it labours. Thus while the Protestant Church is menaced with destruction, the Protestant religion is gaining ground. On the other hand, the Roman Catholic Church appears at first view to be making rapid strides to ascendancy. It is multiplying its establishments in all quarters, founding abbeys, and monasteries, and nunneries; erecting grand edifices for public worship; establishing schools and semminaries throughout the length and breadth of the land. Its bishops, without the recognition of law, or rather contrary to law, require to be addressed as barons or peers of the empire. Its deans and vicars, and parish priests, and curates, appear to the people as men of mighty consequence and authority. Yet, notwithstanding this imposing display, the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland is in a tottering state, and likely at no distant period to vanish like the fabric of a vision, and leave not a wreck behind. The discipline for which it was remarkable in times past, has now no existence. The bishops and priests merely hang together. There is little or no subordination. Diocesan sta

tutes are a dead letter; the canon law is a dead letter; almost every priest exercises a separate or independent jurisdiction, and acts according to individual caprice. They are more prompt to pay obedience to an instruction from Daniel O'Connell, than to a rescript from his holiness the pope. The truth is, they hold together more as politicians. than religionists; and their very appellation of Roman Catholics, has merged into a mere party

word. Such a body may be called a turbulent political community, but are unworthy the title of a Christian Church. This Church, or rather section, of the population, may present an imposing appearance while the spirit of faction continues; but when that expires, and it will have to rest for support on its religious character, which is a nullity, down it must fall and be levelled to the dust, with all its grandeur and magnificence.'-From the preface to a farewell address to the Roman Catholics of the Diocese of Cork, by the Rev. D. O' CROLY, R. C. Priest.

It is surely a signal feature in the age, and one full of glorious promise, when so many of the Roman Catholic priesthood are thus abandoning that apostate Church; and that too, at a time when such a step unavoidably involves so very considerable a sacrifice of income, as must be incurred in relinquishing their gainful parishes, yielding to them often several hundreds a year, and coming over to an Establishment so persecuted and impoverished, as is the Irish Protestant Church at present. When such things occur, we may safely augur, that the downfal of Popery, whatever intermediate ascendancy it may be permitted to enjoy, is not far distant. What is the prognostic

afforded in the book of inspiration with regard to this very event? When the mystic Babylon becomes the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird; and the Lord's people obey his sum

mons, to come out of her, that they be not partakers of her sins, and they receive not of her plagues. See Revelation xviii. 1-5.

We conclude these animating testimonies with the following from the ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN for September 1836.

Our little work commenced in the midst of a mighty struggle for the maintenance of truth, and when it seemed doubtful what might be the issue. But what is the aspect of affairs now, and particularly so in that section of the church with which we are more immediately connected? A spirit of revival appears to have pervaded the entire body. There has been an unprecedented increase of churches and congregations, averaging not less than ten in every year; there has been a remarkable enlargement in the liberality of the members of the church, pounds being now raised with almost as much facility as shillings were formerly; the missionary spirit has extended everywhere, so that a church without its organized missionary associations begins to be looked upon as a strange thing; there is a growing regard to the exercise of godly discipline; and the standard of the church, long trampled in the dust by the enemies of truth and righteousness, has been lifted up again, and established upon a basis, from which, we believe, it will be vain ever to attempt to move it. The pre

sent age seems to be characterized by the extensive

1 The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Y

ness of its preparations for labour. As the world was prepared for the first coming of Christ, by the subjugation of almost all nations to one mighty kingdom, and the universal prevalence of peace, so that the way was open for the preachers of the cross, through all lands; so in these times the world seems ripening for the coming of Christ, in the power of his word and Spirit, to subdue all nations to himself, by the numerous and various plans of Christian enterprize everywhere to be seen. What provisions are made for circulating the word of God, for sending out the missionaries of the cross to all lands,- for promoting education at home and abroad,-for facilitating the progress of the forerunners of the Messiah! Again we may say, "every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." The vast improvements in commerce and science will be auxiliaries to the cause of Christ. The world is in the attitude of waiting and expectation, while the church stands ready, in the most extensive preparation, for the universal spread of truth and godliness.'

NOTE XVIII. p. 147.

It is said of Epicurus, that, in the dreadful fit of the cholic, he often refreshed himself by calling to mind his inventions in philosophy; and of Possidonius the philosopher, that, in a great fit of the stone, he solaced himself with discourses of

moral virtue; and when the pain twinged him he would say, 'O pain, thou dost nothing; though thou art a little troublesome, I will never confess thee to be evil.' If upon such grounds as these they could support themselves under such grinding and racking pains, and even delude their diseases by them, how much rather should the precious promises of God, and the sweet experiences which have gone along step by step with them, make you to forget all your wants, and comfort you in every strait.'-FLAVEL'S Saint Indeed.

Labour to clear this to your own souls, that you are savingly called. "Give diligence to make your calling sure." 2 Peter i. 10. This is the great business of our lives, to get sound evidences of our effectual calling. Acquiesce not in outward privileges; do not cry as the Jews, "the temple of the Lord;" Jer. vii. 4. Rest not in baptism! what is it to have the water and want the Spirit? Be not content that Christ hath been preached to you; satisfy not yourselves with an empty profession; all this may be, and yet you may be no better than blazing comets; but labour to evidence to your souls that you are called of God. Be not Athenians, to inquire news. What is the state and complexion of the times? What changes are likely to happen in such a year? are not effectually called? What if the times should have a fairer aspect? What though glory did dwell in our land, if grace does not dwell in

What is all this if you