he forfeited the whole. But since the fall of man, in condescension and in mercy to frail and erring humanity, broken and shattered by the fall, God has, in many instances, annexed to obedience to positive law, the promise of some new privilege or blessing never before enjoyed by the individual who yields the submission. To obedience to the positive institution of sacrifice, under the patriarchal and Jewish economies, he annexed the promise of the forgiveness of sins. To obedience to the positive institution of baptism, he has appended the promise of remission of sins, under the Christian economy. But here, as in most other instances of blessings promised in connexion with obedience to positive law, as there is no apparent connexion between the act to be performed and the promised blessing, the motive for obedience, as in the case of Adam, terminates in respect for the divine authority, and confidence in the divine word; confidence that God will do what he promises or threatens.

All God's positive as well as all his moral laws, are necessary, but they are not all necessary for the same purpose. All the organs of the human body are necessary to a perfect man, but they are not all necessary for the same purpose. The eye, the ear, the hands, the feet, are all necessary; but they subserve very different purposes in the economy of the body; so all God's positive and moral laws are necessary to a perfect system of divine government, embracing all man's relations to the universe, to time, and to eternity: his positive laws are necessary to test man's loyalty and secure the interests of religion; his moral laws are necessary to subserve the rights and interests of society.

Thus we have demonstrated that positive divine institutions are tests for divine authority, and that respect for divine authority is of cardinal and indispensable importance in the religion of the Bible. Hence at the head of every divine economy, God has had a positive institution to test man's loyalty. 1. The prohibited tree at the head of the Adamic economy. 2. Under the remedial system at the head of the Patriarchal economy, the positive institution of sacrifice. 3. The positive institution of circumcision at the head of the Jewish dispensation. And 4. In the fore-front of the Christian economy, the positive institution of baptism, for the remission of sins.

ON WORSHIP.

"THEY fell down and worshipped him."-Matthew iii. 13.

THE word generally translated "worship," is from the Greek word proskuneo, which is compounded of pros, and kuoon a dog. It might be rendered to prostrate before a superior as a dog-to act as the dog. Now we have seen the dog rebuked by his master for misconduct, prostrate himself at his master's feet, and seem to say, "Here, master, chastise me at thy pleasure-I submit." If chastised, he appears to humble himself lower. So have we seen the dog meet his returning master, prostrating himself before him in joy and gladness. This is the temper of a Christian towards. his Lord and Master. When convinced of error, he humbly prostrates himself at his feet; his very heart desires to be low. If chastised for his sins, he humbly endures, and kisses the rod. How joyfully does he feel at the return of his Lord-he loves his appearing, and prostrates himself in humility before him, and gladly welcomes him again. But, O how joyful! when his Lord shall come again the second time to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe. B. W. S.

MONEY.

Ir is astonishing how much the Bible says of money! The characters of men are more thoroughly developed by money than by any other means. It is the hottest crucible in which man's soul can be placed. See how the Bible speaks of it. Man is a steward. Nothing that he possesses is his own. The fee simple of not a foot of land lies in him. It lies in the throne of God, and the occupier is nothing but a tenant-a mere tenant at will-bound to use every penny of his estate for God's glory, and to render a strict account at last. What a light does Christ's own conduct throw upon this doctrine! Men pride themselves in their wealth. Did Christ? Where was he born, and how did he live? And when upon his cross, how did he act towards his mother, the being of all others of the race whom he best loved? Did he say to Joseph of Arimathea, "Behold thy mother?" No, no! It was to John, the poor, penniless disciple, to whom he commended her. He who could have commanded

the mountains to pour forth their riches for her use, bequeathed his dearest earthly relative to the care of a portionless son: thus throwing a signal rebuke upon those who will not trust God, parting with their substance at his command. Let this elementary work be thoroughly done. Let the great doctrine of stewardship be preached. Let men know the tenure by which they hold their property. Then if the Master calls for some given sum, whether by agents, circulars, or any other cry, the means will be forthcoming; and a man will withhold it on the peril of his soul.-Rev. Dr. Patton.

QUERY AND ANSWER.

Query.-Can a Christian hold office under the poor law commissioners ?

Answer.-We must answer this question by asking another:-Could the Jailor, at Philippi, or Erastus, the chamberlain of the city of Rome, continue to hold office after they were converted to Christ? We say, decidedly they could. So, now, a Christian can hold any office in the world, provided, that in the attainment of it, and in the discharge of its duties, he is not called upon to break any of the laws of Jesus.-ED.

ITEMS OF NEWS.

Newcastle-on-tyne, February 2nd, 1845. I TAKE this opportunity of expressing the great pleasure I feel, in common with a goodly number of brethren and sisters, on account of the wise and economical plan you have pursued in publishing the tracts, and our general satisfaction with the matter of them. Perhaps, I may be permitted to say, our pleasure would be increased, if, in some future number, something definite were written on the relation which exists between the shedding of Christ's blood and the remission of our past sins.* We deem this expedient on account of the apparent spread of Unitarian sentiments on this subject. The brethren here, feel much encouraged and strengthened by your undertaking, and we express our hope, that all the Disciples throughout the land, will fellowship with us in this feeling. Surely, the word of the Lord will now have free course to all the friends, relatives, and neighbours, of those Disciples, whose conscious inability (real or supposed), hindered

*FAITH, exhibited in obedience, is the only connecting link that exists between the shedding of Christ's blood for the remission of sins, and a personal enjoyment of the blessing. The shedding of blood for the remission of sins, is of divine appointment; so also is faith, repentance, and baptism, for the enjoyment thereof.-ED.

from personally, and by the lip, announcing the glad tidings to them; and here is a channel of communication opened, in which Christian benevolence may flow to all. W. Mc'DOUGALL.

Banbury, January 12th, 1845.

WE have at last had a visit from our brother Frost, who delivered three interesting and impressive discourses, two on the first day and one on the Monday evening, which, we doubt not, will, by the blessing of Him who giveth the increase, be attended with good. One who has attended our meetings for some time past, has already applied for admittance into the kingdom of Jesus. J. N.

Banbury, February 27th, 1845.

WE had a very interesting meeting on Monday last, when another, besides the one mentioned in mine of January 27th, was baptized into Jesus for the remission of sins. I cannot but admire the great Head of the church for appointing an ordinance so simple, so tangible, so easy to be attended to, and by which the penitent believer is to obtain the greatest of all blessings, namely, the forgiveness of all his past sins, with a right and title to all the privileges of the kingdom of heaven. Thanks to the God of all grace. J. N.

EXTRACTS from letters received by brother Thomson :

Aberdeen, December 20th, 1844.

THE church here is going steadily forward. We have added four to our number since you were with us, and all those who united together at the reformation are remaining steadfast to their principles. We have now what we did not enjoy before-the blessing of peace and love, and I may add, what is best of all, the favour of God.

P. C.

Aberdeen, February 19th, 1845. It will give you pleasure to hear that we are keeping steadfast and loving one another in the Lord. But, oh, my brother, what a deficiency of talent there is amongst us. We, however, are endeavouring to use what we have, and I hope and pray that the Lord will give us more, by adding to our number those who may be useful in his cause. Would that I had earlier come to the knowledge of what I have acquired since you visited us in Aberdeen. I think I would have turned it to good account. But what can a man of near sixty do now? Thanks be to God, that by reading the Messenger, the Christian System, and above all, the New Testament, I have been greatly confirmed in the faith.

Brother Campbell's writings, for simplicity and truthfulness, exceed any works that have come under my notice. There is nothing of that mystification that we meet with in almost all other religious writings, to be found in them. They command attention. Would to God they were more read.

W. L.

Sanquhar, January 11th, 1845.

A GENTLEMAN of some note in the parish of Cumnock, has seen it his duty to put on the Lord by an immersion into his name. This is to take place on the 17th, by brother Harkness, at his own place, (which is about fifteen miles from this), and he is to be added to the Disciples here on the 19th, and in all likelihood there will be a good number at the meeting, from the novelty of a rich man joining himself to such a despised few. R. B.

Sanquhar, February 18th, 1845.

* * *

WE had three meetings that day (referring to the previous letter), and good numbers attended, especially afternoon and evening. It was quite a new thing to Mr. C. to hear the gospel proclaimed in its ancient simplicity and fulness. If he acts in accordance with the profession he has made, the good cause in this place will be greatly promoted. * ** * We, as a church, are living in peace and going on rather prosperously. The youngest daughter of brother Harkness obeyed the truth shortly after you was here. The next was a young man. Some time after two were added to our number; a young man and a daughter of brother Crone's; besides another female who was added to us the day after brother C.; so that we have reason to thank God and take courage. R. B.

Hull, February 22nd, 1845.

THE young woman whom you saw when here, was baptized about a fortnight ago. The congregation goes on in peace, but I could wish to see them more regular in attending the Lord's table, and more in earnest to show the world the excellency of Christ's religion-to be a "pillar and support of the truth." How few, how very few there are, who maintain a steady unwavering course throughout all the changes of life! who arrive at some thing like decision and completeness in character! What a tremendous waste of characters the world presents! But all this is quite in agreement with the prophetic word and parables of Christ. If those parables which represent the kingdom of heaven in its various phases, are to be understood of all times to the end of this dispensation, then they strongly corroborate the prophecies-nay, they are themselves prophecies. The "wheat and tares;" the "seed sown on various grounds;" the "net cast into the sea;" all these foretell the state of things we see around us, and which were to characterize the administration of the kingdom.

Let us endeavour to bend our minds in humble submission to all the mysterious will of our God; and watch and pray continually that we may escape the contamination that surrounds us on every side. Yours in the glorious hope, J. G. COLLINS.

WE have on hand about five hundred copies of the Christian System. Will the brethren do all in their power to get them in circulation?ED.