priests themselves know that pagan idolatry is reeling to its fall.

The Jews, also, have an idea that their long expected Saviour will appear in the present age. This idea does not exist now as it has existed for ages past. Many of them are assured, that if he does not soon come, he will never come. Their prophetic periods have run out. Their calculations will not carry the birth of the Messiah beyond the present age; and if he does not come shortly, it will follow, to their minds, that he has already come; consequently they will look backward through the stream of ages to find the character most resembling "him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write." It is said that one of their most learned and influential rabbis has recently declared, that if his present views of the immediate appearing of "the long expected" should prove incorrect, he should turn back and hail Jesus of Nazareth as the Shiloh of his nation.

Whence do these impressions arise? By what circumstance or combination of circumstances have they been implanted in the minds of men so generally? We take the position, that this impression "is the great shadow of a coming" event, the harbinger of a series of sublime and stirring events, the voice of one crying, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord."

2. The universal diffusion of knowledge is another significant peculiarity of the present age. The Scriptures seem to teach that previous to the dawn of the Millennium, "knowledge will be increased." "Many will run to and fro," and a wonderful degree of mental culture be attained. This condition of the intellectual world is essential to what the Bible teaches of the characteristics of that day. Many, if not all, false systems of religion are founded on mistaken science. Pagan idolatry will be unable to survive, after the sciences are explained and understood. Teach the heathen what we know of the planetary world, and their idolatry is gone. Take away false science from their systems, and the structure which has stood the test of ages will crumble in a night. Nothing but ignorance can support it. Romanism will share a like fate under the reign of truth. The only safeguard of these false systems consists in a depraved heart and a darkened mind. Such being the case, we argue that the

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general diffusion of knowledge peculiar to our times, is an indication of the speedy establishment of holiness in the earth. The dark reign of ignorance has been broken up. The human mind is struggling for emancipation. The people have begun to think. Knowledge is no longer confined to the favored few. The great heart of mankind is beating for information. The universal pulse leaps for new acquisitions. Under this almost divine impulse, art and science are making rapid progress. Rivers hitherto impassable are bridged and dammed. Mountains are tunneled. Rail-roads are fast girdling the globe. Wind and water are made to subserve the noble purpose, and before the triumphant march of light, truth, and knowledge, all that is false is destined to certain defeat. Once, nations lived in solitude, and cities were scarcely known beyond themselves. Now, by the improvements of art and science, the distant parts of the earth are brought nearer together. Strange nations are made acquainted with each other. Thought and feeling are interchanged, and the light of one nation flashes upon the darkness of another. Under this state of things, popular ignorance will soon cease to be the bulwark of political impositions and ecclesiastical tyranny. Long injured and wounded right will assert her claims. The voice of religion will be heard above the discord and clamor of human passions, and

"Truth, crushed to earth, will rise again."

The increase of knowledge is no insignificant sign of the coming morning. The religion of Christ is a religion of thought and intellect, as well as of feeling. It reigns not only over the empire of the affections, but also over the empire of reason and judgment. It asserts its sway at the tribunal of the mind, as well as in the temple of the heart. When, therefore, men begin to think, they will begin to feel the claims of our holy faith; and when science shall have shown the falsity, and reason the entire corruption of all the systems of religion, then shall men turn their bewildered eyes toward the cross, and history shall record the fulfilment of that prediction of Him who hung upon it, "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."

3. Society is now laboring under political convulsions and dissensions. A few weeks ago our ears were saluted

by strange tidings from beyond the deep. From city to city, from town to town, in this new world, the intelligence flew with telegraphic speed, that one of the first governments in Europe had undergone a complete revolution. We heard of a throne, before which nations had been accustomed to tremble, now torn by the populace from its foundation, borne along the streets amid groans of derision, and then reduced to ashes. We heard of a king, who boasted yesterday of his security in power, today fleeing from his kingdom, an exile. Though the letter which brought us this intelligence was, so to speak, red with blood, yet we received the tidings with joy. Later advices from that country are pregnant with good; and though they speak of commotion and disorder, yet faith declares that out of this state of anarchy, God will bring order, beauty and perfection. Causes appear to be at work which will finally produce results alike astonishing and glorious.

The revolution cannot be confined to France. The progress of society, the natural promptings of the human mind, roll it on ward. For years Europe has been preparing for the struggle, and all her nations are rife for revolt. The genius of monarchy may plant her ranks of soldiers ten thousand deep; the thunder of her artillery may echo over land and sea; but the march of reform will be onward. If for a moment it should be checked, it will be to gather new strength, and burst over all barriers, sweeping away upon its surging tide all impedi

ments.

But what has this to do with the Millennium ?" Much every way. One of the chief obstacles to the progress of truth and holiness in the earth is the church of Rome. This is one of the great evils of the world in the present age; it is the monstrous form of iniquity with which Christianity is to have her most fearful struggle. She is the open defender and patron of evil, ignorance, folly and sin; she has built herself upon the groans and agonies of mankind; she has rioted in the destruction of souls; she is red with the blood of the martyrs of ten centuries, and Satan's most potent engine for the overthrow of social, civil and religious rights. Now the seat of the Romish church is in Europe. The monarchs of that continent are the patrons of the church. They deem

and rightly deem the existence of popery essential to monarchy; and hence they support the church, because she supports their thrones. They extend to her their pecuniary and political protection, and in return she extends to them her spiritual protection. Now, demolish the thrones of Europe, and you will demolish the pillars of the church of Rome; you take away the kings, who are its chief patrons. Introduce republican government, and give to the people the right to worship God as they choose, without paying their hard earnings to support an established ecclesiastical tyranny, and you dry up the largest streams that flow into the coffers of the pope. You leave him without resources to carry on his system of proselytism. Under the influence of liberal governments, men will have the right to worship whom, and what they choose; they will have no fear of torture before their eyes; they will assume the right to obey “his holiness," or not,-to kiss his feet, or not,-to call him, "My Lord, God, the pope," or not, just as they choose; and thousands who are now chained to the chariot-wheels of the papal system, will embrace a simpler and a purer faith. Thus, Rome will find herself weakened, and unable to extend her conquests. Not only will her power be broken in Europe, her home, but she will have no means to plant her poisoned offsets abroad.

Romanism in the United States is urged forward by European money. The coffers of Europe are emptying themselves out, for the subversion of our rights. Her cathedrals and her convents among us are built with money drawn from beyond the ocean; and when these sources fail, Romanism will be like a stream, losing itself in the sands of the desert, whose burning heat will drink it up. Besides this, if republics are formed in Europe, the floods of emigrants which are pouring themselves upon our shores, will come imbued with a better spirit; and then the evils which are now feared from this generally ignorant and superstitious class will, in the providence of God, be averted.

Believing, therefore, the church of Rome to be among the chief obstacles to the "reign of glory in the earth," and the thrones of Europe to be the pillars of that church, we hail the tottering of those thrones, as cheering indications that "the morning cometh."

There are also convulsions in other nations throughout the world. Wars and rumors of wars are heard. Moreover, in our own country, there has scarcely ever been a period of such political uncertainty. One of the most sagacious statesmen of our times has recently declared that in his whole life, he has never known so much obscurity gathering over the future. Though on the eve of an important election, yet in many cases, no one can surmise who will prove the favorite of the people. Old political courses seem to be broken up, and men wait in anxiety to behold the result. What do these changes portend? What do these party divisions mean? Are they not omens of good? Here, as well as in Europe, a battle is to be fought. A struggle between freedom and slavery is at hand. It cannot long be delayed. And we hail these signs as evidences of the approach of the spiritual reign of our Redeemer. He will overturn and overturn, until the right shall be established in the earth. Faith discerns amidst the darkness and the storm, the signs of the dawning of the morning.

4. The movements of the various ecclesiastical bodies, external and internal, are among the signs of the times. This we conceive to be the most important and conclusive, and one which presents a more fruitful theme for contemplation and study than any other. No one can have observed the movements of the various denominations of true and pretended Christians, and of the parties among them, for the last few years, without deep and serious inquiry. For ages past, truth has been commingled, more or less, with error. Satan's tares have grown up with the wheat, and true Christians have lived in visible and ecclesiastical fellowship with those who believe, and disseminate, error. The Bible predicts a period in the history of the world, when error will be separated from truth; when all that is pure in the church will array itself against all that is corrupt in the world. The aspect of the religious world gives no uncertain intimation, that that period has nearly come. The division has already commenced. We see it in the church of Rome herself. The controversy which is now going on between the papal court and the order of Jesuits, seems to indicate that if there be anything of good in Romanism, it will be 22*

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