to stand in the midst of the camp of the enemy, not fearing the frowns or reproaches of men, nor all the war artillery that the devil can invent or hell bring against us. "I (saith an apostle) know in whom I have believed, and am fully persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." And blessed be God all his children have the same confidence in a greater or less degree. Not having learnt the doctrines of Christ in the schools of this world, but by and through the operation of God the Holy Ghost, they know the word of God is not yea and nay. By it they are assured that "no weapon formed against them shall prosper," and that every tongue that rises up against them in judgment thou shalt condemn;""This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord." The Lord Jehovah is a sovereign, and doeth what he pleases, not only in the armies of the heavens, but among the inhabitants of this lower world. The royal Psalmist saith, "Thy God, O Zion reigneth." Yes, and let Zion rejoice that he does reign, not only in the hearts of Zion's children, which he does in a blessed manner, but he also reigneth over Zion's enemies, and saith to them as to the proud waves of the sea," Hitherto shalt thou come and no further."

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? most assuredly he shall. Shall a sparrow fall to the ground without his knowledge, or the minutest circumstance transpire without his appointment and permission? no, they shall not, for

Kingdoms and empires rise and fall,
At his supreme command;
He launches forth and guides them all,
By his unerring hand.

This God (saith the church) is our God, for ever and ever, and will be our guide even unto death. Then however dark and mysterious things

and circumstances may now appear, all things (saith a divinely inspired apostle) shall work together for good, to those who love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Blessed be God he hath not left Zion without witnesses in this our day; for though the waters of the sanctuary appear to be and are running low, nevertheless they are still running, and shall continue to run while there is one thirsty soul to draw water. The wells of everlasting salvation are not nor ever can be drawn dry. There is and ever will be an abundant supply for the Lord's thirsty

ones.

But these streams are for Zion's children, beloved, and for them only. They are the invited guests. For them these fountains were opened. And a real spiritual thirst is a sure evidence of our right and title to them. Come then, ye thirsty ones, and drink of these pure streams, they that "make glad the city of God"-the church of God. Drink of these pure precious streams, that cost no less a price to open them than the heart's blood of thy ever precious Redeemer, who is thy way of access to them, thy truth and thy life in them. By his death he opened them, and for thee; and now he gives them to thee freely, without money and without price. There is nothing requisite on thy part, no duties for thee to perform that thou mayest be entitled to drink! Oh no, what was necessary to be done thy Lord hath performed himself, and, blessed be his name, it is accomplished for ever. Were there but one condition for us to perform, that one condition would exclude us for ever. But that all creature boasting might be excluded, he cut off for ever all duty-faith works and every other rotten prop to which old nature so fondly clings. The mouth of the Lord hath said "Not by works of righteousness which we have done.” No, indeed, they cannot save us; they

have no more to do with salvation, as to the procuring of it, than we had in building the earth or the heavens. But as the apostle saith in another place, when speaking on this subject, Who hath loved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began:" that is, according to the eternal love and everlasting, unconditional election or choice by God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost of all the church before the world began. Here, beloved, we discover the fountain opened, from whence flow these living streams. Christ was the opener of the fountain, and the Holy Spirit keeps the streams flowing, and leads every spiritually thirsty soul to them. But some may be ready to ask where these living streams are to be found, complaining of living in a dry and barren land where there is no water, and sitting under a cold, dead ministry, from whence flow none of those cool refreshing streams that my thirsty soul so ardently desires. Alas, my brother, this is an awful day, for the greatest part of the reputed wa. ter drawers, not having themselves tasted of these pure springs, they can know little or nothing of them, and what they seem to know is only an hearsay report, for not having these springs running in and watering their own souls, they cannot bring them forth nor direct the thirsty soul where to find them. Thus these men made ministers, or to continue the figure, drawers of water, descend no further than the land springs, which are of too thick and muddy a nature to sa tisfy the spiritual thirst of Christ's spouse, whom nothing can satisfy but those pure waters from the fountainhead of which those that drink thereof shall live for ever.

But, as I said before, the great bulk of water-drawers neither descend low enough nor rise high enough; they,

But, beloved, amidst all the scarcity of which we complain, the word of our God is still the same, and the scriptures, when opened by God the Holy Ghost (and He is the only opener of them), will ever prove a source of comfort and consolation to every heavy-laden, burdened pilgrim, as he journeyeth from the city of destruetion to the Canaan above. In them are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and therein, as in à glass, we behold the glory of the Lord, and the everlasting security of all the church in him. Therein we meet with many great and precious promises: "Thy bread shall be given thee, (not may be,) and thy water shall be sure:" again," As thy day is, so shall thy strength be:" and again, as an antidote for our fears it is said, "Fear not, little flock, it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." There also by faith we have a precious view of the fountain opened for sin and for un

STANZAS.

"My Beloved spake, and said unto me," &c. Sol. Song ii. 10.

OH! speak my Beloved to me,

That language encouraging use; My soul from its winter set free,

And the gladness of summer diffuse. Dear Lord, little comfort I gain

From others rejoicing in spring; Let me the same freedom attain, And I will hosanna my King.

Long time hath a winter, all dark,

My soul with its shadows attired; And, striving to shipwreck my bark,

The world's rudest storms have conspired: Thou Lord wast my pilot to save

In tempests I could not control;

Oh, thou who didst calm the world's wave, Shield from dangers which threaten the soul.

Speak, Saviour, distinctly to me.

Say thou art my Lord and my God; That I am a fair one to thee,

Washed white in the fount of thy blood: Say, rise, from despondency rise,

Come away from the gloom of despair; Let the summer sun chase from the skies The vapours which now abound there.

The rain of affliction restrain,

Let the big drops of grief flow no more; But build the bright rainbow again,

Where the thunder cloud threatened before. Let the flowers of thy graces appear. Let faith, hope, and charity bloom ;` Bid the south wind revivingly cheer, And into thy garden, Lord, come. When, floweret of Sharon, wilt thou

With thy perfume invigor my mind; When, binding its name to my brow, The flower of the vale shall I find:

A feeble and frail little flower,

My faith, Lord, is scarcely alive;
Oh, speak, and shine on it with power,
And let me go on to believe.

Let the nightingale's music be heard,

Let the turtle be seen in the grove;
Let me catch some encouraging word,
Some look or some accent of love.
More eager than Persian I gaze

For the first ruddy streak on the hill;
I wait, Lord, impatient to praise,
Do thou the sweet promise fulfil,

A YOUNG DISCIPLE.

FREEDOM FROM THE LAW AND

DEMPTION BY CHRIST.

LONG time I lay beneath the yoke
Of Moses and the broken law,
Till my poor heart was almost broke,
And overwhelmed with solemn awe.

I tried and strove with mighty main
To keep it, that I might not die;
But all my efforts proved in vain,
For it I could not satisfy.

Condemned before the Lord I stood,
Nor knew not how t' escape from death,
For justice now unsheathed his sword,
And bid me to resign my breath.

Conviction's power engrossed my mind,
I sank beneath a conscious guilt;
No where to flee, no peace could find,
Till Jesus shewed the blood he spilt.

O precious sight, a river full
Of purple gore, of crimson blood,
To cleanse from sin, to save the soul,
And bring the sin sick ones to God.

RE

'T was there I saw the law obeyed,
'T was there stern justice sheathed his sword,
'T was there I saw my soul was saved,
And there I prized a conquering Lord.

O brilliant sight, I still would gaze
On yonder cross where Jesus dies;
This, this indeed my soul allays,
Oh, may I more its blessings prove.

Now freed from sin's tyrannic power,
Redeemed and saved by Jesus' blood;
Protected from the broken law,
I triumph in my Saviour God."

Moses-claims a heavy debt,
Justice-says the whole he 'll get,
Sinners have not ought to pay,
Christ-cancels all and sets them free.
St. Ives, Hunts.
W. c******L.

THE VANITY OF CREATURE DEPEN

DANCE.

"Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of.-Isa. ii. 22.

Cease ye from man, ye heirs of grace,
For vain is such a resting place,

On this enchanted ground:

Behold the word of truth declares,
Cursed is man who trusts his cares,

On man-poor feeble man :
But, blessed is that soul whose trust
Is fix'd on God, who from the first
O'er all his works could scan.

Friendship and love may last awhile,
But some vain thing may soon defile,
And drive it far away:

The dearest friends on earth may turn,
In place of love may anger burn,
And malice bear the sway.

Poor refuge this for weary souls,
Poor shelter when affliction rolls,
Or troubles round thee swell:
No comfort, sympathy, or care,
For all thy woes and trials, there:
One sorrow to dispel.

But cheer up, poor desponding soul,
Henceforth thy every burden roll

On Him who feels thy woe:
There is a Mighty One, whose power
Can send thee comforts like a shower;
To him then swiftly go.

On him you safe may cast your care,
To him unbosom every fear,

Whatever be thy case:
Immanuel, Jesus, God with us,
Attends his ransomed ones to bless,
Oh seek his throne of grace.

He knows thy weakness, and thy ear,
And for thee soon will sure appear,

He listens for thy call:

Each soul that seeks his face shall live,
And from his fulness strength receive,
However foes appall.

Here sweet encouragement we find,
Adapted well for every mind,

Who longs for sov'reign love

Here cast your care, here trust your all, Though faith be strong, or e'er so small, He'll raise your hopes above.

Look up to him, he 'll plead your cause, And make you love his righteous laws, And own you for his son:

He'll help you here, and save at last; Thus all who on him anchor cast,

Find heaven on earth begun.

The joy prepar'd by Christ the Lord,
His sheep shall find, the sure reward
Laid up for them in store:
Eternal strength is his to give
And all who here in him believe,
Shall his rich grace adore.

On earth they must rejoice, and tell
He ever doeth all things well,

And will in love abide :

In heaven they shall rejoice to know,
Not earth, nor hell, nor any foe,

Can them from Christ divide..

THR EVERLASTING FATHER.
Isaiah ix. 6.

Almighty God of love,

Whom angel tongues adore; Though veiled in majesty above, Thou hear'st thy humble poor.

Thy all-endearing name,

In us thy children prove ; Through endless ages still the same, In mercy, truth, and love.

The weakest of the flock,

Shall share thy tender care; While sheltered by th' Eternal Rock, They 're safe from every snare.

A Father's watchful eye,

Does every trial send;
A Father's arm is ever nigh,
To succour and defend.

Though tempted and distrest,
Though by the world reviled,
With this assurance, Oh, how blest,
Thine everlasting child!