We believe of this holy Church,' that it is Catholic. The word, 'Catholic,' simply means universal. The Church from the time of Moses to Christ embraced within its arms but one nation, and therefore was particular: from the time of Christ it was to embrace all nations, snd thus was to be universal or Catholic. Thus the disciples were to go forth proclaiming the gospel to every creature; with this promise to strengthen them, that "whosoever believeth and is baptized should be saved." Thus then a Catholic Church was formed out of all nations of the earth, including all those who, believing the message of the gospel, are received by baptism within its fold, and walk in its ordinances blameless. The importance and value of this common confes. sion of our faith may appear in this-that this 'holy Catholic Church' on earth, is the only one that leads to the holy Catholic Church in heaven. We read that "the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved:" hence it will follow, that those whom the Lord does not add to the Church are not among those that shall be saved. What was then daily done, hath been done and is doing from that time to this, and will be to the end, till the whole number of God's elect shall be thus accomplished. As none were saved from the deluge but such as were within the ark of Noah-as none of the first-born in the land of Egypt lived save such as were within those houses which were sprinkled by the blood of God's appointment-so none shall escape the eternal deluge of God's wrath but those who are saved according to God's appointment, housed in that church of God. Hence "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ;" and in a comparison with Noah's ark, "the like figure whereunto baptism doth now save us:" and why? Because by it we are brought into the blessed inclosure of the holy Catholic Church. This will lead to the question, Am I then within that blessed fold one of that congregation of faithful men? Again, the importance and value of our faith in it as a 'holy Church.' As nothing that defileth can enter into the holy Church triumphant above, so none that is unholy and unclean has any real membership of the congregation of this Church below. Whom the Lord of the Church adds he qualifies for its membership, by making them a holy people-saints; he releases them from their sins through his blood, sanctifies them with the Holy Ghost, that he may fit them for the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life; or to use the language of our Church, They be the called according to God's purpose.' See Art. 17. Thus, mark a difference between the Lord's adding, which is powerful, inward, and effectual, producing real holiness in heart and life; and man's adding, which is but weak, outward, and professional, and as such incapable of producing either the one or the other. THE LAST DAY. To every thing beneath the sun there comes a last day-and of all futurity this is the only portion of time that can, in all cases, be infallibly predicted. Let the sanguine, then, take warning, and the disheartened take courage; for to every joy and every to every hope and every fear, there will come day; and man ought so to live by foresight, t, while he learns in every state to be content, he all in each be prepared for another, whatever that other may be. When we set an acorn, we expect that it will produce an oak; when we plant a vine we calculate upon gathering grapes: but when we lay a plan for years to come, we may wish, and we can do no more, except pray, that it may be accomplished, for we know not what even the morrow may bring forth. All that we do know beforehand of any thing is, that to every thing beneath the sun there comes a last day, ...... prompting to immediate and unsparing self-examination. From this there is nothing to fear; from the neglect of it every thing; for however alarming the discoveries of evil unsuspected, or perils unknown may be, such discoveries had better be made now, while escape is before us, than in that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, and escape will be impossible-that day, which of all others is most emphatically called "The Last Day.” -J. Montgomery. CHRISTIAN MEDITATIONS. God has closely connected the means with the end as he has also the precept with the promise; but still a certain state of heart is needed, to attain the blessing. The understanding may be well furnished with Gospel truth, and yet the heart remain destitute of Gospel grace. We ought, and it is our privilege, and saved;" and in a comparison with Noah's ark, "the like figure whereunto baptism doth now save us:" and why? Because by it we are brought into the blessed inclosure of the holy Catholic Church. This will lead to the question, Am I then within that blessed fold? one of that congregation of faithful men ? Again, the importance and value of our faith in it as a 'holy Church.' As nothing that defileth can enter into the holy Church triumphant above, so none that is unholy and unclean has any real membership of the congregation of this Church below. Whom the Lord of the Church adds he qualifies for its membership, by making them a holy people-saints; he releases them from their sins through his blood, sanctifies them with the Holy Ghost, that he may fit them for the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life; or to use the language of our Church, They be the called according to God's purpose.' See Art. 17. Thus, mark a difference between the Lord's adding, which is powerful, inward, and effectual, producing real holiness in heart and life; and man's adding, which is but weak, outward, and professional, and as such incapable of producing either the one or the other. THE LAST DAY. To every thing beneath the sun there comes a last day-and of all futurity this is the only portion of time that can, in all cases, be infallibly predicted. Let the sanguine, then, take warning, and the disheartened take courage; for to every joy and every sorrow, to every hope and every fear, there will come a last day; and man ought so to live by foresight, that, while he learns in every state to be content, he shall in each be prepared for another, whatever that other may be. When we set an acorn, we expect that it will produce an oak; when we plant a vine we calculate upon gathering grapes: but when we lay a plan for years to come, we may wish, and we can do no more, except pray, that it may be accomplished, for we know not what even the morrow may bring forth. All that we do know beforehand of any thing is, that to every thing beneath the sun there comes a last day, ...... prompting to immediate and unsparing self-examination. From this there is nothing to fear; from the neglect of it every thing; for however alarming the discoveries of evil unsuspected, or perils unknown may be, such discoveries had better be made now, while escape is before us, than in that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed, and escape will be impossible-that day, which of all others is most emphatically called "The Last Day.” -J. Montgomery. CHRISTIAN MEDITATIONS. God has closely connected the means with the end as he has also the precept with the promise; but still a certain state of heart is needed, to attain the blessing. The understanding may be well furnished with Gospel truth, and yet the heart remain destitute of Gospel grace. We ought, and it is our privilege, and |