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Whilst they are thus providently placed before Christendom, there is a very unusual stir among themselves. Many of them are confidently expecting the immediate coming of their Messiah, and are anxious to proceed to Jerusalem, to be there at his appearing. A remarkable spirit of inquiry prevails among them.-In some a desire to reform their religion, in others to examine the New Testament, and in a still greater number to lay aside the traditions of the Talmud, and take the Books of Moses as their guide.

“The dry bones" are beginning to shake, and appearances bring the words of the Psalmist to our minds, "Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion, for the time to favour her, yea, the set time is come, for thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof."*

Such is the present state of the Jews. Surely it is a loud call to us, for prayer to the God of Abraham, to pour out upon them the Spirit of grace and supplication, and to prepare the Gentiles for the great events which the inspired prophecies declare are then to take place.

Another important circumstance which the opening year presents is, THE CONDITION OF THE EASTERN CHURCHES.

These churches, as it is well known, have been for a long season in a low and depressed state. They have for the most part "a name that they live, but they are dead;" bowed down both by their own su

*This interesting state of the Jews has led to the delivery of a course of Lectures at St. Bride's, Liverpool, by several Clergymen, upon the past, present, and future purpose of God towards the Jews, which are now in the press, and will very soon be ready for publication, by Messrs. Hatchards, Piccadilly.

perstitions, and the hard bondage of their Mahomedan masters.

For centuries their almost lifeless state was comparatively overlooked. But from the reports of several Christian travellers* who have lately been among them, strong feelings of sympathy, and earnest wishes for their revival have been produced. There are grounds for believing that some active measures will, ere long, be adopted for at least attempting their spiritual restoration. Who that has any zeal for the glory of God, or reflects upon the former state of these eastern churches, but cordially desires that these measures may be successful? Who would not pray-Lord, "revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known, in wrath remember mercy."

A third particularly attractive object brought into view, as the new year dawns upon us, is the great enterprise which has lately been undertaken for the EXTINCTION OF THE SLAVE TRADE, AND FOR THE GENERAL CIVILIZATION OF AFRICA, through the medium of the Gospel of Christ, assisted by commerce and agriculture.*

In other parts of the dominions of the Most High there may have been plans formed of a still more benevolent nature; but among those which have been put into the hearts of any of the inhabitants of this lower world, it is difficult to conceive one more in unison with the mind of our blessed Saviour. He, at

* See, among other interesting publications upon this subject, “An Address to the Lord Bishop of Lincoln, respecting the present state of the Eastern Churches, and the prospect of usefulness among them," by the Rev. R. W. Freemantle, A.M.

+ See Sir T. Fowell Buxton's Works on the African Slave Trade and its Remedy, and the published Report of the Proceedings of the Society.

the very time he was seeking "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," said, "other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and there shall be one fold under one shepherd." Benevolent, however, as such an enterprise is, it is the Lord alone who can make it successful. The ships and vessels which are to carry the various persons who have offered themselves for this service are about to sail from England. Upon them, humanly speaking, the issue of this glorious undertaking depends. Who would not pray for them? Pray, not only that the great and gracious God may preserve them from the perils of the sea, from wasting sickness, and pestilential fever; "from the terror of the night, and from the arrow that flieth by day;" but that he may give them "the spirit of love and of power, and of a sound mind;" direct all their counsels; grant them favour in the sight of the natives, and dispose their hearts to welcome their arrival, and receive with joy the glad tidings of the Gospel.

These are some of the striking circumstances which are presented to us at the dawn of the new year, and which urge sincere Christians with increasing alacrity to commence it BY A GENERAL CONCERT FOR PRAYER FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I would then affectionately invite them thus to unite on FRIDAY, THE FIRST OF JANUARY, 1841.

The following suggestions are respectfully offered, to assist them in this devotional concert:

1st. Let Christians follow the example of our blessed Lord (Mark i. 25), who rose up a great while before day for secret prayer. Let them thus secure the blessing of him who says, "pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

2d. Let them call upon the Lord in their families, for his Spirit to be poured upon themselves and their households, their neighbours, their country, the ministers of the Lord, the churches of Christ, the remnant of scattered Judah and outcast Israel, and upon the Gentile world.

3d. Let the ministers of the Lord afterwards privately meet with their brethren of their own communion, in earnest prayer for themselves, their flocks, the whole body of Christ, and the world at large; and then specially consult together upon the most effectual means for hastening the coming of the Lord's kingdom, and particularly for the continuance of such a general concert for prayer, that the year may proceed according to this devout commencement.

4th. Where circumstances will admit of a morning service, let the congregation be assembled, and in addition to the appointed prayers and a suitable sermon, let all who are devoutly disposed partake together of the supper of the Lord; or

5th. As may be more convenient, let the whole congregation meet in the evening for public worship, and let an appropriate discourse be preached.

May the Lord accompany these means of grace, or such others as may be adopted, with his abundant blessing. Oh! may it indeed be a season of special refreshment from the presence of the Lord.

Peace be with all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity.

Thus prays their affectionate brother and servant in the Lord,

JAMES HALDANE STEWART.

St. Bride's, Liverpool.

Review of Books.

THE CHURCH OF GOD. A Book for the Age. By the Rev. J. D. Hull, A.B., Curate of Bangor, Diocese of Down. Nisbet and Co.

WHILE fully admitting the necessity of controversial writing in these days of rebuke and blasphemy, Mr. Hull has thrown in what may be called a refreshing cordial for those who, in the van of the army, are earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. His book is purely spiritual, and of a very sweet character; yet never losing sight of the peculiar juncture at which it appears. We like it exceedingly; and are thankful when such a work falls in our way. "The Church of God," the Lamb's wife, is considered under the heads of her perfect justification, her infallible salvation, her heavenly bridegroom; her espousals, nuptials, trials, deportment, resources, safeguard, and her bridegroom's second coming. On this last head, Mr. Hull takes

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