saved. Thus, in their rejection and in the reception of the believing Gentiles, were fulfilled the words of Hosea, I will call them my people who were not my people, and her beloved who was not beloved; and it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there shall they be called the children of the living God.' And thus it is that Peter describes the converts of the Messiah as constituents of 'a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, by Jesus Christ.' Thus have the disciples of the Messiah an altar, of which no others have any right to eat.

But modernism sets this law at defiance by a double transgression of its provisions. First, by forming a human priesthood among the priests of God, aggrandising the former at the expense of the latter, and robbing the church of its most sacred and blood-bought privilege of joint participancy in the services of the sanctuary. And second, by admitting the unsanctified public to most of the sacred service peculiar to the called of God. That this two-fold evil can be perpetuated with impunity no one who considers the matter in the light of scripture can for a moment suppose. If it was death in Israel after the flesh for a priest to venture on service contrary to the due order, or for an unconsecrated person to assume any priestly function-if there went out fire from the Lord which devoured Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, because they offered strange fire before the Lord which he commanded them not-if, as an apostle says, these things happened to them for examples to us,' shall we conclude that the priestly law of this economy, the God of which is declared to be a consuming fire,' may be safely trampled under foot? Nay indeed. Now, as heretofore, God verifies his word to the disobedient 'I will curse your blessings.' Those ordinances which are to the faithful as life-streams in the desert are to the famishing traveller, become but waters of death to the unbelieving. There is death even in the cup of blessing to the unregenerate, unsanctified, unauthorised partaker. The spiritual lethargy and death so all-prevalent among the thousands of undiscerning, disobedient worshippers of these times are manifest verifications of the solemn words of Paul to the Corinthian church: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.' Most cruel and mistaken kindness it certainly is to admit any one to any Christian right or privilege who is not entitled thereto by Christ's own law. To give to the unconverted the book of Christian praise or to the unbaptised the loaf of remembrance may be esteemed liberal and charitable among men, but after all—if the Bible be true-prove only the savor of death unto death. Brethren, remember 'We have an altar whereof they have no right to eat who serve the tabernacle.' ED.

PARTY NAMES.

THE above is, perhaps, one of the most delicate subjects that a person can choose to write upon; for every party has great attachment to, and respect for, its time-honored name. This arises from the fact that each party's name has ever been associated with all its noble doings-with its scenes of prosperity and adversity, with every thing endeared to it by a thousand associations. Hence every party name, however foreign it may be to the scriptures, will frequently become

as familiar and as endeared to the mind as the names father, mother, husband, &c. So indelibly are party names engraved upon some minds that neither reason nor Scripture will ever efface them. Yet, I have long been persuaded that all human names, and even scriptural names unscripturally applied, are not only useless, but injurious. Dear reader, are you able to bear a few remarks upon this tender subject? It is not in my heart to offend any of those little ones who trust in Jesus; and for this reason, while I do not feel it my duty to shrink from commenting on the impropriety and evil of sectarian and doctrinal appellations of human coinage, I do feel myself under the highest obligation to select the most unoffending and loving words.

It is common to call certain truths, which are supposed to be found in the word of God, by human names-the names of certain reformers and other eminent men. Man's name can be justly applied to his own sentiments, plans, and inventions, of which he alone is the author, but can by no just rule be applied to those things of which he is not the author. Now, it is manifest, that every part of the word of life, and every element of the kingdom which is not of this world, originated in the mind of our heavenly Father, and has been given to his saints through his beloved Son and the Holy Spirit. The truth as it is in Jesus is nowhere in the Scriptures designated even by angelic names, or by the names of prophets and apostles; much less, by names of a far lower order. The holy men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit invariably called the gospel by such names and phrases as the will of God'-'the message which which we have heard of him'-'the faith which was once delivered unto the saints''my ways which be in Christ,' &c; never by any of their personal names. And why did not these holy men of God allow the grand truths which they had the honor of first presenting to the world to be called by their own names, seeing that the names of other men, of far less fame, have been carried along with the gospel to all nations, and been engraved in the granite and marble stones of their temples of worship? The reason is simply this that they looked upon themselves and all their teachings in the light of those humble, yet elevated, words- Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? and again 'which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth; but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.' If you, dear reader, have a right to call any part of the will of God by a human name, I have a right to call another part by my name, or by the name of any teacher whom I may admire. And if we have this right, all believers have precisely the same right. Dear Reader! is it not a glaring impropriety and sin to attach our unhallowed, earth-born names to any portion of the pure word of the most high God! Let the mighty gospel wing its way to all nations, kindreds and tribes of the earth designated by its own spiritual and heavenly names alone, which are full of divine significance, wisdom and grandeur.

Again, it is everywhere common for believers in Jesus to be called by human names. Is this right? By no means: see 1 Cor i. and iii. The disciples of Christ are purchased by his precious blood, hence it is written, and ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.' How dare we, then, inscribe our unworthy names upon these

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costly jewels, purchased by the precious blood of the Lamb of God? Further, believers are married to the Lord Jesus, and he has richly bestowed on them his heavenly names and honors in an infinitely higher sense than a husband does upon his bride. We learn also from the good word that he has constituted them members of his body! Are they not, then, properly and sufficiently known by the name of their head? The names Baptist, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian are scripture names, but when they are applied to designate christian churches, they are used in an unscriptural sense. No one is a Baptist, properly speaking, but he who administers the ordinance of baptism. For this reason, John is called the Baptist.' Hence it is unscriptural and incorrect to call a congregation of Christians Baptists, while there are but few administrators of that ordinance in it,generally only one-sometimes none. So, also, the name presbytery is nowhere in the scriptures applied to designate a church, but merely a certain class of men in the church. We might, with equal propriety, call all the subjects of the English government Magistrates, as to call all Christians Presbyterians. The same remark will apply to the name Episcopalian.

But we are often told by religious friends, 'Oh, names are nothing!' I commonly reply, just so, human names are nothing, and for that reason they are profitless and may be set aside as of no service. The Christian has no use for them in prayer; they will afford him no consolation in a dying hour; and they will be of no service to him before the judgment seat of Christ. It may be safely added that they are not only useless, but injurious, and tend greatly to dishonor the church of God. It is an undeniable fact that the human names which are adopted by the various parties are not received with anything like equal respect by them. In a thousand instances they beget jealousles, envyings, rivalry, anger, and quarrels ! We cannot speak so of the names which God has given to his children. These names are beautifully adapted to the Christian character of all believers, and exquisitely suit all the varied relations which the members of the christian church sustain to each other, as well as that grand relation which exists between the church and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Hence these names, so far from being useless, are of immense utility. The Christian can and must use them more or less in all his prayers. They can be sounded forth from all the pulpits and platforms of the land, without giving any just cause of offence or discord. They are names that will charm the hearts of all true beHevers and strengthen the bonds of peace and love which bind them together. Let the dying man be assured that he is a Christian, a disciple, a saint, a child of God, a follower of the Lamb, and it will afford him infinitely more consolation and hope in the face of the judgment and the world to come than the appropriation of such names as Calvinist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, &c. Let the church of Jesus associate her Lord's infinitely worthy name with all her prayers and deeds; let her bear this name aloft through every scene of her pilgrimage; let her unfurl it alone before her militant hosts in every hour of danger; let her grow impatient of any other name, regard the mention of it as a sign of weakness, a symbol of treachery, a precursor of ruin-then will her triumph be as unimpeded as her honor will be complete.

Newtown.

E. E.

ONE STEP AT A TIME.

AN old poet has strongly, though quaintly, said, in reference to anxieties for days or years to come, Stir not the mud of future depths.' And the highest of all authority thus enjoins us: Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' Yet who has not experienced the difficulty of obeying this most merciful command? Who has not felt at times bowed down under an oppressive weight on heart and spirit, which, when closely examined, is found to consist not so much of the real present burdens of to-day as the anticipated ones of to-morrow? It is the shadows of clouds yet distant that are cast before upon the path. 'How,' the weary heart will ask, 'how am I to face the tempests now gathering in yon darkening horizon? How shall the trial be borne in reality, which even in prospect seems more than I can bear?' Or if without excuse for such dark forebodings, still, 'How am I to get through so many duties, resist so many temptations, fulfil so many engagements? How shall one, already wearied in 'running with the footmen,' be able to contend with the horses?' If the cares of to-day are so oppressive, where am I to find strength for those of to-morrow?'

There are doubtless some light-hearted, buoyant spirits, and some calm, unimaginative ones, to whom such a state of feeling may be almost unknown. But the greater number of reflecting minds, it they have travelled for any length of time through the wilderness, will but too easily recognize and sympathize with it. And such, if they know the Lord, will also know how suddenly and wonderfully he can throw light upon the darkness, and, by perhaps trifling instruments, fulfil his own promise, and sustain,' under the burdens which a weak and trembling faith has sought to bring to his feet.

It was under the influence of feelings such as I have described that I set out on a country walk one summer morning. I knew by experience the reviving effects of fresh air and exercise, of the sweet sights and sounds of nature; but that day they all were powerless to cheer, and I could but adopt the poet's desponding language

'I may not hope from outward forms to win

The Spirit and the life, whose fountains are within.'

I had as companion a gentle child, whose lively prattle I was accustomed on such occasions to encourage. This morning the effort seemed impossible. I was abstracted and silent; and my young friend, after a few vain attempts at sociability, amused herself by silently gathering the flowers and chasing the butterflies of the wayside. In order to take a circuit home, it was necessary to cross a stream, which, though shallow, was of considerable breadth. There was no bridge, and the water, deepened by late rains, now dashed noisily against the stepping-stones, and, in some cases, almost covered them. I began abstractedly to cross over, till I perceived that my young companion stood still on the side I had left, evidently fearing to follow.

What Jane! why are you not coming?"

'Oh, aunt, I dare not; I am afraid.'

'Afraid! do you not see how firm the stones are?'

'Oh, there are so many; and the water is so deep! I shall never

get over. I cannot, I dare not !' and the poor little thing, naturally timid, now burst into tears.

I passed rapidly to the other side, and then returned to her. Come, silly child,' I said, half angry, half amused, do not be so foolish; you see how easily I have done it. I am not bidding you leap over the whole at once.'

Oh, aunt! who could do that?'

'Well, neither you nor I have to do it. We have only to take one step at a time; and you are not even alone; nor would the water drown you if you were to slip. Come, here is my hand; you will find each stone in itself quite firm, as you stand upon it.'

Trembling and weeping, yet fearing to disobey, she began the perilous passage. The first few steps were the worst. Her courage rose when they were over; and at last we both stood safely on the opposite bank. Little Jane sank down on the grass, as if to recover from her agitation. I seated myself beside her, and for some minutes neither of us spoke. At last she said

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'Aunt, you were quite right; one step at a time was not difficult.' 'Yes, my dear,' I replied; and remember that in your future life, when you have more difficult undertakings to get through than crossing the Avon,'

Have

The words of the child, and my almost involuntary answer, went at once to my own heart. 'Oh,' I thought, 'is not this a lesson for myself! Have not I been sinking under the anticipation of to-morrow's burdens, instead of simply attending to the duties of to-day? not I been looking to the stormy waters, rather than to the Saviour who walks upon their waves? Where is my confidence in the Wisdom that cannot err, the Love that cannot deal unkindly, the Strength that is made perfect in weakness? Lord, pardon thy sinful servant; and as regards things to come, let this henceforth be my only prayer,— Not my will, but thine be done. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.'

The spell of despondency was broken, the clouds dispelled. Little Jane and I both talked cheerfully, as we walked home together; and often since that day has the remembrance of the ford on the Avon acted as a reproof and a charm, when fears and forebodings have again assailed my faithless heart. 'One step at a time,' I have repeated to myself, as I lay down at night; 'one step at a time,' as I Commence the first duties of a new day. And faith and hope, though too feebly in exercise, have never been disappointed. The thing

that I greatly feared' has often not come upon me,' or if it has, there have been with it alleviations and comfort such as I could not have foreseen or imagined. The tasks which at a distance seemed overwhelming, patient and prayerful effort has been enabled steadily to fulfil. Never has the promise failed, As thy day, so shall thy strength be.'-Family Treasury.

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Scripture Eriticisms.

DIVINE NAMES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.-It is known by many. Bible readers that the Divine Names have not been so clearly exhibited in the common version of the Old Testament as they might. It as not so generally known how much aid towards the right appreciation