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they know it. To follow him, through good and through bad report, whether in adversity or prosperity, is a mark of his disciples;

and they who

do so unto the end shall be saved. They cannot turn from him, because they are drawn with the bands of love, as with the cords of a man; his love is more precious to their souls than their necessary food. It is vain for the world to think to terrify the friends of Christ by obloquy, or even death ; for his love constrains them to contemn the world, and even life itself, when it would separate them from Jesus. He is the joy of their soul, their wealth, their crown, their all. The world's afflictions only bind them closer to him by obeying his commandments, and being more desirous to be like unto him, that at last they may enjoy his presence to all eternity. O to be found in him, not having our own righteousness, but that which is by faith in him! "Not unto us, not unto us, but unto his name be the glory."

The ancient Israelites took pleasure in remembering Zion; they joyed when it was said to them, Go up to the house of God. When led captive to Babylon, on Euphrates' banks they hung their harps on the willow-trees, and wept when they thought on Zion. Their temple. is no more-its beautiful gate is sunk in the clay-the heathen possess the land, and wide-spreading desolation has

scattered them afar; yet still they think on Jerusalem, and Siloa's fountain that flowed fast by the Oracle of God. In vision they wander about Zion in desolation, disfigured by fanatical labours and heathen idolatries, as beautifully described by Dr Clark in Travels in Palestine." If Mount Calvary have sunk beneath the overwhelming influence of superstition, studiously endeavouring to modify and disfigure it through so many ages, and the situation of Mount Zion yet remain to be ascertained, the Mount of Olives, undisfigured by fanatical labours, exhibits the appearance it presented in all the periods of its history. From its elevated summit almost all the principal features of the city may be discerned, and the changes that eighteen centuries have wrought in its topography may perhaps be ascertained. The features of nature continue the same, though the works of art have been done away,-the beautiful gate of the temple is no more; but Siloa's fountain haply flows, and Kedron sometimes murmurs in the valley of Jehoshaphat."

If ancient Israel rejoiced in Zion's prosperity, and mourned over her when laid in ashes, surely it becomes the Christian to take pleasure in her dust; for, by the rejection of the Jews, the Gentiles were introduced to Zion's light. Though the literal Zion is in desolation, our spiritual Zion flourishes

like a green bay-tree, and shall flourish while sun and moon endure. The Jews groan in darkness for that which is passed away; but we rejoice in the light that arose in Palestine, which they supposed they had darkened when they crucified Jesus without the gate. But our Sun of Righteousness arose from the valley of death, and shone for a time on Palestine; but now it is forsaken, and left in darkness. Her exiles, by the providence of God, have been brought to live under his rays, without enjoying the healing of his beams: so thick a film has settled on their mental ray, that they see not his glory. But the time to favour them will come, the set time when his servants take pleasure in the rubbish and the stones of Zion. It well becomes Christians to pray that Jerusalem may have peace and prosperity, that the whole earth be enlightened in the knowledge of Christ.

Jesus' triumph has been visible,—his gospel has flourished amid all opposition, the blood-thirsty emperors of Rome were not able to extirpate his holy religion. And the still more cruel and blasphemous assumption of the Popes of Rome, to persecute the simple followers of the Lamb, under the mask of doing God service, by extirpating what they called heresy, by bloody crusades against the Albigenses and Waldenses, and by their cruel in

quisition; but all their racks, fire, and faggots, were not able to destroy the glorious light of the gospel and it shall prevail, until the enemies of Jesus be made his footstool. Let us then pray that his kingdom may come, that the Jews may enjoy his light, and that all people may do his will on earth as it is done in heaven. Amen.

LETTER XVII.

Teach every man to spurn the rage of gain;
Teach him that states of native strength possest,
Though very poor, may still be very blest :
That trade's proud empire hastes to swift decay,
As ocean sweeps the labour'd mole away ;
While self-dependent power can time defy,

As rocks resist the billows and the sky.-GOLDSMITH.

Edinburgh, 17th April, 1821.

THE trumpet of fame long has sounded the warrior's praise in fields of blood; the Christian ought to praise those actions only which are conducive to the welfare of society. It is found by experience, that praise is a powerful stimulus to virtuous exertion, and it is a tribute that every feeling mind willingly pays to actions productive of happiness to mankind. To distinguish between what really is for their good and what is not should be the study of the philanthropist.

Wealth, poured from the lap of plenty with an

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