—not inhering in, or depending upon any other thing or being, having existed from all eternity, without origin, or mutability. Second. Another law of reason and nature declares that, "Out of nothing, nothing can come. In contrast to this our faith and conviction is, that God created the universe, with all its suns and systems, not merely by fashioning existing materials, but calling the actual materials. out of non-existence by the fiat of his omnipotence. Third. Another law of reason and nature affirms that, "Like produces like." But it is manifest to us that God has given existence to things and beings differing from himself and from each other, in form, nature, and duration. Fourth. Another law of reason and nature declares "That no active power can exist without materiality." In opposition to this, the idea we have of God is, that he is the source and fountain of all efficient power, yet a spirit, filling immensity with his presence; not related to matter as a part here and a part there, but everywhere present in immaterial fulness and activity.

He will soon be

Let the reader pause here and reflect. completely convinced that there are no archetypes or patterns in the dominions of nature and reason, by which the astonishing ideas connected with the Godhead could possibly be originated.

Would the series of causes and consequents observable in the universe suggest to the mind a cause uncaused-an existence without an antecedent source ? Never! Would the sequence of phenomena in nature suggest to the mind a terminating and independent link? Surely not. Even now when a marvellous revelation has established the idea we can hardly grasp it. When we think of that infinity of life which had no origin or infancy, and will never have a shadow of decline or mutability. Imagination, aghast, droops the daring wing with which she swept along the milky-way, and reason palzied with dread, lets fall the trembling scales in which she was weighing the numberless worlds that crowd the high field of immensity.

Would the fact of existences growing out of each other according to uniform laws, awaken the idea of a universe called out of non-existence by the manifestation of spiritual power? Never. Even now the subject mocks and baffles the human understanding, and is only apprehended by

faith in the testimony of God. Hence the gratitude of our hearts should arise like incense to heaven, for that God who lighted up the constellations in etherial splendour, crowding the mysterious vault with suns of glory and orbs of living fire, has given us a revelation of his inoral character which is a solution of all problems, and an everlasting sanctuary of rest for the weary human mind.

Would the fact of beings producing their like, or giving birth to their own kind, suggest to the mind a being who has originated every kind of substance and being, from the stars of the firmament to the pebbles of the ocean shorefrom the archangel down to the animalcule. Or would the fact of power connected with matter, visible, audible, palpable, or cognizable by some other sense, generate the idea of an almighty power, residing in and emanating from an immaterial agent invisible, inaudible, impalpable, and in short not cognizable by any of the senses of man?

He may be a bold, but not a prudent man, who will venture to assert that the universe teaches a lesson the direct inverse of all her laws and institutes. For, if this be the case-if nature whispers or thunders to reason, the conviction of a truth which overturns and prostrates into the dust all her own first principles-then what dependence can be placed upon reason? What is man-nature-God? They may be all the shapes and phantoms of some strange dream, in which nothing is real but the agony, or certain-but the termination. And yet the scenes of nature are rife with the sublimity and loveliness of the lofty and holy One! From the lyre of universal nature to the throne of essential light and love, a stream of melodious and eloquent praise arises up for ever. After the great idea of God has been originated and enthroned in our Father's own way, we then find that all things within us and without us, concur in establishing the truth we have received; and the recognition of that truth leaves us many difficulties, yet it solves so many more of higher interest. It diffuses much lustre through the scenery of the earth, and confers much elevation upon the spirit of man; it gives much unity and continuity to the drama of life; it sheds such radiance upon the valley of death, and bathes in such glory the immortal future, that it grasps all the moral instincts of human nature, and man feels a thrill of unutterable joy as he connects himself with Heaven. Alas!

that any man whose eyes have been enlightened to discern God's existence and glory, should be seduced by vain philosophy, to pretend that he could have learnt the same things if he had gazed and studied in the dark. G. G.

(To be continued.)

CHRISTIAN UNION.-No. I.

(From the Christian Record.)

By the phrase "Christian union," I do not mean a union of sects; neither do I mean a union brought about by a compromise of some of the antagonist points of our speculative theology; or such a one, as children sometimes agree upon, "Let me alone, and I will let you alone!" But as the language imports, I mean a thorough union in Christ Jesus, of all those who love God, and obey our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Such a union as was enjoyed by the first Christians, "who were of one heart, and of one soul, their hearts being knit together in love."

In the investigation of this subject, I propose to inquire, Is Christian union desirable? I shall first answer for myself. From my very heart I desire to see all the lovers of the Lord Jesus Christ, united together in love, upon the 66 one foundation" of the " apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.' For this, I have prayed night and day-for this I have laboured and toiled for the last eight years; and, although I have not fully realized my desire, I am not yet discouraged, and I am determined to labour on, and continue to pray for Christian union until I am called home, or the Master comes! While looking over the divisions of " Protestant Christendom," and seeing so many of my beloved brethren, who worship the same God, have the same faith and baptism, acknowledge the same Lord, and comforted by the same holy spirit-I say, to see such torn from me by sectarian pride, jealousy, or prejudice, so that we cannot eat or co-operate together in the Master's cause, fills my eyes with weeping, and my heart with mouring, and I am now disposed to take up the lamentation of the weeping prophet Jeremiah,-"Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night, for the slain of the daughter of

my people. Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? then why is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered ?

But I am happy to know that I am not alone in this desire for union; and that thousands of kindred spirits throughout the whole length and breadth of the land are striving together with me in their prayers night and day, and in their labours of love, for the same glorious object. The most intelligent, pious, and humble of all denominations are with us on this point, and greatly desire to see the walls of separation, raised by human device, thrown down, and the followers of the Lamb flowing together in love, converse with them individually, and they will all perhaps agree, that the present is an unhappy state of things, and that if all the church, or denomination to which they belong, would agree to it they would go for a general union of all Christians upon the BIBLE alone.

The pious and humble parties seem fully sensible that something is wanting "to perfect the saints in love," and to represent Christianity in all its loveliness to the world, and that something is Christian union; and hence we seldom hear a prayer offered up: but among other petitions we hear the following, or something like it :-"Lord hasten the happy time, when the watchmen upon the walls of Zion, shall see eye to eye." "When thy people shall all flow together in love when there shall be no more Barbarian, Sythian, bond, or free; but when they shall all be one in Christ our living head."

Now I take it for granted, that all who offer the above petition, really desire Christian union. We shall say nothing at this time about the propriety of praying for union, and refusing it at the same time. This we shall notice in its proper place.

That the different denominations really desire union, is proveable, not only by their own acknowledgments, as individuals, and their prayers, but also by their actions. How often is it the case, that some two or more of the most popular denominations in a town or neighbourhood, in order that they may have a higher state of spiritual enjoyment, and produce a more powerful impression upon sinners, unite together for a week, or ten days, for the purpose of holding a "protracted meeting?" They agree to preach upon no con

troverted subjects; but such only as they can investigate without infringing upon each other's reserved rights. They sing, pray, exhort, preach, and perhaps eat together; the saints are comforted, sinners are alarmed, and everything seems to move on harmoniously. To what is the success to be attributed? To their union? most unquestionably. But alas, the meeting is no sooner over than the trumpet is blown! "Every man to his tent, O Israel!” Now I reason thus:-If union be desirable for ten days, or during a" protracted meeting," it would certainly be much more so could it last through all time, and be consummated in another and happier world! All Christians look to a time which they call "millennium," as the consummation of all earthly bliss, because in that glorious period, there will be no divisionnothing to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain, not a jarring note among all the followers of the Lamb.

Now just the reverse of this is the state of things we see in the religious world; and let me ask, Who that loves the Lord, and desires the happiness of mankind, does not feel that something is wanting to give fulness of joy? and who, with this feeling, does not sigh for the "rest that remains for the people of God," and where division shall cease for ever? The holy apostles of the Lamb desire to see all Christians united; and hence Paul to the Corinthians," Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions amongst you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment." the Philippians he said, "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

Το

Our blessed Lord desired to see all his followers united in one: hence in his intercessory prayer, John xvii. 20—23, he said," Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one."

Who can read the above prayer of our Lord for union, and not feel ashamed and confounded, if he has ever for one moment opposed the union of all Christians, or advocated