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by Mala chi, under the general description of faithful pastors: "The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked in peace and equity, and did turn many away from their iniquity. For the priests' lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts."

May all the friends of Christ be stirred up to fervent prayer at this eventful period, that a spirit of revival may be poured out on all our Churches, lest the Lord, in righteous judgment, should fulfil on us, his threatening to the church at Ephesus: "Remember from whence thou art fallen; and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

"In pity to a dying world,

Almighty Father, send thy grace;
And let thy banner be unfurl'd,

And faith's slow triumph speed its pace.

"What millions of immortal souls,
Still live unmindful of thy sway!
And as death's fearful torrent rolls,
Hundreds are daily swept away.

"O Lord, must creatures be undone,
Who from thy hand receive their breath?

Shall they be lost, for whom thy Son,
Came down to suffer shame and death?

"Let sovereign mercy interpose,

To rescue sinners from their doom:

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And send thy word to heal their woes, And light their passage to the tomb.

"O spread thy truth through ev'ry clime, Teach stubborn souls to weep and pray; Let this be the accepted time,

And this, salvation's glorious day."

CHAPTER IV.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE PERSECUTIONS WHICH ST. PAUL ENDURED FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL.

WHEN Daniel stood before Nebuchadnezzar to explain his dream, he shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God, however galling it might be to the ambition of this haughty conqueror. He told him of the fleeting nature of his own dominion; that empire would succeed empire, till the period of the fourth monarchy should arrive, when the God of Heaven would set up a kingdom which should never be destroyed; that it would break in pieces and consume all the former kingdoms, and that it should stand for ever.

This kingdom was represented to Nebuchadnezzar by a stone cut out without hands, to signify, that it would be established in the earth by an Almighty Power, and not through human skill. While other empires were to pass away, this stone was to increase, till it should become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth.

In another vision, Daniel saw one like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven; he came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him

near before him; and there was given to him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that all the people, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away; and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Jesus, the Prince of peace, the Lord of glory, is this Son of Man, this King of Zion. All who truly believe in him, are the subjects of this spiritual kingdom; for it was revealed to Daniel, that "the saints of the Most High should take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever."

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In fulfilment of this glorious prophecy, Jesus said to Pilate "My kingdom is not of this world." As his kingdom was to be erected upon the ruins of idolatry, and whatsoever exalteth itself against the glory of God, the world would naturally oppose its establishment and enlargement. And so it was revealed to Daniel. He saw a persecuting power in his emblematical vision, which should make war with the saints, and prevail against them, until the Ancient of days should come, and judgment be given to the saints of the Most High; and the time arrive, that the saints should possess the kingdom.

From this prophecy, in connexion with those contained in the Revelation of St. John, we are made acquainted with two important facts:—the one is, that the Kingdom of Christ shall finally prevail, and become an universal Dominion, blessing the earth with peace and righteousness; the other, that the true Church of Christ will have

to contend with the powers of darkness and to endure persecution from an ungodly world, until the period shall arrive when Christ will tread the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God, and break his enemies in pieces like a potter's vessel.

With these prophetic declarations before us, we need not be surprised at the multiplied trials of St. Paul, and those of true Christians in every age, who devote their lives to the service of Christ, and to the destruction of Satan's kingdom. But it will not be always so. The period of the Church's glory is rapidly advancing. The Lord will hasten it in his time.

To trace the various trials which the Apostle endured; his many privations, and never-ceasing cares, will, no doubt, be interesting as well as profitable. The view of his sufferings should shame us out of our supineness. Can we remain indifferent to the interests of Christ's kingdom, and the eternal happiness of mankind, when he underwent so much for the same Jesus, whom we profess to worship; and out of love to such perishing sinners, as now surround us; and who are continually passing into eternity, regardless of the torments which await them?

It is painful to think, how little our hearts are affected by the wickedness which overspreads the earth. There is an obtuseness on this subject, which indicates great want of spiritual feeling. We are not sufficiently alive to the evil of sin, even in our best moments; but could we see, as God

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