spot; and what will be your surprise when I say that I saw my lovely fair one waiting for my approach; and that, in company with other damsels as lovely as herself, and also with her father's livery servants, all come forth to meet me? My "queen" called me by name; and bidding me enter by the " gate,' ," the porter opened it before me. She now took me by the hand; and while dumb with astonishment, she led me away to a certain part of the palace, and gave me into the care of the steward of the house. This man was venerable with age, and yet his frame was as agile as youth itself; and he most kindly bade me wash and be clean; and also to attire myself from a certain wardrobe.+ This done, as he seemed to be the priest of the family, he anointed me with fresh oil, and led me forth to the altar! And here, still dumb with utter astonishment, I met my bride, in the hand of her father, whose appearance was as august and majestic as that of the "ANCIENT OF DAYS!" Her left hand was in the hand of her "ELDER BROTHER," a man fairer than the children of men! In the train was the mother, the kinswoman, and the sisters of the bride elect. Thus standing, the silence was broken by the venerable sire thus, "MY SON GIVE ME THINE HEART-give me thine hand! My daughter, I give thee, after the tenor of an endless life,' to the object of thy affection. Ye twain are no more twain; but one flesh. Live together in peace. 'My son, live joyfully with the wife of thy youth.' Let her be as the loving hind, and the pleasant roe. Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. Deal not treacherously with the wife of thy youth--the wife of thy covenant, for I hate putting away.' Never, my son, never give her a bill of divorce, lest being grieved at thy conduct, I banish thee from my estate, and shut thee out from my presence. To this, I bowed a most sincere and grateful assent. And then, to my bride he said, "my daughter, let thy husband be known in the "gates," when he sitteth among the

*The ministry.

+ The ordinances of the sanctuary.

66

elders of the land. Let his clothing be strength and honour, and his table be ever spread with a feast of fat things. Let thy mouth be opened for him in wisdom," and let thy tongue utter the "law of kindness." Be thou to him as the fruitful vine; and let thy offspring be as olive plants about his table. See that thou "do him good and not evil all the days of thy life."

This being said, the chaplain opened his mouth in blessing, and said, " go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Blessed is he that blesseth thee; and cursed is he that curseth thee."

The wondrous ceremony being over, my lovely bride led me away to apartments of her own, in which she shewed me riches and wealth unsearchable. The furniture was embossed with silver, and burnished with gold and precious stones ! Altogether it was the most astonishing sight I had ever seen, so that I could scarce believe it all to be but enchantment, or the delusion of a night's dream! So ineffable was my bliss that I was lost in ecstasy. I was bathed in a sea of joy! I looked at my bride, I looked at her dwelling, and then at myself, till I felt that I wanted faith to believe what now was true to sense and reason. For though I tasted, handled, and felt, I wist not that it was true that was done unto me. But, to increase my love, joy, and surprise, (for she evidently delighted in making me happy) my bride led me forth into the "garden," and shewed me such plants and flowers of immortal bloom, as I had never seen! She shewed me trees of fruit whose standing was more than five thousand years: their leaf did not fade-their fruit did not wither! She took me to amaranthine bowers, and gave me honey, and the honey-comb to eat. She led me into a living labyrinth, both above and below the surface, and it puzzled me even to follow her, or keep my eye upon her in her subtle, but sacred evolutions ! Now I would be looking for her there, while she would be looking upon me here. She did this, not to distress me,

but only to afford me new draughts of delight. After this she led me forth into the grounds, and ascending a little hill, she bade me look around on every hand, withal telling me the vast estate was now my own! Even that heath, saith she, where your clay-built tenement stands, is yours; and some day we will break it up, and make it fruitful. I beheld with wonder, but was hard to believe myself to be so rich!

Strange to say, though we wandered far, walked and talked much, I felt nothing like weariness. A little while since I was soon tired; and my footsteps were heavy and slow. But now I seemed to be returned to the days of my youth; and my flesh was become fresher than a child's. By the dint of a new pocket mirror my dove had given me, I saw that my face was as fair as the sun; without spot or blemish; and when I looked at her, and then at myself, I could see no difference! The disparity had vanished. The very atmosphere seemed capable of miracles, for nothing less than a miracle could raise me to such an elevation of standing, as I now enjoyed! I was so metamorphosed that I am sure they who knew me once, would not know me now. In fact, I did not fully know myself. Every thing about my person, both internal and external, was transformed. Nor was this all : the very sun in the heavens appeared to stand still, so that I said, "my day will never end-my mountain stands strong-I shall never be moved."

And

all this was confirmed by my new companion, for she said that my person was immortal, my life eternal, my joy everlasting, my inheritance unfading, my union to her immutable, and my dwelling place impregnable. This I believed, and in this I rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

In the midst of my reverie, my love, my dove, my undefiled, came and took me by the hand, and led me away to the marriage supper. She brought me to the banqueting house which was full of guests, all come together, as I thought, about me! This I could not understand, seeing I was but the son of a poor man, and a pauper, and an orphan in the world! Had I been a prince, or heir

My

to some vast estate, my reason would have comprehended the nature of the present feast. Modest, diffident, and shamefaced, I was taking my seat at the lowest place, when suddenly I heard a voice saying, "son, come up higher!" dear bride took me again by the hand, and placed me at the right hand of her father, in front of her elder brother. The company together was the most happy I ever saw, the most holy, the most delightful! The provisions were of a wondrous kind, such as I had never before seen. A general invitation was given by the father thus: "eat oh friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, oh beloved. It is meet that we should make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; was lost and is found;"

By this, I perceived that there was even yet a secret that I had not learned; for by the father's speech it appeared there had been a relationship, prior to this my adoption into his family by my union to his daughter: but while I was musing, such a concert from the galleries commenced, that my soul was charmed with the melody, and my spirit ravished with the sound! And now nought would do, but I must go forth with my bride in the "dances of them that make merry."

Time thus passed away, till the days of my "first love" had fled. Frequently then would I ramble off the grounds, and visit my old clay hut. In these strolls, I invariably fell in with some of the "daughters of men," who being "fair," and of winning address, I was often a captive in heart to their charms. But each one always proved to be a "strange woman," a daughter of Lucifer, or a mistress Jezebel.

There was none like my Hephzibah, the joy of my heart," my love, my dove, my undefiled one. And an abiding sense of my weakness now keeps me more at home with her. And oh, how we live and love together, whilst we talk over the wonders of our vast estate, our unsearchable riches, our sure dwelling place, our rich attire, our superb furni ture, our high rank, our noble family, and our royal house. Moreover, we dread no separation, no death, no grave, no hell, but live quite above and beyond

LETTER TO A FRIEND.

MY BELOVED Brother,

YOUR very kind epistle greatly refreshed my spirit, and constrained me to thank our covenant God for your love and affectionate remembrance. I have long felt a union towards you, there being such a oneness in our views of the glorious majesty, adorable fulness, and perfect salvation of the Lord Jesus; so that we are no longer strangers and foreigners to each other, but fellow-citizens, brethren, members of Christ's body; begotten by the same Father; predestinated to the same inheritance; and "bound up in the bundle of life with the Lord our God." I esteem it a privilege to have intercourse with one to whom I can speak with spiritual freedom and joy. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" for the marvellous things He has revealed to me by His Spirit. I can and will sing, "behold God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid." The Angel of the Covenant has taken "a live coal from the altar" and laid it upon my heart, and so inflamed my soul with love to God, that all the waters in the ocean can never extinguish it; and "I am persuaded that neither life, nor death, nor angels, &c. can separate me from the love of God." He has loved, and will ever love me. As to all my sins and iniquities; guilt and transgression; condemnation and blasphemy; all these were laid to the account of, and imputed to, my surety-Jesus! and so become His own. And He (oh, glorious Lamb) has placed to my account, and actually put me in possession of all His merits, obedience, and righteousness. So that being arrayed in this "best very robe," I am purer, holier, more beautiful, and more transcendantly glorious than the most exalted seraph in bliss. "Angels have not a robe like mine"-" a robe like Jesus' righteousness." And how is it that my soul can thus triumph? Not because I am looking at my heart, sensations, or experience; but because I am

relying on the faithful testimony of God. Can it be presumption to believe my Father's own inviolable promises? “justi fied from all things; ""accepted in the beloved;" "complete in Him;” “all glorious within;" "having no spot;" washed, clothed, hid, sheltered, and for ever "passed from death unto life." Oh, no. I am for ever saved: and by "looking at Jesus" only, I shall " rejoice ever more" in what He has said to, and done for my soul. But the moment I look to self for COMFORT, I sink into gloom, fear, and bondage. Blessed be God, He has delivered me from the "hidden things of dishonesty;" from the love and practice of that pride, madness, craft, insincerity, white-wash, double-tongue, and deception, of which all preachers and professors (however zealous and extremely righteous) are so guilty, who have not been divinely taught and washed from such filthiness in the blood of the Lamb. Oh, what a mercy to be upright in the sight of God; to "be clothed with His righteousness," and possessed of that sealing of the eternal Spirit which is the pledge and earnest of everlasting felicity.

May you and I more and more rejoice in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Your brother and servant, for His sake
H. WARDLEY.

Forthend, near Dunmow.

THE CRITIC.

DR. JOHNSON.

THE following inscription has been recently put up by some of the inhabitants in the parish church of St. Clement Danes. "A.D., 1851. In this pew, and beside this pillar, for many years at tended divine service, the celebrated Dr. Samuel Johnson, the philosopher, the poet, the great lexicograper, the profound moralist, and chief writer of his time. Born 1709, died 1784."

[What a piece of irreligious parade is here: to memoreilize the deeds of a dead man by the merit of attending "divine service." Whatever divinity there might have been in the "service," there certainly is none in the record; but which lamentably shows the state of spiritual

degradation to which "some of the inhabitants of St. Clement Danes" are reduced. To raise such a tribute, in such a place, to such a man, is most sacrilegious, pompous, and profane, Give him a portrait in the school-room, where the ethics of this "profound moralist and great lexicographer" are taught, and that is the utmost honour his memory is worth. O that both the reader and writer may be taught to perpetuate the fame of none but Jesus. It is only "the memory of the just that is blessed;" and as "there is not a just man upon earth who doeth good and sinneth not," save HE, who is emphatically called "THE JUST" (who suffered for the unjust) so may HE be extolled and made very high, whose name alone is worthy to be praised. ED.]

(NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED.) JESUS is the gem of glory, the jewel of jewels.-Denham.

Believers so partake of the benefit of Christ's sufferings, as though what He hath done for them, was done by them.

If you want the company of Jesus by the way, talk about Him, and he will surely come and hold communion with you.-Irons.

Afflictions always draw the saints together, and sympathy is sweet; but the Lord alone can give true abiding peace.-E. Searle.

I have long been satisfied with my portion in Christ, but not with my attain ments in Christ. I want to be more like Him; I pant for more communion and fellowship with Him; and ardently long to shake myself from the dust, and to live in His eternal embrace.-Irons.

Our treasures in Christ are eternally secure, though our joy and comfort in the possession of them may vary.— Gowring.

All that we receive in time, of a spiritual nature, is the earnest of what we shall enjoy in eternity.-Luckin.

If the Lord has laid you in the valley, it is to give you some of the valley fruits; to stay thy fainting soul on Him.-Warren.

POETS' CORNER.

(ORIGINAL POETRY.)

Half a wreck, by tempest driven,
Yet this feeble bark survives ;
Dashed against the rocks and riven,
In the midst of death it lives:
See it pressed on every side,
See it still the storm outride.
Can a bark like mine so shattered,
Ever reach yon friendly shore ?
Tempest tossed so long, and battered,
Can it stand one conflict more?
Should another storm assail,

Mast, and planks, and all must fail.
What though every timber's starting,
Waves are running mountains high;
Thunders rolling, lightnings darting,
And no loving hand seems nigh:
Let me still no danger fear,
JESUS, though unseen, is near.
Hertford.
E. W. EDGECOMBE.

"HOW AMIABLE ARE THY TABERNACLES, O LORD OF HOSTS."

Behold the place where saints resort,
With holy longings to be taught
By the great teacher from above,

Who comes with messages of love.
How oft for Zion's courts I mourn,

When held a prisoner at my home;
My soul with saints it longs to meet,
And bow with them at Jesus' feet.
'Tis blessed, when the saints agree,

To worship the eternal three;
When one in heart they seek His face,

Confess their faults, and crave His grace. 'Tis blessed where "the sower" sows The seed of life that heavenward grows; And labours with a single eye,

To lift Immanuel's glory high. But oh, when all the heirs of God, Arrive in bliss, washed clean in blood: Clothed with righteousness divine,

Brighter than angels they shall shine. Though now we wander far from home,

The hope that such a day will come, Makes e'en the captive's portion sweet, And cheerfully his trials meet. From "the Sick Ward."

Hannah.

JAMES BOWIE, Printer, 7, Mark Lane, London

No. VIII.]

REVIEW OF

MODERN EXPERIENCE. WHILST it is undoubtedly great part of a believer's exercise to know his sinful self as a creature of God, the greater business of the soul is to know Himthe Christ of God. He that hath part in the "first resurrection" is ever aspiring to a foretaste enjoyment of the second and so is constantly going out of self in progressive acts of faith, from the less to the greater; from I, to the "I am"; from sinful-self, to sinless Him, "whom God hath set forth," the one great focus of all attraction and delight. "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Now the word of God declares, "fools because of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted." We are fools, though the children of God, and foolishness is bound up in the heart of every child of God. And in the

[ONE PENNY.

exercise of this stultiloquence, he lifts up himself before others. Self will be exalted somehow; and thus even a saint's afflictions and deep exercises of soul are oftentimes sacrificed at the shrine of vanity. Yea, and like the romish elevation of the host, some men in Zion set their hearts upon magnifying themselves, even in their crimes and corruptions before others. He is a 66 man of experience," and his experience is his idol. But can it be wisdom to talk so much of that which is our shame and folly? to exalt to such pre-eminence that which is the result of our transgressions? or to elevate by such prominence that which is the product of iniquity?

One half of such modern practice in Zion is from pride. They are not the humblest upon the earth who make a show of themselves in any way before

men.

"He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory."-Alas! then, how many self-glory seekers there are in our day; for go wherever you will, they