history must first be set aside.-Rev. A. Keith, D.D.

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PULPIT ELOQUENCE.-Real eloquence, indeed, whether employed for religious or other purposes, maintains a surprising power over the human mind. The eloquence of Demosthenes, we are told, was the best security and the surest defence of Greece; and the greatest bulwark of Persia, against the designs of the Macedonian kings." Oratory amongst the ancients was often productive of the most important and mighty results. And is it not most wise and just for us to conclude, that if men of superior powers, elated with strong emotions, and fired with zeal for the promotion of objects simply national, political, or connecting themselves exclusively with the affairs of this life, could astonish, and delight, and overwhelm listening multitudes with arguments and appeals,-carrying their points, and laying prostrate all opposition, is it not most wise and just, I say, to conclude that a man of God; an ambassador for Christ; master of his subject; intensely interested in it; having objects in view which stand most intimately and necessarily connected with the existence and endless duration of another and future life; objects to realize, which is to save the immortal spirits of men from the unutterably dreadful and terrifying torments of a lake burning with fire and brimstone; and to introduce them to the full enjoyment of that "life and immortality" brought to light by the Gospel, and most undoubtedly to be enjoyed by good people for ever and ever, should produce effects infinitely surpassing in importance, in real grandeur, sublimity, and glory, all the achievements of the mightiest orators of every age and nation, whose aims have fallen short of the complete renovation of man's nature, and his everlasting happiness in the presence of God? We have but one answer to this question. It is right so to conclude. It is absolutely impossible that the affairs of time, and objects simply temporal, should bear any comparison with the affairs of eternity, and objects spiritual and eternal. It is true, or it is not true, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will, in due time, descend from heaven with mighty shouts and acclamations, with all the glorious angels around his throne, to sit in judgment on the quick and dead. It is true, or it is not true, that the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal. It is true, or it is not true, that the heavens will be on fire, and the elements melt with fervent heat; and the earth, and all the works that are therein, shall be burned up. It is true, or it is not true, that Christ will be seated on his great white throne, erected in the air, and call every human soul that ever existed, from Adam to the last man that shall live on earth, to give a most strict account of all the deeds done in the body.

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It is important or unimportant that we ministers and stewards of the mysteries of God, should regard these overpowering realities with unabated, and growing, and thrilling interest; and never allow them to be absent from our meditations.

Well, then, if all the grand distinguishing doctrines of the New Testament, more especially those which pertain to the burning tortures and agonies of the lost, who are to be in the blackness of darkness for ever, and the ravishing bliss, the sweet ecstasy, the unutterable glories of all who live and die in the Lord; if these are to be our subjects of meditation and discourse, and identified with all we think and say and do as believers, and as ministers of the word, surely we ought to be eloquent; and in preaching with the intense and hallowing excitement of unbounded faith and infinite desire to save sinners, we must be so. (See an admirable Lecture on "Pulpit Oratory," by the Rev. James Kendall.)

FRAGMENTS.-He that inquires what is the just value and worth of Christ, asks a question which puts all the men on earth, and angels in heaven, to an everlasting nonplus.-Flavel.

Three times Christ was spoken to, while he was here upon earth, by voices from heaven, and these all three found him praying. -Rev. M. Henry.

Prayer and pains, through faith in Christ Jesus, can do anything. -Elliot.

Only the power that makes a world can make a Christian.-Rev. J. Wesley.

When God rewards the works of man, he only crowns his own gifts.-Augustine.

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66 HE THAT WINNETH SOULS IS WISE.' - Prov. xi. 30.

THAT philanthropy which, while attempting to ameliorate the civil condition of the world, especially directs its energies to the promotion of man's spiritual well-being, has unquestionable claims to be emphatically denominated GENuine. He whose breast is animated by this holy living flame, embarks in an enterprise, the greatness of which infinitely surpasses the frivolity of all secular occupation. This will be discovered by an application of your minds to the magnificence of his design-and the wisdom developed in its accomplishment.

I. THE MAGNIFICENCE OF HIS DESIGN.

How beautifully descriptive are these words of every true friend

G

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THE GENUINE PHILANTHROPIST.

of man : "HE THAT WINNETH SOULS!" The design of such a man is magnificent, both in its object and its execution.

1. It is magnificent in its object. "SOULS!"-Man created in the Divine image-capable of vast intelligence and enjoyment— alienated from God-ignorant-guilty-polluted-exposed to Divine wrath-endless ruin—but redeemed-therefore capable of salvation. An object of which God is so “ mindful,” is entitled to our solicitude and sympathy. (Gen. i. 26, 27. Col. iii. 10. Isa. xliii. 7. Ezek. xiii. 19. Matt. xvi. 26. 2 Cor. xii. 15, marg.)

2. It is magnificent in its execution. "He winneth souls." Endeavours" to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God” — arresting attention-imparting instruction-impressing conviction-administering consolation-and eliciting an acknowledgment of the truth. (Acts, xxvi. 18. John, i. 29. Acts, xxvi. 22, 23; ii. 37; xxiv. 25. Isa. lv. 7. Acts, viii. 37.)

II. THE WISDOM DEVELOPED IN ITS ACCOMPLISHMENT.

The conduct of him who winneth souls is characterized by wisdom, as―

1. It serves to diminish the mass of iniquity, and moral wretchedness in the earth, and to prevent eternal ruin. (James, v. 19, 20.)

2. It coincides with the revelation of the Divine character. (John, iii. 16. Matt. xxiii. 37. Luke, xix. 42.)

Hab. ii. 14.

3. It contributes to the fulfilment of the benevolent purposes of divine wisdom and mercy. (Jer. xxxi. 34. Mark, xvi. 15.)

4. It promotes the Divine honour. 2 Thess. i. 12.)

(Rom. xii. 1.

Gal. i. 24.

5. It secures everlasting emolument. (Dan. xii. 3.) How immensely valuable, my dear brethren, are our souls! Never forget this. Your personal salvation is of the utmost consequence. Ought not your reflections on this subject to produce a thrilling effect in relation to mankind generally? Souls are perishing for lack of knowledge, and comparatively few care for them! Shake your garments from the dust. Arise and shine. This work of benevolence demands of you great solicitude sincere affection -burning zeal-and undeviating fidelity.

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DISPENSATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH DO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED."-Matt. v. 6.

PROPHETICALLY describing the Lord's Anointed, Jeremiah repeatedly observes-"This is the name by which he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." In this character the evangelist

DISPENSATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

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introduces the Saviour to our attention teaching "the multitudes." Grace flows from his lips. He promises righteousness, which we all need; consider, therefore, the nature of its influences-the character of its recipients—and the mode of its dispensation.

I. THE NATURE OF ITS INFLUENCES.

By "righteousness we are to understand that Divine grace whereby the ungodly are justified and renovated.

1. Righteousness justifies the guilty. (Rom. iv. 5. Rom. x. 4. Phil. iii. 9.)

Gal. iii. 6.

2. Righteousness renovates the impure. (Eph. iv. 23, 24. Titus, ii. 14.)

II. THE CHARACTER OF ITS RECIPIENTS.

They are here described by the object and intensity of their desire. They "hunger and thirst after righteousness." This language denotes

1. Deep and affecting consciousness of moral destitution. (Ps. li. 3-5.)

2. Intense and restless desire for the salvation of God.

7-10.)

(Ps. li.

3. Belief in the promises of grace. (Ps. li. 1. 1 John, i. 9. Isa. xliv. 3.)

4. Solicitous application for Divine influence. (Zech. xii. 10, 14.) III. THE MODE OF ITS DISPENSATION.

1. Spontaneous. (John, iv. 10. Rev. xxii. 17.)

2. Impartial. (Rom. x. 12.)

"

3. Abundant. They shall be filled." (John, iv. 14. Isai. xliv. 3. Eph. v. 18.)

I fear that some of you still slumber on the brink of ruin. "Awake to righteousness!"-Why should any of you die of hunger and thirst? Is not Christ, "the bread of life," freely offered you? Does not the manna surround your camp? Has not "that Rock which is Christ" been smitten by the rod of the Almighty, in order to furnish to all the tribes of men a plenitude of living waters? Eat, then, and drink, O beloved, and let your souls delight themselves in righteousness!

INFLUENCE OF DEATH.

66 THOU DESTROYEST THE HOPE OF MAN. THOU PREVAILEST FOR EVER AGAINST HIM, AND HE PASSETH: THOU CHANGEST HIS COUNTENANCE, AND SENDEST HIM AWAY."-Job, xiv. 19, 20.

UNIVERSAL manifestation of decay in the present system. Proof afforded in the history of man most deeply affecting: (ver. 18—20.) Let us contemplate the affecting influence of death-and studiously consider the important practical instruction with which the subject is replete. Observe