benefits to the commonwealth. When Eschylus was brought into court, and arraigned at the bar of justice, Amynias entered. He said nothing, but lifted up the stump of his arm, which so moved the court that immediately they acquitted his brother. In the visions of St. John, Christ is represented as exhibiting the wounds and scars which he received at Calvary. And I beheld, and, lo! in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain. And how prevalent are his intercessions! He so moves the court of heaven on behalf of penitent sinners, that the blessing of God immediately descends, and all heaven rings with acclamations of joy.

He lives as our King, to subdue us unto himself, and to reign over us. And he ever lives to secure our interests-to guard us from the assaults of hell and sin-to conduct us in triumph to his everlasting kingdom-to place us by his side in glory-to feed us from his middle throne to lead us to fountains of living waters-and to wipe away all tears from our eyes.

The salvation which Jesus brings is through his blood, righteousness and grace. To effect the salvation of men, Christ paid down the price

?

of his own blood. And he has shewn that his blood is of infinite value, in that everlasting righteousness which he wrought out, and brought in at death to justify the humble believer in him, and to give him a title to everlasting life. And what can withstand the power of his grace Whose heart can it not subdue? Whose will can it not renew? Whose affections can it not elevate? It can melt the stubborn Jew, and bow the aspiring Greek. By its touch the manacles of bondage fall off, and "lions and beasts of savage name, assume the nature of the lamb." To give us an enlarged view of the condition of man as a sinner, and the means of his recovery by Jesus Christ, the late CHRISTMAS EVANS, a distinguished minister, that lived in Wales, says, Suppose that you were in a large grave yard -surrounded by a high wall, with only one entrance, through a large iron gate, which is fast bolted. Within these walls are thousands, and tens of thousands of human beings, of all ages, and of all classes, by one epidemic bending to the grave. The grave yawns to swallow them, and they must all die. There is no balm to relieve them-no physician there. They must perish. This is the condition of man as a sinner. All have sinned. sinneth shall die. While

And the soul that

man

was in this

deplorable state, Mercy the darling attribute of Deity came down and stood at the gate-looked at the scene, and wept over it, exclaiming, O that I might enter, I would bind up their wounds, I would relieve their sorrows, I would save their souls. While Mercy stood weeping at the gate, an embassy of angels commissioned from the court of heaven to some other world, passing over, paused at the sight, and heaven. forgave the pause. Seeing Mercy standing there, they cried, Mercy, Mercy, can you not enter? Can you look upon this scene, and not pity? Can you pity and not relieve? Mercy said, I can see: and in her tears, she added, I can pity, but I cannot relieve. Why can you not enter? Justice has barred this gate against me, and I cannot-must not unbar it. At this moment Justice appeared himself to watch the gate. The angels enquired of him, why will you not let Mercy in? Justice replied, my law is broken, and it must be honoured. Die they, or Justice must. At this moment there appeared a form amongst the angelic band, like unto the Son of God; who addressing himself to Justice, said, What are thy demands? Justice replied, My terms are stern and rigid. I must have sickness for their health, ignominy for their honour, and death for their life. Without the

shedding of blood there is no remission. I accept thy terms, said the Son of God to Justice; on me be this wrong, and let Mercy enter. When, said Justice, wilt thou perform this promise? Jesus replied, Four thousand years hence, on the hill of Calvary, without the gates of Jerusalem, I will perform it in my own person. The deed was prepared, and signed in the presence of the angels of God. Justice was satisfied. Mercy entered, preaching salvation in the name of Jesus. The deed was committed to the patriarchs. By them to the kings of Israel, and the prophets. By them it was preserved until Daniel's seventy-two weeks were completed. Then at the appointed time, Justice appeared on the hill of Calvary, and Mercy presented to him the important deed. Where, said Justice, is the Son of God? Mercy said, Behold him at the bottom of the hill, bearing his own cross; and then she departed, and stood aloof at the hour of trial. Jesus ascended the hill, whilst in his train followed his weeping church. Justice immediately presented to him the deed, saying, This is the day when this bond is to be executed. When he received it, did he tear it in pieces, and give it to the four winds of heaven? No. He nailed it to his cross, exclaiming, It is finished! Justice called

on holy fire to consume the sacrifice. Holy fire descended. It swallowed his humanity. But when it touched his Deity it expired. There was darkness over the whole land-but glory to God in the Highest; on earth, peace; and good will to men."

The news of this salvation concerns you and me. We all need it. It only can make us happy here, or hereafter; and if we die without it, it must be for ever placed beyond our reach. Let us be encouraged to seek it, seeing that Jesus has died to secure it unto us. He saw us weltering in our sins and blood, without a Saviour to pity us, or an arm of salvation to deliver us. With a heart full of compassion he hastened to our relief, and made an atonement for our sins. O! what a motive to constrain us to seek an interest in Christ Jesus, and in the rich blessings of his grace.

And let us seek salvation now. Time is flying. The smiling hours of mercy are fast passing away, and soon all opportunities will be gone of seeking salvation. There is no news of salvation conveyed to the dead. No tidings of mercy interrupt the silence of the grave. The voice that rises from the regions of the lost is -the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.