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THERE IS good reason for the conclusion that this epistle was written from Italy, from the expression at the end of it. "They of Italy salute you ;" and it is supposed to have been written towards the end of S. Paul's imprisonment at Rome, or immediately after it; because the apostle expresses an intention of visiting the Hebrews shortly; we therefore place the date of this epistle about the year A.D. 63.

M.

THE EPISTLE TO TITUS.

THIS EPISTLE, with those addressed to Timothy, is distinguished from the other Epistles of the New Testament, as being written personally to a Christian Bishops; and it has the same general purpose, as the Epistles to Timothy; Titus having been left at Crete, as Timothy had been at Ephesus to "set in order the things that were wanting and to ordain elders in every city." It is remarkable that Titus is not once mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles; and all we learn of him we gather from the Epistles of St Paul. He appears to have been a Greek or Gentile, Gal, ii. v. 3; from St. Paul's calling him his own son after the common faith, Tit, i. v. 4, it is concluded that he was converted by the Apostle; but we have no account of the time or manner of his conversion. He is first mentioned as accompanying S. Paul and Barnabas when they went up from Antioch to the council at Jerusalem. An attempt was made to oblige him to submit to circumcision; but as a gentile, and therefore under very different circumstances from Timothy, S. Paul resolutely withstood it, as involving a compromise of principle. It is probable that Titus often attended the apostle; being spoken of by him as his partner and fellow labourer. But Crete was the chief seat of his labours; of which place he is always spoken of in ecclesiastical history as the first bishop. Crete is a large island in the Mediterranean, which is now called Candia.

IT IS NOT known at what time a Christian Church was first

planted in Crete; but as some Cretans were present at the first effusion of the Holy Ghost at Jerusalem, Acts ii. 11, it is not improbable that at their return home, they might be the means of introducing the Gospel among their country men. Crete is said to have abounded with Jews and from the latter part of the first chapter of this epistle, it appears that many of them were persons of very profligate lives, even after they had embraced the Gospel.

THE principal design of this epistle, was to give instruction to Titus concerning the management of the churches in the different cities of the island of Crete; and it was probably intended to be read publicly to the Cretans, that they might know upon what authority Titus acted. S. Paul after his usual salutation, intimates that he was appointed an apostle by the express command of God; and he reminds Titus of the reason of his being left in Crete; he describes the qualifications necessary for bishops, and the duties of Christian ministers, and cautions him against persons of bad principle, especially Judaizing teachers, whom he directs Titus to rebuke with severity, chap. i. He informs him what instructions he should give to people in different stations of life, and exhorts him to be exemplary in his own conduct; he points out the pure and practical nature of the Gospel, chap. ii.; and enumerates some particular virtues, which he was to inculcate, avoiding foolish questions, and frivolous disputes. The duties of even the humblest ranks of life are not overlooked; but slaves are called upon to adorn the doctrines of the Gospel by holy example. It is particularly observable, that while referring man's salvation wholly to grace, to the free mercy of God through Christ, the apostle urges this as laying us under the strongest obligation to holiness; the end of Christ's redemption being "to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

M.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

The merry bells are ringing
On every mountain side,
In every peaceful valley,

Where rippling streamlets glide :
From every humble cottage,
From every princely hall,
The rich and poor, obedient,
Come to the CHURCH'S call;

For on this day the LORD OF HOSTS,
Leaving His glorious throne on high,
Laid down His Majesty, and came
In meekness and humility.

The city, once so noisy,

A reverent silence fills;

The meadows too are quiet

Save the murmuring of the rills—

Or the singing of the birds

Beneath the cottage eavesOr the rustling of the breezes, Amongst the withered leaves. All, all is still! for on this day, According to the Prophets' word, At Bethlehem in a manger lay, Amongst the oxen, CHRIST the LORD!

Along the streets are passing,
Unto the House of Prayer,
An eager crowd of worshippers,
To laud their SAVIOUR there;

Along the lanes and highways,
The villagers are seen,
Towards the grey CHURCH pressing,
In raiment neat and clean,

To keep the feast; for on this day

The LORD our GoD from Heaven did come, Man from his fearful doom to save,

And lead the erring sinner home.

They hear the solemn Litany

Rise to the THRONE of GRACE, And think within their inmost souls, "How awful is this place!"

By the door they see the Font,
Where they were born again,

And they think on HIM WHO water blessed,
To wash away their stain.

They are HIS OWN adopted sons,

Children of GoD and heirs of Heaven, And they come to bless their gracious LORD, Who sacramental grace hath given.

The Priests arranged in vestments white,
The HOLY SIGNS afford;

They bless the Cup and break the Bread-
THE BODY AND BLOOD OF THE LORD!

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THE REBELLION IN THE REIGN OF KING

CHARLES THE MARTYR.

Lo! 'tis the hour of vespers,

But where the vesper bell?

And where thy sons, O mother church,

Who gather at its knell ?

Where are the white-rob'd choristers ?

The priests in vestments clad?

And why, O Holy Mother!

Are thy children all so sad?

Yon noble old cathedral,

GOD's beauteous House of prayer;
There is light in all its windows,
But no anthem riseth there.

And, as we draw the nearer,

Alas! sad sounds we hear;

Sad sounds, which e'en would overcast,
The stoutest heart with fear.

Look we beneath the portal—
Oh! what sad a sight to see!
'Tis not the humble woshipper,
'Tis not the bended knee.

'Tis not the well-beloved of God,
Alas! not one is there;
But a rebel gang of revellers

Profane the House of Prayer.

The altar it is dragged

From its old accustomed place,
And men presume to spurn the seats
Of sacramental grace.

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