B. F., 371. INDEX TO THE SIGNATURES. Beveridge, 161. B. H., 89. Blyton (M.), 140. Brice (P.), 300. Bridger (James), 23, 238. Broadbridge (G.), 48, 269. Bunyan, 29, 47, 74, 100, 138, 202, Congreve (George Thomas), 332. Dark (Stephen), 52. Dorney, 15, 41, 93, 169, 228, 299, 340. J. T., 16, 42, 75, 105. Kay (John), 88 Owen, 15, 51, 124, 355, 376. Robinson (J.), 174, 373. Rutherford, 29, 47, 59, 68, 152, 176, 205, 374. Saltmarsh, 192, 237, 291, 299, 343, THE GOSPEL STANDARD. JANUARY, 1862. MATT. V. 6: 2 TIM. I. 9; Rom. XI. 7; ACTS VIII. 37, 38; MATT. XXVIII. 19. ADDRESS TO OUR SPIRITUAL READERS. THE rapid and unceasing flight of time must, in some measure, force itself on the attention of all, but will ever lie with peculiar weight and power on the heart of the living family of God. Even those who live only for time must sometimes feel that the ground on which they stand is gradually crumbling under their feet, and that every advancing wave is sweeping away some fresh portion of the soil. But enjoying no comfort in the prospect of eternity, and thus "having no hope, and without God in the world," they either, like children, play on the sands heedless of the incoming tide, or in reckless hardness sullenly make up their mind to wait for the last plunge, when the dark waters of death must flow for ever over their head. Those, however, who live not for time but for eternity, not to sin and self but to Christ and his glory, whose hearts are made tender in the fear of God, whose conversation is in heaven, and whose affections are set upon things above, whilst they continually feel the flight of time, yet seem on certain occasions more peculiarly to realise the solemn fact that they are strangers and pilgrims on the earth," runners whose race will soon be run, sojourners whose place will ere long know them no more. Painful breaches made from time to time in their families by the entrance of death into the circle, and the removal of some beloved member; the decease of some esteemed servant of God under whose ministry they may have sat, or whose friendship they may have enjoyed; the recurrence of their own natal day; an attack of severe illness in their own persons; a sense of advancing age and of growing infirmities-such and similar occurrences in the experience of us all serve continually to remind the saints of God that the angel is ever lifting up his hand and warning them that with them soon it will be time no longer. Nor do they repel the thought as an unwelcome intruder, or seek to drown the solemn impression thus produced upon their * 66 What an instance of this uncertainty of life and of the unexpected entrance of death into the highest circle has lately fallen upon the nation in the decease of the Prince Consort in the prime of his days. How all hearts feel for and sympathise with our widowed Queen in this hour of her deepest affiction, and how earnestly many desire that, if consistent with the will of God, it may be sanctified to her soul's eternal good. |