subsequent. In such the key of explanation must be found in the order of events. To the third class belong those prophecies, in which no time is mentioned, and no order established, but other events are predicted, and declared to be co-existent." Agreeably to this arrangement, the author concludes, that the prediction now under consideration belongs to the second class. "To the order of the event," he observes, we must be principally indebted for information. The vision before us is the second recorded in this chapter. Consistently with an established rule.....the time when the angel will commence his preaching must be after what is intended by the first vision, and before the third. At some period between these two extremes this prophecy will be accomplished." The object of the first vision is determined to be the great event, which is commonly called the REFORMATION, which happened in the beginning of the sixteenth century. By great Babylon in the third vision "Is indisputably intended the seat and dominion of that powerful adversary, who for many ages has encroached upon the prerogatives of Jesus Christ, and persecuted his faithful followers. The duration of this enemy is limited to twelve hundred and sixty prophetic years..... The latest date, which has been, or, indeed, can be fixed for his rise, extends his continuance to the year 1999; consequently his fall must, at farthest, be immediately before the year 2000, when the millennium will be fully introduced. "Here then we have found two extremes, between which the prediction in question will be fulfilled. It must be after the Reformation, and before the fall of antichrist. The angel must begin his flight after the year 1500, and before the year 2000. This brings our inquiry within the space of five hundred years. These boundaries will be abridged, when we reflect that three hundred years have elapsed since the Reformation, and nothing corresponding to the vision has yet been seen..... Great things were achieved at the Reformation. But this is another angel,...this foretels another preaching, vastly more enlarged and interesting in its conse. quences, than any thing, which happened then, or at any period since. It delineates an event, which, when estimated in all its concurring cir cumstances, cannot fail of establish-r ing the conviction, that it is not yet fulfilled.....We are compelled, therefore, to look forward for the accom-: plishment; and are now reduced to the short remaining space of two hundred years.....At some period of time from, and including the present day, and before the close of two hundred years, the angel must begin to fly in the midst of the churches, and preach the everlasting gospel to all nations, and tongues, and kindred, and people in the earth. "Thus far the prophecy, taken in its connexion and order, has assisted us in our calculation. We shall, perhaps, approach nearer, if we attend to some momentous events, which we know are to happen previously to the millennium, and, conse quently, within two hundred years, If these be such, as will necessarily require considerable time, and if the event in question be inseparably connected with them, and stand foremost in the series, we may be enabled to form a rational conclusion of the probable season when this will cutioners of this terrible sentence, are here implied! "2. The Jews are to be converted.... The Jews will assuredly be converted, and with raptures of faith and love, hail the adorable Jesus, as the true Messiah.....To their own land they will again return, and flourish there under a government adapted to their new and exalted condition. There they will constitute the centre, the most distinguished and dignified point, to which the whole Christian church will stand related. But to effect all this,...what instruction, what arrangements, what assistance from other nations, what journeyings, what concurring providences must here combine! "3. The fulness of the Gentiles is to be brought into the church....But what means and ends, what causes and effects, what a train of events are comprised in the conversion of the world to the obedience of Christ! What prejudices must be conquer d, what old foundations razed, what new structures erected!,......Should Pentecostseasons be frequently repeated, and the work be cut short, still a number of years must necessarily elapse in accomplishing this blessed pur the missionary spirit, which has sud- pose. "4. The destruction of antichrist..... His destruction began at the Reformation, and will increase in the same degree in which the gospel is preached with success....Every thing that militates against revealed religion, and the worship of God the Redeemer, throughout the whole earth, shall be overthrown. "What changes in the moral world, what revolutions in the civil, are impending! Attend to each of the enumerated articles; estimate their magnitude ;....and then determine whether two hundred years are not a short space for the consumma. tion of such events! And if the extensive propagation of the gospel is to precede the conversion of the Jews, the bringing in of the fulness of the Gentiles, and the destruction of antichrist, say, whether we may not indulge the expectation, that it will soon commence, if it be not already begun! With this conclusion, if, now, we compare existing facts; if we view This prediction, in our author's view, is comprised also under the third class of prophecies, and receives additional light from the rules of explication respecting co-existing events. The hour of God's judgment he considers, as the very hour when the angel begins to fly. God's judgment against the nations, who are chargeable with the murder of the saints, appears already begun. "What are the singular, what the desolating scenes, which have opened, and are still enlarging in prospect? Why are convulsed nations rising in a new and terrific form to exterminate each other?" By such questions the author expresses his apprehension, that God is now coming out of his place to judge the earth, and accordingly, that the angel is about to begin, if he has not already begun his flight. Here the investigation ends in the following manner. "Let this suffice. You have attended to the prophecy, and estimated the period of its accomplishment. You have compared existing facts with the prediction, and drawn a conclusion. Do you now call, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman saith, the morning cometh, and also the night. Clouds and darkness still remain, and the gloom may even thick en at its close; but the rising dawn will soon dispel the shades, and shine more and more unto the perfect day. THE MORNING COMETH 199 From the numerous reflections suggested by this subject, the author selects the following. "1. How mysterious are the ways of God.... The time which elapsed before the birth of the Messiah; the narrow boundaries within which the church was circumscribed during the dispensation of the Old Testament; the sufferings which overwhelmed her immediately after the primitive ages of Christianity; and the small progress of truth and righteousness for so many centuries to the present day, are all, to us, mysterious and inexplica ble. What difficulties hold us in suspetise! How many inquiries arise! If the everlasting gospel is to be preached to the whole world, why are the nations permitted to remain so long in ignorance and wickedness? If the heathen be given to the Lord Jesus, why doth he delay to take possession of them? Why a discrimination? Why?.... But, Oman, who art thou that repliest against God ?...." "2. The magnitude of this event next arrests our attention. Vast in its nature and consequences, it involves renovations in the moral world more extensive and stupendous, than any hitherto experienced; it implicates radical changes in the manners and customs of mankind, and even.... revolutions in the principles and administration of civil government, which surpass the power of anticipa tion.... When all nations receive the gospel; when men of every rank, from the least to the greatest, shall know the Lord,......then all will be happy, individuals will be happy, society will be happy, and peace, joy, and holiness prevail throughout the whole world.... Alarmed at the prospect, infidels raise objections, and ridicule the hope of believers. All things, say they, continue as they were from the beginning of the creation; and all things will forever so remain. Nothing can produce the mighty change you Christians contemplate. You cherish fictions, chimeras, and dreams..... What! convince the ferocious followers of Mahomet, that their prophet was an impostor, their Alcoran a rhapsody! persuade the Chinese to abandon their ancient habits! induce the myriads in India to demolish their pagodas, and erect temples to Jesus Christ! Curb the roving Tartars! elevate the grovelling Africans! or tame the savages of America! How can these things be? Not by human power or We know, more might, we reply. than infidels can inform us, of the stupendous heights and horrid abysses over which the promise has to pass; but none of these things move us.... It is the work of God. This answers all questions; this silences every cavil. Are not all things possible with him that doth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth ?...." The 3d reflection is on the certain accomplishment of the great event under consideration. After mentioning the present exertions in the churches, as the first strirrings for accomplishing that great end, the author breaks forth in the following animated, impressive manner : Eventful period! a time replete with occurrences of the highest importance to the world! Long lives for many generations have passed in uniform succession, and men have grown deviation from the ordinary course of old without witnessing any remarkable Providence. But now a new era is commencing. The close of the last, and the opening of the present centu y exhibit strange and astonishing things. Principles and achievements, revolutions and designs, events uncommon and portentous, in rapid attention. succession, arrest our Each year, each day is pregnant with something great, and all human calculations are set at defiance. The infidel, with his impious philosophy, stands aghast, and destitute of resources, with trembling forebodings, wonders how and where the perplexed scene will end; while the Christian, instructed by the word and spirit of his Saviour, calmly views the turning of the dreadful wheels, and knows which way they proceed. Strengthen ed by divine grace, he stands undaunted in the mighty commotion, and looks up, rejoicing that his prayers are heard, and that his redemption draweth nigh." In the remaining part of the discourse, the author urges Christians, and especially mis worship him as their CREATOR and REDEEMER. Amen." Such is the sermon, of which we think it useful to exhibit this particular review, Some parts of the discourse might, with advantage, have been abridged, particularly the illustration, page 10,. 14, 12. An appendix of unusual length, made up of learned & very useful notes, closes this valuable pamphlet. The theme of this discourse is judiciously chosen ; the division of the subject and the arrangement of the parts marked with natural simplicity and correct taste, and the whole is evidently executed by the But the hand of a master. highest encomium, which can be bestowed, is found in the impression, which the sermon has made on devout attentive minds. 邀 sionary societies to ascend the prophetic mount, to enjoy the vast prospect laid open to their view, and to engage in strenuous, persevering exertions to propagate the gospel. The close is full of rapture. + "We wait in confidence for the full accomplishment of the promise, and participate gladly in the triumph of the gospel. What John saw in vision, we now behold an existing fact. We see another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth. With fervent prayers, and raised affections we cordially bid him God speed. Go, welcome messenger of good tidings, bear the invaluable treasure to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Proclaim with a loud voice that the hour of his judgment is come; cry aloud, spare not, until the whole world shall learn to fear God, to give glory to him, and Religious Intelligence, The Twelfth General Meeting of the London Missionary Society, held May 14, 15, and 16, 1806. "WHAT hath God wrought!" Is an exclamation, which has seldom been uttered with more sensibility than by the members of the Missionary Society at their sucessive meetings, and especially at their twelfth meeting; the particulars of which we have now the pleasure to record. " "What hath God wrought!" said our friends in 1795, when the measure of forming the Missionary Society was so unanimously adopted, when the solemn vote was passed on the evening of September 21, It is the opinion of this meeting, That the establishment of a society, for sending missionaries to the heathen, and menlightened countries, is highly desirable," when the places chosen for the first public services were crowded with attentive hearers,when about two hundred ministers -- testified their cordial approbation of the design,-and when, in a few pounds months, many thousand flowed into the treasury of the socieety, then, again and again, did the pious exclamation proceed from a thousand tongues, "What hath God wrought!" But surely there is now more abundant cause than there was eleven years ago, to admire the good hand of God in this matter. It is more than ever ev. ident, that "the thing proceedeth from the Lord;" and that he deigns to accept and prove the ardent desires, the holy breathings, and the active exertions of bis people, to diffuse the fragrant name of Jesus among those who never heard his fame, nor saw his glory. Every succeeding anniversary strengthens this confidence in God, this lively hope of his effectual blessing; and, to say the least, no preceding Anniversary more than the last. Of this, we believe, none could doubt who were present;-to other Christian friends we can convey but a faint idea of the general impression by the following detail: On the evening of Tuesday, May 13, a considerable number of the mine isters who had arrived in town, as sembled at Haberdasher's Hall, when some arrangements were made re specting the public services of the following days. l 1,0* On Wednesday morning, a great Congregation was assembled at Surry Chapel, long before the time appoint ed for the commencement of the wor ship, and notwithstanding an incessant rain, which fell for several hours, Mr. Charles, a minister of the establishment, resident at Bala, in Merioneth shire, Wales, preached a sermon from Isaiah x. 27, “And the yoke shall be destroyed, because of the anointing."The preacher considered the text as expressive of a distressing calamity, the bondage and slavery of sinners; and of the means of deliverance by Christ, the anointed Saviour, In the evening the Rev. Mr. Brad ley, of Manchester, delivered a dis, course at the Tabernacle, which was exceedingly crowded, from. Psalm lxxxiv. 20, "Have respect unto the covenant, for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of truelty." After some general observations on the Psalm, the preacher shewed, by a detail of various particulars, that the Heathen countries are filled with cruelty,-that the great cause of this is moral darkness, the interest the church of God feels in the state of the Heathen, the way in which it should be expressed, that God's covenant secures to the church success in undertaking missions to the Heathen. !! On Thursday morning the Society held their General Meeting for the Annual Business at Haberdasher's Hall, Mr. J. A. Knight began with prayer. The Minutes of last Annual Meeting were read, together with the original Plan of the Institution. The Report of the Directors, containing an account of their proceedings dur, ing the last year, and the present state of the several missions undertaken by the Society, was read; and, we be lieve, afforded much satisfaction to the Members, of whom there was a more numerous attendance than on any former occasion. The Rev. Mr. Hall, of Edinburgh, delivered an animated and impressive Address to the Society, exhorting them to perseverance in the good work, and suggesting many encouraging considerations to strengthen their hearts and hands. On Thursday evening, Mr. Bogue preached on the appointed subject, from Rom. x. 1, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." Mr. Bogue considered the state of the Jews in three periods, viz. of past excellence, present degradation, and fu ture glory; the obligations under which we are laid to seek the conver sion of the Jews, arising from the claims of gratitude, compassion, equi ty, justice, and benevolence:-the means to be adopted, in order to effect this object:and some encouraging considerations by which the duty may be urged. Mr. Frey, one of the house of Israel, concluded the service by prayer. On Friday morning, a large congregation assembled. Mr. Whittingham, of Everton (the successor of the memorable Mr. Berridge) delivered a discourse from Isaiah xi. 10, "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious." Mr. Whittingham considered the prophetical declaration concerning the Mes siah, which the text contains,-the glorious effects arising from the full accomplishment of this prophecy; and he improved the subject by applying it to the design of the Missionary Society. The pleasing solemnities of this Anniversary were concluded as usual, by a Sacramental Communion; to which the friends of the Society were admitted by tickets, previously distributed by the Ministers among the Stated Communicants, of various denominations of Christians: so anxious were many persons for accommoda tion, that they were seated in Sion Chapel nearly three hours before the time fixed for beginning. Much care was taken by dividing the whole area of this vast place into distinct com. partments, marked with large figures, to facilitate the distribution of the elements by the ministers to the great assembly, and to avoid confu.. sion as much as possible. |