even for ever and ever,”- "and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom, under the whole heaven, shall be given to the saints of the Most High," (Dan. vii. 18, 22, 27;) and the testimony of the beloved Apostle as to the events following the first resurrection. "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." The same judgment is foretold here, (verses 7, 8, 9,) even Kings are to be subject to "the saints of the Most High." "To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgment written; this honour have all His saints. Praise ye the Lord." And the CLth Psalm echoes this final injunction, and summons the universe to an act of praise; the firmament and the sanctuary, heaven and earth are alike bidden to unite in this triumphant peal of thanksgiving. We find its words in Rev. v. 13. "Blessing and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen."

X. Q.

[NOTE. The subject which has been above considered is of such stupendous moment, that it was proposed to extend these Notes through another

number, by an endeavour to methodize the Millenarianism of the Psalms, in classifying the passages which have been already noticed, together with those slighter allusions which have not been exhibited at length. By this plan, it was hoped to put the reader in possession of the whole testimony of the Psalter, on this important topic, at one view. The undertaking was commenced with pleasure; but, after copying references for some hours, the scheme was found to be little less than extracting the whole Book of Psalms, and it was seen that page after page of the Magazine would be filled with mere figures, to the great discontent of many among its readers.

The plan has therefore been reluctantly abandoned.]

X. Q.

FEMALE BIOGRAPHY OF SCRIPTURE.

THE SHUNAMITE.

No II.

Is there in the natural world a nobler image of repose, than the calm which we sometimes see upon the face of ocean? The mirror of the earth and sky, it reflects as with a loving aspect the features of all which encircles and over-shadows it; answers with 'many twinkling smile' the splendour of the daybeams, and glasses every passing cloud that shades the brow of heaven. Who that beheld it in such a guise, would dream of the slumbering strength, which, when aroused to fury, scatters whole navies, as an angry child rends the fragile toy, on which, an hour before, he smiled complacently.

There is a class of human character, to which fancy may link some analogy with this ocean strength and stillness. Persons of contemplative minds, will usually be found skilful to discern, and ready to sympathize with, (to reflect and give back as it were) the feelings of those by whom they are surrounded. They, more easily than others, can "rejoice with those who do rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Quiet and unmoved themselves, by worldly agitations, they mirror in their souls, the materiality of earth, and the immateriality of heaven. But such

natures have a depth, all undiscerned by those who merely gaze upon the placid surface. Trial comes to stir the stillness, and in the tempest of the soul, the slumbering power is made manifest. Passion is called up, and the beings of universal love become the sons of thunder.

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In the few striking incidents afforded us in the history of the Shunamite, we see a character externally gentle and quiescent, but strong in repose, as in emotion. Whether we contemplate her as the hospitable matron of Shunem; constraining her guest to partake of her bounty, discovering as by instinct his wishes and his wants, and surprising him with the delicacy and ingenuity of her favours; whether we behold her, calmly, but with high dignity, declining Gehazi's proffers, or see her surprised into passionate emotion, alike by the promise, and by the loss of her child: whether we regard her, sueing at the king's feet for justice, or nursing her sick boy on her knees till noon when he died;" there is in every trait, in every action, the charm of a unity which combines in its compass, depth, strength and stillness, power, pathos and passion. Up to the moment when she coldly repelled Gehazi's offer of service, nothing appears beyond the pure benevolence of her nature; but quick susceptibility of mind is then evinced. The great woman of Shunem does not stay to explain to Gehazi, as some persons simply benevolent might have done, that she had no other motive in ministering to his master than the gratification of ministering to a holy man of God. proffer, which might have been taken in good part, by a nature less sensitive, was felt as a humiliation by her, and it produced the usual effect of such a

The

wound in such a bosom; it shut the lips alike from complaint or explanation, and drew forth, as it were in self-defence, the avowal of the hidden choice of her soul "I dwell among mine own people." That there is something of wounded sensitiveness, discoverable in the behaviour of the Shunamite, seems evident from her hasty withdrawal, and from the reluctance shewn in her manner, again to encounter the Prophet and his messenger. Courtesy forbad that she should refuse attendance, when once more summoned to confer with Elisha; but how expressive is the action of her feelings, when it is said, "she stood in the door." Unwilling alike to shew a slight to her revered guest, or to obey his summons, she stood at the entrance of the little chamber, ready to withdraw once more, when the second ordeal to which she resigned herself was over. Elisha, meanwhile, had held a conference with Gehazi, and the versatility of the latter enabling him to discover what it was which the Shunamite lacked of earthly blessings, Elisha, in virtue of his prophetic office, announced to his astonished auditor, in almost the same language which the Lord of Prophets had employed in the hearing of Sarah on a similar occasion ; " About this season thou shalt embrace a son." Here again, her words were few, but what a fount of deep and passionate emotion lies beneath them:-"My Lord, thou man of God, do not deceive me!" for ever in hearts that beat quickest at the auguries of joy, fear will intermingle her fitful fever, and when the soul draws nearest to that which is its Eden, it shrinks, as if by instinct, from the cherub-guarded portal.

Again-upon that day, when the happy mother, who had parted with her blooming boy; full of