ness is peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.' "My people shall dwell in peaceable habitations." "Shall dwell"-then those are not His people who dwell without the peaceable walls of Jerusalem; for "peace shall be upon Israel." Now the Psalmist says, "I believed, and therefore have I spoken." We believe and therefore speak; that is, bear witness to the truth and faithfulness of our covenant God, in calling us to be partakers of that provision He made for us in Christ Jesus. And He hath provided especially for the peace of His family. We are " called unto peace;" hence, says the apostle, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts."

Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever and ever, that He hath chosen me among the" Sons of Peace;" and enabled me to delight myself in the abundance of this blessing. It is now more than two and thirty years since I confessed myself a stranger and pilgrim upon the earth, and among those that attend my ministry are some who started with me when I began my journey to the heavenly Jerusalem. If we have not travelled far together, our pilgrimage hath been long, and yet there has been "no falling out by the way," for our God hath been with us and led us in the paths of peace and love, for His name sake. Amen. To Him be all the glory and praise for ever and ever, who hath said, that "nothing shall hurt or destroy in all His Holy mountain; for the earth, (or as I understand it) our earthen vessels, shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord."

East Bergholt, Suffolk.

W. T.

THE WORLD'S EXHIBITION. THAT immense SHOW now in Hyde Park, decidedly the finest and greatest ever known, possesses in works of nature and of Art, the cream of all countries, the pride of all nations, and the glory of all lands. But it has got nothing from the heavenly country, no gifts from the pleasant land above, none of the pure gold of the celestial city, no treasures from the delectable mountains, no vessels of gold and silver fit for the master's

use; nothing from heaven-none of the precious stones," "precious rubies,” "precious jewels," "precious seed," and other "precious things" of the "everlasting kingdom;" compared with which, all that is there vanishes into spectral nothingness at the sight, and crumbles into unsatisfying worthlessness at the touch.

J. C.

THE SACRED SCRIBE.

LETTER TO A FRIEND.

DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER,

IN Him, in whom we are eternally one, chosen by the pure act of Jehovah in Christ from before the foundation of the world. Here we must date the spring of every mercy, the source and fountain of every blessing. This is the grand sitting place of the Holy sacred Three. Mark it, and may Jehovah, the Spirit of all Truth, write the life and power of these blessed things in the affections of your renewed mind. First-this was the alone act of Deity, originating wholly in and from himself. Second-the manifesting, carrying out, and finally completing every part and portion of the whole, was to be, and actually is done, "according to the good pleasure of His will." And, Thirdly-all and every part and particle of the whole, was ordained to produce a sure and infallibly certain end; that is, to make manifest to all Jehovah's chosen seed the "exceeding riches of His grace," that the whole of all the glory, in full, should redound, and flow back again to himself. Thus Jehovah's own glory, as the final end of all things, gives a holy and solemn grandeur, firmness, and everlasting stability to the whole. And when under the anointings and powerful renewings of the Holy Ghost, in his majestic revelations : taking of the things of Jehovah Jesus, His glorious and ever adorable person, in the immaculate perfection of His whole work of redemption; and this brings the soul into the full assurance of an interest in Him. Moreover, being from all eternity, chosen in Him,there is an eternal grace-union holiness realized in our oneness with Him. And this is secured to all the elect by the

vital relationship that subsists between every member and the whole Trinity: equally as sure and indissoluble as the eternal union of the sacred Three. Yes, my brother, for they are made by Jehovah's alone act, joint heirs with Christ," (just the same as He is, and loved with the very same love, and for the same end;) to an exceeding," (O how I feast on that precious word EXCEEDING) and “eternal weight of glory.”

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Now, what think you of this, my beloved brother? Here I date when Jehovah began for me; here I was chosen to eternal life and eternal glory, and as Jehovah intended to do all things for His own glory, so, in order to make all things everlastingly secure, my life, natural, spiritual, and eternal, were taken such infinite care of, that it was hid," (mark it,) "with Christ in God." And sure I am, that neither sin, Satan, nor self, can ever get at it there, to destroy it; and Jesus, O bless his glorious name, sweetly joins these two together, and has thousands of times so spoken them into my soul, that it has made both my cup and my eyes to run over. For it is JESUS, yes, our JESUS that speaks-My beloved spake and said unto ME, "Because I live ye shall live also ;" and then what a holy vigour fills and fires all the powers of the redeemed soul as it chants forth, with real heartfelt heavenly rapture, HALLELUJAH to the LAMB.

Now, in this eternal choice in Christ, the calling to Christ was included, which, according to the "set time," took place in me forty-five years ago. There is also a 66 preserving in Christ," (Jude i.) both before calling and afterwards too. And then, further, (and where will the wonders end?) there is a restoring again to the sweet, rich, powerful, constraining love of God; the familiar intercourse and personal communion of the soul with Christ, and what shall we call a profession without this? Blessed be God, I feel a real childlike affection to Christ, with the deepest soul gratitude to the Father for His "unspeakable gift," while all the ardent powers of my redeemed soul do, in very deed, worship the Majesty and eternal love of God the Holy Ghost, who himself revealed Christ Jesus, the Lord, as my lord, both to, and also in my

soul. He it was that shed abroad the Father's love in my heart, and thus gave me power and will to worship the Trinity in Unity. Yes, dear brother, this is the way to learn something substantial of the glorious doctrine of the sacred Three in One. For, note it well, "These Three are One." Then how totally foreign to every scriptural example it must be to talk or write of the first, second, and third person in the eternally glorious one Jehovah.

Neither has the term, OFFICE, any place in my gospel creed, because it has no place in the gospel of Christ. No, my brother, this is all of man's invention; it has neither precedent nor example either in the word of God or in true Christian experience. No, my Father in nature is my Father really, not in office, but in righteousness and the holiness of truth, and by His being our real Father, we are brought into the nearest and dearest possible union and unalterable relationship; and which nothing can dissolve. How infinitely precious then is Jehovah's eternally abiding relationship to His dear children, chosen in the Son of His love. Meditate deeply on this; it will pay you a hundred fold in your bosom. Be valiant for ALL truth; it is worth contending earnestly for; yes, and fighting for too, "in garments rolled in blood."

And now, my dear brother, as it is nearly twelve o'clock, I must draw to a close, or I shall serve you as Paul did the Macedonians - keep on till midnight and then again till daylight.

Jehovah bless and keep thee for His name sake.

Thine in eternal bonds,

S. C. ALEXANDER.

Langdale Street,

St. Georges in the East.

DEATH.

FEAR not, thou that longest to be home; a few steps more and thou art there. Death to God's people is but a ferryboat. Every day and every hour the boat pushes off with some of the saints, and then returns for more. Soon, O believer, it will be said to thee as it was to

her in the gospel, "The master is come and calleth for thee"

When you are got to the boundary of your race below, and stand on the verge of heaven, and the confines of immortality, there will be nothing but the short valley of death between you and the promised land; the labours of your pilgrimage will then be on the point of conclusion, and you will have nothing to do but to entreat God as Moses did, "I pray Thee, let me go over and see the good land that is beyond Jordan.

Many go weeping into this river, but there never was a saint yet who went weeping all the way through it.

The eye of Jehovah looks with an infinite complacency upon all who are marked with the blood of the Lamb.

What is conversion? Springing out of the bed of eternal election. What is perseverance? The arm of Jehovah lengthened out till you are in heaven.

Jacob served for his wife; David fought for his; but Jesus DIED for his. "Greater love than this hath no man, that he lay down his LIFE for his friends." Love was the foundation of all that Christ suffered for His church. He chose her from love, and loves her from choice. But say you, did He know the cost? Love never stands for that. Oh the outbreak of His infinite friendship in dying for me. It was to throw me up in perfection before the Father's throne.

He took the dying thief from the cross to the throne-if He can do that in His weakness, what can He do in His strength ?-Mote.

At death we are not going to change masters; only to be employed in another sphere.-Kent.

POETS' CORNER.

THE SABBATH.

HAIL sacred day! the LORD hath blest,
My soul aspires t'enjoy thy rest;
Dear Jesus, draw my thoughts to thee
Away from all earth's vanity,
And let thyself-thyself alone,
My Sabbath be-my rest-my home.
G. C.

PRECEPTIVE

TRUTH IN AN ECHO. SAY Echo, to my soul, God's Bible will, If when a brother treats me rough and ill, Must I return him good and love him still? -Love him still.

If he my failings watches to reveal,
Must his faults as carefully conceal?
-As carefully conceal.

But if my name and character he blast,
And cruel malice, too, a long time last;
If when I sorrow and affliction know,
He seeks to add unto my cup of woe;
In this uncommon, this peculiar case,
Sweet Echo say, must I still love and bless ?
-Still love and bless.

Whatever usage ill 1 may receive,
Must I be patient still, and still forgive?
-Be patient still and still forgive.

Why, Echo, how is this? thou'rt sure a dove! Thy voice will teach me nothing else but love. -Nothing else but love.

Amen! with all my heart then be it so,
'Tis all delightful, just and good, I know;
And now to practice I'll directly go,
-Directly go.

This being truth, whoever may reject,
My gracious God me surely will protect.
-Surely will protect.

Henceforth I'll roll on Him my every care, And will, as all my wrongs I patient bear, Fondly my brother-foe embrace in prayer. -Embrace in prayer.

But after all, when I these things have done,
Must I in point of merit them disown,
And trust for heaven to Jesus' blood alone?
-TO JESUS' BLOOD ALONE.

Echo, enough! thy counsels to my ear, Are sweeter than to flowers the dew-drop tear;

Thy wise instructive lessons please me well, I'll go and practice them-farewell, farewell. -PRACTISE them-farewell, farewell.

JAMES BOWIE, Printer, 7, Mark Lane, London

THE MANNA GLEANERS.

(THEIR COSTUME.)

"I AM the BREAD OF LIFE," said the Lord Jesus; and, conscious of his inability to earn such bread by the sweat of his brow, a disciple said, Lord, evermore give us this bread."

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This request was not denied the apostle, nor shall it be denied to any who call Jesus Lord by the Holy Ghost."

If it be asked what it is to "call Jesus Lord by the Holy Ghost," it may be said, that there was a pilgrim in days of old, who "went up into the temple to pray," and it may be well said, he spoke through the teaching of the Spirit, when, looking upon the ground, which was cursed for his sake, he cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner." 66 By the Holy Ghost" was this_publican taught his entire depravity. From himself no

[ONE PENNY.

gleam of hope could arise; and to which of the saints could he turn? The wisdom of this world would have sent this secret pleader to the footstool of a sinful priest, or to work out his own salvation by sundry ceremonial practices. "the eyes of the Lord " are upon him. "A great light" has shone into his heart, for "he could not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven."

But

He may have travelled from his home to the temple burdened with fears; but, happy reverse! he goes down to his house justified. He looks for help out of himself. His prayer says, 66 my help

is (only) in the name of the Lord;" and, fastening his plea for mercy on His name, (where mercy is ever to be found,) he leaves the temple, clad in that mysterious costume, which displays the glory of God, in the person of Christ-costume which will warrant the appearance of Jew and Greek, Barbarian, Scythian, bond and The cosfree, "before God in Zion."

tume of souls born of God, is the righte-.

ousness of God; so that, He who creates the man anew in Christ Jesus, is the same that clothes the object of His sovereign mercy. Hence, man has no hand in the matter. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Israel's Jehovah, have ever been solely occupied in the great work of justifying "the seed of Israel, by the outstretching of His own arm, to the praise of the riches of His grace." This

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righteousness of God," as revealed in the scriptures, is foolishness in the estimation of the world; and very often the saints themselves question the reasonability of such a plan for saving souls. They meditate on the mystery; and by meditation and discovery the mystery grows greater in magnitude, while the wondrous scheme can be accounted for by no human science. It has no likeness, either in things earthly or heavenly, being an act of Jehovah, pre-eminent and unparalleled. The ALPHA note of every angel's hymn. The OMEGA manifestation of "the exceeding riches of His grace."

Let it not then be a matter of surprise, that the contracted, impoverished, prostituted mind of man cannot compass, cannot assent to the wisdom of God, as shewn in the costume of the saints. Nor let the saints wonder at the ghostly risings of unbelief, which as apart from human control, seem to assail us, with something like a minor sovereignty, when we had not anticipated the chilling visits of the spirit-monster.

Living souls are acquainted with the manifold objections, and carnal questionings concerning a righteousness imputed to them, without any respect to the character of their own works; and I say to them now, give the devil what is due to him-admit the existence of "the heavenly wonder"-attempt not to scan the height and see the depth of that which is far above the reach of all; but assent to every plea in favour of its

first Adam and his wife were captured; and now, with joy, testify that:

Before the foundation of the worldbefore the law of paradise was broken, it was the purpose of THE MIGHTY GOD to "make an end of sin," and produce a righteousness, by "the obedience of one," even Christ, which should be reckoned to, and considered as, the costume of the saints; so that, the innocency, perfection, and glory of the second Adam, is computed to and bestowed upon all those with whom He was by covenant-tie connected, by the pre-existent arrangements of eternity. As well then may iniquity be found in Christ, as found in the men for whom He bled. As well may a flaw be found in the character of Christ, as in the costume of the saints. "He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit:" one in purity; one in perfection; thus clothed, there can be “no condemnation."

How welcome will be "the righteousness of Christ," imputed without works, to that man who has found out that there is no commandment that can give life; for that the weakness of the flesh is such, that there is no strength left to fulfil any of the precepts of the law. Such an one will discern the wisdom and love of God in His mysterious contrivance of justifying the ungodly; and assent, with the whole heart, that Christ is indeed " the way, the truth, and the life.”

Those who have "put on the Lord Jesus Christ," cannot serve God and Mammon. Wearing His robes, how shall they engage themselves in the service of hostile powers? How shall they walk worthy of the holy order to which they belong, having "fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness ?" No! their costume bears witness to the great cost of its production.

It speaks of the agonies of Christ.
It preaches the shame of sin.

The children of God are too much accustomed to give audience to the whisperings of wickedness-"is it likely"

"is it reasonable." Remember Eve! I have thus intended to warn the saints of satan's old trap, in which the

are called."

Perfect freedom from the commission of sin is a condition never to be attained till "this corruptible shall put on incorruption;" nor is it any proof that you have not THE KING'S COSTUME because sin is in every member of the flesh; but