which no rival authority must be permitted in the smallest degree to interfere. When once this love to God is obtained by any one through faith, whether he be rich or poor, young or old, he must thenceforth act with indestructible, unconquerable freedom for God. Fashion, authority, numbers, interests, can no more hinder the development of right principles in him, than the swarms of summer-flies buzzing round its branches can hinder the oak from spreading out its gigantic arms, and lifting up its head to the skies. Each Christian loves God, and therefore obeys him his course is fixed. If others will go with him to heaven along the path of duty, so much the better; if not, he goes alone.

But while these commands involve an indomitable individuality, they no less develop a brotherhood of feeling towards the race. Since the Christian's first rule is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart," all the world would solicit him in vain to turn away from the law of God; but since his second rule is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," the law of God leads him to become the brother of every other man. Governed by this law, he can no longer violate the rights of his fellow-creatures, nor disregard their happiness, nor despise them for their failings. Since he is called to love them as himself, how sincere, how active, how beneficent, how forgiving, how inexhaustible, how indestructible his kindness ought to be to all! for such is his love to himself.

Of both these principles each Christian can find an illustration, in the life of the Redeemer, well adapted to humble and improve him. Never was there on earth a life of such perfect individuality. In the midst of all corruption he lived apart from it, and took his own solitary road through the world, with unfaltering fidelity to God. Misled by no prejudice, and enslaved by no fashion, he saw the will of God and did it, though the world hated him for so doing. Yet was he our brother; he came for us, lived for us, laboured for us, suffered for us,

and died for us. Through a whole life of suffering he steadily pursued our salvation and our happiness; with a view to which he lived with men, taught them, healed them, fed them, comforted them, converted them, and then commanded his followers to do the same. "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." This love to our neighbour comprehends the very highest exercises of justice and humanity. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Every disciple of Christ becomes thus a brother to every other disciple, and a friend to all mankind. All social improvement would follow at once from universal obedience to this command. And as all Christ's disciples do obey it, a nation of Christians would be a society incomparably more perfect than has ever yet been seen on the earth. In such a nation of brothers, slavery would be impossible, and unjust legislation would cease. The rich would not oppress the

poor, nor the poor envy the rich.

There industry would have

its rights; there property, the fruit of industry, would be secure.

The rich would be beneficent, the poor would find many friends ; all would wish well to all. There fraud, branded with disgrace, would be banished from business. There temperance would give vigour to the form, and purity would add strength to the affections. There truth and rectitude would inspire all with confidence in one another. The jail and the policeman would be superseded by the school; factions would cease. And while such a nation would be the best prepared of all nations for war--because its men would be athletic in form and brave in heart, intelligent and well-instructed, because it would

abound in wealth, be strong in justice, and prepared for patriotic sacrifices; yet of all nations it would also be the most peaceable --because it would be the most inspired with horror at the crimes and miseries which are the accompaniments of war.

There is no such nation on the earth; the youngest here may not live to see such; but the Gospel will eventually accomplish this transformation of all nations; every Christian in

every land does something towards the accomplishment, and every new convert helps it on.

Rejoice then, my young friends, everywhere and always, if you have received grace to believe in Christ. Rejoice in God, who has created, preserved, and pardoned you; rejoice in Christ, who has redeemed you, loves you, and reigns for you ; rejoice in the Holy Spirit, who is your guide and comforter; rejoice in the Bible, your chosen rule of life, the wisest and holiest book in the world, in which God your Father reveals to you all his will; rejoice in the thought of heaven as your own everlasting home; rejoice in the Church of Christ, of which you have become members by faith, as the purest, wisest, noblest, and happiest of all societies; rejoice in the age and country in which you live, where knowledge and liberty, being founded on religious principle, are likely to endure and grow; rejoice in the privileges which you possess as Christians, and in the honourable and ennobling duties which in that character you are called to fulfil. Labour wisely for happiness, and you will with the blessing of God secure it. Do as much good as you can, in your short lives, to as many as possible of your fellow-creatures. Honour your Redeemer by your excellent conduct and high principles. Make all the good esteem you, and bear manfully the dislike of the wicked. Do not be conquered by adverse circumstances, but conquer them. By faith in Christ, by prayer, by prudence, and by energy, make difficulties brace you to greater force of character; and sorrow, like the ancient rock of Horeb, pour forth for you a tide of joy. Seize every opportunity of mental and moral improvement. Waste not, by any carelessness, your strength of mind and body; but improve both for the service of God and man. And may you live so wisely that, after much enjoyment of this fleeting life, you may sink to the grave in a good old age, beloved and honoured by all who knew your piety and shared in your friendship, with few regrets for the past, and with triumphant hopes for eternity.

INTERNAL EVIDENCES OF THE DIVINE INSPIRA

TION OF THE SCRIPTURES OF THE OLD

AND NEW TESTAMENT.

BY

THE REV. T. RAFFLES, D.D. LL.D.