The Euphrates is the chief or regal river of Turkey, and flows through the midst of that kingdom; it is, therefore, the most appropriate symbol of the Mahommedan superstition; and Isaiah formerly typified the empire of Assyria by the name of that river. And as the natural Euphrates is neither to be bridged over, nor smitten asunder like the Red Sea and the river Jordan, but to be dried up; so the prophecy cannot refer to the literal river, but to the Mussulman superstition which is typified by it.

The vial of vengeance is now running with awful speed on the Mahommedan apostacy in India; and Gon the Almighty is now working out His own mysterious purposes by the sword of Protestant England, to be followed, we earnestly hope, by the gospel preached by her missionaries. But it is much to be lamented, that she herself seems to have been destined to "receive of the plagues" which are prepared for the papal apostacy; because she has been a "partaker of her sins;" and also of the East India Company in the East, whose transgressions are not merely sins of omission, like those of the rich man in the parable; but they have also been sins of commission, by their stern contradiction of the Divine command, to preach the everlasting gospel to every creature. And now the retributive chalice is commended to their own lips, for having set up the worship of the god of this world, instead of removing every obstacle from making "the saving health" of the gospel known in their dominions by means of a missionary church.

But if the rulers of India have neglected and omitted to perform their duties to their Mahommedan and Hindoo subjects; how much more have the imperial government sinned by worshipping the Beast and his image, and accepting his mark in their forehead at home? Heathen idolatry has been petted and pampered in India for the last hundred years, and we are now suffering divine judgments for so doing. doing. For the

last thirty years we have taken Christian idolatry into our bosom; we have encouraged, pampered and educated idolatrous priests who are drunk with the blood of prophets and saints, and of all that were slain on the earth; we may therefore reasonably expect the judgments of heaven on the pouring out of the seventh vial, the time for which cannot now be very far distant.

The Mahommedans are not idolaters; they have ever held idolatry in such utter abhorrence that the eastern and Roman idolatry has been hitherto the principal obstacle to their conversion to the Christian faith. The Hindoos are idolaters; but the difference between Hindoo and Popish idolatry is only in the objects of their respective worship. The former adore an imaginary Veeshnu, whilst the Papist falls down and worships an imaginary "Queen of Heaven;" both, therefore, are alike idolaters; for, says the able and consistent Vicar of Leeds, in his Lenten sermon delivered before the University of Oxford-" Idolatry never had existence, if it does not exist in the Church of Rome."

In the course of our last year's labour, we have not forgotten the Signs of the Times; and among them to notice and to lament the falling away from the faith of the Congregational and other non-conforming bodies, in reviewing the numerous pamphlets arising out of what was called "the Rivulet Controversy."

We have edited a life of the great Apostle of the Circumcision; and we are now abridging the history of the Church of Scotland from our own larger work. To most English churchmen, that history is known only through the medium of her religious and political enemies. Therefore, we earnestly entreat the attention of our readers on this side of the Border to it, as it will be gradually developed.

We have also taken occasion to question the orthodoxy of the Rev. J. C. Ryle's opinions and teaching on the subject of regeneration; we have shown that

they are contrary to the teaching of Christ, His apostles, and the whole Church in general; and to the Prayer Book, the articles, and the homilies of the Church of England in particular. We have also shewn that "the old heart is the inheritance of the dying Adam; but that the new heart is the gift of Him who is a quickening Spirit." We are quite conscious of the hornet's nest which we have brought about our ears from the venom of that "waspish sect" of which Mr. Ryle is the exponent; but we have counted the cost; and in quietness and confidence in the strength of our cause, shall be our strength.

LITTLE FAITH.

The signs of the times are visible to all men,-in The time for Christ's second figurative advent is at hand; for the judgment on the old lady of Babylon to be set; and for the Books to be opened.

It is want of faith that makes weak minded timorous men apostatize to Rome; it is little faith which makes liberal Churchmen become semi-dissenters; and it is still greater absence of faith which makes men set aside the sacraments instituted by the mercy of God for the remission of sins, to make way for the opinions and speculations of sinful men, puffed up with vain-glory and uncharitableness.

Therefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall; but let us pray the great Head of the Church to stir up the wills of all faithful people to bring forth plenteously the fruits of faith; and to make us continually given to all good works; so that by asking divine grace and assistance faithfully, we may obtain our desires effectually; and may the glory be to GOD.

In conclusion, we respectfully and earnestly entreat the continued support of our old and steady friends; and we implore them to use their influence-so far as it extends to procure new subscribers for the twelfth volume of the "CHURCH WARDER," the first number of which will (D. v.) appear on New Year's Day, 1858.

Taylor's Holy Living & Dying, 126. | Warm Bathing, 237.