closed. How great are the efforts made by all ranks of society for the religious and moral improvement of the population! Instead of religion being set aside, as in France, as a thing of nought, how do many of our most urgent disputes, in parliament and out of it, turn upon it? And how, when famine recently visited our shores, did the whole people, before the eyes of the world, from the Queen on the throne to her lowest subject, publicly humble themselves by fasting and humiliation before the King of Heaven?"

"Our readers well know how far we are from taking glory to ourselves on account of these things. They all know that there is another side of the picture which might be presented, in which are depicted national ingratitude and unthankfulness and impiety and ungodliness, and this with a vividness and expanse fitted to make the stoutest heart, that fears God, to tremble. Still it is the fact, that in the profession of the true faith of the Gospel, and in the fruits of that faith, this nation is recognized by the civilized world, as the nation which above all others fears God, cultivates religion, seeks refuge in His protection, and makes great efforts to spread a knowledge of his will throughout the world. The practical question then is, how has this nation fared, seeking in some measure the honour and glory of God, instead of their own GLORY, as their professed and ultimate end? Has God, that Being of infinite power, through whose universal superintendence every particle of dust takes its appropriate place in creation, given them to suffer in true honour and real glory, from their giving glory to Him, instead of attempting to usurp it to themselves, in forgetfulness or in contempt of his unalienable rights to the worship and service of his intelligent creation ?"

"We need scarcely stop to reply. While France, first and chiefly, and the other European nations generally, are being torn and shivered by the revolutionary shock, this country, under His kind protection, sits calm amidst the storm. The attempts to disturb her peace have been frivolous in the extreme, and proved

the loyalty and soundness of her affections to her sovereign and her constitution. The king, the princes, the statesmen of France, seek refuge within our borders. On one side Prince Metternich, and on the other the Crown Prince of Prussia, is said to be seeking an asylum amongst us. Property, in large amounts, considered in peril in France, and other parts of the continent, is transmitted to England for security, and strengthens our credit and our resources. England, ostensibly trusting in God, and serving instead of forgetting or disowning him, is made by Him (with reverence be it spoken) an ark of refuge to the weary, the forlorn, the destitute, and the proscribed. This high honour, this true glory, is conferred upon her by Him who ruleth over all, who setteth up one and putteth down another, and who declares, that those that walk in pride he is able to abase.'

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"The contrast between the two nations, as we have stated it, is real and palpable. The contrast between the neglect of God by the one, and the acknowledgment of God by the other, cannot be denied; nor can the still greater contrast be overlooked between the dishonour now poured on the one, and the crown of honour and glory placed on the head of the other. We have accounted for the difference on plain scriptural principles-on the first principles of the oracles of God. There are those, we know, who will regard our exposition of the case as the result of pure fanaticism and enthusiasm. But we earnestly warn all such, that this is their judgment, merely because amidst all their other studies, acquirements, and pursuits, they have not made the Bible their study, with prayer to God for his illuminating grace. Whoever truly knows his Bible, as he ought to know, knows that what we have advanced are the words of truth and soberness."

"And he will coincide with us when we proceed to say that the very great mercies which the present day sees vouchsafed to this country by the Almighty, should lead us to admire his merciful condescension and unfailing truth. He has made apparent this day the difference between the nation that serves him and the

nation that serves him not. But O, how imperfect is that service! Nay, mingled with the service, how much is there of sin and dishonour done to His glorious name by this favoured but guilty nation, on account of which He has been, and is still, severely chastising us; on account of which he is calling us to repentance, and to bring forth fruit meet for repentance. On the various heads of our national offences we shall not at present enter. But sure we are, that no man of Christian intelligence and of sober reflection can doubt, that men of all ranks of society have much need to consider their ways; that the astounding manifestations of God's providence around us loudly call for national and personal examination, for diligent searching into the soundness of our principles, and the Christian purity of our ways; and also call for a PUBLIC NATIONAL RECOGNITION of the hand of God in these wonders, for thanksgiving for his mercy to us hitherto, for humble confession of sin, and for united prayer for mercy, that he may save this nation from the fearful judgments that seem to hang suspended over the earth."

"One of the most marked distinctions between this country and France and the other Continental nations, during the recent visitation of famine which rested on all, was the appointment by this people of a day of national humiliation before God; while the striking manner in which it was observed throughout the whole land, afforded cause for grateful thanksgiving. Now scenes are passing around us such as were never before crowded together in the history of the world; thrones tottering, nations contending, and forced into positions of the highest peril, fitted to excite the most intense alarm."

"Let this nation show again to the world where she considers her strength lieth. By a renewed act of NATIONAL HUMILIATION she will give glory to God, and probably, in His great mercy, draw down security upon herself. Does any one scoff at this saying? Let him for a moment reflect that he scoffs not at us, but at HIM that brings these judgments on the earth. That merciful and almighty Being, who at the same time will by no

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means clear the guilty,' proclaims to nations, as well as to individuals, by the mouth of the beloved apostle, 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.""

"We accordingly humbly beseech all our readers who coincide with us in these views, to take the necessary steps for the accomplishment of the great object, in their various stations of life. May the subject, in its high importance and scriptural propriety, be brought under the view of our beloved Queen, of the Prince Albert, of Cabinet Ministers, of Bishops, of the members of the Legislature, and of the community at large. This done, we doubt not, the object will be attained to the glory of God, to our own security, and to the good of other nations.”

A Form of Prayer to Almighty God, for the maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity.

"O GOD, whose never-failing providence ordereth all things both in heaven and earth; we Thine unworthy servants most humbly beseech Thee to continue Thy favour to this land, and to preserve us alike from foreign enemies and domestic divisions. We acknowledge, O Lord, that if Thou wert to deal with us after our sins, or reward us according to our iniquities, we might most justly have fallen under Thy wrath and indignation. For in our prosperity we have too much forgotten Thee; other lords besides Thee have had dominion over us; we have offended against Thy holy laws, and have not glorified Thee, in whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways. Thou hast said in Thy Holy Word, that when Thy judgments are upon the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness; and now we beseech Thee so to incline the hearts of the people of this land, that they may bear one another's burthens, and follow the things

hat make for peace, and have love one towards another. And do Thou, Lord, of Thy great mercy, restore to us such prosperity, that we may not sow much, and bring in little, but that Thou mayest bless us in whatsoever we set our hand unto; and that our people may eat their own bread with quietness. Above all, teach us so to acknowledge Thee, the Author and Giver of all good, that we may live in Thy faith and fear, setting our affections on things above, and seeking first Thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be honour and glory, world without end. Amen."

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