An exhaustless theme is opened before us in the subject which we have chosen as the basis of a few brief thoughts; but it is one from which, though much treated upon already, we trust the reader will never be inclined to turn away from lack of interest. No grander theme than the glorious advent of the Saviour to this fallen world can occupy the thoughts and pens of the inhabitants of earth. No subject has greater claims upon the earnest and unabating consideration of all classes; and none especially greater claims upon us who have professedly come out from the ordinary pursuits and calculations of life, and, before the world, are waiting and watching for our Lord's return. Have we come thus far in vain? Have we been deluded into the expectation of that which we have no warrant to expect? Have we run wild in speculation upon the word of God? or have we been guided thus far by declarations of truth and soberness? have we been building upon the rock? and are we moving on to the certain and full fruition of our hope? Upon all these questions we certainly cannot too often re-assure ourselves, and renew our faith; and hence a reconsideration of the evidences of our position, some of which we here propose to notice, can never be amiss. As we toil "in this wilderness state," feeling the ills of mortality pressing heavily upon us, we console ourselves with the thought that the Life-giver is soon to appear, when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall be clothed with immortality. And when poverty and oppression, persecution and peril are sore upon us, we look away, as our only hope, to the unfading crown, the enduring treasure, the victory and the rest, to which the righteous Judge shall introduce us, in the day of his coming and his kingdom. The question is not now whether it is strange that we should desire this coming and kingdom; but, are we wrong in looking for it? Is the world still destined to continue in its wonted course for centuries to come? Might we as well join with the worldling in his temporal schemes, in his plans and calculations for a distant day? Are our sacrifices uncalled for and vain, and our hope doomed to disappointment? Let not these questions be understood as designed to imply doubt, but only to excite inquiry. That we do well to come out from the world, that our expectations are not vain, but that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, yea, is even at the doors, we shall now endeavor to show; not from a desire to have it so, in itself considered, however strong that desire may be, but because we so understand the word of the Lord to teach. We desire our Lord to come, because we love him; we believe that he will come because his word so declares, and we know that sooner heaven and earth would pass away than one jot or one tittle of that word would fail. The first passage to which we call attention, is one which we ever read with fresh delight. It is one which must electrify with joy every heart wherein the love of Christ is found. It was spoken under circumstances which cannot fail to give a correct and vivid idea of the nature and manner of the return of our blessed Saviour; and it contains an enunciation of the truth so clear and forcible that it cannot well be evaded or ignored. We refer to the testimony of the angels to the men of Galilee as they stood gazing up into heaven to catch the last glimpse of their ascending Lord. When Jesus had finished the work which he had personally to accomplish on the earth, he led his disciples out as far as Bethany, bestowed upon them his parting blessing, and was taken up into heaven. And while in mute astonishment they gazed steadfastly up towards the cloud which had received him out of their sight, two men in white apparel stood by bearing to them the very promise which was best adapted to their situation in that hour of separation and trial—a promise, too, which has proved of equal comfort to every saint from that day to this, who has mourned the long-continued separation of the church from her beloved Lord. They testified as follows: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Gracious words! worthy to be graved in letters of gold; worthy to be worn as "frontlets between the eyes," and written upon every door-post, as no doubt, they are deeply enshrined in every Christian heart. Three points are at once made clear by this testimony; namely, (1.) the fact that the Lord will come again. Said the angels (and their testimony will at once be conceded as good authority) he shall come. (2.) The nature of that coming; personal and real, not spiritual: "this same Jesus." (3.) The manner of that coming; visible in clouds of heaven, as they had "seen him go into heaven." Bodily, personally, and visibly he ascended. The transaction was accomplished in the light of day; and the disciples beheld him with their literal eyes, till a literal cloud hid him from their view. In like manner will he come again, personally and visibly in the clouds of heaven; and eyes that would then gladly turn from the sight, and seek to be buried by the rocks and mountains from his presence, will be compelled to look upon his majesty and glory. Rev. vi, 16. May it rather be ours, dear reader, in that dread day, to be ready to exclaim with all the assurance of a heart at peace with him, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him and he will save us. Isa. xxv, 9.