stewardship, and the fidelity wherewith we have executed the solemn trust reposed in us. And now I would draw your attention to the conduct of John's disciples, for it is indeed worthy of notice. It is written, that his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.' (Matt. xiv. 12.) From henceforth they followed him, and thus the Almighty brought good out of this wicked act, by leading them to the fountain of truth itself; for they were so deeply attached to the Baptist, that as long as he lived they were faithful to him, notwithstanding he continually endeavoured to direct them to Jesus, the long-promised Messiah. The removal of ministers or teachers should bring us nearer to Christ, and into more intimate communion with him. God is a jealous God, and his glory He will not give to another; therefore when he sees the creature receiving that attention, I may almost call it that adoration, that alone belongs to himself, he removes the idol in order to teach them to cease from man." "But, Sir," said Hyford, in some agitation, "how is this? Do you forbid our loving and reverencing you, Sir, our dear minister and guide?"

"Do not mistake me,” replied Mr. C—, kindly; "I only wish to show you the relative position of a minister and his people. To love and esteem those whom you know are deeply interested for you, who pray for you and with you, who enter into your joys and sorrows, your hopes and fears, who counsel you in life, and help to smooth your passage out of it, is just and right; but I cannot bear to see the servant occupy the Master's place; the creature rob the Creator of his glory; the shepherds followed, while the Chief Shepherd is forgotten; the labourers extolled, while the great Master Builder is despised. We shall only prosper as a Church and people as long as we set the Lord Jevovah on our right hand, and render to him alone the homage that is due; his servants preaching 'not themselves, but Jesus Christ,' and him crucified; not becoming as clouds, eclipsing the brightness of the Sun of Righteousness from the view, and deceiving the seeking, longing soul with fine words, instead of leading him to the Messiah, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. But let us turn from man to follow our divine Lord, who, as soon as he heard of the death of his faithful forerunner, withdrew himself, and departed by ship into a desert place.' (Matt. xiv. 13). But privacy could not be the portion of Him who left his throne of glory for the express purpose of

teaching his ignorant creatures. The time was come for the people to discover that a great prophet was risen up among them, and that God had visited them,' with a light such as had never before been seen. John by his preaching had prepared them for it, and the influences of the Lord the Spirit had roused them from their spiritual slumber; when, therefore, this valued teacher was removed by the base and treacherous Herod, whom they hated and despised, while they feared and dreaded him, we cannot be surprised that they crowded after Jesus, and eagerly listened to doctrines so divine and pure. His miracles also astonished them, for the blind, the dumb, the lame, the afflicted with every variety of disease, bore testimony to his mighty power, and compelled them to acknowledge his superiority; for they said, 'John did no miracle, but all things that John spake of this man were true,' (John x. 41); therefore, when they saw him and his immediate followers enter the little vessel, they were aware of their destination, and hastened to meet them upon their landing, bringing with them as many sick persons as they could convey, with the hope of seeing them restored again to health and vigour. Nor was their faith misplaced: experience taught them that pity for the woes sin has produced was deeply seated in his bosom, and that part of his blessed mission was to heal the sick, and make them understand that he was come to deliver body and soul from the thraldom and effects of sin; for St. Mark tells us that the sight of such a multitude filled him with compassion, 'because they were as sheep not having a shepherd' and that 'he began to teach them many things,' (chap. vi. 34.) The religious state of Judea was deplorable when our Lord dwelt amongst them; misled by their teachers, whose interest it was to keep them ignorant, the common people literally knew nothing, they were indeed as sheep without a shepherd, for no man cared for their souls; to them, therefore, he proclaimed the glad sounds of peace, and openly declared his object to be to seek and to save that which was lost. But while he taught them with a simple eloquence and gracious manner such as they never met with before, and which compelled some to exclaim with unfeigned admiration, 'He spake as never man spake!' (John vii. 46), he was not unmindful of the infirmities of nature; he knew that, however desirous they might be for instruction, the body must be sustained. His disciples appear to have become dissatisfied, for it is

written, that when the day was far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.' Now this seemed reasonable, and it was but natural to expect his compliance. Judge, therefore, of their astonishment, when, with a tone of authority, he said, ' Give ye them to eat.' They tried to set this command aside, by making various excuses, and declaring their whole stock of provisions consisted in five loaves, and two fishes,' barely sufficient for themselves. But that was of no importance to Him, who, though he had laid aside his glory, retained a power unknown to man. He was determined first to perplex his unbelieving followers, and then to astonish them by his wondrous acts. He commanded all the people to sit down upon the grass in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. Thus there was no confusion, and all were equally present before him. 'Then taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.' (Mark vi. 38—41) And by virtue of this blessing, the provisions so multiplied that they not only all ate, and were filled, but the disciples gathered up twelve baskets full of the fragments, (one for each,) which was sufficient for the supply of their own wants likewise.

"Our time now, my friends," continued the pastor, looking at the time-piece, which was near him," is expired, we must therefore defer to another day the remarks that naturally arise to our minds from this wonderful miracle; but it was not a solitary instance, for during our progress through the Histories of the New Testament we shall be called upon to notice a similar display of divine power; and I trust, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we shall be enabled to derive the instruction it is calculated to afford, and be more encouraged to apply to Jesus for the supply of spiritual nourishment, assured that He alone has the power to preserve and increase it abundantly, sustaining and strengthening our souls unto Eternal Life."

R. CLAY, PRINIER, BREAD STREET HILL.

"THE history of our Divine Lord and his forerunner, John the Baptist, is so closely interwoven in the early chapters of the several Gospels," remarked Mr. C upon the occasion of his friends assembling at his house, as usual," that I thought it would be more in accordance with the wishes of all present to complete the details given us of that faithful servant, though by so doing we unavoidably' anticipated a little with regard to the proceedings of the Messiah; whose footsteps we now purpose to follow, with the humble hope that a blessing from on high may accompany our efforts, and that by faith we may be enabled to realise his presence, and mingle with the favoured multitudes who were permitted to see and hear "things which had been kept secret from the foundation of the world,' (Matt. xiii. 35.) The task we have undertaken is one of no trifling import; it is a feeble endeavour to set before you Jesus; and, oh, my friends, in that one word how much is comprehended! I feel inadequate to the mighty theme; and my earnest desire is, that He will so graciously assist me by his Spirit, that, instead of darkening counsel by words without knowledge,' he may enable me to 'publish the name of the Lord, and to ascribe greatness unto our God.'

6

"The histories of the princes of the earth are full of records of pride, vainglory, ostentation, desolations, and death; but this mighty King, before whom the greatest potentate is nobody, who was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, made himself of no reputation;' he scorned the distinctions of the world, and set at nought the learning of the scribe. To confirm his word, he displayed his power over all creation; and when his wondrous mission was ended, he ascended up on high, leading captivity captive, proving himself conqueror over Satan, Sin, and Death, and resuming the glory that he had with the Father before ever the world was. But is he unmindful of his subjects here below? does he forget the visit he once paid to the abodes of man ? No, never; the pity and compassion that impelled him then, is deeply seated in his bosom now. The love that led him here, burns with undiminished force; he has engraven his people upon the palms of his hands, and he is continually employed in making intercession for them, and offering the incense of his merits on the golden altar that is before the throne.