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beheld Moses and Elias conversing with their transfigured Lord. Moses was the representative of the law, Elias the representative of the prophets; Moses was the founder of the theocracy, Elias the restorer of the theocracy; yet by entering into conversation concerning the decease to be accomplished at Jerusalem, they signified their fullest sympathy with the new dispensation about to be introduced, though it was to supersede the former one, with which they had been so intimately associated. The new dispensation did not therefore contradict the old; the Gospel was not designed to oppose the law; but the same "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son." The present economy is only a fuller development of that which preceded it; but for that very reason, namely, its being the last revelation of God's gracious. will towards men, it possesses a paramount claim upon our acceptance. The voice which came from the cloud, in which Moses and Elias were enveloped, said, "This is my beloved Son, hear Him." Hear HIM-not Moses, nor Elias, nor any other teacher; but Him, whose mission to the world was to make known the perfect will of God.

3. That the doctrines which Christ taught were demonstrably true. Paul states, that Christ "hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immor

tality to light through the Gospel; " for it was left for Him alone to teach the glorious doctrines touching the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body, in their present distinct form. Indeed, Paul seems to have regarded these doctrines as the greatest of all-as those with which the whole system of Christian truth must either stand or fall

"If there be no resurrection of the dead" saith he," then is Christ not risen; and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." And again, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." But on the mount of transfiguration, the disciples had an ocular demonstration of the truth of these grand doctrines; for Moses and Elias "appeared in glory;" they came in all the freshness of immortal youth, as living specimens of what the glorified saints of God are destined to be. After this demonstration, the disciples could never have reasonably harboured the slightest doubt respecting life and immortality; for they could not well dispute the testimony of their own senses. And if these doctrines were true-true beyond the possibility of doubt-they could not have reasonably questioned the truth of the rest. Yes, my friends, the doctrines of the Christian religion rest upon the foundation of actual fact-a foundation which no power in existence can shake, and which the revolu

tions of ages can never affect. And these are the doctrines which we are exhorted in the Gospel to accept and follow. Why then should we hesitate ? Why should we linger in indifference? Why not obey the loving voice of Him who saith BELIEVE ? Let us straightway go to Him, with the words of the distressed father, mentioned in the gospels, in our mouths "Lord, we believe; help thou our unbelief."

One word more, and I have done. We have been contemplating the transfiguration of our Lord; when, for a moment, as it were, it was given to mortal eyes to behold Him, as He is now, in His glorified state, at the right hand of the Majesty on high. But let us remember for our comfort, that a similar state of glory awaits all those who believe in Him, and faithfully serve Him in this world. "Beloved," saith the apostle, " now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." What a glorious assurance! What a blessed hope! May every one of us be found at the last among that blessed company!

XI.

ELIJAH ON MOUNT CARMEL;

OR,

DECISION FOR GOD.

"And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him but if Baal, then follow him."

1 KINGS Xviii. 21.

THE wickedness of Israel had reached its highest pitch. Under the guidance of godless kings they had plunged into the vile, abominable, idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. First of all, Jeroboam the son of Nebat, having become sovereign of the ten rebel tribes, had instituted the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, in order that his people might be spared the necessity of going up to Jerusalem to the solemn feasts. This was simply a stroke of policy, a measure of political expediency, a means whereby to strengthen the stability of his throne; for had the people gone up periodically to Jerusalem, and that for the purpose of assisting at the celebration of great religious festivals, there was

danger lest their hearts should by degrees be gained

over by the kings of Judah.

To avoid the possi

bility of this, Jeroboam had established a rival worship in his own kingdom; but he never meant by this contrivance to disclaim allegiance to Jehovah, he merely proposed to worship Jehovah in a peculiar way, for the calves were nothing else than symbolical representations of Jehovah Himself. This worship then was not a violation of the first commandment, but rather of the second. But corruption had not stopped here, it had gone on increasing from year to year, so that when Ahab ascended the throne, he was prepared to set aside, not only the second commandment, but the first also. Having married the Sidonian princess, Jezebel, a woman of great power and greater depravity, who made of him a tool to carry out her own purposes, Ahab had introduced the worship of strange gods, Baal and Ashtaroth, the male and female divinities of the heathen. The flood-gates having been thrown open, the tide of licentiousness, extravagance, and unblushing profanity, set in with such fearful violence, as to threaten the total annihilation of every virtuous principle which might still have lingered among the people. The Lord looked down from heaven upon this deplorable state of things-looked down with sore displeasure-for His own people had joined His enemies, His own elect had forsaken His