culatively or practically, presents to every honest mind, unmistakeable proofs of its divine origin. Perhaps, however, in the latter of these aspects it stands forth more prominently to public notice and admiration. Many fine theories, ancient and modern, have been introduced to the world, theories which exhibit an apparent harmony and consistency in their several parts, and in which human scrutiny can scarcely discern any considerable imperfections; but alas! when brought to bear upon the practical working of every day life, how miserably do they in most instances fail. The exclamation, cui bono? is instinctively uttered while observing the development of these ingenious theories.

Now the religion of Jesus, in contradistinction to most or all other moral systems, is seen to best advantage when at work. Whatever objections may be urged by the sceptic against the theory of christianity, he can hardly summon up the courage to decry its tendency. On the contrary the most inveterate infidels have openly avowed, that were its system of ethics to be universally acted upon, ours would be a happy world. The christian scheme, or the gospel, evidently possesses a fitness or adaptation to the circumstances and wants of man, an adaptation as manifest and beautiful as that which obtains in the natural world between light and the human eye, air and the human lungs, or food and the human stomach. VOL. 14.-N. S.

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pel proves its fitness and utility and power, in no case are these more impressively presented than in the hour of death. The Saviour does not leave his disciples then; but christian hope casting her radiant and refulgent bow over the tomb, and placing in the hands of her votaries the rod and staff of the Almighty, enables them triumphantly to exclaim "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil."

These reflections in which we have just indulged have been elicited by the decease of a well known and beloved deacon of the General Baptist church Spalding.

Mr. John Butters was born at Tattershall, Lincolnshire, on Feb. 16th, 1773. Of his early life little is known calculated to interest the general reader. It appears from some memoranda inserted by himself in one of his scrap books, that he was sent for two years to a school at Coningsby, conducted by a Mr. W. Rowly, and that the scanty education there received was paid for by the rector of Coningsby, the Rev. Bowers.

When about fifteen years of age he removed to Tydd St. Giles, a village in Cambridgeshire, to reside as servant with Mr. John Smith, grocer and farmer. With Mr. Smith he continued for six years, and then removed to Boston as journeyman to Mr. Thomas Small, draper and grocer. At the expiration of two years he went to Bourne, subsequently he returned

to Boston, and on Feb. 16, 1802, he beame a resident of Spalding, at which place he remained until his death, March 14th, 1851.

As a man of business the career of our departed friend was marked by prosperity, owing no doubt to his activity and energy, blended with transparent integrity. As a townsman he was respected and honoured for nearly half a century, and as a christian he was revered and beloved for his consistency and devoted attachment to the Redeemer and his cause. There were many beautiful traits in his character, on which we would dwel!, were it not for the appearance of adulation. Let, however, the fact speak for itself, that for almost fifty years he exerted a moral influence possessed by very few in the town and neighbourhood in which he resided, and that his death was universally regretted. Perhaps the distinctive and most prominent feature of his character was his christian mildness and meekness of spirit. The writer, though intimately acquainted with him, can with safety say that he never saw him betray the slightest indication of bad passion. It was sometimes exceedingly interesting to observe amidst the ebullition and anger of other spirits, how tranquil and unruffled was his. Like the stately and firm-rooted cedar of Lebanon, he appeared almost unmoved by the howling winds and impetuous hurricanes of life. Feeling never appeared to usurp the mastery over judgment, and hence the great secret of this moral power in the domestic circle, at meetings for discussion, or in the assemblies of the church. delightful to behold his placid countenance-a true index of the mildness of his disposition. He has gone we trust and believe, to that world where indeed he is not needed as the allayer of disturbances, but in which he is no doubt engaged in a still higher and happier employment.

It was

Though considerably advanced in years he manifested but few symp

toms of senile debility or infirmity until the cccurrence of an event on Aug. 15, 1850, which probably was more cutting and afflicting to his heart than any which he had experienced before.

We refer to the death

of a beloved wife, with whom he had lived in bonds of the closest affection for upwards of forty-eight years. From this bereavement his spirits never appeared to rally, and little doubt can exist that by it his own decease was hastened. Most affecting was it to witness his frequent intense grief, and habitual depression of spirits, and the more so from his previous cheerfulness. It soon became quite evident that his own health was suffering most severely. Infirmities seemed to rush upon him all at once, and very speedily was he confined to his house. Most assiduous and anxious were his medical men, but to little purpose. The worm of sorrow was gnawing at the root, and this in conjunction with disease soon laid the victim low.

During the former part of our departed brother's affliction his mind was in considerable doubt with regard to his spiritual interests, probably arising, at least in part, from the shattered state of his nerves. This fact having come to the knowledge of the church, a special prayer-meeting was appointed. Fervent and melting intercessions were presented at the throne of grace that the clouds might be dispelled, and that he might possess that assurance of adoption which the gospel warrants. We have reason to believe that these prayers were answered, for subsequently, the darkness and doubts were dissipated, Christ was felt to be 'very precious," and the last valley of the christian pilgrim was trod in peace and hope.

Our deceased friend has left behind four daughters, all of whom we have every reason to believe are following the footsteps of their glorified parents. May they be faithful unto death, and ultimately meet as an undivided family saved of the Lord. D. N.

been given, which is, that David composed and left it with Solomon to be sung at the dedication of the temple which he himself was not permitted to erect or see. The reference, if that were so, would be to the transference of the ark from the curtained tabernacle to the Holy of Holies, or inmost shrine prepared by the munificence of Solomon. The crisis then, would be, that point of time immediately before" the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, into the oracle of the house, under the wings of the cherubim ;" and august beyond comparison, yea, almost beyond conception must have been that scene, when with all the majesty and pomp that Solomon the Superb could impart, and the congregation of assembled Israel contribute, the King of Heaven who " dwelleth not in temples made with hands" was introduced, as it were, to that house which he had promised to make his peculiar residence-hallowed by the piety which reared it, and by the cherubic presence and shekinah glory that should dwell therein.

May a consideration of the original design and use of this inspired production put us into a frame of mind fitting us for a serious and profitable meditation on the passage before us,

First,-As proclaiming the prerogatives and triumphs of the Redeemer. Secondly,-As contrasting his presentation with spectacles of earthly grandeur. And Thirdly,-As appealing to each human heart for a welcome admission to the Saviour.

I. We shall regard it as proclaiming the Redeemer's prerogatives and triumphs.

Our ideas of the Divine dealings with mankind, and of the character of the christian religion, will be very incomplete and unjust, unless we lay it down as a first principle that the world has never seen or known anything of God out of, i. e. separate from, Christ Jesus; that in all periods and under every form of his revelation of him

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self, the Deity has been beheld and felt, so far as he ever has been, through the eternal Word. Not, understand me, through "the Man, Christ Jesus," for God was manifest in the flesh less than 2000 years ago; but through that Divine Essence or Subsistence which did, in "the fulness of time," tabernacle among the sons of men. Once get hold of this fact, and much that is otherwise obscure will be clear as cloudless day for we then understand how Moses "esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt."-How the Angel of Jehovah was the guide and governor of Israel, the Israel that "tempted Christ in the desert," and how it was of him that Moses and the prophets were said to have written ; how, in a word, he not only is Omega the Ending, but Alpha the Beginning, in whom, and by whom, and to whom have been, and are, and will be, all things in heaven and in earth. Thus enlightened we shall read the Old Testament with other eyes: we shall perceive the unity of our faith, in object as well as quality, with that of prophets and psalmists, and righteous men of old; and every epithet of bonour and renown which is applied in the First Testament to God will be viewed as a jewel set in the diadem of Him whom the Second Testament crowns with glory and praise.

Christ then is the king here eulogized: they are his prerogatives and triumphs that are celebrated in such lofty style.

He is the King of Glory, the possessor of whatever is glorious in such a transcendent degree as to be the King of glory: others are its subjects,

-he is its Lord. And wherever there is glory we are not to think of it irrespective of him. Whatever is excellent and noble,-whatever in mind or matter lawfully fascinates and enraptures us, is his,-owns him as Monarch and as Sire. Do the heavens above team with sparkling sun-stars and effulgent constellations? They