A Monthly Journal, CONTAINING PLAIN TRUTHS OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE, FOR "STREETS AND LANES," "HIGHWAYS AND HEDGES." "Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." GRATUITOUS CIRCULATION. We have again dispatched many parcels of "The Evangelist," for gratuitous circulation in various the Lord Jesus gladly help us in thus scattering the good seed of the gospel, and we are constantly receiving fresh applications. We shall be most happy to continue this service, as long as we are entrusted with funds for the purpose. Received since our last publication, from E. B., £1. All orders should be addressed to the Publishers, Mr. W. YAPP, 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, London, W.; or to Messrs. MORGAN & CHASE, LONDON, DECEMBER 1, 1859. The Wrath to Come. "THE wrath to come." Have you ever parts of England and Ireland. Many servants of considered the importance of these words, and felt that the great day of God's wrath (Rev. vi. 17,) may be very nigh at hand? The day of the Lord will come upon the world as a thief in the night, and when He comes to this world again, He will come to "take vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power." Of such as these our Lord spake thus, "These shall go away into everlasting punishment." Tichborne Court, 280, High Holborn, London. All Communications, Subscriptions, Books for Review, &c., should be forwarded, pre-paid, "To the Editor of the Evangelist," 70, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, London, W. [PRICE 1d. Everlasting fire, prepared originally for the devil and his angels, will be the lot of those who in this day of grace slight God's love. Reader, God gives you this warning, it may be the last you may ever have : Flee from the wrath to come! Christ said to His disciples, and it remains true to this day, "He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth Him that sent me." God, who is “not willing that any should perish," now speaks to you through one who can say, TO OUR READERS. by the grace of God, that "he has obWITH this number we conclude the First tained mercy," and that in Christ he has Volume of "THE EVANGELIST;" and we What an awful sentence! How ought "redemption through His blood, even feel we cannot send it forth without the hearts of all those who are not the forgiveness of sins." He presents praise to our God for His manifest help clothed with Christ's righteousness to you, if still unsaved, a full and free parand blessing. We feel thankful also to be filled with terror at the idea of His don. He says, "Believe on the Lord many Christians of almost every denomi- return, who "shall judge the world with Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." nation for their assistance in various righteousness, and the people with His Trust implicitly in Christ Jesus, and in truth." His all-prevailing merit, and then, "being justified by His blood, you will be saved from wrath through Him." ways. In the name of our covenant God The love of God to sinners has been Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-we still declared, and men seem to despise His I hope to continue our labours; by His mercy and His grace. God calls, and grace we are determined not to know men refuse. God stretches out His hand, Keeping Christmas. anything among men but "Jesus Christ, and even yields His Son to die to save WE draw near the close of another year. and Him crucified." We advocate no sinners; and no man regards. Shall Many will be keeping Christ MAS. How sectarian views, neither have we the not the Lord visit for such things as fearfully Christ's holy name is generally patronage of any particular denomina- these? The day will come when God will dishonoured at this season. The drunlaugh at the calamity of those who now kard keeps Christmas with an extra despise and reject His offers of mercy, and will mock when their fear cometh. tion. We cordially embrace in our fellowship all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. We desire the prayers and co-operation of all Christians. Brief, pointed papers, and details of indisputable facts in relation to the gospel will be thankfully received. We especially ask our fellowChristians to assist us in promoting the sale of this work, for we need scarcely say, that the expenses of publishing are considerable. Donations for a larger gratuitous circulation among the poor will also be gratefully accepted. FELLOW CHRISTIANS! The world is in earnest, blinding souls with its transitory glitter; the devil is in earnest, deceiving souls with his lying vanities; shall not we, then, be in earnest, in diligently spreading the gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth? THE EDITOR. glass. The libertine keeps Christmas with unbridled lusts. The pleasure-seeker keeps Christmas with unholy hilarity and festive gaieties. The fashionist keeps Christmas by patronizing the newest Oh! my reader, if you have not yet accepted Christ as your Saviour, if you have not yet sought pardon of the Lord for your sins, do it at once. The day of designs. The papist keeps Christmas His wrath may be nearer than you may imagine, and who shall stand when He appeareth? Will you by spreading his antichristian delusions. The infidel keeps Christmas by using the accustomed leisure to blaspheme the "Knowing the terror of the Lord, we God who made him. The glutton keeps persuade men;" but it is an awful proof Christmas by abusing the bounties of of the desperate wickedness of man's the God of providence. How will you, heart, that men can hear of God's hatred my reader, keep Christmas? of sin, and of His intense love to sin- seek the theatre, or ball-room, because ners, and yet be unmoved, but continue you will not seek Christ? Will you fill sinning just as if there were no God, no up the measure of iniquity with ungodly heaven, no hell. It shows more plainly mirth? Oh, seek Christ! seek an inthan anything else, that there is not interest in His blood and righteousness! man, by nature, the least particle of love rest not till you can say, that being justo God; but that the natural man is in-tified by faith, you HAVE PEACE WITH deed "enmity against God." GOD, THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. THE BIRTH OF JESUS. "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" Matt. ii. 2. woman. ledge of the letter of Scripture had puffed them an Herod do! His perplexity was great; fear and sorrow were experienced by him; but with all the amount of unquestionable evidence before THE birth of Jesus was an event as full of love him, he did not think the Messiah worth seeking. as it was deep in wisdom and humiliation, but it He therefore dismissed the wise men that they was what Jehovah had ages before promised, and should seek the young child; but it was not in patriarchs had long looked for. When man dis- the king's heart to go a step on such an errand: obeyed his Maker, and fell under Satan's power, "Bring me word again," said the king, "that I Jehovah, in boundless grace, lighted up the dark may come and worship Him also;" if I find so and hopeless scene with the most merciful decla- and so, then I'll worship. Herod had no better ration, that the Seed of the woman should bruise thought than this. This was his only relief for the serpent's head; thus announcing a Redeemer a troubled mind. Poor Herod! The real state of for fallen man, and that He should be born of a his soul was afterwards made manifest; pride Afterwards, the Lord taught Abraham, kindled into a flame the enmity to God and His that the promised Seed should be through him Christ that dwelt in his unregenerate heart, he It is to be feared that there are many of this and his much-loved son Isaac-"In Isaac shall became "exceeding wroth," and could only vent class in the present day. They possess some thy seed be called " After this, it was revealed his rage by commanding that every young child knowledge of the letter of Scripture, and may to David that the promised Seed should be of the in Bethlehem, and all the coasts thereof, should answer many questions even about the Saviour, fruit of his loins, and also that after His death be put to death; thus expecting to get rid of his and are quiet and unconcerned even when others and resurrection He should sit upon the King of troubles, by killing Him who was born King of are much troubled. They know not their real Israel's throne. At a later period, the prophet the Jews. Such is man. Such has been, and need. They compare themselves with the ignoIsaiah was moved by the Holy Ghost, to predict still is, the enmity of the carnal mind to the rant idolater, and think themselves wise. They that the Saviour would be a virgin's son-Be-blessed Christ of God. Men hear the faithful flatter themselves that they have been born in a hold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and saying that "Christ Jesus came into the world to Christian country, had Christian forefathers, have shall call His name Immanuel;" and more than save sinners," they are exercised about the report received a religious education, and attend this, for He also spake of the Godhead of Christ, for a while, fears lay hold on them, and they are orthodox ministry; and therefore are not ignoas well as His reigning in power, as the King of troubled. They make enquiry, they hear the rant of spiritual matters. But with all their the Jews, on the throne of His father David, scripture read and expounded, they turn to God's fancied knowledge, "they are ignorant of God's saying, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son servants, and listen to their experience in these righteousness." They know not, that if weighed is given; and the government shall be upon His matters; they hear them say that it is their in God's balance, they must be found wanting. shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonder-chiefest joy to contemplate and adoringly worship They are ignorant of the fact that all their best ful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting the Saviour of sinners, and they seek to quiet performances are only splendid sins. They are Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of their troubled spirits, by promising to themselves not aware that they must be born again. They His government and peace there shall be no end, to worship also at some future time. But, as in know not the gift of God. They are ignorant upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, Herod's case, that time never comes. Like him, that the thrice holy God cannot accept any exto order it, and to establish it with judgment and their convictions are not deep, being more from the cuse for sin, and can accredit no other standard with justice from henceforth even for ever. The force of circumstances and the influence of others, of righteousness than His own unsullied holiness. zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this." than from personal exercise before God; they They therefore go about to establish their own Still later, the prophet Micah was instructed to therefore think of nothing higher than worshiping righteousness, and do not submit to the righteousinform God's people of the locality where Jesus before men. There is no earnest crying for for-ness of God, even CHRIST, who is the end of should be born: "But thou Bethlehem-Ephratah, giveness of sins, no longing for the removal of the law for righteousness to every one that hethough thou be little among the thousands of guilt, no consideration of how matters really are lieveth. Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto between their own souls and the living God; Oh, my reader! flee from all these snares of me, whose goings forth have been from of old, they have no concern beyond some vague ideas of the great deceiver. Listen to the Word of the from everlasting.' worship, places of worship, forms of worship, living God that will never pass away. Remember and the like. However, this state of mind having there is salvation in no other than Jesus crucified. been brought about by circumstances, it is only Jesus is the only way. There is no other entrance for circumstances to change, and they change to glory. The question of such eternal importalso. Like the early dew, such superficial im-ance is not what you know, or what people think pressions quickly pass away, their natural enmity of you, but what you think of CHRIST. O to Christ easily manifests itself, and they soon ponder the decisive words of the apostle, "If any cry out in spirit, with the Christless crowd man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be around, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" From these scriptures we see that the Messiah would be born of a woman-God and man in one person-a virgin's son-born in Bethlehem-of the seed of Abraham-of the lineage of David, whose goings forth have been from everlasting that He shall sit on the throne of His father David, and of His Kingdom there shall be no end. We can thus enter a little into the question of the wise men "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" In the last dispensation most people were looking forward to the coming of Messiah to reign in glory; they expected the fulfilment of the prophetic scriptures concerning His Kingdom, and overlooked the path of humiliation, suffering, blood-shedding and death, as Messiah's way to David's throne. They did not see that God's only way of setting man in blessing before Him, was through death and resurrection. There were, however, a few that "looked for redemption in Jerusalem." My Reader, may I ask if you have ever been troubled when you have heard the Gospel of Christ? If so, may I also affectionately ask you to examine into the cause of your trouble? Has it arisen from a change, or from fear of change in your outward circumstances? or has it been from a deep conscientious sense of your having sinned against God, and therefore being justly exposed to His eternal condemnation? The last is the godly sorrow that worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repented of; and, if such be your experience, you will not be content that others should seek the Saviour and bring you In this chapter, we find three classes of cha-word again, but you will seek Him for yourself. racter brought before us:-1. Herod; 2. The chief priests and scribes; 3. The wise men, which, by the Lord's help, may be profitable for us to consider. Your need will compel you. Your heartfelt accursed!" 3. THE WISE MEN. Whatever were the peerliar characteristics of these men, they were in the best sense wise men. They were guided by Divine light and wisdom. They had to do with God. When they saw the star move, they were assured that God was leading them; and they experienced that He led them to the Saviour. They sought for Jesus. Nothing could hinder them. Christ Himself was the one object of their souls, and they found Him. They owned Him as the mighty God. They worshipped Him. They served Him with their substance as well as their hearts. It was to Christ they presented their gold, myrrh, and frankincense. We may also notice another thing in these wise men, they obeyed God rather than man; for being warned of God that they should not return to Herod (as he commanded), they departed into their own country another way. The account of these wise men is very simple and brief, but their ways stand in remarkable contrast with the other classes of character that are here clustered together. 1. HEROD. Herod was a King at Jerusalem; he was, therefore, exceedingly moved at the announcement that the King of the Jews was born. It touched him very closely, for he knew that if the true Messiah were come, he could no longer be king himself. Besides the sound of God's King having come, was enough to alarm the conscience, and awaken fear and dread. Others felt the same. We are therefore told that, "when Herod heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." There were no thunderings or lightnings, no threatenings, no sound of alarm, yet they were troubled. Angels had sung, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." A believing man 2. THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. There was afterwards exclaimed, "Lord, now lettest thou thy neither trouble, nor enquiry, nor wrath mani-you? servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen fested by these persons. Quiet and unconcerned, Hitherto we have only looked at the King of thy salvation" yet "Herod and all Jerusalem with Scripture readily upon their lips, they cared the Jews in reference to His birth; but grand were troubled." The King's troubled state of no more about the Messiah than they did about and glorious as that event was, we afterwards mind led him to make enquiry. He first gathered Herod. Yet they had knowledge of Scripture. see Him in a position far more blessed for our those together whom he judged best able to give They could tell where Christ should be born. contemplation than even that. I refer to Calhim information, and demanded of them where They heard the solemn announcement that the vary's cross. Yes, it is the Cross of Christ that Christ should be born? But though their reply Messiah was come. They listened to the wise is the only happy meeting-place between God was correct, it did not relieve his trouble. He men's testimony, that the God of heaven and and man. No Cross, there could have been then made diligent enquiry of the wise men, but earth had commanded a star to move out of its no triumph over death. No Cross, there could their reply must have only tended to confirm the accustomed sphere to guide them, and yet they have been no salvation from hell. No Cross, this fact that Messiah was really come. What could were unmoved and unconcerned. Their know-world would have been without one cheering ray Oh, my reader, beware of hypocrisy! Remember Herod. Beware of anything less than coming to Christ to save you. Do not be content Oh, my reader! while I have warned you at feeling a little troubled, or with a little inquiry against the pernicious ways of Herod and the into Scripture, or of resting in some good inten- Scribes, I intreat you solemnly to consider whetions, or any well meant promises as to the future; ther you are like these wise men. They subyea, I repeat, beware of anything less than committed to God's teaching; have you? They ing to Jesus for the salvation of your soul. Then, sought and found the Saviour's feet; have you? and then only, will you be safe, for He said, They worshipped Jesus, and served Him with "Ilim that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast their costliest goods; have you? When they out." found man commanded one thing and God another, they obeyed God rather than nan; have blossom and bud, and fill the face of the whole no man cometh unto the Father but by as to the future. No Cross, not one sinner could 46 See Him hanging on the tree, 'Tis the Christ by men rejected, Yes, my soul, 'tis He, 'tis He!" But where is the King of the Jews now? He was in Bethlehem's stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and worshipped by the wise men. He was recognized by a guileless Israelite, as "the Son of God, and the King of Israel." As the meek and lowly King, riding on an ass over the Mount of Olives, He was worshipped as "the King that cometh in the name of the Lord." He was covered with a purple robe, and mocked with a crown of thorns. He was publicly crucified with malefactors, outside the gate of Jerusalem; Now, dear reader, He saves to the uttermost, "A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, THIS is a question often asked, and very How contrary to the end of all other ways is this. God's way of salvation is Christ; "and whosoever believeth in Him (no less a person than the very Son of God) shall not perish, but have everlasting life." seemeth right unto a man, but the end There may indeed be "a way that thereof are the ways of death." Have you ever reflected on this? that if you are not living in the faith of Christ, you are in a way which, however right it may seem to you, will end in death, eternal death; that you are travelling on the road that leads to "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power?" You will, if you persist in the downward path, realize the awfulness of His power, but there will be no blessing connected with it to you. Are you amongst the number "who walk in darkness, and know not whither they go?" Seek, then, the light of God's truth, and the guidance of His Spirit to convince you of sin, to shew you the error of your present way, and to lead you to Christ the true way; and you shall not seek in vain, for God "will give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him"-not to those that ask Him with the lips only, but from the heart; for "God seeth not as man seeth, but God looketh on the heart." Ah, it is the sincere desire that God wants; it is the sighing of a broken and a contrite heart that comes up before Him; and it is the repentance of a sinner that gives joy in heaven. Again, dear reader, I would ask the solemn question, Where are you going? Are you amongst the saved or the lost? Are you walking in darkness, or have you the "light of life?" for he that followeth Christ "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." If you are one who has trusted in Christ, and found Him to be the way, give all the praise and glory to Him, who has inclined your heart to believe in Him, and hath turned your feet into the way that leadeth unto life; and seek to bring others to a knowledge of that way, by a holy and devoted life, by your gentleness, your conversation, your cross-bearing, indeed. "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God," ever remembering that "you are not your own, but bought with a price," even with the precious blood of Christ. as "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews; but where, I ask, is the King of the Jews now? He is no longer on the cross, no longer in the sepulchre; but though crucified in weakness, He rose from the dead by almighty strength, spoiled principalities and powers; and, in risen beauty and glory, amid the ceaseless rejoicings of the But I fear there are many on the jourunnumbered dazzling hosts of heaven, the King ney of life, who do not pause to think of of the Jews was welcomed back to the throne of the end of their living. the majesty of the heavens, and crowned with Some live in glory and honour. Israel's rejected King then open sin; some in secret sin; or peris risen from the dead, and exalted to the highest chance lead very moral lives, but are heavens. But the Jews, as yet, know it not. living regardless of Christ, and of God. They are still in blindness and unbelief, fulfilling Others there are who desire to obtain the prophecy of Hosea. "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a King, and God's favour, but are unwilling to apwithout a prince, and without a sacrifice, and proach Him in His way: who would, if without an image (pillar), and without an ephod, possible, set forth their own virtues and If, on the contrary, you have not beand without a teraphim." They are still scattered among the Gentiles, while their holy city is morality, or perhaps their belief in a set lieved on the Lord Jesus with your heart, in heaps, because of their sin; "they are broken form of religion, as the way by which and consequently are not at peace with off, because of unbelief." But we are told that they hope to be saved. All these are God, accept now the invitation-"Be ye God is able to graft them in again. Yes, God is "afar off" from God: for "there is none reconciled to God." It is sinners such able to cause the scales to fall from their eyes, so other name under heaven given among as you that Jesus came to save. It is to that a nation may be born at once. He is able to gather the outcasts of Israel, and bring them men whereby we can be saved," but the such as you are that He addresses those to their own land. "Afterward" (saith Hosea, name of Jesus. He it is alone who is a loving words-"Come now, and let us in the next verse) "shall the children of Israel | Saviour, to 'save His people from their reason together, saith the Lord: though return to seek the Lord their God, and David sins," and He is the only way by which your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as their King; and shall fear the Lord, and His goodness in the latter days." Then the Jews we can find favour with God, and have white as snow; though they be red like will be joyful in their King, who will reign access to Him. He Himself has said, crimson, they shall be as wool." "See before His ancients gloriously, and Israel shall "I am the way, the truth, and the life; that ye refuse not Him that speaketh." 66 The Coming of Jesus. BY JAMES SMITH, CHELTENHAM. 66 if reads, "He will come against the strong." our world to more than paradisaic beauty He atoned for sin and conquered death, and glory before Him. Amen, even so, THE presence of Christ with His people when He came before; now He will come come, Lord Jesus. is their glory and joy; He is ever with against Satan, the god of this world, the Reader, do you want a mighty Saviour? them, to watch over them, protect, and prince of the power of the air, stripping One that can save by His own unaided preserve them. But He sometimes mani- him of his authority, driving him out of power? One that can save from all evil, fests himself to them, filling them with his kingdom, and binding him in im- and raise to the possession and enjoy. joy and peace. Once He came in person, mortal fetters. He will swallow up death ment of all that is really good? Jesus to ransom them from hell; this was the in victory; His strong hand will find is such a Saviour. He can save you, if burden of the Old Testament. Soon He out, seize, and punish every one of His He has not; He will save you, if you will come again to redeem them from enemies, and all the enemies of His be- wish it, and apply to Him to do so. His death; this is the object of hope pre-loved people. "His arm shall rule for blood will cleanse any sinner, and make sented in the New. The advent of the Him." By His own strong arm He will the foulest as pure as an angel of light. Son of God to our world is the greatest arrest, subdue, and destroy all that would His righteousness will justify any sinner, event that can take place in it. He came disturb His government, or oppose His and make the greatest criminal just in as a servant, to fulfil, obey, and suffer; reign. He will bring salvation, or per- the sight of God. He saves to the utterHe will come as a sovereign, to collect, fect and everlasting deliverance to His most, He saves for evermore, all that reward, and govern. His humiliation people, and will cast death and hades come unto God by Him. Do you wish laid the foundation of His glorification, into the bottomless pit. By His own to be prepared to meet Him at His His first coming was introductory to His unaided power He will accomplish His coming, to share in the grace that He second. How sublime, how majestic is work, His strange work, and perform all will bring, and the glory that He will imthe language of the prophet: "Behold, the good pleasure of His will. part? If so, acquaint now thyself with the Lord God will come with strong hand, His reward is with Him." His reHim, and be at peace, and so shall such and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, ward is His people, who were given to good come unto you. If you know Jesus, His reward is with Him, and His work Him, and identified with Him. These you trust in Jesus, if you love Jesus before Him." (Isaiah xl. 10.) He will bring with Him; as it is written, now, when He comes, it will be to be The Lord God here intended is the "The Lord my God shall come, and all glorified in you, and admired by you. He Lord Jesus, as is evident from the pre- the saints with thee." They are His will appear to your joy, and all your ceding verses. He is Divine-Jehovah, seed, the travail of His soul, and His enemies will be ashamed. If you go to the self-existent, eternal, and unchange- bride, which is as His own soul. They Jesus for grace now, He will bring you able God. He is the Lord God-man's we see now being collected from all glory then. Make sure of an interest in Creator, Preserver, and Saviour. He lands, they will be all gathered unto Christ now, live in communion with came in flesh, and tabernacled among Him, and, at His appearing, they will Christ now, and then you will not be men. He brought grace and truth into appear with Him in glory. Their salva- ashamed at the proclamation, "Behold, our world. He came as man, and yet tion and glorification with himself is His he cometh with clouds, and every eye was, in the highest sense of the word, reward-the joy that was set before Him, shall see Him; they also which pierced GOD. Thus He was the great mystery for which He endured the Cross, despis- Him, and all kindreds of the earth shall of godliness-God manifest in the flesh. ing the shame. "His work is before He became man, that He may come Him." He will set up His glorious under the law, and so meet and dis- kingdom, rewarding His saints, every claim, "The great day of His wrath is charge all its demands, and meet and one according to his works. He will come, and who shall be able to stand?" endure all its penalty. He will come punish His foes, binding kings in chains, But you will be of those of whom it is again, not as a servant, but a Son, not and their nobles in fetters of iron. He written, "Blessed and holy is he that to obey and suffer, but to be obeyed and will glorify His Father's name, emanci-hath part in the first resurrection; on reign. pate creation from the bondage of corrup- such the second death hath no power; He will come with strong hand, being tion, and introduce the glory promised. but they shall be priests of God and of clothed with power, as the omnipotent Then all the grand and glowing predic- Christ, and shall reign with Him a thouand rightful ruler of the world. Clad tions of Holy Scripture will be fulfilled, sand years." with zeal, as a cloak, He will fulfil the the groans of creation will be for ever purposes of His Father, perform the silenced, and the highest and best desires promises of His word, and accomplish of His people will be for ever satisfied. the deliverance of His people. The All the plans and purposes of Satan will TWENTY-FIVE years of my life have passed prophet represents it as done, and there- be completely and eternally frustrated, and are gone, never to be recalled; surely fore writes: "He saw that there was and his kingdom and works destroyed. this should teach me the importance no man, and wondered that there was This is the recompense of the Redeemer's of seizing each moment of flying time. no intercessor; therefore His own arm pains; this is the result of His deep This day is one of thanksgiving. I thank brought salvation unto Him, and His humiliation; this is the glory promised God for my being. I bless His name righteousness it sustained Him. For Him by His Father. All things will be that ever I was born. I thank God for He put on righteousness as a breast- put under Him; every creature will be my country-I might have been a hea plate, and an helmet of salvation upon made subject unto Him. As God's Son, then, bowing to senseless blocks of stone. His head; and He put on the garments and God's King, He will reign on His I thank God for my family, that I have of vengeance for clothing, and was clad holy hill of Zion. He will come with a praying father, and a pious mother. I with zeal as a cloak. According to their strong hand, having the day of vengeance thank God for my advantages, that I was deeds, accordingly He will repay, fury in His heart; his arm will rule for Him, privileged to hear of Jesus in early days. to His adversaries, recompense to His bringing to pass all the purposes of His I thank God for my preservation-I enemies; to the islands He will repay will; His reward, His beloved Church, deserve condemnation; but Jesus purrecompense." The margin of the text will be with Him; and His work, to raise chased for me salvation. My sins have you be wail because of Him." Nor will Birth-day Meditations. BY T. M. MEDhurst, kingSTON ON THAMES. been many, but the precious blood of sin and uncleanness, where Jesus waits and manifested much forbearance to man, Christ has washed them all away. Dear to be gracious; look right out of self who was treating Him with every insult reader, is thy birth-day such to thee? straight into the open heart of Jesus, and cruelty. How spotless was His life! Art thou saved? Hast thou believed in trust alone in His mercy, and then thou In His death, how submissive and paJesus? These questions are to thee of shalt realize the feeling of one who ex-tient! "He is brought as a lamb to the vast importance, for thou wast born in claimed with great astonishment, "Who slaughter; and as a sheep before her sin, and shapen in iniquity. Since thy is a pardoning God like thee, who has shearers is dumb, so He openeth not birth, thou hast wilfully strayed from blotted out all my sins, and forgiven me His mouth." (Isaiah lxiii. 7.) God, not desiring his ways; and now thy for thy name's sake?" transgressions are many and black; yet, bear in mind, thou mayest have salvation Are you Clothed ? Having "put off the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;" and having "put on the new man, if thou believest on Jesus; thou mayest How desirable is fit and proper clothing which, after God, is created in righteousknow thy sins are all pardoned now, if thou for our bodies. The person who is clad ness and true holiness," how many and wilt trust alone and entirely on Christ's in old and bad garments feels not the great are the benefits of thus being finished salvation. We are born, and benefit, nor possess the happiness, which clothed with Christ. No covering, be(how solemn the reflection) it is appointed others enjoy, whose clothes are sound side the robe of Jesus' righteousness, unto men once to die, though the time and good. If this be the case relative is sufficient to hide the deformity of when we may die is unknown. Of one to the body-the outward man-and our nature, and the sinfulness of our thing we may be sure, on each new period most assuredly it is; what greater need souls, from the view of that God, who in our life, we are nearer to the grave have we for a suitable covering for the is "of purer eyes than to behold evil:" than heretofore. We are here now, where inward man—the soul. none other can make a sinner appear shall we be next year? We have slighted "The night is far spent, the day is at beautiful and accepted in the Father's many seasons of improvement, how many hand: let us therefore cast off the works sight. Having put on the Lord Jesus more shall we have? We have heard of darkness, and let us put on the armour Christ, we shall be preserved from sinmany invitations to repent and believe, of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the ning: how can sin reign in us when how soon will it be ere we hear the last? day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not Jesus, the righteous One, is so nigh to Seeing these thoughts must and will arise, in chambering and wantonness, not in our souls? Satan may also tempt us, let us improve them by seeking grace strife and envying; but put ye on the but his fiery darts can never do great and mercy now, from the Lord Jesus Lord Jesus Christ, and make not pro- hurt to such as have put on Christ; Christ, who is ever more willing to re- vision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts neither can the world justly allege any ceive the penitent, than we are to seek thereof." (Rom. xiii. 12, 13, 14.) evil against those who are much like His love. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. What their Lord. Sorrows, afflictions, pera very important command. Like as we secutions, or other trials, will have little put on our clothes, and these very gar-power to harm; even death itself has ments are plainly seen by ourselves and lost its sting, and those who have put others, so are we to put on Christ that on the Lord Jesus Christ shall prove He may be as easily and openly beheld His power in them at such an hour, as our apparel. and shout "victory." An elegant gar May we realize the Spirit's aid, while we ask ourselves, personally, a few serious questions. Where am I? I am where mercy waits, in the person of Jesus, for my return from sin, to seek salvation; where the invitations, promises, and threatenings of the Word of God reach me, and urge present decision for happiness here, and heaven hereafter, through the work which was completed on Calvary; in a word, I am on praying ground and pleading terms with God. If we have put on the Lord Jesus ment serves as an ornament to the body; Christ, our souls will be made willing but however costly such things may be, for Him to have lordship over us at all they are all subject to defilement and times, and in all things; we shall shew decay. How beautiful and of great price submission and obedience to His com- is the dress which God has provided for mands, seeking to observe all that He poor, guilty sinners! all who have put would have us to do, and striving always on the Lord Jesus Christ are more to please Him who pleased not Himself. richly arrayed than the angels of heaKnowing Him as a Saviour, our trust ven. Having put on Christ, we are will be in His atoning sacrifice; and "made kings and priests unto God," divinely robed for the fellowship of the Church on earth; and in such a glorious dress shall we be received into heaven, and welcomed as guests to the marriage supper of the Lamb. What am I? I am a sinner, who has rebelled against his Creator, revolted against his just authority; and, consequently, one who deserves wrath-great having received Him into our hearts as everlasting indignation. the Messiah, we shall be looking to Him who teacheth all things relating to His glorious salvation and blessed service, desirous to learn of Him, and follow after One who "suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps." (1 Pet. ii. 21.) Where am I going? To heaven or hell, for there is no intermediate place. All who are interested in the atonement completed by Jesus, are on the road to glory. All who are living careless, with out thought of Christ, are travelling to eternal perdition. Where am I journeying? O blessed Saviour, help me now earnestly to decide. Dear reader, are you clothed? If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. E. P. Statement of Merwanji Cursetji on the occasion of his Baptism. How divinely bright is the example which our Lord and Master has set before us. In his holy and perfect life, When shall I die? I know not; it may what excellencies shine forth. He hated be this year, or the time may be far dis- sin, resisted Satan, opposed everything As I do not know the time, O let that was evil; how great was His zeal I MUST, previously to my entering into the me live to Christ now, so that when death for the honour of His Father? He Church of Christ by way of Baptism, briefly comes I may dwell with Him for ever. shewed perfect obedience to the law, describe to you, brethren and sisters in the Are these questions thine, my reader? whilst with all faithfulness He exposed Lord, how the precious knowledge of Divine Truth was brought home to my mind. I was If so, let me entreat of thee, that thou that which was false among men. quite unacquainted with it when I was receivat once repair to the fountain opened for Lord Jesus Christ loved His enemies, ing the benefit of secular education in the tant. The |
