66

Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white, already to harvest." Looking forward to the then approaching harvest, he saw in it a fit emblem of a spiritual harvest. He saw thousands of immortal beings ready to receive the saving truths of the Gospel; and he called on his disciples to gather these in, by declaring, "He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth, may rejoice together." Since then, multitudes have been safely gathered into the garden of God; but the harvest is not yet completed. Many extensive and promising fields, to the present time, have not been trodden by the reapers' foot; whilst others are but scantily supplied with the labour for which they loudly call. "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few." O let us all labour to the utmost of our ability, to bring in those for whom Christ died, and "pray the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." Then labourers will be multiplied; the harvest will at length be completed; the "harvest home" of the world will be shouted; and a great multitude which no man can number, gathered from every nation under heaven, will unite to celebrate the praise of redeeming mercy.

How forcibly, also, does the gathering in of the ripened corn remind us of another harvest which is constantly going on. Death is a great reaper, constantly engaged in cutting down the human species, and consigning them over to the keeping of the devouring grave. His eye neither pities, nor spares. Of all who have lived, from Adam until now, two only of our race have escaped his power. As he marches on in his devastating course, persons of every age and condition fall before him. Neither prayers, nor bribes, can avert his welldirected stroke. Already he has brought down untold millions, and never will he cease the work of destruction, until his own death shall be proclaimed by the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God. How soon death will reap us we cannot tell. He approaches nearer to us every moment we live and, in such an hour as we think not, he may cut us down. From the graves of departed friends and relatives, hurried away in an unexpected moment, there comes a voice speaking to us in solemn tones, "Be ye, therefore, also ready." Another harvest has yet to commence. All things now transpiring, are tending to one great result- "the harvest which is the end of the world." Then the purposes of the Saviour, in permitting the present economy of our world, having been answered, He will send forth his angels as his reapers. Bearing his authority, and under his direction, 'they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." But how different will be the lot of the righteous! Seeing in them the travail of the Redeemer's soul, the angels will conduct them safely to the place of honour and felicity, prepared for them; and "then shall they shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

For that final harvest may we be ready. Should this be the case,

we shall shine resplendently and eternally in our Father's presence; but, if we be not prepared, we then must weep and wail in hopeless agony; while ever and anon we shall send forth the bitter lamentation, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

W. REED.

TESTIMONIAL TO DR. ADAM THOMSON.

EFFORTS are now being made to raise a testimonial for the Rev. Dr. Adam Thomson of Coldstream, for the important services rendered by him, in effecting the very great reduction in the selling-prices of the Holy Scriptures. Until about ten year since, Bibles and Testaments were sold at enormously high prices, considering their extensive sale. This arose from the fact, that the printing of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment, was, in Great Britain, confined to the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, and to two privileged private printers, one in England and the other in Scotland. Dr. A. Thomson took up this matter, and resolved to obtain the abolition of this injurious state of things. After long continued laborious efforts, he succeeded, by getting an Act of Parliament, to abolish the monopoly for printing the Bible in Scotland. When this was effected, and finding that he could not destroy the exclusive privilege granted to the two Universities, and to the Queen's printer, for printing Bibles in England, he resolved to establish a Bible Press in Scotland, for printing Bibles to be sold in England, or elsewhere, especially to Sunday-schools, at the lowest. prices at which they could be fairly produced.

For this purpose, he embarked the whole of the property belonging to himself, and that of some of his relatives. However, when he had incurred a very heavy outlay, and was prepared to supply Bibles and Testaments at greatly reduced prices-those used in schools, at less than one-third the price at which the monopolists had sold them—an arrangement was made by the monopolists with the Bible Society, by which the latter was enabled to offer to supply Sunday-schools at a cheaper price than they could be produced by the "Scottish Free Bible Press." Besides this the monopolists greatly reduced the prices on their Bibles and Testaments generally, and offered them at such prices as rendered the press established by Dr. A. Thomson unable to compete with the monopolists, who had already the command of the market. Thus, although Dr. Thomson succeeded in legally abolishing the Bible monopoly in Scotland, and in virtually destroying it in England, and so reduced the excessive prices, that our Sabbath-schools can now have Bibles and Testaments at about one-fourth of the prices at which they were formerly sold, and thus caused the circulation of the Holy Scriptures to be very greatly increased, yet Dr. Thomson, and his family were, by his efforts in this cause, pecuniarily ruined. Under these circumstances, a few months since, it was reported to our Connexional Committee, that it was probable efforts would be made to raise a subscription, as a testimonial, for Dr. Thomson, and the Committee expressed its opinion thereon as follows:

66

Resolved,-That this Committee deeply sympathises with Dr. A.

Thomson, on account of the great losses which he has sustained, by his praiseworthy efforts to obtain a reduction of the excessive prices at which Bibles and Testaments were formerly sold; and, as great benefits have resulted from his indefatigable efforts, this Committee will most heartily rejoice if a successful appeal shall be made to raise a testimonial fund for Dr. Adam Thomson; and would strongly recommend it to the support of the members and friends of our Connexion."

For this object a Committee has recently been appointed, in London, of which the Editor of this Magazine is a member; and any person being desirous to subscribe to this fund may forward his or her subscription to the Rev. R. Eckett, 6, Argyle Square, London. Collecting books will also be forwarded to those of our friends who may express a wish to collect contributions. We understand that Dr. Thomson and his family have sacrificed, in the cause of cheap Bibles, considerably more than £10,000; and it is not right that a man who has conferred such important public benefits, as by his exertions have been realised, should be left to suffer great pecuniary loss. Contributions have been solicited, and large amounts raised for men whose claims have not been so great as Dr. Thomson's; it is, therefore, not unreasonable to hope, that the friends of the circulation of the Scriptures, and especially the friends of Sunday-schools, will aid the important object thus brought under their notice. We earnestly urge upon all our friends to assist this benevolent and praiseworthy move

ment.

REVIEWS AND LITERARY NOTICES.

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS. A Discourse on Personal Election and Divine Sovereignty; with an Appendix, containing Notes and Observations on Collateral Subjects. By the REV. JOSEPH FLETCHER, D.D. Fifth Edition. 8vo. 98pp. J. SNOW.

PERSONAL election is a topic on which much difference of opinion exists. Our Calvinian brethren are of opinion, that those who are brought to the possession of salvation by Christ were from eternity individually chosen to be made the subjects of eternal salvation, and that thus the salvation of all who will be saved has from eternity been infallibly sure. That their election and eternal salvation was predetermined, without any reference to any good thing foreseen in them, and is to be ascribed entirely to the sovereign, arbitrary, or unexplainable will of God. The consequence of this doctrine is, that those who have not been so chosen, will never any of them be saved. God having seen fit to pass them by, they are left without the grace of God, having no Divine assistance or influence to induce them to seek salvation. Being hereditarily depraved they are the subjects of a moral inability to obtain salvation by their own efforts, and the grace of God being withheld from them the eternal damnation of the nonelect is thus rendered as absolutely certain as the salvation of those who are personally unconditionally elected is irrevocable. The late Dr. J. Fletcher was a highly distinguished and respected Calvinist

minister; and in this very able discourse the doctrine of eternal, personal, unconditional election, is stated and defended in a most masterly manner.

However, we are not convinced by the statements and reasonings of Dr. Fletcher, that the doctrine of election, as held by him, is in harmony with the Holy Scriptures. We hold that the true doctrine of election teaches, that God has chosen unto salvation all who consent to accept of his mercy-that it his sovereign good pleasure to exercise mercy on all who consent to hear his voice and submit to him that he graciously imparts Divine light to men's understandings, works upon their consciences, and hearts, and calls them to seek his face-in one word, that by the grace of God all men have moral ability, by which they may seek and find salvation. We must not now enter upon a formal discussion of these topics, as that would require more of space than we can now afford. We are aware that metaphysical difficulties exist on both sides of the subject to which we have been referring; but we believe they are much fewer and less formidable, as to the opinions we entertain, than as to the opposite theory.

The Working Classes of Great Britain: their present Condition, and the Means of their Improvement and Elevation. By the REV. SAMUEL G. GREEN, A.B. Royal 18mo. 180pp. JOHN SNOW.

EARLY in the year 1849, an offer was made by Mr. John Cassell, of fifty pounds as a prize for the best essay on the "Improvement of the Social, Intellectual, and Moral Condition of the Working Classes." The Rev. Thomas Spencer, E. Miall, Esq., and E. Swaine, Esq., were appointed the adjudicators. Forty-eight essays were sent in, and from these the one now before us was adjudged to have entitled its author to the prize. We have read the work with much pleasure. It is written with great ability, and proves that its author entered fully into the spirit and design of the projector of the work, as to promoting the welfare of the working classes. It contains a large amount of important information, well deserving of deep consideration. We do not pledge ourselves to all the opinions advanced by the author; but we must say, that he has entitled himself to great credit, by producing so excellent a work. It evidences that its author has strong sympathy with the working classes; is an ardent lover of enlightened freedom, which recognises the rights of humanity, of property, and social order; and has applied himself with great diligence and success to the consideration of the topics on which he has written. It is a work of sterling merit, which persons of all classes of society, may read with advantage.

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, of the Gospels. By the REV. ALBERT BARNES. Carefully revised by the REV. SAMUEL GREEN. Part I. Copy 8vo. 192pp. BENJAMIN L. GREEN.

MOST surprising is the cheapness of this excellent edition of this very valuable work. We are glad to find that within the short space of two

months, the enterprize of the publisher has been acknowledged and rewarded with ten thousand subscribers. Without a very extensive sale, the work could not possibly be afforded at any thing like so small a cost.

of

"Thy Past Impressions!" By the REV. W. CLARKSON. Author "India and the Gospel," &c. Copy 18mo. 31pp. JOHN

SNOW.

A SPIRIT-STIRRING and interesting little work; well calculated to lead to profitable self-examination, and to stimulate to renewed self-dedication, and zeal, in the cultivation of the graces which adorn the Christian character.

Church Property and Church Revenues in England and Wales.

The Church in Chains.

"It's the Law;" or the Churchman's Defence of Church-Rates examined. Tracts for the Million. New Series.

THESE tracts have recently been issued by the Anti-State-Church-Association; and contain much important information, which ought to be extensively diffused, among both Churchmen and Dissenters.

HOME AND HAPPINESS IN HEAVEN.

BY MISS E. J. PEARCE.

MEMORY has often, perhaps, thrown its magic chain around us, until we have heard its faint whisperings telling of happiness, innocence, and joy, sweetening the present with dreams of fadeless bliss; yet one of the greatest consolations afforded to the human mind, is the reflection that lingers around many a fond heart, riven by coldness and deceit, "My home is in Heaven."

The bright phantoms of hope may gleam about the dying energies of man, and breathe to him of fame and renown, until he may cling to earth with devotion, but amid all the luxury and splendour that awaits the conqueror in the race of existence, there will be thorns to pierce his throbbing brow, that will teach him to look upon the coronet as an object not worthy the ambition of immortal man, but will bid him turn with fondness to that home whose portals are not guarded by the unhallowed form of envy, but where forms of seraphic beauty clasp the wanderers of earth in welcome embraces. Home to the sailor is some far distant shore, where green isles lend their loveliness to enchant the visions of the weary ones of earth. Home to the long absent one, is the enchantress that haunts his dreams with scenes of happiness that may never be realized; but the home of the pure in heart is in Heaven, and the involuntary "Are we almost there?" that escapes the lips, tells of the longing, unsatisfied desire to bathe the soul in the joys of the just.

What is it that, though all should be gloom, ever throws its brightness about the heart, and gilds the pathway of life with unfading hues of coming felicity; yea, even throws a halo around the tomb, and although it should be lowly, raises it above all earthly glories; although its dark cells should be chilling, warms its freezing air? 'Tis that there is a home in Heaven for the way-worn, whose breezes are ever mild, whose day is never ending.