far these and other circumstances may prevent the full development of Christian principles, even in those who are nevertheless "alive unto God." "Wood, hay, stubble," things which will not abide the fiery trial of a day of temptation, of the hour of death, or the day of judgment, may yet be built upon the "sure foundation." There are many persons who may think themselves aggrieved by uncharitable suspicions, whom we are prepared to regard with far different feelings than they imagine; though our favourable opinion may possibly refer to other principles than those which regulate their estimate of themselves. Various are the characters from whom we are compel led to withhold our full concurrence, whom nevertheless, we would gladly congratulate as "not far from the kingdom of God." Some are not yet sufficiently strong in faith to confess the extent of their convictions-the fear of man keeps them back; like Nicodemus, they will "come to Jesus by night;" and like him too, may, in the progress of ingenuous inquiry, hear some truths which at first they may feel inclined to reject as strange and unaccountable. Others, of a more liberal spirit, are withheld by prejudice; they have taken up certain notions on the subject of religion, without examining the foundation on which they rest,and the Gospel meets with an unwilling reception, because it militates against their preconceived opinions. Such was Nathaniel"Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" -But they are "Israelites indeed in whom there is no guile :"-point out the Saviour to them as exhibited in the Gospel; say, as was said to Nathaniel, "Come and see:"-remove the prejudice, and you gain the man. The history of the Ethiopian nobleman will make us acquainted with another class of sincere inquirers; they have had scanty means of information-have been living out of the reach of privileges; the Bible is in their hands; but if you inquire," Understand ye what you read?" they will answer with him, "How can we, except some man should guide us?" Let but some other Philip join himself unto them; take that same Scripture and "preach unto them Jesus," and they will believe. Apollos may furnish the portrait of a further class. They are "eloquent men and mighty in the Scriptures;" "fervent in spirit," and anxious to do good to the extent of their knowledge and ability; they "teach and speak diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John;" i. e. proclaim the necessity of" repentance and fruits meet for repentance," while their views remain clouded and their ideas indefinite respecting the character and offices of "the Great High Priest of our profession;" they require some Aquila and Priscilla to explain to them the way of God more perfectly." Many other characters mentioned in Scripture might be referred to in illustration of the subject, and exhibit the efforts of an honest mind struggling under every disadvantage arising from early prejudices and partial knowledge. To trace the origin of such an honesty of intention, would lead us into a far different train of inquiry: it will be sufficient for our present purpose to observe, that or later to issue in the removal of the enlargement of spiritual unde and the establishment of faith. We now hasten to conclude, trus enough has been said to vindicate from the charge of passing an indis sentence of condemnation on all pe fall short of our own particular stan to prove that while we cannot rece single position, connected with the of genuine piety which we have hithe tained, or shut our eyes to the gener the world, called Christian; we are making a distinction between the ill judgment and somewhat inconsisten of the sincere inquirer, and the care ference of the worldling and the whit formality of the Pharisee. Translated from an Italian Epigran ing a representation of Christ bo pillar, to be scourged. Di marmo é la colona Di marmo son gli empi. MARBLE the pillar; marble they Who senseless stood around; Marble the Lord, who there for me With cruel cords was bound. The pillar was by nature hard; Sin turn'd the Jews to stone; 'Twas love that harden'd thee, blest To constancy unknown. If I, for whom the scourge be felt, Ryland's Pastoral Memorial From the New Baptist Miscellan THE ANGELIC WORLD. THE infinitely wise and gracious Cri seen fit to endow man with powers which impel him to inquire into circu that transpire in the world in whic placed; the materials of which that composed; and the various orders a by whom it is inhabited. The innume quiries we may be disposed to make jects of this kind do honour to our nat when they are conducted with hum deference to the Divine will, eminer to the revelation and extension of his But, formed as man is, with a soul takes of the nature of Deity, which allied for a season to this earthly hou tabernacle, and that is destined to sur globe itself, it can be no wonder that i rise above the present scenes, to pry future world, to possess the know higher orders of intelligences, and indness to our wants, and to encourage our nquiries, the Supreme Being has been pleased o afford us a revelation which imparts as much nstruction as the most comprehensive and owerful mind can grasp in the present state; iving us intimations at the same time that a nore full disclosure of his nature, his residence, nd the blessings he imparts, will be made in he world to come. dispensed by their ministry, Acts vii. 38, 53, Gal. iii. 19, Heb. ii. 2; the instruction they imparted to the ancient prophets, and through them to us, Isa. vi. 9, Dan. viii. 16, Rev. v. 2; Jesus Christ being the centre of their affections as well as of ours, Eph. i. 10; they study the great subject of Redemption with the most intense interest, 1 Pet. i. 12; in various ways they acquire wisdom from the humble followers of Jesus, Eph. iii. 10; and are engaged in conducting Christians to eternal glory and happiness, Luke xvi. 22. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot but feel a very lively pleasure in con his progress from the cradle to the cross, we are very frequently introduced to their company. They foretold his birth, Luke i. 26, and with holy ecstasy announced his entrance into our world, Luke ii. 11; they ministered to his necessities in the wilderness, Matt. iv. 11, and strengthened him in the garden of Gethsemane, Luke xxiii. 42; they rolled the stone from his sepulchre, Matt. xxviii. 2, and testified the important fact of his resurrection, Luke xxiv. 6; they conducted the triumphant Redeemer to his throne of glory, Psalm xxiv., lxviii. 16-18, and then subjected themselves entirely to his government. Surely then the devoted Christian must love to study the character of those by whom his Lord was so often seen, 1 Tim. iii. 16, and so faithfully served. The contemplation of being must, to a mind ossessing the smallest degree of cultivation, be ighly pleasing. In this view the worm that rawls on the earth is an interesting study. Its orm, its pursuits, and the objects answered by s creation, are all regulated by infinite wis-sidering the employment of angels. In tracing om. We rise in the scale of existence, and onsider man the lord of the creation, and here ur faculties are expanded, and our admiration of the divine wisdom and goodness is called orth; and whether we think of his body or his pirit, we must adore his Maker. The mysteious union of his soul with matter, the daring mpiety with which he can rebel against God, he adaptation of the provision made for his resent felicity, and the prospect, if he posesses the gift of faith, and the feelings of penience, of his future happiness, are alike adapted o fill us with astonishment at the wisdom and power which first formed him, and the infinite goodness which thus provides for his welfare. But perhaps there are few subjects more dapted to enlarge our minds, to raise us above he present scene, and to call forth our highest admiration, than the study of the angelic world. The contemplation of Jehovah overwhelms us with its grandeur, and we feel ourselves as worms, essaying to study a subject that in every point of view is infinitely beyond us. But angels, while they are higher in the rank of being than ourselves, are yet creatures; they are the productions of the same hand, and are engaged in the service of the same being as renewed mortals. They were called into existence at, probably about the same time as man, they are devoted to his welfare, are engaged in similar studies, and are desirous of promoting the glory of the same Almighty Being whose honour should be the great object of our lives. Nor are these the only reasons why we should study their character. They possess the holiness (1 Sam. xxix. 9, Luke ix. 26,) of nature, which belonged also originally to man, and to obtain which it is now his duty and privilege to aspire; they occupy those thrones of dignity Neither will it lessen the interest of this suband bliss which we have forfeited by sin, but ject to the Christian, if he reflects that angels which we should seek to regain by faith in the even now take a pleasure in his personal hapgreat Redeemer of lost man; they are the pos-piness, Matt. xviii. 10; that they delight to sessors of the knowledge we should earnestly covet, 2 Sam. xiv. 20, Matt. xxiv. 36, and worship the ETERNAL with those devout feelings we should aim to enjoy, Isa. vi. 1, 2, Rev. vii. 11; they felt the most intense joy in the creation of our earth, Job xxxviii. 4, 7; rejoice over the conversion of sinners, Luke xv. 10; and Nor is it a matter destitute of pleasing instruction to the follower of Christ, that his Lord, under the former dispensation, frequently bore the similitude of an angel in his visits to this lower world. The first appearance of an angel to deliver from sorrow, was an interposition of Christ to save Hagar from death, and direct her in the path of duty, Gen. xvi. 10-13. It was he who prevented the sacrifice of Isaac, Gen. xxii.; who went before Israel in the wilderness;* who reproved Balaam for his disobedience, Num. xxii. 32. It was he who appeared to encourage Jacob in a season of perplexity, Gen. xxxi. 11, 13; who commissioned Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, Exod. iii. 2, 14, 15; that promised to Manoah a deliverer to save Israel from the Philistines, Judg. xiii. 17, 18, 22; that ever supported and blessed his ancient people, Isa. lxiii. 8, 9; and who has ever governed the angelic world, Zech. i. 8-11. minister to his necessities, Heb. i. 14; that they are to be his future companions in the heavenly state, Heb. xii. 22; and that with eager delight they will listen to his future disclosures of "the manifold wisdom of God," as displayed in redemption, Eph. iii. 10. Let it then be our privilege frequently to think of ently to ourselves), deeply interested in it; and with whom we hope to spend our eternity in praising the Triune Jehovah. In presenting a few farther remarks on this subject, we shall adhere closely to the Bible. All the heathen mythology, however amusing, is only the creation of the imagination; but on the sacred volume we can place a full and firm reliance. To this standard we appeal, and let our remarks stand or fall by its decision. It might be interesting and profitable to include in our essay some remarks on the conduct and condition of those fallen beings who once manifested holy dispositions, and were honoured with seats in the heavenly world; but who now groan under the heavy weight of divine wrath in the regions of eternal despair, 2 Pet. ii. 4. That there are such beings the scriptures abundantly teach, Matt. xii. 24-27, Mark v. 9, Jude 6; and if we are not told enough respecting them to gratify our curiosity, we know sufficient to warn us against their crimes, and to show us the dangers attendant on listening to their suggestions. The sins for which they were expelled from their former happiness appear to have been opposition to the truth, John viii. 44, and an awful display of pride, 1 Tim. iii. 6. The limits, however, necessarily assigned to this article, will only allow us to request the reader carefully to examine this awfully instructive subject at his leisure. It is not our object to bring forward the whole statements of Scripture in reference to angels. The term is sometimes applied to the Lord Jesus, for he is called the messenger or angel of the covenant, Mal. iii. 1, and the angel of the Lord's presence, Isa. lxiii. 9; the term was applied to prophets, Mal. iii. 1; in the Apocalypse we read of the angels of the churches, a term by which their pastors were designated, to represent their purity, their communion with God, and the readiness with which they should obey his will and advance his glory; and even the instruments which the Governor of the world has sometimes seen fit to inflict punishment on his creatures, are called by this name, Rev. xv. 8, xvi. 1. In this sense the term is only to be understood in its literal sense of messenger. Our attention will be confined to those holy beings who dwell in the presence of God, and who occasionally, at least, pay visits to this lower world. sess the highest dignity, Ps. xcvii. 7, 13, Heb. i. 6, and are therefore superion Ps. viii. 5. Flavel ingeniously obser "an angel is a perfect soul," and mar from the inspired volume might be ad confirm his statement, Luke xxiv. Heb. i. 7, 1 Cor. xv. 50. Such is the all the holy angels; whether there be distinct orders or authorities amon which has been the opinion of many v nent men, is not a subject into which now inquire, farther than to say that S seems to intimate something like it, 10, Col. i. 16, and that such a supp analogous to the divine works in gene Before we proceed to remark on the employment of angels, in which, as Ci we are so deeply interested, it may n proper to make a few farther remarks of the attributes of their character at v have not yet glanced. They are rep to be the possessors of great streng strong angel," and "a mighty ang terms which have often struck our the course of Biblical reading. Da upon angels to praise Jehovah, as th excel in strength, Ps. ciii. 20; and w speaks to the Thessalonians of the se pearance of Christ, he tells "he sha vealed from heaven with his mighty 2 Thess. i. 7: and the events they hav plished are conformable to these des of them. A single angel destroyed in seventy thousand of the Israelites. xxiv. 15, 16; one angel in a single nig an hundred and eighty-five thousand the army of Sennacherib, 2 Kings and a single angel removed from the the Messiah the ponderous stone which its entrance, Matt. xxviii. 2. These ings know no decay. Hence they a by the strikingly appropriate name ing ones," Ezek. i. passim, and "t doctrine is also exemplified in the an appeared to Mary in the tomb of our Mark xvi. 15. These illustrious pers then, at the least, four thousand y Still they appeared as young men, a that long succession of ages had unde decay. Their youth, a bright and blossom, still shone with all its lustre grance; and directly indicated that i perior both to accident and time; an after many such flights of years, surv its vigour; being destined, as well as immortality. Even this is probably a fect representation of this glorious The youth of angels, is, like their ot Some have imagined that the persons whom we denominate angels are only the disembodied spirits of just men; but in reply to this we may not only say that angels commemorated the praise of God in the creation of the world as soon as man was called into existence, and be-butes, formed to refine, improve, and fore death had removed a human being from the world, but the scriptures seem to intimate the time of their creation, Gen. ii. 1, Exod. xx. 11. But little stress is laid on this by the sacred writers; as the fact of their existence, and the character they bear, is of far more importance to us than when they began to live. In reference to the nature of the beings of whom we speak, we are led to understand that they are incorporeal and immaterial. To represent their spiritual nature, and the intimacy of communion with Jehovah, they are called for ever.' 17% Nor is their activity less remarka their strength. David, and after hi compare their energy and quickness and fire, Ps. civ. 4, Heb. i. 7. They quently represented as having "many denoting the rapidity of their moti we have a very instructive represen the truth of this fact in the appearanc briel to Daniel, conveying to him th ledge of his prayers being accepted hrone of grace, Dan. ix. 20-23. remarkable story," says the divine already quoted, we learn, that some time in the day, Daniel set himself to seek the Lord in fasting and prayer;' that after his prayer was begun, the commandment was given to Gabriel to explain to him the vision and the prophecy. We are told that Gabriel came to him while he was speaking; that this was his evening prayer; and that during the time in which he was emloved in uttering his prayer, Gabriel came rom the supreme heaven to this world This s a rapidity exceeding all comprehension of he most active imagination: surpassing, beyond all comparison, the amazing swiftness of ight. Light, we know, is several years in coming from such fixed stars as are visible to he eve of man. But there is the best reason o believe, that the heaven of heavens is at a much greater distance than those stars; so as, not improbably, to be a heaven to them, as the starry firmament is to us." "From this the control and direction of the hosts of heaven. But this is more fully the case under the gospel economy. The kingdom which Christ has established in the world is, in every sense, the kingdom of heaven. One part of the joy set before Jesus as our Mediator was, that he should be set at the right hand of God, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and that all things should be put under his feet, Eph. i. 21, 22; that he should be highly exalted, and have a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, as well as things in and under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father, Eph. i. 9-11. Angels are called on by Jehovah to render homage to their rightful governor, Heb. i. 6. and when John was favoured with a sight of the heavenly world he heard many angels, even ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing, Rev. v. 11, 12. The knowledge possessed by the angelic orlers, is far superior to that which the most inelligent of human beings can possess. This would appear both from the superior excellence of their nature, and from the long period during vhich they have resided in the worlds of light, and in presence of him who is possessed of ininite wisdom. When the widow of Tekoah yould compliment David on his discernment, he spoke of him as one "wise according to he wisdom of an angel of God, knowing all hings in the earth," 2 Sam. xiv. 20. John, in he Apocalypse, describes them as "full of yes," Rev. iv. 6, 8, intimating their opportuities of acquiring, and their readiness to reeive knowledge; and the Saviour himself very lainly intimates to us that the angels have a nore full acquaintance with the designs of Jeovah than the most elevated of mortals, Matt. xiv. 36. The obedience of angels is spoken of y the Psalmist, Ps. ciii. 20, 21, and is proved o us in the various missions they have cheerully undertaken for the benefit of the church, while all their intercourse with man has proved he condescension which attaches to their chaacter: their humility is evident from their coering their faces in the presence of God, Isa. i. 2, and their meekness is seen in not bringng railing accusations against the greatest nemies of their sovereign, 2 Pet. ii. 11, and eproving with mildness even the traitor gainst heaven itself, Jude 9. When the believing Hebrews were backvard to renounce an economy of religion which had been introduced into the world by he means of angels, the apostle Paul wrote ssuring them of the superior glory of the gosel, and taught a doctrine which till that time oes not appear to have been fully revealedhat all the angels of God, under the direction f Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, are Let us open the sacred pages of infallible truth, to inquire in what ways the angels of God minister to the happiness of his people. And drawing information from this source, we see them Giving INSTRUCTION to saints in succeeding ages, unfolding the divine will, and guiding in the path of duty. Time would fail us to bring to view the innumerable occasions on which they appeared to Abraham, Gen. xviii. to Lot, Gen. xix, and to Jacob, Gen. xxxi. pointing out to them the dangers to which they were exposed, and showing them ways to escape. We might tell of the communications made by them to Elijah, 1 Kings xix, 5; to David, 1 Chron. xxi. to Zacharias, Luke i, 11, &c. to Joseph the reputed father of the Messiah, Matt. ii. 13; and to Peter in reference to visiting Cornelius, Act, x. and of the value of the tidings they bore on these several occasions: but our only object is to draw the attention of our readers to the subject, that they may pursue it farther when leisure and inclination inay allow. And will it be pretended that the agency of angels is never employed on the behalf of the saints now? May they not in some way in harmony with our free agency direct our thought; nay, may they not guard the freedom of our minds against the designs of our enemies. May not such dreams, which have proved predictions, or which have led to conversions (and the most calm and philosophical mind must admit there are such), have been suggested by them? "The age of miracles," says a good The angels of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.' Psa. xxxiv, 7. These glorious creatures do not disdain to minister to man, who was made a little lower than they. His nature, united to the Son of God, reigns above all principalities and powers, on the throne of the universe; and every believer can call the Lord of angels his friend and brother. Perhaps, those remarkable events, which sometimes occur in the history of the saints, and for which it is difficult to assign any satisfactory cause; those wonderful escapes, those inexplicable impressions on the mind, those unexpected revolutions in their favour, the sudden and unlooked for patronage of the wicked, the unaccountable failure of the designs of their enemies, the surprising accomplishment of their hopes, when all the ordinary means had been tried in vain, and every appearance seemed to justify despair,may be referred to the secret operations of their powerful and vigilant guardians."* It is refreshing to peruse the oracles of God, and see the consolation administered to many who have been exercised with trials by means of these happy spirits. What heart does not glow with delight when he hears an angel say to the poor slave expelled from the house of Abraham, "What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not. for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is?" Gen. xxi. 17. Who does not sympathize with the apostle Paul amidst the dangers of his voyage to Rome, and rejoice when he hears him tell them an angel of God had appeared to him to dissipate his fears, and to assure him of the safety of the whole crew? Acts xxvii. And who is not consoled amidst his sorrows when he reflects on the interesting communications made from time to time by angels to the holy John, when driven as an exile to the isle of Patmos? And in how many instances have we seen the angels of God employed in the preservaction of his people in the midst of the greatest dangers. When an army of his enemies pursued the prophet Elisha, and excited the liveliest fears of his servant, the holy man prayed, and his attendant was favoured with the sight of horses and chariots of fire, attended by angels to guard them from danger, 2 Kings vi. 17, 18. Daniel in the lion's den, was preserved from destruction by the interposition of an angel, Dan. vi. 22. When the same holy man was sinking under the influence of fear in consequence of a vision which he saw, he was preserved from death by an angel, Dan. x. When the incarnate Messiah was in danger from the cruelty of Herod, Joseph was directed to convey him for preservation to Egypt by an angel, Matt. ii. 13; and Jesus himself taught the interest angels take in our welfare, Matt. xviii. 10. "We may warrantably think that they are employed in restraining, overruling and controlling the designs of Satan and his angels. The power, malice, and subtlety of our enemy are very great We may learn what he would do to us all, if he could, from the instance of Job. Dat the I and sah.... him and that m are said to encamp around his people t them; and doubtless their care is e employed where the greatest danger "The ministry of angels preserves innumerable dangers and alarms wh us in our daily path. This is express in Psa. xci. When we receive litt harm from a fall, or when a sudden our minds leads us to avoid a danger were not aware of, perhaps the ange have been the means of our preservat it may be owing to their good office ever perform a journey in safety, o served from the evils we are liable sleeping upon our beds, and incapable any care of ourselves."* In addition to the instances to whic already referred where the care of a exercised over the people of God, mention a vast number of others. T ances effected for Israel from the land and while in the wilderness, are a their agency, Numb. xx. 16; of L family when the cities of the plain stroyed, Gen. xix. and on the behalf when confined in prison, expecting few hours to be deprived of his life In these, and innumerable other inst promise of God has been fulfilledgive his angels charge over thee to in all thy ways," Psa. xci. 11. If it were judged desirable, we m enumerate a long catalogue of instan in angels have appeared in our world the enemies of God and his people. only remind the reader of their inst ty in the destruction of Sodom, Ge the army of Sennacherib, 2 Kings the impious and haughty Herod, Ac and in the infliction of the seven la as foretold in the Apocalypse, Rev. Nor is it unworthy of notice that of God are 'represented to us, in t volume, as being the spectators of of Christians, and especially of the This thought is eminently adapted and to purify our service before speaks of himself as being a spect gels, 1 Cor. iv. 9; and urges the the angels in their worshipping ass an argument for the regard of the to good order, 1 Cor. xi. 10. To i solemnity of the charge he found to give to Timothy, he reminds being given "before the elect ange v. 21; and in unfolding to the bel brews the privileges they enjoyed reign of Christ, he tells them they to an innumerable company of ang xii. 22. Happy are those worship feelings and conduct resemble the holy spectators! In these different ways do the ce sengers of God act, and thus does try tend to prepare us for that hap which they wait to convey us T Elijah to the mansions of bliss, 21 they carried the disembodied spirit |