Listen to her longing vows, CHARLOTTE Rev. 6:10 Lu. 18: 3,7,8 Isa.24: 13--15 Mat. 24:40,41 ELISABETH. THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST AND THE RESURRECTION, the principal features of apostolical The importance of making Christ's second advent a prominent theme of pulpit discussion, is disparaged by some writers, on the ground of Paul's determination to know nothing among men save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. But are we to infer from the apostle that the sufferings, and the crucifixion of the Savior are all he determined to make known to the world, as a preacher of the gospel? By no means. It is true that the apostle had a special commission to the Corinthians, relative to the cross of Christ, and it was his determination, while among them, to preach faithfully the doctrine of a crucified Savior. It was his purpose not to occupy his time in discussing the laws, customs, and tradtions of the Jews; nor to preach to them" with enticing words of man's wis dom," but in demonstration of the spirit, and of power. 66 In the first chapter of the same Epistle, (v. 7,) the apostle commends the Corinthians, because they come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;" as though their constant expectations of his coming to judge the world was one evidenee of true piety, and a means for keeping them in the love of God, that they may be found blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. In chapter vi. 1, 2, the apostle reproves them for not remembering "that the saints shall judge the world," and the xv. chapter is devoted to an exposition of the order and nature of the resurrectien. It is evident, from the whole epistle, that the apostle did not confine his preaching to the cross of Christ, any more than to the resurrection, and the coming and kingdom of our Lord. Attention to the writings of the apostles will show that they preached the advent of Christ near, for the consolation and edification of christians; also on account of its practical tendency. 1. By the way of consolation. The apostle assures christians, at Thessalonica, that they will again see their departed friends, who have fallen asleep in Jesus; and adduces the resurrection of Christ as a pledge of theirs, when the Lord Jesus shall descend from heaven. See 1 Thess. iv. 13—18. "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words." 1 Thess. v. 9, 10.—"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." 2 Thess. i. 7—10—" And to you, who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be reveal ed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his shall come to be glorified in be admired in all them that our testimony among you was believed) in that day." power; when he his saints, and to believe (because Paul himself, in view of the hour of his departure, is consoled in the hope of a crown of righteousness, which he, with all the redeemed, will receive, at that day.—1 Tim. iv. 6—8. Peter, when reminded of the brevity of his own life, writes an Epistle to his people, the object of which is to confirm their faith in the coming of the Lord, and in the expectation of living in the new heavens, and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 1 Peter v. 4.—"When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." James, in his epistle, does not encourage those to whom he writes with the hope of their final reward, until Christ comes the second time. In view of their tribulations, he exhorts them to be patient until the coming of the Lord,—the period when they shall see, in the most striking |