churches, and with a view to raise up an ordinances, the efforts of the Christian
effective barrier against all the machi. Church, are all sanctified and rendered
nations of evil, and especially of Rome, effectual by prayer; and in proportion
there must be among us a great increase as the Monday evening prayer.meeting
of the spirit of prayer, and a manifesta- is remembered and enjoyed, does the
tion of it on all those occasions which ministry become strong, and the cause
are set apart and sacred to the exercises of truth and love prevail. The main-
of devotion. It is mournful to see the tenance of communion with God will
prayer-meeting lightly esteemed, and the always keep the way open for communi-
lecture on the week-night or the sab- cations from above, and, gathered around
bath far more preferred. The one is the footstool of mercy, no influences of
the address of a mortal to his fellow- earth will touch or hurt us; whilst, on
mortals, the other the approach of united the ladder of faith, and of a Saviour's
minds to the footstool of the eternal mediation, angelic spirits will descend
God, and their invocation to the Most to encanıp round about those that fear
High. The one is the voice of ivstruc- | the Lord. Thus uuited, we shall be
tion, and communication betwixt man defended. Thus established and thus
and man, the other the voice of suppli- employed, firm in attachment to truth,
cation to the Infinite Fulness and Source and frequent in the utterance of de-
of all light and love. Can too much pendence on its Divine Author, " the
importance be attached to it? Can tvo weapon that is formed against us shall
much blessing be expected from it? not prosper, and every tongue that riseth
We are in danger of undervaluing it up in judgment shall be condemned.”
The prominence given to preaching in No evil need be feared. Or, should it
our system, and the time occupied in it, approach, “ when the enemy cometh in
though neither too great, has probably like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall
a tendency to the depreciation of the lift up a standard against him."
Divine ordinance of united prayer, and Next to the cultivation of the spirit
an unconscious indifference to it in our of prayer, at the present time, is the im-
minds. But it was not so from the be- portance of union, forbearance, and bro.
ginning. The first meeting which the therly love among ourselves. Never
apostles and disciples held after the as- were the churches more loudly called
cension of their Lord, was a prayer- upon to remember the “new command-
meeting in that “ upper room" at Jeru- ment” of their Lord than now, and to
salein; and from that time to the pre- put forth all the suitable exercises and
sent, through all the eventful history of manifestations of compliance with it to-
the Church of Christ, meetings for social wards their brethren. With peculiar
and united prayer have been amongst emphasis does that apostolic injunction
the most effective means of her pro sound in our ears, “Let all bitterness,
sperity. The praying church has always and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and
been the prosperous church ; the hour evil speaking, be put away from you,
of prayer the most sacred, the most with all malice: and be ye kind one to
uniting, the most influential, the most another, tender-hearted, forgiving one
profitable. It is that which brings us another, even as God for Christ's sake
nearest to each other, and nearest to hath forgiven you.” The mantle of
God; that which opens the windows of love must now be emplɔyed more fre-
heaven, and brings the blessing down. quently than ever, not to cloak sin, or
Then it is that our feebleness “ takes screen the transgressor, but to cover
hold” of Divine strength; our insuffi- each other's imperfections, and be thrown
ciency of God's all-sufficiency; our empli. over the weakness and infirmities of
ness of his fulness. The Sabbaths, the brethren. There must be a tendency to

a

now.

look more at the Divine than the human; improvements of human nature are to more to what grace has done than to be made therein. And therefore, whilst what of nature remains. “There goes they are in process, and till they be atJohn Bradford," said that eminent Chris- tained, our motto should be that of the tian and martyr, when he saw a crimi- good old Puritans, “ In things necessary, nal passing by, were it not for the unity: in things indifferent, liberty; in grace of God." And how often may we all things, charity." O when shall the appropriate to ourselves, and should ap. bappy day come when this shall be expropriate to others, such a reflection as emplified in every society of belierers ! this! We mourn over the faults of Then shall the world again say, “ See others, and perhaps dwell upon them, how these Christians love!" and apforgetful how many we have in our proving spirits that minister to our salselves, and how much of real religion vation, exclaim, “Behold, how good and there may be even in those whom we how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell are disposed most freely to condemn. | together in unity." The question is not, “ Are they all that Finally, eminent piety in the churches, they should be ?" before we can love as the best preservative from the snares them ; but, “Is there any good thing of Popery, should manifest itself at the found in their heart towards the Lord present time by renewed and increasing God of Israel ?" Has Christ received activity in the Saviour's cause. Never them? Is there any scriptural reason was this more urgently called for than to hope that they “have passed from If ever Christians might slumdeath unto life," and have come over ber at their post, or indulge in the the boundary into the kingdom of God? | peaceful lull of security, it is not in Then must we receive them, love them, times like these, when dangers thicken, pray for them, associate with them, and the storm is gathering, and breakers do all in our power to help them for- are all around. To sleep now, and be ward, as friends and followers of the indifferent to the issue of the pending same Master, of Him who “will not conflict, would be as culpable as the break the bruised reed, nor quench the supineness of the sentinel, who should smoking flax." The fellowship of the slumber when the foe was lurking; or Christian church was never yet perfect; that of the mariner, who should be innor will it be, till the imperfections of dulging when the tempest was bursting time give place to the attainments and from the clouds. Every eye must be glories of eternity. It is an institution wakeful, every heart intent, every hand for discipline, a relation for improve-employed. To devise means of usefulness ment, for the very purpose of correcting for the edification of the body, and for the what is amiss, promoting what is good, furtherance of these glorious purposes and supplying what is wanting. As for which the churches of Christ are by such it should be regarded by all; en- Him constituted and sustained, should tered upon by the young Christian, be the aim and occupation now of every encouraged by the old; each one endea- one that bears the Christian name.. In vouring to promote the other's welfare, such a world as this there is something "until we all come, in the unity of the for all to do-ordinary work for ordinary faith, and of the knowledge of the Son times, and special employment for speof God, unto a perfect man, unto the cial seasons. Much is to be achieved measure of the stature of the fulness of in promoting the stability, the union, Christ.” This should be our aim, both the progress, of all the followers of the for ourselves and our brethren. Progress Lamb; and much more in gathering is the law of the Christian church. The others into the fold of the good Shepnoblest developments and the highest | herd,“ besides those who are already

а

gathered." “ There remaineth much things be put under Him, and till " his
land to be possessed.” The ignorant enemies become his footstool.” He
are to be taught, the careless admon- sways the sceptre of the universe, and
ished, the wandering reclaimed, and superintends the movements of Provi-
the young brought to the paths of peace. dence, with a view to the final result
Aggression must be constantly made on for which He died, and for which the
the empire of darkness and indifference sufferings of Gethsemane were endured.
around; and assaults, well originated | And not till this is realized, and in it
and well sustained, be directed against He beholds the fruit of "the travail of
the citadel of Satan and of selfishness his soul"-not till the “accuser of the
in our world. All will fall short of what brethren is cast down"—not till “ Baby-
duty, obligation, and necessity require ; lon the great” is fallen, and every cor-
and the utmost efforts we can employ rupt and hostile power usurped over
be far disproportioned to the greatness His church is no more—not till the
of the work to be performed. But that heathen be gathered to Him for his in-
work is intrusted to the Church's care, heritance, and “the uttermost parts of
and is to be effected by her instru- the earth for His possession,"— will the
mentality. To carry it forward is the labours of His servants end, or His fol.
design of all the wisdom, love, and grace, lowers be released from watching, toil-
bestowed by the ascended Redeemer on ing, and conflict in His cause. Glo-
his people; nor will He acquit them rious consummation ! Till then, till
from their obligations till they have Rome is conquered by union, truth, and
finished their testimony for Him, and, love, may we all have grace to be faith-
by the work of faith, and labour of love, ful to Him who bought us with His
gained the world to His side. For this blood;“stedfast and unmoveable, always
their time is prolonged, and they are abounding in the work of the Lord.”
not“ taken out of the world." this

M. C.
He lives, and patiently waits, till all

THE OPENING OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

This unique and magnificent Edifice imposing assembly, waiting with breathwas opened by our beloved Queen on less anxiety to hail the approach of their May-day. Nothing could exceed the patriot Queen. The national anthem, grandeur of the spectacle, or the order which has been set apart to the expreswhich pervaded all the arrangements. sion of loyalty to our British Sovereign, As her Majesty proceeded, in state, from was never before sung with equal effect, Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park, she or with more entire cordiality. We perwas greeted with the warmest demon- ceived a glow of inexpressible satisfacstrations of affection by thousands of tion stealing over the countenances, even her loyal and attached subjects; and of foreigners, as they witnessed the un. when she entered the Crystal Palace, at dissembled expression of loyalty and good tended by Prince Albert, the Prince of feeling which marked the reception of Wales, the Princess Royal, her Minis- Queen Victoria, and which, by sympathy, ters of State, and Ladies of the Court, was extended to her illustrious consort, it was delightful, beyond expression, to Prince Albert. Those who witnessed the mark the enthusiasm which spread like scene which took place as her Majesty, an electric shock through the vast and with all her native grace and dignity,

took her seat upon the throne, can never in the line of procession from Buckingforget it, or lose the impression, while ham Palace, there were a few acts of memory holds its seat.

petty disorder; but, upon the whole, it When the national anthem had must be regarded as a striking proof of ceased, and the assembled thousands good arrangement and growing civilizawere hushed into expectant silence, his tion, that so many human beings could Royal Highness Prince Albert drew have been drawn together to one spot, near to the throne, and read, in the on a day of public rejoicing, with so name of the Commissioners, a Report | little to occasion pain or regret. full of information upon all material Now that the Crystal Palace is open points relating to the rise and progress, to the public, and thousands have exthe objects and arrangements, of the amined its interesting contents, we may Exhibition. One fact was very promi. be forgiven for indulging a few reflecnent,—that of 15,000 exhibiters nearly tions on so remarkable a phenomenon. one-half are British. When her Ma.

We never sympathised with those jesty's answer was returned to the Com- who frowned

upon

the undertaking. missioners' Report, the Archbishop of The fears of danger entertained by some Canterbury, by a most fitting arrange- good people appeared to us purely ridiment on such an occasion, offered up a culous. Those who compared it to the prayer peculiarly distinguished by the Tower of Babel, and identified its inappropriateness of its petitions, and the terests with the presumption of the devout simplicity of its spirit. We felt Babel-builders, under the guise of piety, , that it had but one defect, which we are were chargeable with the grossest cautterly at a loss to account for, that it lumny. The enemies of free trade, who contained no supplication for the Queen made it a pretext for assailing all who and the Royal Family.

differed from them, only evinced the At the close of the prayer, the choir, weakness of their cause, or something perhaps the most complete one that worse. And those who clamoured against ever performed on any public occasion, the appropriation of a portion of Hyde sung the Hallelujah Chorus, and the Park, the least valuable to the public, effect produced was overwhelmingly and the least frequented by them, lost sublime.

sight entirely of the fact that an abun. The last act of the imposing ceremony dant compensation was in store for the was performed by the Marquess of Bre people for this temporary subtraction dalbane, who in a distinct voice an from the space allotted for their public nounced that the Queen declared " the walks. They would, we are persuaded, Exhibition open;" when the loud flour- have the Crystal Palace a thousand ish of trumpets proclaimed the fact to times rather than the open ground on the assembled multitude.

which it stands. We were much gratified in observing Looking calmly, then, both as Christhe perfect good humour which per- tians and philanthropists, at the great vaded the assembly after the Queen had Industrial Exhibition, we cannot but retired, and all the barriers had been regard it as a gratifying sign of the taken down. There was, indeed, a little times—as an omen both of progress and jolting, and a few rude people mingled happiness. in the crowd; but the most sanguine 1. It is a step towards international friends of the Exhibition could scarcely good-will. Whatever brings men of differ. have expected so much of order and ent nations into amicable intercourse, for propriety in so vast a concourse of peo- the accomplishment of objects of comple from all parts of the world.

mon interest, must tend to soften the It is said that, in one or two places, asperities of the past, to obliterate pain

ful remembrances, and to render future must tend to elevate and improve the collision less probable. There was no taste and the intellect. We hope that man in the Exhibition, on the day of the Commissioners will give a day, now opening, upon whom foreigners, and and then, for the common people, at 6d. even Frenchmen, looked with greater We have not the slightest apprehension deference and respect, than the Duke of that it would lead to a particle of disWellington, as they stood with the great order. Warrior on the same platform of amity 4. The gathering of the nations may and industrial rivalry.

be overruled for much spiritual good. If 2. It will afford practical demonstra- the Christian church does its duty, in tion of the state of art and manufacture this country, good will be the result. In throughout the world. All that might many private circles, we may hope that be written on this subject could never the influence exerted will be beneficial. so thoroughly impress the minds of the Foreign disciples will find out our people as the sight, with their own eyes, earnest Christians, and will seek their of the actual productions of the com- fellowship; and mutual consultation parative skill and industry of different will lead to the formation of plans for countries. The representatives of all the spiritual good of foreiguers genenations, who may visit the Exhibition, rally. The public lectures and discourses cannot fail to benefit by being able to be delivered, in churches and chapels, to make such a comparison of the real in German, French, and Italian, may progress of human invention; and, from be expected to be overruled for great the vast resources of Eugland, she must spiritual benefit to many. have more than an equal advantage Upon the whole, we expect a blessing with her foreign neighbours.

to come out of the great Exhibition. It 3. It will prove a beneficial and elevat will foster sentiments of international ing source of amusement to the people. friendship; it will give an impulse to They must have recreations of some the energy and enterprise of the nations; kind; and how often do they prove to it will furnish rational and elevating be of the most degrading and demoral- amusement; and in many cases it will ising tendency! But the Crystal Palace be overruled for the advancement of will open to the people a new and vital godliness. valuable source of amusement-one that Let all Christians watch and pray cannot corrupt the heart, and which that they enter not into temptation.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY. DISPOSITION or temper proves a hin. | mystical body. Some there are, of a drance to the exercise of this Christian litigious character, never happy in grace. The Church of Christ, composed agreeing with their brethren, and appaof individuals possessing dispositions rently as much disappointed when they peculiar to each, must necessarily be discover others agreeing with them. exposed to the injurious effect of the Some assume the dictatorship—what quarrelsome, arrogant, or morose; the they assert is to be considered lawexpression of such feelings must ever their purposes and plans only to be be repulsive to the humble, loving adopted and carried into executiondisciple, and produce a coldness of their decision final; and if other araffection, if not engender positive dis- rangements should be considered more cord, between the members of Christ's expedient, they doggedly refuse their