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um day, declares" they shall no more teach any man his neighbour, but all shall know Him!" And thus the Church of God is to be built up by teaching the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of His will-by his divine oracles. In the second of Isaiah it is expressly said—" Out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem;" thus pointing out the establishment of the Gospel Church. So it is still the language of the friends of God. "O House of Jacob, come yelet us walk in the light of the Lord." And Paul, in alluding to apostolic teaching, says, "The great salvation which at first was begun to be spoken by the Lord himself, and was confirmed unto us, by them who heard Him." This apostle referring to the building up of the Church, says, " for which purpose I am sent, and so I teach in the Churches; and so I send my beloved Timothy to bring to your remembrance my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach." And to the Hebrews he reprovingly speaks of their neglect of his great doctrines and holy precepts, thus: "When for the time ye ought to teach, have you need that one teach you, which be the first principles of the oracles of God."

Let us notice also his parting address to the Ephesian elders, who had come to him at Miletus. He there declares how the Church had been built up through his instrumentality. He says, "serving the Lord with all humility, I taught from house to house ;" and the matter of his teaching was, "repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ;" which things he says, "I have received that I might testify the Gospel of the grace of God, not having shunned to declare the whole counsel of God; therefore after my example teach the Church, taking heed to yourselves, and all the flock of God over which ye are overseers, to feed the Church," (as is spiritually understood) with the word of God, the bread of eternal life—so that they may "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." That the divine blessing follows these means of instruction is evident from the declaration of Isaiah"I am the Lord thy Redeemer, the Holy one of Israel, that teacheth thee to profit-which teacheth thee the way thou shouldst go." So Nicodemus says to Jesus,

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thou art a teacher sent from God;" and the certainty of the Lord thus perpetuating His Church by the same means, viz. the instructions of His word. He thus speak by Isaiah," the Lord will not remove thy teachers-thine eye shall see them -and thine ear shall hear a voice behind thee saying, this is the way, walk in it." Accordingly we hear Jesus declare, I am the way, and the truth, and the life and after him his tle asserts, "" we teach Christ Jesus, and Him crucified;" and so the Lord, as the Psalmist says, "has uttered a mighty voice, and great are the multitude to declare his truth ;" and in the like prophetic terms speaks Daniel, "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." The development of the Divine economy of mercy seems to have brought us to the period alluded to-a day when the knowledge of the true God, and his Son our Saviour, is abundantly increased; the day of Missions, of Bibles, and of Sabbath Schools; thus shall the Gospel be spread, and the glorious Church of God be built up. To bear the humblest part in this Heavenly work, ought to arouse the energies of our souls to give our hearts and our strength to the holy labour; so that having borne a part in building up the walls of the spiritual Zion on the foundation of Christ Jesus, ours shall be also the happy portion of bringing "the top stone, with shoutings of grace be to it."

The day of the Son of Man will reveal what part in the good and perfect work has been borne by the divine institution of Sunday Schools,-with the foregoing evidences, that the instructions of the Bible are to establish the kingdom of God. We present our readers the following reflections, on Ephesians, 2d chapter, giving so animated a description of the glorious temple of God, builded" of lively stones,"--that it should warm the desires of every pious christian heart to bear a part, however humble, in preparing this heavenly habitation for the spirit of God.

CHURCH OF GOD.

The Church of God is very properly said to be a most noble and wonderful work, and truly worthy of God himself.

There is nothing so august as this church, seeing it is the temple of God!

Nothing so worthy of reverence, seeing God dwells in it. Nothing so ancient, seeing the patriarchs and prophets laboured in building it.

Nothing so solid, since Jesus Christ is the foundation of it. Nothing more closely united and indivisible, since he is the

corner stone.

Nothing so lofty, since it reaches so high as heaven, and to the bosom of God himself.

Nothing so regular, and well-proportioned, since the Holy Ghost is the architect.

Nothing more beautiful, or adorned with greater variety, since it consists of Jews and Gentiles, of every age, country, and sex, and condition, the mightiest potentates, the most renowned lawgivers, the most profound philosophers, the most eminent scholars, besides all those of whom the world was not worthy, have formed a part of this building.

Nothing more spacious, since it is spread over the whole earth, and takes in all who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

Nothing so inviolable, since it is consecrated to Jehovah. Nothing so divine, since it is a living building, animated, and inhabited by the Holy Ghost.

Nothing so beneficent, seeing it gives shelter to the poor, the wretched, and the distressed of every nation, and kindred, and tongue.

It is the place in which God does his marvellous acts; the theatre of his justice, mercy, goodness, and truth.--Where he is to be sought!--where he is to be found, and in which alone he is to be retained.--Vide Dr. Clarke's Notes on Ephesians, chapter 2.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' PRAYER MEETING.

The teachers of the Sunday School to which I am attached, besides the frequent meetings for business, hold a prayer meeting the second Monday of every month, to which all those con

nected with the school are invited. The meetings for business I had regularly attended; but a consciousness of my own. inability to take an active part in the duties of the meeting for prayer, deterred me for some time, although the increased emo. tion I felt, as the notice from month to month was given in the school, convinced me that I was neglecting my duty. In attending meetings for prayer in churches, at which a minister officiates with whom we are but slightly acquainted, although we may exclude all thoughts of the things of this world, and feel a desire to pay our devotions to the great Supreme, yet we never feel that indescribable emotion that takes so firm a hold of the heart, as when we see those with whom we are in habits of intimacy kneeling around us, and hear them imploring the divine mercy to rest upon us. We feel as if for us only the prayer was intended; insensibly are we more and more interested, and at last find ourselves repeating the same prayer, and unconsciously following the words of the speaker. When attending to one whose official duty it is to pray and exhort, we seem apt to listen for the purpose of examining, rather than joining in his feelings. We think more of the manner in which the sentiments are delivered, than of him to whom they were addressed; and we frequently admire the tongue that can utter, much more than the heart that can dictate. The meeting of which I shall attempt to give a faint description, was held at the house of a female teacher, who resided in the upper part of the city. The night was dark and rainy ; the distance, together with the inclemency of the weather, prevented many from attending, particularly of the female school. The Secretary of the school and I were the first two gentlemen there. We found the mother of the young lady, her sister, and two little children, who had been allowed by their grandmother to stay up later than usual, to be present at the prayer meeting of the Sunday School teachers. The mother welcomed us in, and begged us to excuse her two daughters for a few moments, who, with the superintendent of the female school, was in an adjoining room, preparing some businnss for the ensuing Sabbath. We sat down, and as I cast my eyes around the room, it appeared to me as if every object that met

my eye, reminded me of the solemn duty of the evening. The family Bible, with the name of its owner, in gilt letters, on the back, was on the table; and a psalm book with many a leaf turned down, lay beside it. The very dress of the children, so different from the gaudy ribboned ornaments in which they are wont to be dressed when company is expected, attracted my attention by its neatness and simplicity. The manner in which the members approached the house and entered the room, betokened the errand on which they had come. The gentle rap at the street door-the echo of their careful step through the uncarpeted entry-the caution observed in opening and shutting the room door-the feeling manner in which "I hope you are well," was spoken, as they bade good evening-the concern apparent in each countenance, as remark was made; the unfavourable state of the weather will hinder our female friends from attending the thoughtful serenity of their countenances, as they seated themselves in silence, proved that they took a deep interest in the meeting they attended, and were preparing themselves to take an active part in the solemn duties of the evening. The exercises commenced by singing. Let us, said the superintendent, render thanks unto a merciful God, who has kindly permitted us again to assemble together. The hymn was read over audibly, carefully, and a few words added in explanation. The person that generally raised the hymn was absent. Two of the young men were very good singers; yet, although personally called on, neither of them dared to trust their voices amid the stillness that had taken possession of the room, and had already communicated itself, with all its solemnity, to the inmost recesses of their souls. The superin tendent then asked if any of the female teachers would raise the tune; after a moment's hesitation, one of them, at the request of the lady of the house, commenced. I do not pretend to say there was much melody or any scientific beauty in the music; but all that I had conceived of harmony, with simplicity, was here realized. The appearance of the singer as she slowly and meekly raised her eyes, not to those around, but towards Heaven, the sound of her voice trembling more from reverence and awe of the presence of God, than fear of the presence

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