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inflexible separation from an ungodly world, as well as of inviolable security and defence. But still that wall is pierced by open gates," not in one direction merely, but in all-" on the East three gates, on the North three gates, on the South three gates, and on the West three gates." To all quarters of the world those gates look forth. Not a wanderer from any part of the earth's wilderness shall turn a wistful glance to those portals and see even one barred against him. "Whosoever will, let him come."

"The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth." "The length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal." Symmetry is a characteristic of the church of Christ. It should, however, be noted that the word equal in the last part of verse 16, does not necessarily mean mutually equal. Probably the intention of the clause is to depict the height, like the length and breadth, as everywhere the same-i. e. no one part of the enclosing wall higher than any other. The city is a perfect square, but not a perfect cube, which would seem even in a vision incongruous and impossible. The "twelve thousand furlongs," or stadia by which the length and the breadth are admeasured, bear an evident relation to the numerical symbolism of the rest of the book-where twelve is always a note of the church, and thousand expressive of vast number. Compare the twelve times twelve thousand of the elect in the seventh chapter. A meaning equally expressive may be gained from the garniture of precious stones by which the foundations are enriched. Remembering that the foundation stones represent the apostolic band, the jewels which in their far-flashing radiance adorn them, plainly represent the various gifts with which the intellects and hearts of Christ's servants have been stored. In one there is the clear light of knowledge, and in another the burning lustre of genius. Every character has its own endowment patient thought or soaring ambition, a capacity for energetic labor or a habit of calm submission. The eloquent orator and the thoughtful enquirer have each an assigned place. Every precious stone shines with its own glory, which itself is but a partial reflection of the one Light which is over all and in all.

For "the glory of God doth lighten the city, and the Lamb is the light thereof." Fellowship with God and the reflection of Christ's character are the crowning glory of the church. "There is no night there." The presence of Him who is the only true Light is perpetual. At all times, and by every member of the family of the redeemed, the privilege of communion with God

Harbinger, Feb. 1, '64.

may be enjoyed. "I saw," says the Apostle, "no temple therein." There is no centre of worship. Co-extensive with the church is the sanctuary, and the merit and the power of the Great Sacrifice are ever present to the devout heart; for not only "the Lord God Almighty," but the Lamb is the temple of it."

Rich and full also are the supplies of Divine grace afforded to the church. "From the throne of God and the Lamb," i. e. from the heart of the everlasting pur pose of God in Christ, strong and steadfast as the Temple mountain, from whose bosom gushed the waters of Siloam, proceeds the water of life, clear as crystal. We are at once reminded of the words "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High," and of that wonderful vision contained in the 47th of Ezekiel. As in Ezekiel, too, the banks of the river on both sides are lined by trees of life, unfading in their foliage, unfailing in their fruit. The sustenance and refresh ment are perpetual, for the tree "beareth twelve manner of fruits, and yieldeth her fruit every month." Our lives are ever changeful in their need: but in the stores of the Divine mercy there is satisfaction for every passing hour. In the spring time of promise and glad anticipation, before the flowers of life have had time to expand, and when all other fruitage is but in its blos som, the fruit of the tree of life is already ripe: and the little child may prove the satisfaction and the joy of Jesus' love. But the "months" roll on: Summer brings its sultry heat, and the weary la borer droops beneath the burden of the day. On this tree, however, there is fruit of cooling and refreshment for him; he eats, and renews his strength for nobler toils. In Autumn, when the leaves around are falling and other fruits are gone, there is here unwithering beauty and full sup ply-changed, indeed, but only as the need of life is changed. And when the chill winter of age has descended on the landscape, and the frost has withered other joys, and the flowers of life are in their graves, this tree still rears its undecaying form more conspicuously beautiful for the surrounding desolation, while the pilgrim, spent and weary, confesses that the most exquisite fruit has been reserved till last. "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.'

It is well sometimes to fix our thoughts upon our ideals. The perfect reality may indeed never be attained on earth by the church, any more than by the individual Christian. But it cheers and strengthens us to contemplate the perfect will of God

Harbinger, Feb. 1, '64.

concerning us. In so far as Christ's true presence is acknowledged, and His will obeyed, there is already a realization of the wonderous vision. The lowliest of true believers may claim the blessedness: and, in the humblest circle of Christian fellowship, there is some image of the symmetry

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"Glo

and glory of the New Jerusalem, rious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." "Blessed are they that HAVE WASHED THEIR ROBES, that they may have access to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gate into the city."-Baptist Mag.

BRADFORD, YORKSHIRE.

Two persons were immersed on the 27th of December and, with two others previously immersed, added to the church. G. W.

BIRMINGHAM, WALSALL, &c. December 25 found me in Liverpool where a considerable company of brethren and friends assembled to enjoy the after. noon's repast and to instruct one another in the things of the kingdom. The following Lord's day we had average meetings in Hope Hall. On Monday I left to lecture that evening in Manchester and the even

ing following in Derbyshire. Thursday night we held a watchnight service in Manchester, when a goodly number of members saw the new year in and becomingly devo ted themselves anew to the Lord. A social meeting on the New-year's day was well attended by non members, and preaching on the Lord's day after brought our labors in Manchester to a close. The next day brought us to Birmingham where upon the following day we had a large meeting of brethren and friends. January has been chiefly spent in Birmingham and Walsall, in both of which places good audiences and useful work have met us. The Lord's day afternoon lectures in Walsall have been well attended, and the preaching in the evenings, by Brethren Johnson and Carn. diff, has had attentive hearers. Last Lord's day morning I immersed two, who now rejoice as members of the little church. Yesterday we arranged for a week-night meeting in the house of one who has declared his intention to put on the Lord in baptism. We are about to take the Temperance meeting-room for the regular meetings of the church. There are a number of persons earnestly looking into the truths brought before them, and a goodly number who seem not far from the kingdom. At present I continue the afternoon lectures in the Guild-hall. D. KING.

January 22.

CAMDEN TOWN, LONDON.

The usual Christmas excitement, and the festive mirth of New Years, have now

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subsided, and the people are once more engaged in the matter of fact business of of them the worse) for the cessation from every day life, very little the better (many their regular employ. This is not to be wondered at, when we consider the influences brought to bear upon the masses. It mummeries were enacted, and palmed off was truly sickening to see what senseless upon the people in the sacred name of and her progeny; and lamentable to behold Christianity by the "Mother of Harlots" the cunning devices and allurements employed, to captivate the careless and giddy multitude "Lovers of pleasures more

than lovers of God." Alas! for the frail

bark of humanity when tempest-tossed upon the ocean of life, without a chart or compass, and with only such a dangerous captain that either priestcraft or the blind passions of man can supply! Thanks be to God, that some such souls have seen their danger and folly, and have wisely taken passage on board "the Ark of God"

thus placing themselves under the guidance and care of the "Great Captain of our salvation," who will steer us safely by the compass of divine love, and the chart of eternal truth, to the "haven of rest and the the port of peace." During the past month the triumphs of the cross have been most glorious, for although we have had to contend with the adverse influences referred to, yet our success has been unprecedented (for the same period of time) during any have been added to the church, seventeen of our previous visits to this city. Twenty by faith and baptism, and three from the Baptists. Several are intensely interested; some of them are decided for Christ, and others are almost persuaded. To the Lord be increasing praises for his love and mercy to the children of men! Christ,

Yours in

HENRY S. EARL.

WHITEHAVEN.

The little flock here has received fresh encouragement by the immersion of three believers into the death of Christ.

G. SINCLAIR.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND.

Bro. F. Battson, under date November 17, alludes to four additions to the church, over which the brethren in Dunedin rejoice. He adds-The truth everywhere in this sectarian age is hindered by men who carry away the people after human traditions. May those who have not so learned Christ stand firm and be always ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them.

AMERICA.

ILLINOIS.-Bro. W. Burge, writing from Woburn, Bond co. under date Dec. 30th last, gives a summary of the results of his labors since the 1st of June. The first Lord's day in each month was spent at Silver Creek, with some thirty additions. He held one meeting in Fayette co. resulting in thirty-seven additions, at which Bros. Smith and Grandfield assisted, and closed a meeting in Stanton with twentyfour additions.

IOWA. - Bro. C. Rowe, dating from Ep. worth, Dec. 18, reports encouraging news from this state, there having been two hundred additions through his labors, one meeting resulting in twenty additions. In August he visited the Eagle Valley congregation in Minnesota, where he had thirteen additions, and again in October when eighteen were added. A visit to the beautiful little town of Oronoco, Olmsted co. Minn. introduced him to eleven disciples who were trying to honor their Lord. A meeting, including two Lord's days, gained to the cause twenty-five additions. O what a reviving time it was to the few who had stood firm! Many of those who joined were heads of families. They intend to build a meeting-house next season. He found tried material for officers in the congregation.

KENTUCKY.-Bro. Jacob Hugley, writing from Warsaw, Gallatin co. under date of Dec. 15, reports the closing of a very interesting meeting of several days' continuance at Stone Lick, the result of which was an addition of eight by baptism. At Pleasant Hill, Oldham co. after a meeting two bowed to the authority of the Saviour.

MARYLAND.-Bro. D. S. Burnet, writing from Baltimore, under date of December 15, reports the accession of another church with their minister, David Dick, near one of the stations in Jamaica. Bro. R. Conrad, a colored preacher of Cincinnati, had been

Harbinger, Feb. 1, '64.

THE OLD SCHOOLS AND THE NEW.

Those who hear the gospel in the present day, do not seem to consider it their duty to learn to be teachers, at least not in the church, and by the means of that knowledge which is to be therein attained. They think it enough if they can hear with some profit to themselves; but this was not the state of things in the primi tive church. Every church was then a seminary, in which provision and prepara tion were made, not only for continuation but for the calling, collecting, and teachof the preaching of the gospel in itself, ing of other churches also. should be educated in the church, for the course, that the teachers of the church until the public school at Alexandria, work of the ministry, continued inviolate, which became a precedent to other places for a mixed learning of philosophy and religion, in time corrupted both, and ulti mately the whole church itself. Churches are the schools of Christ, in which disciples are trained up to perfection, every one according to the measure appointed him, and his usefulness in the body. Every mem

And this

Harbinger, Feb. 1, '64.

ber of a Christian church should have a twofold aim; first, his own edification, and next his usefulness in regard to others. Owen on the Epistle to the Hebrews.

SHEEP WHICH GO UP FROM THE WASHING.

The Baptist Magazine gives several anecdotes relating to Elder Kidd, a somewhat eccentric brother who labored in the good work of reformation in Cleveland, Ohio. Being very familiar with the Scriptures, he rarely expressed himself without a quota tion from them, and generally, when asked a question, he finished his reply with a text that would make his interrogator remember it. Sometimes, it is true, the force of the application depended on the mere drollery of it, but he commonly answered a fool according to his folly.

One day a Presbyterian divine, not specially distinguished for the fruitfulness of his ministry, took occasion to rally him upon his baptismal opinions.

"Brother Kidd," said he, it seems a little too much like forcing matters to call you and your denomination the Lord's sheep. You take to the water too kindly, and that isn't the nature of the animal. You're more like ducks; but we don't hear any thing in Scripture about 'the ducks of the house of Israel.' 'Feed my ducks,' &c."

"No," replied the Elder, "but I suppose our sect is alluded to in the 6th chapter of Canticles: A flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins; and there is not one barren one among them.' When our sheep get as unproductive as the flocks of some shepherds that I know, it will be time enough to give them another name."

THE TESTS OF CHRISTIAN GREATNESS.

Usefulness in the world and church-an humble readiness to do any thing, and put our hands to any good work,-a cheerful willingness to fill any post, however lowly, and discharge any office, however unpleasant, if we can only promote happiness and holiness upon earth, these are the true tests of Christian greatness. The hero in Christ's army is not the man who has rank, and title, and dignity, and chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. It is the man who looks not on his own things, but the things of others. It is the man who is kind to all, tender to all, thoughtful for all, with a hand to help all, and a heart to feel for all. It is the man who spends and is spent to make the vice and misery of the world less, to bind up the broken hearted, to befriend the friendless, to cheer the sorrowful, to enlighten the ignorant, and to raise the poor. This is the truly great man in the eyes of God. The

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world may ridicule his labors and deny the sincerity of his motives. But while the world is sneering, God is pleased. This is the man who is walking most closely in the steps of Christ.-Ryle.

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM.

I am not what I ought to be! Ah! how imperfect and deficient! I am not what I wish to be! I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good. I am not what I hope to be! Soon, soon I shall put off mortality, and with mortality all sin and imperfection. Yet, though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say I am not what I once was-a slave to sin and Satan; and I can heartily join with the Apostle, and acknowledge, "by the grace of God I am what I am."-John Newton.

GOOD ADVICE.

Francis Quarles, an old writer who lived in the days of Charles I., says to parents: "Be very vigilant over thy child in the April of his understanding, lest the frost of May nip his blossoms While he is a tender twig, straighten him; such as thou makest him, such commonly shalt thou find him. Let his first lesson be obedience, and his second shalt be what thou wilt. Give him education in good letters to the utmost of thy ability and his capacity. Season his youth with love of his Creator, and make the fear of his God the begin. ning of his knowledge. If he have an active spirit, rather rectify than curb it; but consider idleness among the chiefest faults. As his judgment ripens, observe his inclinations, and tender him a calling that shall not cross it. Forced marriages and callings seldom prosper. Shew him both the mow for the danger of the skirmish, as possess and the plough, and prepare him as well him with the honor of prize."

ANECDOTE OF A GOOD WIFE.

It is no common thing for Christian people, under the pressure of worldly business, to neglect family prayer. The Christian Herald states that many years ago, when the country about Cincinnati was new, a Christian farmer, who had employed a number of hands to aid him in clearing his lands, took it into his head that he would not have family prayer in the morning, because the time he would spend on so many hands was more, he thought, than he could afford to lose He had made up his mind to get rich in haste, and determined that religion should bend to business. When he informed his pious wife of his purpose, she expostulated with him but it was in vain. He hurried to breakfast,