beasts of the forest do creep forth." This is the time for slaughter and destruction! But at best a painful suspense is attendant upon a state of darkness. We may be harrassed with a thousand fears when no danger is nigh; or we may repose in conscious security in the very jaws of danger and death. The way-worn traveller in the wilderness, having lost his way in the darkness of night, may lie down to rest in the very lair of the sleeping lion! or, his fears may drive sleep from him when no danger is near! But in the one case how would the helpless man tremble and quake when the morning light should reveal to him his real condition! So in the other, how great would be his joy when the light of day should reveal to him that no danger was near. "Whatsoever makes manifest is light,” said an ancient writer. Indeed, what could we know of all that is above us, below us, or around us, but for its manifestations? What could we know of beauty, of symmetry, of size, of shape, of dimensions, or of any of the real properties of things around us, but for the revealings of light? But, as has been said, light not only reveals, but also creates. All the beauties of color, all the rich variety of hues, and the endlessly variegated shades, both in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, owe their existence to the emanations of the "king of day."

But you may be ready to inquire, Why this descant upon the attributes of light? I answer, My object is the same as that of the author of the Psalm quoted in the beginning of the letter. It is to illustrate the tendency and power of that volume which we call "sacred." The object of the scripture quoted is to show that a perfect analogy exists between the light of the sun in the natural world, and the light of revelation in the moral world-the world of mind. Take away the Bible, and the moral world is as desolate and drear as would be the natural world without the sun. In the darkness that would ensue all distinotion between virtue and vice would be lost. Take any of the heathen nations, either ancient or modern, and you will see them deifying the most enormous vices, and contemning some of the most refined moral virtues. The courage and blood-thirsty cruelty of the warrior were, with them, worthy of adoration; while meekness and forbearance to.. wards an enemy showed a meanness of spirit worthy of all execration. Cicero could discourse eloquently upon piety to the gods; but when a beloved daughter was taken from him by death, he is said to have exclaimed, "I hate the gods."

Upon the whole, then, we exclaim with the Psalmist, "Who can understand his errors" without the light of this law? As the sun arises and chases away the darkness and gloom of night, so did the Sun of Righteousness arise upon the nations: "The people that sat in dark

ness saw a great light; and to them who sat in the region and shadow of death light has sprung up."

In the common translation of the Psalm quoted, the force of the illustration evidently intended by the author, is lost. When Israel's King describes the effulgence of the natural sun, as he rises with giant strength, and shakes his golden locks, "rejoicing as a strong man to run a race"-shedding his vivifying rays on all the objects in his course; he certainly means to say, 'So is the law of the Lord in its influences upon the soul-so are the testimonies of the Lord to make wise the simple-so are the statutes of the Lord to rejoice the heartand the commandment of the Lord to enlighten the eyes.' But we have said that the light of the sun may be enjoyed without its heat, as when its rays are reflected by the moon. Here let me say, my friend, that unbelievers every where in Christian lands enjoy the reflex light of revelation. They walk by moonlight! Their mothers, or sisters, or friends are Christians, and reflect its light upon them. But we might be bound in perpetual frost and everlasting chains of ice, notwithstanding the rays of the moon. Again, the rays of the sun may fall directly upon an object, yet if they fall obliquely they will glance off and be as powerless as were reflected rays..

Thus it is with multitudes of professing Christians: although they receive the direct rays of the Sun of Righteousness, yet because they do not present their bosoms to receive his rays into their hearts, they are like our earth during its winter solstice. O! that I could here persuade you, my dear friend, to leave the cold and gloomy vale of unbelief! Our glorious leader invites you to examine his pretensions. He says, "If any man is disposed to do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." He thus puts it within the power of every man to decide upon his doctrine with unerring certainty. He promises light and life to all who will follow him. He says, "I am the light of the world: he thet follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." I entreat you to put these things to the test. Turn you about, and present your bosom to receive the direct rays of the Sun of Righteousness: so will he chase away the darkness of night from your soul-he will dispel its gloom-he will burst the icy fetters of winter from around thy heart, and shed upon it the genial influences of spring-he will refresh the soul with balmy zephyrs, and make "the desert" of thy soul to "rejoice and blossom as the rose." He will impart to thy soul the blossoms and fragrance of spring-the beauty and glory of summer-and the rich, the golden fruits of autumn. Receive the "good seed of the kingdom;" and under the influence of the dews and sun. shine of Heaven, the fruit will be "life everlasting."

Affectionately yours,

M. S. C.

CHURCH EDIFICATION.

THE grand intention of the Christian institution,-viz. the reforma. tion of the world-the highest possible amelioration of the condition of man in this life—is to be effected by the church; "that now, to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God" Eph. iii. 10. Wherefore, it necessarily follows, that church edification the grand proximate object of its constitution-being divinely intended, and abundantly provided for, ought to be the primary intention of all concerned: that is, of all the members, but especially of those divinely appointed for that purpose. For "He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry-for the edifying the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Eph. iv. 12, 13.

When we consider the high attainments above specified, as divinely iutended for the whole body; surely we must feel deeply convinced of the indispensable necessity of the most abundant, most diligent, and persevering use of all the means, with which we are divinely furnished for those high and blissful purposes: especially when we advert to the diversified condition of the members; both with respect to their natural capacities, dispositions, situations, and peculiar temptations,—and to that deadly depressing weight of inbred carnality, lying so heavily upon all.

It is, therefore, the intention of this essay to submit to the consideration of all, both teachers and taught, who are concerned for the perfection and happiness of the body of Christ upon earth,-the due and suitable use of the means, divinely intended for this most desirable purpose. Now these are distinctly and comprehensively two-viz. teachers, and teaching. The qualifications and duties both of the teachers, and of the taught,—what and how the former are to teach, and how the latter are to behave under their tuition, are all divinely prescribed and determined in the holy scriptures; so that we have nothing to do but to proceed accordingly. Wherefore, in our farther investigation of this important subject, we shall proceed as followsviz.

1. Consider the qualifications both of the teachers and of the taught. 11. Their respective duties to each other.

III. The proper manner of proceeding, for the public edification of the congregation, on the Lord's day.

1st. We are, then, first to consider the qualifications both of teachers and taught. As to the latter, all that we deem necessary to state at present is, that they have made an intelligent scriptural confession of Christ in baptism, as did the primitive converts to Christianity, and are still continuing to walk in his law. As to the former, we would only observe at present, that they be such characters as are described in the following scriptures: 1 Tim. iii. 1-7. Titus i. 6-9. And that they be duly chosen and ordained; see Acts vi. 3, 8. and xiii. 2, 3. and xiv. 23; with 1 Tim. iv. 14. and v. 22. In the above quotations we

have a view both of the personal and official qualifications of the legitimate teachers of Christianity in the churches: the former of which could not qualify them for assuming that office, without the latter: for in no voluntary association does mere fitness give authority, without the consent of the society duly expressed.

2d. We come next to consider the respective duties of each. And here we would observe, in the first place, that it is the duty of the teachers to teach and rule well according to the scriptures:-to teach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, divinely furnished for the edification of the church: that is,-all holy scripture-neither more nor less. For all holy scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly fur nished for all good works." 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. Yet all this must be done prudently, and skilfully, "rightly dividing the word of truth:" 2 Tim. ii. 15.-"giving to each his portion of meat in due season:" Matth. xxiv. 45. There is milk for babes, and meat for strong men. 1 Cor. iii. Heb. v. 12, 13. And as for those that are thus divinely taught their duties to their teachers are most expressly declared in the following scriptures:-Gal. vi. 6. "Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teacheth, in all good things"-and 1 Tim. v. 17. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they that labor in word and doctrine;" that is -teaching-"For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox, that treadeth out the corn; and the laborer is worthy of his reward." See also Heb. xiii. 6, 8, 17. "Remember them that have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.-Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you." Yea, surely it is in vain to employ teachers, if we will not submit to be taught by them!

But again, Christian teachers are not only bound to teach the Bible. the whole Bible, and that exclusively, in its true, literal, practical import; and to accommodate their teaching to the capacity and condition of their hearers, both publicly and privately, keeping back nothing that is profitable: see Acts xx. 20. But they should also be zealously active, faithful, and diligent,-"in season, and out of season, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting, with all long suffering and teaching; and that with all authority:" see 2 Tim. iv. 3.. with Titus iii. 15. Especially should they study to do every thing to the best advantage for the public edification of the church on the Lord's day. For this important purpose, a seasonable and sufficient portion of the day ought to be punctually devoted to public edification. Next-all the different exercises duly and suitably adjusted and provided for, so that every thing might be done decently and in order-every thing in the best manner to edification. For this purpose the portion, or portions of scripture, intended for the public edification, might be duly known to the church, having been previously appointed at the close of the former meeting, so that all the members might be duly prepared for their investigation.

Things thus duly and statedly arranged, the natural order of the public exercises follows of course. The day divinely appointed for church edification,-inscribed to the Lord-the herald and memorial of his resurrection, suggests to us immediately the celebration of that most blissful and glorious event-the seal and pledge of our justification; without which, not only the birth, but also the death of the Saviour, had been to us in vain; "for if Christ be not risen we are yet in onr sins;" but, blessed be God "he was," not only "delivered for our offences; but "was also raised again for our justification:" Rom. iv. 25. 1 Cor. xv. 17. So that in celebrating his resurrection, we celebrate our own justification. Blessed be God, this is our first spiritual meal upon the first day of the week-the first dish upon the spiritual table of our weekly festival Surely it might well entertain us for one hour, in singing, and praying, and reading, and praising-about it. Next in order comes our weekly lesson in the holy scriptures, that we may add to our faith-knowledge; and thus be made wise to salvation, thoroughly furnished to all good works. Now there are but two ways in which the scriptures can be made forthcoming for our instruction in righteousness. The first is the careful studious perusal of any porLion of them, with a strict regard to the contextual connexion, and to the scriptural use and meaning of certain peculiar words and phrases where they occur, always adverting to the six following items; namely, -Who speaks, to whom he speaks.-what he says,-why he says it, when and where he said so. And then to the subject matter of the portion under consideration; whether it be history, prophecy, commands, prohibitions, declarations, invitations, or promises: thus directing and fixing the attention of the hearers-the students, (as all genuine disciples are,) to the contents and import of the lesson under consideration. And lastly, by a catechetical investigation of the contents, to impress them distinctly and forcibly upon the minds of all concerned, that so they may be clearly perceived and retained; and so conclude with a brief, pertinent, practical exhortation. By-“a catechetical investigation" is meant the manner of presenting the contents of the lesson to the consideration of the congregation, by proposing and answering such questions as will recall and exhaust the subject matter of the portion read, according to the preceding analysis; viz What historic facts, what phophecies, what commands, what prohibitions, &c. &c. are contained in it—and all these distinctly stated by the teacher, with pertinent remarks and exhortations; the congregation, in the mean time, closely attending with open books. The congregation, however, may be divided into distinct classes, and examined privately. For the Apostle tanght both publicly and privately: see Acts xx. 20. So much for the first and general use and study of the holy scriptures: the second is for particular and special purposes;-namely, to obtain the amount of the divine testimony upon a particular subject; by collecting together, into one complete aggregate, all the places where it is mentioned. By thus searching the scriptures, and extracting their contents upon the subject of inquiry, we shall have it before us in all its attitudes, bearings, and relations."Every one, acquainted with the sacred scriptures, knows that the complete account, which they contain of any one article of religion, is never to be met with altogether in one place, without other subjects intermixed with it; but