And certainly, the time of the end cannot now be far. If near in apostolic times, it is much nearer now. Events, indeed, are crowding and thickening upon us. One sign after another seems upraised before the eye of the church. Human affairs with rapid movement seem to be filling in the broad outline of prophecy. And how soon the church may be summoned to pass through the terrible conflict of the last days, which if not shortened when they come, no flesh could be saved-how soon we know not. But soon most surely the Lord will come, and the saints alive be changed. Soon, very soon will he be seen, from whose presence the heavens and the earth will flee away, and the dead, small and great, stand before God: "He that testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly amen."

Such are a few of the truths connected with the announcement of the text.

II. Let us proceed, secondly, to offer a few remarks on the reply given to it: "Even so, come Lord Jesus."

Now, this reply is made by the apostle John in the name of the whole church. As Christ's promise had respect to all true Christians, so the prayer founded on the promise is presented by all. It is indeed the reply of St. John himself; but it is his as a member of that mystic body which is interested in the coming glory, and which is to be blessed at the second advent. All the other members are supposed to join in it. As the bride in the 17th verse, they all express the desire.

The desire itself is plain. It has reference to our Lord's own words. It echoes back the solemn sound which he announced. The two words, "surely" and " even so," are the same. All, then, that Christ says he will do, the church in her reply beseeches him to do. She longs for neither more nor less than he doth purpose. More she could not wish less cannot satisfy her. Surely I come:" "Even so, surely come." O most blessed state of a Christian church, or of a Christian man, when he can thus heartily respond, respond as it were spontaneously and without effort, to the will of Christ.

Let us then regard this reply, first, as the expression of the church's faith. Our Lord Jesus declares that he will come againcome quickly. Such a promise seems incredible to some. There are scoffers-not among the heathen, for they have not heard Christ's name; not among the infidels, for they despise the holy Saviour; but among

With the true church, however, it is not thus. There are, indeed, difficulties in their way. A sensuous world and an evil heart oppose their simple reliance on Christ's truth; and an unseen tempter suggests that the divine word shall not be exactly fulfilled. Still, they believe. At first they believe feebly, then more confidently, and at length firmly with those most strong in faith, this promise of their Lord. They remember that for upwards of a hundred years no flood of water came upon the earth; but during all that time men lived and acted and laboured forgetful of the impending deluge; yet that afterwards, at the appointed day, Noah was shut in, and the world perished. They remember also the first advent, that many hundred years elapsed before the prophecy was fulfilled, but, nevertheless, that in the fulness of time the Christ was born. And, helped by the memory of former events, they combat and overcome their own tendencies to doubts, and all the subtle temptings of the enemy. They perceive, indeed, the numerous barriers that seem to oppose Christ's return: they know the greatness of the changes that are to take place; but, intelligently meditating upon all, they learn to place unshaken confidence in the Lord. They seek to rely implicitly upon his word; and, in the energy of a living faith, realizing his infinite power, and embracing his most certain promises, they reply," Even so, come, Lord Jesus.'

But let us, next, regard it as the reply of holy consistency. Many, in the early ages of the church, said within themselves," My Lord delayeth his coming," and turned to unholy courses. They became rioters, contentious,and did eat and drink with the drunken. In our own day, also, a worldly mind exists in many of the visible church. They rise not above the objects that they see around them, in order to consider the high purposes of God. Their heart, set upon their covetousness or other idol, withdraws them from Christ Jesus; and through their inconsistency they are unable to offer up this prayer. Christ's coming would disturb them, putting an end to all their worldly schemes, and depriving them of the fond objects of their pursuit.

How different, however, is it with true believers! The coming of our Lord would not

disturb them in their pleasures, nor break up their fondly cherished plans, nor destroy their hopes; but, rather, it would harmonize with their highest pursuits, fill up the measure of their joy, and fully complete their hopes. Waiting and watching now for it leads them to overcome their selfishness, to resist the worldly spirit by which they are surrounded, and to use their earthly blessings without abusing them. It was thus at the first advent. They were devout and holy men who looked for the coming consolation of Israel. It was righteous Zechariah, just Simeon, the prophetess Anna serving God day and night in his temple, who longed and hoped and prayed for the speedy coming of Messiah in the flesh. So is it now. Devout and holy are the persons who look wistfully for the dawn of Messiah's day of glory. They are men whose souls dwell deeply on the purities of heaven, and whose minds are habitually conversant with the holy worship of Almighty God. Hence the desire for Christ's coming is the expression of their inward holy feelings. They already possess the germs of those pure principles which are to be perfectly developed in Christ's blessed kingdom; and they can, with earnest consistency, with a holy agreement of will with the will of God, cry constantly, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

But, once more, let us regard the reply as the expression of a fervent love. Evidently, coldness of heart, lukewarmness, want of sympathy with the noblest designs of God, and with the glory of Christ, cannot give utterance to such glowing words as these. The reply proceeds only from a deeply and devoutly loving heart. And such a heart exists in the redeemed of the Lord, in the believing and the consistent soul. How can it be otherwise?

Believers now are sorely tried with the warfare that they wage. Keeping their hearts for God is an intense struggle, and a bitter conflict; a struggle with an inborn tendency to evil for ever cleaving to them, and a conflict with a wicked ensnaring world without; aye, with a subtle evil power, which continually tempts them. They long, therefore, for victory, and for peace after victory; and, knowing well that this victory and this peace will not be theirs in fulness until Christ comes, they love his coming.

Believers, too, are wearied with the weight of many crosses. Although willingly bearing them after Christ, and in some feeble way rejoicing to suffer with him, yet they have much sorrow mingling with their joy. Their crosses and their sufferings grieve them. Hence they long for rest, long to be in that land where there is no more sorrow nor sighing, and

where no tears nor death can come; and, knowing well that when Christ returns, then only are all tears to be wiped from every eye, they love his coming.

Believers, also, have heard of the glories of the eternal world, of the honours and the dignities which will be theirs in the day of the Lord, and of the station at the right hand of God, which will be then assigned them; and, knowing that the future glory will be ushered in only at the return of Christ, they love his coming.

Again, believers have a nobler love for the great day than that which arises from their own full happiness. They long for the perfect exhibition of God's glory: they long for the manifestation of Christ's power and perfections. Sighing and weeping now for the dishonour done to him, and mourning daily over the insults offered to his gracious name, his word, and his saving work, they earnestly and lovingly expect the time when every knee shall bow to him, and every tongue confess that he is Lord."

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But, yet again, this prayer arises from a fervent and an intense love for Christ himself. The church of the redeemed is Christ's spouse. He, her Lord, is absent. Hence ber sorrow and her sighing; hence her tears and fasting. If she had ease and plenty and freedom from all earthly trouble, she could not have entire gladness unless her Lord were with her. Even now she seeks to have him with her. Sabbaths, sacraments, communion with the saints, the ministry are prized, be cause Christ may be found in them, and intercourse with him be, by his Spirit, had increasingly. She seeks him through these. Still, the presence thus obtained is not suf cient. She needs a more intimate communion, and a closer nearness to him: she longs for the fruition of the glorious Godhead in Jesus without the help of ordinances. Christ, as be is, is the object of her supreme desire. No lower, no less perfect object will content her It is not, then, the gains and honours of eternal life which principally lead her to pray. "Even so, come;" but it is the longing t behold, to possess, and to enjoy the persona presence of her Lord. We well know the the presents which a husband brings do not form the basis of the wife's longing for his return his return after absence is desired and welcomed for itself. Surely, brethren, it is thus with the regard of the church for Christ. She loves Christ Jesus her Lord, purely, fervently, and with all the energies of man's regenerated soul; and hence she longs, and hence she prays. The delights of his presence attract her. The blessedness of communion with him, without disturbing causes,

without sin, and without end, she values. Life with him is her happiness. Repose upon the exalted and holy bosom of his love is her inmost joy. To have him for her temple, for her light, for her salvation, for her glory and her portion, and with her thus for ever-this is the basis of her earnest cry: this is the deepest reason for her holy longing: this is the truest source of her fervent love for his coming, and this the ever-abiding motive for that ready, that spontaneous, that heartfelt prayer, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly."

Such, then, being the reply given to the announcement made by Christ, "Behold, I come quickly," let me, in conclusion, ask you, dear brethren, is this the reply that you now and habitually give to it? Have you ever offered this prayer for Christ to come to come speedily? Ah! we fear that many of you have never thus addressed our Lord. We fear that you long for any other object rather than the coming of Christ Jesus in his glory. If you consider the many desires that arise in your soul, and are encouraged by you, this is not among them: it is a stranger. Does not then its absence that prove you are yet strangers to Christ? Can a faithful bride live on daily without a single desire for the return

of her absent husband?

If, then, it be thus, your case is very dangerous. For, whether you desire it or not, Christ will most surely come. The voice of him who cannot lie, who is the truth, saith, "Behold, I come quickly." How terrible that day! Hear what Zephaniah says of one like it: "The great day of the Lord is near: it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness." Christ Jesus will appear with all the mighty angels, and with the power of God Almighty, armed with vengeance to lestroy those who loved him not, and longed not for his coming.

Brethren, are you ready for that day? Will ou have confidence, will you stand in that lay? Your own hearts tell you even now that ou will not be able to stand. You feel that, f Christ is really coming to judge and to eward, you are at present unprepared. And et, with an inconceivable folly, you live on heedlessly, as if that day would never come, or s if, by some haphazard, you would be found ready. Men and brethren, deal not thus reacherously with your souls and with God. The coming is certain. Act, then, upon the

certainty before you. The results connected with it are eternal. Now, therefore, in the time of this mortal life, prepare for an immortal glory. Seek Christ in his first advent as your Saviour, that you may confidently meet him in his second advent as your Judge. Be persuaded by his infinite compassions to love him now, that you may at length long for his return. And then these solemn, these awakening words, "Surely, I come quickly," will only draw from you the loving answer, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus,"

But, on the other hand, if this is the reply that your hearts utter, as with many it doubtless is, then how full of richest consolation is

the announcement of our Lord! for it tells you that your fervent prayer will be fulfilled; that the period of your warfare and your sorrow will speedily terminate, and the hour of final victory and perfect rest arrive; that your heavenly reward will soon be given you; and that the gracious Saviour, whom you earnestly desire to behold, will quickly come. You will then stand in your lot, see the King in his beauty, enter into his rest, and glorify his name with angels and archangels, and with all the holy church for ever.

Dwell, then, more frequently and with far deeper thoughtfulness upon that glorious coming. Realize it more by faith, that you may overcome all evil tendencies. Watch for it in holiness, that you may be found ready. Let your affections be so centred in it, that from it you may derive heavenly joys in your earthly sorrow, blessed support in your hour of conflict, cheering light amid the dark clouds that sometimes hover over you, and peaceful inward rest in the storms which Satan and the world do raise. And, while you rejoice in the glad prospect of your Lord's appearing, seek his Spirit earnestly, to awaken in you a more glowing love, that you may, to Christ's announcement, Surely, I come quickly," reply in all the deep longing of St. John, and with his holy, loving faith, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.'

Poetry.

SACRED SONNETS.

No. XXXVI.

BY MRS. PENDEREL LLEWELYN. (For the Church of England Magazine).

"When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid."

THOU, in thy life, with Jesus ever trod
In meek humility; and pious love.
Each record of the past remains to prove
How close, how earnest was thy walk with God,
Alike in joy, or 'neath affliction's rod.

And bitter are the tears that roll,
When grace hath led the contrite soul
To mourn for "him it pierced, like one
That mourneth for an only son."

But, when the Lord our God shall come,
To take his mourning people home,
There shall be no more griefs or fears,
For he shall wipe away their tears.

The source of sorrow shall be gone,
For sin shall never more be known-
Sickness and death no more destroy
The tenants of that world of joy.

"All tears" the Lord will wipe away,
Not one shall o'er the eye-lid stray:
No guilt shall cause those drops to flow,
No bitterness the heart shall know.

Lord Jesus! glorious is the train
Of blessings, when thou com'st again!
Nor least this precious word appears,
"Our God shall wipe away our tears."

THE LORD'S DAY.

BY THE REV. J. T. BELL, B.A.,
Caistor, Lincolnshire.

(For the Church of England Magazine.) "THIS is the day the Lord hath made." Such was the sound of David's voice, Whilst harp-attuned it still conveyed 66 Therein for aye we will rejoice,

Therein be glad," for now we trace To life's sad toil a respite giv'n, And age nor time shall e'er efface The promise of our rest in heav'n.

"This is the day the Lord hath made," To mark the conquest of the grave, Attesting guilt's full ransom paid

By One empowered from death to save.
No clash of arms bespoke the fight,
No warriors' din proclaimed the fray;
In silence 'neath the victor's might,
Our life's grim tyrant vanquish'd lay.

"This is the day the Lord hath made,"
With Pentecost uniting hand,
When mightiest wonders are display'd
Resultant of divine command:
They hail the birth-day of his reign,
Whose kingdom now begun shall last,
Till o'er this world's once curs'd domain
The light of pardoning love be cast.

"This is the day the Lord hath made," And yester sabbath, with its chain Of laws in ceremonials laid,

Beheld the period of its reign.
To Israel now new hopes are shown,
That bid him, as they brightly rise,
Faith as his law's obedience own,
And Calv'ry's cross his sacrifice.

And shall the harp of dulcet tone,
Attun'd to join the tongue of praise,
Be touch'd by Jesse's son alone,

To celebrate this pearl of days? Our joyful spirits ne'er shall fail

By deeds of righteousness to prove That we its gracious presence hail With holy prayer and praise and love.

Miscellaneous.

THE NEEDLE, AND

THE CAMEL'S EYEI met, the other day, an interesting illustration of bɛ follows (verse 24) about the camel and the needs eye. Lord Nugent, when at Hebron, was directe

to go out by the needle's eye," that is, by the s side gate of the city. And in many parts of Eng the old game of "Thread the needle" is played in following words :—

"How many miles to Hebron ?

Three score and ten.
Shall I be there by midnight?
Yes, and back again.

Then thread the needle, &c."

Now this explains and modifies one of the stra and most startling passages of scripture on the of riches; for the camel can go through the ne eye, but with difficulty, and hardly with a ful » nor without stooping (Bishop Shirley in a “Le to a Friend," Dec., 1845.)

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THE LIFE-BOAT.

A LIFE-BOAT is a boat constructed with great strength to resist violent shocks, and possessing at the same time buoyancy, to enable it to float, even when loaded with men and filled with water. Such boats are most properly stationed at the various ports of the kingdom, in readiness to put to sea when a vessel is seen in danger; and, honour to the courage of old England's sailors! never are gallant fellows wanting to volunteer in manning the life-boat, however perilous the service may appear.

Various kinds of boats have at different times been constructed for this purpose. In the year 1785, Mr. Lukin had a patent for a life-boat "with projecting gunwales and hollow cases or No. 979

double sides under them, as well as air-tight lockers or enclosures under the thwarts: these contrivances increased the buoyancy of the boat; and the air-tight cases under the gunwales, by their weight when raised above the surface of the sea, and their resistance when depressed beneath, greatly prevented rolling".

This boat, however, was liable to have the sides staved in ; and therefore an improvement was made by Mr. Greathead, whose life-boat, lined inside and outside with cork, is said to have been instrumental in saving 300 lives within five years near Tynemouth..

Various other plans have been devised by Mackintosh, Adams, Holcroft, Smith, &c., &c. But there seems still room for improvement. And, when it is remembered that every tide, on the ave