phets, of the glories of his reign, on which they were resting their fond expectations of "immediate" deliverance and happiness! On considering all these circumstances, their hearts may begin to misgive, and their long and apparently incurable obstinacy be melted into remorse, under the apprehension that, as a nation they have been accessory to the cruel murder of that Messiah on whom their fondest hopes have so long and so confidently rested. In proportion as they pursue these reflections, a deep sense of sorrow, of humiliation, and penitence may, indeed, be expected to take possession of their minds. Then may the faithful Christian look forward to the time when God will "pour upon the house of David," in particular, and "the inhabitants of Jerusalem," in general, "the spirit of grace and of supplication," and "they will look on him whom they have pierced, and will mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son, and will be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born." (Zech. xii. 10.)

Their attention cannot but be earnestly directed toward the evidences of his resurrection, and should they obtain satisfaction concerning the reality of this event, their desire of being again permitted to witness his personal presence, to behold in his countenance the smile of forgiveness and returning favour, will be excited to a very high degree. If, with their hearts thus turned toward their Messiah, his presence becomes requisite, not only to assuage their penitential sorrow, and to convert it into "the song of rejoicing," but to re-organize their state, and establish his destined kingdom among them, in co-operation with the martyrs and the truly faithful of every former age, and through that nation as no longer "the tail," but advancing to "the head" of the nations, to extend a mild, but most beneficial dominion over the whole family of man; would it be dissonant from the suggestions of reason, in conformity with several of his predictions, and those of the ancient prophets, that he should actually appear? If "that same Jesus is to be seen so to come in like manner as he went up into heaven," what occasion can appear more proper for this purpose than when those people, in consequence of whose rejection he was with

drawn from them, are prepared in mind to welcome his appearance, and must feel the greatest necessity for his presence, guidance, and protection for their recall, safety, prosperity, and exalted virtue, all of which are distinctly predicted, and will, no doubt, be intimately connected with their submission to his authority. And, surely, his declaration that they "shall not see him henceforth till they shall say, "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord," clearly implies that they shall see him, whenever they shall be prepared to utter this expression of their faith in him. During his personal ministry, their conduct rendered it necessary that he should use much of that severity of language which but ill consorted with the benignity of his disposition, and particularly with that tender affection with which he so evidently regarded his nation; and the closing scene of his former presence with them must indeed fill their minds with bitter affliction, when they become sensible of their guilt. Their perseverance in the same guilty and exasperated state of mind, rendered it on several accounts improper that he should again appear publicly among them, till a general change should have been wrought in their character and views. And as long as a similar state of mind continues to be their prevalent feeling, the impropriety of his manifestation to them will likewise continue. But when it is removed, and exchanged for the spirit of grace and of supplication; when they are re-assembled in their own land, in a disposition to yield submission to his rightful authority, that renewed and additional proof of his resurrection, and that confirmation of his office and illustration of the true principles of his government, which will be attendant on its actual assumption by his re-appearance and more continued presence among them, may surely be anticipated.

In conclusion, I beg to state, that most of the above observations were penned many years since, when passages in the ancient prophets pointing to the return of the Israelites to their ancient land, and also to the aid that they are destined to receive from other nations in forwarding their return, were imprinted on my mind. The subject seems to require a more ample considera

tion, and a copious selection of passages plainly referring to that event. If your limits will permit, perhaps you will introduce the following as one of the most full and specific:"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will set his hand again the second time, to recover the remnant of His people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He will set up an ensign for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines* toward the west, they shall spoil them of the east together; they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon shall obey them. And Jehovah will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea, and with His mighty wind will He shake His hand over the river, and men shall pass over dry-shod. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that he came out of Egypt." (Isaiah, xi. 10-16.) With this may be compared Isaiah, xlix. 14-23, particularly the two last verses; and Zech. x. 6-12. With respect to the period of the accomplishment of these predictions, they will probably be all considerably subsequent to the fall of the Mahometan and anti-Christian powers, which are represented by Mr J. Smith, in his valuable "Letters on the Prophecies," as probably having a common termination A.D. 1866. Bishop Newton has stated his opinion, that the 1290 years of Daniel will terminate 30 years later; and that the 1335 years of this eminent prophet, or 45 years yet farther in advance, will be that of the second appearance of the Messiah. With such

* The "aliens," or those of other nations.

authorities from inspired writers, and their ablest interpreters before us, it behoves every thoughtful mind to look forward with hope, and to wait, with humble tience and reliance, the will of heaven.

HOмO.

pa

CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE; OR, THE IMPORTANCE AND UTILITY OF STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES,

EXEMPLIFIED.

No teachings are more valuable than those of experience; and for none do most people pay a higher price. This, however, is the fault of the pupil, not of the instructor. Lessons, given in the plainest and most impressive language, are regarded with comparative indifference, until their frequent repetition renders it impossible to avoid the application of them, in some degree, to the important purposes, individual and social, which they are adapted to answer.

The teachings of our own experience have evidently the first and strongest claim to practical regard. Yet much may be learned, and numerous advantages derived, from the experience of others. Hence, memoirs and biographical sketches of deceased individuals, if written as they ought to be, are amongst the most valuable additions to our literature. And hence, also, it may sometimes be desirable that persons who are still permitted to abide in the land of the living, should declare, with "simplicity and godly sincerity," what has transpired in the little world of their own conscious

ness.

This latter consideration, leads me to hope that the following narrative may be serviceable to some of my fellow-creatures who are asking what they must do to obtain everlasting life. It is the record of one who feels that the Author of all good has done great things for him; and that, therefore, he ought to be glad.

It was my privilege to be born of parents who were influenced by the fear and love of God. My father was a Calvinist; and my mother sympathised to a considerable ex

tent in his views, though I always thought she appeared to have a larger share of Christian charity. The home of my early years was, from the most distant point in my recollection, "a house of prayer." In it family worship was daily conducted; and once a-week, a number of Christian friends regularly assembled with us, to join in a more formal, but still very interesting religious service. At an early age, I began to accompany my parents on the Sabbath-day to church; and as I was naturally somewhat thoughtful, it is probable I paid more attention to what transpired there than many children do. Having learned to read, I often employed myself, very agreeably, in committing to memory hymns, catechisms, and portions of Scripture: so that not more than six or eight years had passed over my head before I could repeat nearly the whole of Dr Watt's Divine and Moral Songs, with his first and second sets of Catechisms, and numerous other pieces. Within a short time afterwards, I learned the "Church Catechism;" the "Assenbly's Catechism, with Scripture proofs;" a great number of poetical pieces, and not less than from forty to fifty chapters of the sacred writings. Nor were these mechanical exercises unaccompanied with something much more important; for at the time of life just alluded to, my mind became deeply impressed with what I saw, and heard, and read. I felt assured that true religion was a heartfelt principle, and I longed to know its saving power. Sometimes I received encouragement, and was led to hope: at other times I was filled with terror, and driven almost to despair. How could it be otherwise? for although but a child, I had been taught that I was, by nature, altogether depraved; and that God has mercy on those only" on whom he will have mercy." I had also been informed that another being called the Devil, whose power was immense, sought my ruin, and laboured incessantly to accomplish it. From whom this being received his power, I was not very distinctly informed, though I supposed he must have received it from God; nor could I understand why he should be permitted to go on, from age to age, in his rebellious and destructive career. It often occured to me, however, as exceed