gathering storm. Watch, therefore,

discern the

signs which have appeared in answer to the prophecy, and by which, as well as by the prophetic numbers, we may know that the end of all things is at hand, just as we may know that summer is nigh by the budding of the tree, or that winter is approaching by the fading foilage and the falling leaf. Study the sure word of prophecy take heed unto it " as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." Learn that the great image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream represents the four great universal monarchies which have succeeded each other, and which brings us down to the time when the stone shall smite the image, and dash to pieces the kingdoms of this world. Learn that the horn (Dan. vii. 21, 22) prevails until the Ancient of Days come, and the time that the saints possess the kingdom. Learn that Daniel was instructed by Gabriel, into the nature and length of the vision, and decide for yourselves when the kingdom of God shall appear. The wise shall understand. Let not that day come upon you as a thief. "Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.

They that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut." Do not be indifferent to a subject of such vast importance, and involving such momentous events to the church and the world. When the seventh trumpet shall begin to sound, the mystery of God will be finished. God has not said that it shall not be this year. And now, dear friend, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, hoping that we may have part in the first resurrection, and dwell with Christ in his everlasting kingdom. Yours, aff.

N. H.

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INTRODUCTION.

The first and second coming of Christ are great and prominent themes of prophecy. The scriptures of the Old and New Testaments represent the justice of God which was exercised towards mankind, immediately after the fall of our first parents, as mingled with divine love. Previous to their exile from Eden a ray of hope beamed around them in the promise of a Savior, who is to be the final Deliverer of Israel. To Abraham the promise was more fully explained, which was the Hope, and consolation of the people of God, long before it was fulfilled. The predictions recorded in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah, are clearly descriptive of his advent, and of things pertaining to his kingdom. In the prophecy of Daniel there is incontrovertible evidence that Jesus was born under the Roman government, and will come the second time while the Man of Sin is prevailing. See 2 Thess. ii. 3—8.

On a subject so interesting as the First and

Second Advent of our Lord, it is important that we carefully examine those prophecies which testify of him, and see how completely they are fulfilled, in the person of one like unto the Son of God. The features of these prophecies may be traced, in their fulfillment, in reference to the time and place of his birth, the family from which he should arise, his spotless life and character, the miracles which he wrought, the purity, and power of his doctrine, the design and influence of his coming, and the nature and extent of his kingdom.

Those who see clearly the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the promised Messiah, the multiplicity of facts which are applicable to him alone, must also see the ultimate destiny of all earthly kingdoms, by the same light of prophecy, when the stone breaks in pieces the image and fills the whole earth. The principle of interpreting the prophecies is well expressed by Dodwell, "Never depart from the literal sense of Scripture without an absolute necessity for so doing." Such a principle is consistent; and commends itself to our reason, and is far less liable to abuse than the spiritual mode of interpretation. The literal interpretation of Scripture is warranted by the patriarchs and apostles in their understanding of the prophecies. Noah so understood the flood. Abra

ham, Moses, Isaac, and Jacob, believed that God's word would be accomplished according to its grammatical meaning. All the prophecies respecting the Messiah, they expected and believed, would be literally fulfilled. The principle adopted is confirmed by the providence of God, in the literal accomplishment of events recorded in the Old Testament, as they have transpired in past ages. "Every one acquainted with his Bible, must know that the prophecies of Scripture are a vast chain, beginning and ending with the course of this present world :—one end of that chain lay in Paradise lost, commencing in the prediction that if man should eat the forbidden fruit, he should die; nor shall we reach the other end, pursue it as we may through the histories of ages, and nations, and midst its thousand times ten thousand convolutions, till it brings us back again to Paradise restored—the glorious dominion of Jesus Christ over all the earth, in more than Eden-like blessedness."—Duffield.

Jesus has commanded us to search the Scriptures; and that for a wise purpose. The word of God is an inexhaustible mine of rich truths. Peter, who spake under the inspirations of the Holy Ghost, says that we do well to "take heed" to the " more sure word of prophecy." The Bereans were commended as being more

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