we eyes, we might see all things, linked together and co-working, like cog-wheels and bands in some vast machinery. The private soldier may not understand the unity of plan in the mind of the general, by which the movements of different companies converge to a single end. The reader may not conjecture for a time how the ingenious author will manage the thickening plot. These are poor illustrations of the deep wisdom by which the complicated affairs of earth are directed to the accomplishment of one great purpose. Sometimes, as in the cases of Joseph and Haman, the design is sufficiently developed in this world to be appreciated by us. Hereafter, as the results shall be developed on the broad stage of eternity, we will understand more correctly and fully. Put us in possession of the law of gravitation, and what had been separate and disconnected phenomena are arranged in order and harmony as parts of one stupendous whole the falling of a leaf and the regular motions of the heavenly bodies are seen to obey one common impulse. So a simple principle of God's moral government may explain to us the apparently confused and clashing operations progressing around us.

Can we avoid a glance at the general purpose which the events and agencies of all earth and all time are effecting-the eternal glorification of the entire Church? Look and listen to the wrecking storms witnessed in different ages! Do you tremble for the Church? Founded on a rock, she shall never fall. What chaos, what darkness, what tumult, abound among the nations! Over all preside

eternal justice, eternal mercy. Wars and treaties, science and invention, commerce and conquest, the spread of civilization and Christianity over savage or unpeopled lands-all, all are working, under the watchful superintendence of God, for the preservation, the purification, the perfection, the triumph, of his saints. Above the din of business, above the uproar and shocks of armies and revolutions, rises the shout of saints and angels--" Alleluia! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!" It is the shout of faith and hope. As systems of error and sin, longestablished and high-towering, fall with mighty crash to earth, loud rises the tramphant acclaim-"Alleluia! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth As Christianity is freed from some false doctrine, from some dark spot, from some heavy incubus; as she marches to new lands, and plans her standard on a strange soil, again the jubilant peal is here--Alleluia! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!" When every idol shall have been broken, and the crescent shall have

yielded to the cross, and spiritual religion shall have everywhere prevailed; when Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints, and the number of the saved shall be completed, and the Prince of Darkness shall be doomed to confinement and chains in his own hell, and the bodies of the dead in Jesus shall share the glory of his redemption; and the Church, as a bride arrayed in fine white linen, (the righteousness of the saints,) shall be presented to her Lord-then, as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, shall we hear the shout-O that we may join therein!-"Alleluia; the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!" "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is equally true, that all things work together for evil to the wicked. As a diseased stomach turns the best food into poison, so does a bad heart turn every blessing into a curse-every gift becomes a snare. The very gospel is a savor of death unto death. The atonement of Christ is the occasion of heavier condemnation, through unbelief. Their privileges (neglected) aggravate their guilt. Chastenings, instead of melting, harden their hearts. Prosperity blinds their eyes to their true interests. Fortune is as smooth, but slippery rocks. Honor is a height overhanging a deep abyss, and the head becomes dizzy. They sow to the flesh, and reap corruption. They are filling up their cup. They are fitting themselves unto destruction. They wax worse and worse--harder and blinder. Thus goes on the progress of virtue in Christians, of vice in sinners; until probation ends and retribution begins; until saints are ripe for heaven and sinners for hell; until justice, unrestrained by mercy, seizes the ungodly, and mercy, unrestrained by justice, blesses the righteous; until the one class enters upon the perfection and eternity of misery, and the other upon the perfection and eternity of bliss.

20

CHRIST AND PILATE:

OR, THE DIVINE AND HUMAN GOVERNMENTS IN CONTRAST.

CHRIST AND PILATE:

OR, THE DIVINE AND HUMAN GOVERNMENTS IN CONTRAST.

BY REV. DAVID 8. DOGGETT, D. D.,

OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not

of this world, then would my serve

to the Jews: but now is my ki

unto him, Art thou a king, t'
king. To this end was I b

I should bear witness up
my voice."-John xvi'

The Jews, in orc
Jesus Christ, avail
instruments: the
against him the se
people they had r

tribunal with the opponent, if not

titor for the imp before Pontius have found thi

tribute to Cæs render Pilate

with virtual

"if thou le

maketh hi

and Pilate

a myster not mer

ages, b

of age

their

of al'