years past, that throne of Antichrist has been gradually giving way. It is, at present, only sustained by the power of Austria; but whenever Austria is engaged in war, when she is obliged to withdraw her troops from Italy, that moment the conspiracy will break out afresh in the dominions of the Pope, and the great city will begin to be divided, even in the most literal form. This division of the great city is one of the principal effects of the Last Vial, and we see how rapidly it is approaching in Rome itself at this day. (Rev. xvi. 19).

"But this division of the Great City, or the Antichristian Church, is not to be confined to Rome or Italy, but to extend at least to the Western Empire of the ancient Romans. Thus it is to affect AUSTRIA as well as Italy; and the Austrian government is held together by constant and painful precaution, by a numerous army, a suspicious and oppressive police, and by the vigour and activity of the Prime Minister, Prince Metternich. When Metternich (now 80 years of age) shall die, Austria can find no other to fill up his place with the same ability. When war with France or Russia threatens, the Austrian population, no longer restrained by the firmness of Prince Metternich, and goaded on by a vile and tyrannical police, are more likely to make common cause with the Italian conspirators, than to shed their blood for the support of a despotic government; and thus even Austria, the most peaceful of all the old Governments of Europe, is liable to be broken up. This is no idle conjecture, this is no invention; for the Austrian dominions in Italy have been for 20 years threatened by the deep and desperate conspiracy of the Carbonari, who have hitherto been kept down only by the presence of an Austrian army, while Austrian Poland is at this very day the seat of another and widely spread conspiracy, which extends throughout all the Polish provinces.

"Thus even Austria, peaceable as she is, can by no means be regarded as secure, but is liable to be shaken by the Great Earthquake, almost as violently as Italy. Switzerland we have already noticed; her condition is far worse than that of Austria, for the Jesuits on the one hand, and the Atheists and Liberals on the other, have nearly thrown off the mask, and have even now commenced a struggle which must quickly break up the State, and which has caused blood to be shed in more than one engagement, above a year since.

"Here again we have to repeat the same remark, that nothing is wanting but OPPORTUNITY to create a general explosion in all these countries. They remain quiet for the present, not because they are really at peace, but because they dare not rise until the military forces of government are otherwise employed, or removed to some distant spot: in a word, they all remain comparatively silent, until France and Russia, contending for dominion IN THE EAST, shall give the signal for a general war. And the same remark has been already made as to the Atheists, the New Catholics, and the Friends of Light, in Germany. Whether persecuting others, or persecuted themselves, they want nothing but the opportunity of a general war, to give effect to the angry passions which at this moment are labouring in their breast.

"Let us now turn to POLAND, as she is situated at the present day. The very last accounts in the public papers have announced to us, that a for

midable conspiracy has been discovered throughout Poland, and that Prussia, Austria, and Russia, have each been compelled to march their forces to the principal cities of their Polish dominions to Posen, Cracow, and Warsaw; that an insurrection is threatened by the people, headed by their nobility, and that nothing but military power can prevent it from instantly breaking forth. It is also said that the conspirators in Poland are in secret communication with the rebels in Italy, which (if true) will extend the line of insurrection from kingdom to kingdom until it reaches the gates of Rome. But in any case, this immense conspiracy in Poland must evidently bring confusion and embarrassment to the governments of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, and thus (at the first opportunity) must expose each of these countries to an additional share in the terrors of the Great Earthquake of the Seventh Vial.

"And what shall be said of our own country? is England to escape that earthquake? It would be worse than blindness to imagine it! America is ready and determined to rush into war at the very first favourable moment; this is evidently in preparation, though for a time it may be put off, because the opportunity has not yet arrived. Ireland has already spoken out, and has openly avowed her intention to distress and embarrass England, whenever we shall be engaged in any foreign war; then will be the time when repeal will be called for by the Irish Catholics, in a voice that can no longer be misunderstood; and then if repeal be not granted, civil war, perhaps massacre, must ensue. And it is openly declared by a certain Irish party, that England's difficulties shall be Ireland's opportunity. While in this country itself, the Throne and the House of Lords being already without power, the whole force and government of the kingdom is given over to the hands of a godless and profane faction, who have endowed idolatry at Maynooth, and have received, literally with roars of laughter,' every expression or proposition in which the glory of God was named. And what must be the end of this? how shall we escape the judgment of God?

"We see then the whole of Europe undermined, and only wanting the first spark of opportunity to explode: and that very opportunity is even now preparing in the East. Amidst the broken columns and the ashes of the Turkish Empire, will be found that spark which is to set Europe in a blaze, and then the Last Vial has begun.

"The dark clouds of future evil are already collecting upon the dread horizon of the world's calamities, and yet the world looks on, and boasts of universal peace! FRANCE, encouraged and led on by one of her Royal Princes, has shown a desperate determination, not only to humble, but to invade England; while both France and RUSSIA are at this moment extending their influence throughout the whole of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine, each of them firmly bent upon gaining possession of those countries, whenever opportunity is given. And no sooner shall France or Russia gain possession of the East, or even attempt to seize upon it, than it will be the signal for England, and for Europe, to take up arms; such a step cannot be avoided. And then war must follow, and what a war! Revolution, rebellion, blasphemy, and atheism, already foaming to get loose, will then break forth upon the world, and add the dark and hideous evils of infernal passions to the ordinary miseries of war. The

next battle will be fought not only by man with man, but by man with God, and thus the great day of Almighty God will draw on with double gloom, and with every variety of destruction and of crime. Such are the present movements of the nations; and yet the sneering world looks forward, and says, We shall have peace!' But if any shall be warned by these pages, they will abhor the false security of the present age, and will exclaim, may we be counted worthy to escape those things which are coming on the earth, and to stand before the Son of Man !'"

6

6

Personal Effort for the Salvation of Men; a Manual for Christians. By ANDREW REED, D.D. Fifth Edition. London: Ward & Co. Paternoster-row, 1847.

A rousing little work for Christians, much needed in the present day We give an extract.

"Let it be observed, that the duty contemplated proposes to convert men to Christ. We are to seek nothing less than their conversion. There is much mistake here; and much zeal is vainly expended, which, under better guidance, might lead to the most happy results. Many who labour for the good of others, especially amongst the young, seek far too little. They would induce them to.read, to pray, to abstain from evil, and to observe the ordinary means of grace, and they are more or less satisfied, if for the present they succeed to this amount. There is a world of error in this; and it ends in the fatal delusion of multitudes. To avoid this course, establish two points firmly in your mind. First, that nothing is done for a sinner till he is converted. I have known many a parent, truly anxious for the welfare of a beloved child, remark, ، My son, I cannot say, is converted; but he is, I trust, in a hopeful state, This is an unsound and dangerous distinction. An unconverted state cannot be a hopeful state. He who is unconverted is at enmity with God, is in a state of sin, and is a child of wrath even as others; and this is his unmitigated condition whatever fair appearances may be assumed, up to the moment of his conversion.

"Second, Remember carefully, that conversion is not progressive. Great error prevails on this particular: and it is mostly the source of the error we have just noticed. Means may be used in reference to conversion; and the use of them, as well as their influence on the mind, may be spread over a progressive period, but conversion itself is not progressive, it is instantaneous. It consists essentially of that one act in which the will is determined for God; and it necessarily occurs at some instant of the sinner's life. The prodigal of the Gospel must have been the subject of much reflection and conflict; but he was only converted at the instant in which he resolved that he would arise and go to his father. This would seem so clear as not to admit of various opinion.

"Yet different opinion has obtained in the church; and to this day it is exercising a paralysing and deadly influence. It is thought not only that means have a progressive character, but that conversion itself is progressive; that if instantaneous conversions are possible, they are not desirable; and that conversions are sound in proportion as they are slow in their development. Can anything be more absurd, more mischievous? If conversion must be a work of time, then it would be folly of you to expect it

now; if it must be spread over months and years, then the sinner may postpone his conversion and satisfy himself that his present state is the best possible to him now. And all this time he is hardening his heart by cherishing at once his hope and his enmity!

"Be not partaker of other men's sins. While you give to means their place and honour, let no sinner, through you, be deceived by them. Claim nothing less of him than to repent of his sin, to turn to God, and to submit to the righteousness of Christ. Let him know that this is essentially comprehended in one act of the mind, that it occurs at once; that it ought to occur now,-instantly; and that up to the moment in which it is refused, he is unpardoned and in the bonds of iniquity.

"Permit me to connect another caution with the subject of conversion. Do not seek for more than this. One regrets that such a remark should be needful. The consideration of the sinner's enmity and peril, and of his instaut reconciliation to God, should have an absorbing power on the mind. But there are few, alas! so christian as not to be sectarian. They would have the sinner, indeed, converted to God, but they would also convert him to themselves. It is not enough that he should become a new creature, he must also become Independent or Baptist, Methodist or Episcopalian. It is not enough that, renouncing vain idols, he should worship God who is a Spirit, in spirit and in truth,' he must bow at their altar, use their forms, and strengthen their party.

"Mark such a course only to condemn it. At such a crisis of the sinner's life, to mix any secondary considerations with the momentous subject of his salvation, would distract his attention, would lead him to suspect your motives, and would certainly show that you had but a feeble impression of his awful estate. Oh! be content if by Divine grace he shall be brought to Christ, though he be brought not to your sanctuary; be content that he is added to the number of the redeemed, though he swell not the number of your particular fold. Mar not your efforts at such a time by any secondary subject. It is vital that he should be saved-that he should be a Christian. You may safely leave him afterwards, with the New Testament in his hand, to decide on lesser points; and if your opinions on them are scriptural, they are the more likely to be adopted. Pp. 9-15.

VOL. XXI. NO. II.

R

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

We extract the following paper from the Ecclesiastical and Missionary Record of the Presbyterian Church of Canada :-How may the Church Courts Promote the Revival of the Church?

"It may be that the meeting of the Commission of Synod, which is to be held on the 2d February, will have closed before these lines can be in the hands of the members; but we shall be happy if any of the remarks which we are now to offer approve themselves to our brethren in the Ministry and Eldership, and be allowed in any measure to influence them when they are met in Presbyteries and Sessions.

"It will be seen from the printed Minutes of the Synod, that the first article of the deferred business of the Synod which the Commission is called to take up, is 'An overture for promoting the Revival of Religion throughout the Church.'

"We will not now complain that the Synod did not themselves enter on the consideration of this matter, but deferred it to the Commission. This, however, we will say, that it has an importance which no other subject can have, and that it ought to have the very first place in the prayerful deliberations of all our Church Courts. There is such a thing as overgrowth in the young, when they are approaching the adult state; in such a condition, the vital energy of the body has not kept pace with the physical development, and all is feebleness in the frame, and the tendency is consumption. Now, there may be such a condition in an ecclesiastical body; and were it so that the members of any such body were at all exclusively seeking for its extension in a community, irrespective of inward and spiritual life, we have no doubt that a state of morbid overgrowth would soon be realized.

"There is not, perhaps, much danger of this condition in our branch of the Presbyterian Church in this Province. We cannot say that any very great zeal is evinced either for extending the Church, through the raising up of ministers, or the forming a union with another branch of the Presbyterian Church, with whom we have opened negociations. Our fear is, that in respect to both of these operations we are too lukewarm. Yet a danger certainly there is, of our being too little concerned for the revival of the Church,—that is, for its being animated and actuated throughout by the spirit of its Living Head. Important, we say, is the College; important is a union with other sound Presbyterians; but important above all these is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in and among all our congregations, and all their rulers.

"The business that is to occupy the attention of the Commission suggests this question :-What can our Church Courts do towards promoting and diffusing a healthy state of religion throughout the Church?

"We would offer a few remarks in answer to this question. And, first, we say that the rulers of the Church can meet, for the express purpose of inquiring into the state of religion in the congregations over which they preside.

one.

"This is a definite and practicable object, and at the same time a most important For the spiritual malady, like the bodily one, must be ascertained before the remedy can be applied; and combined counsel in such an inquiry is peculiarly important.

"It is rare that any one individual can take comprehensive views, when the subject is so complicated as the inquiry into the state of religion in a community. Every individual is forming his observations from some station of his own, and so the result of many observations is more likely to present the actual truth of the case.

66 Secondly, The rulers of the Church can meet for prayer, and can mix prayer with their deliberations.

"And is not this itself a great object? for ministers and elders to recognise and admit before each other that counsel is vain, and preaching vain, and discipline vain, for building up the church of the living God, without his own Spirit, and then to cast themselves on the faithfulness and all-sufficiency of a covenant-keeping God.