denied the necessity of civil ties and religious sanctions; and which were at first too much countenanced by many of our own community, who first looked upon them in their tinsel glitter, apart from their real falsehood and pernicious tendency; it was the introduction of these into other lands, and especially into our own land, which led to their being examined thoroughly, and opposed effectually. The theory of no government, no civil authority betwixt man and man, caused such an examination of the strange hypothesis, as brought numbers at last to the conclusion which an inspired Apostle had already laid down for us in the Word of God: "Let every "soul be subject unto the higher powers. For "there is no power but of God: the powers "that be are ordained of God. Whosoever, "therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the "ordinance of God: and they that resist shall "receive to themselves damnation." (Rom. xiii. 1, 2.) And when it was told us that religion is mere priestcraft, that there is no God to punish, no revelation to guide, and that to die is but to sleep eternally, the wise and the good were more than ever moved " earnestly "to contend for the faith which was once de

"livered to the Saints;" every exertion was made by the friends of religion and civil order : the Gospel was put forth in its popular evidences, and, like gold tried in the furnace, was found to be that precious metal still. Hence the truths of the Gospel became better understood; and much inquiry, at first from necessity induced, paved the way for the introduction of those pure and evangelical doctrines so long hidden from the people, and disguised under the form of a dry system of ethnic philosophy; and which were to give their character also, in a few more years, to another manifest sign among the "signs of the times." For while the corrupting leaven was diffusing itself; while the insinuations of the Prussian Frederic, falsely named the Great, were combined with the wit of the French Voltaire and his infernal associates, to poison the character of mankind with the venom of infidel and immoral principles; when society seemed infected with them, and our own country in particular to tremble under the progress which they were making among us, it pleased God to stem the torrent threatening to overwhelm us. Piety and talent were called forth into diligent exercise; and, though the infecting taint long remained, per

haps still remains among us, the pen, the energy, and the prayers of true believers so met the objections and malice urged against the religion of the Gospel, that, by God's good blessing, it became better understood among us, more valued, and more diligently studied in its best and purest character.

And now, my brethren, I would urge upon your deepest consideration the necessity of our applying, individually, the spiritual lesson intended by this sign of our times. Little does it signify to us, in reference to our own souls profiting thereby, what this sign, in conjunction with other signs, may import. Our business is with the present moment, and the lesson here is what the prophet Daniel has expressed for us in the Word of eternal truth: "Blessed "be the name of God for ever and ever: for "wisdom and might are his. And he changeth "the times and the seasons: he removeth

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kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wis"dom unto the wise, and knowledge to them "that know understanding. He revealeth the

deep and secret things: he knoweth whatis "in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with "him." (C. ii. 20-22.) Every sign of our times is intended to bring the soul to these

conclusions in reference to the sovereign will, the providence, and the grace of God. As taught in his word, we are called are called upon to recognise his ways among the children of men. And how better can we recognise them, in the awful event of our day which we many of us witnessed, and the consequences whereof have all experienced, than in renouncing the principle which involved the ruin? It was human reason, setting itself up in the place of God, and contending against God, which brought temporal desolation and spiritual confusion upon many nations of the earth; and we are warned herein how we magnify reason, or oppose reason to the truths of revelation. As a Minister of Christ's religion, I call not upon you to renounce your reason, but to apply it to its only proper uses. It is not to bring revelation to its own level, but to submit to what revelation teaches. Yes, my brethren, if you would derive spiritual good, and not be made amenable for spiritual neglect, in the great sign of our times this day put forth as the first among those for discerning whereof we are each responsible, you must let reason bow before the cross of Christ, and there receive the offer of redeeming love, which reason may be taught to

appreciate, but which even Angels cannot fully comprehend. Whether Christ be coming in millenial glory to commence that reign of his thousand years, as some interpret, in person here on earth; or whether Christ be coming to take unto himself his great power, and summon the dead from their sleep, and the quick into the air, each changed for purposes of the final Judgment, as others hold; or whether neither of these expected issues be yet at hand; we leave to Him in whose sovereign fiat rest as well the interests of a single individual, as the destinies of the universe. But inasmuch as Christ is already come in that only way in which we are absolutely required to believe of his actual presence, we must "discern" him with the eye of faith, amid "the signs of the "times," calling us to accept our full and only salvation in him. This, my brethren, is our sufficient call, our own individual concern. Though you see him not in the thunder of his power, yet you may hear him speaking to your soul in the still small voice." To him as a Saviour, many in these days, and among all ranks of people, are more and more looking; looking, too, with faith beyond the mere utterance of "I believe in Jesus Christ;" many are