readiness to welcome the unconverted Jew, while yet by unbelief he justifies his grand national guilt-the crucifixion of our Lord Christ, to its legislature.* In our own country we see Popery reviving, and the reckless infidelity of Socialism, and the lawless anarchy of

treasury of means which God has given us IN HIS WORD for awakening both Romanists and Protestants to an adequate sense of the national, the spiritual, and the eternal perils of adhering to or favouring Popery. The passing of that act must have disappointed and will disappoint both those statesmen and those Romanists who hoped so much from it. It was not the settlement of the peace of Ireland, but has called forth increased desires, controversy, and disturbance. It did not tend, as some Protestants who favoured it, thought that it would have done, to the conversion of Romanists. The Romanists have used it, as Balaam did Balak's power, to promote the seduction of the true Israel to their idolatrous practices, and the issue will probably be similar to this, we shall be punished for our apostacy, but it will hasten on the destruction of the spiritual Balaam and those who adhere to him.

* See Remarks on this in the Appendix to my 'Practical Guide to the Prophecies.'

The Act admitting Jews to hold municipal offices, on declaring that they profess the Jewish religion, was carried on Thursday, June 3, 1841, by a majority of 1 over 47 in the House of Lords. The Archbishop of Canterbury here, as in the Roman Catholic Emancipation Bill, firmly standing in the breach against the inroads making on our Christian constitution. His Grace justly observed, ' that if the Jews were admitted to a share in framing and administering our laws, the character of our legislature would be altered, and this would no longer be an exclusively Christian country." But we have to thank God, that the House of Lords ultimately delivered our country from the infidel measure of passing this Jews' Bill. At the 3rd reading on June 11, 1841, it was negatived by a majority of 34: there being for it only 64 peers, and against it 98.

Chartism, largely spreading through our most populous districts.

Nothing is, alas! wanting in Christendom of that awful description of the last days, This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. The Apostle compares them to Jannes and Jambres withstanding Moses, showing, so do these also resist the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobates concerning the faith; and he adds, but they shall proceed no farther; for their folly shall be manifest unto all, as theirs also was. And just afterwards the Apostle gives us the fearful intimation that evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

This then is the Scriptural view of the character of the times in which we live; this is the affecting and awakening state of things, which we now see, and may expect yet more and more to be disclosed in the actual state of the world. And, in such days, ministers are called to be watchmen of the Lord, and stewards of his mysteries. Our country, and the Churches of Christ through the world, fix their eyes in this day of conflict

on the ministers of the British churches. Assailed we have been, and assailed on every side we shall be, a spectacle to all men. The churches of Christ in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and in the countless isles of the sea are all affected by our course and conduct. God Almighty grant us grace to be faithful to Christ. May we lift on high at every place where we are stationed, the pure, and unadulterated Gospel of the grace of God, the clear, full, perfect light of scriptural truth which God has specially entrusted to our charge, and adorn it by a godly life. The world is ripening fast for the last judgments, Christendom is preparing for the seduction and deception of the last and worst developement of the Antichrist, and out of the midst of this evil world, the sheep of Christ are to be gathered. The little flock of Christ is to be nourished; and our office and charge is to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord to teach and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's family; to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed, and for his sheep who are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever.'*

Let us fight, then, the good fight of faith for our God. The ministers of Christ everywhere are called to stand in the breach, and if we be faithful to our God, and faithful to the souls of men; yea, faithful unto death, O

* Ordination Service.

what a glorious reward is ours! But, if they be now unfaithful, they drag into destruction not only themselves but the souls committed to them, their Churches, and their country; and injure all churches and all lands, and so perish with an aggravated condemnation. The welfare of a whole kingdom may be dependent in an arduous battle on the discerning wisdom, the faithful boldness, and inflexible perseverance of one in the army.

It is under the impression of such times that the Apostle says, Continue THOU in the things that THOU hast heard. He speaks to each individual as if all depended on the conduct of one. It is under this state of things that our Lord says, Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, and are ready to die, for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

2. But it is not only the perilous times which now lift up a warning voice to rouse us from all sloth and indifference. Blessed be God there is closely connected with these times another motive presented in the words which follow, full of animating brightness and glory, THE COMING AND THE KINGDOM OF OUR SAVIOUR CHRIST. The Apostle begins his next chapter, I charge thee before God, who shall judge the quick and dead at his appearing

and kingdom, preach the word. He calls him only the more earnestly by other men, not enduring sound doctrine, heaping to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables: in contrast to all this he says, but watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. And then, after mentioning his own near approaching martyrdom, and alluding to his own past conflicts, he animates Timothy to follow him, with this glowing hope, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. The Apostles delight to bring this forward, When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. The appearing of Christ is before his kingdom; the reward which he bestows is at his appearing; it is a crown of righteousness and of glory; a reward of dominion and royalty, and all that love his appearing partake of that glory. And why should we not love his appearing? Why should we not be longing for it? Why should we not when he declares, Surely I come quickly! be replying, Amen ! even so come, Lord Jesus? O why not? Is he not our true, our only, and our beloved Lord? Has he not ransomed us with his blood? Are we not engaged in his service? The grace of God that bringeth salvation teaches us not only to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to