views which have as their ground and pillar the doctrine of the personal reign of Christ on earth for a thousand years. But, as those with whom I differ on the subject imagine that they have an exclusive right to be considered Millenarians, I will, throughout my volume, make, for the sake of argument, that concession to them. When, therefore, I use the word 'Millenarian,' I wish it to be understood that by that term I mean those who believe in the personal reign of Christ on earth, with his saints, for the period of a thousand years.

"It is equally due to myself and to my readers that I should here mention that, so far from having engaged in the examination of the claims of Millenarianism, under the influence of prejudices against the system, I could almost have wished that the conclusions to which I should come, might be in accordance with Millenarianism, because so great and growing a proportion of the excellent of the earth have embraced the doctrine of the personal reign of Christ for a thousand years, with those other Millenarian sentiments which gather around that central portion of the Millennial system. To guard against the possibility of being prejudiced against Millenarianism while pursuing my inquiries, I scrupulously avoided the perusal of any book of an antiMillenarian character. I confined myself solely to Millenarian works while preparing the materials for this volume. I have no doubt that a goodly number of the arguments which I have used have been employed by previous writers on the same side of the question. But the book now in the hands of the reader is just as original as if no other author had preceded me in the advocacy of the views which I have here brought forward. When I had finished my manuscript, I consulted some of the leading antiMillenarian writers, lest I should have overlooked any fact or argument of importance. In the very few cases in which I have referred to the reasonings of others who have taken the same side of the question as myself, I have duly mentioned the names and quoted the words of the authors.

"The result of my thorough examination of the Millenarian system is a profound conviction that that system is without the shadow of a foundation in Scripture. 1 feel a firm persuasion that, so far from this, it is at variance with the Word of God. "And, having this persuasion, no one will be surprised when I express my thorough conviction that the time will come when the Millenarian scheme will completely collapse, just as it did in the third century, immediately after Origen made his attack upon it. For centuries after the assault of Origen, Millenarianism was hardly heard of except as a matter of history. I firmly believe not only that the day will come, but that it is not distant, when we shall witness the extinction of the Millenarian scheme, and that the matter for marvel will be that it ever could have acquired a footing among the Evangelical denominations of Christendom. Just now Millenarianism, in the sense in which the word denotes a belief in the personal reign of Christ on earth, with the concomitant doctrine of the reign of the saints with our Lord, is making amazing progress. I am satisfied, from what I personally know myself of the extent to which it prevails, that more than half of the Evangelical clergy of the Church of England are at this moment Millenarians.

"But that fact does not diminish my confidence in the ultimate, and not remote, extinction of the Millennial system. It often happens, as all history, and especially ecclesiastical history attests, that it is just as some particular system of belief has acquired its greatest footing in the world or in the Church, that the reaction commences; and when it does, such reaction is usually rapid and complete. What, above all things, tends to produce the impression in my mind that Millenarianism has reached its culminating point, and that a speedy collapse may be expected, is the fact that it has of late run so wild, or degenerated into such astounding extravagances, that the more sober of its adherents will have the conviction forced upon them, that the whole system is based in error. The belief, already very prevalent, and still rapidly extending of a secret coming of Christ and a secret rapture of the Church-a subject to which I have devoted a chapter in this volume-is one of those exceedingly extravagant notions. So astounded and grieved, indeed, are some of the ablest and most eminent of living Millenarians at the extravagances which are mixed up with the Millenarianism of many contemporary believers in the personal reign of Christ, that they have told me they would rather abjure Millenarianism altogether than be supposed to have any sympathy with many of the views which are entertained and advo

The EARL of CAVAN then spoke. Much simplicity and deep earnestness marked his address. It was a striking feature in these assemblies, that two noblemen should be present on each occasion, but neither occupied the chair. A vacant chair was intentional. All were to meet as brethren, and for the time without shade or distinction.

At this evening meeting the Rev. J. MARTIN (Incumbent of the Circus Church, at Portsmouth) spoke at considerable length. His leading points were,-what it was to be "crucified with Christ"—the nature of true faith-and the special operations of the life of God in the soul. He testified with grateful warmth of the blessing and privilege of godly parents and gracious instructors. Personally he had both experienced and witnessed in a large family what God had wrought. He cautioned his hearers against a speculative religion, and insisted upon the absolute necessity of the quickening power and divine operations of the Holy Ghost. There was much power in his address.

The Rev. J. SERGEANT (late Curate of St. John's, Portsea) followed with point and power, and the Rev. S. A. WALKER closed the whole proceedings with a short address and prayer.

Not only to ourselves, but, we believe, to hundreds of precious souls, this Conference will be long and gratefully remembered. Yea, for ourselves we may say, we heartily desired that it had not been limited to two days, but that (considering the remote distances from which many had come- -Manchester, and Birmingham, and London, and Portsmouth), a third day of such real communion one with another would have been desirable.

We are sure that, in these days of division, our brother WALKER has much cause for gratitude in the contemplation of such a large and happy gathering, where such a oneness of heart pervaded the assembly. Well, indeed, might they sing, as they did

"Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above.

"Before our Father's throne

We pour our ardent prayers;

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

"We share our mutual woes,

Our mutual burdens bear;

And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

And then, when about to break up, and

"When we asunder part,

It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be join'd in heart,
And hope to meet again.

"This glorious hope revives

Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

"From sorrow, toil, and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity."

many brethren never to meet again

till they assemble around the throne above, most touching was their parting song:

"Soon will cease such short-lived pleasures,
Soon will fade this earth away;
Brighter, fairer, nobler treasures
Wait the full redemption day.
Hail the rising

Of the wished-for new-born ray !

"Thus we part, but not for ever,
Joyful hopes our bosoms swell;
They who love the Saviour, never
Know a last, a long farewell.
Blissful unions

Lie beyond this parting vale."

Well might a clerical brother, whom we met the next day on his way to the train, say, "I trust that the savour of those meetings will not soon pass away from our minds." The Lord grant it, for His great name's sake. Amen, and

amen.

BREACHES IN THE FAMILY FIRESIDE.

BY THE LATE REV. HUGH STOWELL, M.A., HON. CANON OF CHESTER.
(From "Our Own Fireside.")

THEY will come. They may be very near. We ought not to shrink from forecasting them. They ought not to take us by surprise. As we gaze on the loved circle that fringes the winter hearth, as we hold sweet fellowship with them around the family altar, we ought to keep in mind how soon their places will know them no more.

The thought should sober; it should not sadden. It should constrain us to associate all our affections, our hopes, our joys with heaven; to look upon this as our lodging-place, that as our home. It ought to stir us up to strive with all earnestness, that each dear olive-branch may be grafted into Christ; that the ties of the flesh may be sanctified by the ties of the Spirit.

Our communings ought to be often about departing and being with Christ, which is far better. It behoves us to familiarise our minds with the idea of union in spirit, notwithstanding separation in body. That is the true union which does not depend on sense and sight, but lies in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost. Even a heathen could sage say- Friendship is one soul in two bodies." How much more truly may saints say, "Christian friendship is one spirit in two

souls!"

66

That friendship never dies. How can it? It belongs to an undying life. It is not of the flesh; therefore the death of the flesh cannot effect it. "You talk to me of death," said a departing child of God; "where is it? I cannot see it: I see life, but not death." How beautifully true. Verily, verily, I say unto you," said Jesus, "if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." Death to such a one is the gate of life, and the grave the garden of immortality.

66

Well might the saint about to enter into fuller life say to his mourning friends hanging round him, as Jesus said to His disciples, "If ye love me ye would rejoice, because I go to our Father." As the Lord so sublimely said, “All live to Him."

66

Ought then the survivors of the righteous to "seek the living among the dead?" 66 They are not here, they are risen." We, in truth, are the dying, they are the living; we are on the way home, they are at home; we are tenants at will, they everlasting inhabitants. Then ought we not to think of them, to speak of them, to feel towards them as the "living?” We are come to the spirits of just men made perfect." We surround one throne with them, only they on the topmost step, we on the lowest. We draw near to one Father, through one Mediator, by one Spirit, only they in the inner court, we in the outer; they in praise alone, we in mingled prayer and praise.

the reader will perceive he does, the opinions of so many men of our times, his work will, to a certain extent, convulse Christendom. It is sure to make a tremendous commotion among those who hold counter-opinions; but it will, at the same time, lead others to think-to examine for themselves—and, we doubt not, settle and establish many a wavering mind. We, therefore, most heartily commend this volume to the prompt and serious perusal of our readers.

Sunday Magazine. Edited by THOMAS GUTHRIE, D.D. Strahan and Co. It is an excellent companion for a Sunday at home, and contains articles on various subjects, from which much information may be gained. The first volume is just completed, and would form a valuable addition to the library of a Christian family.

Fireside Readings for Every Day in the Week.
A COLLECTION of papers gleaned from the pages of an excellent periodical.

The Family Treasury of Christian Reading.

Gor up in a wonderfully cheap form. We should hope it might have a wide circulation.

Our Own Fireside. Edited by the Rev. CHARLES BULLOCK.

W. Macintosh, Paternoster Row.

THIS magazine will be much valued during the long winter evenings. It contains papers on Science, Art, and History; Leaves from the Book of Nature; and Pleasant Readings for our Sons and Daughters. A piece of music, too, is another addition. "Is the Cross heavy?" a hymn from the German, is especially good.

The Missing Link Magazine. Edited by L. N. R. The Book Society. WE heartily sympathize with the editor of this magazine in losing a beloved daughter, and trust she may soon be raised up and her hands strengthened under this trying bereavement. Her mission is a most important one both at home and abroad. The Bible-woman is often welcomed where others are refused entrance.

A Funeral Sermon on the Occasion of the Death of Miss Eliza Jane Renard. Preached in the Congregational Chapel, Camberwell New Road, on Sunday Evening, August 27, 1865. By the Rev. W. PASCOE TIDDY. Published by request of her Family. London: W. H. Collingridge.

A CLEAR, scriptural, practical sermon, which we would affectionately commend to the attention of our young readers especially, inasmuch as it gives the dying experience of one of themselves, in respect to age and earthly prospects.

The Sower. Houlston and Wright, Paternoster Row.

Is calculated to distribute much good seed.

The Sunday Teacher's Treasury. The Book Society.

WE need only repeat our former commendations of this work as very useful to the class to whom it is addressed. Its lessons are clear and well defined. The Mother's Treasury. The Book Society. WE should like to find this periodical more in the houses of the poor. a mother and inexperienced housekeeper it would be found invaluable.

To many

London: W. H. Collingridge, "City Press," 117 to 119, Aldersgate Street, E.C.