sifted out, and that that awful form of iniquity will be destroyed by the brightness of the Saviour's coming. A like contest is going on in the church of England and its branches-a contest between sin and holiness. This church, and her tributaries in our land, have long boasted of their unity, and declared divisions out of the question. With exultation we have been pointed to her unbroken ranks and her apostolic priesthood; and we have been told that she will stand forever. But the Episcopal church is divided. Episcopacy has not prevented schism in her midst. Tumultuous elements are at work, from her centre to her outmost verge. The evangelical fragment is turning its wishful eyes from the broad phylactery, the solemn chant, and the mummeries of a cold, dead faith, to the cross of Christ. It is wending its way back from altars and robes and all the insignia of ecclesiastical domination, to the simple beauty of primitive Christianity. The other fragment is going towards Rome, courting the smiles of "the woman drunk with the blood of the saints," and fast filling up the measure of its apostate cup. Between these two fragments, the breach is becoming wider every day. Episcopacy, even in its most loyal form, cannot unite them; and soon the same temple will be insufficient to contain them, the same creed unable to unite them. There is division also among those who are denominated liberal Christians. One fragment is verging towards orthodoxy, and will soon be there. The other fragment is rapidly hastening to open infidelity. One part is yet attempting to cling to the pillars of a purer faith; and the other seems determined to shipwreck all faith. Not a few have found that they must give up their peculiar notions, or give up the Bible, and they choose to relinquish the latter. For this bold step others are not prepared. These divisions are matters of history. No attempt is made to conceal them. They dispute and divide openly, and then publish their divisions to the world. The denominations termed evangelical, among which we as Baptists claim to stand, are also undergoing, more or less really, the same process. Between the good and bad, a separation is going forward,-a separation which will ultimately shake them to their centre. Circumstances and opportunity only are wanting, to develop in their bosom the most alarming degeneracy. When these denominations stand where they ought to stand,-in the fore-front of the battle,-when they exert the influence which they ought to exert, for God and humanity,-when they emerge from the rubbish of the past, and shake the dust of sluggish inactivity from them, then will false friends desert them, and the true dignity of those who profess and possess religion will begin to appear. Not only in our own land, but throughout Christendom, the most exciting developments exist. Look to Scotland! See the Free Church, rising in its strength and beauty. Look to France, to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and even to enslaved Italy. Every movement is full of important consequences. What will be the result of these commotions in churches and in sects? The result predicted in the Bible, and described as the gathering of "Gog and Magog." This is Satan's last gasp for conquest in the world,-his last struggle against the powers of light. The various false religions of the world are the works of Satan; he employs his servants to seek to promote their own interests, as the best means of subserving the cause of his dark empire. He controls them; he presides in their councils, and guides their deliberations. He even allows his emissaries to unite with the true church; he sends them forth, clad in the livery of heaven, to steal their way into the gospel-fold, and there work out his wicked purposes. But now he seems more than ever to be throwing off the disguises which he has worn. The time has come when his interests can as well be subserved without the sects of error, as with them, and he is beginning, therefore, to permit them to be disbanded. Hitherto he has ranged his followers under different banners, and subscribed their names to different creeds. He has adapted these creeds to the various circumstances under which his servants are found. But the time is near when all that is pure in the world will take sides against him and his followers; and all that is sinful, wherever found, will take sides with him against the truth. Every movement of the religious world for the few past years indicates the approach of the last struggle. When it shall come, the powers of Satan will combine their strength, and not remain scattered, as at present. They will not have different banners, bearing different devices and mottoes. One banner alone,-a banner dark as night, will wave over them. The signs of the times are full of unutterable omens, yet bright with the beamings of the morning sun. The angel seen by John in the vision of Patmos, who had the everlasting gospel to bear to every kindred, tribe and people, has commenced his flight. Through the missionary cause and its successes,-the brightest, by far the brightest, among the indications of the approaching Millennium, his flight is seen and his presence is felt in distant lands. Paganism leans to its fall, and the redeemed of the Lord are coming to Mount Zion, with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. Christianity will soon dry her tears, nor weep again over disappointed hopes. Her labors will be past, her toils finished. Her lot will be "By foreign streams no more to roam, D. C. E. ARTICLE VII. THE MISSIONARY CHARACTER OF DR. JUDSON. [We have no desire to burn incense at any human shrine, or to exalt, during his life-time, a fellow-man to a position which would prove injurious in any way to himself or others. However eminent the station and the services of the venerated and beloved brother whose name stands at the head of this article, we have a dread of offering in such a connection any thing like fulsome flattery. But the present article, from an esteemed contributor, exhibits in so pleasing a manner a series of missionary sketches, a compendium of important items of the history of the Burman mission, and at the same time presents in so proper a way the leading characteristics of the spirit of a true missionary, that we do not scruple to offer it to the readers of the Christian Review. Let it be read by the young aspirant for evangelical service, as presenting a model of the true spirit which ought to be cherished by a minister and a missionary of the cross. ED.] FEW characters can be more interesting to the Christian than that of the faithful missionary; few will more amply reward careful study and thought. In the midst of the sordid selfishness which characterizes and embitters but too much of human life, it is cheering to contemplate here and there, some noble example of magnanimous virtue or hearty self-sacrifice. There is something instructive and elevating too, as well as pleasing, in the contemplation of rare exhibitions of disinterested benevolence or Christian philanthropy. We turn from the study of them with spirits at once chastened, refreshed and invigorated, with purer motives and higher aims. It is to such a study that our present purpose invites us. The missionary life of Dr. Judson presents in its crowded history, scenes at once the most thrilling and the most instructive. Few men have combined so many of the rare qualities of the Christian hero, as this faithful pioneer in the cause of missions; to none is the Christian world more indebted for the wonderful achievements which have been wrought in the sacred enterprise, to which he has so nobly consecrated his life. But much as we owe him for his patient and successful services, he claims our highest gratitude for the noble exhibition which he has given us of the true spirit of missions. In him we find the manly energy and fixed resolve of the hero, harmoniously blending with the deep piety of the Christian, and the high-toned devotedness of the martyr. Never, since the days of the apostles, has the world wit. nessed a brighter example of unwavering faith and steadfast consecration to truth and duty, than that presented in the missionary life of Dr. Judson. An example like this is certainly worthy of our study and thought a brief examination of its missionary character, is the object of the present article. Tracing back the course of time almost forty years, our subject introduces us to a young man sitting alone in the retirement of his study; an expression of solemn earnestness rests upon his countenance; for the theme of his meditations is one of no trivial or momentary interestthe anxious look but speaks the inward struggles of that youthful, though bold spirit. He holds in his hand a pamphlet; it is the "Star in the East," that celebrated work from the pen of Dr. Buchanan. Its eloquent appeals in behalf of the perishing millions of India, have found in that generous heart, a chord which must respond. The student at Andover already feels the earnest impulses of benevolence, stirring him to high purpose and noble deeds of Christian philanthropy. A voice from his inmost soul is calling upon him to become a missionary of the cross-to carry the light of gospel truth to those who sit in darkness; to give the bread of life to those who are famishing on heathen shores. That voice is heard, the purpose fixed. Judson has consecrated himself to the work of missions. Henceforth he will follow the guiding "Star in the East." From this moment Judson's is a missionary life. The spirit which pervades all his doings, the motives which actuate and the principles which govern him, are all missionary. Day after day he pleads with his fellow-students and with Christian friends, in behalf of the great enterprise to which he has devoted his all. His efforts are crowned with some measure of success. The Ameri |