the knowledge which embitters his own days, disturbs the peace of nations, and brings destruction in its train;-it is the knowledge which brings power, without the wisdom to direct it; which raises the storm that it cannot quell, and propels down the inclined plane of life, with fearful velocity, the whole train of society, with no one hand experienced to lessen, or turn off the raging vapour.

It is no slight proof of what we assert, the fact which we cannot deny,—that we are blotting from the catalogue of sins, offences, which God has forbidden, and which await His displeasure. Who hears of rebellion as a thing forbidden? Who trembles for its consequences? Who regards the crowned head, the senator, the magistrate as sacred, although God has thrown around them so hallowed an atmosphere; "Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people;"* and, although he has ordained them an interest in our prayers? Surely the current of popular opinion in many portions of the world, and to too great extent in our own,-or God's merciful provisions for men's happiness, are out of place: Which? it behoves us to decide. We live in eventful times: upon us the ends of the world have come: men's hearts fail them

Exod. xxii. 28.

for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming upon the earth, for the powers of heaven are being shaken. Kingdoms and thrones that have withstood the shock of embattled hosts, and the wear and tear of time, are tottering to their fall; or are no more. All are anxiously inquiring where is safety? We fly from country to country, but rumours of war and strife have preceded us. All Christendom is in commotion. Whither then shall we fly? "God is a very present refuge in time of trouble.” "Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks." Here must be our hope, where lies our duty it is to trust in God and approach Him in prayer. And we would especially urge upon all, that as Englishmen and Christians, they bear upon their hearts before Almighty God, their Government, the Queen, her Ministers, and the Parliament. Such extraordinary crises require extraordinary efforts. Let the effort of the heart accompany that of the head and hand; and faith be the minister of duty. Remember, that however well devised our plans, however extensive our preparations for the preservation of the peace and order of society," that it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts." The evil spirit from the Lord, that troubles with discord and insubordination the whole continent of Europe,

why should he not cross the channel? What voice shall say hitherto, and no farther-but God's?And have we done nothing to provoke his wrath? Have we no national sins, for which we should humble ovrselves before him? We trembled but as yesterday, when famine began to stalk through the land. A national humiliation was appointed. We humbled ourselves before God. We were heard, and were most mercifully delivered. But was the humiliation anything better than that of Ahab,* who humbled himself before the Lord, and obtained for his family a temporary respite of the ills, with which God meditated its affliction? The sword now hangs over us-another of God's sore judgments,—and it wants but his command to be bathed in the blood of the slain. Oh England! what is thy destiny, asks every heart, after thy exalted greatnessthine unexampled renown? Our refuge is in God we approach Him in prayer. Let our hearts turn to Him. Let us constitute the land what it once was, the bulwark of protestantism; the armoury out of which religion drew her most polished shafts. England has gained but little since she began to betray the Ark of the Lord. And from the time, that she symbolized with popery, she appears to have come in for her 1st Kings, xxi. 29.

measure of the vial of God's wrath. True, she has had signal mercies attending her in her colonies ; but there she occupies a missionary character in the voluntary efforts of her people. The vast continent of India is a field of labour for her philanthropic sons. Africa shares in her missionary enterprise; and China begins to listen. to the gospel at her lips. Abroad she is not so much altered as at home: Abroad she is missionary as a people: At home she is less Protestant, and therefore less Christian, as a Government.

Does it not strike every reflecting mind, as worthy of deep remark, that discontent, discord, and anarchy, or prostration of national power and imbecility characterize at this time the whole of what we would denominate Popedom, or well nigh every country within which the religion of the pope of Rome is generally, or to a great extent, professed: France, Germany, Austria, the Italian States, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal. If we go farther from home, to the new world, we have the little States of South America suffering from misrule and continual wars. In North America, Mexico-ill-governed, prostrate, and enfeebled.

On the other hand, if we would regard those portions of the world which are peculiarly Pro

testant, we shall find the picture comparatively cheerful. Yet, here also, we must take a twofold view; for here we shall discover facts that strengthen and help on the conclusion, which is ready to force itself upon our minds. What scene then does the United Kingdom present? The Protestant portion of it, notwithstanding the warning, under which we rest, preeminently blessed: unhappy Ireland, lowest in the scale of nations: our very Colonies, not being peculiarly popish, enjoying, under our protection, the most profound repose: and America, democratic America, as though forms of government to Almighty God were but of secondary moment, sharing with ourselves the cup of order and felicity. We know, we should be cautious in our interpretation of God's Providence. But with such facts, and such comparisons, apart from all other arguments, we might be forgiven, if we could not resist the temptation to think, there's something in what we have adduced.

Our danger is unquestionably great; and we again repeat it, "our hope is in the name of the Lord." It is among England's safeguards, that her Government has the prayers of a National Church continually. It matters not, whether the crowned head be popular or unpopular, whether the ministry be whig or tory,