wicked should not understand." Not only was the vision itself sealed, but the time or end of these wonders, and infant Republic. That our nation, answering the moral portrait of the nationality which was to come, was Israel restored. That God would constitute such a nationality out of a people who would acknowledge his Son Jesus Christ, and not of the Jews, who, from the beginning, have denounced Christ. That perfect coincidence being perfect fulfilment, our nation and no other on earth answered the picture. That the nationality to arise was to be gathered out of the nations. That they were to go westward. That the country they were to inhabit was a land between the eastern and the great western seas. That the land was one "that had always been waste." That it was to be located in thirteen distinct States. That these States should be bounded on the east by the eastern sea, and on the west by the great western sea. That the people gathered out of the nations should "build and dwell safely in unwalled villages and cities, having neither gates nor bars ;" a land of broad rivers and streams;" a Republic where the people 'should appoint to themselves one head," and their rulers and governors "should be from among them

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selves." That the United States was the isles that should wait" for God, and that the ships of Tarshish or Old Spain should be first to open emigration. That our country was "the land shadowing with wings" which was beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, which, from Judea beyond the Nile, was the United States, and no other country. That our great country was divinely protected in its beginning, and, answering the predictions precisely of the nationality that was to come, is the "nation born to God in a day"-born on Independence Day. That the United States arose in the providence of God, as the model political government; and that its great mission was the overthrow of monarchy, and the utter destruction of political and ecclesiastical despotism. His subject in the afternoon related more especially to "the last great battle between civil and religious liberty on the one hand, and political and ecclesiastical despotism on the other, termed in Scripture the "Battle of Gog and Magog;" the battle of "Armageddon," and the battle of the great

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day of God Almighty." That the United States would be invaded by monarchy. That Russia would be the leading power, and England, and all the autocracy of the world, would be allied with Russia against the United States, except France; that France would be with us in the end as she was with us in the beginning. That an armament such as the world never saw, composed of millions, would invade our country. That the battle-field was the valley of the Mississippi. (See Ezekiel xxxix, 11.) That Heaven would be upon our side. But in this last dreadful fray there would be trouble such as never was. That the United States, being the exponent and representative of Republicanism, extending its borders from sea to sea, and from the lakes to the gulf, arose as the formidable defiance of autocracy; and that Russia, embracing an area of one-seventh of the earth's terra-firma, and arising in dreadful grandeur, must, in self-defence, attempt the extinction of popular freedom; and that these two formidable powers, lowering and culminating to the heavens like dreadful clouds surcharged with the elements of ruin, would shock the world with their collision and drench the earth with blood. That our great country would never be divided. That our Union, like a noble ship, though her live-oak timbers would bend and quiver in the tempest, would ride the storm in safety. That monarchy would be overthrown for ever, and Republicanism every where prevail, and nations learn war no more. Then sets in that millennial day, when science, commerce, manufactures and the arts would spread, the religion of the Son of God have sway, “righteousness and peace among the people walk, Messiah reign, and earth keep jubilee a thousand years."

But an imperfect sketch of these lectures is here presented. They certainly created a profound sensation. True or false, the clearness and conclusiveness of the arguments, as presented by the intelligent speaker, we think it would be difficult to answer. Surely, the theme is startling and sublime. The appropriate allusion of the speaker to the portraits of Washington and Lafayette that hung on the walls in the Capitol, in his allusion to France being with America in the final struggle, was deeply affecting.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FORETOLD IN THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

IN entering the sublime arcana of inspired prophecy, we are deeply impressed with a scene that is laid in the land of Midian, where, from the burning-bush, the voice of Almighty God arrested the attention of the wondering prophet: "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.'

No subject presented to the human mind imposes profounder reverence, greater caution, and deeper research, than an elucidation of prophetic truth; and yet no theme has been more prolific of fanaticism among the incautious and adventurous in almost every age.

We must look to the Scriptures themselves for direction to a true and legitimate interpretation of their own meaning. It is important also to discriminate between "secret things that belong to God, and things that are revealed, which belong to

us and to our children." For want of this discernment, Millerism, and all that class of fanatical fancies, have deluded misguided thousands. Whenever, therefore, an interpreter of prophecy attempts to tell when the day of judgment will come, just rest assured he is wise above what is written; for we are taught by the Great Prophet himself, "Of that day, and hour, knoweth no man; no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." This Divine announcement should always quiet such unauthorized pretensions.

It must be universally conceded that the Almighty has interdicted a knowledge of some sublime subjects, which he alone will fully reveal and explain by their own accomplishment. Notwithstanding, it is equally evident that there are certain portions of prophetic truth that he himself designed should be understood by the sons of men, for it is written, "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy." Here, then, is a Divine encouragement to study inspired prophecy. But how can we be beneficiaries of this promise, though we may both read and hear, if, at the same time, we cannot understand them?

A few self-evident propositions we will now submit, as indispensable principles for the investigation

of prophecy-principles that must form the only true and infallible criteria to determine their in

tended meaning.

First. All prophecy is either plain and literal, or obscure and symbolical.

Second. A plain and literal prophecy may be understood prior to fulfilment, just as well as subsequent to the event predicted. For example, Jesus Christ said, "There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down." His meaning was too obvious to be misunderstood.

Third. But an obscure or symbolic prophecy cannot possibly be fully known, however impressive the general outline of the subject; yet the special application of the prediction to time, event, and circumstances cannot be understood until fulfilment settles the true meaning. There may be several interpretations of an obscure prophecy offered a priori, provided they be legitimate; that is, if such definitions are not unreasonable or incompatible with the nature of the subject. Nevertheless, we must bide our time till fulfilment determines the meaning intended. As an example, it is written, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." Now,