the moment that takes place, and the French obtain the Mediterranean Sea for a French lake, there is danger to England's naval superiority. These things are looming in the distance. I believe it is with the greatest propriety that England is preparing to defend herself; for I expect to see the most powerful combination ever launched brought against these shores. The sooner the people of this country put themselves in a posture of defence the better. I cannot help commending to all the homely but appropriate saying of Cromwell, "Trust in God and keep your powder dry;" for whatever might come, or whatever prophecy might indicate, it is not the less the interest of every Englishman to perform his duty, and be prepared to meet all emergencies. Turkey is the sick man approaching dissolution, and it cannot be long before the sick man is dead. In the expressive language of Lamartine, "Turkey is dying for want of Turks." The Euphrates is fast drying up, in preparation for God's ancient people to commence an exodus, in comparison with which the exodus from Egypt was of trifling importance. But Daniel adds 45 years to the 1290 years already spoken of, and these bring us down to the year 1867. The question is, in what respect 1867 is to be blessed to him that waiteth. I do not express any dogmatic opinion upon this subject. When I preach Christ as the way of salvation for sinners, I entertain no doubt and exercise no reserve whatever. In offering my views on the subject of this prophecy, I do so with much caution; but interpreting Scripture in common with many students, it would appear that the year 1867, provided these dates be correct, is somewhere near the end of the world's long weary week-that bright and beautiful, that long predicted and long wished for day,

whose sky shall have no cloud, in which all things shall be made new, and when that paradise will be reproduced on earth, fairer far than the beautiful paradise with which the world began. There are some, however, who make these periods start from the year 607, when the Roman Emperor Phocas made the pope the head of the church, and the head of Christendom. Reckoning in this way, the 1260 years would expire in 1867; and according to these interpreters, that would be the period when true religion would prevail over all the world, and the earth be covered with the knowledge of the Lord. When Christ comes, we cannot be better employed than in the discharge of those duties which we are bound to perform. The path of duty is ever the path of safety. The place of duty is the post of peace. Men have often tried to justify their own wicked acts, by claiming that they were the fulfilment of prophecies; this is absurd: precepts regulate our duties. God can make good his own word; we need not attempt to fulfil God's prophecies. Not only does 1867 seem to be the intersecting line of many prophecies, but what is most remarkable, it is ascertained, on the most demonstrable grounds, that the 6000 years of the world's history end about the year 1867, and that the seventh thousand begins at that date. "What of that?" some may ask. I answer, it has been a very general idea, especially in the earlier ages of the Christian Church, that the six days of creation were a type, or microcosm, of the 6000 years of the world's history; and the seventh day, or Sabbath, that of the millennial period, or seventh thousand. The Apostle Paul, in describing the rest that remained for the people of God, makes use of the word "Sabbatismos ;" and the Scriptures tell us of the thousand years of perfect

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felicity to come. Jew and Gentile, Rabbi, Bishop, and Presbyter, unite in this belief. These views are to some extent confirmed by the aspect of affairs over the whole face of the earth, and by the various complications existing in different parts of Europe. Even the Times, in two recent articles, remarked that there seemed to be a universal gloom over all things; that everybody appeared to be depressed by something out of the range of ordinary events. These sagacious observers and recorders of events, viewing them of course from a purely secular point of view, seem to hold opinions perfectly in harmony with the "sure word of prophecy." Let us also take notice of that remarkable out-pouring of God's Spirit in Ireland, and other parts of the world; which, though mixed with some alloy, nevertheless gives evidence of being a genuine work of the Holy Ghost. I notice also the growing feeling of love and charity existing between all Christians, though separated by minor and nonessential differences. There is a feeling of deep solemnity coming over all people, never so felt before: it is the bride preparing for the bridegroom; the church beginning to stand out more sharply and clearly from the world; the infidel will become more infidel, the unchristian more unchristian, God's people more intense and earnest Christians. And why should any alarm be felt, or why should we dread the end of this world? Then all aches, pains, griefs, and sorrows will flee like mist before the wind; then all broken circles will be repaired, lost ones restored; and when we enter that glorious habitation, we shall wonder that we clung so long to those rickety houses of ours, and were so little anxious to be received into the everlasting rest, prepared for all who love the Lord.

THE CHEERING PROSPECT.

We have been considering subjects more or less solemn : some of them may create forebodings and depression of mind; they should not, for we are assured that "unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." (Mal. iv. 2.) This promise is addressed to believers fainting under the outward oppressions to which they were subjected, and beginning to despond; fearing God's promises had failed, or that man's wickedness was too strong. It is true these feared, i. e. worshipped the Lord, and spake of his name, and that God took notice of them, and registered what they spake in his book of remembrance; but it is no less true that they were also depressed and needed such a comforting assurance-more promise than prophecy-as that to which we have referred, that to them that fear God's name, in spite of the clouds that darken the canopy, in spite of all the blackness and darkness lying on their horizon, shall emerge the Sun of righteousness-the subject of many promises-the blessed hope: and this grey dawn will yet become bright day, and the Sun himself ascend above the horizon; and we shall see light in his beams, and feel healing under his wings.

Those to whom this promise is given, however de

pressed, still hold fast the character of the people of God. They fear the Lord, that is, they worship him, and trust in him. They cherish towards him that mingled emotion of love and reverence, which, combined, constitute the fear of the Lord. It is that very same affection which is spoken of by Isaiah when he says, "Who is among you that feareth the Lord,”—that is, a true worshipper,—“ that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God."

To such as thus fear the Lord, notwithstanding they walk in darkness or perplexity, there is given what is never without effect-a divine promise. A good word often falls on the heart with more kindling power than a great gift put into the hand. Very often when we have nothing to give, we may have much truly effective and consolatory to say. This dark night will not be for ever: on it will burst a bright Sun; from it will emerge the great Redeemer. Be patient: learn to labour and to wait.

The promise was specially applicable to the eve of the birth of the Son of God. The figure under which Jesus is set forth, suggests to us much that is instructive. It is nature consecrated to testify to Christ. I need not say there is in the firmament but one sun. There are many stars, but, as far as our orb is concerned, one central sun. Jesus speaks in the Book of Revelation of the stars, or the ministers, of the churches that he holds in his right hand; but He is ever spoken of himself as the Sun of righteousness. Every star's light is borrowed light; it shines in the brightness of the central sun; and most of the