"The Jewish sacrifices," said the venerable rector. removed ceremonial defilement, and the guilt of the sins which were committed against the political and ecclesiastical laws of the nation; but they could not expiate the guilt of sin as committed against God, nor restore peace to the conscience of the transgressor: and their perpetual repetition during the succeeding periods of that dispensation was an unequivocal proof of their inefficacy. But such was the efficacy of that sacrifice which Jesus Christ presented, when he offered up himself to God, that he made a full expiation for the sins of his people, and procured for them pardon, acceptance, and eternal life. When his enemies stood gazing on him, as the blood was flowing from his veins, they were unconscious of the great moral effects which that precious blood was actually producing. It was throwing back an influence on the ages which were past, cancelling the arrears which were due to the justice of God from the redeemed who had been pressing into the kingdom of heaven from the death of Abel to that hour; and it was extending forward to the end of time a source of merit, which should take away the guilt of all who should believe in him. And yet, my brethren, though the Scriptures declare, in the most decisive terms, that we have redemption through the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of our sins, many impeach the efficacy of the atonement, and some would expunge it from the Christian system. But if they are disposed to mistrust its efficacy in relation to themselves, they ought to suffer it to remain for the benefit of others. Take away the atonement of Christ from the scheme of redemption, and you would commit an act as cruel towards man as the Levite would have been guilty of, if he had stolen into the camp of Israel under the darkness of the night, and borne away the brazen serpent, which was the only means of saving the people from the agonies of a lingering but certain death. Take away the atonement of Christ from the scheme of redemption, and you would commit a deed as cruel as the high priest would have been guilty of, if he had drained off the waters of Bethesda the night before the descent of the angel by whose mysterious power they became the means of healing the blind, the halt, and the withered.

"II. The Saviour's appearance in heaven.

1. Where does he appear? In heaven itself, "2. For whom does he appear? For us.

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3. For what purpose does he appear?

It hath pleased God," said the preacher, when illustrating this part of his subject, "in the conveyance of blessings to man, to appoint a regular system of agency and means as the medium through which they are given. To object to such an appointment is no less an insult to his authority, than it is an impeachment of his wisdom. It is but very rarely that such an act of folly and impiety is committed in relation to the minor gifts which he bestows. Life is preserved, not by a direct and arbitrary exertion of his power, but by the reception of food prepared by the labour and skill of man, and received according to the ordinance of heaven. Evils. which threaten our personal and relative honour and happiness are averted, not by a visible interposition of his providence, but by the influence and exertions of our friends, who are employed under his direction. If, then, on this general principle the ordinary affairs of his wise and benevolent administration are conducted; and if this principle be admitted by us, and we feel its practical utility, why should we object to the adoption of it in reference to a more important and a more momentous course of procedure? Why refuse to admit that Jesus Christ is the medium through whom all the designs of mercy and grace, in relation to man, are accomplished? If it hath pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell, ought we to object to such an arrangement? Is it wise? is it becoming?—is it safe? But, brethren, I hope better things of you, though I thus speak. You feel too deeply your obligations to the Redeemer, for laying down his life a ransom for you, to wish to rob him of the glory of your salvation-and too deeply interested in the result of his appearance in the presence of God for you, to exclude him from your affections and confidence. He now appears in the presence of God to intercede for you; and on his intercession your present safety and happiness, and your future glory depend.”

The looks, the tones, and the manner of the speaker convinced us that he felt the importance of his subject; and such was the impression produced on the audience,

that we all retired astonished and delighted at the condescending grace of the Saviour, who, after putting away sin by the sacrifice of himself, resumed his life to appear as our advocate with the Father.

On our return to the Villa we partook of a frugal repast, and spent the remaining part of the day in the enjoyment of social intercourse, adoring the grace which had made us to differ from the great majority of professing Christians, who devote its sacred hours, not to purposes of devotion, but to scenes of conviviality and mirth. In the evening, as we sat talking of the wondrous events which occurred in the history of the Redeemer's life, and of that state of endless felicity which he is gone to prepare for his faithful disciples, we were suddenly and unexpectedly delighted by the harmony of human voices, chanting a hymn of praise. We listened for some minutes, when Mrs. Stevens, who was passionately fond of music, proposed that the choir should be invited into the hall, where they would be sheltered from the snow which was drifting against them. I immediately opened the door, which threw them into confusion, and put a stop to their melody, and they were.on the eve of scampering away, till I requested them to walk in. After a short pause I took hold of the hand of the youngest girl, when the rest very cheerfully followed her, and I introduced them to Mrs. Stevens, who smiled on recognizing some of her Sunday Scholars. Their bonnets and cloaks were taken off; and after they had warmed themselves by the fire, Mr. Llewellin consented to play on the piano, and we all joined the youthful choristers in singing the praises of the Redeemer. Thus pleasantly passed away the hours of the evening, without entailing guilt or reproach on our conscience; and having rewarded those who came to afford us gratification, we dismissed them, and closed the day in serenity and peace.

As this is a day when the scattered members of a family are gathered together, and enjoy, around the social hearth, the pleasure of social intercourse, those who are the avowed disciples of the Redeemer should be on their guard, lest they conform to the custom of the world, which too often celebrates his birth by the indulgence of the appetite, and the song of mirth,

rather than the service of a pure and spiritual devotion. We are required to set an example: and while I an example: recreations and

advocate expulsion of in

friends to an

am no

for recreations and indulgences from the domestic circle, I must enforcethe imperative necessity of a dignified consistency of conduct on the part of those who profess to be wiser in their generation, and who contemplate, with wonder and with gratitude, that scheme of redemption, consummated by the appearance of the Saviour, on which others pour contempt, or look with unmoved indifference. You may have your family parties and you may call in your of your bounty-and you may assume and wear air of cheerfulness and pleasantry; but no excess of eating, or of drinking, or of levity should be tolerated, as your profession has raised you to the summit of observation, and the irreligious, no less than your fellow-Christians, expect that you will let your moderation appear unto all men. Your children, if they are not decidedly pious, may wish, on this day of festivity, to trespass a little farther on the gravity of your domestic habits than they presume to do on ordinary occasions: and though I would not advise you to transfer the sanctity of the Sabbath to this day, as you have no authority for so doing, yet there is a propriety in observing it with decorum, as the acknowledged birth-day of Him who came to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. The slightest reference to the design of his mission, will suggest to your mind the importance of celebrating his birth with feelings and dispositions in unison with it.

In the press, and speedily will be published
in one vol. royal 18mo.

DEATH BED SCENES;

CHRISTIAN'S COMPANION ON ENTERING THE DARK VALLEY.

By the AUTHOR of the EVANGELICAL RAMBLER.

"I once read of a lady of rank, who rode out in her carriage one day, with her maid in waiting, and when she had passed the suburbs of the city, she felt the weather so intensely cold, that she ordered the coachman to drive home as fast as possible. On returning, she said to her servant, I will immediately purchase twelve pair of blankets for the poor, who must be nearly frozen to death.' In the afternoon, when reminded of her promise, according to her own request, she said, 'I think the weather is become so mild, that they will not require the blankets.' 'Yes, Madam,' replied the maid, it is milder in this parlour than it was in the carriage in the morning, but it is equally severe in the open air.'" Page 9.

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