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shoulders.

This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?" (Isaiah xiv. 24-27.)

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SUPPLEMENTARY

REMARKS ON THE

PROSPECTS OF THE EAST.

SINCE the foregoing pages were first written, considerable progress has been made in preparing plans for the renovation of the Eastern countries, especially Asia Minor, Egypt, and Syria, including the Euphratean district.

The result of the late war with Russia has been to bring the Turkish dominions into recognised political connexion with Western Europe. The cession of territory made by Russia in Bessarabia, has been another step towards establishing the ancient Roman boundary. Indeed, the ancient Roman Vallum, the remains of which still exist, was avowedly taken as a guide in determining the boundary. A few more such changes (the most important of which will occur in south and southwestern Germany, and on the Northern Rhine) and the ancient outline of the Roman Empire will again appear nor will the proud denomination of 'H OLKOVμEVη-and "Orbis Terrarum" seem unsuited to the condition of countries which will again prove themselves to be the home and centre of the earth's civilization. It is possible indeed, perhaps probable, that the re-establishment of the ancient Roman

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boundary, and, yet more, the division of the territory that falls within that boundary, into ten kingdoms, will not be effected without war and bloodshed. We know well how earnestly the division of the Turkish Empire has been and is resisted; and the thought of a re-distribution of Western Europe is yet more vehemently opposed. Yet the sure testimony of Scripture teaches us that the whole Roman Empire, eastern and western, must finally be divided into ten kingdoms, and that the federal connexion of these kingdoms will be so close, that it is symbolized by ten toes pertaining to one body, and by ten horns springing from the head of one Beast, that Beast representing one individual: so that there could not be a more striking emblem of federal association. It is already very obvious that, notwithstanding many yet unsurmounted obstacles, the countries that fall within the Roman boundary are becoming linked together by a community of, what are called, material interests, and by the force of certain political necessities. Some time, perhaps, may yet elapse before the truth of this will be fully made manifest. In the meanwhile, we may watch the rapid renovation of the Roman Kingdoms, chiefly by means of commercial undertakings, such as ship-building, canals, banks, railways, and the like.*

It is said that the Sultan is at the present moment negotiating with one of the Rothschilds for the construction of a railway from Constantinople to Bagdad

The renovation of the Greek or Eastern branch of the Roman Empire is still, in spite of many opposing influences, steadily progressing. The advance of Egypt, in consequence of its becoming the highway of Europe to India, China, &c., is known to all. The revival of the district around Smyrna, which is likely to prove the gateway to the central parts of Asia Minor, is not less remarkable. The efforts that are being made to develop the resources of the southern coast of the Black Sea, and the railway that has been announced through the European provinces of Turkey in order to connect the Mediterranean and the Danube, will, no doubt, effect a speedy change in the condition of those long neglected districts. The progress of Tunis, Algeria, and the northern coast of Africa generally, is also very apparent. The resources (and they are unrivalled) of that which is called in Scripture, "the great sea" (the Mediterranean) are thus being again developed. They were great of old; but they will be far greater in the future that is now opening.

There is in the East a river more important than either the Rhone, the Danube, or the Nile, which, when it shall be brought into the service of civilization, will soon attract to its borders the energies of the world, and cause the house that is to enshrine the Ephah, to be builded in the land of Shinar. How truly "the great river Euphrates," as it is called in Scripture, is, together with its

tributary the Tigris (Hiddekel), esteemed "great" by men; and how certainly the revival of more than ancient greatness in the Euphratean regions is anticipated, will be seen from the following extracts, chiefly taken from a work published in connexion with the projected Euphratean Railway, which is intended to unite the Mediterranean with the Euphrates. The late rebellion in India, has for the time prevented its intended commencement, but it is regarded as a plan whose execution is deferred merely, not abandoned. At present it would appear as if the diffusion of men over the earth, and the application of their energies to the development of its resources, had not yet been sufficiently effected. Until the resources of the earth have been more fully unfolded, and until the influences of commerce have been brought to bear more thoroughly on the "many peoples, and nations, and tongues," whose energies are to be called into development, it would be premature, perhaps, to establish the place of final centralization. The return of unbelieving Israel to the land of their forefathers, may be also regarded as one material means of restoring the Euphratean countries. Nor has Latitudinarianism as yet, developed the full completeness of its power. There is yet, through God's mercy, preserved in many hearts, a feeling of reverence and of awe that shrinks from the entire ignoring of His Truth. Many yet hesitate to degrade government into a mere super

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