consideration. The facts of history bearing upon it, the effects which it would produce, the arguments for and against it, were all carefully weighed, and the result was, that it was rejected by the large majority of 95. We thank God for the House of Lords, and for the firmness and wisdom which it has shown on this occasion. Not that the struggle has yet ended; it will, in all probability, be renewed with increased energy during the ensuing session; but, at any rate, time has now been gained for a thorough examination into the subject, and the whole country will have an opportunity of expressing its opinion upon it. The advocates of the measure are angry because the cry of "No Popery" is being raised with respect to it; but, if they choose wilfully or blindly to bring in a measure which aims at the destruction of one of our chief Protestant bulwarks, and which has delighted the Roman Catholic hierarchy throughout Europe, is it not time, and is there not occasion, to raise such a cry? Yea, is it not time -for our children's sake, if not for our own-to endeavour to arouse whatever Protestant spirit remains amongst us?

2. Her gracious Majesty the Queen has given expression to her sentiments upon an important occasion in no uncertain manner. At the inauguration of the monument which has recently been erected at Worms to the memory of the great reformer, Martin Luther, the following message was received from Queen Victoria: "Protestant England cordially sympathises with an occasion which unites the Protestant princes and peoples of Germany." As the Rock observes, "At this crisis in the history of our Protestant Church, such words from such a sovereign come to us with a force and significance singularly opportune, and we have little doubt, that while they find an echo in every Protestant heart in the empire, they will at the same time quicken the energy and strengthen the courage of every defender of that Protestant Church which political craft and religious animosity are now seeking to destroy." Some professedly Christian people seem ashamed of the word and name of Protestant; our Queen is not ashamed of it, our Reformers were not; our ancestors who sealed their faith with their blood were not; why should we be? May it be more dear to us than ever, and may all true Protestants unite together more closely than ever in the defence of all that we consider sacred and valuable. Our beloved sovereign is not likely to obtain favour amongst the Ultramontane party by her plainness of speech, and we can easily understand the feeling which prompted a member of the House of Commons the other day to stand up and intimate that her reign had been long enough, and that it was advisable for her to retire; but we think that every true Protestant and every true Christian will feel more than ever attached to her; and, whilst thanking God that we have such a monarch, they will wish most earnestly that God will abundantly bless her, and that many years may be yet added to her prosperous and happy reign.

3. A proposition which was brought forward in Parliament for the compulsory appointment of paid Roman Catholic chaplains in borough and county gaols has been, we are glad to see, negatived. Not content with the concession which they have so recently obtained, viz., the power of appointing paid chaplains in any cases in which the magistrates decide that it is desirable, they of course must go further, and aim at their compulsory appointment in all cases. The question also was asked whether the Government intended to appoint commissioned Roman Catholic chaplains for the services of Her Majesty's fleet at home and abroad, and this was answered in the negative.

4. The negociations which were carried on between the Government and some Popish Bishops with a view to granting a charter and (it appears probable) an endowment to the Popish University of Dublin, have been broken off under circumstances which render it likely that they will not be renewed, at least, for some time to come. We are very thankful for this. Those negociations ought never to have been commenced. We already pay some £30,000 a year for the support of a college for their priests, and we throw open the doors of the University of Dublin to all comers without distinction of creed. To set up therefore, authoritatively, a rival university, and to endow it out of the public funds for the sole benefit of Romanists, would be not only uncalled for, but a shame and a scandal to a Protestant people.

The subject of Ritualism has again been brought prominently before the consideration of the upper House of Parliament by the Earl of Shaftesbury, seconded by an able speech by the Bishop of Carlisle. The very serious evils of this specious form of Popery were clearly and boldly portrayed, and although the matter rests for the present, so far as parliamentary legislation is concerned, there is, we trust, good hope that this evil will ere long be curbed. Much blame has been cast upon the Bishops with respect to the spread of Ritualism; and undoubtedly some of them deserve it, for, had they not to a certain extent winked at or encouraged it, it never, in all probability, would have spread as it has done. This is, how ever, by no means the case with all the Bishops; on the contrary, many of them are determined to do all that lies in their power to eradicate it, but they find that there are great difficulties in their way. Thus, e. g., supposing a clergyman chooses to adopt ritualistic practices, and his Bishop wishes to prevent him, the only way in which he can effectually do so, is by taking legal proceedings against him, and this incurs so ruinous an expenditure, that few prelates dare to attempt it. What is really wanted is some good sound law passed upon the subject, by which any offender against the simple Protestant ritual of the Church of England may be speedily and effectually punished; then, so far as that Church is concerned, the evil would soon cease, and the imitators of Rome would either be driven to take refuge in her arms, or forced to set up openly an imitation Church of Rome such as their heart desires.

A bill has at last almost become law, which, we trust, will have the effect of for ever setting to rest the question of church rates, and putting an end to the contests which they have so often excited. Henceforth no church rates will be levied by compulsion, and consequently all grievance on the part of conscientious Nonconformists is removed. This is a matter of sincere congratulation, for we feel that in these days of trial and peril no such root of bitterness as this ought to be allowed any longer to trouble We trust that henceforward Churchmen and Dissenters will more heartily unite together, so as to be better able to further that which is good, and to resist our common enemies.

us.

The returns of the harvest are not nearly as good as we could desire; a long-continued drought has considerably injured the crops; but still we ought to be very grateful that the case is no worse. How justly might the great Ruler of the universe apply the significant words to us which He once spoke concerning the rebellious land of Israel, "I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it." When we reflect upon the vice and abominations which exist in this our highly-favoured country, we are astonished at His marvellous long-suffering and mercy.

THE

GOSPEL MAGAZINE.

"COMFORT YE, COMFORT YE MY PEOPLE, SAITH YOUR GOD."

"ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE."

JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO-DAY, AND FOR EVER." "WHOM TO KNOW IS LIFE ETERNAL.*

No. 33,

SEPTEMBER, 1868.

The Family Portion;

OR, WORDS OF SPIRITUAL CAUTION, COUNSEL, AND COMFORT.

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."-2 COR. i. 4.

THE THRESHOLD OF GLORY AND FAITH
TRIUMPHANT!

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God."ACTS vii. 55.

Ан, reader, here was the secret; this will account for all that took place both before and afterwards, in respect to this eminent servant of God-" he being full of the Holy Ghost." We read in Romans viii., "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." This is the turning-point. The moment the Holy Ghost, in the sovereign exercise of His own almighty power, takes possession of a man, that man instantly becomes another man; he is "created anew in Christ Jesus;" he is "made the temple of the Holy Ghost." What a marvellous change! and what a mighty consideration! The Lord God Omnipotent exercising His own Divine right to whomsoever and whensoever He chooses! He in such case fulfils His own most gracious promise, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Reader, has it never occurred to you how vast the distinction and how marked the difference, with respect to the disciples, as to their condition spiritually before and after the gift of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost? Consider their state prior to this great and gracious gift. Notwithstanding the holy privileges and the Divine advantages which they possessed, in that they were so favoured with the very closest intimacy with Jesus, yet how carnal were they; how, for most part, were "their eyes holden that they should not know Him." They heard His words; they with their outward ears hearkened to His counsel; they saw His wondrous works: but, notwithstanding, how imperfect was their vision; how little did they under

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stand His sayings; how they failed to behold the excellency of His person. Mark, reader, in proof of these remarks, what was said by the disciples on the way to Emmaus. They had personally witnessed the fulfilment of all the Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus' person and work. There had been in regard to Him the most literal exposition of type and figure, as adopted under the old or Levitical dispensation; the shadow had clearly given place to the substance; the type disappearing in the Anti-type. Notwithstanding, we hear the disciples exclaiming, "We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done." The language and general bearing of the disciples bespoke a state of doubt and perplexity. Hence the ground for the loving rebuke of Jesus, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory ?" Then follows that precious fact, "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

Reader, it is questionable whether the disciples ever before experienced, in the same measure or degree, that warmth of heart of which they afterwards spoke as they did on this memorable occasion; and in this we see the precious fruit and power of the resurrection of Jehovah Jesus.

But, as sweetly connected with the quickening power and indwelling of the Holy Ghost, observe, moreover, that when the Lord again appeared to His disciples, He directed them so specially once more to the promise He had made them prior to His crucifixion," Behold I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Hence, in the interval between this gracious assurance and the glorious scenes on the day of Pentecost, the condition of the disciples was that of waiting and watching. But how blessed the immediate effects of the gift of the Holy Ghost! How changed the men! How bold and how blessed their testimony! See the contrast, for example, in the timid, Christdenying Peter. Consider him and his conduct whilst His Lord and Master was arraigned at Pilate's bar, when he and that with oaths and curses-thrice denied that he knew Him, and now in his memorable sermon: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ;" and again, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved."

We say again, reader, mark the wondrous change in Peter and his brother disciples. How perfectly fearless now, and how utterly in

different personally to all results and consequences. Fearful as they were before, and however true the statement concerning them, "they all forsook Him, and fled," how altered the state of things now! There was not a disciple who was not prepared-and cheerfully willing, too-to seal his testimony with his blood. And whence this? It was because "there was poured out upon them the gift of the Holy Ghost." The reason, and the only reason, for so great and distinguishing a change was, that the Lord the Spirit had come in His own rightful prerogative, and taken possession of their hearts.

Oh, blessed and holy Comforter, would that it would please Thee, in the day and under the circumstances in which we live, to come down with at least a measure of Pentecostal light and love and power! Oh, that it would please Thee to scatter the mist and to dispel the darkness in which Thy professing Church is enveloped! Oh, that it would please Thee to possess men with the holy boldness and the sweet confidence and the heavenly zeal with which Thou didst graciously endue them in days of old! So that error and superstition, bitterness and enmity, and all and everything that exalteth itself against the name and the glory and the full and free salvation of a precious Christ, should be scattered to the very winds of heaven. Oh, Thou Spirit Divine, thus come down, we pray Thee, and thus make manifest Thy light and Thy power, in the exalting of a precious Christ, yea, in the glorification of a triune Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Reader, we would ask thee to open the word, and to read attentively the clear and comprehensive address which the holy Stephen had given in regard to Jehovah's dealings with His ancient people. He takes a rapid review of His manifestation to Abraham, and of His subsequent guidance and teachings in the wilderness; and, by reference to the verse in the preceding chapter, you will perceive that this bold and fearless testimony was given in the very face of his accusers, of whom and the council he was called to confront we read that they, "looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." Hence, not only was he divested of fear, and seemed utterly regardless of personal danger, but his whole soul was so imbued with a holy joy and heavenly rapture in the present realization of the glorious verities of which he was then testifying, as to light up his very countenance with a supernatural beauty and angelic delight.

Oh, reader, what cannot the grace of God, as implanted and brought into exercise by the Holy Ghost, effect? Verily, it lifts up the partaker above all the various influences of the flesh and of the world, and fills him with a peace and a joy and a gladness that is "unspeakable and full of glory."

Observe, moreover, that it was the very opposition to and resistance of his testimony, that instrumentally led to that holy boldness and supernatural ecstasy and rejoicing of which the first honoured martyr was the subject. How well worthy is this fact of our most serious and grateful consideration. Had Stephen's testimony been received