Review and Herald, Vol. 6, No. 22. (2/6/1855)

Review and Herald

Feb 6, 1855

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Feb 6, 1855

THE THREE ANGELS OF

By John Nevins Andrews

REV. XIV, 6--12.

BY J. N. ANDREWS.

[Continued.]

We have, as we trust, established the fact that these three proclamations are addressed to the last generation of men. Let us now consider the nature of these proclamations. It is evident that they are addressed to men in a state of probation. But it is contrary to the economy of grace that angels should visibly engage in the preaching of the gospel. These angels must, therefore, symbolize a body of men proclaiming the messages in question, or we may understand that literal angels have the oversight of this work, and that it is carried out through the agency of men. The first proclamation of Rev. xiv, will now claim our attention.

THE FIRST ANGEL.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him: for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Verses 6, 7.

We call this the first angel, because it is the first of the series. See verse 9. John calls it "another angel," from the fact that he had previously seen an angel flying through the midst of heaven, after the fourth angel had sounded, announcing the last three trumpets, which are woe trumpets. See Chap. viii, 13. This was about the close of the sixth century. And this fact proves that the first angel of Rev. xiv, does not belong to the apostolic age.

We understand that this angel is the same as that brought to view in Chap. x. We shall therefore briefly refer to that chapter as explanatory of Chap. xiv, 6, 7, and as furnishing an important argument respecting the time of its fulfillment. Chap. ix presents the first and second woes. And the prophetic period connected with the second woe, terminated with the political power of the Ottoman empire, August 11th, 1840. See Litch's Prophetic Exposition. Thus ends the ninth chapter, and the tenth opens with the descent of a mighty angel from heaven with a little book in his hand, who cries with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth, and then lifts up his hand to heaven and swears that time shall be no longer.

This oath cannot mean duration as measured by days and years, for in Chap. xx, we have 1000 years measured off; and, for ought that appears to the contrary, duration will ever be measured thus. Nor can it mean probationary time, for two reasons: 1. It is certain from verse 9, that this announcement precedes the voice of the seventh angel, and it is in the days of the commencement of his voice that the mystery of God is finished. 2. After this oath of the angel, it is said to John, who doubtless personates the church, that he must prophesy again. These reasons furnish conclusive proof that probation has not closed when this oath is uttered. Hence we understand that this oath has reference to the prophetic periods, and that this angel with the little book open in his hand, is the same as the angel of Chap. xiv, announcing that the hour of God's judgment has come. The little book which is open in his hand referring to the prophecy of Daniel which was to be sealed up until the time of the end. The angel of Chap. x, preaches from this little book, and it is this prophecy of Daniel that contains the prophetic time on which the angel of Chap. xiv, 6, bases his proclamation, that the hour of God's judgment is come.

This proclamation is one of pre-eminent importance. It is not a mere local judgment, but one that concerns all the inhabitants of the earth. Hence it has reference to the final judgment scene. It is the same gospel that Paul preached that is here styled the "everlasting gospel." But the great truth uttered by this angel would not have been a truth if uttered by Paul, for Paul lived at the commencement of the gospel dispensation, and this proclamation relates to its closing scenes. It seems to be the same as "this gospel of the kingdom," that our Lord presents in Matt. xxiv, 14, as the sign of the end of this dispensation.

Have we witnessed the fulfillment of this mighty proclamation? We answer that we firmly believe this proclamation has been made, and that the preaching of the immediate Advent of our Lord has been in fulfillment of this prophecy. Prior to the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1840, it had been shown by those who were preaching the immediate Advent of Christ, that the hour, day, month, and year of Ottoman supremacy would expire the 11th of August, 1840. When the event verified the truthfulness of this calculation, the way was prepared for the Advent message to go with mighty power. The prophecies were not only unsealed, but in the providence of God, a demonstration of the truthfulness of the mode of calculation respecting the prophetic times was given to the world. Thus at the very time that the mighty angel of God was to come down with the little book open in his hand, and to cry with a loud voice, the Advent message began to be proclaimed with great power. It is the good news of the everlasting kingdom, and of the Advent of our glorious king.

Hence it is evident that the Advent proclamation comes in at the right time in this prophecy. The declaration of this angel that the mystery of God should be finished in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets, presents several important facts: 1. That the angel bases his preaching upon the authority of the prophets. 2. That the finishing of the mystery of God occupies days at the commencement of the period of the voice of the seventh angel. And we see no reason why the days of this angel should not be years, as well as those of the fifth and sixth angels of Chap. ix. 3. That it shall be finished in the days of the voice of the seventh angel in the manner that the prophets have declared.

One of them, Daniel, has told how the mystery of God should be finished at the end of the 2300 days; viz., the Sanctuary should be cleansed, which event finishes up the work of our great High Priest.

We now present several important arguments as proof that the Advent proclamation has been in fulfillment of this prophecy. We have shown that it comes in at the right time, and have seen that it is of the proper character. We now present the fact that it has been given to all the world, and also the character of the evidence on which it was based.

The extent of this proclamation then claims our attention. Has it been given to all the nations of the earth? We believe that it has. We think the following evidence justifies our faith in the fact. It has been selected with care from a variety of documents, and will, we trust, be found interesting.

"We look upon the proclamation which has been made, as being the cry of the angel who proclaimed, 'The hour of his judgment is come.' Rev. xiv, 6, 7. It is a sound which is to reach all nations; it is the proclamation of the everlasting gospel, or 'this gospel of the kingdom.' In one shape or other, this cry has gone abroad through the earth wherever human beings are found, and we have had opportunity to hear of the fact. Within the last six years, publications, treating on the subject, have been sent to nearly every English and American Missionary station on the globe; to all, at least, to which we have had access."—Advent Shield, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 86, 87.

An English writer, Mourant Brock, thus remarks: "It is not merely in Great Britain that the expectation of the near return of the Redeemer is entertained, and the voice of warning raised, but also in America, India, and on the continent of Europe. I was lately told by one of our German Missionaries that in Wirtemberg there is a Christian colony of several hundreds, one of the chief features of which is the looking for the Second Advent. And a Christian minister from near the shores of the Caspian Sea has told me, that there is the same daily expectation among his nation. They constantly speak of it as 'the day of consolation.' In a little publication, entitled 'The Millennium,' the writer says that he understands in America about 300 ministers of the Word are thus preaching 'this gospel of the kingdom;' whilst in this country, he adds about 700 of the Church of England are raising the same cry."—Advent Tracts, Vol. ii, p. 135.

"We are doubtless near that auspicious hour when the harvest of the earth will be reaped, as described in Rev. xiv, 14-16. The history of God's people in this mortal state, as given in that chapter, before being glorified, is nearly complete. The everlasting gospel, as described in verses 6 and 7, has been preached unto every nation, kindred, tongue and people. No case can be more clearly demonstrated with facts than that this message has been borne to every nation and tongue under heaven, within a few past years, in the preaching of the coming of Christ in '43, or near at hand. Through the medium of lectures and publications, the sound has gone into all the earth, and the word unto the ends of the world."—Voice of Truth, Jan. 1, 1845.

"At our late Camp-meeting near the head of Consecon Lake, C. W., Bro. Perry of Darlington, remarked in his discourse, that in passing up Lake Ontario recently, he found a gentleman on the boat lately from Russia. Bro. Perry inquired of him whether the people had heard any thing in Russia, on the second coming of Christ, the end of the world in '43, &c. He said he had, and that the doctrine had generally been proclaimed there, but none but the poorer class of the people believed it. Similar reports have

come from every quarter of the globe within a few years past; and it very conclusively shows the fulfillment of the following words of inspiration: 'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.' Matt. xxiv, 14; Rev. xiv, 6, 7."—Voice of Truth, July 16, 1845.

"Faith in Scotland.—A young lady, lately from that country, states that in one small town in Scotland the people generally are in the church every day in the week, preparing for the coming of the Lord in 1843. They distribute what they have among them and do not dream of a failure. On this subject the American Millenarian some time since remarked: 'The English Churches awaiting. Christians in the establishment, and in the various dissenting churches in England, Scotland, and Ireland are now aroused beyond any former example.'"—Midnight Cry, Nov. 30, 1842.

F. G. Brown writes thus: "During our Conference [New Bedford, Mass.] we were favored among other good brethren whom we love, with the presence of Bro. Hutchinson of Montreal, Editor of the Voice of Elijah. His powerful presentation of scripture truth, and his brief recital of what he had suffered in its defense, thrilled every heart, and drew the silent tear from many an eye. Bro. H. occupies the most favorable position for distributing the light throughout the British Possessions and Europe. Having a large acquaintance in Europe, and as papers can be sent from the Canadas thither free of postage, he has embraced every opportunity of sending large supplies by each returning steamship. He has forwarded them to the Canadas, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Constantinople, Rome, &c. &c."—Midnight Cry, Feb. 15, 1844.

"We learn from a letter received from James Perrin, who is captain of a canal boat, running between Albany and Buffalo, some very interesting facts. After relating the manner in which he was led to an examination and a belief of the truth of the Lord's speedy coming, which was first by hearing a minister denouncing it, he relates some interesting facts in reference to some emigrants from Norway, who took passage with him from Albany to Buffalo. He says: 'Three of the number could speak English. I spoke to them concerning the coming of Christ this year, and asked them if they had heard anything on the subject in their own country. They asked if it was Mr. Miller's prophecy. I told them it was so called. They then said that almost every paper among them, last Fall and Winter had more or less to say on the subject. I then showed them the chart I have on board. The moment they saw it, they said they had seen it in their own country.' To what an astonishing extent has this unnotable subject spread, and with what rapidity. Has not 'this gospel of the kingdom' of heaven at hand been well-nigh preached all over the world, as a witness."—Midnight Cry, Sept. 21, 1843.

J. W. Bonham remarks: "On my passage to London, I distributed among the passengers several Second Advent papers and publications. Some of Bro. Litch's German tracts I sent to Holland; some copies of the Midnight Cry I sent to Van Diemen's Land, and others to different parts of England, by persons who were going on visits to their friends. Several copies of the Cry I sent to Norfolk, which were the means of causing the subject of the Advent to be agitated previous to its being visited by Brethren Winter and Burgess. . . . I was often much cheered by receiving letters from the brethren who were laboring in the country, with heart cheering intelligence of the progress of the Advent cause. In some places as many as 5000 or 6000 persons were assembled to hear on this all-important subject, some of whom embraced the truth with joy. I was also much cheered by receiving letters, stating that much good had resulted from reading the letters and papers which I had sent to England. One copy of the Cry, containing Bro. Storrs' lectures on the visions of Daniel, was taken to India, and another found its way into one of the Theological Institutions in Bristol and the inmates declared that it threw considerable light on many parts of scripture, which before were considered as wrapped up in mystery."—Midnight Cry, Nov. 28, 1844.

"As early as 1842, Second Advent publications had been sent to every missionary station in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, both sides of the Rocky Mountains. Joseph Wolfe, the Jewish missionary, we find from the journal of his labors, visited most of the missionary stations in the East, from 1831 to 1834, and preached this doctrine. He had free conversation with the missionaries, and also with the Jewish and Mahomedan priests. We find this doctrine in Tartary, about twenty-five years ago, and the time for the coming of Christ to be in 1844. This fact is obtained from an Irish missionary in Tartary, to whom the question was put by a Tartar priest, When Christ would come the second time? And he made answer that he knew nothing at all about it. The Tartar priest expressed great surprise at such an answer from a missionary who had come to teach them the doctrines of the Bible, and remarked, 'that he thought every body might know that, who had a Bible.' The Tartar priest then gave his views, stating that Christ, he thought, would come about A. D. 1844. The missionary wrote home a statement of the facts, which were published in the Irish Magazine in 1821. The commanders of our vessels and the sailors, tell us they touch at no port where they find this proclamation has not preceded them, and frequent inquiries respecting it are made of them."—Pinney's Exposition of Matt. xxiv, pp. 8, 9.

"A young man in this city, [Philadelphia,] who has recently returned from a whaling voyage around Cape Horn, relates the spread of the doctrine in the Pacific and on the western coast of South America. It will show at the same time how our enemies have assisted in spreading the cry. 'We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.' The whale ship William C. Neyl, of New London, Ct., fell in with a New Bedford ship, some time in the month of February, off Cocos island. The crew of the New London ship received from the New Bedford vessel the news from the United States. Among many other things they were told that 'Miller predicted the end of the world on the 23d of April.' They were on their homeward voyage, and the latter part of March they put into the port of Talkshonna, on the coast of Chili.' It was a Spanish Catholic settlement. But when they arrived, they learned the same story had been circulated there, which had met them on the ocean. They were in port on the 23d of April. When the day arrived the whole community were in a state of consternation; and during a dreadful thunder-storm, which occurred that day, they were in momentary expectation of the coming of Christ. Mr. Wardwell, our informant, says that the thing was understood far back in the interior; and that persons from a hundred miles back in the country had been brought together at the town for the occasion. It is thus the New York Sun has given light to the world, and sent it to the regions and places we could not have reached.

"But it will be asked, 'If the news that such a truth is preached, is a sufficient proclamation to fulfill the prophecy?' Rev. xiv, 6, 7; Matt. xxiv, 14. The answer is, If it was sufficient in the days of the apostles, it is now. That it was then, is clear from Acts xix, 8-10, where Paul preached or taught in Ephesus two years, so that all they in Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of Jesus. They could not all have heard a sermon, but they heard the sound of the gospel. In this sense I have no doubt but the gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world."—Signs of the Times, Nov. 15, 1843.

"How the Lord Works.—A brother, the captain of a vessel now in England, writes his friends that his vessel lay at Newport, in Wales, 40 days, on account of storms, during which time a continued concourse of individuals thronged him to inquire about the coming of the Lord, having heard that he was an Adventist. Among these were ministers and laymen, that received the truth gladly, and embraced it with all their hearts."—Signs of the Times, Feb. 14, 1844.

"The subject of an English mission having been agitated, an impression has obtained among some that the 'Cry' had not been effectually made in that country. But we are assured from writings of distinguished clergymen and laymen, which we have received from that country, that the cry has been faithfully made in England, Scotland and Ireland, and also on the Continent."—Signs of the Times, Nov. 15, 1843.

R. Hutchinson writes: "I send about 1500 copies of the Voice of Elijah, [an Advent paper] to Europe every fortnight, besides what I scatter over the Provinces. This I have done regularly for the last four or five months. The result eternity will unfold."—Midnight Cry, Oct. 5, 1843.

"Smyrna, Turkey in Asia, Sept. 25th, 1841. "Messrs. Himes and Litch, Dear Sirs: Agreeable to my promise I write you this from my first place of landing in the East. I found every thing perfectly quiet in this part of the world: the news from Syria pacific, and a concurrent belief amongst the Christians with whom I had concern, in the doctrine of the Second Advent. I lost no time in forwarding to the Rev. H. G. O. Dwight, missionary at Constantinople, a copy of Mr. Wm. Miller's book, also of Mr. J. Litch's Address. I have also delivered a copy of each to the Rev. D. Temple, at the head of the American mission here, a very good and efficient divine; the same to the Rev. Mr. Reed, and likewise to the Rev. Mr. Calhoun, both missionaries at this station. I have also transmitted a copy of each to the Rev. Mr. Holliday, successor to the Rev. Justin Perkins, principal missionary at Oromiah, Persia, and presented the like to the worthy Consul of the United States at this port, who having read of Mr. Miller's lecturing on the subject, expressed an interest in the publications. On its becoming known that I had these books for distribution in the East, such was the eagerness to read them, that I was obliged to furnish three for the use of the barque Emma Bedora, the vessel I came out in, and which in consequence of particular respect, I could not refuse. The remainder will be distributed at Beyrout and Jerusalem. These will be strictly conferred on missionaries at those stations, and such others as they may point out. J. A." Signs of the Times, Jan. 15, 1842.

"Light Houses.—A friend of ours, Capt. H., has just returned from a long tour, in visiting the principal light houses in the U. S., to supply them with oil. Before he left Boston on his way south, he took a good stock of light from our office. And he has thereby scattered the light along the entire coast. We trust many a weary voyager, if this light, will be guided into the port of life."—Signs of the Times, March 15, 1842.

"Many supposed the wars of Napoleon were the wars of the last days, to precede the millennium; and that the battle of Waterloo was the battle of Armageddon, as it is called. But the discussion of the subject of prophecy drew forth inquiry, and a few discovered the true light, the doctrine of Christ's personal reign on earth, and began to teach it. Among these was a Spanish Roman Catholic, who wrote an able and voluminous work, under the anonymous signature of BEN EZRA. His work fell into the hands of Edward Irving, the celebrated and eloquent advocate of the doctrine of the pre-millennial Advent of Christ. It opened his eyes to the glorious truth, and led him to devote himself most zealously to its advocacy. He first translated BEN EZRA, and subsequently wrote and published several valuable works on the subject. For a time the excitement on the subject in England under his labors, was as intense as it subsequently was in this country, under the labors of Mr. Miller. Thousands flocked to hear him wherever he went, and listened with wonder at the strange and glorious truths he brought forth from the word of God. 'The cause received an impulse under his efforts which it will never lose till time shall end. Many of the clergy of the Established Church, as well as dissenting ministers of all denominations, caught the theme and joined to spread it abroad.

"Nor has the influence of Rev. Joseph Wolfe been unfelt. He has visited and proclaimed the 'gospel of the kingdom,' in the four quarters of the globe, to Protestants, Catholics, Mahomedans, Jews and Pagans. The seed thus sown will not be lost. A work similar to that of BEN EZRA in Spain, appeared in Germany, the production of Bengel. This, by the evangelical portion of the German people, is esteemed as a standard work on prophecy. It has been widely circulated and read as far as the German

language extends throughout continental Europe. It was from this source the Russian Milk-eaters, of whom an account was given in the Advent Herald a few years since, obtained their information on the speedy Second Advent of Christ.

The great American movement on this subject, and the diffusion of information with regard to it, within the last ten years, is too well known to need extended remarks in this place. Neither labor nor sacrifice was regarded in the wide and rapid extension of the good news of the kingdom, as far as the English language could make it known. It was sent to the four quarters of the globe, and to the islands of the sea upon the wings of all winds."—Lecture on Matt. xxiv, 14, by J. Litch. Advent Herald, Nov. 23, 1850.

"A letter from Port au Prince, Hayti, states that some of the enterprising men in that island are much interested in the doctrine of the Second Advent."—Signs of the Times, Jan. 18, 1842.

"'Midnight cry' is the watchmen, or some of them, who by the word of God discover the time as revealed and immediately give the warning voice, 'Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.' This has been fulfilled in a most remarkable manner. One or two on every quarter of the globe have proclaimed the news, and agree in the time—Wolfe, of Asia; Irwin, late of England; Mason, of Scotland; Davis, of South Carolina; and quite a number in this region are, or have been, giving the cry. And will not you all, my brethren, examine and see if these things are so, and trim your lamps, and be found ready?"—Miller's Lectures, p. 238.

"Hence, the propriety of the cry of the three angels in Rev. xiv, beginning verses 6, 7: 'And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,' &c.

"That there has been such an enunciation made to the world that the hour of his judgment is come, this generation cannot deny. It has gone to the four winds of heaven."—Litch's Restitution, p. 152.

"Important Testimony.—Joseph Wolfe, D. D., gives some singular testimony to the widely diffused doctrine of the Lord's second coming. The work in which it is found is styled, 'Dr. Wolfe's Mission to Bokhara.' He traveled in Arabia Felix, through the region inhabited by the descendants of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law. In Yemen he saw a book which he mentions thus:

"The Arabs of this place have a book called Seera, which treats of the second coming of Christ, and his reign in glory."

"Surely our learned mis-called 'divines' should know as much of the second coming of Christ as the Arabs! In Yemen, he spent six days with the Rechabites. 'They drink no wine, plant no vineyards, sow no seed, live in tents, and remember the words of the Jonadab son of Rechab. With them were children of Israel, of the tribe of Dan, who reside near Terim in Hatramawt, who expect in common with the children of Rechab, the speedy arrival of the Messiah in the clouds of heaven.'"—Advent Harbinger, April 6, 1850.

It is evident therefore, that the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom has been heard over the whole world. The sign of the end of this age has appeared. The kingdom of heaven is at hand; the hour of his judgment is come. None can deny that this world-wide warning of impending judgment has been given. The nature of the evidence adduced in its support now claims our attention, as furnishing the most conclusive testimony that it was a message from heaven.

All the great outlines of the world's prophetic history were shown to be complete in the present generation. The great prophetic chain of Dan. ii, also that of Dan. vii, and viii, and xi, and xii, was shown to be just accomplished. The same was true of our Lord's prophetic description of the gospel dispensation. Matt. xxiv; Mark xiii; Luke xxi. The prophetic periods of Dan. vii; viii; ix, xii; Rev. xi; xii; xiii, were shown to harmonize with, and to unitedly sustain, this great proclamation. The signs in the heavens, and upon the earth and sea, in the church, and among the nations, with one voice bore witness to the warning which God addressed to the human family. Joel ii, 30, 31; Matt. xxiv, 29-31; Mark xiii, 24-26; Luke xxi, 29-36; 2 Tim. iii; 2 Pet. iii; Rev. vi; vii. And besides the mighty array of evidence on which this warning was based, the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in connection with this proclamation set the seal of heaven to its truth.

The warning of John the Baptist, which was to prepare the way for the First Advent of our Lord, was of short duration, limited in its extent, and sustained by hardly a tenth part of the prophetic testimony that supports the proclamation of his speedy Second Advent. John had not the aid of the press to disseminate his proclamation, nor the facility of Nahum's chariots; he was a humble man dressed in camel's hair, and he performed no miracles. If the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves in not being baptized of John, how great must be the guilt of those who reject the warning sent by God to prepare the way of the Second Advent?

But those were disappointed who expected the Lord in 1843 and 1844. This fact is with many a sufficient reason for rejecting all the testimony in this case. We acknowledge the disappointment, but cannot acknowledge that this furnishes a just reason for denying the hand of God in this work. The Jewish church were disappointed, when, at the close of the work of John the Baptist, Jesus presented himself as the promised Messiah. And his trusting disciples were most sadly disappointed when he whom they expected to deliver Israel was by wicked hands taken and slain. And after his resurrection when they expected him to restore again the kingdom to Israel, they could not but be disappointed when they understood that he was going away to his Father, and that they were to be left for a long season to the tribulation and anguish of the way.

But disappointment does not prove that God has no hand in the guidance of his people. It should lead them to correct their errors, but it should not lead them to cast away their confidence in God. It was because the children of Israel were disappointed in the wilderness that they so often denied divine guidance. They are set forth as an admonition to us, that we should not fall after the same example of unbelief.

But it must be apparent to every student of the Scriptures, that the angel who proclaims the hour of God's judgment come, does not give the latest message of mercy. Rev. xiv presents two other and later proclamations, before the close of human probation. This fact alone is sufficient to prove that the coming of the Lord does not take place at the close of the first angel's proclamation. The same thing may also be seen in the fact that after the angel of Chap. x, has sworn that time shall be no longer, another work of prophesying before many people and nations is announced. Hence we understand that the first angel preaches the hour of God's judgment come; that is, preaches the termination of the prophetic periods; and that this is the time which he swears shall be no longer.

The great period of 2300 days which was the most important period in marking the definite time in that proclamation, extends to the cleansing of the Sanctuary. That the cleansing of the Sanctuary is not the cleansing of any part of the earth, but that it is the last work of our great High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle, before his Advent to the earth, has been clearly shown. See the works on the Sanctuary, published at the Advent Review Office. And we understand that it is while the work of cleansing the Sanctuary takes place that the latest message of mercy is proclaimed. Thus it will be seen that the prophetic periods, and the proclamation which is based upon them, do not extend to the coming of the Lord.

(To be Continued)

The Divine Character

By Gardener Spring

THE most subtle errorist cannot decoy the friends of God by any artful, or distorted views of the Divine character. Detract from his full-orbed excellence, or obscure its amiableness and glory by any additions of man's devising, and they constantly take the alarm. What the Bible affirms of God, their own hearts affirm: the moral sympathy is complete. Give them his presence and favor, and you cannot make them miserable: deny them these, and you cannot make them happy.—Gardener Spring.

Canada’s Sunday Observance Bill

A BILL is now before the Canadian Parliament, designed to secure a proper observance of Sunday. It provides that on that day no post office shall be opened, that no mail matter shall be dispatched; that all mails not reaching their destination on Saturday shall hold over; and that the locks on all the canals shall be closed from Saturday at midnight to Sunday at midnight.

Parable of the Talents.

By L. J. Richmond

"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents; and likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one, went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money. After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them."—Matt. xxv, 14-19.

We see by reading the remainder of the parable, that the course of those that received the five and two talents met the approbation of their Lord, and he said unto them, Well done, thou good and faithful servant, &c. But not so with the third who had buried his talent in the earth: in vain did he seek to justify himself; the talent was taken from him and he was cast into outer darkness.

We will now pass to notice in what respect the kingdom of heaven is likened or compared to the above parable, and ascertain the relation God's people sustain to the same. In so doing, we would refer first to Mark xiii, 34. After speaking of the signs of Christ's second coming, he says: For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work; and commanded the porter to watch.

We understand the Son of man here to mean the Lord our Saviour, who left the realms of glory and came into this dark world to suffer and die that by his own blood he might purchase us who were without hope, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Eph. ii, 12. Let us then ever bear in mind, that we are not our own; for we are bought with a price, therefore we should not be servants of men but of God.

After Jesus fulfilled his mission here, he went away to receive for himself a kingdom, leaving the promise that he would come again. He also gave signs by which we might know when he was near, even at the door; and he gave to each of his servants one or more talents according to their ability, with the command, Occupy till I come. He has placed us in his vineyard and we must not be idlers there. All have a work to do, and those who came in at the eleventh hour, will be equally rewarded with those who have borne the burden and heat of the day.

We see that the signs which our Lord and master has given of his near approach, are nearly all in the past, and we expect soon that Jesus is coming to reward every man according as his work shall be; therefore it is of the greatest importance that we examine well our own hearts, and see whether we have been improving upon the talent which God has given us or whether we have been hiding it in the earth. I fear many are seeking to excuse themselves from laboring for the Lord, because they have but one talent, and can do but little, therefore, they remain silent, and leave the labor and the reward for others. Let such remember that God requires of us no more than we are able in his strength to perform. He does not require those who have but one talent to take the place and labors of those who have five. Let us then be willing to move in the humble sphere which God has assigned us, and whatsoever our hands find to do, do it with our might, and if at any time we feel disinclined to labor for God, let us ask ourselves the question, Are we willing that God should take from us the talent which we have? If not, then be faithful and remember that you have but a short time to work for God. The day is far spent. Our Lord and master will soon call us to an account how we have spent our talent which he has given us.

O let none think to keep back part of the price and meet the approbation of God; for he will not accept of a divided heart. He has said that except we leave all and follow him, we cannot be his disciples: and again, ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Dear reader, pause for a moment and ask yourself the question, Am I doing all I can in the vineyard of the Lord? Is my time and talent occupied in his service? Is my all upon the altar? Am I ready to give up my account to God the Judge of all and hear the blessed applaud, Well done, thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Ashfield, Jan., 1855. L. J. RICHMOND.

PURGATORY AND SUNDAY.

By John Milner

EXTRACT FROM MILNER’S END OF CONTROVERSY:

LETTER XLIII.

"REV. SIR :—In the natural order of our controversies, this is the proper place to treat of purgatory and prayers for the dead. On this subject Bishop Porteus begins with saying, 'There is no scripture proof of the existence of purgatory; heaven and hell we read of perpetually in the Bible; but purgatory is never met with; though surely if there be such a place, Christ and his apostles would not have concealed it from us.' I might expose the inconclusiveness of this argument by the following parallel one: The scripture nowhere commands us to keep the first day of the week holy; we perpetually read of sanctifying the Sabbath, or Saturday, but never meet with the Sunday as a day of obligation; though if there be any such obligation, Christ and his apostles would not have concealed it from us."

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